BUSINESS IS GOOD

This has obviously been a great week for Key West merchants. The town was packed again last night. Big time! More pedestrians on the streets than cars. Literally on the streets. Traffic a disaster.

My first stop was the Chart Room. Emily is back from vacation. She told me she went skiing in one of the Carolinas while away. Sheila and David in attendance. Offered my condolences to David re the Alabama loss.

Chatted with Sheila a while. A wonderful person!

Met Ellen. Ellen is from the Cayman Islands. She has lived there for 30 years with friend Adrian. She is a travel agent.

Ellen and Adrian visit Key west 3-4 times a year. Amazing! Leave the Cayman Islands for Key West. More fun was the reason. They are always here for Fantasy Fest. Ellen said she wears two costumes a day. One by day and one by night. She is really into it!

A bright vivacious lovely woman. I hope to run into Ellen again.

Met another local. Nick. We had never met before. Nick is in his mid-30s. He is a scuba instructor.

Stopped at Square One next. The new owner has changed the name a bit. It is Sq. 1. Who will know what I am referring to. I shall acquiesce half way. Square 1.

Mandy was not behind the bar. I was disappointed. Liked her. All of a sudden, she was behind me. Dressed, not in bartending attire. She is now the manager. Good for her!

The restaurant was full, inside and out. People waiting for a table. So too with the Italian restaurant and Orgami across the way. Another sign that this has been a hell of a business week!

Patrick Hayes aka Patty Cakes bartended at the old Square One for 20 plus years. No matter how large the crowd, he was always the only bartender. It took two last night to get the job done.

Ran into Scott. A while since I had seen him. He wrote at one time for KONK Life.

A repeat observation. Streets crowded with tourists. Restaurants full. A good sign again that business is booming.

The thought occurred as to whether there really is a 1 percent/99 percent. These were not 99 percenters celebrating. These were people a bit affluent, though nowhere as affluent as the 1 percent. It made me wonder if things just might be getting better.

Syracuse plays Virginia Tech at noon. Syracuse an 8 point favorite. I planned on watching the game from home. My TV went down this morning. I cannot get it back up. I have a call into Tim to help me. Must be fixed before noon. Otherwise, I shall be watching at Don’s Place.

The front page headline in the Key West Citizen this morning reported very good news for Key West. T J Maxx and Gap are coming to Key West! Maxx is going in the Champs store in the Sears Shopping Center. Gap into the Lewinsky Building on Duval. Gap will be a two story factory outlet.

The new stores also a reflection that the economy is recovering. Still not enough however for the downtrodden yet suffering.

Enjoy your day!

BEST NEW YEAR’S EVE EVER

I have celebrated many New Year’s eves. Some out. Most at house parties at either my home or that of a friend. I learned early in life that New Year’s eve was amateur night and so avoided public places.

My best New Year’s eve was one I spent alone with my father. We were at my Utica home. Earlier we had enjoyed a huge meal with the family. Everyone was out partying after dinner.

That year had not been a good one health wise for my father. This was 15 plus years ago. He would have been around 83. I suspected it would be Dad’s last New Year’s eve. He would not make it through the new year.

He surprised us all! He passed on two years ago at the age of 98.

I wanted to be with him. I wanted to be alone with him.

Everyone had left by 10. I suggested we sit and enjoy a drink before he went home. We were there till one in the morning.

We sat in front of the fire in two wing backs facing each other. Dad rarely drank. I convinced him to have one. He sipped it for three hours.

We talked about everything. My mother, of course. She had been gone a number of years by then. The conversation moved pleasantly along. At midnight, we hugged and kissed and said I love you to each other.

The memory of the evening has never left me. The time with Dad an intimacy difficult to repeat any time with any one.

My plans for last night were flexible. Stay home or go out for a couple of drinks.

Syracuse was playing Cornell at 6. I wanted to watch the game. I did, from home. I intended to go out afterwards. I was alone. Don’s Place and the Chart Room for a drink or two with friends. Then home and in bed well before midnight.

Syracuse won handily. The team is developing. It has developed big time in the past three weeks. Tournament play begins saturday. What will be, will be.

The game was over at 8. Time to shower again, get dressed and be on my way. Too much work, I thought. I ended up staying home. Poured myself a drink and watched a bit more of TV. At 9, I went to bed. Was asleep soon thereafter. Woke just before one. In time to catch the reruns of New Year’s eve all over the world.

Such an exciting life!

Enjoy this New Year’s day!

GREEK FERRY BOATS

The last 24 hours have told the story of the Greek ferry boat on fire. Over 400 passengers. 110 still not rescued. Cold temperatures and cold seas. A fire below. Sufficient to melt rubber shoes on the floor above. Boat leaning. Not enough life boats.

I received an e-mail from Eleni on Amorgos yesterday. She owns the house where I stay when in Amorgos. She shared the ferry boat story with me. She was afraid it might be a Titanic in the making. I heard from her before any significant number had been rescued.

Five reported dead so far.

The only way to get from one island to another generally in Greece is by ferry boat. They are water buses. I have been a passenger on many. My concern each time was safety. Mine, first.

They pack 400-500 people on one boat. 3-4 stories. Vehicles on bottom floor. Everyone sits. Has to be 20 seats across.  Narrow isles. Leading to another narrow aisle. Leading to a narrow staircase. One way in, one way out.

I used to think how am I going to get off this thing fast if I have to. Impossible!

Greek waters are rarely mild. Not like Key west in the summer when the warm weather makes for a calm sea. Greek waves are crushing. The boat up and down in huge dips. Two thoughts constantly in mind. Try not to get sick. What do I do if a wave breaks through the huge windows?

A watery grave.

Life boats. Definitely not enough. Never. Ten, maybe 20. On many boats, inflatables.

A crew that did not seem to care. Get the passengers on and off quickly. I mean quick! The boat was moving rapidly before I was ever in a seat. Then getting my ass in a seat became a feat in itself.

I loved Greece! I love Greece! Except for the ferry boats.

Yesterday, walked Smathers Beach. Otherwise laid around and napped. Watched the Syracuse/Long Beach State game at 4. Syracuse won 85-67.

The Charles Eimers police protest took place yesterday. The Key West Citizen reports about 40 participated.

Crime pays! In a sort of round about way.

Timothy Poole is a registered sex offender. He likes little boys. Poole recently won the lottery. $3 million. His net in pocket $2.2 million.

Two young boys he molested have elected to sue him. Brothers. Lawsuit winners! With money available to pay any judgment awarded them to boot!

Enjoy your day!

RODNEY DANGERFIELD

My yesterday began with a lengthy noon time meeting downtown. The balance of the afternoon following the meeting watching TV at home. It was a lazy day.

Several years ago, I mentioned that I had spent a few days with Rodney Dangerfield at the fat farm La Costa. A place where people went to lose weight. We got chummy. We would chat in the hot tub and steam room. Played volley ball together bare ass twice a day. Ate together. Each off us on the 800 calorie a day diet.

I watched a Rodney Dangerfield movie in the afternoon. The one where he went to college when a senior citizen. He was as wacky as ever.

Rodney was wacky in his everyday life, also. What you saw on the movie screen and on TV was Rodney Dangerfield in the flesh. It was the real him. He made millions merely being himself.

Last night was Tavern ‘n Town. Saturday seems to attract me to the place. Probably because it is the night Bobby Nesbitt entertains.

As I walked into the Marriott, I ran into Joe and Beth Pizzo. I had not seen them in a couple of years. Key West friends going back more than 20 years. Happy hellos and hugs exchanged.

A corner of the bar had several male members of the Yacht club enjoying drinks together. The same group that were at the Yacht Club bar almost daily. The Yacht club is closed Saturday nights. Happy hellos again.

Bobby’s music I love! Songs from the ’50s and ’60s. Bobby came over and chatted while he was on break. He looks the same as when I met him for the first time 25 years ago. Nary a wrinkle.

Journey and Judy bartending. I asked for my usual Beefeaters. Judy said no Beefeaters. First time. I knew why. I said to Judy, you have a new alcohol distributor. Yes, she said. There is one who services the keys that does not handle Beefeaters.

I felt like I was back in London where I spent a week a few years ago. Only one bar carried Beefeaters. Most did not even know what it was. Shocking since the bottle looks like London and suggests Beefeaters is a drink of English origin.

It dawned on me last night that Tavern ‘n Town has become a local’s hangout.

Salt Island Seaplanes has been in business three weeks. The seaplane service between Naples and Key West. A 55 minute air trip.

I hate to be a wet blanket, but I do not see how the company is going to succeed. The ride is expensive. $210 one way. The plane does not land in Key West. It lands at a mooring field somewhere northeast of Fleming Key. Passengers then get a seven minute boat ride to the Conch Harbor Marina dock. From there, you either walk or cab to where ever you are going.

This week’s Keynoter had two interesting items.

The first was the man who was arrested on the complaint of his girl friend that he had stolen her money. While in the back of the police car, the officer driving heard “chewing and chomping.” The guy was eating the cash. He got $277 down before stopped.

The other involved the Southern Keys Cemetery in Big Coppit. The cemetery ran an ad stating there were 75,351 residents in Monroe County and only 4,200 burial plots. Brilliant advertising!

I have been to the Cemetery. It is modern compared to the Key West one. I have gone there several times. An old friend, Jack Baron, is buried there. I enjoyed my almost daily conversations with him over the years and consider him one of the smartest people I ever met. Crazy as it may sound, I stop by not only to pay my respects but also to talk to him a bit.

Syracuse basketball today at 4. Syracuse is playing Long Beach State. Syracuse an 11 point favorite.

I have Sloan here at 10:30 to work. Have to hustle.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

WRITING DAY

I enjoy sharing what I did and who I saw the day before. Even the very mundane. Yesterday was one where I never left the house. Nevertheless, a good day!

I wrote all day. I was in the mood. Words and thoughts flowed. I stayed with it.

Part of the writing included preparation for my blog talk radio show tonight. It’s Christmas time. I am going to share a history of Christmas with you. Guaranteed there will be items that previously have  never been brought to your attention. My history of Christmas is a long story. It may consume the entire half hour.

Join me tonight at 9 my time for Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. It is my Christmas gift to you. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

The day writing, the evening Syracuse/Colgate basketball. Syracuse soundly defeated Colgate 78-43. The teams are in different leagues. Syracuse still has a long way to go.

This is supposedly the season of love. We are not seeing much of it with the black/police problem a constant one.

Numbers are important. It seems blacks are being killed by the police in much greater numbers than people in general are killing police. The FBI’s National Incident-Board Reporting System came out with some interesting numbers for 2013.

The report stated that 76 police officers were killed in the line of duty. Twenty seven by felonious acts. Forty nine by accidents. Bottom line, 27 police officers killed directly by an assailant. No break down re black/white as to assailant.

Numbers in reverse are hard to come by. Stats are not as rigidly kept re blacks killed by police. The numbers constantly reported suggest a low of 460 to a high well over 1,000.

Using the lowest projection of 460, it still seems police are killing significantly more blacks than people (blacks and whites) are killing police. Too one sided. It suggests something is wrong.

Every life is precious. Black or police officer. We must recognize however the disproportion. And do something about it!

I grieve for the two police officers killed in New York and their families. We should not lose sight however that killings are far greater involving police killing blacks.

Along the way, we have forgotten as a society many things. Two of significance. The first is violence begets violence. The second, every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Enjoy your day!

THOMAS EDISON

The weather continues to be great! Better than most years at this time. Mornings are especially interesting. No breeze what so ever. Palm trees hanging. Water mirror calm. The day mid 70s. No humidity.

Leisurely walked Duval yesterday. Many blocks have Christmas wreaths on the light poles. They convey a more Christmasy feeling than normal.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about two events taking place in Key West that I had learned about for the first time. Some reader commented that I should not live in Key West if I do not know about those things.

It is impossible to know everything about this island. Especially the going ons. During the weekends, there at least 10-12 events on friday and saturday. Some new, some old. During the week, several each evening. Impossible to keep up. My blog is not a social/events calendar.

Anyhow, now comes something new to me. Perhaps old to others. I was not aware nor had I ever heard it before. We hear the names of many famous people who lived in Key West for certain periods of their lives. Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, etc. Thomas Edison! Why his time in Key West is not more publicized, I do not know.

During World War I, Edison resided in the Little White House. He was donating his services to the war effort. While in Key West, he perfected 41 weapons.

Live and learn. I do.

Love the Spectrelles! A Key West female  singing trio. Do not see them often enough. This evening they are appearing at San Carlos. A Christmas show.

I mentioned the other day that The Big Ten Sports Pub had been sold. I did not know who the new owner was. It was sold. The deal did not go through. John Lukas is back running the Pub. A better person than John does not exist.

Syracuse basketball tonight. Syracuse plays Colgate. Syracuse should win. I wish Syracuse could play every game as well as they did the first half against Villanova. A dream.

What a diet! I have now lost 24 pounds! The diet is an improvisation on my part. I am a yo yo. This diet I like. I have spent my life going up and down weight wise. The diet is a bit of this and that from past diets I was on.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

A SPORTS DAY

I would like to tell you I ran a 5K and played some softball yesterday. Those days are gone, however. Actually, I never ran a race. I was a runner though for 3-4 years way back when. 2-3 miles a day.

Today, I watch sports. On TV or in person.

Yesterday, TV.

Started the day with the Syracuse/Villanova basketball game. Villanova won 82-77 in overtime. Syracuse played well. Looked the best yet this season. Especially against the #7 team nationally. Syracuse led at one point by as much as 15 points. Were up 5 points with 17 seconds to play and blew it. The game went into overtime.

Joseph played well. Very well. The first time. Cooney played well once again. Our 3 big men continued to get into foul trouble early in the game.

Syracuse should have won. The team blew it in the last 17 seconds of regulation play.

They continue to be less than a great team. Great teams are what we have come to expect. The team is still jelling. I only hope we win 20 games at the least. For the team and Boehiem.

After the game, I headed to Don ‘s Place. Glad I did. There I stayed. Watched the Philadelphia/Washington pro football game. Don, David, Larry, Stan, and Klare. We whooped it up! A very good time!

Larry is a die hard Philadelphia fan. We were pulling for his team. As with Syracuse earlier in the day, it was not meant to be. Philadelphia lost a close one.

One of Key West’s finest traditions takes place tonight. The Christmas show at St. Paul’s Church. Right on the altar. The best musicians Key West has to offer performing. The Church always packed. Have to arrive early to get a seat.

I may not get to St. Paul’s tonight. A conflict. I shall miss what I have come to enjoy for many years.

I was happy to see yesterday that the price of a gallon of gasoline at the Shell station near me had dropped to $2.85. Then last night, I read on the internet that gasoline is selling for under $2 a gallon in 24 states. Come to Key West!

Torture continues to be in the news. A passing thought/comment. Jesus was tortured and hung on a cross to die. A fact most if not all Christians deplore.

New stats came out yesterday. 46 percent of Christians support the torture being discussed. Whereas, 72 percent of non-Christians disapprove.

Interesting.

My friend Anna was shopping in Milan yesterday. She saw homeless/the poor sleeping on sidewalks. Some holding signs…..I am hungry. Anna observed such for the first time.

Italy is second only to Greece in being broke. Many unemployed. Taxes skyrocketing. Stores and businesses closing down. What Anna saw was inevitable. Almost like Greece, she said. Except no maimed and crippled begging.

It had to happen.

Enjoy your Sunday!

HAPPENINGS AND THOUGHTS

I am a creature of habit. I returned to Tavern ‘n Town last night after having been there thursday evening. Two reasons. Dieting, I have to go where I can get the best meal for my diet. There is also Bobby Nesbitt. He entertains friday evenings at the bar. I have enjoyed his singing for over 20 years. He sings songs I know. Songs from my past. I quietly sing along with him.

Tavern ‘n Town was packed both bar and dining room. Mostly locals. They were having an early dinner before heading over to the Tennessee Williams Theater for the Nutcracker Suite.

Key West’s Nutcracker is presented every two years. Artistic liberty taken.  The mice, etc. are chickens and fish to reflect the Key West life style.

I was banking at noon time. Afterwards stopped at Don’s Place. No Don nor anyone I knew. I left.

This diet has introduced me to organic foods. Emily is an organic nut. She finally drove me to shopping correctly in certain instances.

I had heard of the Organic Cafe on Fleming. Had never been there. Stopped yesterday for a sandwich. The Cafe is in a former gas station.

I could not order. The menu was too confusing. The place crowded. A line to place an order. I took a menu home and read it. Interesting. No question healthy food. Also, very expensive. I was shocked. I guess you pay the price for healthy food.

The place unquestionably a gold mine. People buying!

I am into sitting on the deck. Spent some thoughtful time. Much happening in my life at the moment.

I dislike bike riders. Accidents waiting to happen. Electric carts joined the club yesterday.

I was driving up US 1. North, heading home. Just past Cross Street, traffic got heavy. I was in the passing lane. Backed up badly. Hard to pull out because of traffic in the driving lane.

Finally got to where I could pass. There were two electric  carts driving in the passing lane up US 1. Where they were going, I know not. Doing probably 30 miles an hour at best. They were placing their lives in jeopardy. Perhaps even that of a car driver.

While enjoying my diet food at the bar at Tavern ‘n Town, I was watching a basketball game. It was a high school game. Simeon v. St. Rita. Could not understand why a major channel would carry a high school game in prime time.

Turns out it was a national championship round. Simeon #2 in the country, St. Rita #5. These kids played well. College Division I well. I read afterwards that certain players from the two teams are already committed to Kentucky, Tennessee, and Tulane.

All over Key West people are discussing the Cuba thing. All in favor. Not one I heard against. The reason generally being that the U.S. program has existed for 50 years and nothing has changed. The program did not work.

Cuba brought to mind the nuclear showdown between the U.S. and Russia involving Cuba. It was October 1963. Russia had nuclear missiles in Cuba. The U.S. said get them out. Russia said no.

U.S. ships were blocking the way to Cuba. Russian vessels were heading for Cuba and reached the American line. World War III was imminent. Ships facing each other. Within several hundred feet. Russia blinked. I can still see clearly the Russian vessel turning around and heading home.

In the last coupe of days, an al-Qaeda/ISIS group in Nigeria attacked a village. Killed 35. Took captive around 140. Mostly young women, girls and children. The last time this occurred a few months ago, 300 young girls were captured. The word is they were sold into slavery.

ISIS published a manual in Mosul recently. It had to do with slaves and sex. What the man could do and not do. Not much he could not do. Females considered property. Intercourse before puberty permitted.

These people are crazy!

The market has had a good week. Up, up and up. Very upward. I have been a market player my entire life. People should recall that whatever goes up rapidly, comes down even more rapidly.

Syracuse/Villanova today at 1. Villanova a 12 point favorite. The game is ccarried on a major channel. I shall be watching it from the comfort of home.

Enjoy your day!

TORTURE

One of the issues I discussed last night on my blog talk radio show was torture. The issue was whether the U.S. is a torturer. My thought was that if we do torture, then we are. The act of torturing in itself is a manifestation of what we are. Of what we have become. We have changed as a people since 9/11. Changed in many ways.

