Many Orlando Residents Face Food Insecurity
The Orlando economy was hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded Orlando's unemployment rate at 6.9% in December of 2020. That represents a nearly 300% increase over the December 2019 rate.
Read full storyLocal Restaurants Celebrate #407Day
While shopping local and supporting independent restaurants is essential every day, #407Day encourages Orlando residents to enjoy the local culinary fare. Named for the Central Florida area code (407), the Orange County government launched the campaign last year to support the financially strapped local economy. Due to coronavirus restaurant restrictions, the inaugural celebration was limited to take-out, delivery, and curbside pickup options. This year, restaurants are also offering dine-in options for those interested.
Read full storyWalt Disney World License Plate Close To Approval
During the 2020 Legislative Session, the State of Florida authorized 41 specialty license plates. New plate options include Orlando City Soccer Club, the University of Alabama, and Walt Disney World.
Read full storyLevel Up Your Productivity Through Budgeting
Confession time: I like to be in control. It’s not an overbearing thing, but my anxiety moves in when I lack options. To maintain control, I crave spreadsheets, numbers, and data. Information leads to choices, and options bring control.
Read full storyWe Showcase Our Identity, But Who Are We Really?
“I saw your post on LinkedIn,” my boss said the other day. It was the last day we were in the office together before moving remote for the next month or two. “You were in some documentary? Who even are you, Justin?”
Read full storyWant to Be Successful? Move Beyond the Reef.
I walked into the living room the other day, and my wife was asleep on the couch. Moana, a 2016 movie we’ve seen a million times, was playing in the background. I sat down on the sofa for a round of sudoku but was quickly captivated by the charming film.
Read full storyDon't Be a Dick: Give Advice Without Being Negative
At the 2007 Penny Arcade Expo Wil Wheaton delivered a rousing keynote speech about sportsmanship in online gaming. “I’m feeling like a cranky old man by even mentioning it,” he said. “But would you all do me a favor? When you’re playing online, have fun, and don’t be a dick, okay?” The phrase caught on.
Read full storyLife Moves Pretty Fast. Don’t Miss It.
During the fifteen years I worked with teenagers, I often encountered kids who had their whole lives planned out. I’d let them explain it all to me — what classes they’d take in high school, what college they’d get into, what degree they’d earn, and what job they’d get after that. I’d listen, smile, and respond, “What if none of that happens?” Responses ranged from blank stares to combative denial.
Read full storyChoice In Video Games
Last week I watched High Score on Netflix. It’s a six-part docuseries on the history of video games. For most of the episodes, it was a walk straight down Memory Lane. The first video game I remember playing is Duck Hunt on the original Nintendo Entertainment System. Pulling the trigger on the plastic gun came with a very loud click, following a few milliseconds later by the screen flash. Then, after three shots, the dog would pop up and laugh at you. It was revolutionary.
Read full storyLearn Something New
Cooking fascinates me. Ok, let’s be honest, food fascinates me. Cooking is the means to get to the food. Though, I do enjoy cooking. The process engages a different form of creativity from my usual writing.
Read full storyBreathe in. Breathe out. Move on.
Earlier this week, I woke up with Jimmy Buffett’s Breathe in. Breathe out. Move on. in my head. The song was written in response to Hurricane Katrina’s devastation in New Orleans. I woke up with its titular phrase on repeat like a mantra.
Read full storyI Bought A Selfie Ring Light
I bought a selfie ring light over the weekend. It’s an inexpensive thing that clips on your phone and provides better lighting for pictures. The $14.99 it set me back isn’t a hefty price, but I’m questioning the life choices that brought me to this moment.
Read full storyHow Do You Measure a Year?
Seasons of Love, the opening song to Broadway’s Rent, is one of the most popular musical numbers of all time. The show follows a group of friends living through the AIDS pandemic in the late 80’s New York City. The opening song, reprised multiple times throughout the show, proclaims the ups and downs of a year spent together.
Read full storySome Like It Hot: The Eternal Flame at Gideon's Bakehouse
Gideon's Bakehouse is known for unique cookie creations inspired by a 123-year-old cookbook. The half-pound mounds of flavor-filled sweetness are not only delicious but a sight to behold.
Read full storyLost in Vermont
Living in Florida, our seasons consist of summer and slightly cooler summer. Fall is when the humidity drops low enough to open a window. This usually occurs sometime in November.
Read full storyBagel Battle: St-Viateur vs Essa Bagel
Bagels are the breakfast bread of choice for office gatherings. In the various offices I’ve worked in over the years, they just short of appear out of thin air from time to time, ready to be consumed. If I’m being honest, I’m not a huge fan. They are typically chewy and hard to rip with my teeth. I eat them only because they are available and I have zero willpower. And I’m a sucker for honey-nut cream cheese.
Read full storyAuthentic Neapolitan Pizza in Nashville
A few years ago I found myself in Nashville for a conference. The functions ended on Saturday night but my flight home didn’t leave until late Sunday. I had a day to myself and went exploring. My hotel was in Brentwood so I drove through the neighborhoods and marveled at the insane variety of McMansions before heading downtown.
Read full storyDon’t Sleep on the New M1 Mac Mini
Apple’s latest base-model computer brings powerful performance at a bargain price. Since moving to a full-time work-from-home environment back in March, I’ve upgraded almost everything about my home office. Sit-stand desk: check. Ergonomic chair: check. Calming paint color: check. Computer: nope.
Read full storyPlanes, Trains, and Automobiles: Traveling to Japan
The attendant walks my wife and I to our individual pods. She places our bags in the enormous overhead bins and smiles as she goes to welcome the next passengers. My wife and I share a look of excitement.
Read full storyOh My Okonomiyaki!
What is this wonderful combination of food? And what is a cuttlefish?. Our first day in Japan, my wife and I visited the amazing Himiji Castle west of Osaka. The castle was built in the fourteenth century by people used to walking everywhere. Living in the suburbs of Florida, I am not conditioned to walking everywhere — let alone at elevation. We arrived back in Osaka with tired legs and jet-lag induced hunger.
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