Such a pretty day

I headed into Atlanta early this morning to have my hair cut (um, fixed). I always enjoy the perimeter area on Saturday mornings. It is so much more peaceful than my past experience of driving through rush hour traffic on week days.

On my way back out of town, I stopped at the Chattahoochee river to take a few pictures. It was packed with bikers, runners, walkers and little kids playing on the playground near the river.

These little guys let me get right up to them, but kept a watchful eye. I have a wide angle lens so I had to get a little closer than I wanted. They let me sit next to them for a solid 15 minutes. It seemed like they felt pretty safe with me around.

I never noticed geese standing on only one leg in the past. All of them that I observed were hangin' out with their left leg tucked up to their belly.

There is a boat rental area next to the river. I'm thinking this would be fun to try one weekend.

Read more...

The trailer's out!

The movie Killers staring Katherine Heigl and Aston Kutcher was partially shot in our neighborhood last May. Somehow I totally missed blogging about it. The trailer just came out for the movie, and it looks really good!

Here are some pictures that we took during the time they week or so that they here in May of 2009.

All of the trailers and set equipment behind me...

Rob Luketic also directed the movie 21. The Cadillac in the photo below transported Rob back and forth between the clubhouse (trailers) and the set for the week. Note Jay standing right behind it to get a glimpse of him. He's a huge fan. Actually, there were two Caddys that transported Aston and Catherine back and forth from the trailers to the set as well as the Director. The guy in the orange shirt walking toward the car was close with the director, possibly his Assistant? He definitely went wherever he wanted.

I can't even begin to describe how much work goes into movie production. I spent hours talking to the set crew who were working hours on end. One particular staff member, who was working on the explosions (in a fire hydrant crash scene), told me that it takes over 24 hours of set up the effects to produce less than one minute in a movie. The entire set crew staff were running non-stop, perfecting the lighting, sound, equipment, and everything else. These people work hard!!!

This Volvo crashed three fences at once. It was en enormous production that took a day and a half or so just to set up. The crew tore down our neighbors original fence, rebuilt it with their set materials, and finally crashed through it. Once the shot was set up, they had one chance to get it right. Let's just say they were very serious about everyone being quiet and keeping out of the cameras views. Poor Volvo, it was completely destroyed afterward.

Ashton and Katherine's stunt doubles getting ready to scale the fence.

Ashton stood in between the houses and ran into the scene. It was around 3:30a.m. in the morning when I took this picture so I'm not sure if it was me or the camera that couldn't handle the scene. (Hello, it's Ashton Kutcher! He's too cute.)

I'm especially excited to see this movie. It comes out June 4th!

Read more...

Monet & Louvre Exhibits @ The High Museum

With Michelle on a break before she started her Fall classes, we decided to visit the High Museum - specifically the Monet & the Louvre exhibits. While both exhibits were ok, it really made us appreciate our time in Paris (see here and here) - specifically the REAL Louvre as well as the Musee de Orsay.

Walking over for some lunch before we tour the exhibits

Ready to go in...

There was a smaller version of one of Michelle's favorite paintings - the Coronation of Napoleon and Josephine in Notre Dame Cathedral - it was a reproduction in an 8x10 size...sore disappointment for Michelle.

This is a picture of Michelle looking at the real one...

Read more...

42nd Street

I have always loved plays - it started back when I went to the first one in college during a fraternity formal. We saw Miss Saigon in Detroit, MI. It was the most awe-inspiring performance, and it made me want to see more. The next performance I saw was the Phantom of the Opera in San Francisco, courtesy of my Aunt Gloria during a spring break visit to her house.

Recently I had a school break and wanted to do some activities that I knew I would really enjoy. We spent the whole weekend going out to dinner, shopping, attending exhibits in Atlanta and THEN hit 42nd street at the Fox Theater in downtown Atlanta on a Sunday afternoon. The theater area is beautiful - the building is an older structure that was erected in the 1920's - it is smaller than the other theater's I've visited but is lined with red velvet chairs and stars on the dark ceiling. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that after our long weekend, at one point during the performance Jay was nudging me in the side and said, "Are you ASLEEP?" I made such a big deal about getting him to attend, then was so worn out that I was resting in my hand and appearing very tired (that's the story and I'm sticking to it!). 42nd was a great show, and I'm really looking forward to the night when my parents join us for the Rockettes later this fall.

Leaving the house

Driving down Peachtree Street

The sign is hard to get a picture of, although it's an Atlanta favorite

Standing in front of the sign walking in

and again...

My favorite picture of the Fox

Read more...

West Georgia Greek Gala @ the World of Coca Cola

My position as President of my Fraternity's Alumni Association has its perks. Last night Michelle and I were invited to the Greek Gala for the West Georgia Stadium Campaign.

The event was held at the New World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta. It is a really impressive venue, right next door to the Georgia Aquarium.

There were about 200 UWG Greek Alumni & spouses, and Pi Kappa Alpha won the Greek Cup by having the highest representation. This is nothing new for my chapter - as we win everything.

The event was a great success, as building a football stadium for West Georgia is the next step in my Alma Mater's evolution - as a University as well as to Division 1 athletics. Michelle and I had a great time - the food was good (but scarce), the bar was open, and the company was excellent.

Read more...