April 26, 2008 Who Does Number Two Work For?

On my way to Jackson's one evening with Ella Mentry and Lou Tenant, we spotted some graffiti on the side of a building. Vandalism? I think not. And as I am sure you are aware, graffiti is considered by many (including myself) to be an art form, often seen in urban settings and used to convey social and/or political ideas and beliefs. As much as I would like to take credit for the lovely work you see below, I can't. However, I am paralyzed by its simplicity. It's beauty. Its depth of meaning. I think I need a moment... The artist that created this breathtaking work is unfortunately unknown to us. If you would like to see this spectacular, synergistic use of paint and aerosol in person, you may do so at the intersection of Nebraska Ave and E Walton St. in downtown Tampa.

April 30, 2008 That's Soopa, Bietch!

As I was taking some "real" pictures for my Tampa Letters project, I visited the Ballast Point Park, one of my favorite Tampa water spots off of Bayshore Blvd. This is a great place to visit for a walk on the pier, an amazing view of the Tampa Skyline or to collect old sea glass. While there, I use the ladies room...or should I say the "Soopa Woman" room. When I saw the writing on the door, I had to question whether the person who wrote it was just retarded or if I am just getting too old to understand the cool phrases kids are using these days. Please feel free to enlighten me on what the below means if you know....or just make something up to entertain me, either way works.

May 11, 2008 "Fun for the Whole Family"

My friend Jim Nasium pointed out this very inviting, Tampa entertainment facility....The C & R Recreation Center, located just west of Ybor City at 811 East 7th Ave.  Since it does offer "Fun for the Whole Family", I think I may take my friends' kids there the next time we hang out. "But, is it safe?", you might ask. Sure! Why look at all the bars on the doors! "Will my family get bored hanging out there?", you may also ask. No Way! They have pool (table not swimming), dominos and pin ball for goodness sakes! "Will my eyes hurt if I go there immediately following an eye Dr. appointment?", you might inquire. Not at all! As there are no windows, so your dilated pupils can adjust to the light as you kick back and watch your family having fun!

May 19, 2008 A Chip off the Old Fry

I hit the Webster Flea Market yesterday with two of my fiends, Cornelius and Veronica...and, although there was a lot to photograph and many things to report, the photos would have been horribly offensive to most...and it is best that I leave the reporting up to Tampa's very own, Mr. Funny Pants...you can read his blog about our experience here. So....with that being said, I will report on an ironic product (and by ironic, I mean the Alanis Morissette type) that I discovered at my very favorite convenient "center", the Coast to Coast at the intersection of Bearss Ave and Florida Ave in Tampa (this is where you can buy decent wine, Nicola's Donuts, all five different flavors of Combos, and delicious BBQ while playing an arcade game). The item? The "Burger King Ketchup and Fries Flavored Potato Snack". Yes, because if eating french fries and ketchup at a fast food chain wasn't bad enough for you, then eating fake french fries and ketchup made from preservatives' preservatives should do the trick. And considering that Burger King's french fries are just plain sad in comparison to a McDonald's french fry...you will be happy to know that the fake Burger King french fry treat is actually much more tasty than their real counterpart. Irony? Maybe. But they also sell the "Flame-Broiled Burger Potato Snack", so you decide. As a side note, it is also worth mentioning that at the Flea Market I found the original Little Mermaid VHS with the you-know-what drawn into the castle.

Scoooooooooooooooooooore!

February 7, 2008 Poobah

As most of you know, I LOVE the fair. I love everything about it. The mullets (check out my very famous, mullet mini-doc/music video here), the deep fried oreos (trust me, I have tried every fried item possible, and this is the only one worth the potential heart attack), the Tilt-a-Whirl, the Shoot Out the Star game, the Hot Wisconsin Cheese, but most importantly the Sideshows. I mean, where else can you see a REAL (but badly decayed) Chupacabra? A highlight of the fair for me is a quick visit to see Pete "Poobah" Terhune, the 78 year old, "fire-eating pygmy". I've been visiting Poobah since I was a kid. He and his buddy Ward Hall are legends at the Florida State Fair and around the country, as they are some of the last remaining, original sideshow performers in America that are still going strong. Cheers, Poobah!

