Gooooooaaaaalll!!!
That’s right, I’ve been swept up in the World Cup frenzy/madness that’s overtaken the United States it seems! Me… a self-professed non-soccer fan all these years, I’m glued to the television. And like everyone else it seems, loving the unity it’s creating with countries from around the world. LOVE IT!
Aside from watching exciting soccer matches that kept me on the edge of my couch, here’s what else happened since last Friday.
On Friday, Vance, Nick and I enjoyed a lovely day at the Art + History Museums - Maitland where Elizabeth has been interning for a few semesters now. I’d been wanting to visit there and it was well worth it. We got to meet the Museum Director Danielle Thomas and Katie Benson, Curator of Collections and Elizabeth’s direct supervisor. We had a great conversation with them at the front desk and they both love Elizabeth.
Maitland Art Center
Maitland Art Center
Telephone Museum
Cool vintage artifacts at Maitland History Museum.
Of course I had to photograph an old typewriter and one of the many old phones on display. It reminded of when I was a kid and I used to like to play with an old black telephone we had at home.
We enjoyed every inch of this lovely place, which I found out was the first National Historic Landmark in Central Florida’s four county area. We walked through the gallery admiring the work of artist Mär Martinez, walked through The Telephone Museum and Maitland History Museum, then crossed the street to enjoy the outdoor Maitland Art Center and the gorgeous sculptures and carvings inspired by Mayans and Aztecs of Mesoamerica, lush trees and gardens. I was fascinated by it all but especially the Telephone Museum showcasing the evolution of the telephone and telecommunication in the Maitland area. It’s one of the most extensive collections in the Southeast. The collection of artifacts, artworks, archives and historic structures here is pretty impressive.
Afterwards we went to lunch at Raising Cane’s where the chicken is in the words of Guy Fieri “winner, winner, chicken dinner” and “off the chain” then we worked off lunch with a walk around Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs before heading to Elizabeth’s apartment for a casual hangout. We tried to find a place to shoot pool but ended up getting her lunch at Portillo’s a drive-thru spot where they sell Chicago-style hot dogs right near her place.
Saturday, we chilled at the townhouse. Vance and Nick went and shot pool at Thirsty Bones across the street then I made a nice lunch at home for all of us. We watched lots of soccer and then enjoyed some pool time before heading to dinner at Time Out Plus Sports Bar in Cocoa Village where we watched more soccer and played trivia.
Father’s Day was pretty quiet too starting off with church then Dunkin’ Donuts of course (our tradition for more than a decade now!). Then we went to Kelly Park West where I took a sweltering walk while Nick played basketball. We weren’t there long because of the sweltering heat. After freshening up a bit, we headed to Viera where Elizabeth met us and we all enjoyed watching Toy Story 5 a nice ending to a quiet Father’s Day.
Tuesday, I sat in shock at home while watching one of the World Cup matches where there were two head on head collisions serious enough that players were down for a while and ultimately, their heads were bandaged for the remainder of the match. After witnessing that I researched other collisions during this year’s World Cup and it seems the one between the USA’s Alex Freeman and Australia’s Paul Okan-Engstler was even worse. Nothing to be taken lightly, that’s for sure.
Wednesday, while we were at trivia we saw a couple of Scottish soccer fans wearing kilts, that was fun.
Thursday I spent time with my sister Mari. We went to see “Devil Wears Prada 2” at Aventura Mall then on the way home, went to lunch at Bagel Cove in Aventura. We had a good time but man oh man. I didn’t like the sequel at all, I felt like I was watching the same movie as 20 years ago, everything was a repeat of the original, it felt like such a money grab and I felt like an idiot contributing to it.
Nick and I with one of the wrestlers and the Eagle guy at Vizcaya Village Night Market Summer Bash Finale.
CCW wrestlers in action at Vizcaya Village Night Market Summer Bash Season Finale.
Nick and a CCW wrestler from Ecuador that competed at the Vizcaya Summer Bash match.
Then that night, Nick and I went to the Vizcaya Village Night Market Summer Bash Season Finale and believe it or not, watched CCW Wrestling. When I saw the announcement in the Vizcaya newsletter, I knew I had to take Nick because he’s such a huge wrestling fan. Naturally, he immediately recognized the announcer from the AEW matches he watches at home and he also recognized several of the wrestlers. After the matches ended I bought some veggies from Urban Oasis Project and bought lasagna from another vendor. Nick and I split the lasagna for dinner and it was delicious. I also picked up some pistachio tiramisu and I had a little bit for dessert.
Tonight is Jazz at MOCA and I’m debating whether I want to walk over and enjoy the music or stay home and watch soccer. Finally tomorrow I’m looking forward to lunch with Monica for a much-needed best friend catch up. It’s been too long since I’ve seen her. I’m thinking of taking her to Cheen Huaye, a Southern Mexican restaurant that’s nearby. Vance and I have been several times and we love it and I’m sure she will too.
Now here are some things I wanted to share with you and also suggestions on things to do:
If you listen to the local jazz station WDNA 88.9 FM, I wanted to alert you about a new program on Fridays at 7 p.m., the Selection Sessions with DJ Le Spam. Le Spam (real name Adam Yeomanson), is a beloved local DJ and he’ll be bringing on vinyl DJs and collectors on the show to discuss their vinyl connections. Adam is well known for owning one of the most extensive vinyl collections around.
Next, click here to read my latest article for Artburst Miami, my monthly arts grants blog. If you know any artists or creatives looking for funding/grants this is a great resource. And click on the Artburst link above to see what’s going on in the arts around Miami.
Also, this is a reminder that the Museum of Miami’s Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation exhibition ends July 5, so you’ve got just a few weeks to see the original documents from the National Archives on display.
Don’t miss the FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park which also ends on July 5. Click here to read about that and all the other watch parties around Miami. They’re even closing down the street in front of Lost Boy Dry Goods bar and converting it into a soccer clubhouse.
And finally, here are a few parting shots and a video of my nephew Chris on vacation in Ireland calmly standing after a very large bird landed on his head!…
That’s all for this week, I’ll see you next Friday right here in your inbox. Until then, have a great weekend.
Cardinal in my bird feeder.
Family spending time together at my nephew Danny and his wife Mabel’s house in Georgia.
