THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE

What is scarier than being a U2 fan, standing there to watch, as the band exits the Four Seasons hotel? Being a crazed U2 fan, standing there to watch, as the band exits the Four Seasons hotel. What is better than being a fan? The answer is nothing. Nothing is better.

So Molee and I, though we had already guessed this, read in the Boston Herald that U2 was staying at the Four Seasons hotel. After speaking to a fan that seemed to know what she was talking about, we decided that we would in fact meet U2 if we stood outside the hotel long enough. We called Beth, and we all decided that we had to go. So there we are - outside the hotel with signs that read "I (heart) Mr. The Edge," "Smile, Larry...," and "Congrats" (Bono and Ali just had a baby). Each of the signs, in addition to its message, styled a skillful drawing or painting of a band member or, in one case, a band member and his wife. The temperature that day was about 100 degrees. (Okay, it was probably more like 80 degrees, but it was H-O-T.) So we’re not standing with the one hundred fans that are in front of the hotel. Rather, we decided to stand across the street where the band would be sure to see our incredible signs. We spot a case in one of the penthouse windows and decide that that must be U2’s room. As we’re waiting, about ten or fifteen people give us positive comments on our signs. I forward all the credit to Molee. Some people ask us what the attraction is. Hello! It’s U2, man. U2. As we’re waiting, an obviously hired woman, apparently planted to deter the fans from standing near the hotel, tells us that U2 already left through the back entrance. Yeah right! Like we’re going to listen to you, lady. We’re diehard fans, and we’re not leaving until we see the band. So we stayed and waited.

Suddenly, a limo passes by. Beth and I are sure we spotted Larry in the limo, so we become somewhat skeptical. We try to convince Molee that we saw the band go by, but Molee is persistent. She proudly held her Edge sign, reassuring us that we had to keep the faith. Then, a man, who tells us that he has been a fan since ‘83, sees our signs and thinks they are so awesome that he wants a picture with us. Imagine that - we have fans of our own. After we snap a photo with him, we continue to wait. A lady then approaches me, claims that she is staying at the Four Seasons and that she was just in an elevator with Larry. But that’s all she tells me. What does this mean?!? Was Larry in the elevator because he was leaving the hotel? I’m not sure, but I decide that I cannot leave. Suddenly, I hear some fans cheering. Beth tells us it is Bono as she runs across the street, while Molee and I follow (with our signs, of course). It isn’t Bono. (For all intensive purposes, I’m going to call this man "Bono Decoy.") As we get closer to Bono Decoy, we realize that he is in fact a decoy. He has the wrap around shades, the slicked back black hair, and the all black attire. We were disappointed as we went back across the street with our signs to assume our previous stations on the sidewalk. Just minutes later, a man comes up to us and unenthusiastically tells us, "I just got the bass player’s signature. Is he any good? What’s his name? I think he’s one of the original members." First of all, yes, ADAM CLAYTON is good. Secondly, they are all original members - what drugs is he taking? (I’m sure Adam would want the hook up.) I wasn’t sure whether or not to believe him, but as I heard Beth scream "Adam!" as she ran into traffic to cross the street, I looked up and saw Adam, following her, as a crazed fan would, into the traffic.

I ripped my Boy album out of my bag along with a pen, pushed everyone out of my way, and made it into Adam’s sight. I immediately handed him the album leaflet, and he signed it. As I said "Thanks, Adam" like an idiot, he just gave that definitive Adam-style grin. Then, Beth handed him her All That You Can’t Leave Behind album leaflet, and when Beth said "Thanks, Adam" completely dazed, obviously in shock of being inches away from the coolest bass player ever, Adam winked at her. Molee got her ticket stub from last night’s concert signed. I snap some photos, and looking to my right, I see none other than Larry Mullen, Jr. I run over to him, holding my "Smile, Larry..." sign as I repeatedly scream his name. He didn’t look at me but instead took a picture with a 40-year-old woman, kissed her, and signed an autograph for her. (Way too long to spend on one fan that didn’t even have a sign, if you ask me.) He then waved to the crowd and proceeded to his car. I ran after him. He had to see me and my sign. When he got into the car, he saw it. He smiled at me, waved at me, looked away like he was too cool, and stared out the window of the car that was not facing me. I was in awe. Molee told me to turn the sign around where the message read "Julie Loves You," so I did. Only Adam was looking, and as he read my new message, he laughed, tapped Larry, and told him to look at me. Larry did. He read "Julie Loves You," smiled again, and waved to me again. I snapped several pictures of the car. Then, as the car pulled into the street, I ran after it, completely shocked at what had just happened in the last five minutes. I got Adam’s autograph and Larry knows that I love him. Could this day be any better? Yes.

We heard that Bono was still in the hotel but that The Edge had left two hours ago. Molee was slightly disappointed because of her obsession with The Edge, but knowing that Bono was going to be here shortly made it better. Beth and Molee held the "Congrats" as we eagerly awaited Bono’s arrival. About twenty minutes later, Bono appeared. He was on the complete opposite side of us, but he had to see our sign. He had to know how much we care about him. Finally, he got to us. However, there were so many people that were obstructing our view. Then, miraculously, as Molee explained, "The crowd parted like the Red Sea, and I had a perfect view of that angelic face." (That was a gross exaggeration, but under the circumstances, I’m sure Bono’s face appeared angelic.) We were just happy to be within touching distance of Bono, but then he said something to us. He said, "I saw your sign from my window." Beth said, "Oh, you did?" He said, "Yeah, I waved." Then, Bono smiled. As he got into his car, all of the fans followed. He waved, got into the car, and as the car pulled away, he waved some more. Then, as any U2 fans who just talked to Bono, were acknowledged by Larry, and received Adam’s autograph with a special wink of approval, Molee, Beth, and I freaked out. We screamed, hit each other, and jumped up and down like we had just met rock stars. We did meet rock stars! More importantly, Bono, our hero, talked to us. We made him happy with our (Molee’s) sign. I was so excited that, as I ran to the telephone to call my family about the experience, I tripped over my own foot and landed face down on the pavement. It was at that point that everything that just happened was entirely processed in my brain. And even though everyone around me laughed at my fall, I didn’t care. I just met rock stars.

When we got to the concert that night, Bono was totally different than he was the night before. He smiled constantly, and he paid attention to the fans behind the stage, which he did not do last night. Why? Because behind the stage is where Molee and I were with that "Congrats" sign. When Bono spotted the sign in the crowd, he played songs just for us. It was absolutely incredible. The best day of my life.