Posted by giveawayboy on April 26, 2002 at 08:46:48:
First off! I love Tampa since that is where I grew up. Did anyone else grow up here? There is a certain rhythm of life for those who have. The seasons, though not as pronounced as up north are here and can be discovered in their subtleties. During my formative years I really connected with our landscape and wildlife and the oceans. These things will be with me as long as the blood flows under my skin and breath passes through me. Do any of you have any memories of Florida's wildlife or nature? There is a psychological thing about living in a vast flat place w the sun ever-present or the moon and stars. To me, this type of landscape has a feeling of potential and flight. Hmmmm....now I'm getting strange.
Secondly, I am starting to learn that a city will become great if she is loved. I don't care how bad she appears at the start. We need to love her more. Also, we have to think creatively about the strengths and weaknesses our city offers and try to work within that reality structure.
Thirdly, I have left Tampa many times and I keep ending up back here, so there is this uncanny sense of magnetism. Does anyone else feel this magnetism? Is anyone else feeling like sticking around? For me, I just feel that I want to stay.
This is my little shout out for our city! I am hoping that eventually, I can find others who also are excited about her as well. What our city needs more than a big money vision, is a grassroots vision of the people who live here and care about our 'space'. What we need is to have a vision that incorporates all our city's strengths and a vision that will help diminish her weaknesses. I feel awkward even posting this here since I am still formulating my ideas on what devotion to a city actually will mean. However, I'm starting to see myself not just as a resident, but as a citizen. Wow! Strange, huh?!?!?!? I'm actually so happy to live here. I think God blessed me by letting me be Floridian. Anyone feel the same?
Anyway, this is a little about me choosing to love Tampa, and I'd love to find out if there are anymore people like myself out there.
Bill