Enjoy the Outdoors. Love the Planet.
All about Nature, about the outdoors<>I love it, photograph it and protect it.
Knights Knocked Out of AAC Softball Championship Tourney by Lowly East Carolina
Last Thursday the softball squad from East Carolina eliminated our UCF Knights on day one of the conference championship tourney. I love and support the Knights but that was a huge disappointment for me. UCF was the no. 3 seed; E.C. was in the AAC cellar before the tournament. Perhaps being the host team helped the Pirates kick it up a notch or two.
The Knights finished with a 29-23 record for the 2017 campaign; it was not a bad season considering how young the squad is and that one has to consider it to have been a rebuilding year.
Yes, die-hard fans like me can look forward to the next few years now that the team has more maturity. There certainly is no lack of talent. And coach Rene Luers-Gillispie and her staff are very good at what they do. But the quick exits from the American Athletic Conference the last two years have dampened this dog’s enthusiasm just a bit.
Damn, what a whiner I am! #ChargeOn, Knights fans!
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
Supreme Court won’t review decision that found N.C. voting law discriminates against African Americans – The Washington Post
<Ben says>
This is a follow up to my posting back on Sept 6th of last year looking into efforts by North Carolina’s Republican legislature to suppress the minority vote. Because the Supreme Court will NOT review the lower court’s decision, this clearly racist and undemocratic act is officially dead. We can breathe a sigh of relief now. But know that even though Rethuglicans have lost the governorship in NC, they still control both houses of the legislature and they are not going to stop trying to keep minorities from showing up at the polls.
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Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. cited the state’s changed political scene in the order and noted the justices’ did not address the merits of the case.
Our Florida Mall in Orlando Thrives While Most Are Dying
Tonight I did something I haven’t done in quite a while; I cruised one of our local malls. I know that malls are really struggling in most American cities and at least three of them here in the Greater Orlando area have gone belly up or are just barely clinging to life. The Orlando Fashion Square Mall was a fave of mine. Our family watched it go up in the ’60s. So sad that the mall’s owners declared bankruptcy a short while ago…
I did notice a few months ago that The Altamonte Mall is doing pretty well and is very busy on weekends. That was good to see. Altamonte Springs is a cool town about 20 minutes north of Orlando, for those of you who aren’t too familiar with Central Florida.
So tonight I thought I’d check out the Florida Mall as I was in that part of town. And it was absolutely thronged. It just blew UP! Of course, it is a Saturday night.
That was a good thing to see.
Not only was business good, but the mall is undergoing a major renovation. I’ll have to check back in a year or so and see how that went.
In the meantime, it’s good to see that some of our malls here in Central Florida are doing just fine.
A quick attempt to fill in a bit of the history of malls around here: The Florida Mall, like the newer Millenia Mall, is very, very close to the heart of our tourist stuff in O’do. I doubt there’s a better location anywhere in the country. No, that’s not an overstatement.
So I suppose it’s not too smart to draw any conclusions about national trends. I don’t see things improving much for investors who’re heavily into a typical mall, but here we’re not doing too badly.
The photo is of the entrance to the Spencer’s Gifts at our thriving Florida Mall. Glad they’re still around, too. I don’t spend money in places like Spencer’s these days, but it’s good that they haven’t gone away.
“Bulldog Ben” Basile in Orlando
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
This Blog Immortalizes Cocoa Beach Surfer Dude
Well, okay, that’s a bit of an over-reach. But getting some good pix of this surfer is a very cool thing.
I took more photos on this trip than I usually do, and I usually take a lot. And I rarely have a chance to get more than four or five of any particular subject. So this was cool in several different ways.
Because he was not really very close to me, I didn’t pay a lot of attention to him at first. But knowing that the camera’s eyes are way more capable than the photographer’s, I focused more purposefully and went to work.
What the rest of you never get to see are the thirty plus other photos that will live only on my hard drive. If you take about 50, you might get a dozen or so that you’ll liberate from the hard drive and let cruise at warp speed all around in cyber space.
I’m going to try to put together a substantial post to showcase “the whole story” of the Cocoa Beach Surfer Dude but that will have to wait for another day.
