Adrian Barnes' Blog

U2 Concert

// January 10th, 2010 // No Comments » // Entertainment, Family & Friends, Home Videos, Music, Photo Album Updates

Added U2 Concert Album to?Picasa Web Albums. I have been a dedicated U2 fan since the early 90’s when I got into Achtung Baby so this mini-review is more than a little biased. I caught U2 live in Toronto during the PopMart Tour in 1997 but, due to varying circumstance, regret not being able to attend their last few tours. There was a lot of fuss in the media with regards to the 360? stage concept and it’s been widely reported that U2 won’t break even on this tour until mid-2010 which, if nothing else, demonstrates their commitment to putting on a good show (and /or poor business sense). However, in my opinion, the 360? stage with all it’s bells and whistles, was a silent partner in the overall production and did not distract from the music. All in all, it was a great show that Lisa and I will remember for years to come. Below is some video footage we took of the concert.

Part I: U2 hitting the stage with Kingdom of Your Love (rumoured to be on potential U2 2010 summer album called “Songs of Ascent”) then breaking into Breathe off New Line on the Horizon (released February, 2009).

Part II: U2 finishing up Get On Your Boots from No Line on the Horizon (released February, 2009). Incidentally, this song was the lead single for the album (to mixed reviews) but it broke through in the 5 year-old demographic as Natalie was running around the house singing “let me in the sound” for a few weeks.

Part III: Bono injecting some “Torontoisms” into the concert between Magnificent and Beautiful Day.

Part IV: Arguably, one of the most fun parts of the show (for band and audience alike) with remix of I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight.

Hockey Hall Of Fame

// November 2nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Family & Friends, Photo Album Updates

Added Hockey Hall Of Fame Album to?Picasa Web Albums. I have a confession to make…I lived in Toronto for 5 years and never made it to the Hockey Hall Of Fame. I hope the honesty and sincerity of this admission of guilt offsets any automatic Canadian citizenship review based on this fact coming to light. Needless to say, I made the Hockey Hall Of Fame a priority when Lisa and I visited Toronto a few weeks ago. One would assume I’m a Montreal Canadiens fan as there are a number of pictures of me in a replica Canadiens dressing room but, rest assured, I’m of sound mind and solidly behind the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ok, I admit the timing and believability of that last sentence could be better…

Targa Newfoundland Car Show

// October 14th, 2009 // No Comments » // Family & Friends, Photo Album Updates

Added Targa Newfoundland Car Show Album to?Picasa Web Albums. As should be expected with any red-blooded, 4 year-old boy, Aiden (Natalie’s cousin) was excited to go to the Targa Newfoundland Car Show but I wasn’t sure how Natalie would fare with the event. Natalie ended up having a great time asking everyone within shouting distance for an autograph. In the spirit of politically correctness, she was very indiscriminate in whom she approached for autographs; equally relentless in pursuing autographs from co-patrons and hot dog vendors as the drivers and navigators. Natalie and Aiden had a chance to hop in and pretend to drive a few cars which gave Todd (Aiden’s father) and I a glimpse at what we have to look forward to in 10-11 years when they hit the open roads. I predict you’ll retire quite comfortably if you make an effort to include insurance companies in your stock portfolio prior to 2020.

First Day Of School

// October 12th, 2009 // No Comments » // Family & Friends, Photo Album Updates

Added First Day Of School Album to?Picasa Web Albums. Natalie headed off to school (kindergarten) without any fuss (the McDonald’s bribe may have had something to do with it). When Natalie was asked how her first bus ride was; she responded with a deflated “unimpressive.”

Joel & Karla’s Wedding

// October 12th, 2009 // No Comments » // Family & Friends, Photo Album Updates

Added Joel & Karla’s Wedding Album to?Picasa Web Albums. Joel (my brother) was planning to propose to his girlfriend (Karla) on the same night that Lisa and I announced to family and friends that we were getting married so he had to delay his proposal until the following night (love must have been in the air in June, 2009). Joel and Karla decided to get married at Karla’s parents’ cottage in PEI but mother nature declined to cooperate (Tropical Storm Danny) so the wedding was relocated to the backup church venue. It’s note-worthy that? out of the four Barnes Boys weddings, three have had torrential downpours on their wedding day which, if you’re inclined to believe in superstition, is an omen of solid marriage. It was a beautiful wedding with an entertaining reception (although Joel won’t be officially “screeched in” until he can make it through the screeching ritual unaided).

Halifax Weekend

// August 28th, 2009 // No Comments » // Family & Friends, Photo Album Updates

Added Halifax Weekend Album to?Picasa Web Albums. My brother (Joel) and his girlfriend (Karla) were getting married in PEI on Saturday, August 28th so Lisa and I decided to fly to Halifax a day early to spend some time in Halifax. We got some back-to-school shopping done at the Micmac Mall, took a stroll up Spring Garden Road and got caricatures drawn on the boardwalk. Hard to beat downtown Halifax in the summer…

Amelia’s Birthday Party

// August 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Family & Friends, Photo Album Updates

Added Amelia’s Birthday Party Album to?Picasa Web Albums. Natalie and Aiden attended Amelia’s Birthday Party and enjoyed playing in the “bouncy castle” and the gymnasium before settling down for some pizza and cake.

Tim Bit Jamboree

// August 22nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Family & Friends, Photo Album Updates

Added Tim Bit Jamboree Album to?Picasa Web Albums. The CBS Soccer Association held their annual Tim Bit Jamboree today. Natalie arrived in time to see Aiden receive his medal and catch up with Uncle Jamie, Aunt Lori Ann and Amber who were visiting from Gambo. Although Natalie was unable to play due to a toe-injury (the combination of an over-aggressive gait down a paved driveway and an overactive clumsy gene), she had fun horsing around on the sidelines and is very proud of her soccer medal.

Beach Party

// July 30th, 2009 // No Comments » // Family & Friends, Photo Album Updates

Added Beach Party Album to?Picasa Web Albums. My work’s Social Club had a beach party at Middle Cove Beach last week. Natalie made a few new friends and worked the crowd by volunteering to get their hot dogs for them as they came off the barbecue.

Wedding

// July 19th, 2009 // No Comments » // Family & Friends, Photo Album Updates

Added Wedding Album to?Picasa Web Albums. Thanks to Beth-Ann (Lisa’s sister) for taking the photos in this album. As most are aware, Lisa and I decided to get married four weeks ago and formally notified family and friends a week later. Loved ones from both our families cleared their calendars, traveled considerable distances and selflessly volunteered to make our wedding day memorable and Lisa and I couldn’t be happier with the end result.