Veterans Park at the Atlanta History Center

Having served in the United States Navy, I was excited to see the expansion of Veterans Park at the Atlanta History Center, which was completed and opened to the public earlier this year, on Memorial Day Weekend.

Veterans Park at the Atlanta History Center

Veterans Park features a collection of seals of the United States and the five major branches of the American military, including Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Veterans Park at the Atlanta History Center

From the Atlanta History Center's website:

"The newly expanded Veterans Park at the Atlanta History Center is dedicated to all of the men and women who have served—and continue to serve—the United States of America. The Park was designed not as a traditional veterans’ memorial, but as a unique gathering place encouraging reflection, personal connections to veterans, and a celebration of the lives of those who have sacrificed to secure our freedom."

Veterans Park at the Atlanta History Center

The Atlanta History Center has been collecting veterans' oral histories and stories—in a partnership with the Library of Congress—for the Veterans History Project for more than 10 years.

Some of those stories are available to Park visitors on pylons and via QR Codes. Imagine the profound experience listening to these stories must be. 

Veterans Park at the Atlanta History Center

If you have time when visiting Atlanta, and especially when visiting the Atlanta History Center, I invite and encourage you to walk a few extra steps to Veterans Park for a few moments of reflection on the sacrifice made by so many Americans to protect the freedoms we enjoy each and every day.

MODA Field Trip: Gaming at Joystick

Given the XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design exhibition is primarily video game design from the female perspective, I thought going on the MODA Field Trip to Joystick Gamebar with my best female friend rather befitting. MaryJo and I have been dearest of friends since 1988, so we've seen a lot together, but it was the first time at Joystick for both of us—and was it fun!

MODA at Joystick

Gaming on behalf of the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) were Jennifer and Clare, who earned high-score as hosts. Certainly a unique MODA Field Trip, Joystick gave us 2.5 hours of free gaming and a food discount...and they took very good care of us.

MODA at Joystick

And speaking of food, turns out that the on-premise food partner Illegal Food was voted among the top five "Best Burgers in Atlanta" by Thrillist, and for good reason. They're amazing! The fries also are among the best I've had.

Truth be told, I didn't have a burger on this particular visit, but did only two nights later. Their burger "The Hank" is the one that won 'Best Burger'—number three on the list—and I had a taste of my friend's Hank burger—delish! But I ate every last bite of my burger. Its name I forget, but it had blue cheese, so I that choice was a no-brainer for me.

MODA at Joystick

There are two distinct spaces at Joystick...the classic arcade games section, which is where the bar is, and a more relaxed board game room, which features classic Atari games on a television set right out of your grandmother's living room! My favorite Atari game back in the day was Asteroids—so much fun!—which is one of the many games on this set.

MODA at Joystick

I've noted on numerous occasions that community is key to success for today's museums and tourist attractions, something that MODA does quite well. It appears to me that Joystick is doing the same thing. There were groups of friends there and others who made friends while there.

MODA at Joystick

That evening I had the honor of meeting Beth, author of the blog The City Dweller. When Beth told me "Curiosity is my compass," I knew I'd be a longtime reader of her blog. And she's written a book, too! Check out The City Dweller...I think you'll like what you see.

MODA at Joystick

MaryJo taught me how to play Donkey Kong, a game that I never did get around to playing as a kid. We also played the pinball machines...both great fun. I didn't make the 'high score' board on any of the games that night, but totally had a fun-filled evening.

MODA at Joystick

Joystick opened just last year and it's already a neighborhood gem. And I'd like to offer a great big wanderlust ATLANTA "Thank you!" to the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) for continuing its brilliant Field Trip programming and to Joystick Gamebar for hosting us.

MODA at Joystick

Jiki to Hanga: Japanese Porcelain and Prints

There are so many wondrous and wonderful things about Oglethorpe University Museum of Art's current exhibition "Jiki to Hanga: Japanese Porcelain and Prints", and one not so great thing. Let me start with the one thing. Unfortunately, the exhibition finishes a week from today, which means I'm not going to have time to see it again, but...that also means YOU have a  whole week to get there!

