A Look Back at Summer in the Garden

I want to share with you a few of my favorite images of the Atlanta Botanical Garden from a couple of daytime visits this past summer. Keep in mind that some of these were made inside the Orchid Center, so you can enjoy the same beauty during winter.

Earth Goddess being hand watered | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I love, love, love this photo of Earth Goddess! How awesome to capture her hand being hand-watered.

My friend Wendy was visiting from Washington, DC, and we were just starting our walk across the Canopy Walk when we saw this...and I started snapping. This was Wendy's first visit to the Garden and Earth Goddess impresses...it's usually a first-stop when I'm touring friends around Atlanta Botanical Garden their first time. 

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Keep your eyes open...there is so much incredible beauty to see, smell, hear...to experience! Mind what you touch and taste, of course. 

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

There were a LOT of butterflies, of various species, at the Garden on this particular visit. I got some pretty good shots of a couple of them. Even at my age, chasing butterflies is great fun.

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I've always loved the lily pads at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and they've had them for many, many years...now throughout the Garden! There have been lilies in the fountain in front of the Fuqua Conservatory since it opened in 1989...when I remember a certain three-piece "Nessie" topiary that ran the length of that water feature.

I love the above photo not only for the gorgeous flower, but also for the goldfish just poking its head out just from under the lily pad. 

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I've also always loved the pattern of dragonflies, although I tried as a kid to avoid them when swimming in lakes and rivers. They've been immortalized in many forms of art and their symbolism spans more topics than I can possibly share here, but the one that I think I like the most is "change"...something I've embraced as a desirable ability for many years.

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

These carnivorous beauties can be found in the High Elevation House in the Fuqua Orchid Center...lots of them!

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Nepenthes Pitcher Plant...stunning! Did you know that the Dale Chihuly sculpture in the Hardin Visitor Center at the Atlanta Botanical Garden was fashioned after this plant? 

If not, the next time you visit, have a look at the top of the sculpture and you'll see three pieces that have maroon colored lips. You'll immediately recognize them as Nepenthes Pitcher Plants!

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

If you love honey as much as I do, you naturally love bees. My mother is terribly allergic to bee stings, but I've thus far avoided that devastating sentence. They're fascinating creatures and give us so much more than many realize.

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Growing up my favorite color was orange. It's now dark red, but I still love a vibrant orange, except maybe for the invasive construction cone! It's much too prevalent in traffic these days. But, orange flowers...give me all you got!

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I'm not exactly sure how large this particular variety of lily pad can grow, but I seem to recall hearing on a garden tour many years ago that it can grow approximately six feet wide! These particular ones were several feet wide when I made this photo...stunning no matter their diameter! 

I hope these few photos inspire you to break out your camera and visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden, during every season! Throughout its 30 acres, there is delightful beauty and magnificent splendor to discover. Treat yourself!

Grounding the Seagull

Stupid &%&*ing Bird, now playing at Actor's Express, is hilarious, poignant and profound. You will not only laugh your ass off, you will leave examining your life (in a good way), pondering how you must improve it henceforth.

Robert Lee Hindsman | Actor's Express | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

Citing Con's desperate desire for a "new kind of play", Stupid $%&*ing Bird is exactly that. When the characters direct questions at you, they directing questions at you! How they make this performance a "new kind of play" is brilliant and exactly what you'll realize as you watch...and experience.

Citing Actor's Express...the 2015-2016 season at Actor's Express kicks off with the Atlanta premiere of Aaron Posner’s Stupid $%&*ing Bird directed by Freddie Ashley, with this "sort-of" adaptation of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, which had its world premiere at Woolly Mammoth in Washington, D.C. (where I’ve seen many magnificent performances and where my former boss was on the Board of Directors), in 2013.

It's been a hit around the country due to its blend of theatricality, humor and heart.

Rhyn Saver | Actor's Express | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

This play was a unique experience for me in that I found EVERY actor to be absolutely brilliant, which isn't always the case, no matter the theater. I have only wonderful things to say about each and every one of them. There was not a role that I didn't find convincing, entertaining and true to some aspect of human nature.

That's exactly what Robert Lee Hindsman (Con), Rhyn Saver (Mash), Theo Harness (Sorn), Matt Felten (Dev), Stephanie Friedman (Nina), Evan Cleaver (Trig), and Lane Carlock (Emma) portray...brilliant acting! I imagine they're a fantastic, friendly team behind the scenes, a theatre family, even though this is some of their first times performing at Actor's Express. 

