Monday, May 1, 2017

The Florida Film Festival, The Florida Fire Frogs & Other F Words

Here's what I've done since last Monday. On Monday the 24th, I only got gas-the tank was almost bone dry-and dropped off more clothing at Goodwill. Tuesday was more interesting. I figured that after all the years I have lived in Florida, it was about time I went to see a minor league baseball game instead of an MLB game at Tampa Bay or at Miami. In Kissimmee there is a new Advanced-A minor league team in the Florida State League (which is in its 98th season) known as the Fire Frogs. Wacky, but sometimes those small teams have the zaniest name, to get attention... and no kidding, they could have been the Florida Rodeo Clowns or the Florida Mud Kickers. As is, the stadium has no shortage of puns related to frogs or fire. The attendance there wasn't great but maybe in the future it'll improve. At least there were some people who made noise during the game so it wasn't like watching a baseball game in a public library.

The Fire Frogs played against the Palm Beach Cardinals; it was definitely an unusual game, even at that level of baseball. Florida beat Palm Beach 22-2! After the first inning it was 10-0. To state the obvious, on this night the pitching of the Cardinals was far worse. I did enjoy all the offense but that is not the only reason why I am sure I'll be back there later this year. There was plenty of entertainment in the game, including one moment where a Fire Frog was accidentally hit in the head by a pitch-thankfully he was fine-and well, he felt froggy and wanted to go after the pitcher. He was restrained, so no brawls happened.

Wednesday, I went with someone to a restaurant and we used a Groupon. Thus, not a lot of money was spent at the Friendly Confines restaurant that is on the western side of Orlando; it's not the one I've been to plenty of times before that is east of downtown Orlando. I could have done without some incredibly loud customers but otherwise the experience was fine. Being delayed a bit while driving home because Florida drivers are Florida drivers (meaning atrocious) was no fun... then again I am surprised I don't see the aftermath of wrecks more often. Thursday, it was the start of the NFL Draft. I won't say much about the Chicago Bears and what they did... most people laughed at them because they make some dumb decisions and it's hard to argue, at least now. Maybe that quarterback will be a star, but he's so unproven and a lot was given up to get him...

Friday, I went to the Florida Film Festival. I hadn't been there (nor the arthouse joint known as the Enzian) in years. I saw a midnight movie known as 68 Kill. It was a crazy low-budget thing that was at least fun with an audience. It just so happened that the female lead (AnnaLynne McCord) was in attendance. Afterwards she did a Q&A. She's someone I've never thought much about-to be honest-but her performance was the highlight of the movie so I should see more of what she does. As she used to be a model, I did not complain about seeing her up close. 

Saturday, I returned to the FFF, to see another midnight movie. This time it was Bad Black, and what a movie it is. That and Who Killed Captain Alex are two of the most famous movies from a small village in Uganda, where various locals get together to make films and while they have to scrape by to make it possible and the special effects are charmingly bad, it's a blast to watch as it's clear those guys love movies and they do try their hardest with what they have. I could go on and on about it but I don't know how many would be interested, at least here. Someone from Bad Black (an American; he's lived with those guys for awhile now) was there to talk about how they make films and it was great insight. There were even props and various merchandise, which I did indeed purchase as I was more than happy to give them some money. I just wish that more people would have been at the screening.

Sunday night, I drove to Sanford to make an airport run. I went there the back way, hoping the traffic wouldn't be an issue. It was. There were too many cretins on the road. From Friday night through last night I had to deal with pretty atrocious drivers. People would bow up to me and try to start something, and for no reason at all. I saw plenty of clueless behavior and the aftermath of another accident. I stopped at the Hooters in Sanford for a drink and I was glad I was not there long. One of the employees was incredibly loud and incredibly annoying. It's not been a recent development, me not liking anyone who is too loud; it was unfortunately a problem this past week.

When I return a week from today, I am expecting things to be less hectic for me.

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