tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66741306927230908822024-03-13T08:34:24.863-07:00Florida GemsThis is my blog about everything Florida. Whether it's a blog, city, hobby, place to visit, politics, geographical area, food, travel, gardening, cooking, decorating, or photography, it's all here.The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-88616096556191827872011-01-04T16:04:00.000-08:002011-01-04T16:04:04.220-08:00Backyard Florida GardenWe've been growing a small garden in our backyard for a couple of years. There is a definite learning curve, but as you can see from the picture below we're finally making progress.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TSO1Sj2_GFI/AAAAAAAABGM/MDD5ZyCi2-s/s1600/Garden+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TSO1Sj2_GFI/AAAAAAAABGM/MDD5ZyCi2-s/s400/Garden+013.JPG" width="450" /></a></div>The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-17532838468445907592011-01-04T15:59:00.000-08:002011-01-04T15:59:55.610-08:00Homegrown Florida RadishesWe have a small backyard garden and picked these radishes over the weekend.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TSO0N5gnV4I/AAAAAAAABGI/QYQXyugxmW4/s1600/Radishes+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="471" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TSO0N5gnV4I/AAAAAAAABGI/QYQXyugxmW4/s640/Radishes+006.JPG" width="590" /></a></div>The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-41547383903031298722010-10-09T16:26:00.000-07:002010-10-09T16:26:10.137-07:00Egret PicturesThese egret pictures were taken with my handheld Sony video camera near the pier during a visit to Fort Desoto Park. It's a 5 megpixel camera and these are zoomed in quite a bit, so the photos are a little soft. For off-the-cuff pictures in overcast conditions, I was pleasantly surprised.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TLD5aV4DTcI/AAAAAAAABEY/KQgOB2iZaM4/s1600/Disney+pictures+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TLD5aV4DTcI/AAAAAAAABEY/KQgOB2iZaM4/s400/Disney+pictures+018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TLD5fWGVARI/AAAAAAAABEc/z7XEhyNqoaY/s1600/Disney+pictures+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TLD5fWGVARI/AAAAAAAABEc/z7XEhyNqoaY/s400/Disney+pictures+019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-82725932209970475262010-10-03T13:59:00.000-07:002010-10-03T14:00:00.236-07:00The 4 Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Expanded-Updated-Cutting-Edge/dp/0307465357?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The 4-Hour Workweek, Expanded and Updated: Expanded and Updated, With Over 100 New Pages of Cutting-Edge Content." height="320" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0307465357&tag=bbqblog-20" width="212" /></a>I just finished reading, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Expanded-Updated-Cutting-Edge/dp/0307465357?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The 4 Hour Workweek</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0307465357" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0307465357" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (2009 edition)</span> by Tim Ferriss. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm sure some think it's phony balony and get-rich-quick stuff, but a quick Google search reveals many people worldwide who have actually put it into practice that are enjoying the benefits of this new attitude towards work.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I've tried various techniques discussed in the book at many times during the past 20 years since I graduated college. I've been self-employed as an investment adviser, insurance agent, janitorial business owner and I've worked as a car salesman, restaurant manager, pizza delivery guy, and financial analyst, and a supervisor for one of the leading captive finance companies in the world. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The techniques in Ferriss' book are like most theories....those that actually attempt to implement the suggestions are often rewarded with the benefits.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I think it's a mistake to dismiss this book as a gimmick or hype. There's a lot in the book that rings true. Most people would do well to read it and implement some of the ideas that make sense according to their individual circumstances. Like an all you can eat buffet, pick and choose what you like, and leave the rest for someone else to enjoy.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Example</strong>: Reduce the amount of time you spend working on the weekends and spend it with family and friends instead. How? Use some of Ferriss' tips and suggestions to get more work done Monday through Friday. </div>The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-12191353747621036362010-09-25T19:39:00.000-07:002010-09-25T19:48:31.214-07:00Shopping LocalI empathize with local restaurant businesses that confront the challenge of competing head to head with franchises on a daily basis. When eating out in restaurants I prefer to eat at local, non-franchise establishments when possible. Today I stopped by a new cafe that recently opened in Apollo Beach. <br />
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It was an obvious copy-cat hybrid version of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Panera-Bread-Company-Financial-Strategic/dp/B0033U3WIQ?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">P</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Panera-Bread-Company-Financial-Strategic/dp/B0033U3WIQ?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">anera Bread </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0033U3WIQ" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Starbucks-Experience-Principles-Ordinary-Extraordinary/dp/0071477845">Starbucks</a>. Tilework and new flooring helped set it apart.<br />
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The restaurant's debit card processing machine wouldn't accept my payment. The clerk was nice and allowed us to go ahead and eat with the promise that she would try it again when we finished eating. She blamed it on the Internet connection.<br />
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We ate our lunch and 20 minutes later the clerk tried the card again, but it still didn't work.<br />
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My wife walked over to the grocery store to an ATM to get cash. Since this was not our bank's ATM there was a service charge. In the end our $15 lunch cost us $18. <br />
