New Site! (as of Jan 18)

I wanted to keep this link at the top of my previous blog site

If you still come to darbysea.blogspot.com you can now go directly to DarbySea.com!

Americom Pro Rodeo Classic 2008 at the Lakeland Center, Lakeland Florida - Video

BACK TO SITE
BACK TO SITE

do pass go, don't go to jail - New Site!

If you still come to darbysea.blogspot.com you can now go directly to DarbySea.com!

Sun 'n Fun 2008

THE United States Air Force Thunderbirds will be at Sun 'n Fun this year!!! The event runs April 8-13 and accoring to the offical web site for the Thunderbirds, they will be at the event April 12-13.

(the colors might be off on the second flier- the plane should be yellow)

What's up with my fave gas station? (and 5k fun run at Souteastern U)

My favorite gas station is under renovations, it was the final pit stop before heading to class at college. So don’t go to the Sunocco on Combee (off hwy 98) just yet, unless you want to have a cup of dirt!

(more info to come) while on the SEU campus tonight they were about to start a 5k run. Half of the money raised will be going to the Florida Baptist Children's Home (or something)

Citrus Festival Preview for 2008

Tonight I attended the "Citrus Festival & Polk County Fair - Local Business & Press Appreciation Party", yeah long title but I did not make it up! We got a sneak peak at the rides and booths etc... Looks like the 2008 Festival will be the best one yet as the event organizers have brought in different vendors to give variety to the rides and things to do.

The event starts tomorrow, Thursday, January 17 and continues to Sunday, January 27. The festival has many competitions including a karaoke contest as well as a parade. When you, be prepared to Go Hog Wild, as the theme for this year's festival is "We're Goin' Hog Wild". (maybe that will be the next contest I start, to create the 2009 theme)

Polk County Blogger Meet-up Feb. 4, 2008

New try for logo since Chuck did one - bring it on!

Being An Adult - S U C K S

I am on my own, I. am. an. adult. And today being an adult sucks. When you don't feel well, like today, my mom is not here to baby me and give me soup and let me stay in bed and watch TV, miss school/work etc etc (i'm sure you remember back in the day).

So how you do make it when you are on your own?

My symptoms:

bad headache, almost a migraine

the back of my neck feels like I got whacked (no i did not drink last night)

and loud noises hurt

Already took:

2 advil

New Feature

I've added a picture slide show to the left column.

Polk County Blogger Meet-up Feb. 4, 2008

more info here about the local blogger meeting thanks to Lorrie.

I think there should be some sort of "contest" to build a button to post on blogs to promote the meet-ups... here are my tries posted on flickr.

UPDATE: more choices (of mine) here

Trek Ten Trails - Trek #4 SUNDAY

Trek Ten Trails - Trek #4 SUNDAY January 13 at Crooked Lake Prairie, 1:30 pm.Post your Polk County nature trail pictures to the Flickr group

What is Trek Ten Trails? You have the option of trekking the ten featured trails on scheduled event dates, or on your own with family and friends. Be sure to find the geocache to validate your treks or have them stamped at the scheduled events. Locations of geocache can be found without a GPS unit.

Mark your calendars for the 2008 TREKS

January 13 - Crooked Lake Prairie, 1:30 PM

February 10 - SUMICA, 1:30 PM

March 8 - Gator Creek Reserve, 9 AM

April 5 - Saddle Creek Nature Trail, 9 AM

May 3 - Lake Wales Trailway, 9 AM

June 7 - Lake Hollingsworth, 9 AM

GRAND FINALE CELEBRATIONSeptember 13 - Auburndale TECO Trail, 9 AM - Noon

For more info: Friends of the Parks

Downtown Lakeland Farmer's Curbside Market Video

The Wait For Spring Training Tickets Is OVER!

If you want tickets to Spring Training you better hurry up before they are all gone. I had heard there was an art to getting Spring Training tickets and decided to try it out. Here is how my morning went:





Wake up 6:15 am (went to bed early friday)





Arrive at Tiger Town 6: 43 am with my lawn chair to wait in line.




They start giving out numbers for the ticket window at 7:40 am


Told to come back at 10 am to actually buy tickets.



Go downtown to the Farmer's Market 7:45-9:15


Still have time to kill, go to breakfast with Lorrie 9:15-9:55 am



10:00 OH NO, WILL I MAKE IT IN TIME???



