Merry Christmas to me (with my boy!)

Rock and Roll Tourism: U2's Dublin

The wife and I spent four days in Dublin last month. She slept in one day while I stumbled upon Tony, the best cab driver in Dublin, and he drove me around to several U2 sites. Here are some photos:

The raised platform in the car park where U2 played their first gig (the Principal of Mt. Temple was amazingly accommodating!)

The now-famous board where Larry posted his call for band members

Mt. Temple's "Next U2" The Kapitals!

All Saints Church where Bono and Ali were married in 1982 - A beautiful building.

Another view of All Saints Church

My smiling wife

Until the End of The World

The good people at @U2.com have a fun feature called Like a Song where their staff writers share what various U2 songs mean to them. This inspired me to write down my thoughts about Until the End of the World.

My two year old daughter surprised me recently by pointing to a poster hanging on my bedroom wall showing Bono and Edge reaching out to each other from the catwalk of the U2 360 stage. “Edge is reaching out to Bono,” she said. It seems my wife has been training her well. This is surprising because my wife would prefer we leave our teenage years behind and not cover our walls with rock and roll images. Perhaps she has come to accept that this reach image, from the Until the End of the World (UTEOTW) portion of the set, has a profoundly deep meaning for me.

It is very satisfying to gradually discover additional sonic and poetic layers of U2 music. I remember talking to a friend about Achtung Baby! not long after the album was released. “Did you know that UTEOTW is an imagined conversation between Jesus and Judas in the hereafter?” Yes, I had heard that. But it took me 18 years to grasp the message of the song: that Love, capital “L” Love, aka compassion, has the ability to reconcile and heal. At least that’s what I get out of it now.

I can trace my UTEOTW awakening to the U2 Conference in North Carolina in October 2009. As I entered the building, I walked by the table of books for sale and I promised myself I would not buy any. I had read enough books about U2, Thank you very much. I especially was NOT going to buy that book about Achtung Baby! by Stephen Cantanzarite. I wasn’t about to let someone else tell me how I should think about that album, thinking I had already figured it out.

By the end of the weekend, I had purchased no less than five U2 books. I even bought Stephen’s Achtung Baby! book. After speaking with him in the hallway for a few minutes, I realized what a bright guy he is. I sensed that he might actually be able to enhance my understanding about the album, and perhaps about other things.

So I bought the book and I read it in one sitting on a cross country flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles a few weeks later. I listened to the album as I read. Song by song. Over and over. I dove deep into the connected narrative of songs I had previously experienced in siloed isolation. The story had me follow a couple through a decaying relationship, corroded by an unwillingness to truly communicate with each other. This was heavy stuff.

The chapter that really got me was the one focused on UTEOTW. The narrative augments the post mortal Jesus-Judas exchange told by the song, juxtaposing Judas’s glib tone with Jesus’s soft, persistant focus on Love. I found myself in tears as I pondered this concept of forgiveness. It isn’t at all rare for a U2 parable/song to bring me to an emotional state, but this was something else. A rock and roll-inspired religious experience at 30,000 feet.  

I have been a spiritual, religious person my whole life, devoted to the same belief system that I was raised on. But in the months leading up to October 2009, I was beginning to wonder if there wasn’t something more out there that could better inspire me. I wasn’t losing my religion, but I was bored with it.

The congregation I was attending at the time met in the Philadelphia suburbs and I found our worship services to be painfully repetitive. I remember sitting in church one Sunday reflecting on the fact that there we were, listening again from soft, padded pews to a sermon on living a Christ-centered life.

My mind wandered to my comfortable life. My comfortable car, my comfortable house, my comfortable job and my comfortable wife. My comfortable service to the youth of the church who lived in comfort with their comfortable parents and attended safe schools. Comfort is great. Everything I’d always worked for.

The mental wandering continued. Not five miles away, tens of thousands lived in poverty and not much comfort. Southwest Philadelphia feels otherworldly compared to the suburbs. Despite taking the train through that part of town nearly every day, I had never met or served anyone from that community. I never said hello or tried to get to know them. The disparity of my comfortable life relative to the third world conditions of Southwest Philadelphia seemed painfully hypocritical given my beliefs on brotherly love.

