MLK

A funny and true story:

My co-worker Peter was attending a service at Glide Memorial Methodist in San Francisco earlier this year. He brought his parents, who were visiting from New York. In the middle of the sermon, a woman came to the front to pass a note to the Reverand Cecil Williams who muttered, "Yeah, OK, at the end..." When he was done, he called out to the crowd, "OK you can let that young man step forward now..." A short man wearing all black and dark glasses made his way to the front of the church. Realising it was Bono, a small wave of cheer and gleeful shouts also made its way to the front of the room. He stood at the front and declared Reverand Williams "The Pope of San Francisco." Bono then proceeded to sing "It's a Wonderful World" acapella.

By this time people were on their feet, cheering and singing along in wide-eyed amazement. Peter's parents were totally caught up in the excitement too. Imagine an older Jewish couple bobbing up and down, singing along "....I see skies of blue..." clapping and cheering. It wasn't until the end that Peter asked his mom and dad, "Wasn't it amazing to see Bono here?" "Who's Bono?" asked his mother and father in unison. Cute.

The crew at pennylane productions have finally put away the codeine and tylenol. i've finally stepped out of my flu fog. For the past 8 days, my life has been all about: cough syrup, soup, tons of water and juice, no patience for reading, a few mind-numbing and awful MTV shows (Real World, TRL, Laguna Beach...i know, pretty disgusting indeed) and little or no appetite whatsoever.

It's odd how your body weakens. You nearly forget what it's like to be healthy and going about your daily routines. i was dying going up and down the stairs--hello, there are like 5 of them. i was a bit over zealous this morning by attending Boot Camp. It was windy and arctic, but i'm feeling more amongst the living more now than i have in a while.

And i'm happy to say i'll be seeing U2 tonight for the third time since the early 90's. This will be Cappy's first time, and i know she'll love it. If you've seen them in concert, you know firsthand how they can make an arena feel like a small venue. You experience that "band + audience = one" feeling. Cheesy, i know, but i really don't care....

Possible playlist tonight:

Main Set: City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, The Electric Co., The Ocean, I Still Haven't Found, Beautiful Day - Many Rivers to Cross, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One - MLK

Encore(s): The First Time, Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, With or Without You, All Because of You, Yahweh, 40

If they play "MLK" tonight, it will be worth the whole arena experience and the fact that i don't know much of their stuff since the Joshua Tree. Hearing "Bad" will be unbelievable and very much appreciated. But hearing "The Unforgettable Fire" will certainly be a religious experience for sure.

Damian Marley, son of Bob, is the opening act. In this tour, loads of musical guests have been known to appear. In Las Vegas, Mary J. Blige and Brandon Flowers from the Killers shared the stage.

i wonder who will appear tonight...