4 p.m. March 1, 2016
Dear Journal,
The internet has been out in parts of Sarasota for almost 48 hours now. Food is scarce — I haven’t been shopping in two weeks because I was playing W.O.W. until I was rudely interrupted — and the faucets still work, so there is plenty of water. I am mustering the energy to get up and fill my army surplus canteen I used for extended game play weekends.
I am thinking of calling friends to go outside but the sun is warm in the cloudless sky, and I’m afraid the over-stimulation of real human contact might make me explode. Plus, I can’ DM them because my internet is out.
If I survive this, I will update.
I am opening the door …
3 p.m. March 3, 2016
Dear Journal,
I can’t believe I’m alive! I discovered so many things this weekend. They were running to save sea turtles on Seista Key. Apparently, this so called “Run for the Turtles” has been going on for the past 30 years, and I didn’t know about because I had to go outside. I met so many people!
30th Annual Run for the Turtles has started! @HeraldTribune #htnow pic.twitter.com/TSDZyI49A2
— Matt Houston (@MattHphotos) April 2, 2016
The 30th annual Run for the Turtles raised funds for Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, which coordinates conservation of endangered sea turtles along 35 miles of Sarasota County beaches!
Thanks to partnerships, money made by Mote supporters ages 23 and under will be matched up to $40,000 in 2016.
PHOTO GALLERY: 30th annual Run for the Turtles
Not far from that, there was the DeSoto Seafood Festival in Palmetto. I thought shrimp-flavored Ramen noodles were amazing. This stuff was fantastic!
Check out photos from the @DeSotoSeafdFest by @HeraldTribune photog @tbenderphoto1 https://t.co/CdRwxV3g9P pic.twitter.com/OckEwIU10x
— Carlos Munoz (@ReadCarlos) April 3, 2016
PHOTO GALLERY: De Soto Seafood Festival
At Lido Beach, they were holding the 2nd annual Swim Around Lido but the waves were a bit frightening and we all stayed close to shore.
People were bummed but they still had smiles on their faces! It is the beach after all. I’m glad I found it!
Bummed the #LidoKey swim got canceled, but had a nice swim anyway. Buzzed by Dolphins! @GoUltima @mightysqrl pic.twitter.com/LVmxAfJoSZ
— Elaine K. Howley (@emkhowley) April 2, 2016
Since there was some rainy weather I grabbed some popcorn (mmmm) and took in a movie. The Sarasota Film Festival was in town!
Photo gallery: Opening night at the Sarasota Film Festival @mysff https://t.co/sUexIDTAK6 pic.twitter.com/S2tbEVgLuJ
— Herald-Tribune (@HeraldTribune) April 2, 2016
One film even featured Sarasota:
KATE PLAYS CHRISTINE exposes the intensity of feelings and depression of Christine Chubbuck leading to the tragedy. pic.twitter.com/X2gzxD8jGZ
— Sarasota Film Fest (@MySFF) April 3, 2016
@MySFF ready for Raiders! On our way!!! pic.twitter.com/godGCe6TJF
— JP (@SdBWorking) April 2, 2016
I have to admit I was a little shocking.
There was a movie for everybody’s taste:
Movie No. 1, Ma Ma, is popular! @MySFF pic.twitter.com/ktgdbs7gda
— Katherine Walstrom (@walstrom_k) April 2, 2016
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Film Festival
I have to admit, baseball isn’t my favorite sport, I’m more of a marathon button puncher myself, but spring training baseball was a great experience. The fans! The hot dogs! More hot dogs!
The Orioles have drawn 119,029 fans for 16 games in Sarasota this season, including a club record 11 home sellouts. pic.twitter.com/ozarwQzSw8
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) March 31, 2016
PHOTO GALLERIES:
Overall, I think this internet outage was a blessing in disguise..
AT&T cellular service is out in Sarasota-Manatee … what to do? 😉 https://t.co/pmv46D4mBJ #htnow pic.twitter.com/DGDbqyRGDO
— Herald-Tribune (@HeraldTribune) April 1, 2016
Oh #Florida! Golfers in Sarasota discover a new kind of course hazard. pic.twitter.com/zFlCFuyIFl via @BillyCorben
— Craig Pittman (@craigtimes) March 31, 2016
Take it all in one more time Bucco fans. Today is the final game in Bradenton for 2016. #PiratesST https://t.co/n793hoyIlQ
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 30, 2016
On to the 6th here in Bradenton with A.J Schugel back out to the hill.
Bucs down 3-0. #PiratesST pic.twitter.com/TQJSPC7dtw
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 26, 2016