Of course, as many of you who see this show might guess, the character I most relate to is Dev, performed by Matt Felten. The character is true to himself, yet a dreamer, as well as a hopeless romantic. You'll have to see the play to see if he realizes his dreams or if his unrequited love devastates him beyond all hope. 

Stephanie Friedman and Evan Cleaver | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

I love that this play makes you think. It makes you take inventory. It makes you ponder if what you're doing right now in your life is what is going to make you happy in the long run. It's a profound play—while being hilarious—and I appreciate it for that.

Lane Carlock | Actor's Express | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

When I lived in Atlanta the first time, I attended Actor's Express performances regularly...loved going to them! I'm totally bamboozled as to why it's taken me so long to return since I moved back.

After recently seeing Rent at Actor's Express and Stupid $%&*ing Bird TWICE during its current run, I'm again hooked on this theater! I'll be attending regularly once again!

Treat yourself....performances of Stupid $%&*ing Bird (not for kids) are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m., through Sunday, October 11, at Actor's Express. You definitely want to see—and experience—this life's exploration performance...

Zombie Night at Turner Field

The fantastic Atlanta Braves hosted Zombie Night last evening at Turner Field. They host a number of Theme Nights throughout the year, but this one I definitely wanted to experience! Zombies are fun, but I also love baseball, so this experience was a home run!

Zombie Night at Turner Field

These lovely young zombies were at the entrance to greet fellow zombies and baseball fans alike. Who knew the two fandoms would meld so brilliantly! MLB published a brief video about the evening: Zombie Night.

Those who purchased a special Zombie Night ticket had special seating, were invited to the talents of zombie makeup artists, participated in the pre-game on-field Zombie Parade, and were gifted a Zombie Survival Kit!  

Zombie Night at Turner Field | On-field Zombie Parade

We arrived early to be sure we saw the pre-game on-field Zombie Parade! There were hundreds of participants! There were lots of (uncharacteristically) smiling zombies—excited to be on-field, no doubt—and then there were some who were considerably more convincing that the Zombie Apocalypse had indeed arrived... 

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Zombie & Travis

I almost fell prey to the undead!

But I'm a fan of The Walking Dead and have learned a thing or two about Zombie Apocalypse survival. Thank you, Rick, Daryl and Michonne! The theme music to The Walking Dead was playing on the loud speakers during the Parade, so that helped me tune in to those television-learned zombie attack survival skills.

Speaking of The Walking Dead, Atlanta Movie Tours was part of the pre-game festivities! In case you didn't know, they offer two Big Zombie tours (Big Zombie Tour 1 & Big Zombie Tour 2), and both are fascinating!

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Awesome Zombie Girl

THIS young lady was totally into Zombie Night. She has a promising career in theater, cinema or perhaps modeling...whatever she decides, I think she's going to be brilliant! I applaud parents to take their kids out to experience so much of what life (and Atlanta) has to offer. Always make childhood fun...they only have one!

Turner Field offers a number of Theme Nights throughout the season. In addition to Zombie Night, there's Military Appreciation Night, Star Wars Night and Bark in the Park, to name only a few.

Zombie Night at Turner Field

Throughout the evening we were treated to zombies and zombie families (see the one above) on the Jumbotron. Even some of the Turner Field staff were sporting zombie makeup. 

Speaking of Turner Field staff, I was delighted at how pleasant everyone was. Thank you Turner Field staff for helping to make it such a fun night!  

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

When I noticed that the competition had been "zombiefied" on the Jumbotron, I thought how brilliant and what fun! Then I realized that they "zombiefied" ALL the players, Braves included. Total fun!

Atlanta Braves

Oh! And there was a baseball game going on, too! 

Actually, I've been an Atlanta Braves fan since I attended my first Braves game in 1990, the year before they started winning pennant after pennant—and a World Series—throughout that decade. The players have changed since then, but they're still my Braves AND they won the game on this evening...2:1 against the Phillies. Go Braves!

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

I always enjoy meeting new people and these ladies and gentlemen were awesome! The two on the left told me that they're engaged! A heartfelt wanderlust ATLANTA "Congratulations and a long and happy life together" to you both!

We met in the Braves Chop House, which I'm not entirely certain I've ever visited. I've had seats at every point in Turner Field, from behind home plate to the nosebleeds! And I've enjoyed every single vista! 

Embarrassingly, the last time I had seats behind home plate, one of the ladies seated next to me was texting her mother who was watching the game on television and saw her on TV...and me devouring a hot dog! I sincerely hope that wasn't part of my 15 minutes of fame! 

