Atlanta tornado
I like seeing Atlanta in the news, but not like this... I can't imagine what my office building looks like, but I'll see on Monday if my windows have been shattered like the Omni Hotel's.
Labels: Atlanta, BlowedUp, News
« March 15, 2008 1:16 PM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
J'adore
Ever since I saw Lori McKenna steal the spotlight with her bit part in Miss Folk America, I've been a big fan of this suburban mother (woo hoo! ...but not really). Because she has a large army of children, she doesn't tour with any regularity and she hardly comes down South. I think, though, that the opening gigs she's been doing for Faith Hill and Trisha Yearwood are expanding her mindset that she has an audience all over the country.
Well, tonight, Lori finally made it to Atlanta. She was the last artist that I needed to see on my "list". I knew she would live up to all expectations I had because she's an absolute genius. I honestly consider her to be the most talented American songwriter today.
But as I was watching her and being overcome with emotion (cause I'm fragile like that), I didn't expect to feel this overwhelming sense of adoration for her. I adore Lori McKenna is what I'm saying and I'm not sure how I feel about that.
Great...now I have to go explore my feelings.
Labels: Atlanta, Lori McKenna
« February 24, 2008 10:17 PM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
Wishy-washy winter
Since winter began about four weeks ago, we've had both the heater and the air conditioner on, although thankfully never on the same day. It's definitely been a strange season. While I'm glad it's been in the 70s some days, seeing snow yesterday was great. It's been so long that when I first saw the flurries, I thought, why is there all this white dust? About an hour later it was coming down in big flakes and my brain went, oohhhhhh. Not that it took an hour for me to realize that... nevermind.
The tree-huggy part of me (yes, she surprisingly exists) wants the cold to last so that there's some hope that global warming isn't worsening at a frightening rate. I know that it'd be false hope, but I can be easily convinced with some stuff. Do you need to be convinced?
2007 Was Tied As Earth's Second Warmest Year (Science Daily, January 17, 2008)
« January 17, 2008 4:56 PM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
Crazy for cubans
If I had been born right (it's a little late for THAT), I would've had an Indian mother and a Cuban father. I would've eaten like a king growing up, even if I would've looked funny. Oh wait, that part's the same. Someone actually asked if I was Filipino the other day. And my non-Indian mom tells me I was mistaken for a Japanese baby when I was... a baby. Maybe it's her way of telling me something...
Anyway, my point is that I love Cuban sandwiches. What? That wasn't clear?
I wish I could pick a favorite cuban sandwich in Atlanta, but all I can say is the last one I ate is my favorite. There's something so right about these porky sandwiches. It's not just roasted pork, but there's ham, too! Genius. And then there's the swiss cheese that melts slightly on the hot pressed bread. All together, el cubano is one of my 3 favorite food groups. Yes, it's a category onto itself.
Here are some ATL restos that enable my habit:
Kool Korners - 14th St., Midtown
Even though it has non-traditional toppings of lettuce & tomatoes and jalapenos, this is just one tasty sandwich. It's spicy, the bread is outstanding and it has the right ratio of meat to cheese. It's ATL's most consistently recommended place to go for a cuban sandwich - mostly cause they make nothing else.
Havana Sandwich Shop - Buford Hwy & North Druid Hills
This is highly regarded, too, but just not by me. I do think the bread is excellent but there's too much mayo and the cheese is too melty, rendering the swiss cheese not as swissy as it should be. In spite of saying all that, I would not say NO to this cuban if I was just within a 5 mile radius of this restaurant. This is how addicted I am.
Las Palmeras - 5th St, Midtown
Being my neighborhood dealer, I am partial to this sandwich. It has the right amount of meat and the cheese is always done right. The bread isn't as good as the others, but I overlook that because the little lady owner is too cute.
Papi's Grill - Ponce de Leon, Midtown
As my backup dealer, I will give big ups to the consistency of this sandwich. It's always humongous, it always has a ton of meat and the bread could always be better.
Red Peppers - Main St., Acworth
As my gateway sandwich, I only remember that it had crusty, tasty great bread. I've only eaten here once so I don't recall anything else about the sandwich, but I was high from the experience. OBVIOUSLY.
Fuego Spanish Grill - Crescent Ave., Midtown
This is a tapas place and I'm not a big tapas fan, so I've only had it once here. The sandwich is normal size and not tapas size, but it had a lot more more mustard and pickles than necessary. The porky meats were good, though.
