Monday, October 31, 2011

Killer Corn Dogs

Corn Dogs For Sale by Jeff__
Corn Dogs For Sale, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.
Taken at the 2009 Oakland Cemetery Halloween tours in Grant Park, Atlanta.

This image was featured in The 2011 LENSCRATCH Masks, Costumes, and Halloween Exhibition.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Item #18 - Attend a College Football Game

Tuba Reflection by Jeff__
Tuba Reflection, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

I saw a college football game as a kid but even though I live in a big college football area, it's hard to believe I never attended one as an adult. My brother-in-law bought tickets for the 10-22-11 Georgia State Panthers versus South Alabama Jaguars game. My wife's family is from Mobile so some of them naturally rooted for South Alabama. I asked my daughter who she wanted to win and Katie replied Georgia because that's where she lives. :) That was good enough for me so I sided with my daughter in good, spirited cheering.  The Georgia Dome was hardly filled; both universities' football programs are relatively new so the fan base doesn't have roots yet.  The game itself was great, going into double overtime. Georgia State won so all went well for the day. :)

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Something Magical - previously completed item #89 - go to a drive-in

Something Magical by Jeff__
Something Magical, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
Some other starlight photos.

I was always intrigued by the idealistic lure of the drive-in. I don't remember any being around when I was growing up but I am fortunate to have one located near where I live; in fact it is the closet movie theater to us. :)

Atlanta's Starlight Drive-In opened in 1949 and is one of the few operating drive-ins in the the state, let alone country. This theater has 6 screens playing in the summer and 4 screens open in the winter. I will say that while I enjoy attending a movie here at least once a year it may not be for everyone.

Like an indoor theater there can be crowd noise but this time it's from cars driving by trying to find a place to park. Kids also tend to be a bit louder in the outdoors and it can be a late night in the summer if you have children as it doesn't get dark enough in Atlanta until 9:30p in the summer. I don't think it's be optimum venue to soak in a quiet drama...

That said, we enjoy the tailgating atmosphere. One of the things I'd like to do is cook out - grills are allowed - prior to a show. The sense of sharing a communal outside experience is wonderful. Just be careful with your car battery! The sound system is hooked up through a FM frequency and after one long movie our car wouldn't start; as it turns out the theater has a dedicated staff member who visits each theater lot with a battery jumper, so this is a common thing. Still, we might take a boom box with us next time. :)

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Untitled by Jeff__
Untitled, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.
Transience
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Orlando Airport

Monday, October 24, 2011

Atlanta Roller Girls - previously completed item #97

Atlanta Roller Girls by Jeff__
Atlanta Roller Girls, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.
Dirty South Derby Girls vs Cincinnati Black Sheep
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© 2010 CarrPhotography; all rights reserved

I remembered roller derby when I was a kid but the sport seemed to have faded away as I grew older. I noticed a few years back a resurgence in popularity with all-female roller derby or the Atlanta "Roller Girls" as the local organization is named here. My interest piqued, I requested tickets from my wife for my birthday. Mrs. C was a little tentative but she did buy us tickets. I enjoyed it more than my wife but I don't think it was that big of a turn off for Elizabeth which would prevent her from attending again.

As with wrestling, one sees spectators of all ages and personalities from kids to grandmas to Pabst Blue Ribbon drinking couples.   It seemed the only drunk people in the place were right behind us; they weren't horrible in behavior but still a bit annoying. The rules of play and scoring were explained to the audience beforehand so we were definitely able to follow along.  The humor from the team cheer squad was a bit risque but fine. The names the women had were funny ("Nora Gretz", "Slamborghini", "Regreta Garbo", etc); in fact one of my daughter's school teachers was a former Roller Girl; "Teacher Pain". :)  I have much respect for their dedication and athleticism; that is a rough but exciting game.

