U23D

On Wednesday night, Amanda (my sister-in-law) and I went to see U23D in the theatre. It was originally released in 2008, but it didn’t come to my city’s theatre. The movie is a concert that was filmed in Buenes Aires during the Vertigo tour.

U2 has been my favourite band for many years. They’ve gotten me through good times and bad. Unless you have a favourite band, you might not understand the impact one can have on your life. I lead a pretty lonely life as a writer, and I don’t have many friends, but U2 has been there for me through everything. When I’m lonely, they’re there, when I’m happy, they’re there, when I’m sad, when I’m angry, when I’m celebrating, when I’m grieving, they’re there. They have a song for every mood and every occasion, and they’re always my go-to band when I need a pick-me-up or on a day when I’m mad and feel like holding onto that mad. I was listening to a U2 song when I found out my Grama died. They’ve been the soundtrack of my life, and for that I’ll always love them.

They’ve also been a big part of my relationship with Amanda. Things between us haven’t always been easy, especially in the beginning, but U2 has been one of the things that brought us together. I’m not sure how it came about but one day many years ago I discovered one of her favourite songs was With or Without You, and then came to realize she didn’t know it was by U2. We got talking about their music, and found out we had more in common than we realized.

In 2005, we went to our first U2 concert. We were about 18 rows from the stage, on the side, and it was one of the best nights of my life. People say seeing U2 live is like a religious experience, and I’d have to agree. It was uplifting, inspiring, and just mind-blowingly amazing. Three months later, we saw the band again, this time from the 300s (aka nose bleeds), and seeing them again was like coming home. That was the Vertigo tour, which was when U23D was filmed, so it was really exciting to know the setlist and remember little bits and pieces of the show that carried on throughout the entire tour. 
 

Getting in line at 6am paid off!

Our third time seeing the band was July 2011. I had tickets for over a year and a half because Bono was injured during the tour and they had to postpone part of it. When it finally rolled around, I definitely needed a U2 fix. I had general admission (floor) tickets, and I was determined to get inside the pit. On their last few tours, they’ve had a catwalk that stretches out in a circle from the stage and some fans are inside, some outside, and the rest are in seats. I knew the spots inside the circle were coveted and that people would be lining up early, if not camping overnight, so we were in line by 6am. I think that shows what a dedicated fan (and general crazy person) I am, that I would wait in line in the scorching July sun for twelve hours to see my favourite band. It was so worth it though because we made two new friends, one of whom had been to tons of U2 concerts and took us under her wing, and helped us not only get into the circle, but into the third row. It was amazing - every U2 fan’s dream come true, and certainly mine. I won’t go into much more detail because I’ve talked about it, and them, before (here, here, here, and here, just to name a few), but it was incredible.

As for what I thought of U23D...If you’ve never seen U2 live in concert, this is the next best thing. It’s like being in the first row, only better because you get to see things you wouldn’t even from the closest vantage point. Close-ups of Bono, Edge, Adam, and Larry, different angles, and things you’d never see otherwise. When Bono reached out toward the camera, it took everything in me not to reach back – it was so real. They did a fantastic job of producing it. It really was like being right there – I got just as emotional as I normally do at their concerts (when we were leaving, Amanda said she knew I’d cried, and I was like ‘duh I always cry when I see them live' lol). Also, Amanda is 21 weeks pregnant, and I wondered how Baby G would react to the loud music, and apparently she didn't move until With or Without You came on, and then she started kicking. I thought that was incredible - we think of that as 'our' song, the song that brought us together, so for the baby to kick right then was really fitting. We've created a U2 fan in the womb!

This was exactly what I needed. I’ve been saying for a while that 2013 is going to be epic, but let me tell you it hasn’t felt too epic the first few weeks. It was nice to get out, have some fun, see my favourite band, and feel that hope that only they have the power to instill in me. There are rumours that they’ll be releasing a new album in September (and maybe more than one, which would make me burst from over-excitement). Plus there’s the fact that I’m currently looking for signs that mean I’m supposed to go to Ireland this year (you can see what I mean by that here - 6th one down), and I feel like seeing U23D and knowing the band might be releasing a new album(s) this year are signs (they’re from Ireland). It may sound silly, but anything that keeps me going and keeps me believing can’t be a bad thing, right?


    

The Facts of Me

The Facts of Me is hosted by I Wore Yoga Pants to Work. The idea is to share fun facts about yourself - things people might not know, things that define who you are, or just zany little facts. I think this is such a great idea and when I discovered this (thanks to my friend Michelle at Book Briefs), I knew I had to participate!

*****

 

I've wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. I was always making up stories and songs when I was little. However, I didn't want to go to school for it, so I went to school for early childhood education, and spent a few years working in schools, daycares, and then being a nanny. Finally I did correspondence with a school in the States for print writing, but I still didn't publish anything for several years. I started selling short stories online, then writing articles, then finally published my first book in January 2012. I've published a book of short stories and another novel since then, and my third novel comes out this April.

My mum is my best friend. She’s the most amazing person, bar none. We live together, share expenses and the work around the house, and have a blast together.

My brother is ten years and three weeks older than I am. When I was born, he wanted a sister (my parents didn't find out my sex). I was born the last day before Christmas vacation and my parents got a call in the hospital from one of my brother’s teachers saying he wouldn’t leave the school until he found out he had a sister so he could tell his friends. I’ve often wondered what he would have done if I were a boy.

