Sunday, January 25, 2009

VAG Plaza

Vag Plaza, Pompano Beach, FL
I pass by this sign almost every day. It's in Pompano Beach on US1, just north of Atlantic. Its a nice sign, right? Every woman I show this to thinks its hilarious and can't even believe its real. When I show this photo to men, some get it but most scratch their heads and ask me what they're supposed to be looking at. I wonder what the people think who work at the various stores in the plaza? What about the company who made the sign? What does the property owner's mother think? What they need in this plaza is a gynecologist. Maybe several.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Birch State Park Railroad

Birch State Park RailroadBirch State Park is located on Fort Lauderdale Beach at the corner of A1A and Sunrise Blvd. It's an oasis of natural beauty in the midst of a sea of condominiums, bars, restaurants, and tourist attractions. When I was a kid, Birch Park had a narrow guage train that took visitors through swampy areas of the park that were difficult to get to on foot. The train crossed over a creek at one point with people paddling canoes underneath. Here's a postcard from the 1970's...
Birch State Park Railroad in 1970
My photo at the top shows all that's left of the bridge and the railroad. The train and the canoes were taken away years ago to keep greedy developers from seizing the park and building more condos. The details of this story aren't easy to find but if you dig into the details of Hugh Taylor Birch's agreement he made when he donated the land, you'll find the answers.

Monday, January 19, 2009

The Poe Toaster

The Poe ToasterEvery year on Edgar Allan Poe's birthday, a mysterious figure known as The Poe Toaster, sneaks into the Westminster grave site and leaves roses and half a bottle of cognac on Poe's grave. This photo shows the last remaining Poe fans waiting outside of Poe's grave to get a glimpse of the Toaster. It was 13 degrees outside. One by one we succumbed to the cold and retreated to the warmth of our homes, hotel rooms, or vehicles. No one saw the Toaster. Happy Birthday Edgar!!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Rob and Poe

Robert Giordano and Edgar Allan PoeHere I am in Baltimore Maryland with my buddy Edgar Allan Poe. I was here on a road trip for Poe's 200th birthday celebration. I think it was 16 degrees outside. Now go to www.Poestories.com

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Edgar Allan Poe 200th Birthday

Edgar Allan Poe 200th BirthdayEdgar Allan Poe fans gather in Westminster Hall for Edgar Allan Poe's 200th Birthday celebration in Baltimore, Maryland. To learn more about Poe or read some of his famous short stories, visit www.Poestories.com.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Piano and Poe

Kellen playing pianoI went on a road trip to Baltimore, Maryland for Edgar Allan Poe's 200th birthday and I stopped to visit my friend Kellen. Among other things, she is quite an awesome pianist. She's also a Poe fan. =)

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Gator Jerky

Gator Jerky
Driving back from Tampa, I pass through Yeehaw Junction. At some point in history, people thought this intersection of State Roads 60 and 441 would become a booming little town. It didn't happen. Gas stations that were on three of the four corners have all been torn down. Tall weeds grow where the car wash used to be. The only things remaining are the Desert Inn and a guy selling "P-Nuts" and Gator Jerky out of his 1978 Ford pickup.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Queen of Hearts???

Courtney
My wacky friend Courtney Christopherson is a makeup artist. She wanted to do a random photo shoot one night and here's the result. You can see her work at www.TheInnovativeArtist.com.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

A Pair of Hideous Dwarves!

A pair of hideous dwarves
My friend Laura was reading an old comic at the coffeehouse and we were amused.