Batman, I'm Here!

Feb. 18, 2008
Batman, I’m here!

Ok, so I'm a little bit obsessed with Nashville and I kinda want to move here one day- even if only for just a little while. I know I'm supposed to be in Columbia right now, but maybe someday. I feel like I'd fall into place well, and at least 5 people told me this weekend that I should move here. Oh, Nashville. Sigh.

This was my 7th visit in 4 years & it was just as great as the rest. Here's the trip in a nutshell- what kind of nutshell? hmm, maybe a cashew. those are good.

We left Friday morning & stopped in ATL to meet up with friends for lunch. Somehow we ended up in the Dekalb Farmer's Market. It's like a world market deal where you can get any food/beverage from almost any country you can think of. I loved the seafood section- there were the craziest things I've ever seen up in there. Fish & weird stuff all over the place- live ones you could choose from that they'd clean right there in front of you, giant shrimp, etc. It was wild, man. In the restaurant area you walked through a buffet line & got whatever you want & they weighed your plate at the end to let you know the cost. It was really good/interesting/fun.

The mountains were so pretty on the way to TN- got to see a sunset on some pond with mountains all around. Beautiful.

We stayed the 1st nite with Melanie's cousin who's a freshman at Belmont. You know what that means? Yep, I was back in the dorm. Oh how I've missed dorm life, community showers, etc. Um, I can borrow your shower shoes? And I love walking down the hall in my towel & not knowing this is a co-ed dorm...what's up, dude?....awkward.....at least the bathrooms are same sex.

We had dinner at Jackson's which was good. It's right across the street from the Pancake Pantry- a super popular breakfast place that I've literally waited in line for like an hour to get into one morning on a previous visit. It's good, though.

We drove downtown past Batman's headquarters & bar/venue/club hopped till all hours of the night. We definitely ended up with a group at a karaoke bar. Raise your hand if you did Say My Name. My hand may or may not be up. Then we went to Cafe CoCo & had hot chocolate with some more friends. There was a chill bluegrass-ish band that was actually really good. I made it home about 2:30am...3:30 Columbia time. Whew.

Saturday I met up with one of my favorite friends from college, Jason. He rocks & we went to my favorite restaurant of all time- Maggianos. Yay. We went back to his place after lunch & he showed me Ben Folds' old house before he got divorced. Good times. I got to meet his roomate Kris who was cool, too & randomly knows my friend Jonathan from Lexington. Such a small world.

Jason is Matt Wertz's tour manager & you all know how obsessed I am with Matty W. He told me the latest Matt news: He signed in Dec. with Universal Republic (same label as Jack Johnson, Taylor Swift, Amy Winehouse, Colbie Caillat, etc.) & he's putting out a "new" album in May. He's using 8 songs from Everything In Between, adding 3 new songs, & sticking "everythings right" & "red meets blue" in there. I'm so excited for him. His 29th birthday was Sunday, but he's in LA recording. Jason's 30th birthday is the 22nd so they're having a joint bday celebration next weekend that, of course, I won't be in town for....cry. They're going to a michael jackson cover band. Dang. Next weekend is also a Blood Water mission banquet mc'd by donald miller. Jars of Clay is playing 2 songs along with freaking Hanson. Why can't I be in town next weekend instead of this one??? Ah, well. Who wants to come with me next weekend back up here? ha.

Saturday night we went to visit Jason's roommate Kris at work. He's a bartender at Rumors- a wine bar. I ate the best shrimp & grits I've ever had in my life there. For serious. He said the chic that played Six on Blossom comes in there 24/7 & loves kris. haha. After that we headed over to the Mercy Lounge to see a show- Jeremy Lister. It was pretty good. Then we went to Sunset Club & had food & champagne. It was awesome.

Sunday we headed to church which was ironically called Midtown Fellowship. It was cool, but I have to say that it doesn't compare to my Midtown. Sorry, guys, but it really doesn't. I saw my buddy Tyler James who I hadn't seen since I'd been visiting my friend Trey a few years back. They were roommates & we threw a big dance party when I was there. Everyone had to wear tacky christmas sweatshirts so that's how i remember tyler- in a too small santa sweatsuit. ha. He's a cool guy & super talented (go check him out... www.myspace.com/tylerjames). I also saw a guy from one of my favorite bands Paper Route at church. So random. You should check them out, too (www.myspace.com/paperroute). I also saw the violin or fiddle or whatever player from Siler's Bald- Marcus- from back in the freakin day. I used to have a slight crush on him- but he's married & maybe a dad now? Cry, again.

We went to lunch at Otter's & then to the thrift stores. I got some fun things so that's always exciting. We took a nap & then went to eat & see Landon Pigg at 3rd & Lindsley. Um, I freakin loved him. I've had a song on my iPod by him forever (Sailed On) bc it was a free download on iTunes one time so I got it. He's got a song on a diamond commercial that everyone loves called "falling in love at a coffee shop"- i'm sure you've heard it. He's awesome, though. And, to make my world smaller again, he was tyler james' roommate, so I got to talk to Tyler some more at the show & meet Landon through him. Fun.

After that awesomeness, we went to see my friend John Blanton from college. His girlfriend was having a party at her house. One of their friends is a DJ & wanted to "practice" so his turntables were busted out. It was pretty fun. There was a firepit outside & free pizza & it was good to see John.

We ended up back at Melanie's cousin's dorm for our last nite & here I am...waiting for Mel to wake up so we can go eat. It's been an awesome trip & I'm kinda sad about leaving. I met some really awesome people here this weekend & got to catch up with some great old friends. I love the music-ness of this town & all the hipsters, scenesters, fill in the blanksters I really don't mind at all. This place has the best vibe & I can't wait to come back. Until my next visit, Nashville. I'm sure it won't be long.