IMRAN™: In My Humble Opinion: May 2025

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Cinderella Story – Sculpture At Ulele, Water Works Park & Armature Works, Tampa - IMRAN®

Tampa offers some truly wonderful spaces to explore, and my evening at Ulele was no exception. I enjoyed a fabulous dinner with great colleagues and friends, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of this beloved waterfront destination.

The restored Cinderella horse-drawn pumpkin carriage sculpture, originally part of Tampa’s historic Fairyland at Lowry Park, has been lovingly restored and now stands as a nostalgic tribute to the city’s past. The whimsical piece, featuring Cinderella’s iconic carriage, evokes childhood memories for many Tampa natives who once marveled at these fairy-tale displays.

Though I grew up in Pakistan, fairy tales like Cinderella were a cherished part of my childhood. My siblings and I knew these timeless stories well, dreaming of enchanted castles, magical transformations, and happily-ever-afters.

Seeing this sculpture here in Tampa was a reminder of how fairy tales transcend borders, weaving magic into childhoods across the world. Thanks to restoration efforts, it continues to enchant visitors at Ulele, blending history with the modern charm of the Riverwalk.

#IMRAN #Florida #Tampa #travel #landmarks #restaurant #outdoor #furniture #park #spring #Cinderella #FairyTales #history #autobiography #dining #tourism #art #culture

Friday, May 16, 2025

Sheer Sizzling Statuesque Shannon, Blonde Babe Bed Bound, Wednesday Work Weeknight Wordplay - IMRAN®

Candid moment. No makeup. No prep. Weeknight. Ready for bed. Still sizzling sheer statuesque Shannon.

#IMRAN #Florida #Tampa #wordplay #candid #model #blonde #beauty #modeling #sexy

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Total Tranquility Time Tampa Bay Beautiful Beach Boating Stunning Seaside Sunday Scene - IMRAN®

Two years ago today’s date. It was a Sunday. DJI drone photo at takeoff from Apollo Beach home.

#IMRAN #Florida #TampaBay #ApolloBeach #seaside #beach #gratitude #WhiteHouse #boating

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Thought For Food: Delicious Desserts, Ulele Tampa Florida - IMRAN®

One of the several fabulous desserts my friends and I enjoyed after a great dinner.

#IMRAN #Florida #life #food #foodie #desserts #dining #gratitude #Tampa

Ulele At Water Works Park Tampa Florida - IMRAN®

#IMRAN #Florida #Tampa #travel #landmarks #restaurant #outdoor

Monday, May 12, 2025

Shannon Skimpy Swimsuit / Shorts Sizzles At Tampa Bay Sunset Alongside Cute Friend - IMRAN®

#IMRAN #Florida #TampaBay #ApolloBeach #models #Sunset #sky #clouds #boating #lifestyle #modeling #swimsuits

Capturing Tampa Bay Florida Sunset In Timelapse, Panorama, 360° At Apollo Beach Home Exactly 2 Years Ago Today - IMRAN®

Capturing Tampa Bay Florida Sunset In Timelapse, Panorama, 360° At Apollo Beach Home Exactly 2 Years Ago Today - IMRAN®

This is a video clip created from 300+ individual Nikon D300 which did not have that feature built-in back in 2007 when I got it as a great gift. This was the sunset exactly 2 years ago. Enjoy the music video of the unusual lighting and colors as clouds, rain, and sunset did their best to confuse the camera. You can see me working on capturing panorama and still shots with the Nikon D850 and 360°x360° with the Insta360 R2.

© 2023-2025 IMRAN®

#IMRAN #florida #tampabay #apollobeach #sunset #sky #clouds #timelapse #musicvideo

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Ulele Statue & Unique Outdoor Dinner Space – Water Works Park & Armature Works, Tampa - IMRAN®

Tampa offers wonderful places to explore, and my evening at Ulele was exceptional. I enjoyed a sumptuous dinner with colleagues and friends, immersed in the vibrant waterfront atmosphere.

One of the standout features of Water Works Park is its striking bronze statue—a contemplative depiction of Ulele, the legendary young Native American princess of the area. The artistry beautifully reflects the region's rich indigenous heritage and the spirit of the princess for whom the restaurant is named.

The statue, created by artist Elizabeth Catlett, offers a powerful presence with its detailed features and symbolic elements, surrounded by the park's natural beauty.

#IMRAN #Florida #Tampa #travel #landmarks #restaurant #outdoor #park #riverside #sunset #spring #history #dining #tourism #art #culture

Saturday, May 10, 2025

A Dog’s Life: Kennedy, My Precious Rescued German Shepherd, Loved By All Who Met Him - IMRAN®

I had planned to share this certificate’s photo on April 29, 2025—marking exactly six years since the day it was issued. But I was traveling that day.

