text:
Does God Need My Emotions? Man, I've got some serious problems facing me. I've got to pray. I should have been praying 24 hours a day, starting yesterday. Problem. I don't feel like it. I actually suspect that God's about to let something bad go down, with me in the middle of it. I definitely don't have the wherewithal to generate one of those intense, sincere, heartwarming prayers that God really likes. I just can't. Forget praying, I'm going to play basketball and forget about my problems. At least for the next three hours.
When I was just starting college, going to campus prayer meetings and Bible studies, I felt a lot of admiration for people who could generate prolonged intensity while they prayed. A raspy, desperate petition, punctuate by a lot of "Father-God!" expressions, would hold me spellbound. Likewise people who paced while they prayed, pouring on the urgency.
My response was immediate and visceral: I wish I could pray like that.
This was a worthy aspiration, and in the years that have elapsed since, I guess I have learned to pray like that upon occasion. However, I've also realized that saddling prayer with an unnecessary emphasis on good feeling can have crippling effects. Here, in slightly exaggerated form, is how I used to think:
There were brief periods where my hoops game became really sharp because of all that non-prayer. It wasn't a trade worth making, though. Because I believed that there was a minimum emotional requirement I had to meet when I prayed, prayer became a frustrating proposition. I thought I had to gloss things up before I sent my thoughts Godward. Forcing myself to generate the prerequisite pious, trusting feelings became a real drag.
I now know that God wasn't enjoying it either.
Because of my misconceptions, I was making prayer into a kind of emotional good deed. I thought I had to churn out some good feelings to back my words to God, like I had to add a special personal ingredient to make prayer really work.
The time I spent at the end of myself, worn out, mad, and pursuing with various distractions, would have been perfect chances to bring everything to God. I wish I'd seen it sooner.
Looking back, I think I was lacking something vital that would have allowed me to see the reality of prayer with vivid clarity. I thought God needed my emotional reinforcement in order to 'get' my prayers, but that was wrong. The real missing piece? Humility.
I think it takes an at least slightly humble person to see that God doesn't need all the emotional embroidery that we add to our devotion. Of course, God wants our hearts. Demands our feelings, in fact. He invites us to approach him with joy, with wild gratitude, with outbursts of wonder, and if we don't, something's missing.
But God has no minimum emotional requirement for prayer. We can't invest prayer with any more meaning than God has already given it. When we pray, God has agreed to listen. This is one of the incredible things Christ does for the people who end up knowing him. End of story. We should pray when we are strong and full of faith. And we should pray when we are down and full of vitriol.
No matter how zealous, content, or sincere I feel, I can't improve on God's arrangement here. This is a surprising blessing, but it takes a humble person to grasp it. At least someone who's willing to give humility a try, despite the discomfort.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Humility & Prayer Collide
Posted by AJ at 10:54 AM 4 comments Links to this post
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Escape from the Google Sandbox
Google Finds This Blog's Popularity Hard To Fathom
I'm about to take my last Aidan make-up exam, and in order to do so, I obviously need to write a quick post.
I thought I'd note that this blog has apparently managed to escape from the dreaded Google "Sandbox." You would think that playing in the sandbox would be a good place for any blog to be, but what you learned in childhood doesn't apply here.
From what I've heard, the Google Sandbox is the place where up-and-coming web-pages go to die. The Google team keeps an index of sites they suspect of having illegitimately gained a lot of incoming links, which would wrongly boost Page Rank. These unlikely "popular" sites are shoved facedown in the Sandbox where they wait on time out until Google has a chance to investigate.
I find this whole story intriguing for its slightly fantastic tone. Getting out of the Sandbox seems a little like escaping from a feudal dungeon. There's that same chivalrous, romantic aura. Not to mention the bragging rights…
"Yeah, my blog was in the Sandbox a while back. It's out now, of course, but for a while there…phew. Tough going."
"Was your blog ever stuck in Google's Sandbox? NO? Mine was."
"Aidan's not old enough for a sandbox yet. But speaking of sandboxes…"
Seems like you would start looking for creative ways to introduce sandboxes into conversations.
The allure of the situation is increased, at least for me, by my total inability to confirm any of the details. The whole thing could be a clever fantasy invented by Google (they are geniuses, after all) to deter would-be hackers. But anecdotal evidence seems to suggest the opposite. Just consider:
Mere weeks ago, the (very few) search engine hits BitterSweetLife got were from MSN and Yahoo. Today? Dozens of Google hits every 24 hours. This blog has, in a matter of days, managed to stake out real estate in such notable searches as
- Spiritual journey
- Kansas Jayhawk Basketball
- Smack talk
Google finds the relative popularity of this Indie-style blog hard to fathom.
Ha! Well, BitterSweetLife has always cherished its underblog status. We will take this slight, pin it inside our locker room, and run with it.
Look for BitterSweetLife in next year's Final Four.
Posted by AJ at 7:22 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Guessing at Heaven's Mood
Today was a good day.
I think every so often God sends us a day that, while not perfect, fills the slot for all practical purposes. Often it's in summer. I soak in fiery energy under a cool breeze, or feel my senses heightened by a rustling forest, and I have the sensation, if any sensation on earth can earn the billing, of eternity sweeping, wheeling, waiting close by. Today I could live forever, I think.
These days don't come often. And they don't last. But while they're with us, I wonder if we have the momentarily ability to make a purely intuitive leap at what immortality will be like. Pure guesswork, I know; I can't help myself. This kind of day, this rare mixture of mood and weather, makes me lightheaded.
I'm convinced the seasons are eternally eloquent. But I may like it the best when one day leaps off the calendar page, and speaks about heaven with a voice both soothing and bracing, vivid and teasing. I can't wait to hear it all.
Posted by AJ at 8:34 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Extra Security to Stop Me
This afternoon I was standing in line at Price Chopper, waiting to buy the half & half that would supplement my 4 o' clock espresso, when the cashier struck up a conversation.
"Smile, you're on camera."
I said, 'Smile, you're on camera.'"
I had been watching a workman on a mechanical scaffold-ladder-machine (as they are technically called) installing something on the high ceiling.
"Oh, are you adding more security?"
"No, we're just adding a newer camera."
"Yes, you'd be surprised how many cameras there are in this store."
"How many?"
"Over a hundred."
"Yeah, definitely. I won't try and walk out with anything."
"We catch people trying to steal stuff all the time. I guess they think it will be so easy."
"A lot of people probably get away with it once, then get caught the second time."
"I'll bet they do."
"Well, have a good evening."
"You too!"
As I headed out to the car, I suddenly wondered why I had been the target of this conversation. It was friendly enough—probably just because I was watching the camera get installed. Then again…
Given my new, short haircut and the angry black tattoo I'd had inscribed on my forearm after KU lost to Bradley in the first round… The lady was warning me not to try anything shady. I know it.
I'll just have to walk erectly, look employees in the eye, and never slur my speech at this Price Chopper. (Forget "Wassup." It's "How are you doing, ma'am," from here on out.) This store is the only source of decent coffee within walking distance of my campus, so I'll definitely be back.
We'll just see whether they have enough security cameras to catch me next time.
Posted by AJ at 7:52 PM 7 comments Links to this post
Monday, March 27, 2006
Losing Control of Your Life
Sometimes I hate the world because it seems like I have no control over anything.
When our baby got here a month early, that was cool—because he was cool. But Aidan was one of the few things 'beyond my control' that turned out really well. My friend says I have "the back of an 80-year-old woman"—and while I hope that's a slight exaggeration, it's pretty close to the truth. The more I cater to their wishes, the more my vertebrae defy me.
I can't control our car either. Ironically, I can control it on the road; it's when I park it that things get out of hand. Someone walks by and smashes a window; someone else walks by and smashes the driver's side mirror; I discover these things when I walk outside in the morning, and visualize money bursting into flame in our bank account. So I have this list…
- Health
- Car
- Money
My standard response to TICC is to get angry and want to hit something. In a way, I recommend this, so long as you are outside your apartment. Of course, it doesn't really solve anything but for about a minute it feels good.
Ultimately, what do I do with this TICC list? The obvious answer is to gain control over everything, but this doesn't work either, and it makes you a freak. Another route would be to stop caring, which can have the undesirable side-effect of making you wonder why you're alive at all.
Which is why it's good to think about these things as little as possible.
Maybe not, but to a lot of people, the real answer will be hardly better. Try it on:
In the end, the person who realizes that 'control' is a myth will be the last one laughing—and maybe the only person who has a genuine reason to laugh. When I realize that God runs the universe, and continues to do so when a vandal smashes my car and my back plays dominoes, I have stumbled on a source of comfort. I may be weeping in my coffee, but the sky remains the color of Aidan's baby blanket, the sun falls like daffodil petals, and trees are waving their arms around.
God is nearby, and he's doing nothing to openly provoke me, but the wellness of the world implies that someone, somewhere, is laughing. After I stop cursing the way life works, and look at the people hurrying by in the street, I realize that it's God.
Surely you realize, he says, that none of you are really in control?
What God wants is childlike trust, and while this annoys the hell out of me, when I see straight I have to acknowledge that God is right, that this strange arrangement is an economy of grace, and the whole lovely-awful plot makes divinely perfect sense.
Control eludes me and not only will that 'have to be OK'--it is.
Posted by AJ at 9:49 PM 10 comments Links to this post
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Theology 101: Infant Depravity
A kind of thin, punctuated wail met my ears when I entered the bathroom.
"What's going on in here?"
"Check this out, Dad" said Aidan. "I'm showing off my sin nature! Wee-ah, wee-ah, wee-aaah!"
I watched as the little guy karate-kicked a bottle of baby lotion into the sink, his legs working like pistons. Lindsay was frantically trying to hold him down as she changed his diaper. The scene was riveting.
