TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

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My friday morning TV/internet show takes quite a bit of time to put together. Some time is devoted to preparation each day. Then the Wednesday or thursday before, several hours.

I enjoy the research. I enjoy putting the show together. I enjoy doing the show.

However problems arise which can be frustrating.

I was 4 minutes into the show yesterday. All of a sudden Jenna burst into the studio. You’re not on….. something’s wrong, she exclaimed.

I sat and waited. Four minutes later Krystal said everything was ok and start the show anew. Which I did.

It was a good show. Many interesting topics. Especially Berlusconi’s wednesday exploits. He knocked Germany’s Merkel. Publically told the whole world she had a “…fat ass” and would probably be a poor sex partner. He did not state the last part as delicately as I have.

The next thing I learn is that a Naples court has issued bench charges against Berlusconi for allegedly paying a 50,000 euro bribe to a politician from another party.

And you thought American politics was rough!

Anyhow…..I do not know if anyone could understand yesterday’s show. I have been told by some who tried to listen that my voice was coming over in a loud screech. So much for the technical difficulty having been resolved.

I apologize. Hopefully it will not happen again.

Key West weather sucks today. It did last night, also. It will till tuesday. It is cold!!! Sixty two degrees at the moment. Longs pants days. Sweater or a sweat shirt underneath a jacket.

Almost like being up north!

Not really.

After my failed show yesterday, I visited Lisa. It was time for another father/daughter talk. We seem to be having many lately.

Last night the Chart Room and Wine Galley.

Chart Room packed with tourists. To cold to be out on the street. I sat at the end of the bar. First talked with Don from Cleveland, then Peter and Don, then Peter alone, then new friend Lynn, then Lynn and Ollie. In between I exchanged a few words with the lovely Emily.

I was hungry. Walked over to the Wine Galley. Had a light meal and enjoyed Larry Smith’s singing. Larry undoubtedly a Key West talent.

Today, Syracuse basketball once again. For sure. Syracuse and Louisville go at it at noon. I am going to watch the game from the comfort and warmth of my bed.

Enjoy your day!

AN EXCEPTIONAL EVENING

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Spectacular! The only way I can describe last evening.

Larry Smith provided a special jazz night. Well known artists from all over the world came to join Larry in Key West for a show of shows.

The setting was the ever beautiful Wine Galley at the Pier House. Small round tables, white chairs, champagne, wine, excellent food, and a performance to beat all performances.

I met many interesting people. All notables in the jazz world. Like Dan Brubeck. The internationally reknown drummer. What he did with the drums! Dan’s father was the well known jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck. Dave spent most of his final years in Key West.

Names escape me. I cannot remember all. One was a lady jazz violinist. Obviously well known. She played at the Obama inaugural and one of Bush 2’s inaugurals. Then there was a guitarist who flew in from some far away place to perform last night. Last but not least, an exceptional trombonist from Boston.

Kathleen Peace and Christine Cordone sang. The two perform so well together. They compliment each other.

I met Noel Paul Stookey. Talked to him a while. Who is Noel? Paul of Peter, Paul and Mary. I was impressed! Songs of my era such as If I Had A Hammer and Puff The Magic Dragon. A tall, bearded, distinguished appearing individual. He sang a duet with Christine.

What made the show even better was the attitude the performers brought with them. They were like a bunch of kids in someone’s garage playing jazz. Having the best time of their lives!

I sat with Don, Stephanie and Erika. Erika was my date. Her husband Herschel could not attend.

Last night was a rare occasion. I hope I am lucky to see more.

Enjoy your day!

 

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

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Key West is unique in many respects. One is the abundance of musical talent residing on the island.

Last night was the 29th Annual Christmas Concert. It is always held at St. Paul’s Church on Duval. A large Episcopalian church. The Concert is held on the altar. The pews the seating area.

All kinds of music are played. The connecting thread  being the Christmas season. The best of Key West’s best perform. Most are professional entertainers.

Included in the array were Larry Smith, Christine Cordone, Kathleen Peace, Peter Diamond, Carmen Rodriguez, JodyRae Campbell, Melody Coope, Michael Thomas, and Maj Johnson. They are all friends.

The Key West community turns out for the event. St. Paul’s normally holds 500 people. Extra chairs were provided last night. In addition, a huge number stood in the back of the Church.

It was Christmas! The feeling was there from the time one arrived till long after the Concert had concluded.

After the Concert, I headed over to the Pier House’s Wine Galley. It was Sunday night. The Larry Smith Sunday Showcase was being presented.

The Wine Galley was packed as St. Paul’s had been. Many of the performers from the Concert joined Larry. It was a gala evening! More Christmas singing plus.

It was joy to the world time!

Two songs played particularly affected me. By the manner in which they were sung. Jingle Bells was one. Performed by Christine Cordone and Kathleen Peace. The other was Oh Holy Night sung by Nancy K. Hoffman. Nancy sang the tune in Yiddish.

Steven the bartender sings also. He got involved.

My good friends and annual Christmas time visitors John and Allison Blenkinsoop were at the Wine Galley. They are from Leeds, England.

Tonight Santa Claus!

Santa is my personal friend. We talk via telephone with each other off and on during the year. As a special favor, he is coming to Lisa’s home at dinner time to sit a bit with my grandchildren Robert and Ally.

I have been doing this for years. Not only with Robert and Ally, but also with my children and other grandchildren. You can’t beat having Santa Claus for a friend in the eyes of the young ones!

Tomorrow at 7 in the morning my time, the Key West Lou Blog Talk Radio Show. One half hour. Via the internet. Need your computer and telephone. If you like, you can even call in and wish me a Merry Christmas, discuss current events, etc. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Join me with your egg nog and coffee.

