I just have to say, I haven’t been to the Aquarium in a long time, mainly because I didn’t think my daughter was old enough to appreciate it, and because the crowds get to be a little much for me. But free blogger day passes? Yes, please. In all honesty though, I would have paid to see the Planet Shark exhibit. It was absolutely awesome. It’s really dark and there’s spooky music playing and friendly guides who come and chat with you about some of the items on display. The progression of the exhibit is pretty perfect, starting with the usual skeletons, teeth, and interactive computer displays. My two year old really liked looking at the shark poop. Then it transitions to the spooky portion, which includes long hallway/tunnel that is completely wallpapered in articles about shark attacks, and they play audio from interviews with shark attack victims. It’s pretty intense. It turns factual again, featuring all types of life-sized “shark suits,” before ending with a plea for help on behalf of the sharks. With my 2 year old in tow, I kind of had to skip some of the sections, since I didn’t want to scar her for life, but my husband was enthralled. I’m pretty sure if you were a ten year old boy, you would want to move in. What I wasn’t expecting was the emotional reaction that came up for me in the end of the exhibit. Maybe it was the case of snacks made of various shark parts, or the shark replicas tangled up in fish nets, but I admit it, I cried a little for those sharks. And I wasn’t even PMSing. I could go on, but I won’t. Instead, I’ll present you lovely readers first with a coupon for the exhibit, and then with some of the promotional media they passed on to me. Enjoy!
Do you guys remember Glamour Shots?
12 FebI always wanted to get them done. Always. I’m not ashamed. I mean, dang. Do you remember the teachers who would slip a Glamour Shot into the yearbook as opposed to the regular old “picture day” photo? I wish I had been there to overhear that conversation between said teacher and the yearbook staff. “Um, yeah, it’s just that I was sick on picture day, and on retake day, but luckily, I have these professional photos just laying around, so I was thinking these might be OK!” Then you get the popped collar on the acid-washed denim jacket, streaks of fushcia blush, and if you’re lucky, a Kennesaw Claw to top it off (I would give you a nice link to a nice version of the Kennesaw Claw here, but I don’t want to hurt any feelings).
Anyways, I recently went for the awesome version of Glamour Shots. Not the real Glamour Shots, which is apparently still around and no longer providing sequined outfits for all the models. I went to PinUpGirl Cosmetics over in Grant Park, and got the hair, make-up and photo shoot treatment. It was spectacular. As a mom (this is where some of you realize that it is mamalikey writing this post, and not Christa, so I’m pausing while you remember that I am that deadbeat contributor who never writes entries any more) who usually looks frumpalicious from day to day, just having someone paint my face and touch my hair was pretty amazing. The best part: they totally touched up my photos and made me look much much much smaller from the neck down. So now I have proof of what I would look like if I went to the gym. It hurts. But it makes a great gift for my husband! I highly recommend going, even if just for one of their hair and make-up specials. You will feel like a real pin-up. Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to blow money on things like this. You get to make yourself feel really pretty and awesome, but you can tell everyone that it wasn’t really for you. It was for your significant other. Obviously.
Countdown to Fireworks
29 JunThis Saturday is the fourth of July, just in case you haven’t been paying attention. It’s always kind of agonizing trying to decide where to go to watch the fireworks, especially if you are like me and can’t decide whether or not you should subject your toddler to a way late bed time and possibly terrifying experience in the name of tradition. While weighing the pros and cons of picking the perfect spot to set up a blanket, eat some watermelon and see whether or not an 18 month old is really of the fireworks age, I have been trying to at least decide where we should go if we do go. When I was in high school and still living off my parents, we would get a hotel room in the Embassy Suites in Centennial Park, and you could see the Lenox and Centennial fireworks from the roof. Too bad I was too embarrassed by my parents and my suburban-ness to really appreciate those trips. Now I’m way too broke to stay in the Embassy Suites. Some of our other spots have included random parking lots of random shops on Peachtree near Lenox Mall where other fireworks-watchers have created their own tailgating parties. Fun, but a little bit of a bummer when you watch people peeing in bushes right before climbing behind the wheel to drive home. Most recently, I went to the Decatur Square display, but watched from one of the church lawns. I was pregnant and all of the children running around with glow sticks warmed my heart. In my research, I found (of course) the Access Atlanta “Best of the Big A!” official fireworks venue winner. Apparently Stone Mountain won by a slight margin. Lenox Mall’s fireworks were a close second. They also list their top 5 picks for best venues, as well as reader picks. My favorite aspect of the review is all of the creative ways that the author picked to say “watch fireworks.” Seriously. My favorite phrase is in reference to the “pyrotechnical treat” at Lenox Mall. Well played Shane Harrison. Well played. BUT, I do seriously wonder if they really think that the ASO 4th of July All-American Celebration is the fifth best place to go, or if they were just trying to seem fancy.
