Monday, December 21, 2009

#15 - Star Bar


Post Cassini wedding, my plus one Swirv and I met up with the Ninster and company and headed down to Star Bar to see DJ Patrick Scott spin some sick beats. If you haven't had a chance to hear this guy, then consider this my Christmas present to you. He's kind of a big deal.

Weekend nights always bring an $8-$10 cover charge, but don't you worry it is worth every penny. Especially with a free parking lot just steps away.

This particular night all proceeds went to Toys for Tots....and therefore I consumed a few PBR's, you know, for the kids. We were serenaded by a few musical artists, one of which was "Elvised" out, and kept the crowd entertained with his girating hip and hand movements. Enough said.



The spectators were very Little 5 Points - all walks of life. Hipster, Hippy, white, black, purple, yellow, you name it. Just one reason I make it out to this area as much as possible - nothing cookie cutter about it. Perfection. Liquid courage seemed to be priced appropriately, but then again I didn't actually purchase any myself thanks to my pose who kept me with a drink in hand.




This is an excellent hole in the wall bar/music venue with great local music and room to dance to the DJ like it's 1999. Word on the street has it that Tuesday nights are nothing short of amazing  - free entry and DJ Disco Party??? You know I'll be there soon. Checking this off the bucket list and adding it to your favorites is encouraged. Success!

Friday, December 18, 2009

#14 - The Loft


Another 30 degree night later, Nat and I found our wallets violated with $12 parking as we headed up to The Loft  for the 99x Acoustic Christmas show, featuring New Found Glory & Dashboard Confessional (no linkage for NFG is intentional, explanation below).




After waiting in line for what felt like a century in Alaska (aka 10 minutes), the Ninster got us in for our unexpected VIP night. We hung out next to comfy couches and fancy concrete floors and then suddenly realized we had been put into the winner's circle, literally. We followed our leader backstage where we met my future hubby Chris Carrabba (lead singer of Dashboard Confessional) and his band mate John Leffler. They were both uber sweet and had a great sense of humor as I politely asked if they would like my autograph as well. This led to Chris giving me googly-eyes all night. Or wait, was that me? Erroneous.





Unfortunately for us, NFG came on stage first and borderline ruined the night. On top of the winey complaint rock music I hear when they perform, they have to be the most obnoxious group of people I've ever encountered in the music world. Just a piece of advice guys, it's not very concert friendly to yell "For those of you who have never seen us in concert before....you're LAME!" or to tell the 99x camera guy he is creeping you out by videotaping your mediocre performance. The best part could've been them walking off the stage, but a Ben Folds Five cover song salvaged the remaining tolerance I had for them. The "Chestnuts Roasting on a Open Fire" cover at the end didn't hurt either, but overall I'd rather have swine flu then be within 10 miles of them again.

Thank goodness for Chris & John who rocked the house out with some old school Dashboard songs that brought on multiple flashbacks from my first few years in college. For You to Notice, This Brilliant Dance, Hands Down....I loved it all! And what a great show they put on - you could see how much they loved what they did for a living, it was so refreshing after the semi-disaster minutes before. Of course, getting VIP backstage for this portion of the show didn't hurt either. Here we reunited with some groupies and some fun 99x boys. Yes, that is me doing the "bend-and snap." We were so close we could smell the sweat!






This was my first time at The Loft, and I will definitely be making multiple appearances next year. Obvious by the exterior, it's a much more intimate venue and only holds a handful of fans which makes the night more intimate, and most important easier to maneuver. Bucket list worthy? As long as New Found Glory isn't there, then yes.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

#13 - The Albert









Last night proved to be yet another successful bucket list pow wow. Accompanied by Adriatic Sea & The Freshmaker, I moseyed my way to Inman Park to grab a beer (or 4) at a local dive bar, The Albert. Thank goodness for my friends who are now both Inman Park locals, or I would've side steped my new after work hang out.

Even if it was 30 degrees outside, we powered through to make the brisk walk to the bar from the Freshmaker's pad. After walking in we instantly realized we did not get the memo for trivia that began hours before. Oops. But not to worry, we settled for a pitcher of magic hat and 19 diet cokes with no complaints.