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The thing that sometimes sets the local businesses apart from the franchises is their willingness to do the right thing in instances like this, so I expected the owner to offer a discount to offset the $3 cash advance fee. Doing so would have insured our return for future visits, but the owner chose not to offer a discount or an apology. In fact, he even suggested that we leave a tip. Unbelievable! It was his faulty debit card equipment that created an inconvenience for us and he had the audacity to suggest that we pay even more above and beyond the cost of the meal that was already priced significantly higher than a similar meal at Panera Bread or Starbucks.<br />
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I'm willing to pay more for locally owned, because more money stays in the local economy, but the locally owned business should exhibit the same professionalism the franchise companies provide if they expect to compete long term.The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-82366039822951891282010-09-13T16:00:00.000-07:002010-09-13T16:00:25.060-07:00Bird of Paradise<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TI6r72chyQI/AAAAAAAABD4/ZdKy8cmjimM/s1600/Florida+Botanical+Garden+Largo+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TI6r72chyQI/AAAAAAAABD4/ZdKy8cmjimM/s400/Florida+Botanical+Garden+Largo+016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TI6sbx9o1lI/AAAAAAAABEI/D2jzWlUuyOA/s1600/Florida+Botanical+Garden+Largo+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TI6sbx9o1lI/AAAAAAAABEI/D2jzWlUuyOA/s400/Florida+Botanical+Garden+Largo+020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TI6sFTjrv3I/AAAAAAAABEA/eaINTMR7HB0/s1600/Florida+Botanical+Garden+Largo+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TI6sFTjrv3I/AAAAAAAABEA/eaINTMR7HB0/s400/Florida+Botanical+Garden+Largo+017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
These specimens at the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo are the biggest and best I've every seen.The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-23458330818369859272010-09-12T10:36:00.000-07:002010-09-12T10:42:28.996-07:00Florida Botanical Garden Gazebo<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I've never been a big fan of architecture photos, but since my 300 mm lens is no longer operational and I haven't got the funds to replace it right now it looks like I need to warm up to architecture. It's difficult, if not impossible, to take bird photos with anything much less than 300 mm with 400 - 500 mm more realistic for smaller birds.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TI0OITFWOiI/AAAAAAAABDw/7_wSmYEZJe0/s1600/Florida+Botanical+Garden+Largo+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TI0OITFWOiI/AAAAAAAABDw/7_wSmYEZJe0/s640/Florida+Botanical+Garden+Largo+005.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TI0NRFfBNOI/AAAAAAAABDY/zkp84uFwd-U/s1600/Florida+Botanical+Garden+Largo+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TI0NRFfBNOI/AAAAAAAABDY/zkp84uFwd-U/s640/Florida+Botanical+Garden+Largo+008.JPG" width="427" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">On this trip to the gardens, we dodged rain showers and overcast skies.</div>The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-4951060196517909502010-09-11T19:22:00.000-07:002010-09-11T19:24:55.152-07:00Making California Wines in Florida<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1580172091" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most people know that you can't grow California grapes in the Florida heat, but they might not know that it is possible to make California style wines in Florida. How, you ask? </span><a href="http://www.pardowinegrapes.com/" target=_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pardo Wine Grapes</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to the rescue.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Winemakers-Companion-Know-How-Great-Tasting/dp/1580172091?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Home Winemaker's Companion: Secrets, Recipes, and Know-How for Making 115 Great-Tasting Wines" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1580172091&tag=bbqblog-20" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This Tampa family has been bringing California grapes and juice to Tampa for decades. Home wine making hobbiests drive from as far away as Port Lucie to purchase grapes and juices from this family run operation.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A lot of people make wines at home by using grape juice concentrates, but it's not the only way. If you plan ahead, it's possible to make wine from freshly pressed grapes right here in Florida.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More details from the </span><a href="http://www.pardowinegrapes.com/ordergrapesjuice.html" target=_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">website</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">:</span></div><blockquote><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>You can order refrigerated buckets of freshly pressed grape juice shipped from California ready for you to ferment. This juice is not a concentrate or a sterile pasteurized product. It’s the juice of freshly pressed grapes, refrigerated to retard fermentation and shipped to Tampa. Renew a tradition practiced by your ancestors or start one in your family. Make 5 gallons or a barrel, it’s up to you.</em></span></div></blockquote>If you want to make a traditional style wine, but want to learn the basics first there are several 4 week <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reserve-Du-Chateau-California-17-5-Pound/dp/B001ELJJWO?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">wine making kits </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001ELJJWO" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />available.The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-19340091336137233122010-09-11T13:13:00.000-07:002010-09-11T13:20:44.580-07:00Tampa Photo Blog<a href="http://findingtampa.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"">Finding Tampa</a> is a photo documentary from a "new to town" perspective.<br />
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The recent photos of <a href="http://findingtampa.wordpress.com/2010/09/07/the-italian-club-cemetery/" target="_blank"">The Italian Club Cemetery</a> are very introspective. I've driven by the cemetery a few times during my travels, but somehow these photos convey it in a way that you don't see from behind a steering wheel.<br />
