Monday, February 27, 2006
Marineland Returns
The site of my childhood annual vacations is making a comeback after struggling through bankruptcies and remodeling since the 90's.... Marineland, the world's first oceanarium and the brainchild of Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney and Ilya Tolstoy, was built in 1938 slightly south of St Augustine, carved into the dunes straddling A1A. Until Disney opened in 1971, it was Florida's premiere theme park, though by the time I was a teenager, it was a sleepy alternative to Orlando for grandparents and grandchildren.
Despite its tepid reputation, Marineland spoiled me for life when it comes to dolphin shows. Sure, Sea World is impressive in scale and hype, but nothing is like leaning on the concrete wall surrounding the performance pool, dangling your arms over the edge while a 600-pound dolphin hurtles itself into the air just feet from your face, flipping into some impossible twist and drenching everyone around and a few people on the sidewalk below. You really felt the bond between the dolphins and their trainers that were really more like playmates and after a few visits felt like you knew the dolphins themselves. Maybe it wasn't the more politically-correct training of today where there is a scientific distance between dolphins and humans, but I'm not sure that was such a bad thing. It seemed like they were filled with joy, and it made you feel that way too.
Besides that, Marineland was a real piece of Floridiana. The dunes, palms, and scrub always seemed to be just short of swallowing it whole. The display ponds with flamingos and other native creatures functioned like tide pools, ebbing and flowing throughout the day. The coquina walls grew crusty with salt and the ocean breeze owned you. The past was ever present in its architecture, pictures and plaques commemorating things like the filming of the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Marineland made you fall in love with Florida like nothing else could.
So after a sad absence and disrepair, the old gray lady of theme parks is back. It's only on the east side of A1A now and focused on up-close dolphin experiences, with a much discounted fee to just wander and watch. The architecture is much more modern and sleek, but finally wears the shiny hope it had missed for so many years. And, of course, it still houses the world's oldest dolphin, Nellie, at 52 years and her best friend Lilly, the last known blond dolphin. Best of luck, Marineland, and welcome back.
Marineland on Wikipedia
Marineland's homepage
About Bottlenose Dolphins
Jacksonville.com article announcing the opening
Despite its tepid reputation, Marineland spoiled me for life when it comes to dolphin shows. Sure, Sea World is impressive in scale and hype, but nothing is like leaning on the concrete wall surrounding the performance pool, dangling your arms over the edge while a 600-pound dolphin hurtles itself into the air just feet from your face, flipping into some impossible twist and drenching everyone around and a few people on the sidewalk below. You really felt the bond between the dolphins and their trainers that were really more like playmates and after a few visits felt like you knew the dolphins themselves. Maybe it wasn't the more politically-correct training of today where there is a scientific distance between dolphins and humans, but I'm not sure that was such a bad thing. It seemed like they were filled with joy, and it made you feel that way too.
Besides that, Marineland was a real piece of Floridiana. The dunes, palms, and scrub always seemed to be just short of swallowing it whole. The display ponds with flamingos and other native creatures functioned like tide pools, ebbing and flowing throughout the day. The coquina walls grew crusty with salt and the ocean breeze owned you. The past was ever present in its architecture, pictures and plaques commemorating things like the filming of the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Marineland made you fall in love with Florida like nothing else could.
So after a sad absence and disrepair, the old gray lady of theme parks is back. It's only on the east side of A1A now and focused on up-close dolphin experiences, with a much discounted fee to just wander and watch. The architecture is much more modern and sleek, but finally wears the shiny hope it had missed for so many years. And, of course, it still houses the world's oldest dolphin, Nellie, at 52 years and her best friend Lilly, the last known blond dolphin. Best of luck, Marineland, and welcome back.
Marineland on Wikipedia
Marineland's homepage
About Bottlenose Dolphins
Jacksonville.com article announcing the opening
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Entrepreneurial Debuts
Congratulations to two long-time friends, joining me in entrepreneurial bliss...
Perry Palacio is getting his IntegraHouse up and running, which is, in his words, "in the business of total home integration." Sales and installation of consumer electronics, PC products, and home automation solutions.
Robby Rhoden is taking his comprehensive graphic design business, 3R Designs, full time after 8 years of working for The Man. Check out his site portfolio! Brochures, business identity, websites, you name it.
Let's give these folks some business, shall we?
And, of course, what would my blog be without random scifi links:
Miss out on the Battlestar Galactica Miniseries? Catch up with the 5-minute version!
An excerpt:
Apollo: Hello, Kara.
Starbuck: Hello, Lee.
Apollo: I brought you a present.
Starbuck: Is it angst? Please don't say it's angst.
Apollo: It's angst.
Starbuck: Rats.
Speaking of cutting corners, BSG toilet paper!
And, some extra love for my doomed Surface... read the recaps while you can still remember it was on.
Perry Palacio is getting his IntegraHouse up and running, which is, in his words, "in the business of total home integration." Sales and installation of consumer electronics, PC products, and home automation solutions.
Robby Rhoden is taking his comprehensive graphic design business, 3R Designs, full time after 8 years of working for The Man. Check out his site portfolio! Brochures, business identity, websites, you name it.
Let's give these folks some business, shall we?
And, of course, what would my blog be without random scifi links:
Miss out on the Battlestar Galactica Miniseries? Catch up with the 5-minute version!
An excerpt:
Apollo: Hello, Kara.
Starbuck: Hello, Lee.
Apollo: I brought you a present.
Starbuck: Is it angst? Please don't say it's angst.
Apollo: It's angst.
Starbuck: Rats.
Speaking of cutting corners, BSG toilet paper!
And, some extra love for my doomed Surface... read the recaps while you can still remember it was on.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
A SciFi Quiz
Which SciFi Crew Would you best fit in?
