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?


    

First Loves Blogfest

Lost and Found is only about two weeks old, so this is my first blogfest! I'm very excited to be participating in the First Loves Blogfest, hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh, where we talk about our first loves: first movie, first song/band, first book, and first person.

First movies: I have three movies that I always associate with my childhood: Robin Hood, Sword in the Stone, and Labyrinth.  I loved movies with lots of action, humor, romance (Robin Hood and Maid Marian always made me swoon), and music. All three of these movies have great songs in them...songs I still know all the words to today!

First musical love: As a product of the 80s, it likely won't be a big shock when I say my first music love was New Kids on the Block. I think I was about six when they formed, and I was obsessed - I had all their cassettes, plus a ton of memorabilia - shirts, books, videos, even a Joey McIntyre doll. I never got the chance to see them in concert when I was little, but when they reunited, one of my childhood best friends got tickets, and we went to see them. It was a dream come true for me, almost two decades in the making, and we had a blast, especially since we were in the second row. I definitely felt like a kid again.

Back in the day. Their hair, and Donnie's expression kills me.

In 2008, when Jenn and I saw them.

First books: I loved to read as a kid (still do; my other blog is a book blog), and my first favorite books were the Berenstain Bears books. I was always obsessed with Halloween, so The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat was always my favorite. I still have my entire Berenstain Bears collection and read the books to my nephews. When I got older and started reading chapter books, Anne of Green Gables was my favorite.

First love: It took me awhile to decide what to write for this part. I knew I could talk about my parents and brother and grandparents - they were my first loves. I could talk about my childhood best friend, the one who made me realize what affectionate love was. I could talk about all the crushes I had growing up and the unrequited love I experienced (over and over and over lol). But I decided those are topics for another day. Today is for my first 'romantic love' - Roger, my first boyfriend.

I was 15 when I met Roger. All these years later, I even remember the date - October 25th, 1999. I was 15 when we met. My brother, Jamie, and I worked for a delivery company (he drove and did the actual deliveries, I was basically his sidekick and manned the CB radio…and since driving around was one of my favorite things to do, it was the perfect job). We were working that day, and I remember our boss talking to Roger over the radio (his uncle D worked for the company). Jamie and I got into a car accident that night, and long story short, Jamie was hurt, we went to the hospital, and his car was towed to D’s house to be fixed.

When we were finally done at the hospital, we ended up at D’s house to check out the car (the front was crumpled, and the passenger side door was bent - I almost hadn’t been able to get out), and Roger - until then, the faceless voice I’d been hearing over the radio - was there. People ask if love at first sight is possible, and I don’t know if it was love, lust, or infatuation, but it was instant for both of us, even at that age.

We spent quite a bit of time at D’s after that while the guys worked on Jamie’s car. I won’t bore you with details, but it was obvious Roger and I liked each other, and Jamie and his girlfriend at the time, Danielle, made sure we got to spend ‘chaperoned’ time together (my brother is 10 years older than I am, and super protective of me). The four of us spent a lot of time at Tim Horton’s, Danielle’s place, my place, and just driving around. We watched movies together, cooked dinners together, went on road trips, and basically had a blast. When I think back and realize we were only together for about two months, it’s hard to believe, because it felt like much longer. My sixteenth birthday is still my favorite birthday, because I spent it with my mum, Jamie, Danielle, Danielle’s son, and Roger, and they all made it really special and memorable for me.

Roger and I broke up around New Year’s because he had to move away. It was an odd breakup with no real closure. He popped up once a couple years later and we spent an evening together catching up. I saw him once or twice other than that until I was 19 and he showed back up - living, of all places, in the house across the road from my brother and his then girlfriend (now wife), Amanda. Three years had passed, but I still loved him, and I told him so. We spent a few weeks together, and it was a lot like it had been when we were 16. I knew it wasn’t going to lead anywhere, and I didn't even really want it to, but I enjoyed the time while I had it. Our parting was pretty much like it was the first time - no closure, but I was at least prepared for it that time because I knew what he was like.

