I’M OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD…..

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Tonight the theatrical debut of Robert and Alley. On the big stage at the Key West High School. Playing munchkins in the high school’s Wizard of Oz production.

I will be third row center with the rest of the family watching. Proudly so.

Another bocce season starts tonight. Nothing is more important than bocce. Except the grandkids. I will be missing bocce this evening.

After running a few errands yesterday morning, I decided to treat myself to lunch. Hogfish!

I forgot to bring newspapers with me. Found an old local one to read. The hostess Debra saw me reading it. She came over and handed me the day’s Key West Citizen and Miami Herald. Thank you, Debra. You made my lunch!

Although I have been off the diet 3-4 weeks, I continue to lose weight. Another 5 pounds. I attribute it to not eating. I am watching myself. Lunch for me was a lobster roll and french fries. Ate the lobster. Left the bread. Ate about 5 fries. And spent two hours reading the newspapers.

Syracuse basketball last night. Stopped at Don’s on the way to the Sports Pub. Don said he wanted to join me at the game. Off we went to the Big Ten Sports Pub.

Syracuse won easily. 84-59. The first easy win in a while.

I was hungry. Don said he did not want to eat. I ordered a sandwich and french fries. Fries come with everything in Key West. Don became hungry as soon as he saw my food. He ate half the sandwich and most of the fries.

Met an interesting couple at the bar. Gary and Jennifer McAdams. Gary is one of Key West’s premier realtors. Nice people. I hope to run into them again.

The last game of the regular season for Syracuse is Georgetown. A rivalry going back to around 1980 when the Big East was formed. The rivalry has been a blood war.

I have enjoyed many Syracuse/Georgetown games.

Syracuse is leaving the Big East at the end of this season. Syracuse and Georgetown will never play each other again, except in some tournament play off game.

It was announced by Syracuse yesterday that the Syracuse/Georgetown game in a couple of weeks at Syracuse is a sell out. More tickets have been sold than for any other basketball game at the Carrier Dome. In excess of 35,000. Everyone wants to see the last game in what has been a thrilling series.

I continue to be a busy beaver. Tomorrow my television/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten in the morning my time. Available on television through out the Keys and Miami-Dade County on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. World wide, on the internet. www.tvchannel19.com.

Interesting topics. Like women earning more than men in Key West, a $50 million diamond theft, a 104 year old woman and her Facebook problem, some interesting 911 calls, rabbits damaging the Denver International Airport, a new born baby declared dead who cried 90 minutes later, sequestration, Pope Benedict XVI, the conclusion of the Florida python hunt, China stealing American business secrets via hacking, and more.

Interesting subjects. Join me for a fast moving hour.

Enjoy your day!

 

LONG LOST FRIEND TO BE LOST AGAIN

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A long lunch yesterday at Hogfish. Interesting and pleasant. I was with an old friend. The relationship very old. It goes  back to the early 1960s.

Her name is Ann Kimble. Actually, no more. That was her maiden name. That is the name I knew her by back when. She thereafter married and has been married more than 25 years.

Ann was a reporter for the local Utica newspaper. She was not native to Utica. Born in Delaware, I think. I knew her for a couple of years. Good company. An intelligent person. Wanted to write. She ultimately did publish one book: A History of the Delaware Constitution. I kid her about it.

I had not seen Ann for many years after she left Utica. About ten years ago, I was at a charity fundraiser here in Key West at East Martello. Who do I run in to? Ann! She and her husband were living in Big Pine.

So for the last ten years, Ann and I would get together for lunch or coffee like every three months.

Ann is leaving me again. Her husband is on in his years and sickly. He has to be near top notch medical care. They depart today for their new home in Naples.

Yesterday was our farewell lunch.

Ann brought her sister Melanie with her. Melanie is a retired school teacher. She lives outside Albany, New York.

The lunch was long and pleasant. I was sad when I hugged her good bye. I realized I might never see her again.

While I was waiting for the ladies to show for lunch, an Asian family sat at the table next to me. A lovely young lady. A one year old baby. The husband, a young person also. And Grandpa.

Two things garnered my attention. They ordered a ton of food. However, they ate it all. I was amazed. The other was that Junior was hungry. The mother lowered her dress and fed him. Rarely seen. Nice to observe. My daughter Beth used to do it when Samantha was a baby and we were out.

The TV/Internet show went well again yesterday. I have the The Key West Lou Legal Hour down to a science.

