NUDITY NUDITY NUDITY

Sixty thousand to seventy thousand people come to Key West each year to enjoy Fantasy Fest. They come because it is an adult party. Adult means some degree of nudity.

A small handful of local citizens want to change things. They cry there is too much nudity and sex.

I have never seen open sex during Fantasy Fest. I have occasionally seen some nudity. Generally, the female vagina. Not that many, however. Maybe a total of a dozen in the 16 years I have been attending Fantasy Fest.

Local ordinances require a woman’s nipples to be covered. That means pasties. Plus, the privates of men and women. I can live with that and so can the 60,000-70,000 who come to party.

There is a vocal minority that wants to change things. How much I am not certain. They probably total no more than 40 persons. They are the squeaky wheel, however. If church goers, the ones who sing the loudest at services. They are getting a lot of attention. As evidenced by this morning’s Key West Citizen. The headline read Nudity Tops The List Of Fest Complaints.

The group sounds like the religious right. I am offended that they seek to impose their moral standards upon me and the 60,000-70,000. I  believe most Key Westers would agree with me.

Walked again yesterday. I am proud of myself! From one end of Duval to the other and back.

This weekend is the Waterfront’s Cole Porter show A Swell Party. Jenna and I will be going together. I was lucky to get tickets. The show is apparently a sell out. Someone had just canceled two adjoining seats in the third row. It is called being there at the right time.

My blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. A quick half hour of interesting and stimulating talk. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Topics tonight include Ferguson and the KKK, genetically modified potatoes approved by USDA for sale in the U.S., Obama changing his tune re immigration, a tough on drugs governor pardoning his son’s drug conviction, a British/Iranian woman who is to receive a public lashing because she wanted to attend a volley ball game, and more.

Ferguson is a hotbed in the making. A tinderbox that could and probably will erupt. Missouri’s governor announced yesterday  he was declaring a state of emergency. The national guard has been called out. The governor is getting ready for whatever occurs when the grand jury report comes out.

The governor’s move is stupid. He is sending the national guard in in advance. Such is an invitation to aggravation, dissension, and violence. It says to the black community we know you are going to blow up and we are ready for you. In a sense, a we dare you move.

Missouri’s political leaders leave a lot to be desired.

Enjoy your day!

 

LOVERS WHO MET ON THE INTERNET

I was sitting at the table in the Plantation Coffee House around noon yesterday researching. Two couples were seated nearby. Chatting. Eventually, I got involved in the conversation. Best as I could. It was difficult with so many people around.

One couple appeared to be 40ish. Both good looking. The lady was from Dubai, the man from New York City. The man had previously lived in India.

They had met initially on the of the couple matching sites on the internet. The email meetings led to their meeting in Key West this week. The face to face meeting was for the first time. Excitement was written all over their faces.

The couple they were talking with had a similar experience. The lady lives in Key West. The man from New York City. They now live together in Key West. They appeared to be in their 60s.

Wild!

I was unable to get names. Too many people again and little time. However, both heart warming stories.

Syracuse finally won and won decisively yesterday. Beat Florida State by 16 points. 74-58. Florida State was no slouch. My recollection is that their record was 18-11 going into the game.

This was the last season game for Syracuse. Next week the ACC tournament. Syracuse is the second seed, Virginia, first. Syracuse plays next this friday evening. Then the big tournament! Syracuse has to do well in the ACC tournament to be considered a #1 seed in the big one. Probably win the ACC tournament.

I watched the game at Lukas’ Sports Pub. I was the only Syracuse fan. John sat with me most of the game. My heart fluttered on occasion. Syracuse was up 11, then up 1 before they came back to go up 13 and then 16.

I am anxious to see the national rankings which come out later today. Syracuse dropped from 1 to 7 the past two weeks. However, everyone good lost this weekend. Syracuse won. I see Syracuse moving up to #5 or #6. Maybe even #4.

A concern has been developing in me since the Cuban earthquake of 2 months ago. It was felt a bit in Key West by some. Not me. There were three aftershocks till yesterday. Yesterday, the fourth occurred which was felt. It was a 4.7. Just after 7 yesterday morning. I did not feel it. Some at the Casa Marina did.

After the initial earthquake, I did a little research. Seems there were around 400 quakes last year off the north coast of Cuba. Small. Ergo, we did not hear of them. The article pointed out the quakes are increasing in frequency. Therein lies my concern.

