Awaking Within » Videos

Waterford Landing, Hoover, Alabama – Here Comes The Bus

IvanTheGreat — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 01:02:47 +0000

I have had the pleasure to spend the past 14 months living in a rental community [Waterford Landing], in Hoover, Alabama. ”Sweet Home Alabama” they say around here. I still remember the day I was apartment hunting. It was very hot and muggy. Felt worse than Florida, humid, yet dry heat from above. The bay-view windows sold me on this place. I will have a post dedicated on my move [to Alabama] at a later time. Here Comes The Bus.

There is just so much to talk about when it comes to Waterford Landing Apartments, that one post is not enough to run a bus over the management company of this community. But I wish to share some of the most recent experiences.

On Fourth of July, this nation’s Independence Day, residents were having a party in one of the apartments on the third floor [which is the top floor]. At some point throughout the night, 7 people were reported to be hanging out on the balcony. Rumors are that there might have been as many as 9 individuals. At that point, as the story goes, the balcony collapsed, sending everyone to the ground. One dead, two in critical condition, two seriously hurt, one or two with broken bones, and a rumor of two leaving the scene.

What a tragedy! To leave this world due to lack of maintenance of the place one calls Home. This ain’t no Sweet Home Alabama! This is beyond any excuses. The city reports that they approve all new construction, but once a building is certified, it is up to the management company to maintain it, without any checks or balances from the city – until it is too late.

I can also attest to the condition of the stair cases going up and down to the apartments. The majority of the wood used is 15+ years, as old as the buildings. It has never been treated with anything to withstand the elements. Boards are flopping and being held by an average of 10 nails, if not more – but still not enough. An accident waiting to happen? I grasp myself going up and down on daily bases.

Notices were posted on all apartments, approximately two weeks after the incident [on 4th of July], warning residents not to use their balconies due to their hazardous condition. Why the long wait before people were warned? The collapsed structure was blocked off [and still is], with ply wood panels, and surrounded by yellow caution tape. A Hoover PD officer is on duty watching the site 24-hours. That’s gotta cost the local tax payers thousands of dollars. Believe it or not, the posted officer does not deter crime, but that is a separate post.

Approximately three weeks after the 4th of July even, another set of balconies collapse. At a different building within Waterford Landing. Inspections were not even completed. At this point, multiple buildings have lost balconies, one person has died, multiple families scarred for life – and the management company has not done much but give [so far] empty promises.

As of August 28th, almost two months after the tragic event, no work is evident of any kind. A couple of weeks ago I witnessed a crew of three working on the facia of a building, but staying away from the balconies. The management company was quoted in a news story done by local ABC News crew that repairs were going to happen immediately. Does that word [immediately] mean something different besides right away or now, here in Alabama?

A huge lawsuit is under way towards Engel Residential Management company by those directly effected. I expect this could possibly leading to the enactment of ordinances and/or perhaps new laws locally or state-wide. It all depends on how far the lawsuit can go and how deep of packets Engel Residential has.

Pictures to come.

Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull – Volcano Eruption 2010 Video

IvanTheGreat — Tue, 18 May 2010 05:53:28 +0000

This was too beautiful to pass by and not share it with anyone and everyone! Filmed and Produced by Sean Stiegemeier

Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull – May 1st and 2nd, 2010 from Sean Stiegemeier on Vimeo.

Leprechaun in Mobile, Alabama – Video Compilation

IvanTheGreat — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 07:31:33 +0000

Original Newcast from NBC 5 in Mobile, Alabama
March, 2006

Funny Video-Mix of the above Newscast with a Destination Truth Episode about Leprechauns
April 2010

Georgia Aquarium Experience – Where All Marine Life Lives in Harmony

IvanTheGreat — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:21:59 +0000

An experience at the Georgia Aquarium, in Atlanta, Georgia. When visiting, one can see lots of different fish and mammals, from the Beluga Whale mating, to the quirky Sea Dragon, from the young Whale Shark, to the old Sting Ray, Sharks and Groupers, Sea Stars and Glowing Jellyfish. The Georgia Aquarium offers a memorable experience for all ages.

They also offer a ‘petting zoo.’ You can actually touch some fish, including cat fish, sea stars, and shrimp, are just to name a few. If you enjoy everything the Aquarium has to offer, you can easily spend all day there, however, you can also check out all of the major attractions in under three hours.

Worth a visit… The Georgia Aquarium is rated the largest in the world!

Beluga Whales Playing Hooky (Mating) at the Georgia Aquarium

IvanTheGreat — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:41:31 +0000

Recently, on March 9th, 2010, I visited the Georgia Aquarium, which is located downtown Atlanta, Georgia. It is a decent size aquarium. Probably one of the largest in the world, as far as the size of the main tank.

In addition to the visit, I was able to observe the Beluga Whales attempting to mate! Apparently they had been showing signs of mating all week long, and I happened to be present when they attempted to do so, again.

The Beluga Whales are some of the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen. I will always remember this experience! I strongly recommend that if you have an opportunity to see them, anywhere, take it.

A Night at the Iron Horse with Fly By Radio

IvanTheGreat — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:10:05 +0000

I was invited to go out one night and see a band called Fly By Radio. I had never heard of them. I’m not big into concerts and such, so I was a bit cautious with my decision. After doing a bit of research to see who they are, I found out that Fly By Radio is just a cover band. While I was a bit disappointed, I was also intrigued of going out that night. I figured I can see a show and enjoy music that I already know.

I committed to going out. My friends came over my place so that we all have a place to meet and the same designated driver. Of course we had a couple of drinks here to “pre-game” a bit, before we head over to the club, which is about a mile away from where I currently reside, in Hoover, Alabama.

When we got there, the line was about 30 minutes long. It was cold, but we had no choice to wait it out. The drinks did help to keep us warmer. We waited, paid our $10 cover, and went inside. It was crowded. My friends all ran towards the stage, pushing themselves through to make it to the front. Their idea of enjoying the show was to be upfront, close and personal. I instead headed to the bar to get myself a drink. I ended up getting everyone a drink (except our designated driver), since I’m a nice guy. I also figured it would be easier pushing myself through the crowed with drinks in hands, so that people back up and I don’t spill on them.

I made it to the front. Decided I was going to take advantage of my Motorola DROID phone and snap some photos and videos. The quality is not bad for it being a camera on a mobile phone. I managed to drop the phone/camera at one point during the beer chugging contest. [By the way, I misspelled chugging {chuging} in my video. For some reason the puter didn't correct me, lol.]

Beers on Toilet

We had a great time! The show was very enjoyable and the band was good. Heard a lot of good songs. Had a lot of drinks. When I visited the bathroom, one of the stools was covered all over with empty bottles of beer. I hadn’t experienced that before, but nothing surprises me anymore here in Alabama.

When I went back to the bar, ordered another drink, and decided I was going back to the front of the stage. On my way there, an attempted fight broke out. I say attempted because it never actually ended up in a fight. People were able to pull them apart. One of the guys was heavily intoxicated, he even attempted to swing an arm at a woman. This is when I decided I was done.

I walk (stumbled) outside, sat myself on one of the tables, and texted my friends letting them know that I am out. Another guy managed to do the same and sat on the same table as me. We were chatting and telling each other how drunk we were, lol, good times! Eventually my friends came out and our DD took us home.

Hope you enjoy the video and at least got some sense of the fun that we had.

Part of the Alabama Life series

Pants on the Ground – American Idol Audition

IvanTheGreat — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 23:07:33 +0000

Pants on the Ground – American Idol – Season 9 – 2010 – Atlanta, GA

This was very entertaining, however, makes one think, how staged are some of these performances by people auditioning for American Idol!?!? Some people are so bad, and there is so much pre-recorded video that is showcased, that it doesn’t make sense that the producers did not know that those people really can’t sing.

Even General Larry Platt… The people in the waiting area were all singing the song at the end of the show. Were they all handed out scripts? It only makes sense that it was all staged.

Now, General Larry Platt is a star – overnight! Good for him. Good for the Asian guy a few years back – he even put out an album, even though he couldn’t sing to save his life.

I find this show very entertaining in the beginning stages of each season, when things like this (video) get broadcasted.

Snap! Snap!