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Likewise, simple junkyard photos become interesting when photographed in certains ways and from certain perspectives. Here's an example from a recent posting titled <a href="http://findingtampa.wordpress.com/2010/08/05/largo-auto-salvage-yard-part-2/" target="_blank:">Largo: Auto Salvage Yard Part 2</a>. I also enjoyed the sign from <a href="http://findingtampa.wordpress.com/2010/08/03/largo-auto-salvage-yard/" target="_blank"">Part 1</a>.The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-13163322491877942162010-09-09T16:21:00.000-07:002010-09-09T16:21:36.930-07:00Master Fisherman at a Ft. Myers Boat Launch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TIlrzj-I-RI/AAAAAAAABDQ/gMllpYWCahU/s1600/Egret" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TIlrzj-I-RI/AAAAAAAABDQ/gMllpYWCahU/s640/Egret" width="600" /></a></div>The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-88486971171493658202010-09-09T16:11:00.000-07:002010-09-09T16:12:38.752-07:00American Orchid Society - Delray Beach Florida<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TIlpTSelQ-I/AAAAAAAABC4/NUkwHnaLUJ0/s1600/Orchid" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TIlpTSelQ-I/AAAAAAAABC4/NUkwHnaLUJ0/s640/Orchid" width="427" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taken at the American Orchid Society tropical gardens in Delray Beach, FL.</div>The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-46857478155287993392010-09-07T17:42:00.000-07:002010-09-11T13:26:09.757-07:00Florida Music<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Although I enjoy a wide variety of music styles I'm biased when it comes to Florida music. I'm partial to rock music. Here's a list of my favorite Florida bands and performers:</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.lynyrdskynyrd.com/" target="_blank"">Lynyrd Skynyrd</a> - Jacksonville - Best known for <em>Sweet Home Alabama</em>.</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mollyhatchet.com/" target="_blank"">Molley Hatchet</a> - Jacksonville - Best known for <em>Flirtin' With Disaster</em>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.outlawsmusic.com/" target="_blank"">The Outlaws</a> - Tampa - Best known for <em>Green Grass & High Tides</em>. Henry Paul later formed the country band known as <em>Blackhawk</em>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.allmanbrothersband.com/" target="_blank"">The Allman Brothers Band</a> - Jacksonville - Best known for <em>Whippin' Post, Midnight Rider, </em>and <em>Ramblin' Man.</em><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.bellamybrothers.com/" target="_blank"">Bellamy Brothers</a> - Darby (Pasco County) - Best known for <em>Let Your Love Flow</em> and <em>Redneck Girl</em>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.derektrucks.com/" target="_blank"">Derek Trucks Band</a> - Jacksonville - Husband of Susan Tedeschi. My favorite is <em>Down in the Flood</em>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.susantedeschi.com/" target="_blank"">Susan Tedeschi</a> - Jacksonville - Best known <strong>recently</strong> for <em>Angel From Montgomery</em>. Wife of Derek Trucks.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZlcP3FOTM0U?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZlcP3FOTM0U?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div>The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-47438999693962473782010-09-07T16:50:00.001-07:002010-09-07T16:50:52.367-07:00Money Saving TipsMy wife and I are going to implement a money saving strategy I have read about at various times during the past few years in a variety of sources. It goes like this:<br />
<br />
Instead of using debit and credit cards for purchases, switch to cash. <br />
<br />
So here's what we're going to do....<br />
<br />
We stopped by the ATM tonight and picked up $50 for me and $25 for my wife. Whatever is left over at the end of the week goes toward savings. Next week we start over again with $75. Interesting game, no? Yes. My wife added a wrinkle to kick it up a notch...if I spend more than $50 for the week (i.e. I come home with no cash), then I have to take my lunch via brown paper bag one day the following week.<br />
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I'm a competitive person and this sounds like just the kind of challenge I'll enjoy. Wish me luck.The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-33810108527002759592010-09-06T17:20:00.000-07:002010-09-06T17:56:11.124-07:00Live Local, Buy Local<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I recently started reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Small-Mart-Revolution-Businesses-Competition-Paperback/dp/1576754669?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Small- Mart Revolution</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Small-Mart-Revolution-Businesses-Competition-Paperback/dp/1576754669?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1576754669" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></a> by Michael Shuman. I started as a skeptical, but open minded reader, but by Chapter 3 I'd become a full fledged enthusiast/fan. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Small-Mart-Revolution-Businesses-Competition-Paperback/dp/1576754669?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition (BK Currents (Paperback))" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1576754669&tag=bbqblog-20" /></a>For the most part, I am guilty of not taking local options into account when making my daily purchases. I eat at franchise chain restaurants, shop at malls and big box stores, online, and via mail order. Let's face it, it's a matter of convenience. Boot up the computer and in three or four days you can have the latest and greatest on your door step.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Buying local is not just a shopping priority. It's banking, healthcare, and entertainment. You can get a mortgage through a local bank. You can find a local doctor and dentist. You can turn off the TV and get your entertainment via local lectures, sporting events, festivals, and fairs.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mr. Shuman has assembled an easy to use <a href="http://small-mart.org/files/SMChecklists-Patriots.pdf">checklist</a> for implementing these ideas and incorporating them into your daily living. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Still not convinced? I urge you to read The Small Mart Revolution for more facts and figures like this one:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">According to Shuman's book, studies have shown that spending $1 at a chain book store puts $13 back into circulation in the local economy, but spending that same $1 at a locally owned book store puts > $40 back into the local economy. Want to reduce local unemployment? Make buying locally a priority.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You can get started by printing out <a href="http://small-mart.org/files/SMChecklists-Patriots.pdf">The Small-Mart Revolution checklist</a> today.</div>The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-43083393993628779282010-09-06T11:50:00.000-07:002010-09-06T12:17:43.400-07:00The High Cost of Eating OutMy wife recently walked into the living room where I enjoy sitting in my recliner and made the following statement pronounced as a question:<br />
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<em>Wife: Guess how much we've spent eating out this year through 8/31/10?</em><br />
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<em>Me: Too much.</em><br />
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<em>Wife: $3,100</em><br />
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<em>Me: I knew it was too much, but that is <u>entirely</u> too much.</em><br />
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I'll qualify this amount a little bit. In 243 days we averaged $12.75 per day for food. During the work week I eat out 99% of the time and the other 1% of the time I skip lunch completely. My wife takes her lunch from home 99% of the time and she eats out for lunch on rare occasion. We took a couple of driving vacations to Fort Myers/Sanibel and Miami/Delray Beach. It's almost impossible not to eat out when your on a driving vacation. But, I'm embarrassed we've spent that much eating out. <em>I need an action plan.</em><br />
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I was flipping through some magazines yesterday and ran across a nice suggestion about cutting back on spending by instituting "no spending" days. <br />
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Example: If you have $1,500 in the budget and the month is 30 days, spend no more than $50 a day or you'll be over budget. <br />
<br />
How to turn this exercise into an effective savings tool:<br />
<br />
Designate 5 "no spending" days each month and you'll have $150 extra at the end of the month. Designate 10 "no spending" days each month and you'll have $300 to save, put towards other purchases, or to pay down debt.<br />
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Some, including my wife, have suggested taking my lunch in a brown paper bag, but I can't do it. I work hard and need some "away from desk" time during the day. Besides that, I dislike stale bread or bread that is soggy from mayonaise or mustard. <br />
<br />
I think I'll start by limiting my evening restaurant meals (generally more expensive) to once per week and my lunch time meals to restaurants that offer money savings coupons. We're also heavy debit cards users and rarely carry cash. I predict we will save a bundle by using cash more versus debit cards. I've got a long way to go, but it's a definite start. <br />
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Care to share your own ideas?The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-42588679040630315852010-09-06T11:31:00.000-07:002010-09-06T11:31:25.393-07:00SteveSchale.comThe political blog,<em> <a href="http://steveschale.com/">Steve Schale</a>: Observations on the Land of 27 from one of its leading political strategists</em> is receiving a lot of focus this weekend based a prediction he made in a <a href="http://www.stevenschale.com/blog/2010/8/31/sorry-charlie.html">recent article</a> (<em>Sorry Charlie</em>) regarding the Florida Senate race. If you like reading about Florida politics from slight Democratic slant, this blog is for you.<br />
<br />
More from the <a href="http://www.stevenschale.com/about-me/">About Steve</a> section of <a href="http://steveschale.com/">SteveSchale.com</a>:<br />
<br />
<em>Steve is a Florida-based political and communication strategist and principal manager of Schale Strategies, LLC. Steve has extensive experience in all levels of Florida politics and is one of the best regarded strategists in the Sunshine State. In 2008, the St. Petersburg Times called him "one of the savviest and most effective political strategists Florida Democrats have seen in ages." He's also been named one of Florida’s “100 Movers and Shakers” by Florida International Magazine and one of the ten most influential Democrats in Florida by Politics Magazine.</em><br />
<br />
For me (and I suspect many others like me), the bitter back-and-forth that is so prevalent in political television advertisements is growing old. It's two-sided and it's a little dissapointing. I would rather see the candidates sharing their new ideas, thoughts, and approaches that will help the State and its' residents. I'm not so much interested in what has been done last week, last year, last decade. I'm more interested in next week, next year, and next decade. <br />
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How 'bout it candidates? Let's hear your new ideas.The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-53205704238326024842010-09-05T07:29:00.000-07:002010-09-05T08:05:33.627-07:00The Citrus Lens<a href="http://thecitruslens.com/" target="_blank">The Citrus Lens</a> photo blog has a lot of nice Florida themed pictures of places to go and see. We've actually been to most of the major places featured on the site, which makes me feel like I haven't missed too much during my almost 8 years of living in the Sunshine State.<br />
<br />
One of my favorite series of photos focuses on the <a href="http://thecitruslens.com/817/florida-botanical-gardens/" target="_blank">Florida Botanical Garden</a> in Largo. Linda and I visited the gardens a couple of years ago. There was a special event being held in the parking lot and after checking out all the booths we decided to tour the gardens. It's a fantastic place. The photos on <em>The Citrus Lens</em> kind of make me want to visit again sometime soon.<br />
<br />
We spent our first 4 1/2 years as Florida residents in Casselberry, FL and visited <a href="http://thecitruslens.com/833/church-street-station/" target="_blank">Church Street Station</a> numerous times - usually on Sundays. <em>The Citrus Lens</em> has several nice photos of The Station. I especially like the train picture. I don't remember the train being there when we visited. Maybe it's a more recent addition?<br />
<br />
And finally, if you're thinking of purchasing some photo equipment to start capturing your own unique images of this tropical paradise there's a <a href="http://thecitruslens.com/my-gear/" target="_blank">My Gear</a> section on the site that can offer you some suggestions. <br />
<br />
