Have you seen Mark Flander's newly posted article, Is ActiveRain real life?
Well the secrets now out of the bag. The rumors are true - after his accident and surgery, David Podgursky told me that drastic action was needed to help Mark Flanders get back on this feet. We decided that Mark needed a tropical environment to help speed the needed healing. Having been through several car accidents myself, I could relate and so we invited Mark Flander's (ok so we actually got aka Flat Mark :-)) to spend some R & R time here with Jack & I in Clearwater, Florida. 
Flat Mark agreed to come but only under one condition - the details of this trip MUST be kept secret until he got back. So I know all his friends are happy to see him back "dancing in the rain" - and now I can tell you the rest of the story.
Here are the details of the ABC plan that facilitated Flat Mark's quick and speedy recovery....
•(A) is get an Appointment for an Adjustment and Massage. Knowing Flat Mark was coming and we were determined to get him into the best chiropractor for auto accident recovery in Clearwater, Florida.
Flat Mark was thrilled to find out that he was getting treated to the royal treatment by the auto accident / sports medicine chiropractor in Clearwater, Florida known for real results - Dr. Greg Dokka of Clearwater Spine and Rehabilitation.
If you have neck or back problems there's no one else you should go to! He achieves amazing results (I should know he's helped me through 2 auto accidents in the last year - for the record neither was my fault) 
Dr Dokka's got a secret healing accelerator and her name is "Ms. Martha" - the Clearwater massage therapist with magic hands. You can see she worked her magic on Flat Mark.
•(B) is hit the Beach - Clearwater Beach, Florida- named "Best City Beach on the gulf of Mexico" This is the most natural medicine I know.
We got there around sunset on Saturday evening which also happened to be Cinco De Mayo and there's nothing as healing as: taking in the salt air, relaxing sounds of the waves approaching the shore and the tranquility of the most beautiful sunsets.
I knew Flat Mark was really feeling better when he asked to borrow a local's "metal detector" - he was heard saying "I just know there's money to be found on Clearwater Beach" - oh it's good to know our talented Mortgage Professional could "smell the money" again ...
At that moment I knew we'd crossed over from the "physically & spiritually flattened man" that arrived on Thursday - we witnessed Flat Mark find his groove. The night was young which leads me to part (C) of Flat Mark's recovery plan.
•(C) is bring on the Cocktails & Cinco De Mayo- Flat Mark said he was ready to really take in the Clearwater Beach nightlife and wanted to visit one of our favorite hangouts, Frenchy's Rockaway Grill- in honor of Cinco De Mayo we drank margaritas, ate crab cakes and enjoyed the local band and atmosphere. As you can see Flat Mark made lots of new friends. I have to tell you Jack was a good sport but he was definitely out of his comfort zone. Everyone knew we were there to make Flat Mark's visit special and they all accomodated - the bar tender even gave Mark a special "shot".
Frenchy's Rockaway Grill is a local and tourist favorite and was just named home of the "Best Grouper Sandwich" in Tampa Bay - Flat Mark took advantage of this fun, laid back beach atmosphere. I caught him hitching a ride in a "Woody" and even "catching a wave" too. Tell me he's not feeling better.
Flat Mark made friends where ever he went - of course who wouldn't enjoy Mark.! Life is good in Clearwater Beach, Florida - Tell me this isn't a great place to relax and have fun!
Finally,we got Flat Mark souvenir hat from the "Love Shack" to remember this special visit with us - He told us that Cinco De Mayo will always remind him of his recovery in Clearwater Beach, Florida
As you can see Flat Mark found this R & R trip to Clearwater Beach, Florida definitely agreed with him with so many Things to do in clearwater. We helped him pack and he was last seen singing "Happy Trails" as he heads cross country to Aurora Colorado to visit fellow Active Rain member Ray Saenz. (And I thought that Rich Jacobson was the singing one of the two :-))
P.S. I did share with him I had a safety tip for him - try riding IN THE CAR! So if you live between here and Colorado - please keep your eyes open for Flat Mark.
OMG - I can't believe I missed this before - must have been too many margarita's but the front of the cap reads "No Cry Babies" - How perfect!!! I hope Mark enjoys it - it may help as he moderates here on AR.