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves | Barry

There's a LOT going on throughout Turner Field during an Atlanta Braves game. One surprise last night was that the gift shops were having a 70% off sale (on the greatest majority of their inventory). Also, there are the batting cages; LOTS of dining options; the Braves Chop House; the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame & Museum; lots of photo ops, the Coca-Cola Sky Field...the list goes on and on and on...there's LOTS to see and do here!

And, did you know that you can tour Turner Field? I've done this tour and it's fantastic! It starts in the Braves Museum & Hall of Fame. I definitely and wholeheartedly recommend this tour. And if you didn't know, Turner Field was our 1996 Olympic Stadium re-purposed for the Atlanta Braves. That geographic area is in transition as the Braves are moving to Cobb County...I just hope that we/Atlanta gets to keep this historic landmark!

Fireworks at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

Friday evenings are Fireworks Night at Turner Field and it's a magnificent show! One of the best in the Southeast, for sure. 

There are a number of Atlanta Braves games at Turner Field now through October 4, 2015, and there are a few more Theme Nights. So, make your way over and enjoy all the fun that this wonderful venue has to offer!

Pre-Mockingjay Part 2: Swan House Capitol Tour

Do you ever binge-watch movies just before a new sequel premiere?

I do, but here's one better...before Mockingjay: Part 2 hits theaters this November, go on the Atlanta History Center's behind-the-scenes Swan House Capitol Tour! You get to see filming sites, movie artifacts and learn bits about The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Mockingjay: Part 1 that most people never will!

Swan House Capitol Tour, Atlanta History Center | Travis S. Taylor

By the way, President Snow is not the only one who can wield a white rose with confidence!

There are an incredible many awesome aspects to this tour, yet I do think that sitting at President Snow's office desk is among the top! This room is not on the general Swan House tour (which is another one I highly recommend!) and many of the artifacts located here are from the movies. 

The desk here is a remarkably similar desk to the one in the movie, however, the real one was purchased by the president of a neighboring country! You're going to learn quite a lot of fun facts when you visit. 

Swan House Capitol Tour, Atlanta History Center | Swan House

I remember the very first trailer (here's a clip) I saw for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire that included the scene of President Snow's mansion, what we Atlantans know as the Swan House, and just how exciting it was. It was magnificent to know that such a beloved Atlanta icon was going to be on the big screen in such a fantastic way! 

Swan House Capitol Tour, Atlanta History Center | Dining Room

You'll see a lot on the tour, including the wallpaper in the Dining Room, which is gorgeous! It features 50 kinds of birds, and not a single one repeated—although I do not think there's a mockingjay, but feel free to explore. 

It's original and a bit faded, so you can just make out a hint of the original watermelon pink color...which is quite stunning, and in spectacular condition given the house was completed in 1928!

Swan House Capitol Tour, Atlanta History Center | Swan Table

If you've toured the Swan House before, you know that it gets its name from the swan motif throughout the house. Many of the house's swans appear in the The Hunger Games movies filmed here, including the gorgeous swan tables in the Dining Room. 

When my tour guide found out that my middle name is Swann, a huge smile crawled across his face. And I have to admit, splendor aside, I love that I have something in common with the Swan House, one of the more spectacular icons of Atlanta. 

Swan House Capitol Tour, Atlanta History Center | President Snow's Desk

This room, not the only one under lock-and-key, is reserved for patrons of the Swan House Capitol Tours. That's to say this is a special tour and one you will not soon forget!

The photograph of me sitting at President Snow's desk wasn't my first photo at a presidential desk. My first was sitting at the president's desk...in the Oval Office...in Madame Tussauds'...in New York City. So, while I've yet to tour the White House in Washington, D.C., I have now sat at TWO presidential desks! I told you...I'm a "professional tourist"!

Swan House Capitol Tour, Atlanta History Center | Morning Room

The Swan House's Morning Room, originally a pistachio green color, was used as President Snow's office in the movies. The room was painted white for the films and then repainted pistachio green after filming. 

Preservationists (and I consider myself one), DO NOT FRET! The room had been restored to its original color far prior to the agreement with the film studio. So, they did not paint over original paint. 

Personally, I think it's awesome that the Inman's 1928 home has been immortalized in a globally sensational movie! Generations from now, many will enjoy the splendor of Swan House. How cool is that! 

Swan House Capitol Tour, Atlanta History Center | Morning Room Mirror

It's quite fascinating how much the Swan House mirrors the magnificence of the producer's vision of President Snow's home. 

The set of convex Federal-era mirrors in the Swan House's Morning Room were left in-place for scenes in the movies. They're absolutely stunning, so it's not a surprise, but a wonderful happenstance that visitors on the Swan House Capitol Tour get to see them up close and personal.

