Greetings from Spring Break Central as I type this during my coffee break at work. If I was typing this twenty-five years ago, I would probably be drinking a hair of the dog that bit me the night before!

Anyway, the school kids are here for a third day at the neighborhood center for the Spring Break camp. As I think about it, I better get another coffee. They are really wearing me down.

I made sure I got plenty of rest last night. As for last night, I was watching the news while having dinner, and there was a report about Spring Break from Daytona Beach. Summer is the busiest season at Daytona Beach, so the lifeguard staff is undermanned since there are not as many people here as in the summer. There is what is called an undertow, which causes problems with the waves. These rip currents can take a swimmer farther out into the ocean and make it difficult to get to the shoreline. The lifeguards have been busy getting people out from this.

After the report on swimming conditions, the news story then focuses on other aspects of spring break. One college student being interviewed talked about the guys in the next room doing "fire shots", and that one of the guys proceeded to throw up over the balcony. And while this young lady is being interviewed, her friends are shown rubbing sun tan lotion all over their bikini-clad bodies.

Yes. Some things change. Some things don't. Now where's my coffee?

And who's the red head? Inquiring minds want to know!

Yesterday was the last day of Bike Week 2007. While watching the late night news on Sunday, the news reporter said that the Chamber of Commerce and the department for tourism estimated that there were over 500,000 people in the area for Bike Week. That's a lot of motorcycles.

As the bikers leave, the college students will be coming down for Spring Break. I can just imagine the news reports right now. News stories of rowdy students drinking beer, having sex on the beach (and I am not referring to the drink), loud rock and roll music, and women walking around in bikinis that question the public ordinance of decency.

Ah, the memories! I hope they have a fun time. Just as long as they are safe.

I wonder what ever became of that girl from New York?

You just know the day will get better when someone gives you homemade banana pudding!

And you know it gets even better when someone gives you some homemade pound cake.

Today is the first day of Spring Break 2007 for all the school children in Orange County. That means we have a spring break camp for the elementary school and middle school students. Today, we have 32 students at our neighborhood center, with more due to come either today or next week.

The temperatures are in the upper 70s-low 80s here in Orlando. So that means that we may have the children go swimming one day, and we also have plans for a cook out. Hamburgers and hot dogs.

"Why are we eating hamburgers and hot dogs while Mr. Al is eating a steak?"

Because I'm the cook! Besides, I hate to waste good charcoal.

Anyway, the children are just now coming in from outside. They have been playing ball games for the last two hours. We will have lunch later, then more activities. I brought in the movie "Curious George", so hopefully they will have time to watch that.

So far, everything has been nice and quiet. We are just waiting for the first child to get in trouble.

And we have only had one injury so far. One little girl hit herself in the eye with her snack. Actually, her snack was in a bag, and she was swinging the bag and somehow hit herself in the eye.

Don't worry. We put ice on it and she is fine.

Nobody has thrown up yet, and there has not been any bloody noses.

So far, so good. Now if only the rest of the day can go this great. Besides, the only blood I want to see today is when I go to see "300" at the theater.

I was reading an article online from the Atlanta Journal Constitution today about a remark Prince Charles of England made about the McDonalds hamburger chain. While visiting a hospital in the United Arab Emirates, Prince Charles was talking to a doctor about high fat diets and problems with obesity. Prince Charles told the doctor that he felt that McDonalds should be banned altogether.

I guess this remark did not sit well with executives from McDonalds, as well as all the many customers the hamburger chain has world wide. One of the British newspapers, the London Mirror, wrote an editorial defending McDonalds and told Prince Charles to "burger off!" in bold headlines.

Over the last few years, there has been much concern over trans fats, obesity, and super sized servings of french fries, sodas, and other high calorie/high fat items. Last week, I watched a report on the news about a chicken/broccoli pasta dish a chain restaurant serves that had over 2,000 calories.

I do not go out to eat all that much, but I still have a problem with my weight. I like bread, pastries, and diary products. And for dinner, I usually have a large portion. I don't eat fried food that often, and I always have fruits and vegetables daily. The only time I find myself going to McDonalds is in the morning. I really like their breakfast sandwiches. And for one dollar each, you can't beat the price.

If you do not want to eat at McDonalds or any other fast food restaurant, then don't go. But please don't tell me not to go there. Or what to eat. Because as long as I have teeth, I will eat what I want. Or until a doctor says otherwise. I have seen what is served to the residents at the retirement homes. So since I am not in a nursing home, I am going to eat that fucking half pound double cheese burger. Damn if I'm going to have anyone serve me that burger from a blender!

If you want to read about Prince Charles and his comments about McDonalds, you can go to the Atlanta Journal Constitution web site. Or you could go to the London Mirror at mirror.co.uk.

I have this vision of Ronald McDonald kicking Prince Charles' ass. And with those long, red shoes that clown wears, that's gotta hurt!