On a recent trip to the North Georgia wine country for a friend’s nuptials, I had the pleasure to spend one crazy night in our fine state’s “Golden City.” Dahlonega earned this nickname not--as you might have imagined--for its modern day attractions where kids pan gold flecks and semi precious stones on weekend outings with mom and dad, but because it was the site of the first major American gold rush. These days, the area’s natural beauty, abundant wineries and rich history attract approximately 2 million visitors annually. But for a city that relies heavily on...
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I must admit...
Continue readingBetter late than never (as they say). So much for keeping up with the speed of social media following, you guessed it, a social media conference. To all my clients...
Continue readingI’ve often thought of writing a series of travel books called, “Have Kid. Will Travel.” Why? I’m glad you asked. While I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a jet setter, I have done a bit of globetrotting in my day. But, whether hitting the cobblestone streets of London solo or kayaking with friends atop the second largest barrier reef in the world, I rarely take my son along for the ride. Still, he’s never been very far from my mind on my travels, and there are plenty of trips I’d like to retake with him. Now, I...
Continue readingThose of you who are regular readers know I tend to keep this blog pretty light hearted, but a string of recent events that fly in the face of equality have pushed me to the brink of sanity. So, as a call to arms, this is part one of what will likely be a series of more politically charged blog entries: Earlier this week, in a 3-2 vote of the Georgia House Judiciary subcommittee, a bill that would protect state employees from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity was tabled thanks in large...
Continue readingIt’s easy to get overwhelmed by nostalgia this time of year, and I’m certainly not immune to the occasional bit of wistful recollection … despite my typically snarky cynicism … as December begins and we roll full steam into the holiday season. For the last few years, this sense of sentimentality has been compounded by the passing of my grandpa Pruden since his birthday falls on December 7. Still, if there’s one thing I’ve always known about Pru (as his friends affectionately called him), it’s that he was the kind of guy who liked to...
Continue readingMusic Midtown was an Atlanta icon for more than a decade, attracting hundreds of thousands of concert goers during its eclectic multi day, multi stage heyday. Finally, after six years of mourning our fallen idol and licking our collective wounds, Peter Conlon and his merry band of musical miscreants and rhythmic rebel rousers have resurrected the proud festival tradition that is Music Midtown! Sure, this year’s version was only one day, two stages and 10 bands, so maybe it wasn’t quite the rise from the ashes some local bloggers and journalists had prayed it would be....
Continue readingSomewhere a village is missing its idiot - NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. I think I can speak for all Atlanta residents when I beg said village to please, for the love of all things holy, take back its rightful idiot. Here in Atlanta, we already have our own idiots in the form of Atlanta Spirit Group owners and manager Michael Gearon, Bruce Levenson, Don Waddell and the rest of their cronies. Because we already are laden down with idiots here in Atlanta, we really don’t have the resources to adopt your idiot too. It seems that...
Continue readingLet’s get one thing straight: I live in Atlanta because I hate the cold. Believe me, it’s not the easy traffic, clean air and kind people that have kept me here all these years (although I do have some pretty amazing friends in town). The traffic is some of the worst in the world, we spend more time on smog alert than Homeland Security does on orange and most of the transplants don’t have one iota of that much reputed Southern charm you always hear about - especially when driving through the smog blanketed city....
Continue readingInstead of succumbing to the usual Thanksgiving helter skelter, I jetted off with my parents and my son to Herron Hill Villa on Great Exuma, Bahamas (thanks to my pal Scott Lowman for the use of his place). Another stamp in the passport, another round of vacation related injuries, and I’m back in time for the holidays only a little worse for wear. As usual, I came back from the trip with a few lessons learned, a few friends made and a few days of recovery time ahead of me. As poet Moslih Eddin Saadi...
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