On this dreary Central Florida day, I’m content to remember that when I made it to the beach a few days ago, I saw some fantastic sights, recorded a few of them with a modern tech device called a camera and have a means to share it with people I know. That’s a cool thing; I think I’ll do it some more.
“Bulldog Ben” Basile
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
UCF Softballers Bash UConn in Home Finale
What you’re seeing in the featured photo is a softball about a millisecond before Knights catcher Cassady Brewer crushes it into the stands in right-center field. I caught that first inning shot, it was the first of the two round-trippers she smacked on Sunday afternoon.
The second was a walk off grand slam, which triggered an immediate 9-0 run rule victory for the Knights in the sixth. UConn bested them on Friday night with two grand slams of their own; UCF’s intrepid softball squad took game two on Saturday and yesterday’s convincing win gave them that badly-needed 2-1 series edge.
I did not catch Cassady’s coup de grâce on film. I had put my camera away by then. I just wanted the luxury of watching the game without being in my usual “don’t miss this next shot” mode, and so I stashed my pride and joy in the car. That’ll teach me! Of course, merely seeing it with my eyes is still one of the best moments of the 2017 season! (If you’d like to read my posting about an earlier round-tripper from Brewer, one that bested Baylor, catch the one dated March 20 of this year.)
This was the last home game for the Knights. Sad to see the season wrapping up. There are four more regular season games, a single tilt with BCC in Daytona on Wednesday. And then a three game series in Tulsa with the Golden Hurricane. And when the AAC Tournament kicks off, Tulsa may well be the team to beat; but you can bet that the Knights will show up in Greenville ready to play.
UCF had/is having a decent season — their record after Sunday stands at 25-21, falling far short of last year’s campaign. The 2016 squad made it to the regional play-offs last May where they beat FAU twice but were eliminated by the Gators. I traveled up to G’ville for that tourney and enjoyed it immensely in spite of the Knights not advancing.
As this season winds down, let me contrast the current season with last year’s to shed a bit more light on recent UCF softball history. The 2016 incarnation of the Knights was really good, finishing 38-22 and delighting UCF fans all over Central Florida. The only down side: the team graduated eight seniors including ace pitcher Shelby Turnier, catcher and power hitter Samantha McCloskey and slugger Jamie Ujvary. Shelby — as you may know if you follow the sport — had a stellar first season at the pro level with the Chicago Bandits of National Pro Fastpitch.
It was apparent to most fans that the Knights would have a hard time topping last year’s season and so their 25-21 record at this point with four regular season games left is not a bad 2017 campaign. As far as how UCF’s softballers may fare in the future, there are no fewer than nine freshmen on the squad, including a gaggle of pitchers who show a lot of promise, so I’m looking for great things from UCF moving forward. And in the meantime, the results of Sunday’s outing will send the squad into their last series and the AAC tourney ready to show their stuff.
“Bulldog Ben” Basile
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
Bob Evans in Melbourne Is a Not To Be Missed Dining Experience
There is a Bob Evans location in Melbourne right off I-95. The Wickham Rd exit to help you zero in on that unit. It’s a fine establishment and I recommend it without hesitation.
Let me say that I’ve been to three locations in this well-known chain and have never had a bad dining experience. But this is one of those times that everything went well. Very well.
I’m not the easiest diner to please; I spent many years working in the restaurant business and I know my way around the kitchen and the dining room. I really, really hate bad service. And, honestly, my visit two days ago to the Melbourne location was about as perfect as you can get.
I’m a creature of habit and often have one or two orders at a lot of the eateries I like; Bob Evans is no exception. I just love the Pot Roast. Had it again and it was divine.
The service I received was first-rate. Shelly, Jennifer and the management staff treated me like a king. I must say that it was not busy when I visited; I try to hit most establishments when they’re not blowing up. But good service is good service and it’s one of the reasons I like the B.E. chain so well and don’t mind saying so.
You’ll find that all Bob Evans are family-friendly and that the variety on the menu is very good. If you’re not like me and order lots of different stuff, your taste buds are not likely to be jaded for a while.
One other thing I like about this particular one: it’s right around the corner from the Brevard Zoo. I’m an annual pass holder to that very cool place and I’ll bet that a big chunk of their business comes from other zoo lovers. If you’re visiting the zoo or just find yourself in Melbourne, stop in. It won’t be your last visit.
