New State of Alabama license plates

[tBBP]

It ain't got much of one, but it's there regardless--as residents of Foley, Orange Beach, Lillian, and Dauphin Island can attest to.

This thing just don't say "Alabama" to me...no, not at all. Alamaba the Beautiful, they call it...and this plate represents about 5% of the state's scenery, IMO. Good thinking on the cattail plants, though...the roots of those things, when boiled, make a quite tasty meal along with crushed wintergreen leaves and fresh-speared fish.

(Okay now I'm starting to give too much of myself away here...)

That's just it though...no one thinks about the beach whenever they think of Alabama- which is why I think this plate design doesn't work at all. When I think of Alabama, I think of a HUGE space of undeveloped land and college football...and Birmingham...which makes me think "crime".

If "what people think of..." was the criteria for plate designs, then everywhere down south not named Florida would have some fat guy in a rebel flag shirt sippin' SoCo and feeling up his sister during a NASCAR race.

I suppose so...but I wasn't really just talking in stereotypical terms- I was being honest. Don't get me wrong, I totally know beaches exist in Alabama (Orange Beach is kickass and has the Floribama, one of the most awesome bars I've ever been to) because my mom lives in Pensacola...

STOP RIGHT THERE.

What part of Pensacola she stay in mayn? What ZIP code? You know...gotta ask. You know that's my city, right?

And whatchu know about the Flora-Bama, man? Not that it's exactly my type of establishment, but I done been there a few times--even done the whole mullet toss thing (damn near won it one time). For those not familiar, the bar we're referring to here sits perfectly on the Florida/Alabama state line--well, the westermost tip of the Florida state line, that is. There's a reason Pensacola is known as the "western gate to the Sunshine State"...

...back on the topic of the plate. Maybe it's just because I'm from that region, but I think if the plate had something more in the realm of more trees and made the water seem more like a big lake, that'd be more indicative of Alabama to me. But again, that's just me.

And BTW, Illwauk...the funny thing is when I think of Wisconsin, it generally doesn't go beyond Milwaukee (a place I never got to visit while servicing Midwest Airlines though I always wanted to) and Madison. This is why: I shudder the thought of what I have seen of Wisconsin...one big-a$$ grassfield. This is what happens when you get stuck in a place outside of a little town that's outside of a smallish city out in (what seemed at the time) the middle of nowhere. Speaking of (in backwards order) LaCrosse, Sparta, and...Fort McCoy.

Tell you this, though: I can pick out a Wisconsin accent like nobody's business...the very first time I hear it.

[Cola]

The South Carolina one has a URL on it? Are you kidding me? O.o

Yes, just like Barrack Obama's campaign logo features his URL. It's called forward thinking and a new century. Welcome.

[Cola]

It ain't got much of one, but it's there regardless--as residents of Foley, Orange Beach, Lillian, and Dauphin Island can attest to.

This thing just don't say "Alabama" to me...no, not at all. Alamaba the Beautiful, they call it...and this plate represents about 5% of the state's scenery, IMO. Good thinking on the cattail plants, though...the roots of those things, when boiled, make a quite tasty meal along with crushed wintergreen leaves and fresh-speared fish.

(Okay now I'm starting to give too much of myself away here...)

That's just it though...no one thinks about the beach whenever they think of Alabama- which is why I think this plate design doesn't work at all. When I think of Alabama, I think of a HUGE space of undeveloped land and college football...and Birmingham...which makes me think "crime".

If "what people think of..." was the criteria for plate designs, then everywhere down south not named Florida would have some fat guy in a rebel flag shirt sippin' SoCo and feeling up his sister during a NASCAR race.

I suppose so...but I wasn't really just talking in stereotypical terms- I was being honest. Don't get me wrong, I totally know beaches exist in Alabama (Orange Beach is kickass and has the Floribama, one of the most awesome bars I've ever been to) because my mom lives in Pensacola...

STOP RIGHT THERE.

What part of Pensacola she stay in mayn? What ZIP code? You know...gotta ask. You know that's my city, right?