And then everything changed.

In November 2009 I was asked by my church leaders to attend services with a congregation in the city and be part of a team of three who look after the physical and spiritual needs of the congregation. This congregation is comprised largely of refugees from Liberia’s civil war. It was as if my bluff was being called. “You think compassionate thoughts,” the universe was saying. “Can you BE compassionate?” I knew right away that this was what I needed.

I initially fell into the common trap of thinking that this was a case of the needy being served by the more materially stable. I was quickly humbled. I came to know the reciprocal nature of service and love. I immediately had scores of new friends from Southwest Philadelphia and the more I tried to serve, the more I was served in return. The more I Loved, the more I was Loved in return.

This Love that I feel from fellow members of my congregation has caused me to reflect many times on the “Love Love Love” section of UTEOTW. This is the only part of the song where we hear Christ’s point of view. And what does Bono have him say? “Love Love Love...” To me this is an expression of unconditional love. An acceptance that transcends actions or external requirements. This resonates strongly with me because I need that kind of acceptance. I am a flawed human being. I am broken and I need to know that I can be fixed. And that’s why I find this song to be so beautiful. It stands as a reminder that we can be forgiven. That Love can conquer all. That, regardless our religious affiliation, or absence of affiliation, things can get better. Stay optimistic. Talk to each other. Love one another.

Behind the accusation “You, you said you would wait” is the implied response, “I did wait. I’m right here.” And so we can be right there for those we would Love and serve. As we learn in another song from Achtung Baby!, we get to carry each other. Not have to, we GET TO. For as we serve, as we wait on each other, as we Love one another, we are Loved in return. A risky proposition, to be sure and Pop religion though it may be, I have found it to be true.

Back to the poster in my room. There’s one thing I’m still trying to figure out. In the U2 360 performances of the song, at the very end, Bono and Edge, representing Judas and Jesus come ever so close to reconciliation as they reach out to each other from opposing catwalks. But just as they are about to make contact, the catwalks draw apart. Is U2 implying that in the case of Jesus and Judas, Love does not conquer all? Are they making a theological statement about whether or not what Judas did is beyond forgiveness? Or are they pointing out that too often we fail to come together in reconciliation. In my mental vision of the performance, they are able to bridge the gap. This brings hope to my ability to bridge gaps in relationships, both earthly and divine.

The poster hangs in my bedroom because my wife made me remove it from the living room where I hung it after bringing it home from the frame shop. While it might have deep spiritual meaning to me, to her it is nothing more than a rock poster. “How long will I have to wait until you see that this image has a place in our living room?” I recently asked. “Until the End of the World,” she replied.

Thank heaven for Love, Love, Love!

See you in two months Snowbird!

Loved this little video about the guys and gals who work Snow Patrol at Snowbird. Made me want to go skiing. Today. I'll be there in early March. Can't wait. Need to start working out. My knees feel a bit soft.

Never tell me the odds...Start-up edition

After reading this article about red flags that spook investors, I got an idea for a new company. It would focus on developing a proprietary integrated circuit platform that would revolutionize debt-collection for the food service industry in Somolia using a rag-tag team of newly minted undergrads. Provide the undergrads with the next Facebook, tailored specifically for this emerging $10MM/yr market. 

Who's in?

The trek home from Ikea begins

Scary face at Ikea

The kid, not the mom.

Ten suggestions for a fun-filled Omniture Summit (from a former Salt Lake City local)

I spent the bulk of my teenage years dreaming about how wonderful life must be outside Utah. Having left 13 years ago, I’m now facing a case of absence making the heart grow fonder. Salt Lake City has much to offer in the way of natural beauty, historical significance and social entertainment. Here are a few suggestions of things to do during the 2010 Omniture Summit from a former local’s perspective.

