TWO DAYS TO GO

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Yesterday was another busy day. It seems like I am running all over in final preparation for my trip.

My day started with the dentist. Another mechanical failure. Another part. Being overnighted from California. I hope it gets here and in before I leave Saturday. And that everything works properly!

Worked hard with Jenna yesterday. With the new cell phone and tablet. This is not the time for me to be learning two new machines!

Sloan showed up for a brief time. She is working on the You Tube show. I had to do a quick video for her.

Jenna and I enjoyed a late dinner at La Trattoria. The new one on the ocean. In the former Martha’s Restaurant spot.

The menu and food exactly the same as the La Trattoria on Duval.

The atmosphere was terrific. Sits right on the Atlantic Ocean.

I liked it, but not as much as the one on Duval. I know everyone working the Duval location.  Knew none of the staff at the new place. I like the warm feeling of Duval. Inside, the new location is cold.

Remember Joran Van Der Slooth? He is that young Dutch man who it is alleged was involved with the disappearance some 5 years ago of the American Natalee Holloway. They were both in Aruba at the time. He was arrested several times, but never prosecuted. Insufficient evidence.

Justice has a way of triumphing. Recall O. J. Simpson.

Van Der Sloot recently was sentenced to a long term in jail in Peru. For strangling a 21 year old girl in a hotel room.

Justice.

I published yesterday the story in its entirety in Key West Lou Law on Amazon Kindle.

Bocce tonight. I will not make it. Sloan and I will be working long and hard on You Tube.

Enjoy your day!

PREP TIME FOR EUROPEAN TRIP

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What a busy week!

In two days, I will be off on my trip. An adventure. I leave for Italy and Greece saturday morning. For two months!

I am excited.

Getting ready is a lot of work. I am not complaining. When I am lying around on the beaches in Santorini and Mykinosis, it will  have been worth it.

Yesterday started with the dentist. I thought I was finished.  Am not. I will be back there again at 9 this morning. Something is wrong. The implants are not working. That is the only way to describe it at the moment.

Ran around a lot yesterday. The bank. Had to figure out the euros situation. If Greece collapses and the eoru with it, the American dollar will be king. Sloan and I worked diligently preparing for You Tube.  Spent time at Walgreens getting my prescriptions in order for two months. Shopped for some incidental clothing. Key West needs more than a Sears and K Mart.

Speaking of You Tube, I now plan on starting my daily You Tube show next week. It will be a 2-3 minute commentary. Daily. One issue. It will come to you for the first time from Italy and then for several weeks from Greece. I am excited about the show!

Last night the Chart Room. I needed a couple of drinks. Then to the Hot Tin Roof. I watched a bit off the Miami/Indiana game while eating. I left before the game was over. Do not know who won. Miami was ahead by about 8 points when I left.

Another busy day ahead of me.

Yankee Jack made a funny yesterday. Yankee is a dear friend. Everyone’s friend. He is a bit over weight. Weighs about 440 pounds. No kidding.

Yankee wrote me on Facebook yesterday. We have not seen each other in a while. He sings at the Bull afternoons. He said stop into the Bull and see me. I’m the thin guy!

Enjoy your day!

A ZEN MOMENT

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I leave saturday for Italy and Greece. Worry not, I plan on doing this blog daily from where ever I am. I will also be doing my friday morning internet show from were ever. The wonders of modern science!

Trip preparations kept me busy busy yesterday. Included were two doctor visits. I was looking for any marching orders regarding the trip.

Last night was special. Not because of the places I visited. Rather one of the persons I talked with.

Che.

I have not seen Che in months. He was/is a Chart Room regular. In fact, his is one of the two remaining holes in the bar for receipt ashes. For whatever reason, Che has not been frequenting the Chart Room of late.

Che is not a Cuban guerilla nor a Cuban expatriate. Though his name suggests both. He is a Jewish merchant from New York who found his way to Key West many years ago.

Che is very opinionated. Dialogue with him makes for interesting conversation.

