Crown Royal

It was the evening of an Orlando Magic game. I heard that a NASCAR vehicle was going to be on display down on Church street.When I arrived the closest thing I saw to a race car was this stumpy race simulator. Magic fans on the way to the Amway Center could also have their picture taken with a racing trophy on a pedestal. Reaching into my bag, I discovered I had left my sketchbooks at home. Subconsciously I must have wanted to use the tablet PC. Since there was little light it was the best option. A woman named Dana introduced herself. She had organized this event and she also handled events out at the Daytona International Speedway. She also let me know that car number 17 the Crown Royal would be at Church Street around 9 pm.

Just as I was finishing up this sketch a huge sixteen wheeled pulled up in front of me. The driver got out of the cab walked to the back of the truck and extended a shiny chrome ramp. Then using a winch the black race car was backed down to the street level. About six police offers were there and they inspected the cars every curve. It was a sexy machine. The truck driver asked if we all wanted to hear the engine fire up. Of course we did! He turned the ignition leaving in the cars diver side window. The starter clicked and sputtered like an old worn out Chevy. I thought, "Oh, great, the one race car I get to see on the streets of Orlando and it is a dud." Then the engine, suddenly roared to life with such force and volume that it literally pushed me backwards forcing me to catch me balance on one foot. The noise filled the Church Street corridor. After revving the engine a few more times he shot the engine down. The silence was deafening.

I had promised Terry I would be home at a reasonable hour, so I didn't stay to finish a second sketch. I agonized about this, placing about and considering the best sketching angle. When the Magic game was over there would be huge crowds of people around the vehicle. I also knew that I would be out at Daytona the next day. It turned out, that Terry stayed out late so I could have finished the sketch. Oh well, there will be other race cars.

Trivia - Hamburger Mary's

Terry and I went on a double date with Amanda Chadwick and Matt Simantov at Hamburger Mary's. The small stage in the corner was already set up with a microphone and questions were being lobbed out to the crowded room. Sheets were handed out where answers could be filled in. The first order of business was to figure out a team name for everyone at the table. After much discussion, we decided our team would be called Cuntry Blimpkins. I had never heard the work blimpkin before, but Matt went on to explain it and I don't think I should repeat it here. You are better off not knowing. Other team names of note included, Your Earwax Tastes Better Than My Dick, Eat Rim Love, and Grandmas little vibrator. You get the general idea and flavor.
Here are some of the questions presented in the "Gay, Gay, Gay" round.
Who designed Cher's costumes?
EOCPHUANLIACRPSM This is two words and a magazine popular with lesbians.
Al Pacino played a homosexual in what film?
What homo is getting a talk show on the Opera Winfrey Network?
What was Julias's son's name on "Designing Women?"
What actor did Will marry on "Will and Grace?"
What "Facts of Life" star has a movie coming out in which she plays a fag hag?
Who wrote the book "La Cage Aux Folles?"
Our team did really good in the first round, coming in second place. We were shocked when the table next to us had copied our team name. They spelled 'Country' the traditional way, however. Our ranking slipped gradually in the subsequent rounds, but regardless of there we placed the evening was a blast.

Church Street Station

My ongoing fascination with Church Street Station has to do with its gradual decline in the last 10 years. The property has undergone foreclosure procedures and is now in the hands of the bank that lent Cameron Kuhn $34 million dollars to buy the property in 2007. A court date for a public auction will probably be set in 60 days from today. If no one bids, Tremont Realty will become the owner of the 260,000 square foot facility.

Sketch Crawl Orlando

Well today was the Twenty First World Wide sketch Crawl and Orlando is participating for the first time. Two other artists showed up to meet me at Church Street Station Paul and Don. Paul did a sketch of the old Steam train at the Old Railroad Depot and apparently was constantly being asked for money by homeless. I tried my Tablet out but made the mistake of sitting in the small shadow of a street sign. Within a half an hour, I was fully in the sun and the battery gave out half way thru that sketch. I ended up loosing about a half hours work since the sketch reverted back to its last saved state.

I then pulled out the old trusty pen and ink and got to work. I only did 3 sketches but I am pleased with the results. Today I will post the first which is of the Church Street Ballroom. As I sketched the lawn keepers busily blew cut grass and leaves into the street.

Church Street Station

With this sketch I was sitting under the I-4 overpass looking East. To my right there was a small stash of clothes presumably from a homeless person. I did the sketch around noon and the foot traffic was light. Once in a while a truck would rumble onto Church Street to deliver produce and beer to the restaurant and pubs.