We head west for a San Diego reunion.

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In August, I joined Terry on a trip to San Diego for her snerfurtieth high school reunion. Debbie and Paul Andreen picked us up at the airport and drove us to Terry’s childhood home. Debbie and Paul were high school sweethearts who got married shortly after graduating, and have been married ever since. Terry’s mom, Marcia Lawson lost her husband Alfred several years ago. He was fit and always exercised, so his sudden death shocked everyone. As his health slipped, he began to write a memoir about his childhood memories. Marcia now has a male companion whom she met at a VFW dance. He came over the house and watched the news on a small TV by the breakfast table as I sketched.

Surprisingly the Lawson home has no WiFi connection, so I took a field trip to the bottom of the hill to get connected at Starbucks. In San Diego the hills are really hills not like the subtle grades in Florida. By the time I got back, I was winded. Terry’s plan was to rent a beach front condo at Mission Beach along with Debbie and Paul, but for the first night we slept in her mom’s house.

The romantic glow of digital devices at Stardust illuminates interactions.

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Once again I found myself at Stardust Video and Coffee on the evening of the Audubon Community Market. As I ate dinner, I sketched people absorbed in the glow of their computer screens. Since I was sketching on my computer, I fit right in. Outside tents were going up in the parking lot for the weekly Audubon Market. The couple in the foreground remained focused for the duration of the sketch. Eventually a conversation fired up and the gentleman moved closer to talk. I was surprised that people could meet in person and have face to face conversations. She was an actress who had just arrived in Orlando. He had her laughing much of the time. They agreed that they should stay in touch before they both returned to their screens.

I was pleased with the warm glow of the sketch. I would never get such pure rich color with watercolor washes. As I was finishing up, my Coke bottle fell from the wobbly round table I was sitting at. It crashed to the floor making an insane racket as it bounced repeatedly, yet thankfully it didn’t break.  I must have been beet red as I picked it up. I walked around the market and stopped for a moment to listen to a local musician but I decided against doing another sketch and I headed home. I keep selling the idea that sketching helps me become part of the community, but it also isolates me, making me an impartial outside observer. I’m fully engaged and alive as I’m working, but when the sketch is done, my mood slips and it feels like life is slipping by.

Couples Cooking Challenge Championship

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On November 14th the Couples Cooking Competition Championship was held at Aggressive Appliances, (617 Mercy Dr, Orlando, FL). The hands-on cooking competition was designed to give couples the opportunity to test their skills for the chance to win fabulous prizes and the title of Orlando’s Top Culinary Couple. Presented by Edible Orlando and the Orlando Date Night Guide, the contest gave couples the chance to compete in one of the 3 qualifying rounds, with one winner from each semi-final cook-off advancing to the finals. I sketched one of the qualifying rounds and then returned for the Championship. Contests were judged by local food personalities and writers, Joseph Hayes (Orlando
Magazine), Katie Farmand (Edible Orlando), Pam Brandon (Edible Orlando),
Adrienne Iannone (Whole Foods) and Cinthia Sandoval (Wild Ocean
Seafood).

There were some impressive prizes on the line including, A two-night gourmet getaway to JW Marriott, Grande Lakes including dinner for two at PRIMO, breakfast each morning in Citron, An American Brasserie, and two spa passes to the Ritz-Carlton Spa. The grand prize was a Sub Zero wine cooler. Other prizes included a Tassimo coffee system, a Meile canister vacuum, and a KitchenAid stand mixer.

A table with all the mystery ingredients was covered with a sheet. Each of the five couples was assigned their own kitchen which was prepped and ready to go. When the mystery ingredients were unveiled the contestants muscled in and gathered ingredients as if in a Black Friday frenzy. In the qualifying round they were polite and shared ingredients. Now with big prizes on the line it was each couple for themselves. Another unexpected twist came when they were told that the usual 45 minute preparation time would be reduced to 20 minutes. Everyone scrambled back to their kitchens and the competition heated up.

