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Thursday, April 15, 2010

Thursday Thirteen: Thirteen Things I'm Going To Miss About Atlanta

 I don't know if I ever said this on my blog, but I'm going to leaving Atlanta in the fall, provided I can find gainful employment. I was just thinking about the last 10 years in this city, and realized I'm going to miss some things. Here are 13 of them:

1. Big City Living - There's always somewhere to go, or something to do if you want to. You can live on one side of town, and experience something totally different on the other side of town. I really like the anonymity of the big city. Everybody doesn't know you and you can do your own thing.
2. Music - Frequently there are concerts that come here that you wouldn't find in smaller places. And all the big artists come here too. I've seen Prince, Little Brother, Slum Village, Dwele, The Roots, Jill Scott, Tribe Called Quest, Stevie Wonder among others.  I'm trying to catch Erykah Badu again this summer at Chastain.
3.Tourist Spots - It's cool to sometimes hit up the tourist traps when people come to visit. CNN, Centennial Park, Coke Museum etc. I still need to go to Zoo Atlanta and the Botanical Gardens before I leave.
4. Dekalb Farmer's Market - One of me and Jameil's favorite spots. They have any spice, vegetable, fruit or meat you can think of at great prices.
5. Sports - I've hit the big three: Falcons, Hawks and Braves. I wish I would have taken advantage of this more often. Where ever I eventually land, I hope they have major sports there.
6. Eclectic Neighborhoods - Little Five Points, Decatur (the rich one, not the poor one), Grant Park. I like how they are almost like small towns in the midst of the big city.
7. Georgia Aquarium - I love this place. Been several times and would go several more. The big wall of fish and the Beluga whale exhibit just put me in relaxed state every time.
8. Atlantic Station - I used to go more often when I was going out, but haven't been that much recently. They have shopping, but for me, it's just a cool place to enjoy a restaurant or get a drink and hang out.
9. Strip Clubs - I haven't been to a strip club in a couple of years; an amazing feat considering that I used to be the "Kang of the Strip Club" and there are two within 10 minutes of me. But it's cool knowing that they are there if an impromptu bachelor party pops up.
10.Festivals - Atlanta has frequent festivals like the Taste of Atlanta, Sweet Auburn Fest, or The Dogwood Festival. It's just a cool way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon along with 50,000 of your closest friends.
11. Things Staying Open Late - For real, I can't stand being places where the only thing open is WalMart. I'm a night owl, so I used to just drive around late at night. When I lived in Savannah, if I was out late, it was guaranteed the police would follow me. In ATL, nobody gives it a second thought.
12.The Vortex  - I could have picked a dozen other restaurants, but I think this is the one I'm going to miss the most. The best burgers in Atlanta. An eclectic mix of patrons. I'm sure I'll find a new fave, but I'll sure miss The Vortex.
13. Black People - It's so amazing to be able to see Black people in mass numbers. Black people in positions of power. Black people when you go out. Black people at work. Are you sensing a theme? It'll be a great adjustment going from a majority to a minority.

13 comments:

Ladynay said...

Good luck on the transition to where ever you end up! You can always go back to the ATL to visit some of your favorite spots if you get ATLsick.

Not so Anonymous said...

first of all, congrats on the impending move! I've heard much about the aquarium and I want to visit there the next down there.

Jameil said...

1) i'm w/you on the big city thing!
2) gainesville has a bunch of weird concerts. nothin for me to miss there.
4) LE SIGH!!! :( SO GONNA MISS THIS PLACE!!!
5) I'm sure there'll be sports close enough.
6) oh yeah! def. love these places!
7) i would go w/a kid again but i think 2xs was enough for me.
9) if you write this down as something you'll miss, you're still KANG.
Vortex & things open late. :( SO need this!!
13) not even used to that anymore but i could get re-used to it!!

Nerd Girl said...

Best of luck in your new city!

I so feel you on 13. Whenever I leave MS I am shocked at how few black people I see.

K. Rock said...

I'm born and raised here so I can't imagine living anyplace else. It would suck to have to leave. Love the list. It makes me appreciate my city even more.

1. I stay close to downtown just for this. Too much quiet is creepy.
2. I saw E. Badu at Chastain a couple of years ago and she was awesome.
3. I still haven't been to the new Coke Museum. Myabe this summer.
4. The reason why I could never leave the east side of town. I luv luv luv this place.
5. Still haven't been to a Hawks or Falcons game. Sad.
6. L5P is awesome, but don't hate on us in "poor" Decatur!!
7. It's cool but overpriced. Good for tourists though.
8. Not my type of spot but I can see why people like it.
9.Ummm...can't speak too much to that one.
10. I don't utilize these as much as I should.
11.Things stay open late but not late enough.
12. Heard their burgers were good but amazingly I have never been.
13. Despite the fact that Atl is still one of the most segregated cities in America, I love my people!!

Good luck wherever you find yourself.

Nexgrl said...

I worked at GSU for 6 months, parked across the street from the Coke Museum, and I've never been.

The vast amount of educated Black folks is what feels good about Atl.

Good luck with your new adventure. Who knows, you may even move to Atl again. Like Ladynay said, you can always visit.

Adei von K said...

10 years! wow! well, here's to change :-)

Trish said...

Congrats on the move! I have never been to the aquarium out of the three times I've visited ATL. Another never for me would be the strip club. I like living in a big city too, there is always somrthing to do.

magnoliapeach said...

What is this blasphemy you speak?!!! Leave Atlanta?! For Shame!! LOL!!! We all need change. Any thoughts about where you would like to move?

Gorgeous_Puddin said...

This post made me want to catch a plane immediately. I saw the aquarium on ATL housewives (i know!) And I want to go. Also since I'm a Coke addict umm a whole museum!!! That is a must see! Great post!

12kyle said...

This post reminds me of why I LOVE it here and won't move anywhere else unless I HAVE to. I've been here almost 15 yrs and I can't leave.

#13 Is what brought me here and what will prolly keep me here.

btw...I love the Aquarium. Shoot, I've gone once WITHOUT the kids! LOL

CM said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
CM said...

Definitely hope you land on your feet, wherever you end up. I love your list! It exemplifies most of the reasons why I live here in the first place.