I stood by the counter and observed the microcosmic battle between good and evil, waiting to see who would get the upper hand.
"Hey, would you mind giving me a some help here?"
"Oh, sure."
Let me tell you, this kid is a walking, talking theological laboratory.
Posted by AJ at 4:46 PM 4 comments Links to this post
Saturday, March 25, 2006
The Baby Speaks
This morning after I changed Aidan's diaper, he was wide awake, so I managed to elicit a few sound-bytes on various people. Here is his commentary, complete and uncensored.
Aidan talks about…
His grandparents: "They were all at the hospital, waiting to hold me when I came out of surgery, and I appreciate that. At the time I was mad, because the existential weight of life had hit me when I emerged out of the womb, and because having a surgery is never fun. Also, I was hungry. I wanted some milk."
His mom and dad: "Dad talks trash to me all the time and mom is more relaxed. They're both pretty cool. Sometimes I see the two of them press their lips together with a little 'smack.' They look happy. I wonder if they're sharing milk."
KU coach Bill Self: "No matter what the haters say, this guy is tops. I plan on suiting up for him in 2024, and I expect he'll have a couple of NCAA titles by then. I've noticed that on the sidelines, his players drink their milk out of little green cups that say 'Gatorade.'"
Newly-hired K-State coach Bob Huggins: "He's no boy scout, but at least the Big 12 North will have better storylines next year. I've heard that he recruits shady players and is a heavy drinker. It must take a lot of money to keep a guy that size in milk."
His dad's legendary playground hoops career: "My dad put down some swank moves back in the day, and he can still talk a good game. He told me about how sometimes the guys would call him 'White Chocolate.' I just wonder, 'Why not "Milk Chocolate?"'"
Ariel: "Hey Aidan, I sense that we're getting a little side-tracked with the interview. Are you still with me?"
Aidan: "Of course, Dad."
Ariel: "OK. Let's make sure. Who's your favorite dad?"
Aidan: "You. That's a dumb question."
Ariel: "Fine. What's your favorite color?"
Aidan: "Milk."
Ariel: "Right. And how many fingers am I holding up?"
Aidan: "Milk."
Ariel: "All right folks, that concludes our interview for today."
Posted by AJ at 9:26 AM 3 comments Links to this post
Friday, March 24, 2006
Unwanted Sympathy: God Cares? So What.
Lindsay and I have a number of international friends, and while they tend to be bright ('sent' to American universities), they are often still polishing their English. This is very understandable, but it can lead to some humorous exchanges.
Last year on Valentine's Day, one of Lindsay's friends gave her a card by way of congratulating her on her three-year-old marriage. The message went as follows:
In Sympathy
There is so little
anyone can say
at a time like this…
but it may help to know
that thoughts of sympathy
are with you.
How perceptive, Lindsay said. Right... I responded. We had a good laugh over the card (especially Lindsay), but it makes a good transition to a slightly more serious topic, something I'm calling Unwanted Sympathy.
Lindsay wasn't really looking for sympathy over her marriage (but don't ask her about the card, OK?)—and a lot of people aren't really looking for God to get his blood pressure up over their 'sad condition.'
A sentiment I sometimes encounter could be expressed like this: "You're telling me that God cares about me—actually, if we get down to it, that God has a problem with me, and wants me to make some big changes and come 'home' to him. It's nice that you feel that way, and it's nice that God feels that way (assuming there is a God)—but why should I care? As a matter of fact, I don't."
The said person often acts as if this settles the issue. But it really doesn't.
Of course, there's a point in a person's thought where doubts about God's existence could render this whole discussion less urgent. If one thinks the universe is a brute fact, that people are machines made of matter, and that God is a myth for the credulous, then talking about Christ's personality is beside the point.
Many people, however, do believe in 'God.' In which case the conversation can continue.
Let's say that I am irritated at someone I know. For the sake of an example, let's say the person is Paula at Ultrablog, and that I have two main complaints against her: 1) Her blog is predominantly purple, which is the official color of the Kansas Jayhawks' arch-nemesis, K-State, and, 2) She talks way too much about her cats, which I find inappropriate and insulting because we have a canary.
So I have an enduring bitterness toward Paula for these reasons. Paula eventually hears about my accusations, and after five seconds of thoughtful silence, begins laughing. She doesn't give a moment's thought to my hostility from that point on. However, Paula's refusal to discuss my concerns doesn't alter the fact of my sullenness.
To make this picture really work, of course, we would need to up the ante. One party would need to be deeply injured, the other would need to be really unremorseful. Only then would the serious nature of the dilemma begin to sink in.
Suppose you and I have done something criminal, and that the injured party is ultimately God. We may laugh, or choose not to waste our time thinking about such an absurd problem. But if the antagonism between God and me is really there, the problem is far from silly. If God has something against me, this would have to be The Central Problem of my life, even if I never concerned myself about it.
Let's say the North American continent was gradually sliding into a sink hole, but on principle there were several things I never concerned myself with: 1) gigantic sinkholes, and, 2) death by asphyxiation.
The issue, I think, is similar.
What's my point? At the moment I'm not trying to argue for God's existence. I'm simply attempting to show that if the biblical God is even possibly Real, his feelings toward us cannot be merely a laughing matter.
Posted by AJ at 1:09 PM 5 comments Links to this post
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek - Annie Dillard, A+
Fiery Nature, Fierce Theology, Fantastic God
Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek had been waiting on my shelf for about a year, but last week, while holding baby Aidan in the hospital room, I finally finished it. It's a testimony to Tinker Creek that, while holding my two-day-old son in my lap, I still felt a sense of awe when I put the book down. Now I'm searching for the words to do justice to Annie Dillard's masterpiece.
I'll begin by saying that this book is eye-opening and mind-awakening—in the very rare sense that, if you are wondering what life is like, how the world is, you had better read it. An audacious, feverish devotion to sense experience fuels Dillard's work. She takes a concerted, vehement wonder, and fastens it over a gritty network of empirical facts.
I've found few authors who capture the taste and texture of the world like Dillard. Creation leaps into sharp relief, this wild, weird, vivid and deadly order which we all inhabit, and usually fail to notice. As Dillard observes, "Some unwonted, taught pride diverts us from our original intent, which is to explore the neighborhood, view the landscape, to discover at least where it is that we have been so startlingly set down, if we can't learn why."
Dillard apparently reversed this ritual human regression and devoted herself to several years of lavish, unrestrained noticing:"When I see this way I analyze and pry. I hurl over logs and roll away stones; I study the bank a square foot at a time, probing and tilting my head. Some days when a mist covers the mountains, when the muskrats won't show and the microscope's mirror shatters, I want to climb up the blank blue dome as a man would storm the inside of a circus tent, wildly, dangling, and with a steel knife claw a rent in the top, peep, and, if I must, fall."
She takes a working knowledge of theology, philosophy, natural science, and physics, and goes to work reading the world. The 'notes' from her observations are presented in beautiful, and often ferocious, prose.
I found Dillard's "Afterword to the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Edition" very helpful in revealing the approach behind her writing. She writes,
"Neoplatonic Christianity described two routes to God: the via positiva and the via negativa. Philosophers on the via positiva assert that God is omnipotent, omniscient, etc.; that God possesses all positive attributes. I found the via negativa more congenial. Its seasoned travelers…stressed God's unknowability… Thinkers on the via negativa jettisoned everything that was not God; they hoped that what was left would be only the divine dark."
Thus, in terms of arrangement, the first half of the book tends more toward euphoric creation studies, poetic and scientifically precise—while the later chapters dwell on the horrific practices we find everywhere in nature, "that it is death that is spinning the globe."
In Dillard's fascination with ubiquitous death, and her battle to rectify it with divine love, I found a fascinating parallel to George MacDonald, though the styles of the two authors differ dramatically. Remarkable, to my mind, is that C.S. Lewis' comment on MacDonald's Phantastes could be almost equally applied to Tinker Creek: "The quality which had enchanted me in his imaginative works turned out to be the quality of the real universe, the divine, magical, terrifying and ecstatic reality in which we all live."
My final observation, which I draw out as an admitted lover of Lewis and Tolkien, is that Dillard has an overt love for true north—the arctic wastes, cold brightness, dark distances, a kind of soul-shriving emptiness. She longs to stand on an ice pack and gaze through layers of nebulae, the world falling away.
Annie Dillard speaks of "northing," and for her the sensation is triggered by thoughts of Eskimos and geese and dancing specks of ice. Here I found an unexpected overlap of minds, a cross-pollination of ideas and loves. I wonder if Dillard's northing, her desire to stand at the apex of the world and watch stars wheel, is similar in kind to the love of "northerness" that Tolkien and Lewis shared, and the sharp, bright stories of William Morris—say, The Wood Beyond the World. Lewis remarked that, "No mountains in literature are as far away as distant mountains in Morris."
One wishes to escape life's tangled confusion, and stand on the edge of pure, piercing beauty, even if death or danger is a bridge on the way. We'd like to blaze a trail to an enchanted forest or, in Dillard's terms, an arctic pole.
Dillard finds the distant axis through National Geographic-like surveillance and lab-work. She studies insect and ice caves and wishes she could walk all the way home to true north. In a way, I find this shocking, because I would not necessarily take Dillard's route to arrive where she does. But arrive I certainly want to. Many of us do, even as we grapple with the painful necessity of, for the next 70 years or so, staying put. We hope to get there in the end, all of us. Both scientists and dreamers.
Apparently there is more than one road.
Present on the Master Book List.
Posted by AJ at 12:44 PM 6 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Bad Coffee Tricks and Midterm Blues
This morning I drank myself awake so I could start studying for one of the three midterms I blew off last week. My professors were kind enough to work with me, but I can't say I've approached the exam prep with my usual excitement and joy.