Kennedy, my precious German Shepherd, had only been in my life for a brief 10 weeks, yet he left an imprint that would last forever. He was a slender 67 pounds, estimated to be around four to five years old—wise beyond his years but still carrying the exuberance of a puppy.

At the time, before the world changed with the pandemic, I anticipated needing to travel for work. I wanted to make sure that if I ever had to leave, he would have a safe and welcoming place to stay. Back then, I hadn’t yet discovered Rover, nor had I connected with the wonderful families of Emma and later Tressa—who would become Kennedy’s second homes, providing love and care whenever I was away in the years to come.

So I sought out Camp Bow Wow’s Southshore location, where I took Kennedy for a meet-and-greet. The process involved leaving him there for most of the day so that the staff could observe his temperament and interactions. They even provided a link to their live webcams, allowing me to watch Kennedy navigate a large group of dogs, independent and unphased by my absence.

On April 29, 2019, I returned to pick up my bright-eyed companion—his signature smile intact—and received a beautiful note from the sweet camp counselor, Angel. She had written a card about how Kennedy confidently explored his surroundings, played with the other dogs, and exuded an unshakable calmness and confidence among others. And he remained like that for his last heartbreaking breath in my arms last year.

What made it even more special was that these reflections were made without my presence, proving that his gentle and loving nature spoke for itself.

Good boy, my beloved Kennedy. Best Dog Ever!

#IMRAN #Florida #TampaBay #ApolloBeach #GSD #GermanShepherdDogs #dogs #memories #sorrow

Buccaneer Statue & Unique Outdoor Dinner Space – Water Works Park & Armature Works, Tampa - IMRAN®

Tampa offers wonderful places to explore, and my evening at Ulele was exceptional. I enjoyed a sumptuous dinner with colleagues and friends, immersed in the vibrant waterfront atmosphere.

One of the standout features of Water Works Park is its striking bronze statue—a swashbuckling buccaneer wielding a sword in one hand and a raised mug in the other. The craftsmanship beautifully captures Tampa’s rich maritime and pirate history, paying homage to the legendary Gasparilla festival.

The statue, sculpted by Vala Ola and unveiled in January 2020, stands proudly atop a base adorned with a skull and crossbones, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowers, adding to the park’s charm.

#IMRAN #Florida #Tampa #travel #landmarks #restaurant #outdoor #park #riverside #sunset #spring #history #dining #tourism #art #culture

Friday, May 09, 2025

Thought For Food: Delicious Filet Mignon, Ulele Tampa Florida - IMRAN®

#IMRAN #Florida #life #food #foodie #steak #dining #gratitude #Tampa

Thursday, May 08, 2025

Unique Outdoor Sunset Dinner Space – Water Works Park & Armature Works, Tampa - IMRAN®

Before we were seated in the area behind me, I captured this stunning HDR (high dynamic range) image, showcasing the warm hues of the setting sun and the inviting ambiance of the space. The signature orange chairs complement the restored Cinderella horse-drawn pumpkin carriage sculpture, visible to the far right.

This sculpture, originally part of Tampa’s historic Fairyland at Lowry Park, has been lovingly restored and now stands as a nostalgic tribute to the city’s past. The whimsical piece, featuring Cinderella’s iconic carriage, evokes childhood memories for many Tampa natives who once marveled at these fairy-tale displays.

#IMRAN #Florida #Tampa #travel #landmarks #restaurant #outdoor #furniture #park #water #riverside #sunset #spring #Cinderella #FairyTales #history #autobiography #dining #tourism #art #culture

Wednesday, May 07, 2025

Vintage Gramophone Showpiece & Giant Keys Wall Decor Hotel Duval Tallahassee Florida - IMRAN®

Beautiful showpiece replica of a vintage gramophone and large keys placed in the lobby of Hotel Duvall in Tallahassee.

Does it make them “Florida Keys”? 😊 Also,just ignore the USB connector on the gramophone. It’s a showpiece. 😀

#IMRAN #Florida #Tallahassee #travel #hotel #vintage #gramophone #music #nostalgia #decor #style #wordplay #humor #travelogue Marriott Hotels Hotel Duval, Autograph Collection

Monday, May 05, 2025

K2 Loves To Leap & Fetch Heavy Coconuts From Tampa Bay Water - IMRAN®

#IMRAN #Florida #TampaBay #ApolloBeach #GSD #GermanShepherdDogs #dogs #beach #spring #seaside

Sunday, May 04, 2025

Stunning Sunset, Showers & Stars Sliding Seaside - IMRAN®

Prepare to be spellbound! This 30-second time-lapse music video is more than just a sunset—it’s a breathtaking dance of light, clouds, and the cosmos.