Untitled

Untitled by Jeff__
Untitled, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Shoes

Shoes by Jeff__
I sometimes take a stroll around downtown Atlanta when my daughter is attending Sunday school. I saw these shoes as they were pictured here. It is a door to a neighboring church but as my child attended pre-K in this building I know this door is to be opened on the inside for emergencies.

The deliberate placement struck me as odd, as if someone had been waiting for this door to open. They seem like perfectly good shoes to me.

It also reminded me of winter as this is one of the two men's shelter locations which I volunteer when they are open to guests in the winter months. I left them there in hopes someone on the street could use them.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

"Our last deep conversation was...30 years ago?!"

Steve, an old friend from high school looked me up a couple of weeks ago, saying he was going to be in town for a convention and we arranged to meet. Our dinner plans had to be rearranged due to both our schedules but we met for a drink and spent the next two+ hours catching up.

Since Steve isn't on facebook and this bog could potentially be seen by anyone I'll respect his privacy and not upload his photo. :)  [Note: Steve Mernoff emailed saying it was ok to include his photo]

Our lives went separate ways after college, which is natural for many people over time & distance. We briefly saw each other at mutual friends celebrations but this was the first conversation, so to speak I remember having with Steve in about 30 years. What I found interesting besides the catching up was how easily the dialog flowed about past events, mutual friends and our current lives.  



Given our separate lives and distance I can't say the next time I may see Steve again but it certainly was a pleasure and I thank him for taking the effort to look me up. :)  


Saturday, October 8, 2011

Previously Completed Item #78 - Hike up to the Black Mountain Fire Tower

We have own our cabin in Suches, GA for about 6-7 years and we always see this fire tower on the road to and from the cabin. The tower though looks small from the road as it's on top of one of the mountains which frame the hollow of Suches. There is a forest service road off the highway which seems to lead up the mountain and though the road was closed to regular automobiles, I thought, "it's a road, how hard could this hike be?" and this hiking up to the tower was on my list of things to do.

Fire Tower, Black Mountain, Suches by Jeff__
Fire Tower, Black Mountain, Suches
Via Flickr:

Well, one of our "fun family activities" this year involved a hike up Black Mountain to this old, but still used, fire tower.  None of us are hikers so we definitely felt the burn - and more - but we enjoyed the views and accomplishment. It's about a 2 mile round trip hike. Here is some more information on Black Mountain and a topo map of the region.


DSC_0086 by Jeff__
DSC_0086, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.
Couldn't get past the grate that was on top of these steps (perhaps I could have but I didn't want my then 8 y/o climbing this if she saw me on top)


DSC_0085 by Jeff__
DSC_0085, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.
A couple additional photos of the hike down (I was too tired to take photos hiking up) :)


DSC_0100 by Jeff__
DSC_0100, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

DSC_0102 by Jeff__
DSC_0102, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

morning illumination

morning illumination by Jeff__
morning illumination, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
I was rushing to get ready for work one morning when I suddenly noticed these shoes illuminated by the soft window light. Another reminder for me to pause and appreciate the variety of beautiful things life can offer us.

day 103 - project 365

© 2007 CarrPhotography; all rights reserved

Monday, October 3, 2011

#28 - Go Zorbing (globe-riding, sphereing or orbing)

I had the opportunity to play in a zorb ball this weekend at a festival in Suches, GA.  Mrs. C did the honors and photographed me.



I spotted them but said nothing at first. Then my 9 y/o daughter commented on how she would like to try this which allowed me to say, "of course, do you mind if I also go in one of these?" :)  Daughter very much said yes as she wanted to ram her ball into mine as much as possible. :) This was different and less insane than some other zorbing I'd seen which was a "strap in and get pushed downhill".  Here we were on a flat surface and had to maneuver the ball ourselves. I entered the ball in as smooth a fashion as possible and for the entire time got quite a work out walking and pushing the ball forward, making sure to keep the entrance holes on the side so I wouldn't fall through.  By the time this was over I was tired but we had fun.  Then daughter proceeded to the bungee trampoline while I sat on the ground and watched.: