Well folks, here it is… my big debut. Unfortunately, I can’t wow you with my extensive knowledge of journalism or creative writing. I didn’t attend an Ivy League school and truth be known, I’ve never even written an actual column before. However, with fingers crossed, I hope you’ll enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed – well, loved – writing it.

The most important thing you should probably know about me is that I am a native of Georgia, born and raised. I eat peaches and grits, use the term “y’all” in almost every sentence and have made SEC football my second religion. If you walk out my front door and turn your head just right, you will sense the distinct smell of still-operating chicken farms. If you drive approximately 4 miles south, you can sip a Starbucks while perusing the insanely crowded aisles at Target. We see all 4 seasons and surprisingly, they actually coordinate with the calendar on most years.  I still have my southern drawl and I’ve come to the conclusion it’s something only a lucky handful are able to acquire and sustain throughout their lives. Having said all that, I find it hard to believe I am considered the minority in this city. I am a local, one who loves it so much that I have yet to leave. And probably never will.

A business associate asked me the other day where I was from. After claiming Woodstock, Georgia as my place of birth and seeing his stunned facial expression, I quickly asked myself if Timbuktu had accidentally exited my mouth. “Wait, so you’re a NATIVE?” Apparently, us “local folk” are hard to come by ‘round these parts. Every time I hear Atlanta referred to as the transplant capitol of the South I’m amazed, but yet it makes incredible sense to me. Whowouldn’t want to live here? And who would want to leave? Don’t people get it?! Without Atlanta traffic (quit laughing, people) it takes me 4 hours to get to the closest beach. One hour north of the homefront and I’m hiking the Appalachian Trail (alas, this has never actually happened… but I’ve thought about it a time or two). Gladys and the Pips loved it so much, they took the midnight train here. The devil even came down to Georgia. It is a fantastic state, filled with amazing cities and towns so small, you’ll miss them if you blink. We are the home of Coca-Cola, CNN, Delta and the birth place of the Civil Rights Movement. Sherman burned our city to the ground and yet we are still here; bigger, better and busier than ever. We have the largest aquarium and the most hectic airport in the world. Okay… maybe the latter isn’t necessarily an attractive feature, but surely you are catching my drift.

My point being, if you don’t live here then you should. And if you can’t live here, you need to at least visit – you may change your mind. Speaking of minds, is Georgia on yours?

See y’all next week, ya hear?!