1. Radio Gaga: Tune your radio to FM 90.9 KRCL, The Mighty 91, The Lion of Zion. I have lived in Tokyo, Portland, Los Angeles, Austin and now Philly and I can honestly say that along with Santa Monica’s KCRW, this is one of the most eclectic, anti-Clear Channel stations around. What about your NPR addiction? Try 90.1 KUER.
2. Eat Here, Get Gas: Red Iguana is great for Mexican food, but the crowds are intense. Hint: they recently opened a second location about two blocks* away from their North Temple location. Crowds MIGHT not be as bad there. And don’t worry about the gas part. You’ll be fine. (*Caution: If you’re going to walk from the North Temple location to the South Temple location, go in a group. It isn't extremely dangerous, just a precaution.)
3. Angelic Hosts Proclaim: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir (aka The Mo-Tab) gives public rehearsals in the Tabernacle on Temple Square most Thursday evenings at 8:00 and 9:30. Call the Temple Square visitor’s center (1-801-240-4872) to make sure the shows are on. Speaking of which…
4. Eyes Heavenward: You’ve probably seen pictures of the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka The Mormons), but it’s understandably more impressive in person. Completed in 1893, it took 40 years to construct. The local stone mason’s union maintains they could have finished the job in 38 years (I made that part up.) While you’re there, don’t miss the Tabernacle, another 19^th century architectural wonder, and the Church History Museum (just across the street to the west.)
5. First Kiss: I’ll never forget smooching Jenny Ashe under a tree on the grounds of the State Capital building. Highly Recommended. The tree has since been uprooted and Jenny probably isn’t available, but you’re already there, so you might as well peek inside Utah’s…
6. Seat of Power: The best State Capital in the entire State of Utah. Yeah, it’s a pretty impressive structure. Site of my Senior Prom where I was First Attendant (what is that all about?) with Marcy Sonntag. The girl I took to prom? Janean McMurray. I ended up marrying her six years later. But I digress.
7. Burn the Fat: The weather in SLC should be pretty good during the 2010 Summit. Burn off (or preempt the accumulation of) that conference food spare tire with a run up Memory Grove and City Creek Canyon. What about all those stories of abductions and violence in Memory Grove after dark? Yeah, they’re probably true. Best to go after sunrise or in a group. 5.3 miles, out and back.
8. Back-room deals: Once reserved for railroad and mining tycoons (non-Mormon males only, thank you) the Alta Club has transformed itself into a discussion chamber for new-economy wizards and politicos, all gender, race and religious persuasions welcome. Any chance of you getting in while you’re here for Summit? Omniture is more likely to change “Unique Visitors” to “Unique Cookies.”
9. Quiet Workspace: Get out of your hotel room and head two blocks east to the Salt Lake City Public Library. This beautiful architectural edifice offers ample desks, stunning views and free internet (thanks to Pete Ashdown.)
10. Alpine Tranquility: This one is part of the official Summit Agenda, although in my three years, I have yet to see Josh James or Brett Error on the slopes. They’re too pooped after all the after parties and the after-after parties. You don’t party as hard as they do, so you should get onto the bus and head up Little Cottonwood Canyon for some of the most stunning views around. My parents had a timeshare at Snowbird when I was a kid and this is where I learned to ski, so I’m more sentimental than most about its slopes. That said, even non-skiers would be advised to make the trek up the canyon. In addition to some amazing slopes, there are several restaurants and a bustling patio, perfect for basking in the sun, weather permitting. Take a few minutes to absorb nature’s inspiration as you figure out how you’re going to transform all the great ideas you had at Summit into action. This trip wasn’t cheap and you’re going to have to start justifying next year’s participation as soon as you get back to the office on Monday.

A word of caution: Salt Lake is relatively safe, but don’t go exploring dark alleys on your own. Use common sense. Travel in groups if walking at night. Just to be safe.

There you go. Have a great Summit. Don’t eat too much. Meet new people, and get out of the hotel for a few minutes. Enjoy the beauties that Salt Lake has to offer. I hope to see you there!