I spoke of many things. People are presently into the Washington political scene and the debt issues. These items were the most talked about in post show comments. Even my conservative friends are becoming a bit concerned.

My Italian friend Anna e mailed me. She is at her home on Mont Blanc. Snow and cold, she said. She plans on driving with friends today to La Thuile in the north west part of Italy. Minutes from the French border. A shopping and short get away trip.

Anna lives a picturesque life. Her mountain escape in the Alps is a Swiss type chalet. The area has a  1,000-2,000 year old castle every half mile. Her home sits half way up Mont Blanc. The view is spectacular.

I am going out tonight. I have promised myself I will not eat. I did not eat at lunch yesterday with Ann and her sister Melanie. Two diet Pepsi’s and a cup of coffee. The same tonight.

My lady of the evening is Jenna. We have not been out together since before the holidays.

Syracuse basketball tomorrow! At noon. Playing South Florida. I will be watching the game at the Big Ten Sports Page Bar. I assume I will have the company of Dan and Lisa Reardon. Syracuse fans and my friends from the Syracuse area. They are in Key West for a month. Both Syracuse fanatics as I. Any other Syracuse people out there come and join us!

We are into the start of the Big East. Now we find out how good Syracuse really is.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

MONDAY IN KEY WEST

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Pleasant weather. Makes you feel good to be in Key West

Walked again yesterday. Parked the car again at the airport. Instead of walking along Smathers Beach towards 1800 Atlantic, I walked in the opposite direction. Towards Flagler

What a difference turning around made! An equally exciting view as the Smathers Beach walk. This time the time shares, restaurant and fort on the other side of the road. Another flavor of Key West.

Lunch was at home. Had to be. I am on a diet and have to prepare certain foods.

I spent the early afternoon working on friday’s TV/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Initial topics prepared include teen emergency contraception, Toys ‘R Us and a stupid gender discrimination case, Euro banks in trouble, Germans want to link tax Google, woman arrested for riding a manatee, sex toy industry big in China, and Alaskan waste.

Remember to watch the show, if you can. Friday morning at 10 my time. Airs on TV two ways. Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. The show is available from Key West through Miami-Dade County. The show can also be seen via the internet world wide. www.tvchannel19.com.

I played grandfather later in the afternoon. Took Robert and Ally to swimming practice. They are on a swim team. Practice is at the college.

I felt sorry for them. The air was cool, the water cold. The pool is not yet heated. Robert and Ally came hurrying over after practice was concluded. I had huge towels and jackets with hoods for them. Wrapped them immediately. Robert said it was cold. I felt bad for the both of them.

Drove them home. Visited with Lisa and Cory for a while. Did not stay for dinner. I can only eat special diet food.

I arrived home famished. Prepared and gouged  my meal  down. A very small pizza and one cup of grapes. Not enough food. That is the price I must pay for having overdone for quite a while.

Diet or not, I still have to get out. To see people. To socialize.

I headed over to Hogfish. Two diet Pepsi’s at the bar and the good company of some local fishermen.

The Key West Citizen reported Kelley McGillis flag football would be returning to Key West. I knew Kelley McGillis socially back when I first bought a home in Key West. Then she divorced and left. She returns on occasion for flag football and Womanfest.

For those who might not recognize the name, Kelley starred in many movies. Two of her most famous were Top Gun with Tom Cruise and Witness with Harrison Ford. Yes, that lovely woman!

Old movies are my forte. Love them. Woke this morning and watched a part of Treasure Island. A 1932 movie based on the Robert Louis Stevenson book.

The star was a boy. Jackie Cooper. The same Jackie Cooper I would spend time with years later at La Costa. Cooper’s movie career  had concluded. I think his last movie was as the editor in a Superman film. When I knew him, racing was his thing. He owned and raced horses.

Enjoy your day!

GRANDKIDS ON STAGE AT MONTESSORI

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I am up very early this morning. I have to be at Montessori at 9:30. Montessori has what might be described as a Halloween educational parade. Each student is dressed as an historical figure. Each must give a recitation as to who they are and what their costume person accomplished in life.

Robert is Michael Phelps. A gold medal is part of his costume. Ally is Clara Barton.

Ally read some where that Clara Barton founded the Red Cross. She wanted to be Clara Barton. Her dissertation will include Sandy and how the Red Cross is helping. It was a stretch to have Ally fit Sandy into her material. Both Robert and Ally are too young to appreciate the significance of the hurricane.