And whatchu know about the Flora-Bama, man? Not that it's exactly my type of establishment, but I done been there a few times--even done the whole mullet toss thing (damn near won it one time). For those not familiar, the bar we're referring to here sits perfectly on the Florida/Alabama state line--well, the westermost tip of the Florida state line, that is. There's a reason Pensacola is known as the "western gate to the Sunshine State"...

She lives right off Davis Hwy...about a mile or two from the hospital on that highway. Yeah, the Flora-bama isn't somewhere I would go every weekend if I lived in Pensacola...but if you enjoy live music, a chance for a wild and crazy time, and watching other people get as hammered as you are- it is a blast. Let me tell you, I do a lot of drinking (at least I used to, in my recent college days that have passed me) and still have a pretty high tolerance and I won't forget the first time I went to the Flora-bama. We got there about 8pm which I thought was quite early (usually go out around 10 or so)...and the inside part under the circus tent was slammed pack and that crazy woman was singing (I think she is a lesbian, if you know who I am talking about- not that it matters, but she has been playing every time I've went) while everyone was partying. Most people seemed like they were having fun, but sober for the most part.

Not 20 minutes later, I walk back in from outside and there are people going NUTS drunk as hell...standing on all the tables...people falling around...women taking bras off...a bridal party throwing a dildo around...and I was like "wtf, what kind of SHOT did these people just take!?!" haha

anyways, good times.

[JQK]

The South Carolina one has a URL on it? Are you kidding me? O.o

Com.... pu... ters?

[Island_Style]

The South Carolina one has a URL on it? Are you kidding me? O.o

Com.... pu... ters?

They have the internet on computers now!

[rams80]

The South Carolina one has a URL on it? Are you kidding me? O.o

Com.... pu... ters?

They have the internet on computers now!

What is this internet of which you speak.

[footballfiji]

The South Carolina one has a URL on it? Are you kidding me? O.o

Com.... pu... ters?

They have the internet on computers now!

What is this internet of which you speak.

Series of tubes. Invented by Al Gore. Now used mainly to bring porn to your house, or make up imaginary girlfriends on sports logo message boards.

[See Red]

The South Carolina one has a URL on it? Are you kidding me? O.o

Yes, just like Barrack Obama's campaign logo features his URL. It's called forward thinking and a new century. Welcome.

I know the Florida license plates have myflorida.com at the top...

Unless you have the specialty plates -- like my Lennon plates.

[tBBP]

It ain't got much of one, but it's there regardless--as residents of Foley, Orange Beach, Lillian, and Dauphin Island can attest to.

This thing just don't say "Alabama" to me...no, not at all. Alamaba the Beautiful, they call it...and this plate represents about 5% of the state's scenery, IMO. Good thinking on the cattail plants, though...the roots of those things, when boiled, make a quite tasty meal along with crushed wintergreen leaves and fresh-speared fish.

(Okay now I'm starting to give too much of myself away here...)

That's just it though...no one thinks about the beach whenever they think of Alabama- which is why I think this plate design doesn't work at all. When I think of Alabama, I think of a HUGE space of undeveloped land and college football...and Birmingham...which makes me think "crime".

If "what people think of..." was the criteria for plate designs, then everywhere down south not named Florida would have some fat guy in a rebel flag shirt sippin' SoCo and feeling up his sister during a NASCAR race.

I suppose so...but I wasn't really just talking in stereotypical terms- I was being honest. Don't get me wrong, I totally know beaches exist in Alabama (Orange Beach is kickass and has the Floribama, one of the most awesome bars I've ever been to) because my mom lives in Pensacola...

STOP RIGHT THERE.

What part of Pensacola she stay in mayn? What ZIP code? You know...gotta ask. You know that's my city, right?

And whatchu know about the Flora-Bama, man? Not that it's exactly my type of establishment, but I done been there a few times--even done the whole mullet toss thing (damn near won it one time). For those not familiar, the bar we're referring to here sits perfectly on the Florida/Alabama state line--well, the westermost tip of the Florida state line, that is. There's a reason Pensacola is known as the "western gate to the Sunshine State"...

