#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.

#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.