Monday, June 28th, 2010 / Atlanta, Baseball / Author: Shawn / Comments Off
So, MARTA has decided that they will cut the Braves shuttle next year. I think this really sucks for many fans.
I live in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. I take the MARTA train most of the times I go to Atlanta Braves game. I don’t mind doing. I don’t have to drive across town, on the Downtown Connector, to Turner Field. I can avoid traffic. And, there is one less car on the road. Sure, fare is $4.00, but that’s $4.00 into MARTA’s pocket and it saves me $8 from parking fees at Turner Field.
Believe it or not, many northern suburbs fans do this.
So guess what? Because there will not be a shuttle, that means less Braves games for me.
This is sad, as a fan of the team, that I won’t get to go as much. I don’t get off work until 5, so I can’t leave early anytime I want to go to a game. Sometimes, I only have so much money. The money I’d save in parking fees, I could spend elsewhere in the ballpark, like on dinner or something small in the gift shop. I’m not rich, but I’m not poor. I’m middle class trying to enjoy life on a budget.
So, instead of me spending money on MARTA fare, game ticket, food, and gift shop, my money is just going to stay home. In the end, no money for MARTA and no money for the Braves.
Now, multiply that by many of the well to do citizens of the northern suburbs like me. Think of the money being lost on the behalf of MARTA and the Braves. Think of the addition of cars being added to the road. Think of the merchants in Underground Atlanta that make money off people using the shuttle.
I think of that one guy that has a record of 1300+ consecutive home games in attendance. He has his Braves outfit, complete with feathers. He rides the same train line as me. He is a dedicated fan. I wonder how he will get to the games, now.
Then again, maybe I won’t encounter that racist woman again.
Sunday, June 27th, 2010 / Atlanta, Flickr Photos, Life / Author: Shawn / Comments Off
It’s because I user Twitter a lot now. Are you following me on Twitter?
I am currently listening to music on my new laptop as I watch the Dodgers play the Yankees and the Yankees are not having a good defense inning.
I have just been busy with work and life.
Today, Nicki and I went to IKEA and the World of Coca-Cola. IKEA was just a quick trip that ended up being a long lunch and some shopping. We went window shopping and found a cheap bed frame that Nicki would like.
We went to the World of the Coca-Cola to see its World Cup exhibit. They currently have a 3D movie, as well as Zakumi, the mascot. Since I was already at IKEA and wasn’t expecting WoCC like we did, I only had the Polaroid i1037 camera on me. Nicki decided to get this photo taken:
Yes, Polar Bear is eating her head. LOL
Next weekend, I will be going home to Savannah. I hope to hit up a Savannah Sand Gnats game while in town. That will probably be on the 4th of July. I really want to see the animals at home and just tour around, when not helping my dad.
Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 / Atlanta, Baseball, Flickr Photos, Life / Author: Shawn / Comments: (1)
Yesterday, my sister, Nicki, and I went to Chicago White Sox/Atlanta Braves exhibition game last night. We had a nice night. We sat in the upper deck, able to see all of the game, had our first ballpark jumbo dogs of the season. Unfortunately, the Braves lost the game, but nonetheless, it was fun.
We took this opportunity to take the Braves shuttle. For those that don’t know how the shuttle works, you take a MARTA train to the Five Points station hub. From there, you get on a bus at Underground Atlanta, and take the bus to the stadium. After the game, you take a bus back to Five Points, and then get on the train bound back to the station you parked at. For me alone, this option is cheaper than parking at the stadium. Most of the times, it saves the hassle of parking at the stadium, too, when with a group.
So, here’s the shock and awe part. At my age, I’ve grown up in the post-Martin Luther King, Jr. Southern USA. All my classes were integrated. I was raised as people were people, no matter what they looked like. It’s the inner self that determines someone’s worth to me, not their outer self. Living in Atlanta now, I am exposed to all sorts of people. Most of them, I have learned, are that if you smile at them and treat them kindly, they will do the same with you.
Last night, I apparently committed a crime. It was riding the MARTA while white. When our train finally came to the station, Nicki and I got on it. It was crowded. I was prepared to stand on the train until a seat opened up, or we got to our transfer station. However, a 50ish or 60ish year old black woman offered the open seat next to her to sit in. I thought how nice, until I started to sit down.
The woman then proceeded to snipe at me “Don’t touch me!” Oh…okay. I didn’t plan on touching her, except by accident. When on public transportation, I try to respect people’s personal space. I hate even crowding into my friends’ personal spaces.
Oh, this gets worse.
After her snipe, she starts, to me a incoherent ramble, about white people. However, she said it right to Nicki’s face. I guess she thought Nicki was not a white girl. The woman’s whole rant was “Whether it’s a Braves game or a Hawks game, anything involving white people keeps me from getting home!”
Oh boy did I feel so uncomfortable the rest of the time on that train until we got to our transfer station. Nicki couldn’t believe what she heard. As soon as we got off the transfer station, Nicki and I started talking about what just happened. Nicki was texting all her friends about it. My jaw was still dropping.
For the rest of the night, I had to laugh at the encounter on the train, but at the same time, it was pretty sad. 
It’s such a shame that I was treated like an enemy for what I either looked like or for who I seemed to be on the outside. I don’t know who was more grown at this point, me or the woman I sat next to last night.
Sunday, March 28th, 2010 / Atlanta, Flickr Photos, Life / Author: Shawn / Comments Off
This weekend, my father and Beth came. My father is back in Savannah, but he had to come back for his stuff and bring Nicki some of her stuff. As of tomorrow, she is officially living here with me.
Also this weekend, Nicki’s long time Internet friend, Mickie, came to town. Nicki spent the weekend with her. Today, I joined them and we, along with Beth, went to the World of Coca-Cola. I renewed my annual pass, as well and Beth’s and Nicki’s. For a local that takes her family there quite a bit, the pass is worth the cost. We had a lot of fun.
And now, to prepare for the work week tomorrow. It should only be a 40 week. I need a 40 week. 
Sunday, February 14th, 2010 / Atlanta, Flickr Photos, Maintenance / Author: Shawn / Comments Off
This weekend, it snowed in most of the state of Georgia. They even got snow in Savannah! According to my sources in Savannah, seems like the whole town went outside when the snow came – it was after dark. Snow came earlier in Atlanta. I worked most of Friday until my boss said we could finally go home. While at work, I took a picture of outside at 9:19 AM, 1:26 PM, 1:46 PM, and 2:27 PM Friday. You can see how the weather progressed in Atlanta. Now, there is a threat of more snow overnight! I spent the rest of Friday taking photos of the snow.
I removed the log in required for comments on my site. I hope that works for people wanting to comment but didn’t want to register. I just hate SPAM.
Saturday, December 12th, 2009 / Atlanta, Family, Flickr Photos, Movies / Author: Shawn / Comments Off
Last night, Beth and Ben came up. As soon as my dad got home, we all went to the Lights of Life out at Life University. Knowing it’s Hanukkah, I decided to post a photo of a menorah in Christmas Lights. I promised Beth Stone Mountain and Christmas lights. Unfortunately, like the last few times they’ve been here, it wet and raining. It’s also cold, so Beth decided not to go to Stone Mountain.
Right now, we’re watching Up!
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 / Atlanta, Flickr Photos, Life, Music, Travel / Author: Shawn / Comments Off
I celebrated my 31st birthday this weekend with my friends Lindsey and Chris. They came over to West Georgia and we spent the weekend in Pine Mountain and Warm Springs. We spent Saturday at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain. We saw the butterfly center and the lights. At this time of the years, Callaway is all about the Christmas lights. We stayed the night in Warm Springs, spending the next morning at the Little White House. We had a great time, as usual.
On my way to Middle West Georgia, I heard the new Foreigner single, “When It Comes to Love.” It’s kind of haunting, at least to me.
Don’t worry, this not a post about who I am and what I should have been or expect to be. Right now, my philosophy in life is just about who I am in this moment. I’ll embrace my past, but my future is wide open.
My father celebrated my birthday by getting me a new camera. I used the camera on our trip. I have to read the manual on it to figure out how to us it better than I did this weekend. He also got me a limited edition Gone with the Wind DVD set after seeing me glance it over. We made sure I got a cake.
