Week 14

The last few weeks have seen an increase in leisure and a decline in total hours worked, which, unfortunately, results in insufficient pay. As the leisure has not come at any financial cost it has easily been worth the time lost at work.

As part of an ongoing product knowledge endeavor I have had the opportunity to reap the benefits of both a Fireworks Cruise, retail price $266.25, and a Segway Tour retail price, $85.00. For those of you unfamiliar with a Segway, they are a two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle. Known for its use in Paul Blart: Mall Cop, the Segway is definitely as fun as it looks. Throw some mud tires on and you're ready to tear up the trails. And we did just that, on what may have been the coldest day in Florida since I arrived. Despite the weather and my desensitized, frigid hands, there was much to be learned on the back trails of Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. From the air potato vine amidst the lush verdure to the history of the Contemporary Resort that could be seen in the offing upon a veil of mist that cloaked the Seven Seas Lagoon, this was quite the learning experience.

Nearly three months too late I have completed my visit to each of the theme parks here. My most recent excursion, Animal Kingdom, was enjoyable. After riding Expedition Everest and Dinosaur, the two main attractions at the park, it was time to see The Festival of the Lion King, an original interpretation of the Disney classic. The show, hosted by four performers with Swahili names, is a compilation of songs and scenes from the movie. Brought to life by its talented actors and actresses the show is a must-see. It was by far the highlight of my visit to Animal Kingdom.

Under the pretense that Florida sand would be smooth against the soles of my feet I arrived at Cocoa Beach on November 18th for what would be an enjoyable escape from my current abode. My first step into the sand brought crashing into my memory the Pacific Coast. Tainted with fragments of shells and scattered with people, this is not quite as I had imagined. Oh wait, I'm on the Atlantic Coast, not the Gulf Coast! My initial dismay quickly passed as I heard that sweet dissonance that is the waves diverging together in complete discord. That untroubled white noise accompanied by 80 degree weather in the middle of November could not have created a more placid setting. The wintry foam of the waves caressing my ankles and eventually my entire body left me in an arctic state, void of all worry and ready to surrender myself to the ocean, never to return. Even the birds seemed ready to dissolve into the blue abyss. Warning: relaxation of this degree may inhibit your return to work, and with good reason.

Below are pictures from all of the things listed above, as well as a few pictures from the Food & Wine Festival that I never had the chance to upload.

Cheers