Swan House Capitol Tour, Atlanta History Center | Library

From the Swan House Library you peer out onto the side porch, which was President Snow's breakfast room, where he enjoyed a meal with his granddaughter. That side porch lets out onto the Swan House Gardens, which I hope visitors spend a little time exploring prior to their Swan House Capitol Tour.

Swan House Capitol Tour, Atlanta History Center | Swan House Garden

The above pictured garden was the scene of a grand party in The Hunger Games. You get to explore the many gardens of the 33-acre Atlanta History Center complex during your visit, and during the tour you'll get to see photographs and video of many of the spaces you're visiting on the tour, which makes it more real-time, realistic, as-if-you-were-there!

Swan House Capitol Tour, Atlanta History Center | Mirgill Joseph

I'd be totally remiss if I didn't say "Thank you" to my awesome tour guide, Mirgill Joseph. He's been with Atlanta History Center for more than eight years and does for the Center a lot more than give tours. This wasn't my first Margill tour, and he's been consistently fantastic! And he's pretty strong...look at that lift!

THIS is your grand opportunity to walk in the steps of Catnis Everdeen and Peeta Mellark...merely by going on an Atlanta History Center wholly unique tour. Its Swan House Capitol Tour!

10 Exciting Reasons To Attend Dragon Con

Dragon Con offers a LOT more than cosplay and Atlanta's biggest parade. There are celebrities, workshops, discussion panels, parties, events, costume contests, science and space tracks...the list goes on and on! 

Allow me, please, to share with you an exciting 10 reasons to attend one of Atlanta's signature Labor Day Weekend events...Dragon Con!

1: COSPLAY!

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Cosplay

No joking...cosplay is one of the bigger reasons we all attend Dragon Con. It's just fun! When I share with people that I'm attending Dragon Con, the most common response is "Are you dressing up?"

The more interesting conversations revolve around "why" people cosplay. It seems like, as is the case with most things in life, people have their own preconceived notions of why, so I appreciate it when someone engages me in this conversation.

I'm not out to change anyone's mind, but here's a look at some of clinical psychologist Dr. Andrea Letamendi's work regarding the psychology of cosplay. [article]

The findings of her research boil down to:

"They cosplay for creativity, to be social and hang out with friends, because they identify with the character and that's meaningful to them. The top reason people cosplay is because it's fun. You can't pinpoint an abnormality in that. It's no different than someone who plays in a band or plays sports."

That's pretty much what I've been saying for years.

Those who know of Dragon Con but not much more beyond its cosplay aspect, sometimes ask "What else is there to do there?" I love that question! Keep reading to hear a few of the things I answer with, noting that this is not a comprehensive list, but one that is reflective of my personal interests...

(My 2015 Dragon Con cosplay coverage)

2: DRAGON CON PARADE

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: The Parade

The Annual Dragon Con Parade has become a signature Atlanta event!

While the convention itself brings a surprisingly significant amount of revenue to our fair city, the Dragon Con Parade is a opportunity for families and fans to enjoy a festive part of the Con with only a modest time and money expenditure. And it's so much fun!

You're going to see a vast array of genres, from science-fiction to time travel, from fairy princesses to cartoon characters! You'll also get to see a few celebrities, like this year's Grand Marshall Nichelle Nichols!

(Check out my 2015 Annual Dragon Con Parade coverage)

3: FUNDRAISING FOR CHARITIES

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Charitable Causes

I haven't heard the final numbers as of this writing, but I do know that Dragon Con (including a $50,000 matching contribution) had donated more than $100,000 to its 2015 charity, Lymphoma Research Foundation. That's impressive!

Dragon Con also hosts an annual Blood Drive—they're one of the significant blood donation venues for more than 100 hospitals in Georgia, Alabama and Florida. I don't know the numbers yet for this year, but last year they collected nearly 3,300 units! It makes this conventioneer proud to be a part of an organization that puts such strong emphasis on saving lives.  

In addition to the larger fundraising efforts, the Con allows for others to make contributions through their own passionate interests. Stephen Eisenhauer, who just started ninth grade, offers to play chess with conventioneers—he's dressed as a Jawa from Star Wars! The tips he makes from the chess play he donates to Dragon Con's selected charity. This year, this honorable young man raised $478 for Lymphoma Research Foundation! 

If you see the chess-playing Jawa next year, play a game with him and drop a contribution in his tip bucket. You don't even have to play to make a contribution...let's all help him break $1,000 next year!  

4: CELEBRITIES!

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Celebrities!

Jamie Bamber was at the top of my list of must-meet celebrities at the 2015 Dragon Con, and I did. Super charming guy!

