I know that my obsession with all things Springsteen is not my most attractive feature. That being said, this blog not only serves as a way for us to keep in touch with our friends and family but also serves as a journal of sorts. So with that in mind I would like to reminisce on one of the best weekends of my life (for all you that are concerned that my priorities are out of whack for saying that, know that I am exaggerating... a little bit:)) The weekend started with Mandy and I leaving Seattle early (for our taste) and driving through the rain/snow to Portland for the first night of a Bruce Springsteen double header. It shou
ld be noted that Portland is quickly becoming my second favorite city right behind Seattle. I love everything about the place it's wet, green, surrounded by water, there are cool bridges everywhere, more people walk and ride bikes than use their cars, and they also have a history of great music. I think its safe to say that I love the Northwest. Anyway I digress. We pulled into Portland, checked into the full hotel and I counted the hours until the concert. We went to Vancouver (minutes away) to spend time with Mandy's sister and her family. We had a fun time hanging out with them and the time passed away quickly, I left Mandy with her sister and I headed over to the Rose Garden Arena for the show.
ld be noted that Portland is quickly becoming my second favorite city right behind Seattle. I love everything about the place it's wet, green, surrounded by water, there are cool bridges everywhere, more people walk and ride bikes than use their cars, and they also have a history of great music. I think its safe to say that I love the Northwest. Anyway I digress. We pulled into Portland, checked into the full hotel and I counted the hours until the concert. We went to Vancouver (minutes away) to spend time with Mandy's sister and her family. We had a fun time hanging out with them and the time passed away quickly, I left Mandy with her sister and I headed over to the Rose Garden Arena for the show. 
When I got to my seat and was settled in all I could do was watch the clock. The show started an hour late but I'll tell you it was worth every minute. When it finally got started I had goose bumps all over me. They came out the Boss shouted "Portland" for what felt like fourteen times and then they begin to play "Night." During that song and the next I was shockingly underwhelmed. I thought to myself "What was I expecting?" Was I expecting the heavens to part and angels to start singing along with the band? I kept thinking to myself that it's my own fault for having built up expectations that no human could possibly live up to. But then the third song began to play and everything started to click. I was immediately overcome and I did not sit down for the rest of the time. I guess it just took me a few minutes to realize what was happening, and to soak it all in. The Boss played for close to three hours (pretty impressive for a 58 year old!) and it was all I wanted it to be. During the second to last song (Born to Run) the lyrics to the song I Don't Want to Miss a Thing kept creeping into my head: "I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep... I don't want to miss a thing." I left feeling pretty grateful that I have a wife that would put up with all my shenanigans and allow me to make a completely unnecessary trip to Portland to see a concert. I walked back to the hotel that night with a permanent grin on my face. The 15 year wait was well worth it.
On the way to the concert the next day Mandy asked if I thought the Seattle show would be better than the Portland show. I told her honestly that if the show was EXACTLY the same I would still be elated. We had better seats at the Key Arena than the seat I had in Portland and I couldn't even believe that I was going to go through all of it again. When the lights came down and the first few bars of Trapped began, I was in heaven. When considering which of the shows 
was better I imagine it like picking your favorite child, "you love them both the same." But it's safe to say that the Seattle show was the better of the two, I came to realize that when he played Because the Night. But the pinnacle of my concert going life was during the encore when the band played Rosalita Come Out Tonight). I have told Mandy previously that if for some reason the "Make a Wish Foundation" were to grant me one wish that wish would be to see Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band perform the song Rosalita (Come Out Tonight). The song was pure bliss and a perfect ending to a perfect weekend.For anyone who cares here is the setlists from both nights.
Portland Setlist:Night
Radio Nowhere
Lonesome Day
Gypsy Biker
Magic
Reason to Believe
Candy's Room
Prove It All Night
She's the One
Livin' in the Future
The Promised Land
ForYou
Lost in the Flood
Devil's Arcade
The Rising
Last to Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands
**Encore**
Girls in Their Summer Clothes
Jungleland (Best of the night)
Born to Run
Dancing in the Dark
American Land
Seattle Setlist:
Trapped
Radio Nowhere
No Surrender
Lonesome Day
Gypsy Biker
Magic
Reason to Believe
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Because the Night
She's the One
Livin' in the Future
The Promised Land
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
Your Own Worst Enemy
Point Blank
Devil's Arcade
The Rising
Last to Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands
**Encore**
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Rosalita (Come out Tonight) *Best concert experience EVER*
Born to Run
American Land
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Priorities firmly in whack.
I knew you would understand.
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