Skoolie’s blog

Late last night after the July 4th celebration at Disney world two monorails collided killing one of the drivers, 21 year old Austin Wuennenberg which marks the first death of the monorail system. So tragic, and such a young man, Disney will be collaborating with Orange county police and detectives to figure out the cause of the crash.

I'm very close to this story, my grandfather helped create the monorail system 34 years ago, he was brought out of retirement to help with the MGM Grande in Las Vegas, The monorail system is very safe, they have had some incidents though out the years, none fatal however.

Unfortunately I think this may be user error, unless one of the monorails failed to function correctly and reversed back into the on coming monorail. There are two tracks for the monorail each operates in different directions since these were on the same track one of the monorails was going the wrong way.

The monorail system at Disney World and Disney World resorts is down, meaning longer wait times for those trying to get into the magic kingdom or back to their hotels.

Also note that most of the time the monorails do not operate as late as this. It was only because it was a special occasion, July 4th. They usually stop running at about midnight or so, this incident happened at about 2 or later.

What's the best compliment you've received lately?

"That's your real hair color?!!! Oh My God it's Gorgeous!"

I actually get this a lot, and anytime I go to the salon and have to use a new stylist, Most people think I dye my hair this color, yes I have freckles but I'm not the carrot top most people think about with red hair. I don't burn in the sun, I tan, and I don't have light eyes either. A while a go a girl said my hair is "copper penny red" and thats pretty much dead on.

The girls at the salon say people pay a lot of money to have my hair color and its the one hair color that is hard to produce and maintain.  When my regular hair stylist was out having her baby she had recccommended me to one of the girls at the salon, i went and when I told her I hadn't been back in a while she said, did you dye your hair after that, because I'm amazed I don't see any roots.

I was in line at the grocery store yesterday when the girl behind me said, I want your color, what is it? Assuming that I dye my hair. When I told her it's my naturual color she said  "That's your real hair color?!!! Oh My God it's Gorgeous!

What prevents your city/town from being the best place in the country to live?
Submitted by Cherney.

Orlando, I love this city but I really do wish we were a more open minded city. At it's heart Orlando is still a small town values kinda town. It has it's great points, if you look hard there is so much culture here, from veitnamese, puerto-rican, to the carribean and cuban influences.

My major problem with Orlando is that it is almost entirely void of an ART Scene. It tries hard in the down town edgy scene, and some how just doesn't make the mark. Orlando is not know for art, it isn't as artsy as florida's other major cities such as St. Pete, Tampa, and Sarasota. We try, its just something about Orlando's small town values that really keeps the city from being edgy.

Orlando is a tourist driven town and we depend on these theme park companies for work, and economic growth. However these companies often times do not pay people well and there is often times a sad soul depriving domino effect. If Disney raises its ticket price then so does Universal, If Disney stays paying lower wages to works then Universal, Seaworld and other theme parks follow suite. As the cost of the tickets go up the wage of the employees goes down. These companies could help improve moral of the city by treating their workers with respect and dignity and pay them what they are worth.

I would also like Orlando's reputation to grow to emcompass more than just theme parks and tourist. We are much more than just that.

Dear Marketing and Ad Agencies,

Please stop using, what you think are cutesy combined buzzwords, such as "Daycation, and Shopportunity. I don't need a Daycation or a shopportunity I need a vacation day and an opportunity to shop.

These words are not cute, they are just as annoying as the word Webinar. Please Stop!

Burger at Cricketeer Arms - med rare- with fries and slaw

Burgers are often a great spluge for americans. I'm not talking about that cheap greasy disc resembling a hamburger at your local mcfast food. I'm talking about a nice ground sirloin 100 percent grade a beef which is taken care of and cooked properly.

I was at this place for lunch with coworkers in which a lot of us ordered burgers, when they asked us how we would like them cooked, I was the only one that said medium rare, all the others said well done, with one exception of  medium well.

After asking why someone would want a well done burger, I almost felt scolded for ordering my medium rare. E. Coli they say. Then tried to school me on the dangers, which included a session on ground meat and why steak is okay to eat medium rare or rare because e. coli exists on the outside of the meat, so sear a steak and you kill it, but grind up the meat and its in the middle, and every where else. I understand this logic but it just doesn't seem to ring really true. Lots of high end burger joints serve rare and medium rare burgers. Some places don't ask you others do, if they ask you they are probably trained in cooking these meats and the risk is minimal. From the chowhound boards it varieying opinions but one person pointed out that you have a larger chance of slipping and dying in the shower than you do from e. coli in a restaurant burger.

This morning I caught a segment on the today show about a burger of the month club. BOTM, as the today host called it "Bottom". Its a group of 10-15 friends that once a month go and get a burger together around NYC or surrounding areas. It's a cool idea as it gives these guys a reason to come and hang out, shoot the shit, and have some guy time together and rate a burger.  I think they rank mostly on meat, extra meat products such as bacon, and cheese. and also the bun, all other is tossed away.  

