OH, THE PAIN!

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I told you yesterday that my implant problem kept me in the dentist’s chair three hours. No problem, however. No pain. All mechanical.

I was kidding myself!

Oh, the pain! Last night, all night. I was back in the dentist’s office this morning at 8. I think everything is ok now. I hope.

It is 9:30 my time now. The Key West Lou Legal hour starts at 1o. Watch, if you can! I prerecorded the show wednesday.

The show can be seen on television throughout the Florida keys and all of Miami-Dade County on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Also available world wide via the internet. www.tvchannel19.com.

If you miss the show this morning, no problem. It is now available on You tube 24 hours a day. Just click on You tube and type in Key West Lou Legal hour.

My only stop last night was the Chart Room. The while world was there! It was fun time. Except for my mouth. As I was sitting there, my mouth, jaw and ear started hurting. Bad! Like bang my head against the bar time.

I left and headed home. Two aspirins and to bed. Aspirins no help. I fell asleep after a while.

What a college basketball season! Another #1 ranked team has fallen. Indiana got beat by unranked Illinois 74-72. The #1 spot is turning out to be a bad luck place to be.

Some years in some leagues, all the teams are basically good. It is called parity. Is parity extending to collegiate basketball nationally?

Enjoy your day!

 

THREE HOURS IN DENTIST CHAIR

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I am very late with today’s blog. I am starting it at 2 in the afternoon. Sorry.

I had to be at the TV studio at 8 this morning. Need producer Jenna and engineer Krystal to do  my show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour is normally broadcast live at 10 on Fridays. This weekend presented a problem. Krystal is leaving tonight for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Ergo, my show had to be recorded this morning for viewing tomorrow morning.

Show recorded. Then hurried to a 10 am dental appointment. My implants were not working again. I spent 3 full hours in the dentist chair having them worked on. Thank God the problems were mechanical. No pain and suffering involved.

I did not have the time to do this blog before I left for the studio. It is now 2 in the afternoon and I am getting to it. I was in the dentist chair till one.

Spent yesterday afternoon writing another short story. Malocchio. A southern Italian version of the evil eye.

Last night was the Chart Room first. Emily, Che, Peter, and David at the bar. We were like at each other’s throats last night. Each a little edgy. Even Emily. I would give David a pass. He is incapable of speaking harshly to anyone.

The comments were sometime biting. We concluded at the end of the evening that we were a bit out of sorts and that we still loved each other.

I had to eat. Where? Did not want much. But craved real food! The diet hangs over me like a black cloud.

I went to 5 Guys. Did good. Ordered one cheeseburger with some veggies on it and a diet Pepsi. No fries, no peanuts.

I ate the cheeseburger by itself. No roll. Pushed it to the side.

Afterwards I thought….. What a good boy am I!

Please watch the Key West Lou Legal Hour tomorrow morning. Ten my time. Televised through out the Florida keys and Miami-Dade County via Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Available on the internet world wide. www.tvchannel19.com.

Since I have already done the show, I can guarantee it is a good one! From Super bowl to Mickelson to Mc Cain to a young female defendant who gave a Judge the finger and told him f–K you to an analysis of Greece’s today problems to the illegality of women wearing pants in Paris to a German Cardinal announcing that new morning after pills were ok for German Catholic women to take in the event of a rape to more. All good stuff. Even a touch of the French and Indian War.

A major announcement. I am finally and definitely on You Tube. I verify it. I saw me myself.

You tube is carrying my friday TV/internet show the Key West Lou Legal Hour. Go to You tube and type in Key West Lou Legal Hour. The last two weeks are already in. Tomorrow’s show will allegedly be posted after the show’s scheduled completion. The shows will be aired 24 hours a day. So if you miss a friday or have not been able to watch at 10 friday mornings, You tube is available to you.

The You tube material has some kinks. Not many. All curable I am told. My show is done in five 8 minute segments. The show has been posted with each segment appearing separately. When Krystal returns from Mardi Gras, her first assignment is to make the show one segment.

That’s it for today!

Enjoy your thursday!

 

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!

 

CHELSEA CLINTON

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The mystery has been solved! Chelsea Clinton was in Key West in recent days. Peter was correct that he saw her jogging at Fort Zach beach.

Key West Golden Girl Jean Thornton is home in Atlanta at the present. She knew. She emailed me yesterday to say Chelsea Clinton was in Key West to interview Judy Blume for NBC.

I believe I was the only one to publicize her presence. The newspapers even did not know. I spoke with one. I was told they could not verify her presence.

Two significant points are to be made. Peter has good eyesight and always believe Peter.

The more interesting question is who is Judy Blume? I never heard of her. I say this with shame. I googled her. She is a big deal. Must be if she was interviewed by the likes of Chelsea Clinton.