The food is actually really good for a bar if you're asking this girl. The list included fried green tomatoes, mozzarella & tomato salad, boiled peanuts & spring egg rolls to name a few. 

I love the ambience of this place. The walls were filled with famous Albert's throughout history, ranging from Albert Einstein to the well known Fat Albert.

After hours of some very interesting convo's and several jaw drops later, we realized we had been kickin' it with Fat Albert for three and a half hours! YOWZA! But who can keep track of time when you've got amazing Johnny Cash remix juke box music and friendly wait staff to bond with? Whether you've had a horrible day at work, need some gab time with the ladies, or just need to emerge from your cave, this place is the one for you. This has motivated me to investigate more in the Inman Park area....so onto the next! Bucket list worthy? Most def. 


Friday, December 4, 2009

#12 - Thrashers Game

The first frost must have lit a fire under my big sis because she was all about some ice hockey this week, and it just happened to be on the bucket list! So with little convincing, the sibs and I bundled up and headed down to Philips Arena for the Thrashers game last night!

Let me just start off by saying if there was a bucket list search for the best pretzel in Atlanta, Philips Arena would win, hands down. It probably provided my body enough calories to survive for days, but I didn't care. Totally worth it.


After downing the award winning snack and purchasing a $7 beer (pause for gasp), we head out to our seats just in time for the game to begin. Thanks to a fabulous co-worker of mine who works for the team, we had great seats behind the goal....which provided an excellent view of the hotties below.




I will admit that I am not an avid follower of the sport, but it was quite entertaining to say the least. Plenty of opportunities arise for fans to participate in some of the funniest half time sporting entertainment I've seen in a while. Sumo wrestlers vs. humans confined to plastic bubbles to fight to the death? Yup, that'll do! I don't think I've ever laughed that hard at any sporting event!






Oh, and did I mention a mechanical Thrasher releases fire every time we score? Thanks for the momentary 'I may not die of frostbite' moment, Philips Arena. Thrasher himself made quite a few appearances, but as my brother pointed out, "Birds may bang drums, and they may have beaks, but they do NOT have mustaches....it's zoologically incorrect."


Unfortunately our team ended up losing 4-1 to the New York Islanders. Regardless, a 20 minute drive, $10 covered parking and fun bonding session with broder and ktbug made the evening a total success. If you're ever looking for some entertainment after a long day at work, I recommend blowing off some steam and screaming for a local team in town. Bucket list worthy? You bet your beak it is.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

#11 - Piedmont Park



The beatuiful weather we've been having motivated me to man up, put on my winter workout gear and head down to one of my all time favorite outdoor activities in Atlanta...frolicing in Piedmont Park baby!

If you live in Atlanta and have yet to spend an early morning walk with your pooch, afternoon stroll with a guy or gal pal or midnight escapade with your new love in this amazing park, shame on you. I love the park so much I have a hard time limiting my favorite things to do here to any number, but I'll name a few for my loyal followers to try out just for kicks:
 
1. Wake up early the morning of any holiday and head down for a walk solo. There is hardly a local in sight, you can feel the emptiness of the city...and if you ask me only then can you truly bond with it. Don't listen to music, don't bring anyone with you. Sit on a swing near the lake in complete silence and count your blessings!

2. Have plans for happy hour on a beautiful day? Save money and meet the girls at the park on the hill facing Park Tavern. Bring some snackies, Two Buck Chuck and a blanket on a beautiful summer day and people watch until the sun goes down.

3. Grab a frisbee at the dollar store, call up your best man friends (preferably one with a dog) and get down with your bad self in the huge open field facing Tenth street. You're guaranteed a good time even if some seven year old runs his remote control car into your leg nine times. We're all friends here.










4. Cookout. There are tons of open grills towards the back near the tennis courts and softball fields...first come, first serve. Stop by Trader Joe's down the street and pick up some meat to grill and healthy munchies to share with everyone during the summer time. What if it gets too hot, you ask? Easy squeezy...a brand new fancy pants community pool was constructed a few months ago. It may cost $3 and you'll have to lay off the sauce, but at least your pit stans are no more.


