HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLOTTE

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There’s going to be a wild time in the Chart Room tonight! It is Charlotte’s birthday! She is enjoying her birthday here in Key West with her friend Skip. Skip of 104.9 radio.

Happy birthday Charlotte! Love you!

The food poisoning stayed with me most of yesterday. I never left the house. Towards the evening, I seemed better. This morning I am.

The big event for me were the Academy Awards last night. I am a true fan. I have loved the show for years.

One problem was keeping awake for the whole show. I was dozing on and off. Frankly, I am interested in the major awards. They are the ones that excite me. I was asleep for  Best Actress. Woke. Fell asleep again for Best Actor. I was awake for Best Picture.

My blog talk radio show tomorrow night. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. In between flights of sickness yesterday, I worked on the show. I will be discussing some interesting topics. One involves the new-Nazi party in Ukraine. They are on the side of the good guys. The people the U.S. is supporting. Already to the tune of more than $5 billion.

My problem with the scenario is twofold. Why are we giving money to a group that is committed not only to purging Communists and Russians, but also members of the Jewish community? Another problem is why have we not heard about the neo-Nazi party involvement and the U.S.’s support? A transparency problem here. It appears the government and media have decided to keep the knowledge away from us.

Another interesting Ukraine situation I will be discussing involves the banks. Certain Ukrainian banks are limiting depositor withdrawals to $100 a day. It has happened elsewhere. As I continue to say, it could happen here.

The show can be heard at www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

STATE OF THE UNION / TUESDAY TALK WITH KEY WEST LOU

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I can’t win. Tonight at nine is the State of the Union address. My blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West L is at the same time. How can I compete with the President! 30 million people will listen to the President. Overwhelming in comparison to the 2000 that would normally listen to me. Actually, I expect everyone to listen to the President. I am sorry I will not be able to do so because of the show.

As far as my audience is concerned, it is not that bad. The interesting thing about blog talk radio is that the show is archived. It is available for listening at any time during the week following the show. What happens is that a handful of people listen to the show at nine on Tuesday evenings. 99% of my listeners are those who listen to the archived version during the week. Interesting.

For those who will listen at some point in time to my show, I will be discussing issues including the disclosure that a majority of working age Americans are on food stamps for the first time,  Ukraine out of control, the miss distribution of wealth, Monsanto’ and toxic toxins purportedly killing human embryo cells, JP Morgan’s CEO Dimon receiving a 74% raise to $20 million, Huckabee’s stupid statement about a woman’s libido, and more.

Kelly Mc Gillis continues to leave her impact on Key West. The star of  Top Gun settled at one point in Key West. She became owner of several restaurants  with her husband Fred Tillman. They are since divorced. She has no current relationship with any of the restaurants. One still maintains her name, however. Kelly’s. Mc Gillis has not stayed away. She sponsors an annual  flag football team competition for women. Called the Key West Classic. A three day event. It was held this past weekend with its usual success.

My day yesterday started with a visit to the dentist. I am back! The implants were getting loose. It was to be expected. I thought whatever was involved would only include tightening up some of the sockets, etc. However a portion has to go to the lab for  some type of adjustment. Which means that from eight o’clock tomorrow morning to eight o’clock Thursday morning, I will be without teeth. Comforting! I will not leave the house nor will I see anyone during those 24 hours!

Dan, I will not be watching the Syracuse/Wake Forest game with you at Don’s Place tomorrow night as a result.

Pete Seeger died. The American folk singer. No question about the label fitting him. Not only was he a great singer, he also was a political activist. Amongst the songs he is best known for are Where Have All the Flowers Gone? and If I Had a Hammer.

I’ve said this before. As I get older, I feel I have been a part of history. Seeger was during my time. Though a little older than me. Every time someone from my past, whether directly or indirectly related, passes on, I feel a special loss.

I started last night at Don’s Place. Had to talk to Jimmy for a while. I chatted with David. Met Roberta. Roberta is David’s new lady friend. We had a nice talk. She knows Lisa well.

Then it was to the Chart Room. Glad I went!

Charlotte was there! Charlotte from North Carolina! I love her! She visits Key West every three or four months.

Charlotte will be coming down to Key West more frequently,  she told me. Her boyfriend, who I met some three months ago, has obtained employment in Key West. He is a radio announcer. He has a show on 104.9 BX. Charlotte is all excited. This means in due course she will be moving to Key West permanently.

It was fraternity reunion night! A group of fraternity brothers were celebrating their 20th reunion. Fraternity brothers of Delta Sigma Phi. They were here with their lady friends and wives having a great time. They told me they have gotten together every year for 20 years to celebrate. God bless them!

I was driving home and decided I was hungry. I did not want to eat too much. I stopped at the Chinese restaurant in the Sears Shopping Center for a bite.

My recently published book The World Upside Down came up in conversation twice yesterday. First with my dentist. He reads my KONK Life column religiously every week. He asked where the book could be purchased. I told him on the Internet. Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com. The book came up again last night with Charlotte. She was not aware it had been published. She will be ordering it.

Enjoy your day!

NO QUESTION…..FANTASY FEST IS HERE

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Without a doubt, Fantasy Fest has arrived! In all its naked glory! That is how I know!

Today’s discourse will be limited to last night at the Chart Room and a brief walk down Duval thereafter. Any more would be too much to relate.

I arrived at the Chart Room just after 5. About four people there. Tourists. They had ridden bikes in the Zombie Ride the day before. The Zombie Ride celebrates its third year as part of Fantasy Fest. It originally was conceived for locals. To give Key Westers something to do on Sunday before the avalanche of Fantasy Fest guests arrived.

Somehow, and properly so, the tourists have discovered the Zombie Ride. Over 4,000 bicycle riders participated in a ride through Old Town and along Duval. Bikes decorated in scary type zombie taste. Most bikers stopped frequently along the route to indulge.

The four in the Chart Room had participated. They were thrilled with the event!

Merri was bartending. She was a guru re the Zombie ride. Knew its brief history and some strange stories attached to the ride.

Merri told me the Pier House was sold out. For the week! I have a sense that this is going to be one of the best Fantasy Fests for the merchants in many a year.

Two couples came in from the pool. In their bathing suits. Middle aged. Happy as hell! One said they were drinking their way back to their room.

Peter arrived. He has been doing Fantasy Fest for more than twenty five years. Not this year. He is off to Melbourne this week to visit a lady friend. Preferred the quiet, he said.

A Princess of the Chart Room arrived. Charlotte! With  boy friend Skip. This is the second time in weeks they have  visited. Charlotte said it is here fourth trip this year and plans on making another one in December. She and Skip are from the Carolinas.

They are into Fantasy Fest. Participated in the Zombie Ride the day before.  Charlotte had a 2 x 1.5 inch spider web tattooed above her breasts. I did not recall ever having seen it. It was a temporary one. She had it put on for the Zombie Ride the day before.

Sheila arrived. Freshly returned from her vacation in Cancun. Looked rested, looked terrific. Not staying long. She is off in a day or two to visit her girl friend Sandy in Houston. Sheila is another Key Wester escaping Fantasy Fest week. Same as Peter. Must be something in the air.

Jean and husband Joe arrived. Jean is the Key West’s Golden Girl! She discovered gold while diving with Mel Fisher. Changed her life.

The Chart Room was now packed. People were moving about as if at a cocktail party. Charlotte returned to chat.

Charlotte told me she and Skip were going to a kink party later in the evening. Kink? What do you mean kink? A BD/SM party. At Dirty Harry’s. An appropriate name.

Charlotte was chatting with Peter and me at the time. She told us her costume would fit in her clutched fist. That small. She then showed us a picture of her in the costume on her cell phone. She would not need to use her entire fist. Wow!

I am constantly surprised by things people do. I am still on Charlotte. It is not the BD/SM party I am referring to. It is what she did the weekend of October 12 and 13. Charlotte ran in 2 marathons back to back on consecutive days. 26.2 miles each time. The first was in Hartford, Connecticut, the second in Newport, Rhode Island. She told me it takes her about five hours. However, the Newport one took an extra half hour because she was tired from the day before.

All this transpired in 1.5 hours.

I decided to walk Duval a bit. Only three blocks. To the Bull and Whistle and back.

I saw a few topless ladies on the way to the Bull. I saw many more on the return trip. I guess good viewing and  timing go hand in hand.

The women were of all ages. From the early 20s into the 50s. Breasts spray painted, of course. All happy and giddy. And proud!

The return trip also revealed several couples obviously dressed for the BD/SM party. Women for this type event appear to wear generally less clothing and next to none. A couple of pasties on the breasts and a g string covering on the lower front.

I enjoyed it all!

By Saturday, there will be hundreds,  if not thousands, of women walking around bare chested.

Tonight is my blog talk radio show. I hope I can keep my mind on it. Only joking.

Nine o’clock. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

I will be talking about the computer glitch involving Obamacare, the U.S. spying too much, governmental waste, and I do not know what else at the moment. Join me. You will enjoy.

Maybe I will chat briefly about Fantasy Fest.

Enjoy your day!

 

MY FIRST MEAL

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It has been ten days since I ended my diet. Since then I have been extremely careful about what I eat. In reality, I have consumed small portions of this and that. Never anything even close to a meal.

Till last night. I did it big!

A prime rib, baked potato (no butter) and steamed vegetables. No bread. Ate it all! My plate was clean at the end. It was as if I had not eaten in ages.

I was at the bar at Outback.

Renee sat next to me. Originally from Ghana, she now lives in Homestead. She went to college here in Key West for two years. Then elsewhere to get her bachelor degree. Now she is working on her masters via the internet. She works with blood donations in the keys. Brings her to Key West once a week.

Interestingly, she has never given blood. Needles scare her.

I started the evening at Don’s Place. Don, Herschel and Mike there. Nancy came in later on. I was happy to see Mike and Nancy again. About two years ago, they pulled up stakes and returned to Pennsylvania. They are back! Everyone is is thrilled they are!

My next stop was the Chart Room. Captain Peter and Charlotte. The lovely Charlotte from North Carolina that I wrote about a couple of days ago. Even more striking last night! Mary was bartending. Business was slow. The four of us chatted a while.

I did my blog talk radio show earlier this morning. My sixth week. It is a talk show. Not enough people are calling in, however. I end up talking with myself. No fun. I have heard myself before and know what I think.

I can tell there are a number of people listening in. From all over. Even one from Italy and one from South Africa this morning. There are stats on the computer screen providing and updating the information during the show.

Call!!! I feel like a woman waiting for a recent date to call back. Not nice.

A tragedy occurred in Key West sunday. Sailboats were engaged in the annual Wreckers Race. The weather was warm. High 70s. However, there was a strong breeze coming in from the north east. The wind at times gushing 30-35 knots.

The Schooner Hindu is a Key West icon. Seventy five feet. Has the highest mast in Key West. Besides racing, it takes tourists out for sunset cruises.

Hindu’s mast snapped. People were injured. Ambulances all over.

The incident occurred off Fort Zach beach. Captain Peter spends his afternoons at the beach sunning and reading. He was watching the race. He saw the mast snap and fall. Peter is an experienced seaman. He said the gusts were too strong for boats to be out there.

Enjoy your day!

GOOMBAY…..FANTASY FEST BEGINS

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It is here again! Fantasy Fest! It began last night. With Goombay.

Goombay is a Caribbean street festival. Blocks of food, drink and trinkets. A rap band at one end. The streets very crowded.

My evening started just before 6 at the Chart Room. I was to meet Don and Chris. The bar was empty when I arrived. A table was full. Sheila, David and Ollie. And a woman I did not know. I said my hellos and payed no attention to the strange lady. When I turned to the bar, Emily says that woman is Charlotte and she is waiting for you.

First let me say I do not know what I would do without Emily. She has become Key West Lou’s personal assistant.

