A long, hot, moist weekend led us into what's sure to be a long, hot, moist summer full of people doing horrible, stupid things. Which means I'll always have a job! But hey, not everything is an exercise in exasperation:
FRIDAY, MAY 22:
Hearing the community's opposition to allowing more private waterfront development as part of the city's Downtown Waterfront Master Plan, the St. Pete City Council delayed approval of the plan pending the deletion of a part of it that calls for a hotel/convention center or other commercial concern near The Mahaffey. I'm sure someone's children's children will get to enjoy the Hard Rock Cafe Presents the Nestle & Coca-Cola Bayside Resort & Wells Fargo Event And Entertainment Environment at some point, anyway.
SATURDAY, MAY 23:
Tampa firefighters were clearing out a house after extinguishing a fire when they found and saved the family dog, which had been trapped and was suffering from smoke inhalation. They're who I drink to all the time now.
As a favor to his stunt double, whose kids graduated from the Lake County school, comic actor Jack Black gave the commencement address for Montverde Academy's Class of 2015. Which is perfect, since Black is next door to being a Disney character himself.
SUNDAY, MAY 24:
The Lighting rebounded from a 5-1 Friday-night loss to the Rangers with a 2-0 victory that put the Bolts ahead in the finals series and within one game of a Stanley Cup berth, and forever cementing their identity among other Bay area professional sports teams as the most hated overachiever sibling EVER.
MONDAY, MAY 25:
More than 3,000 attended a memorial service for the fallen at the Bay Pines National Cemetery. Whatever your feelings about some or all of our nation's military actions, the folks who died doing what they believed in — and did it in the service of others — will always deserve our remembrance and respect.
And finally, after losing back-to-back games against the Oakland A's at home on Saturday and Sunday, the Rays capped off their Memorial Day weekend with another loss, to the Mariners 4-1. Maybe their minds are on the hockey playoffs.
This article appears in May 21-27, 2015.