Bonus pic: The earrings I bought for the tour. Got my bestie Naomi a pair first, then decided I had to have them too. I call mine Edgies.
TUESDAY 5/19. Cabbed back to line a bit after 5a. My ex-boyfriend Nick told me how he and his friends (7-9 in line) almost got bumped for being 5 minutes late. He told the "U2 Line Nazi" to F-off and they let them keep their places in line, ha. We checked in and realized most everyone had brought chairs etc. We stupidly forgot that we could have driven to the venue as I had read the GA rules and they were allowing parking lot refunds while fans stood in line all day. We could have even easily parked on the street for a few hours and sat in the warm car. Naomi went to Starbucks for coffees and pastries. I sat on the sidewalk for a bit. A fan who recognized me from when I started the Oakland line in 2011 offered me a blanket. Then Naomi was sitting on a bench and met a homeless guy. My friend Chris Starr called and needed someone to stand in line for his friend, saying he'd pay him $50 so the homeless guy stepped up. At 8a the venue moved us across the street next to the entrance doors. At 9a they handed out wristbands (which had "Southside" or "Northside" on them). Then we were free to go until 5p. We went back to the hotel but couldn't sleep. We showered and went back to the venue by 2p, hearing that the band was coming out around 2:30 or 3:00. Edge had already come out. I got second row center at the barricade and did see Larry and Bono come out. I didn't ask Larry for anything since I already have his auto/photograph from 2001, and Bono didn't have time for either for anyone. I didn't expect Adam to come out so I started to go to an empty chair next Nick. Then Adam came out and I ran back. Luckily I had my real ticket from the night before and just reached over people and put it close to his face. My friend had given me a pair of white sunglasses that are very Adam Popmart. I was wearing them for the first time and I think he noticed them! This blurry pic was taken with my phone camera.
Ten minutes later I was texting a friend "I got Adam's..." and I started crying, hyperventilating SO happily! I didn't quite understand my reaction but then Nick reminded me that I've been following the band for 31 years. And then I remembered that Adam was the only one I hadn't met before! We went back to the pub to eat and have a drink. Met some funny people. Gal kept joking that my new friend Fabio ("Fabono") were going to marry because we're each such diehard fans. Then I had to go into my anti-marriage debate. Fabio and I are in touch over text, usually over whatever U2 song is on our mind. Maybe we'll see a show together next year.
Since we had GA, we had to miss Zoo Station tonight. So Naomi and I went back to the line by 5p, expecting the doors open at 6p. At about 5:45 I didn't think the doors would open on time and started thinking I should use the restroom in the park. When I got to the one restroom there was a homeless woman hogging it, so I ran into the park. Then I got a text from Naomi that the doors opened and where was I! I ran over there, grabbed Naomi, and luckily we resumed our spot in the line but on the inner stairway of the venue. My U2 co-pilot Chris Starr was yelling at me for knowing better. When the inner doors opened we successfully shuffled to the beginning of the catwalk by the b-stage. Got a few drinks and enjoyed the rail compared to our seats last night. During City of Blinding Lights, Nick picked up our friend Alfredo's son Jacob.
MONDAY 5/18. On Sunday (the day before) I worked until 5:30pm. Afterward Steve and Marly Dorsett and Steve's mom and I went out to dinner in Chinatown to pre-celebrate U2 coming to town. On Monday I had a complimentary re-do at Drybar at 11:30 am. Then I took a 1:00 CalTrain to Palo Alto. My best friend Naomi Blackwood picked me up there at 2:00. We checked into an EZ 8 Motel in SJ by 3:00. A bit in the ghetto, but I was just happy that Naomi made an executive decision to get a hotel room! I'm too indecisive to do such things, especially since it's never been necessary for local shows!
When the tickets went on sale, I tried for GAs but didn't get any tickets. A few months ago I saw a fan selling a pair of seats for face value on Facebook and grabbed them. Since we had seats, it was relaxed up until the show. We heard the band might come out at 4:00, so got to the venue by that time. The band had come out a couple of hours earlier. Friends had met all band-members (except Adam). Saw Marisa by the barricades (see pic below).
Went to O'Flaherty's pub before the U2 concert. Na and I (see pic below) discovered a yummy Raspberry Cream Ale and split Fettuccine Alfredo. It was my 205th time seeing the SF U2 tribute Zoo Station play.
Got to our seats in Section 206.
It was easy to get a beer and go outside for a social smoke. When the band came on stage I slipped out of my seat onto the floor and BAWLED! I was happier than I could have even imagined to see them all in one piece! When UTEOTW started I went so pinwheel crazy that I almost got kicked out. Nick was at show with our mutual friend Jodi and she got on stage!
Everyone's favorite show so far, even those who went to Vancouver. Unusual as typically the second of two shows is better. After the show we went to the line forming for the next night and got numbers 44 and 45 and were told to be back at 5a. Then we went back to the pub and heard more Zoo, my 206th! Cabbed back to hotel.
It was easy to get a beer and go outside for a social smoke. When the band came on stage I slipped out of my seat onto the floor and BAWLED! I was happier than I could have even imagined to see them all in one piece! When UTEOTW started I went so pinwheel crazy that I almost got kicked out. Nick was at show with our mutual friend Jodi and she got on stage!
Everyone's favorite show so far, even those who went to Vancouver. Unusual as typically the second of two shows is better. After the show we went to the line forming for the next night and got numbers 44 and 45 and were told to be back at 5a. Then we went back to the pub and heard more Zoo, my 206th! Cabbed back to hotel.
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