BONO DOES GIANTS STADIUM

Bono does it again. He takes NYC/NJ into the palm of his hands and entertains until the wee hours. Now, lets get something straight- I was cursing Bono all the way to Giants Stadium and all the way back- but for those 4 hours or so I was in the stadium- I bowed down to him.

Lets start with their opener: Muse.

Great band. Eccentric performance combining all sorts of genres: electronic, alternative, classical and progressive rock. They are an English band that is number one on iTunes downloads across seas. Muse has yet to really take over the US, but leave it to Bono to try to help them out.

They performed on U2's extravagent set. Honestly, the group of girls that I was with had their money on the set at some point taking off shuttle style. It looked like a gigantic tarantula that at any given time would get up and leave the stadium. In addition to the set, the light show and the sound within the stadium was powerful. The stadium remained half empty until about 930pm or so when U2 decided to take the stage. It was an incredible moment where the stadium transformed into a U2 production.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcudUzIe8zw

Bono rocked it. He gave credit to his band by giving a genuine introduction to each member and aknowledging the family they have created within. He dedicated a Michael Jackson tribute to Quincy Jones by singing a little of the jingle: don't stop till you get enough. It was magic.

He started with his new stuff- got it out of the way and ripped into his old ways. It is amazing that the man and his band can perform as if it were the early 90's. They sound just as sharp, just as strong and owned New Jersey last night.

They wrapped the show with With or Without you-- an absolute favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHKYVNlyi1k

If you have a chance tonight- please check them out before they move on.

OLE! OLE! OLE! OLE!

Gracias Rodrigo y Gabriela! What an incredible evening. This duo has definitely got the most wicked energy and insane beats. Rodrigo who can riff and play just about anything while Gabriela keeps the beat and rythm through the whole show. Within 5 minutes of walking into this show, I was jumping up and down in my stiletto heels and clapping. R y G quickly turned this incredible show into a dance party. Continuously asking us to clap with them in rythms that Rodrigo would provide for us, it was hard to stand still and not be completely engrossed within their world.

This Mexican/Irish duo have mastered their art. The enlarged video of R y G playing behind them really highlighted the intricate/wicked/mind blowing playing. This was their first show in the states playing their new album and they definitely kicked it off with a bang.

Dealing with the annoyance of Terminal 5- it was still 100% worth the shoving/lack of beer/and bouncy sound within that warehouse. B was at the show and had his bag packed for work the next day consisting of his lunch and morning coffee-- all had to be poured out and thrown out before entering the show. Give me a break.

Back to the good stuff. Rodrigo played small parts of Metallica, Rage Against The Machine, White Stripes and Stairway to Heaven- but for the most part the duo kept it real to their own material which fired up the eclectic crowd they pulled in. I saw 40 year old men with beer guts, soccer jerseys, models, punk rockers, suits and a ton of short people. Its amazing the wide array that R y G bring even though their vibe goes back to Mexican roots. I loved it.

The show left you energized and fired up. It closed with the entire crowd chanting the Soccer favorite: OLE! OLE! OLE! OLE!...OLEEEEEEE! OLEEEEE! One day later, I am still bopping my head and feel the soreness in my legs from jumping up and down. Definitely top 5 in shows of the year.

1. Wilco @ Coney Island

2. Depeche Mode

3. Rodrigo Y Gabriela

4. The Killers

5. too many are tied.

If you have a chance- they have a full tour ahead of them- please check them out. Don't wear heels, be ready to jump and dance for a full 2 hours or so.

Rodrigo y Gabriela - 2009 Tour Dates

September 16 - Terminal 5, New York, NY, USA

September 19 - The Buell Theatre, Denver, CO, USA

September 21 - Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA, USA

September 23 - Fox Theater, Oakland, CA, USA

September 25 - Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, USA

October 10 - 4th & B Concert Theater, San Diego, CA, USA

October 12 - Schnitzer Hall, Portland, OR, USA

October 14 - Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee, WI, USA

October 16 - Riviera Theater, Chicago, IL, USA

October 19 - House of Blues, Dallas, TX, USA

October 20 - Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheatre, Austin, TX, USA

October 22 - Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA, USA

October 23 - Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA, USA

October 24 - Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD, USA

Still remembering

While I understand this is a touchy subject and that most New Yorkers are still remembering, especially with the two beams of lights streaming straight up into the sky, we should also understand and remember that no matter what happens and what buildings get destroyed and the number of people that lose their life in this awful battle for world peace, there will be the arch nemesis of peace, who like to destroy and cause chaos, but we should stand strong and we have.

Bless America, Bless the world, and Bless those who want peace.

WiFi on Flights

Wow. Technology never ceases to amaze me. Quickie.