Today was the office complex’s Christmas party. It was a good time. We even had Thrash the Thrasher appear at the party. The complex had 3 chocolate fondue fountains – in three different chocolates, and had gingerbread houses on display. It was a festive celebration. A few of us even posed with Thrash for a photo. The complex is a nice atmosphere to work in. They often have tenant appreciation events like this Christmas party.
This weekend will be a busy one again with Beth and Ben coming to visit and see Christmas lights. I promised her a trip to Stone Mountain. I might see about taking her to Life University to see the lights there, too. It’s not far and has a great display, or so I read.
Listening to: Foreigner – “When It Comes To Love”
Sunday, November 29th, 2009 / Atlanta, Family, Flickr Photos, Travel / Author: Shawn / Comments Off
Thanksgiving was cool. Prior to going to Nashville, the sisters and I went to Zoo Atlanta. We spent time with the extended family. My only regret was not getting a group photos of the family. In fact, some of my younger 2nd cousins ended up annoying me. I don’t know if it’s the Gen X/Gen Y difference. Some of us are Gen X, but most of them are Gen Y. After dinner was over, my clan went back to the family home and spent the rest of the evening playing games like Cranium.
We came home Friday. We took our time getting back to Atlanta. Prior to leaving Nashville, we visited the graves of my grandparents buried there and my father’s maternal grandparents. We stopped at White Castle so Beth could try it. My dad and I passed on going home to Savannah for the rest of the weekend.
Saturday, I took Beth and my father to the World of Coca-Cola. Drove by the Varsity and it looked like Athens had invaded. Of course, Tech lost to UGA. After we got home, we put up my Christmas tree. We even had Christmas music playing.
In other sad news, looks like my nice Fujifilm S5200 camera has died. Thankfully, my birthday is close enough that I can justify a new camera. I’m also going to look into getting the 5200 fixed.
Tomorrow, I must return to a busy work week.
Sunday, October 25th, 2009 / Atlanta, Flickr Photos, Geek / Author: Shawn / Comments Off
Yesterday, I drove over to Stone Mountain and looked around the Pumpkin Festival. I didn’t stay long; I was cold. However, I saw plenty of pumpkins dressed as fairy tale characters. Above are Hansel and Gretel. I really like how this photo came out and how most of my photos came out. While there, I also saw a pie eating contest. It was more for little kids.
Once I got home, my dad and I went out to IKEA. We got a new ottoman and some other stuff. When we got home, we put the ottoman together. Scooter had to supervise. I get IKEA stuff since it’s inexpensive yet nice quality. My cat has a fixation with us building IKEA furniture.
I finally finished the transfer of one of our old photo albums into a new, more photo friendly photo album. Slowly, that is my goal. And while I did this, I found more pictures of my dear Pumpkin. I miss that cat. I love Scooter, and jokingly call him Pumpkin 2.0, but there was something about Pumpkin that can never be replaced.
Thursday, October 8th, 2009 / Atlanta, Flickr Photos / Author: Shawn / Comments Off
I found out that even when I have a day off, I have to do something.
Today, I spent a couple of hours at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. It’s a free tour, and until payday tomorrow, I am broke from the Cozy illness. So, why not do something that’s free? Plus, the last time I went 2 years ago, we didn’t have a chance to tour inside the home. Today, I did. Plus, it was a nice, sunny day. It was overcast last time.
The tour guide for the tour I was on decided to tell us about life inside the Williams-King home. He told us about how MLK was originally born Michael King, Jr. and how MLK and his brother, Alfred, were such little boys and did little boy things. He told us stories that came directly from MLK’s sister, Christine. In the home, you got to see their parlor, the bedrooms, the kitchen, and the dining room. Some of the stories told to us was how the family would dine each night. MLK and his siblings were expected to discuss what happened in school, what they read in the newspaper, and a Bible verse.
I think the funniest and most down to earth part was when we entered the kitchen. Some of the party looked into the pantry on display showing 1930s life. In the pantry was a pack of orange Kool-Aide. They couldn’t believe the drink they drank as children was the same drink an American Icon drank as a child.
I didn’t tour the childhood home of an American Icon today; I toured a piece of Americana and heard the stories of a wonderful American family.
