Clothing optional Eden apartments Tamp Bay

I saw this article on Ybor City Stogie from 2008 about an apartment building near Westchase going clothing optional. I am very much aware of the nudist resorts and naturalist palces in the Tampa Bay area, and Pasco county. I don't believe I have heard of this place. Perhaps it never got off the ground. What is interesting is the article on Stogie is still one of his highest rated pages. With a photo like this, I wonder why!/>

Ybor City chickens on rampage

Ybor City strip right at sunrise

I was dropping some very late-night party people off on west side of the Ybor strip and I turned down a side-street. The sun had just come up and I knew it was going to be another hot day. Over in a parking lot, I could see them. There they were....dozens of  them...the chickens! They must have been meeting there to plan the days activities of what mischief they were going to get into today.

A chicken meeting of the high commnad..reporting for duty

A blogger once said that he has never seen any hens in Ybor. Well, there were several hens with little ones followinig them. Perhaps it is right at sunrise that you have the best chance of seeing these guys. They do seem to be growing in population

A hen with her young

These big guys were screaching their guts out

Memorial to JFK

At the University of Tampa is a memorial to the fallen president. JFK visited Tampa four days before his assassination and his motorcade went down Grand Central Blvd. The street was later renamed John F Kennedy Blvd, in his honor.

Fear and loathing on Monday morning

Monday mornings used to rock. There were airport calls galore. You could basically cover your lease in a few hours and end up with a good day. Now, you must be very lucky because the GPS system will pick the closest cab. Man has turned his sacred fortune over to "the old man in the cave." Order and discontinuity I say. An existentialist would go with the flow and be unconcerned. I just want to know when that train will arrive.

The taxi meter now becomes a $2.40 a mile idol that responds less to worship and more to arbitrary position. Salvation is found not in homage, charity, good works or prayer, Or, God forbid, customer service. Its now the capriciousness of a man made idol. The sanctification of the chosen it selects is short lived. He may not even know where the customer is at and that presents a service problem, as well as, metaphysical. Sin, reprisal, and redemption now enters the physical terrain.

I'm not really an apostate of this silicon overseer. For, I was never a disciple. Zion was never in our grasp. Indiscriminate parcels of good fortune bestowed with annoying deference only undermines good intentions.

I embrace life but know being alive is complicated and imbalanced. No amount fairness can ever be enforced.

This system causes a different form of doubt and loathing. Immobilized by fear, the driver acquiesses to the silence. Waiting for a repose from the silicon idol that you would pay homage, only to break the refrain of nothingness, if you only knew your penance.

You develop emnity with the equalizer. Cull it from existence and my imperfect world returns.

"What's this"..a call just came in. Its going to the airport! Someone up there likes me!

Viva Ybor Cigars

I am now "Cigar City Cabbie." This name is befitting the heritage of Tampa and its Cuban people.

Did you know Tampa was the command and control center for the Spanish American War? Did you know Port Tampa was the embarkment point for Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders? All Cuban tobacco was sent to Tampa where thousands of immigrant workers hand rolled the cigars.

Now, that I am finished with design and names, I should be blogging hardcore.

Tropical rains in Tampa

We are getting hit every afternoon with heavy rains. It rained hard last night during the Bugs exhibition football game. No help. They got killed.

This is Kevin and I on our way back from Sarasota meeting with the documentary company about an upcoming project. A lot going on, will fill in as I know more.

Shoe caught on film

The famous former dispatcher "Shoe" was found on another blog about jogging. A blogger who takes images of where he runs was photographing this Jamacian resturant, and the United Cab was parked out front. The driver loading the trunk is without a doubt Shoe. He has had the owner as a special account for years. Specials are good deals if they put real money in your pocket.

This is Shoe...no doubt

Jose Marti Park

The gate was locked the day I was there. It closed at 1:30 PM

There is a park in Ybor City that is actually soverign Cuban territory. It is called Jose marit Park. It stands as an honor to the Cuban freedom fighter who encouraged the United States to get involved in the Spanish American War. Spain ruled the people of Cuba with an iron fist, and Jose Marti, and others, wanted them gone. Too bad Cuba has retured to a conditon even worse then when the Spanish were there.

An honor to the family that helped Jose Marti remain free from Cuban capture

The American and Cuban flag

Postcard from Sarasota

Kevin and I met with the founders of Big Wolf Productions today to discuss the upcoming documentary they are planning about the Skunk Ape. They were great guys with some interesting ideas. We hit it off with them and have already scheduled a backwoods camping trip for the last week of October (the one I offered to Matt Moneymaker).

This photo was at Square One Burgers. If you have one up your way, I highly recommend going. The service was great; the food was awesome. Kevin and I can't wait until autumn. Its going to be a great Skunk Ape season. Really good things to come.

In search of Tampa's ghost

Well, searching for a good image. I had this concept of juxtaposing the modern skyline of downtown Tampa with the Gothic theme of Oaklawn cemetery. Sunday morning was calm with nobody around.

I found my shot but could only notice the state of care for this historic place. They need to at least cut the grass.

Ybor City chickens are flocking

Ybor City strip right at sunrise

I was dropping some very late-night party people off on west side of the Ybor strip and I turned down a side-street. The sun had just come up and I knew it was going to be another hot day. Over in a parking lot, I could see them. There they were....dozens of  them...the chickens! They must have been meeting there to plan the days activities of what mischief they were going to get into today.

A chicken meeting of the high commnad..reporting for duty

A blogger once said that he has never seen any hens in Ybor. Well, there were several hens with little ones followinig them. Perhaps it is right at sunrise that you have the best chance of seeing these guys. They do seem to be growing in population

A hen with her young

These big guys were screaching their guts out