Category / Just For Fun

by Leo Suarez

How Much Fun Did You Have During The Winter Storm of 2010?

I’m sure lots of people were enjoying the winter weather we had this weekend, especially the kids that are staying home from school this week. For those that watched the local news each and every minute up until the storm, I’m also sure it is a big relief that the apocalypse did not happen.

For more media of snow and Raleigh over the past few days, click below to re-live it all.

Photos on Flickr tagged with Raleigh and snow.

Videos on Vimeo tagged with Raleigh and snow.

Pictures on Twitter on snow in Raleigh.

by Leo Suarez

RalConniversary: 3 Best Videos

Video wasn’t my strongest skill but I did take some over the years. Enjoy these three videos that have made appearances on the blog.

The Shimmer Wall (under construction) from Leo Suarez on Vimeo.

This video was taken on June 14th, 2008. It shows just a small piece of the then new shimmer wall on the still under construction Raleigh Convention Center.

Snow in Downtown Raleigh from Leo Suarez on Vimeo.

This video was taken on January 20th, 2009. Between 2 and 4 inches of snow fell in downtown Raleigh that day.

Raleigh Pillow Fight from Leo Suarez on Vimeo.

This video was taken on April 4th, 2009. Just watch it and make plans to participate this year.

by Leo Suarez

Three Years of RalCon. Three Years of Downtown Geeking.

Yes, this is true. The RalCon blog turns three today and in order to celebrate, a theme of three will take over for the next few days. I’d invite all readers out for a beer but maybe I’ll save that move for when DTRaleigh hits a larger milestone.

Anyway, it all started as a hobby and I’m still keeping it going. I was the guy that hated English classes in school and now I write in my free time. What are the odds? I had hoped to have a special announcement for this day but it’s not quite ready yet. Everyone will have to wait.

For now, enjoy a blast from the past and look at the blog archived on October 15th, 2007. (via archive.org)

by Leo Suarez

The Rise of RBC Plaza Through Time

One year and a few weeks ago from now, the crown of RBC Plaza was lit up. There was good discussion on the blog that day so jump back in time and re-live it. Digging through my photo archives, I found lots of pictures of the tower under construction. Here is a small collection showing the tower grow from nothing to 500+ feet high.


View of the construction site from Fayetteville Street on October 19th, 2006.


The tall red crane is being put together on January 20, 2007.


The lower floors for parking are under construction on June 26th, 2007.


The building starts to make a dent in the skyline, showing its blue glass on December 12th, 2007.


RBC Plaza has now topped out and more glass follows its way to the top on April 12th, 2008.


The crown is being put together on April 27th, 2008.

Dusk in Raleigh
RBC Plaza now towers at the top of the Raleigh skyline.

by Leo Suarez

The Forgotten Wayfinding Sign

In the picture above, there is a downtown Raleigh relic. An old sign that has been in its place for many years, standing the test of time. Actually, I have no idea how long this sign has been here but from the looks of it, it was put up long ago and now completely forgotten. I’m talking about the sign on the Capitol Blvd. bridge over Peace St. that can be seen when heading west. It points towards Cameron Village and leads cars in the ‘up’ direction. It is old, rusty, faded and needs to be replaced. It’s too bad we did not get another one along with the many others placed around downtown as part of the wayfinding system. Perhaps no one is heading towards Cameron Village when on Peace St. or maybe we don’t need it at all?

I’m sure many of you have driven under the bridge many times and have never noticed it. Come on, you can admit it.