It is well known in Key West that I generally press my own shirts. To be sure they come out correctly. No one in Key West does shirts properly.. Last night Che tells me he presses his own shirts, also. Ironing for him is a “Zen moment” as he described it.

Some one at the bar was speaking loudly. He used the word “awesome” as it related to some  beer. Che was disturbed. He said the only thing he considered awesome was when God walked out of the bushes and gave Moses the Ten Commandments.

Such is Che. A Key West figure. A Key West icon.

Dinner was at the bar at Michael’s. I enjoyed the house specialty. The veal chop.

I do not know the name of the barmaid. She knew me.  I was embarrassed to ask her name.

The reason I mention her is that she brought Marty up. Yes, Marty, you are remembered!

Marty and Che used to stand at the end of the bar at the Chart Room and argue. Over everything. Every one in town knew Marty. Unfortunately, Marty is no more in Key West. He has sort of retired to his home in Fort Lauderdale. He visits Key West infrequently.

I miss you Marty.

I start this morning with a dentist visit. Certain parts of my implants were defective. Defectively manufactured. They are being replaced this morning. Will this saga ever end? I had to wait for the shipment to come in from the plant in California. There will be no pain involved. The problem is time. I still have much on my plate that has to be completed before I leave for my European trip.

Enjoy your day!

NO NAME PUB / NO NAME KEY

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Sunday in Key West!

Did something different yesterday.

The sun  was shining. Finally. It was early afternoon. I put the top down on the convertible. Threw a baseball cap on backwards. Off I went!

My goal was No Name Pub. Some 30 miles away.

The convertible, the wind, the sun…..the best.

I arrived. Not many people. The off season. Sat at the bar.

The bar is high. The bar stools correspondingly high. Hard to get on and off. I did not fall, however. Ho ho.

I enjoyed a Philly cheese sandwich. I think they are the best at No Name Pub. Grandson Robert agrees with me. We have made a study.

No Name Pub is an interesting place. It appears to have formerly been a small two story home. Before and during World War II,  a whore house. Now a restaurant.

Afterwards,  decided to visit No Name Key. No Name Pub is not located on No Name Key. It is about a half mile further down the road. Over a long bridge. The Pub is located on Big Pine Key.

Seems confusing. It is not. Once you understand.

No Name Key’s claim to fame is that it has no electric power. No utility lines of any kind. This is roughing it. At least from my perspective. The people living on No Name Key have propane generators, solar panels, and I assume candles. They like it that way. The State of Florida is trying to compel the residents to get electric power. The residents do not want it. There is a new lawsuit pending by the residents to bar electric power from coming to their island.

No Name Key is a desolate place. The homes are not close together. Though the homes are visible to each other. Some large homes, small small ones. All weather beaten. It appears no one paints. Most run down.

All of the preceding adds to that strange feeling one experiences when they visit No Name Key. To me it as a cemetery grown up.

One has to go out of his way to get to No Name Key. Once there, he cannot wait to leave!

There is something lovely and beautiful on No Name Key. Little deer. No more than two feet high. The young ones even smaller.

I was driving through late in the afternoon. The deer were c coming out of the woods. There were literally hundreds on and around the roads. Traveling in packs. Gave no concern to my car. It was their home, their place. I was the one who had to be careful.

The drive home was a delight. The top still down. My head this morning has a large burn spot on the upper forehead where the hat failed to cover.

It was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Enjoy your day!

 

A BUSY SATURDAY

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Happy Sunday!

Saturday was busy. Very busy.

I started with my purchase of a new cell phone and I Pad. Went Android and Verizon. Thank you all for your advice.

Then it was Larry Harvey’s memorial service at St. Paul’s. A respectful crowd for a much loved man. The minister eulogized him. There was a celebration of his life later at the Hemingway House where his friends spoke about him. I was not able to make the Hemingway event.

I was out shopping for my trip. Odd ball things. Underwear, socks and the like. I leave for Italy next Saturday. Speaking of Italy, it is providential that I am going next week instead of being there this week. I fly into Milan. Northern italy. The area had a major earthquake last night. 6.0. Much damage. Old churches and buildings brought down. Four killed.

