XX Giochi Olimpici Invernali

Trying to brush up on my [lack of] knowledge of the Italian language. Last night we watched some of the closing ceremonies of Barcelona...Maynard Jackson (now of ATL Airport fame) was handed the Olympic flag...wow...that was a long time ago.

There's a house down the street that is TOTALLY decked out for Mardi Gras. I might have talked about this before, but I didn't know until now they had bunting & gold, purple & green lights on their back porch. This is the same house that went all out for both Christmas and Halloween...you know they're going to hang eggs in the trees for Easter as well.

I'll sure be glad when this week is over. The weeks last WAY too long & the weekend is way too short.

Something I hadn't thought about in a while, or seen since High School: The BAT BRIDGE (see especially the 2nd paragragh.

Cool name of the day: Bonne Carre Spillway.

UPDATE: More thoughts:
1) For those confused about Mardi Gras: MG is a day...the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Carnival Season, often thought of as "Mardi Gras", lasts from January 6, Twelfth Night/Epiphany, until Mardi Gras Day. The high "season", is generally about a week before MG Day, and that's when people go to NOLA & see parades.

2) If you didn't know by now, I LOVE the Olympics...everything...from the cheesy openings by Bob Costas every night (he has to wax the poetic & show a bunch of scenic shots), to curling (I think I finally figured out the rules after the 2002 Salt Lake games), to Dick Enberg's Moments to skiing to the Italian national athem (it's pretty cool). 10 days baby!

3) Did anyone see Men with Brooms? I think I want to Netflix it.

Good Mornin' Peaches

That comes a la Moby in the Morning on North Georgia Country WNGC out of Athens (The Biggest Small Town in the World) & Gainesville. Another Monday morning. It's nice now, but supposed to rain later.

I'll be a lot better off when the week is over. I am not looking forward at all to going to the Hearing on Wednesday. I'm going to prepare like crazy the next two days for this. You know that sinking feeling in your stomach where you are dreading something, even though you know almost for sure that it won't be nearly as bad as you think it will be. Argh. If I can only make it another 50 hours or so.

Olympics: Speaking of time, it turns out that Torino is 6 hours different than Eastern Standard Time. Therefore when I get up in the morning around 7, it'll already been 1 PM. No word yet on whether NBC will do it's dual website yet, w/one w/real time results & one w/"TV time" results (so no spoilers). Since this is my 1st Olympics at work, it'll be tough not to peek. Katie (Couric) & Matt (Lauer) are still in the studios. I guess they will get to Italy either on Wednesday (2/1) or next Monday (the week of the Games).

Football: Does anyone really care whether Pittsburgh or Seattle wins, except for those 2 cities? Why is it every year I could care less about the 2 teams???

Question of the day: I'm going to install uplighting on the front of the house. I have the option of using 10, 20, 36 or 50 watt spotlights. What is the appropriate wattage to light a two-story house? I've not been able to find a definitive answer anywhere. I'm leaning on either 36 or 50.

UPDATE: The promised storms are rolling through the Metro area...nothing huge it doesn't appear, but maybe some street flooding on the low sections. As long as it's not as bad as it was when Ivan rolled through in September 2004, we'll be okay.

Lazy Sunday

Still trying to recover from Texas Hold 'Em last night in East Atlanta. FYI, a Kegerator in your basement is a great idea. UVa suffered a crushing defeat by Duke in Durham, NC, but we did beat UNC & MIA in the same week, so not too sad. We watched Carolina win big though w/friends & that was fun. Current ACC standings.

Someone in our neighborhood is sporting a Louisiana state flag...I wonder who that is. I see Texas flags around occasionally, but this is the first one from the Pelican State I've seen. We've got our Mardi Gras decorations up, but currently no flag.




















Probably going to lay around the house today, maybe watch some DIY shows & then Carrabas for dinner!!!

RANDOM: Does anyone know how Wedding Crashers ends? I saw the first 1 1/2 hours but I need to see the rest. I guess Netflix it then!

