STRUCK OUT TWO TIMES

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Sometimes you can’t win. Last night was one of those times.

I had a doubleheader going. My blog talk radio show and Syracuse/Wake Forest. I got to do neither. Struck out two times.

I have to connect with the Blog Radio Broadcasting Station to do the show. I could not connect, as many times as I tried. No way the show could be broadcast.

Syracuse was playing Wake Forest. I wanted to watch the game. No way. ESPN was not broadcasting the game in Florida. Some other ACC game was being aired.

The inability to do the show bothered me. I had spent time all week getting ready and then yesterday fine tuning the material. Most of the topics will go in the waste basket. They will be too old to broadcast next week. Topics discussed are timely. A week later not.

My day time big event was visiting Tammy at Lee Nails for a manicure. Tammy is an Asian beauty.

Her story interesting. Tammy came to the United States at age 15. She is now 32. Married at some point. She and her husband own and operate Lee Nails. They are hard workers. They were able to buy their first home last year. Two lovely children. The American dream come true!

Lee Nails is located on Flagler in the Habana Shopping Center. The business primarily locals. Tammy says she does not think any tourists come to her. Flagler is off the beaten track for tourists. The business busy and highly successful.

I read about the Syracuse/Wake Forest game on the internet after it was over. Syracuse lost in overtime by one point. 75-74. Syracuse was a 10 point favorite.

With the loss, the door to the NCAA tournament was closed. A new one opened, however. The NIT. Playing in the NIT is like being a second class citizen.

Would you believe…..fog again this morning! Two days in a row. Three times in a week. What is going on?

The fog this morning is strange. When I came downstairs at 7, it was moderate. I could see far out on the ocean. A half hour later, I could barely see 200 feet out into the ocean. The fog had more than developed. It was significantly heavier.

I did some quick research on the internet re fogs before writing. Came away confused. I did not understand. What I got out of the mumbo jumbo is that “inversion” is involved. Whatever that is.

Unquestionably, I am a die hard Syracuse fan. My friend David a similar Ohio State fan. I forgot to congratulate David in yesterday’s blog re the victory. A great year for Ohio State! Enjoy it, David!

And you enjoy your day!

EXCELLENT RUNNING GAME

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The best in college football last night!

Ohio State beat Oregon 42-20. I was surprised. I thought Oregon would win by a similar score. I felt Oregon’s quick offense would carry the day. Instead, it was Ohio State in every way. Especially its running game.

I enjoyed the game from the comfort of my bed.

Fog again this morning!

In all the years I have spent in Key West, fog has been rare. Once or twice a year perhaps. Today marked the second time in a week there has been fog in the morning.

Going to be a hot one today. Eighty degrees.

I had to hurry yesterday’s blog to get to the doctor. I was having chest pains. Had them all night. I was concerned. Got the blog out first. Probably stupid, but that is how humans behave sometimes.

Several tests were run on me. Heart ok. Going to do a stress test friday just in case.

Funny part of all this is that I have had no pain since I visited with my heart doctor.

Tuesday again! Means my blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Join me for a quick half hour of eye opening and interesting topics. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Topics tonight include a  Greece update, the Saudis condemning a man for building a snow man,  islands in danger of drowning, more young people being killed by guns rather than cars, an update on the NYPD slowdowns, a 9 year old arrested for stealing a pack of gum, US Department of Health execs flying first class to the tune of $31 million over a four year period, and more.

Sunday’s Paris march impressive! Obama did not go nor send someone big in his administration in his place. Right or wrong, who knows. Many European leaders are 1-3 hours from Paris. Obama’s trip longer. Note that the Presidents of Canada and Mexico did not attend either.

Personally, I think Obama should have gone. Had he been aware in advance that the march would be such a success, he probably would have gone. Regardless, the White House blew it.

Big party tonight at Mangrove Mama’s. Howard Livingston’s party for friends of Howard Livingston. Definitely will be a fun event.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

THREE SPORT NIGHTS

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Blog brief this morning. I have to get to doctor’s.

Watched Syracuse handily beat Florida State last night. Watched at the Garden spot of Key West. Behind the outside bar at Don’s place. The same place where we watch pro football Sunday afternoons.

Don and Chris, Dan and Lisa and their daughter Alex with me. A good time! Made better because Syracuse won and by more than 1 or 2 points.

Tonight THE college football game of the year. I will be watching from my bed. Game will go on till after midnight. The best place for me to watch it is bed. I will probably fall asleep before it is over.