A different morning today. Next to no breeze and the water calm. The lack of breeze and water movement means that Sandy has defintely left us. As recent as yesterday, the wind was strong.

I walked Key Haven yesterday morning. First time in a while. All six blocks. The wind bent me a bit when I did Floral. On one side of Floral sits the Gulf. Less than ten feet from the road. No homes to block the wind.

It was a working afternoon. Jenna and Sloan with me. At separate times. Jenna early afternoon. Sloan came at five and stayed until after six.

Key West seemed too far away when my work day was done. I was tired. I washed my face and headed over to Hogfish. Enjoyed a couple of drinks at the bar and a sandwich. Hogfish. Read the newspapers.

Have to move my ass now. I do not wish to be late for Robert and Ally’s performance. If late, Robert and Ally would be anxiously looking for me and Lisa would chastise me.

Enjoy your day!

WOODWARD’S THE PRICE OF POLITICS

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No question. This is the rainy season!

It rained big time twice yesterday. Heavy. In between, sunshine! Hard to believe it had rained.

I needed to walk. Normally, I walk in Home Depot to avoid the heat. Yesterday, to avoid the rain.

Lunched at Hogfish. Read the newspapers. It had been a few weeks since I last was at Hogfish. There is something magical about sitting under Hogfish’s thatched roof while it is pouring outside.

I spent the afternoon at home reading. No place to go what with the rain.

I recently started reading Bob woodward’s latest book. The Price of Politics. The story of how President Obama and Congress tried to save the economy. The time frame is just before Obama took office through this past summer.

I am not deeply into the book yet. Let me share some initial impressions with you, however.

President Obama appears to be a person too much within himself. He is President. He has fixed opinions. He does not listen. Many conversations with him are one sided.

Biden is the master of compromise. Much like Lyndon Johnson. The result of many years of Senatorial experience. He would make an excellent President.

Eric Cantor. A worm.

Sloan came over at 5. We continued working on the trip pics. Hopefully next week I shall start publishing them. The next time I do a trip, the photos will be placed in the blog as that day’s blog is done. The reason I did not was that I did not know how. Still do not know how. Soon will be learning, however. Some things I am slow at.

Tonight, the first Presidential debate! I can’t wait! Love politics!

Enjoy your day!

BOULEVARD CONSTRUCTION BAD FOR BUSINESS

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The sunset last night was beautiful. One of the most beautiful I have seen. I was on my deck. The sun settled behind a bank of white and gray clouds. Brilliance radiating around and through the clouds.

Rained heavy during the night.

This morning the sky is gray. Very little wind. Water crawling. I suspect the gray will turn to gold and we will have another glorious day.

Needed to stop at Walgreens on the Boulevard yesterday for a prescription. The parking lot was empty. Only three customers in the store, including me. I asked the druggist if the construction was the problem. Yes, it was. How many businesses, big and small, must be hurting. We are told it will take two years to complete the work.

My next stop was Publix. What I am about to relate has nothing to do with the construction.

Saturday is a good day to shop at Publix. Went to the new one. I have noticed over the years that very few people in Key West grocery shop on Saturday. As opposed to Sunday when Publix is a mad house.

Dinner was me alone at the bar at Hogfish last night. Actually never alone on a Saturday night at Hogfish. The bar is packed with fisherman. Not the tourist type. The ones that have lived here all year long for many years. Saturday night is there time to howl. They are tough looking. Though meek. Dark skinned. Wrinkled. Bearded. Some a bit toothless. Good people all! Most are shrimp boaters.

This is Poker Run Weekend. Motorcyclists galore come to Key West. Their ladies hanging on behind them on their cycles. Beautiful bikes. Expensive. The bikers are here for a fun filled weekend.

There does not seem to be as many this Weekend. I saw fewer bikes and was subjected to much less noise. The bikes make a big racket. They come racing down US 1 20-30 at a time. I did not see that at all this weekend. Could the reasion be a forewarning of the construction?

The teachers bother me with regard to the Chicago teacher strike. Enough is enough. Settle this thing. Put it to rest. We are being told every day we are a day away. Then we are told there are a few more details and the union wants to see everything in writing.

We may be looking at a last hurrah with this strike. The teachers may have won a battle. I suspect they ultimately will lose the war. My sense also is that the leaders are a bunch of rank amateurs enjoying their fifteen minutes.

Let’s put this matter in perspective. Only 60 percent of Chicago students graduate. Need more be said?

My heart is heavy. I saw a picture on the internet this morning of Ambassador Stevens. He was in pants and a tee shirt. Apparently dead. Being dragged through the mob.

