i had never been to a rodeo before. and then randomly, one day, i thought: ‘wow, i should really do that.’ weird. but i was like, there is no way there is a rodeo in south florida. ah. and then i remembered davie. and then i googled. and then i went. but you can’t ‘just’ go to the rodeo. an entire itinerary and wardrobe is needed. it started with soliciting (forcing) friends to go with me, polishing the boots, getting a hat, and for the boys, apparently a lot of plaid and flannel. oh, and tom jenkins. where it goes next… you’ll see in the next post. the rodeo is an interesting experience. i truly felt i was in a small town - and the people knew i didn’t really belong there (thank god). but it was fun to be on the inside for a moment. people were high off the concert that had happened earlier that day. i mean, this was no regular rodeo. this was the one, the only, southwestern circuit pro rodeo finals (!). and people were dressed up for the occasion! their best wranglers were ironed, and the ladies rocked the sequins. there were sequins on vests, hats, boots, bras, bracelets, whatever you could bedazzle, was bedazzled. it was amazing. i’m not really a diy girl myself. so, i was truly impressed by the drive to work that hard. just for sequins. when we entered the grounds there were (of course) tractors. you could just sit on them. test ‘em out. i think there was even a contest to win one (i did not enter, only because knowing south beach parking, it would 100% get towed. otherwise, i love winning things). there was also a little market where, mainly women, were selling more sequined merchandise. and there was a bar dedicated only to beer. and cotton candy. and people singing country music on a stand alone microphone, awkwardly near the tractors. and then there was the rodeo. the bright lights. the cheers. the oohhhs and ahhhs. as an animal lover, it was more than hard to watch. and i got more than one dirty look when i would erupt cheering for the animal on the field and laugh when the cowboys did horribly. but really. you cowboys have the upper-hand. it’s not even fair. anyway, i digress. they had the crowning of some rodeo princess or something of the like, and it was hilarious. she had on a lime green sequined sweat suit. and i was able to eat cotton candy, talk nice to some cows, have a few beers, be with good friends and buy an amazing pink cowgirl hat. all in all, the rodeo was a success. now, if only they would set the animals free, and go up against robots… i’d actually go back for that match.
http://www.davie-fl.gov/gen/daviefl_spclprjcts/bergeronrodeo
i hate to be selfish and ask all of you busy miamians to take a second and vote for miami favs on the sun sentinel’s best of blogs awards (especially since it’s more like minutes, because you apparently have to register), but it’d be really cool. as i’m not used to asking for such things, i figured i would look to one of the best politicians of all times, and see what she would have to say. and so here we go. a miami favs version of tracy flick’s election speech.
Poet Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “I cannot make my days longer, so I strive to make them better.” With this election, we [Miamians] also have an opportunity to make our [] days [in Miami] better. [Throughout my blogging experience] I have had the opportunity to speak to many of you about your concerns [about Miami]. I spoke with [friends who feel Miami is a superficial town]. I spoke with [locals who cannot stand Miami traffic for one more minute]. I won’t bore you with long winded promises about all the new and innovative things I will definitely [post about] during the year in which it will be my honor and privilege to represent each and every one of you [as the Sun Sentinel’s Best of Blogs Winner], but I can say that my [mere year] of experience [as a blogger] ha[s] taught me the three most important attributes the [winning blogger] needs to possess; commitment, [a macbook], and [more time in the day than anyone else could possibly have, apparently]. I’ll add one more, caring. I care about [Miami] and I care about each and every one of you and together we can all make a difference. One of the things I would like to establish is a regular open forum where any [reader] can [email me] and voice their concern about issues we face here in [Miami]. I [] would then [blog about more positive Miami experiences], so a continuous dialogue would exist. When you cast your vote for [Miami Favs this] week, you won’t just be voting for me. You’ll be voting for yourself and for every other Miamian. Our days won’t be any longer, but they can sure be better.
http://interactive.sun-sentinel.com/best-of-blogs/2011/voting/?vote_for=385#385
http://interactive.sun-sentinel.com/best-of-blogs/2011/voting/?vote_for=386#386
thank you miamians (!).
to vote, you must have a sun-sentinel account, which is free and can be created by going to sun-sentinel.com and clicking ‘sign-up’ in the top left corner. (you can do this quicker by signing in with your facebook account).
once logged into your account, head to the best of blog awards page and cast your vote for miami favs which is listed under two categories: neighborhood and travel/tourism (direct links are above).
you can cast a vote in each category once per day, and voting closes on april 11 at 10 am est.
happy voting! xoxo, m
o, miami is a knight foundation sponsored event and their goal is to have every single person in miami-dade county encounter a poem during the month of april (which is amazing! help some bros out!). they have a fantastic line-up of events (including readings by the james franco and u.s. poet laureate w.s. merwin). this is probably one of the most inventive, coolest events i have ever heard of, and i have been stoked about it since the day i heard about it. i CANNOT WAIT. we are only two days away! (or, 1 day, 5 hours, 53 minutes and 15 seconds as i write this, based on the o, miami clock. check it: http://www.omiami.org/). don’t miss out on the spectacular month of events! we will have poets from all over the world here - live it up! or eat it up, april 1, at their first event ‘eating our words’ with pork and poetry. and now i leave you with my love poem to my fav, o, miami:
roses are red /
violets are blue /
i heart o, miami /
and so should you (!)
o, miami events: http://www.omiami.org/list.html?id=114
post-trapeze i was starving (you’d be surprised at how many calories you burn while flying through the air. who knew fat burning could be so fun?) and i wanted a beer (a girl has needs). it must have been fate that a friend invited me earlier that day to garcia’s. because although i couldn’t go then, it was close-by now. and i was starting to get hangry (yes, hangry). we zipped down flagler to north river drive (which i didn’t even know existed). the drive was so pretty. right along the river. there were yellow and pink boats going quietly by. the sun was setting. and we came upon some adorable looking houses. and voila - garcia’s. we miraculously found parking. the place was packed [how is it that so many people are here and i didn’t even know this place existed until noon today?]. we walked in and stared straight at a case full of stone crabs. yes, please. and then found seats by the water. what a beautiful setting. i think sometimes we forget that we live by a gorgeous river. and i think some of us don’t even know that we can sit by it. while eating. at really good restaurants. i didn’t. but i do now. as if i needed one more reason to love miami. we ordered apps and stone crabs and drank cold beers while the sun set and we reminisced about swinging from a rope just an hour earlier. some evenings can never be repeated. but, we’ll always have the memories. and miami just keeps on bringing them.
http://www.garciasseafoodgrill.com/
when i heard that miami had flying trapeze classes, i obviously had to go. that weekend. i mean, what was i waiting for? how had i never known that this awesome experience existed for non-carnies? luckily, four of my fabulous friends also saw the opportunity for fun and joined me. let me tell you: IT IS AMAZING. at first i was thinking, i’ll probably get to swing back and forth really high in the air on a bar for a bit, and that’s cool. i wouldn’t have believed you if you told me that every person taking a lesson that day would not just learn how to ‘swing’ but also how to hang UPSIDE down, do BACKFLIPS off the bar, and DO A CATCH. even if you crossed your heart, hope to die (you know the drill). i mean, zomg. it’s too much! there is no way! the lesson is only 2 hours! and there are 7 of us! but lo and behold. we did it. we did it all. and we loved every freaking second of it. of course my arms felt like someone had been trying to stretch them off of me for days. and the backs of my knees looked like i had been caned. but, whatever. it was more than worth it. if you’re looking for something extreme and fun, you could do something passive like skydiving. or you can tear it up and trapeze till you drop. i’ll choose the latter.
http://www.theflyingtrapeze.net/
i kept driving by sunset place on us-1 and could see this little off-street that looked kind of cute. every time i drove by i would strain my neck to see what was down there, never having the time to go and see for myself. although promising myself that the next time i went by i would make the time. one day, i finally gave up and just asked a friend. they said, ‘you must be talking about deli lane.’ with a cute name like that, i was sure i was. so, finally, i made a date out of it, and had some friends meet me there. consensus: i kind of really like sunset place. maybe because it reminds me a bit of home. sure, it has it’s ugly chains (i despise even getting a glimpse of the window of that ‘z gallerie’ place), but it also has cute boutiques, a beautiful whole foods, a great nail place called ‘kimmy’s’ (that lets you watch movies like ‘wedding crashers’ while you’re getting your mani/pedi on), and some good restaurants - like deli lane (!). i love places that serve up a good brunch and deli lane does just that. and you get to sit outside, under huge umbrellas and people watch (always a plus!). everyone that works there is super friendly and it has that neighborhood-type-of-feel. like everyone just got back from church or they’re out having a family day. a little dose of suburbia isn’t so bad every once in awhile; and i’m glad i finally got to experience what that little street has to offer.
http://www.delilane.com/
i am a huge dork. but here are some awesome events in march. sharing is caring. hope i get to see your pretty faces. xo, m
wednesday, march 2
6:30 p.m. / live from the met (nixon in china)
at regal sobe. tickets are $18 which you can get here.
FYI: sobe comedy festival begins TODAY until March 6.
saturday, march 5
12 p.m. / miami bike hunt
hosted by beachedmiami.com and emerge miami (FREE)
7:30 p.m. / nws wallcast (FREE)
10 p.m. / big brothers big sisters impact circle after party
at the jw marriott marquis ($50 OPEN BAR)
FYI: miami international film festival begins TODAY until March 14.
see my picks here: http://miamifavs.tumblr.com/post/3244392177/miami-international-film-festival
sunday, march 6
4 p.m. / art in the park
florida grand opera at collins park (collins and 21st) (FREE)
monday, march 7
7:30 p.m. / ra ra riot show
culture room in ftl ($25 total) you can get tickets at live nation.
saturday, march 12
6:00 p.m. / second saturday art walk
wynwood and design districts
monday, march 14
7:00 p.m. four lions
at the miami beach cinematheque ($10)
thursday, march 17
SAINT PATRICKS DAY!
friday, march 18
7:30, 8:30 & 9:30 p.m. / $2.50 mini concerts at the NWS
saturday, march 19
7:00 p.m. / art in the park
orchestra miami ‘mozart under the moonlight’ at collins park (collins and 21st) (FREE)
7:30, 8:30 & 9:30 p.m. / $2.50 mini concerts at the NWS
FYI: sony ericsson open (on virginia key) beings March 21 - April 3.
after that i’m in the keys - thank god.
my out-of-town friends always reach out to me when they, or friends of theirs, are coming to miami for a quick trip - mainly with the question: what should we do while we’re there? i recently put this novel of an answer together for a friend of a friend and thought - why let it go to waste? why not share? so here goes - feel free to copy/paste! =)
the best restaurants are in midtown/wynwood/design district (on the mainland). i suggest gigi, red light, sugarcane, mandolin, buena vista bistro, joey’s and wynwood kitchen and bar.
for south beach, if you’re willing to splurge, go to barton g, devito or prime 112 (i haven’t been to the latter, because i’m a vegetarian, but i heard it’s amazing). if you’re going to the beach and want a quick bite, go to la sandwicherie on 14th between washington and collins. if you want to eat on lincoln road (and want to splurge) go to the meat market. if you want healthier (but good) food, go to books and books cafe (and visit the book store, it’s adorable).
also, you MUST go get cocktails around sunset at the Mondrian on south beach - it’s called the sunset lounge.
and for clubbing on south beach, you’ll want to go to the florida room at the delano and the red room at the shore club. both have GORGEOUS outside bars too.