For more good times, make sure you check the reader comments on the winner announcement page. There are some golden responses, like this one from David, who is clearly right off of the Straight Talk Express:
Roswell High School, no music, no pre show. Bring some Popeye’s … enjoy your family and friends … then it gets dark and there’s fireworks. Simple.
I’m sold. Thanks David. But just in case some other readers aren’t, does anyone else have any good suggestions?
Free Kids’ Cooking School (pay attention, this thing is tomorrow)
9 JanFor any of you Pecanne Log readers who have kids, this looks like a fun event! And it gets you free admission to Imagine It! Children’s Museum, which is easily one of the coolest things to do with a little one in Atlanta. The class is tomorrow from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the children’s museum. The event is being hosted by Clementines from Spain, so the recipes being taught will probably include these. Mmmm, clementines. Ceci Carmichael, who is a chef and a mom, will be leading the class.
To attend, you will need to RSVP to atlantacookingschool@webershandwick.com
Lotto Tickets; The New Chicken Bones?
22 Nov
Photo of actual scratch-offs taken by my actual phone while walking my actual dog
So, as you loyal readers might remember, I posted a few months back about the chicken bones all up and down Dekalb Avenue. These days, I never see any chicken bones. Ever. These days, it’s all about scratch-offs. I feel a little sad for my dog, but there’s still the odd pile of cat shit for her to try and eat. And I fully admit that I occasionally flip over a discarded Jumbo Bucks ticket, especially the five dollar ones, just to make sure nobody accidentally tossed a winner. So is it a sign of the economic times that people are buying lotto tickets and not chicken wings? And why does everybody treat Dekalb Avenue like one big long trash can? I mean, I know it’s kind of icky in places (ahem, I have two condemned houses on my street, although only one is occupied by squatters…jealous?) but it’s kind of an awesome street. You can get from Downtown Atlanta to Downtown Decatur without ever turning! Straight shot! Show it some love! And if not, please make my life a little more exciting and toss a winning ticket out the window. Even just a free ticket winner. I love the holiday themed scratch-offs. They’re so cheerful! Speaking of which, I also love looking at the Georgia Lotto winners and reading where they bought their winning ticket. Read this one about an Atlanta Cop who won over $300,000 in the Fantasy 5 drawing. Heartwarming!
Art and Cankles: Interview with the lovely Sarah Emerson
13 Nov
Breaking the Wave, 2008
Miss Darrow hooked me up with Sarah Emerson, a supremely talented Atlanta artist and mom. Since Sarah has a four year old and a bun in the oven, Miss Darrow thought maybe we could bond over some of those universal mommy things and I could get the lowdown on what it’s like to be a fabulous artist and mama. I don’t know how to paint gorgeous murals or paintings, but I know all about morning sickness, not being able to see your toes, and trying to work while mommying.
Are you registered to vote? I don’t know either
28 OctJust as a public service announcement, I would like to provide this link. It is perfect for those of you who waited a little bit late to register to vote. You know, you were going to register with one of those friendly Obama volunteers who have been all over the place with clipboards these last few months, but it just seemed so embarrassing to admit to those hip and involved representatives that you hadn’t registered yet, and then you finally went home and used the MTV Rock the Vote website to help you figure out how to register, which means you get lame and annoying e-mails from them on a daily basis, and now you want to vote but you haven’t gotten your registration confirmation in the mail yet and you have no idea if you can. Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, this is a pretty good way to double check that you are in the system and you can see where your official polling place is. If you put your name in and you don’t show up, but you are absolutely positive that you registered before the October 4, 2008 cut off, you can use this function to find your local Board of Registrars. You can call them and they can help you figure out whether or not you are good to go. Remember, if you are registered, you can vote this week. Use this for information on where and when.
