Go Magic!

I know, I know. The rest of ye socks are focusing on the World Series and your favorite college football team.

In this little corner of heaven, today marks the beginning of the NBA regular season.

And, for the Orlando Magic that includes kicking things off in style at their new arena downtown.

Yours truly will be there in spirit, but still prefers the comfort and convenience of ye olde couch.

Go Magic!

Elect Greg Reynolds in State House District 36

The revolving door of candidates at our regular Friday breakfast roundtable ushered-in Greg Reynolds this morning.

Reynolds is seeking to unseat the incumbent Scott Randolph in Florida's state house district #36, which encompasses downtown Orlando and many points north (including College Park).

Randolph, it would appear, is only half-heartedly holding on to his seat in the legislature. He indicated his willingness to leave Tallahassee to complete Mildred Fernandez's term on the Orange County Commission earlier this year, but that idea went over like a lead balloon.

Reynolds, on the other hand, actually wants the seat. This is probably why he is being endorsed by folks on both sides of the political aisle, including both of our beautiful city's former mayors: Glenda Hood (a Republican) and Bill Frederick (a Democrat).

Given the opportunity to speak with Reynolds over coffee this morning, I found him to be very up-to-date on the issues facing both our district and state. As a member of the majority party in the legislature, his ideas for handling those issues would receive much more attention than anything Mr. Randolph might propose.

It doesn't hurt that Reynolds is also a sixth generation Floridian.

If you live in the 36th district, I encourage you to cast your ballot for Greg Reynolds as your next state representative.

Dump Judge Perry

One of the first things Governor Charlie Crist did last year after literally embracing The ObamaNation's agenda at a pro-stimulus rally was to appoint a Democrat to the state supreme court.

Said Democrat is James Perry, who lives in nearby Longwood but is a native of North Carolina and passed the bar in neighboring Georgia before moving to this little corner of heaven.

Perry was suggested to Crist as a candidate for the high court by the Orlando NAACP.

Since taking his seat on the bench up in Tallahassee, Justice Perry has distinguished himself by throwing judicial roadblocks in the way of ongoing efforts to exempt Florida from ObamaCare.

Way to go, Charlie!

The bad news is, while we know Crist is leaving Tallahassee in January, in this case the results of his maladministration will linger unless the voters of the state VOTE NO on the question of Perry's merit retention.

The History Center

Thanks go out to Jim Robison today for pointing yours truly in the driection of The History Center in downtown Orlando.

In the ongoing effort to collect the writings of local author Will Wallace Harney, I made contact with research librarian Tana Porter about a cache of his letters that are in their collection.

Imagine my surprise when I got down there this morning to discover that I recognized Tana as one of the volunteers who helped show ye olde abode during the College Park Historic Homes Tour a couple of years ago! Small world!

Anyway, she kindly provided me access to said letters and I spent some time making an index to aid in the compilation of an anthology I hope will be completed in time for Pioneer Days' November 4th launch party . . . didn't realize how extensive the collection was going to be . . . when it rains it pours!

Even if ye socks aren't a research geek like yours truly, The History Center is a must-see if your weekend itinerary carries you downtown. They are located at 65 East Central Boulevard. For more info, see their website at: http://www.thehistorycenter.org

A eureka moment!

This fine Saturday morning found yours truly in downtown Orlando, visiting with the archivist at The History Center.

As some of ye socks may be aware, I have been working for quite some time on a book about Will Wallace Harney (the fellow who built the original Pine Castle south of town).

Anyway, I have been trying to track down a collection of letters he wrote back in the 1870s.

Well, I found them!

Having fun reading them and hoping the curator will allow me to borrow/copy them!!

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Tree-hugger Tour Map

We natives know there is much more to appreciate about this little corner of heaven than the much-hyped theme parks.

As proof, and as encouragement to ye would be tourists, yours truly is pleased to offer this link to a downloadable map produced by the City of Orlando:

http://cityoforlando.net/fpr/HTML/PDFs/Tree_Tour_Map.pdf

Said map can serve as a great guide to finding some of the oldest trees in The City Beautiful.