I've read that if you feel tired, say you're driving cross country or completing an overnight trucking route, there's a clever way to trick your body into wakefulness. Studying for multiple exams seems a lot like driving down miles and miles of interstate, so I gave the scheme a shot.
It goes like this: Drink a cup of strong coffee, then lie down for a quick nap. Since the caffeine won't reach your bloodstream for 15-20 minutes, you'll sleep for about that long, and then serenely come around, wondering why you feel so good. When you become fully awake, you'll also feel like a genius, having cunningly achieved both your objectives—rest and alertness. A smile will sweep across your face and you will jump to your feet, your mind tapping out a staccato rhythm, a friend to all mankind.
I sat in the plush room they reserve for overdue exam takers, feeling like about two bucks. A '60s-style chair was crammed behind a huge, bare, fake-wood desk, flanked by towering, empty bookshelves. The empty plastic trash can behind me was a nice touch.
I slung off my windbreaker, feeling feverish, and slumped in the chair. Usually I approach my exams with the kind of militant aggression that has carried me so far in my basketball career. This morning, all I could muster was a kind of resentful disdain. Why am I here? Why am I taking this stupid test? I wonder whether Aidan is asleep right now.
I turned to look out the window, see if the sun had come out, but there wasn't a window.
Stupid test. Stupid test.
I grunted and started writing.
One test down, two to go.
That I kicked this exam in the teeth was inevitable, but I don't feel the usual satisfaction. I need to go play basketball somewhere, take some more baby pictures, and then get to the backlog of posts I've had percolating for days, even before Aidan showed up to infuse them with added insight.
Or, as Lindsay says, maybe I should just go take a nap.
Posted by AJ at 4:41 PM 4 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Smack-Talking Baby
You wouldn't believe the things this kid says.
Apparently he hasn't yet learned to appreciate the deep spiritual heritage behind his name. I don't know for sure, but my impression from reading about 'Saint Aidan' was that he was a thoughtful, soft-spoken man. Our Aidan qualifies on the first count, sort of, but definitely not the second.
Just the other day Lindsay and I were sitting down to our first post-delivery Boggle game, Boggle being something of a tradition in our family. The game was in process, the timer running, when the little fellow piped up: "Hey Mom, do you see the word I see? It's a five-letter word that begins with 'L' and ends with 'S-E-R.' In between there's an 'O.'
"I don't see it, Aidan," said Lindsay.
I was slightly annoyed, not seeing why Aidan should be helping his mom and not me. But I looked for the word too. "I'm not finding it either, kiddo."
At the same moment, Lindsay and I both looked up from the Boggle cubes. "Hey…wait a minute." We both glanced at the baby and he had this smug little grin on his face.
"AIDAN JAMES VANDERHORST!" said Lindsay.
Oh boy. I rolled my eyes. "Aidan, really."
A couple days ago R. Sherman offered to send over some MU baby clothes, and because I knew Sherman meant it sincerely, I mentioned it to Aidan after his midmorning nap. He was still rubbing his eyes, but he muttered something about how he'd been wanting some cloth diapers anyway. This kid is wicked, I tell you. We've got to rein him in.
Lately he's taken to wearing his little stocking cap and swaggering around the apartment. One moment he'll be lying there in his flannel blanket, looking around wide-eyed as Bambi, then suddenly ZING, ZING, one-liners are whizzing everywhere.
Just this afternoon he told me to step on it with the diaper change. "Being too weak to change my own diapers is bad enough. Do you think I like lying around here naked?"
I deliberately moved very slowly as I toweled him off and buttoned up his little Onesie. He got pretty steamed, but I think he learned a valuable lesson. This kid may talk some outrageous trash (I won't even tell you what he said about his doctor at the hospital) but his dad is not about to be pushed around by a six-day old.
Posted by AJ at 2:01 PM 4 comments Links to this post
Monday, March 20, 2006
The Words Are Coming
A Writing Process?
The words come at me in a swarm and I try to pluck them from the air and pin them down. I pick, I prefer, but I take what luck gives me. I press the words down, determined, into a makeshift mosaic that blurs and whirls like a dust cloud, a pesky flock of gnats. Now and again I catch a glimpse of a shape.
I put the words together. I take them apart.
The words bite and I rub my eyes, then snatch more of them from the buzzing swarm, though most escape me. They are skilled at subterfuge. They wing behind irrelevant memories and hover. They hide behind bland connotations. If I could catch the right words I could change the world.
But the story-picture grows, and suddenly it's there, and I'm powerless to change it. The struggle is over, though the exertion has left my eyes irritated, my skin pale. Is this all?
I take a close look at the colony of words I have captured. Together they make a picture: I've written a tiger. I assess myself in proximity to my work (how much of it is me?) and see that the tiger is snarling and lunging and I've got a white-knuckle grip on the tail.
Posted by AJ at 4:16 PM 3 comments Links to this post
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Unfinished Jayhawk Business
The birth of my firstborn son on Tuesday, a month ahead of schedule, prevented me from previewing the ill-fated Bradley game. As it turned out, that was no great loss. Or rather, it was. You get my point.
However, Aidan's arrival allows me to treat the Jayhawks' implosion with a fairly sanguine attitude. Anyone who saw the K-State and MU losses had to know this was a team that could fall apart in a hurry. The Baby Jayhawks fooled us into thinking their growing pains were behind them. We should all be saying, "Ha, you got us." Just goes to show, you can never trust babies to arrive on time.
Part of me wants to quit talking about basketball for the season. The world is acrid and bitter. My team sucks in March. KU should adopt a new slogan. "The Kansas Jayhawks: We craft Cinderella stories." "KU: A great escort to the big dance." 'Hawks: Watch us flap in the spotlight."
Life is awful, I'm weeping in my beer, etc. etc. But there are some loose ends that need to be tied up. Such as,
1) Which team do I root for now?
Instinctively, I'd default to the surviving Big 12 team(s). But in this case that team is Texas, which has somehow evolved into KU's biggest rival. I was inclined to give Texas respect, until Rick Barnes and the 'Horns started choking on sour grapes after the Dallas defeat. "I would have loved to see if we made those free throws, with a one-possession game, see what happened in the last couple of minutes," said Barnes.
"They played pretty good defense, but I think it was more of us just bogging down on offense and not doing all of what we were supposed to have done," said Tucker. Big-time players and coaches know when to stop making excuses and give respect. Texas is not a team I can root for in good conscience.
Where do I look next? Several teams have won my respect with their hard-nosed play, but none more than George Mason. Anyone who kicks Roy Williams out of the tournament automatically earns my admiration and gratitude.
So you heard it here first. The George Mason Patriots will beat the Longhorns by 5 to win the NCAA trophy.
2) Where will Darrell Arthur end up?
Given Arthur's hurry-up-and-wait approach (never do today what you can do next season) and his flirtation with Texas, it might be hard to embrace him with open arms. However, KU will need someone to bang with Texas recruit Kevin Durant next year, and Arthur can't be blind to the fact that should he follow Durant to Texas, the two will be competing for minutes. The Jayhawks, however, have been soft in the middle all year, and I don't see Giles, Kaun and Jackson keeping Arthur from getting serious playing time.
My gut feeling is that Self will get Arthur to sign on the dotted line, and then go to work refining his inflated ego lackadaisical worth ethic. Would this be a chancy move? Maybe, but a guy who can bring in Brandon Rush and keep his self-image in check is probably qualified to deal with Arthur. With the exception of head-case Micah Downs, Self seems to be able to 'get through' to his players.
3) What about next season?
No one wants to talk about next season, because it's such a cop-out. The 'freaking' 'Hawks (no more 'frickin,'' that is so Williams-era) should still be progressing in this one. I would need a really great excuse to talk about next season when the smoke from this year's smash-up is still rising. But of course there is such an excuse, and the word is youth.
You can forgive babies almost anything.
So I'm allowing myself to derive satisfaction from the thought of an angst-filled Jayhawk weight-room. A pumped up bunch of sophs and juniors (can you picture Julian Wright with 15 more pounds of muscle?) will make the 2006-2007 squad a viable preseason top ten pick. Darrell Arthur will give them an inside scoring presence they lacked this season. Sherron Collins, yet another in-your-face guard, will deliver additional firepower.
Out of respect to deservedly bitter KU fans everywhere, that's as far as I'll go. But since I have a new baby son, I can afford to think big.
Cross-posted on Phog Blog.
Posted by AJ at 10:32 PM 3 comments Links to this post
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Is BitterSweetLife Becoming a 'Baby Blog?'
Is BitterSweetLife becoming a 'baby blog?' (We sense the panic in your voice.) No, but we can see why you're asking.
Ever since Tuesday, when our son Aidan arrived a month early (weighing only 4 pounds, 8 ounces), I've been understandably preoccupied with that dreaded blogger category, 'baby news.' (While we're on the topic, check out the best 'baby blog' I've come across, Marks on a Wall, maintained by little Gavin, the son of my friend Charles.)
Also, for those just joining us, here are the progressive Aidan updates I've posted, oldest first:
Infantile Remarks and Spiritual Epiphany
Hidden Meaning for Pain
Baby Relief
When Babies Attack
Under the Knife
Baby Facts
Baby Gets a Name
What about Bittersweetness?
The infatuation with baby news will continue in various forms for the rest of my life, I'm told, but the content of this blog will not directly reflect that. However, Aidan's appearance gives me a chance to emphasize the fact that 'theology,' one of the central topics here (sort of), must be fused with life if it is to be valid. Theology must be, in an fundamental sense, popular—that is, livable, geared for application.
What I'm saying is, Aidan will be a catalyst for more spiritual truth discussion, more divine insight into living, and I'll unabashedly write Aidan stories to that end.
Of course, it should also go without saying that I'll write Aidan stories for the same reason I write KU and Lindsay and Coffee stories. Because I like Aidan—and I like stories. No great surprises there.