Dragon Con offers many, many ways to see, hear and meet guest celebrities. There's the Walk of Fame, where this year I met Jamie, Tricia Helfer and a few others. There are always a few in the Annual Dragon Con Parade, there are autograph sessions, there are speaker panels and many of the celebrities will dine among the conventioneers and attend the Dragon Con parties!

(See the celebrities I met and chatted with at this year's Dragon Con)

5: TRACKS, TRACKS AND MORE TRACKS

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Lots of Tracks

There are more tracks to follow at Dragon Con than you can shake a light saber at. This is yet another reason I love this Con so much. I can jump from science fiction to puppetry to robotics to space to costuming to animation...all in one day!

Here are only a few of the tracks available to conventioneers:

• American Sci-fi & Fantasy
• Animation
• Brit Track
• Costuming 
• Film
• Gaming
• Horror
• Literature
• Paranormal
• Puppetry
• Robotics
• Star Trek
• Star Wars
• Science
• Space
• Video Gaming

Seriously, that's only a few of the tracks...there's something for everyone!

The photo above is from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Death Star, written by musician Curt Bright and adapted for puppet theater by Mike Horner, who also performed it. They whimsically turned the escapades on George Lucas' epic space station into a puppetry musical! It was brilliant! 

6: EVENTS! LOTS OF EVENTS!

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Events!

I've never ever heard anyone at Dragon Con say, "I'm bored." And I doubt I ever will. I can image if anyone ever does, a dozen heads will do a snap swivel in their direction with looks of disbelief...waiting for the punchline because surely they were joking. Boredom is an alternate reality from what's truly happening at Dragon Con.

Some of the many awesome Dragon Con events include:

• Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium
• Guest of Honor Awards Banquet
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show Live!
• Video and Movie Screenings
• Autograph Sessions
• The Late Night Puppet Slam!
• Annual Dragon Con Parade
• Annual Dilithium Crystal Ball (Trek Track)
• Wrestling
• Live Music
• and more...

(My coverage of the 2015 Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium)

7: SHOPPING!

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Shopping!

Want a new light saber or a clever t-shirt? The Vendors Mart at Dragon Con (set up on two floors in Americas Mart) brings hundreds of vendors representing merchandise ranging from costumes to gaming, collectibles to jewelry, books to toys...there's more in the Vendors Mart than I can possibly remember.

Personally, I've had a love of pocket watches since I was a youngster. I'm not sure from where that stems, but nonetheless, I love them. I didn't make photos of the Vendor Mart, so here's one of my pocket watch purchase, which as soon as I handed over my card, I wondered in my mind if this transaction might be my foray into creating a new costume. Only time will tell...

8: FANS, FANDOM AND FELLOW CONVENTIONEERS

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Fans!

One thing that Dragon Con does extremely well is to create a sense of community. Even though you don't get to meet or even see the tens of thousands attending Dragon Con, you do sense a feeling that they're all there as a fandom family. Many fandom genres are represented, but we're all fans of Dragon Con...and having a blast! 

All year long I look forward to hanging out with my fellow Dragon Con conventioneers. I've met some super nice people there and the vast majority are kind, polite and engaging...all of us out to have fun!

9: PARTIES!

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Parties!

I love a good party, ask any of my friends. But historically, I've had so much fun during the day at Dragon Con that I've not attended any of the late-night parties. I did do the Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium this year, which was great fun.

I have heard story after story after story about parties, so if you're so inclined, I can only guess that you're in for a great experience!

10: COSTUME CONTESTS

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Miss Star Trek Universe

Put hours and hours and a bazillion dollars toward raw material for your awesome costume? Dragon Con has a few costume contests you may be interested in! Here are a few that I know about:

• Masquerade Costume Contest
• Friday Night Costuming Contest
• Saturday evening Cosplay Contest
• Hallway Costume Contest
• Star Wars Costume Contest
• Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant

Okay, so the annual Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant in my mind falls under "Events", but it is a contest and it's my personal favorite—it's the first thing I add to my schedule every year!

This is a full-on pageant hosted by Garrett Wang with pre-show entertainment (with Klingon MCs and audience participants), a three-stage pageant (costume...talent...Q&A), and pre-announcement-of-winners entertainment. It's the most fun 2.5 hours I look forward to all year! 

(My 2015 Miss Star Trek Universe coverage)

There you go...10 perfectly great reasons to attend Dragon Con! This list could be a LOT longer than 10 reasons, but hopefully these are plenty to convince you—should I have piqued your interest—to plan your 2016 Labor Day Weekend to attend the 30th Annual Dragon Con!