"It's Such a Perfect Day ..." (My Coldplay Concert Review)

Last Wednesday, Caitlyn and I attended Coldplay's concert at the United Center. We had front row tickets on the the third level that were smack dab in the middle of the stadium. The concert was amazing! Chris, Jonny, Will and Guy rocked the house, playing most of the tracks off their new album, "Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends". They also shot a video for the song "Lost!" which required them to play the song twice. The sing-alongs to "Fix You" and "Yellow" were enormous and overtook Chris Martin's vocals.

Unfortunately, I ran into huge problems with my camera (it just decided to freeze up in a weird half-way focus position) and the section we sat in was filled with a bunch of people whom I will simply call lame for a lack of a better word. Most normal, music-loving people attend a concert to have a good time because they're genuine fans of the band ... they have looked forward to the concert for a long time ... they have paid A LOT OF MONEY for their ticket ... they want to show their appreciation by getting up off their seat and clapping their hands, dancing if so moved ... singing aloud ... you get what I'm saying, right? There were people in our section who didn't even get up when they ripped into "Viva La Vida" (which sounds much better live) and "Clocks". It just really bugged me. It sounds a little harsh, but if you want to sit the whole time, stay at home and listen to the CD. (I've been throwing around this idea in my mind ... rather than a word scrabble verification, I think Ticketmaster should institute a trivia question quiz for people purchasing concert tickets for various bands so that only real fans can get tickets). Okay, thanks for letting me vent.

Again, the concert itself was great. This was my second time seeing them performing live. I first saw Coldplay when they came through town in '06 on the Twisted Logic Tour. The sound was much improved this time. I've become a huge fan of Jonny Buckland, the lead guitarist (I don't know what it is about those British boys). Each member of the band is an accomplished musician in their own right and they play more than one instrument. Caitlyn and I have joked around about plotting ways to fly across the pond to follow the band on the European leg of the tour. Perhaps, we can volunteer for Oxfam and get into the shows for free!

Here are a few of my pictures and a link to the rest on Flickr: Coldplay in Chicago (072308) Viva La Vida Tour.


Jonny and Chris during "Viva La Vida".

The band performing "Chinese Sleep Chant" on a side stage. It's too bad my camera was only semi-operable because normally this would have been an amazing shot :-(

Jonny, Will, Chris and Guy in Section 109 of the UC performing "Scientist."


Will on vocals for "Death Will Never Conquer."


Chris and Guy after the paper butterfly effects of "Lovers in Japan."

"The sky could be blue, I don't mind, Without you it's a waste of time, Could be blue, I don't mind, Without you it's a waste of time."

Strawberry Swing by: Coldplay

MAKE TRADE FAIR

From the casino’s to the Windy City..

From the casino’s to the Windy City..

Posted using ShareThis

A Hot Summer's Day at Daley Plaza

Yesterday, I walked up to the farmer's market at Daley Plaza with Tamar during lunchtime. A group of students performed a few dance movements out on the plaza under the blazing hot sun. The teens are a part of the City of Chicago's "After School Matters" program, which provides training in a partnership with the Joffrey Ballet. These were kids were very good.

The Past Week (and a Half)

I had every intention to update my blog last week, but a few techno issues involving my new Blackberry prevented me from doing so. Okay, it sounds lame, but it is a totally viable excuse. When you can upload photos and post text while riding the 'el into work, you're definitely making the most of your time. Anyhow, here are highlights from the week that was:

• Last Monday (July 7th) was Ringo Starr's birthday. He wanted everyone around the world to join together at Noon and say, "peace and love." The rumor was that he was to appear at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. Since it's along my usual running path and I'm a HUGE Beatles' fan, I ran over and waited along with 35 others in the misty rain for Ringo to appear. We waited ... and waited ... until someone in the group received a phone call. It turned out that Ringo was over at the Hard Rock Hotel -- a block and a half from my office. Sigh. At Noon, we all did raise our hands up and make the peace sign.
• During Tuesday's run, a stranger high-fived me as I ran by, which, in a funny-strange way, provided motivation.
• Isn't it wonderful to just have a day where you can just hang out at home and do NOTHING! Saturday was that day for me. Outside of pulling weeds in my garden and attending a graduation open house in the evening, it was a lazy day. Darrin bought the Wii Fit game and the four of us were down in the basement taking turns exercising with our little Wii characters.
• The graduation open house that we attended was for the daughter of Darrin's best friend, Jim. Danielle is the first of our friends' kids who has graduated high school and is moving on to college. They played a DVD of pictures beginning from when she was a baby up through her childhood and it included the graduation ceremony. It was set to music and almost all of the women watching it got teary-eyed. I can't imagine how much more emotional I'll be when Caitlyn graduates in two years.
• Speaking of tears, I caught the end of "Steel Magnolias" tonight on the Oxygen network and cried, too.

"We will sing ..."

PICT0112, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

I decided to shoot a few pics in black and white during worship time at last night's SST junior high session. I liked the way the cross stood out and was illuminated by the light from behind.

i Hear - It's Super Summer Time!

Today is the official Super Summer Time kick off at our church. I'm volunteering this year with the junior high teens overseeing registration. As you can see from the video, it's a loud, crazy week of fun, music, hype and challenge all designed to reach out to youth who are in desperate need of hope and truth. i hear ... do you?

God Bless America!

Backyard Fireworks, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

We're getting ready to head down to the Taste of Chicago with my parents to sample the culinary treats of our city's various restaurants. Later this afternoon, we'll drive out to Indiana for our annual 4th of July BBQ at Darrin's sister's house. More food, swimming and the big fireworks extravaganza in celebration of our country's birthday ... my home sweet home.