Bob Evans ~ 100 Sheriff Way ~ Melbourne, Florida 32940 ~ Call 321 757 5014
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
Fabulous Day To Be at the Beach
It is a beautiful day out there and I made the most of it. A great pleasure today to be back at the shore, enjoying the sights and sounds unique to a beach. Yeah. Cocoa Beach again, my go-to spot.
My little friend here in the featured foto didn’t seem too inclined to share his beach with me. But I suppose that’s mostly because we had never met before. The joke’s on him, though, because I’m putting him up on my blog today even though he point-blank refused to sign a photo release. Will be hearing from his attorney any day now, no doubt.
All silly attempts at humor aside, it truly is an awesome day today. I’m delighted that I had the chance to get away and enjoy it fully without having a lot of mundane stuff take priority. Because I have nothing else I must attend to at the moment, I keep thinking it’s the weekend. I have to focus to realize that it is Thursday, but that’s wonderful as the “real weekend” is right around the corner. And I’m going to make the most of that, too.
I have about 450 photos to work with now from the last two days. I spent most of yesterday at the Brevard Zoo before getting beachside today and I’m going to do some more photo-work before I get everything up here on da bulldog blog pertaining to this outing.
As I wrap this up, let me say that I hope that your day is going as well as mine! And thanks for stopping over to have a look at the blog.
Enjoying the sun and surf today, I am,
“Bulldog Ben” Basile
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
Heading to Cocoa Beach in a Few Minutes. You Can’t Stop Me!
It’s been way too long since I’ve been able to bow at the Sacred Altar of Poseidon but I’m heading to the shore as fast as my PT Cruiser will take me!
I have done lots of very cool outdoor stuff in the last six months, but none of those fabulous things including watching the waves crash on to the shore or smelling the sea. Today’s the day I get to fix that problem.
It’s a common thing for me to be desperate to scratch the outdoor itch but stuck waiting for the arrival of the weekend. Happy to say that this week, that’s not the case and I’m only a few minutes from heading out the door with a cooler in one hand and my camera in the other.
If you’re chained to your desk for the next few days, you’ve got my sympathies. Here’s hoping that you’ll get to do something soon to enrich your life and get that sparkle back in your eyes; something that’s not necessary to pay the bills but that’s just for fun. For this puppy, today’s the day!
Soon to be streaking down the beachline, I am,
“Bulldog Ben” Basile
P.S.: Yes, we do have an expressway around here called “The Beachline!” Bulldog wouldn’t lie to you about such a thing…
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
Steak ‘n Shake in the Hunter’s Creek Area
Had breakfast this morning at the Steak ‘n Shake location way down So. OBT in the Hunter’s Creek part of South Orlando. Enjoyed every bite. And the fine service. Janet is more than just a good server; her skill, experience and customer manner put her way above most who put on the apron and pour the coffee.
If you’re in the Hunter’s Creek part of the world some morning, stop in. Of course, you can stop in at any time, they’re open 24 hours! Steak ‘n Shake has some new and very tasty menu offerings. Their prices are lower than just about any eatery of that type and if it’s breakfast time, you’ll most likely have Janet as your server. Lucky you.
Steak ‘n Shake ~ 13133 So. Orange Blossom Trail ~ Orlando, Florida ~ Dial 407 240-8740
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
Having a Fine Time at Trimble Park on Earth Day
This is my third visit to Trimble Park on the farthest edge of Orange County and I’m havin’ a ball! Took plenty of photos, too.
I’ll have more to say about this beautiful spot a bit later. For now, here are a couple of photos I especially like.
I hope this spring is going well for you and that you’ve had a chance to get out of the house and do some outdoor stuff. My life would be dreary indeed if I didn’t get out and visit my Mother regularly.
Gus the Gator was not terribly interested in posing today. But I did get a pic or two out of him. The bird in the Featured Foto was more obliging; I love that photo, it’s as good as any I’ve ever taken.
Enjoying the outdoors here in Central Florida, I am,
“Bulldog Ben” Basile
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
Enjoy the Outdoors. Love the Planet. 
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