Archive by Author

Summer Swimming

6 Jun

So, I have yet to drive the .2 miles out of my way to check and see if the Candler Park Pool re-surfacing project has been completed, but I sleuthed and found a phone number for it.  It is definitely back in business, and it’s all nice and newish.  Maybe I’ll try and go this weekend…

I also wanted to provide some other local (public) Atlanta pool listings.  Feel free to add more, as well as any personal experiences you’ve had with these.  I only included three local ones that are public and don’t charge a $2500 membership fee plus hundreds in annual fees (like the Inman Park Pool, Lake Claire Pool)  For hours and addresses, check out that link. 

*Candler Park Pool in Candler Park is $2 for adults and $1 for kids (under 5 are free).  There is a cop who stands guard, too.   So you can feel safe.
*Chastain Pool in Buckhead looks to be $3 for adults and $2 for kids, but does have those weird hours where sometimes only members can go.  Check the website before you head on down.
*Garden Hills Pool in Buckhead

There are more listings on the website, but they are weird (Tucson Pool?  What is that?  Where is that?) and the opening schedules and hours are totally bizarre.  As far as I can tell, Candler Park pool is pretty much the easiest of the bunch.  I do remember Garden Hills from when I was a kid, but mostly just that my sister got stung by a dead bee in the water after jumping off the diving board.  Online reviews are favorable.

The site also lists info about “natatoriums” around town.  If you are like me and don’t know what a “natatorium” is, it’s an indoor pool.  I don’t know why the government can’t say “indoor pool,” but I guess natatorium sounds more fancy.  Maybe that will deter some of the kid’s from peeing in it. 

Happy swimming! 

 

Atlanta Shorts

28 May

While cruising the WABE website for fun and interesting information, I stumbled across some information about Atlanta Shorts. This show seems like a lot of fun. The show comes on PBA late at night, but I bet it’s worth it. Local filmmakers? How fun! Shorts are great because they either leave you wanting more, or they end quickly. And if you watch the promo video on their MySpace page, I swear there’s a flash of Jack McBrayer from 30 Rock. I love him!

Here’s a fun video from the show that a GSU student made:

Recognize this guy? His video sort of freaks me out, but the voices are fun. And neat looking animation.

By the way, I will be tagging Pete Wentz on every blog entry I write from here on out. According to the WordPress stats, we get at least a hit a day based off of that search term. Sweet!

Support a Good Cause on Sunday

15 May

So I’m on the list-serve for Young Blood (which by the way, is amazing in its new location), and I got an e-mail about “Nest Atlanta – Launch Fiesta.” It’s in support of the Atlanta debut of Nest.  Nest is a non-profit organization that helps women in developing countries by giving them micro-credit loans to start or maintain their own crafty/artsy business.   Even better, the function is taking place at  1*Five*0 and Luxe in the BrickWorks Midtown West Development (I have NO idea where or what this is, but I will find out by Sunday, and I’m sure it’s super hip and I will also be sure to pretend like I have known about it forever).  The event runs from 12 to 6 on Sunday, and there will be “fiesta style food and drinks” according to the YB e-mail.  There is a $5 suggested donation at the door.

Sorry kiddies, no more Kronic Kandy for you

8 May

I just heard on WABE this morning that good old Sonny signed a bill into law that makes it illegal for Atlanta retailers to sell marijuana flavored candies to minors, since lawmakers are sure it will convince little kids to want to use the real thing. Here’s a little blog from the AJC, and it’s dated February 2007. How have I missed this for so long??? It’s hilarious! The candy is called “Chronic Candy” or “Pot Suckers” and comes in several delightful options, like lollipops and gum drops. Going down on my Google search results, (lets hope the clear private data function is really effective on my work PC) there is an MSN article from 2005 is all about the same topic. That article is much better. It explains that the candy gets its flavor from hemp oil, like what they use in those lame expensive beauty treatments for fake hippies. It also looks like there is more than one company making these things. Points to California company Chronic Candy for their slogan: “Every lick is like taking a hit.”

Unfortunately, the Atlanta-based company Hydro Blunts doesn’t have a slogan listed. But they market their lollipops as Kronic Kandy. Kudos for the klever use of the “k.”

So if you are a minor and crazy about your Pot Suckers, you should go buy them before July 1. After that, it will be illegal.

P.S. It looks like Junkman’s Daughter is a safe bet if you are looking for where to pick some of these up.

P.P.S. Sorry Christa, I hotlinked again. But I refuse to download the photo of the pot lollipop onto my computer at work just for Pecannelog. Especially when I know you’ll come behind me and fix it.

