Whale of a Time

This mural is NOT related to the Georgia Aquarium, although some people may think so. It is a mural of whales - I don't remember the exact year this was started and completed but know it was somewhere in the early 1990s because I was going to GSU then and parked in that lot (yes, it is painted on the outside of a parking deck). I took some pictures of it when it was just some black outlines on the wall and loved coming downtown to the university every other day and seeing the progress that was being made (those picture were long before the digital age though). The paint has faded, of course, of the the years but it is still pretty vibrant considering that it over 15 years old and is exposed to the Georgia climate every day. The building in the background is Grady Hospital.

Old Water Towers

I took this shot from the top level of a parking deck. Initially it was the old faded "Atlanta" sign that caught my eye. When I see old faded painting like this - especially way up on the top of a building - my thought are "who painted that? when was it painted there?" and that kind of thing. But then my eyes were drawn to these 2 really old looking water towers. Interesting - wonder why they are there and what company they once (or perhap even still) served.

I said "Hey, Bartender"

There are quite a few bronze sculptures around town. Just how does one sculpt with bronze? I don't know...but they are so good at their craft. This one always amuses me. It is a turn-of-the-century bartender and he is located in Kenny's Alley, home to 8 different nightclubs. People often stop to see what he is looking at. I don't really know for sure what he is supposed to be looking at but if you stand behind him and divert your eyes in the same direction - you see Underground Atlanta's food court. Maybe he is hungry, or thinking about going to work up there.

Department of Agriculture

As I say all the time, Atlanta has some very beautiful buildings but sometimes you have to really look at the detail to see it. This is part of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. If you are just driving by you won't give it much attention - the building itself doesn't particularly stand out but... take a closer look and you will see all this glorious detail. I love the detail of this building so much! Look at the sculpture embedded in it of the man, feeding the calf. If you look even closer, it appears he is feeding him corn. Can you imagine the work that went into to creating this? As I as said before, many of the downtown building have this (or had - such a shame that so much of it is gone now).

Jelly Fish

As promised I told you that you would see more pics inside the Georgia Aquarium. Why? Well, because it is one of my favorite places to go and one of my favorite places to photograph. I am mesmerized by the jelly fish and could watch them for hours. I was kind of disappointed that they don't seem to have as many jelly fish in there now as when they first opened. I wondered if some had died or perhaps for some reason they just were not all on display. It is much more interesting when there is more.

Manuel's Tavern

The former Harry's Delicatessen, was purchased by Manual Maloof in 1956 and became Manuel's Tavern. Although it is a local neighborhood eatery, it is commonly known as a place where the politians like to hang out. Jimmy Carter was here when he announced he would be running for president. It isn't uncommon to see state representatives having lunch here and hashing over the latest pending legislation.

Also, this is one of the best places in town for Team Trivia (which is Sunday nights) - let me tell you there are some tough competitors there and some of them are SERIOUS about their trivia.

The food is very good too - it is quite a historical hot spot and I always feel a tiny bit of excitment when I think about the political deals that have been made in that place.

North Avenue Presbyterian Church

You know, I have always loved this church. It sits on Peachtree City in the heart of the city and is made of Stone Mountain granite. It was built in the late 1800s so it is one of those rare old buildings that remain (Atlanta just loves to tear down beautiful buildings and build newer things - such a shame) but thank the Lord this church is still there. I always loved driving by it and I remember one day in 1994 when I was going through a really rough time and I saw a passage on the side of this church that gave me such a sense of inner peace (but that posting is for another day).

Little did I know way back then that I would one day be a member of this church. I visited once in early 2002 to see Dr. Scott Weimer preach (since I had seen him before at Clairmont Pres. and heard he was now at North Ave.) - the moment I walked in, I felt like I already knew everyone and it was then I realized that after years and years of searching, I had finally found a church home. If you live in Atlanta or are ever in town visiting, please come visit us.

You may see more pictures of NAPC as this blog progresses, since I am there every Sunday and almost every Wednesday.