Now, as a token of good faith to bittersweet readers, I'd like to make the following remark, partly in response to my friend (and theological sparring partner) Alexys, who noted that "Many happy moments are in store. See, I told you life is sweet, forget the bitter, at least for now. Good job."
Quick observation: Aidan's arrival has been undeniably bittersweet.
What? Why not total, 100% sweetness? Can't you sacrifice a little? Don't tell me you're already making a dig at little Aidan?! You monster.
Actually, Aidan's arrival is bittersweet for the simple reason that he arrived on earth. In a perfect world, he wouldn't have been born prematurely with low blood sugar, he wouldn't be an 'at risk' baby, and Lindsay wouldn't have needed to have an operation to get the little fellow out.
Principles must be maintained, even in the face of celebration. Therefore, as ecstatic as Lindsay and I are over our son, I'm asserting all the more that life is bittersweet. Aidan's arrival would be altogether joyous only in a world where Christ's will was perfectly carried out!
No matter how happy you are, bittersweetness is a fact. Otherwise you might make the mistake of thinking wrongly that heaven had already arrived.
Posted by AJ at 10:06 PM 6 comments Links to this post
Friday, March 17, 2006
Baby Gets A Name
...Continued from Baby Facts
When Lindsay and I finally got a minute alone, the immediate agenda was obvious. We conferred about the baby's name as he anxiously looked on. And after brief discussion, we settled on the long-time leader:
We'd liked "Aidan" for years, ever since I read the story of the Celtic Saint Aidan and we found out that Aidan was the first name of A.W. Tozer, an exceptional Christian author. Also, Aidan means "fire," which is basically awesome—or, I should say—which has a wealth of allusive and metaphorical possibility. I've heard other people diss the name for this very reason: "Well you knooow, Aidan means 'fire…'" Yeah, exactly. Isn't that the point?
It seemed like a great meaning to us.
However, The Aidan Plan hit a roadblock when we learned that "Aidan" was one of the top ten baby names in 2005. How'd they find our name? Also, there's been this proliferation of names with long-A sounds: Caiden, Hadyn, Jaiden. None of this really excites us. These are all names that people might hear and say, "Oh, you were from that era."
In the end, we decided it didn't matter. If there are a lot of little Aidans out there, our Aidan will just have to be more famous than the others.
Oh yeah, and James is my middle name. It just sounded right with "Aidan." The biblical meaning is "deceiver," which I prefer to interpret as "persuasive talker." Anyway, the news is out: There's now an A.J., jr. in the house.
And a new tag on the blog: Aidan
A quick aside: I know a lot of you are in shock right now, having thought you'd figured out the baby's middle name for sure. To make you feel better, I'll acknowledge that if KU had won tonight instead of careening weirdly around the court, we might have retrofitted little AJ's middle handle to "Jay." Who knows, even "Jayhawk," had KU made an Elite Eight run. But no. The enormity of this loss has yet to sink in for Bill Self. Someday he'll meet Aidan and realize what a tragedy BradleyGate actually was.
OK, enough on that. Back to the hospital scene.
Once Aidan's blood sugar came roaring back, he spent most of the day meeting friends and family, giving high fives and smiling his little grin. What a charmer. It was after 10:00 when I finally left to get some sleep.
I drove through Wendy's, then headed home, euphorically eating the cardboard fries and thinking about how life had just ridiculously changed. On the freeway I was very careful, avoiding semi-trucks and giving the guard rails a wide berth. It would be a bad time for a life-ending accident.
Once I got home, I broke out a celebratory beverage and lofted it, offering an amazed toast to God—"Lindsay is OK and we have a cute baby—because you answer prayer."
The silence that followed was perfectly uplifting.
The end...for now.
Posted by AJ at 11:42 PM 8 comments Links to this post
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Baby Facts
...Continued from Under the Knife.
It's hard to say what surprised me more—the fact that my son was sitting there on his little bed, breathing air, the fact that he was squeaking angrily at the nurses, or the fact that I had changed into a dad without having even been present. I was also surprised when I opened the door to wheel the kid out of surgery, and about a dozen girl babies were lined up outside, just waiting. That part was a little more easy to fathom.
After we got past the girl babies, Lindsay joined the little guy and me in the transitional room. Everyone asked us what his name was. We said we didn't know. Actually, we did know, sort of. We'd whittled all the options down to just two choices, and had wisely given ourselves a whole month to choose the finalist before the baby arrived April 16.
While we were talking about how the baby didn't have a name and how he was amazingly good looking, a new problem materialized.
I've pulled off some hard sells in my life, but what happened next was the masterstroke. Like I said, the youngster was extremely good looking, but also barely larger than a bull frog—a very handsome, human-looking frog, weighing 4 pounds, 8 ounces. Because he was so small, his blood sugar wasn't up to par. I guess it was in the 30s, which is equivalent to having a room-temperature IQ—painfully low. The nurse told us that if it wasn't above 50 within fifteen minutes, the baby would have to go spend some time under the bright lights. I picked up the bottle of formula, palmed my son, and got to work.
Wheedling and massaging was the initial approach, which met with limited success. I saw that the little man wasn't buying it. No, something more imaginative would be needed. Listen, I said, you need to drink this formula. It will help your jumpshot. He just looked at me with a pained expression. Look at it this way: If you don't drink it, the woman in the green scrubs will take you away from Mom.
I've never seen a baby chug before. I didn't know they could. When the nurse came back in to take the measurement, the tyke's blood sugar had soared to 83—which, as I understand it, is equivalent to genius level. We were back in business.
Now if we could just come up with a name.
To be continued...
Posted by AJ at 11:34 PM 10 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Under the Knife
...Continued from When Babies Attack
Johnny and I jumped in his car, me at the wheel, and we took off for Overland Park Regional. It was a good 40 minute drive, even with my expert foot on the accelerator. We were both extremely nervous; my throat was lined with tasteless cotton candy; Johnny was wondering what more he could do to help; but we stayed calm and played it off well because we're cool like that. I asked Johnny, Did he know any more details? No, not really. Lindsay hadn't said much on the phone, except that she was being wheeled into the hospital on a stretcher. Ah, gotcha.
I thought, I am skipping Theology 2 to go meet my child. I hope this all works.
We pulled into the parking lot and jumped out of the car, walking hurriedly. We rushed into the Doctors' Patient Building and punched the elevator button, then rode impatiently to floor 3. We stepped out of the elevator and looked around. This isn't where they deliver babies, is it? Nope. We jumped back into the elevator, and rode impatiently back to floor 1. Out the door—this time we headed straight toward the building that had the words Main Entrance pasted on the side in five-foot-high letters. They wouldn't fool us twice.
I walked into the operating room, briefly inspected the gaping incision in Lindsay's stomach, and seated myself by her head. I smiled at her encouragingly, took her hand, and prepared myself to witness the bloody worst. At that moment my mother-in-law, dressed up to resemble one of the operation assistants in blue coveralls, hairnet, and mask, said, "Do you want to see your new baby boy?!" and I realized I had missed the whole show. Oh well.
Approximately 45 minutes had elapsed since Johnny had apprehended me on campus. The world is always changing, but rarely does it buck and jerk this wildly in three quarters of an hour.
To be continued...
Posted by AJ at 11:32 PM 11 comments Links to this post
When Babies Attack
As luck would have it, I got five hours of sleep Monday night and it took two cups of espresso to get me going in the morning. After a grande Starbuck's coffee between my morning classes, the world seemed unreal enough when who should I see but my brother Johnny—driving across my campus in the passenger seat of a sedan, next to a middle-aged woman. His eyes looked wider than usual when he saw me, and I think the surprise was mutual.
The car did a 'J' swerve in the middle of the street and Johnny hopped out as I walked over.
"Hey Johnny!"
"I've been looking all over campus for you. We just got a call from Lindsay, and she's in the hospital, about to give birth."
A surreal day was about to get surreal-er.
To be continued.
Posted by AJ at 12:15 AM 6 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Baby Relief
Yesterday Lindsay and I went in for the much-anticipated doctor's visit, and the news was good.
As we waited at Overland Park regional, tangy country music was piped into the room, the staff apparently under the illusion that most of their clientele were displaced rednecks. The closest I could find to an SI or ESPN magazine was Cycle World and Race Day. So instead of reading hoops news, which would have distracted me and soothed my nerves, I defaulted to the book I'd brought with me: Humility: True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney.
This was ironic, since after we'd cooled our heels in the waiting room for 45 minutes, humility was more of a pleasant idea than an achievable reality. While we waited, other patients arrived, took their seats, and had their names called. I fumed and time passed.
Eventually we entered the sonogram room, and the nurse on duty furthered our hopes by sizing Lindsay and me up and observing that our baby might simply be naturally, healthily small. "You're not very big," she said to Lindsay. "And you're not very tall," she said to me. This fact, which has always haunted me since I believe my height kept me out of the NBA, took on a strange, encouraging significance.
After the doctor swept in and administered the sonogram, she reviewed the data, allowed 30 seconds of suspenseful silence, and told us that all the indicators were good. The baby is small, but seems to be receiving nutrients and growing normally. Lindsay will need to return to the hospital a week from now, and the week following, to make sure the baby continues to put on weight. If the baby stops growing, a quick C-section will be necessary.
The only other concern is that the baby is wrong side (head) up, which would also require a C-section. Lindsay isn't excited about getting cut open, so we're hoping the kid will put the inherited athletic genes to work, and perform an acrobatic flip.
All that goes to say that we're not one-hundred percent in the clear, but we're definitely smiling. God answers prayers. (Thanks to those of you who spoke up on our behalf.)
Tonight Lindsay and I celebrated by going out for pizza and giddily pouring over the special NCAA tournament section of the KC Star. When we got home we had a dramatic argument and then watched a movie. Life had returned to a kind of divine homeostasis.