Tomorrow night Syracuse plays again. Wake Forest. My blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou in the middle of the game. Ergo, I will be watching the game from home from whence the broadcast is aired.

Weather back to exceptional. 80 degrees yesterday. High today will be 81. I spent some time laying by the pool. Fell asleep.

The solidarity march in Paris yesterday impressed me. One million in Paris. Four million throughout France. Forty plus world leaders in the front lines.

Did the US screw up? Obama not there. Nor Biden. The Attorney General in Paris on other business. He did not attend. Our only representative was the US Ambassador to France.

Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24 having a big bash tomorrow night at Mangrove Mama’s. Howard’s followers primarily. A fun time dancing and enjoying Howard event.

My weekly KONK Life column will appear on Key West Lou also. Merely scroll down and click. Started today. First article Rank Insubordination. Re NYPD/de Blasio situation. I expect to be deluged with comments from some who read it.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

PORN FOOD

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What a title!

I was sitting at the round table in the Chart Room last night with some old friends and some new. Alicia was the culprit. I had met her once before. She is Sheila’s friend. Also at the table were Alicia’s husband Trevor and a North Carolinian Mark. Both new to me. Plus, the eternal David.

Alicia asked if I wanted to see some porn food. I squeamishly asked what it was. After some joking around the table, I was shown cell phone pictures of porn food.

Turns out Alicia is a gourmet cook. Loves to cook! The pictures were of various dishes she had prepared. Alicia described how most of the dishes were put together. Interesting. Mouth watering.

I commented man has two great drives. His mouth and his genitals. Ergo,  it made sense to describe food from a sexual perspective.

Mark works part time as a Washington, DC  public relations consultant. I enjoyed chatting with him.

Alicia and Trevor are returning to Key West in March. It was agreed a cook out would be held at Sheila’s apartment at that time. Sheila is a fabulous cook, also. I hope they remember to invite me.

As expected, Don and Chris arrived. My Syracuse friends. They got up at 3;30 yesterday morning to catch a 6 am plane. They live outside Syracuse. When they left the house at 4:30, it was minus 10 degrees.

Don and Chris are here for a week. I will see them frequently. We have become good friends over the years.

Tonight is Syracuse basketball! Playing Florida State at 8. Don, Chris and I will be watching the game at Don’s Place.

Which brings me to Dan and Lisa. You have been hiding! I understand you have been in town a week. For shame, we did not get together. Join us at Don’s Place for the game.

Dan and Lisa are from Skaneateles, a town outside Syracuse. They own a restaurant. They will be here for two months.

The game is at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. The poor Florida State players are going to get a taste of real COLD!

Syracuse is favored by 12 points. I have no comment. I do not know anymore.

I am impressed with the march that is to take place in Paris today. The French people are standing up to the terrorists. What is most impressive is the number in the march is estimated at 1 million. Another impressive factor is that the heads of many nations are joining the march. Forty four. Leaders such as Germany’s Merkel, Britain’s Cameron, Italy’s Renzi, and Israel’s Netanyahu.

I hope nothing happens during the parade.

Enjoy your Sunday!

RANK INSUBORDINATION

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On December 20 in New York City, two police officers were shot and killed while sitting in a police car. Two days later, the PBA, the  police organization authorized to collectively bargain with the City on behalf of its members, began an aggressive campaign aimed at the Mayor.

The PBA became angered with New York Mayor de Blasio for comments he had made to his bi-racial son regarding how to conduct himself any time a police officer stopped him. The Mayor is a Caucasian man married to an Afro-American woman.

PBA President Lynch blamed the Mayor for the shooting of the two police officers. He said their blood was on the hands of the Mayor. Lynch claimed the Mayor’s advice to his son and subsequent release of that information to the public was inflammatory and abusing as regards police officers.

In addition to the blood comments, New York City police have turned their backs on the Mayor whenever he has been speaking or at a public event.

There is another reason why Lynch and the PBA are conducting themselves in this fashion. The PBA is without a contract with the City. It ran out. A new one has not been agreed to. Negotiations are presently underway to agree on a new contract. Some quarters believe Lynch and the PBA are conducting themselves as they are in order to gain leverage in the negotiations.

Some believe there is an additional threat. If the Mayor does not submit to PBA demands, an armed organized rebellion against civilian control could occur. Sounds far-fetched. However in today’s police/citizen climate, anything is possible. The PBA has been quick to remind that they are 35,000 strong, that they have more members than the FBI.