Here's a few of my own suggestions at various price points:<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-Digital-Reduction-18-55mm-Resistant/dp/B002OHDBZS?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video with DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Weather Resistant Lens" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B002OHDBZS&tag=bbqblog-20" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Alpha-24-6MP-Digital-Camera/dp/B001FOREK4?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Sony A900</a> - High end professional level "full frame" dslr </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-K-7-Digital-Shake-Reduction/dp/B0028N7442?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-Digital-Reduction-18-55mm-Resistant/dp/B002OHDBZS?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Pentax K-7</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002OHDBZS" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002OHDBZS" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0028N7442" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> - Medium end hobby level dslr offering more control versus "point and shoot". It also offers 720p HD video capability.</div><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FH20-Digital-Stabilized-2-7-Inch/dp/B00395WI58?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FH20-Digital-Stabilized-2-7-Inch/dp/B00395WI58?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FH20-Digital-Stabilized-2-7-Inch/dp/B00395WI58?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00395WI58" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00395WI58" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00395WI58" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> - Inexpensive camera with some medium and high end features including movie recording<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001FOREK4" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
<br />
I use a Sony A700, that is now a discontinued model. It's a 12.2 megapixel camera with built-in anti-shake capability. It can use just about any of the older Minolta lenses that were very, very popular in the 1980's. And, if I can ever save up enough "extra" money there are some killer Sony G-Series lenses built specifically for Sony that can bring out the best in digital photos. <br />
<br />
If you'd like to see more Florida pictures, please visit my <a href="http://sony-a700.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Florida Nature</a> photo blog.The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-9601511316504746662010-09-03T16:33:00.000-07:002010-09-05T07:46:02.145-07:0050 Books to Read Before You DieYou may recall<a href="http://floridabloggers.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-read-12-novels-year-in-your.html" target="_blank"> a post</a> about my goal to read 12 novels in 12 months that I made a few weeks ago. I referenced a blog by <a href="http://amandarosetew.blogspot.com/"target="_blank">Amanda Land</a> and her post about <a href="http://amandarosetew.blogspot.com/2010/06/50-books-to-read-before-you-die.html"target="_blank">50 Books to Read Before You Die</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Flies-Educational-William-Golding/dp/0571056865?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Lord of the Flies, Educational Edition" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0571056865&tag=bbqblog-20" /></a>I've already marked <em>T<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0791098265" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />he Road</em> <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0307476316" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />off my list and I'm currently reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/William-Goldings-Blooms-Critical-Interpretations/dp/0791098265?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Lord of the Flies</a> <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0791098265" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />by William Golding. The book was written in the 1950's and according to Stephen King,<em> </em><em>Lord of the Flies</em> <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0571056865" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />changed his life. It's another one of those books that are assigned by high school English teachers, but somehow my high school English teacher didn't assign it to me. If I recall correctly the book was on the reading list, but we weren't allowed to read it for credit in the college prep classes.<br />
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I'm currently reading Chapter 3 and the life change hasn't occurred for me yet, but since there's 190 pages to go I guess I still have some time.</div>The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-20652779974911270822010-08-29T10:08:00.000-07:002010-09-05T07:59:42.968-07:00The Dali Museum - St. Petersburg, FL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/THqSxL1ctwI/AAAAAAAABCw/_GGiO8ec5kY/s1600/The+Dali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/THqSxL1ctwI/AAAAAAAABCw/_GGiO8ec5kY/s320/The+Dali.jpg" /></a></div>I made the short drive to <a href="http://www.salvadordalimuseum.org/" target="_blank">The Dali Museum</a> in St. Petersburg this week. The museum houses the private collection of Salvador Dali paintings collected by A. Reynolds Morse and Eleanor Morse from Cleveland, Ohio. When the collection became too large to keep in their house and business offices, they looked a new place to showcase them. They found a new home in St. Petersburg.<br />
<br />
From <a href="http://salvadordalimuseum.org/" target="_blank">SalvadorDaliMuseum.org</a>:<br />
<blockquote><em>As an artist, Salvador Dali was not limited to a particular style or media. The body of his work, from early impressionist paintings through his transitional surrealist works, and into his classical period, reveals a constantly growing and evolving artist. Dali worked in all media, leaving behind a wealth of oils, watercolors, drawings, graphics, and sculptures, films, photographs, performance pieces, jewels and objects of all descriptions. As important, he left for posterity the permission to explore all aspects of one’s own life and to give them artistic expression. </em></blockquote>I enjoyed all the paintings, but two stood apart from the crowd. Oddly enough, they are nothing alike at all. One very simple and the other tremdously complicated and detailed.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Basket of Bread</em> (1925) and </strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hallucinogenic-Toreador-Poster-Print-Salvador/dp/B001XEOBNE?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><strong><em>The Hallucinogenic Toreador</em> </strong></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hallucinogenic-Toreador-c-1970-Poster-Salvador/dp/B0000WKA9Y?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><strong><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001XEOBNE" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></strong></a><strong><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0000WKA9Y" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />(1969-1970)</strong> <br />
<br />
I'm no art critic to be sure, but I think those two paintings demonstrate the vastness of Dali's work and the diversity of his interests. In the beginning he studied the masters and by the end of his career he had become one of them.<br />
<br />
If you visit the museum, I recommend taking the time for a guided tour. It will cost you no more than a few minutes of time and, if you're like me, you'll gain a lifetime of appreciation for this wonderful and complicated artist.<br />
<br />