Posted by AJ at 1:22 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Monday, March 13, 2006
KU Jayhawks Basketball: Smash-Mouth
Zone busters. Spark plugs. Pit bulls.
I'm looking for the right words, help me.
The Kansas Jayhawks are rolling as the NCAA tourney looms, and it's hard to do justice to their offensive tenacity and smash-mouth defensive mentality.
After the Jayhawks beat down the Texas Longhorns, making me look good for having called the win and predicting key stats, the whole state of Kansas started jumping up and down. Out in the prairie, ground hogs thought a minor earthquake was hitting the Midwest.
Nope, it was just the 'Hawks and their fans, celebrating a pay-back smack-down. Everyone told them not to do it, including the Longhorn cheerleaders, but KU went on and defied the Lone Star curse. They messed with Texas, but the dirt didn't stick. If anything, NBA lottery pick LaMarcus Aldridge (4 points, 5 rebounds, no blocks) is looking a little dusty now.
As the week progresses, I'll post some thoughts on KU's first-round match-up with the Bradley Braves. Bradley features a couple of NBA-caliber players, one of them a 7-footer. Needless to say, the services of the Jayhawk big men will be required once again.
For the moment, I'm simply thrilled with the tough, tough, in-your-face intensity I'm seeing from the Jayhawks. This team appears sold on Bill Self's strategy, and as a result has a toughness that Roy Williams KU teams always seemed to lack. This concerted aggression is embodied by PG Russell Robinson, whose stat line in the Oklahoma State game included 7 steals, 7 assists, 7 stitches. No problem. Against the Longhorns, Robinson's stat line resembled a Trophy assembly line: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals.
Cross-posted on Phog Blog.
Posted by AJ at 4:40 PM 1 comments Links to this post
A Startling Discovery About My Personality
At the behest of John B. of Blog Meridian, I opted to take my first 'personality analysis' quiz ever. Normally these things hold no fascination for me, since I don't really care to learn what type of ergonomic furniture or hard candy I represent. It always seemed self-defeating to define myself in terms of a food group or home appliance. One of my little quirks.
However, John's self-assessment had provided considerable insight, as it was revealed that he and all he stands for can be summarized by ONE BOOK TITLE, and a good one at that, Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose.
This was admirable both for the fact that it was a BOOK, and that the book was not a pop-art missive culled from someone's best-seller list, say a Jonathan Kellerman or Dan Brown. Rose artfully blends theology, philosophy, and medieval mystery. When I read it over Christmas break a couple years ago, I loved it.
So I think it's entirely understandable why I was drawn in to this little Quizilla scheme. I also think that long-time readers of this blog will be very startled to learn what book 'I am.'
So much for massive doses of self-revelation.
J.R.R. Tolkien: Lord of the Rings.
You are entertaining and imaginative, creating whole new worlds around yourself. Well loved, you have a whole league of imitators, none of which is quite as profound as you are. Stories and songs give a spark of joy in the middle of your eternal battle with the forces of evil.
Which literature classic are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
As a matter of course, I discount the above description, which is as flattering as it is exaggerated...
Posted by AJ at 4:18 PM 2 comments Links to this post


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Glanders has been identified as the culprit in Bahrain, where veterinarians have had to euthanize eight horses in three weeks, reports the Gulf Daily News. The bacterial infection is highly contagious and affects primarily horses, donkeys, and mules, though humans can contract the disease.
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Tracy Gantz is a freelance writer based in Southern California. She is the Southern California correspondent for The Blood-Horse and a regular contributor to Paint Horse Journal, Paint Racing News, and Appaloosa Journal.


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The Victoria
Seven simply but stylishy furnished rooms with a great restaurant. Quiet location, car park, garden, conservatory. All of the rooms are en suite and our priority has been to ensure that our guests can enjoy a comfortable nights sleep and a really great shower.
This content has been supplied by The Victoria
Nightly rate: | £80.10 to £101.00 per room |
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Venue Details & Map
The Victoria
- Address
10 West Temple SheenLondonSW14 7RT
- Telephone:
- +44 (0)20 8876 4238
- Public transport:
- Mortlake - 10 mins walk. Exit the station and walk south along Sheen Lane. Cross over the road and turn right into Upper Richmond Road and then left into Temple Sheen Road. At the top of the hill turn left into West Temple Sheen.
- Catering Facilities
- Bar
- Breakfast included
- Halal options on menu
- Kosher options on menu
- Nut-free option on menu
- Vegetarian options on menu
- Children Facilities
- Children welcome
- General Facilities
- Internet access
- On site parking
- Payment Facilities
- Credit cards accepted
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- Traveller cheques accepted
- Room Facilities
- Drink making facilities
- Ground floor accommodation available
- Hairdryer
- Central heating
- Telephone
- Television
- Service Facilities
- Room service


text:
Loved the house and great location!
Madhav2017-03-10T00:00:00ZThank you for a wonderful stay. The apartment was immaculate. Location was perfect for my conference and it was very easy to reach from the airport. Kate gave me some great tips for food delivery apps which came in handy. Will definitely stay again!
Alicia2017-02-17T00:00:00ZKate was a fantastic host and her place was amazing! Can't wait to visit ATL again!
TJay2017-02-21T00:00:00ZKate and Gabe were excellent hosts. I would stay in this place again in a heartbeat. Kate is very kind extremely responsive, and very detail oriented. Her place is beautiful, but the added bonus is all of the extra touches that she adds. She included a travel pack of travel items. Bottled water and chocolates by the bedside , and even a manual that welcomes you and informs you about everything in her apartment and everything in the area complete with recommendations on Local eats and places to find entertainment. We did have an issue with the toilet but Kate and Gabriel were extremely responsive. This was my first Airbnb experience and I couldn't have asked for more. Highly recommend staying here. The location was great and very Central to downtown Atlanta, close to public transportation. Check-in and check-out instructions were very clear. Again I highly recommend staying here. Thank you Kate and Gabe!
Oge2017-03-08T00:00:00ZExcellent communication and awesome apartment. I loved the views. I was looking at hotels initially but stumbled across Kate's booking. Glad I did, it's great value. Thanks for the amenity pack it really came in handy. Will stay again for sure.
Kevin2017-02-11T00:00:00ZKate was a wonderful host and gave me everything I needed. The place was fantastic and located in the perfect area. The rooftop was beautiful and gave a you an awesome view of the city. Great trip all around and would definitely stay again.
Helt hjem/leilighet
Plass til
Atlanta, Georgia 30303, USA
Tim and Shaunie are excellent hosts. While in Atlanta I was able to meet Tim, he was very warm and easy to talk with. The studio was beautiful, tidy, and tastefully decorated. The hosts paid great attention to detail. (Stocked fridge/Pantry) We were in town for the Beyonce concert; lucky for us the apartment is located within 10 minutes of the GA Dome. The directions were spot on, and the apartment was fairly easy to access. You absolutely cannot beat the price for all the extras included. Anyone looking for a great place in Atlanta should consider staying here. The studio is far better than a hotel. I have stayed in numerous homes via airbnb that are all great, this one by far felt the most safe, and home like. Thanks Tim and Shaunie for making our first vacation as a married couple a great success. Awesome meeting you all can't wait to return. Maya and Sasha
Sasha & Maya2016-09-28T00:00:00ZHad a wonderful stay at Tim & Shaun's Airbnb! We were greeted by Tim as we arrived in the evening on Friday for Labor Day weekend. It was easy to find the house within the community and it was only a few minutes from west midtown. Tim was very welcoming and gave us the tour of their wonderful studio apartment. The apartment was very clean and well decorated with a modern minimal feel, but very cozy, and it was more accommodating than most mid-range hotels! There was food provided (mac & cheese, yogurt, tea, Keurig coffee, soda, frozen food, and popsicles!) They had plenty of fresh towels, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toilet paper, even a first aid kit! The bed was very comfortable and the sheets were clean and warm. They also had a directory with very good recommendations. The door also had a smart lock on it which was nice, because you don't worry about losing a key. On our last evening, we had some laundry and Tim was very nice to let us use their laundry facilities. We will definitely come back and stay when we take a trip again to Atlanta, we had so much fun and Tim & Shaun's Apartment made all the difference! I highly recommend them to anyone coming to stay in Atlanta!
Jocelin2016-09-07T00:00:00ZShaunie was very communicative and helpful with suggestions on things to do/places to eat and making sure we had everything we needed, even things we didn't think we would need were there. The neighborhood is nice and quiet, with a park and playground. The apartment itself was like new, everything in perfect condition like it was put together just for you! We would definitely stay again, perfect Airbnb experience.
Amanda2016-08-08T00:00:00ZIf you are reading this, stop looking around and BOOK! Shaun and Tim are amazing hosts, and their studio apartment is just filled with everything you need for your stay. They truly think of everything! We also really liked the special touch of getting an email from them every night with recommendations of where to go for the night to have some fun and/or R&R. The apartment was warm, cozy, and inviting; we really felt like we were at a home away from home. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay and experience. We HIGHLY recommend them! Thanks so much, Shaun and Tim!!
Tatianna2016-08-28T00:00:00ZWe had a lovely time staying at Shaunie's place in Atlanta. He was very responsive and accommodating for our late arrival. We were sad that we could not stay longer! :)
Stella2016-05-27T00:00:00ZThe spot was beautiful! My sister and I loved our time there and will definitely be staying here again!
Rachel2016-04-22T00:00:00ZThis unit is just as described. Everything you need is here including a full kitchen and private bath. It is a studio apt connected to the hosts home but it is still very private. The host and his roommate were probably some of the nicest airbnb hosts we have had. They made us feel welcome and at home. Even offered us to do laundry in their home. We would definitely stay here again.