Judy Blume has had a home in Key West for years. She is an authoress. She has sold more than 80 million books. Her books have been published in 31 languages. The most famous was Tiger Yes, which also was made into a movie. It reached #3 on the New York Times Best Seller List. She is also a two time cancer survivor.

I asked the Chart Room regulars if they knew or had heard of her. The oracles of Key West lore. None had, except for JJ. He knew who she was and his wife knew her personally.

I felt less ashamed at that point.

It is amazing. You think you know everyone. None of us really do. I would like to meet this woman. I probably will.

It is not strange that another author of prominence would have settled in Key West. The home one time of Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee  Williams.

I walked the seaport yesterday. Bustling with tourists. It is a good season!

Afterwards, I stopped at the Plantation Coffee House. Enjoyed a cup and read the newspapers. The place was crowded. On the porch and inside. Another example of the large number of tourists in town.

Then spent a few hours at home preparing for this morning’s blog talk radio show.

Last night, it was the Chart Room first. Sean, Katherine, Che, Peter and JJ. Katherine and I had an interesting discussion about generations and what each expected from life. The boomers representing the age of entitlement. I enjoyed her perception of her generation’s expectations. I am not sharing them yet. I want to have a further conversation with Katherine on the issue first. I was finishing my second drink and my memory is a bit hazy.

I was hungry. Decided to eat out. A treat! Desired a prime rib. Headed to Outback. Too early. The place was crowded. No seats to be had anywhere, not even the bar.

I walked a 100 feet to the Chinese restaurant. Why not? It had been a long time. I destroyed myself. I could not get enough. My taste buds were alive.

Remember the five weeks I spent in Greece last summer? I visited Athens and four Greek isles. I reported getting stuck 3 extra days on santorini and 6 days on Armogos because the ferrys were not running. The seas were too high.

Today’s news carries a story about the Greek ferry boats. The ferry boat employees have been on strike for six days.

Understand that the ferry boats connect the islands. Most do not have airports. It is the boat or nothing. The ferry boats serve the Greek isles as the subway serves New York City.

The ferry boats also carry necessary supplies such as food, gasoline and other every day necessities. In some instances, even water.

Without the ferry boats, inconvenience and possible disaster.

The employees are on strike for pay arrears and monies they have lost because of austerity measures. It all has to do with the euro and Germany. More than half of Greece is unemployed. Things are tough. Going from bad to worse.

A side observation involves the Greek Nazi party. It is known as the Golden Dawn Party. On the rise in Greece. Won seven per cent of the vote in last November’s elections. It is thought if the elections were held today, a mere three months later, the Nazi party would come in a strong third. In a country where coalition government is the way, such gives the Nazi party big time clout.

The party operates similar to Germany in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Anti-Semitic, anti-immigration, convinces its followers Auschwitz was not a bad place. One of the party’s messages is speak Greek or else. Immigrants are beaten. Their homes and places of business vandalized.

These things bother me. That is why I share them with you. As a people, I believe we must be more aware of what is going on in the world. A global existence today. The problems of a far away nation may be ours tomorrow.

Syracuse beat Notre Dame last night 63-47. I did not watch the game. I did not know it was on.

The new national rankings came out yesterday. Syracuse is still in the top ten. Ninth and 10th in the two polls. I was surprised. I thought surely Syracuse would drop to 12-14. It only means most of the top teams are having problems. Misery loves company.

Verbose today. Sorry. I had much on my mind that I wanted to share.

Enjoy your day!

BLACKBIRDS

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The world is too serious. There is not enough humor. We need to lighten up a bit.

My friend Sukiyong Kim in Soeul, South Korea, emailed me the following which was received this morning.

Once upon a time, blackbirds were white. It was freezing cold outside. To avoid death from the cold, the white birds flew inside a chimney. They came out black and ever since have been black.

The simplicity of the tale. The absurdity. It made me laugh. I hope it did you, also.

I thought the Super Bowl was terrific! Some did not. What more could a fan want. One team goes far ahead, the other catches up, a defensive play with minutes to go.

I was at Lisa’s for dinner. A big deal dinner. Yesterday was Corey’s 50th birthday. Lisa prepared a big meal. We sang Happy Birthday! The cake was delicious.

Ally was especially cute. The event excited her. She took charge of everything. Including running around and turning all the lights off before Corey blew out the candles. Her excitement with each gift opened. The joy of youth!

Corey is a lucky man to have such a loving family. Lisa and Corey are lucky to have each other.

By the time festivities had concluded, it was half time at Super Bowl.  I had intended to watch the game at Don’s Place after dinner. Never made it. Went home to bed instead to watch.

My early morning blog talk radio show tomorrow. Seven in the morning my time. Available world wide.

My friends…..Get up you sleepy heads! Listen in. Call in. It is a talk show. Subjects tomorrow will include the Super Bowl game, whether Mc Cain has had it, the NRA, and whatever you might like to discuss. Call in and let me know.

Listen to the Key West Lou Talk Show at www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

You may call in any time within 15 minutes prior to show time. You will be placed on a list for me to chat with when the show begins.

Enjoy your today!

 

 

SYRACUSE IN TROUBLE

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Good bye Top Ten! Syracuse lost again yesterday. To Pitt. 65-55.

Syracuse is decimating itself. One of its stars has been out for several games for academic reasons. Another had knee surgery this week and is on crutches. Syracuse was only 7 deep at the beginning of the season. It is now 0 deep. Down realistically to 5 active players. The last statement is not precisely correct. Down to 3. Two of the presnt starters are not ready for the big time yet.

I feel sorry for Boeheim and the team. Hopes were bright at the beginning of the season. But a team needs its horses if it is going to win. This year’s scenario is like last year’s when Melo was lost at March Madness time.

It is going to be a long season!

I researched and wrote in the afternoon.

Last night was fun. Jenna and I went out.

The first stop was St. Paul’s Church. Elizabeth von Trapp was performing. Excellent!

Recall Sound of Music. The Captain and wife were her grandparents. Her father the oldest son.

In between songs, she shed some light on the realities of what the family went through when it escaped Austria and Hitler.

One was that her father was not a teen ager at the time. He was 21. When the family arrived in the United States, he was 23.

The family was escaping the Nazis. But it was not as described in the musical or movie. In both instances, the family snuck out of the house in the dark of night. They had to cross the mountains in the distance to get to a safe haven.

Elizabeth said no way! Over the mountains led directly to Germany. Instead, her grandfather locked the door to their home and the family calmly walked to the train station where they took the train to Italy.

The family was singing in the United States. They had two years of performances booked. All of a sudden, the US government feared they might be spies. They were placed on Ellis Island for three days. Three days of hearings.

Grandmother was confident. While the hearing was going on in a room, she had the family in the hall way singing and practicing. Three days later, the family was found sinless and permitted to remain in the United States.

It was an experience hearing Elizabeth. Her family is a part of our memories and history.

The show was over early. Jenna and I headed over to Hot Tin Roof. Last evening at Hot Tin Roof was one of the most enjoyable I have experienced in a long time.

We sat, drank and picked on food. Like sataki, hot shrimp and mashed potatoes. Yes, mashed potatoes. Jenna likes mashed potatoes. Actually, the mashed potatoes were unusually good.

The conversation was pleasant. A multitude of items discussed.

Big day today! Not Super Bowl. It is son in law Corey’s 50th birthday. Happy birthday, Corey! The best son in law a wife’s father could have.

The event is being celebrated with a special dinner this evening. Corey’s parents are in town for the event.

After the Corey festivities have concluded, I plan on stopping at Don’s Place to watch what is left of the Super Bowl game. The place will be crowded.

Was Peter correct in identifying Chelsea Clinton at the beach the other day? I suspect so. Though no one actually seems to know. Some one thought that she was in Key West to interview a Key West figure for NBC. All mysterious and strange. My gut feeling is that she really is in town and is being secreted for some reason. Perhaps privacy?

Paul of Peter, Paul and Mary is in Key West also. He will be attending Larry Smith’s special show tomorrow night at the Wine Galley.

Sloan is due here in an hour. We have work to do.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAVES IN THE POOL

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The sun is shining. There are no clouds in the sky. The temperature is 74 degrees. However, it is cold at my house.

My Key West home sits on open water. Any wind from the north, northwest or northeast hits it head on. Ocean wind is always cold. Even in the humid heat of summer.

The wind is still blowing today. Around 20 miles per hour. It is hitting my pool perfectly. There are waves in the pool.

Did the Key West Lou Legal Hour yesterday morning. My TV/internet show. There were some technical difficulties at the beginning. The audio was screwed up. No one could hear me. Otherwise, the show went well.

My Mc Cain comments to the effect the once hero was now an arrogant old man initiated quite a deal of comment. Most agreed with me.

The other topic that generated a great deal of interest had to do with the 60 year old woman who just won a $1 million lottery. She wanted to give back, help others. Since 2008, this woman and her mother were financially destitute. They relied on charitable organizations to get along.

One such organization provided toilet paper to her and her mother. One roll per person per month. Apparently not enough. She wanted to send a truck load of toilet paper to the organization.

