Dreamforce

In late Aug 2016 my boyfriend Scott Haeger saw a flyer from a company called Acrobat Outsourcing [note: Acrobat (U2 song)] seeking staff for Dreamforce, Salesforce’s annual conference, Tue Oct 4 through Fri Oct 7. We knew U2 was playing Dreamfest, the concert at Dreamforce. I made an appointment for August 29, worried that there would be too many staffed already. However, it turned out I was one of the first to answer the ad. I asked to be placed at Dreamforce on Oct 5 but said I was available other days that week, so they scheduled me Sun, Oct 2 through Wed Oct 5 including a day of registration, two days of registration, and Dreamfest!

On the day of Dreamfest, dozens of us workers spent a long but fun day in the barn where they used to store the cows. But above us on the hill was this room where the after-party occurred. This shot is during the day.

We also had some time to check out the stage area early in the day. Later, finally as we started to march back outside, all together for the show, we were being lead to the upper parking lot to operate merchant stands. I pulled Scott aside and said, "I don't know what we're going to do, but I am not missing the show." His idea was to beeline over to the ADA ramp (lifted above the crowd for any concertgoer with a legitimate disability, best place in the house!) where he saw a few other workers. He said we were sent to this area. I added that (fill in name of our supervisor which I forget now) sent us. The guy in charge seemed perplexed as he had enough workers in the area, but he compliantly agreed. He even fit us on the overcrowded cart as he drove us back to the barn to get gloves, caps and scarves so we would be warmer, and it was still daylight.



Later as the audience started forming, Scott and I had a tight hug. We just could not believe our good luck for this day. Our friend Iris took this of us without us knowing!

The best part of the night was when Scott was trying to block a woman and a man from walking up the ramp when I realized it was Edge's wife Morleigh Steinberg and Bono's best friend Gavin Friday. So I very vocally told Scott it was okay and why. Morleigh and Gavin said they were trying to avoid fans who were sneaking cigarettes in the crowd. We got to watch a few songs with them by our side!

And of course a great part of the night was watching Bono fire Trump, courtesy of YouTube:

TORONTO

Originally my bestie Naomi Blackwood was coming with me on the trip for one show, but we didn't realize how much the flights would be. My ex-boyfriend Nick decided to go so we swapped our extra ticket for each night and booked a flight together. 

He and I came straight from the airport to get in line (which Lianne started, you can see the 1 on her hand) to meet our friend Laetitia and join the queue 24 hours in advance of the first Toronto show. Nick ended up relieving Lianne overnight so she could rest. Here's group:

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First evening in Toronto after flying all day and checking into the queue. No show this night. Pint glasses had messages on them and I kept spotting ones that were similar to U2 lyrics! This one reads, "Hold me Thrill Me Just don't spill me." A play on Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me at Jack Astor's Patio. 

"Sisters, brothers" One (U2 song) ... I made "Mirrorball Mark" laugh saying, "Where's my U2Sistah necklace? That's what I wanna know!" Notice our Adam Clayton glasses. He is the bassist in ACROBAT - The U2 Tribute Show and has been on stage a few times now! Check out U2 Brothr - The Movie. Queueing, Toronto1 — with Mark Baker. 

A gal passed out these signs in the queue for Toronto1. Bono actually sang the With or Without You coda during Toronto2. I jumped up and down and cried so hard. Hadn't heard it since Croatia in 2009. 

My first time on catwalk near main stage on this tour. I cried when we got here! 7/6/15, Toronto1 — with Laetitia Lieutaud. 

Taken by U2TOURFANS. 7/6/15, Toronto1 — with Laetitia and Nick. 

7/6/15, Toronto1 — with The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr. and Bono. 

Intermission. 7/6/15, Toronto1 — with Trisha Layton and Laetitia Lieutaud. 

Queue list. The first 7 took shifts of staying in line all night. Nick, Laetitia and I didn't have to do it, because Nick stayed up all night leading the queue the night before! — with Syrene Reilly, Geisa Gibin, Anu Bahri, Noah Joshua Alexander, Debbie Loncar, Jodi Warren, Laetitia Lieutaud, Names Hendo and Cathy Bilotta.

Front of queue. I was #8. 7/7/15, Toronto2 — with Debbie Loncar, Names Hendo, Nate Roberts, Laetitia Lieutaud, Anu Bahri, Jodi Warren and Nick Buckmaster. 

We're trying fake crying here to emulate the photo from our London show where we met on the 360 Tour (see pic below). 7/7/15, Toronto2 — with Syrene Reilly and Laetitia Lieutaud 

Sunday Bloody Sunday. The song that started it all for me in 1984...became my "bathroom and beer" song for years...but now it's acoustic so I stay! 7/7/15, Toronto2 — with Bono, Larry Mullen Jr., The Edge and Adam Clayton. 

City of Blinding Lights. The highest hand is the gal in front of me who was on the corner. I was first on the catwalk and had just put on my fly shades for the "blinding lights." Nick and Laetitia are behind me. Toronto2, 7/7/15 — with Adam Clayton and Laetitia Lieutaud.