As part of my ongoing project at work taking pictures of various areas around Orlando, Monday marked my trek to the city of Clermont, approximately thirty minutes west of downtown (unless traffic is beastly, which is not unheard of on SR 50). Not having been to this region in more years than I can count, I was not really sure what to expect. When it was all said and done, I was actually disappointed to have to drive back into town from my expedition. Addendum: check out the photographs from this here.

As I started to get closer and closer to Clermont proper, I knew I had to stop and eat something immediately. I had fully planned on having lunch earlier before I left the location north of Orlando where I was taking some pictures for the same project, but that never happened. Clermont is one of the most uneven areas in the very flat State of Florida, containing some really nice flowing hills and valleys. Only in Tallahassee, the Capital, have I seen anything similar. As I came across one of the hills I saw the next intersection was Citrus Tower Boulevard. I had not been to the Citrus Tower in probably over ten years and I thought it would be a great spot to get some food and a very great view from the top for the benefit of my pictures and also for my own personal satisfaction. Yeah, I got a thing with towers if that is not already apparent.

The area is really quite picturesque. The level of development, both residential and commercial, is startling though. Coming into this I knew things were going to be very different from the way I remembered them being a decade ago, because if they had not this project would be a waste of time. Speaking of which, I will be uploading pictures from all my photo shoots in the near future, so check back for that soon.

I pulled into the Citrus Tower plaza, parked and went into the lobby. I had a craving for a hamburger and so was extremely pleased that the Mexican restaurant on premises, Santiago's, had one available. It was one of the best burgers I have had in a while. I asked to have cheese on it and they used the shredded mozzarella you would find on a taco or something similar. The way it melted and distributed about the meat was nothing short of glorious. I then proceeded to ascend the tower and admire the view, albeit littered with the signs of progress: new subdivisions, apartment complexes, shopping centres and huge chain carry-it-all stores. Long gone were the days of Clermont being a sleepy town on the edge of nothing; progress at its best and worst, simultaneously.

When I finally decided to leave the lookout and return to the ground, I had a very nice chat with the lady that runs the gift shop and also sells the admission to the observation deck. I told her that I had indeed been at the tower before in response to her enquiry and stated how I remembered there used to be a tour via golf cart through the adjacent citrus groves. She said when she started working there nine years ago, those golf carts were in the process of being sold. I chatted with her for a bit more about things changing, wished her well and got on my way to get the bulk of the photography done.

I found myself walking through historic downtown Clermont, a quiet yet personable stretch of road containing nifty little shops and restaurants, all just blocks away from the park and lake. I walked up and down this road and was immediately reminded why I occasionally yearn to live in a remote location where the sleepy valley town is the only thing close to civilization for miles and miles around. Of course my inability to function long-term in that situation prevents that from occurring, but I still do think about it now and then. During my several cross-country road trips as a child, filled with intrigue and a desire for adventure, I encountered such places and they always seemed so genuine.

I walked down to the park and out on to the fishing pier jetting out into Lake Minneola. After walking back through town stopping at the chamber of commerce and library looking for some printed materials to take with me, I got on my way back to Orlando. There was a cute flower and fruit stand operated by a very nice woman who chatted with me after watching me stop and take a picture of her establishment. I browsed for a minute and then hit the road.

This weekend I am taking my good friend Chris to Clermont to repeat the enjoyment I had and share it with someone else. Who says you need to be in a relationship to enjoy a cute little trip like this together? Hell that is what friends are for anyway. I am going to take him to the Citrus Tower, historic downtown, surrounding areas and then to the nearby Lakeridge Winery for a tour and tasting. It is going to be a fabulous time and I cannot wait for the weekend to come.

The entrance to the Arby's restaurant closest to my office is narrow, on a curve and has curb that banks right up to the drive. These obstacles make turning in a little difficult, especially when you have half the world barreling down the road behind you. Last week as I pulled up to the driveway, slowed down and signaled, a woman in a black, late 90's Ford Crown Victoria backs out of her parking space, turns the wrong way and proceeds to the entrance... to sit there while fumbling around with something in her passenger seat. I honk several times before she notices and waves to me as if I was waiting there with the sole intention of letting her go. The reality of the situation was that I was prevented from entering as a direct result of her inability to follow simple directional road signs. I watched as the lane of cars grew behind me and finally entered the parking lot.

While most of the eastern coast and north-eastern United States get hammered by Hurricane Isabel (now downgraded to a Tropical Storm), the weather here in central Florida is nothing less than perfect. Today will be the third day in a row that conditions normally found starting mid-to-late October will be present here. Yes, the high temperature during the day is still around 90°F (32°C) but the morning and late night temperatures are from 65°F (18°C) to 76°F (24°C). It is a little more humid than it has been the last two nights, but it is still very comfortable. I have turned off the air conditioning and will be sleeping next to my large open window again tonight.

