Two you

My partner and I were at the U2 show last night.

Someone had purchased tickets for us long ago. A thoughtful gift. Otherwise we wouldn't have been able to go. Too expensive.

Now I've been a fan of U2 since I was in high school. I just love the passion they convey with their punchy beats, lofty bass runs, escalating guitar sequences, and urgent lyrics. Bono is a natural performer. Even if you don't like U2's music, you have to admit the man knows how to work a room. People talk about his big ego. Well, like politicians, performers must have strong egos to withstand the barbs and arrows of critics.

Speaking of critics and politics...

I have mixed views about celebs using their positions as platforms to draw awareness to causes. At times I think it's fine to do this; other times it just seems over the top. Not politically, necessarily, but in terms of audience membership and the joy of letting loose at a concert.

Last night on the massive screens over the stage, which I'll admit were impressive to watch, Paul Martin's name and number streamed across the pixels. This occurred during a portion of one song. No big deal, right? Well, there I was, trying to enjoy my evening and forget the CBC and blogs and careers and all that shit, when I was immediately reminded of the question lingering in the back of my mind: "What, if anything, is Martin or anyone big going to do about the lockout?"

*&#!. We're talking Bono here, so I shouldn't have been surprised. Don't get me wrong. I had fun and would go again. And thanks, bro', for the tickets! I still like U2.

But at that moment, I knew what I was going to do. I sat down. So did my partner. My partner and I shrugged at each other. And we never quite regained that sweet performer-listener intimacy that Bono is so adept at creating. My mind was temporarily locked out of the show.

Now my CBC-related angst is hardly Bono's problem. But while he was speaking about equality and Toronto and Canada, it would've been nice if he'd said, And to all the locked out freelancers who give their heart and soul to CBC projects, and who now have a blog no one has fucking well deigned to leave a message on...! The crowd, already whipped up, would've gone wild as the eminently charismatic Irishman turned the spotlight on me. It would've been cool, and I would've felt all warm inside (and not just from the beer), and tens of thousands of people would've been motivated right there! Hell, he could've pulled me on stage (though I was too far away) and asked me to work the tubs (drummer talk -- I used to play) for a while. The pied-drummer, maan!

I would've been a hero. I could've been someone, instead of a locked out freelancer bum, which is what I am. :-( (- :

I know, I took you from Bono to Brando with no warning, no segue. Sorry. And I don't mean to be a big ungrateful baby about the show last night.

... Okay, in truth, I needed blog post material and the concert seemed a perfect fit.

Really, I just hope the negotiations go well this weekend. So to the two teams at the table, remember, Bono might just be watching.

I know the rest of us are.