I was almost pickpocketed on a subway in Paris when I was 17. I was so shocked, I slapped the guy and he and his friends ran off the subway screaming and cursing at me and my friends in French like we were the criminals.

When I was in my early 20s, I met a girl online, we became fast friends, and within a few months, we travelled across country together. We covered a good chunk of Ontario, plus 9 States in as many days. People told us both how dangerous it was (either of us could have been axe murderers, according to family and friends), but we didn’t care. It was EPIC.  

I believe in signs. And when I go on a kick about something (right now it’s Ireland…I will be going to Ireland this year no matter what), everything becomes a sign. Like, Ooh that guy has an Irish accent, it's a sign! or Hey, they mentioned Ireland, it's a sign! or They’re playing a U2 song on the radio, it's a sign! or Look, this movie is set in Ireland, it's a sign! You get the idea. It's bizarre, but that's just how I am.

I get so much mail (mostly books - I’m also a book blogger) I’m on a first name basis with my mail lady.

U2 is my favourite band, and I’ve seen them three times. The most recent time, July 2011, my sister-in-law and I had general admission tickets and stood (sat/slept/wandered) in line for 12 hours and managed to not only make it into the pit, but also into the 3rd row.

I love taking pictures and I just discovered the macro setting on my camera last year (it was a real ‘duh’ moment - how did I not know that before?). I’m obsessed with finding things to take macro shots with. I just bought a new Canon PowerShot A810 a couple weeks ago and even though I’ve been taking plenty of pics with it I’m looking forward to nicer weather so I can get outside and play with it.

I was in the delivery room when my youngest nephew was born. It was the most amazing, beautiful, disgusting, life-altering thing ever. My sister-in-law, brother, and I all let out a cry at the same time and the baby whipped his head around to look at us, and in that moment I swear his personality was defined...he's been surprising and astonishing us ever since.

I’m addicted to buying books. ADDICTED. It’s become an unhealthy obsession. Before last year I was struggling so much financially that I couldn’t afford to buy any books but last year I was able to and once I started I couldn’t stop. Someday I’d like a library like the Beast’s in Beauty and the Beast.

 

My bedroom walls resemble that of a teenage girl’s. They’re plastered mostly with posters of U2, a few prints of Camelot (knights, ladies, etc), sparkly blue stars, and glow in the dark stars (that still glow, even though they’ve been on my walls for about 15 years).

On the same trip to France that I almost got pickpocketed, my best friend and I bought so many souvenirs we had to buy an extra suitcase. Like, a full-sized suitcase.

I’ve only had my hair cut professionally once in the last 3-4 years. Otherwise I cut it myself. 

Also, my hair is naturally curly, and right now (because I haven’t gotten out the scissors in about a year...yeah, I know that’s bad), my hair is just a few inches from my bum. I have to beat it into submission to get it to behave, but I’ve found that the length weighs the curls down a bit so they don’t spaz out so much.

So, those are some fun facts about me. If you're participating in this event, link me up in the comments and I'll come by your post. If you're not participating, feel free to leave me some fun facts about yourself!

    

Oh, How Pinteresting ~ #3

Happy Wednesday, everyone! I hope you're all having a great week. It's been a busy one here so far - I kind of feel like a chicken with its head cut off. I have this massive to-do list and only half the items ever seem to get crossed off. Something to be happy about though: just two more days and then I get a 4-day weekend! Woohoo! I still have to work those four days, but at least I'll be baby free, which is one less distraction/reason to procrastinate. Note: for those of you who don't know, I watch my 2-year-old nephew 4-5 days a week. As a writer, I work from home, so it's hard trying to work and be with him too, but thankfully my mum and I live together so she takes over baby duty when I need to work. 

Now, on to some pretty pictures! Oh, How Pinteresting! is hosted by Michelle over at The Vintage Apple. Here are some of my findings this week:

Source: grapefruitlicious.tumblr.com via Rocio on Pinterest

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I'm switching from coffee to green tea during the week for weight loss purposes. I knew green tea had a lot of health benefits, but I thought this was really interesting. Lots of reasons to drink it...now if I could actually learn to enjoy it...

Source: candiceelaineh.com via Marie on Pinterest

This took my breath away. I would love to have a beach party here, or maybe even a wedding. It also looks like a great spot to curl up with a book...I feel all zen just looking at this. ;-)

Source: iknowhair.com via Marie on Pinterest

This is so pretty, and it looks simple enough. I've never been able to master eyeliner on the upper lids, but I'm going to give it another shot. I need some new eye makeup, and I'd love to find a shimmery silver like this.

Source: ellenmgregg.com via Marie on Pinterest

What can I really say about this other than it makes me want to get on a plane right this second and visit Paris? I went when I was 17, but I'd give anything to go back now as an adult and see it with fresh eyes.

Source: bakerella.com via Marie on Pinterest

These are just too cute, and they look so simple to make! I made frog cupcakes for Mother's Day from a picture I found on Pinterest (I'll be posting my results tomorrow or on the weekend), and now I want to try these. I just need to get mini cupcake pans first.

Source: trekearth.com via Marie on Pinterest

The Giant's Causeway, Ireland. Ireland is the #1 destination on my travel wishlist, and I've always wanted to see the Giant's Causeway. 

Source: google.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

And finally, today's eye candy. I've posted pictures of Matt Davis from The Vampire Diaries the last two weeks, and even though I'm still obsessed with him, I thought I should branch out, so I'm posting a picture of my next go-to hottie, Ryan Gosling.