Joandra2015-11-09T00:00:00ZWe LOVED this studio!! The recommendations were great and they were so hospitable!! We will be staying here every time we come to Atlanta!
Helt hjem/leilighet
Plass til
Atlanta, Georgia 30318, USA
This was my favorite airbnb experience thus far! The place was beautiful, clean, spacious, and decorated nicely. The neighborhood surrounding the condo was safe, quiet, and gated. The location was ideal. I could easily walk to nearby shops and restaurants and there were several nearby downtown attractions. Kevin and Anthony were amazing hosts. They were hospitable, respectful, fun, and easy to get along with. They suggested some of their favorite eateries and hang out spots, took me to lunch one day, and even cooked a delicious breakfast! Additionally they were able to accommodate my check in and out times. Kevin and Anthony go above and beyond to cater to their guests and ensure a relaxing stay. I would definitely recommend staying at this listing. You will love it!
Tyiesha2016-03-23T00:00:00ZKevin and Anthony were great hosts, and their home is located in a secure, gated area. They greeted us at check in and kindly welcomed us even though we showed up later than expected. Their place is super clean, and they are both very friendly to chat with. We had a mini fridge in our room, a large closet, and a bathroom with lots of counter space. Would definitely recommend this room to others!
Kelly2016-07-06T00:00:00ZI enyoed it ...
thomas2016-09-03T00:00:00ZKevin and Anthony were the best hosts anyone could have asked for. They have a wonderful home in a great area, my room was clean and comfortable, and they went out of their way to make me feel at home. I highly recommend you stay with them next time you're in Atlanta.
Zach2016-12-18T00:00:00ZKevin's place was very comfortable. The location was close to many of the common attractions in Atlanta. Kevin was very clear and courteous on our arrival and kept the entire place clean and organized.
Jonathan2017-03-12T00:00:00ZKevin and Anthony's place was awesome. It was really clean, exactly as advertised and in a perfect location for exploring Atlanta. They were very friendly and helpful as well too. I would highly recommend Kevin and Anthony's place to anyone visiting Atlanta.
Owen2016-10-06T00:00:00ZKevin was a great host. The pictures here don't do justification to the artistic flavor of the bedroom. Kevin was nice enough to give me a tour of the midtown Atlanta. I enjoyed my stay and would highly recommend this place
Ashish2016-04-28T00:00:00ZKevin and Anthony have a lovely home, and the guest room is clean and comfortable. They are great hosts, very welcoming, happy to help if you want advice about the area and the city. It was a pleasure to stay with them, and I'll definitely look them up again the next time I visit Atlanta
Privat rom
Plass til
Atlanta, Georgia 30312, USA
Good place to stay
Garrett2017-01-21T00:00:00ZOlson was so kind! My rental car tire went flat. I got stranded and had to change I myself. He waited up makin sure i got in ok. I was a very kind. I would highly recommend stay with him!
Diane2016-11-04T00:00:00ZOlsen was upbeat, personable, and clearly invested in the comfort of his guests. Also, his dog was really sweet. I had a great stay.
Daniel2016-12-02T00:00:00ZI stayed in Olsons place for 2 nights. It was actually my best AirBnb experience so far. Olson is a very communicative and interested person who is really concerned about a good stay in his home. He offered me drinks and food and made my stay even more comfortable! The most important thing about staying in his place: I felt like at home. I recommend his place to everybody and would go back at any time!
Fabrizio2016-08-12T00:00:00ZVery comfortable, welcoming place to stay in a convenient location. Olson is an excellent host with great suggestions on places to visit in the area and really helped me make the most of my short stay in Atlanta. Highly recommended, thanks Olson!
Henrik2017-02-21T00:00:00ZOlsen's was a very nice and welcoming host! His house and the private room are both very clean and well decorated. It's located near a lot of great local restaurants and shops. He gave us some great recommendations of places to eat and visit on our short day trip (seriously take his advice). And as an added bouns, his dog was very adorable and friendly also!
Kristin2017-03-05T00:00:00ZOlson is a very friendly and fun person to talk to; his recommendations on places to eat and visit are great!! The room is very clean and organized. The space itself is beautifully decorated!
Vic2017-02-03T00:00:00ZOlsen was a super sweet guy. His home is a block from turner field, and was safe as well as beautiful. For a game you can leave your car and safe 15$ on parking and for anything else the home was a short uber ride away from downtown and local attractions.
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Atlanta, Georgia 30312, USA
Genevieve and Lori were fantastic to work with! Their communication was excellent, the directions were clear and they really made us feel welcome and cared for. Tiny Urban Cottage is amazingly well designed. Real thought was given to efficient use of space--so much so you don't feel it's a "tiny" space. Every need has been thought of; from the bowl of fruit and chocolate, to the makeup remover, these are incredibly thoughtful hosts. The TUC couldn't be better situated than Cabbagetown. And so near many of Trip Advisor's recommended spots. What an awesome experience. Wouldn't dream of staying anywhere else in Atlanta!!
Leilani2016-09-30T00:00:00ZTiny Urban Cottage exceeded our expectations by being very private, comfortable, clean, modern, and in a fantastic location for exploring Atlanta. It is close to walking via the Beltline or streets, and there are dozens of excellent restaurant options within just a few blocks. Wonderful to have bird feeders surrounding the cottage - we enjoyed watching and hearing all the birds, especially in the morning. Greatly appreciated that coffee, half-n-half, fruit, and chocolate bar were in the cottage when we arrived. Bed was very comfortable. The description of the cottage notes that there is train noise that can be blocked at night by keeping the heating-cooling unit on - this was true although it was Marta trains that were more noticeable than noise from the commercial train yard. Great to have off street parking and the screened in porch is great for hanging out and adds spaciousness to the cottage.
Kathy2016-10-23T00:00:00ZGenevieves place was wonderful! From arrival to departure, everything was perfect. The cottage was perfect for 1 or 2 people. It was clean, well stocked and modern. Parking pad was so convenient. I would definitely recommend staying here if in Atlanta!
Emily2016-10-21T00:00:00ZGenevieve's place is fantastic! I loved the urban design, the backyard, and everything. The room was clean and exactly as pictured. Communication was very effective. I enjoyed staying at this place and would definitely come back.
Lucy2016-10-28T00:00:00ZThis was my first time using airbnb and I'm glad this was my first experience. This cottage was super comfy and the location was convenient because everything was just a walk away. The host was very nice and made sure we had everything we needed to feel at home.
Arielle2016-10-16T00:00:00ZThe TUC is a great spot in Cabbagetown! I was able to walk to get coffee at Sweet Cheats and then sit on the covered porch and read in the morning which is amazing! So cute, and p easy to get around the city from there as well!
lauren2016-10-15T00:00:00ZThe Tiny Urban Cottage was very minimal and beautiful! The hosts were super welcoming and friendly. Everything was great! It was a lovely wild life sanctuary and very soothing. We enjoyed sipping tea on the enclosed porch and watching birds bounce happily between gorgeous flowers and bird feeders! I recommend this to anyone in search of simple things and a respite from the fast pace of city life! I will be back for another visit for sure!
Gia2016-09-11T00:00:00ZThis was absolutely one of our best airbnb experiences.
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Atlanta, Georgia 30316, USA
Great space! Wonderful animals and they are super sweet! The loft is beautiful and as well as the tree house! perfect place to set up enos:) great stay!!!
Marie2017-02-20T00:00:00ZThis treehouse is amazing! Kara was a great host, introducing us to all the animals and giving us a tour when we arrived. We got to know the history of the treehouse and the love that went into it, making the spot that much more special. We walked around with the alpacas and had fun feeding them. The treehouse was super cozy. You are surrounded by bamboo on all sides with windows all around and skylights that really make you feel like you're up in the bamboo. The bed, as others have said, was amazing and slept great. We had a blast and hope to stay again another day!
Tyler2016-09-26T00:00:00ZKara was a wonderful host and the treehouse was a unique experience. We loved everything about our stay in the treehouse!
Vicki2016-12-06T00:00:00ZOur weekend at the Alpaca Treehouse was fabulous! Kara and Kate were delightful, engaging, and super friendly. They took time out of their busy days to introduce and educate us on, not only their alpacas, but their llama and all the other "residents" on their urban farm. We cannot express enough how much we enjoyed every moment of our weekend at the treehouse and highly recommend this as "a must do" relaxing, quiet getaway!
Kathleen2016-11-20T00:00:00ZThis treehouse is magical. It is everything you see online - only better. The communication with Kara is great. Responses to questions are immediate. Tranquil surroundings in a bamboo forest with only the sounds of birds chirping - and the proud rooster- the treehouse itself is fabulous. Built to perfection - character and charm. Nice touches left for the guests - snacks, wine, water, umbrellas, flashlights and more. I did a lot of research online before I made a reservation. This tree house stay exceeded my expectations.
Carole2017-03-08T00:00:00ZI can't say enough good things about Kara's treehouse. Legitimately a beautiful treehouse, in a bamboo forest, on an alpaca farm, 10 minutes from East Atlanta Village. What more could you want!? The perfect birthday celebration spot for myself, my boyfriend, my best friend and her boyfriend. We celebrated at the treehouse with a small group of family and friends early in the afternoon, then went into EAV for dinner and drinks, and the four of us came back to the treehouse for the night. If you're an Atlanta local, this place is the ultimate staycation. If you're from out of town, you'll love it... stay here for the night, and go to any of the awesome restaurants and bars in EAV. My friends and I agreed - we've gotta come back here at some point. It's magical. Kara and family - thank you for your hospitality. :)
Bess2016-12-13T00:00:00ZThere are literally no words for how awesome this place is! It has now become my favorite Airbnb! The tree house is so unique and cool! You can tell Kara and Katie have put their heart and soul into every board. The bed is comfy as can be and you will never want to leave! I wish we could stay forever. Kara and Katie are awesome as well! We enjoyed our stay so much this was the highlight of our entire trip. The alpacas are sweet and give you kisses and the chickens are adorable. This is a must do on the bucket list!
