In my new post as senior editor at Durham Magazine, I am trying to get out as much as I can in Durham.

Last night I went to one of my favorite Durham events – The Monti. There, people tell stories. It's that's simple. Last night's Monti was at Alivia's Durham Bistro. Highlights of the evening? Photographing the young woman Alivia’s Durham Bistro was named for (Alivia Sholtz), snapping a photo of a man who said the act would “improve his aura,” and listening to some gut-busting funny stories. The theme of the night was “Games People Play.” Chapel Hill's Zeke Smith told a story about his epic college freshman effort at Trivial Pursuit and Raleigh's Tiffany Lopez talked about the time she entered a radio promotional contest - a full contact Easter egg hunt - and through cunning and determination, won a 42-inch plasma television for her husband. I can't do them justice here, but trust me, the stories were adorable. 

Do you have an event you think would help me get to know Durham better? E-mail me at lisarossi@durhammag.com

Here's a photo from the night. Click here for more.

Courtney Ritter and Sangita Koli relax before the show.