To read more about the artist what better way than to read his diary? It's available in the museum gift shop and on <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0971457832" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Diary-Genius-Salvador-Dali/dp/0971457832?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0971457832" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />.The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-71800491823802948462010-08-29T08:30:00.000-07:002010-08-29T08:38:32.172-07:00The Road by Cormac McCarthy<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Road-Movie-Tie-Vintage-International/dp/0307476316?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Road (Movie Tie-in Edition 2009) (Vintage International)" height="320" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0307476316&tag=bbqblog-20" width="196" /></a>This morning I finished reading <em></em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Road-Movie-Tie-Vintage-International/dp/0307476316?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Road </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0307476316" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0307476316" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />by Cormac McCarthy. It was a movie too, but one that I haven't seen. After reading the book, I think I'll pass on the movie. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The book is on many "great American novel" lists and I agree that it deserves a place on those lists, but it's a depressing tale. Death, anarchy, apocalypse, cannablism...McCarthy covers it all. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The narrative is excellently descriptive, though most (if not all) of the expected punctuation and quotation marks they teach you about in high school and college English classes are absent. The book is not organized in the familar chapter structure either. It's one long chapter from page 1 through page 289. That was a distraction for the first few pages, but I got used to it.<br />
<br />
I could go into more details, but I'm afraid I might spoil it for someone else. It's the kind of book you need to experience for yourself.<br />
<br />
Would the book have been a best seller without being an Oprah Book Club selection? Would the movie have been made with her endorsement? It's hard to predict, but of course it didn't hurt.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Meridian-Evening-Redness-Library/dp/0679641041?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West (Modern Library)" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0679641041&tag=bbqblog-20" width="128" /></a>McCarthy is known for his reclusiveness and refuses most interviews. Here's a <a href="http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/Oprahs-Exclusive-Interview-with-Cormac-McCarthy-Video">rare interview</a> he granted Oprah Winfrey. After her endorsement that inevitably led <em>The Road</em> to a huge "best seller" status, I think he owed it to her.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm going to give McCarthy a break for a few months, but I'll be adding <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Meridian-Evening-Redness-Library/dp/0679641041?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Blood Meridian </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0679641041" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />to my long term list of "greatest novels" to read. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-85635999245102862312010-08-28T18:30:00.000-07:002010-08-29T06:35:01.833-07:00Manatees at the Ellenton Outlet MallI snapped these interesting manatee photos at the <a href="http://www.primeoutlets.com/locations/ellenton.aspx">Prime Outlets</a> in Ellenton, FL with my cell phone camera. They're not the best quality photos, but it was pretty spur of the moment. The sculptures look much better up close. They also seemed to be pretty popular with children. We saw several posing for parents while we were there.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/THm0ZXJ1SHI/AAAAAAAABCQ/3hrmgMmSs1M/s1600/Manatee2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/THm0ZXJ1SHI/AAAAAAAABCQ/3hrmgMmSs1M/s400/Manatee2.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/THm0flEMtxI/AAAAAAAABCY/Zjg2P60GE-M/s1600/Manatee3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/THm0flEMtxI/AAAAAAAABCY/Zjg2P60GE-M/s400/Manatee3.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/THm1FHfB89I/AAAAAAAABCg/Nu6JvCG5QPk/s1600/Manatee4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/THm1FHfB89I/AAAAAAAABCg/Nu6JvCG5QPk/s320/Manatee4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did a quick Google search tonight to learn more about the sculptor, but I haven't found anything yet.</div>The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-58820982165281997532010-08-27T11:47:00.000-07:002010-08-27T11:56:22.522-07:00Dominoes<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00004T71M" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Although I rarely do, when I go to the local big box retail store, I normally get-in, get-what-I-came for and get-out, but today I walked back into the area where they keep the games. I was looking for mahjong, but simply couldn't pass up the $2.95 box of double six dominoes<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00004T71M" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cardinal-Double-Color-Mexican-Dominoes/dp/B00004T71M?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Cardinal Double 12 Color Dot Mexican Train Dominoes in Tin" height="320" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B00004T71M&tag=bbqblog-20" width="320" /></a>When I was younger, my brother received a set of dominoes for a gift and we played it quite a bit, but I haven't played a standard game of Draw Dominoes or Block Dominoes for several years.</div><br />
I had no idea the game had so many variations. Double Six, Double Nine, Double Twelve, and Double Fifteen stood out as separate sets of dominoes. Did you know there's even a <a href="http://www.prodominoassociation.com/" " target="_blank">Pro Domino Association</a>? There have even been games televised on ESPN. Who knew? (It must have been at night when I was sleeping, because I stay pretty in-tune with what's airing on ESPN and I definitely missed the dominoes.<br />
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The PDA hosts tournaments throughout the country and promotes the sport to increase interest in the game. From <a href="http://pdadominoes.com/" " target="_blank">PDADominoes.com</a> :<br />
<br />
