A Cool Idea + It’s a small, small world
Sep 2, 2008 Grab Bag, Just Plain Awesomeness
On Digg today, I came across a pretty cool article. This website called “The Plug” did this little thing where they took a disposable camera and tied it to a park bench along with the following note:
Good afternoon,
I attached this camera to the bench so you could take pictures. Seriously. So have fun. I’ll be back later this evening to pick it up.
Love, Jay / The Plug
By the end of the day, the entire roll of film was used! Most of the pictures are of people just having fun while taking a break from walking around town.
While looking at the pictures, I recognized someone who I went to Elementary/middle/high school with. How cool! She is in the 2nd row, last picture.
CDC lab containing deadly virus suffers power outage
Jul 15, 2008 Current Events
Here in Atlanta, we are fortunate to be the home to many awesome things. Coca Cola. Chick Fil A. The Braves. And also, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Well, last Friday, there was a power outage there which lasted for about an hour:
A laboratory building that contains a deadly strain of avian flu and other germs is among four that lost power for more than an hour Friday when a backup generator system failed again at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The outage affected air flow systems in labs that help contain such germs as the H5N1 flu virus, which some experts fear could cause a pandemic.
Maybe it’s just me, but I hope they get that dang generator fixed!
Atlanta is the No. 1 WORST city for commuters
May 2, 2008 Current Events
That’s right folks. Here in Atlanta, we have the worst traffic in the country according to Forbes Magazine. According to Forbes, 13% of us spend over an hour sitting in traffic on the way to work in the morning. Also, only 29% of us get to work in less than 20 minutes. Lucky me, I am in that demographic. It takes me about 15 minutes to get to work. But, as someone who has lived here my whole life, I have to agree with them.
Jump right to the Atlanta part
Tags: atlanta, automobiles, cars, rush hour, traffic
The homeless “problem” in Atlanta
Apr 19, 2008 Current Events
“The same guy asked me for money five times yesterday,” he said, noting the competition is fierce. “I’ve been to Detroit and Houston, but it’s nothing like here.”
I read an article in today’s AJC newspaper that got me thinking, and I want some more perspetive. The article talks about how in Atlanta, there are quite a few homeless people downtown, and how it is a problem in the city.
A study commissioned recently by the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau confirms that panhandling is a major problem, and it’s getting worse.
A sampling of 164 out-of-towners interviewed from October 2007 to February of this year said panhandling ranked second —- behind traffic —- among the things they disliked most about Atlanta.
The article goes on to say that laws were passed that outlawed direct panhandling, but allowed a more passive approach (I guess that means someone holding a sign asking for money). People are mad though because those laws are not being enforced.
I agree, it is a little annoying when you go downtown in Atlanta and are bombarded by several homelss people asking for money. It’s always a little awkward.
But I keep thinking that maybe the solution is not outlawing it, but maybe taking a more proactive approach by maybe investing in some kind of outreach program that helps get people off of the streets and their life back in order. For some of these people, without a swift kick in the pants, they will never get out of the hole they are in. I guess my heart goes out to some people who maybe can’t see the big picture and don’t have the will power themselves to change. Homelessness has been around since Biblical times, so it is obviously a big issue.
What do you think?
Photo courtesy of SamPac
Tags: atlanta, ga, georgia, homelessness
The Varsity - an Atlanta classic
Apr 18, 2008 Current Events, Health, Just Plain Awesomeness
The Varsity. Those two words make me so happy. You see, my friend, The Varsity is a restaurant in Atlanta that is sort of an Atlanta staple. It has been here fore several decades, and anyone who lives here has eaten there before.
What kind of food do they have, you ask? Greasy, delicious, artery clogging food. Hamburgers, chili dogs, onion rings, fries, etc. When you walk up to the counter, “Whadaya have!?!?!” is yelled at you. Seriously, that is how they take your order. It is kind of like the Soup Nazi in Seinfeld. You order, then step to the side and remain silent. But you see, it’s all part of the experience.
I just had lunch there, and I was reminded of how much of a defining part of Atlanta this is. Next time you are in the area, stop on by.
Whadaya have!
Tags: atlanta, Food, fries, greasy, hot dogs, onion rings, the varsity, whadaya have
Atlanta: The city too busy for math
Apr 7, 2008 Found Online
Our leaders are not good at managing money. Check this out:
- Current projected revenue shortfall in Atlanta: $65 million
- Amount by which Atlanta exceeded its budget during fiscal year that ended June 2007: $90 million
- Amount city overestimated its year-to-year budget surplus since 2003: $241 million
- Estimated revenue shortfall city predicts it will face next year: $120 million
- Amount of city’s budget shortfall when Mayor Franklin took office in 2002: $82 million
- Percent property tax hike imposed in 2002 to cover city’s budget shortfall: 51
- Percent by which the city has rolled back property taxes since then: 22
- Percent by which all 15 city departments were recently asked to cut their budgets: 25