Enjoy!

No headlights!!

I suppose it wasn't enough to lose cell phone coverage yesterday.

Tonight, as yours truly was leaving a thoroughly enjoyable dinner out with cousins, he discovered that he had NO HEADLIGHTS!

Fortunately, it wasn't TOO dark. In fact, I think we might have had a full moon tonight. (Perhaps, THAT is the source of all the mechanical failures?!)

Anyway, there was some white-knuckle driving on the streets of Orlando this evening . . . not to mention an inordinate level of police activity along the route home!

I suppose it was past time to visit the mechanic, but this was one heckuva way for ye olde Blazer to remind me!

A little reminder from driver's ed . . .

So, we finally got some of that rain, the lack of which yours truly whined about in a previous post.

And, yes it was accompanied by the standard thunder and lightning.

While the precipitation was more than welcome (says my parched lawn), it apparently was the culprit for several traffic light problems around this little corner of heaven.

I can testify that the lights at the intersection of Virginia and Mills were definitely out of order during this afternoon's drive time.

It was shocking to see how many people have forgotten that means said intersection immediately became a FOUR WAY STOP.

Take your turn in said situation, and remember the old Sunshine State slogan: "Arrive Alive!"

Bring on the rain!

It hardly seems fair . . . at least to my parched lawn . . . that we should be experiencing so much thunder and lightning in this little corner of heaven, and yet we've had NO ACTUAL RAIN!

Do YOU believe in Magic?

How could one NOT believe after last night's drumming of the Celtics?

So, they dropped the first three games of the best-of-seven series . . . they're not dead, yet!

Let's hope the guys in blue and white stun the Boston crowd again tomorrow night, so they can bring the Eastern Conference Finals back to Orlando for a big game seven!

1997 Morgan Family Reunion Picture

Yours truly was pleasantly surprised today to discover his cousin Michelle had scanned and uploaded this picture of a reunion held at Aunt Diane and Uncle BG's house in Orlando back in 1997.

Do ye socks recognize any of these folks?!

Orlando did it again!

Ok, how many of ye socks really thought my prediction of a second sweep would come true?!

Well, it happened last night as the guys in blue in white beat the Atlanta Hawks, 98-84, in the 2nd round of the NBA playoffs.

This will send the Magic back to the Eastern Conference Finals!

Magic Fever has erupted in The City Beautiful (and surrounding areas), and not even a bottle of Nyquil can conquer that!

A second sweep in the making?!

Getting ready to head off to bed.

Can't stay up to watch the rest of the Magic game despite a prolonged battled with my eyelids. They just wont' stay open . . .

Well, at least the guys in blue and white are leading Atlanta by twenty points.

Hopefully, they'll hold on to that lead.

Maybe, we'll do to them what we did to Charlotte in the first round?!?

Magic 90, Bobcats 86

In case any of ye socks missed last night's Magic game, it looks like it may be time to break out your brooms.

Despite a decidedly lackluster performance by the guys in blue and white (including 21 turnovers!), they managed to take a 3-0 lead in the best of 7 series with Charlotte.

If . . . nay, WHEN they win game 4 on Monday, they should be able to enjoy a nice long rest before the second round of the playoffs begin . . .

Smellin' a sweep!

Star-gazing at Game 2 . . .

Well, the Magic dished up an even more lop-sided victory over Charlotte in Game 2 of their play-off series.

The final score was 92-77, and it was an UGLY game. Especially if you were a Wildcats fan. (They only scored 3 points in the first 8 minutes!!!)

Somewhat ashamed to admit this, but as the play on the court was so poor yours truly found himself checking out the notables seating along the sidelines.

I spotted golfer Michelle Wie and Michael Jordan.

Did any of ye socks see any other "stars" in the O-rena? (I mean, besides the ones on the Magic logo, of course!)

Oh, yeah, the play-offs started . . .