The local forecast calls for rain and thunderstorms resuming this upcoming Sunday, but I hope they are as isolated as our recent precipitation has been, especially with my on-going photography project for work.

contentment (n)
1. Happiness with one's situation in life

Anyone believe in the concept of a perfect day? I think I experienced one today despite the fact I was working during it. It may not have been a life altering day like Phil Connors finally experienced, but as I sit here writing this I feel a level of content and pleasure I have not experienced in a long, long time.

The real estate company I work for put me in charge of a new project which was the focus of my day today. I am creating an online relocation presentation designed to educate people interested in moving to the Orlando metropolitan area. Each presentation takes a particular area, Orlando, Winter Park, Lake Mary, Altamonte Springs, etc., and highlights the various homes available, community developments, social and recreational activities, major shopping complexes and things of that nature. The first part of this project is to go around to these various parts of town and take pictures. I did this all day long.

It was such a beautiful day. I drove with the windows down, sunroof open, the wind in my hair. I think I may have actually gotten a little sun as well, which is badly needed on my very white body. I need to go to the beach soon, too, but during the day (I usually go at night).

Since I was given the company digital camera I have been taking lots of non-work related pictures as well, most of which will be posted to the Gallery soon.

A lot of little good things have been happening lately and I believe they have unlocked that part of me that has been absent too long. That part of me that can just accept things at face value and enjoy life, instead of fearing it. I am not lonely anymore. I do not want a relationship right now. I am excited about work, my side projects and life in general. I am happy.

Well it certainly has taken me long enough to write the rest of my weekend in Tallahassee. Things around here have been somewhat crazy with being really busy at work, having a few on-site support clients, a new hosting client sign-up and my being sick over the weekend. Work today has calmed down slightly so here is the rest of "A Capital Weekend."

Hanging out at the house in Tallahassee is always a great escape. As I mentioned before despite it only being four hours away from Orlando, when in Tallahassee it is very easy to forget you are even still in Florida. The weather is cooler, there are many more trees and wooded areas and the geographical landscape includes hills and inclines, a sharp contrast to the flatness that is the rest of Florida.

Saturday was a carefree, relaxing day. Having finally gone to bed around 0800 the night before, I woke up around 1600 and watched Office Space with Erik and Steven. As the dinner hour approached, Matt joined the three of us and we went to The Olive Garden. Afterwards we went to ABC and picked-up some essential Saturday night beverages which we tapped into before heading to Brothers sans Steven and Matt, but with Claire. We all had a great time there as well.

One interesting thing about Brothers as compared to other similar clubs is that as soon at 0200 hits, the lights come on and the Tallahassee Police officers that mill about direct everyone with flashlights and whistles to get out. Nothing like telling a club filled with intoxicated people to leave in the same breath as they have just taken their last shot before last call is final. So then begins the trek outside where those who were not fortunate enough to find a friend for the rest of the evening thus far can meet and greet. That is until the police make their way outside and tell everyone to go to their cars and leave. It does provide for an interesting few minutes as I generally like to stick around until asked to leave the parking lot just to watch the meet and greet take place.

At Brothers, Claire knew someone from work so we ended up chatting with him for a better part of the evening. During the meet and greet time, we said goodbye to him and someone he met while there. His name was Gabriel and he was a nice looking guy. Erik and Claire suggested I could invite the two of them back to the house for more cocktails and whatever, but I decided not to because I did not want to deal with any drama. Not that there would have been any by default, but it seemed like a possible thorn in my weekend of non-expectations. That said if you are reading this Gabriel, send me an e-mail. Ok, so anyway...

Claire and Erik requested a Steak 'n Shake run which was fine by me, though I had no interest in eating. As Claire noted in her journal, our experience there was less than stellar. The waitress brought out the food with no silverware or napkins, came by not once to check on us or refill our drinks and did not bring all of Claire's ordered meal. When Claire told the manager about this at the cash register, he said nothing; no apology, no fuck you. Simply nothing, except the total bill was modified to $4.00. Upon arrival back at the house, Erik, Steven and myself continued with the beverages and even enjoyed a cigar that their father brought back from Key West. Not a Cuban, per se, but at least rolled by hand by Cubans who now live in the States. Or at least that is what they said.

Sunday was pretty uneventful, aside from the normal hanging our and beveraging. Dinner at local seafood joint Barnacle Bill's with Erik and Steven was splendid. I am not one for tartar sauce, but they have a semi-spicy tangy tartar sauce that I really liked. So much, in fact, that with the fish I had boxed to take home I asked to have an extra side of the sauce added to my take away package. I indeed enjoyed it several days later back in Orlando.

I had originally planned on leaving around 2000 which turned into 2300 which became 0200 Monday morning, but oh well. The crap day I had at work Monday fully made up for the excellent time I had during the weekend "away from it all."