"Hotlanta" is no joke
I made it through another DC "snowstorm" safe and sound to the ATL, if not a little late. On my flight was a female version of John Candy's character from the movie "Trains, Planes and Automobiles," who felt she had to declare loudly to the cabin exactly what I was doing. "You're takiing out a book! Oh look, an iPod! Wow, who still listens to Grace Jones?" And while I tried to read and ignore her, she interpreted it as a cry for help and talked at me for the entire trip. I was exhausted upon arrival. A few observations while I'm here:
- They're not big on street signs in Atlanta. I got lost;
- Every time I turn on the radio they're playing Beyonce. Not a problem with me but it could annoy others;
- People in the service industry don't snarl at you or resent your presence like they do in DC;
- The average resident seems to be outwardly friendly, but I hear that's just fake Southern gentry. Still, I buy it cuz I'm from the North and don't know any better;
- Every building in Atlanta has the temperature set to the high 80s if not into the 90's. I'm constantly sweating here.
I think I was born with a rare birth defect called a metabolism. You see, it causes me to produce my own heat internally, so excessive external heating is unnecessary to me. If yer cold put on a sweater, dammit!
My conference is at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which features The Global Health Odyssey Museum. There's actually a fascinating exhibit featuring original artwork from the book Outbreak! Plagues That Changed History by Bryn Barnard. Interesting stuff, I hope we're not due for a plague anytime soon.
Since I've been gone, Beaker visited DC, a new Dune movie is in the works, and ABC confirmed plans for a new 'V' series.
May we all gulp down guinea pigs in anticipation.
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Of course they don't need street signs in Atlanta . . . everything is called "Peachtree."
Wow, another Dune movie! You always have the best entertainment news, Jimbo.
We are so due for a plague, like right now. But I'm sure you knew that.
I have my own sweater I grew myself. I wear it everywhere and am rarely cold.
Beaker has always been an idol.
Am looking forward to see how the "V" series turns out.
New Dune? Cool! I thought that Sci-Fi did a pretty good job with their two miniseries, but I'd love to see a big budget treatment.
V sounds good, too, but I doubt it will have the camp grandeur of the original...
Awww, the fat lady on the airplane just thought your were HOT and wanted to ask you on a date, big guy! ;-P
Southern hospitality is not fake! I swear.
About 10 years ago, I bumped into this guy at Backstreet, and I politely apologized and said "Excuse me." He was from outta town, and he was floored at how polite I was. So I took him home and fucked him.
No matter how much clothing I put on in the winter I am always cold and they keep my work building like an icebox... I wish summer would hurry up and get here... at least their cheapness goes both ways and don't crank up the air conditioner.
That was very nice of you to do, Chris.
Yes, the streets in Atlanta are really screwed up- sometimes the same two streets will intersect twice (we're not big on grids here).
People here are actually very friendly. It still freaks me out when the cashier at Publix starts up a casual conversation with me. If you want to see how truly friendly the locals are, stop into Woofs sometime.
I always wear a short sleeve shirt here and then add layers for cold- even at work. Everyone seems to have very thin blood (or maybe poor circulation from clogged arteries?).
I hope you had a good visit!