Yours truly just realized that he had neglected to mention the beginning of the NBA play-offs in this little corner of heaven.

In case ye socks missed it, the guys in Blue and White beat Charlotte, 98-89

A lot of those points came from Jameer Nelson. 32 points to be precise. If he can consistently throw up numbers like that, he may just be the difference between making it to the finals and actually winning the championship.

But, even with Nelson's shot of adrenaline, the Magic still played to form. It looked for a while like they were going to blow their 22 point lead in front of the home crowd. That surely would have happened if they hadn't been playing a team like Charlotte.

I hate to say it, but Larry Brown's team is one dimensional . . . at least when it comes to dealing with the Magic. They have absolutely no offensive game, and focus almost exclusively on hacking Dwight Howard.

Methinks a series sweep may be in the cards if the next three games play out like the opener . . . stay tuned!

Go Magic!

All about the Benjamins?!

Some strange things are afoot in this little corner of heaven today, ye socks!

I suppose it's to be expected given the big tax deadline.

Driving home this afternoon, I actually spotted some folks in the vicinity of Lake Eola who apparently chose to mark the occasion by playing dress-up.

The lady dressed up like the Statue of Liberty cut a fine figure.

But, I think what I liked best were the three . . . yep, THREE . . . dudes who were portraying Benjamin Franklin.

I regret to report that none of them were engaged in kite flying . . .

Are those buzzards?!?

So, there I was, driving home after work.

As I pulled ye olde Blazer to a halt at the intersection of Rosalind and Pine, my wandering gaze scanned the downtown skyline.

As my eyes came across the SunTrust Tower, they were forced to pause.

What was that circling around the iconic green pyramid things on top?

Are they buzzards?

Really?

What does that say about the prognosis for all the bankers, financial planners, and other office workers in said tower?

I think I'd have to change my address if this became a regular habit for said birds . . . nothing short of creepy!

Yes, it really is Election Day

At least it is if you're fortunate enough (?!) to live in Orlando's third municipal district.

Today, we make the momentous decision whether to retain our incumbant city commissioner Robert Stuart or replace him with the unknown Larry Spade.

That is, quite literally, the only thing on the ballot today.

No referenda.

No other candidates.

Nothing but Stuart v Spade.

I'm told the result is a foregone conclusion, and have little reason to doubt the conventional wisdom.

But, far be it from me to dissuade anyone from exercising their franchise . . . I exercised mine, for what it's worth!

Kick-start your spring cleaning

Just found out that our friendly neighbors over at E-PASS are sponsoring a shredding and electronics recycling event on Saturday, February 20th from 10 am to 2 pm.

It will be at the Colonial Plaza (2728 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32803) near the intersection of Primrose and Colonial, in the parking lot area in front of where Circuit City was once located. Look for the orange E-PASS tent for giveaways.

This is a great way to prevent identity theft by shredding those documents you’ve accumulated and to recycle electronics you’re no longer using.

It is free and open to everyone.

Bring your obsolete documents and watch as they are shredded. It can be incredibly empowering. (Although, you will also have the option to drop off documents for shredding at a secure, off-site facility if you can't wait in line.)

In addition, bring all working and non-working electronics EXCEPT TVs for recycling. Data will be destroyed as appropriate and a certificate of destruction can even be emailed to you.


Again, NO TV's, but they will accept the following:

* desktop, tower & laptop computers
* CRT, LCD, plasma monitors/displays
* printers/plotters
* fax machines
* telephone systems, switches
* cell phones
* PDAs
* radios
* stereos
* VHS/DVDs
* video games
* projectors & cameras
* any kind of storage media

For computers and other items like cell phones and PDAs, a private company will process the item for data destruction (factory clearing cell phones and degaussing the SIM cards; three pass electronic erasure and Department of Defense level sanitization of hard drives.) All identifying marks, stickers and labels are removed. If media cannot be securely destroyed electronically, physical destruction is carried out at their facility.

For more information, please call 407-690-5000.