Jiki to Hanga: Japanese Porcelain and Prints,
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art

As much as you've heard me warn against procrastination in seeing exhibitions—because we all know what happens when we wait too long—I almost missed this one. And yes, I knew about it from the beginning—shame on me. The great news is that it's phenomenal!

Jiki to Hanga: Japanese Porcelain and Prints,
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art

In keeping with the Museum's historical caliber of exhibitions, "Jiki to Hanga: Japanese Porcelain and Prints" is exceptional. On display are porcelain and prints ranging from the Museum's permanent collection to numerous pieces from the personal collection of Dr. and Mrs. Terry Taylor...no relation, by the way.

Of all the prints in the exhibition, "Misty Day in Nikko", Hiroshi Yoshida, (1937) pictured above, is my personal favorite. It reminded me of a day exploring Muir Woods with one of my dearest friends.

Jiki to Hanga: Japanese Porcelain and Prints,
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art

This trio I especially liked because of the cherry blossoms, which reminded me of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.—a festival that celebrates the gift from Tokyo of 3,000 cherry trees to the District of Columbia. I attended that Festival for each of the nine years I lived there. The cherry tree-lined Tidal Basin is a spectacle that's offers indelible memories.

Jiki to Hanga: Japanese Porcelain and Prints,
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art

This one, "Fuji from Satta Pass, Honcho Meisho" (Famous Places of Our Country Series) by Utagawa Hiroshige (c. 1930) is another favorite. I'm not sure which it reminds me of more, viewing the Golden Gate Bridge from a hillside or soaking in the Grand Tetons from Lake Fremont, near where I graduated high school. 

The power to transport the imagination, evidently inherent in this exhibition, is remarkable. I've long been fascinated with Japanese art—as are many Westerners. The more I learn about Western fascination with Japanese art (there's a section in the exhibit catalog about just that) and Japanese fascination with Western culture, the more the whole thing fascinates me!

Jiki to Hanga: Japanese Porcelain and Prints,
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art

The above piece, "Triptych: Kinmokubiro (The Old Golden Hair Nail-Tailed Wicked Tamamo-no-Mae [fox])" (1859), by Utagawa Kunihisa, more than some of the others, is all about storytelling...I would love to know the story behind it!

The exhibition "features 49 color woodcuts and more than 30 porcelain and earthenware objects. Twenty-eight of the woodcuts are by shin-hanga style master printmaker Hiroshi Yoshida (1876-1950)."

Jiki to Hanga: Japanese Porcelain and Prints,
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art

From among the porcelains, this 19th Century five-lobed bowl is my favorite. All of the porcelains are stunning and/or remarkable, but I was totally drawn to this Kozan piece. I've always had a preference for an 'elegant, yet simple' aesthetic and I think this is approaching that. 

Jiki to Hanga: Japanese Porcelain and Prints,
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art

When you go, be sure you examine the detail in the various pieces, especially this 18th Century blue and white Kutani plate. The molded mon rim was a great little surprise, as were many of the details discovered throughout the exhibition.

Jiki to Hanga: Japanese Porcelain and Prints,
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art

Where the prints took me to other times and places, the porcelains took me directly to the artists' workshops...fully wondering what they must have been thinking, remembering, wanting to convey as they created. 

Jiki to Hanga: Japanese Porcelain and Prints,
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art

This detail of this Brocade Imari charger, from the Meiji period, is absolutely stunning. You're going to want to plan time to truly explore...in this relatively modest size museum, there's a LOT to see.

Jiki to Hanga: Japanese Porcelain and Prints,
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art

The crown jewel in the "Jiki to Hanga: Japanese Porcelain and Prints" exhibit is this late 17th Century Kakiemon type Arita plate with a spray of peony, which is also on the cover of the exhibition catalog. It's a beautiful piece and you certainly wouldn't want to miss it.

