"As hard as it can get, there are still moments where the four of us can shut out the world." - Adam Clayton

"The editors of SPIN have ranked the most influential releases since the magazine's 1985 beginnings - and Achtung Baby (AB) comes in at No.1. 'U2's most immediately dynamic music since 1982's War, and its most emotionally frank songs to date, capturing that particular early-'90s rub of boundless possibility and worn-down despair... 'One' became an indelible anthem because it admitted 'we're not the same' but urged that we've gotta 'carry each other' nonetheless. The squalling swagger of 'The Fly' resonated due to the rock star at its center confessing he's a liar and a thief. And for 'Mysterious Ways,' the Edge somehow concocted a jubilantly snarling riff that transformed Bono's gospel come-on...' "

I love that article in Spin.

I think I love what AB means to me, over and above it being one of the best albums musically and lyrically. It reminds me of my 1992 adventure through the Rockies to see U2 in concert for the first time. I can't listen to that album without feeling the way I felt then. When I think of Vancouver it is this album that is the soundtrack behind my memories. On the bus ride down, listening on my NEW "discman"! One-- the epic breakup song...Is there anyone that doesn't struggle to find the words to express how much that song means to them? It is so personal. So intimate.

It is bound by our humanity and AB puts to music the feelings I find so hard to express; Pure Joy and happiness to complete heart searing loss.
I love the way AB can make me smile and dance and think and cry. It also rocks!

Track List
Zoo Station Lyrics
Even Better Than The Real Thing Lyrics
One Lyrics
Until The End Of The World Lyrics
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses Lyrics
So Cruel Lyrics
The Fly Lyrics
Mysterious Ways Lyrics
->Song Du Jour: Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World Lyrics
Ultraviolet (Light My Way) Lyrics
Acrobat Lyrics
Love Is Blindness Lyrics

Youtube Playlist

A man will rise, a man will fall from the sheer face of love like a fly from a wall..."

After purchasing tickets today I punched in my hometown into the Ticketmaster search engine and whilst browsing the list I played that game--that if I could enter into any event on that list, free of charge here, which events would I attend (it made me laugh) :

Band of Skulls
Simon & Garfunkel
Stars
Civil Twilight with Elias & Wool On Wolves
David Gray
The Buzzcocks
Public Enemy
New Pornographers
An Horse
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and Joe Cocker
U2 360º Tour
Lilith
Deadmau5 (Live)
Blue Oyster Cult
Juliette Lewis
Vans Warped Tour
Blondie

Things I never thought I would say after 1984: "I am going to see Buzzcocks and Blondie this year!"
SonicBoom is not listed yet (Sonic 102.9 will announce the line up on Monday, April 26th at 8 a.m.) but I am totally going to that too. I am really jonesing for some Foo Fighters live and to see KoL again.

Of this list I have tickets to 7 of the events, some of them I would not go to if I had to pay I just want to go to watch the spectacle--you know, "fly on the wall events". That is some eclectic list if I do say so myself. AND we haven't even hit May yet, soon there will be even more to see!

Song Du Jour: Letters From The Sky by Civil Twilight

“Coincidence is the word we use when we can't see the levers and pulleys.” Emma Bull

This week I got to see my beloved Oilers twice, the last 2 home games of the season. It was pretty freaking exciting! I know the season sucked sure, but the fans are still so very amazing. As we won both nights my streak of the Oilers winning when I am in the building is now 2 for 2. I am going to start keeping track...I wish I had started back in 2006 because my stats would be impressive; I just know it. At the end of the thrilling game on Wednesday the crowd stood and gave our boys a standing 'O' after such a challenging year. They raised their sticks and for a moment it was a classic meeting of Thoreau's Mutual Admiration Society.

I am so proud to live in Edmonton and be in the company of such big hearted fans. Even if they boo Horcoff relentlessly. I will forgive you if your passion for the game blinds you this one time...Hockey here is so much more than just a game.

It is also noteworthy that Patrick Hendricks won a car at the Oilers Game, the winner of the 50/50 draw was a Mrs. Hendricks and, "Matt Hendricks tapped a goalmouth rebound under Jeff Deslauriers with seven minutes left in the third to tie the Game 4-4." Recap: http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=2775566#ixzz0kcOE1O3T

What does it all mean Universe? What does it all mean?

Wish my last name was Hendricks.....

In remembrance of Malcolm McLaren who passed away this week I dedicate the Song Du Jour: SEX PISTOLS - Anarchy in the UK - rare live at sweden 1977

Who is Malcolm McLaren?

"this journey...has filled me with the power and courage to discover life’s lessons" ~ Agnes Nyamayarwo

Today, in the mail, a package arrived with some lovely crafts I ordered from Uganda. The goal is to help an organization I have followed for a long time but whenever a package arrives from the Mulago Positive Woman's Network I wish that I could do more.

It is simply space and time that separate me from these women in Uganda but as I live my life parallel to them I consider what invisible chains hold me back from changing my life. Comparing tales of adversity is not really what I want to do, in those terms my struggle is dwarfed, but it certainly gives me another healthy dose of perspective.

Here I am in the first world feeling held back by my circumstances. Seems ridiculous, no? I don't make 'enough' money, I don't own a home, I don't have a 'nice' car. There is a lot of pressure to get these things. I look at my friends who have these things and I sometimes I wish I had them too. Unfortunately, I have never been motivated by money. I am surrounded by a consumerist society that encourages me to keep up with the newest things to what end? Where is the merit in that? I don't fit in.

Surely, I would last about 10 seconds in the third world but sometimes, today especially, I wish I could go there to shake up my world and my sense of privilege. Nobody here in Canada would ever call me privileged as I live just over the poverty line here but I feel rich beyond all imagination when it comes to life experiences and love. I just wish that seemed to matter. But my wish will remain just that. Today I feel inspired yet trapped...and philosophical, apparently.

Song Du Jour: When I Look at The World by U2

wtf Blogger why won't you post this with the spaces between the paragraphs? They are there, honest.