She lives right off Davis Hwy...about a mile or two from the hospital on that highway. Yeah, the Flora-bama isn't somewhere I would go every weekend if I lived in Pensacola...but if you enjoy live music, a chance for a wild and crazy time, and watching other people get as hammered as you are- it is a blast. Let me tell you, I do a lot of drinking (at least I used to, in my recent college days that have passed me) and still have a pretty high tolerance and I won't forget the first time I went to the Flora-bama. We got there about 8pm which I thought was quite early (usually go out around 10 or so)...and the inside part under the circus tent was slammed pack and that crazy woman was singing (I think she is a lesbian, if you know who I am talking about- not that it matters, but she has been playing every time I've went) while everyone was partying. Most people seemed like they were having fun, but sober for the most part.

Not 20 minutes later, I walk back in from outside and there are people going NUTS drunk as hell...standing on all the tables...people falling around...women taking bras off...a bridal party throwing a dildo around...and I was like "wtf, what kind of SHOT did these people just take!?!" haha

anyways, good times.

West Florida Regional is the hospital you speak of...which would mean she's up in the Ferry Pass area. Nice! (although I have absolutely NO reason to be that far up Davis Hwy unless I'm passing by on my way to UWF...I come from Montclair, if you know about that.)

Yeah crazy thangs can happen at the Flora-Bama. Alcohol and a bunch of lunatics who really just don't give a f*** can combine to make quite the interesting scene. Ah...memories of that place...

[footballfiji]

West Florida Regional is the hospital you speak of...which would mean she's up in the Ferry Pass area. Nice! (although I have absolutely NO reason to be that far up Davis Hwy unless I'm passing by on my way to UWF...I come from Montclair, if you know about that.)

Yeah crazy thangs can happen at the Flora-Bama. Alcohol and a bunch of lunatics who really just don't give a f*** can combine to make quite the interesting scene. Ah...memories of that place...

Go Argos.

Second, on the South Carolina plates, was there no outcry from Gamecock fans at these new plates? I saw 2 on the road today coming into work and every time I see them I always think "Clemson".

[tBBP]

West Florida Regional is the hospital you speak of...which would mean she's up in the Ferry Pass area. Nice! (although I have absolutely NO reason to be that far up Davis Hwy unless I'm passing by on my way to UWF...I come from Montclair, if you know about that.)

Yeah crazy thangs can happen at the Flora-Bama. Alcohol and a bunch of lunatics who really just don't give a f*** can combine to make quite the interesting scene. Ah...memories of that place...

Go Argos.

Second, on the South Carolina plates, was there no outcry from Gamecock fans at these new plates? I saw 2 on the road today coming into work and every time I see them I always think "Clemson".

Whatchu know bout some Argonauts, man???

[footballfiji]

West Florida Regional is the hospital you speak of...which would mean she's up in the Ferry Pass area. Nice! (although I have absolutely NO reason to be that far up Davis Hwy unless I'm passing by on my way to UWF...I come from Montclair, if you know about that.)

Yeah crazy thangs can happen at the Flora-Bama. Alcohol and a bunch of lunatics who really just don't give a f*** can combine to make quite the interesting scene. Ah...memories of that place...

Go Argos.

Second, on the South Carolina plates, was there no outcry from Gamecock fans at these new plates? I saw 2 on the road today coming into work and every time I see them I always think "Clemson".

Whatchu know bout some Argonauts, man???

My Dad's side of the family is from FWB but now they all live in "The Cola". He graduated from UWF before joining the Navy and went to Southern Miss after his tour. He went to Choctawhatchee High (in FWB) while he was down there, but I think my cousins all went to Woodham High.

[illwauk]

And BTW, Illwauk...the funny thing is when I think of Wisconsin, it generally doesn't go beyond Milwaukee (a place I never got to visit while servicing Midwest Airlines though I always wanted to) and Madison. This is why: I shudder the thought of what I have seen of Wisconsin...one big-a$$ grassfield. This is what happens when you get stuck in a place outside of a little town that's outside of a smallish city out in (what seemed at the time) the middle of nowhere. Speaking of (in backwards order) LaCrosse, Sparta, and...Fort McCoy.