Tisha 2016-09-03T00:00:00ZWhat a wonderful spot! Pictures can't possibly do the space justice! Gorgeous especially at night, this treehouse is such a getaway. Between greeting alpacas in the morning on the way to the shower and munching on the best grapes I've had in my life grown on the property, our stay was experiential and incredibly relaxing.
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Atlanta, Georgia 30316, USA
We had a wonderful stay in the tiny house! It was so comfortable and had everything we needed. We also appreciated that the space heater was turned on when we arrived! The host recommended we explore East Atlanta during our stay. East Atlanta had a few interesting shops, but is not a place I would feel comfortable by myself or with kids. Other than that, our visit was flawless!! I would recommend this to anyone traveling to ATL.
Katharine2016-12-14T00:00:00ZThe tiny house was decorated very nice . And the price was very reasonable. The location is on a very quiet street .
Rene2017-03-06T00:00:00ZThis tiny house was really all we had hoped. Everything you would find in a hotel was there - blow dryer, mini fridge, coffee, and tv. We loved the stained glass door, the decor, the super comfy sheets and pillows, super cute creek in the back, chairs & dining space outside, and all the dishes and supplies we could need. The board games provided looked really fun, we hope to stay again in the future and next time have more time to play. Thanks again for sharing your tiny home!
charisse2016-12-10T00:00:00ZWe had an amazing stay at the Tiny House! Jonathan was a great host! The bed was super comfortable and the house was so cute! We will be back again!
Brenda2017-01-08T00:00:00ZGreat location, beautiful view of a little creek outside. Great for just 2 people who are exploring Atlanta.
Lyssa2016-12-12T00:00:00ZJonathan's place is such an awesome spot to stay. If you've ever wanted to experience living in a tiny home this is a great place to do it. The home is very cozy and comfortable. It's convenient to restaurants and I20 to get around. Jonathan and his wife were very friendly and helpful and easy to get in touch with. Thanks again!
Matti2017-02-09T00:00:00ZMy husband and I came to Atlanta to check out the first year of the Christmas market-the taste of the Glühwein took me back to Germany! The house is adorable, very clean, and in a great location! It didn't take us more than 15 minutes to get where we wanted to go, we were able to find great restaurants nearby! We would definitely stay here again if/when we make another trip to Atlanta! ...and the toilet is fascinating, you just have to experience it for yourself, just sayin'.
Julia 2016-12-20T00:00:00ZIncredible stay in a cozy tiny home!
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Atlanta, Georgia 30316, USA
Brittany was an awesome host! She was warm and welcoming from the second we met her at the door... She checked on us throughout the trip asking if we needed anything. Communication through text worked out well. Would def stay here again! Thanks Brittany!
Alexandra2017-02-19T00:00:00ZGreat host, really friendly and flexible! The house is super close to everything, my uber trip to downtown was only 3-6 bucks a ride to my conference at the Sheraton. The nearby area isn't the nicest, more like up and coming, but I felt safe. Her place is decorated very nicely there's an iron in the closet, and she's easy to reach. I'm glad she let me use her plates because I am on a meal plan. Overall I would suggest this place for shorter trips (no wifi) and especially if you'll be doing touristy things because it is close to everything important!
Mishka2017-03-13T00:00:00ZCouldn't be any closer to the dome! Clean and comfortable room that included a lock and key, hot shower, ample parking and an unexpected bonus was the iron in the room. Saved a small fortune on lodging for my Convention. Thanks Brittany!
Nick2017-03-03T00:00:00ZBrittany was a great host. Her place was very clean that I loved. She made sure I was very comfortable. Thank you
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Atlanta, Georgia 30313, USA
Alvin was great! I flew into Atlanta extremely late but he was able to make sure that I got into the apartment with no problem! The apartment was nice and the bed was amazing!
Keesa2016-07-19T00:00:00ZAn intimate spot with good amenities. Cozy with an interesting decor. Convenient to the Georgia Dome.
Don2016-10-21T00:00:00ZGreat stay .Great host . Will definitely use it again !
Donald2016-09-13T00:00:00ZA nice place near the Dome and MARTA. Really easy to get around. The place was neat and tidy.
Alexander2017-01-23T00:00:00ZAlvin was very kind and even waited for me to get all of my things in the apartment before leaving since i arrived at a late time and it was dark. His place was very cozy and looked exactly like the photos!
Sabrina2017-02-16T00:00:00ZAlthough Alvin was pleasant and enjoyable to deal with, this would not be a place I would recommend. I felt it was in need of a good cleaning and could use a few repairs. The tables could use a good dusting and cleaning, the bathroom sink had hair in it and the toilet was dirty. There was also a bag of dirty bedding sitting in a trash bag at the front door. The sink in the bathroom looked like it was starting to come off the wall, the toilet seat was cracked and broken and we had to use a pot to put water in the toilet tank to get it to flush. (Alvin said he would be over to look at it, but never showed up) Also, the place was not as quiet as stated, every time the upstairs neighbors flushed the toilet or showered it was loud in the apartment. I heard people outside in the parking lot as well as cars with music booming in the parking lot well into the AM hours. Also, there were some light fixtures without light bulbs and there was no toilet paper or paper towels, so we had to run out to the store for those items. I believe this is someone's home instead of a rental as his clothes and shoes were in the closets as well as he had food in the fridge.
April2016-10-01T00:00:00ZAlvin was a great host and the stay was great.
Bradley2016-10-11T00:00:00ZAlvin was a great host. He was kind enough to book us on a short notice, and provided a clean and cozy place for us to stay while we enjoyed a day in Atlanta.
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Atlanta, Georgia 30313, USA
Durrell2017-01-30T00:00:00ZJamals place was right in middle of the city. Perfect spot for those looking to check out the local museums or just graze in centennial park. Also great food all around. The apartment itself was immaculate. High ceilings, big windows, modern furniture, DirectTV, WiFi, all the amenities needed to enjoy my time in the apartment. Two full bathrooms, an elegant kitchen, even brought my Amazon Echo with me and felt like I was REALLY at home. I wish I could move this place to NYC. Thanks again Jamal.
Aaron2017-01-18T00:00:00ZJamal is a great host, very communicative and friendly. The place is in a great location, especially if you need to go to the Global Congress Center (I was there for work). Easy to get around, and very easy access to MARTA.
Grace2017-01-30T00:00:00ZJamal was an amazing host! The location and accuracy of the post was spot on! Right in the center of everything and not a far walk to anything. First time being to Atlanta and I'm so glad we choose this location because it was perfect for wanting to be right in the middle of all the fun. Would stay here again if I ever get he chance to return!
Taylor2017-02-26T00:00:00ZGorgeous apartment close to downtown & the convention center - all within walking distance. Jamal is a wonderful host with a quick response to questions and suggestions for amenities in the area.
gigi2017-02-13T00:00:00ZJamal was a amazing host. The place was beautifully decorated and comfortable. It was located within walking distance to every thing downtown and was around the corner from the Peach Drop celebration. I enjoyed my stay here and will be staying again in the future. If you are driving be prepared to pay for parking. We found a parking lot not to far that was $7 weekend rate.
Natasha2017-01-01T00:00:00ZJamal was very accommodating and everything was great. The apartment was clean, the beds were super comfortable, and the entire check-in/check-out process was very smooth.
Jake2017-01-13T00:00:00ZConvenient to the Georgia Congress Center
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Atlanta, Georgia 30303, USA
Barbra was very nice and her place was very nice and well decorated. We greatly enjoyed the stay!
Ruby2016-06-01T00:00:00ZNice room, comfortable bed. Really clean. Barbra let us use her washer and dryer and even provided coffee, tea, and goodies(chocolates on the pillows) thank you for hosting me and my wife. We would love to stay again if we're ever on the area.
Farag & Diana2016-09-24T00:00:00ZWe had a great stay. We were only there to sleep for about 7 hours while we were passing through. The bedroom was clean and comfortable. I'm sure we disturbed Barbra's sleep arriving so late and leaving so early, but she was kind and accommodating in texts (we did not meet).
Hillary2016-05-31T00:00:00ZBarbra's place was perfect for our overnight stay from a late arrival into the airport, on our way to Tennessee for a family wedding. Her place was clean, comfy and way more homey than any hotel. We felt like we were staying in a cousin's guest bedroom for the night.
Suzanne2016-10-03T00:00:00ZWhen you look for a home away from home you are at the right place when you want to stay with barbara. She is nice, friendly and afriend. The house is clean and organized. I was there nearly 3 weeks and I was not homesick or anything because you feel at home there. Lola is a little sweet princess who loves to cuddle and being pet. The room is huge the bed is like a dream. A little pool is only 5 min away. Barbara even introduced me to her daughter who is as sweet as Barbara. You can have long intresting conversations with both of them and they can tell you about some secret spots in Hotlanta. I will definitly come back to my second home.
Elisabeth2016-08-08T00:00:00ZBarbra is an amazing host... The room was just as said... Clean comfortable and easily accessible... I wud love to go back... Thnx alot Barbra...
Ammar2016-04-18T00:00:00ZBarbra was super helpful when we got lost finding her place (our fault not hers!) and the room was great. We loved staying at her place with her and her fun kitty. I'd definitely stay again if I were back in Atlanta.
Katherine2016-10-14T00:00:00ZGreat place to rest after long distance driving. The apartment area itself is very quiet, but there's just a tad bit of road noise out of the window (nothing too bad). Really cute and quiet cat!!
