TERRIBLE 24 HOURS

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I am sick of being sick!

My doctor recommended that rather than carry the nitroglycerin spray in my pocket for use as needed, that I go on a small nitro pill every day. I took it yesterday morning for the first time.

The pill resulted in 24 hours of hell!

As I think back, there have been three events in my life that caused me much discomfort and pain. The time I had e.coli, the time I had 25 per cent of my colon removed and the small intrestine and colon got screwed up, and the spasm when my back goes out.

There is now a fourth. What the nitroglycerin pill did to me.

A headache such as I have never experienced before. Like my head was going to explode. Big time nausea. Blood pressure down to around 90 over 50. No high blood pressure last night!

It was a horrendous day and night. Slept not one minute. Did not think I was ever going to get better.

I telephoned my doctor last night. His nurse advised stop taking the pill and go to bed…..you will be better in the morning. She was correct. I am.

She also told me my stress test results were ok. I see the doctor Thursday for a follow up.

There was no way I could do my blog talk radio show last night. Absolutely no way! That is why I was not there for you who listened in.

Enough of sickness. I feel fine this morning. I expect to stay that way. It is like I will tolerate no further problems. Not that any of us has control over such things.

One thing I cannot understand. When I drank a lot and used to raise hell, I always felt good. Now that I have backed off a bit, I seem to have one problem after another.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE WEATHER

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Key West is experiencing one of the finest Fall seasons in memory. So good! The days are generally in the low 80s. No heat. No humidity. No sweating. Nights just right. Air conditioning not required.

Heavenly bliss!

Tonight is my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Nine o’clock. Join me. I guarantee an interesting half hour.

One of the topics to be discussed concerns the $8.5 trillion of taxpayer money that Congress authorized the Pentagon to spend. It cannot be accounted for. What a way to run a business/government! $8.7 trillion is half the national debt. And they want to cut food stamps, Social Security and Medicare! Take care of national waste and nothing would have to be cut. Waste not, want not applies here.

I shall also be sharing the thoughts of a federal judge who this past week asked in a speech to the New York Bar Association why no Wall Street executives have been prosecuted. A point I have made many times in recent years.

My recently published book The World Upside Down is out there. Other than the 10 sold in Italy, I do not know what is happening.

As you are already aware, yesterday’s morning was spent doing a nuclear stress test in the hospital. Doctor will tell me results thursday. One of the nurses said to worry not. If anything was wrong, the doctor would be seeing me sooner.

I still feel wiped out. Between the flu and chest pains, I am dragging around.

Spent yesterday afternoon in bed.

I would have stayed in last night, except Don and Chris were in town and we had a meeting scheduled at the Chart Room. I missed them on their last visit to Key West.

We met as arranged. They have become friends. It was good to see them. Both world travelers for business purposes. Don recently returned from an Asian trip. Chris from Dusseldorf. I had a couple of drinks and some interesting chatter with them.

That was all I could handle, wanted to handle. The wiped out feeling. Went straight home and to bed. It was around 8 o’clock.

Enjoy your day!

SO FAR A DULL DAY

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Sunday was quiet. Nothing of any interest occurred. I took it easy.

This morning I had to be at the hospital at 7:30. I just returned close to noon. I had a nuclear stress test. I have had many stress tests  over the years. Both the treadmill one and the nuclear one. I prefer the nuclear. It is much easier.

Don and Chris from the Syracuse area are in town. We are meeting this evening at 6:30 at the Chart Room. Don recently started his own business. His accounts are primarily in China. I am anxious to find out how he is doing.

Tomorrow at 9 my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk With Key West Lou. Going to discuss wild and wooly Venezuela. The toilet paper shortage there was nothing compared to what is going on now. Another revolution could be around the corner. I also have some thoughts regarding General Motors to share.

China’s abolishing to a degree the one child rule is interesting. Especially the reason why. It will put the U.S. to shame. If there is time, Senator Shaheen’s recent expose that U.S. soldiers are being killed in Afghanistan by terrorists backed with U.S. money.

My book, my book! The World Upside Down. The excitement within me does not quiet down. Friend Anna in Novara bought 10 copies. She plans to give them as Christmas gifts. I hope all who receive them speak English. There is no Italian translation.

I am going to have a bite and go to bed. I am exhausted from the stress test.

Enjoy your day!

KEY WEST FILM FESTIVAL

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Yesterday had to be a lesson learned. No one should take my sport recommendations.

