Sad Face- the blog is done!

Another Happy 30th to me!

Thanks to all of you for experiencing my journey with me!

In the beginning it was tough- just as anything is when you're new to it. I was thinking "how hard can it be to go out and enjoy some new things"? Well, being in school full-time, doing community service, and working full-time can certainly make it tough to break away and "hangout". However, I started looking at this "hanging out"  as simply exploring and trying new things. I mean, I like new things!  I'm glad I was able to change my way of thinking in order to enjoy what Tampa has to offer.

Throughout my journey, I've matured quite a bit. I've definitely gained more from writing this blog over the past months than I have in the two years I've been in Tampa. I have opened up and met more people, asked more questions, and have even become somewhat of an advocate for "exploring".

What I've really learned in doing this blog is that my experience wasn't about what Tampa has to offer me, more than it was what I had to offer Tampa. I wasn't being fair to myself or the city by shutting down so quickly! The city wasn't going to knock on my door and tell me all of the great things it had to offer, you know? I had to remind myself of what I like and what I support and go out and find those things that I could get into. And boy, have I come across some great things!

Friends and family, thanks again for your support! Although I am done with my blog, I am not done with my exploring! Here's what I am looking forward to this month:

- Swimming with manatees

- A fashion show

- Autism Walk

- Taste of South Tampa

- AD2 meeting

- Fundraiser Luncheon

- Spelman Alumnae chapter meeting

Hmmmm.......I wonder what the next blog could be? :)

30- Tampa Bay Lightning

Last Tuesday night, I was invited (at around 4pm) to attend a hockey game that evening. If you know me, you know I pretty much have my days planned out weeks in advance, so I was pretty sure that I wouldn't be able to make the game because I already had my to-do list lined up. However, I decided to move a few things around to enjoy something new.

AND it became my 30th event! Yay me!

I live near downtown, so it took no time to get to the arena. Parking was super convenient and there was no line to get in. I am glad I brought a jacket because it was icy all around- for sure! Even though I was hungry (seeing that I missed my steamed veggies and chicken scheduled to be eaten at 7:10p), I opted against the $12 chicken salad and the BBQ smothered nachos (omg- i would never eat that!).

With great seats and cool peeps around, my hunger pains became no match for the entertaining game. There wasn't as much fighting- like what I've previously seen on TV- and I was happy for that. I was able to keep up with the game ....and we had great seats, so I could see every bit of the action and really get into the excitement right along with the fans.

I'd definitely go to another game :)

29- Sensory Overload

I am a big fan of Creative Loafing, and my love for this newspaper/magazine started in Atlanta. There are a few cities that are fortunate enough to have this weekly reading, and low and behold........Tampa is one of them. So, I guess I get somewhat of a cultural/artsy feel in Tampa like I did when I lived in Atlanta.

Creative Loafing is awesome because it not only gives me all the happenings in the area, it has great articles on politics, sex & love, sports, and more! I had no idea Tampa had such an artistic side. There are so many concerts from local bands to international artists, so many art museums, so many venues, gallery openings, wine tastings...........oh my I'm going to get tired of typing!!

Thanks to this paper, I am giving Tampa a second look......

It took me no time, then, to purchase tickets for the Creative Loafing Event called "Sensory Overload" when I came across the description:

Over 25 performances in 4 hours.
Can you catch them all?

Creative Loafing's sixth annual Sensory Overload promises to be another unforgettable mix of art, music and performance on Saturday, March 26 at the Glazer Children's Museum in downtown Tampa. This year's event will include a multi-stage music showcase, cutting-edge theater, interactive soundscapes, digital video and food installations, performance art, dance and more, including the winners of this year's "Show Us Your Neighborhood" Photo Contest. (from their website)

It was a perfect night.

The will call area was unorganized, but when I finally got in, I started to check out what the night had to offer. It was pretty much a chance for adults to enjoy the kid's museum, and I enjoyed playing some of the games and seeing others try their skills at the mini rock climbing wall and Twister!

The beverage line was too long to wait for a drink, but I have found over the years that it is perfectly okay to enjoy events while sober. I mean, at least I am sure I will remember everything.

Seriously kidding......

There were various levels of entertainment, with performing art and roller derby girls popping up at scheduled times for performances. The top floor had amazing music (I am adding new bands to my collection from this night as we speak), not to mention an interesting cheese display of which I enjoyed a couple of cubes. :)

The paella rocked!

I do have to say that even with the combination of so many activities happening at once, my sensory wasn't overloaded at all.........and this is a good thing. I feel like I was able to enjoy as much as I could, without feeling rushed to move on to the next thing or feeling guilty that I missed something.

I call it "sensory just right".

Check out the pics below from the "cereal killer" exhibit. Totally rad. I haven't had a bowl of fruit loops in years. I tried to figure out how many weight watchers points I was giving up, but heck you only live once right?

LOL
xoxoxoxo

More pics here:

http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2011/03/28/photos-of-sensory-overload-2011-music-art-roller-derby-cereal-and-nuns/

(I'm in the 3rd pic- in the middle (green dress). Not my best angle, but hey...who cares)

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k566/dfac1/Sensory%20Overload%202011/_JUL8597-1.jpg
(Me & Letty!)