I have experienced several earthquakes in my lifetime. Two while I was away from home. One in Acapulco. The other in San Diego. Both scared me. They were on the severe side. In Acapulco, the street opened wide and deep and a car fell in.

I had an art sale to attend. A mandatory appearance. Ally was selling her art!

I have created a monster. When Ally was sick this past week, I suggested she color and paint. She did a bit. To keep her entertained, I suggested she sell her art work. I explained the process to her. Told her she was becoming an entrepeneur. It cost me a dollar that day for one painting. Ally appeared to enjoy having earned the dollar.

Ally had an art sale scheduled for yesterday. I was invited. I was the only one. When I arrived, I discovered Robert had joined the game. Both had arranged their art work in a very orderly fashion.

Ally immediately announced that her lowest price was $2 and some were higher. Whoa, I said. No way. You do not have an established reputation yet. All $1 each or I will not play. She agreed. Robert said nothing. He was along for the ride.

Cost me $4. I ended up buying four pieces. Two by each. They were excited and pleased. I told them we cannot have these art shows often. Too expensive for me and not a good habit for them. The whole scenario is an educational thing. I do not want them to think money is easy to make.

Ally is really into this. I promised to take her to an art gallery and show her how the pros show and sell their paintings.

I stopped art the Plantation Coffee House for a bagel and cup of coffee. The lovely Diane working. A restful place.

Instead of the bagel, I opted for the quiche. Outstanding! Diane is one of the owners and makes the quiche herself.

A different evening last night. I decided to hit several of the Duval Street bars. After the Chart Room, of course.

Sheila and JJ at the Chart Room. Interesting conversation.

I walked over to Sloppy Joe’s. A long time since I had been there. Too many people and too much noise. I stayed a while and had a drink.

Then to the Smokin’ Tuna. Fewer people. Better music.

Hunger was upon me. It was to Kelley’s for wings. Always good! The best in Key West. Perhaps the best any where.

One last stop was on the agenda. Don’s Place. No Don. However there was Kurt, Phuff, Lori, Boomer and Todd. I stayed quite a while. Had a few drinks. Enjoyed my time there.

As I was driving out, I heard Lou! and saw a moped climbing up my back. It was Don. He wanted to say hello.

A busy day ahead of me. I still have a ton of things to do to prepare for my trip. I will be away seven weeks. Italy and Greece. I cannot wait!

Enjoy your Sunday!

LUNCHED WITH A MOVIE STAR

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Saturday morning!

Rain! It has been raining for a week. Only a few breaks for sun. We needed the rain. Enough is enough, however.

Terrific Key West Lou Legal Hour show yesterday morning. Post show comment indicated the story of courage told was the most popular. It concerned Claire Lomas who recently ran the London Marathon. All 26.2 miles of it. Took her 16 days. She is a paraplegic. Ran the race with the aid of robotic legs.

After the show, shopped Duval and Sears for sandals. Found none I liked. I will be looking again today.

I had a date for lunch. Granddaughter Ally! I was babysitting all afternoon. Lisa was busy with meetings.

Ally decided we should have lunch at Hogfish. Fun. Then we went to my home. She swam most of the afternoon. She is obviously feeling better.

Ally wanted to drive with the top down. I did on the way to Hogfish. There Ally was seated in back on her child’s seat with huge sunglasses on and her hair blowing in the wind. A movie star!

I stopped at the Town N’ Country last night for a bite. Congenial Robert bartending. I enjoyed salmon and fried calamari.

Seated nearby at the bar was a couple. The man said hello. Turns out we had met last year. I enjoyed their company. Especially his. He is a fireman who is also actively engaged in many civic community activities. It was a great conversation regarding the various problems confronting Key West. He was extremely knowledgeable.

Services for Larry Harvey today. A most beloved Key West resident! Larry passed away earlier this week at 92. His mass will be at St. Paul’s on Duval. There will be a celebration of his life later at the Hemingway House. Larry worked at the Hemingway House for thirty years. His spirit will be felt at both events.

I have yet make  my cell phone and tablet decision. Thank you for the many suggestions and recommendations. Apple or Google? I have to make up my mind this morning. I have a 10 o’clock appointment to buy.

Came across an interesting news release on Yahoo this morning. There is a 33 year old man in Knoxville, Tennessee who has fathered 14 children. He recently applied to the court to reduce his child support payments. He claims he cannot afford what he is paying as he only earns minimum wage.

The man lacks any sense of responsibility. The government should pay for his birth control. It would be cheaper than helping to support the 14 children.

It is not against the law to father children. Even outside of wedlock. How does society get this guy to stop? I can think of a solution, but society would consider it barbaric.

What bothers me most is not that society will support these children. Rather it is that they will grow up without a responsible father figure. Or any type father figure in all likelyhood.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHOPPING AT SEARS / DINING AT BIG TEN SPORTS BAR

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Ten this morning! The Key West Lou Legal Hour!

Broadcast world wide on the internet. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

Join me. Fast moving and interesting.

My trip to Italy and Greece is just around the corner. About ten days away. I picked up some things for the trip. Like new shorts and bathing suits. Shopped at Key West’s store of choice for men. For women, also. Sears! There is nothing else of consequence in Key West.

Ally was still sick. I was scheduled to babysit in the afternoon. Lisa telephoned and said Ally wanted bagels. So I stopped at Publix and picked up six.

Ally looked a lot better. She had returned to the world of the living. It is amazing how young children look so beat up when they are ill. Ally was talking and coloring. The anti biotics were working.

Ate at John Lucas’ Big Ten Sports Bar. Watched Miami/Indiana. Miami obviously misses Bosh. Miami better get its game together. Or they are going to lose. They are already down 2-1. Miami was beaten by roughly 20 points last night. The difference in the score was not in any one’s contemplation.

John stopped by. Several times actually. It was his night off, but he came in any how. I like John. A good person. We have become friends.

Valerie and Clayton were at the bar talking with John as I was leaving. John gave me a hug, Valerie a kiss, and Clayton a hug. A big night for me!

Valerie and Clayton own Vino’s on Duval. A good place to stop. Enjoy a glass of wine, some good company, and watch the world go by.

I have to move this morning. Need to be at the studio one hour before the show to review my notes.

Enjoy your day!

FELL AGAIN / GREEK PEDOPHILES PENSIONED

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My day yesterday started with an early morning dentist visit. I followed the dentist up with Blossoms. Enjoyed Cuban cheese toast with tomato and Cuban coffee. Both to die for!

Then I headed over to Lisa’s. Ally still sick. I wanted to visit with her.

I did it again! I fell! Going up the one step to Lisa’s home. Stubbed my toe. Fell flat forward on hard tile. My chin, both knees and right elbow took the brunt of the fall. Right knee a bloody mess.

Lisa ran out. Would not let me get up. Little did she know,  I could not. Finally, I made it. Straight to the easy chair and ottoman in her living room. There we were. Ally and me. Ally on the couch. Poppa in the chair next to her. For five hours!

Lisa cleaned and bandaged my right knee. I hurt all day and all night. Feel better this morning. Surprisingly, no bruises. I ache all over this morning, but no where as bad as yesterday.

Ally finally got to the doctor late in the afternoon. She has some sort of infection. She is being treated with an anti biotic. Hopefully she will be on the mend today.

I do not know why I fall. This is the fourth time in two months. Each time it occurs, it is because I stub my toe or miss a stair. I fear an aging infirmity is upon me.

Last night I spent in bed. With the computer on my lap. I published to Amazon Kindle an article I wrote about a couple of months ago for KONK Life. Titled: Greece and Pedophilia. The thrust of the column involved Greece developing a new code. It was expected to become law soon. In the code, pedophilia is one of the listed disabilities entitling a person to a government pension.

It is a crazy world! These things cannot be made up!

