Here it is, Wednesday morning, and I am on the computer while taking a break at work. Still no sign of Ernesto. Weather reports indicate that Tropical Storm Ernesto will be coming through the central Florida area later in the afternoon.

Yesterday, several counties announced that schools would be closed on Wednesday. The courthouses have also been closed for the day as well as several colleges in the area. The theme parks and the shopping malls, however, are open. Our neighborhood center is open, but we may close early. That's if and when we get word from city hall.

Yesterday we waited to find out what the status was on operations for Wednesday. No one could even make a decision as to whether to put up the hurricane shutters. At 9:00 a.m. yesterday morning, I was ready to put hurricane shutters up. I was told to wait because a decision has yet to be made. By the time my shift was over at 2:30 p.m., still no decision was made as to what the status was for Wednesday. Are we to report to work or not?

By late afternoon, I called the neighborhood center to find out what was going on. I was told to report to work Wednesday, and I was also told not to worry about the hurricane shutters because it was too late to put them up.

So now here I am, taking a break at work as I wait for word as to when the facility will close. And there is still no sign of Ernesto.

At least the beer is getting cold in the refrigerator, and the cigars rest in the humidor on the dresser.

But look at the bright side. We will just get some heavy rain and wind later in the evening.

It could be worse.

I have not had much time to write this past week. I have been busy at work, a friend has passed away, and now Tropical Storm Ernesto is over Cuba. The weather service reports that Ernesto will reach Miami tomorrow morning. Then Ernesto will travel up the state along the east coast, arriving in the Orlando area late Tuesday/early Wednesday.

Tomorrow will be a busy day at work as I put up the hurricane shutters at the neighborhood center. As for me, I have enough canned food, bottled water, batteries, and propane should the power go out. I have enough music to listen to and plenty to read. And as long as the power is on, I have plenty of DVDs to watch.

And don't worry. I have beer and cigars. If a storm is going to take me out, I am having a cold one and a robusto to go out with.

If I get a chance tomorrow night, I will give you an update. Providing I have power.

Good morning from Orlando, Florida. The place where you can take Rover to a outdoor restaurant, but you cannot feed a homeless person in a city park.

As I have my breakfast this morning, I am reading the Orlando Sentinel online. The top story concerns the efforts of Mayor Buddy Dyer to bring a state-of-the-art performing arts center, a new arena for the Orlando Magic, and improvements to the Citrus Bowl, to Orlando. Yesterday, Mayor Dyer proposed the idea to the Orange County Commissioners, putting up $350 million and land for the deal. Only problem is, the total costs of the projects would cost over 1.1 billion.

Now, I am not that great on math, but I am looking at a difference of $650-$700 million dollars. The county commissioners were trying to figure out where the difference would come from. Mayor Dyer was rather vague on the answers.

The crime rate is on the rise in Orlando. Traffic congestion continues to get worse. Many of the jobs available in the Central Florida area do not pay a living wage, and affordable housing is a major problem. Many people are having a hard time paying rent for an apartment.

And the mayor's major concern is to put money into a stadium that gets little use, a performing arts center that few will be able to afford to go to, and a arena for a team owned by a billionaire who can well afford to build his own arena.

Is there something wrong here?

Just who's "buddy" is he.

Now if you excuse me, I am going to make a donation to the non-profit group that feeds the homeless. Please don't tell anyone. I don't want the police knocking on my door because I didn't want to see someone go hungry.