Texas Time Travelin'

Ever wonder what things would be like if you'd make one different choice in life (a la Sliding Doors)? I was thinking this morning on the way in, listening to Cory Morrow, that if I'd gone to Southern Millionaires...I mean Methodist University how my life would be different...like:
1) I'd be in no debt whatsoever, instead of sending a hefty check to Emory each month (yet they still hit me up for donations!).
2) We'd have a house in Irving or North Dallas instead of the Upper West Side of Midtown (I know the UWS is a stupid name, but that's what the A.J.C. calls us now).
3) My sister might be at University of Texas instead of University of Georgia (and she's probably have big hair).
4) I'd take the Stemmons Freeway to work and take the LBJ or the George Bush Tollway to the Galleria.
5) Instead of taking our dog to Piedmont Park and the Silver Comet Trial, we'd take him to Lake Lewisville or White Rock Lake.
6) We'd be American Airlines customers instead of Delta customers (Remember: You can't go to hell in the south without connecting through Atlanta).
7) We might be riding the brand new DART rail around instead of trying to avoid MARTA (It's not really smarta).

Olympic update: Apparently Torino is suffering from a lack of snow. See HERE. Apparently they're supposed to get about a foot. I'm not worried though. I think it was Lillehammer that was in a snow-drought but then a few days before the '94 Games it started snowing like gangbusters. Also in Innsbruck (I think) the Soldiers had to truck snow in from other mountains.

Finally, any bets on the actual start date for the 2006 Hurricane Season? Alberto is the 1st up to bat. The "official" date is only 125 days away.

UPDATE: Off to Atlantic Station for some Martini's...yeah. Probably in the clean car too.

T - 15 Days Until Torino

1) I've been fighting w/our company's parking service about my scratched bumper. We have "valet" parking, which really just seems like an excuse for them to drive my car recklessly. Every time I call, they say they'll get "right back to me". The scratch is not that bad, so it shouldn't be that expensive. It would seem to me that they'd want it taken care of & me out of their hair....argh.

2) Last night I had a dream that one morning I woke up and my parents and I decided to head down to NOLA for Mardi Gras. We didn't head towards the parade route until about 1 PM, but I was still determined to get a coveted spot on Lee Circle (as I've done the last two MG's I went to). My dad insisted on going to the French Quarter though, which I think is a pain during MG b/c it's so crowded. What does this dream mean??? In reality I much prefer going out early (~ 8 AM), getting a prime spot on the outside of Lee Circle, sitting in some folding chairs w/a cooler & enjoying the day. The beads almost fall in your lap!

3) I looked last night on my computer for the CBS Olympic theme, last played in Nagano. They didn't have it. My wife decided though it's better than Bugler's Dream on NBC (although I don't know if I'd go that far). In any event we ended up watching highlights from '94 Lillehammer. I hadn't edited out the commercials & they were hilarious...a Sprint commercial (not PCS, just Spring (the pin drop and Murphy Brown)) & Prodigy to get you online....does Prodigy still exist? Lastly there was a commercial for the Texas lottery & Randalls...blasts from the past from my West Lake Hills (TX) days.

Overseeded Yard

Best Olympics Since 1988?

As promised, below is the countdown...first a few random things:

1) Last night I went & hung out in the 30022 & the 30097...yep that's right Alpharetta & Duluth, Georgia. Granted A'retta is in the same county I live in, but it was 29 miles away & I had to cross county lines 5 times...For those that don't know, northern Fulton County used to be Milton County (I think the county line was the 'Hooch) back before the Depression when it merged (but now the North Fultonians are clamoring to secede again)...I think those in A'retta, Roswell, Mountain Park, etc., should have to put N. Fulton on their tags to not confuse them w/the rest of us that pay to live inside the Perimeter. In any event, it was fun...Barnacles is an ADD dream...I literally watched about 10 shows at one time. There are more TV's in there than a Circuit City.

2) I "discovered" in my car's CD player Cory Morrow's "The Man That I've Been" CD. My dad copied it for me during Christmas & I forgot it was in there. I love Texas Time Traveler and Nashville Blues:

...Well I moved back to Austin to try to make a living But it ain't been so easy with those hill country women...

