TampaBLAB

When I last talked to Stephanie O’Dea, she was only a little past halfway in her quest to cook a meal a day in a CrockPot and blog…

One New Year's Eve between 2001 and 2006, my husband and I stayed away from both bar and party and instead cooked and ate dinner with our best friend who is now dead. We watched some movie on TV, talked...

Back At It

A Good Start and a Frustrating Stop

After a seemingly strong start, and then a bit of a setback, I’ve been pounding pavement again. July and August were a bit frustrating, but on Labor Day I was able to run the Nike+ 10K (on a treadmill, on vacation, but I did it.) Ten kilometers – just over six miles – is the longest distance I had ever run, and one that I hadn’t touched since high school. Unfortunately, after that, I found myself unable to run more than a once or twice a month.

Tempus Fugit

Around Thanksgiving, I realized that my goal of running the half-marathon in the Gasparilla Classic would slip away if I didn’t start training in earnest. And so I did. I learned the importance of weather, as my runs in the cool fall and winter air felt easier, faster, and longer than those of the brutal summer. The calendar told me I had only a few short weeks to add to my long run before March 1. Adding a mile per week – ambitious, but not crazy – would put me where I needed to be.

Longest Run Ever

Last night, driving home, I felt good and the weather felt cool. Almost on the spur of the moment, I decided to skip my planned six-mile run (postponed from Sunday due to the holiday) and go straight to seven. There’s a straight shot from my house to a nearby car dealership and back that’s exactly seven miles, a route I’d measured before but never actually run, and as I drove home, rock music blasting from my iPod, I decided to give it a shot.

I made it.

The run was challenging without being too punishing. I tried to keep a slow, steady pace throughout, figuring that was my best shot at avoiding a flameout after mile four. A bit to my surprise, the third mile was the hardest – that’s when my calves and quads hurt the most, when my energy level seemed lowest, when I seriously began to wonder if I hadn’t made a colossal mistake. Then just after finishing that third mile, I rounded a curve and saw the lights of the car dealership in the distance. The pavement slid quickly under me as I reached the halfway point… and then, I was just going home.

A Personal Best

Just a year ago, if you had told me I would be running seven miles before 2008 closed, I would have laughed, or at least rolled my eyes. Not only had I never done it, I had no reason to think that I even had it in me to try.

Now? I’ve checked off that box, well on my way to my goal of 13.1 on March 1. And in the process, I’ve achieved something that I had never been able to accomplish in my entire life.

Believe it or not, I am capable of exercising some personal restraint. I don't publish everything I think of in this blog, which says...something. Here is a list of potential posts that will never see the light of (this) blog:

• "Is Downs Syndrome contagious?"


• "A short conversation about whether or not to eat the leftover calimari that I accidentally left out in the car overnight"

"I confess, I really did eat the macaroni and cheese...and it was amazing!"

I wanted to share with you the last light of 2009 here in Tampa, FL. That's Lake Roberta in Seminole Heights, only a few blocks from my house at about 6 p.m. today.

It's been a wild and wooly 2008 and I have a hunch that '09 will be much better.

Have a joyful and healthy New Year everyone.

I don't want to turn this blog into a casting call for reality food shows, but I do think the following information is worth sharing. Particularly in a tough economy, independent Florida restaurant owners can use all the exposure (and...

I'm not a fan of award shows on TV. I don't watch the Grammys, The Oscars, The Tonys, The People's Choice, or whatever else is out there. While I may make a note of the winners, as a pop culture item, I don't necessarily consider the awards as valid indicators of quality.

When it comes to internet awards, I'm just as apathetic. That said, it is an honor to be nominated forThe Best Comic Strip by the likes of Jon Swift, The Culture Ghost, and Tas.Thanks fellas!

I didn't make the cut as a finalist, but from what I gather at the site, the slate of finalists is selected by a mysterious "team of volunteers" that helps out the Wizbang guy that runs the awards. "Explaining why many nominated blogs are not finalists is always the trickiest part of The Weblog Awards."

I haven't been to visit Wizbang for maybe a couple of years. I don't know what goes on over there now, but back in the days when Tas ran Loaded Mouth, the Wizbang crew were bunch of Kool-Aid drinkers. So pardon me if I don't get all excited about an internet award run by Wizbang.

Now, BlueGal's "Don't Sugarcoat It Award"... there's an award worth winning! Happy New Year!

In with a bang and a rush of optimism, out with a grunt of indifference. December's been relatively drama-free, so there's not been much worth writing about either. All month, I've managed a training load averaging 35mpw (!) plus 4-5...

Some good shit happened. Some bad shit happened.

I'm on vacation now, and I don't have the motivation to write about any of it.

Rest assured that I will be back after the new year, and I will continue to be awesome. ...

Total outsource of the New Year’s Eve post to Eric Deggans at the St. Pete Times, who posted this fantastic extended interview with Wendy and Lisa, the enigmatic former Prince girls.

Enjoy.

And have a Happy and Safe New Year.

