RIP Sir Bobby

Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson has died at the age of 76, following a long battle with cancer. Two words come to mind when I think of Sir Bobby: Legend and Gentleman. A sad day for football.

Oh rainy day come round

Coldplay
Alpine Valley Wisconsin
7-25-09

On Saturday I left very early for my trip to Alpine. My flight to Chicago had a 7am departure time. I tried to sleep the night before but it just wasn't happening. Firstly because I had slept until 8pm Friday and secondly because I was too excited. I get to the airport and there is a security line a mile long. I didn't have time to grab a bite to eat before boarding. Then we sit at the gate for 30 minutes while they diddle with the plane and flight plans. Great, I could have been eating. We finally get airborne and I am off to Chicago.

Lori was meeting me at O'Hare and we were driving to Alpine. I had originally planned on renting a car, but this was much better. She picked me up outside Terminal 3 and we started out for Wisconsin. Mike and his friends had left out a short time before us so we were texting location and travel status to each other during the ride. I asked Lori if we could stop and eat something because I hadn't eaten. So we stopped off and had some Taco Bell, then straight back out on the road.

We were almost to the venue when Mike phoned to say that was there and we couldn't get into the parking lot until 3pm. What a crock! So Lori and I get to the gate and ask can we park along road side? No! Can one of us walk up and get in line? No! What assholes! So now we have two options. Drive around for 2 1/2 hours or find some place to park until the lot opens. First we drove all around, looking to see if we could find a cleaver way into the parking area. Fail! Then we looked at cows and stuff and some barns that we could hide our car in. hehe We drove and found a near by farmer's market about 10 minutes away and parked there. Finally Mike called and said the lot was opening early, to get over there, so we rushed back, parked and got in line.

So we are sitting and waiting. It is nice because it is cool outside. After two shows in Texas that week, mid 70's is a blessing. Sunny, really sunny. I didn't bring sunscreen and I know I'm gonna be burnt by the end of the day. Then off in the distance we see it. Dark clouds and a line of rain. Cool breeze starts to kick up...hmmm we might be getting wet here in a second. Gets closer...yep we are definitely going to get wet. It starts off with a few sprinkles then quickly progresses to a down pour! All we had was a plastic bag that contained Lori's ho shoes so we dump the shoes and we stick both our head inside the bag and huddle close. ahahaaa The wind would gust so hard it almost ripped our bag away and the rain was freezing cold. Poor Lori was shivering, and not in a Coldplay way. We were trying to protect cameras and tickets and still it kept coming down. Then someone shoves a couple of those cheap clear rain ponchos under our bag. I don't know who you are but thanks! The wind is so strong we had a hard time getting them open. The storm blew through pretty fast but man it did it's job. We were soaked.

Gates opened and the rush down the hill was madness. The rain had made everything slippery. I saw some kids that were running, then they would slide a ways, then run some more. Most of the mad dashers were there for the lawn but the PIT was filling up pretty quick as well. Lori, Mike and Kelly were all down front on the Jonny side between Jonny and Chris. There was a crowd around them already. I hear my name and see Gianna on the Guy side between Guy and Chris and she has a place saved for me so I join her. Her friend Steve is with her. This is his first Coldplay show. Just like Indy, we have them surrounded.

Kitty, Daisy and Lewis came out at 7pm to start the show. I am not a huge Rock-a-billy fan but I can tolerate it in short amounts. This however is my third time this week to hear this set and it is growing old.

Elbow came out around 7:50. We saw Jonny come out on the side of the stage to watch them. They were awesome! Guy was so nice. He said some really cool things about Coldplay. Steve taps me and says your friend down there is going insane! We see Kelly singing and dancing like a mad woman. Man their set just flew by. I wish they would just can KD&L and just let Elbow play a longer set for Florida. After their set finished, I told Gianna we need to get a set list for Kelly so she yelled at the roadies and we got one.