WHAT?!?! Milwaukee and Madison have museums and music scenes and black people and buildings that can be seen from more than 20 feet away... that's not REAL Wisconsin.

I feel you about being upstate though. When I was younger my mom used to have me stay out there with my aunt and I used to get scared as f*** at the dead silence at night. It reminded me of being in a horror flick. But how did YOU get stuck out there?

Tell you this, though: I can pick out a Wisconsin accent like nobody's business...the very first time I hear it.

Hmmm... I'll take your word for it. But know that a lot of people think they're hearing a Wisconsin accent when they're actually hearing the Minnesota/Fargo accent or the Yooper (Upper Michigan) accent.

It ain't got much of one, but it's there regardless--as residents of Foley, Orange Beach, Lillian, and Dauphin Island can attest to.

This thing just don't say "Alabama" to me...no, not at all. Alamaba the Beautiful, they call it...and this plate represents about 5% of the state's scenery, IMO. Good thinking on the cattail plants, though...the roots of those things, when boiled, make a quite tasty meal along with crushed wintergreen leaves and fresh-speared fish.

(Okay now I'm starting to give too much of myself away here...)

That's just it though...no one thinks about the beach whenever they think of Alabama- which is why I think this plate design doesn't work at all. When I think of Alabama, I think of a HUGE space of undeveloped land and college football...and Birmingham...which makes me think "crime".

If "what people think of..." was the criteria for plate designs, then everywhere down south not named Florida would have some fat guy in a rebel flag shirt sippin' SoCo and feeling up his sister during a NASCAR race.

I suppose so...but I wasn't really just talking in stereotypical terms- I was being honest. Don't get me wrong, I totally know beaches exist in Alabama (Orange Beach is kickass and has the Floribama, one of the most awesome bars I've ever been to) because my mom lives in Pensacola and, unfortunately, I have to ride a long while through Alabama to get there from SC. I guess I just feel like Alabama is a pretty unappealing state overall and my honestly came out. I do agree though, they should try and use the plate as a marketing tool and sway any visitors they can to the state.

You said it... not me

Based on my limited experience of Alabama, I agree. But I can't help but sympathize when I come from a city of 600,000 and still get asked if I grew up on a farm because of people's perception of Wisconsin. And I can't blame Bama for emphsizing its shoreline when I've been calling for my state to do the same.

[tBBP]

West Florida Regional is the hospital you speak of...which would mean she's up in the Ferry Pass area. Nice! (although I have absolutely NO reason to be that far up Davis Hwy unless I'm passing by on my way to UWF...I come from Montclair, if you know about that.)

Yeah crazy thangs can happen at the Flora-Bama. Alcohol and a bunch of lunatics who really just don't give a f*** can combine to make quite the interesting scene. Ah...memories of that place...

Go Argos.

Second, on the South Carolina plates, was there no outcry from Gamecock fans at these new plates? I saw 2 on the road today coming into work and every time I see them I always think "Clemson".

Whatchu know bout some Argonauts, man???

My Dad's side of the family is from FWB but now they all live in "The Cola". He graduated from UWF before joining the Navy and went to Southern Miss after his tour. He went to Choctawhatchee High (in FWB) while he was down there, but I think my cousins all went to Woodham High.

All this mention of home is really making me homesick...daggone it... Fort Walton Beach, Choctaw(hatchee)...yep--all reminders of home. And FWIW, I'm an alum of PHS...Pensacola High, that is. Not that I'm proud to admit it...

BTW...don't know when your pops graduated UWF, but ask him what he thought about the English COmp/writing course curriculum there. There's a reason UWF is also known (mostly to the rejects who end up at PJC, like me), as "U Will Fail".

(BTW...it's "P'cola" for short--don't none of us natives call it "the Cola"...now "Pepsi-Cola" is a different story... )

And Illwauk...how did I stuck out at Ft McCoy? Uncle Sam thought it'd be a good idea to send my unit out there for some training...they ain't have to do it two years in a row though...

[B-Rich]

Hmmmm... interesting. Acknowledging their coast.

