What Happens In Vegas. . .

. . . must be blogged about! What? Were you expecting a different ending for that sentence?


If I were to pick up where I left off, you'd find me sitting back at the gate with a breakfast burrito on my lap, my book out and my phone charging against the wall. You'd witness me glaring at the three passengers whose names were called out for standby and maybe even making a few audible "hrmmmph" noises as the door to the tarmac was closed.

Then.

They called for a very foreign sounding name to come check-in because they had one more seat available for standby and I watched as no one approached the desk. They called it once more and then...

they called my name!!!! They didn't pronounce it right. More like luh-key, but I gathered my charger, phone, book and two carry ons (I left the burrito) and ran, shouting, "I'm here!" They didn't even re-check my ticket or anything but just opened the door and I ran down the tarmac. There was one seat left unoccupied and it was near the front and next to a window. I did my best to hustle into my seat, despite being as jumbled and unorganized as I felt. Even though they had already insisted all electronics get turned off, I quickly called my sisters and said, "I'm coming!"

That stroke of luck, if you can call it that, saved the day. I'm not sure the rest of this post could have followed had foreign sounding guy still been at the gate to take the seat. The girls picked me up at the airport and we headed over to Sam Boyd Stadium to begin our epic wait in line to see U2.





For most of the day, we were super comfortable. At 10:00, when we arrived, there were approximately 600 people in front of us. I felt bad that I had delayed an earlier arrival, but, since rumor was that they'd let in about 2,000 into the inner circle, we felt good about our chances to be close to the stage. All of us had our own camping chair, a cooler full of food and drinks, and 85 degree weather to enjoy. It felt like hanging out beside the pool, only without any swimming. Or toe dipping.



At about 3:30, we put away the chairs, because they told us to, and stood in line for another two hours. We moved up as more and more people put their stuff away but didn't get inside the stadium until almost 6:00 pm.



Maureen was mostly anti-picture taking, but I did sneak this one off before the concert started.



Since the concert still didn't start for about an hour and a half, we sat down. It was dirty and uncomfortable, but all of our feet were hurting and we knew once the show started that we'd have about 4 more hours of standing. That isn't a really pale person between Emily and me, it's a cutout of Ang Sung Suu Kyi, the woman who was elected through a democratic process as leader of Myanmar who has been under house arrest for 14 years and was never allowed by the military junta to serve in her elected position. U2's song, "Walk On" is about her and we were each given a mask to wear during the song.



The Black Eyed Peas opened for U2. I thought it kind of a miss-match, which it was, but they are really good performers and I enjoyed their set. I think Fergie was looking at me. I had to shake my head that, no, I couldn't come up on stage and be her back-up dancer. I forgot to wear anything bedazzled and you need that up on stage.



Will.i.am and his key-tar.



The other members of black eyed peas whose names I do not know. Although, I was very surprised how familiar I was with their music. I was only expecting to know a song or two, but I was Boom, Boom Powing with the best of them.



Fergie sining her solo "Big Girls Don't Cry". I sang along to that too. I am much more hip than I thought.




Every girl needs to try going to a concert on a sister's weekend. If you don't have sisters, adopt some. I highly recommend these particular sisters. They are loads of fun.



All the suckers who didn't have as good of a spot as us. Of course, their feet probably felt a lot better too.



U2 show begins....

I took about 250 pictures during the concert. It was impossible to select my favorites so I just chose one of each of the band members. We were so close to the stage! If it hadn't been for my superfan sisters, I would have bought a bleach seat and been happy with it. I will confess that I was not at all excited about spending a precious day waiting in line surrounded by other superfans I had no genetic sympathy for. But, I can say it now. It was worth it. It was so fun. Beyond fun. It was an experience. I can't remember when I had that kind of energy to sing and dance and jump and scream. It made me young again. Even though I could barely get out of the car to get inside the hotel after the concert. Then...I wasn't feeling so young.



This is what concerts look like now that cell phones and cameras are allowed. it's crazy. So much for bootleg copies of things:)



Bono is the consummate performer. I don't know how he does it night after night, but he makes it a show. He is very fun to watch and most of my really great pictures are of him.



I think I made eye contact with every member of the band except The Edge. He just never looked at me. He did very little running around and mostly stayed close to his spot, but, there is something so likable about him. He has kind eyes. Not to mention, fancy bedazzled jeans.



You think I'm joking, but I seriously think Larry is looking at me here. I was really close to the stage, and I'm tall, and I had a really big camera.



Adam's bass makes the songs complete.



At one point, Bono was on the bridge that connects the stage with the 360 degree circle that surrounds it (and we were between the two. Thus, the "inner circle." While he was on the bridge, it started moving directly over our heads. I had to take a picture to show how close I was. This is with no zoom and those are my fingers. Almost touching!


It was such a memorable night. I loved the concert and the chance to experience that with my beloved sisters. Such a highlight for year 34! I will post the rest of the pictures on facebook.



The next morning, after sleeping in until 9:30 (delicious), we went and did some minor shopping at some outlet stores. We weren't there long, but long enough for us to all spend some money. Afterwards, we went and had lunch at Cafe Rio. Not very exciting for those who live in Utah, but fantastic for those of us needing a hit of a sweet pork salad!



Maureen wouldn't pose as there is no forcing her, so here are four of us.



One of my very best childhood friends is also a live-and-die U2 fan and came from Seattle to see the show. We didn't see each other at the concert, but I did get to spend about 45 minutes with her at the Venetian Hotel before going to our Cirque de Soleil show. She manages a dermatologist's office so has flawless skin. After looking at this picture, I had a sudden urge to exfoliate! So, pretty, Lisa:)



Have you been to a Cirque show? I've been wanting to see one for at least a decade, and am glad I went. But.

They are really weird. Amazing. Powerful. Death defying. But.

Kind of like Siegfried and Roy without the white tigers. And more balancing. On top of each other. With little clothes on. You get my point.

Anyways...that is the stage.



After the show, we walked over to the Bellagio Hotel where every fifteen minutes, there is a stunning water fountain display choreographed to music. It was beautiful. One of the features that convinced me to buy the Nikon D5000 is that it had a video feature, but I was so disappointed to discover that the sound on it stinks. Still, you get a sense of the power, majesty and elegance that draw crowds of thousands.




I had such a great time. Hopefully, we'll do it again soon. Hopefully next time, we'll have Tara and my mom along too.