The set up for Coldplay went super fast. I've never seen them set the stage that quick. Dancing Roadie did his thing, then Marta came out to lead the Danube clap along. She stopped and talked with Lori and Kelly then we yelled and she came and gave me a hug and led the clap along by us. Soon as the lights went out the crowd went insane and they never let up! You could tell this was going to be a great show. The band could feel it.

Set list stayed the same. When the band left for the B Stage we could see the rain falling. Chris altered the lyrics of The Hardest Part and it looked like the band had somehow managed to produce a rain storm as a special effect. Viva La Vida was crazy loud! Chris almost impaled himself with a flying drum stick during Lost but managed to dodge it. Then they left, in the rain, for the C Stage. The lawn went nuts. We couldn't see them because the sound booth blocked our view but we saw everyone go running to get up close. The wind was blowing the butterflies all over during Lovers. Jonny totally flubbed it on DAAHF but made a quick recovery but they all got the giggle from it and during the bowing there was much laughing and pointing.

After the main set finished we saw Miller out with his camera taking pics of the crowd. When Chris came out for the encore, he had a clipboard (he's such a drama king) and proceeded to tell everyone that the survey results were in and Alpine was the best audience on their whole tour. The crowd went even more insane.

After the show ended, Roadie Rick gave me and Gianna set lists. Then came the dreaded climb out of the venue. It is steep, very steep and wet. My legs are already dead tired from standing jumping all night and now a climb to the top of mount Alpine. I was surprised but they still had lots of LRLRL cds on our way out, so we got one.

This is my second trip to Alpine and for all it's beauty and greatness the parking there down right sucks ass! Last time it took for ever to get out and this time was no better. We didn't even manage to start to move out of our spot for over an hour! Then it was a crawl to make it to the road. Once out on the highway, there were tons of people going toward Chicago like us so traffic and road construction meant slow moving out there as well.

Lori dropped me off at O'Hare and I caught my flight back to Texas at 5:47. I didn't sleep on the plane due to crying children so by the time I made it home I had been awake for 37 hours! Needless to say I was pretty exhausted, but man what a great show. Worth every second of loss sleep.

Next month Tampa......and the tour rolls on.

Videos on my youtube channel
http://www.youtube.com/angie040404


Set List
Life In Technicolor
Violet Hill
Clocks
In My Place
Yellow
Glass of Water
Cemeteries of London
42
Fix You
Strawberry Swing

B Stage:
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
Talk
The Hardest Part (with added rain shower)
Postcards From Far Away

Viva La Vida
Lost!

C Stage:
Green Eyes
Death Will Never Conquer
Billie Jean
Viva La Vida (Remix Interlude)

Politik
Lovers In Japan
Death And All His Friends

The Scientist
Life In Technicolor ii
The Escapist (Outro)

Gold Cup Final

Mexico absolutely hammered the US in the Gold Cup final. They looked class and we never had a chance. Our defense was absolute kack! Well played Mexico.
Mexico 5-0 USA

Home, home where I wanted to go

Coldplay Houston, TX
7-22-09

Finally, seeing Coldplay at home. But do I get to lounge about that day and not travel? Of course not. I had seen them the night before in Dallas so my day started there. I woke up around 10am, showered and packed. I had to be out of the hotel by noon, so I waited until then to check out. Went and grabbed some lunch. I was starving after eating food from the vending machine after the show last night. Started the drive to Houston. Since I live about 45 minutes south of The Woodlands and would be getting into town close to rush hour, theer was no point in going home. The plan was to just go straight to the venue and hang out there til show time.

Unlike the trip to Dallas, I had full intentions of stoppping at Buc-ees on the way back. Gased up JB ( that's my car's name) and then went inside. Buc-ees sells every candy known to man and they have my absolute passion at this point in my life. The holy grail of candy.....Cinnamon Mentos! Ha! I love them. I have caused several of my co-workers to become addicted to Mentos and have spoke often of the coveted Cinnamon flavor but we have not been able to find them in the stores near us. I have only found them at Hobby Airport. I take a pic with my phone and text-taunt them with a shot of the 5 rolls I purchased. Then back out on the road and another 2 hours til The Woodlands.

I got to the venue around 5 and sat in my car polluting the greater Houston metroplex by sitting with my A/C blasting and talking on the phone with Lori. Sorry, but it is so frickin hot and gas is cheap right now. Around 5:30 I walk over to the venue. It's the first time I have been there since the place was trashed by Hurricane Ike and they remodeled. It has a new roof, which looks pretty much like the old roof and they shortened the lawn by adding more reserved seats. They still have those bloody white poles that block people's views. Gates opened, thank goodness because there was zero breeze blowing, no shade trees and crushing heat. At least I wouldin the shade under the roof.

I find my seat. Last night in Dallas I sat on Jonny' s side right where they would come off the stage to go to the C Stage. Tonight my seat is on Guy's side, right where they will come off the stage for the B Stage. YAY! Another Hi 5 from Jonny I hope. I am the only person in my section. The cute little man that is the security guard with the exciting task of opening the gate to allow Mr Buckland to walk with in touching disatnce for me is rather excited I am there so he has someone to talk to. There are 2 other security guys, one a young guy that is stationed by the butterfly cannons and the other guy down by Guy's ramp. Then they have a big "venue security guard" meeting right next to me. The supervisor comes to tell them when they need to close off the aisle and how long to keep it closed and all that kind stuff and he hands out a set list to my new found security buddy working the gate as he will have to make sure the gate is open. I ask Mr Supervisor, can I get one of those? Sorry we can't give them out before the show. Well poo. Meeting ends and I start talking to the guards. Here's a tip kids, make friends way before the show and ask for the set list then. That way when the crew start handing stuff to the guards to hand over to people, they will give them to you. So I ask if I can have his list when the show is over and he says sure, no problem. Then he says, I have to start getting rteady during Fix You. Will I be able to understand what he's singing so I will know what song is Fix You. No worries my friend. I am here to assist you. Once they start playing I'll tell you what song they are on.

Marcus (mrman78) came and met me at my seat. He was seated in the next secion and was also at the show alone, so we hung out and talked until Coldplay came on stage. He didn't get to see Kitty Daisy & Lewis in Dallas and only part of Mariam and Amadou. We aggreed that Amadou's announcements were awesome. Thank you Coldplayyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

Before Coldplay, more talks with security dudes. Butterfly cannon dude wanted to know when those giant things were going off and what exactly would they do. I showed hima paper butterfly and asured him it was only the most awesome thing he would ever witness. hehe Then showed him on the set list when that would be taking place...so I could get a look at the set list, sneaky huh!......no changes on the written list but Chris could maybe do another "live" change. Then turned my attention to the rather tall guard next to Guy's ramp. He was tall, too tall. He would be in all my pics and worse, my camera would want to focus on him and noy the band. I saw a chair folded and not in use. So first I ask gate guard , can I ask that ramp guard if he wants that chair, because he is too tal for that position. You need to be hiring some midgets for down front. JHe said, go ask him. So I did and he said sure. Woot! Problem solved. Then evil secuirty supervisor came and made him stand just before the show. He mouthed me a "Sorry".

Then I look up and who is standing on Guy's ramp, but Phil! I got my camera out quick and took some pics, then heard some one yell "Phil Harvey" and he ran away. Ha. Poor Phil. He's so not loving his fame.

We started hearing some thunder and I was afraid for the peeps on the lawn, but the storms missed us and a nice breeze kicked up so it got much more pleasant for show time.

Marcus went back to his seat. Crew preped the stage. Dancing Roadie did a hat and water pistol routine. The band came on and it was rockin! I thought the Houston crowd was much more into it than Dallas.

It starts getting close to B stage time, so I alert my secuirty friend. Then Jackie shows up. I am expecting her to give me her death stare, I'm sure she trains Will in this skill. But instead I get a smile and a hug! Like we are long lost buddies of the highest order! She remembered that I live in Houston! I told her about Nettie and she was stunned. After she walked away I stood there in shock.

I managed to recover and get ready for the B Stage exit. I had already be warned by security supervisor about taping, but screw him, I want video of the boys upclose. Guy is first off and I got a shy smile from him. Jonny next and another Hi 5! Woot!!!!! Then Will and I had worn my Southampton shirt and he tugged at his shirt, smiled the cutest smile ever and said "nice shirt" as he passed. It took Chris a long time to come off stage and all he did was zoom past. :( After the techno songs, the band go back to the stage while Chris stays out at the B Stage. On his way back, Will gave me a hi 5! Woo Yay! Chris ran by even faster on his way back.

The rest of the show was great. Since I wasn't taping much I just sang and danced and occasionally told my security buddies what song we were on. After Lovers, I saw that guard putting butterflies in his pockets. hehe

After the show, I got my set list from my guard friend and hi tailed it to my car. Drove home and collapsed. Need to rest up, on the Alpine Valley on Saturday!

Videos on my youtube channel
http://www.youtube.com/angie040404

Set List
Life In Technicolor
Violet Hill
Clocks
In My Place
Yellow
Glass of Water
Cemeteries of London
42
Fix You
Strawberry Swing

B Stage:
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
Talk
The Hardest Part
Postcards From Far Away

Viva La Vida
Lost!

C Stage:
Green Eyes
Death Will Never Conquer
Billie Jean
Viva La Vida (Remix Interlude)

Politik
Lovers In Japan
Death And All His Friends

The Scientist
Life In Technicolor ii
The Escapist (Outro)

Superhero Supershow!

Coldplay Dallas, TX 7-21-09

There are few things in life I hate more than the drive from Houston to Dallas. It is long and boring. But to see Coldplay I would drive just about anywhere. If you live on the south side of Houston and need to get to the north side of Houston, as in going to Dallas, you have 2 choices: before rush hour or after rush hour. I didn't really want to leave so early, but I-45 is always under some kind of construction and the fear of not making it into town on time freaked me out, so early Tuesday morning I let out for the Big D.

I was happy to discover that since my last voyage to Dallas a Buc-ees was built about midway between the two cities. For those that don't know what a Buc-ees is, it is a famous roadside store that has more stuff than you can shake a stick at and super fancy, well for a road side stop, bathrooms. They have billboards every couple of miles with crazy sayings and a pic of their mascot, Buc-ee the Beaver. "Eat Here, Get Gas" " OMG! LOL! It's a beaver" ahahaha I do love the Beaver alerts.

Once I got past Buc-ees I had to find something else to amuse myself with. I had mentioned on the Coldplaying message board that we should all wear a superhero costumes with a red capes since it was the band's first show after the release of the new Strawberry Swing video. Well in my bordom, I started thinking about how I could make one in my hotel. The more I thought about it, the more I smiled. OMG how crazy would I have to be to wear this to the show. What the hell, I'll stop off at a store and see if I can find the stuff to throw it together. I'll have time to kill and it will give me something to do besides sit at the hotel and freak out. So I stopped off at the Wal-Mart near my hotel and bought a blue t shirt, some red, yellow and purple material, no sew fusable interfacing stuff and a travel sewing kit. Checked into my hotel and started working on my costume. First I drew the moon from the video on the front of the shirt, then used the interfacing to "glue" colored stripes on the sleeves. I then used thread to attach my cape at the shoulders. I was giggling so much while I was making it. After it was done I had to decide if I would actually wear it to the show. I don't know any one in Dallas, so who's going to see me dressed like a spaz. What the hell, I'll wear it to the show.

My hotel was only 10 minutes from the venue, so I left around 5pm to go down there. Got some interesting stares at the hotel. I guess Dallas has never seen a superhero before. Got to the venue and not too many people where there yet. Mostly people in line for the lawn and the Pit. I sat in my car until gates where open because it was hot as hell out there. Got more stares on my walk in. Once inside stopped off at the Oxfam booth and Soha just loved my outfit. She took my picture. Passed Jackie on my way to my seat and she just shook her head at me.

I found my seat and was excited to see that the band would be exiting the stage just in front of me for the C Stage but kinda dissapointed to find that my seat was so far over to the side because I couldn't see the backdrop on the stage. Oh well, row J turned out to be the second row, so that was cool. I sat and waited.