So what do you think about burgers? What is your favorite?

Cleo Says Sup

My Miniature Pinscher Cleo is quite a regal and intelligent dog. However she is not very obedient, She has selective hearing, and tends to listen best to my husband. She is a great companion to me. She makes me laugh and keeps me company at night when Nick is away working.  She's spunky and regal but when you get to know her she is a real sweetie and a great cuddle buddy. How they stuff so much personality into a little dog I will never know.

Fridays I go out to eat for lunch with coworkers so it is one of the days I don't come home for lunch and walk her. I try to make her Fridays more interesting by a longer morning walk, and more time out on the deck playing while I'm getting ready. 

I also hide treats around the house for her to find later. Except she finds them all before I leave. I've really got her on a good schedule now. I don't even have to set my alarm. She wakes me up every morning at the same time by trying to talk over my pillow and demand that I give her bell rubs.

She gets excited for her walks and does what we call "Zoomies", where she runs as fast as she can from one end of the house to the other and back and fourth. Picking up toys and dropping them off like she's in some sort of doggy olympic race. At 5 years old she has no attentions of slowing down any time soon.

She's the greatest most complicated yet loving dog in the world.

What is the stupidest thing you have ever done?
Submitted by Southernbelle.

I have done many stupid things over the years. Many Stupid things! Some hilarous, some not so hilarous but I'll keep it light hearted on this one.

I set a club guest list on fire which burned through the first and part of the second page. It was an accident.

I was at the Social, Downtown Orlando and I was on the guest list for a great local band and one I dearly love  The SuperVillians . Really Great Guys, who came from St. Cloud. Florida, and they are not afraid to admit it.

Anyway there was a candle on the podium and signing the guest list I was  on the second page, so i flipped the First page right into the candle without noticing, while trying to perfect my signature. It caught on fire, in which the chick  at the front of house threw it on the ground and stepped on it.

Yeah I'm sure they were not to pleased with me, but the rest of the night rocked!

Would you rather be rich or famous?

Wow this is an very easy question for me. I think all introverts would agree.

I'd rather be rich, fame is over rated and your privacy is destroyed.

Owls first appeared as a design trend back in 2007 but it appears they have some staying power. I recently opened up spin magazine and saw they were doing a small article on cd and music poster art. Staring back at me from the pages was this little guy.

Owl_poster

 I adore owls and I noticed that it isn't just the owl that is the design trend it's also the style of the owl. Simple shapes put together to resemble a cute rather cartoony owl look. Sometimes one shape will have a pattern such a paisly, or dots.

Cards

 You can find owls on almost anything from greeting cards, shirts, fabric, owl pillows, owl purses and bags, jewelry, and even ceramics.

I think the owl became a design trend when vintage t-shirts started becoming popular. The Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute owl and the owl from the tootie pop commercial were fodder for such t-shirts.

Owls even in the simplest forms are easy to recognize, thus giving way to being easy to reproduce on fabric prints, and created into wall decals. A lot of the owls have a vintage look to them such as this ceramic planter which I love! He's just adorable.  

Owl_planter

The owls continue to be a huge trend in design and craft. Etsy.com is full of Owl art. There is some really great stuff out there. Ranging from Prints to change purses and everything in between.

Owl_print1

I do own an owl pattern print shirt I've had it for a while but I still wear it to this day, It's too casual to wear to work though so I have to wear it on my off time.  

The funny thing about owls is that they don't seem played out yet they have been a trend for a while. I'm not sure if its the animal or the style that works to keep it's staying power. It works well as a focal point or as a print. Perhaps much like the Skull Trend it has the same type of shape to it and can be styled many different ways.

Owl_print_wallet

The pattern prints work well for purses, bags and accessories. While the focal point owls seem to work well in paintings greetting cards and wall art.

Owl_wall_decal

 I think it was first the pattern print that got the trend going and then it gained momentum and staying power and started being used in a variety of mediums and media.

The owl trend will probably be around for a while and perhaps they should be.

They are cute and fun and deserve some time in the spot light.

Images 2,3,4 and 6 are from www.etsy.com

Food - Sexy or messy when incorporating them into sex?

For me a nice meal and some wine but wearing your food, for example a strawberry and whipped cream bikini is just way to messy and sticky to be enjoyable.

When I was working at a retail shop and going to college one of the girls I worked with dated one of the managers. She had dated a few guys who I knew who told me she likes to hang out without her top on. Several weeks later that manager was drunk at a party and told us his pizza sex story which involved her.

He was making a pizza when she came over one night for some late night drinks. After  2 glasses of wine she decided to get more comfortable and started walking around his place topless. He then had an idea and convinced her to let him make a pizza on her. a little sauce a little pepperoni. He told us he ate pepperoni off her nipples.

Well guess what her new nickname became. Yep that's right, Pepperoni Nipples.