check out the new world symphony website - you may have heard that they have a new building designed by frank gehry - they do wallcasts of some of their performances. if you’re here for one, you should go. they’re free, and you sit in a park with surround sound and watch and listen. it’s an amazing experience. you can pick up food on lincoln road and eat it there (you can also get a trenta cup at starbucks on the way - which, btw, fits an entire bottle of wine).
collins avenue between 5th and 12th has great shopping. lincoln road has okay shopping. it gets better the closer you get to alton road (the further west you walk).
definitely go to the beach. it’s so beautiful. you can do paddle boarding lessons which are super fun - although if it’s your first time, you may want to do this in the bay where the water is calmer.
also, if you’re here during a second saturday, wynwood and the design district have an art walk that is super fun. food trucks are HUGE here and there is a big gathering. you can also find them on twitter and get food from them whenever - my favorites are la camaronera’s fish box, cheese me and sugar rush.
xoxo, m
it is fitting that this post happens for fall on the same day as president’s day. firstly, because roller skating is my FAVORITE american pastime and secondly, because what better way to celebrate a birthday than at a skating rink with 80’s music, neon lights, pizza, sno cones, air hockey, whac-a-mole and space invaders galactica (or at least spending some time reminiscing about such birthdays)? luckily for us, superwheels has it all. i actually wanted to go here for my birthday (again, i realize i’m a huge dork) - but karaoke won out instead (and now i just realized i missed that post. crap.) . however, when i decided to sign-up for roller derby tryouts, i knew i needed a quick practice run before i threw myself in the rink with girls three-times my size who have been training to be aggressive for years. and to superwheels we went! where instead of big girls we had to fight our way through bieber-loving teens. regardless, it was amazing. that feeling of being on skates - it’s like swinging on a swing for the first time in a decade. that magical, giddy feeling. and i had almost forgotten about the slow skate, and the backwards skate, and the low-skate games. and, i didn’t think that, when the dj announced red light/green light, that i’d participate. but *somehow* i ended up in the game. and oh my god did i bring it. actually, didn’t just bring it. i won. against teenagers. after not skating for like five years. apparently roller skating rinks bring back my other favorite american pastime - the art of competition. even against kids. apparently i have no shame. my prize? a free ticket to go back to superwheels. so, who’s coming with me? (i’ll promise to sit out of red light/green light this time).
http://www.superwheelsmiami.com/
oleta park is like narnia. you’re in south florida, sitting in traffic, and then boom. you take a quick turn and end up someplace that cannot actually exist where it is located. therefore, it must be otherworldly. well, until you encounter the mosquitos, and then you realize: no, i’m definitely still in florida. regardless, this place is beautiful. in a city full of beaches (which i love) this is like a hiker/biker’s oasis. oleta has over 15 miles of mountain-bike trails. i don’t have a mountain-bike, but that didn’t stop me. my teal beach-bike and i rocked it. i mean, we mainly stayed on the novice trails, but we killed it. and my seat might be bent a little more to the left than i would like it to be, but i’ll settle for that versus broken bones. which did seem possible at one point. but let’s ignore that for now. i found oleta so refreshing. trails lined with trees you don’t ever normally see in miami - like the exotic melaleuca and brazilian pepper trees (not that i’m saying exotic trees that take over our wetlands are good; but they’re there, and for now, they’re pretty). and the sounds of birds (not seagulls). and the feeling that you’re actually breathing in fresh air (i.e. not being surrounded by car fumes). and doing something active and getting dirty while doing it. who doesn’t love that feeling? and after you’re done, you can still get a little taste of the real miami. they have a little beach where you can lay and swim and even barbecue. i really liked it here. and i really appreciate knowing that such a diverse setting is so close-by. diversity is a real reason why i love miami so much. we’ll never get bored here. and that makes it a true paradise.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/oletariver/