Post from: Lakeland Local

Happy New Year Everyone! May all your resolutions come true. ;)

If you have been hanging around these parts for a while, you know that the model for this site is to tell you what the Rays have done, what they are doing and try to project what they will do based on what we have learned. Unlike most team blogs, we do not very often tell you what the Tampa Bay Rays should do. However, for the next 12 days we will step away from the standard, and we present to you 12 "presents" the Tampa Bay Rays should give to their fans.

On the seventh day of Raysmas, the Tampa Bay Rays gave to us, a SEVEN-year extension for BJ Upton...

Two days ago we hoped the Rays would give Matt Garza a five-year extension. While they are being generous, they might as well go ahead secure BJ Upton for the next seven seasons (including options).

Upton is eligible for free agency following the 2012 season, so a seven-year deal would buy out his first three years of free agency. That may seem like a lot, but we can dream can't we?

Last season, Upton was worth 4.3 wins with only one arm. So if the Rays love their fans, they will sign Upton long-term, before he grows a cape, tattoos an "S" to his chest and starts announcing his presence with authority.

And if Upton agrees to a deal, we promise to stop calling him Melvin...well, we promise to stop doing it so often.

On the seventh day of Raysmas, all Rays fans want is a SEVEN-year extension for BJ Upton and...
SIX months with at least 15 wins [Day 6]
FIVE-year extension for Matt Garza [Day 5]
FOUR pitchers with 15 wins [Day 4]
THREE Gold Glove awards [Day 3]
TWO months in triple-A for David Price [Day 2]
ONE impact bat with a bow on top [Day 1]

This time of the year,folks are remembering events that occurred, places they went, people they met and thinking about things they'd like to do in the new year.

But a weekly newsletter I receive asked a different kind of question: What do you need to forget in 2008?

What bad habits, mistakes, mental weights, etc. do I need to leave behind?

With regard to my writing, for sure, it is the twin demons of perfectionism and procrastination.

I also would like to leave behind the excuses that I give myself when life gets in the way. Life will always get in the way. That's life!

I would also like to leave behind the mental fog that engulfs me periodically when life does get in the way, and weeks go by, in a very automated fashion, before I feel as though I can look up, take a deep breath, and move forward. Not sure if this is middle age kicking in--because I didn't use to spazz like that, no matter what was going on--or if it's a new coping mechanism. Either way, it doesn't serve my goals well.

So here's to a new year. Out with the old and in with the new.

What do you plan to leave behind in 2008?

And, today, I have four copies of one of the last books I read this year to giveaway, MURDER ON THE DOWN LOW by Pamela Samuels-Young.

A high-profile lawsuit erupts into chaos, revealing its place in a larger spree of violence in this scandalous tale of lust, lies, and vengeance. A brazen gunman is targeting prominent African American men on the streets of Los Angeles, and police are completely baffled. At the same time, savvy big-firm attorney Vernetta Henderson and her outrageous sidekick, Special, lead the charge for revenge against a man whose deceit caused his fianceé's death. For Special, hauling the man into court and suing him for wrongful death just isn’t good enough. While she exacts her own brand of justice, a shocking revelation connects the contentious lawsuit and the puzzling murders.

If you'd like a copy, leave a comment. Remember, four winners! You have until January 5th.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, ALL!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Stay focused. Move Forward. Believe.

by Elizabeth A. Leib

The end of the year arrives and we’re counting our blessings. Mitzvahboy transitioned nicely from Hillel School to first grade at our neighborhood school, Lewis Elementary. I continued serving Raintree Writing Service clients, writing the occasional book review for the St. Petersburg Times while also working as Parent Liaison for Hillsborough County Schools and Mark completed a new play, “River in the Desert.”

For me, 2008 was the year to accept the realities of middle-age: reading glasses, slowing metabolism and hormone changes. My personal coach tells me that is the age where one must take care to fuel every muscle, bone and blood cell with with food on all levels - intellectual, physical, spiritual; self-care becomes even more critical to meet the demands of parenting and family life.

Like many families, we’re anticipating a very challenging 2009. The financial crisis, the deterioration of print media, and cut backs to education have created a perfect storm that affects about every family we know, including ours. So my resolutions for 2009 are very basic: find ways to bring healthy, low-cost foods into the house; introduce family activities that nurture the soul and body without depleting the bank account.

Gardening

I’ve got 4 hours of good sun on the north-east corner of our property. Unfortunately that means that the hydroponic gardening towers I’m investing in with my father’s holiday check will have to reside in the front of the house. Possibly in a few months I can move them to the patio in the back. I checked with our next-door neighbors and they had no objections. I’m planning to grow enough produce and herbs so that we can stop buying the tasteless stuff found at local groceries and have enough excess to share with friends and family.

Cooking

I’m the proud owner of two new stainless steel frying pans and my first cuisinart food processor. My sister Lauren is my go-to person for ideas and inspiration for making healthy home-cooked food. For those looking to cut food costs take a look at Super-Target. I found a half-gallon of milk was TWO dollars cheaper than what we’ve been paying at Publix. I found many items at lower cost and many of the Target brands a higher quality than what we’ve been buying.

