Tampa Taxi Shots

This news truck was parked at the SweetBay early this morning on Swann in Hyde Park . I guess people buying Turkey is the story of the day. The other one may be the winter storms that are causing flight cancellations and could adversely affect our taxi business today.

I got hit from behind foe the second time this year. I was sitting at a red light and the person behind me thought the light had turned green. I was not hurt and only superficial damage to the car. It dud take me out of the loop for a while.

A plague was put up friday honoring JFK in Gaslight Park. The city wants to make November 18 JFK day. They get my vote. The plaque was put up at the moment the shots rang out 50 years ago. I just noticed a mistake...It was Al Lang stadium, not Lopez. Did you know C.S. Lewis and Aldous Huxley both died on that day? Talk about conspiracy theories! Related articles Aldous Huxley, C.S. Lewis, JFK John F. Kennedy, C.S Lewis, Aldous Huxley: A dinner party with a difference.. Nation, Tampa mark 50th anniversary of JFK's death CS Lewis: The Belfast boy whose death was overshadowed by JFK November 22, 1963: JFK, CS Lewis, and Aldous Huxley, Rest in Peace CS Lewis: In the shadow of JFK's death...

At the exact moment they were playing the bells in Deally Plazas, I was struck from behind. Wam! I'm ok. Just don't know what this means.

I was seven years old when JFK was assassinated. Clearly too young for it to have had any real impact in my life. Like all who were alive then, I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. My brother and I were in second grade at Mt Carmel elementary school in Newport News Virginia. A radio was being played over the intercom and they said the President and the Texas governor had been shot. The school let us go home, and our mother picked us up. The frontline of death that day was felt when we got home and found our riverine turtle dead. Perhaps it was the chlorine water in his little tank that did him in. Anyway, TV was now on wall to wall coverage that would last for days. I've always believed the geniuses of 24 he cable news was born then. Millions were watching. I remember playing in a refrigerator box from the unit that had been delivered that week when someone started yelling "Oswald beens shot." Oswald went from nobody to household name overnight. You can...

If JFK was visiting Tampa, he would see this on the side of a building on Florida ave. How cool would that be? Graffiti art can be good sometimes.

Former news anchor Arch Deal, and photographer Tony Zappone, and former police officer Russell Grover (seen on motorcycle in image) hosted an event today to honor JFK. All these men had close contact with the president just days before the assassination. Zappone remembered when I did a post about him on the old Tampa Taxi Shots and that meant a lot to me. All these men expressed profound grief for the slain President 50 years later. There could be no greater testament to greatness of JFK.

This was from my historical walk downtown. I saw things I have not seen eighteen years because I got out of the can and walked around. The lower temps made this bearable.

The Bucs held off Miami by coming from behind on a 80 yard drive lead by poised rookie Mike Glennon. Good job. You got to start somewhere.

During tonight's broadcast of Monday Night Football, they will have many long shots of downtown Tampa. I wanted to add my photo taken just ad the sun set tonight. The Bucs are 0-8 and the worst start since 1985 when Leeman Bennett was coach. Do I need to say more?

I took a recently engaged couple to Clearwater Beach who wanted to go to Frenchy's sea food restaurant. Good choice. They could have a good meal walk the stop where all the shops are, sightsee, get a beer, and have fun. Considering they were in love, I recommend world famous Pier 60 at sunset. Its beautiful and there are street performers to give a Key West kind of atmosphere. Sounds like they ate going to have a good time.

There is a librarian! Taboo is one of the sexiest parties in Tampa, held at the Castle night club in Ybor City every year. I have taken many people to this event - and not just your Goth types. People who look like "normal" people, including a few librarian types are down with this event. Its not just whips and chains and latex. They have the dungeon, the naked dessert bar, rubber doll and more with people who really do live the lifestyle. The highlight is the stage show which will draw over 1,500 people into a crowded nightclub. Yes folks, there is nudity. This scene is not for everyone. This is Tampa, however, get used to it. I guess at some point the bible thumpers will try to get rid of it but it is still going strong every year. If your lucky, you may even see the famous "hard on man" who is regular customer at the bar. I have heard about this guy from many fares in my taxi and have found his photo on the internet. I guess everyone has to have their own b...

Left wing blog Ybor City Stogie has a live feed link on this blog. How cool is that!? Stogie is a popular long running blog and he has a tee shirt! Thanks Stogie.

The trolley cars still pull up in front and tourist still go here. Combined, they are two ideas local politicians have had that have not died. The rest were examples of ignorance of market forces. Ybor Centro is a popular drop off point for taxi fares during the day. There just seems to be a lot around there. In fact, the castle is nearby. And the freaks do come out at night.

The photos above are Franklin st when Kennedy's motorcade went through downtown Tampa four days before the assassination in Dallas and how it looks today.The photo in 1963 was taken by a high school student who had won a contest to a be a photographer for the Tampa Tribune for a day. In some strange, alternative universe this may have been the spot where the shots rang out out from the Press building or the Floridan Hotel.

Tim and Kevin checking the map moments before heading out The documentary crew met up with Kevin and his group in the Green Swamp of Florida. We had an incredible time working late into the night filming a ton of film for this project. We have been working with Bryan and Sam since the summer, and it was good to see it finally kick off. I tried to keep my shooting to a minimum and let them do the work. Here are, however, a couple images from the night expedition. Kevin of EA-Tv leading the way in the jungle Camera guys Brian and Sam film it all I enjoyed working on this project and I would do it again given the opportunity. It was hard work but that is what we get into the business for. I could not think when I started doing Bigfoot research five years ago, that it would lead to this. I have made so man good friends and the experience has changed my life. To work with friends on a common goal out of respect for each other and building on what the other is doing, is the ess...

The champ! I just saw this post on the Enigmatic Anomalies blog run by Kevin Thomas Kehl. He produces a local Tampa Bay TV show on Channel 38 called EA-TV which deals with paranormal topics. It showcased the winning pummpin I entered in the contest. He did have to point out I was the only entry. Oh well, I still won! 

There is a large construction project going on in Hyde Park, next to the SweetBay. I take this as a sign of economic recovery for it means jobs and paychecks. As a cab driver, it means possible airport fares in the early morning, something we desperately need. New construction north of Kennedy is high end and can only help the area and the cab business. One of the condo projects is where Yellow Cab used to be located. Now, people will look out their windows, see our lot, and call us. Cool.