Another Orlando Weekend

The trip began easily enough, but was quickly interrupted by a near-collision I experienced. This ended up requiring that I have all four of my tires replaced. Apparently, when you slam on your brakes, flat areas can be created on portions of the tires, which explained why my car was making funny sounds and additional vibration as I drove afterwards. I also had to locate my girlfriend when I arrived. She was at a Books-A-Million. So, the thought was she could ask the employees how I should get there, as it is located just off of I-4, which is the road I was on. As it turns out, no one at the store had the slightest clue how to get to their store. I ended up having to drive around for over an hour to find my way to the store. Absolutely insane.

I got to see several more plays while I was at the Fringe Festival this weekend. It was really cool. Some of the performances I found not so appealing but a lot of them were quite interesting. We also got to experience 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. It was really good. However, it was about 3 o'clock before I actually got to eat anything that day and that was it, so I may have been slightly biased and just overjoyed to be able to finally eat anything at all. However, I will go to another one soon and test this theory.

My girlfriend's final performance went quite well. Some of the audience members even stood when they applauded. One item I should probably clarify is my girlfriend's role in the play. I think some folks may think she is starring in it, but she is not. Instead, she wrote, produced and directed it. That probably does not make a huge difference to many of my readers, but it may make a difference to at least a few of you trying to get a clear picture of the whole setup.

While we were in Orlando, we went to the Dandelion Cafe, which was a new and exciting experience. Their menu had probably about two pages filled with different types of teas and the decor was very different - a little 70s-like or something exhibiting that laid-back and independent vibe. We got to try some hummus and some of their other culinary delights. It was probably the first healthy meal we were able to enjoy while we were there. Thank goodness for local kindness.

I also managed to get sick while I was in Orlando, which I am still trying to recover from. Hopefully, my doctor will quell everyone's fears today and say it is just a small cold with fever. I will be quite happy to be well again.

Weekend Review

So, as you (my loyal readers - all three of you) know, I went to Orlando this past weekend to attend the Fringe Festival and see my girlfriend's play, and maybe a couple others. Fortunately, I really liked her play. I thought it was funny and thoughtful and discussed things the way they often actually occur in relationships. Unfortunately, a 50-something year old critic with the Orlando Sentinel disagreed, but having been at her show, I think she may have also been deaf or ignoring all of the laughter from the entire audience. (Granted, the first showing had almost all younger people and maybe there is some sort of separation between what appeals to 20 and 30-something year olds and what appeals to a 50-something year old, but it was quite clear to everyone there that there was something funny happening on that stage.) See what I just did there - I just critiqued a critic. Although, it was not just her review of my girlfriend's play that I disagreed with. (So at least I am consistent.) I also tried to see other shows, but the first other show I tried was really not so good and rather disturbing. (Of course Ms. Maupin (that's the critic for those of you not following my links) seemed to almost kind of like it. I tried to comment and lend my opinion on her blog, but she would not accept it unless I gave her my full name. Perhaps I need a new pseudonym for my online presence.) I think that show turned me off from going to more, and I instead focused most of the rest of my trip on reading my book and food.

I am not well versed in theater. That's not an entirely true statement. I grew up going to lots of shows and have seen a variety of productions, but I often find that I am disappointed with the majority of them. I also feel the experience is overpriced ($40 to see a show or something), but I think that likely has to do with the production company trying to re-coupe its costs for renting out the hall and other various costs for sets and payroll. In any event, the Fringe Festival is definitely a great opportunity to get out there and see a lot of cool independent theater that you probably would not get to see elsewhere and it's amazingly inexpensive. I highly encourage everyone to go because I think art and theater are important and did I mention it is really cheap. Of course, lots of you probably do not live anywhere near Orlando and this all probably was a waste of words. However, there may be something like it in your area and I really think it can be a great experience and just because I hated something does not mean you will. (End of lecture on the importance of the arts.)

The food selection in Orlando is very impressive. It can be a little dizzying to take in all of the food options that one has in that city. When my friend and I first arrived on Saturday morning, we were pretty hungry and no one was at the venue yet. So, we happened to turn down the road and see a small eatery surrounded by people with signs proclaiming that they were now serving breakfast. Enter stage right: White Wolf Cafe, which started serving breakfast about a week and a half ago and has an awesome menu. The cinnamon roll really was delicious, but the sugar cured ham and french toast, not to mention the sweet potato home fries, were delightful. It turned out we had found a local spot completely on accident and it was good enough to bring everyone back to for lunch after the show.

Sunday was a little more difficult, as I was too busy reading and napping to make it over to the venue area of town during the day. As such, I was forced to venture out on my own closer to the hotel and stumble upon yet another local favorite, which I think was called Mulligan's Irish Pub. This place was great and completely empty, which made little sense. However, the waitress, Nicole, explained that Sundays generally had little or no turnout, unless there was a football game. So, I was forced - forced I tell you - to enjoy some delicious Guinness and watch an entire soccer game. It was horrible and I can barely bring myself to speak about it. *sniff* I will have to go back.

Of course, next week when I go up to Orlando to see my girlfriend's last show I intend to try out Five Guys Burgers and Fries, which I am told is supposed to be amazing. I am sure if it comes anywhere close to living up to the expectations I now have for it, you will all (all three of you) hear about it next week. However, they appear to be more of a chain that is springing up everywhere and less of a local dining experience, which is both good and bad.