Resolve in January 2014

This is my first post in quite a while and much like everyone on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and various blogs, it is going to be about resolutions. After all, it is a new year full of new possibilities!

Like many of you this holiday season was slightly more indulgent than I planned. Celebrating (read: drinking and eating more than I should) got a little out of hand between family gatherings and holiday parties. So, I am daring myself, here and now, to give up some of my favorite things this January. This is going to be a challenge because I've never made it the whole month without certain things...I'm looking at you, beautiful bottle of sangiovese sitting on my bar, but with a little encouragement and determination it is certainly possible!

Resolutions:

1. Work out at least 4 times a week, this means more yoga and cardio and less TV. This wouldn't be a problem except that I REALLY hate cold weather and I REALLY like TV. But some things are worth getting a little chilly for.

2. Give up alcohol and dairy for the month of January. Have you ever realized how much dairy is in your everyday diet? Have you ever noticed how much wine is in your diet? The answer to both of these questions is (for me) A LOT. My passion for good wine and delicious cheese is well documented but like they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

3. Quit smoking - for good. Wish me luck on this one y'all.

Things could get a little shaky for this grand plan of mine around January 20. My boyfriend, George, (you all remember him from previous posts, right?) is turning the big 2-6 and we have numerous celebrations planned, all revolving around dinner and drinks with friends. I think this might have to be a little cheat weekend for me because how to do I go to a restaurant like Bacchanalia and not order dairy or wine? You just can't.

So there you have it folks...my first blog post in a long while. Maybe I'll include posting to this blog more in 2014 to my list of resolutions. Anything is possible, right?

Modern Losses

It has been a very rough week for me and the town I consider my soul mate, Athens, Ga.




 First, I heard this week that the Modern Skirts (one of my favorite local gems and former neighbors) are breaking up. I have way too many emotions to deal with properly. The band will be doing two farewell shows for their Athens/Atlanta community. The first at Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta with the Party Dolls on March 23, I'll 100% be there. The second is their swan song to their beloved venue, the 40 Watt on April 5. If you are lucky you can catch impromptu shows (more like rehearsals) if you go by (or stalk) their house in Athens in NormalTown...not like I did this in college. My house backed up to theirs, don't judge me.Modern Skirts "New York Song" at the 40 Watt 8/27/2010.

 Second, and this isn't as sad because it is only temporary, like when the Foo Fighters said they were going on hiatus but then I hear they are about to go back in the studio for a new album. Of Montreal - my favorite mountain goat enthusiasts - are taking a little break from performing. Kevin Barnes is a way of life and his music has inspired many a late night dance party and drunk philosophical debate with my dear Mary Lyle. Of Montreal "A Sentence of Sorts in Kongsvinger"  Live at the 40 Watt in Athens, Ga. 3/27/07.

Last, and most depressing, I hear that Weaver D's is on its last leg. I have no funny remarks for this...Please someone with money help out this incredible Athens, GA institution. The city won't be the same without it. 

All this depressing shit aside, I am going back to my beloved town on Friday for a night out with Of Montreal at the 40 Watt. (Be jealous Athens friends). I look forward to trying new restaurants (The Branded Butcher and Heirloom Cafe in particular) and visiting old favorites like The Globe and The Last Resort Grill. (Tres Leches...mmm...)

She finally got it right

Whoever told her to do this - A+...Good for you Brit

Friday Mash Up

It was a cold and rainy Friday in dreary late February filled with played-out music (a girl can only listen to the same music so many times) when, like a beacon of musical light from above, I get a Gchat from my friend and fellow music enthusiast, Will. It was a Gchat that would change my entire day.

Will:  http://thewellpennies.com/'

He asked me follow the link and listen to this band, The Well Pennies, a husband and wife folk duo out of Boston and now Los Angeles. The city of Angels is a perfect place for these two voices to become one sensationally beautiful sound. Their music is a blend of folk, pop and a little Americana that, upon first listen, takes you back to the first time you heard songs from music such heavyweights as Nickel Creek and Iron and Wine. Give them a listen - it will make even the coldest and rainiest of days seem sunny somehow.

  

Oh Memories

With festival season upon us (my bank account has already started to take a hit) it got me thinking about past festival moments...there have been quite a few amazing ones. So for my first post in a billion years I am going to get a bit nostalgic for festie times past...

• Arcade Fire - Lollapalooza 2010 - There is something about a band where a billion people get on stage and have the time of their lives to make you dance around like a fool in the crowd in full body paint. I am not kidding when I say this was one of the cooler musical moments of my life. The crowd singing along so loud and didn't stop...everyone kept singing long after the band had finished and we were all walking out of the festival grounds.