There's a few more places that I have yet to try (but I'm trying!). This includes Coco Loco on Sidney Marcus and Palomillas up in Norcross. If you're ever downtown, do not get the cuban at the Loaf and Kettle. They don't use cuban pressed bread so it's not the same at all. It's just the idea of a cuban sandwich and while that is indeed a tasty thought, it should not be an option if you want a good version of the 2nd best sandwich ever created.
What's the first? Good question.
« December 12, 2007 8:45 PM | Post a Comment | 2 comments »
Accomplishing an accomplishment
I'd like to think that I'm a winner in most things I do, but once a year, I get to hear it from someone else. Thank you, Nanowrimo!
For those not in the know, the goal of National Novel Writing Month is to write 50,000 words in 30 days. If you do it, you're a winner. If you're don't, you're a loser!
For this year's story, I completely rewrote my Great American Novel that I had initially written for the 2004 Nano. I changed much of the plot, the viewpoint from 3rd to 1st and increased the dialogue parts from blah blah to blah blah blah blah.
As a bookend (har har) to the month, I watched Stranger Than Fiction last night and it frightened the bejeezus outta me. If one of my characters that I had created ever came to my door and asked me to not to do what I did to her, I would, in this order: 1. Hide under the bed; 2. Invite her in for tea so that I could talk to her (I love my hero Mal); 3. Check myself into a mental ward.
In Georgia, that would be Central State in Milledgeville. This used to be the largest mental hospital in the U.S. All the crazies were sent there from all over the country. Native Atlantans tell me that a common parental threat when they behaved badly as children was, "If you don't shape up, we're sending you to Milledgeville."
« November 30, 2007 11:25 PM | Post a Comment | 1 comments »
Upset of the year...
...didn't happen. But the Falcons put up a good fight for two and a half quarters. For that, I was thankful on the Thanksgiving holiday. Also, big props to my little brother who got us tickets through his drug and/or pimp connections. Not sure what he's doing these days, but when the end results are football tickets, I'm not asking.
Labels: Atlanta, Football, Games
« November 23, 2007 4:57 PM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
ATL Dalai Fest 2007
Chillaxin' with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama (Emory Wheel, 10/22/2007)
It was a real honor to have the opportunity to hear the Dalai Lama speak. His life of compassion and kindness is a truly good example for the entire human race.
Heck, I was even moved by his speech when he spoke of being filled with positive and constructive emotions and getting rid of the negativity within oneself so that in any situation, only positive energy can come out because the negativity doesn't exist. I think I'm actually going to try to apply that to my life.
Wish me luck! Actually, I'll check back in a few weeks to see if I've found my inner peace. It won't take much longer than that, right?
Just kidding! I have no idea how to get rid of the little angry monster inside (and oftentimes outside) of me. But I'm going to try.
« October 23, 2007 10:22 PM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
Geek-off
In anticipation for Dragon*Con 2007, here's an ode to geeks of all types:
Walking Sports Database Scorns Walking Sci-Fi Database
(The Onion, October 2001)
So, what I get out of this old, non-newsworthy, fake piece of journalism is that knowing too much about any one subject is geeky and people will shun me and they will be right to do so. Okay....I think I'm in the clear. I know stuff about lots of different things, but I don't know too much about any one of them. I must be immensely cool.
I admit, though, this picture of a gathering of Star Wars costumers is kind of both geeky and cool and I don't even really like SW. But who's the dude in the middle with the fanny pack? That's not supposed to be George Lucas, is it? Haha. That's awesome. This guy probably just resembles Lucas, but when he's surrounded by Stormtroopers, Siths and Vaders, he's suddenly in costume. I'd go to Dragon*Con in costume if it was that easy.
Labels: Atlanta, DragonCon, Movies, News
« August 28, 2007 6:02 PM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
I caught it at a rave
We saw an Indigo Girls show last night at the Roxy and, for the most part, it was the normal concert experience - bad mood, creaky knees, hacking cough... wait, I could be confusing this with bronchitis.
Anyway, the difference was that this show was taped for DVD. There were 3 stationary HD cameras in back, 2 hand held cameras on stage and a big swinging robot arm contraption that hovered over the crowd. Except for the crowd camera, it was rather unremarkable. I don't mean that in a negative way, but it's mostly likely not very positive, either.