10:08 Arrive back at Tiger Town. They are calling out numbers when I park I hear over the speaker calling 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 47, 47 last call 47. "I call out I'm here I'm here!!!" And go stand in line. whew. made it just in time!



10:25 a man's voice comes over the speaker saying the March 15 game vs New York Yankees is sold out :( (that is the only game I wanted) BUT they have kept the general admission seats. So that is what I will buy

10:45- it's my turn to step up to the ticket - woot!
this is my proof I have tickets

Major League Baseball Spring Training

The MLB Spring Training guide with the schedules of the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians has arrive at Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing! If you just want to print your own, click here for the pdf (1.98 MB). Or if you are in the Davenport area stop at Polk Outpost 27, the County's visitor information center.

Since this will be my first Spring Training while living in Lakeland, I'm going Saturday to buy tickets at the box office.

Eagles on the Trail!

While walking on the Fort Fraser Trail I spotted one on Monday and then yesterday there were two eagles! They were (and still could be) by the bridge closest to PCC. If you go don't scare them away, they could be building a nest :)

Interesting quotes on the path

If you take a trip down the Fort Fraser Trail be sure to read the signs on the poles.

J. Seward Johnson's Sculptures Are Back!

January 10 (approx) through mid May 2008, J. Seward Johnson's life-like sculptures will be on display once again in Polk County. Twenty sculptures will be set up around Lake Mirror in Lakeland, and an additional five sculptures will be available for viewing on the Florida Southern College campus. The sculptures look like real people doing everyday outdoor activities. Spectators have to look twice to see if they are real. A brochure with a map of the display areas can be picked up at Polk Outpost 27, the Lakeland Chamber and Lakeland City Hall or thanks to PCTSM click here for the full pdf.

My Art - well digital photography - at Ridge Art

I entered the Ridge Art Association 58th Anniversary Fine Arts Exhibition. The judge, Lee Gerry Wertheimer, sorted through over 250 pieces and was only able to accept 90. Sadly, no, she was not able to keep mine in the show. I knew the flowers* might not make it but I was hoping the Sand Hill Crane photo would. tears. But at least I accomplished one of my 2008 goals - entering a competition with my photos.

* update: When the photos were picked up they said the pink flowers made it through many rounds. Maybe next time I will get it made bigger. oh well. this was a good experience for me.

Farmer's Market with extra goodies!

view video on 1/12/08 post
Today I met up with Lorrie and Mike at the Farmer's Market in downtown Lakeland. The Farmer's Market also had crafts and was outdoors, so should it really be called the Outdoor Market? nah, Farmer's Market sounds cooler anyways and with less explaining of what the event is. My first trip to the Market was good and I will be sure to go back again next week to buy my fruits! (pictures to come later)

If you go....
Downtown Lakeland Farmer's Market (by Munn Park and Crispers)
Every Saturday 8am-2pm
Bring $ and make sure you have room in your car or bike to take it home.

You Saw It First Here...

I have three photographs (below) that I am submitting to the Ridge Art Association for the 58th Anniversary Fine Arts Exhibition. I will know by Saturday if they have been accepted (keep your fingers crossed!) It is a juried competition with big prize money. The accepted work will be displayed January 9-27. The reception is Saturday, Jan 12, 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

More Missing Letters

Colonial Bank, Bartow. "You'll like it here."
Well I don't like that letters are missing.

At first it was just the L, then the u

and now the outside right door

missing L in second word

both outside doors

the inside doors have all their letters

Is 45 degrees really cold?

I'm glad I chose to walk last night at the Fort Fraser Trail when it was only 45 degrees verses this morning when I got there it was at a wonderful 28 so I just left lol. I will have to find some other exercise for today.

Missing Letters/Changing The Enviornment One Bag at a Time (2:366)

On the second day of the new year, in an effort to 'Go Green' I have already reused a water bottle 2 times! And I will be taking reuseable bags in with me to the grocery store.

Around Town The change with the Bartow C & C bank signs (now Colonial Bank) was completed some time ago but why is no one fixing the missing letters on the doors?

Happy New Year 1:366

this will be THE year of change for me.

Day 1:366 (2008 is a leap year)

Walked 2 miles at Lakeland Highlands Scrub for the 2nd Annual "Here's to Your Health Hike"

And taking after Lorrie Delk Walker, I too will post about found money, if I find any. 1/1/08 $0.00.

This year I want to help do more for the environment