Wholesale | resale | Everyone's buying online?

 While I was out in the shopping adventure over the weekend (see the post from the other day), I failed to mention how I went in to one of the boutiques and it had a lot of interestingly odd home decorations. A lot of "adult" (aka sarcastic / grown up humor) hand towels and candles. 

Upon getting home and telling someone today about a couple of the kitchen towels, I decided to look the decor up on Amazon. Lo and behold, I found a couple, and they range in price, depending on what exactly you're looking for (and the store I was in and took the pictures at, had the Amazon listed price of over $12 depending on towel.. like the oven one is $14 in store and Amazon has it for $14.95. difference of almost a dollar, but you're going to pay that in tax in person. Might end up as a wash?)

Proof in point
(all photos taken with the Canon Rebel EOS T7i):

• "Rock out with your crock out"
  

• "Ringmaster of the shitshow"

• "When in doubt pull it out"

• "I love Jesus but I cuss a little"
  
  
  
  
  

There were so many more, but I can't find them all on Amazon, not for lack of trying.

The candles were sassy and smart-assy. I searched for the company and came up with close to an entire page. 

Whiskey River Soap Co

Because some of the product names are funny as hell.

At least I think they are. Notice upper left "Because Children". 

Groovy; dig it, birds!

 Well... Thanksgiving is over. Birds were pardoned and bellies were filled. Shopping has been had and Christmas lights are officially up. 

I was with family over the weekend, and we ventured out to a place called "St. Armand's Circle". Allegedly, it is part of the place John Ringling took a liking to, when he decided to grow roots in Sarasota. 

Lots of not super high end shops in this block of land, but the stores aren't cheap either. I mean, there are branded places like Huk, Chico's and the mall kiosk turned full store.. one of those "enter your favorite design here" shirt places. What was also available were mom and pop stores - boutiques, tea spots, hot sauce / pepper sauce place... list is on. There were also one off ethnic restaurants - Greek, Italian, themed bars (looked at a 1920s speak easy joint for a minute). There was even a life sized chess set to play with. Too bad no one wanted to try a round with me.

We didn't add a lot to boost the economy, but we decreased our waist size half a notch in our belts as we walked around. As no one could decide where they wanted lunch, we ended up back in the car and drove a couple miles down the road to Longboat Key. A little dive of a fishing pier shanty that is allegedly known for it's hamburger, not it's seafood. So a burger with onions rings, 2 orders of fish n chips and an order of clam strips was had by the group I was with. 

I was more interested in taking pictures of the webbed foot life on the water, so I have plenty to add to this post. The pictures were taken with a Canon EOS Rebel T7i DSLR Camera, where most snaps were using the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens. I'm linking broad links so that anyone interested in the camera / lens can choose the bundle they'd like to pick up, if they choose. I know there's an updated Rebel, but I'm not interested in it right now. I'm still getting to know my current iteration.

And I do have to say the Bluetooth / Wi-Fi connectivity from the camera to my phone (download the Canon app) has been a godsend these days when everyone demands they see the pictures immediately. They want "professional" shots and those pictures to be texted to the phones the second the timer goes off. 

The string lights pictures were taken with the kitted lens. 

All photos not edited. WYSIWYG. I just added my name to them. 

I've got far too many more pictures, but I think this is probably over kill. The pelicans were being fed scraps from a fishing boat that had just pulled in and were cleaning the haul. Red snapper is what was caught and pieces thrown to the pack of waiting pelicans, ibis, seagulls, and blue heron. 

It was an interesting adventure, to say the least. We went the longish way back to the house I was staying at, so we passed through a bit of a beach area. Coquina, Anna Maria, Siesta Key... places I've not heard of nor visited, and I've been in Florida a decade already (well... shit...). Everyone asks if I know of such and such or have been to X and Y. Sadly, no, as it's not my scene to really go adventuring and looking at places I've never heard of, since the first time I ever stepped foot in Fort Myers was when we moved here.. in 2011. Sure, I've been to Orlando for the theme parks, but that was twice when I was younger. Otherwise, Florida ain't my bag. Why go looking for things when the things really aren't calling you? 

Gotta make the best of it as it comes, it looks like. So when I get asked for a party, I go, and if we go driving somewhere, I'll have a camera. But otherwise, I stay more local than a lot of people would probably prefer. I'm waiting on a big lottery win from a dollar scratch off. Then I'll go places (like ship back to Boston). Unless I find a better employment opportunity, then I'm all in. Trust me, I'm looking for work and it seems like it's been in all the wrong places lately. But it's not stopping me. I'm willing to network if you know anyone! 

