The Madden Launch Post

Last night was the launch party for EA’s latest Madden entry. EA have offices just north of town and had the Wall Street area blocked off for a street party. The development team for the game where all there, aswell as the Jaguar cheerleading squad to promote the games release next week. Couldn’t care any less about the game, but the event was fun. There where raffles and prizes galore for all kinds of gaming shwag, plus the thing was sponsored by everyone under the sun so there where loads of goodies being tossed around (all I netted was some beads unfortunately). There where some live bands on stage, one of which did a wicked set of Rage covers (sung by a girl oddly enough) that was pretty awesome. Good times, we had fun.

The Spatz 60 Post

Last night was a nice mix of downtown activities. Bruce and I met up at Spatz in Winter Garden for some beer, darts and a drastically oversized jalapeño burger to start the night off right. Henry met up with us and help trounce my measly dart scores in Cricket. I really want to be good at darts-not sure why- but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen…well ever.

Afterwards we headed downtown to Sky 60 to catch some of Buck’s spinning. I always like heading to Sky when he plays mainly because being on a rooftop, there is always a breeze, and considering how packed the place gets, that’s a very good thing. Also getting the ‘secret password’ to get in will never get old, even if they tend to be a tad ridiculous. After hanging out there for a while we dipped off to the streets to wander before last call. Ended up on Wall Street watching the live band there. Band was pretty abysmal, but the stage setup was notably elaborate and rather impressive. I don’t know how a band so bland deserves such a swanky tour bus… but whatever, good for them.

I had a good time, which is further evidence that I need to spend more time downtown and venture out of my comfort zone near the apartment more often than I do.

The Cinco Cinco Post

Cinco de Mayo landed on a Monday this year so I assumed that it would be a low key night downtown, or maybe all the events would be bumped up to the weekend. Bruce, Henry and I headed down to the Wall Street area of downtown last Monday and I was pleasantly surprised to see the place teaming with people. I had never been to Wall Street before but will definitely be heading back. The area has about 5 or so multilevel bars lining a short street in the center of downtown. Streamers, lights and flags hung across the courtyard area from bar to bar and a stage was down one end with live local bands playing. The area is all run by the same guy so you can wander from bar to bar without ever needing to get away from the party. Inflatable margarita bottles and beads where flying off of balconies and people where wall to wall throwing back margaritas, tequila shots and the obligatory Coronas. I was determined to get a picture with a Mariachi band during the course of the night but was unable to track one down, so I decided that finding an elaborate sombrero would suffice.

It was also made a bigger night due to the Orlando Magic playing in the playoffs, so all the tvs where tuned and roars of madness would flow down the sea of people whenever they scored. It was a decidedly convenient way to keep track of the game without having to sit through it. I had a great time, and look forward to going back. Didn’t have such a great time Tuesday at work though. I was feeling the festivities for longer than I would like afterwards due to my inability to drink tequila and not feel like the living dead the next morning. I need to work on that I reckon.