My concern was and is twofold. First, something is wrong wherein a government rewards a heinous crime such as pedophilia. Second, Greece is broke. On the verge of total economic collapse. Greece cannot afford this type pension. And along these lines, such is an example of why Greece is going down the tubes. Government pensions to pedophiles!

I was comparing Apple and Google yesterday. I am in the market for a new cell phone and I Pad. I was talking about some v thing. I could not recall the word. I am losing it. It was not a v thing. It was android.

Bocce tonight. I do not know if I am going to make it. My right knee is bandaged and does not bend well.

Enjoy your day!

NEW CELL PHONE AND I PAD SEARCH / 5 GUYS

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Education time yesterday.

I am in the market for a new cell phone and I Pad. My present phone AT&T. I visited AT&T and Verizon. Left both places with a gigantic headache. Confusing stuff to a person of my age.

It seems Verizon might be the best deal. The I Pad would be a v something. Not Apple.

I would appreciate any suggestions. All greek to me.

Speaking of Greek, I bought some new shirts at Orvis yesterday for my Greece trip. I will be leaving in about 10 days.

Then spent some time shopping for Robert’s birthday gift. Went to the to the toy store on Mallory Square. I am not sharing what I bought Robert with you. I knew his mother would be upset. She was. You would probably be upset, also.

Lunch was exciting. We have a new place in Key West. 5 Guys.

I have heard of 5 Guys in recent years. Everyone speaks well of the operation. Key West’s is located in the little L shaped shopping mall behind the ice cream and water sports booths on the corner of Truman and Duval. It has been open about a week.

I was absolutely impressed. The best cheeseburger I have ever had.

It was assembly line preparation. One employee put mayonaise on the roll. The next mustard and ketchup. The next tomatoes. And so on. It reminded me of my former wife. She helped out at the Rescue Mission on Flagler at lunch time for a couple of years. Her job: buttering the bread.

The place was packed. A winner.

Birthday party time last night. Great cake baked by Lisa! Chocolate with a white frosting. Just what Robert ordered. Robert was pleased with his gifts and his day. He was excited by my gift. I was correct. Lisa’s eyes went up when she saw it.

Ally still sick. Low grade fever and not eating. She is beginning to look emaciated.

I watched the Miami/Indiana game last night. It looked like the start of World War  III.

Dentist visit at 9 this morning. I have to hustle.

Enjoy your day!

LAURIE FINE PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW

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I stayed up late last night. Ergo, slept late this morning. That is why the blog is being posted so late. Sorry.

It has been announced…..Bernie Fine’s wife Laurie is holding a press conference tomorrow morning. Part of the ongoing Syracuse University  pedophile scandal.  It has been reported she will be addressing the “…false accusations and scandalous lies” spread by certain persons.

I cannot believe her press conference will add anything of substance to the matter.

Walked Key Haven yesterday morning. Up and down the streets. A picturesque walk. Some lovely homes.

Babysat later in the afternoon. Ally is now sick with what her brother had. She seems to be recovering faster than Robert did.

I began at the Chart Room last night. Mary bartending. Chatted with Jean and Frankie.

Then across the street to the Hot Tin Roof. Very, very few people. A monday night. In addition, this is a quiet time for tourists. About three weeks from now the streets and restaurants will be jammed again. School will be out. Families will be driving to Key West for their vacations. Prices for everything are generally cheaper. Merchants recognize it is a slow time. They attract families with their cheaper than ever prices. Motels/hotels can be as much as fifty percent cheaper. Dinners in many restaurants half price. You can’t beat it!

Big day to day. Robert’s birthday! He is 8 years old. I remember when he was born. We were fearful he would not live eight days. Robert was born with cancer of the liver. He had two major surgeries the first eight days of his life. Thank God he is A-OK since.

We are eating dinner at Lisa’s tonight. Lisa baking a cake. Robert’s choice as to take out. He picked Wendy’s. I do not know why. We rarely go to Wendy’s. Robert is having a cheeseburger. I am having two.

Happy birthday my beloved grandson!

Enjoy your day!