Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Give this Picture a Caption
Hey most of you gt to stay in the same school for awhile. So you should have better literary skills than me. Man I have heard too many accents as my parents have moved me from school to school throughout the country. I have learned not to write any "R"s because of my stay in Boston. I spell "whatar" from my stay in Brooklyn. Then there is "Yal" from my stay in Tennessee. You Army brats had it easier with all the paper work that they need to fill out before they move your parents. You got to stick around long enough to learn how to write the local language. My parents just off and go. That is the life of private software contractors.... So you should have no problem using your literary skills and come up with a caption for the picture below. The best caption wins a free ebook of my tales in Gibsonton Florida!
Monday, January 20, 2014
I'm Stranded Outside of Durango..
Its your favorite child
travel adviser, Tyler, once again bringing you the best in last minute vacations.
Your road trip planner for the weekend getaway to the coolest and
strangest places in America. How do I know about them all? My parents
are contract workers in the software industry and keep moving the family
every 6 months....
Yes, my parents moved me again. We are always moving. You have heard about how far your grandparent had to walk to school, well they got nothing on me. I'm 9 miles away from downtown. I am not sure if I actually live in Durango. One thing for sure I have learned since being here is how to climb over barbwire fences. This town loves their fences. This time I might be lucky, after 2 months I think my parents are going to move us back to Gibsonton, Florida. I can hang out again with my circus friends again.
While here I got learn about the Anasazi people and their Pueblo homes. They would carve houses into the side of cliffs. How cool was that! Nowadays the local Native Americans are from the Southern Ute tribe. They have cleaned up, they are filthy rich with casinos, natural gas, and oil interests. They are one of the few tribes that resisted US encroachment. Other tribes in the area are Navajo and Apache. Plus we have many people of Mexican ancestry from when this area was part of Spain.
Also they have this cool narrow gauge train that still runs from Durnago to Silverton. I got to go on it when they were reenacting the ride to Santa's village from the Polar Express movie. The town in NJ where we used to live had an old narrow gauge track used to move soldiers during the Civil War. In fact they would have to get off the cattle car gauge, our modern tracks, in Whiting from the North to continue south on the narrow gauge line. This track still exists, but no trains go on it anymore. Another narrow gauge track that ran behind my friends house was used for an old Donkey Engine. Donkey Engines were steam powered winches that pulled carts on a track miles away from the engine. They were used to move clay. Durango has one of the only remaining narrow gauge tracks in the country.
One good thing about leaving here is, if we stayed too long we might of ended up glowing in the dark. There is a lot of Uranium in the water...
-Tyler
Yes, my parents moved me again. We are always moving. You have heard about how far your grandparent had to walk to school, well they got nothing on me. I'm 9 miles away from downtown. I am not sure if I actually live in Durango. One thing for sure I have learned since being here is how to climb over barbwire fences. This town loves their fences. This time I might be lucky, after 2 months I think my parents are going to move us back to Gibsonton, Florida. I can hang out again with my circus friends again.
Also they have this cool narrow gauge train that still runs from Durnago to Silverton. I got to go on it when they were reenacting the ride to Santa's village from the Polar Express movie. The town in NJ where we used to live had an old narrow gauge track used to move soldiers during the Civil War. In fact they would have to get off the cattle car gauge, our modern tracks, in Whiting from the North to continue south on the narrow gauge line. This track still exists, but no trains go on it anymore. Another narrow gauge track that ran behind my friends house was used for an old Donkey Engine. Donkey Engines were steam powered winches that pulled carts on a track miles away from the engine. They were used to move clay. Durango has one of the only remaining narrow gauge tracks in the country.
-Tyler
Thursday, January 16, 2014
By The Way....
Here is some stuff about where I am living now. Until my parents change their mind again.....
Gibsonton Florida
Blurbs from Wikipedia:
Gibsonton was famous as a sideshow wintering town, where various people in the carnival business would spend the off season placing it near the winter home for Ringling Brothers Circus at Tampa, Sarasota and Venice in various times [1]. It was home to Percilla the Monkey girl, the Anatomical Wonder, and the Lobster Boy. Siamese twin sisters ran a fruit stand here. At one time, it was the only post office with a counter for dwarves. Aside from the agreeable winter climate, Gibsonton offered unique circus zoning laws that allowed residents to keep elephants and circus trailers on their front lawns.
