The “grape lady” in this video is in fact me. While I do not appreciate the comments of those finding my pain “laughable”, I do, to a degree, enjoy this extra bit of infamy online. While as crude as most of you are, you are also allowing me to live on forever in this online world.

And yes it hurt - alot.

Here’s the carnage.

It’s just as true about the truly ex-urb nature of the OTP crowd as well. Folks have to get in a car.

Now the beltline is a good step to start attracting folks in-town and our own james has turned me around about using Marta more regularly (which would rate as “at all” for things not involving the airport of seeing the Braves, Hawks, Falcons or Thrashers) but what people really get moving for is Tennis.

Follow with me.

ALTA is purportedly the world’s largest member tennis organization, the largest recreational community tennis league in the world, says WikiPedia, though a citation is needed.

In any case, folks will drive to play tennis. They will come to tennis facilities in the city to play their matches. My folks, who live in Newnan (charitably an Atlanta suburb), play at least one or two matches at Bitsy Grant each season.

So with all the budgetary problems in the City of Atlanta why not just ask ALTA (or tell them) to pay more to use these public facilities? Why have a dark day when you can charge an incremental fee for those folks who don’t actually live in the city but use the facilities?

I’m not the first person to suggest that suburbanites like myself who work in the city contribute in some way financially (I’m not sure taxation is the right nomenclature here, but it’ll do) to support the infrastructure that benefits their lifestyle. It would make sense that if the city can’t keep up the facilities on their current base then they should either scrap the courts (which is overreaching), close on some days (the current plan) or figure out an alternative source of revenue to keep them open.

The one defining characteristic of Atlantans - at least all the ones I knew in the suburbs as a child and the ones I work with now as an adult - they ALL eventually play tennis for at least a season or two.

I’m no economist or pundit but it seems to me that if there’s an issue that would really get folks who normally don’t think about City of Atlanta problems (other than to complain about crime or congestion), tennis is your ticket (racket?) to think about their impact and role within the city itself and not just as an interloper.

But what do I know? I’m trying to solve a shortfall through tennis. I need my head examined.

Climb on your own soapbox in the comments and rail against suburbanites like me, the Mayor’s office or tennis. We don’t mind; we encourage it.

1. Kangaroo Attacked the Zoo Keeper

It’s over pretty quickly and the zoo keeper got away w/ only some bruising.

2. Kool Korners is indeed closing

So says the indispensable Disposable Income blog. I’ll admit that, despite working nearby, I never ate a cuban sandwich there. :-(

3. Kid Rock Takes His Waffle House Very Seriously

Video of last year’s Kid Rock versus Waffle House fight.

Happy Tuesday

Inspector Gasket:

Inspector Gadget:

Have an example of local appropriation of a licensed character, trademark or copyright? Suggest a story or leave a comment.

Anyhow, the local news is all about local news in the form of the AJC cutting staff and WXIA’s news director stepping down.

Me? I get all my information from the internets and the watercooler (an actual watercooler who bears a resemblance to Wall-E).

I rarely watch the TV version (save for the weather, how Atlantan of me) and I occassionally link/blog the paper version, though I prefer CL’s reportage and their blogs.

Are there things about Atlanta that pale in comparison to NYC? Absolutely.

Are they fundamentally different than some of the things my Midwestern parents complained about in 1988, the first full year we lived in Marietta. Not really.

Are you really surprised that there’s “culture shock” at work here? Certainly not.

My take: so long as we can agree on moving Atlanta forward toward some uniqe vision (ie NOT NYC-South) then I’m OK with any “progress” the displaced are willing to help affect.

Other than that, I really don’t care how they did it in New York.  (Sorry for paraphrasing a bumper sticker).

I’m all for more water near downtown, but I think we’re too late (and too far south) for TVA assistance and the drought might but a cramp in our style.

This one’s being debated everywhere, but I got the meme from Lori, per usual.

They disbanded at about 9:30 or so as my wife and I were returning from daycare on our way to work.

Thankfully our 5-year-old didn’t see them on the way over the bridge.

As much as I disagree with their views AND support their right to express them, I’m fairly certain my wife would have jumped out of a moving car to beat one of them had her little girl seen the aborted fetus on their signs.

I’m just sayin’.

If you’ve got a picture or your own recollection, share a comment.

Sure. We all are.

At least you can rest easy knowing that your Atlanta-area Starbucks aren’t going anywhere any time soon, at least not according to this map, despite the company’s recent store closings.

[Via Lori]

So, good news, if you’re into that sorta “stuff”, coffee and Apple products alike.

Here’s hoping you’re sipping a latte, reading this on your new iPhone now.

Here are some ecards (via someecards.com) commemorating the upcoming event:

More info on Pride here.

Have a happy, safe & festive weekend, whatever you’re celebrating!

Staying true to previous installments, The Real Housewives of Atlanta will follow the lives of five women from Atlanta’s elite who truly live the glamorous life. The southern socialites include a charitable NBA wife, a single-and-looking mom and an outspoken entrepreneur. Between juggling their busy social calendars, home life and budding careers, these gals will give viewers an up close and personal look at their affluent — and often ridiculously dramatic — lives.

For those of you who can’t wait until the new season kicks off, Bravo will air a preview special Wednesday, July 30 at 12 am/ET.

I’m not a big fan of either of the first two series, but I may tune in now that the Real Housewives are in-town (one hopes). We’ll see if it ends up being the Real Housewives of Buckhead or the Real Housewives of OTP Country Club.

UPDATE: Mingaling’s comment reminds me that I should read my own links before posting. The Real Housewives of Metro Atlanta is more correct.

Start your McMansion & gentrification counters to stun.