Outdoor Dining - Engine 11

Anytime the weather slightly warms, you can find folks outside eating. If you ask me, there aren't enough places in Atlanta to eat outside - there are a few but I wish there were more. I have been wanting to try this place - it use to be an Fire Station - an old one so it is quite historic. I was very sad when they closed Engine 11 Fire Station because like so many beautiful old buildings in Atlanta, I feared that it would be demolished. Thank heavens it wasn't. It became a restaurant (The Spotted Dog) which had so-so food and now it is Engine 11 and I must say the food is VERY good. I had the special which was some kind of spicy grilled chicken sandwich - mmmm. I love eating outside and people watching.

AT & T

You know, it just occured to me that I have no idea what AT & T stands for - I assume one of the T's is for "telephone" maybe the other is for "telegraph" or perhaps "technology" - Maybe the "A" is for American. I tried to find it but all I found was AT & T blah blah - nothing that said what the A the T or the other T was for. But I am going to say it is American Telephone and Telegraph since somewhere in the back of my pea brain I think I remember hearing that sometime in my life. This use to be the Southern Bell building, which then became the BellSouth building and now is the AT & T building. I love the pretty blue sky in this picture.

Help the Homeless

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin (who in my opionion is one smart cookie), is trying to find a way to stop the panhandling in Atlanta. Sadly, Atlanta does have a big homeless population. Not as big as some cities, but still the problem exists. Mayor Franklin is an advocate for the homeless and has started several programs to help them. However, she does not believe that panhandling is the solution. She wants the homeless to go to places where they can get the help they need.

So, she had the idea to install these parking meter type divices and put them in areas where panhandling was common. The idea is that you put your change into the meter, the meter is later emptied and given to various homeless organizations. Personally, I think it is an innovative idea. It may not be the best solution to ending panhandling but at least she is trying to come up with options. Go Shirley !

Accident Ahead

This is a common sign we see daily over the interstate - since this was taken in high volume traffic, it is not the best shot (I cut off the "A" in Accident). We have these signs over our highways in higher traffic areas to alert us of potential traffic slow downs. This helps us know if we need to take an alternate route - the only problem is by the time you see the sign, you just passed the exit that would have been your alternate. Sometimes it is helpful, sometimes not but at least when you are stuck in traffic, you know why.

Have $10 Million? - You could own the White House!

I love driving by this place. It is an almost exact replica of the White House in Washington, D.C. I don't know if the story I've heard about it is entirely true but the story is that a local developer who immigrated to the U.S. loves the USA so much that he decided to build his home to look like the White House and it truly does! It is 16,500 square feet and is located on Briarcliff Rd.

Sadly, I recently read that the place is in threat of foreclosure and is currently on the market. So yes, boys and girls, you can live in the "almost" White House for $9,880,000. It is hard to read the hedges in the front but it says "God Loves You" - there is a heart instead of the word love.

I really hope the man that owns this is able to work something out so he doesn't lose the place - that would be such a shame. I also wish he would open it up so we could take tours of it (but it is a private home so it is understandable, if he doesn't). If you are driving down Briarcliff Rd., be on the lookout for it - you really can't miss it!

What the Pho?

Many of the restuarants in the Atlanta area have very clever names. It seems that the Vietnamese and Thai restaurants are particulary witty. For some reason the name of this place gives me a bit of a giggle.

Bolt - at the Fox

I love that the Fox Theater will show movies from time to time. They use to only show them in the Summer but they are having about one a month right now - so cool. The latest showing was the animated feature Bolt (was was quite cute by the way). I went there in hopes of getting a shot of the "Mighty Mo" but alas, was too late for that - maybe next time.

No Nuclear Weapons Allowed

This neon sign hangs in the window of the Hard Rock Cafe. Thank goodness they don't allow people to take those things inside.

Storm's a-brewin'

Looks like a storm is on the horizon - making for extremely cool looking clouds. I was stopped in traffic when I took this shot so it isn't all that perfect (wish I could have been standing on the 17th street bridge there in the foreground. Funny thing is - nothing really came of those clouds except a few tiny raindrops - but they certainly looked pretty threatening.

Old Glory & Friend

It is quite a windy day today - the flags are flapping in the breeze like crazy! I love the way these flags stand out against the glass building. Nothing can make my heart fill with joy like seeing the American flag waving high and proud. The Georgia flag is nice too but when I see it, I still see all the controversy surrounding it. Georgia had a state flag from that flew overhead for 45 years, the one before that flew for 36 years. But within the past 8 years, we have had 3 different flags. The one we had until 2001 had part of the confederate flag on it. The one that flew briefly from 2001 - 2003 was blue, had the state seal and had at the bottom kind of like little thumbnails - all the flags that flew over GA, which included the one that had part of the confederate flag on it. People were still not happy (that was a particulary unattractive flag, I must say) - so this flag was born. It is okay - nothing to exciting about it but I like it alright.