Good luck!
Rest in Peace, Dottie
28 OctAs an Atlanta mom, I am a proud member of Zoo Atlanta. And as a proud member of the Zoo, I get special e-mail updates and such. It is a nice way for them to make me feel like a VIP, in addition of course to the bumper sticker adorning my station wagon. I would like to point out that last year they had something cute like a panda on the bumper sticker, but the 2008 sticker features a naked mole rat. Those are kind of gross.
Anyways, today I had a sad e-mail in my inbox. Dottie, the pregnant elephant at the Atlanta Zoo passed away last night. She apparently had an unexplained mystery illness that started last week, and although she was being monitored closely and given antibiotics, she died. As did her unborn calf, which promised to be another adorable baby animal for all of us Atlantans to fawn over. She was also a long term resident of the city herself, since she came to the Atlanta Zoo in 1986. At least we still have a new baby panda.
Photo of Dottie from the Zoo Atlanta website
I need a pedestrian *please*
9 OctYou know that dumpy little stretch of Ponce de Leon between North Highland and Moreland/Briarcliff? There are some shops along there, like the antique furniture shop that always has awesome furniture out front but you assume it would be a pain the ass to park there so you just go to Highland Row Antiques instead, and then there is that beauty salon that looks like it’s straight out of 1972. Along there. On one of the abandoned buildings that is totally covered in graffiti, someone has painted a lovely image of Sarah Palin’s head on the body of a pitbull. Or at least, it was there a few days ago. I would love to stop myself and get out of the car and take the picture, but I always have the dang baby and she complicates endeavors like that. So I’m issuing a request that one of our fine readers do it and send it to us at Pecanne Log and we will post it (with a credit to the photographer). Please keep in mind that if no one gets the photo for me, I am going to look stupid. Please. And I understand that this type of image is in no way artsy or high brow, unlike the photos that Christa gets. I just think it’s funny.
What a lovely way to spend a Sunday
5 Oct
Tomorrow between noon and six tomorrow you can head over to the Oakland Cemetery for Sunday in the Park. The event looks pretty fun, especially the people wearing Victorian garb. Badass. And there are storytellers, history lessons, etc. etc. If you can avoid eating brunch at Ria’s Bluebird beforehand (I know this is a tall order) there will be food at the festival from Six Feet Under and The Varsity.
If that’s not enough to get you interested, please note that the website promises that “there will be horse and carriage tours available.” The children’s area will include a Teddy Bear Tea. If someone could promise me that an Oscar Wilde impersonator would be there, I’d get there at 11:59am and stay until 6:01pm.
Vote Early and Vote Often
24 Sep
All politics aside, I suggest that you guys consider voting early this year. I live in Dekalb County and already got a flyer in the mail advising that I vote early due to expected high volumes of voters on November 4 at my polling location. Also, I’m really psyched about voting this year, so I’m definitely ready to get it done. A friend forwarded this handy dandy table of where and when you can vote in metro Atlanta. And please remember, cute hair and glasses and good taste in shoes does not qualify a person for public office. That is all I will say on that subject. Proceed to see where you can go ahead and vote.
Cutthroat Baby Shopping
24 Sep
This photo was unapologetically stolen from the website for a sale in Brookhaven.
