Tuesday, July 13, 2010

A Week In The Life

Warning: This is another personal, non-promotional blog. I'm sure it will be a little off center and full of random rambles. ;)

What a week in history this is - for the world and for me personally.

Today, July 13th, marks the 25th anniversary of the Live Aid concert. Put together by Sir Bob Geldof with the help of Midge Ure, Live Aid was a massive concert that followed in the footsteps of Band-Aid (and it's offspring USA for Africa, amongst others) to raise awareness and money for famine relief in Ethiopia and Africa. Held at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, artists including Queen, U2, David Bowie, Phil Collins, Duran Duran, Madonna, Bryan Ferry, Paul Young, Elton John, Tom Petty, Simple Minds, The Pretenders, Neil Young, Patti LaBelle, and MANY others played to a combined 170,000+ fans, while millions of people watched on tv worldwide.
I was one of those that watched. I was two days shy of my 13th birthday and I was riveted. So many artists I loved were performing. It was amazing. The day was slightly interrupted by a smoke detector going off in the apartment two floors down from us. After being evacuated from the building by the fire department for a short bit (it wasn't a fire, just someone who left a pot of water on their stove top - boiling - while they were not at home) I was able to get back inside to continue watching. As I remember it was a gorgeous summer day, but I wanted to stay inside to watch this amazing event.
Of course we had Live 8 a few years back (also held in July - July 2nd to be exact), but where are these massive concerts these days? Wow.

On July 15th I came into this world. Of course this should be a national holiday (hahaha, yeah right), but since it isn't, I'll just wish myself a Happy Birthday and call it good. ;) One nice thing this year is I *may* have won a Sex Pistols t-shirt, and that would be a really awesome birthday present. Feel free to send other birthday gifts to Stacy L...uh, nevermind. :)

July 16, 1990 - amazing to think that was 20 years ago - I saw my first of two shows on Depeche Mode's World Violation tour. It wasn't my first DM show ever, that came in May of 1988. But to celebrate 20 years of Violator, my favorite DM album, along with the WV tour, is incredible. I went to the show on the 16th in Vancouver, BC. Two days later, on the 18th, I traveled to Portland, OR for another show. What a great way to celebrate my 18th birthday by seeing my favorite band in two beautiful cities.

Another thing I'd like to do in this blog today is wish all of my July baby friends and family a very Happy Birthday! For so long I was one of the only people I knew with a July birthday. When I fell in love with Depeche Mode and found that former member Vince Clarke and founders Andy Fletcher and Martin Gore all had July birthdays, I was a giddy little fan girl. Now with Modies, Zazzlers, family, and friends, July is full of AWESOME people celebrating their special day!
***Special shout outs to Debbie, Tricia, Shannon R, Shannon J, Jenn, and Tina - HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADIES!!! ***

I guess that's about all the rambling I want to do for now. Celebrate the people in your lives with birthdays, remember the good things that have happened to make this world a better place, and appreciate the people and things that come into your life ~ they are pieces of the puzzle that make up who we are and this life we lead.


Thank you for reading from Rdwnggrl's World!