During the show, they only performed one song twice (Rock and Roll Heaven's Gate both acoustic and electric). They played some oldies (Land of Canaan!) that may have something to do with the taping. Who knows... The camera operators on stage weren't even really noticeable since they stayed to the side and didn't rove around. They probably knew how Amy "dances" and that's why they were keeping their distance.
« July 31, 2007 4:50 PM | Post a Comment | 1 comments »
Blind leading the blind
On its website, the National Federation of the Blind claims to have 50,000 members. All of them were walking in front of my car this morning.
They're having their national convention here this year and started off with a morning parade....during rush hour, weaving and tapping their walking sticks all through downtown. It was quite a sight.
I'm not even gonna pretend that was funny.
I have no problem with parades, even ones that I have to roll slowly behind. But for an event that shuts down at least 4 of the main streets during the morning commute, wouldn't it have been nice of the city to announce it in the newspaper last night? I know Atlanta gets lots of conventions, but most of them don't parade around, leaving a cacaphonous tap tap tap in their wake.
The sticks must really help, though, because all but one stayed on the parade route. He wandered off, figured out he was at the opposite sidewalk curb about 30 seconds later and turned around back to the route. It was almost like a scene out of a movie I'd write if I was going to write one about thousands of blind people on a parade. Unreal.
Labels: Atlanta
« July 03, 2007 7:34 AM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
Baby panda
No, this isn't a panda. I can't get anything by you.
But gorillas are just as fascinating.
Labels: Atlanta
« May 28, 2007 3:32 PM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
Around me this week
Trader Joe's
Since the intown store opened a few weeks ago, I've noticed people carrying around TJ's shopping bags to work, to classes, around the park, into my kitchen...oh wait, that was me. It's rather disturbing how dependent my life has become on this chain store, but it doesn't seem like I'm the only one.
Most of the food we've tried has been good; I would even call it great considering the price and convenience. The only product I want to mention by name, though, is Président butter from Normandy, France. Ever since our ill-fated, Isadore-friendly cruise where this butter was standard fare, we've been dreaming about it. And now, this dream is a buttery reality.
TV anchor
I followed a well-known local news anchor out of my building today. For anyone who cares, it was Amanda Davis from Fox 5 News. Oooooooo. Anyways, I was struck by how skinny she is and realized how much weight TV does add to a person. It's hard enough to judge a news anchor behind a desk, but I think it was also her big hair that threw me off. What's my point? I don't know. She looked very pretty and was having an awkward "let's talk about the weather" conversation with her camera operator. I got uncomfortable and had to speed-walk my way around them.
Céline on tour in France!
The woman has been kind enough to celebrate my birthday next year with a concert - in Paris. Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right? And I do have lots of time to figure out how to get there. Hmmm... Well, this is also an early alert for everyone that Céline will be touring the world and may come to a city near you. You'll know if she's in your city by the amped-up ridiculousness in the local atmosphere.
Uncharacteristically undramatic; Enjoy it while you can.
Labels: Atlanta, Celine, Food, TV
« May 09, 2007 9:43 PM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
R2D2 @ GSU
R2D2 is waiting for the GSU bus (in the background) like a good little droid.
Oh, ha ha, US Post Office. You sure fooled...no one.
Labels: Atlanta
« March 31, 2007 2:04 PM | Post a Comment | 1 comments »
Georgia Aquarium
Jellies always belong with the in crowd.
Whalesharks are neither whales nor sharks, but GINORMOUS.
They can get as big as a school bus.
As if their nasty little teeth don't make them scary enough, piranhas also don't move.
This is not an action shot. They're just being creepy.
The loggerhead turtle dude. Awesome.
Labels: Atlanta
« December 26, 2006 9:59 AM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
Hardcore
The key to a successful Black Friday experience: Don't go to sleep. Sleep is for the weak. A movie is a good way to pass the time before the stores open, especially if Parker Posey is in it. Hell yeah. At midnight, we hit the outlets. It was all red rear car lights stretching six miles away, but we got there eventually and had our personal space invaded many, many times. It was worth it for over 40% off sales. After that, we got to Fry's at 4 am, got good loot and avoided elbows because we didn't join this crowd:
I am not this crazy. No, wait, I am.
« November 24, 2006 6:45 PM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
Dragon*Con
After three years of Dragon*Con fun, I've learned that:
- The Cruxshadows are my new Susan Werner.
- Goth is more than just a color. But can someone tell me where I'm going wrong?
- Hardcore Firefly/Serenity fans need William Shatner to give them a talking to. Loons.
- Pro-wrestling is sci-fi in the ring (good vs evil, costumes and bad acting).