A police stoppage has occurred since December 22. Police are performing their duties not as before and not as normal.

Traffic tickets are off 94 percent. Down from 10,069 to 587. Summonses for low level violations are also down 94 percent. Down from 4,831 to 300. Parking tickets are off 92 percent. 14,699 to 1,241.

The Mayor is the civilian head of the Police Department. Just as the President is commander in chief of the armed forces. Public officials in New York State have no right to strike. They do have a right to bargain for benefits. The strike leverage is not available to them. Nor are work stoppages.

Calvin Coolidge was Governor of Massachusetts in 1919 when the Boston police went on strike. He said, “There is no right to strike against the public safety, anywhere, anytime.” More recently recall President Reagan in 1981 with the air controllers. The controllers went on strike. Reagan said no way could public employees strike. He gave them two days to return to work or they were fired. Most continued to challenge Reagan. Eleven thousand were fired.

Interestingly, people thought Reagan would not deal so harshly with the controllers. How were planes to fly in our busy air corridors? Reagan called their bluff and the planes continued to safely fly.

New York State has had on its books for years the Taylor Law. It covers the relationship of management and labor regarding civil employees. The Taylor Law is clear. It prohibits work stoppages and strikes. Union officials violating the Taylor Law are subject to arrest. The charge is criminal. Additionally every officer participating in a work stoppage or strike can be fined $2 for every $1 of earnings.

An all out confrontation has not yet occurred. de Blasio is keeping his cool while Lynch is ranting and raving. If push came to shove and work stoppages continue, the Mayor could ask the Governor to send in the National Guard to perform police functions.

I think Lynch and the PBA are wrong. The Mayor is in charge. He is the civilian authority. I view what the PBA is doing as an arrogant assault on democracy. A further dilemma arises. If the police do not follow rules, why should the people?

Much has been written and spoken in and by the media regarding this confrontation. I have not found one article completely supportive of the PBA’s position. Those siding with the PBA generally acknowledge the PBA’s conduct is wrong. However, they encourage the Mayor to apologize. Seemingly an apology would settle the situation.

Most of the articles written refer to the police conduct as treasonous, rogue, mutinous, exploitative of the two police killings, a coup in the works, the usurpation of the Mayor’s authority, an all out assault on the Mayor, and defiant.

Strong characterizations. However if the shoes fit, Kelly and the PBA should wear them.

A perfect fit from my perspective.

NEW MOTELS

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The next 3-4 months will see the completion of the new motels being constructed on the Boulevard across the street from the Marriott Beachside. From construction completed thus far, they are beautiful to behold.

I believe the new motels will create a new business dynamic for Key West. A new play area for tourists and locals alike. Due to the new Boulevard construction, there is a sidewalk running along the front of the motels. People will be able to go from one to the other with no problem.

Each motel will probably have a restaurant and bar. One or two will become unusually popular.

Parking becomes another attraction. Key West City fathers have parking completely screwed up. There will be no parking problem at the motels.

I wrote next week’s KONK Life column yesterday. Black Panthers Return. An eye opener. They are back. This time however considered to be on the right. They have come alive in Dallas. The resurgence caused by Ferguson. It was the last straw.

This week’s KONK column is available for reading on today’s KONK Life E-Blast News. Rank Insubordination. Re the New York City police and Mayor de Blasio situation. Interesting factual reading. Definitely opinionated.

Decided on Kelley’s last night. A good crowd. Sat at the outside bar and enjoyed. Chatted with various tourists. All happy with Key West!

Every now and then I feel compelled to write about Harry Truman. My hero! One of the best Presidents ever!

While President, Truman made 11 trips to Key West totaling 175 days. He loved Key West. He worked yet found time for enjoyable leisure activities. He relaxed, walked, swam, fished, played cards, and slept. I suspect had Hemingway been in Key West at the same time, they would have been great friends. Can you envision Truman and Hemingway seated at the corner of Sloppy Joe’s bar?

Truman stayed on the US Navy base at what has come to be known as The Little White House. The Little White House was built in 1890. A two family dwelling, it housed the commandant and paymaster. In 1911, the building was converted to a one family. Historically in preparation for Truman, though no one knew it at the time.

This morning’s Key West Citizen carries a picture of Tennessee Williams standing with his dog on the front porch of his home on Duncan Street. The home is as well kept today as it appears in the photo. A credit to owners who came after Williams. Shows respect not only for the house, but also for its historical significance.

