U2 The Concert...continued

Our goal was to be in line by 2 o'clock. We were actually in line closer to three. It was hot. It was humid. We brought chairs and water. We were set for the duration. When we got in line, a Sharpie was passed to us to put our place in line on our arms in case we had to leave the line. I was number 575. Greg, Sarah, and Randy were the three numbers around me. We anxiously waited for 5 o'clock so we would be moving into the stadium. When it finally got here, we were excited to see the first people literally running after their ticket was scanned. It was agreed Greg and Sarah would run on ahead once scanned to start holding a place for the older and slower.

When the first ticket was scanned, the lady said it had been refunded. We were shocked. She did it again and said the same thing. People are waiting behind us to scan theirs and people were getting theirs scanned in other lines and running on in. We were directed to a ticket window outside the gate and around the stadium. There we were told that the tickets had been reported lost. Sarah had purchased the tickets. She explain to the lady that she had not reported them lost or stolen. The lady said the problem was with Ticket Master. After about 20 minutes we go the problem straightened out. In the mean time, many more people had streamed in to the stadium. We were disheartened by this for we knew our front and center position was gone.

Although our front and center position was gone, we were still within the inner circle. We were actually closer than I thought we were going to be. I still had to strain and crane my neck at times, and my neck was sore for several days afterward. The concert was great with a mixture of old and new U2 songs. Bono even sang Amazing Grace. It was priceless. I urge all who do not know U2 very well to give them a listen or read their lyrics. I love them! I hope it is not 4 more years before they come around again.

U2...The Concert

Sarah calls Bono her "soul brother". I just know he has been given a gift and seems to carry a burden to share it with the rest of us.

Bono in the midst of the crowd.

A shot of the whole group at the end of the show.
By the end of the concert, Randy's knees were done. I was tired as well, only remembering when I lay my head on the pillow that night when I went to bed.
Sarah and Greg...Greg took all the other pictures. He did a great job in that huge crowd. It doesn't hurt to be 6'2"!
The camera guys had a definite 'bird's eye" view on one of the legs of the 'spaceship".

Last Wednesday, October 14(Randy's birthday) we(Randy, myself, Sarah, and Greg) went to a concert in Houston. We went to see U2. Anyone hwo halfway knows me , knows that I am a huge fan of that Irish group. One might even say I am fascinated, infatuated, or even have a crush on the lead singer who goes by the name, Bono. How did I become such a dedicated fan to Bono and U2? I would not say it was by accident, but it did start out circumstantial.

Randy is the original U2 fan of this family. He has enjoyed them since they began growing in popularity in the early 80's. Sarah has loved them since she was a young teenager. I knew of their music, but did not know much more.

In the spring of 05, Sarah called to tell us they were coming to Houston. Randy gave her permission to purchase 4 tickets. I was not even intersted in going. The plans were for Randy, Sarah, and perhaps our 2 boys. Sarah had not began dating Greg yet. The concert was not until October. When October rolled around, it was understood that Sarah, Randy, and now Greg would be going. Daniel did not want to go(Go figure). Our oldest son, Jacob, was to be in the number 4 spot. It turned out that he could not make it, so I was up. I felt bad that I did not recognize a lot of their songs or know the words. I left there wanting to know more about the group whose songs had lyrics that spoke to me.

As is the norm for me whe I want to know more about anything, I turned to Google. I researched lyrics and Bono. I learned that Bono wrote most of the lyrics to the songs and that he is a great activist and humanitarian. I bought all their CD's, and thus my admiration began to grow.

Now that I have given you the background of my U2 attachment, I will fast forward to last Wednesday's concert. It was scheduled for 7 PM. The opening band would come on then, so we did not look for U2 until 8 or so. I will insert here that although the opening band was good, I could not help but think I just wanted them to get through and get off the stage for U2. The opening group's name was Muse. I had never heard of them. About a month ago, Sarah burnt 3 songs of theirs for me to listen to. I recognized 2 of them at the show. Again, I just wanted them get finished so we could hear U2. We had waited 4 years for this concert, and we were all ready.

I will continue this post later for we did have some drama before getting into the stadium.

Birthday Boy

Today is Randy's birthday! He is 56 years old. I know he doesn't mind me saying that. I have known Randy for a little over 27 years. I have been married to him for a little over 26 years. He is truly my very best friend. Here are a few pictures of the birthday boy!


Randy loves to travel as much as I do.

Randy and the "bike".




Randy can get in some "high" places.


Randy is Liam's best friend too! He sure loves
PawPaw!

Happy Birthday Randy! I am looking forward to
celebrating many more with you!

The Desk

I have always wanted an antique student's school desk. I have looked on Ebay for years and at flea markets. I was never willing to pay what was being asked. Last Wednesday Sarah emailed me at work to tell me she had found one on the local website for used items called Woodlands on line. The people who had it were moving and just wanted to get rid of it. They were asking $35. I told her to get it. I figured it was worth that much even if I had to do some refurbishing. Needless to say, it is beautiful and in great shape. I picked it up Saturday. The craftmanship that went into the desk is hard to believe compared to the way things are massed produced today. It is made of wood and iron, two materials that are long lasting.

The people Sarah got it from bought it at an antique store in Fredricksburg, TX. They did not know anything else about it. I was hoping it had a "story". I am sure it served students very well in its time. I am so happy to give it a new home. I know it will become near and dear to this school teacher's heart. I was not quite sure where to put it. I put it by the front door. Sometimes when you place something, you get that feeling it belonged there. Unfortunately, I do not have that feeling. It will have to grow on me or I will move it. Thanks Sarah for finding this wonderful desk


I placed it by the front door. I am not 100%
happy with that placement.

The seat still folds up.

This is the front. Another desk would have bolted
to it.

This is how it looks with the seat down.

This is a sideview with the seat down. I used
Old English on the wood and cooking oil(Randy's
suggestion) on the iron.

Thinking it looked rather plain. I "falled" it up.
I wonder how long Liam will let it stay like this.