Gibtown's International Independent Showmen’s Museum houses on two floors a wide assortment of antique equipment, historic printed materials and detailed exhibits that tell the carnival story – most of it donated by practicing carnies.[8] Carnival items from across the country reflecting nearly a century of carnival experiences have been donated. "There's one of the first Ferris Wheels in the country, which will be assembled upright inside the museum. There's also one of burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee's slinky black beaded costumes, which turned many a head back in the day.And don't forget the outfit worn by the "Viking Giant" himself, Johann K. Peturson. He was nearly 8 feet tall and weighed 425 pounds." The museum will also feature photos of carnival setups throughout the years. Visitors will also be able to walk through carnie trailers, which open to transform from a dull-looking compartment into brightly lit and ornate facades.[9]
More Info:
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/fall07/Caramanica/
http://www.weirdus.com/states/florida/fabled_people_and_places/gibsonton/
http://www.sideshowworld.com/41-GG/2013/135-Giants/Camp.html
Here is some stuff about where I am living now. Until my parents change their mind again.....
Gibsonton Florida
Gibsonton was famous as a sideshow wintering town, where various people in the carnival business would spend the off season placing it near the winter home for Ringling Brothers Circus at Tampa, Sarasota and Venice in various times [1]. It was home to Percilla the Monkey girl, the Anatomical Wonder, and the Lobster Boy. Siamese twin sisters ran a fruit stand here. At one time, it was the only post office with a counter for dwarves. Aside from the agreeable winter climate, Gibsonton offered unique circus zoning laws that allowed residents to keep elephants and circus trailers on their front lawns.
Carnivals and the International Independent Showmen's Association, Inc. and Museum
Gibsonton is the location of the International Independent Showmen's Association, Inc ("Gibtown Showmen's Club") a non profit private organization made up of people in the outdoor amusement industry. The original club building opened in 1966 and has expanded to be the largest Showmen's Association in the United States.[6] There are over 4500 members from all over the United States and several foreign countries. Gibsonton is also the home of the largest trade show in the carnival industry. At the trades show exhibits include rides, food supplies and equipment, concession trailers, electrical supplies, insurance companies, novelty items, plush toys, and jewelry.[7]Gibtown's International Independent Showmen’s Museum houses on two floors a wide assortment of antique equipment, historic printed materials and detailed exhibits that tell the carnival story – most of it donated by practicing carnies.[8] Carnival items from across the country reflecting nearly a century of carnival experiences have been donated. "There's one of the first Ferris Wheels in the country, which will be assembled upright inside the museum. There's also one of burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee's slinky black beaded costumes, which turned many a head back in the day.And don't forget the outfit worn by the "Viking Giant" himself, Johann K. Peturson. He was nearly 8 feet tall and weighed 425 pounds." The museum will also feature photos of carnival setups throughout the years. Visitors will also be able to walk through carnie trailers, which open to transform from a dull-looking compartment into brightly lit and ornate facades.[9]
Famous residents
- Colonel Casper Balsam (1904-1968), circus midget who portrayed a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz.
- Grady Stiles, freak show performer known as "Lobster Boy"
- Al Tomaini
More Info:
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/fall07/Caramanica/
http://www.weirdus.com/states/florida/fabled_people_and_places/gibsonton/
http://www.sideshowworld.com/41-GG/2013/135-Giants/Camp.html
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Its always changing. My parents can not live in the same house more than 6 month. It makes my life difficult to say the least. Once we even moved across the street. That time I was lucky. I did not have to make new friends. It did not last long for they moved us again to a new town.
Right now I am in Gibsonton, Florida. You might of heard about the town. I did not at first. So they people seemed quite strange. How would you feel if you seen a midget and a bearded lady walk pass you? How about a dancing elephant? But that is all over now and I have some great friends! How long I will keep them is anyone's guess.....
-Tyler
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