And a few Battlestar Galactica links:
Tech blog- Great stuff!
http://www.hollywoodnorthreport.com/article.php?Article=1603
Hollywood North Report BSG news
http://www.hollywoodnorthreport.com/insidebg.php
You scored as SG-1 (Stargate). You are versatile and diverse in your thinking. You have an open mind to that which seems highly unlikely and accept it with a bit of humor. Now if only aliens would stop trying to take over your body.
Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile II: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? (pics) created with QuizFarm.com |
And a few Battlestar Galactica links:
Tech blog- Great stuff!
http://www.hollywoodnorthreport.com/article.php?Article=1603
Hollywood North Report BSG news
http://www.hollywoodnorthreport.com/insidebg.php
Monday, February 06, 2006
Commercial Break
When the day comes that the Jaguars play the Super Bowl, perhaps some many years in the future, that is the day I will pay more attention to the game than the commercials. Or at least equal attention. Sadly, that was not the case last night, so here are your keys to reviewing the best of the best last night:
Slate's ad commentator, Seth Stevenson, reviewing his favorites
SuperBowl-Ads.com with videos, news, and previous years
Vote in the SpotBowl and get the most comprehensive list with thumbnails
My favorites:
* Leonard Nemoy at the Trek convention, though a much nicer convention hall than I ever went to. Wait, who said that?! *looking around shiftily*
* The continuing saga of "I work with monkeys" and props to them for sticking with the theme, like the days of Bud.Weis.Er.
* The baby Clydesdale, though it was awfully sappy for a beer ad.
* Stunt City.
* The best: "Addicted to LOST" Even though it's not listed as an official ad, Locke looking at the film strip and finding Robert Palmer was hilarious. Nice to see them not taking themselves seriously for a change.
Honorable Mention: MacGyver's Visa charges. Great, but I kept wondering why he had makeup on. Yech. I don't recall him looking like that on Stargate for the last 10 years. Wait, who said that?!
Slate's ad commentator, Seth Stevenson, reviewing his favorites
SuperBowl-Ads.com with videos, news, and previous years
Vote in the SpotBowl and get the most comprehensive list with thumbnails
My favorites:
* Leonard Nemoy at the Trek convention, though a much nicer convention hall than I ever went to. Wait, who said that?! *looking around shiftily*
* The continuing saga of "I work with monkeys" and props to them for sticking with the theme, like the days of Bud.Weis.Er.
* The baby Clydesdale, though it was awfully sappy for a beer ad.
* Stunt City.
* The best: "Addicted to LOST" Even though it's not listed as an official ad, Locke looking at the film strip and finding Robert Palmer was hilarious. Nice to see them not taking themselves seriously for a change.
Honorable Mention: MacGyver's Visa charges. Great, but I kept wondering why he had makeup on. Yech. I don't recall him looking like that on Stargate for the last 10 years. Wait, who said that?!
Thursday, February 02, 2006
A Dose of Reality
Happy Groundhog's Day!Last night I drove home into the blinding setting sun and had a little Oprah-gratitude-moment. It marks the first week since November that I haven't left work and walked out into midnight-black darkness at 5:30. As much as I've needed the quiet nights, I'm really looking forward to getting out of the nest a little more, even if it's just for errands.
Oh, who am I kidding?! Going out is for rerun season....
So, now that I've gone on about the standard TV shows I'm watching, I realized that I'd neglected my stash of reality TV. Nobody really likes to admit they watch reality TV, other than Survivor. Of course with Survivor, it really depends on the cast. I, for one, really enjoyed the Good Cop/Bad Cop team of Amber and Boston Rob, and I personally think they should be on every single season, like Ken Jenkins on Jeopardy, until they're beaten. Or until they bankrupt CBS.
Speaking of Survivor, the 10th season starts tonight as Survivor: Exile Island. Finally, something to watch on Thursday nights again!
Here are my other plugs for this season's fare:
Project Runway: Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn are so graciously businesslike as the veterans and, of course, iconically fashionable. Obviously, you have to be prepared for affectatious contestants...they are, after all, fashion designers and wannabees at that. But, it's fascinating to see how each creative mind crunches the information and resources for the same task with wildly differing results. The wonderful snark between them all and during the fickle judges' review is well worth it. I'm still trying to figure out how Santino survives each week. (on Bravo! after LOST)
Miami Ink: The show features a little tattoo shop on Miami Beach, making, of course, for beautiful people running and frequenting the shop. But, beyond that, there is something very compelling in the interaction between the hugely talented artists and the clients as they search for the perfect image to inspire them, memorialize a loss, or define their inner selves. The process from idea to sketch, placement to coloring, bareness to permanence with everyone's personal issues mixed in between is mesmerizing in itself, and the results are always beyond expectation. (on TLC after House)
Dr. 90210: In contrast to Miami Ink, this Beverly Hills-based show features several practices and doctors on rotation, each with their specialties, families, and multi-million dollar homes. Their clientele are a radically different bunch, all searching for that edge in self confidence they're convinced they lack. The city scenery itself is incredible, not unlike Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, but without Robin Leach and the exhilarating happiness. The California vacuum creates perfectionist doctors with breathtaking talent, and yet their attempts to intellectualize and sculpt the world around them into a beautiful place somehow fall short in their own families' lives, much to their frustration. (on E! after 24)
That's it for the Reality TV frontier, that extra hour on top of intense TV time that I really should use to go to bed early.
Oh, who am I kidding?! Going to bed early is for...um... well, I really haven't figured out when going to bed early is for, so it doesn't matter.
A few images....
Sunrise this morning:
OJ, enjoying his retirement:
Groundhog Day in the future:
Word Cloud for Sarahphrase:
