The new camera is here! The new camera is here !

Whoo hoo - I have had it for about a week now but haven't had time to play with it and get use to the new features before going out for a photo shoot.

So...I took it down to Phipps Plaza today and saw these cute kids giving a concert. They were actually quite good. I enjoyed watching this one little girl on the end. There were certian times when a song was played that she obviously hadn't learned yet, so she would sit down - she would pull her beautiful long flowing green velvet dress up to show her bright pink tennis shoes underneath. As soon as the show was over, that dress came off - she had on a pink and white shirt and pink shorts under the dress - I guess pink must be her "signature color" - too cute!

High Museum - Terra Cotta Army

The High Museum of Art currently has China's Terracotta Army exhibit. It is so fascinating. I know, without a doubt, that I will never, ever get to China to see the site in real life. I wanted to be an archaeologist when I was younger but decided I could make a better living if I chose a business major (while that part is true, part of me wonders what it would be like to have studied my first love).

It was so amazing to see these life size figures in person - the detail is just incredible - they each have their own personality, different hairstyles, different clothing - different heights, body build up, etc. It is just hard for me to comprehend that these were made by hand, that they have been around before Jesus was even born - wow ! It is hard to really capture that in my mind.

I am so glad I went to this exhibit. Sadly, if you haven't gone yet, you probably won't have a chance to - the last day is Sunday and then it moves on to another lucky city's museum.

Tea Party

April 15th is the deadline for all Americans to file their income taxes. This year, it was also a National Tea Party. Actually, Atlanta was already part of a tea party protest in late February of this year but that didn't stop people from turning out today - over 15,000 people showed up in front of the state capitol. Pretty much all major U.S. cities had tea parties yesterday as a means of protesting.

The protesters are in opposition to various aspects of government spending, including the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Homeowners Affordability & Stability Plan and the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009. The name "Tea Party" is a reference, of course, to the famous Boston Tea Party, of 1773.

Underground Atlanta

In the 1970s, Underground Atlanta was THE place to be - lots of different nightclubs and restaurants. I remember getting so jealous of my older brother who would go to Underground Atlanta and come home with these cool hurricane glasses from the various nightclubs.

In the mid 1830, a railroad line was built from Atlanta to Chattanooga, TN. The zero mile post, which is still there was in the location where Underground Atlanta now resides. Between 1866 - 1920, Atlanta grew very quickly (recovering from the war) and of course railroad transportation was viable to the city's growth.

During the 1920's, construction of the viaducts elevated the street up one level - merchants moved up to the 2nd level - the old storefronts were left underneath and used mostly for storage - thereby leaving the older part of Atlanta underground.

Atlanta continued to grow into a busy city above the viaducts and the old storefronts underground near mile marker zero sat quite and lonely until 1968, when the Atlanta Board of Alderman declared this area a historic site. In 1969, Underground was re-opened as retail and entertainment center.

Crime and slowing business, in addition to the subway system, MARTA being built, caused Underground to close around 1980. This left many Atlantans quite sad, but fortuntely in 1989, after $142 million restoration, it re-opened. Although the nightlife is not the same now as it was in the 1970s (but what place is?), Underground is still quite a popular place! There are very unique stores & restaurants.

Also, this is where the annual "Peach Drop" (Atlanta's solution to New Year's Eve Times Square) takes place and has millions of attendees each year !

Pink Azaleas

I know I have said this lots of times before but Atlanta in the spring is sooooo beautiful !!!

I also know I've posted pics of cherry blossoms, Bradford pear tree blossoms, etc. but a picture of Atlanta in the Spring would not be complete without azaleas - they are jut blooming all over the place. My favorite ones are the white ones and the hot pink ones (but there is also purple and light pink) .

Pollen Time !

Everytime this year, Atlanta turns a lovely shade of yellow-green because there is pollen, pollen everywhere. I cannot believe that with all the rain we had the past week that there is pollen everywhere - it should have all been washed away. Don't believe me? Take a look at some more shots (not taken by me though).

I was pumping some gas in my car and noticed all this pollen on the gas pump - the shapes were quite interesting to me I even see the form of a little hidden Mickey mouse head (do you see it?). They say more rain tonight - so hopefully some of this will be washed away.

Blue Skies - Smiling at Me !!

Finally, the sky is blue again ! The past week has been grey, windy and rainy. I was happy to see the sun shining over Atlanta today !!

Eternal Flame

This is an enternal flame for Jesse Hill, Jr. It was place in front of this church (at Auburn Ave and Jesse Hill, Jr. Drive) to honor him. How cool is that?! If you click on the picture above, you will be able to read what the plaque says.

What the heck is this?

What is this? I have no freakin' idea. My friend and I were just driving around and we spotted it on the side of the road in a field. What the heck is it? Looks like some kind of weird sacrificial sight - we didn't stick around to find out what it was - besides there wasn't anyone around anyway - very strange

ING Marathon

Today was the annual ING Marathon, 1/2 Marathon and 5K. We saw lots of racers today but because of roads being closed off, it wasn't easy to get some shots. I did manage to get some of them wrapped up in their racing blankets and another one of some of the side-line cheerers

Olympic Memories

The 1996 Summer Olympics were held in Atlanta and were AWESOME !! I volunteered at the Media center and met people from all over the world - wicked cool ! The tower with all the stairs on the left is where the Olympic flame burned - it still remains along with other memories like the Olympic rings. What a great summer that was - being a part of it was incredible.

Turner Field

Baseball season is almost upon us - hooray !! I drove by Turner Field and much to my surprise and joy, the gate was open so I could go in and take a look around. I can hardly wait for opening day !! You are bound to see more pictures of Turner Field once the games begin!

Red Bud Trees

Okay, okay - I know, another tree picture but I can't help myself. They are absolutely beautiful this year. Well they are every year but they seem to be lingering longer and be more full this year. Maybe I just notice them more because I'm constantly seeking photo ops. Either way, I just had to take a picture of this red-bud tree. I have no idea why they are called red-bud trees when they are pinkish/purple.

Bradford Pear Trees

These Bradford Pear Trees fill Atlanta each spring - and they've been quite beautiful and full this year. Sadly, I haven't taken pictures of any until today and they blooms are starting to fall off. I wanted to capture a pic of them while I still could. Be forwarned though - don't get around a big group of them - the actually smell awful - and they don't produce pears either !

Cherry Blossoms

I love, love, love Atlanta in the Spring. One reason I love Atlanta so much is that we really have a full four seasons. Spring, of course, is one of the most beautiful. Last week the Bradford Pear trees were in full bloom and this week it is the Cherry Blossom trees. The sky is blue and the temp. is in the mid to high 60s - just perfect weather.

Get outta the (Seg) Way

I have no idea what is going on here actually but I have heard somewhere that Atlanta offers a tour of the city on Segways - interesting - I might have to check that out !!

Homeless

It is so sad - Atlanta has a bigger homeless population than most people like to acknowledge. Most of them seem to be black males - perhaps it is because there seem to be more resources for homeless females, especially those with children. Here is a group of men that seem to hang around Hurt Park (located near Georgia State University).

Parking Rates

Like most big cities, parking can be hard to locate downtown. Many people that work downtown must pay to park - at their place of employment ! Fortunetly, I am not one of them - we have free parking! But not everyone is so lucky, as you can see. Can you imagine paying $60 a week to park where you work? Although I've heard some say they have paid as much as $200 a week. I usually don't have problems finding places to park, but sometimes I don't want to pay the rates that are being asked.

Spring is Coming

You know what they say about the weather in Atlanta? If you don't like it, wait a minute. That is so true. I can't believe we had snow on the ground this time last week. Look at it now!!

Sweet Tea and Coca-Cola

Sweet ice tea - often called the Table Wine of the South, is a staple in Atlanta, if you aren't drinking a cold tall glass of it, then you are probably drinking a glass of Coke (often shortened to Co-Coler). We drink gallons of this stuff ! Why? Because it is so good!!