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Week 5: My Visit to the Tampa Bay History Center



Surprise! As the title of this blog says, I ended up going all the way to Tampa to seek out Dr. Gary R. Mormino, and in this blog I will tell you why it was worth it, and how my streak of good things happen when I attend these events lives on.


I do not think it was ever truly in question on whether I was going to go. I am the type of person that does not like to rush into any commitments without analyzing everything surrounding that commitment and what it takes. This is a good trait, but also a bad trait (just ask my friends, I literally tell them in the last second if I am going to hangout or not). The moment Holly sent me the email last week that there will be an in-person event with Dr. Mormino hosting, I knew I wanted to go, I just did not want to rush into saying yes to her (and to you in the blog) and then unfortunately something happens where I can't go, and now I look silly for saying yes in the beginning (basically I don't like acting prematurely). Luckily, nothing was holding me back and I registered for the event the day before on Tuesday. The event was on Wednesday (6/15) at 12 pm, and lasted for an hour. I had to account the drive from Orlando to Tampa, which is about an hour and a half, so I started driving around 10:15-10:20 am. I took my notebook and a black pen, as I planned on writing anything important or interesting, whether it related to my podcast project or not. Fortunately for me the traffic was not bad, as I have experience since my time here in central Florida, how awful I-4 can get. Once I arrived in downtown Tampa Bay, I was shocked of how beautiful and modern the city was. I never really stayed in Tampa before, so you can say it was my first real time being in the city, and I was astonish. The history center was located in such a lovely spot also, right along a body of water, but also next to the towering skyscrapers. It was pleasant being there truly. I did not anticipate the parking garage to be so far from the actual history center, so by the time I did walk (which is where I was caught mesmerizing the city) and ask the lady at the front desk where the event was being held, I sat in one of the seats at approximately 12:05 pm. Luckily (its going to be a lot of these luckily's or fortunately's throughout my visit, just letting you know), the event hadn't really started yet. As soon as I sat down, I opened my notebook to a blank page, got my pen, ready to jot down any notes as the event commenced.


The event was called "History in 60: Ninety Miles and a Lifetime Away" and it was just that------a candid historical discussion featuring Dr. David Powell's latest book "Ninety Miles and a Lifetime Away. Memories of Early Cuban Exiles". Its ironic because I felt like I was in my element----another history event in which I hope to have many in my career----but at the same time I felt slightly out of place, since I was the only young person there. Seriously, I am not exaggerating or trying to be rude by calling everybody there old (which side note, compare to people in my age group, I see "old" waaayyyy further down the line than they do, some see "old" as 50 years old, and I'm like chill), but mostly everybody there was above 65 years old. I mean these were people who at the end of the event, when it was opened up to Q&A with the audience, were recalling their own experiences as Cuban exiles when they left in 1960s. Regardless, I just wanted to point that out because I truly don't care if I am in a room where I am generations away from everybody, I actually admire and embrace that, and I feel like they feel the same way towards me. Anyways, Dr. Mormino was the host/moderator of the event, but he stilled actively participated in it. In that hour Dr. Powell (who as the event transpired, I grew curious of knowing more), explained what was in his book to the audience, while answering questions Dr. Mormino would ask. Anything Dr. Mormino said I took note of, since he was the number reason I made the drive. I also took note of anything I found interesting and worthwhile, as these were two successful authors and historians, something I aspire to be. My blank page got filled up as the hour went along (as shown below). Something I emphasized in my notes was when Dr. Mormino said, "In my new book, I asked the reader, 'who's the most influential person in the history of Florida?' and I say its Fidel Castro" and I was shocked. I never thought of it that way, but being born and raised in Miami, Florida, and mostly all the people in my life being Cuban, I understood what Dr. Mormino was saying. I wrote down an exclamation point to note that I want to bring this up during my podcast interview with him, in hopes of him expanding on that interesting point (also it gets to talk about his new book, which is bonus to him and me).