So, like I said, you have only a week left to see this amazing exhibition. Make your way to the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art and also ask about their upcoming exhibitions. From what I'm told, you'll definitely want to see them!

Go, Go, Go See "Gogo: Nature Transformed"

The High Museum of Art is hosting "Gogo: Nature Transformed" for only a couple weeks more...less than, actually. It's the first museum exhibition of Georgia artist Gogo Ferguson's work, which is rather remarkable—in aspects ranging from beauty to the sometimes shocking materials she uses.

"Gogo: Nature Transformed" at the High Museum of Art

Gogo's is jewelry, but some of the exhibition is sculptural, which mics her jewelry. These seaweed and sea urchin inspirations are also found in bracelets in the exhibition.

"Gogo: Nature Transformed" at the High Museum of Art

Catching a glimpse here and there of the visitors taking in Nature Transformed, I found myself wondering, "When does a lady bring her sweetheart to a jewelry exhibition?" And "Is that occasion just a hint at the type of jewelry she likes or is she trying to tell him that she's open to receiving a proposal?" Or perhaps even, maybe they just like art and are rest on the subtle side when it comes to those other matters. 

Either way, it was a lovely day to be out exploring museums when I went to the High this past weekend.

"Gogo: Nature Transformed" at the High Museum of Art

I do believe this was my favorite piece in the exhibition. Inspired by New England Seaweed, I think this bracelet is stunningly gorgeous—it's a work of art!

"Gogo: Nature Transformed" at the High Museum of Art

The exhibition itself is modest, relegated to one room, albeit a prominent room. I guess I've been spoiled by seeing so many huge exhibitions in recent years, but find myself quite happy I made the time to see this one. And I'm hoping that artist Gogo Ferguson is getting the extra attention that I assume she is given the increased Museum visitation to see "Girl With a Pearl Earring."

"Gogo: Nature Transformed" at the High Museum of Art

There's not a piece on display that's not stunning, including the above "Coral Bracelet," which the photograph just doesn't do justice.  

Gogo, and her daughter Hannah, use nature near and around their home on Cumberland Island, where they not only create beautiful jewelry, they also have a rather impressive list of friends, the likes of Mikhail Baryshnikov, Carly Simon, and Nicole Miller.

"Gogo: Nature Transformed" at the High Museum of Art

The exhibit is unmistakable. It's marked by the massive "Whale Bone Mobile" by David Sayre, which as you can imagine—given that it's made from "whale" bones—is by default rather large scale. And some of Gogo's jewelry is made from animal bones...some if from rather surprising bits of anatomy.

Be sure to make time to watch the video interview with Gogo—onscreen at the exhibit—which is just over eight minutes, highly informative and beautifully shot.

The exhibition is at the High Museum of Art and closes soon—August 25, 2013, so get there soon.

Green in the Garden

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is one of the most beautifully colorful places in Atlanta. I'd started a series—that I originally started on my personal Facebook profile, but want to continue you and complete here—of color in the Garden.

If you didn't know, the Atlanta Botanical Garden has a rather impressive "Green" mission and program. Did you know that there's a 95,000 gallon cistern under the entrance roadway that catches runoff rainwater that's used to water that end of the Garden, or that the Hardin Visitor Center and parking garage are LEED's certified at the gold level?

A pretty good introduction to the color green in the Garden, yes?

Here we go...

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Green in the Garden...

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Green in the Garden...

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Green in the Garden...

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Green in the Garden...

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Green in the Garden...

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Green in the Garden...

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Green in the Garden...

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Green in the Garden...

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Green in the Garden...

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Now head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for a lot more green in the Garden...it's most prolific color and certainly one of the most beautiful!

Top 11 Celebrities to See at Dragon*Con

Approaching at trans-warp speed, the 2013 Dragon*Con has a guest list that's growing more and more impressive each week. I've been giving a lot of thought about which celebrities are at the top of my "must-see" list and thought I'd share the list with you. 