3) Now for the Countdown: "worst" to best:

10) Seoul 1988 (Summer): I honestly don't remember much of it except watching Boxing in my parent's room. I do remember a bunch of controversy though w/drugs. Drink pairing: Rice wine?
9) Nagano 1998 (Winter): This was one of those time zone nightmares where I kept hearing things b/c they had happened sometimes 18 hours before they were shown on television. Also, I was a 1st year in college & pledging so I couldn't watch the entire time I wanted to. Drink pairing: Saki
8) Athens 2004 (Summer): I was getting married during these games, & for one week I was on my honeymoon in California...they show some stuff there live and some 3 hours tape delayed so it was tricky. The water & the rings of fire (burn burn burn...haha) were really cool in the Opening Ceremonies though. Drink pairing: Orzo (sp?)
7) Barcelona 1992 (Summer): I think of these as the "Janet Evans" Olympics. The archer lighting the torch was really cool, and I was one of the few that liked Izzy when he was presented in the Atlanta portion of the Openings. Drink pairing: Sangria
6) Sydney 2000 (Summer): I love everything Australian and those folks know how to do a fun Olympics. We were living across from the frat house at the time so I had to go there to watch some channels. The accents were cool. Drink pairing: Fosters (Australian for beer)
5) Calgary 1988 (Winter): These were the first Olympics I remember. Not much about it except for the Saddledome and how I got hooked from there on. Eh? Drink pairing: Molsons
4) Albertville 1992 (Winter): I many people (including me) don't really like the French, but they know how to do an Olympics. Remember the bubble-people introducing the countries and the rhymes (i.e. Over the hills they cover the miles, the team from the Dutch West Indian Isles)? Drink pairing: Merlot
3) Lillehammer 1994 (Winter): This was probably the best organized Olympics, & they have cool names for everything. The Olympic Late Night w/Pat O'Brien was cool b/c it gave a good taste of the nightlife & just goofing around. CBS did a great job on the Olympics & I want to go to Norway. (Plus remember the Ice Block Medal Stands?) Drink pairing: Hot toddy
2) Salt Lake City 2002 (Winter): This may be biased, but I've been there (including 2 weeks before the Games) & was excited to see them host an Olympics. I watched about every minute of these games. The Roots berets, the Skating Pairs Controversy and the Medals Stand. Drink pairing: Jello shots (Utah consumes more Jello per capita than any other city)
1) Atlanta 1996 (Summer): Another controversial choice, but Atlanta did great w/what they had, plus I've now seen about all the venues. I loved the Intro, when NBC panned over the trees & eventually panned up to show the Skyline. Also the Openings detailing the history of the South, and the rousing rendition of Georgia on My Mind was cool. Drink pairing: Mint juleps (although that's more a Kentucky drink, I know).

UPDATE: If anyone could help me on the following issues, I'd appreciate:
1) I'm currently in the market for exterior shutters. I've gotten bids ranging from $350 to $2500 for raised paneled shutters ranging in materials from plastic to foam to acrylic to wood. Anyone have any ideas?
2) I also have a brick planter, built by a previous owner, that is right against our Hardi-Plank siding. I was going to get a waterproof moisture barrier to put between the wall and the siding to keep the water (and some dirt) from seeping between the planter and the inside of the garage. Will this work?

Yard of the Month

I decided to overseed my yard this year. Everyone seems to think it was a huge production but in reality it took me about 20 minutes to spread all the seed. Granted I do have to mow it every week all winter, but I'd have to spend about that much time raking the leaves, so it comes out about even. In any event I have the one green lawn in my neighborhood, which is kind of cool. It came out spotty this year, but: a) I planted it too soon (in early October...I'll wait until Halloween next year), and it was so warm in late October/early November that our Bermuda grass didn't go dormant until late, and so the Rye and the Bermuda were competing. Next year I'll have a yard worthy of an Ansley Golf Club green.

That got me thinking this morning about what I'd do if I lived in New Orleans...I recently read an article in the Times-Picayune about a man in Lakeview that had fixed up his whole house even though his neighbors hadn't even moved back into the city. That included landscaping and all. Can you imagine if everyone did that? My wife is a Historic Preservation nut (in a good way), and if everyone took the initiative, that city would be back and better than ever in no time. I don't know how many people have gone down there, but it is a dirty city...maybe that will change.

Speaking of which, I really want to go to Mardi Gras this year. I went to MG '01 & '04. In 2004 we stayed at the Renaissance Arts, which was really nice, but has gotten pricey as of late. If anyone has any good ideas, let me know. My wife will only go if we stay at Le Pavillon, but I don't know if it's open and/or if it has any availability at the end of February. Mmm...King Cake & Hurricanes.