Facebook this morning has a photo of Bob and Helen Marks taken on their wedding day in a Lutheran Church in Portland, Maine. I am in it! First person on the left. Thirty four years ago. I was best man. I had hair, was thin and, if i may say so, looked good. What a shocker!

Though I have congratulated Bob and Helen a couple of times this week already, congrats once again to two wonderful people!

Don and Chris are back! Don probably from somewhere in the Far East. He spends 80 percent of the year doing business in Asia. The two are die hard Syracuse fans. Syracuse basketball will predominate the conversation.

Don and Chris, I will be at the Chart Room tonight at 6 looking for you. If Dan is in town and you know how to reach him, have him join us.

Enjoy your day!

 

LESLIE CARON

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Beauty is beauty! Cannot be denied! Leslie Caron was a beauty.

Leslie goes back a few years. Late 1950s. Her first movie was An american In Paris. She co-starred with Gene Kelly who discovered her. Cyd Charisse was scheduled to co-star with him. She got pregnant. Kelly was in Paris at the ballet. Saw Leslie dancing and convinced her to perform Charisse’s part.

The rest is movie history. She starred in many films. One of the best known is Gigi with Maurice Chevalier and Louis Jordan.

Why Leslie Caron this morning? The History portion on page 2 of the Key West Citizen noted that on this day in history she visited Key West and was the house guest of Tennessee Williams. Yes, she stayed at the lovely corner house on Duncan street.

Big day yesterday! I walked! I am not walking enough.

I walked Duval back and forth. It was cool/cold. Sweatshirt time. The coolness made it easier to walk. The cold lasted all of 36 hours. Today it is predicted the temperature will be in the high 70s.

On my way home from downtown Key West, I stopped at the Marriott Beachside. Sat in one of the comfortable lobby chairs and read the newspapers. Whereas most  hotels have free coffee in the morning, the Marriott was serving champagne. They even came around pouring and refilling glasses.

A New Jersey couple arrived to check in. The wife was seated near me. Not a happy camper. She was complaining of the cold. I assured her it would pass and she would be happy. I don’t think she believed me.

Stopped at Don’s Place last night. Thought I was to meet Don at 5:30. Apparently not. He was not there. I stayed a while and chatted with Jimmy.

Then to the Chart Room. Busy. Jean and Joe Thornton in attendance. Celebrating their 43rd wedding anniversary. Congratulations to the both of them!

Met Jill. She has lived in Key West for years. She is a bartender at the Rum Bar. Not the Rum Barrel. The Rum Bar is in the tiny white house at the far end of Duval near La Te Da. It is also a guest house called The Speakeasy. We had an enjoyable time. Jill has a place in Maine on a lake where she spends a good part of her summer each year.

I looked forward to KONK E-Blast this morning. My column Rank Insubordination was to appear. Never made it. There was a screw up. My Christmas column from three weeks ago was run.

I am told Rank Insubordination will run tomorrow. I consider it one of my better columns and definitely of interest. It concerns Mayor de Blasio and the New York City police.

Enjoy your day!

DID NOTHING

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Not much to share today. Yesterday was a do nothing day overall. A couch potato most of the day.

It was a good day! There is a need to rest body, mind and soul on occasion.

I watched the Syracuse/Georgia Tech game in the evening. Had planned to watch at Don’s Place. All of a sudden getting ready seemed like too much work. I stayed home.

Syracuse won by one point. 46-45. Not a pretty win, not an impressive game.

Syracuse did play well. The problem was they could not get the ball to go in the basket. Too many shots missed. Several lay ups.

Gamblers know what they are doing. The Vegas line was Syracuse by 1.5 points. Syracuse won by one point. Amazing how they can call most games!

I did work a few hours in the afternoon researching next week’s KONK Life column. A very interesting topic. Involves a new Black Panther group in Dallas. Ferguson motivated the rebirth of the organization.

The north is freezing in sub zero chill factor weather. When  extremely cold up north, it is cold in the south. Key West went down to 62 in the evening. I don’t fool around. Grabbed a blanket and turned on the heat.

Such was my nothing day.

Enjoy your today!

CHILL FACTOR -49 DEGREES

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Wowie! Cold in the north today. Chill factors as low as -49. Upstate New York projected at -20. With one foot of snow!

My friends up north laugh when I do this. But…..it is going to be cold tonight in Key West. -62. That means a blanket or heat.

All in all, crazy weather. Global warming?

After living alone so long, I have become domesticated to a degree. Was in Publix yesterday. Saw eggplants. A sudden desire overwhelmed me! I bought one. Cooked it for dinner last night.

