Tag Archives: Tampa

A Hack and They Cannot Lye

08 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by in News and Notes

≈ Comments Off on A Hack and They Cannot Lye

Tags

, , ,

The usual suspects predict death and despair in Tampa Bay because normal people footballed normally. Here, perhaps, is a real cause for concern.

On Monday officials from Pinellas County in Florida announced that an unidentified hacker remotely gained access to a panel that controls the City of Oldsmar’s water treatment system, and changed a setting that would have drastically increased the amount of sodium hydroxide in the water supply.

During a press conference, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said that a legitimate operator saw the change and quickly reversed it, but signaled that the hacking attempt was a serious threat to the city’s water supply. Sodium hydroxide is also known as lye and can be deadly if ingested in large amounts.

In other news, your municipal water supply has some level of poisonous caustic soda in it already…

Facebook: “A Sweatshop in America”

20 Thursday Jun 2019

Posted by in News and Notes

≈ Comments Off on Facebook: “A Sweatshop in America”

Tags

, , ,

Read, now, about how Facebook treats its employees (contractors). And, these are the people charged with both actual defenses against online garbage and, one might assume, things that offend SJW sensibilities. A tale from Tampa:

Utley was pronounced dead a short while later at the hospital, the victim of a heart attack. Further information about his health history, or the circumstances of his death, could not be learned. He left behind a wife, Joni, and two young daughters. He was 42 years old.

On Monday morning, workers on the day shift were informed that there had been an incident, and they began collecting money to buy a card and send flowers. But some site leaders did not initially tell workers that Utley had died, and instructed managers not to discuss his death, current and former employees told me.

“Everyone at leadership was telling people he was fine — ‘oh, he’ll be okay,’” one co-worker recalled. “They wanted to play it down. I think they were worried about people quitting with the emotional impact it would have.”

But the illusion shattered later that day, when Utley’s father, Ralph, came to the site to gather his belongings. He walked into the building and, according to a co-worker I spoke to, said: “My son died here.”

Cover-ups. Lies. More lies. Lies about lies. Bed bugs. Filth. No reason not to stop watching the cute cat iguana videos, right? No reason not to give all your money up for Zuck Bucks, huh?

Cashing Out With the Devil (Worship) Rays

27 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by in News and Notes

≈ Comments Off on Cashing Out With the Devil (Worship) Rays

Tags

, , , , ,

One step closer to that utopian cashless society, down in St. Petersburg.

Fans at Tropicana Field in Florida can expect shorter lines at the concessions stands this year as the Tampa Bay Rays announced that their stadium is going cash free.

Rays vice president of strategy and development William Walsh said on Friday that the move is an attempt cut the average transaction time in half during games, ESPN reported

“We have made significant investments each year to improve the ballpark experience for fans,” he said in a statement. “This change will increase speed of service and reduce lines throughout the ballpark.”

The stadium will accept major credit cards, apple pay, season-ticket holders’ Rays Cards and, for those wanting to use cash, they can do so by purchasing Rays gift cards to use at concessions, Fox 13 reported.

Surrendering more freedom to Big Bankster and getting that over-priced beer-flavored water at a slightly faster pace – what a deal! I suspect the local fans will be all over it.

This particular demise isn’t a concern if, like me, you still haven’t let MLB off the hook for the Strike of ’94.

Smoked Out: The NFL and Cigars Do Not Go Together

03 Friday Aug 2018

Posted by in News and Notes

≈ Comments Off on Smoked Out: The NFL and Cigars Do Not Go Together

Tags

, , , , ,

I think the felons hit the field next week for pre-season protests or something. Yawn!

Word comes that, in Tampa, Bucs fans won’t be lighting up when the players kneel down.

The Tampa Sports Authority announced that it is banning smoking at Raymond James Stadium, starting immediately.

The authority says a smoke-free environment will make the fan experience more enjoyable.

“The need for this healthier environment was evident from fan feedback, national trends, and feedback from our tenants such as the Buccaneers and USF,” said Eric Hart, Tampa Sports Authority CEO.

It is not going over well with everyone.