 Tampa Bay DERBY DARLIN'S

http://www.tampabayderbydarlins.com/j/

I'm in some kind of dollhouse or something!

What a gorgeous night! Beautiful patio with beautiful people overlooking the Hillsborough River, the University of Tampa, and Downtown. So fab :)

28- Transitions Golf Championship

Ahhh, golf. Watching a tiny ball fly through the air right outta my sight is not my thing, really. However, on March 18th, I was invited to attend the Transitions Golf Championship at the Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort. I had to get to the dentist that morning, but right after that I was on my way out to Palm Harbor to experience something new. Palm Harbor is about 45 mins away from me, and I found a new mall along the way that is actually now my favorite! I found a lot of new places to visit out there, so I learned a little more about the Bay area.

But once again, I digress.....

I had to ask around about the rules of golf in order to understand what I was watching, and after awhile, I was getting the hang of it. I was seated on the 10th hole, and it was neat to see people from so many ages out to enjoy the sport. I'm glad I didn't feel much like an outcast. I even got the full experience by going to get an autograph from this special area, but I still can't figure out who the golfer was that I got an autograph from! I didn't want to ask him his name because everyone was going crazy, but now I'm stuck looking at player's pics trying to figure it out. 

He had killer blue eyes from what I remember :) 

After some small talk, a couple of Mich Ultras, and a Maroon 5 serenade from a guitar player, I was super satisfied with my experience. The food wasn't so great, but that's what local restaurants are for :) (my friend paid $10 for like 5 chicken fingers!)

It was a beautiful day for a newly admired sport!

27- WMNF Meeting

I finally had the opportunity to attend one of the volunteer meetings for the local community radio station. Yay me! I have been looking forward to supporting this station, WMNF, because it supports a non-mainstream way of thinking....and there is nothing better than that. This station is run by approximately 2,000 volunteers, and only a handful of paid staff members. As a registered 501(c)3 organization, WMNF looks to its volunteers to do everything from office duties, to running errands, to producing, to fundraising, to just simply working hard! Since 1979, when volunteers went door to door to raise money for the station, the station has grown into a Tampa powerhouse, and it's influence on the community is nothing but positive. 

What's cool about the station, is that they have setup an online shiftboard where volunteers can signup for various shifts for various events and activities. What a great way to keep things organized! 

I am volunteering my graphic design and PR services, and I am absolutely THRILLED about all of the opportunities available. 

www.wmnf.org

88.5 fm Tampa Bay

More about the station- from the website:

WMNF is a listener-supported community radio station that celebrates cultural diversity and is committed to equality, peace and economic justice.

WMNF provides broadcasts and other forums with a grassroots local emphasis, that promote creative, musical, and political vitality. WMNF advocates for peace, social and environmental justice through independent media and programming neglected by the mainstream. We embrace diversity, tolerance of others’ opinions and freedom of expression. WMNF celebrates and promotes the creative, cultural and political vitality of the local community.

Our music, arts, and cultural programming cover a wide spectrum of expression from traditional to experimental, reflecting the diverse cultures we serve. We strive to foster an appreciation of music and cultures we serve. We strive to foster an appreciation of music and culture that is not generally available to listeners in the Tampa Bay area.

Our news and public affairs programming emphasize controversial, neglected, and non-mainstream points of view on important local as well as national or world issues, illuminating our values particularly regarding peace, human rights, and environmentalism.

We are committed to the values expressed by our mission, especially as they relate to issues involving the various ethnic groups living in our community, women, the economically disadvantaged or challenged, and other groups who may be disenfranchised in our society. We offer safe haven for expression by members of these groups, regardless of their social status, race, gender, or sexual orientation, and by our activities hope to promote peace, goodwill and a sense of community beyond the walls of this radio station.

26-Watch Party

So, I've made quite a few friends at work, and for a few of them, I really do consider them to be my friends-more than just my coworkers. Lucky them.

Well, I have a friend from work who became my friend in a way I can't even really put a finger on. But, isn't it interesting how some of the most special people in your life, outside of family, come into your life in some way, but you can't really put a finger on how the relationship blossomed. It's not that you don't remember when you met, it's just that your energies connected in some great way that you and that person, over time, became good friends.

....but back to the story.....

This great friend invited me to her home one night for a watch party for her husband. He was being featured on the reality show, "Pitchmen", on the Discovery Channel. I had never seen the show, but I knew it was a big deal! The show featured inventions, and the inventors had to pitch their ideas to the infomercial king, Anthony Sullivan.

The show was pretty funny, and I guess I thought it would be super serious or something. It had an American Idol feel, as there were inventors who came up with utterly ridiculous inventions, kinda like those people who audition for American Idol who can't sing! I guess their families told them they had a good idea for an invention, but they were wrong. Well, if my friend's family told her husband he had a great invention, they would be on the money......because I think it's pretty darn fab.

And of course, his invention got picked up and promoted by fitness celebrity, Jennifer Nicole Lee.

Way to go!


Check out some of the articles below, and of course check out the website and buy yours today!

http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2011/january/202482/Local-man-takes-invention-to-TVs-Pitchmen?cid=rss

http://www.beacononlinenews.com/news/daily/3522

http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=3152

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