Pro's and Con's of WiFi on a flight:

Pro's:

- its simply awesome.

- I just watched 12 different youtube videos of people falling and was laughing all by myself.

- If your flight is delayed, you can jump online and book a later flight so you don't miss a connection.

- If you are scared of flying, it saves your wallet from getting yourself hammered. 

- hulu.com

- You can read our blog

- Your facebook status can be: Oh my god wifi in the sky! amazing!

- Keeps you company and you are not going to get bored- is this available for International flights? brilliant.

Cons:

-Don't tell your boss bc he may actually make you sign on from your flight 

-Dude next to you who is acting like he is not reading and looking at everything you are typing actually is.

-It only works well if you are in the window seat so you don't have to deal with small bladders, getting up, closing your lap top..etc etc

-Stops you from getting yourself hammered

-Takes away from reading a GREAT book....sighhhh

-P so high in the sky

I GOT A FEELIN...

TONIGHTS GONNA BE A GOOD NIGHT...

It's Labor Day wknd folks! time to ditch the crackberrys, log off outlook, loosen your tie and leave your office drama at the office. 

Unfortunately and fortunately for me, I am on a flight (yes, wifi on the plane-- soooo coooool) to work the next few days, but for a good cause. Come Labor Day wknd means COLLEGE FOOTBALL. I am en route to Atlanta, Georgia to celebrate the return of College GameDay. 

It is going to be a hell of a season. A lot of potential sleeper teams ready to creep up, probably the most solid Heisman race to date (Bradford, McCoy, Tebow, Pryor), and some really interesting schedules. Last night kicked off College Football with some Thursday night games on ESPN. Did anybody see those punches thrown in the Ducks/Broncs game? Interesting way to kick off the season. I cannot wait to see what we have in store.

6 of the  most powerhouse College Football Coaches own spots 1-6 in the AP poll- Urban, Mack Brown, Stoops, Carroll, Saban and Tressell. It will be a race to the top. 

Its virtually not a terrible schedule for top ten teams in week 1-- though somebody WILL get knocked out being that VA Tech v Alabama play one another. I already look ahead to some real landscape shakers: USC/Ohio State-- DOOZY. You  best understand that I will be front and center at that game. 

For this wknd, I am going to settle with the Top Ten matchup: Bama/Va Tech. Who do you take? I suspect a Bama upset. Go Hokies. I think. 

I met Coach Saban this past summer- not the nicest man. and his SID is even worse. real chip on their shoulder and constantly stressed out. Thats not what its about. If you have ever met the Mack Browns and Pete Carrolls-- you remember...these men are coaching College kids. They are powerful, strict, but also are very lighthearted. Nobody can ever say being a prick will win you Championships (you hear that Saban and Weiss!!) 

Alright- time to sign off for now. 

and how about that biking piece? sure makes me want to jump on my bike this wknd. 

Happy Labor Day to all and GOOOOO BUCKS!

-P going Southern. 

Squashing Brooklyn: Ocean Parkway's Bike Path to Coney Island

The city can seem huge and daunting. Looking at a map of it can make you feel like the only humane way to get from point A to B is to be teleported. But I’ve found that jumping on my bike has made some seemingly distant places seem within reach, especially when there’s a bike path involved. A recent bike ride from Prospect Park to Coney Island had this sort of borough squashing effect.

I began my ride at the Southwest corner of Prospect Park. After navigating a few blocks to the northern most part of Ocean Parkway (at Ocean Parkway and Church Avenue) the bike path begins (the top of the green line in the middle of the map). Here’s a little historical background on this bike path. After Fredrick Olmsted and Calvert Vaux completed Central Park and Prospect Park, they designed and proposed Ocean Parkway to the Brooklyn Park Commissioners. By 1880, Ocean Parkway was completed and in 1894, the pedestrian path was split to create the first bike path in the United States. The first bike path in the United States? Pretty innovative Olmsted/Brooklyn!

The ride down Ocean Parkway is a tree-lined, straight and flat bike path that covers about 6 miles. Besides the journey itself, the payoff is at the end of the path, where a beautiful boardwalk, gorgeous beach and the history and aura of Coney Island confronts you. You are only allowed to ride on the boardwalk from 5am to 10am, but I have cautiously rode on it at other times (on weekdays) without incident. In my opinion, you can’t ride all that way and not experience the feeling of seeing the sights on the board walk, staring out at the beach and feeling the ocean breeze on your bike.

