7/31: La Roux @ Variety

8/27: Chromeo @ Masquerade

9/10: Best Coast @ The Drunken Unicorn

9/20: Free Energy/Titus Andronicus @ The Earl

10/2: Yeasayer @ Masquerade

10/2: Starfucker @ The Drunken Unicorn

10/6: The xx @ Tabernacle

10/12: Two Door Cinema Club @ The Loft

10/15 Local Natives @ Masquerade

10/16: Matt & Kim @ Masquerade

11/2: Ra Ra Riot @ Masquerade

11/6: Of Montreal @ Variety

[i officially need a “music allowance.”]

Last night my friend Jess and I saw Islands at Eyedrum, a local music venue/art gallery. The neighborhood was a little sketchy, but I really liked the converted warehouse space. Other than Nick Diamonds doing his best tool impression (white blazer? jumping on the amp? really dude?), it was a good show. Later we struck out again at Mary’s (psh, whatever Out) - BUT as per a recommendation from Jess’s hairstylist - we ended up at Noni’s, which was hands down, the most awesome dance party I’ve been to in while. The DJ was spinning Sleigh Bells when we walked in, if that’s any indication of where the night headed. During the course of the next few hours, we heard Bloc Party, M.I.A., Vampire Weekend, Madonna, GaGa, Blur and the requisite drunk hits - “Pour Some Sugar On Me” - and danced our pants off. Lots of good energy - I mean how could there NOT be? - and I found my new favorite Saturday night outing.

It’s been a little more than three weeks since my big move down South and there’s a lot I like about this city. Like this place. And here. And here, too. If you don’t live in Altanta, you may not have realized that it’s actually a foodie’s paradise. Like seriously. And it’s not just about menu items. Based on the handful of restaurants that that I’ve been to, everything feels unique, from the design aesthetic to the lighting. It’s hard to fully articulate but let’s just say you wouldn’t find a place like R. Thomas in Boston, a 24-hour diner that is essentially built from mosquito nets and uses several cages filled with birds as statement pieces.

Aside from the food, I have to admit, other things have been a little harder to adjust to. The lack of a reliable form of public transportation is certainly a bummer, as is the high humidity and the fact that patrons are allowed to smoke inside bars. Obviously New England’s well-known smoking bans have protected my clothes from smelling like cigarettes at the end of a night out - a little pet peeve of mine - and I don’t have that luxury here.

That being said, I am continuing to keep an open mind. I think what I miss most about Boston is that sense of comfort that only comes with familiarity. Atlanta definitely has a lot of potential to become a city that I’ll really like. It’s just going to take some more time to get there.