I immediately recalled Charlotte. She is a loyal reader of this blog. We have been communicating on Facebook. We ended up in each other’s arms and exchanged excited greetings.

Charlotte is extremely lovely. Turns out last night was an evening of all lovlies. Charlotte lives somewhere in North Carolina. Lives on a boat. The past ten years. She works for United Health Care. My supplemental and drug policies. Travels a lot for her company. This was her fourth trip to Key West this year. Her Key West trips are on her own. She is a Key Wester at heart. I enjoyed her company and look forward to seeing her at the Chart Room again during the week.

Don and Chris arrived. My Syracuse friends. They both travel a lot for business. Key West is their second home, though they still stay at the Casa Marina. Don looked shot. Chris terrific, as usual. They both had returned from a China business trip the day before.

They arrived with two lovely ladies. One was either Don or Chris’ sister. I cannot remember exactly. Marla is the sister. Her friend Kathie was with her.

Both ladies work for Phillips Distilling in Minneapolis. Marla is Design Director. She is in charge of all labeling. Kathie is Director of Marketing. More importantly, Marla is a loyal blog reader. Thank you Marla!

Phillips is the producer of UV Voldka. All those flavors! The proud distiller of Old Grandad back when.

Marla and Kathie recently did a TV show for Lifetime Network. They were the stars! Promoting Phillip’s products, of course. They even had Joe Biden on the show.They showed me a photo taken of the Vice President holding a bottle of beer Phillips named after him. The Vice President had a broad grin on his face.

Before our time together ended, we had circled the bar stools and were all talking. Charlotte included.

I had an appointment to meet Don of Don’s Place. I was off and away. Walked to Petronia Street where Goombay is held. Stopped into 801 looking for Don. No Don. No one I knew. 801 is Key West’s premier gay bar. Don and friends were to meet there and then head into the mass across the street that was Goombay. I missed them.

I walked the several blocks of Goombay. Said hello to many people I knew. Stopped and chatted a few minutes with some. Ate and drank a bit. Finally ended up at the bandstand at the end of the street. Everyone enjoying rap.

Made my way back to Blue Heaven. The second designated meeting place for Don and friends. Don and everyone were at the bar.

Goombay is Don’s party. Everyone is his guest at 801 and then Blue Heaven. Don has a heart of gold.

It was Don’s Place and the bocce team transplanted to Blue Heaven. Don, Stephanie, David, Joanie, Herschel, Erika, Keith, Angus, Sandy, Frankie, and I cannot recall who else.

Frankie is a man of many talents. He is Key West’s premier plumber. He is the man when a toilet is plugged! He is also my bocce partner. Probably the best bocce player in Key West. Last night I discovered he was a musician, also.

The band was on a second level. Up there in the lights was Frankie beating the drums.

It was hot. I was hot. A humid evening to begin. Add the mass of people to the humidity and it could become unbearable. It did for me. So much so that when I arrived at Blue Heaven, I ordered a cold bottle of beer. A Budweiser. David was shocked. He had never seen me drink antything but gin.

I do not like beer. Have never liked it. It did cool me a bit. However, I had that sour after taste. I shall stay with gin from now on. Last night was my first deviation in 45 years. There will not be another.

On the walk back to my car, I ran into Ollie. Ollie is a recent friend. He is a candidate for the Mosquito Control Board. An important position in the Keys. He was with two lovely ladies. I told you earlier, it was an evening of lovely ladies. They were his sisters.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour went well yesterday. Many today topics discussed. The one that garnered the most interest was my discussion of the NFL’s tax status. It is tax exempt. You read it correctly. It has 501(c)(6) status. It is considered a not for profit for tax purposes. Since 1966. Another biggie that does not pay income taxes. The NFL’s cash flow is in the billions. The NFL pays its President Roger Godell $11.6 million. I do not believe professinal baseball and basketball enjoy a similar exemption.

My evening began at 5:30. It was over at 9:30. I was dead! Slept well last night.

Enjoy your day!