DRAGON

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Today is a first. A first in a long time. Two years ago, I purchased Dragon. Dragon is the system whereby you speak and the computer types. Fingers are not required. I wear headphones with a microphone.

I tried the system two years ago. I could not get adjusted to it. I put it aside. I took it out again last week. Sloan has been working with me. She understands all these things that I do not. I wrote a chapter to my new book yesterday using Dragon. This is the first time I am doing a blog.

It’s like giving birth to a child!

If I can make it work and get adept, it will save me a lot of time.

The weather started off well yesterday. The morning was warm. Then it started raining. Off and on. Poured big time. Yesterday evening was a bit cool. Today definitely will be cold. The high today will be 64°. The low tonight 59.

I spent a part of yesterday finalizing last night’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. The show went well. I suspect I may have to enlarge the show from a half-hour to a full hour at some point. There does not seem to be enough time to do the type of show I want in a half hour.

My only venture out of the house yesterday was dinner at Roostica. Lasagna.

I have not been to Roostica  in a couple of months. The last time there I had a sorry experience with one of the waitresses. I usually sit at a table for 4 because I enjoy spreading out my newspapers. She had me move to a small table for two where the newspapers, glasses and dishes did not fit. Ergo, I have not been back in a while.

I was prepared to do battle with the waitress last night. No more moving. If I did move, it would be out the door. Fortunately, there was no confrontation. She was not there. My waitress was Patricia. A nice lady. She remembered me. She says you always order lasagna. I was happy. I had a friend.

Guns and gun laws continue to be screwed up. Where normally we have been averaging one school shooting every 11 days in the United States, the numbers have changed in the new year. For the worse. During the first 17 days of January, there were four school shootings. Additionally in the last 72 hours, there have been two university shootings.

One of the problems as we all know are the laws. The NRA, the legislators beholden to them, and people of the United States who do not understand what is involved, contribute to the problem. Florida is a state that is pro-NRA and pro gun.

The Key West Citizen ran an article a few days ago talking about a gun problem existing in the keys. The Key West Citizen reported that it is legal to shoot guns in Florida on residential properties if not done in a reckless manner, over a public road or occupied dwelling. Someone living in the Keys built a home made gun range in the back of his home. The gun range has been used by the property owner and his friends for three weeks. The neighbors are concerned. They have safety concerns. They have complained to the police. The police can do nothing

Florida’s a concealed carry state. Additionally, there are other laws which make it easy to use handguns most anywhere. In 1987, Florida passed a preemption law. The law said that only the state could determine laws with regard to guns. It prohibited local governments from having any say or regulation with regard to the use of guns.

The 1987 law had no teeth in it whereby local governmental officials could be punished if they tried to do something which would deviate from state gun laws. In 2001, good Governor Scott signed what might be described as the teeth law. The law provided that local elected leaders and police officials could be fined $5000 and/or be removed from office if they established gun regulations. Any gun regulations.

Thank you, Governor Scott!

When will we learn.

Enjoy your day!

EARTHQUAKE IN KEY WEST

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Sometimes things happen all at the same time. Then it is the mundane for days. Yesterday was big for happenings…..All new!

Lets start with the earthquake. Yes, Key West experienced an earthquake. At 3:57 yesterday afternoon. The quake actually occurred 10 miles off the north shore of Cuba. Well below the ocean floor. Its impact was felt in Key West. By some, not all. Key West experienced neither damage nor injury to life.

The earthquake was a 5.1. A significant number. We were immediately advised by television reports not to worry about a tsunami. Apparently a 6.0 or better is required.

I did not feel the earthquake. I did not know one had occurred till I reached the Chart Room and Emily told me. When the quake hit, I was in my car driving from the Plantation Coffee House to the Pier House. It seemed that anyone who was driving did not experience the earth’s movement.

However, those who were on the second and third floors of buildings did. Sheila was on the third floor of the Custom House and felt it. David was on the second floor where he works. He experienced it. Jean and Joe, Peter, and Emily did not.

The locals group were all at the Chart Room early comparing notes.