My friend Grant is going to be on national television friday night at 10. On the Food Network Channel. Grant is a chef at Bad Boy Burrito. Cooking famer Guy Fieri chatted with him when his show covered the Bad Boy Burrito two months ago. Go Grant! Everyone will be at Don’s Place waiting for him to appear on the screen. He will receive a big applause.

Fantasy Fest nudity continues to waste the time of the Key West Commission. No one cares about bare breasts, except for a few old time politicians and ultra conservative church ministers. Sixty thousand other people who attend Fantasy Fest come to view the  breasts, amongst other things.

A woman who was instrumental in the first Fantasy Fest some 30 odd years ago is one of the ones upset. She wrote “…..get rid of the PUBLIC debauchery, the vomitorium and the debacle.” She and I are not seeing the same Fantasy Fests. I am sure a minimal amount of what she describes occurs. However, I have never seen an orgy or vomiting. I cannot respond to debacle because I am not sure what she is specifically referring to.

Interestingly, the first Fantasy Fest parade she was instrumental in getting started had leading the parade a completely bare assed woman painted in silver riding on the hood of a car.

Tomorrow night at 9, my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. My cup runneth over with material. The story of the mother who knew best, Russia’s new terrorist law, China’s bubble bursting, Crimea, what Ukraine should do to set Russia on its ass, the head of the neo-Nazi party running for President of Ukraine, how the bank looting of Ukraine has begun, polygamy in Utah’s today, and more. Listen and enjoy. A stimulating and revealing half hour of dialogue.

Enjoy your day!

BACKYARD GUN RANGES / PUBLIC NUDITY

Syracuse was crucified and decimated yesterday afternoon. Virginia beat Syracuse 75-56. The worse beating in the three games Syracuse has lost.

It was close until there were 11 minutes to go in the second half. The game was tied 42-42. Then came the deluge.

I have no comment. Syracuse deserved to lose. I have no idea what the rest of the basketball year will hold for Syracuse. In spite of Syracuse’s record, it has been a rocky season.

I was supposed to watch the game at Don’s Place with Dan and Lisa. I never made it. I got sick. Very sick. Food poisoning. It hit me within a short time after lunch. A lunch I prepared for myself at home. Something definitely was bad. I spent the afternoon and evening in bed and the bathroom. The blessing is I lost 3 pounds.

I am not sure how I feel this morning. I have to find out in the next hour. There is another open house scheduled. I will cancel it if I am not better. I want my bed and bathroom to die in.

Two interesting Key West issues today. Both in this Sunday’s Key West Citizen.

One is backyard gun ranges. I made mention of them about a month ago. A resident of Big Pine Key set up a gun/shooting range in his back yard. It would bother me if I was the guy’s neighbor. Some have expressed concern.

Turns out there is nothing that can be done about it. Gun enthusiasts and the NRA control in Florida. A State law was passed in 2011  that permits shooting ranges on home property. The law further provides that if any elected official prohibits such gun ranges, he is subject to a $5,000 fine and revocation of office.

The second Amendment carried a step too far.

Public nudity is another issue. The issue makes it sound like people are running around bare ass on the streets of Key West. Such is obviously not the case. What is involved is Fantasy Fest.

In a letter to the editor in today’s paper, an individual complained. He appears to be a snowbird. This is not the first time he has complained about the issue.

He wants the city fathers to “…..clean up our town and take it back.” Because of him, public nudity is a front burner issue once again.

I will simply state Fantasy Fest is an adult party and has been such for more than 25 years. It was started because late October was a dead time. The merchants were hurting. It was hoped Fantasy Fest would bring tourists to Key West. It has. Sixty thousand come out to watch the parade alone. The business men are happy. I suspect most resident are, also.

The complainer is a squeaky wheel. My concern is that a squeaky wheel always get attention. It would be a shame if this one convinces Key West to regulate more the dress standards.

There is nothing wrong with Fantasy Fest that needs fixing as regards nudity. Pasties, spray painting and other existing ordinances cover the problem. I like the use of the word “cover.” It was purely accidental.

Leave whatever the nudity is during Fantasy Fest alone.

One additional comment. I would be surprised if the complainer even attends any of the festivities. I suspect it would be too shameful from his perspective.

The Academy Awards tonight. I am old school. I have enjoyed the Oscar awards all my life. I will be watching from my bed.

My book, my book, my book! If you have not purchased it, please consider doing so.  You will enjoy it. The World Upside Down is available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

Enjoy your Sunday. I hope I enjoy mine!