So I wanted to get a 'New Year's' party photo but Atlanta is drenched with rain this year. It was hard to go out and enjoy the celebrations because of the weather. Instead I am posting the skyline. I'm sure everyone is celebrating - just indoors!

After a couple of months of vacation, and unfortunate events, I am back to blogging. I thought my first recent post should be my best friend and I. She has helped me through so much! Thank goodness for caring people!

It's a quiet evening on the patio at Dakota Blue.



View of the neighborhood favorite pizza joint, Grant Central.

Franklin's, a local family-owned grocer in SE Atlanta.



Some friends at a local bar puzzle over the new "Brain Test" game for the Nintendo DS. As it turns out, hanging out in a bar may affect your 'brain age', we've proven it!

Across from the Penitentiary is Charlie's Tradin' Post, a local favorite for men's clothing and hunting and fishing accessories. At least 2 generations of men in my family have shopped here. Too bad locally owned shops like this are quickly disappearing in Atlanta. Whether you're into Dickies and trucker caps for fashion, or you need camos for your next hunting excursion, Charlie's has the real deal.

A couple shots of the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, which is in my neighborhood. Look at this list of (in)famous inmates here.

I went to a performance last night and saw a group of Atlantans doing improvisational music. They use a lot of instruments. A computer, steel guitar, cello, a turntable, saxophones and much more. This performance was at Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery.



Here is a shot of an installation by Robert Witherspoon, one of three visual art exhibits currently showing at Eyedrum.

So I have a new mode of transportation now. I was tired of the increased gas prices and dependency on oil, and for the sake of having more fun this summer, I bought a cheap scooter. This is THE WAY to get around Atlanta, avoid the traffic, and see all the beauty in the city for a change. This is a Honda Super Cub reproduction by Jialing. It has been getting me at least 100 mpg and it is so much fun! My daughter likes it too!



Another shot from the Cabbagetown neighborhood. For more information about this neighborhood, click here. In the background is 97 Estoria, a friendly neighborhood pub.



Also in Cabbagetown, this is the Krog Street Tunnel. People come from all over to tag this structure, the only place in Atlanta where graffiti is legal and considered public art.

Sunset at a cafe in historic Cabbagetown, a neighborhood near downtown Atlanta. In the background is the former Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill, now converted into lofts and condos. Georgia Tech's library has a digital collection of documents and information on the Mill.



Night lights along Boulevard, one of the more well known streets in Atlanta. Although it changes names at several locations, it goes through most of the city. At the south end is the Federal Penitentiary and at the north end is the very wealthy Buckhead community.



One of my favorite late night stops, Krispy Kreme is open 24 hours. Founded in North Carolina, Krispy Kreme has always been a popular southern indulgence. This factory store has been renovated a couple times, but you can still watch the doughnuts being made right behind the glass in the dining area.

Some famous Atlanta cuisine...The Varsity is here if you enjoy eating in your car! One of the oldest and definitely the largest drive-in.



This dive is a favorite of mine. Lenny's was formerly Dottie's, and has always been the place to hear local bands.

Independence Day 2006. In Atlanta it rained in the evening so most of the celebrations were cut short. Here are some locals gathered for the parade put on by one of our news television stations. It was terrible this year, they were honoring the military troops who just came back from Iraq. They paraded troops with weapons, tanks and hummers through the streets and I thought it was all very intimidating, not to mention boring. (Forgive my lack of sentimentality regarding the war, my politics showing through here.) My 5 year old daughter was terrified. Not my idea of a great parade so we left halfway through. Next entry I will post all the pictures I have of the Independence Day parade.



Since we couldn't endure the parade, we had lunch at Johnny Rockets.

So it seems the fountains are much more interesting at night, the nightly show at dusk is amazing.

The fountains are a nice oasis in the heat. More info and pictures online for the Fountains at Centennial Olympic Park.

OK so I am thinking about renaming my blog Atlanta Nightly Photo since this is when I seem to get out more often. Here are a few pics from the last few days.



Having drinks at The Local.



The preferred tattoo shop, Liberty Tattoo.

Good times! We take our porch culture serious here! This weekend party was great with drum circle and all. I've heard that the contemporary American drum circle actually started in Atlanta in the late '50s. Babatunde Olatunji, a West African student attending Morehouse College, responded to racial segregation laws and covered his school expence by playing the drums of his homeland in Atlanta. Other students soon joined him and the first drum circle in was created.

Daddy D'z, a great place for BBQ, at 2am.

Summer is definitely here, 98 degrees in Atlanta today. But hot and hazy days make for some beautiful sunsets. This photo was taken from the campus of the The King Center.

So here's my first Atlanta Daily Photo. It was hard to decide which photo would come first. This photo and this blog were inspired by Eric's Paris Daily Photo. I don't know the artist behind this little piece of Paris in Atlanta but it is outside of Paris On Ponce, a great place for antiques and oddities. Ponce de Leon Ave. in Atlanta is one of the best places to absorb some history and culture in Atlanta. All of the local "characters" described in Fred Willard's novel Down On Ponce are really here.

Coming Soon! Atlanta Daily Photo!