Thoughts of a Chilled Out Entertainer
March 31st, 2005 — Soccer
Oh, I almost forgot, the US beat Guatemala 2-0 last night in Birmingham, AL, where they love the governor. (”Boo, boo, boo.”)
Also in US soccer news, girly-man Landon Donovan has come back to America after a mere 90!!!!! days playing for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. What a sad statement it is that the face of US Soccer can’t cut it in Europe.
Loser.
March 30th, 2005 — Adventure
Regular AOM readers have seen me mention my buddy Joel on these pages. What I may have failed to mention is that Joel is an avid Podcaster. While this so far is strictly a hobby for him, he has started to gain some recognition for his broadcasts, most recently in the local newspaper. To checkout Joel’s “BugCast” check out his site, nogagreflex.com/bugcast. Congratulations on the recognition Joel and keep up the great work!
March 29th, 2005 — Music
The opening night of U2’s Vertigo tour was last night in San Diego. It looks like it was a blazing show, and bodes well for the rest of the tour.
Highlight below for setlist spoiler goodness:
City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Cry - The Electric Co., An Cat Dubh / Into the Heart, Beautiful Day, New Year’s Day, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky / Hands That Built America, Running to Stand Still, Zoo Station, The Fly, Elevation
Encore(s): Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One, All Because Of You, Yahweh, 40
March 28th, 2005 — Soccer
Yeah, this match finished over 30 hours ago, but I’ve been very busy. Anyway, US Soccer comes away from Azteca with its’ tail between its’ legs once again.
They played like absolute crap in the first half, and that’s what did them in. Two Mexican players whose names I can’t really be bothered looking up scored in the first half, and that proved to be enough.
The US played a little bit better in the second half, and were rewarded by a Greg Lewis goal. Unfortunately, they couldn’t muster a tying goal, and the US is now in third place in CONCACAF qualifying.
Next for the USMNT is a home match in Birmingham, AL against Guatemala. So, by all rights, that should be an easy three points.
We’ll find out Wednesday night. Kickoff’s at 8 PM ET, and the match is being televised by ESPN2.
March 27th, 2005 — Adventure
Have a good one buddy.
March 27th, 2005 — Music
U2 played the Sports Arena in LA last night; one last rehearsal before the tour kicks off in San Diego tomorrow night.
Here’s the spoilier-full setlist, which I’m sure will change several times as the tour progresses. If you want to be surprised when you go to see them, don’t highlight the text below…
City of Blinding Lights
The Electric Co.
An Cat Dubh / Into the Heart
Beautiful Day
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Elevation
Stuck in a Moment…
Yahweh
Bullet the Blue Sky
Running to Stand Still
(break for human rights video)
Zoo Station
The Fly
Vertigo
(break)
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One
All Because of You
40
Song notes:
* Larry plays keyboards during “Yahweh”
* during “Love and Peace or Else”, Larry is at the edge of the egg when the song starts, playing drums there; during the middle of the song, he goes back to the main stage and drums from there, while Bono drums at the edge of the egg
* during “Zoo Station”, Edge is using a “Vertigo” guitar — black with the red circles on it
* “Streets” does not have a red-colored background; flags of the countries on the African continent are shown behind the band instead
* “40″ is performed as it was 20 years ago — each band member leaves the stage one-at-a-time, and Larry ends the show with a brief drum solo
Stage notes:
* very simple stage, clean - just Larry’s drums, Edge’s stuff, keyboards, and lots of room for Bono to move around
* 3-level video screen
* main stage is shaped like the “Vertigo” spirals
* the “egg” extends further out onto the floor than the Elevation “heart” did
* there’s no b-stage at the far end of the egg, but there is enough room for the band to play, just like on the Elevation Tour