Until something major happens, I'll just post again here with other updates...

Cheers.

Interesting combination

 Yesterday at work, a big meeting ended. It was the type of meeting that had all sorts of snackies and drinkies. Including the big "box of coffee: to go" containers of various Panera Bread hot coffee. Hazelnut, decaf, light roast. We're talking enough java to replant the trees. 

As at least 8 out of 10 boxes were still completely full (I'm counting hot water here), my co-worker and I snagged a couple boxes before housekeeping either dumped everything out or took it themselves. 

I brought my three boxes home and let me tell you: The event started at 11am. Even putting the boxes in the fridge at work and then traveling home with me, the coffee was still hot by 5pm. Whatever insulation those bags are made of within the boxes that is wrapped around them.. somebody is banking on the concept. 

Anyway, you don't want to know how hard it is to figure out how to get three giant pouches of liquid in your refrigerator without feeling guilty... like you're a greedy piggy and you should have just left them where you found them. Dumb move to take three. Should have taken one, as we did try pouring a single box into pitchers. 3 single quart jugs plus 2 trays of ice for iced coffee later, we now only have two bags laying down on a shelf.

So by freezing a tray of the Panera Bread Coffee, Light Roast (again, because that's all that was there at the event), I took those cubes this morning and used them as an ice substitute for my morning smoothie. I added one whole frozen banana, coconut water (I used Kirkland... which is the Costco brand) and the suggested two scoops of the Orgain Organic Protein + Superfoods Powder, Vanilla Bean, it came out interesting. Oh, and it's all in a Black and Decker (BL12475G) Crush Master Blender (which is currently considered "vintage" and "antique"... guess we've had it too long, It's still a powerful workhorse, though).

While I sit here and type this post, I've actually been able to finish the drink since it's been about 25 minutes. The challenge with adding the coffee, especially home made frozen chunks of it, is that there's a weird after taste for the cubes while mixed in this drink. I've noticed that before when I've made ice cubes from coffee. Somehow the air in the freezer mixes weirdly with the open top tray. It's been noticeable all the years I've been a coffee drinker. For some reason, to me, the coffee has a strange taste to it when mixed with cubes of it's own brethren. Maybe it's a sign to not be cannibalistic with what you're imbibing in? 

Either way, I'm going to try it again tomorrow, as I really need to start being creative with all this. I don't need the sink piggy (garbage disposal) to get itself worked up and energized over a few gallons of caffeine....

Stay healthy and hydrated. Time to get ready for work!

Cheers;

Couple of Florida chickens enjoying the show

My mom and I were taking the trash out this past Wednesday and a couple neighbors stopped to talk to us. As it was nearing darkness, the people were going in their houses for supper and the animals took over the sky watching.

We were all having a conversation when someone mentioned how amazing the sky looked and that there were two birds just watching the big ball of light go down. So I ran in the house, grabbed my camera and started taking photos. The adults kept having their conversation. 

Also taken were pictures of the actual sun set and the moon. Why just focus on two ibises having a moment? 

All photos taken with a Canon Rebel T7i DSLR camera and utilizing the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens. I'm linking Amazon keyword searches due to the actual camera being sold in a bundle (still) and the lens seemingly not under "Prime" shopping. 

I've done some "auto tone" | "auto contrast" | "auto color" | "sharpen" on some, but not all in the editing bit. I also put my name on it. Using Photoshop CS5 (no longer available on Amazon) on an "HP Pavilion g6 Notebook PC" that is so old, online sites are selling replacement parts for a lot of money.

I also picked up the Future Past album by Duran Duran. It dropped last month and is definitely trying to remain a part of the 80s generation of pop new wave while remaining relevant in the new millennium. I swear, I've heard two songs from this album used in adverts lately on the TV. I just can't place the commercial. But like all bands who have been around for decades, Duran Duran still have the new fresh they've had for 40 years (since they really started in 1978). I like how they brought on a couple new artists (Tove Lo, Ivorian Doll) and an old artist (Mike Garson) to collaborate with. Synth pop meets rap, club, classic piano and more. The album is all over the place but it is seemingly together. The Garson track is the end of the night out partying calm last track, while the opening track starts you up with a slow rev to want to go out on the town. Pure throwbacks to what we remember from our past and what we can do with the future. 

Get the light sticks out and I'll see you at the next rave...

Cheers;