Family Time: Bicycling

I’m not sure we’ll manage this. But who knows - 2009 may be the magic year! We are fortunate to live in a neighborhood where it is possible to bicycle as a family. We’re also near enough to the Hillsborough River to ride in neighborhoods on the river. And we have a new pet that loves nothing better than to be with us. Fluffy’s holiday gift will be a basket so that she can ride along with us.

The Great Outdoors

Sure, Mitzvahboy is outdoors in scheduled activities: he’s on the Junior Swim Team at the Temple Terrace Rec. Center and will have tennis and baseball lessons and soccer in the spring. But I want him to have outdoor experiences that are less directed. So we’ll spend a weekend on the Suwannee River filled with music at the Paralounge Drum Festival and attend a few of the great free activities at the Weedon Island Nature Preserve.

Self-Care: Reading, Nutrition, Exercise, Blogging

Obama administration, Islam, healthy living, gift-giving, the ideas of Garrett Hardin - all really, really interesting. This year I’ll use i-Google to expand my information sources; I will make it to tai-chi on Saturday mornings; I will visit Mind, Body, Spirit for a nutrition consultation. I will enjoy Mark’s gift of a subscription to the New Yorker after not having it for several years. Sure I’m filled with self-doubt about the value of my blogging, but its been a great creative outlet; who knows what professional opportunities may be coming as online media matures.

Good luck in reaching for your own new year resolutions! Be safe, be fearless, be informed….Happy New Year!

I pay a significant price each month for my cable TV. One might say that I'm an advocate for great television, be it the educational dynamics of Discovery or History Channel or the wonderful drama and comedy filled standard and premium channels I pay dearly for. There are channels I've watched for years, and some I've just started watching recently. At over $100/month, I expect my cable to be here for me when I need it, and in the full glory that I pay for.

Well, that's about to end.

As of today, Brighthouse Networks has made an enemy of me. They're removing the following 19 channels from their line-up, effective immediately: Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, Logo, Pure Country, Palladia, MTV2, MTV Europe, MTV James, Noggin, Spike, Nick2, Nick @ Night, MTV3, TV Land, VH1, VH1 Classic and MTV Soul. Of these, I honestly only care about Comedy Central, Spike and MTV. WHY? WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS?

I called them to ask. Apparently, as part of the 2009 switch to all-digital-signals, they are cutting all programming that doesn't fit the new digital format. As all of these channels refuse to be offered digitally or in HDTV, they won't be carrying them anymore. Viacom didn't want to make the significant investment in the new formatting, so all Roadrunner-Brighthouse-Comcast-TimeWarner, etc.etc. will be removing them today.

I called Brighthouse. They tell me, "We've had this notice posted in our office for 2 months. If you don't come in to pay your bill, you wouldn't know that. But you had an opportunity to voice your opinion. The decision has been made." What kind of bullshit is that? Who the fuck goes INTO an office to pay their cable bill? Maybe 10% of people? I pay online or by check. I don't know anyone who doesn't. Why would I take time out of my busy day to go to their offices and see a notice?

I'm so disgusted. I'm about to call Verizon right now to confirm they aren't doing the same thing, and then to switch. Fuck, this is upsetting.

Time to make some more predictions, as I did last year, and every year since I started this blog in 2004.

 

Prediction 1:
Whether it's a recession, depression, or whatever you want to call it....it will continue and go deeper in 2009, even with a brand new President.  The Dow will fall under 6,000, unemployment will be higher than anytime since WW2, gas prices will go back and stay back over $3, being $4.50 at some point.  Food prices continue to go higher, and 20% of the banks will go bust.  Wish I had better news.

Prediction 2:
The economic woes hit the sports world.  The NFL and NBA will stay strong, but rumors persist throughout '09 of contraction for MLB and the NHL.  The NHL confirms its troubles and announces a contraction back to 24 teams late in the year.

Prediction 3:
The Tampa Bay Rays do NOT make another World Series, the Yankees beat them in the ALCS and beat the L.A. Dodgers to win the World Series.

Prediction 4:
More problems in the Middle East, as Israel becomes the latest battlefield.  Terrorists in Lebanon and even Iran give the Israelis trouble, but the Jewish state is more than capable of holding it's own.

Prediction 5:
The nation's "love affair" with President Obama ends by the summertime, as cities and states all over the US turn to the federal government for their own bailout.  States are forced to come up with scores of different taxes, as New York states has done, to keep revenue coming into their areas, which leads to civil unrest in the bigger cities.

Prediction 6:
Remember Sarah Palin?  Well, she stays in the media spotlight in 2009, as FOX does a reality show on her.  Reviews of the show are mixed, but the show winds up being a ratings hit.

Prediction 7:
Computer and computer technology continues to impress, despite the economic troubles.  A new Internet social network makes MySpace a distant memory.  Twitter continues to make tech news with new innovations.

Prediction 8:
Brett Favre retires...and stays retired.

Prediction 9:
Women do well in the sports world.  Danica Patrick wins the Indy 500, and in November, a woman wins the World Series of Poker for the first time, and a NBA team tries once again to bring in a female player.

 Prediction 10:
Osama Bin Laden.....still won't be caught.