The couple I sketched was in kitchen 2. I spoke with them briefly after the dishes were finished. The primary ingredient everyone had to work with was shrimp. The couple made a modified grits dish to accompany the shrimp. One of the judges was tasting their dish as I was speaking to the couple. They watched her every taste, looking for signs of expression on her face. There were appetizers on hand for the crowd who came to watch the competition. I had to consider the sketch was none when the computer battery died. As a result of the competition, $800 was donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. In the end, it was Arti Kalidas and Chirag Kabrawala who, won the coveted title of Orlando’s Top Culinary Couple.

Social Media is a brave new fronteer.

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I always go to social media meet ups when I can to learn something new. Panelists discuss what they have learned, but they learn by trial and error. I learned that headlines should be catchy and informative. Complete sentences work better when the post goes on Twitter and Facebook. I’m thinking that the best headlines always involve cute kittens. Twitter is a beast I have only started to use. Panelists seem to have Thousands of followers and they accomplish that by looking through lists of followers followers and following them. I can’t imagine putting in so much effort to find people I don’t know.

Monetizing the blog is a realistic goal that I need to set for myself next year. At a party this weekend, we discussed the idea that a goal isn’t likely to be achieved unless you write it down and share it. Soon I will be teaching workshops to middle school and high school students, inspiring them to keep sketchbooks. I hope to start organizing monthly “Orlando Drink and Draw” (ODD) events to meet more local artists. The literary community seems to have a plethora of events every month yet artists seldom get together unless they are vendors at festivals. Frankie Messina had the awesome idea of having a softball game between authors and artists. It is fun ideas like this that can get arts groups to mingle and mix more.

Another goal for the new year is to set up sketch workshops for tourists. I’m sure there are some tourists who would like to escape the theme parks and sketch the real Orlando. In February I hope to collaborate with Kelly Medford who founded  sketch tourism in Rome Italy. Together we will host a tourist sketch outing in Orlando. I’m excited to see this happen.

The Orlando Nerd Fest closing party rocked The Geek Easy.

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The fifth day of the Orlando Nerd Fest was an after party held at The Geek Easy in the back of A Comic Shop (114 S Semoran Blvd #6, Winter Park, FL). Early in the day, the crowd was pretty thin, but it grew more crowded even as the sketch progressed. As I understand it, a bus transported Nerds over from the Orlando Airport Mariott. Wendy Wallenburg was there with Brian Minnich, the photographer she represents. Several girls in costume entered the bar, but they quickly disappeared, perhaps feeling over dressed for the occasion. A guy in a lab coat was the only other person on the edge of being costumed.

As the band performed on stage, guys gathered on the dance floor. One dance involved marching in a circle and the moves seemed as well rehearsed as the duck dance at a wedding reception. Wendy was busy with her social media as she sat across the room in the only cushy comfy chair. I recognized the performers from a Nerd Festival I had covered last year.  They performed an edgy nerd rap that had the crowd raising their hands in the air. I’m sure the party heated up after dark, but with one sketch done, I decided to call it a day. That was a wrap for this year’s Nerd Fest for me. Next year I should arrange to sketch people in costume. The talent involved in putting together some of those costumes is astounding.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for December 6th and 7th.

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12-20-09NutcrackerSaturday December 6, 2014

8am to 11:30am Free. Winter Park Lost Pets and the Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade. Winter Park’s Central Park, Winter Park FL. Event is open to all well behaved pets – dogs and cats must be leashed. Prior to load out of parade entry float we will attempt to set the Guinness World Records for largest number of dogs sitting simultaneously.