Enjoy Christmas Eve!

 

 

 

JOY IN MUDVILLLE?…..YES AND NO

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There is no joy in Mudville. Mighty Casey has struck out!

Famous words now applied by me to football.

There was joy in Mudville yesterday for Syracuse. A poor football team this year. Yet yesterday, Syracuse out did itself! Syracuse beat previously undefeated Louisville 45-26. Fraternity row was jumping last night in celebration.

There was no joy in Mudville for Alabama. #1 in the country! Previously unbeaten! Got their asses whipped by #11 Texas A & M. Jean Thornton threatened suicide. David has not been seen since the game ended.

Today is the start of the Syracuse basketball season. It will be another good year! I am excited. Syracuse plays San Diego State at San Diego. The game will be played on the deck of the USS Midway. San Diego is no soft touch. They won 26 games last year. A West Virginia star transferred and will be starting for San Diego.

Syracuse rarely begins its season against a ranking team. Today’s game should be good.

I spent a significant portion of yesterday reading. Fifty Shades of Grey. Really three volumes. I am into the third volume. The book is a best seller. Receiving much comment, especially from women. I am with holding my thoughts regarding the book till I finish it.

My first stop last night was the Chart Room. Captain Peter at the bar. Always good to be with Peter. A finer person does not exist.

Soon we were joined by Andrea. First time I met her. Peter knew her. She does double duty. Rents scooters and is a concierge.

Andrea was very good company. Intelligent. Piercing. The three of us had an interesting couple of hours.

I then walked over to the Wine Galkley. Figured I would grab a bite to eat and listen to Larry Smith play. While at the bar, I met another interesting lady. Judy. We chatted a bit at the bar. I invited her to join me for dinner. She declined. Already had eaten. Did join me at the table, however.

Judy is from Solon, Ohio. She is a nurse anesthetist. She was in Key West for a medical conference at the Weston and stayed a few extra days. She is the mother of two and grandmother of one

Judy has been visiting Key West at least three times a year since 1993. Loves Larry Smith!

I enjoyed Judy’s company. We had a good time at the Wine Galley.

The author Michael Dennis came in. Judy said that he looked familiar. She remembered him from when he owned a bar on Duval and used to play the piano and sing. A number of years back. She picked up on the familiarity when Larry turned the piano over to Michael. Michael has a unique singing style.

I received a communication from a friend in Paris. He said Paris has not been the same since Stephanie Kaple arrived. She made an impact! Stephanie apparently will be remembered even after she returns to Key West.

Enjoy your Sunday!

BREASTS…..THE FEMALE KIND

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I got eye strain last night. Bad!

I walked Duval from the Pier House to 801 and back. Naked breasts galore! Spray painted or with pasties. Some ladies even painted their privates.

It was a good night to be a man!

Sandy was still affecting Key West. Winds and a light rain. The winds are cut in half this morning. Down to 20 miles per hour. A few scattered clouds. White ones. Not gray or black. Palm trees no longer bending. Sun bright already.

The bullet missed us again. Fortuantely. I fear for those up north where ever Sandy hits. Sandy is a triple cocktail. The hurricane, a northeaster and an Artic cold front all coming together. A first! All three have never joined before. Even the experts are not sure how bad Sandy will be.

To my friends north of me, listen to what you are told to do. Get ready. Sandy will not be a joke once it hits.

I was enjoying doing the internet show yesterday morning. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Love doing it. About 35 minutes into the show, everything went crazy. A song came on. A 4.5 minute one. I good not get rid of it. I was alone in the studio. An engineer I am not. I assumed my face could still be seen. No voice, however. Just the music. I said screw it and waved good bye to everyone.

Though shorter than normal, the show did arouse significant interest with one topic. Sandy! Hurricanes are interesting and serious business.

After the show, I stopped at the Plantation Coffee House. Read the newspapers and enjoyed a coffee. The place was packed. Fantasy Fest. Sandy also helped get people into Plantation. The dark clouds and rain kept visitors off the beaches.

Diane was working. Swift and hard. Lovely as usual. She must have gotten sun earlier in the week. What a tan!

Ally telephoned while I was at the Coffee House. No school yesterday because of Sandy. Poppa, will you take me and Robert to lunch at the new Five Guys? Of course. What else would I say. I was pleased she asked.

We have a new Five Guys in Key West. A big one. In the Winn-Dixie Plaza. Real big! Packed. It was lunch time. The line about 20 deep at all times. Moved fast, however. There is twice the staff as the one at Truman and Duval.

We each had a small bacon cheeseburger and a cheese hot dog. Robert and Ally said they were still hungry after downing the burgers so we tried the hot dogs. These grandkids of mine have healthy appetites!

My evening started at the Chart Room. Emily working. These are big nights for her. Peter and Ollie there also. Chatted a bit with each.

Then I took the trek down Duval where my eyes were hanging out of my head. Evryone in a festive mood. Some in wheel chairs. Some of the ladies in the chairs proudly exhibiting their twin sisters. Good for them, I thought!

I was hungry. It was back to the Pier House for me. I ate at the Wine Galley. Enjoyed Larry Smith while dining. A good crowd in the Wine Galley. Mostly locals. Exchanged a lot of hugs and hellos.

The parade tonight. Fifty to 60 floats participating. Tomorrow’s newspaper will tell us 80,000 people watched the parade. I believe the figure. Key West will be busting at the seams tonight. The parade is the big event of Fantasy Fest.

I wonder every year where they all sleep. There are not 80,000 rooms in Key West. Not even 40,000. If you drive half way up the keys, like 60 miles, there are still not enough rooms. Some will sleep on the beaches. Some in their cars and vans. Where do the rest go? The question perplexes me every year.

Enjoy your day!