But the American flag is and always will be such a beauty to behold - the most beautiful thing that we all see, each and every day.

Our Version of Lady Liberty

Just a couple of buildings down from the Tooth on a Rock, ia a big yellow house (actually I think it is a law office that was once a house). In front is a big Statue of Liberty - I think it is a kind of cool tribute.

Making a Mountain out of a Molar

Imagine my surprise when I was driving down Buford Hwy and noticed this giant tooth on a rock that I hadn't seen before. It is in front of . . . yep, you guessed it. . . a dentist office. Funny how I hadn't ever noticed it before, although it seems as though it has been there a while.

The New World of Coke

I haven't had a chance to go inside the new World of Coke yet. I want to go though but don't want to go on the weekends when the crowds are there and just too busy to go during the week (I used to have every Friday off but now I work Mon - Fri). I went into the old one lots of times and enjoyed it everytime. I especially liked tasting all the different products that Coca-Cola sells in other countries (hope that is still at the new place).

I liked the old building but must admit this one is rather nice too - I especially love the suspended coke bottle. In case you didn't know, Atlanta is the birthplace of Coca-Cola and their headquarters are also located here.

Moon over Atlanta

I spotted the full moon (at least I think it is a full moon) in the sky when I was leaving the movie theater tonight. It looked so big and bright in the clear night sky.

Frozen Fountian

Isn't this beautiful? I love when we have a cold snap because you might get lucky and find a frozen fountian. I found this one today in the courtyard of my friend's apartment complex. I love it!

Broke a tooth? Need your car tested? Do Both!

Only in Atlanta can you find a dentist that will repair a broken tooth at 3:00 am and get your car emissions test all done in the same building! How handy - while you are having that emergency root canal, you can rest assure that your car emissions test is being done.

Have you fed the waterhead babies?

There are not a lot of covered bridges left anymore, but one remains and it has been sitting over Nickajack Creek since 1872. It is a one lane bridge and it the most traveled covered bridge in Georgia (it is on quite a busy road). You have to take turns going through it (one side goes, then the other side). I like that it has been left and still remains a one lane bridge.

Remants from Ruff's Mill (the scene of a Civil War battle) as well as ruins of the dam and parts of the old grist mill is still nearby. Also Miller's house is right next to the bridge and still serves as a residence (I have been informed by some friends that it is supposedly haunted, but

The bridge has somewhat of a local legend. The legend of the waterhead babies at the covered bridge is to park your car on the bridge, leave a snickers bar on top of the car, turn off the lights and wait until you hear the scurrying of children's feet which means the waterhead babies are coming - I guess they like Snicker's bars because supposedly it will be gone once you get out to look back at the roof of your car. I think the legend is that the snicker-eating goblins are actually ghost of some children that drowned in the creek.

If you are nearby, make sure you have a Snicker's bar with you. Let me know if you try it (I'm too much of a chicken)

Admiring the city from a-far

Can you see the city? It looks great on the real picture but not sure how it translates once it is posted here. Guess we will see, huh? I was in the Vinings area today looking at some new HUGE houses they've built (peeking in the empty homes for sale) - I found one I loved - only $4.8 million. Aaah, but I digress. While over in this part of town, I happened to spot the city and thought it would make a nice shot.

O.K. Cafe

The O.K. Cafe on West Paces is another country cookin' kind of restaurant. They have kind of a 50s theme and lots of folk art both inside and outside (as in this picture). They even still have Blue Plate specials. If you are in a hurry or prefer to eat home, stop at the "take out" side (next to the guy in the photo up there) - you can get a big sampling of pretty much anything you'd like - from Grilled Salmon to mac-n-cheese to carrot cake. This is a very popular place - expect to wait anywhere from 15 - 45 minutes, depending on the time of day you go.

Waiting. . .

Pretty much every where you go in Atlanta, you have to wait - especially if you hungry on a Sunday morning. As you can see Atlantans tend to have a certain weekend dress code - blue jeans, tennis shoes and t-shirts.