I’m pleased to say I’m the newest contributor to another local Central Florida blog, “Orlando Arts Blog,” soon to be joined by my good friend and blog co-author klynn! Check-out my introduction post when you have a chance. I’ll be providing insight into the ever-changing field of Marketing/Interactive/Technology.

I hope you’ll join us on our adventure. Let me know if there’s anything specific you’d like to know about!

“You could freeze ice on his wife’s ass.”

That’s one of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies, “Pretty Woman.” Honestly, I don’t really know what it means but I just think it’s funny. Soon enough all Central Floridians will be able to freeze ice on their asses. Actually, their asses will already be frozen.

I’m talking about the upcoming ICEBAR, which I learned about from the Orlando Attraction Magazine blog. These are supposedly pretty big in Europe; I’ve seen a couple of programs on the Travel Channel. Sounds like a pretty “cool” concept to me: a bar made entirely of ice.

I’m definitely down for trying this place out when it opens in October. The only drawback (in my opinion): it’s located on International Drive, which can often be a major deterrent for local residents. So is this geared more towards the tourist crowd, many of which are from Europe? We’ll see….

More information to come, or you can visit www.icebarorlando.com.

Meet Cisco. He is a 7-year-old Sheltie. He was born and raised in Gainesville, where he attended UF with his mommy. After he received his degree in barking and ultimate frisbee, he moved over to the East coast. He is a very loving boy who makes sure that his family never leaves any food behind. On summer days he likes to chill in the pool, but only on the first step; he doesn’t really like to swim since he sorta just sinks. He does like to chase waves at the beach, but sorta freaks out when the tide comes back in. He likes to take baths, as you can see from this picture:

Cisco’s favorite thing to do during bath time is to surprise his mommy and daddy by shaking off randomly throughout his bath. After his baths he goes buck wild with his little brother Hayden. They like to roll around in their parent’s bed and make sure it is nice and wet for them. Anytime his mom burns food, he likes to go hide in the bathtub since he hates smoke. Some of his favorite memories are hiding from his parents on their wedding day by taking a mile long “walk” through the neighborhood alone. He loves to pull his daddy on his skateboard down the Indian River. However, Cisco’s daddy doesn’t like when he abruptly stops pulling the skateboard to chase a cat. Daddy has lots of skinned knees from that fun prank. He loves to cuddle with his mommy and sometimes humors her and lets her dress him up in silly hats. Mommy is the only one who can get him to howl, he even gets little brother to join. When daddy tries to get Cisco to howl, he ends up chasing his own tail. He is a sweet and silly boy.

In an attempt to eat the healthiest fast food available, I usually stick with Chick-fil-a. I don’t know if it passes for “healthy,” but my go-to is the Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich (plain) and a Side Salad.

Enter Exhibit A:

There wouldn’t really be anything to write about here except a few weeks ago I ordered said salad and I noticed, a.) the salad barely fills the tiny container it comes in, and b.) they raised the price $.54.

Look, I’m not cheap, but I can’t help feeling ripped off when you make something smaller while also raising the price.

What gives, Chick-fil-a??

Kudzu.

A strange word.

According to Dictionary.com, kudzu is a fast-growing Chinese and Japanese climbing vine, Pueraria lobata, of the legume family, now widespread in the southern U.S., having tuberous, starchy roots and stems: used for fiber, as food and forage, and to prevent soil erosion.” Growing up in the South kudzu is everywhere; I used to tell my friends it would be the perfect place to hide a body…if you were looking to get rid of it.

So how does this correlate to a website that has hyper-local content for city residents? I’ve yet to figure that one out, but here’s a little about Kudzu.com:

- Reviews and recommendations of local businesses by local residents like you
- Orlando is included in their list of services
- Easy url to remember: Orlando.kudzu.com
- Extensive category list including Auto Repair, Child Care, Doctors, Hair Salons, Restaurants and more
- Newsletter so you can receive local deals and bargains in your e-mail

One of the things about this site that I find most interesting, and that instigated this very post, is that I sawa a billboard for the site in Winter Park…on Fairbanks Road.

Now, it’s not often you see outdoor advertising for a website (unless it’s tied to a large product such as Careerbuilder), particularly for a lesser known company or service like Kudzu.com. Apparently, though, they’re looking to grow their business in several markets, so why not register today and help them start populating some content? Now this is a site that sounds right up “Pulse’s” alley. Hmmm…maybe we can partner-up with them somehow….

Have you, by chance, seen one of these billboards in another area of town? If so, tell us where by leaving us a comment in this post.

Just another lunch in downtown Orlando.

Me? I like chicken, roast beef, green peppers, onions, and swiss cheese in mine. How about you?

So klynn and I made the journey out to the House of Blues last night to see Michelle Branch perform, and we were both pleasantly entertained! In all honesty I was probably the bigger fan of the two of us going in, but klynn gained a new respect for Michelle after experiencing her live.

I didn’t chance taking my camera in (we were all but strip-searched prior to entering the venue) but I did manage to get a few pics with my little ‘ole camera phone. This is the best of the ones I snapped, and gives a good idea for the great spot we found:

The House of Blues is a great venue to see shows at. Be on the lookout for a future post specifically about this.

Moomers is an extremely friendly, cuddly, loveable OBESE tabby cat once owned by the former artistic director of SAK, James Newport. Her daddy got to adopt her in 2005, from her previous owner, while at a party. There were several people sitting down on couches and chairs. This cat, out of nowhere, walks into the middle of the room and plops herself down on the rug. All the party-goers petted her and loved on her. It was love at first sight for her new daddy! The owner then says (a) he’s moving and (b) they can’t take the cat with them. Jackpot! Moomers had a new home!

She has her own Facebook page: http://apps.facebook.com/catbook/profile/view/648697. Please add her and leave her a message on her cat wall.

The Sentinel’s Mark Schlueb blogged today about the City of Orlando electing to raise Property Tax Rates from $4.9307 to $5.65, a 14.5 percent increase.

Public Hearings are scheduled for September 8 and September 15 before the tax increase becomes final.

Between the mortgage crisis in America and cities like Orlando passing their budgeting issues off on homeowners, it’s certainly good to be a renter.

Last night, a friend and I headed down to Thornton Park for a couple of beverages. My friend suggested Dexter’s because they’re now staying open later and offering half-price liquor … enough said!

I’m no lush, but who wouldn’t enjoy a $3.13 Jack & Diet Coke after a long Saturday of errand-running and chores?

The bartenders were extremely friendly, even going so far as to introduce themselves … I can’t remember the last place someone did that, but I thought it was fantastic.

My favorite snack at Dexter’s are the Cha Cha Chips, but we ordered the Korean beef Bulgogi Skewers instead. They were pretty tasty, the perfect companion to the night’s drinks.

A night out on Washington Street wouldn’t be complete without a trip across the street to our favorite local bar, Burton’s. Burton’s doesn’t serve liquor, just beer and wine and if you’re lucky … freshly popped popcorn.

Next time you want to get away from the usual scene, give Dexter’s and Burton’s a try.

Dexter’s Thornton Park
808 Washington Street
Orlando, FL
407/648-2777

Burton’s
801 Washington Street
Orlando, FL
407/425-3720