connecting*the*dots

Mike and Aaron opened up a few weeks back, after months of building and prepping the corner of MLK and Gorrel. I’ve wanted to write about them since, as their general manager, Stephanie, fed Lucy treats each day as we passed on our walk, but I’ve been way too busy.

Yep, blogger bought off by dot biscuits.

But with free WiFi, comfy couches, good and decent-priced food, a relaxed atmosphere and local artwork adorning the walls, you really can’t go wrong spending time over there. I’m not a wine fan, but from what Angela tells me, they have a choice selection. And oh yeah, the Ganache Chocolate Cake is ridiculous.

My only criticism so far (they got rid of the canned fresh fruit) is the background music rotation; it leans too much in the Kenny G direction for my tastes (I’m much more of a Mingus, Miles, Thelonious kinda guy). Thursday night is live Jazz night, so we’ll see where this evolves…

Check ‘em out and wish them well, as they’re Southside’s first foray into the restaurant / bar / nightclub world.

Where the magic happens

Aaron on opening day

My third office (counting The Green Bean)

From PJ Puryear, US House Representative Brad Miller’s campaign manager:

Blogsboro,

Congressman Brad Miller will be coming to Greensboro on April 24th specifically to meet bloggers. We’ve (both the campaign and bloggers in the area) have been wanting to do this for some time; better late than never!

While not having his own blog, Brad keeps a diary at DailyKos and has posted at BlueNC, and is interested in getting to know the blogging community. I would be remiss if I didn’t say that we are there in hopes of finding ways to improve our campaign, both technologically and by continuing to build our network of supporters (which we hope will include the blogging community). We will be meeting from 7pm to 9pm at Green Bean on S. Elm St.

Hope to see you there!

PJ Puryear aka Tarheel Dem

I’m not sure what I plan on asking Brad, but I’m very interested in meeting the man who is campaigning against the uber conservative, bigoted, self-hating Vernon Robinson.

(thanks to Jay Ovittore)

Japanese punk rock hit Greensboro Wednesday night. That’s right, you heard me, I said Japanese punk rock!

Both bands had a great sound, so very authentic and original. The Spunks were sick — loud, funny and extremely tight. While the lead ripped on his own non-mastered Engrish, the drummer chimed in from all angles. They then sent us from laughing our asses off to banging heads like maniacs.

I gotta admit, Gito Gito Hustler sounded a bit like a Japanese version of the Chipmunks on crack, but as the set went on and their guitars and personalities took over (all the girls were crazy cute and punk), they grew on me quick. Such a great time!

Check out the full set of images.

It’s amazing how much you can learn about yourself and someone else over a “coffee cup” of coffee.

Cara Michele and I agreed to meet over at The Green Bean yesterday to discuss how we can get moving on our new joint project. Well, after 4 hours of caffeine and an intense conversation ranging from the project at hand to religion to the MPAA, I realized that while we’re very different, amazingly enough, we’re so very much the same.

She’s a devout Christian, living and serving humanity through the love of Christ, and tends to look for absolutes to help guide her through life.

I’ve found my higher power, yet I don’t call it anything particular, believing instead that “it” is woven throughout our actions and surroundings. I’m wary of anything claiming to be an absolute, instead looking for natural patterns to clue me onward to my next experience.

We’re completely different, right? Wrong.

We both share a strong desire to empower the men and women who are left on the periphery of society; Cara Michele has been walking that walk for years, while I’ve been going all city since ‘91. So while I strongly believe in the power of information and she strongly believes in the power of Christ, our common desire is upliftment.

It’s all good.

Now if I can only get her to be comfortable with the fact that there are endless ways to describe a “coffee cup”… ;-)