“I like to smoke cigars,” Harold McCall told FOX 13. “I think [the ban] is terrible.”

There were designated smoking areas which have now been eliminated. Smokers have to finish puffing before going inside. If you leave to smoke, you’re not going to be allowed back in.

This is your Sports Authority. This is your Sports Authority on communism.

One doesn’t have to worry about getting back in if one never enters in the first place.* Davidoff invites fans to watch games in the comfy confines of their shop, located conveniently south of RJS. (From FB):

I invite people to watch the game from our beautiful Davidoff Tampa store which is right around the corner from the stadium. Cigars smokers are welcomed with open arms…nanny state folks stay out!

Patrons (of the store) have weighed in. The most appropriate comment is, “F them!” That’s really the only response. Now, I understand the marketing angle of luring in the fans with the big screens. But, philosophically and not just as a screen hater, why bother having the foolishness anywhere near the happy smokers? Why support the enemy in any way? They ban you. So you ban them.

That’s the sentiment of today’s PNW:

safe_image

Are they going to ban firing the ship’s cannon? That would make children “safe” from smoke and guns! Davidoff, Tampa, FB.

*PS: The last (and final) time I was at Sanford Stadium, I tried to smoke a cigar OUTSIDE and away from everyone. I was told I could not. I left. And I have no plans of ever returning. F them too.

PPS: Facebook still sucks.

Top 10 Places to Girl Watch in Tampa in the Spring

19 Sunday Mar 2017

Posted by in Other Columns

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, ,

Spring is about to spring. And that means the young lovelies will be out in force. If you’re in the big Gulf Coast Mecca of fun, I have a few places to check out for the checking out. These are presented in no particular order. And, yes, this is a “bad” Perrin posting…

Ten. Davidoff Super Store

Boy Scout Road, across from International. The best times for watching (and playing) are Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays after 11 PM. They eat at the foo foo places in the vicinity and then saunter over. ALWAYS a good time! Even if it’s not prime time, 2 million+ cigars in stock are worth the trip. *Note: the bar and wait staff, after 11 AM, are awesome. Sometimes there are special events with special ladies. The nights are girl-friendly happy hours. **Note: In the days, at the bar, enjoy yourselves, but know that if you rub the hostesses the wrong way, Ed, Mark, Yours Truly, and 15 other dedicated “regulars’ will stomp your a$$.

IMG_20170313_121023108_HDR - Edited

Anytime really…

Nine. Publix

Seriously. Publix supermarkets. Any one. I especially like the ones on Dale Mabry. Any time is good though after 4 PM seems to be prime time. Fresh Market on Henderson has also been known to attract a bevy…

Eight. Bayshore

Any day of the year. Any time of day. A week or so back I attempted to bike from Downtown to Ballast Point. I remember little aside from the bouncing happiness…

Seven. Gandy Bridge Beach

I have never stopped on the route – a few miles across the Bay. Glancing from side to side I see nothing but bikinis between the mangroves and 4X4s. A microcosmic “Redneck Riviera”. And the Gandy-686-688 corridor leads too…

Six. Indian Rocks Beach

All the beaches are great; I just love this one. I recommend the area from 12th Ave. to the big, public parking … park, north of 688 on 699. Again, it’s any day, any time, any time of year. Lulu’s and Crabby Bill’s also provide a good experience (with excellent food and drinks).

IMG_20170312_133333722_HDR - Edited

Yeah. A covert “selfie” works sometimes…

Five. LA Fitness

I really hate the place. They “want me back” and I don’t care. Bad service, Guidos, and assorted trash – not working out but loudly taking up space. Of course, there are an abundance of gym bunnies hopping around. And, of course, I speak of the Signature Club on S. D.M. Hwy.

Four. Downtown

I especially hate downtown. Not just in this city. Any downtown, other than Boston or NYC after midnight, sucks. Still, if one ventures into one of the many crowded bars in the area between the canal/little Bay and Ybor, expect to be entertained. This also applies to Channelside and SOHO (which, IMHO, really sucks)…

Three. Da Clubs

Okay. If you’re desperate, lazy, bored, or low “game”, then there is always the consistency of Mons or THEE Doll House, etc. There’s a system of how these places work; don’t be a fool, unless you have money to burn and loads of time to waste. *Note: Tarot cards, shiny objects, and other trivial BS go a long way towards attracting the native working girls.