There is brief comment on the internet this morning also that the Ambassador was raped. I share this information reluctantly. It may not be true. Take it with a grain of salt.

My concern is that if he was, our government should share it with us. As soon as known and verified. Nothing should be kept from the American people. We are being attacked in 20 different places. More of our people may die. We may retaliate. The ramifications of any and all actions will have consequences. So we should be made aware up front of everything that has occurred and is occurring.

A somber note to end this blog on. Sorry.

Enjoy your Sunday!

CATHOLIC CHURCH OUT OF DATE?

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Loved doing yesterday’s Internet show! Why not. The week was full of wild events.

I suspected the Cairo/Benghazi stories or the Chicago teacher strike or the Catholic Church issues would prove the most popular. Instead, none were. Post show comments were primarily addressed to the overall quality of the show. Whatever, I thank you.

After the show, it was to the doctor’s office. Flu shot time.

Then a long walk along Smather Beach. Sun was a bit hot. I should have walked earlier. However, the show interferred.

I wrote next week’s KONK Life article. Catholic Church…..200 Years Out of Date. It was a reiteration of Cardiinal Carlo Maria Martini’s death bed interview. His opinions an interesting revelation. I discussed the Cardinal’s thoughts also in yesterday’s Internet show.

Spent the balance of the afternoon researching and writing.

Stayed in last night. I am still at the beginning of the diet where it tires me out. I am on Dr. Atkins. I cooked myself a steak for dinner. Proper Atkins food.

Embassy attacks are now occurring in twenty countries. Sad. They are ongoing. Even in Cairo and Benghazi. A difficult situation. I wonder how Obama will deal with it all.

A beautiful day here in Key West. As most are. Sun, blue skies and blue running water. Warm. Humid. It all feels good.

Enjoy your day!

DEMOCRACY IS MOB RULE

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Big news day yesterday!

Eleventh anniversary of 9/11.

Egyptian mob stormed United States Embassy in Cairo. Desecrated the American flag in the process.

A mob stormed the United States Embassy in Libya. Bengahzi to be specific. United States Ambassador Stevens and three staff members killed.

Chicago teacher strike ongoing.

Louis said back when the Egyptian revolt was taking place…..Never forget your friends. The United States did in Egypt. Murbarak had been our friend for forty years. He became a friend of Israel at our behest. Yet when the mob hit the street and shouted democracy, the United States failed Murbarak. They encouraged him to resign. Did not support his government. I recall Secretatry of State Clinton saying we had to stand with the protestors in the streets who sought democracy.

I said never abandon a friend. We knew what we had in Murbarak. We did not know what we would have with a new regime.

Today Egypt has a radical Islamic group ruling the country. The Cairo Embassy had blocked streets and Egyptian police and military protection under Murbarak. The new government removed the barriers and withdrew most of the police and military guards.

Within 24 hours of Cairo, the Libyans attack the United States Embassy in Benghazi. Here too there was no police or military protection. Libya is purportedly a democracy with the fall of Ghadafi.

Both the Egyptian and Libyan governments receive billions of dollars a year from the United States. Yet they bite the hand that feeds them.

It appears that democracy in Egypt and Libya means mob rule.

Israel wants to bomb Iran. Iran’s nuclear development is the issue. The United States wants Iran to stop its develoment of nuclear weapons peacefully. Israel and the United States cannot agree on a strategy for the near future. Things are touchy between Israel and the United States.

The Chicago teacher strike continues. Teacher demands are too many. The Mayor has offered a 16 percent raise over four years. Seems to me the teachers have an ax to grind.

What a 24 hours for President Obama! His already full plate is spilling over.

I walked once again yesterday morning. Good boy, Louis. Stayed on my diet, also.

Saw Tammy. Needed a manicure and pedicure. I was the only customer the whole time I was there. As I left, a lady walked in for a pedicure. September in Key West. Everything slows down.

I spent the afternoon working on Friday’s internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour.

Obviously, Egypt and Libya will be discussed. Other topics so far include, the Chicago teacher strike, the Santorini volcano which might erupt, Serbian War crimes which now include the sale of body organs, Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini’s in effect death bed interview claiming the Catholic Church is 200 years out of date, a woman arrested for warning other drivers of a speed trap, an 8 year old who took his mother’s car for a drive, Arizona Supreme Court holding that tattooing is Constitutionally protected free speech, Frances Scott Key, Moscow burned to thwart Napoleon, Chubby Checker and the Twist, and more.

