Walk to restaurants in Orlando

While at the Orlando Doubletree Universal for the NMA reunion, you'll, no doubt, enjoy the hotel's restaurant. Those those seeking variety will find that Orlando has a million other eateries.

But if you're looking for a meal without driving in traffic, the neighborhood provides alternatives within walking distance. The following restaurants are all about a quarter-mile or less from the hotel.

• T.G.I. Friday's. Food and beer, not necessarily in that order.
• Tabla Bar and Grill. Indian food. Try the paneer tikka masala. If you don't like it: back to T.G.I. Friday's. 
• Kobe Japanese Steak House. Any questions?
• Miller''s Ale House. Part of a widespread chain of restaurant/taverns that claim to have the warm ambiance of your bar back home. I hope they're not referring to the Shipwreck Lounge.
• Starbucks. Duh.
• Golden Corral. Duh with chicken.

Okay, so one or two of them may be three-tenths of a mile. In the barracks at NAVSUPPACT San Francisco, I walked further than that to go to the head.

NMA Reunion Live-blog 2012

The NMA Reunion Live-blog is like a Fender Rhodes electric piano, light beer or a Michael Bublé version of a Sinatra song--not as good as the real thing, but better than nothing.

In less than a month, MUs from across the country will gather in Orlando for a few days of music, camaraderie and out-and-out lying. If you haven’t signed up to attend, it’s not too late. The party begins June 27; go to the NMA website for registration information.

I hope to see you in Orlando, but if you have to stay home this year, you can still get a taste of the fun by following the annual NMA reunion "live-blog" throughout the week of the reunion. From Monday, June 25 (two days before the official opening of the reunion) until Sunday, June 30 (departure day for most attendees), come here for photos, interviews, assorted reports, rumors, revelations, scandals and tall tales. As an added bonus, this year I intend to feature, for the first time:

• Photos and videos in which you can actually make out what’s going on. (I've been studying with a former Navy Photographer’s Mate who is instructing me in the finer arts of removing the lens cap and other technicalities.)

In fact, since the season has begun, I'll be blogging frequently at Navy Lyres; stop by any time, check it out, leave a message.

See you at the reunion or online—