twodoebs

Random Thoughts From Our Random Minds

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Religious!

By: doebtown

Last night's U2 concert?--WOW! I guess I can't speak for Sweet Kati, but I had SO much fun. And everything worked out PERFECTLY!

Many thanks right off the bat to G for helping us buy these tickets way back when and putting up with the problems of the pre-sale. You're the man, bud!

Also, before I start going on and on, let me encourage everyone to take 60 seconds and point their browsers real quickly to the website for the One Campaign. The One Campaign is Bono's newest pet project and it is a truly noble effort for us to take very seriously the idea that we could very realistically end extreme poverty in the world. Bob and Paula, I'm looking in your direction, here, because the efforts are mostly pointed at relief to Africa and I know how deeply these people touched your lives when you were there. So, as I say, mosey on over there--the man's not looking for your money, or even your time . . . he just wants you to add your name to a petition saying that you children should not be dying of mosquito bites in 2005, no matter where they live.

SO, my commitments to Bono out of the way, let me get to it . . .

The night got off to a good start early in the day when my spirits were buoyed by good news from one of my potential employers. So I went to the show "higher than a kite!"

Kati and I decided to take a cab out to the Continental Airlines Arena, rather than drive ourselves. Which turned out to be a very good idea, not only to avoid any problems with drinking and driving, but because we didn't have to putz with traffic, parking, or getting lost (relatively assured with me driving).

We got to the arena to hear the opening act playing. I didn't hear much of them and didn't care for what I did hear. We spent a short while shopping around at the merchandise stands (I walked away with a t-shirt and a baseball cap and Sweet Kati scored her very first U2 concert t-shirt!).

We found our seats, which WERE pretty much at the back of the arena. But we were there, we could see everything (the band was really small, but we could see them), and--most importantly--we could HEAR everything!

As for the show, I'll leave a nuts-and-bolts review up to someone else (you can check out the set list for last night or read the New York Times' review of the show). Musically and from a production standpoint, these people have much better things to say than I do.

I had just a couple of thoughts. First, it was just a touch unsettling to see how old everyone there was. I mean, I guess one wouldn't expect anything DIFFERENT from the followers of a band whose lead singer just turned 45 years old (that means he's closer to my parent's age than to my age! . . . ). I DO, however, enjoy the thought of following a band that's still young and hip, but--the best band it the world they may still be--that's apparently no longer U2.

Second, there was this really peculiar happening where they stopped serving beer fifteen minutes into the show. And much like the New York City smoking ban, the effect was super pleasant. Instead of having drunk assholes puking all over my shoes in the bathroom by the end of the night, everyone stayed put together all night long. Very nice; very U2.

I've talked before about the distinction I draw between religion and spirituality. To me (and yes, I'm very well aware that this is not a commonly accepted understanding) religion is the habitual repetition of words and actions that guide one towards greater spiritual well-being. Religion is not NECESSARILY associated with God, although the resultant requirement that it enhance one's spirituality typically DOES have the net effect of associating religion with God. But one could exercise religiously, one could fish religiously, and one could meditate religiously.

And enjoying myself at that concert last night made it abundantly clear (and brace yourself Sweet Kati, 'cause here's where I'm about to sound like the rampant U2 fan that you initially said annoyed you) that U2 is religion to me . . . going to that concert and singing those songs--truly--at the top of my lungs and from the bottom of my heart made me realize just how much of an influence that music and lyrics has had in shaping my spirituality as a Gen X American Christian.

And--as ALWAYS--I find NO shame in this. Once again, being a U2 fan made/makes me proud.

So last night, I made up my mind that as a tribute and thanks to U2, I would put together a list of the quotes that have most stuck out at me over the years. It's not exhaustive by any means. But I do believe it'll portray a sense of what I've gotten from the years that I spent with U2.

- "Uncertainty can be a guiding light." (Zooropa)

- "It's a beautiful day." (Beautiful Day)

- "Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel . . . luckily!" (City of Blinding Lights)

- "I can't sing, but I've got soul." (Elevation)

- "Oh, Lord, if I had anything, anything at all, I'd give it to You." (Gloria)

- "I don't know which way the wind will blow." (Kite)

- "I don’t know if I can take it, I’m not easy on my knees." (Love And Peace Or Else)

- "There is no failure here, sweetheart, just when you quit." (Miracle Drug)

- "Lookin' for to save my, save my soul." (Mofo)

- "If you wanna kiss the sky, better learn how to kneel (on your knees, boy!)." (Mysterious Ways)

- "You've got an unquenchable thirst for New York." (New York)

- "Don't worry, everything's just fine." (Numb)

- "We get to carry each other." (One)

- "The end is not as fun as the start." (Orignal Of The Species)

- "Jesus could you take the time to throw a drowning man a line--peace on Earth." (Peace On Earth)

- "You can't escape if you're running from yourself." (Red Light)

- "You gotta cry without weeping, talk without speaking, scream without raising your voice." (Running To Stand Still)

- "Some days take less, but most days take more." (Some Days Are Better Than Others)

- "You don’t have to go it alone!" (Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own)

- "Oh, the city's desire to take me for more and more." (Surrender)

- "It's no secret that a conscience can sometimes be a pest." (The Fly)

- "Sun shine, sun shine on me!" (The Three Sunrises)

- "Jesus, don't you wait up, Jesus I'll be home soon." (The Wanderer)

- "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle." (Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World)

- "You miss too much these days if you stop to think." (Until The End Of The World)

- "I wanna feel sunlight on my face." (Where The Streets Have No Name)

- "You're dangerous, 'cos you're honest." (Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses)

- "I'm ready--ready for what's next!" (Zoo Station)

- "I waited patiently for the Lord--He inclined and heard my cry." (40)

posted at 10:29 AM

Comments:

well...as a U2 newbie, I have to thank Matt (and G) for making sure i did get to my very first U2 concert...it was a TOTAL blast and you realize HOW many hits these guys have since the only U2 album I ever owned was "Joshua Tree" back in the 80's (and yes, it was a cassette!)...but i did know most of the songs at this concert- and had a GREAT time!
now in adding to matt's list of fave quotes...i have two from the same song:

"Can - you - hear - me - when - I -
Sing, you're the reason I sing
You're the reason why the opera is in me..."

and

"You don't have to put up a fight
You don't have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight"

both from "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own"

Thanks for a great night!

# posted by

Anonymous : 11:38 AM

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Yeah . . . the days of The Joshua Tree--I have fond memories of that album being popular, as well.

Security at the concert was pretty relaxed. They patted me down when I went through the gate and they peaked in Sweet Kati's purse (I noticed they didn't pat HER down!), but it wasn't ANYTHING intrusive--more of an afterthought than anything REALLY preventitive.

Pictures were the same way. The ushers would shine a flashlight on someone who was taking flash pictures, but it's not as if they confiscated the camera or anything.

Cell PHONES! . . . now THAT'S a different story. U2 was onto something with cell phones. As I love to do, though, I'll direct you to a newspaper article (this time around, it's from the Chicago Tribune) to let a PROFESSIONAL writer explain the concepts. It was cool--a VERY cool concept--although I was a LITTLE disapointed with the fan participation in New Jersey (I think they all thought they were too cool for school . . . but you can rest ASSURED that TNT was out doing TRIPPLE duty!).

# posted by

doebtown : 2:26 PM

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twodoebs

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Religious!

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