• Justice - Coachella 2012 - This was my first time seeing Justice and it lived up to everything that I thought it would. Not only was the music great and I was with my 33 new best friends but we also brought 2,500 glow sticks to the party and made it rain. Billboard even recognized us with a top moment of the music festival. This video was taken from someone right behind our group. 

• My Morning Jacket - Hangout Festival 2011 - I know I haven't chosen the best video from the show but it is the only one I could find during the amazing sunset. Picture this - you and your 20 new best friends, on the beach, a little toasted, watching Jim James and the crew rock out at their first, post-circultal show. Now add in the sunset over the water. It was magical.  

• Passion Pit - Bonnaroo 2009 - So this might not have been the best show at Bonnaroo that year, but it was my most memorable. I had hardly ever heard of Passion Pit before this festival, only bits and pieces from my ex-boyfriend who had far better musical taste than me. So here I am after an awesome Chair Lift set waiting for some band that I know from other people is awesome but no first hand knowledge. They come on and my mind was blown. My 4 friends and I were in complete dance-driven awe of this new phenomenon we had discovered. This gave way to the summer that I listened to nothing but Passion Pit...you're welcome 5th year roommates.

Side note - I am just looking back now on the lineup from that Bonnaroo and I can't even begin to say how amazing it was:

• Passion Pit
• Delta Spirit
• Alberta Cross
• Portugal, The Man
• Zac Brown Band
• Janelle Monae
• Al Green 
• Beastie Boys
• Phish
• Rodrigo y Gabriela
• Wilco
• Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
• Gov't Mule 
• The Mars Volta
• Nine Inch Nails
• Bon Iver
• Of Montreal
• The Decemberists
• Moe. 
• Jenny Lewis
• Elvis Costello
• Yeasayer
• Ben Harper
• Kuroma
• Phish 
• Band of Horses
• Neko Case
• Cage the Elephant
• Snoop Dog
• Patterson Hood
• Animal Collective
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• TV on the Radio
• David Byrne
• Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
• Grizzly Bear
• Public Enemy 
• Paul Oakenfold
• Dirty Projectors
• St. Vincent
• Santigold
• Ani DiFranco
• Phoenix
• Crystal Castles
• Girl Talk
• Bela Fleck 
• Chairlift 

What's YOUR Favorite Beer?

Mine is Sierra Nevada, hands down and it just so happens Big Tex Decatur is hosting a Sierra Nevada Beer Dinner Thursday, January 24 at 7pm! For those of you who haven't tried the delicious south meets southwest cuisine that Big Tex serves up every day of the week, let me tell you, it is some first rate food. With favorites like the catfish basket, smoked wings, carnitas and a plethora of burgers, this is one of my must - eat restaurants. On top of all that, they have around 12 TV's for your gameday viewing please (especially for a Falcon's brunch...playoffs anyone?)

Back to the beer (dinner). Chef Rick Watson will prepare a lively 6 course meal to match up with tasty Sierra Nevada brews. This is an ordinary tasting menu where the portions are too small and you get about two drops of beer in your mug, Big Tex fills your glass with full pints and bottles of Sierra Nevada all through dinner. I have included the menu below...for tickets click here! Hurry, tickets are limited and they WILL sell out!

First Taste -

Amuse Bouche

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale 

Course 1 –
Ovila Golden with Champagne Platter including Kumamoto Oyster, Caviar Toast Point, and Bacon Deviled Egg

Sierra Nevada Ovila Belgian Style Golden

Course 2 –
Ruthless Rye with Rueben Dog- Corned Beef Sausage, Rye Bun, Russian Dressing, Gruyere Cheese, Jalapeno Kraut

Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye 

Course 3 –
Porter with Oxtail- Braised Oxtail, Fried Cauliflower, Pickled Shallot, Sweet Onion Rice

Sierra Nevada Porter

Course 4 –
Narwhal Imperial Stout with Hazelnut Mocha Torte- Hazelnut Meringue layered with Rich Chocolate and Espresso Cream

Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout

Night Cap -

Desert Amuse Bouche
2008 Bigfoot Barleywine Ale vs. 2012 Bigfoot Barleywine Ale

Formal Letter To The City Of Atlanta (And It's Occupants)

Dear...Atlanta...,

You are all awful drivers, and it has got to stop. The road rage, the lack of blinkers the inability to stay in your own lane...its all gotten way out of hand. Put the cell phones down people, watch what you're doing and generally stop being ass holes and maybe driving in this city won't be such a pain in my tush.

Together we can...or some other awful cliche about rallying together and doing something good, like driving, driving good...not bad....(bad grammar is intentional)

Cheers,
Breck