and we ride on them things like every day
big beats, hit streets, see gangstas roamin'
and the party don't stop till eight in the mornin'
ASHLEY, COMMANDING OFFICER.
...has been to Atlanta, Hotlanta, A-Town, The ATL (whatever your poison). I wonder what obnoxious and ridiculously obvious song I can come up with for my visit to New York?
Anyway, I drove up to the ATL on Friday morning. I got to Nikki P.'s place around 2ish, just a tad fashionably late. I blame this fact on the police officer who pulled me over for going 70mph in a 55mph zone. I will swear on my dying day that I didn't see a "reduce speed ahead" sign. Which is true. It also irked me that all the GA residents were very obviously going 90mph and passing me left and right...and not a one of those guys were stopped. Whatever. I mean, I'm sure the cops of Augusta don't gather 'round a conference table and strategize ways to pull all the "out of staters", but...I mean they very well may.
Once I arrived we got ready and went to Atlantic Station and caught "Friends With Benefits". It was actually a pretty cute movie and I was ecstatic that Justin Timberlake didn't look constipated the entire time. I was even more ecstatic that I get to see the man candy that is Justin Timberlake...something I've pined over since I was 13 years old. After the movie we went to dinner at The Marietta Fish Market. It was tasty. I had grilled scallops and a glass of Moscato. I'm not entirely sure that was an "appropriate pairing" but who decides that crap anyway. It was an all 'round nice meal with even better company.
The next day we took a trip, thanks to Groupon, to Zoo Atlanta. I had tons of fun taking pictures of all the animals. I finally got to use my telephoto lens that's just been sitting in my bag for ages. I got some cool shots, but my skills needs some fine tuning. One of these days I'll get myself a mentor or take a class. It was a very "educational" trip indeed. As a matter of fact I learned that all Panda Bears are owned my the Chinese government and they decide at which zoos their bears will reside. Also, that if you donate enough money to "Panda Research" you can name a Panda! The baby Panda we saw was named "Po" after that movie, with the bear...that does martial arts. I also verified that I do not speak parselmouth, as none of the snakes in the reptile house magically got through the glass, scared the sense out of a pudgy kid and went to Brazil.
After the zoo we went to a TexMex place called "Tin Lizzy's" and it was super YUM. There was also not enough room in my belly to stuff all the food, so sadly, I had to leave some to the garbage can monster....much to my dismay.
Next on the itinerary, The World of Coca-Cola. This was befitting because Atlanta, GA is the birthplace of Coke and also the work place of none other than my beautiful hostess, Nikki P. Not the white powdery stuff, the soft drink. It was fun to see how it was made, and how Coca-Cola has shaped our culture. For instance (another fact I learned during my "educational" trip) is that Santa Claus as we know him, was created by Coke! Yes, it's true...the fat man with the red jacket is Coke made. I thought it was interesting. The best part of the "Coke Experience" was getting to taste soda from around the world. I can promise you one thing...I will not be having a Beverly in Italy...EVER. That crap was DISGUSTING. Soda tastes a lot different in other parts of the world.
After our Coke outing we went back to Nikki's place, had a power nap and headed to P.F. Chang's. Always delicious. Perhaps my favorite part about this meal, was not the honey chicken, but the reminiscing with an old friend. It's so hard to believe that we've been out of undergrad for over two years. It's hard to believe that we've not been an active part of the USC community or Phi Sigma Pi for that long. It's really rather heartbreaking and made me realize just how fast I'm growing up.
My 24th birthday is on the 25th of this month. I kind of wish time would slow down a little bit. My 20's have definitely been my favorite so far.
I would further like to add this trip to Atlanta, though close in geography, has inspired my travel bug. I want to go EVERYWHERE. Life is for the taking.
I just want to give a special shout out to Nikki P. for being such a gracious and awesome host. I really appreciate you having me and even giving me your ear. I can't wait until next time.
With that I just want to say, "Peace up, A-Town down."
TOMATO, THE HUBS.
...with all the excitement time is slipping by. I can't believe we've almost been doing this for three months. I remember the times you would go to California or to Virginia and I would feel like you were gone for centuries. Time is really flying by, for me at least.
I love you because you sit in that hot desert, dealing with the things you have to deal with while living vicariously through your wife, friends and family members. I never hear you complain. I never hear you say a word in jealously. You are the epitome of what a husband and human should be. I can't wait to kiss your face.
I miss you more every day that you're not here, but I'm thankful for every day that you're gone...because it's one day closer to seeing you again.
ZERO, THE DRAGON.
...is as always, frisbee addicted. I think he's literally worse off than he was before the surgery. He is 90 times more hyper. He's fanatical. I love him.
I just love him so.
Song of the Day
Welcome to Atlanta by Jermaine Dupri
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