Two. International Mall

All the malls really… Westshore, and especially the International, bring them out. 24/7 – as long as the place is open – it’s wall-to-wall women. Seriously, it is nothing but (90%) hotties, (9.9%) dandy fags, and men like me (usually being led around by a woman or a gaggle of spend-happy teenage girls). Best area is the food court, the tables by the restaurants, perhaps centered up around the Japanese place.

One. Everywhere else

Anywhere else. It’s all good territory. I just learned that Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties have ordinances against fat and/or unattractive women.

Happy hunting. You can thank me later. The political madness and cigar mania will resume tomorrow.

The Benefit of the Doubt in Tesla City

13 Monday Mar 2017

Posted by in Other Columns

≈ Comments Off on The Benefit of the Doubt in Tesla City

Tags

, ,

Somewhere in here, maybe more than once, I’ve knocked self-driving autos, computers, and technology. I’ve noted Telsa’s reliability in their current Crash-mobiles.

Still, I’ve noticed an inordinate number of Teslas buzzing around Tampa. There’s something like 1 in every 40 cars or a whole lot, whichever is more. That, and there’s quite a few Maseratis down here.

Anyway, I have observed these electro-cars in action and I read the local news. For all that daily operation I’ve yet to see or hear of a crash. Maybe, just maybe, it’s a sound concept. I feel generous today. (Could be the coffee talking).

And the things seem peppy. Direct electric drive does offer superior torque to the average gas engine. The thing that holds them back is the range. I suppose commuting around SOHO, Palma Ceia, and downtown is well within the capability.

As far as the power thing goes, the largest and heaviest off-road trucks utilize a dual diesel-electric system (yes, giant 400-ton hybrids) with an electric motor mounted behind each wheel(s).

There’s all that to ponder. And this lovely picture:

_20170313_114334

Morning.

Living Rich

10 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by in Other Columns

≈ Comments Off on Living Rich

Tags

, ,

Another great work day at Davidoff, the Southern Command Center.

I just picked up the house menu. I’ve seen them before but never thought to thumb through them. Normally, in the mornings, I come in with a cup of coffee. Then I have a bottle of water. At night I’ve been known to have a brown ale (Cigar City Maduro, always).

Then, today, I glanced at this:

IMG_20170110_121543832_HDR.jpg

Jaira’s suggested section……..

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha…. And this, she says, does not reflect the $45,000 a bottle Macallan 60-year-old. $4,200 per shoot for the poorer rich.

All I see is small car prices.

Yet it’s wonderful to have a such a cool place for luxury. If you’re in town and have money to burn, I suggest you come on in. For now I will have to stick to my $.20 water from the grocery store.

Back in Nirvana

03 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by in Other Columns

≈ Comments Off on Back in Nirvana

Tags

, ,

Well, fate has me back at the Southern Command Center, aka Davidoff’s flagship Tampa store. Of all the Florida amusement parks and attractions, this has to be one of the very best.

The order of the day has been: catching up on work, getting over the holidays, and burning through a Davidoff Nicaragua.

The work was made so much better by the detailed attention of Jaira (“Jarah”). When you stop in, and you really must, I highly recommend her. You could ask for Ed or one of the other less attractive options. But why? Just kidding. They’re all great.

img_20170103_130039482

(Jaira…. Seriously, the staff is half knowledgeable, well-manner men and half knowledgeable knockouts. Choose wisely as I did.)

Davidoff is a fantastic choice in a cigar city of fantastic choices. They carry just about brand of better smoke in an unbelievable atmosphere.

IMG_20170103_132209580_HDR.jpg

They open early and close late. The mornings and afternoon are an ideal time (and place) to telecommute or relax. At night the “in”crowd arrives for loads of fun. Choose any one of 10,000 cigars and any drink from water to 80-year old Cuban rum.

*Note: This year has admittedly kicked off a little slow. Things are ramping up for a great January and an over-the-top 2017. Stick around…