I thought Syracuse could upset the mighty Florida State. At the very least, beat the point spread. I was wrong in both instances.

Syracuse got beat by Florida State 59-3.

It happens. I have to congratulate the Florida State team. I have never seen a college football team play with such precision. Especially in the passing and receiving part of the game.

Syracuse’s time will come!

I had planned on watching the game at the Big Ten Sports Pub. Never made it. As I was showering, my stomach started rocking and rolling again. It was back to bed!

The Key West Film Festival has been ongoing this weekend. The second year the event has been held. I admire the locals who put the event together and are promoting it. In several years, it can develop into a big deal.

Star Mariel Hemingway is in Key West for the Festival. She is the granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway and a film star in her own right. She participated in the writing and stars in a documentary called Running From Crazy which is being featured at the Festival. It is about mental illness in the Hemingway family and her efforts to escape it.

The Festival is showcasing 35 different films over a 3 day period.

Hemingway, Hemingway, Hemingway! He is part of the fabric of Key West. Loved and remembered.

I recall this past summer my two visits to Lake Maggiore. I visited two different cities at the Italian southern end of the Lake. The Lake sits between Italy and Switzerland. I hope to visit the Swiss side next year.

Hemmingway spent time recovering from leg wounds received in World War I at Lake Maggiore. A Farewell To Arms has as its basis certain of his experiences there.

I was thrilled to have experienced Lake Maggiore and places where Hemingway visited. Especially the ones he drank at. There were only a few. He was a creature of habit. As Sloppy Joe’s was his bar of choice in Key West.

I continue to get congrats re my recently published book The World Upside Down. Thank you one and all. I am waiting for my first comments from those who have read it. Too soon yet. It was just published last Wednesday.

The Key West Citizen is our daily local newspaper. Not too many pages for 50 cents. However, it does report most of the news. I say most because there has developed a glowing hole in its reporting as concerns local commercial events.

I suspect it all has to do with money. If an organization is running an event and has a cash flow, the Citizen would want some advertising space purchased. A business, so I understand. On the other hand, I don’t know if it is proper. We all live, work, and play in the same community.

Enjoy your Sunday!

SYRACUSE v. FLORIDA STATE

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From the depths of the Bible comes today’s David and Goliath story. Syracuse v. Florida State.

Florida State is ranked #2 in the country. Syracuse unranked. Florida State is 9-0. Syracuse 5-4.

The Vegas line is 38.5 points.

Take Syracuse. A chancy but good bet in my opinion.

In the 60 odd years I have been a diehard Syracuse fan, there have been 3-4 upsets. Games where a lowly Syracuse team beat a high ranked one. It happens.

This year’s Syracuse team has been improving. If our quarterback and receivers can meld and the defense plays its finest game, Syracuse wins! Again, it has happened. It can happen.

I have that feeling. Nothing more.

As to the 38.5 point Vegas difference, a good bet. I do not see a 50-7 game here. Again, simply my opinion. One which is not supported by any data.

The game will be nationally televised on ABC at 3:30. I will probably be at John Lukas’ Big Ten Sports Pub watching the game.

I spent a day and a half in bed. By last night, my stomach appeared back to normal. I did not eat, however. Waited till this morning.

Around 9 last night, I got chest pains. Sort of big. They came and went for 5 minutes. I used my nitroglycerin spray. Within 45 seconds, the pain was gone. A few minutes later, they came back. Nitroglycerin spray again. Pain went away again in 45 seconds. A few minutes later, the chest pain again.

This time I telephoned my heart doctor. I spent some time in the hospital last night. He examined me, had me tested, etc. While all this was going on, I had no chest pains. He could find nothing. That was ok with me. There have been no pains since.

However, I am scheduled 7:30 Monday morning for a stress test. He also has put me on a small dose nitroglycerin pill which I am to take every day.

There are some inconveniences to getting old. I do not view them as disadvantages. The inconveniences are health problems. As long as correctable, who am I to complain.

Almost forgot! My book! The World Upside Down. The book was published last wednesday. It is available in ebook and paperback on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.

Enjoy your day!

THE FLU

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Wednesday night I was at the bar at the Chart Room talking with Peter and Sean. We got into the flu shot. Peter was waiting for the new 65 plus one. The Vets and Walgreens were out of it. Sean said he had never taken the shot. I got mine two months ago

I proudly said I had been taking the shot for 15 years. Never got sick once! Prior to the shot, I would get the flu 2-3 times a winter. Flew a lot at the time. Since the shots began, nothing.