- Marina Sirtis and Denise Crosby can make a living coaching celebrities on how to interact with fans. They're the best.
- I don't know all my Star Treks, I don't like to dress up, I hate large crowds, but I love Dragon*Con.
There are never too many Storm Troopers.
Jabba may be overwhelmed. Wouldn't you?
Grant, Kari and Tory from Mythbusters. They're paid to blow things up on TV. Awesome.
No planet, just an escalator.
So Leo got the girl! I always liked Leo.
No, my favorite is Mikey. Yes, I have a favorite Turtle. Shut up.
Labels: Atlanta, Movies, Music, TV
« September 06, 2006 5:33 PM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
Smooth talk
AT PUBLIX CHECKOUT LANE.
Cashier: Hi, did you find everything you were looking for?
Me: Yes, thanks.
BROTHER PUTS SMOOTHIES ON CHECK WRITING PLATFORM. WE DIDN'T WANT THEM TO MELT IN THE CAR.
Cashier: Oh! What kind of smoothies are those?
Me: Taro.
Cashier: What's that?
Me: They're taro smoothies.
Cashier: Oh...
BAGGER'S TRYING TO BAG AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
Cashier: Is that like chocolate?
Me (in my head): What the?
Me (out loud): No...
BAGGER IS EITHER TRYING NOT TO LAUGH OR IS VERY HERKY-JERKY WHILE PERFORMING HIS JOB.
Me: But it's sweet.
CASHIER CAN'T STOP HERSELF FROM MAKING A FACE FOR A SECOND. SHE THEN REGAINS COMPOSURE.
Cashier: Thanks! Come back and see us reeeeeal soon.
« August 28, 2006 2:55 PM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
Window seat
This week I've seen out of my office windows:
- Scary black smoke from a raging fire at a nearby warehouse;
- Three news copters suspended in air over the same fire, cementing my belief that helicopters are the best flying contraptions ever created;
- Clouds up close and personal as a summer thunderstorm ran through the state, said, "Hey, I'll make you cooler," and then left in a jiffy, causing the temperatures to soar;
- About 100 red and orange balloons (illegally) released into the sky and (relunctantly) headed for Alabama. Poor balloons...what'd they ever do to anybody?
What I didn't see was another tourist in the stupid Aeroballoon ride at Underground. It's supposed to simulate a hot-air balloon ride, but only safer...and boring-er. It's attached to all these cables, it only goes up 350 feet in the air and it only lasts 10 minutes. For all that thrill, it costs $20.
You do not thrill me.
True, that's a tenth of what a real hot-air balloon ride costs, but I believe there's some things in life that shouldn't be done half-assed.
- If you're going to drink beer, drink some real beer.
- If you're going to play the lottery, play for some real money.
- If you're going to travel to another country, stay for more than 2 days and eat the local food (dammit).
- And if you're going to fly around in a balloon, fly in a real balloon without cables.
Hell, the Aeroballoon doesn't even go higher than my floor. Tell you what. Come into my building and I'll let you look out my fantastic view for only five bucks. Or take the $20 and drink a Trappist Ale, buy a few lottery tickets in the mega millions game (I said MEGA) and eat some pho with all the questionable cuts of meat. That'll last longer than 10 minutes and be a new kind of thrill.
« August 18, 2006 9:00 AM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
History lesson
Georgia ranks 24th in the US in terms of square mileage, but she ranks second in the total number of counties (159). Am I lying? No!
See, way back in the early days of statehood, a lot of white guys got together, got drunk (of course) and thought it'd be hilarious to make schoolchildren learn a ridiculous amount of county names and then be tested on them. With so many counties, most of the names that were thrown in the hat had to be used.
For example, sober people don't think saying, "I live in BUTTS" is funny, but drunks (and pre-teens) do.
Sometimes drunks get angry. One did and cursed his sandwich, saying, "F'ing ham! I wanted turkey." And so begat EFFINGHAM County.
Someone wanted to honor the Confederate hero Jefferson Davis, but another person, who forgot the president's last name (alcohol impairs memory), already suggested and approved JEFFERSON County. So they tossed in just plain Jeff, JEFF DAVIS. Hey, the guy was president and ran away from the Union soldiers dressed like a woman! He deserves two counties.
