Sara, Sara, Sara !!!!

"I do it for love, love, love, love

Oh, only gonna get get what you give away,

So give love."

SARA BAREILLES

So I went to the House of Blues in Chicago to see Sara Bareilles headline a show with the opening act being Rachael Yamagata. For you long time blog readers you may remember that I was extremely dissapointed to miss Sara's Madison show which was held at my favorite Madison music venue, the 200 seat High Noon Saloon. A funny thing happened in the two months since Sara came to Madison. She has blown up and has the current number one song in the country. So the house of blues 1300 seat venue was sold out as was the show in Milwaukee and Minnesota. But thru the good people at ebay I was able to secure a seat.

The House of Blues is a pretty small venue that is pretty much standing room only. But they offer a package that if you spend $50 bucks in the restaurant/bar you get a reserved bar stool for the show. The seat was great, 30 yards from the stage dead center. I had tablemates that were two very friendly local ladies who bought me a couple of those blue cans you see on the table. First booze in 3 months but only 105 calories each. I was afraid this show would be predominately young girls in the 14-18 range but the crowd was very mixed all ages and lots of guys.

About the music, Rachel Yamagata is a fabulous depressed singer song writer who grew up in the DC area and attended one of my high school sister schools Holton Arms. She can rock, has a fabulous cd entitled Happenstance and delivers a strong live show.

Sara Bareilles gave an amazing performance. I can not be more impressed by this girls music, talent, stage presence, and attitude. She is a UCLA grad, smart, clever, and she gets "it" which is so refreshing. She introduced her band twice, thanked the fans repeatedly, was self deprecating and funny, and has the voice of an angel. This girl has the voice of Linda Ronstadt and the song writing ability of Joni Mitchell. Nothing but big things for her from her on out. She also broke out an acoustic version of Van Morrison's Into the Mystic. Just an awesome night of music and a great time start to finish.

Week two at home has gone well, we won our first volleyball match monday night. Our second match on wednesday was "sunnied out". Wednesday was the first 70 degree day in Madison and the bar we play at has free beer the first 70 degree day and the volleyball court was a giant beach party. The weather obviously has improved here and that's great for the store and great for the owners disposition as well. I got out and walked 4 days this week and hit the gym every morning I was in town including saturday morning for a 30 station circuit workout with my friends Karen and Jenny.

We had our first cookout last night and people over to watch fitness ridge dvds and play wii. My wife makes a great hamburger. There was also a big veggie tray, the amazing buffalo dip in a slightly healthier version, and a bundt cake that looked good but I didn't partake. Had my first weight watchers weigh in wednesday this week. My first week at WW I lost 7 lbs.

Thats all the excitement in my life. I hope everyone reading is having fun cause I am. All my best Peace, Jim