My celebrity sighting

30 Apr

Spotted on April 19, 2008 at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. He’s going to take pollution down to zero. He needs to do something about his legs though. The tights are looking a little saggy.

Uplifting news for your weekend (NOT!)

18 Apr

While the baby takes a nap on me, I thought I’d take a second to actually write a post.  I’m getting good at actually being able to hold the baby and do something other than stare at her all dopey-eyed.  Proud?  I thought so.

So I was cruising the AJC website looking for something juicy to write about, and first I found this little gem about how behind traffic, panhandling is the number 2 problem visitors have with Atlanta.  The article is really well written (I thought) and even interviews a few homeless people/panhandlers for the real “inside scoop.”  Since I work in Midtown and my husband works Downtown (and takes Marta daily), I think we can both attest to the fact that there are quite a few panhandlers around.  I have a few favorites, like the guy who always walks bent over at the waist.  And full disclaimer, at first, I felt very sorry for him, because I’m sure that he has a serious medical condition that makes him have to walk like that, and it makes me sort of hate America that he is on the streets, but the thing is, he’s kind of a jerk.  So when my co-workers and I venture out for lunch and we see him, we usually avert eye contact.  In any case, it was sort of nice to read this article and feel less like an asshole for being annoyed with all the panhandlers.  I’m not the only one!  Of course, the point of the article was that panhandling in general has increased, and panhandling arrests have decreased since the anti-panhandling ordinance was put in place in 2005.  Ooops!

Fresh off of the ATL-hating of this article, I followed the teaser to this article.  I was drawn by the impressive title: “Charming surface hides city’s chronic lawlessness.”  Pretty good, right?  It’s a short piece about a disillusioned new resident of Atlanta who lives in East Lake and has been robbed several times since being here.  Then he goes on to lament his third stolen iMac and all of the music and photos, etc. that were on it.  That really does suck.  I’ve been robbed before, and it makes you question human nature.  In closing, the author reveals that he would love to get out of Atlanta, but because the housing market is so abysmal, he’s stuck.  And he actually says he hates Atlanta.  Seriously.  Hates it.

So visitors think we have problems with traffic (duh) and panhandlers.  And new recruits want to get out because they keep getting their doors kicked in and their fancy electronics stolen.  Can I be cheesy and ask you guys what you think about Atlanta?  Do you hate it?  Do you love it?  Why?

P.S.  If I check this post on Monday morning and there are no comments, I’m going to be so pissed.

I’m just going to let this speak for itself

8 Apr

And if you were unsure, he is still there. Bulge and all. I saw him out in the rain the other day, but don’t worry, he had a GIANT umbrella.

Speaking of Tyler Perry

15 Mar

Finally, my totally squaresville office job pays off.  I just got inside word (read: an e-mail from the building managers) that Tyler Perry will be shooting for his new movie at my workplace, otherwise known as the Bank of America Plaza.  So if you want to come down to Midtown and stare longingly through those giant windows and try to catch a peek into the palatial pink granite and gold interior for a glimpse of Tyler Perry, here’s the relevant details:  the shooting in the lobby will be taking place on Monday, March 17th, sometime in the “evening.”  The e-mail is sort of vague, and  I guess he’s been filming other things in the building, but definitely not on my floor.  I can tell you however, that the designated smoking area on North Avenue will be temporarily relocated to the Peachtree Street turnaround.  Just in case you were wondering.  I for one think it would have been good for the movie to include surly office workers on their smoke breaks.

Chateau Elan on YouTube

26 Feb

I realize that the humor here is sort of along the lines of America’s Funniest Home Videos, but whatever.

I’m most impressed by two things:

1. The sincere concern of the newscasters once they cut away from the Chateau Elan footage (which by the way takes forever and leaves plenty of time to listen to the uncomfortable and bizarre noises that the hurt woman is making).

2. The reaction of YouTube viewers. I mean honestly, the response is so overwhelming that there are several related videos, including an animated version. Interestingly, the animated version has over 180,000 views, while the version of the actual footage that I found has under 90,000. However, taking the cake is easily the music video version of the footage (seen below). It has over 670,00 views. God, I love YouTube. And Atlanta newscasters.

Llamas in the City

18 Feb

I wish that the word llama was pronouced “yama” like other double l’s. It would better suit the majesty of that great beast. Speaking of that great beast, there are several llamas living in a muddy backyard of some homes in Lake Claire. My husband and I have seen one before while walking the dog on this particular property, but yesterday there was a particular stink in the air and we noticed that there were at least two of them. We can’t tell if they belong to the homeowners, since it sort of looks like they share a lot behind there houses, or if maybe the llamas belong to the Horizons School, which backs up to the properties. Either way, it’s totally bizarre. It also looks a little slummy. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problems with llamas. I think they are awesome, even if they do spit, but it seems like maybe these urban llamas could possibly be a little cramped. There is no grass in their pen, just red dirt, which might be because it’s not enough room for that many llamas. I wish I could pet them.  And have them tell me what they are doing there.

