I don't know Jack....

Really I don't.

My grandfather went to China when I was a child, and he really tried to sink their culture and politics into me, but all I got as A) Beijing Hotel had really fancy stationery that still said Peiking Hotel, and B) No matter what race you are, if you're born in China, you have no chance of rhythm.

Later in college, I had this great teacher. I felt kind of bad because I first met her in advertising, and honestly, she had her doctorate in anthropology and was very into human relations and history, and was not good at teaching a class on how to manipulate people into buying crap. Then I took her for a class on the history and culture of China, and whoa! I learned so much from her. This woman traveled the Silk Road, she visited China many times, and she could put the most egotisical scholar to shame with a smile and historical fact.

Which is why I can't give a criticism on China. Yeah, I think it's messed up factory workers had two months of unpaid vacation for Beijing's attempt to quell air pollution, and yes, spending 4 billion dollars to make a good showing at the Olympics when so many citizens starve is messed up, but what have I done? I haven't signed a petition for Free Tibet or Commie-Free China or For God's Sake Can We Go To Cuba Since China Is Also Commie and Does No One See The Lameness in This petitions.

Like my friend Steve Francois said, All those who boycott China better give up their McDonalds, Adidas and Nikes pretty quick. Hell, I don't partake in any of those and the opening and closing ceremonies consisted of me going "OOOOHHHHH, pretty!!!!!!!"

I think what any athlete does is great. Yeah yeah yeah, go USA but honestly I can't do a fourth of what these athletes do, and o see the US place at all is totally me living vicariously, especiallty when it comes to volleyball.

And China did great! Can you imagine being London and having to one-up floating acrobats, flashing human percussion and mulitple acrobats? I'd hate to even try.

And I hate trying to enjoy it without politics every ticking at my skull.

Only One Week...

Till the new Gossip Girl! I know everyone is on the edge of their seats as I am!!

CW shows aside, though, I hope everyone has been keeping up with the doings in Atlanta. The Icehouse has opened, and from what I've seen, has had a full house every night and bands almost every night. With an eclectic menu and entertainment lineups as I've seen, Murphy and crew should be in clover for quite a bit.

My workplace, The Midway Pub, has been having a lot of promotional fun lately. If you were wondering who I am there, the girl downing a Pacifico after eating half a jalepneo might be a clue; but keep in mind there were many girls eating many hot peppers and forced to down beers. Check out their Myspace for further promos. We do have a cornhole (beanbag for those not familiar with the vernacular) tournament this Thursday, so get your drink and tossing arm on then!

Two other of my favorite hangouts, The Glenwood (in EAV) and El Tesoro (in Decatur) got favorable reviews in Atlanta's Dining Out magazine. Tesoro has a great Spanish wine selection and a dessert that is touted as the Mexican version of creme brulee, and believe me it deserves all accolades.

The boys from Mastodon are off their tour, back in town and celebrating. However, I say, it's not a party unless you have a price to pay. Sometimes it's a bad hangover, and sometimes, it's taking one shot too many. We'll see what happens, but in the meantime Mastodon are welcome back home with muchas smooches and it's sad we only have one week before they go back out on the road.

Congrats to Jonathan from Midway on his nuptials. His fiance livesin Sardinia, and he and friends got to celebrate his wedding there! No hatred there, but maybe a slight touch of envy mixed in with the well-wishes.

Local filmmaker J is on her way back from Utah this week. J has finished the finishing touches on her documentary, Hoot in the Hole, which was shown in the raw about a year ago at the Earl. J will be working on another documentary as well as about a million other projects--you can't keep this girl still!

No links this week, as some can be found in the last post and, well, I'm feeling a bit lazy. This weekend was crazy and I have some more work to do in the am (not restaurant, but indie-which can be way harder), so you'll have to wait for my next post to get all the links and dirty details. And you will.

Till then, later days for you my friends. Be safe, always have a sober buddy, and never do anything I wouldn't do...unless it sounds really fun.

In the words of my beloved narrator,

"you know you love me,

xoxo"

Village Tuesday Affairs

Well, last night was a very busy one here in the EAV! Midway has started a Team Trivia night on Tuesdays starting at 8, and last night was my first time working this. Despite this only being about three weeks going, there are already regular teams! I joined in after work for some fun and even managed to get some right!

Next was the soft opening night for the East Atlanta Icehouse. Pretty decent set-up, with a small restaurant and then a separate entrance for the music venue. 3rd Alley was playing there, along with Josh Fischel. Excellent music, very reminiscent of the Long Beach Dub sounds of the 90s.
The place is still beer and wine for the moment, but it won't be too long before they have their full liquor license, and the current selection is pretty swell. Then again, as long as I can have Guiness I'm happy.

After hanging out for a few songs, it was time for me to head to another music spot, Cenci, to listen to the wonderful beats of Eric_ZBD, AlBeatz and Barry Bonds. This was a very packed spot but I did manage to get a seat in front of the excellent bartender Zach, who is always a joy to see. Alas, no Guinness, but I made do with some Red Stripe and Jager.

A very quick stop lastly to an after-party, but the night was catching up with me, so it was time to go.

As for tonight, I think I've done quite enough to last me a week; so the two of us cooked a nice meal of pasta and pesto chicken with smoked mozerella and sauteed garlic and scallions. Add a quick salad and it's absolutely divine. The rest of the night has been devoted to laundry and the Olympics, and now we're watching the Golden Compass to finish out the night.

Ain't no party like an Atlanta party...

Cause an Atlanta party don't stop!



Well, yours truly has been hard at work this month. Besides my usual ale-slinging job, I've been working with Metamorphose Films getting various internet-related things up. I am mostly doing Myspaces and working on bios, and will link when I actually get my job done.



This month wasn't all work, though. ABZ, Trig, The Gambler and I took a day trip to Stone Mountain for a hike, a picnic, some drinks and of course, the laser show. Video of the last part of the laser and photos of ABZ and my trip to the top are on my Myspace currently. This park went from a former granite mill to a state park, and boasts the biggest bas-relief in the country--consisting of Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis.



Other fun events include a kick-ass show at The Masquerade this past Friday. Seeing DJs Rel1, Casper and the Autobots for FREE is awesome; most of the time you shell out some money for this kind of talent. Local also-amazing dj Eric ZBD was one of the sponsors, and he and the lovely Whitney were great hosts, having guests and performers over for an after-hours that ad the classic cocktail mixture of fun, talented and eclectic people to make a truly wonderful time. Eric plays Cenci Tuesdays; please be sure to check him out. In addition, this Friday's show at the Masquerade has him playing with Reid Speed--that show is sure to be packed, to get there early.

Also, my girl CK had her birthday party at her fabulous Grant Park house last night. Boasting one of the nicest wood porches I've ever seen, complete with mulit-lit jacuzzi, these women are wonderful hostesses, providing food, booze and an inflatable, dual slip and slide that was almost as tall as I am (which, while small, is still impressive, slip and slide wise). I did get bit by some evil ants, but all in all, a small price to pay.

Apologies to the hilarious and talented Casper: I could not readily locate your site online, but as soon as my tired brain takes some time to LOOK, I will totally do it.

Good wishes to my brother on his new home, and my sister for her new project. I will be an aunt this March; how Auntie Mame do you think I can get?

I work every day at the Midway this week; be sure to drop by and see me!