U2 in Houston

Two weeks ago we headed to see U2 at their 360 Tour at Reliant Stadium. Their stage, known as The Claw, is just incredible. The sheer size & scope of their tour is also amazing- they have 3 of these stages roaming around the US & being set up for a few concerts a week. Above is the nice little photo they sent me, but all the rest are mine.



We purchased some really reasonable charity tickets that benefits the [Red] campaign & that was a reserved area next to the catwalk called The Red Zone. We didn't have to get there at 9AM to wait in line to get hear the stage.



On each of the 4 arms of The Claw was a device with 3 chairs & 3 lighting people that got hoisted up to the top just before the show started.



The Claw and stage below were surrounded by speakers and lights that made the show phenomenal.



There were people inside the catwalk, but we ended up about 1 row back on the outer edge. The screen above the stage shows very cool images that are edited together really well & constantly changing.



It's nice that U2 lets you bring cameras, even if I could only bring my small point & shoot, I still got a few good photos in the challenging lighting.



The show itself was just amazing. I'm not a huge U2 fan, but I knew almost all of the songs, especially since I'd bought and listened to their latest album- No Line on the Horizon.



Bono puts on an incredibly entertaining show that had the whole stadium rocking.



It was great when they turned on the audience lights and you could see the whole place singing and dancing along.



I was equally fascinated and amazed at The Claw. Just check out these camera & the dolly, plus all the wiring and all technology involved. It was just overwhelming.



Then the screen descended & the honeycomb separated for another cool trick.



Bono & the others had visited NASA while they were in Houston & spoke with the astronauts in space.



Love all the people taking pictures with their cameras below him.



He was always walking quickly when he went by us & this was the best photo that I could manage, but it was still very exciting. I think this is the closest I've ever been to a real celebrity.



The show lasted nearly 2 hours & we didn't leave until the end!







Green guitars...purple guitars- gotta love it!



Just about every seat that I could see was filled.







The lighting was just beautiful & captivating, making the atmosphere for the Houston concert.



On our way out, we got to see the Claw from the front & it was incredibly impressive, especially with the roof open & the fresh air coming down.



Here is a cool little video I took while the crowd sand "Stand by Me"

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: My husband is awesome...some days that's enough!

Whirlwind Weekend

A few weeks back, the stars aligned and we had plans for Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday night. Some of our friends asked if we wanted to check out Phantom of the Opera while it was in town. We hadn't been to a musical since the Lion King & needed to get 1 more theater trip on our 101 List.



We joined our friends for a yummy dinner & then headed over to the Hobby Center. I'd read up on wiki about the original storyline & about Andrew Lloyd Webber's version of Phantom that's been on Broadway for decades.



We had a blast hanging out with our friends & despite the show being really late for me (8-1030pm) I enjoyed most of it. Some of the songs did get a little long, but the costumes and stage work was pretty interesting. We missed Wicked when it was in town & I think we're going to try to catch it in New Orleans next year.



Friday night found us back out at the Pavilion for an Aerosmith concert. We grabbed dinner & drinks with these friends, so we got there near the end of ZZ Top's opening act.



We had to fight out way around to find a small patch of grass at the top of the hill to settle into.



It was so freaking hot & I'm just getting too old (and spoiled!) to be fighting for a seat.



Honestly, the concert was a little disappointing. I'm not a giant Aerosmith fan, but I was bummed they didn't play more of their big hit songs that I could sing and dance to on the hill.



Saturday evening found us at my company's 25th Anniversary party at Maggiano's. I've been with my boss for 11 years now (since graduating high school), but there are a few people who have been with him almost the entire 25 years. It was great to see all my co-workers spouses & celebrate such a wonderful accomplishment for my boss and our company.


GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Headed to Dallas today to watch a baseball game!

Double Header Concerts

The week before last, we headed went to see Dave Matthews Band at the Cynthia Mitchell Woods Pavilion. It was the first concert there since the repairs had been made after Hurricane Ike. It started out as a great afternoon- H was home early for work & we beat traffic up the the Woodlands & had dinner. Thanks blackberry for the photo!



I'd actually bought seats for this concert and sort of think it was worth it. We're always running late everywhere & I hate rushing to get to a concert to try to save your place on the lawn. The concert was pretty good, but I didn't enjoy it was much as I'd hoped.



I loved the jamming on the saxophone and trumpet parts, but I didn't know too many of the songs. Guess I'm not as big a fan as I thought! :(



I just had so much fun 2 years ago, that I think my expectations were too high & I wasn't digging the just-about-zero-alcohol margaritas that they sell there.



It was good enough, but I was still disappointed. We're going to see them again in Austin in October at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, so I've got a few months to learn more of their songs.



We actually met up with a few of H's friends after the concert- some who had gone & one who was in town from Louisiana for the weekend.



Saturday night, we headed down to the Toyota Center to catch the Fleetwood Mac concert with some of H's friends. It wasn't something I would have picked to go to, but the concert was pretty good.



I'd never know the rocky & tumultuous history behind the two lead singers- it makes the songs and concert much more interesting.



Stevie Nicks was really looking her age, but Lindsey Buckingham was a great entertainer for the night- filling in with some commentary to make the songs more interesting and jamming out on his guitar.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Lots of good stuff to blog about this week- Vizsla play day, mother's day, painting projects & more!

Rodeo Houston 2009

We went with H's 2 best friends and their girlfriends to see Rascal Flatts at the Rodeo.

These were the two best men at our wedding & have known each other since Junior High- how neat is that?

We don't look too bad all "cowboy-ed" up, do we?

A new event this year is mutton-busting- where they have kids 3-5 years old ride these sheep. It's my new favorite thing & it's HYSTERICAL!

We also got a new fancy stage this year that was very impressive.

There is a bottom round skirt that lights up to coordinate with the background, which also coordinates with the giant jumbo-trons overhead.

When the stage had rotated towards the other side of the stadium, you could still sort of see through the background. But when it turned toward you, it was like a semi-transparent screen that would project colors and video onto.

All in all, very cool stuff & a great show by Rascal Flatts. We had a blast hanging out with our friends & we're going camping with them next weekend.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Survived another (short) week & can't wait to hang out with hubby this weekend.

Clashing Concerts

This month we've attended two very different concerts- AC/DC and The Eagles. Let me start by saying that the Eagles were rescheduled from a concert that was originally to take place as Hurricane Ike hit town.

AC/DC was loud and rowdy right from the start- including this giant train engine that was smoking on stage most of the night.

I know a few of the very popular songs, but wouldn't really consider myself a huge fan. I was highly amused by the very talented guitarist who proceeded to strip from his *unusual* outfit and then play the rest of the concert in only his shoes & shorts.

Lots of fire & lots of very loud! Despite their age, these guys were still rocking and rolling like there was no tomorrow.

Near the end the had a very special klassy blow-up doll with ripped garters, an array of tattoos and money sticking out of her bra.

The place was packed & there were some very excited concert goers that night. The show ended with a row of giant cannons repeatedly firing off shots.

And then we had the Eagles concert. It couldn't have been any more opposite in style and substance. Nice happy scenes like this backdrop for Hotel California and a bunch of very mellow old men.

They put on a great show & sang more songs than I remembered them singing. It was enjoyable, but a bit low-key.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Merry Christmas Eve everybody! We're visiting lots of family & eating lots of food this evening.