I talked too soon.

It hit me at noon yesterday and continued in full bloom till midnight. I am still uneasy. I have to do my TV/internet show this morning. Then I plan on returning home to bed.

I spent part of the morning yesterday finalizing today’s show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. That was all I did yesterday. I did not even go to bocce. Telephoned David and told him I was under the weather.

This week’s KONK Life article was titled Doolittle’s Raid. The United States’ first bombing of Tokyo early in World War II. One of the comments received was from a World War II veteran. He said he cried. I told him I cried too as I wrote it. The part where I related how all 16 planes crashed landed or the crew had to bail out over Japanese occupied territory, and how two were put against a wall and shot by the Japanese. The heaviest part of the story was that each crew member knew they were going on a dangerous mission and in the final analysis took off from the Hornet knowing they did not have enough fuel to reach friendly bases in China.

I get a thrill every time I think about my recently published book. The World Upside Down. The TV studio has begun running on the bottom of my show’s screen the title of the book.

The weather gets better every day. Temp in the high 70s. Wind has diminished significantly. Still a breeze, however. Cool and dry. No humidity. No need for air conditioning either day or night.

My Friday TV/internet show and tuesday blog talk radio show are You Tubed. Enter Key West Lou.

Not a very interesting blog. I did nothing, but be sick.

Enjoy your day! I plan on spending mine in bed after I do the TV show.

WINTER MOVING IN

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Weather changes are abrupt in Key West. We move from one season to another overnight. It looks like we are moving into winter. A Key West winter. Not so bad. Better here than up north where they have already experienced snow.

The wind was strong yesterday and from the north. Especially on the gulf side of the island. Waves and white caps were discernible in the water.

The temperature was ok, however. In the high 70s. As it will be today. The wind brings with it the cold off the ocean, however. I was out last night. A sweat shirt would have helped.

The reaction to the book thus far has been gratifying. Emails from all over. Even China. Thank you one and all. Now I hope someone buys the book.

Once again, the title is The World Upside Down. It has been published in ebook and paperbook versions. It is available via the internet from three sources: Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and AbsolutelyAmazingeBooks.com.

I occasionally get screwed up. Keith was over Tuesday night. He told me my license plate had expired. It was to have been renewed in July. I was in Greece in July. Never saw the registration renewal letter. I have been driving for three months an unregistered vehicle.

Now that I knew, I was not going to drive the car till it was registered. Ergo, I had to beg rides. Twice.

DMV Florida has stringent rules on anything and everything to do with cars. I went to the internet first to see what was required to renew a previously registered Florida vehicle. I brought everything the official State DMV site said was required. The nice lady at DMV told me I needed one other item. I said it was not on the internet. She said, I know but you still need it.

So it went. I finally got the car registered. The people at DMV here in Key West are pleasant. Rules are rules, however.

A friend in Italy emailed me yesterday to tell me I had dual citizenship. I am an Italian citizen also because one of my parents was born in Italy. My mother. I plan on doing nothing with the knowledge. I am happy where I am as I am. In spite of everything going on, there is nothing like the USA!

The Chart Room last night. My one and only stop. Visited with Emily, Peter and Sean. Peter was dressed for the weather. Long pants, a sweater and a denim jacket.

A lot of tourists. I was surprised because there is nothing of significance this weekend, other than a film festival.

Bocce tonight. The last night of the season. It will be a fun evening. Nothing at stake. We will finish somewhere in the middle of the standings.

Tomorrow morning The Key West Lou Legal Hour. My TV/internet show. Ten my time. Via television from Key West through Boca Raton. Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw.com.

If you miss the show, you can see it on You Tube at your convenience. Enter Key West Lou.

Some interesting and revealing topics will be discussed. Like a U.S. accommodation of the Tea Party that is disturbing, an abuse of police power you will find hard to believe, additional poverty exploration, some cattle rustling, corporations getting bigger, how taxpayers are coming up short with regard to the GM bailout, and more.

Enjoy your day!

BOOK PUBLISHED!

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Let the drums roll out, let the trumpets blare…..My book was published this morning!

The World Upside Down has gone on sale.

I cannot tell you how excited I am! It is the first time I have ever done anything like this.

The book is available in two versions. Ebook and paperback. It can be found on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, and AbsolutelyAmazingEBooks.com. In addition, Amazon Kindle.