<blockquote><em>The PDA has established a leadership brand in scope with other recognizable professional sport and game authorities. We have created a competition infrastructure and maintain stewardship over the game in the worldwide community of domino players.</em></blockquote><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dominoes-Variations-Reiner-F-Muller/dp/0806938803?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Dominoes: Basic Rules & Variations" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0806938803&tag=bbqblog-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0806938803" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />There's an entire book dedicated to the variations of the game including games like chicken foot, cyprus, matador, fortress, and Mexican train. I know from talking to my niece and nephew that are recent college grads, Mexican train is becoming more and more popular on college campuses. You can learn more about these variations of the game at <a href="http://www.domino-games.com/domino-rules/" " target="_blank">DominoGames.com</a>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
If you don't have a set of dominoes, you can even play online. Play online Mexican Train <a href="http://www.domino-games.com/dominoes-online/mexican-train-dominoes-dillydally.html" " target="_blank">here</a>. For a game that dates back to at least 1120 A.D., it's come a long, long way.</div>The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-84645839823896083362010-08-26T05:59:00.000-07:002010-08-26T06:20:52.220-07:00Is College Tuition Really Worth the Price?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0965608654" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Been-There-Shouldve-Done-That/dp/0965608654?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Been There, Should've Done That: 995 Tips for Making the Most of College" height="136" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0965608654&tag=bbqblog-20" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A book written by Suzette Tyler</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I followed a link from <a href="http://www.rowdykittens.com/" target="_blank">RowdyKittens.com </a>to an article on <a href="http://thegreenestdollar.com/" target="_blank">TheGreenestDollar.com</a> about the <a href="http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/08/are-ivy-league-schools-worth-the-tuition/" target="_blank">value of a college education</a>. With college freshmen leaving home to begin their higher education this month, the discussion is quite timely.</div><br />
I feel pretty lucky. I graduated from a small private liberal arts college in the midwest with a 4-year degree and later I attended graduate school finishing 3 courses toward an MBA - all without spending any of my own money for tuition.<br />
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With the cost of college rising some people have been priced out of top tier schools. My own nephew is facing a similar situation. He's worked hard to earn high marks and is almost certain to finish in the top 1% of his high school class of several hundred students. Most would assume he would be destined to one the biggies -- Vanderbilt, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford....you know the ones. He's qualified right? But, without a scholarship for the full amount of tuition it's not very realistic.<br />
<br />
Is a degree from one of those schools really worth the price of an average home in a middle-class neighborhood? Is it even worth half that amount?<br />
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Even tuition at my own alma mater has skyrocketed. It was $9,000 a year when I attended (on full scholarship), but is nearing $15,000 a year now.<br />
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Is a medical degree from Yale that much better than a degree from the University of Ohio-Dayton? I ask this because my own orthepedic surgeon who performed double knee surgery on me last year graduated from the latter. I am no less happy with the results of the surgery. Would a piece of Ivy League paper help me walk better? I doubt it. The arthritis damage is already done. There's only so much repair that can be made.<br />
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What about a business degree from one of those top tier schools? In a bad economy does it really make a difference? I read a recent magazine article about a Cornell graduate that is working as a landscaper and living with his parents. Really? $140,000 in tuition costs to mow lawns? I think he could have got the lawn mowing job for the $25,000 he could have spent at a lesser regarded state school (I say jokingly).<br />
<br />
Here's my take...<br />
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After working in the corporate arena for more than 20 years, I subscribe to the line of thinking that says, "It's not what you know, it's who you know." I've seen it again and again. I've seen many jobs filled via personal referrals. Granted, not all jobs are filled this way but many are. In my personal experience, transcripts and the college you graduated from are after thoughts in the hiring process. As an example, I obtained my dream job after college via a referral from the house mom in my college fraternity house. Her nephew worked for the brokerage firm. The school I attended didn't carry nearly the weight and influence that her personal recommendation did. I no longer work in that field, but even as a college history major I now work as an analyst and supervisor in the financial services field. <br />
<br />
My college degree had very little to do with my current position. The main qualifier is that <u>I have one</u>.<br />
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And what about graduate school? I have many friends with MBAs that do not earn more money as a result. I lost interest in committing the time and money toward it and stopped pursuing the advanced degree. It's a decision I don't regret.The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-31061529032085939492010-08-24T08:26:00.000-07:002010-08-25T13:31:11.175-07:00The Help by Kathryn Stockett<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Like many people, I've got a stack of books that I've purchased because I saw them listed in a newspaper article, watched an interview of the writer on television, or read a blurb here and there somewhere on the Internet. Lately it seems my stack of books is growing faster than my ability to read them and if you recall an article I wrote a couple of weeks ago titled <a href="http://floridabloggers.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-read-12-novels-year-in-your.html" target="_blank">How to Read 12 Novels a Year in Your Spare Time</a>, I've tried to re-focus and re-commit to reading. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/THPy6Je1LxI/AAAAAAAABB4/2SgihgeorDA/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/THPy6Je1LxI/AAAAAAAABB4/2SgihgeorDA/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2010 "Finished Stack"</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
