Going to Atlanta ...

I was thinking earlier today how racist decisions made 40/50/60 years ago are still having ripple effects now. That story takes an optimistic tone, but as someone who has lived in the metro area all his life, it is really hard for me to see the transportation problem getting solved.

 

Problem is I'll be in Montreal the night before. But Augusta is the one event on my bucket list.

 

That's a really small bucket.

 

Not really a list if there's only one thing on it.

 

I've pretty much emptied it. You only live once.

 

OK, some thoughts:

1) Went to the Varsity. Not bad. Chili dog reminded me of the ones I ate as a kid. Not goupy chili sauce but the dry meat. Onion rings were OK but not crispy enough.

2) Went to Mary Mac's too. Wasn't terribly impressed. Fried chicken was OK. Sweet potato souffle was outstanding.

3) Stayed at the Fairfield downtown. Never again. For a Marriott it was a dump and when the valet gave me my car to go the game, he kept my keys (it was a push-button start) so when I got to the arena, I was stuck after I shut the car off and looked for the keys on the dash. Called the hotel and they asked "Do you need your keys?" No, Einstein. I'll just push it back to the hotel. Idiots!

4) Augusta was very cool. TV does not do that course justice. But it sucked that I hit a jack-knifed semi halfway there and it took an hour to go about four miles.

 

Vortex has great burgers. Have had a lot of good things about Antico's Pizza.

I mean, you gotta do the Varsity. Just so you can say the words FO walking. You want finer dining, and you have piles of cash to burn, Bones is well regarded. Rathbun's is very good too, I hear. I've always enjoyed going to Hal's on Old Ivy. Heard good things about Fogo de Chao. I used to go to a Vietnamese place on 10th that was great. Don't know if it's there anymore.

Aquarium is great, from what I've heard.

Underground Atlanta is nothing like it used to be back in the 70s. Avoid.

Want to do something kinda strange? Go to the fourth floor of the state Capitol. They have a museum of state oddities that will freak you out a little bit.

 

Stayed at the Fairfield right next to the Underground. Didn't look like a great area and that was the worst Marriott I've ever stayed at. Avoid at all costs.

 

Good news. I complained to Marriott about the awful hotel and the Fairfield gave me -- wait for it! -- 45,000 bonus points. Yes, you read that correctly: 45,000!

 

Burn 'me quick before Marriott devalues them even further!