Funny thing is, it’s been about nine years since I last saw him, and I still miss him, and think about him often. I understand now what people mean when they say you never really get over your first love. He was like part of our family - he even lived with us for a few weeks. He drove me crazy and he made me angry and he did stupid things (note to self: stay away from bad boys)...we weren’t compatible at all, but it was still amazing while it lasted, and even though I got hurt, I don’t regret it.

So, those are my big firsts. I can't wait to read about other peoples' firsts. I love getting your comments, and I promise I'll visit you in return! If you're not participating in the blogfest, feel free to tell me your firsts in the comments.

Flashback Fridays: Titanic

Flashback Fridays is going to be a weekly meme here at Lost and Found. I had originally thought it would just be something I did on my own, but then it occurred to me that other people might like to join me. I'm not going to set up a Linky until I know if anyone else is interested, but if you'd like to join in every Friday (or whenever you can), please let me know, and I'll set it up so we can all include our links and blog hop! The idea is simple: talk about the past - an event, a favorite movie, a favorite song or band, a childhood memory, TV shows you watched as a kid, games you loved to play, you name it. You can talk or just post pictures, whatever you want.

*****

I had just turned 14 when Titanic came out in theatres. I was in love with Leonardo DiCaprio after his role as Romeo in Romeo & Juliet, and the idea of Titanic fascinated me. I saw it twice in the theatre, and it became an instant favorite.

I remember the first time I heard that Titanic was coming to theatres in 3D. It was late last year, and I literally started to screech at the TV, I was so excited. How often does one of your all-time favorite movies return to theatres, and in 3D no less? I immediately messaged my sister-in-law and told her we had to go. When April finally rolled around and the movie was released, I didn't think we'd actually get to see it because we were both so busy, but thankfully we made it in the final week, and it was everything I'd hoped for, and more.

The minute the movie came on screen, I felt like I was 14 years old again. Talk about a blast from the past, only even more amazing than any memory because it was in 3D. Confession time: I have major crying issues. I cry when I'm happy and excited more than I do when I'm sad. The best way I can describe it is that I get overwhelmed when I'm happy or excited, and it needs someplace to go, so it comes out in the form of tears. It's annoying and embarrassing (although my family has always been highly amused by it and thinks it's cute *gah*), so of course, because I was so super excited, my tear ducts decided to work overtime and I swear I cried through most of the movie. Between getting to see it again after all these years, knowing what was going to happen, loving Jack and Rose so much, and knowing that the Titanic was real and all those people really died...I was pretty much a big blubbery mess.  

As for the movie itself: it was even better than I remembered. It's been ages since I watched it, so I had forgotten a lot. Like, for instance, just how young Leo and Kate were. I realize it was 14 years ago, but they look so different now! Kate was so curvy, and Leo was so...beautiful. Just beautiful. They were both ridiculously beautiful.*sigh*

I never really appreciated before what an incredible job Kate did playing Rose. Rose was funny and feisty and independent, and had all this attitude, but could be the demure lady when she needed to be, and Kate played it all to perfection. The sidelong glances at Jack, the condescending tone she often took with her mother and Cal, the terror on her face when they realized the ship was sinking - it was all brilliant. I had also forgotten how lovely she is. She's still pretty, but she was gorgeous in Titanic, with that porcelain skin, all those red curls (I want her hair...I will beat my curls into submission until they look like that, damn it!), and that luscious figure. I remember having a girl crush on her at 14, and seeing Titanic again has definitely rekindled that. 

Did you see Titanic in 3D? What did you think? Did you see it when it originally came out? Do you have a favorite character or moment from the movie?

This is unrelated to the movie, but seems worth mentioning: have you heard about the Australian billionaire who plans to build Titanic II? I rolled my eyes and shook my head when I heard about that. Seriously?? Can you say 'tempting fate'? Some people have more money than brains, I swear. What do you think? Good idea or asking for trouble?