One final note, many of you know that I have not had the priviledge of getting to know the "real Mark Flanders" due to his recent accident - but I look forward to getting when he returns and hope this is one small way that he knows he's making an impact on our community even when he's Recouping and Recovering. We wish him a full and speedy recovery & we did send him home with a hat to remind him he's always got 2 friends in Clearwater, FL 33767- And Mark - the hat's in the mail on it's way to you! :-)
Reserved Parking...
Oh. Crap. I don't have time to do this right now, but I will be back :)
TLW...ROAR!
Reserved Parking...
This is amazing....I need to read it all...I'll be back too
Is this what David Podgursky was talking about?
Mark
TLW - you're welcome back anytime!!
Mark: Yes this is what David was referring to in your post...hope it makes you smile :-)
Debi - We did have fun and yes that Biofreeze is great stuff
Sally - thanks for visiting - it was great way to be child-like again - people were very willing to play along.
Lysa - I'm with you I always seem to put on weight myself
ROTFLMAO!!!!
This is awesome!
Mark - yes... I talked to Cyndee and told her about the project. Your name came up and we decided to send you there. Cyndee said she was already headed to visit her Chiro so it was a perfect fit!
Glad to see you were getting some R&R&T at Clearwater Beach - Rest, Relaxation and Tequila!
Cyndee - thanks for taking the challenge!!! Glad you two had fun with it!
My weekend with the Flat Hidden Moderator was a little less than idyllic - the weekend was great but sometimes I think you need to learn to screen your houseguests! http://activerain.com/blogsview/96208/FLAT-MODERATOR-What-a
I could use some of that biofreeze in my revenge planning!! I hear that in high doses it can immobilize! muhuhahaha
David - thanks for giving me the opportunity to play! :-)
Cyndee, this is flippin' hilarious!!! Way to cheer up Mark -- I love it!! Such care went into this, it's beautiful. You even remembered the Biofreeze. :o)
Why hasn't this been featured yet? MODERATORS, OVER HERE PLEASE!!!
George - thanks it does seem to be working now - thanks.
Bryant - He was putty in her hands!!! I'm sworn to secrecy!! :-)
Paula - I have to admit I did give myself permission to have a great time with this (LOL) I was thinking the whole time that I wanted to make him smile a big smile!
Ines - If you're ever up this way I'll get you into the magic hands of Ms. Martha - nothing like it at the end of a crazy week. The seem to have to work out my "computer cricks" on Fridays typically
Susie - you got it! We'll have to make a Flat Susie since you can't go to Orlando in June - oh the fun you will have :-)
Bravo Cyndee! loved the story line. :) the photos were great!! Loved the one of Mark having a drink with the light and band in the backgroud.. what a classic!! :)
looks like you enjoyed Flat Mark in Clearwater Florida!! great job! :))
now why isn't this featured?? hheelllllllllooo.. wake up!!! the mods must be swamped, as usual! :))
Cyndee... I'm glad you accepted the challenge... and with some FLAIR
and thanks for the link love!!
Cyndee ~ You treated FM so well, I bet he really enjoyed the visit. My mouth was watering at the sight of that crab cake! I hope you sent some to Colorado,...
kk
Yvonne - you're welcome anytime girlfriend.
David - thanks for asking me to participate - it was fun;
Kristal - thanks for visiting - hmmmmmmmmmm so you like crab cakes do you??? Thanks again for last night. I really appreciated it. P.S. I drank a margarita for you ;-)
Cyndee,
How did I almost miss this?
Very nice and very funny. They should feature it.
I thought I would send some extra clothes for Mark.....you never know what occasions might pop up.
That is just as hilarious as this post :)
God how I love this "Flat People" Project.
TLW...ROAR!
The flat people of the world really get around. My daughter sent Flat Stanley to her sister a couple of years ago for a "short" vacation and it took that lazy bastard over 2 months to come back!
Guess who had to do his chores while he was gone?
Flat Flanders looks like he had more fun than a Flat Flander should have. I'll bet he is jealous of his little paper friend travelling around without him. I heard Mark even tried stuffing himself into an envelope to try some of these adventures out himself. Unfortunately, postage was $3,652.00 for 2nd Day Air!!
This was hilarious, thanks for the lighter side tonight, I needed that!! :-)
Keep up the AWESOME Blog....
I would keep FLAT Mark away from the office shredder to avoid accidents.