I spent several extremely hot hours at the Brewhouse Cafe for a chance to join a large contingent of Spainards (my wife and son included) watching the UEFA Cup 2008. Spain defeated Germany in the final 1-0. Why does this deserve a post you ask? It was standing room only as you can see below...
Viva Espana!
Maria and I are at Philips Arena. Chris Daughtry just ended. Bon Jovi's about to begin. Not a bad Thursday night if I do say so myself.
Went to Chastain Amphitheater last night to see the incomparable Mr Carlos Santana. It capped a very busy Saturday, more to come on that.
See the whole album here.
This year, Easter weekend was simply fantastic!
Today marked a special Easter in our family in that it was also a celebration of my God son's first birthday. Oh, he's a right handsome little man.
We enjoyed a great afternoon of sunshine and egg hunting and then a late lunch with all the local cousins back inside. Here's my God son again, this time with me.
And lest I forget, here's my beautiful daughter Hailey in all of her Easter dress splendor.
I tell you, there's just something great about the circus.
For the last several years my little family has had the privilege of seeing Barnum and Bailey at Philips Arena. Historically we have been guests of a friend and associate with tickets through his company. In fact, it was with my host Aric and his family that I saw the B&B circus for the very first time. This year we moved from an upper suite to seats--no joking-- third row, center ring.
I've always taken some photos of the show but this year they are, if I may humbly say so, better than ever. The total number of shots was over 250 but these represent the best. It creates a story line that really helps highlight the experience.
These are the acrobats from the circus.
 And these are the acrobats we took home after the show. |
| From Barnum and Ba... |
8:45pm on a Friday night. But this isn't any ordinary weekend. No, this is a Hailey birthday/Superbowl weekend extravaganza! Tonight I've already been to the K-1 cheerleader end-of-season party. Fuddruckers may never recover from the chaos that a couple of dozen little girls created.
And folks, that's the warmup.
I fully expect to be up with the sun to either cook or take Hailey a mega-breakfast. It's gonna be french toast or pancakes or waffles or some such. Mmm...
Later in the day will be a gymnastics-themed party with a gym filled with kids. Some of my "dad crew" will be there so it will probably be as great for me as it is for her!
Sunday... Oh, Sunday. Too much to deep-dive into so let's go bullet points:
This morning we went to Hailey's school for assembly. We were there to watch her receive an award for the virtue patience. I have not been to one of these events in a while and it was a real treat. Here's why:
The school gym was filled with exuberant voices of students from kindergarten to 8th grade. As the assembly began they all rose to their feet for prayer and to respond to readings from the Bible. It was amazing to hear these hundreds of children with their voices raised in unison in prayer. Later, as a special treat, the 2nd grade class recited a famous old Irish blessing. Their tender voices were so humble.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
What a day today. The snow was awesome and it deserved to be captured and shared. I would love to take credit for the video and fun but all the props go to Maria.
The music, "Snow" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is a bit loud when viewing the video. Enjoy!
Hailey and Maria were asked to read one of the Prayers of the Faithful in Spanish at IHM's international. The prayers included other moms, dads and students reading in their native languages. There were prayers in French, German, Italian, Swedish and Russian. Hailey did a great job with her prayer. We were all really proud of her.
This is a cross-post reply on Samae's Live Journal that I felt was so good that I should share it on my own actual blog.
Here is something that I learned from a mutual friend to beat down a cold. Maybe it can better be described as having five days of cold in one day. The secret? Hot wings. I know I know, but bear with me here. Here's the story...
I am home sick as a dang dog when my good, single friend calls. He is in town and wants to go out. Man, I don't think I have it in me but we don't get to hang out nearly enough and that gets me out of bed and into the car.
On this particular adventure, he tells me he's got my solution and drives me to Three Dollar Cafe in the heart of Buckhead. There we proceed to order a 14 inch pizza pie dish absolutely heaping with their hottest wings. He drinks beer and I water (concerned mostly with the pain about to come and not wanting to mix meds and alcohol). Note here that I have no appetite and have not had anything substantial to eat in a couple of days. We get started.