Cut the plant in half. Thin sliced the half I was going to use. Heated some olive oil in a large frying pan. Then the slices. Cooked them to a light brown on each side.

Delicious! Just like my mother used to make.

I observed something interesting in the process. The eggplant slices absorbed the oil rapidly. Gulped it right up. Like a paper towel soaking up a spill.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou last night. One of my better shows. Spent more than a half the show discussing issues involving policemen.

As part of the police portion, I made reference to the new Black Panther group formed in Dallas. Shades of the ’60s. Blacks, many of whom are retired Army Rangers, have formed a paramilitary group to protect blacks from being killed by police. A confrontation/eruption is sure to follow at some point. Violence begets violence.

Nudity continues to be an issue in Key West. As regards Fantasy Fest. A do good group has their nose in the issue.

There is a special meeting of the City Commission tonight to review matters. Harry Bethel, a leader in the anti-nudity movement, says the Commission will discuss curbing nudity during Fantasy Fest. Bethel announced earlier that in all his years of living in Key West, he has never attended a Fantasy Fest. A blind man shall lead them!

Numbers sometime tell an interesting story. It has been reported that in Alabama, food stamp recipients outnumber public school students by 20 percent. Yet we keep hearing how the economy has recovered. Not for those on food stamps!

Enjoy your day!

TUESDAY TALK WITH KEY WEST LOU

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My blog talk radio show tonight at 9. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

A quick moving half hour of hot topics. Like police insubordination, Pope Francis packing the Cardinals group, police using a battery ram and tasers while entering a home celebrating a son’s 21st birthday, the Philadelphia Fed burning bills to make electricity, a Ferguson grand juror saying the prosecutor misrepresented certain things in his report, and more.

Not a boring show!

My diet continues. 26 pounds! I went a week losing nothing. It was discouraging. However, I could tell I was losing inches. A great diet! If it continues to work, I may write a book. The Key West Diet!

Key West was the scene of happiness last evening at midnight. The first same sex couple married in Florida took place at midnight. It had to be in Key West. One of the couples leading the court fight and making it possible were Key West residents. Lee Jones and Aaron Huntsman. Good for them, good for Key West, good for loving couples every where!

A wedding reception was held afterwards at Aqua. One in the morning. I did not go. Too late for me. Very much too late!

Friend Anna wrote yesterday. She is at her home in Courmayeur. Courmayeur is in northern Italy. Sits on the side of Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc is the highest peak in Europe. It is part of the Alps.

A ski resort. Anna say snow, snow, snow. People, people, people.

I love Courmayeur. A ski village composed of Swiss chalets. Nothing more beautiful!

Staying with Italy a moment longer, today is the Feast of Behana. Actually it was last night, though celebrated today also. Behana is a witch appearing old woman. Beak nose. Black cape. Sinister. January 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany. On the evening before, Behana brings gifts and candy to children. Just as Santa Claus. Older Italians share candies today.

Behana may look scary. In reality, a  nice person.

Greece. New elections January 25. It is going to be out with the old and in with the new. The new have already said Greece will be leaving the euro and Common Market. The Eurounion going crazy. Germany especially upset. It  is primarily their money that will probably never get paid back. Germany cannot afford such a loss. A recession very possible.

I saw this coming. In several blogs I wrote while in Greece three years ago and also in my book The World Upside Down, I discussed the scenario. I was not a genius. It was predictable. You can only defecate on a people so long. Then they will rebel. Here, peacefully.

A story typifying Mario Cuomo.

Back in my Utica days, Senator Donovan represented our area in the State Senate. Twenty years plus. He died. The church was packed for his funeral mass. From where I was seated, I could see the Donovan family clearly.

In the fifth row was an empty seat on the aisle. I thought it strange. Just before the Senator’s casket was rolled down, Mario Cuomo walked into the church. Neither looking to his right or left, he walked down the aisle to that seat.

After mass and when the family was leaving, the Governor quietly moved into the aisle and embraced the Donovan family. A quick few seconds. Then back to his seat. Cuomo walked out of the church with everyone else. His eyes straight ahead all the time. No conversation with those around him.

As the Governor left the Church, he walked over to a black car , got in, and was driven away. I assume to a plane waiting to fly him back to Albany. No handshaking with anyone. No stopping to converse with anyone.

I thought his conduct a class act. He was in Utica and at the mass solely for one purpose. To show respect for a political colleague. He did not pander.

Few politicians would have conducted themselves as he did.

Enjoy your day!