I hope you enjoy reading it.

Enjoy your day!

VETERANS DAY PARADE TERRIFIC!

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Yesterday morning found Duval and Mallory Square quiet. The powerboat races were over. The participants had left town.

Things changed by late afternoon. Key Westers and tourists joined to celebrate Veterans Day. The curbs were crowded the whole length of the parade.

I was correct when I suggested earlier yesterday that small town parades were the best. Yesterday afternoon’s parade did not make a liar out of me.

Participating were the coast Guard, a Navy contingent, policemen on horses, high school students including cheerleaders and band, and two special cars carrying World War II veterans. The World War II veterans received loud cheers.

There were floats. Candy was thrown from the floats to children. The kids were running out to pick the candy up from where it landed on the street.

A special touch was the handing out to viewers of small American flags. Proudly waived during the parade by young and old alike.

I was watching the grandchildren earlier in the day. We walked around Mallory Square. Ended up at the Ocean Key House for lunch. Outside on the dock. Ally wanted an aqua colored table. Robert wanted one with an umbrella. Both requests were accommodated.

It was a first time visit for Robert and Ally. They enjoyed the whole scene, especially the boats. We were seated by the rail with the ocean immediately below us.

I never know what we are going to talk about. I let the grandkids take the lead. Robert got into evolution. Nine years old! He explained we were descendants of monkeys, baboons, and apes.

I asked…..What about Adam and Eve? I was shocked. Neither had ever heard of Adam and Eve. I got into God created the world, then Adam, and finally Eve. A first for them.

Tuesday again. Blog talk radio time. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. This evening at 9.

I wait till the day of the show to decide content. Things move so fast in today’s world that many times yesterday’s news is old hat.

I suspect I will be discussing whether Hilary Clinton’s time has passed for the Presidency. My concern is she represents a different generation. Perhaps we need a person closer to today’s problems. I have some things to say about General Motors which you will find interesting. Egypt and democracy is another topic.

Join me. The show is only a half hour. A fast moving half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

SMALL TOWN PARADES

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Over the years, I have come to realize how enjoyable small town parades are. In some instances, the best!

Two small town parades stand out in my mind. One is the Fourth of July parade in Chatham on Cape Code. I not only enjoyed the parade, I had an overwhelming sense of patriotic pride as I watched it. The other is Key West’s Christmas Parade. You have not seen a Christmas parade till you have seen Key West’s. It is miles long. Children everywhere.

I have never seen Key West’s Veteran’s Day Parade. Hopefully this afternoon at 4 I will.

Veteran’s Day. A special day set aside to honor those who sacrificed for our country. Actually, sacrificed for you and me. I never served. I was part of the Korean War generation. The war ended my senior year in high school and I went to college instead of into the Army. By the time Vietnam was in full swing, I was a practicing attorney with a wife and four children.

Some things bother me about our soldiers and veterans. Permit me to share a few with you.

Our government talks a good game, but plays a poor one. The number of veterans with disability claims not being paid attention to is enormous. About half a million. Money is the problem. The House of Representatives should be ashamed to have forgotten these warriors of yesterday. House members talk a good game about supporting the military. In reality, they fail.

I worry that we now have a professional army. Such makes a military take over of the government easier. Anything is possible today.

Contractor soldiers. Our shadow army. Private mercenaries in the pay of the United States. Wrong that we use them. It is the military complex having become stronger. The controls over them are significantly less than over the real military. They answer not to government. Rather to the corporations for whom they work.

Finally, we cannot fight everyone’s battles. In the last decade, we have had boots on the ground in too many countries. Many of these involvements were none of our business. We paid not only with money, but also the lives of our young men and women.

Consistent with the previous thought, we cannot bring democracy to other nations. They are and will be what they want to be. Our system of government is not for everyone. True democracy is leaving people alone to decide for themselves what type of government they wish.

I spent six hours yesterday finishing this week’s KONK Life column. Doolittle’s Raid. I wrote it for two reasons. First, it is Veteran’s Day time. The second is that most people under 50 probably do not know what Doolittle’s Raid was. It concerns me that many are unaware of their history. I learned of Lexington and Concord, the steam engine, and whatever else, in grammar school. Are students similarly taught today? What is taught concerning World War II?

Dinner last night with Lisa and the family. Always a joy!

I am a lucky man. Lunch 2 out of 3 days with the grandkids. I am babysitting today.

Enjoy your holiday!