Watch as swirling clouds paint the Tampa Bay sky while Florida’s signature sunset ignites the horizon in fiery hues. But don’t blink—rain shower silhouettes glide across the waters, drifting from Clearwater toward St. Petersburg, fleeting yet mesmerizing.

Look closer. The shift in wind, the falling humidity—the sky is in motion, whispering its secrets. Then comes the moon, first just a sliver. But as evening deepens, its full body emerges, revealing even its shadowed half. And then—Orion’s Belt, with hundreds of stars appearing to revolve around this little corner of the universe.

This isn’t just a video—it’s a moment suspended in time. Play it once, then again—you’ll always find something new. What did you notice?

Like, love, comment, and share the magic!

#IMRAN #Florida #TampaBay #ApolloBeach #Sunset #Timelapse #MusicVideo #Stars #Moon #OrionsBelt #Flying #Boats #Storms #Nature

Thought for Food: Successful First-Time Marinated Lamb for Sunday Dinner – IMRAN®

For someone who hates regular cooking, I’ve become pretty good at experimenting with my own unique, ever-changing marinades for air-fried meals.

Some of my salmon dishes—starting from my very first attempt—surprised me by turning out even better than restaurant-quality. The same goes for most of my filet mignon plates, made with meat from the fantastic local butcher in Apollo Beach.

Although I generally ‘steer’ toward steak, find myself ‘hooked’ on salmon, and occasionally ‘peck’ at poultry—I wasn’t too chicken to experiment with lamb this time. 😀

Sure, Mary had a little lamb. My marinade had a lotta lamb. I let it soak for 24 hours before air-frying the pieces in the Philips AirFryer XXL. Since I’m not a big fan of rice, I paired it with curly fries, complemented by a glass of V8 strawberry-banana juice.

Thankfully, my wasabi-lemon-pepper lamb was a successful experiment. So far, by the grace of God, every meal I’ve made has been delicious. And, most importantly, I’ve survived eating each one!

#IMRAN #Florida #TampaBay #ApolloBeach #Food #Foodie #Lamb #HomeCooking #AirFryer #Philips #V8 #Vegetables #Bokeh #Gratitude

Saturday, May 03, 2025

(Single Worst) Film Of The Year Award! The Surfer - IMRAN®

I believe you’ll enjoy this review more than the single worst movie of the year, The Surfer. 😊

The long haul after meetings in Tallahassee driving to my home in Apollo Beach, Florida was bad enough—a 5 to 6-hour drive stretched longer by Friday rush hour, heavy rain, and a mysterious accident on I-75. But nothing could prepare me for the real wreck ahead.

After two agonizing hours, I had barely crawled two miles through what was shaping up to be a 15-mile traffic disaster. Staring down the prospect of creeping forward at a soul-crushing 1 mph for who knows how much longer, I spotted an AMC theater near the next exit. An escape. Or so I thought.

In hindsight, I should have stayed in my car, because I was about to make a worse choice than all the drivers stuck in lane roulette.

With a Stubs membership to justify and nothing but time to kill, I decided to see whichever movie was starting next.

Bad luck. Terrible timing. The only thing playing? The Surfer.

I hesitated. Nicolas Cage’s “acting” and “massive talent” have never convinced me, especially in his recent era of terrible script choices and unhinged performances. Still, the 6.5 IMDb rating—while suspicious—gave me just enough false hope.

(And to the people who rated this movie that high: Really?!)

I barely settled into my seat before the film began.

Ten minutes in, I checked my watch. Surely, this was going to get better?

Nope.

What followed was a drivel-filled disaster—a massive (no talent) jumble of contrived characters, recycled clichés, predictable "twists," melodramatic music in overdrive, and a total lack of logic.

Sitting in that theater, I realized something awful: Even the traffic jam I had abandoned had more intrigue, suspense, and adventure than this movie. The drivers trapped around me had more depth and development than any character on screen. The maneuvering to edge forward in gridlock was more captivating than any supposed tension The Surfer tried—and failed—to create.

Finally, mercifully, it ended.

An easy 1-star out of 10.

Frankly, even sitting motionless on I-75 would’ve been a better experience, featuring better drama, a more immersive soundscape, and fewer crimes against storytelling.

And if you only skim the surface while surfing online, my review is more engaging than the script of The Surfer.

I promise, I’m not bragging—the bad puns practically wrote themselves.

Unlike the movie, which should have never been written at all.

Pass on this film. You’re welcome.

#IMRAN #movies #reviews #film #humor #puns #wordplay #Surfer #prose #travelogue

Thursday, May 01, 2025

Do You See Two Pairs Of Big Ears? K2 & Bunny At Sunset - IMRAN®

#IMRAN, #Florida, #TampaBay, #ApolloBeach, #GSD #GermanShepherdDogs #dogs #animals #rabbit #CoExist #sunset