Ok, here's yet another attempt to post on the Wall.  Here's my review of my Oct 4 show at the the TD BankNorth Garden in Boston Massachusetts.

 

Apparently Boston is one of the very few if any venues in the US that does the wristband thing for the GA so the people can leave the line and go about their day.  The rule at the Garden is that security begin handing out numbered wristbands usually around 7.30 or so.  Holly and I arrived at the Garden at about 7am and there was already approximately 100 people in front of us.  At about 7.30 the head of the Garden security arrived and had us separate into the 2 lines, U2.com members and regular non member lines.  Later in the day, about 3pm we headed over to the ramp in the back to await the bands arrival, same as we had the day before. 

 

The band had arrived the day before but due to running quite late, they didn't stop, but went directly inside.  The majority of the band, sans Larry, came as part of a several car motorcade, complete with police escort.  Quite a sight to see.  We found out later that John Kerry (Senator of Mass) as well as Tom Brady (Patriots football team quarterback) and others were all a part of that motorcade.

 

Back to the 4th.

When Holly and I arrived there were already 3 security personnel at the ramp, as well as about 30 or 40 other fans.  One of the fans had asked the security guard about the chances that the band would come down for a meet and greet and apparently they were expected to.  FUN!!!!

 

About 3.30 Larry arrived, and as he usually does, drove on by.

About 15 minutes later Edge arrived, never looking up from something he was reading at the time.  His car also went right on by...

A short time after Edge arrived, Adam came by, waving and grinning that fantastic grin of his.  The car stopped as it began to go up the ramp and....

 came to sign stuff.

 

Adam took a good 10 minutes making sure to sign everyones items and say hi to all of us.  Thank you so much Adam.  As he got back in the car to head into the Garden we all shouted thank you to him for stopping.  The fans were wonderful, no crowding, no pushing, etc., the way U2 fans SHOULD act. 

 

Just as Adam disappeared into the doorway, Edge and his security man came walking through and down the ramp.

 

   He also signed our stuff, and the really great part was he made sure to say hi to everyone as well.  One guy next to me asked him "Can you play Discoteque tonight?"  Edge laughed.

After making the rounds, he headed back up the ramp with everyone shouting thanks to him as well.

 

For anyone who has been to Boston you may know about the Duck Boat tours.  These are old amphibious vehicles that were refurbished to look like big colorful duck things and they take people around Boston and eventually driving the vehicle right into the Charles River.  The Duck Boat tours take the people right by the back entrance to the Garden on their tour.  Several of these went by as we were waiting for various members of the band. 

 

A short time after Edge headed back up the ramp, up drives Bono in the big black Escalade.  He got out and very happily came over and started shaking hands and signing autographs.  At one point this adorable little 5 yr old boy came popping out of the crowd and Bono ended up picking him up and played with him for a minute.  It was a HUGE thrill for the boy, his mom, dad, AND 12 yr old sister.  Then he continued up the line, eventually getting to us.

 

After signing the stuff we brought, including my Bono book, I suddenly hear Holly say "Bono, can I have a hug?"

Not only did she get her hug, but she also got a kiss from our man Bono!!!!!  That kid is still shining.

 

 this pic was taken by someone else just as Bono said "sure" and went to hug my kid, the girl you see looking slightly down to the left in this pic.

WOOOHOOOO