Face to Face: Elton John and Billy Joel in concert

Around 7 or 8 years ago, I found out that Elton John and Billy Joel sometimes did some concerts together. Being an admirer of both of them, I downloaded (not very legally) some songs from their concerts together and I was really surprised. They were really able to take their songs to another level by playing together. Their concerts are called "Face to Face" as they both sit on their pianos facing each other and playing together.
Since that time, I have always wanted to go to one of their concerts, but they never played in Portugal. In fact, Elton John only played in Portugal this month for the second time after a concert in the 70s (not sure of the exact date).

After starting their concert series together all those years ago, Elton and Billy still do some once in a while and my friend Gal and I got tickets to see them in Foxboro, Massachussets (near Boston) in the stadium of the football team New England Patriots.
It was the first time I went to a sold out stadium concert.
The gig was awesome, and I only regret being on the top ring of the stadium (better tickets were too expensive).

Elton and Billy started together, playing four songs.
Then Elton proceeded alone with his band. Afterwards it was time for Billy and his band.
At then end, both Elton and Billy got back together and finished with seven more songs.
It was a 3h30m concert!!!

Here is the detailed set list of the concert:

Elton John/Billy Joel (only both of them on piano)

• Your Song
  
• Just The Way You Are

Elton John/Billy Joel (with their bands)

• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• My Life

Elton John set with his band

• Funeral For A Friend
  
• Love Lies Bleeding
  
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
  
• Levon
  
• Madman Across The Water
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
  
• Daniel
  
• Rocket Man
  
• Philadelphia Freedom
  
• I'm Still Standing
  
• Crocodile Rock

Billy Joel set with his band

• Prelude
  
• Angry Young Man
  
• Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
  
• Allentown
  
• Zanzibar
  
• Don't Ask Me Why
  
• She's Always A Woman
  
• Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
  
• River Of Dreams
  
• We Didn't Start The Fire
  
• It's Still Rock'n'Roll To Me
  
• Only The Good Die Young

Elton John/Billy Joel (with their bands)

• I Guess That's Why The Call It The Blues
  
• Uptown Girl
  
• The Bitch Is Back
  
• You May Be Right
  
• Bennie And The Jets
  

Elton John/Billy Joel (only both of them on piano)

• Candle In The Wind
  
• Piano Man

Little kids again...

Last Sunday was time to be a little kid again.
Gal, Nate, Avantha and I, decided to forget our age and go to Six Flags Great Adventure, a theme park located in Jackson, New Jersey, about 1.5 hours away from NYC.
Besides a theme park with roller coasters and other thrill rides, Six Flags also has a Safari park in Jackson, where we drove for 2 hours feeling like we were in Africa.


Gal thinking he could easily climb the tilted ladder, and win the teddy turtleWell, maybe it was not that easy...

Yeah....I won't take the teddy turtle home this time


Having fun on the front row of the Dark Knight roller coaster

Feeling scared....
Feeling even more scared...

A macho pose helps cool down the nerves before going on the rides

We were lucky they let us park our car inside the theme park

Nate and Avantha on a romantic parachute fall



Three rides on the roller coaster to make someone look like they are more drunk than if they had really drank alcohol!

Mets game

This year both major baseball teams from NY (Mets and Yankees) are playing in new stadiums. The Mets teared down the classic Shea Stadium (where the Beatles played their mythic concert in August 1965) and are now playing at the new stadium called, Citi Field. The Yankees also changed from the old Yankee stadium to a newer, same name, Yankee stadium.

Last Friday I was fortunate enough to go with some people from work to watch the Mets play against the Cincinatti Reds. I learned a little bit of baseball rules and had a great view from the box where we were sitting.

Independence Day

The 4th of July celebrates the independence of the United States from the Kingdom of Great Britain. It was on the 4th of July of 1776 that the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
It is a national holiday and Americans usually celebrate it barbecues, firework, picnics and many other outdoors activities.
My friends and I decided to do a picnic in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. At night we went to Gal's rooftop and watched the fireworks with a privileged view.
It was a great day for good photography and I hope you enjoy the pictures
.