Brian Maston in Atlanta, Georgia

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Initial observations of Atlanta

Originally from Michigan, I arrived here in the Atlanta area in late 2004. I instantly noticed quite a few differences from where I grew up. Of course the most obvious was the traffic. I don't really have to go off on this topic because everyone knows that Atlanta traffic is one of the worst in the country. I had previously considered myself a somewhat aggressive driver but when I first got here I was so intimidated every time I went out on the road. I'm used to it now.

Related to the Atlanta traffic is the actual distances I am willing to drive now. Back home if I drove over 15 minutes to somewhere I felt like I was driving forever. Now an average trip to anywhere is 20 - 30 minutes with a regular drive into work at about an hour.

A thing I noticed about the people was the "Southern Charm" thing. What I mean by that is as long as you end you sentence with, "Bless his heart" you can say just about whatever you like about someone. Don't get me wrong I do believe that in general people are way nicer in the South than they are in the North. I just love that bless his heart saying.

Quick note: I can't believe all the churches around here!!!

As for my working experience here, I came from an area that was heavily influenced by the union mentality and as such many of those thoughts and perceptions permeated my own thoughts. I quickly realized that wouldn't fly here. I was "laid off" from my first job in Atlanta after only 6 months. I couldn't understand why it happened to me but after much refection I realized that I had to become a better employee. Things have been much better for me now that I have realized that and I am also happier.

My Start In Web Design

My real start at web design actually began here in Georgia. I began designing websites back home in 1998 but it was always a side project to my job as a CAD supervisor. I really enjoyed doing them and did a few for other companies on the side. But it wasn't until my move to Atlanta that I started working full time as a web master and launched my own website design company Aqueous Designs.

Aqueous Designs is still quite small and I cater to smaller businesses mostly because of a time factor. Because I also have a full time job with another company in the Norcross area my time is limited to smaller projects. The things that I can and enjoy doing is web design, flash design, CSS websites, JavaScript, Photoshop, etc. Mostly the front end side of web development. I am capable of doing some back end development in PHP and ASP.NET but will usually subcontract a developer for large projects.

Atlanta History

So I figured since I have been here for a few years now (in Gwinnett County) that I can start learning more about the history of the place. Below are a few things I thought were interesting about Atlanta.

• The original name or Atlanta was Marthasville then suggested to be changed to Atlantica-Pacifica and then finally shortened to Atlanta. This was all around the mid 1800s.
• During the Civil War Atlanta was an important railroad and military supply hub. As such was a major target for the Union army.
• Atlanta was a major spot in which the US Civil Rights Movement took place. Dr. Martin Luther King was arrested in 1960 at a sit-in which drew attention to the city. The city leaders coined the phrase, "The City Too Busy To Hate".
• In 1996 Atlanta hosted the Olympic Games.

Atlanta Sites & Places of Interest

I have visited quite a few of the cool places here in the area in a relatively short amount of time.

I have been to the Georgia Aquarium, which is absolutely wonderful. I just loved that HUGE display that is like two or three stories high where you can watch the whale sharks and other marine life.

I've visited the old Coca-Cola museum but have not yet been to the new one (by the way their website is pretty cool, all done in Flash). I liked learning about the history of Coca-Cola as well as being able to taste the different varieties offered throughout the world.

I've seen the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and just loved it. I've watched the laser light show at Stone Mountain. Drove through the Christmas light show at Lake Lanier. I've seen a concert at the Fox Theater, been to Zoo Atlanta, the Fernbank museum, the Atlanta Children's museum, the mall Underground Atlanta and I have seen several Atlanta Braves games at Turner field.

I've yet to eat at the Varsity but that will be coming soon. I'd also like to visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. Another thing I need to do is go see a Georgia Bulldogs game.