Apr
6
Back to FLA
Filed Under Family | Leave a Comment
Yay!
I’m back FLA for a whole 24 hrs!
It was supposed to be about 30 hrs, but Delta canceled my flights and tried to reschedule me to get in late at night. Um no, I booked a 7 am flight for a reason, getting in after 9 pm isn’t going to to work on my 10th anniversary.
I was able to get a NWA flight at 6:30 am, but had to sit in Memphis for 6 hrs for the connection to Jax. I got to eat some good BBQ, but I’d rather been hugging my wife and kids. It was storming in Jax, and the flight turned into the second worst of my life. Our CRJ was all over the place like a rollercoaster, kids were screaming and someone vomited, which started a chain reaction for a while. I kept my nose up to the fan so cool air would blow in and keep the smells out. At one point, I pulled away for a moment and smelled pizza.
If I had a dime for every time I threw up pizza…
But we made it, an hour late. I had to rent a car because my wife wasn’t going to wait around the airport all day. I’d have done it for her, so I guess that means I love her more than she loves me. Ahem…
But the kids gave me great hugs when I got home and wouldn’t let go. The dog looked at me for minute like he thought he was dreaming, then was all over me like the kids. A great homecoming, totally worth 12 hrs of travel and nearly dying in a fiery plane crash.
Feb
5
Jacksonville Poker Getting Better
Filed Under Gambling | Leave a Comment
Last summer, the state of Florida approved raising the betting limits for poker games played in pari-mutual facilities. Last fall, the Orange Park Kennel Club received approval to open a poker room, which will complement the poker room located at the St. Johns Racetrack.
I’m reading that they’ve hired 100 dealers out of 1500 applicants, and will be open for business on April 1.
Will I stop in and play?
Is Charlie Crist orange?
Note: If you are opposed to poker, I respect your opinion. I just don’t feel the same way. Let’s leave it at that.
Jan
15
Only in FLA: He ordered FRIES!
Filed Under Only in FLA | 2 Comments
So, there was this guy last week, goes to a drive-thru at McDonald’s in Jacksonville. Driving away, he checks his order and discovers the crew forgot his two orders of fries.
Obviously, something must be done. After all, we’re talking about two orders of fries, not just one.
And I’ll give you two guys, a friendly piece of advise, ok? Don’t ever go up to the drive-thru, ok? Always walk up to the counter. You know why? Ok, ok, ok, ok. They fuck you at the drive-thru, ok? They fuck you at the drive-thru. They know you gonna be miles away before you find out you got fucked, ok? They know you’re not gonna turn around and go back. So, they don’t care. Who that’s fucked? Oh, Leo Getz. Ok, sure. I don’t give a fuck.
- Leo Goetz (Joe Pesci), Lethal Weapon
So, what did he do?
Man Drives Into McDonald’s after Order Botched
To be fair, those are some damn good fries.
Jan
13
Young girls sacrifice Hannah Montana tickets to help friend
Filed Under Feel Good Florida | Leave a Comment
There is a story locally about 4 young girls who willingly donated their tickets to the Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus concert in Jacksonville at the end of January, to be used in a raffle fundraiser for another girl. She has a rare condition that affects her eyesight, and needs to travel to China for an experimental treatment.
From the homepage of blessherwithsight.com:
Rylee Lovett is a beautiful, happy six year old girl living in Saint Augustine, Florida with a rare congenital condition known as Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH). This rare condition, of unknown causes has left her with less than ten percent of her optic nerve. Her endocrine system was also affected, leaving her with a daily regimen of medication and injections. Since diagnosis at four months of age doctors have said that nothing can be done. She would be blind with no hope of recovery.
Until recently there was no hope of Rylee growing up to see the world in the way everyone else does. Recently, doctors in China began using the blood discarded after the birth of a child to restore sight in children like Rylee. This innovative transplant of stem cells, collected through the umbilical cord of afterbirth, has given other ONH children the ability to see. It has even given one little girl the ability to recognize her mother’s face when previously she could not even see light.
Please help to bless Rylee this holiday season with this same gift of sight. She wants to see her favorite television show DragonTales, to take gymnastics with her little sister, and above all to see the faces of her loved ones. Please help us meet our goal of $60,000 and send Rylee to China to give her the chance to see. With your help this beautiful child can be lucky enough to get the priceless gift of sight this holiday season.
Please head over to the site to buy your raffle tickets through paypal, or to just make a donation.
Cross-posted at myfirstcoast.net
Jan
12
Is it game time yet?
Filed Under Football | Leave a Comment
I have another blog I’ve dusted off and started posting to, with a hyperlocal focus on the first coast of Florida. So, far, it’s mostly been sports, but that will probably change after Saturday when my beloved Jags get eliminated.
I’m not the greatest football handicapper, so I asked my brother to drop some knowledge about the matchup. He gave me some pretty solid food for thought: BuccaneerMike’s analysis of the Patriots vs. Jaguars.
Check it out.
Dec
14
ACC Football: Tampa > Jacksonville
Filed Under Football | Leave a Comment
The talking-head sports-wonks in Jacksonville are saying good riddance to the ACC and their decision to move the ACC Championship game to Tampa and Charlotte. Ticket sales in Jacksonville were poor, with the schools’ not selling their allotment and the local market going “ho-hum” and the thought of Boston College and Virginia Tech.
