Robert and I saw Nada Surf at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco last night and I think it was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. Here's why:
(1) There was a parking garage less than 2 blocks away from the venue. Robert always tells me that there is parking nearby but it rarely is... This actually was. Sweet. Plus, it wasn't super crowded so we were out of there within 10 minutes.
(2) The bassist, Dan Lorca, who is a MAJOR chain-smoker, was out with a "twisted knee." While I still think the dude could've played sitting on a stool, I was stoked he was missing because every time I go to a Nada Surf show I come home with a sinus issue. I know, I'm a wuss but it's totally true - my nose/sinuses/allergies cannot handle 90+ minutes on non-stop smoke wafting. After this concert? Breathin' free and easy, baby!
(3) I twisted Robert's arm into buying old people seats. Hey, I am 491 days away from the big 3-0, people. I need to sit!!! And actually Robert's not a stand-er, either. I mean, if it was just an hour or something maybe but standing through set-up, 1-2 opening acts, intermission and a 2-hour set?! No, no, no, no, no. I can't go for that. Now, when Robert and I see bands at the Fillmore, we scope out a ledge to sit on a guard it with our lives. We have never been able to figure out how to finagle a seat at one of the tables on the 2nd floor. So when I saw dinner seats available at the GAMH, I told Robert to snap'em up. He didn't want to spend the extra money but I eventually convinced him that guaranteed seats would be awesome. And they were. Because we were "reserved" dinner folk, we got seats right at the ledge - we were literally directly above the band. We got a salad and choice of entree (I had teriyaki chicken with buckwheat soba noodles [which, yes, I actually did eat - and it was good!] and Robert had the flank steak with potatoes) included in the ticket price and only had to pay for sodas and any dessert (if we so desired). It was very cool to not only not have to worry about scurrying around and making time to eat before the show but we also then had something to do between sets. It was great! Plus, and you guys know how much I loved this, the bathroom was less than 100 feet from my seat. I could drink with abandon! It was awesome. :o) Robert concurred and thanked me for talking him into the seats before we left. 
The pictures are not great, seeing as I only had my camera phone with which to take them BUT we were soooooooo close I had to take at least some kind of photo!! This is the lead singer, Matthew Caws.
Drummer Ira Elliott (who usually has a John Holmes-esque porn 'stache but was clean shaven this time out! Yet another reason to love this show!!!!) and Matthew.
Ira had drumsticks with tips that lit up for only one song (boo!) but they were very cool. I guess I'm easily amused. 
Here are a couple Nada Surf tunes for your enjoyment, should you wish to check them out:What Is Your Secret? (from The Weight Is a Gift)
Boomp3.com
Inside of Love (from Let Go)
Boomp3.com
We were so directly above the band, in fact, that I could read the set lists for both Telekinesis and Nada Surf. I loooooved knowing how many songs I had to sit through before the opening band went away!!! Fabulous.
And danced and sang during every single song EXACTLY as you'd imagine he would. Except during the Spanish song. But that was pretty much a bathroom/beer run song for the entire audience. 