6pm to 8pm Free.  WKMG Local 6 Holiday Concert, in Support of the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Network. Lake Eola Band Shell – 195 North Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL. Program: The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra is delighted to collaborate with WMKG Local 6, and the City of Orlando to present the 7th annual holiday benefit concert, in support of the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Network. The holiday concert is performed to aid the Salvation Army Red Kettle donations and collect gifts for kids in need– your generosity can brighten the holiday season for many kids around Central Florida. Hosted by WKMG Local 6, and featuring all four of the FSYO orchestras, this concert will bring your family the sounds of the season, and a visit from a very special ho-ho-holiday guest! As always, academic and music educators receive complimentary admission to this and all FSYO concerts. Admission: Admission is free for this occasion. However, we encourage a gift donation to the Salvation Army. For more information, please call 407.999.7800.

8pm to 10pm Free. Shuffleboard at Orlando’s Beardall Courts. Orlando’s Beardall Courts 800 Delaney Ave Orlando FL. Shuffleboard at Orlando’s Beardall Courts at 800 Delaney Ave on the 1st Saturday of each month. The next Shuffle will be Sat., Sept. 6, at 7 pm. Free fun!

Sunday December 7, 2014

9am to 5pm Free. St. Cloud Craft Festival. New York Ave & 10th Street St. Cloud, FL. Stop by the 36th annual St. Cloud Craft Festival for an afternoon featuring arts & crafts, classic cars, and live music by GT Springer. Be a part of this small town holiday tradition featuring over 120 crafters as well as kid-friendly events.

10am to 5pm Free. SPARKLE Handmade Artisan Market. Dandelion Communitea Cafe 618 N Thornton Ave, Orlando, Fl. Talented local artists, hand-crafters, jewelry designers and handmade vendors come together at Dandelion Communitea Cafe for a day of holiday cheer and shop-local spirit. Join us for live performances, an herbology workshop, a reiki circle, and more!

11-12: Reiki circle with illumiNurture

12-1: Traditional North Indian sitar with Ben Tiptonford

1-2: Ambient Electronic music with Chris Zabriskie

2-2:30: Bellydancing with A Magi Temple Belly Dance School

Dandelion will be open all day, serving healthy food and treats, so you can make a day of it.

Sparkle will take place rain or shine.

1pm to 3pm Free. Yoga. Lake Eola Park East lawn ne ar Japanese Pagoda. Weekly.

Claire and the Potatoes rock Nerd Fest.

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On a third sketching excursion to the Orlando Airport Marriott (7499 Augusta National Dr, Orlando, Fl), I bumped into Bethany Taylor Myers at the entrance. She is an exceptional visual artist that I met at Parker Sketch‘s monthly Artist critique. At the last critique I went to, Bethany was showing a lonely suburban landscape that reminded me of an Edward Hopper painting. She was asking a straightforward question about perspective and for once I had straight forward answers. Anyway, Bethany informed me that her husband, Jim Myers was performing. He is the drummer for Claire and the Potatoes.

I had seen the band perform once before at Lake Eola for Earth Day. I knew I was about to see 2 fun performance. Leslie Rising is the lead singer. I had to wonder why her name isn’t Claire. Marc With a C was in the foreground of my sketch and Guy Larmay was on Bass. The hip pop music was fun, with a distinct neurotic edge. My favorite song was about how the band had bills to pay and they wouldn’t be going on a tour to your home town. They did a great job of introducing the tongue in cheek song as a public service announcement.

I managed to get so close to the stage by sitting in an area set aside for handicapped nerds. I consider my need to get a sketch a sort of handicap. Luckily I didn’t get in anyone’s way. The crowd went wild for the Potatoes. As always, the set was over all too quick. This is a quirky fun local band. If you ever have a chance to see them then seize the opportunity.

Nerd Fest was a five day music marathon.

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I returned to the Orlando Airport Marriott several times between August 7th and 11th to sketch different acts. On this day I caught Eyeshine. Their leader has been a Power Ranger, a Street Fighter, and was even
Vash the Stampede from Trigun.  Eyeshine has been tearing the roof off of performance halls since 2004
and have 10 albums. They are
also well known for having a lot of really cool music videos on their YouTube channel where you can also watch a documentary series following them on their journey as an unsigned band. Their leader is the incredibly talented Johnny Yong Bosch. He agreed not only
to perform for every at Orlando Nerd Fest but also agreed to do some
very special things for you, his fans. He set up a special VIP
Meet and Greet package. After the performance, Eyeshine set up outside the ballroom to sign CDs and offer photo ops. The line was incredibly long.