5. Reconnect with a friend and go for a power walk after work to catch up on life. If it gets too chilly you're walking distance from a sea of cute local restaurants with cheap eats and drinks.

So is Piedmont Park a bucket list success? If you have to ask I'm clearly not doing my job very well. Onto the next!
 

Monday, November 23, 2009

#10 - The Flying Biscuit

After a much needed eight hours of beauty sleep, I met up with the sibs and my sister's out of town guest at The Flying Biscuit for a yummy brunch on a rainy day. I was surprised by the 20 minute wait time, as it usually ranges to up to an hour on a Sunday.

We chowed down on eggs benedict and coffee as we chatted out our Thanksgiving plans and traveling aspirations. They have the best wheat "flying biscuit" in the universe, equipped with their famous berry jelly. We didn't venture out to fried green tomatoes this time, but I recommend it for future meals. Before long it was time to say adios and leave to our three corners of the earth (soon to be two corners of the earth): Buckhead, Vinings & Woodstock.


This is one of my fav brunch spots in Atlanta - so clearly it passes the Bucket list challenge. The staff is outrageously personable and friendly, and they've got an extensive menu that keeps you coming back for more. Great for a quick bite with a new love, family or girls gab session.

#9 - Center Stage

It wasn't long before I got the musical itch again....Saturday night provided Cage the Elephant at Center Stage with my favorite brownie Laura and her friend Sandra.
Ok, let's just begin with how awesome this venue is, and then I'll touch on its ridiculousness. This hot spot is NICE. Its set-up looks like a swanky modern hotel more than it does a musical venue. "Are you sure I'm not in the W hotel?" Kelly like. Parking is a bit rough - $10 to park walking distance which isn't too killer, but I'd like some free street parking after my $20 ticket, por favor.

Now let's discuss my reaction the second we actually got in the venue. Walk in - ok, this place is nice. Find our spot in the pit - still pretty good. Look to my left - braces. Look to my right - more braces. Um, did I not get the memo that Cage the Elephant is somehow huge for 14 year olds??? I always look forward to people watching, but hearing voices crack, acne and outrageous PDA from high schoolers is a whole other story. I'm only 25 years old, but I felt like I was 107 next to these guys. Now to the first opening band. They go by The Shackeltons and they offered up a unique experience to say the least. The lead singer made his debut with a branch from a Magnolia tree on stage. Yeah, just see the visual above The weirdest part was not the tree, but the fact that he never actually acknowledged its presence...or more importantly its purpose. I mean, a Magnolia Tree as a prop?! That's a stretch even for me. Maybe if his songs surrounded environmental causes I could be on board....but they were focused around the L word, I don't see the connection. I was confused, but it was entertaining so I went with it. I even ended up catching a piece in the crowd - see the youngins behind me. Sigh.

Ok enough about that. We made our way to the second row of seats to sit with the grown ups. Aka best decision of the night. The lead singer of The Shackeltons made his way next to us somehow, and we shared a few words about the next band Morning Teleportation . They're currently recording with Modest Mouse and they they rocked the house down....sans greenery, sorry Mark. He was a delightful young chap though, I decided to avoid the elephant in the room (no pun intended) and keep the "why the heck did you have a magnolia tree on stage" convo to a minimum. Cage the Elephant finally came on and they.were.amazing. I just love going to see bands who sound even better in concert then they do on their cd. It just doesn't get any better than that! The lead singer (Matt Shultz) made us aware that not only was this his first time performing in Atlanta, it was his first time EVER in Atlanta, and he was thinking of moving here. Um, yes please! Check out this blog and you will be SOLD my friend.

Matt continued to keep us on the edge of our seats with his own crowd surfing (along with his bass guitar player not too far behind) and Iggy Pop cover. The concert was amazing, the venue is amazing, the people were entertaining, and I left this place feeling old, but satisfied. Bucket list worthy? You betcha!