Visted Tammy for a manicure after the show. Tammy’s company is always a pleasant experience. I could not help wondering what Vietnam has been without her.

Tammy became a US citizen last week. I shook her hand in congratulations. She is proud.

When I returned home, it was time to do next week’s KONK Life column. The publishing deadline was 5 o’clock.

I wrote about China and its one baby per couple rule. China is now considering going to two babies. Together with the reasons therefore. Read the article if you have the opportunity. It is interesting. An eye opener.

Dinner with Jenna was to end my day. I called and canceled. I was tired. I had been tired since the day before. Decided to go to bed instead. I did. Fell asleep early. I feel energized this morning.

Do not think I am letting Jenna get away. In place of dinner last night, we have decided to attend a performance at St. Paul’s Church this evening.

Remember Sound of Music? The story of the von Trapp family escape from Nazi Germany in the late 1930s. Lots of children.

One of the von Trapp granddaughters is singing tonight at St. Paul’s. I am excited. I am sure the program will include songs from Sound of Music.

I saw my first Broadway shows in 1960. The second was Sound of Music.

Syracuse/Pitt basketball at noon. I am concerned. More than ever.Though Syracuse is ranked #6, it is going to be difficult to stay in the top ten. Our sixth man has been benched for academics for several weeks. This week a starter had knee surgery and is on crutches. The team only went 7 deep at the beginning of the season. We are in trouble.

I have decided to watch the game from the comfort of my bed. It is being broadcast on ESPN.

Ed Koch died yesterday. A great New York City Mayor, a respected voice since he left office, and an all around good person. The world has lost a great one.

May he rest in peace.

Enjoy your saturday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO ONE SNEEZED

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Once you have lived in Key West a few years, you can pretty well predict the weather. Not just by day. By parts of a day, also.

Yesterday however I was wrong! Way off!

The morning had started warm. Then it suddenly got cold and breezy. I predicted it would shortly turn warm again. The weather would sneeze and the tropical sun return.

No one sneezed.

It was cold all day. High probably 70. During the night, the temperature was 62. At the moment it is 63. The high for today is projected at 72 and the low at 63.

I was out last night. Wore long pants and a sweatshirt.

I spent a couple of hours chatting with friend Captain Peter at the bar of the Chart Room. Sheila was leaving as I arrived. Emily bartending.

Peter and I have become bar buddies. Good! It is always a pleasure to chat with Peter.

Peter shared with me two interesting things he observed on tuesday.

Peter spends his days at Fort Zachrey Taylor beach, assuming the weather is good. Tuesday it was. He always sits in the same spot. Everyone knows him.

From his beach perch, he sees can see the length of the beach.

The jelly fish are in. Peter says they are not jelly fish. They are Portuguese Man of Wars. Who am I to argue with him.

The strong wind coming in off the Atlantic has caused the Man of Wars to be thrown up on the beach. There they lie. Even though dead, their tentacles still sting. A poison shoots out.

A tourist decided to pick up one of the Man of Wars. A mistake. Her finger got stung. Then she committed another error. She put her finger in her mouth and tried to suck the pain out. A no no. The poison will cause the mouth to swell. Followed by difficulty in breathing.

As Peter was running to help the woman, one of the park rangers arrived ahead of him. The ranger had a bottle of vinegar. He quickly had the woman fill her mouth with the vinegar. Vinegar prevents and/or reduces the swelling.

The woman walked away A-OK.

Peter made another observation from his beach chair. He saw a young lady walking and running down the beach. NBC TV cameras filming her. The beach had been cleared ahead of her apparently for safety as well as room reasons. Peter was permitted to remain where he was. Someone said he is here every day and is ok.

Sound mysterious? Not really. Peter claims the young lady was Chelsea Clinton. Makes sense if it was. She is a special correspondent for NBC. The only problem is yesterday’s newspaper and other media made no mention of her presence. I telephoned Key West’s great investigative reporter Sean Kinney to see if he knew. He knows everything. No answer. No call back as yet.

Cindy and Steve came into the Chart Room later. Cindy has been Jimmy Buffet’s Key West secretary for years.

She and Steve have recently adopted a dog from the dog pound. Cindy was carrying the dog. She told us it was a rat terrier. It was bigger than normal. A pleasant contented animal. Cindy says since they got their new friend, she has found a couple of dead rats on  her property.

On the way home, I stopped at Outback. Ate a whole meal again. This time lamb chops. I thought I was going to devour the bones, also. I fear I am pushing my luck food wise.

This morning AT 10, my TV/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. I have selected some interesting topics for discussion. Listen in and enjoy.

The show is available via television from Key West through the whole of Miami-Dade County on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Available world wide via the internet. www.tvcomcast19.com.

Enjoy your day!