My compliments to Sean Kinney. He is a reporter for a local newspaper owned by the Miami Herald. He is also the Miami Herald’s man in Key West. Within minutes, Sean had reported the quake and it was being carried on the Miami Herald website.

A television star from a popular TV show was in town. Guy Fieri of the Food Channel’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Guy and crew had come in Wednesday. Did their work. Stayed overnight at the Pier House. Enjoyed the hospitality of the Chart Room later in the evening. Guy and most left yesterday morning. It appeared one of the show’s producers remained.

The show hit three Key West places of note. I know two. Bad Boy Burrito and Garbo’s. Famous they will be once the show airs. Tourists will seek them out for the next ten years. Look what a bit of notoriety did for Louie’s Back Yard.

The most important thing is that the show will be recognizing a Key West luminary. One who people have paid little attention to up to this time. The cook at Bad Boy Burrito. It is our own Grant. Grant of Don’s Place fame who I periodically mention. A good man!

The third noteworthy item was that this week’s KONK Life hit the streets yesterday. My picture on the cover. The whole page. Basically a reprint of the cover of my new book The World Upside Down. It thrilled me! My vanity is showing, I guess.  My thanks to publisher Guy de Boer.

Dan…..Where are you? I have stopped at Don’s outside bar four times looking for you. Have you given up drinking? Syracuse plays North Carolina tomorrow at noon. I will be at the Sports Pub. I hope to see you and Lisa again.

Enjoy your day!

HONEYMOON OVER…..TV / INTERNET SHOW NO MORE

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All good things come to an end. Fortunately and unfortunately. My Friday morning TV/internet show The Key West Lou Legal Hour will no longer be aired.

I started with KONK six years ago doing an internet show. Two years ago moved over to WEYW television which joined television and the internet together for me. The reception has been fantastic! People in many countries watched the show.

I will still be doing my blog talk radio show tuesday evenings, writing my once a week column for KONK Life, and writing my daily blog.

The television show was fun to do. Hard work, also. It took 10-12 hours a week to prepare for the show. Hard to believe. My plate was becoming full. Publishing my first book recently made me anxious to do another. I was working as hard as I did when I was practicing law. Something had to give.

The bottom line is there will be a new book out sooner than I thought. I am restructuring my day so as to work on it at least 3 hours a day.

This week’s KONK Life is on the stands today. You must read it. I am the cover. Me all alone. The cover page in effect announces my new book. I thank KONK’s owner Guy de Boer for providing the opportunity to further publicize The World Upside Down.

Terri White is back in the news! It was announced yesterday that Terri has received the New York Cabaret Award for 2013. The award is for The Best One-Show Special Event of 2013. It was for Terri’s performance at 54 Below, Broadway’s premier supper club. Good girl, Terri! Go!

Interestingly, Terri was blackballed on Broadway in the early 1980s when it was discovered she was gay. Now she receives awards. As the world turns.

I had a good time last night. Don and I went out together. To the Chart Room. Stayed a long time. Chatted with Emily, Peter, Sean, and Sheila. Don is good company to be out on the town with. I was the designated driver, of course.

Enjoy your day!

TUESDAY BLOG TALK RADIO

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At 9 last night, I did my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. From the kitchen table in my frosty home. A Key West home. Not supposed to be cold.

Yesterday and last night it was! As were all parts of the eastern seaboard. Normally, I do the show in shorts and a tee shirt. Last night long pants and a sweat shirt. Normally with the glass sliding doors open and a bit of heat pouring in. Last night with the doors shut. A closed door did not keep the cold out, however.

I enjoy doing the blog talk radio show. I started it just a year ago. In January. The following is terrific. It took hold almost immediately.

Three topics I thought were exceptionally interesting. One was the question as to whether the U.S. is an emerging police state what with NSA surveillance and police body searches. Another involved the Chrysler bailout. Chrysler is evidencing its gratitude to the American people for saving its ass. They plan to build plants in China. The final topic concerned North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. He had his uncle executed a couple of weeks ago. One hundred twenty wild dogs were unleashed upon him. How can we do business with such a mentality?

Syracuse, my Syracuse. Beat Virginia tech last night 72-52. Syracuse now 15-0.