Nerd Fest had stages at opposite ends of the ballroom. While Eyeshine performed, the next band was loading in and setting up on the opposite stage. This way, performances could happen almost back to back. There was also a third much smaller stage set up in the arcade room for solo acoustic acts. That stage sadly seldom had an audience. At one point in Eyeshine’s performance, three Power Rangers joined the crowd in their primary colored hero’s spandex outfits. They took photos and cheered with everyone else.  Well, it is actually hard to verify if they cheered since their mouths were covered with their Spiderman like masks.

Nerd Fest is a Mecca for Nerds.

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Orlando Nerd Fest was a five day event held at the Orlando Airport Marriott (7499 Augusta National Dr, Orlando, Fl) from August 7th to August 17th.. It is apparently the biggest and best annual multi-day nerd party! It is part music festival, part family reunion, and all fun! Dr. Vern one of Orlando Nerd Fest’s founders, issued me a press pass for the entire event. There was free parking in an empty field behind the hotel. The dirt road had a large mud puddle at one point. I’m glad I didn’t part near that puddle, because cars that did got a serious splattering.

 When I got to the entrance, I met Wendy Wallenburg and Brian Minnich, the photographer she represents. Like me Brian has an eye for anything out of the ordinary. Nerd Fest offered that in spades. People casually wandered the hotel halls in cosplay costumes. They sat on the floor playing some sort of role play card game. With so many sketch opportunities I felt a bit overwhelmed. I just needed to start a sketch and accept that I couldn’t see it all at once.

Wendy became obsessed with winning the Ms. Pack Man arcade game. Since she was so focused, I decided to sketch the game in progress. Periodically guys would come over to coach. One guy stepped in to show her how it is done and he got a much higher score and dared her to beat it. That caused her to become even more obsessed. The Star Trek pin ball machine to her right broke down and the vendor pried it open to get at all the servos and electrical guts of the machine. In about a half hour he had it back up and running. I tried my hand at playing Ms. Pac Man once Wendy gave up. I would flick the joy stick hard left or hard right but  my reflexes just weren’t quick enough. It’s an infuriating game and it was game over all too soon. I felt like a bit of an outsider at Nerd Fest, but I suppose any true nerd would feel that way.

The Winter Park boat tour allows you to peak into the backyards of the rich.

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My very distant cousin, Cornelia Thorspecken and her daughter Nini Thorspecken. They are related through my great, great great grandfather, Dr Augustus Thorspecken who sailed to America back in 1854. One of his brothers stayed in Germany and that is who Cornelia and Nini are descendants of. Besides visiting theme parks, Terry and I wanted to suggest a few outings that would give them a taste of real Florida. I joined my cousins on a boat tour of the Winter Park chain of lakes.

Our pontoon boat captain was quite a character. He wore bright yellow suspenders that looked like tape measures. He had stayed in Germany for quite a while after the war and he quizzed my cousins to see if Germany was still the same. His on going monologue was well rehearsed but, I wasn’t that interested in which basketball star owned which lake front mansion. Passing between lakes the boat would glide under small bridges and we all had to duck our heads down.

We met Terry on Park Avenue and strolled along, window shopping. Nini recognized a perfume from the Provence region of France. She wanted to go to a Taco Bell for lunch so her tastes were varied and we were glad to comply. My entire family had rented out a four bedroom timeshare north of Disney and only a short ride from our house, so every night we went there for diner and wine. It was a fun filled week long family reunion.

On another excursion, Terry and I took our German cousins to a wildlife preserve north of Wekiva Springs. On the hike we spotted plenty of birds and I was happy that I got to point out several alligators in the water right off the trail. Cornelia said that she was glad to get a  chance to experience Florida the way it was a hundred years ago.