Ybor City Saturday Night

Saturday night Wayne and Howard and I went to Ybor City in Tampa to meet Scott and Keith for dinner at The Nest. The restaurant opened last January and we heard good things about it.

I've been wanting to explore more of Ybor, so it was a good excuse to go! We were fortunate to find a free parking spot on the street. We later learned that there was free parking in one of the parking garages, sponsored by Ikea, which has just opened a ginormous store in Tampa.

Ybor is an interesting area. When we first got there, there were teams of people, some in costume, scurrying about on a scavenger hunt.

On the 2 block walk to the restaurant, we see our friend Arthur, across the street.

This is the restaurant. Really nice space inside.

Waiting for Scott and Keith.

Moroccan Chicken

As a result of the end of the Cold War.

Walking around got a little scary after a while. Lots of big groups of young kids/adults walking around. Some of those girls had extremely short skirts! Brought to mind a line from The Boxer, by Simon and Garfunkel, about some on 7th Avenue. And this happens to be 7th Avenue.

There was a full moon Saturday night too . . .

A W. T. Grant building.

This little streetcar was tooting around above the bar area in Streetcar Charlie's.

As the night wore on, I was beginning to think maybe this character had a point . . .

Had to include some food pics from this weekend. Movie snacks.

Grilled cheese with pepperoni.

Pepperoni and black olive pizza, by Wayne.

My first 2 pieces . . .

A Rising Star on Broadway

Each year, Winter Park High School Choral Department puts on a "Night on Broadway" production. The proceeds of this production go to the Tyler Rush Memorial Scholarship Fund, which benefits chorus students as they pursue college education. Since 1999, over $60,000 in scholarships has been awarded to deserving chorus students. Tyler Rush was a former student whose life was cut short by a tragic car accident.

This year's production was Smokey Joe's Cafe. I am amazed by the level of professionalism and talent on display. Naturally, I am totally biased since Gina had two spectacular numbers in the show! I will be posting the video of the numbers once I get them uploaded!

Before the show, we met up with Adele, who is visiting in Orlando for about 10 days. It was so good to see her after almost a year and a half!

Gina's first number, Falling.

Show stopping end of first act: Saved

Is it Ruby Begonia or Rose Burrito?

A couple of shots posted for the halibut. Rose is from Wayne's backyard and burrito is by Chef Wayner.

I'm in the middle of my first week of working part time. So far, so good. Too bad I'm in the midst of chiropractic adjustments because of my back.





I had a surprise at work yesterday. I got off the stool at my station to head towards the other end of the teller stations, and their was a telephone chord stretched across my path. (A CU member was on the phone with someone in our collections department.) I made an attempt to stop (like walking into an invisible wall) and my right leg gave out (maybe because it was a little numb? or dumb? I forget which) and I ended up flat on my back on the floor. I wasn't hurt or anything. And there was a short line of CU members. I wasn't thinking fast enough and should have either taken a bow, or just said, "I meant to do that." Or I could be practicing for our work roller skating outing next month.

Jasmine and Jacaranda

This week I started my new part time schedule. It's 32 hours a week: 2 full days, 2 half days and a weekday off, plus work Saturday mornings for 4 hours. I think it's going to work out ok. Gives me a chance to do the laundry, apointments, etc.

Today is a beautiful sunny day, mid 80s, nice breeze. I went to the chiropractor this morning (been having lower back problems recently), then went to the beach for a couple hours. It's nice and sparse there in the morning.

It's a beautiful time of year here. Jasmine is in blossom as is the Jacaranda trees. The jasmine give off a beautiful fragrance that you can smell a distance off. This is a shot of the small backyard of my apartment building.

I took a short walk to take a picture of a Jacaranda tree and took a few other random shots that caught my eye. I'm not sure why, but when I walk around the neighborhood on the sidewalks on a beautiful day like today, gentle warm breeze, birds singing, smell of flowers, it reminds me of when I was 4 or 5 years old in the neighborhood on Oak Street where I spent the first 5 years of my life.

This apartment building is on the block behind mine. It's actually a few doors down the alley.

Last Weekend in April

Wayne and I went to a farewell backyard gathering in Gulfport for Derek (Artistic Director) and Logan (Accompanist) given by the members of Una Voce. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon with a nice breeze.

Afterwards we met Johnny at Valentino's on 4th Street to celebrate Johnny's birthday. Valentino's is turning into one of our favorite Italian eating places. It's small, but friendly and homey. It was packed, and there was an accordianist playing. After a while some of the tables were singing along! Fun place! I had one of the "single" size calzones. Good for 2 meals!

Happy Birthday Adele!

Happy Birthday Adele! Love you! See you soon!