I never got to Lukas’ place to watch the second half of the game after my show concluded. I went upstairs to change. I had turned the heat on earlier. The room felt so comfortable. I went to bed instead and watched a movie. No local TV of the game last night.

Walked a bit yesterday. Home Depot. Since it wa around 60 degrees, I was dressed accordingly. Long pants, a shirt and my leather jacket. I walked. It was uncomfortable. The jacket was too heavy and too warm as I got into a gait. Should have left the jacket in the car.

Then to the Plantation Coffee House to read the newspapers. Followed by home to finalize my notes for last night’s show.

The weather was cold yesterday. It was cold during the night. It is cold this morning. I gave in yesterday afternoon. Turned pn the heat on the second floor where my bedroom is located. My bedroom faces the northwest. When the cold wind comes in off the ocean, you can hang meat in the bedroom.

Enjoy your day!

OCEAN WEATHER

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Key West is a tiny island. Like 1.5 x 4.0 miles. Key West sits with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. Weather is wild and uncertain. Changes occur suddenly.

Two days ago, we had a healthy all day and part of the night rain storm. Flooding everywhere. Sun never shone.

This morning the island is at peace. Nothing moving. There is no breeze. The water flat and quiet. Sun shining. A few scattered white clouds. High today will be 80.

I find the weather changes exciting. Always a surprise.

Today is a big day in American history. On this day in 1939, Superman made his debut as a comic strip hero.

The college football game of the year tonight. The BCS Championship Game. Florida State and Auburn. The young men on both teams probably do not appreciate the life time impact the game’s result will have on them.. Those who play on the winning team will remember the night the rest of their lives. In all likelihood, it will be the biggest event in their lives. The experience hard to duplicate. These are lucky men who will be playing. Few of us have the opportunity to know such an experience.

I will watch the game at either Don’s Place or home. Depends how I feel.

Another easy Sunday yesterday. I was up early. Did my blog early. Watched the first half of the Cincinnati game with Don and David. Then to Publix. Out of food again. Sunday afternoon is not the best time to grocery shop. Publix was so packed there were only three carts available. Last night, early to bed and sleep.

I lead such an exciting life!

Tomorrow night at 9 my blog talk radio show. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. A quick half hour of interesting developments. You can call in if you like.

I plan on dwelling on the huge increase in body cavity searches by the police, the Little Sisters of the Poor’s last minute application to the Supreme Court to get rid of a portion of the section of Obamacare dealing with birth control, the Attorney General continuing to not prosecute bank officials, the perfect example being JP Morgan Chase, how we got screwed again with a bailout, the story of Chrysler, Fiat, and automobile factories to be built in China, and more.

Interesting, revealing, and fun to listen to. Join me.

Enjoy your day!

 

CHEERIOS

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Cheerios is my breakfast cereal of choice. Primarily because it purportedly reduces cholesterol.

Cheerios is the breakfast of choice of mothers to feed their babies once the baby is capable of mushing them.

All America considers Cheerios safe and healthy!

I was shocked yesterday to read that General Mills announced it would no longer make Cheerios with genetically modified ingredients. Wow! Who knew?

General Mills said it was not because anything was wrong with genetically modified products. Rather, it was the growing number of people opposed to the use of genetically modified ingredients that compelled their decision.

Good for General Mills!

I have been speaking out in opposition to genetically modified seeds for several months. As recently as yesterday morning on my TV/internet show The Key West Lou Legal Hour. I mentioned the two world wide demonstrations that took place in 2013 protesting their use.

Last night was a biggie!

I had dinner with Jenna. An  interesting young lady. I enjoy being with her. This 78 year old man with a 27 year old lovely.

We had dinner at Square One. It has become a favorite of mine once again. Together with Hot Tin Roof. Carmelo and Carolyn have done a wonderful remodeling job and are serving the finest meals. The kind to die for.

Jenna and I had a drink at the bar first. Wanted to say hello to Patrick. Bartender Patrick has been a friend for well over 15 years. He is daughter Lisa’s best friend. My grandkids love him.