I guess the red cape thing was a good idea because it made it easy for fellow Coldplayers to find me. First I met jenflor and her hubby on their way into the Pit area. My seat was right next to the Pit entrance. Then Technicolour TX and his girlfriend came by to say hi. They were sitting at the back but saw my cape and came to say hello. MrMan78 came over and found me and hung out for a while before the band came on. It was great meeting people I talk to all the time on the board. The secuirty guys working the Pit entrance asked me if I was someone famous because all these people kept coming over to meet me. Yes I am a super hero damnit! LOL

While waiting Marta came by and I yelled her name and she came over to talk with me. Marta is part of the touring crew and she is a sweetheart. She said she got picked up for the European leg and so she will be at Wembley with us. Woot! Then she showed me the Super Secret Official Coldplay Roadie Handshake!

This was my first show seeing the current opening acts. Kitty, Daisy & Lewis are a rock- a- billy sounding band and the crowd seemed really liked them. Good music for a Texas crowd. Mariam and Amadou are from West Africia and play africian/rock/funk music. I loved to hear Amadou announce the songs and talk. I am Amadouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu. Welcomeeeeeeeeeee.

Finally openers finsihed and the crew started setting up for Coldplay. Black curtain down......U2 "Magnificent".....JayZ.....Wayne out with Cowboy hat and broom stick "horse" to dance.....Blue Danube clap along....lights out!.........the opening notes of LIT and the crowd goes starkers! The band come out with the sparklers twirling and I feel someone tap me on the shoulder. I thought it was someone wanting me to move so they could get to their seat, but it was Marta there to dance with me. :)

During LIT was the first time I saw Phil. He was on the side extension of the stage where the band would have to walk when they exit later for the C Stage and he ran right past me. I tried to get a pic but he was too fast and it was too dark. I saw him again during Yellow and got a few pics of him. He was out watching just like everyone else.

During the B Stage set, after GPASUYF and Talk, Chris made a speech about how horrid his hair looked on the big screens. Well no shit Mr Martin! They have these things called barber shops and they cut people's hair at those. You should look in to that right away. He then announced that he was changing the set list and then they would go into the regular set and launched into TROUBLE! OMG, it was lovely and the whole audience was so quiet while he sang it. He then messed up the lyrics and cut it short saying "that's enough of that". It was beautiful while it lasted.

After Lost, I got ready because I knew they were coming my way. Franksie was right by me walking around making sure everything was ready. He gave my cape a thumbs up. Security had already blocked off the row and Kelly was waiting for the band at the edge of the stage. Jonny was first off the stage and I called his name and he walked out of his way to come over and give me a Hi 5! SCORE!!!!!! I was so excited.

When Chris came out for the encore to make the announcement about the LRLRL CD, he said it would be a long time before they came back to Texas and everyone boo'd. He then said he wanted everyone to give a big boooooooooo all together, so we did, then he did this crazy man mad laugh. It was so funny.

It was great show and a fun time.


Setlist

Life In Technicolor
Violet Hill
Clocks
In My Place
Yellow
Glass of Water
Cemeteries of London
42
Fix You
Strawberry Swing

B Stage:
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
Talk
Trouble
Postcards From Far Away

Viva La Vida
Lost!

C Stage:
Green Eyes
Death Will Never Conquer
Billie Jean
Viva La Vida (Remix Interlude)

Politik
Lovers In Japan
Death And All His Friends

The Scientist
Life In Technicolor ii
The Escapist (Outro)


Videos on my Youtube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/angie040404

Strawberry Swing

The new Coldplay video for Strawberry Swing was released today and it is awesome! I can't imagine how much time they must have spent making this but it was worth every second.

Gold Cup

The USA advanced in to the semi finals in the Gold Cup. We will face Honduras.

Mexico will play tomorrow in Dallas and I hope there is more football and less fighting in their next match.

Hello and welcome

Welcome to my blog. I'll be talking about football, concerts and just stuff in general. I'm new to this so give me some time to get things sorted.