So Glad I Can Still Surprise You!

The challenge of being married and in love with a clairvoyant!

Really fun night...there's more below from another blogger that gives even more detail on the concert. Flat out hilarious.

Felt a bit odd being back at Navy Pier, especially without the kids or out-of-town visitors. Good reminder that the views and experience can still be wonderful.

The truth is that it doesn't matter where we do our date nights. Every one of them is a wonderful opportunity to slow down time and reconnect. An oasis at the end of turbulent weeks!

Written by a Wash Post blogger…



D.C. Entertainment Dispatches | About This Blog

U2 3D: Even Better Than the Real Thing

I am a major U2 fan and an unabashed admirer of Bono. But I will try to bring a measure of restraint to my assessment of "U2 3D," which opened yesterday at the Samuel C. Johnson Imax Theater at the Natural History Museum.

"U2 3D" IS THE MOST AWESOME THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE EVER!!

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little. But there is no question that it is technically amazing and unlike any concert film you have ever seen. Desson Thomson already filed a review in yesterday's Post, so today I bring you, in no particular order, a rundown of the thoughts I had while viewing "U2 3D."

"These 3D glasses do not look like Bono's Fly specs. This is disappointing. On the plus side, they are less goofy than the lime-green ones I got at 'Chicken Little 3D.'"

"The movie is starting. Holy crap, the opening titles are in super-3D! Is it possible to get poked in the eye by a font? Because I think it just happened."

"This screen is 66-feet-tall. I can still tell that Bono is short."

"Woah!! Bono is, like, in my face. And I don't just mean metaphorically in my face because he's always yapping about social issues. The man appears to be inches from the end of my nose, singing about a place called 'Vertigo.'"

"Okay, this movie is officially 800 times better than 'Chicken Little 3D.'"

"I have decided to refer to the in-my-face Bono as Hologram Bono. I expect that at some point during the movie he will say: 'Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope.'"

"This 3D thing is unbelievable and I am in the mid- to lower- section of the theater. If I were in the front row, I could see through time."

"I can clearly read the pensive expression on Edge's face. Wonder what he's thinking about ... oh, no need to wonder. Thanks to the 3D, I can see through his skull cap and into his brain. Just as I suspected: 'Man, how come Bono never invites me to go to Africa?'"

"That dude four people back from the edge of the stage? I think he has the same cell phone I do."

"The sound quality is excellent. But I wouldn't mind if they cranked it a teeny bit louder. 'Cloverfield' must have permanently damaged my hearing."

"They're doing 'Sunday Bloody Sunday.' And Hologram Bono is not only in my face, he is looking right into my eyes. 'Wipe your tears away.' He is reaching toward my cheek. 'Wipe your tears away,' he sings again. My eyes are notably dry. I feel I have let down Hologram Bono."

"I always wondered what Larry Mullen Jr. keeps next to his drum kit. Now I know: A box of Kleenex and what appears to be a glass of Orangeade."

"Now that I can so clearly see Edge's chord changes, I am going to study what he does so that I can get better at 'Guitar Hero III' ... ah, who am I kidding? I still won't be able to make it through the most basic version of 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot.'"

"Wow, this is an amazing view of Bono singing 'Miss Sarajevo' to the crowd. Does this guy have the best job in the world or what? He comes to work and sings about beauty queens while looking out at a sea of glowing cell phones, all of them twinkling like distant stars. I mean, it may not be as good as being a Going Out Guru. But it's up there."

"It's official: 'Where the Streets Have No Name' is the greatest live song of all time. Okay, 'Born to Run' is a close second. But nothing -- NOTHING -- is better than that slow build in the beginning, then watching the entire crowd bounce in 3D."

"Oh no, I think the movie is almost over. This can't be happening. If I slip Adam Clayton a $20, would they do 'I Will Follow'? How about $50 for 'A Sort of Homecoming'? I really could slip him something. His pocket is RIGHT THERE."

"People in the theater are leaving. Idiots. Even the closing credits are worth watching. Note to self: Come see this movie again. Immediately."

Date Night Diaries Goes 3D

Saturday night in Chicago in the winter. Not always an inviting prospect. But this past Saturday it worked. Peter was sure I knew exactly what we were going to do, but I didn't. So he totally surprised me when he turned off Lake Shore Drive and headed for Navy Pier.

We haven't been to Navy Pier in so long. Our kids are teens and tweens now. It used to be the great playground for them, but now that they are older and busy with school, those spontaneous trips to Navy Pier have ended.

But Saturday night, it was our turn.

Peter took me to Riva, the lovely restaurant at Navy Pier overlooking the lake. We had a good meal, and nice conversation, and our waiter had no sense of humor, always incentive for Peter to change that around. I did notice, though, that the waiter seemed to be enjoying the attention under the attitude.

After dinner, we had tickets to see the IMAX 3D U2 Concert! Very fun! We wore our oversized glasses. The place was packed to the ceiling, A 3D concert is the way to go. You get the experience of being at the concert -- in fact you are right onstage with the band! -- and you get the comfort of a seat. You also get to see Bono's big fat arse! I loved the medium. I would see a 3D concert any time.

So, good stuff. Thanks, Peter. See, you can and often do surprise me!