My new favoritest commercial ever.

It's the little things, man.

The everyday details in life get me jazzed. The minutia makes me smile. The mundane that, if looked at with the right eye, is made into a musical montage ... who cares if its bigger purpose is to sell a few cars.



done by DDB UK, directed by Scott Lyon

Sweatin' to the Oldies

I am proud to say I've been to quite a number of awesome shows in the past year. And I just have to announce that, were I to give out the very prestigious 'Best Concert I've Seen 2008' award, it would go to GIRL TALK. Hands down. (cue 2 minutes of acceptance speech music)

Now, Girl Talk isn't for everyone. But this show is a must-see event if you are a fan of any or all of the following:
- Dancing
- Running in place
- Getting on Stage
- Naked DJs
- Confetti
- Forties
- Watching skinny-jeaned emo hipsters grind to Tupac and Kelly Clarkson
- Singing along
- Sweating
- Waving your hands in the ayer like you just don't cayer
- Glow sticks


I'll be the first to admit that the above list is not something I prefer to be a part of on a nightly basis. But damnit, if I didn't leave that concert happy, sweaty, ears ringing, and ready to buy any Girl Talk ticket no matter how far away or how much I'd have to pay.

Destiny's Dressing Room

Journal entry of a 21-year old woman from Germany who's about to marry an American journalist. She's been a devout journal keeper her whole life and this is her last entry as a single woman -- written two hours before the wedding.


The clock in this room makes it all seem so simple. One hour I am a single girl with dreams of singing on stage and finding true love. A minute later and I am Mrs. William Carthington, American housewife and mother. At least that's the way the clock sees it; she doesn't share my emotion or the complex issues I take up with marriage. I try and see her point of view and she looks down at me, pointing that stern finger and reminding me I only have two hours left until this life I know becomes another. That's how, as she puts it, time has its way with things.


We have a silent conversation, the clock and I. I tell her the stories of my childhood, all the moments that have led up to this one. She already knows them but she has to listen anyway. I tell her about old boyfriends, my schooling, my childhood home and how the cupboards were empty more often than not. I recall the day my father came home to tell me about the American man who'd come to write a story about the restoration of our city. He said, with a gleam of hope in his eyes, that he'd planned for us to meet.

We sit still in this staring contest. We try to picture my new life in America. In an hour I will have realized the dream my parents always had for me. The untouched numbers on the clock represent this certain yet unfulfilled future. And soon these two halves would no longer be two, but would be together as one - the circle of my life that anything but my own.

I see my face in the mirror; it is void of emotion. I watch myself as she calmly continues through the motions -- she straps on her shoes, smooths her dress, and pins up her hair. Her hands are bound in this motion that cannot be stopped. She moves foward in this circle, this version of me, but I am not with her.

So, just like the hours before this, the day before that, the years before them, 'round and around we go. I sit in waiting just like the women who sat in this room with this clock before me. And the woman before her. I look up one more time and take this last chance to wonder -- did any of them reach out and stop the progression to go off the grid? Did any make their own path instead of following the one that was laid out in front of her? And if she did, did she end up better off, richer and more fulfilled for having struck out on her own?

What if I chose to be the girl I am rather than another tick-mark in this worn-out cycle of tradition?

Gag me with a Churro stick.

I didn't know there could be anything in the world more vomit-inducing than Heidi, Spencer, and their love affair with the paparazzi.






Alas, they've managed to outdo themselves: gagging each other with Taco Bell WHILE posing for the sad exchange of media attention.

And yes, that is them posing in a drive-thru window. Would make a lovely engagement card, no?

And winner of the worst movie ever goes to...

While I was in New York, I took some time out of the job hunting schedule to watch a movie. What followed I cannot quite explain. I must've been in a trance as it's the only way I could've possibly sat through the most confusing, directionless movie I'd never heard of. I kept hitting the info guide button for a plot synopsis and hoping to make sense of it all. But sense was never found. Though I did somehow find the determination to sit through The Learning Tree's entirety like doing so was a test of my fortitude.



Unfortunately I received nothing for my fortitude besides a numb ass and the need to do something with my life that didn't involve a TV.



Upon further research, I find the Learning Tree is a Gordon Parks classic (he's best known as the director of Shaft)

Here's the IMDB synopsis:
The story, set in Kansas during the 1920's, covers less than a year in the life of a black teenager, and documents the veritable deluge of events which force him into sudden manhood. The family relationships and enmities, the fears, frustrations and ambitions of the black teenager in small-town America are explored with a strong statement about human values. Gordon Parks directed, wrote, produced and composed the music score for the film, which is based on his autobiographical novel.

Quite a bold statement. I can only agree, that yes, it was quite the "deluge of events", considering every time the plot changed course and I once again saw a glimmer of hope in a story line -- it quickly faded into another dead end. Frustrations, fears, and ambitions for more belonged to both the main character and me, the viewer. But 'strong statement about human values'? ....

I would've had more luck finding those had I just stared out my Chelsea apartment window at the homeless guy with his hand down his pants.

We from da street, Sesame.

Never judge a rapper's style by his color.



Black, white, orange, yellow, skin or felt-covered -- we all can bring the flow.

And with this beautiful sunny fall weather, what better time for me to compile my "outdoorsy" list of places to spend your beer money and better seasons in Atlanta?

#10 - The collective patios of Noche/Fontaine's/Everybody's Pizza/La Tavola
Virginia Highlands.


