From the moment U2 took the stage at the MCI Center in the heart of Chinatown/Washington D.C., I was on my feet along with everyone else in that packed arena. These words can't come close to articulating the intensity of the energy and unity floating in that space. Bono had a vitality that I've never witnessed in any other musician. His voice was incredible and completely strong and full. He was on fire. The band performed from 8:30 until 11:00 with no loss of heat, no sign of wear or tear. "Kite" was my personal favorite; the experience of the song was sublime, Edge's strings pierced everyone's ears until the sound melted into this unstoppable force-and everyone was begging for more. Adam was as cool as ever, unassuming. But his bass (the signature of so many of their songs) was brilliant to feel underneath my feet. And when Larry hit those drums you could feel the vibration in your chest (an experience those around me attested to). I think I lost a piece of my soul when the concert was over, but I gained something else- respect for a band who commit themselves to music and to the expression of life. The messages in their songs are everlasting. This was proven to me by the explosion of screaming and singing in unison on "Where the streets have no name." I don't even know how old that song is, but the fact that it has always been a part of my life (since before I was even aware of what the sound of great music felt like) is a testament to U2's incredible talents and gifts that we are fortunate enough to experience as fans and believers in the arts and human expression. I wish every person I know could understand what 20000+ people singing in unison feels like. What I wouldn't give to experience it again. But these concerts are once in a lifetime, to be cherished for their uniqueness; the memory of that place and time is something that I will never forget. Oh, the life of rock stars....thanks guys.

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