Eduardo's Soap Box: August 2005

White Stripes Concert

So here are my pictures from the white stripes show. I was actually closer than the pictures indicate. The show itself was great, proving in my mind again that the Stripes are the greatest live band right now. Although not as good as the Cologne show in 2003, this show never the less ranked up there as one of the best concerts I have ever been too. In fact, I would say #2 behind Cologne.

Because I can never seem to get this to post as one complete post, this is disjointed again. "The cold cold night."

"I thank you, my big sister thanks you, good night!"

The Stripes played at the Orpheum, a venue designed more for classical music and plays than for rock concerts. Yet it seemed to suit the Stripes surprisingly well.

The Greenhorns opened for the stripes. Honestly, they were pretty good. If you see their cd, you might want to pick it up.

The lighting isn't real good, but you can see the stage as the crew sets up for the performance. It was like a cross between a 1950's lounge and a jungle. Again, it sounds wierd, but it fit perfectly with the Stripes performance.

The Stripes take the stage! The energy was incredible! As you can see, Jack came out looking like a cross between an extremely manic Napoleon Bonaparte, and an overly (if this is even possible) pompous Louis XIV. To go further, imagine Louis XIV trying to do his best Chuck Berry impression, and succeeding in being more Berry than even Berry himself. The late 18th century. French Military garb served him well, in that for most of the night he was like a comanding General (with Meg bringing up the rear). I don't think the stripes used a set list, but rather Jack just decided off the cuff what they were going to do. You could see him calling directions to Meg after songs, and leading her along with guitar motions. Some people say that Meg really doesn't serve a point in the group and that Jack is basically the band. Although he clearly is in command, I think this is overstating it. These two have such a deep connection, and know eachother so well, that it provides their performances with amazingly easy transitions and a great flow.

Jack strutting while rocking it out at the start of the show.

The coat comes off, now its time to get down to business.

"I've been thinking about my door bell, when ya gonna ring it, when ya gonna ring it?"

They whooped a donkey's behind with a belt.

Jack gets down. No one can play guitar like him.

An example of the passion an bond between the two. Its almost like he's preaching to her when he sings by the drum kit.

For one of the new songs, Meg came out from behind the drums to play bongos.

Another action shot.

The jungle theme was apt, in that when he was on stage, Jack was like a tiger, pacing back and forth waiting for the moment to unleash a furious guitar solo.

Preaching again. The only time Jack really spoke to the audience was when he complained that his tea was cold. ||

Best Live Band Ever!

I just got back a little while ago from the White Stripes show down at the Orpheum. Again, like 2.5 years ago in Cologne, the stripes have proved why they are one of the best live bands EVER. This concert was unbelievable, and once again I can say I have never seen a band perform with as much energy and passion as they do. I have plenty of pics (which I'll get to later) as well as a ton of pictures from my two days in chicago. Stay tuned. . .

Always on the Go

Eventhough I have yet to put up a ton of pictures from Germany, not to mention my trip home to Buffalo in June, I am once again departing tomorrow night for a two day trip to Chicago where I will cheer in person for my beloved Buffalo Bills when they play the Chicago Bears. Although the game is only a preseason game, it will be my only chance this year to see the Bills in person. As always, there will be plenty of pictures to follow. . .

Go Bills!

Folder 9, Part 1: The Journey to Bielefeld

This is the first part of folder 9, covering my trip with the Schoeneswochenende Ticket to Bielefeld. I am a big advocate of the Sw ticket, so if you are ever in Germany on a weekend, and feel like traveling, ask your local bahn agent for more info.

This is just the start with this folder, there is much, much more to follow. . .

My last night in Berlin, I tried to take some more night photos. They didn't really come out though.

Although a little off kilter, this is probably the best one.

The next day I left bright and early to head to Bielefeld. My departure point was Berlin Zoo, not only the main staion in West Berlin, but also the inspiration behind U2's ZooTV tour (this is because the U2 subway runs through Bahnhof Zoo).

Achtung Baby!

My first transfer was in Magdeburg.

The next stop was Braunschweig. It may be the Stadt der Forschung for some, but not for me! Bielefeld currently holds that distinction. :)

I had time to get a picture of the Bahnhof itself.

Then I finally came to Bielefeld.

Now, Bielefeld's Hbf has been under rennovation since I studied there back in 2002-2003.

The inside looks immaculate compared to how I left it.

They even built a new ReiseZentrum.

But the first impression you get of the station is that someone dropped a bomb on it.

Two tracks are completely gesperrt.

This is because they are rennovating the tunnel underneath. If you think this looks bad you should see how it looks underneath, and you don't even want to think about what kind of an ordeal it was to drag my bags down the stairs and out into the street!

The Ubahn station across the street. I accidently queued up the last picture, so you get this as a bonus!

Folder 8 Teil 2: Luebeck and Rostock

Here are the rest of the pictures from the Hansastadtrundfahrt.

After the trip, I thought I needed to get a picture of the hostel.

After Hamburg we took a train to Luebeck on Sat. morning.

Pretty much the entire Bahnhof.

The outside of the Bahnhof looked nice.

But behind the facade, they were remodeling everything. I have a theory that you can predict the character of a city based on its Bahnhof. In my eyes, Luebeck proved this theory yet again.

This is the Holsten Tor, arguably Luebeck's most famous attraction. Unfortunately it was under renovation.

It wasn't all bad though in that I ran into some more good friends of mine. This is Billy Jr. (aka Wilhelm II). He was the big cheese back in the day.

My buddy Bismarck also decided to come along from Hamburg. Both of these dudes get around.

A nice scene in Luebeck.

The other side of the river.

The central square in Luebeck. This is the Rathaus.

More shots of the Rathaus, with the church in the background.

More of the Luebeck Rathaus. . .

This is the devil, he went down to Luebeck one day, and started to help the local villagers build their church, thinking it would be a wine cellar. When the villagers told him it was to be a church, he picked up the cement piece he is sitting on and threatened to throw it into the church, knocking down all of the hard work. To stop him, the villagers told him if he didn't destroy the church, they would build a wine cellar under the Rathaus. The devil put down the beam, happy he would get a wine cellar after all. (This is the story on the plaque behind the devil.)

I quickly made friends with the devil. (The lighting sucks in this picture for some reason)

We became best buds.

More pictures of downtown Luebeck.

Another Church.

The Hafen in Luebeck.

One of the city gates.

I liked this picture. It was a courtyard at an apt. complex.

The Cathedral.

I ran inside here for shelter from the rain.

I think this is Heinrich II, but I'm not sure.

After Luebeck, Chris conceeded and went with me to Rostock on the way back to Berlin. I TOLD you all I would do it!!!!! Bwah ha ha ha ha!!!

We arrived just before an exhibition game between Hansa Rostock and Werder Bremen. These are Fussball Fans. They are loud obnoxious, and very entertaining from a distance. You just don't want to come in close contact with them.