This morning I finished reading the last 120 pages of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Help-Kathryn-Stockett/dp/0399155341?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><em>The Help</em> </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0399155341" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />by Kathryn Stockett, which is the first novel in my 12-in-12 attempt that started on August 1st. There's a section of our local Sunday newspaper that lists the Top 5 <em>New York Times</em> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/books/bestseller/besthardfiction.html?ref=bestseller" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Best Sellers for Hardcover Fiction</span></a> and this book has been on it for several months. I picked it up a couple months ago and put it in "the stack". <br />
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The book is 451 pages, but don't let that keep you from reading it. It might take an extra day or two to finish it, but it's worth it.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Help-Kathryn-Stockett/dp/0399155341?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Help" height="320" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0399155341&tag=bbqblog-20" width="206" /></a><em>The Help</em> reminds me a little bit of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mudbound-Hillary-Jordan/dp/1565126777?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><em>Mudbound</em></span></a> by Hillary Jordan<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1565126777" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />, another book that is set in Mississippi. Whereas Mudbound is an <em>in your face account</em> with more agressive language<em>,</em> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Help-Kathryn-Stockett/dp/0399155341?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><em>The Help</em> </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0399155341" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />is somehow softer. Both books deal with civil rights issues from the perspectve of women living in Mississippi, with the time frames separated by three decades.<br />
<br />
<em>The Help</em> is written in the voice of Aibeleen, Minnie, and Skeeter. Aibeleen and Minnie work for two of Skeeter's best childhood friends. After returning from college at Ole Miss, Skeeter begins to understand that she no longer identifies with her friends the way she once did and she comes to realize that it's because of the way they treat their maids.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I was bracing for a harsher, edgier ending - <em>maybe even violent</em> - but in the end Stockett took a higher road. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Read more about Kathryn Stockett on<a href="http://www.kathrynstockett.com/" target="_blank"> her website</a>.<br />
<br />
And if you have 4 minutes, here's a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Y7ymjSsN0" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">video interview</span></a> Katie Couric did with Kathryn Stockett that provides a little more background on the book and the author.</div><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0399155341" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674130692723090882.post-5510982146915349202010-08-18T18:01:00.000-07:002010-08-22T05:45:17.311-07:00Step Right Up, Step Right Up Folks...Get Your Fancy Camera Right HereSo I'm surfing around tonight on a few new websites I read about in the newspaper today and I ran across <a href="http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/">Far Beyond the Stars</a>. The author, Everett Bogue, writes and promotes minimalist living. (He used to work for New York Magazine.) <br />
<br />
As is typical with me I was trying to do several things at once, so I didn't make it past the front page of the website tonight, but a one-liner in a <a href="http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/the-true-purpose-of-simplicity/">recent article</a> caught my eye:<br />
<blockquote><em>Nikon and Canon want you to believe that you’ll be a famous photographer if you just buy one more camera lens.</em></blockquote>How true this statement is. <br />
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But if you buy a $1,200 camera and $600 lens from one of those companies, will it help you take photographs like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Clyde-Butcher-Florida-Landscape/dp/0813028256?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">C</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Clyde-Butcher-Florida-Landscape/dp/0813028256?ie=UTF8&tag=bbqblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">lyde Butcher</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0813028256" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bbqblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0821221841" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />, the well known Florida landscape photographer? Will you be the second coming of Ansel Adams?<br />
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I think I read somewhere that Mr. Butcher uses a camera that hasn't been popular with mainstream professional photographers since sometime around the 1930's, but would anyone argue with me when I say that there hasn't been a landscape photographer since Ansel Adams that takes comparable pictures? O.k. maybe some <em>would</em> argue, but hopefully I've made my point. It's not the camera, it's the craft, artistry, skill, dedication, and perserverance of the person behind the view finder.<br />
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And just for fun, can you pick out which of the following photos was taken with a Canon and which one was taken with a Nikon?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TGyATnI7MgI/AAAAAAAABBc/nRcY6Oe3Dbw/s1600/Butterfly+Butterfly+Butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TGyATnI7MgI/AAAAAAAABBc/nRcY6Oe3Dbw/s400/Butterfly+Butterfly+Butterfly.jpg" width="400" /></a>A.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TGyAkXO1UOI/AAAAAAAABBg/hkUYAqTNUM0/s1600/Honeymoon_Island_Bird_Watercolor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TGyAkXO1UOI/AAAAAAAABBg/hkUYAqTNUM0/s400/Honeymoon_Island_Bird_Watercolor.jpg" width="400" /></a>B.</div><br />
Give up yet? <br />
<br />
Let's try one more.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TGyBAt1nC_I/AAAAAAAABBk/5RfXkkpXGd8/s1600/Flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cHSQ14WU55E/TGyBAt1nC_I/AAAAAAAABBk/5RfXkkpXGd8/s400/Flower.jpg" width="400" /></a>C.</div><br />
Was A. the Canon? Or was it B.? Was C. the Nikon?<br />
<br />
Give up?<br />
<br />
D. Sony - With an inexpensive $180 lens. <strong>All of the Above.</strong>The BBQ Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11760543438871750293noreply@blogger.com2