  

November 22, 2007 and April 4, 2008 River Dance

Interested in visiting a great bar right on the Hillsborough river in the heart of Tampa? How about a great bar on the river where on any given evening patrons can be found doing an alternative style of pole dancing (sans Joe Redner)? Then this is your place! Now, don't get me wrong...I love Rick's. Great waterfront atmosphere, great service (especially when they are busy...I know, weird), great libations and all of this combined makes the food not so bad. However, during two of my last visits since November 2007, bar-goers (who were not part of my party...I know, also weird) could be found "pole" dancing. Now, you might be thinking, for Tampa, that isn't so weird...until you realize that the poles being used were umbrella poles and electrical poles (how 'bout them splinters?).

April 9, 2008 Give Peace a Chance

I firmly believe that there are a lot of small things that we can each do, every day, to help contribute to a more peaceful world. This is one way, however, that I had not yet considered, until seeing this in the ladies room during my last visit to Skipper's Smokehouse. Let's see if it works.

April 12, 2008 The One Man Parade

This photo was taken during the Seminole Heights Neighborhood Watch: Projection Walk art project event. This guy was part of the show. I think.

April 12, 2008 Taco Bus

I know, I know...these aren't your typical "I was somewhere normal, when something weird happened" photos. Instead this is just a nice little, well-deserved plug for a Seminole Heights neighborhood Taqueria (that qualifies for this particular blog, because it does have somewhat of a strange kitchen). El Taconazo...or more appropriately, The Taco Bus, is located just east of Nebraska Ave on Hillsborough Ave. This Kitchen-in-a-Old-School-Bus concept is well loved and the food is excellent! The Taco Bus recently changed owners, which caused rumors that food was not as good...NOT TRUE. There was also another nasty rumor circulating that it closed for good and/or changed names...NOT TRUE. As a matter of fact, they are now open every day. So go experience the Taco Bus for yourself...it's fun, cheap and the best thing going at that intersection.

March 11, 2008 Disabled Vehicle

During my latest "episode" with my apartment complex regarding yet another ridiculous situation (that I will spare you from hearing about), I heard loud banging outside and took this photo as a maintenance man was installing a disabled sign at the very parking spot where my car was already parked. Coincidence? I think not. I vowed not to move my car. Ever. But then I needed to meet a friend for lunch at Evos, my new favorite restaurant on Fowler. Ave.

April 4, 2008 Baby Ruth?

This photo was taken at the Pin Chasers bowling alley on Armenia Ave. in Tampa. Now, don't get me wrong...I would much rather have an assortment of candy than an actual baby, but the stroller seems like an odd location for a concession stand. (As a side note, we stopped by the bowling alley to see if they would donate bowling pins to our Relay for Life Team, Team Daddy-O Alley Katz. You can visit our site and donate money here.) 

December 26, 2007 Hybrid This!

What could possibly be the coolest method of transportation this side of Uranus (hee hee), was seen traveling south on Florida Ave in Tampa, near Mauricio's Faedo's Bakery on a lovely December day. Adorned with Christmas decorations and sporting a "2nd bedroom" in the back for the owner's pooch, this bike turned Mini-Spaceship-Winnebago is just pure genius. It goes without saying that I want one. Really bad.

December 14, 2007 Shiny, Happy Crab Cake

There is a fantastic bar called the Tambu Lounge located in the Polynesian Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando. One of the most delicious items on the menu is the Lump Crab Cakes. What was odd about this particular crab cake, however, was that the garnish was placed in a way that made it seem as though it had eyes, hair and a soul.

 

February 10, 2008 Noah's Ark

At the intersection of International Drive and the Central Florida Parkway (at the SE corner of Sea World), you can catch a glimpse of this fine specimen of a vehicle on Sunday mornings. The driver goes back and forth through this very busy intersection spreading the gospel. Because, really, nothing says, "Praise the Lord" like a million plastic animals hot-glued to an old Honda Civic.