I got a report in that comments may not be working. After testing it out, it appears this may be the case. When I’ve got a spare moment (ha ha) I’ll be moving the blog to a new host. You likely won’t notice a difference, except maybe in speed in reliability (hopefully for the better). In the meantime, Bloglanta may be slow and unreliable for a few days.
– Joe
Update: We’ve moved to the new host and things should be back to normal now.
NYC’s Streetsblog recently began compiling a list of other blogs that focus on livable streets in their local areas. Streetsblog, for those who have never checked it out, is a group blog produced by The Open Planning Project. Their focus is on “the burgeoning Livable Streets movement” in NYC.
It’s also a wonderful resource for both new and “mature” ideas on making streets safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and yes, even drivers.
As I mentioned, they’re seeking livable streets blogs in other cities. In Atlanta, there don’t really seem to be any such blogs. One commenter pointed out PEDS, which is not really a blog — though certainly it’s a great organization working on the issue of livable streets in Atlanta. Another organization (disclosure: I’m on the board), Citizens for Progressive Transit does maintain a blog, but the organization is more geared toward transit. Which isn’t to say transit and livable streets are mutually exclusive — they’re more mutually beneficial than exclusive of one another.
Certainly, if New York is experiencing a Renaissance of livable streets, Atlanta is still in the Dark Ages. There is no shortage of material. If we Bloglanta writers were to begin writing an occasional piece on making our streets more livable, what area would you like to see us focus on first? And — this is a call for more writers — is this a subject you would like to write about?
As you can see, a few things have changed around here.
Bear with us as we complete the transition to WordPress. You may notice, if you look at our archives, that a few authors have switched places. Joe became Larry, Jonathan became Chris, Amber became Ian, and so on. This will be fixed shortly.
In the meantime, you are still welcome to sign up and contribute to Bloglanta.
Seven of us came out to Manuel’s Tavern last night for our celebration.
Joe, Robert, Larry, and Jonathan were among the contributors who came out in force. Joining us were Dana Blankenhorn, Robert’s significant-other Connie, and Danielle of Danielle fame. Here are the stats:
Number of people: Seven.
Best line of the night: What do writers do when they retire? Read!
Most popular blogger in the room: Larry
Best ride: Jonathan rode in on his bicycle
Worst ride: Joe rode on MARTA. The #16 bus was smelly and late on the way to Manuel’s, and wrecked going back to Five Points. Joe walked to Ponce and took the 45 to get back home, instead.
Most facial hair: It’s a close call between Jonathan and Dana.
Best accent: Larry, who is now dating a “psycho. analyst.”
Most-asked question: Where’s Amber?
Bad Poetry:
Thank you all for a wonderful time.
Last night was truly sublime.
We missed y’all who could not show,
But we hope you stay and help us grow.
The news was confirmed just this past week, and it’s worth tooting our own horn. Atlanta Magazine recently published their December issue, and our humble website was selected as “Best Blog.” Here is what they had to say about us:
Best Blog bloglanta.comWe know, we know … everybody’s got a blog these days. But for smart, informed and often funny commentary on Atlanta happenings—from the lieutenant governor’s son’s DUI to post-BRAC plans for Fort Mac to updates on changing intown neighborhoods—online veteran bloglanta offers an expanded perspective on a wide range of topics from knowledgeable contributors.
Thanks go to the contributors, especially our principal author, Robert Drake, and our masthead designer, Garrett Vonk. Amber Rhea, in addition to her written contributions, has also made some behind-the-scenes contributions.
Enough horn tooting. Let’s drink.
All are invited to join the Bloglanta contributors for an evening at Manuel’s Tavern. We’ll get together Wednesday, Dec 7 at 6:30 and celebrate.
Update: Your humble host made a terrible scheduling error. The celebration will take place Wednesday, Dec 7.
In Addition: Your humble Bloglantans decided 6:30 would be a good time. More updates to come on the specific location we shall meet!
People still write poetry about Atlanta. In fact they’re doing it over at MetroBlog Atlanta. Big props to Will Hindmarch who wrote what is likely the first paradelle about Atlanta.
Paradelle for Atlanta
I imagine you soaking wet in a sundress with sweat.
I imagine you soaking wet in a sundress with sweat.
You hold a pitcher of sweet tea and drip with Spanish moss.
You hold a pitcher of sweet tea and drip with Spanish moss.
I imagine you drip sweet sweat in a pitcher with dry tea.
And hold you of soaking wet moss with a Spanish sundress.
Why don’t we drink lemonade with Confederate ghosts?
Why don’t we drink lemonade with Confederate ghosts?
Shouldn’t you be shaking cocktails and hopping bars?
Shouldn’t you be shaking cocktails and hopping bars?
Why shouldn’t we be Confederate cocktails with lemonade bars?
Don’t you drink hopping and shaking ghosts?
You’re feathery pines instead of picket-fence plantations.
You’re feathery pines instead of picket-fence plantations.
You’re more about the Spanish conqueror and Coca-Cola.
You’re more about the Spanish conqueror and Coca-Cola.
The feathery fence conqueror pines more instead of you’re Spanish.
You’re Coca-Cola about picket and plantations.
Don’t you imagine you’re shaking Coca-Cola with lemonade moss?
We wet conquerors drink about plantations instead of soaking in Confederate tea.
Why you’re a sundress and the sweat of cocktails.
You and I dry a feathery pitcher with a picket fence.
Sweet pines drip with ghosts.
Be hopping with Spanish and more Spanish bars.
A Paradelle, by the way is a word puzzle inside a poem. 4 stanzas 24 lines. In the first 3, the first & third line repeats. In the last two lines of the first 3 stanzes, all the words must be used to resolve the stanza. Then in the last stanza you must use each word to resolve the whole poem. It’s one of the most recent poetic forms.