I realize that most of the Pecanne Log readership is probably childless. You are probably mostly cool singles with active social lives. But should you ever get to the point where you are ready for a baby, or you accidentally get knocked up (happens to the best of us, ahem), let me give you the word on the street for bargain shopping. I was first introduced to the world of consignment sales by my sister. I’m pretty sure that if you aren’t female and don’t have regular contact with small children, this entire part of our state commerce is hidden from you. Turns out there is a vast network throughout the state of Georgia of “Consignment Sales.” There’s a pretty big variance between the size and venue of all of these different sales, but the common factor is the intensity of the experience. I’ve been to lots of these things by now. Especially in fancy neighborhoods, where rich moms sell nice and gently used baby clothes and other equipment for good prices. Although, lots of the “sellers” have fairly ridiculous expectations for the return on their onesie investments. Since about half of the selection is stained with poo and came out sometime in the late 1980′s, the good stuff goes fast. And furious. I’ve been knocked by several baby wearing moms, although Grandmas are usually the most shameless. Each sale usually lasts two or three days, with the final day being the “half price day.” That day is crazy, with shoppers lined up outside the entrance half a block before the doors open. Lots of the places have rules about whether or not strollers are allowed, or even if kids are allowed. Lots have “no playing with the toys” rules, but the mom volunteer workers are usually just there for the early access they are granted in exchange for their time, and are shopping rather than monitoring. So, if you are interested in scoring some great deals on used strollers and half eaten board books, check out the best website ever, the Bargain Watcher to see the schedule (and catch up on your scripture). These things take place in churches, at fairgrounds, vacant shops in strip malls, and even garages in giant suburban mansions. I promise, it’s worth your time. My kid has made out like a bandit, and I’ve become familiar with a rarely glimpsed tougher side of the mom crowd.
A few more Dragon*Con photos
3 SepI tried to cull through and find some more fun pictures. I found some eye candy for the ladies. 
(more…)
Dragon*Con Spectatorship
1 SepMy husband and I did try to make it to the Dragon*Con parade on Saturday so that we could expose our infant daughter to some of the most dedicated sci-fi and fantasy fans in the nation, but we were late and basically just got some pictures of everyone milling around downtown. Later, my husband went back with a friend and drank at the super cool Marriot bar (you don’t have to have a Dragon*Con pass to do that) and took some photos. It seems that after dark, there is something of a mood shift. No more pint-sized Batmans with plastic masks and prefabricated spandex costumes. Instead, it looks like there was some out of this world T&A.
I wish my fondness for season 27 of Dr. Who gave me the necessary fuel to dress up like a Dalek and attend the festivities, but I’m just not ready. In the mean-time, I like to sit back and watch. But let me be clear. I am not in any way making fun of anyone who attends Dragon*Con. Or dresses up. My hat is off to people who are that comfortable with their affection for stuff that may or may not have earned them swirlies in high school. Seriously. Good on you guys. But next year, please bring back the Ghostbusters costumes. I didn’t see a single one in 2008.
Dreamy Graffiti
22 AugThese are the neatest examples of graffiti I’ve seen in a while. I’m not totally sure that they count as graffiti since they seem to be paper adhered to the side of these totally gross shops that are “FOR LEASE” on Dekalb Avenue as opposed to spray paint. The buildings get painted with big white squares every few months to try to cover up some of the gratuitous tagging, and a recent treatment left a nice blank canvas for these pieces. Since I walk by these things on a regular basis, I think it’s a nice improvement. Definitely preferable to “perve nife” or whatever other tag is usually there. Thoughts?
It’s just too easy
17 AugIf you know where the corpse of Bigfoot is being stored, please please please share the information. I want to see him before he gets autopsied. Word on the street is that he’s somewhere in the Atlanta area in a freezer.
Hollis Gillespie Book Release Party
28 JulI admit that I was cruising Atlanta Craigslist looking for something interesting, and I noticed the “local news and views” section. It’s totally lame and full of scammy pyramid schemes, but I actually found something useful amongst the crap! Apparently there is a Hollis Gillespie Launch Party and Book Signing on August 5 from 7 to 10 at Paris on Ponce. Just as any good fact checker should, I backed up this tidbit on her website. Her new book looks fabulous, and there is the added incentive of being at Paris on Ponce late at night! I never seem to be able to get there when it’s actually open… Anyways, I bet there will be local celebrities there, too, since everyone worth their salt in this town likes Hollis Gillespie.