And so on and so forth. Throughout the night, names were suggested, laughed at and then approved. It was very democratic. By the time the sun was rising, most of the men were passed out, but the few who were still awake began to get hungry. And so, from a South Georgia farmer, came the best county names:
Boy howdy, it EARLY in da moanin, aint it? Time fer maw to fix me sum uh dat der BACON, all CRISP-like and COOK up sum strong COFFEE. Boy howdy, it shure bout dat time.
And so begat the Breakfast Counties. Yes, I do wish I was lying.
If you think the counties are a barrel of monkeys, the names of towns will make you want to drive around Georgia on the way to Disney World. (Yes, it can be done). Another day, maybe, and we'll learn about Hopeulikit, Santa Claus and Between.
« August 03, 2006 11:34 AM | Post a Comment | 1 comments »
Not s'marta
Leaving work today, I passed by a pair of men having a lively exchange near the Marta station. It was a private conversation, but they were quite vocal so I couldn't help but overhear the following:
Man #1: Righhh?
Man #2: Aigghhhh.
Man #1: Righhh?
Man #2: Aigghhhh.
Man #1: Righhh?
Man #2: Aigghhhh.
Man #1: Righhh?
Man #2: Aigghhhh.
I might have gotten some of that punctuation wrong. Sorry. That wasn't the end of the conversation, but you can clearly see where it was going. You can, can't you? Good. Yes, I do hope his dog's ok.
So I continued walking through the station and came upon a mass of people. But there was something oddly missing. Let's do some math:
mass of people + train station = noise!
Ah yes, there was absolutely no noise! How disconcerting! What the hell was wrong? Was there an invisible mute bubble that had surrounded these people? These people who were gesturing in a controlled fashion with their hands and arms...and not speaking... at all... OHHHH.
Uh, nevermind.
Labels: Atlanta
« July 31, 2006 4:21 PM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
Sad pride
This past weekend was the 36th Atlanta Pride Festival. It was also known as the Most Pathetic Pride Ever. Friday was cancelled at 7pm after the main stage collapsed (it just fell a little). Saturday was cancelled at 10pm because of winds. Sunday was cancelled at 3pm because of rain (light, light rain!).
Now I may be a bit harsh about it all, but I don't think so. I've been to Allentown Pride. I've been to Harrisburg Pride. Hell, I've been to the 1st (and last) Annual Columbia Folk Festival. So, you see, I've experienced a number of pathetic events in my life. But, Atlanta Pride, you win. You were more pathetic than the two rows of vendors and the 10 foot stage at Allentown. Yes, even more pathetic than having my pal Lor**da (name partially concealed to protect her identity) tell Cosy Sheridan backstage at Columbia about me drinking a whole vat o'scotch.
I can not resist you, vat o'scotch
Actually, that was just pathetic for Cosy, having to listen to us. It was funny for Lor**da. I don't recall how I felt. Possibly because I was drunk from the scotch.
« June 27, 2006 10:16 PM | Post a Comment | 0 comments »
The Beatles
I watched A Hard Days Night for the first time at Screen on the Green and whether it was the strangely hypnotic sound system that kept modulating the volume high to low or the fumes of the cheap white wine around me, I found myself thinking, maybe some of these English Beatles aren't so bad looking...
The (English) Beatles
I'm not a fan of their music and I don't quite get their importance in music history so I'm not sure what I'm trying to justify in this sentence. Oh ya, their looks. So I looked at Paul McCartney first because he's the first I recognized. He's a round little thing. John Lennon was bigger but I noticed he has fine features, like a...woman (!). Come on, isn't he kind of pretty? I never considered George Harrison since I remember him from the Travelling Wilburys video and he was old(er) and it makes me feel weird. Um, anyways...Ringo Starr was cute in a little boy sort of way.
But then came the teenage girls. So many. First there was the screaming and running. Then came crying and lots of hugging. No one fainted in the film but I'm sure they did in real life. If nothing else, screaming like that would suck all the life out of me. I know. I tried. Just once. It was at a squirrel. Or a Backstreet Boy. Or Boys. I forget.
I hate squirrels. Besides socks, they are my mortal enemy! No, no, the bane of my existence! Up north, they're all roly-poly and jiggly-wiggly in the fall and winter and they lumber away from me when I chase them because they steal my ice cream cones. Damn squirrels. So cute but they make me want to scream....like a Beatle.
Holy smokes....
a squirrel = a Beatle?
In my world? YES. Except the Beatles aren't that cute. And they don't make me want to scream. But besides that...YES.
« June 02, 2006 7:14 AM | Post a Comment | 4 comments »