This morning’s KONK Life News E-Blast carries an excellent article on torture by Rick Boettger. Titled Yay! We’re Not Nazis. I recommend it to you. Boettger covers torture from a different perspective than I did on last night’s show. His observations however are right on.

My yesterday was spent fine tuning last night’s show.

Syracuse football in the news yesterday. What I am gong to share does not seem possible. Syracuse’s football attendance at home games this past season was up 6 percent. An average of 40,447 fans. Syracuse was #2 in increased attendance percentage wise. Florida State was first.

The increase accomplished with a 3-9 record. Amazing!

There is an internet video of Boeheim’s interview following the Louisiana Tech game. He was tough. He was indicating that his players are weak on basics. Like catching the ball with two hands. Things that should not have to be taught at the college level. I recommend the video to you. Easy to find on most Syracuse basketball sites.

The plane that would not fly. Sounds like the title to a book. Actually, it is in reference to Orville Wright and the first powered plane to fly. Today is the anniversary of the first flight in 1903. On the  100th anniversary of the inaugural flight in 2003, a ceremony was held at Kitty Hawk. The replica plane failed to fly!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

SUNDAY

Some days are better than others. Satisfying and relaxing. One where nothing in particular occurs. My yesterday.

I spent the morning on the deck reading, sleeping and thinking. Seated in a plastic Adirondack chair. The wind off the ocean was cool. The sun, hot. My body warm.

I wanted to get out for a short time. Had to be home by 4 to watch the Syracuse game. I was still in a meditative mood. Decided to go to Schooner’s Wharf. I had not been there in the afternoon in a long time.

It was typical Schooner’s Wharf. Half tourists, half locals. The locals more of the fishing crew. Looked like transplants from Hogfish. I had two diet Pepsi’s and watched the people and water. The view of the boats/yachts parked in the marina to the front of the bar. A pleasant sight.

Syracuse/Louisiana Tech. I was wrong yesterday when I portrayed Louisiana Tech as an easy foe. They are one hell of a team! Were last year also. Won 29 games!

Syracuse won by two points. 71-69.

It was the best game Syracuse has played this season. Offense and defense both good. As was Louisiana Tech’s. Cooney made some threes and driving shots. Ended up with 25 points. Joseph still the weak one. He plays like a high school senior who is star of the team. He shoots too much. His shoots generally bad. He does not pay attention. The ball was either stolen from him or taken by Louisiana on a bad pass several times.

The last 10 minutes of the game saw Cooney as the point guard. A smart Boeheim move. However, Boeheim needs Joseph as a point guard. I hope he improves before the first of the year.

A new airline to service Key West. Sea Island Seaplanes. Naples to Key West and return. $210 one way. A one hour flight. A four seater.

There presently exists a ferry Key West to Fort Myers and Marco Island and return. Both next door to Naples. A 4 hour trip. $149 round trip, $89 one way.

I do not see the new airline making it. Too much money. The ferry ride I am told is comfortable. A large vessel. I suspect something like the ferry boats I take when I am hopping from one Greek Isle to another.

The finger. Often given. Not nice. Tie it together with f–k you at the same time. Even worse.

But, lawful.

The place Cobb County, Georgia. A police officer was questioning a suspect. A woman went by on her bicycle and gave the officer the finger and said f–k you. The officer went after her and arrested her for disorderly conduct. She spent 24 hours in jail. Part of the time in solitary confinement. Judge threw the case out. Free speech. Constitutionally protected under the First Amendment. She sued for false arrest. Cobb County recently settled with her for $100,000.

I wrote a column for Amazon Kindle about three years ago concerning the finger. A federal court had ruled at that time it was free speech. The f–k you can get you into trouble however as disorderly conduct if people hear it and are disturbed by it.

I suggest neither form of communication be used. Good taste an involved factor also.

Enjoy your day!