London In The Meantime

While it seems to be terrible weather in Atlanta, London is having a beautiful, carefree autumn so far. The weekend was summery - the best possible time to see a Tottenham Hotspurs match in the White Hart Lane Stadium in North East London (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Hart_Lane). The Spurs won 5:0 against Burnley and the local crowds left the stadium in a high mood. White Hart Lane Stadium was originally built in 1899 and has been renovated several times. So far although no beauty it has kept its charm and does not look like one of the faceless, hypermodern, commercial-temple-like stadiums however its days are numbered as a new stadium is build nearby.



Clear blue sky over Primrose Hill this weekend while the leaves are changing their colour.



Darren (US) and Keith (UK) on the UK vs USA Open Mic Night. Darren, who is from Atlanta, organised this event in the Charlie Wrights International Bar in Hoxton. After listening to some interesting bands and artists from the UK and the US, we stayed on and danced until late.

Posted by Sharms.

Great Flood of 2009

I think these photos capture the magnitude of the event.

Aruna, perhaps you should bring a traditional German boat with you next time you visit Atlanta - it might help for crossing Krog Creek!

Just think its funny that someone (not me) put this together so quickly in reference to Kanye West's rude comments at the VMAs.

Rain - Yo La Tengo - DragonCon

We Atlantans are currently enduring a dreary stretch of weather unlike anything I can remember in years. It rained every day last week. It rained all weekend. It will rain every day this week. I suppose the only good news in all this is that our dreadful drought -- described here -- may finally be over.

Fortunately, the highlight of this weekend's action was indoors, because one of my favorite bands, Yo La Tengo, paid us a visit here in the ATL on Saturday night. I've always loved these guys because they are musically fearless -- they do not shy away from any style or any sound. They are just as adept at roaring through a cacophonous 15-minute noise jam as they are at playing a gentle love song that can break your heart. Plus, they carry themselves with a sense of humor and humility that makes them all the more charming. Example: before the show, YLT's guitarist/singer Ira Kaplan was sitting in the lobby of the Variety Playhouse, helping sell t-shirts:

That's Ira with the dark curly hair.

The band played a typically excellent set, mixing in new tunes from their just-released album POPULAR SONGS, along with old favorites like "Autumn Sweater" (pretty significantly rearranged), "Blue Line Swinger," "Double Dare," and "Deeper Into Movies." As always, Ira was the extroverted frontman ...

... while drummer Georgia Hubley and bassist James McNew (pictured below) quietly but effectively held down the rhythm section:

My favorite moment of the show came at the very end: a tender version, sans drums, of "You Can Have It All," from the album And Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out. Aside from a few hoots and hollers when they started into it, you could have heard a pin drop in the Variety Playhouse. Magic!

Speaking of magic, I also took some photographs of the annual DragonCon convention, which took place here in Atlanta a couple weeks ago. As you can see, it was an action-packed affair:

I was a little concerned for my safety. Despite my strong anti-gun views, I must confess that I did feel slightly comforted that this guy was around to help keep the peace:

Other than all that, just a typical September here in Atlanta ....

Soul Vegetarian - South

Today was Tseleng's birthday so we went to Soul Vegetarian - South,
which is in the West End of Atlanta. I'd been to the one in Poncey-
Highland, and even the one in Tallahassee, but this was my first time
here. It was good as usual , particularly the banana bread pudding.
The whole meal reminded me of a certain vegan from Germany that I have
not seen in a while....

Natty G does the Tomahawk Chop

We had our last dinner in Atlanta with Natasha at the family Mexican restaurant Mi Barrio, where I presented her with the styrofoam Braves tomahawk over margaritas. Afterwards we went to Carroll Street Cafe where Natasha had a curbside chocolate martini. Nice run Natty G!

Men of the TLD

Kevin, Rich, Thomas and I finally got together for some happy hour beers after months of false starts. Cyprus Street Pints and Plates was our choice of venue given the good weather and their nice patio nestled between the glass and steel towers of Midtown Atlanta. The only connection to London I could perceive was that our waitress, and taker of this photo, hailed from Essex, an eastern suburb and birthplace of Iron Maiden.