FMC 3.0

In case you’re wondering where I’ve been since my last post, half of it was lack of anything interesting to say, and the other half was the fact I’ve been in Florida on Vacation since last Friday. I didn’t expect to make any posts while I was down here, and just wanted to let the anticipation build. However, The coolness of things today is preventing my staying quiet.

I should catch you up on the timeline to this point. Friday afternoon we flew into Jacksonville from Philly. Uneventful trip to the airport, other than Economy parking being full. Security at the airport was normal, but fast. Now, the Florida trip was sliced into three sections. The first leg was a stay with family in Jacksonville. Next was a stint on the Gulf Coast in Tampa/Clearwater/St. Pete. Then Thursday is was east to Orlando. The actual basis of the trip was the fall Odyssey meeting for state directors, so we just expanded it to be a really long vacation.

The stay in Jax had the important 3 F’s - Family, Food, and Football. My cousin’s partner is a UF Alum, and scored 4 tickets to the Florida/Alabama game on Saturday. UF is a pretty school, and they do love their football. It’s probably the second loudest crowd i’ve ever heard - which shouldn’t be surprising considering the stadium there holds 91000 people. (For the record, embedded in the Student section at a JMU game was the loudest crowd I’ve ever heard. Sadly, they were playing Delaware at the time.) The game was quite good, with lots of suspense and beautiful plays. Sunday was the Washington/Jacksonville game. While we Redskins fans were greatly outnumbered, it was also a really, really good game. No one expected it to be tied 30-30 at the end of the 4th quarter. Our overtime victory was a nice cap off, but it was such a good game I would have been ok with Jacksonville winning too. All throughout this weekend was hanging out with family, some of whom I don’t think I’ve seen since Liz and James’ wedding. Sunday night turned into a sit around and drink night - which I did well, clearing out the bottle of Vodka my Aunt wanted emptied. The fact that it was an inch and a half of a handle of 100 proof Smirnoff didn’t phase me. The last time I was drunk around my parents was my 21st Birthday party - and I didn’t even hang out for the fun after effects of that one. Not to worry, as those that have seen me intoxicated know, I’m a happy funny drunk.

Monday was a travel day to Tampa - with a stop over at Homasassas Springs - which is a Florida State Park and Wild Life sancturary. It’s the first time I’d seen a Manatee up close and in person. Also, I can’t recall when the last time I saw a Hippo was. (There’s a story behind why there is a Hippo in Florida State Park, but maybe later.) Lots of beautiful birds, a few otters, a few foxes (the furry kind, not the kind in bikinis (yet)), a bear or two, a panther… well, you get the idea. It’s quite a little park. On to Tampa. Tuesday we headed north to Tarpon Springs - the most productive sponge harvesting town in the US. It’s also a very, very Greek town, so we did lunch there. Some of the best Greek Food i’ve ever had - and it’s one of my favorite cuisines. Wednesday was the Museum of Science and Industry. It was a pretty good museum, with some nifty stuff in it. As always, I learned a few things, which is what a good museum does. The day at the museum was supposed to be half of what it was - but with an IMAX show and a Planetarium show included with admission, it turned into an all day affair. There was another museum slated for that day, but we changed plans - we went and played mini golf. What vacation is complete without mini golf? I had a hole in one (was dumb luck) but ended up losing by 2 strokes. On our way out, we borrowed a page from the book of Rachel Ray, and found a nifty restaurant to sit on the deck, have some drinks, and watch the sunset on the gulf. Being an Atlantic Coast boy, sunrise over the water is nothing new - sunset however was a new and different experience. It was also quite beautiful, even with the cloud cover.

That leads to today. The second museum slated for Yesterday was the Salvador Dali Museum. It’s a small collection of his works, and artwork. I knew a little of his work, but the only work of his I’d seen in person was the rather famous “Persistence of Memory” (You know, pocket watch melted over tree branch? Sure ya do.) Well, he’s got other similar works, and some utterly amazing paintings. There’s a room, of his Masterworks, 3 of them, that are probably 12-15 feet high and 6-8 feet wide. Dali crammed something into ever square inch of those canvases. They’re also giant optical illusions - from the back of the room, you see one thing, and then get up close and see another. In one work, he hides a Matador in a painting of the Venus de Milo. It’s quite amazing.

After Dali, it was on to Orlando. The drive was uneventful, other than a few Mickey shaped power poles. The hotel is nice, and its nice to have a room to myself here. Now on to what made me want to jot all this down. We went and saw La Nouba tonight, which is the Cirque du Soleil show that plays here at the Disney Marketplace. It’s a solid hour and a half of acrobats, stunt people, clowns, trampolines, trapezes, bikes, flying, high wires - well, again you get the idea. Being an Odyssey volunteer I get amazed every year at what people can accomplish with their minds. Tonight my jaw dropped at what people can accomplish with their bodies. At times you thought for sure they had to be breaking the laws of physics - when it turns out they were just using them to their full advantage. The show also never lets up. It’s almost a constant barrage of jaw dropping and eye popping feats. You sit there so impressed you completely forget to clap. You also sit there amazed at how amazingly in shape these people are, and just how strong they are. Being a non physical kind of guy, I was completely blown away. But then, I’m not sure I know anyone that can fall off 12 foot platform (designed like a building) hit a trampoline, and then go into a window in that building shape. Or walk a tightrope with someone completely balancing on your head. It was pretty wild. If you’re ever down here, or in Vegas, go see one of their shows. You’ll thank me later.

As for the rest of the week, tomorrow we have Tickets to Epcot, which should be fun since I haven’t been there in a really long time. Saturday I’m meeting up with Exieso, whom i’ve not seen since I was in Florida for the Shuttle launch years ago. Sunday is also very up in the air, as we can’t decide what park we want to do, however I think it’s going to come down to MGM Studios, or the Animal Kingdom.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, it’s been 85 and sunny here every day. Or warmer. I realize that sounds nice to a lot of people, but I think I’d prefer the 50s I’m seeing in the weather reports from home. It is October after all.