So…The Concert.

I am tempted to use a bunch of superlatives that would attempt to convey the sheer awesomeness of this show, but I’m going to resist that temptation. I will say this: U2 puts on an exceptionally good live show. The creativity of the staging and the music work together to provide an experience that’s almost an affront to the senses: you’re not sure where to look, but everywhere you look you see something you like. It’s really just remarkable. Add in the sweetness (not sugar-sweet, but tail-kicking-sweet) of Reliant Stadium (where I used the cleanest public restroom I’ve ever encountered!), and you’ve got quite an experience in the making.

Then there’s the music…oh, the music. I have to admit that before this concert, I was, at best, a very casual U2 fan and there has been some “studying” in the last several weeks to prepare myself for this event. During these cram sessions (if only all studying was as great as this!), I discovered that inside this very casual fan lives a fan, no qualifiers needed. It’s well-crafted, modern rock. Even their older stuff sounds current. I don’t know how that works from a songwriting perspective, but it’s a remarkable feat for a song written twenty years ago to sound like a fresh idea to today’s ears.  (I think so, anyway. What do I know? I couldn’t even dress myself for this!)

Speaking of dressing myself, I have a story, and it goes exactly like this: Joey and I got to the stadium early and we found our seats and sat and people-watched. There was a lot to see. Right before the opening act comes on, some of our row-mates arrive. It’s a couple, a man and a woman. The gentleman enters first and as his wife/gf/so enters the row behind him, I notice immediately that she’s wearing the same shirt I am. The color is different, but it’s totally the same shirt. Out of what must have been 55,000 or 60,000 people in that building, I’m sitting directly next to a woman who’s got on the same top I do. Awesome. We joke about it and I even briefly consider taking a picture with her but she’s much prettier than I am (yeah, I went there) and I decided I didn’t need photographic proof. Funny how that works.

It’s so late and I’m tired but kind of wound up. I have a lot on my mind and it’s kind of strange that the concert is over. I have been looking forward to this for almost two months and now it’s behind me. Keep looking forward.

There are two sets of lyrics that are taking turns alternating through my head and I have to jot them down to get them out. Here goes:

  • You don’t know how beautiful you are.
  • I still haven’t found what I’m looking for. [And I haven't. I thought I had, but I have not, it seems.]

I still have a wee bit of tinnitus from the show and the mini-concert in my car on the drive home. Totally worth it. :)

If I can get myself together, there may be a post with pictures, but that won’t be tonight. If you’ve made it this far, give yourself a pat on the back and a pull of your own finger. You deserve a break (of the wind) today.