Three wings in and I am already a mess. I am forcing them down amidst flaming lips, tearing eyes and a veritable attack of yuck from my now streaming nostrils. We continue to plow through wings, napkins, and so much water (for me) that the waitress gives in and leaves me a
pitcher. The guy at the table across from us, at first confused by my efforts, is now having a great time watching me suffer. OMG, I am gonna freakin' die...
Somehow, some way, in all the noise and pain and mess we make it to the end of fifty wings. The paper towel roll is empty as is the pitcher. The pizza tin is now a giant pile of bones and refuse, larger than the original meal.
Wait a minute, I can breathe! Not feeling the best but recognizing that something has seriously changed, I do opt for one 7N7 (my drink back then). My friend has mercy on me (as far as I can recall now) and takes me home.
Later that night, well let's just say that I'd sufficiently scalded my insides that I felt another painful burn.
(1) A basket of the hottest hot wings the restaurant prepares.
(2) A large cup and a ice-laden pitcher of water.
(3) A full roll of paper towels.
(4) Skip the drink and go straight home to your bathroom.
(5) Hit the sheets immediately after.
(6) Wake up, steaming hot shower, and get on with your life.
Superbowl--schmooperbowl. We've got BIRTHDAYS!
Hailey had her birthday party today at Jumpin' Jamboree, an indoor play gym. It was GREAT! Here is Hailey way up on top of one of the inflatables.
Later on there was pizza, cake and drinks.
Here is the "oldie but a goodie" song "Happy Birthday (Hailey)"
Happy Birthday Hailey!
My sister and her family came into town today to do a few things around Atlanta related to their home building project. All of that pales in comparison to what we did tonight.
Around 6pm or so we headed up to Discover Mills in Lawrenceville to do something I've wanted to do since it opened: go to Medieval Times. Yeah! So we shell out the big bucks for tickets and head in.
First let me tell you that this place holds about a thousand people. The stage is a giant oval and the whole seating area is only about 6 rows high. That means that every seat is a good seat--Hazzah! Their plates and bowls are metal--and there are no utensils. Everyone inside is in character from the beer wenches to the King. The show is a massively choreographed event meticulously timed to the lights and music. I don't want to tell you the details of the show but suffice to say that the 2+ hour event is pretty cool.
So, advice.
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| From Medieval Time... |
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| From Medieval Time... |
I figured I'd follow up on what DragonCon "feels" like to it's loyal fans versus was it may "look" like to the public.
The feel:
The look:
Ahh, good times...
While I've not personally been to this local Atlanta phenomenon, DragonCon touts itself as the largest science fiction, fantasy, comics and gaming convention in the Southeast. As I understand it, along with a few stars of these genres, the highlights each year also include things like a film festival and costume contests aand an art show. There are also lots of fan attendees in costume as a search on the internet for "dragoncon pictures" will show.
The event starts Friday, September 1 and goes through Labor Day and is so large it takes up three hotels: The Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the Hyatt Regency Atlanta and the Atlanta Hilton.
Flickr: Photos from Ashley in Atlanta
Last Saturday we took the wife and kids along with my sister and her family to my company picnic. Well, picnic is one way to look at it. This year the event was held at the new Georgia Aquarium here in Atlanta. They served lunch for 2,000 in the ballroom and then we spent the rest of the afternoon in the exhibit halls. It was really, really crowded so my general advice would be to go on a weekday.
This month my Granny Hardin celebrates her 80th Birthday. On a recent trip to Atlanta, here she is with the Grandkids from the Miller/Morgan side of the family. Left to right: Jaycee, Hailey, Granny Hardin, Ashley and Chance. To see some additional pictures of this day you can go to our gallery page.
Today we had a very special day. Michael and Bradd, two of my long time friends from back when we all lived in the same town growing up, came into town for a visit. We were lucky enough to have them over to the house for lunch with me and the Family. It was great catching up with each other. Even though we all have changed a lot over the years, it was like old times as the jokes and stories helped us enjoy each other's company.
Last Saturday we took the family to the Fernbank Science Museum in Atlanta. Here is a picture of Chance, Jaycee and Hailey in front of the T-Rex skeleton. A photo complete photo gallery can be found here.
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