You'll notice that my list is Star Trek heavy, but that's because I've been watching the show since I was very young child. You'll also notice--and deduct that since I've not met these celebrities--that the photos are not mine. The photos all belong to Dragon*Con, and each link to the Dragon*Con website.

Alright, here we go...

George Takei

George Takei

With 4.3 million Facebook fans, a LOT of people know George Takei. I was a fan of George's decades before there was such a thing as Facebook. Even if you never watched Star Trek: The Original Series, it's likely you've seen scenes of Sulu here and there over the years.

George was also brilliant in the NBC television series "Heroes"...and he has quite the entertainment resume--Star Trek, of course, including six Star Trek feature films, other television and film, and stage and radio performances.

George has my highest respect for his work as an activist. Having spent his boyhood in Japanese internment camps with his family during World War II, George today fights prejudice, injustice and fights for equal rights.

Lindsay Wagner

Lindsay Wagner (and Lee Majors)

When I saw that the bionic woman was on the guest list, she immediately went on my must-see list! I loved that show!

I remember like it was yesterday the scene where she was back in the classroom after her bionic implants and rips through a telephone book!

Lindsay was also considered for the role of my favorite Star Trek character--Captain Kathryn Janeway! Yes, I do believe it's true...six degrees of separation can apply to Star Trek, too.

Lindsay is also an activist who fights child abuse and neglect...admirable.

John Barrowman

John Barrowman

John Barrowman is the only celebrity on this list that I've see live, although I've not yet met him and would love to!

Being the sci-fi fan that I am, many of my friends are quite surprised to learn that I've never watched Dr. Who. But when I watched, with a friend, a movie based on the BBC television series "Torchwood"--a spinoff of Dr. Who--I was totally hooked...I've been a John Barrowman fan since! Gareth David Lloyd and Eve Myles, both also of Torchwood, will both be attending this year's Con.

He was also a panel judge on Andrew Lloyd Weber's BBC show "Any Dream Will Do"...and the most entertaining on the panel he was!

I got to see John on a panel at last year's Dragon*Con and the man is hilarious! And it turns out that he's close with his family. In fact, his sister, Carole Barrowman, will also be at this year's Con!

Terry Farrell

Terry Farrell

Jadzia Dax! Do I have to say anything else?

Oh, alright. For those not so familiar with the world of Star Trek, Terry Farrell played Jadzia Dax, a 300 year old Trill on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine...and even as an alien, she was stunningly gorgeous!

In preparation for meeting Terry, I've been re-watching DS9. Of all the Star Trek series, that's the only one that I've not seen every single episode of, so while embarrassing to admit that I've not seen every episode, it's exciting that I'll be seeing Star Trek episodes for the very first time!

Edward James Olmos

Edward James Olmos

Olmos played Commander William Adama on the television resurrection of Battlestar Galactica--and it was the BEST SHOW ON TELEVISION!

There are few television shows that I absolutely had to see live when they were on the air...that was the case with the 2004-2009 Battlestar Galactica. As great a job as Lorne Greene did back in the late 70s, Olmos was brilliant!

He's also one of the few Latin actors in the U.S. to perform in a leading role in such a successful television show...a great role model for Latins across the country.

Some of his former loves--potential career paths--included baseball and rock & roll. I hope he still gets to enjoy those, but I'm so glad that he became an actor...I can't imagine anyone else playing Adama as well as he did.

Michael Dorn

Michael Dorn

Some of the most fun Worf moments on Star Trek: The Next Generation were the ones that included Lwaxana Troi, the mother of Deana Troi played by Marina Sirtis who was the first autograph I got at my first Dragon*Con in 2010. 

Michael Dorn--who played Worf, a Klingon raised by human parents--had the unique distinction of being the one cast member who spent more time having his costume and makeup applied than anyone else--for seven years!

Dorn also joined Star Trek: Deep Space Nine after a couple of years and ended up with the distinction of having appeared as the same character in more hours of Star Trek than any other actor. Pretty cool, huh?