My show script is close to full. Watch if you get a chance. Ten in the morning my time. World wide. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

Last night, dinner at Hogfish. A seared piece of fresh tuna on a salad bed, topped with a touch of oil. Good for the diet!

I have not played golf for health reasons in over a year. I planned on returning today. However, I have much to do organizing the trip photos further before Sloan arrives this evening. Ergo, no golf this week.

Enjoy your day!

AYN RAND A NUT CASE

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What a lovely Saturday!

The MTV house across the way has been repainted a bright yellow. The sun is reflecting off it. Magnificent!

I like Saturdays. It is the start of a two day vacation. Happens every five days.

Loved yesterday’s internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. From the reaction, I have to believe many others enjoyed it also.

The topic garnering the most interest this week was the one having to do with Social Security. I reported the recent purchasing procedure by Social Security to obtain 174,000 rounds of hollow point bullets. To be delivered within 60 days to 41 locations. The locations being Social Security offices in various parts of the United States.

Several reasons have been mentioned as to why Social Security is arming itself. With heavy duty ammunition at that. The consensus seems to be in preparation for civil unrest. Following an anticipated economic collapse.

Forty per cent of those receiving Social Security live off  of it. They are totally dependent on their Social Security checks to survive. If the government cannot issue any checks because it is broke or going broke, it is feared there will be a run on Social Security offices through out the country. Demonstrations and protests will occur.

Social Security workers are being armed to protect against such activity.

Americans shooting Americans. I cannot believe it! If such is true, it is a sorry place we are at.

The news became public this past Wednesday. Some print media have picked up and are commenting on it. Television news is saying nothing.

After the show, I hustled over to Lee Nails. Manicure time. A whole half hour to chat with Tammy. I had to wait a few minutes. Her son Kevin is five years old. Mom was babysitting him while she worked. Kevin and I had a conversation. We ended it by high fiving each other.

Then a quick run  to the airport. I had to get some information face to face. Sometimes it is impossible to get a straight answer via computer or telephone.

Lisa and family have been away a week. Vacation time. They were returning last night. Lisa called me. Buy some groceries. She gave me a list over the phone. I filled her order at Publix and left the goodies in her refrigerator.

By this time it was mid afternoon and I was tired. I went to the Plantation Coffee House for a cup of coffee. Sat quietly and read the newspapers.

Owner Diane was working. A lovely person. Met her sister who also lives in Key West.

A quiet dinner last night. Me and the bar stool at Hogfish. Actually, I did chat a bit with some of the local fishermen. Always interesting conversation. These are for real fisherman. Have been doing it for years. Look like men of the sea.

Paul Ryan tells us the influence Ayn Rand had upon him. I wish to comment on Ayn Rand and her influence on Louis .

In the early 1960s, I was a young attorney. I had just opened my own office. Somehow I came across a book called The Fountainhead. Ayn Rand had written it. Her work blew me out! I needed to read more by her. The more was Atlas Shrugged. From my perspective, The Fountainhead raised the questions and Atlas Shrugged answered them.

Just as Ryan, I told my employees and everyone to read her books.

The bottom line of Ayn Rand’s works was a type of laissez-faire capitalism.The rights of the individual were supreme. She called loud and clear for the protection of those rights.

I loved her! I loved her thoughts! Stand up against the world and let no person detract you from what you consider correct.

I was browsing through a New York paper one day. I noticed an ad by Ayn Rand. She was giving weekly lectures in New York City and also publishing a monthly newsletter. It was impossible for me to attend the lectures because of distance. I could read the newspaper, however. I subscribed immediately.

The first newspaper arrived. A small 4 or 8 page publication. I buzzed my secretary and told her to hold my calls. I could not wait to get into Ayn Rand’s newspaper.

I read it. The whole thing.

It was immediately obvious to me. The woman was a nut. Ayn Rand was crazy. I did not get this when reading her novels. But the newspaper provided a different and more personal vehicle for her thoughts. She was undoubtedly certifiable!

I immediately cancelled my subscription. Never more did I recommend her books to others to read.

Now comes Paul Ryan. Republican Vice-Presidential candidate. He claims Ayn Rand is the one person who has had the most influence on his life. He lives by her teachings.

I guess Ryan never read the newsletters.

If Ayn Rand is his guru, his god outside of chuch, we are all in for trouble if he is elected.

Enjoy your Saturday!

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!