Atlanta U2

ONE volunteer crew in Atlanta...
Originally uploaded by Brande Jackson.

It’s cold here. I’m not good with the cold at all. Being back home and then in Florida spoiled me.

Back to the Philips Arena again – we were hear earlier this year with Coldplay. Had a great time during our two nights in town; got to see and catch up with the folks from CARE, one of the ONE partner groups that are based in Atlanta. CARE was the group we partnered with on the DMB tour, and it was great to see Mariano and David, and work with some of their awesome volunteers. Suzanne from Bread from the World was also there, having volunteered with us before, I finally got to meet Katherine, the southeast organizer for DATA. We work together on volunteer recruitment all the time and were actually at the same Coldplay show once but didn’t know it until after the fact, so it was awesome to meet and work in person. We also saw Ted Turner, a big supporter of ONE and got lots and lots and lots of Atlanta fans signed up for the campaign. At one point, a security guard walked over to us - a woman outsite the doors that was looking at our booth gave something to him. He gave us a wad of cash - a donation she wanted to make. We walked over to say thanks and give her some wristbands but she had already left, so we wanted to thank her here and let her know we really appreciated her and her support! This city is quickly becoming one of my favorite to work in…

ONE volunteer signs up U2 fans in Atlanta
Originally uploaded by Brande Jackson.

And, Lokahi’s ‘First Official Stalker’, Anne of DATA also came down to help – she organizes in the Chicago area but was in Atlanta for the weekend, and we are always grateful for her help, even if she is stalking us. I think we amuse her: Carlos, Arron, Dan and I put on a puppet show using salt and pepper shakers and other condiments at the 24 hour diner after the show, a puppet show which was more of a therapy session. (Carlos picking up the salt shaker: “this is Brande, guys, and the pepper is me. ‘Carlos, your stupid’ says Brande, ‘shut up Carlos! Don’t be stupid!’ says Brande, shaking salt all over the pepper shaker…). Anne looked kinda frightened by our exhaustion shining through, but acted like she understood.

Feesh happiness
Originally uploaded by Brande Jackson.

She did not understand The Feesh though. Carlos decided we hit our breaking point. Dan decided that The Feesh was going to record a hip hop song on Garage Band. I decided that the ONE Campaign was worth us loosing our sanity and well being.


Question of the night while in Atlanta: Man walks up to table about halfway through U2's set: “you don’t know where I can find some double A batteries in here, do you?” Me: “No. Sorry.” Man, looking at the banana I had brought up from catering: “what’s up with the bananas, I see people walking around with them all over in here. There are bananas everywhere. Do you know where I can get one?” I stare blankly, contemplating the banana conspiracy of Atlanta of 2005. Man walks off.