Neither Thought Provoking Nor Important
28 JulSo I’m sort of stuck in baby-land and not doing anything interesting enough to merit a Pecannelog entry, but I did want to share a little tidbit to you all. The Atlanta Botanical Garden at Piedmont Park is currently running a special where the tickets are buy one get one free during weekends in July and August with a coupon. We went last week, and it was absolutely lovely. It was my first trip, and while I felt a little like a jerk exposing my daughter to 97 degree weather, I figured it would probably be good to start scouting some of the more baby friendly places in Atlanta. My seven month old was not totally enthralled with the exhibits, but us big kids thought everything was pretty awesome. I have to admit that I spent a fair amount of time feeling sorry for myself for feeling so sweaty and insanely hot and then watching this fancy looking mother tell her young child that he intentionally ruins everything. All of that aside, the sculptures from the “Sculpture in Motion” exhibit were really neat. I saw a note on one of the doors that they are offering “Cocktails in the Garden” where you can drink special themed cocktails and take a tour of the gardens on Thursday nights, and that sounds ideal, especially there is food provided by a local posh restaurant. But you would miss out on the endless photo opportunities where you can pose your young child with a wide assortment of adorable props. Please note my own little lady seated next to one of the frog sculptures below. It’s undeniably cute.
So I heard that unemployment is B-A-D in Atlanta
28 Junand I decided to provide some classifieds listings culled from Creative Loafing. You can thank me later once you’ve landed one of these fantastic and clearly legitimate employment opportunities.
***Teeth Whitening Kit Sales People Needed*** $$$
Reply: dp@icusys.com
Salary/Wage: Comission
Model talent explosion seeking talet in all genres with models…
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland Needs You
Reply: jonathandaledesk@yahoo.co.uk
JONATHAN DALE
Independent Consultant,
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland
Hillsborough, Ireland BT26 6DR
Dear Sir/Ma,
I just resigned my job as aresearch scientist for ARINI (Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland but I still work as a freelance consultant for the institute which gives me very much time to do my own work which is basically being a freelance researcher who could be employed by research institutes to do research projects anywhere in the world. Presently, I have just been granted a funding to head a research project in the tropical regions of West Africa regarding rare and vulnerable plant species and this would be commencing very soon. This research program will be funded and sponsored by some of my American counterparts. But the only set back is that the American counterparts want to make fun for the research informs of US in any form. Getting an accountant in thes state or opening an account would have been my best choice but I have a deadline to meet and taking any of those choices would cost me time and a whole lot of other requirements, which I am not ready to deal with. There is where is need your assistant and service.
WHAT I NEED YOU FOR?
At this point, I will be glad if you could work with me as my representative in the US,CANADA. You will be working as my payment assistant in charge of collecting and processing the fund from the Associates. Contact Jonathan Dale for more information
JONATHAN DALE
NOTE: ONLY SERIOUS AND INTERESTED APPLICANTS/WORKERS
SHOULD PLEASE CONTACT US
Status: Part-time
Newsflash: Driving Sucks in Atlanta
12 JunSo gas is getting ridiculously expensive, and it’s hot as crap so you have to run your AC or else get to work with all your makeup sweated off, and to really top things off, random traffic lights all around the city keep going out for no apparent reason. I’m not sure what exactly is going on, but it’s like there are traffic demons running around lately. Last night, the North Highland/North Avenue light was out, and although we all know it’s supposed to be a 4 way stop, you still have those occasional bungholes who decide to just slip through with the car in front of them. Clearly no one will notice some giant dumbass GMC Yukon hauling it through the intersection! Right? And last weekend, the light at Freedom Parkway and Ponce was out, and there was a nasty traffic accident as a result. Because again, people are too stupid to know how to handle when these things happen, and apparently there are too many cops assigned to the road work off of North Highland and Morningside and they can’t spare any to direct traffic when major lights go out. And to top it all off, there are about 50 million ineffective “road patches” all over the dang city that basically blow your tires out every time your run over them. Seriously. One word: INFRASTRUCTURE. Learn it. Live it. Embrace it. This city is too big for this shit. I love you Atlanta, but please please please, either make Marta smarta, or fix the roads. I’m begging. And I apologize for writing a blog post that mirrors an extended version of somebody’s Vent rant. Seriously. My only defense is that WABE is doing an excellent and rather academic series about Atlanta and the rising cost of transportation.
recent comments