Saturday, May 3, 2008

Live and Direct from Broward County, Florida.

It's been a long time - and I should have never left you. Without a dope blog to, um, read to?

Sorry, I couldn't resist. So I promise that any of you weekend web hounds, retail warriors and assorted others who read will have more to look forward to next week. Mainly some tasting notes, as well as tales of a few special wines drunk, uneven pavement on Valencia St and dining at Orson.

In the meantime, I'd like to briefly share with you my re-confirmed impressions of Broward County, Florida (that would be the county for much of the area north of Miami, including Ft Lauderdale, I think, Boca Raton, Hollywood, the Aventura Mall, etc.). I am here for a good friend's wedding. By way of reminder to some, it is also one of the Florida counties known for the infamous 'hanging chads' of the 2000 presidential election.

The air feels warm and heavy, reminding you of the fact that a thunderstorm can surface at any given moment. Leaving the airport, I note the landscpape, a vaguely repeating sprawl of highway ramps, shopping centers, hotels, office parks and well manicured planned communties, lush with varied vegetation interspersed between the stucco condominiums. Cars are numerous, pedestrians few, and the occasional bicycle pedals by. Upon entering any building, the A/C is cranked up to 11. It is a cold, bullying blast of air, the polar opposite of the lazy, warm, lingering air on the outside.

That's all I've got on Broward County, Florida for now - probably not to be continued. I like weddings, and the occasional lazy pool time is cool, but to my taste this is amongst the least desirable real estate in the country. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Alright, I'm gonna go get my 'A' on the Southweset return flight.

Have a good weekend.