William Shatner

William Shatner

Who wouldn't want to meet the first Captain of the Star Trek franchise?! 

Shatner has had quite the career, too. From appearing on Twilight Zone in October 1963, a few years before Star Trek, to the funny travel commercials we've all seen.

It'll be interesting to see how popular Shatner is...the original series has a very devout following. 

Avery Brooks

Avery Brooks

Avery will be the third of the five Star Trek television series Captain I will have met. He did a great job as Captain Benjamin Sisco on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

He also was the first African American to play a Star Trek Captain on franchise series...a role model for generations of kids!

And speaking of kids, Cirroc Lofton--who played Sisco's son on the series--will also be at this year's Con.

John de Lancie

Q...what a brilliant Star Trek character...and a character that transcended series. John de Lancie--who played the omnipotent character Q--originally appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation and later appeared on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager.

I have a cassette tape somewhere of a stage performance by John de Lancie and Leonard Nimoy--"Spock vs. Q". It was a brilliant and I listened to it numerous times in the car on the way to here and there.

The 6' 4" actor has quite the impressive resume...you'll be impressed!

Lucy Lawless

Lucy Lawless

How could you not want to meet Xena the Warrior Princess? Really, how could you not?!

AND, she also was a character on Battlestar Galactica, so that's a double plus for me!

Although it seems that Lucy has been type cast, I have to assume that she enjoys the roles that she plays...if nothing else, they keep her in phenomenal shape! And she's great at those roles.

I think meeting Lucy Lawless will require being in line very early or committing a significant amount of time for waiting in line...either way, totally worth it!

Tahmoh Penikett

Tahmoh Penikett

Kickboxer Tahmoh Penikett was also Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon on the Peabody Award-winning Battlestar Galactica. 

Everyone on this list has an impressive resume and Tahmoh is no exception. He's been on a wind range of shows and movies, including Smallville and this year's Man of Steel.

Turns out, Tahmoh's character wasn't supposed to be a regular character, but he was so well received by the show's fans that they created a subplot and kept him on the show. I can't imagine the show without him, actually.

So, this is my current list of my favorites so far, but there are so many others who will be there that will make it difficult to not spend the entire Con collecting autographs. And the list will continue to grow up to the opening of the Con.

I would like to offer a few honorable mentions...Traci Lords, whose music I've listened to for years; Billy Dee Williams of Star Wars; and Lips Down on Dixie who does a brilliant rendition of The Rocky Horror Show here in Atlanta at Plaza Theatre.

Check out the Dragon*Con website and follow them on their Social Media channels, of course to keep up on who's coming to Dragon*Con 2013, and I'll see you this Labor Day Weekend!

1996 Olympic Flame Tower

A significant number of the human race on planet Earth remember the lighting of the 1996 Olympic Flame Tower by Muhammad Ali in 1996. It's certainly a memory that's emblazoned on my memory—in slow-motion nonetheless—that was not only touching, it was incredibly exciting!

1996 Olympic Flame Tower

Many will remember that the Olympic Flame Tower was after the 1996 Olympic Games, and the Paralympic Games two weeks later (for which I was lucky to get tickets to the Opening Ceremonies and saw Master of Ceremonies Christopher Reeve, of whom I'd been a huge fan since his portrayal of Superman, and Liza Minelli, at the Opening Ceremonies), relocated not too far away from the Stadium—now Turner Field—to the corner of Capitol Avenue and Fulton Street.

1996 Olympic Flame Tower

"Still exuding nobility and stature" is what the announcers said of the surprise torch lighter that evening at the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games. I still get goosebumps remembers Muhammad Ali's lighting of the Olympic Flame Tower...the world watching.

1996 Olympic Flame Tower

The Tower has recently undergone a refurbishing...it's been painted (bright shiny white with primary colors on the torch!) and now it's lit again. It's not lit every night, and I'm still not sure what the schedule is, but when you come across it, take a photo and post it...this is an incredibly unique piece of Atlanta history!