Happy July

"Music is a world within itself

With a language we all understand

With an equal opportunity

For all to sing, dance and clap their hands"

Stevie Wonder

Here's the Wisconsin state capitol building as pictured from directly in front of our store. It's three blocks up the street to the capitol and three blocks down the street to the University of Wisconsin. And although we are right on State St. it not really a street because it is closed to general traffic. The six blocks have a vast array of shops, bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. It is as cool a street is there is in the country. However not as cool as it used to be before the national chains like The Gap, Starbucks, Taco Bell etc. arrived. Now the street is probably close to 50% chains, but the heart of the street is still the locally owned stores you can't find anywhere else.

Well it is now onto July and a mere seven weeks until I step foot on the grounds of Fitness Ridge again for six more weeks. I remember easily the fun I had there, the great people I met, and the success I felt leaving. Its a little tougher for me to remember the pain, the hunger, the nighttime boredom, and that damn stop sign hike but I'm sure as I get closer to the day all those feelings will come back.

I was able to keep my one streak going of seeing lots and lots of live music this past week. My weight loss streak now has an asterisk, much like the tainted home run record of the cheating Barry Bonds. I could not get the home scale to budge under the needed number for me to get on the scale last week so I did what any weight watcher long time vet would do. Skipped the meeting :) I will be back on the scale tomorrow unlike in years past where one missed week would turn into never going back. It should be an okay, but not stellar number. I have two workouts and a volleyball game before the ten am weigh in tomorrow so that'll help as well.

I'd like to lay much of the blame on the birthday dinner pictured here but truth is there was a couple other detours on the road to negative numbers. I have really not seen many movies this summer because I am powerless against popcorn. I'd like to think I could conquer this but there is no way. It's hard to explain but it goes something like this. I try to go without it I think about it all the time in the movie. I get some, I aimlessly pound away at the bucket until its gone and then I am sad cause it's gone.



I saw three great acoustic female songwriters Friday night. It is really a genre I love. The opener, who wasn't on the bill actually stole the show. An Amazing voice and great lyrics. She is from Prince Edward Island, Canada and is named Rose Cousins. Also saw Pete Francis from a band named Dispatch. They played a sold out show at Madison Square Garden not too long ago. Probably more exciting to him then the 40 people that showed up at the local bar to see him solo. Also saw two bands at the UW Union terrace. The terrace is an outdoor area that backs up to the lake. It is full every night because there is no better place in the city to hang out. It also sells a ton of draft beer and has a perpetual cookout going on. Last night was a Beatle cover band followed by a screening of the movie Hard Day's Night. Didn't stay for the flick because I had to kick some Volleyball butt. Tonite's volleyball is at 10:10pm :(

I am heading to St Louis on Sunday for two days. I get to see my brother Jay, hang out in his pool and pick up some merchandise for our big summer street festival coming up in two weeks. Also hope to get down to Arlington Park for a day or two of races. I have a couple 4th of July parties coming up this week as well. Should be fun times. Peace, Jim