But Mississippi did it first:

These things have been out for about a year now. And according to this link, part of the reason deals with Hurricane Katrina:

Joe Blount, Commissioner of Revenue, said ?this tag design is intended to be a reminder

to us of all those who lost so much from Katrina, to serve as a symbol of our citizens?

commitment to recovery as well as a symbol of our gratitude to all Americans for their

prayers and generous support.?

By the by, Brandon, I always get a kick out of hearing you discuss the north Florida Gulf Coast. Being a New Orleans-area guy, I'm often over that way (usually 2-3 times a year during the spring/summer) for vacations (mostly to Seaside and other spots in south Walton County) and am pretty familiar with the area.... You know, those Louisiana plates that cause summer and holiday traffic jams in Destin and the highway that runs from Gulf Shores to I-10.... I love the Flora-Bama, Perdido Key, the amazingly crystal clear Big Lagoon waters around Ft. McCree.... one day they'll finish I-110 in Pensacola.

[tBBP]

Hmmmm... interesting. Acknowledging their coast.

But Mississippi did it first:

These things have been out for about a year now. And according to this link, part of the reason deals with Hurricane Katrina:

Joe Blount, Commissioner of Revenue, said ?this tag design is intended to be a reminder

to us of all those who lost so much from Katrina, to serve as a symbol of our citizens?

commitment to recovery as well as a symbol of our gratitude to all Americans for their

prayers and generous support.?

By the by, Brandon, I always get a kick out of hearing you discuss the north Florida Gulf Coast. Being a New Orleans-area guy, I'm often over that way (usually 2-3 times a year during the spring/summer) for vacations (mostly to Seaside and other spots in south Walton County) and am pretty familiar with the area.... You know, those Louisiana plates that cause summer and holiday traffic jams in Destin and the highway that runs from Gulf Shores to I-10.... I love the Flora-Bama, Perdido Key, the amazingly crystal clear Big Lagoon waters around Ft. McCree.... one day they'll finish I-110 in Pensacola.

One of these days...

The last time I was there, shortly before I got sent over here, it looked like they were trying to widen 110 to four lanes each way. It really seems like Mayor Fogg is hell-bent on trying to turn Pensacola into a major MAJOR little big city. I mean, I'm all for growth and all...but daggone! Each time I go back something else done changed. (Now I got my own ideas for how they can help jazz up the city...but I'll keep those to myself.)

BTW...the highway you're thinking about, that runs from Gulf Shores to I-10, is Highway 59.

Destin. Love the place. Spent quite a bit of time out there. (And not just at Night Town and the Swamp...if you been to either, you know what I'm talking about, and why.) All that said, though, Sandestin might be the most beautiful spot out along that entire northern coast.

Okay now I really miss home.

All I see out here is dirty-ass desert sand...far as my eye can see. Would love to trade that in for some BEACH sand...and GULF water as far as my eye can see, right about now!

[BlueSky]

What I'd like to understand is what the hell the "Stars fell on..." phrase on the current AL plate is supposed to mean.

As for URLs on license plates come on, they're everywhere now.

As for specialty plates, good God, Florida has one for everything under the sun. John Lennon???

Colorado has a clever approach to specialty plates. They use a standard template similar to the regular plate layout, and all that changes are the colors, center logo and the text at the bottom. They may also change the font of the 'Colorado' depending on the theme but the actual layout doesn't change. Pretty smart.

[tp49]

Yeah, the "Redneck Riviera" is exactly what I think of when I think of Alabama. [/sarcasm]

The plate looks too plain to me and looks similar in color to the Kansas plate. However, it is better than the blue, white, red with black letters monstrosity they had when I left.

[B-Rich]

What I'd like to understand is what the hell the "Stars fell on..." phrase on the current AL plate is supposed to mean.

"Stars Fell on Alabama" is a pretty classic song, written in 1934 and covered since by a bunch of artists. Billie Holliday, IMHO, did

.

[rainmaker17]

Texas has joined the design your own plate craze.

http://www.myplates.com

I agree that the Alabama plate is mediocre at best. Way too pastel for my tastes.