This game made sense for Jax when FSU & Miami were contenders. But they’re not. Yes, I smiled when I wrote that.
So, the ACC was disappointed that Jax residents didn’t pony up $60 for a crappy game between two opponents that have zero interest to local football fans. Instead, they’ll move the game and drop ticket prices to $25.
Why couldn’t they drop ticket prices in Jax? I don’t think it would have mattered, the game still wouldn’t sell here. This is an SEC town.
The wonks are predicting the game will do just as poorly in Tampa. I’m not so sure. Tampa is more of a destination for families as well as roving bands of college kids. Busch Gardens is across town and Disney is a little over an hour away, so families can make a mini-vacation out of attending the game. The college kids know Ybor City has a great party atmosphere, and who’s kidding who: Males 18-34 love football, and REALLY love the Tampa strip clubs.
Yeah, I said it. Ever go to Mons Venus after a football game? SRO, buddy. Or so I’ve been told. And that was back when the Bucs sucked. Ahem.
There are a lot more reasons for football fans to attend a road game in Tampa than in Jacksonville. I don’t know if it will be a “success”, but it will do a helluva lot better than in Jacksonville. If you’re trying to get tourists to make the trip down and spend their money, you have to offer a lot more than a water taxi.
I’m just saying.
Dec
12
Navel-gazing and thinking about Hannah Montana
Filed Under Humor | 3 Comments
I admitted a few weeks ago that I like Hannah Montana.
Florida Sun Dog-say-what?
Perhaps I should clarify: I like the Hannah Montana TV show. You pervs can just get your sick minds out of the gutter.
So, I was watching the latest episode of Hannah over the weekend with some great guest performances turned in by Vicki Lawrence and Dolly Parton. Ok, Vicki did a great job. They really seemed to limit Dolly’s over-the-top antics since this is a kid’s show (ahem) and all. Can’t really make a bunch of overt boob jokes on Disney, you know?
But, I have to say that Dolly still looks great. Not just for her age - for any age. Now that she’s admitted to getting to a certain age, I guess I’d have to describe her as a GILF. Sweet Niblets…
Man, this show has been getting some great guest stars lately. In addition to Dolly and Vicki, Brooke Shields, Heather Locklear, and The Rock have all guest appeared.
Anyway, a few questions crossed my mind while watching this episode:
1. How long before Jackson and Lilly hook up?
2. Why do Rico and Oliver have the exact same hair?
3. Why does Billy Ray try to make himself look like Keith Urban?
4. How long before Miley realizes the Hannah-hair looks better than the natural stuff?
5. Is it just me, or is that kid playing Jackson the most talented performer on the show?
6. Where the hell did Roxy go? Roxy like a puma…
Man, I really need to get a life…
More "Hannah Montana" Posts
- The Best of Both Worlds: A father’s admission about Hannah Montana
- Navel-gazing and thinking about Hannah Montana
Dec
7
Florida Memorabilia
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Florida memorabilia and collectibles are hot right now.
Dec
2
Only in FLA: St. Johns, St. Johns
Filed Under Only in FLA | Leave a Comment
It’s pretty obvious from the content of this blog that I live in Jacksonville. Actually, to be specific, I live just outside of Jax, in St. Johns County near the St. Johns River. The communities in this area of the county have a long history thanks to the proximity to the river. There is Fruit Cove to the north, then Switzerland, then Orangedale. These communities have been around for decades stretching back to the 1800’s, and long-time residents have an appreciation for this history, but mail was always addressed to “Jacksonville, FL” and no one seemed to mind.
Several years ago, business and community leaders grew tired of being known as “Jacksonville” and wanted to carve out an identity, so a poll was taken with five names nominated, including “St. Johns“, and incredibly stupid name due to the fact that we live in St. Johns County. (St. Johns in St. Johns?). Apparently, there were accusations of click-fraud in the poll, and when the dust settled St. Johns won.
Long-time residents refuse to accept the results.
Nov
28
Mark of the Mark, Gennie, & Dahmer (MGD) morning show at Rock 104.5 in Jacksonville made a startling admission on Monday’s show, a dark secret shared by the fathers of daughters across the country: He likes watching Hannah Montana.
Of course, Mark’s son is only 3 1/2 years old and has no interest in Hannah Montana. Perv.
As the father of two little princesses, I am intimately familiar with all things Hannah… perhaps I should phrase that differently. As a responsible parent of two young ladies, I monitor their television viewing habits by watching their shows with them.
That’s better.
Anyway, I tell my wife regularly that I think l’il Miley Cyrus is one heckuva good comedic actress. In fact, she’s a way better actress than she is singer. The Disney machine tries to do too much with her voice, in my opinion, making it something it really isn’t. But this girl can act!
So, it was with the sort of relief a closet alcoholic feels when their secret is discovered that I listened to Mark’s admission: Shame, mixed with the hope that someone out there understands - it’s the talent, dammit, the talent!
Of course, then MGD put together their tribute song to Hannah Montana (NSFW)**, and I stopped feeling like I’d bonded with Mark and started reviewing the FDLE sexual predator database.
**Song removed from their website for whatever reason - copyright? trademark? good taste?
More "Hannah Montana" Posts
- The Best of Both Worlds: A father’s admission about Hannah Montana
- Navel-gazing and thinking about Hannah Montana