Before you head out on your ride to Coney Island, there are a few things to keep in mind. The ride is bumpy at times, so be prepared to avoid places where tree roots have mangled the path and fallen victim to disrepair. My biggest complaint is the intersections along the ride. They are an obvious necessity for a bike path that runs along a parkway, but they do pose some challenges. The first challenge is that of safety. Even when you have the “pedestrian walk” sign in your favor, you still have to be 100% aware of your surroundings, watching for any turning cars that may interrupt your leisurely ride/precious life. Since you may be traveling at a rate that is difficult for a moving car to notice, you need to be extra cautious and defensive.

The second challenge is the necessity of pausing at intersections never allows you to build up much momentum. This makes the ride hard to justify for those looking for a good fitness ride. Regardless, it still makes for a great leisurely ride. Riding along a tree-lined street, being able to cover quite bit of distance and ending up at a gorgeous beach and historical landmark makes the challenges worth it. The Ocean Parkway bike path (in addition to Central Park, Prospect Park and Coney Island to name a few) is a testament to the beauty and power of public space and the foresight of intuitive designers over a hundred years ago.

Let me know of any great bike rides you enjoy around the city. Be on the look out for my review of the ride to and around Governors Island.

Just a little fun for Friday

Original ad: WILMINGTON TO CHICAGOI'm driving out to Chicago on 9/1 around noon. I'm looking for someone to split the cost of gas/tolls. If interested, send me an email.

From Me to ***********@*********.org
Hi!I am trying to go to Chicago, and the 1st sounds good to me. I took my ex-girlfriend's EZ-pass out of her car when she wasn't looking, so we can use that to pay for tolls. I have a few things I want to bring, do you have a lot of room?
Mike

From Brian ****** to Me:
Hi Mike,Will the easy pass still work even though it isn't in your ex's car? I do have some room, what are you trying to bring?

From Me to Brian ******:
Brian,I just want to bring a few duffel bags of clothes. Also, yes, the EZ pass will still work.
Mike

From Brian ****** to Me:That shouldn't be a problem. By the way, how old are you? Can you tell me a bit about yourself?

From Me to Brian ******:I am 25, and I am a landscaper. I actually am going to Chicago for a national landscaper convention.I just remembered, I also need to bring my weedwhacker. Will that fit in your car? Mike

From Brian ****** to Me:It should...I have a Honda Civic but it has a trunk access panel and we might be able to lay it across the back seat/trunk.

From Me to Brian ******:Great! I also have a mini-fridge that I want to bring (my hotel doesn't have one, and I need to keep my vodka chilled). Can we squeeze this in as well?
Mike

From Brian ****** to Me:How big is it. I need room for my things too.

From Me to Brian ******:It is about half the size of a normal fridge. I have some duct tape and rope, we could strap it to the roof of your car.

From Brian ****** to Me:I don't want to do that sorry. How about you bring it and we can see if it will fit.

From Me to Brian ******:Sounds good! I'm sure it will fit. I also want to bring my TV...it is a 50" flat screen. Is that a problem? I really hate the small TVs they have at the hotel.

From Brian ****** to Me:How much shit are you bringing dude? Are you trying to move to Chicago? I said I have a Civic... not a moving van.

From Me to Brian ******:I'm not bringing that much stuff, just my clothes, weedwhacker, mini-fridge, and TV. You said you had room for my stuff...now you don't? I don't understand. Does this mean we can't take my recliner either?

From Brian ****** to Me:Are you for real?

From Me to Brian ******:Yes I am for real. I just had an idea...Does your Civic have a hitch? I want to bring my Ford F250 truck, could we hook it to your car? It would be nice for me to have my truck in Chicago so I don't have to ride in those dirty cabs everywhere. We could put some of the stuff I want to bring in the bed of my truck, since you "suddenly" don't have that much room.

From Brian ****** to Me:Why don't you just drive your goddamn truck there. This is crazy.

From Me to Brian ******:Don't get me wrong, I love my truck, but it isn't so good on gas mileage. Can't we just tow it there? It works out better this way, because I wanted to bring my four wheeler but was afraid to ask you because you seem to be getting all pissy about me bringing my stuff.

From Brian ****** to Me:Why the hell do you need all this shit for a trip to chicago. If anything it is your truck that should be towing my Civic. For christ's sake man, get real.

From Me to Brian ******:Oh, do you think your Civic isn't capable of towing my truck? I understand. Tell you what, I'll talk to my friend Anthony. He's a mechanic, and could put a better motor in your car so it has more power to tow my truck. It shouldn't cost that much. What is your number? I'll tell him to give you a call.

From Brian ****** to Me:I'm done talking to you.

From Me to Brian ******:So am I still getting the ride? I talked to Anthony and he actually needs a ride to Chicago too. I told him he could come if he helps pay for gas. Do you have an extra seat for him? He might have some stuff he wants to bring.