In any case, I’m interested if anyone knows about these llamas and what their stories are. Maybe they are just pets, or maybe they do belong to Horizons School, which is totally bizarre and deserves it’s own blog (my husband regularly sees handwritten signs on Dekalb Avenue pointing to the school that say things like “rum and coke party”). I’ll try and snap some photos of them sometime, but I’m sort of afraid a farmer with a shot gun might charge me and tell me to get off his property.

Oh, and before I forget, these llamas are also right by the auspicious Lake Claire pool. So keep in mind that you’ll have to smell llama poop every time you go for a $1200 swim.  That seems strangely just.

Also, I do not take credit for Drama Llama. I just found that photo on Google image search, and I am in love.

drama_llama.jpg

Employment Opportunities

24 Jan

For the first time in my life, I just clicked on a banner ad. And I did it for you. Just in case any of you readers out there are looking for a new job, please note that Dollywood auditions will be held in Atlanta on February 2, 2008. I know what you’re thinking. You would do just about anything to get this gig, move to Pigeon Forge, and ally yourself with Dolly, but you’ll have to fit into one of the sought after job descriptions. They are currently looking for singers, actors, specialty acts (not very specific, so I’d say if you can do something along the lines of burp the alphabet, you’re in), small bands and technicians.

The ad says they offer “steady work, competetive pay, and valuable experience.” I’m guessing that means if you see a future in “family entertainment experiences,” you can’t do much better than starting with Dollywood. My only concern would be that everything else would seem downhill after this. What’s Orlando got that the Great Smokey mountains don’t? Seriously. I’d rather be employed by Dolly than Mickey. There’s so many perks you would get working for Dollywood. Things like an on-site medical center, on-park food and merchandise dicounts, and a relocation package!

Just report to the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on Peachtree Street on Saturday, February 2 between the hours of 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Good luck! And you better get to livin‘!

Loss Cat

19 Jan

I first saw the Loss Cat poster at Brewhouse in Decatur. As I mentioned in my earlier post about Youngblood, they are selling the print there for super cheap. According to the Loss Cat website, the flier originated in Atlanta and then spread all over and got sort of famous. Perhaps this is what led to one of my favorite MySpace acts, Eyeball Skeleton, to pen a song about Loss Cat. It’s really really awesome. It’s almost as good as the song “Flat Top Vampire.” Both of these gems and more can be heard on MySpace.

Eyeball Skeleton

P.S. You can see video of the members of Eyeball Skeleton performing Loss Cat live on the Loss Cat MySpace page.

Bring on the Vultures

18 Jan

Youngblood Boutique and Gallery will be closing up shop at their Glenwood location at the end of the month. They are apparently planning to open up at a new location (perhaps with more foot traffic?) and apparently will be expanding. No word yet on where it will be, although I think East Atlanta Village is in the running. They are also looking for a business to rent out their current space, and apparently are open to suggestions. I gleaned this information from one of the e-mails I get from being on their list-serve, which I guiltily signed up for at a Kraftwork night after not buying anything. However, I’m glad I’m on it, because now I can tell you that they are clearancing out everything in the store, and as the month goes by, things will be priced down to 40% off. And it’s possible that in February they will be selling some of the shelving and any abandoned art, too.

I plan to get over there with the baby to see if I can still score one of those Darth Vader onesies, but I also am enchanted by the selection of prints. I’m not sure what it looks like in there, or how picked over things are, but the last time I went, it was still totally bad ass. I love that place. My husband got one of those awesome Holly Hue hoodies on clearance there. It’s a triple threat hoodie, made up of a red sweatshirt with an eagle and lightning scene, some red stripey fabric for the sleeves, and camo detailing. Woot.

UPDATE:  I went to Youngblood yesterday (yes, I took my baby in there, and she even cried for a couple of minutes, and was audibly farting for much of my visit) and everything that isn’t already on sale is marked down by 40%.  And there is still a ton of stuff.  Lots of cute clothes, purses, jewelry (including some new stuff) and of course prints.  The art in the gallery right now is really cool, too, and very reasonably priced.  Get yourself over there in this winter wonderland.  It’s worth the trip.  I went with a friend and her baby (yes, two babies in there at once…OMG) and we both got some really neat stuff.  I also bought a print that I have been in love with for a while but was too cheap to buy.  I want to go back to buy the “Loss Cat” poster.  I love that thing.  And it’s 40% off $75.

