It’s hard to believe Black Friday is only three days off.

Black Friday. Such a pretty term, huh? With the way things are in the world right now, this may just truly be a black day.

I saw this ad in last week’s issue of Orlando Weekly, and it’s a great reminder that we should do our best to support the local economy by spending money at local businesses. It’s not always the easiest or most convenient thing to do, but if we make an effort we can really pump some business into the Central Florida community; the economic situation is critical all over the country right now.

What can you do to help? Well, like the ad says you can e-mail unchained[at]orlandoweekly[dot]com with “I Pledge,” or simply visit OrlandoWeekly.com/unchained to join in.

It’s a chance to contribute.

It’s an opprortunity to help.

It doesn’t take much.

So while it might be easier to take a trip to the local Target or head to the Mall at Millenia, why not check-out some of the stores in your neighborhood and give some props to local business owners?

How dare you mach me!

Notice the title of this post is a questions? Well, while this image is not of me, I can almost guarantee my face had the same expression when I spoke with a mechanic earlier this morning.

See, I have what you call “bad car karma.” I seem to have had nothing but issues with my [paid-off] 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. Sure, it runs ok for the most part but over the years there have been consistent big-ticket items occurring with it…issues that I don’t think should be happening to a car in the condition mine’s in.

But that’s not the point of this post (note: I will not ever encourage or endorse Chevrolet; if they were smart company they’d be doing searches for folks talking about them, and contact me for some sort of resolution, but I don’t think that’s going to happen). I’d like to hear from other Central Florida residents who’ve had car problems: WHERE DO YOU GO?

I don’t trust these places like Firestone and Pep Boys, plus I prefer to support local business, but don’t know of any legit, local mechanics or garages in the Central Florida area.

Any advice or recommendations?

Announcing “Pulse’s” first contest! It was inspired by a post fellow Central Florida blog “Tacky Fabulous published yesterday.

While we here in the Central Florida area don’t necessarily always have a need to wear sweaters, I’m fairly certain we’ve all got a few tucked-away in our closest for the cooler days. I’ll even bet some of these are tacky, holiday sweaters. I know you guys know what I’m talking about.

Well, if they are it’s time to bring ‘em out…and show us! Submit a photo of you wearing a tacky holiday sweater by e-mailing pulseofcentralflorida[at]mail[dot]com or by leaving a link in the comments section of this original post, no later than Friday, December 5th. Of all the photos submitted we’ll post them on our site, and our readers can vote for the tackiest! The winner will receive a $25 gift card to spend however they’d like (hopefully not to buy a tacky sweater). This’ll come in handy just-in-time to finish-up holiday shopping!

Can’t wait to see what you guys send our way!

Next hurricane season if you’re ever in need of some emergency power, I know exactly where you can get it:

1. Cultivate land.

2. Plant seeds.

3. Water frequently.

4. Watch grow!

(Location: Downtown Orlando on Jefferson Street, just next to OUC’s old office.)

If she ever were to wonder if she’s getting in the wrong car:

Okay, so this isn’t Central Florida related, but if you read Vanity Fair then the headline of this post makes sense to you.

A couple years ago, I picked up a copy of the well-known magazine and was mesmerized by Starbucks’ Howard Schultz‘s reply to Vanity Fair’s monthly questionnaire. There’s no doubt the founder of Starbucks is brilliant, but he’s humble too.

I tore the page out of the magazine and keep it taped to my office credenza. When I lose focus, I like to re-read some of the more poignant questions and answers. Here are a few of my favorites:

Q. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
A. The need to over-achieve.

Q. What is the quality you most like in a man?
A. Emotional Intelligence.

Q. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
A. Authenticity.

Q. What is your most treasured possession?
A. My Memories.

You can read the rest of Schultz’s answers on Vanity Fair’s Web site … brilliantly they keep an archive of at least the past few years online.

Sorry klynn or I haven’t posted in a few days — it’s been a busy week and we’ve both been preoccupied. I’m actually going to Miami to see Madonna in concert next week, and today for some reason I started thinking about the time Beyonce was performing at the Amway Arena (I wasn’t there; I’m not a fan) and she fell. Remember that? Along with various other news outlets Local6.com used to have the video on their site but were asked to remove it. I managed to find a copy online…is it wrong that I think it’s funny? I certainly hope nothing like this happens to Madonna!

LESSON: Be very careful when flinging your weave around.

This past Friday night one of my favorite singers (yes…go ahead and judge), Sarah Brightman, was in concert at the [relatively] new UCF Arena; the calibur of talent coming to the Central Florida area is really growing. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go to the show because I was out-of-town. I did, though, read about the show on Orlando Sentinel’s Jim Abbott’s music blog “Soundboard.”

If you’re a Sarah Brightman fan and would like to read the complete review click here.

If you were at the show at the UCF Arena please tell us about it! I’m sure it went something like this:

For a list of upcoming concerts and events at the UCF Arena you can visit their site here.

Yes, last Tuesday was Veteran’s Day. But today is Golden Corral’s “Military Appreciation Monday.” Today, from 5-9pm, anyone who has ever served in the military* can get a complimentary dinner.

Help us join Golden Corral and actor Gary Sinise to say thank you to all those who have and are servicing in the US Armed Forces.

To view the television spot use the following link:

Military Appreciation Day:Golden Corral Restaurants(11.17.08)

To find all Central Florida locations of Golden Corral visit their restaurant locater.

* site doesn’t specify but bring any proper identification