Here's some music I've been listening to now (in no particular order):
1) Corrow Morrow: Straight to Hell (remake of Atlanta band Drivin' & Cryin')
2) Paul Soniat: Ritch Bitch from the Garden District (Her daddy was a member of the Boston Club; He was Rex 1972)
3) Better Than Ezra: Southern Thing (M-I-crooked letter-crooked letter)
4) Johnny Cash: Jackson (We downloaded this song before we went to Jackson for a wedding, and now it's been remade for Walk the Line, which I still haven't seen yet).
5) Mardi Gras Mambo: A seasonal classic (Speaking of which, I'm waiting for Comcast to switch their Sounds of the Season over to Jazzy type stuff).

Something interesting I didn't know much about: Hurricane Pam

UDPATE: I'd uploaded my Summon the Heroes Olympic CD into my IPOD and had it cranked up at lunch while lifting. I used to do the same thing while erging in High School. That got me thinking. I am going to do a best-of Olympics post, ranking all Winter & Summer games (together) from 1988 Calgary on. Any input is appreciated.

Random fact: Did you know the International Poultry Expo is in town? Neither did I until just now when I saw the signs on the lamposts on Peachtree.

How you Makin?

I took in my Infiniti today for a "Check Engine Soon" light...hopefully it's not big deal but you can never be sure....scary stuff.

It's also raining again here...I just learned that Atlanta is one of the rainiest cities in America. When I moved here in 2001 there was a drought, but now I definitely believe it. I just wish the temperature would drop about 20 degrees and we'd get some snow...there'd be a lot of snow if this rain all changed over. That means the entire city would shut down.

Housewives & Grey's Anatomy was good last night...I only recently realized that G.A. is a takeoff on the textbook Gray's Anatomy...a little slow there. I've decided for the week that Addison Shepherd is the hottest one on the show....and that our next door neighbor looks like O'Malley (sorry about any spelling mistakes).

It's too bad that there's no Monday night football on. I realize how little television there actually is on...especially on the weekends when you actually have the time and desire to watch television. We ended up watching a show about "flipping" houses though...interesting stuff...if I had an extra $250,000 lying around, I'd definitely buy up some cheap property in "up & coming" Atlanta neighborhoods (West Atlanta, Kirkwood, College Park) & fix them up...although I think I'd do a little more than slap granite down everywhere...when we looked at houses it was painfully obvious when the renovator thought that was "updating" the house.

UPDATE: Apparently some creek up near Norcross is flooding...at least until 4 this afternoon...I wish it would stop raining.

Random question

Anyone have any ideas how to get rid of Aphids from Pansies? I just noticed them today.

So I decided last night over Margaritas that I'm starting a blog...people who know me know that I'm kinda random, so expect anything. I love the Weather Channel though and traveling, so expect heavy doses of those things...football will come in more later when college starts up again (in 8 months).

Some of the things I may be talking about:
1) New Orleans: Although I'm not from there, I have many good friends from the city and the North Shore and I think it's very interesting what has happened and how they are recovering. I often listen to WWL on the Internet and am fascinated how people are rebuilding.

2) Home Improvement: I've always got a project up my sleeve, and will be talking about what I'm doing and hoping for suggestions. Right now I'm repainting my garage (well actually waiting for the paint on the floor to dry so we can pull the cars back in). Upcoming includes landscape lighting and maybe even a sprinkler system.

3) Weather: Not that we're having anything currently, but snowstorms, hurricanes, etc. etc. I love snow and miss it, but in Atlanta, there's not much to hope for.

4) Travel & Geography: People say I know just about every zip code and area code in America, so I'll be talking about it as the mood strikes me. No trips planned, but if anything is upcoming, I'll let you know.

5) Olympics: Torino is in less than 3 weeks. I've been watching the Olympics obsessively since Calgary 1988. I don't know why I like them, but I do. Especially the Winter Games. As I said I love snow. I love curling too, although I don't know much about it, except that it's Canadian and you can drink and play @ the same time.

6) Football: Here's for hoping that the Hoos have a good season finally this year!

This list is definitely NOT exclusive.