Once the event ended, my time was up. This was my moment to approach Dr. Mormino and introduce myself to him, while requesting him if he is willing and available to do a podcast interview with me. I waited in line, as there were several people wanted to talk to him and Dr. Powell. Once I was up, I firmly shook his hands (I hope they weren't sweaty because I was a bit a nervous), and stated who I was. I told him I am an undergraduate student at the University of Central Florida, majoring in history, and how I am currently an intern for the Florida Historical Society, working in the podcast division, attempting to produce a segment of my own and would like it to be about the history of immigration in Florida, and because of that I want him apart of my interview, as he is one of the most acclaimed historians in this topic. He was so flattered and nice throughout this experience, and kindly accepted the request and wrote down his contact info in my notebook. He told me he is willing to do in-person or through Zoom, which was so awesome to hear because I was hoping to have this first experience of hosting a podcast in person (I don't even care if I have to go back to Tampa, I'll do it). I thanked him for being so generous and for accepting the request and ended off by telling him I will contact him soon, as I finish up his books and other related materials. Once that finished, I wanted to also approach Dr. Powell because he gave such an incredible presentation of his book and just wanted to show my appreciation. I quickly went outside the room and bought his book so I can read it sometime in August, and also so he can autograph it. As he was autographing the book, I told him how amazing the event was and how I relate to the book a lot because I am from Miami and my girlfriend's family is Cuban, and came in this country in those immigration waves of the 20th century. Once he handed the book back to me, I went off-script. I say that because Holly did not know this (at the time, I emailed her on Friday to keep her updated about this), but I went ahead and seized the opportunity I had in front of me. I graciously requested if Dr. Powell wanted to do a podcast interview with me. I did not really specify the topic, but anything about his book would be awesome. I roughly gave him the same message as Dr. Mormino, but without the time-sensitive manner of doing so. Dr. Powell also kindly accepted and gave me his business card to contact him whenever I am ready to do the podcast. So now I have potentially two podcasts project. Listen, my number one priority is interviewing Dr. Mormino because that is "what I am on the books for", but I do not see this as just "an internship experience", but a career-building moment, and I understand that these opportunities are not given like free candy, but earned. So if I end up doing two podcast in the same summer, I am willing. If this ends up being a fall semester type of deal, I am also game. I just want to build these genuine relationships with these professionals that I really do hope being one day. The streak continues, of great things happen when I attend these events. But even putting that to the side, I genuinely enjoy attending these history events, so it was another "awesome visit" (my title last week) but this time to the Tampa Bay History Center.


Other minor things that happened this week, on Tuesday I went to the UCF library to pick up one of the two books I requested to add to the collection of material I am getting through. This book was "The Immigrant World of Ybor City" by Dr. Mormino. As mentioned last week, the second book I requested is Dr. Mormino's latest book, "Dreams in the New Century: Instant Cities, Shattered Hopes, and Florida's Turning Point", but that one is still not available to pick up. Holly emailed me that same Wednesday I was in Tampa, with an email template of how to request an individual for a podcast, regardless if ended up going to Tampa. I emailed her back today telling her thank you for the template and also updating her about my visit to Tampa. Also, I have started going through the material, but not as much as I wanted to, so that is going to be my number one priority moving forward, as I know the earlier I finish (not rushing though) the earlier I can do the podcast interview with Dr. Mormino. I hope I can get his latest book by early next week (might call UCF library during the weekend), and read a bit of it, as next Thursday (6/23) there is another event in Tampa again, however, this time about Dr. Mormino's latest book. Unlike last time, I actually don't know if I am attending this one. I probably won't get the book in time and if I do, I most likely won't finish it in time for Thursday, as I have other pertinent material to get to. Who knows, maybe I do go (see the whole commitment thing I was talking about earlier, it literally shows up here too), but I will say it'll be my second priority. If I feel comfortable in where I am at with all the material I have to go through, and feel like this is another great opportunity to connect with my interviewee (which honestly it is because it is about his book), then I'll attend. The event is hybrid, but after almost 2 years in Zoom university, I do not know if I'll go that route. Worst case scenario I guess. Like last week, you'll find out! Thank you for reading as always!


SG

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