I was at the U2 concert in New York City a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing! At the bottom of this entry is a link to the article on MTV.com- that article explains it exactly as it happened- from the waiting 15, 30, 45 minutes (it actually ended up being an hour and a half from the time they were supposed to take the stage) to the band crossing the Manhattan bridge on a flatbed truck, to the fans smashing up against the metal barricade. I was one of them- literally being squished from all sides and the only force pushing me through the gate was the people pressing me from all sides...It was actually kinda scary, like one of those moments when survival anxiety sets in. The good part is that I got in, and watched one of greatest rock bands ever perform "Vertigo," "Miracle Drug," "City of Blinding Lights" and other new songs before their CD release the following day.

I was actually a little disappointed after all the hype. I was only, at most, 100 ft. away from the stage, but I ended up looking at the back of my friend Josh's head the entire time. Occasionally I caught a glimpse of Bono, but couldn't remain captivated as I imagined I would. Also, Bono was open about when they didn't sound like they were right on and made an excuse about "This is why I'm not much of a guitar player." I guess someday I'll just have to go to another concert and see them- full set, with the big stage and lights and everything. ;) Actually, though, having a more "intimate" concert with the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline in the background, as well as Bono's vulnerability and honesty as a musician and Christian, were more than I had ever expected. I found myself in worship with, to quote Bono on that night, "Blessings. All praises. Blessings."

Their music video (with live footage from the concert) airs on MTV Jammed, Friday at 9pm.
www.mtv.com/news/articles/1494079/20041122/u2.jhtml

I haven't written anything in months! I forgot I had this thing and then I was avoiding it b/c I couldn't figure out how to make it look good. So now I've changed some things and it looks much better. Hopefully someday I'll have my own website. Oh my...a lot has happened, but I'll pick up with the recent stuff.

I spent Thanksgiving with some friends in New Hampshire. We stayed at my friend Carrie's house, and it was so great to be with her family and to be a part of another family's traditions- Thanksgiving dinner, cutting down a live Christmas tree (something I've never done before!) and decorating it, drinking hot cider, and having a Xmas Movie Marathon! This might sound weird, but I felt like I was part of a family again. I loved everything-- Carrie's parents telling stories about her and her brothers, her aunt calling the wassail "wazzle" (like dazzle), her older brother picking on her (something I'm used to and actually miss), her Grammy wearing her red apron everyday...It was GOOD, like, "God made the earth and it was good" good.

Now, I have 2 1/2 weeks left at the CMC. It's been amazing as most of you have heard. It's going to be so hard to leave...