Southerland, Sutherland, Snobberland

11 Jan

Living in Lake Claire is really really nice. Since I’ve been on maternity leave, we take lots of walks around the neighborhood, and I stare at the fantastic little bungalows and cottages, imagining what it must be like to be rich and able to afford one. Every once in a while, there is one of those awful new mansions that somehow fit 2000 square feet of house onto a postage stamp sized lot. Right around the corner from us is a development of these beasts, Sutherland Place. Some of the houses are pretty, and look gigantically cozy. They are all crazy expensive, and even the condos stuck in the middle of the subdivision are extremely expensive. It’s sort of like entering suburbia in the midst of older and more appropriately sized Lake Claire homes. And I must admit, when our dog poops in this neighborhood, sometimes we leave it. A gift from the renters to the owners.

Anyways, the thing is, the subdivision is called Sutherland Place, but it is off of Southerland Place and Gordon. The street sign clearly says Southerland Place. But apparently the developers didn’t like the sound of that. And I will concede that Southerland is sort of weird, and doesn’t have that all-important fake British ring to it, but still…isn’t it a little ridiculous? What’s really funny is that if you google “Southerland Place Atlanta GA,” the first result is the link I used above. Even though it says “Sutherland Place.” It’s like the Twilight Zone, where the letter “o” can come or go with nobody noticing. What I really wonder is why the fancy pants developers didn’t just pay someone to change the name of the street. Can’t they do that?

HAL 9000 and Martin Sheen

1 Jan

2001mint.jpg

I don’t know that I can say that New Year’s sucked this year, although it’s certainly different than it used to be. Basically, me and the husband watched 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the baby alternately ate and slept. It was pretty wild. The neighbors set off fireworks, which made our neurotic dog shake and act like she was having Vietnam flashbacks, and when midnight rolled around, me and my husband sort of half-kissed, since we both had bad breath. His from Chinese take out and mine from Gardetto’s, the best snack mix ever, and the perfect companion to anyone who is breastfeeding and can only eat things that won’t make the baby messy when you drop your food on her as she eats. I’ve learned to stay away from anything like cereal or soup. It can get ugly. Anyways, we concluded the evening by trying to figure out if Michael Douglas was related to Martin Sheen, since the Sheens and the Douglas’ sort of all look the same. And Michael and Martin both play presidents all the time. There is no relation, except that they both changed their names. Just in case you were wondering.

I have not included a fantasy out of respect for the baby. I can’t think of anything that would include her. And really, she’s pretty awesome. I don’t want to scar her someday when she finds PecanneLog while taking a break from whatever social networking site she is secretly a member of behind my back. We figure next year she’ll be a year old, and we can take her to Drunken Unicorn as long as she’s dressed in some American Apparel baby clothes. I’m partial to the baby karate pants myself.

Bringing down the dinosaur

29 Dec

I’m sitting here with a baby who is wide awake, and reading articles on the AJC website, when I stumble across this little gem. Holy holy crap. Somebody bought City Hall East. Did you guys know that that bad boy is 2 million square feet? Why did Atlanta government EVER buy that big-ass thing? Maybe they just realized no one else would be stupid enough to buy it and try to keep it up. So they bought it and let it rot. But now it will be a wonderland of condos and restaurants and shops. I still don’t know how I feel about more condos, but anything has to be better than what it is now. Which is just nasty. Nasty and vaguely embarrassing. I’m still not clear as to whether or not it’s occupied all the way. It seems like at least half of it is empty. And stuff is always getting stolen out of it.

Well, looky what I did

26 Dec

So I went and had my baby (that’s her there in the photo).  Her name is Roxanne Elizabeth.  She’s gigantic, and weighed in at 9 pounds 5 ounces and 21.5 inches long when she was born on 12/19.  She is very very cute, if I do say so myself.

roxanne-duck.jpg

I have to say though, Atlanta sucks as a city to drive around with a newborn.  She was born at Piedmont, and coming back to our neck of the woods, I truly thought she was going to get broken going down Peachtree Road.  I mean honestly, what are they doing??  It’s like one big giant metal patch from Collier and Peachtree to North Avenue.  Then there’s North Avenue…  I don’t know if it was the holiday or what, but there must have been at least 4 or 5 surly crackheads doing the “ass-hole stroll,” to borrow the phrase from Hollis Gillespie, across North Avenue.   I thought Roxanne’s head might pop off when we had to slam on the brakes to narrowly avoid a gentleman making his way to the Chevron against the light, and taking his sweet-ass time.  I mean honestly.  There were maybe 4 cars on the road, leading me to think maybe he waited until he saw us coming, and then thought, “I”ll go now.”  Either way, he definitely gave us the stink eye as we slowed down to avoid him.