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Atlanta, Georgia 30316, USA
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Atlanta, Georgia 30303, USA
The loft was beautiful and fully stocked with everything we needed for an extended stay in Atlanta (4 weeks). High ceilings made it feel very spacious! The location was convenient to many areas of Atlanta by car. There were also quite a few restaurants/coffee shops/bars within walking distance. Laura and Robert were very responsive and took care of everything during our stay. Highly recommend this loft!
Natasha2016-10-24T00:00:00ZWhat a wonderful little hide-away. This is a perfect little hideaway! Clean, well supplied. The communication was perfect. Would love to stay here again!
Michael2016-07-01T00:00:00ZI stayed only one night. The apt was great loved it. A couple blocks away was not so desirable, however the apt is very close to downtown and everything.
Marie2016-09-09T00:00:00ZI thoroughly enjoyed the stay! Laura and her husband were awesome and the location was great! I loved the modern feel! I felt very safe and would definitely stay here again! Thank you guys!
Randall 2016-08-19T00:00:00ZThe loft was the perfect retreat after spending the day sightseeing in Atlanta. Laura is a wonderful host providing a very clean and comfortable space with many amenities.
Diane2016-11-26T00:00:00ZLaura and Robert met us at the loft, gave us a quick tour, explained the neighborhood and our best transport options, pointed out maps and restaurant recommendations, and left us knowing that they were available if we needed ANYthing. We didn't because the loft was perfect. The photos can't really capture the high ceilings and the gorgeous light (or the sweet hospitality). We walked or walked/MARTA everywhere and really experienced Atlanta -- not corporate, conference center, high rise hotel Atlanta, but park, cemetery, cafe, bar, neighborhood Atlanta. When we came back to the loft exhausted, we were grateful for our very comfortable accommodations. We've stayed in many airbnb places. This one is extra special.
Tricia2016-11-22T00:00:00ZLaura & Robert were fantastic! They truly made us feel at home. The place is exactly how it's listed and is a great place to stay if you're visiting Atlanta for any reason. Laura & Robert thought of everything, including leaving us a little basket of snacks. It's easy to find, had plenty of parking and was easily accessible. In addition to the perfect place to stay, they have so much information on hand for their guests; including public transportation maps, neighborhoods maps, etc. I highly recommend their Studio Loft and plan on staying with them again in the future.
Monika2016-12-20T00:00:00ZLaura and Robert were welcoming and accommodating. They left breakfast foods in the fridge and a basket of snacks - all much appreciated. They provided a guest book with helpful suggestions for neighbourhood restaurants, sights and transportation options. The apartment is bigger than it seems in the photo. There is a dressing/laundry room and a large bath with an excellent shower, as well as the large bed sitting kitchenette room. Appliances, linens, fixtures are high end. transportation to other areas was easy with a streetcar just a block away and Marta Station close by too. We really enjoyed our 5 night stay.
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Atlanta, Georgia 30312, USA
Very nice, clean place. Didn't meet Christian but the communication was very good. Would reccomend.
Aimee2017-01-28T00:00:00ZPlace is good and very close to Downtown area and some of the best places such as Centennial park, Georgia Acquarium and Coca Cola Musuem.
Nicholas2017-01-30T00:00:00ZVery good communication. I didn't actually meet Christian but this place was a very good deal and the room was very clean and comfortable. Would stay again.
David2017-01-20T00:00:00ZI had a great time in Atlanta. The apartment is walking distance to restaurants and shops. The apartment was very comfortable.
Sinéad2017-01-14T00:00:00ZLogement très agréable. Chambre spacieuse avec grande salle de bain privative avec douche et double vasque. Le lit est très confortable et Christian est un excellent hôte: des serviettes propred et même de petits produits toilette sont à disposition pour les locataires. À peine 16 minutes à pied du centre ville. Une très bonne expérience que nous refairont sans doute.
Carolina2017-01-18T00:00:00ZGreat room with easy access to a ton of great downtown spots. It was perfect for the Hot Chocolate 15k--we were close enough to walk!
Katherine2017-01-25T00:00:00ZSuper quick at responding to messages. Check in/out was a breeze. Place was very clean. Location was awesome, especially for the price. It was an easy 10-15minute walk to centennial Olympic park. Free Parking inside a garage.
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Atlanta, Georgia 30308, USA
Very convenient and great location. Comfortable apartment
Rachel2017-01-11T00:00:00ZBeautiful place in a great location!
Alexis2017-02-06T00:00:00ZVery good place to stay. Fantastic location, easy check in and a nice apartment.
Cameron2017-02-22T00:00:00ZBed was very comfortable. Nicely decorated. Very clean and nice. Full kitchen was very useful: modern, quality appliances and utensils. Plenty of shower room. Perfect location for The Fox, the Vortex. Host was very accommodating, professional, and promptly communicative. Great place.
Jared2017-01-29T00:00:00ZFantastic location and very responsive host
Chandra2017-03-13T00:00:00ZIt was good. Clean house and a nice location. The A/C and heating unit was loud in bedroom so if you are a light sleeper it may wake you in the night.
Julie2017-02-07T00:00:00ZThis place is wonderful! You really feel like you are staying at an upscale hotel with private amenities! Love the area and Andre is a great host!
AnDrale2017-02-02T00:00:00ZGreat place in the city!
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Atlanta, Georgia 30308, USA
It was one of my best Airbnb experiences ever. Charlene is great -- friendly and super helpful. The apartment is awesome, comfortable and near everything that matters in Atlanta. The building has a nice gym and a lovely view. Hope I can come back!
William2017-03-10T00:00:00ZCharlene's place is really great. Beautiful view of downtown from the roof, and right in the middle of things if you're in town for work or pleasure. (Even if it's the former, you're close enough to the civil rights museum—and Coke World—that it's worth a detour). Quiet, clean. Thanks!
Tim2017-03-01T00:00:00ZGreat place and close to all. Great HOST.
Robert2017-03-11T00:00:00ZGreat stay! Charlene is super sweet :) Most of the turistic attractions are walking distance from the apartment. Plenty of restaurants very close too. Apartment is very comfortable, clean. It couldnt be better.
Larissa2017-02-23T00:00:00ZCharlene was such an amazing host. She ensured our check-in was smooth and gave us helpful tips to navigate the neighborhood around Centennial Park. It's also a great location to stay-close to all the attractions in Downtown Atlanta and easily accessible from the airport (Charlene was so helpful in guiding us to use the Marta!).
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Atlanta, Georgia 30313, USA
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Atlanta, Georgia 30318, USA
Simone was a great host. Very friendly and responsive. Her home is gorgeous, it's very clear she has an eye for modern and elegant decor. The room is perfectly cozy and provides a great space for a one person stay or couple stay. Her spot is private and allows for a couples getaway but she is also willing to welcome visitors into her home if that suites your wishes. We loved being close to downtown and had a few eateries and bars in walking distance! Great place and amazing value. Thanks Simone!
Zindzib2016-09-24T00:00:00ZSimone's place was one of the most comfortable airbnbs I've ever lived in! The room was very spacious and furnished nicely. We could also make coffee, which was very nice. The bathroom was equipped with all the toiletries that we needed. The neighborhood was also very charming. I would recommend Simone's place to anyone looking for a place to stay in Atlanta!
Xiaohe2016-03-25T00:00:00ZSimone was very welcoming, and her home is just beautiful. Her and her friends provided us with everything we needed and even made suggestions on places we should go. Her home is located right off the interstate, and it's really close to a lot of Atlanta's attractions (zoo, aquarium, ikea, etc). There are even some little shops, a Chick-fil-A, Kroger, and a small park all within walking distance from her home. We will definitely keep her in mind whenever we visit Atlanta.
Ami2016-10-05T00:00:00ZI can highly recommend this place and this area when going to Atlanta. Simone was a great host and very responsive. The area is very nice and relaxed. You have a few restaurants close by and can easily reach downtown. I was impresed how good Uber works - it was my main mean of transport during my stay. You have a Kroger with a Starbucks next to your door. Best place to go in the morning before starting with anything else :-)
Ricardo2016-10-07T00:00:00ZSimone was a fantastic host! Communication was clear and easy, and the room and her hospitality were impeccable! The room is amazing and comfortable and well-designed. The neighborhood has lots of new restaurants and is so close to Grant Park, Inman Park, Krog Street Market- so it was the perfect jumping off point for exploring Atlanta. Simone had tons of good suggestions and I would recommend her place to anyone traveling to Atlanta!
Cailin2016-01-12T00:00:00ZSimone was an absolute delight to work with! She made sure we had everything we needed and made us feel right at home. The room was perfect for my best friend and me. We were able to walk to dinner at a few different places and felt completely safe. The accommodations are new, clean and simple yet sleek. Simone has great taste and has done a great job making this room perfect for anyone staying for business or exploring the city. We were even invited upstairs to join Simone for tea the night before we left. We had a great time!
Brenda2016-03-09T00:00:00ZOMG!!! The place was AMAZING and the area was so awesome you could walk around the corner to find food, fitness center, coffee shop, bars and so much more. The house was emasculate exactly how it looked yet even better. Ms. Simone was a SUPER Host! She is very nice and welcoming into her super fly pad and conversation is amazing. If you don't know where to stay in the A this is it if you can get into her spot if it isn't already booked for the month. This is my go to when I am staying in the A!
CC2016-06-02T00:00:00ZMy stay with Simone was more than I expected. I extended my stay in Atlanta by a couple days and decided to book a stay at Simone's home. As Simone states about her listing, the room really is a private gem! Upon arrival I felt at home. Simone has impeccable taste and her home definitely reflects that. Not only that, Simone herself made me feel at home. Simone and Mary are amazing hosts, making us feel right at home. We even got Simone to come out for a night of fun which was DEFINITELY one for the books. I definitely recommend no I HIGHLY recommend you booking a stay with Simone, you will be in for a wonderful treat.
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Atlanta, Georgia 30316, USA