No one knew what to expect of our U2 evening, least of all me! But our Mountain "Do You Know U2" contest winner, an employee of REI, came prepared for an adventure. Literally! He was carrying a huge backpack. Change of clothes if the event turns formal? GPS system if the band tries to shake us? Solar shower? Stay tuned for the answer but first, from the lobby of our Hollywood hotel, meet the man who knows U2!

Once we had been shuttled to our secret location, The Capital Recording Studio, we were all told numerous times to check our cell phones and recording devices. Everyone seemed obedient enough, except me of course, who cannot be trusted. I snuck both my phone (old-timey BlackBerry with no camera) and flip video cam in the old fashioned way, under my dress.

But once the event was over, EVERYONE pulled out cameras and phones to document the band walking into the small crowd of fans. There were maybe 60 people max and in the melee as the band greeted and chatted up everyone, I nervously pulled out my camera and began to record. Check out this timid little vid. Don’t blink or you’ll miss The Edge!

True story: I watched this several times before realizing the guy getting the autograph is OUR contest winner! It was so random… but now, so cool. Inside that huge REI pack? Two coffee table U2 books now signed by every member of the band.

Much more to come… and remember, you can follow me on Twitter at twitter.com

- Shawn