I realize this is actually four restaurants sharing one L-shaped N'Awlins-esque porch. But, given that it's nearly impossible to tell a difference between them based on the backside alone, they're one for purposes of this blog. After all, the commitment to one establishment inevitably leads you, at some point, through the doors of an adjacent one. Whether it's downing oysters while waiting for a table at La Tavola, or grabbing a slice before rendezvous-ing with mojitos at Noche... Betcha can't go to just one.

#9 Cafe di Sol, Poncey-Highlands.


This is a great patio for three reasons: A good shareable menu, my favorite kinds of beverage (sangria, mojitos), and a covered, casual front patio. All perfect for people watching in any weather.

#8 Osteria 832, Virginia Highlands.



Decent food, plenty of patio space, a central happenin' location, and a laid back vibe. A good start to the evening or to chill when you have no plans of going anywhere. A something-for-everyone kind of place.

#7 Zocalo, Midtown.



I mean, come on. What could be better than people watching on the fruitiest and arguably freakiest block in Atlanta? Well, I'll tell you: weirdo-watching from an open-air bar with chips and salsa near one hand and a seriously strong (knock you on your ass) margarita in the other.

#6 Brewhouse Pub, Little Five Points.

A fantastic patio. Great food (I went last night after our agency's kickball team for beer specials and flip cup. Surprised to find my vegetable stack with polenta was the kind of meal you'd expect from a classier, sit-down restaurant) Plenty of TVs to blur the lines of outdoor-enjoyment and watching sports all day. Pleases both hippie and yuppie sensibilities.

#5 Krog Bar, Inman Park.



This is for the classier breed of patio drinkers. The ones that prefer sampling cheeses and sipping Chianti over cracking peanuts and chugging cheap beer. In fact, of this list, I'd suggest this as the best place to bring a date...or anyone you're trying to impress with your porch-entertaining know-how.

#4 Hand in Hand, Virginia Highlands.



The epicenter of good weather, good-natured outdoor dining and drinking. Conveniently located to another fine specimen of this species - Neighbors. If the weather is nice, you can rest assured these sibling spaces will be packed with laughing, happy, shiny people.

#3 Tap, Midtown.

Reasons why: Always packed, great beer selection, and a hip vibe that could possibly border on trying too hard (but thankfully not quite). Oh yeah, and it's right next to my office building.



Reasons why not: overpriced, often overcrowded, and menu items that are sometimes plain over-thought. Gastropubs, to me, scream simplicity in ingredients and presentation. You can't make pretzels and cheese dip fancy. So why are you trying?

#2 Sweetwater Brewery, Buckhead-ish/under I-85 oasis of beer-brewing.



Atlanta's best (and in my book, only noteworthy) brewery. The tasting hours on weekdays (between 5:30 and 7) are packed with young professionals looking to unwind. A cheap entry fee at the door gets you enough vouchers to blur the lines between taste-testing and binge-drinking. Tip the waitresses well and your "sample" sizes switch to to-the-brim pours. People bring their dogs and, often times, there's live music. Oh yea, and you get the glass as a keepsake.


#1 Park Tavern, Midtown



Easily my go-to choice when I think, "My goodness, this beautiful fall weather calls for doing something outdoorsy. And by outdoorsy, I mean having a beer and watching other people be active."

So, come with me, sit outside, enjoy live music, dogs running around sniffing each other's butts and begging for food. Sounds fun, right? Feel active by living vicariously through the joggers, tag football teams, frisbeer, kite flyers. And feel extra creepy as you watch the sketchy lovebirds make out and fondle one another on a nearby park bench.

And on top of it all, this is easily best view of the Atlanta skyline, especially at sunset. And when the view is obstructed by bad weather, move inside for the "When it rains, we pour" drink specials.

What more could you ask for?


Honorable mentions:

These two are honorable mentions because I've yet to test their "outdoorsy" appeal. I've heard awesome things so, believe me, it won't be long before I can confirm their place in my nature-loving lifestyle.

Six Feet Under, Westside
I was a huge fan of the original location, but given they've moved to a new location which I have not yet tried, I didn't think it was right to include the old cemetary-front location. But believe me, it would've been #1 on my list. The new one apparently has awesome views but until I see it, I feel like it couldn't possibly be as cool as drinking Bloody Mary's while admiring the strangely beautiful horizon of gravestones.



RIP, old location.

Steamhouse Lounge, Midtown
Again, i was a fan of the old location in Buckhead. Especially for creating the wonderful spring Oysterfest every year. But the new one is conveniently located in an old house near my office. Thus will definitely be a new stop on my list. Perhaps as soon as this Friday.

Oysters, cold beer, sunshine, friends: it really doesn't get much better than that.



Stay tuned.

Read the writings on the wall.

I found these profound profanities on the Brewhouse Pub woman's restroom and thought they were worth sharing....

Or at least worth retrieving my iPhone for a quick photo opp while I waited for an open stall.

A Clean Slate.

That's right. She's all grown up and starting a new blog. But don't worry, my extensive pool of readers: the old one is still there.

It's just that, now, I'd like this blog to include all the writing wisdom I've weened from working. I also want to trim a little bit more of the fat. Keep this blog fit, fresh, yet still as frivolous as ever.


Added to my high-tech, cerebral blog will be new special features like special guest contributors, "Just Like Us!" photos of me doing everyday things -- as if I were just another Joanne Schmoe at her cubical. There'll be a Souvenirs link that'll include commissioned greeting cards with my punny slogans and mugs with my smiling mug on front. Rest assured there'll still be the ol' mindless palaver that tests the limits of your patients and the rules of the English language.

If you've made it this far then perhaps you're craving more. And more, my friends that don't already know this, is happening over at the prequel to this blog: www.lidaswain.blogspot.com

So here we go; onward and upward into the blogosphere.