We took Dekalb Avenue the rest of the way home.  Need I say more?  That road has more craters than the moon.
Please people, stop fucking up the roads in Atlanta.  Traffic is one thing, but the wanton potholes around here…  I’m going to start driving the baby around with a football helmet on.

I know it’s not pool season

18 Dec

But I was just checking out the rates to join the Lake Claire Pool, which is a private pool in Lake Claire (shocking I know). As Christa pointed out, there is no lake in Lake Claire, but there is the pool that opened up last summer, and from what I can tell from peeping through the cracks when I walk my dog and let her poo on their snobby front yard, it looks pretty awesome. Our landlord warned us when we moved in that it was really expensive, and he threw out the number $2400/year, and I sort of laughed, thinking there was no way that was possible. Well, I just checked, and it is. There is an “initiation fee” of $2500, and then it’s $450 a year for a family membership. Unless initiation includes liposuction so that the other rich people don’t have to look at the cellulite on my proletariat thighs, I’m thinking I’m going to be bringing our baby to the Candler Park Pool, which is $1 at the door. It is is *gasp* public and therefore open to any old riffraff interested in going for a dip, and there is a police officer stationed there all the time, but whatever. I like looking at the graffiti on the pool house on my way in and out, and it’s fun to play the “find an unoccupied corner of the pool that might not have been peed in yet” game.

Honestly, I know it was expensive to build the Lake Claire Pool, but obviously, you are sending a clear message about who you want to be a part of your exclusive pool when your prices are so prohibitive. Maybe that wouldn’t gall me so much if the dang pool wasn’t so gigantic and noticeable on Dekalb Avenue. You can’t miss it.

Anyways, I just wanted to bring a little sunshine into your December, and I’m having a baby tomorrow if all goes as planned, so I had to get a last word in.

My best of Atlanta 2007: BRUNCH!

10 Dec

My husband and I pride ourselves on brunch picks. We don’t eat out much during the week, but weekend brunches are sort of our own private slice of heaven. Here’s a list of my favorite places, and my favorite dishes. Lately, I’ve been checking out the sweet stuff, probably because I’m pregnant. But Justin gets the good old salty stuff, too. Here goes:

1. Sun in My Belly on College Avenue in Kirkwood — mmm, the Kirkwood breakfast is divine, with herbed Boursin in the scrambled eggs. The french toast is two BIG slices of challah bread covered in powdered sugar, honeyed ricotta, and heaps of fresh berries. Delicious. And the interior is beautiful.

2. Java Jive on Ponce — After thinking this was simply an abandoned and mildly shady storefront for months, we were delighted to discover the adorable retro interior and the fantastic food. I’d recommend the basil and cream cheese scramble. The biscuits are fantastic, too.

3. Agnes and Muriel’s on Monroe in Ansley– Never mind the valet parking, it’s free and you feel fancy when you hand the guy a few bucks after your meal. Super cute interior (I like all the poodles). My favorite is the blueberry pancakes that come on your own personal griddle, but Justin tells me the chicken/eggs benedict dish is heavenly. I can’t eat hollandaise sauce for a few months, but when I can, WATCH OUT!

4. Gato Bizco in Candler Park — sweet potato pancakes, big buttery biscuits, delicious soysage… Need I say more? This place is like sleeping in on a Sunday. It’s cozy and homey, and friendly. We love it.

(more…)

Holiday Cheer

4 Dec

I’ll make this short, since I don’t have any fun photos of old drag queens, but I wanted to put in a word about the ASO Gospel Christmas. I went a few years back, and it was definitely definitely amazing. There are only two shows this year, one in the evening on December 14, and a matinee at 2:00 on Saturday, December 15. Honestly, this is one of the coolest around-town-festive things to do. And that’s saying a lot coming from someone who spent last Saturday at the Stone Mountain Christmas Village. That’s right folks, I saw the holiday laser show, rode the train around the mountain (which included a lesson about the real meaning of Christmas delivered by Pappy, the grizzly hotel proprieter from a long time ago) and got knocked into by thousands of Georgians carrying around souvenir tubs of Coke. Apparently the real meaning of Christmas is Coca-cola. In case you didn’t know that…

And just for holiday’s sake, I’ve included a photo or two from my Stone Mountain trip.

stonemountain1.jpg

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