When you drive through downtown Tampa, you just don’t feel any energy. No excitement in the air.  The Latin flair that Tampanians boast about just doesn’t hold up to cities like Miami, where Cuban culture is the lifeblood of the Miami social and economic scene.  Tampa is a city that is searching for an identity. A soul that can draw people to want to work, play, and build Tampa to a city that it has the potential to be the robust city of tomorrow. The nightlife in Tampa is a disappointment.

There is Ybor city, the historic section of Tampa that is known for its wild side, but mainly caters to young college students and those who are looking for a sever hangover in the morning. Tampa certainly has drawn national attention with hosting several Super Bowls and next years Republican National Convention.

Major musicians from U2 and Bon Jovi to Lady GaGa have visited Tampa to perform. Yet with all the national exposure, Tampa still has a lackluster jobs market that just doesn’t satisfy the amount of college graduates from the areas major Universities; University of South Florida and the University of Tampa.

Perhaps it is just the times we are in. We are suffering from an economic crisis that is growing worse by the day. Major cities across the country are having to cope with an economy that is creating problems for even the largest of cities.  I don’t really have the answers for fixing Tampa.

I do know the answer can be found in Tampa’s economy, that needs a jolt from major corporations and businesses to open up shop and create jobs in Tampa.  There needs to be nightlife that can reflect Tampa’s culture from the days when Tampa was bustling with activity and moxy from the vibrant cigar industry. Can Tampa achieve this? It can, but it all depends on what the leadership in Tampa’s citizens and politicians are willing to do about it.

Now that the 2011 season is ready to hit high gear, what would have happened if there wasn’t an NFL season? What if players and owners couldn’t reach an agreement and the lockout was inevitable? Would our Sundays be that mundane if there wasn’t football? Certainly bars and restaurants would have been hit hard by the lockout since many fans  congregate to sports bars to watch their favorite team while feasting on buffalo wings and beer.

Baltimore Raven linebacker Ray Lewis stated that a rise in crime would occur if there was no football.  I’m not sure if it would have gotten to that point, but then again we are living in stressful times considering the state of the economy. Fans need a distraction from the dismal economy and other harsh realities that are affecting Americans.

Watching football on Sundays has become a sacred ritual.  A ritual that is becoming increasingly popular because in a way it’s an outlet for many of us. It’s a chance to express our anger, joy, frustrations, and other emotions that we deal with on a daily basis. Perhaps I am reading too much into the sport.

Then again football has become the most popular sport in America. It’s impact is felt in our lives one way or the other. To ignore the sport is difficult even if you’re not a fan.   But, at least for now we will not know what would have happened if there wasn’t a season.  So… are you ready for some football?

Looking for a job can be difficult. During these trying times it’s an extremely frustrating process. It can sometimes take six months or longer just to can get an interview let alone landing a job.  What people usually do is they go on Careerbuilder or Hotjobs.com and submit there resume in hopes of someone contacting them. I’m sorry to say but you have a better chance of finding Bigfoot taking a shit in the wilderness then finding  a job on one of these sites. By going that route, you are basically getting in line behind hundreds if not thousands of applicants. Besides, the jobs that companies post on these sites are usually jobs that they were not able to fill by with someone internally. Most of the good jobs or positions you never hear about are filled by an employee within the company.So the chances of even getting in through the front door are pretty slim. To increase your chances of getting in, you have to go through the backdoor of some of these major corporations and businesses.  If for example you want to get a position in the accounting department of a particular company or firm, you want contact a senior accountant or someone in the accounting department you can speak to directly. You never want to go through human resources because they are the gate keepers. They determine who can or cannot speak with management or other employees.  If you tell them that you want to speak to someone about a particular job, then they will simply tell you to apply on the company website. You know that is just a waste of time. Also, human resource people are horrible at returning phone calls or following up on any of your requests. So these people you want to avoid at all costs.  To get in touch with individuals in certain departments, go on LinkedIn and look up the company your applying for. Most of the time it will list the managers of all the departments in the company. Once you get there names look them up on Facebook. Odds are they’ll have a Facebook account. From there you can message them and get information on any available jobs.  Now this method won’t guarantee you a job, but it certainly better then getting on some jobs site and shooting your resume around endlessly in hopes of finding a job. These days you have to try things that are different. Good luck to you.

Now a days it seems that Hollywood is starting to run out of ideas. There are enough remakes,sequels, and prequels to make your head spin. This however I did not seem coming. Apparently Keanu Reeves has confirmed that a script is in the works for a third segment of the Bill and Ted saga.  The justification for a third film is Bill and Ted are supposed to write song that saves the world, which hasn’t happened yet. That according to Keanu Reeves in a recent interview.I’m still having a hard time believing this. Keanu Reeves has gone a long way from his Bill and Ted days. Keanu has starred in top grossing actions films like Speed and of course the Matrix which is one of most popular movie franchises of all time. Perhaps this could be nothing more but a publicity stunt, or this can be a legitimate project in the works.  I’ve always enjoyed the Bill and Ted films, but I’m not sure if the formula will work this time around. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter aren’t teenagers. These guys are grown adults into their forties trying to act in a  film whose characters are supposed to be immature high school rejects. Get the picture?  I don’t understand why Keanu Reeves needs to make a film like this. I’m sure he can get more prestigious projects. Alex Winter is busy directing commercials and music videos.  Perhaps I’m being overly critical. I just think these these films are best  left alone. They are treasuries from the 80s that should serve as a nostalgia piece.  If they can make a great story that makes sense and ties into the previous films, then hey go for it. I just think making a third Bill and Ted will not do the previous two films justice.

If you want your extra dose of ‘tiger blood” and some “winning” attitude, then you’re in for treat. Former Two and Half Men star Charlie Sheen will kickoff his nationwide tour this Saturday night in Detroit.  He’ll make several stops before he comes to Tampa April 22nd at the Saint Pete Times forum. Supposedly the show is just Charlie Sheen going on a 70 minute rant. I’m sure he’ll cover topics on his personal life as well as his firing from Two and Half Men.  A part of me wants to go simply out of mere curiosity.  But then I wonder if the show is going to be different from what I have seen from Mr. Sheen the past month.  Would any of you go? Reply to this post to answer.

For you racing fans, the Honda Grand Prix will be held in Saint Petersburg Florida from March 25th -27th.  During the Grand Prix there will be a load of events such as air shows, qualifying events, and autograph sessions just to name a few. If you plan on going, make sure you arrive early. Events start around 8:00 am but its best to get there earlier so you can find available parking.  Tickets start from $50.00 to $110.00.  Expect it to be warm so make sure you bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Enjoy the race.

The new iPad has officially hit stores today. Expect huge lines at International Plaza in Tampa as Apple fanatics await to get their hands on the new and improved iPad. The new iPad is sleeker, lighter, and comes equipped with 2 cameras. I don’t see what the big deal is. If you already own an iPad then it’s pointless to purchase the new one. With the exception of the 2 cameras, there really isn’t that much of a difference between the old and new version.  If you plan on waiting in line at International Plaza, there is a Starbucks on the first floor where you can grab a sugar filled frappuccino that will keep you wired for several hours as you wait online. Enjoy.