My name is William Beem and I am an Orlando Native. Of course, someone else beat me to registering the domain for OrlandoNative (and hasn’t done a damn thing with it for years), so there you go. Now I’m an Orlando Local. I started this blog because Orlando and the rest of Central Florida is something different to me than what I typically find on the Internet. For most people in the world, Orlando is nothing more than Disney World and other attractions. For me, it’s the place where I was born and raised. I’m a Florida native, not part of a tourist attraction. There’s more to this community than taking the kids to see Mickey, Shamu and Harry Potter. I was here before all of them.
That’s not to say that the attractions aren’t a part of my life here. I go through times when I want to ignore them because of the traffic hassles and crowds. Then I’ll get an itch to go visit because, after all, they’re entertaining. I have a collection of annual passes so I can just go when the crowds are low for an hour or two, and then get out without having to waste my whole day at a theme park.
Since this is my home, I occasionally go on a rant when I see something that I think is wrong, or perhaps just plain stupid. Sometimes I cheer the local businesses, other times I can’t believe they survive. Overall, I still know that this place is my home. I love the warm climate (except when it gets hot enough to hate it), I love the greenery, and my family is here.
Of course, Central Florida certainly isn’t perfect. Our local politicians are just as stupid as yours. Our business leaders will gladly pave every empty lot, put up ugly telephone wires on the skyline and try to straighten the beautifully curved roads that used to meander around the lakes. They call this progress. I call them morons.
As cities go, Orlando is big enough to be noticed and small enough to be ignored. I know, because most of the concerts I want to see are in Tampa on a Wednesday night. That’s a bitch of a two-hour drive down there and then back home when I have to wake up early the next day.
If you’re a tourist looking for deals on hotels, theme parks or similar information, I have good news for you. There are plenty of other web sites that will tell you what to do and where to go. This isn’t one of them. This site isn’t about Central Florida or Orlando, really. It’s about me, the native guy who lives here.
Are You Really a Native?
Yes I am! I was born in Orange Memorial Hospital on a Tuesday. If you don’t know where Orange Memorial Hospital is, then you aren’t old enough to remember that it and Holiday Hospital merged to form Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC).
Occupation
When I was in high school, I wanted to be a photographer. I was constantly taking photos with my Olympus OM-10. Then I discovered personal computers. Next thing you know, my career path completely changed. I’ve spent most of my time since high school working with Information Technology in one form or another There were a few years when I went freelance as a writer. Oddly enough, I’m going back to my roots as both a photographer and author (thanks to a layoff right before the Holidays). I’ve decided that being a freelance photographer & author is safer than being a freelance cop.
Where Did I Go to School?
- Pine Castle Elementary School – I was the first (and perhaps only) kid to never miss a day from 1st – 6th grade
- Conway Jr. High School – Yeah, I know it’s Conway Middle now, but it was Jr. High when I went there.
- Oak Ridge High School – If that doesn’t give me some street cred, what will?
- University of Phoenix – OK, I’m not proud. At least I got someone else to pay for it.
Favorite Restaurants
There are two at the top of my list and I visit them just about weekly. Sam Snead’s in Maitland has my favorite grouper sandwich in the world. Hillstone’s (though I still call it Houston’s) has my favorite bowl of red beans & rice soup; though only on Monday.
A little farther back on the list – perhaps because it takes me longer to get there – are some other nice places to check out:
- Tommy Bahamas Tropical Cafe in Pointe Orlando
- Cuba Libre in Pointe Orlando
- 4Rivers Smokehouse in Longwood (go for the take-out and avoid the line)
- Sweet! by Good Golly Miss Holly in Waterford Lakes (OK, it’s not a restaurant, but the cupcakes are perfect!)
Favorite Activities
Oddly enough, I like doing the same things now that I enjoyed in High School
- Photography
- Motorcycling (I’m old now, so I’ve switched from crotch rockets to Harley-Davidson)
- Travel (sometimes with the camera, sometimes with the motorcycle)
Social Media
If you want to stalk me electronically, you can find me on Twitter and Foursquare.