Jenna introduced me to Clay and Laurel at the bar. Nice people. Clay is involved somehow with the BP lawsuits. Interesting work.

Our dinner was long. We had much to talk about.

After dropping Jenna off, I stopped at Don’s Place. Glad I did. Don, David, Toni, Grant, and Jeff were there. I joined David in watching the Ohio State bowl game. David is a die hard Ohio State fan.

Don introduced me to a couple. Emma and Trevor. From London. Emma is a television producer.  Trevor a vice president with Bank of New York. They are in Key west for three days. Appear to be doing a South Florida trip. Miami, Coconut Grove, South  Beach and Key West. They are staying at a guest house near Don’s Place.

I would like to run into them one more time before they leave. They were interesting and interested.

My book has been out a little less than a month. The World Upside Down. My housekeeper Anna bought several copies to give as Christmas presents. She gave one to Nancy Robinson. Nancy is one of the dames of Key West. A lovely person inside and out. If you think I keep busy at 78, you should meet Nancy. She has to be in her mid to late 80s. She goes, goes, goes. Her daughter Martha lives in Key West, also. Martha is an eager beaver in whatever she does. I can see where she got her drive from.

The World Upside Down is available for purchase on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.

Syracuse basketball this afternoon at 2. Against Miami. Syracuse’s first ACC game. I suspect Syracuse will win. The Vegas line is 19.5 points. I hope to watch the game at John Lukas’ Big Ten Sports Pub.

Enjoy your day!

COLD IN KEY WEST!

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It is cold this morning  in Key West! 67 degrees. A 13 degree drop from yesterday. Wind gusts 30 mph. It will get no warmer today.

I know you are laughing if you are from anywhere in the northeast. Boston and the Cape are buried in a couple of feet of snow. Temperature in the minus. My hometown Utica is -7 degrees this morning.

I received an e mail from a reader in Sydney, Australia. They are enjoying the warmest summer ever.

When ever it is extremely cold up north, we feel it here in Key West. The wind outside my house is blowing in cold and big time from the northwest.

Long pants and a jacket today.

Yesterday morning was busy with a haircut and manicure. Spent a good part of the afternoon and early evening finalizing this morning’s TV/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten my time. On TV in southeast Florida on channels Comcast 87 and U-Verse 19. Worldwide on the internet. www.weyw19.com.

More anal cavity searches. Disgusting. Thoughts whether we are heading for a police state. Whether the government is protecting JP Morgan Chase from investigation. And more.

Poor Alabama. Got their asses whipped last night. Congrats to Oklahoma. It is difficult to be #1 every year.

My condolences to Jean and Joe Thornton and to David. You win some, lose some.

Enjoy your day!

KEY WEST LOU LEGAL HOUR…..TOMORROW

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I am late today! Sorry! Had a full morning.

Tomorrow morning the Key West Lou Legal Hour airs. Nine my time. Great topics! What is Sotomayor doing?, French tax 75 per cent of all executive salaries in excess of one million euros, too many antibiotics finding their way into our bodies, anal cavity searches on the rise, some Oregon citizens take policing into their own hands, government refusing to subpoena JP Morgan Chase records, fracking, drug testing Florida welfare recipients declared unconstitutional, and more.

All interesting issues. In many instances, revealing. I bring to your attention things you might not know or have heard.

The show can be seen on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19 from Key West to Boca Raton. Otherwise available via the internet worldwide. www.weyw19.com.

Staying with tomorrow’s show, I spent a good deal of yesterday afternoon working on it. Not finished yet. I have another two hours to put in later today.

Chart Room last night. Fewer tourists. The locals returned. En masse. Visited with Emily, Sheila, Peter, Jean, Katherine, Katherine’s cousin Katherine, Sean, and Cheryl.

Cousin Katherine presently hails from Dallas. She is somehow affiliated with the Dallas Cowboys.

Cheryl is held in high regard by our family. Especially Lisa. Cheryl was the technician who performed the sonogram on Robert when he was born and discovered his cancered liver. Nine years ago. Seems like yesterday. Cheryl recently returned to Key West. She is working as a nurse in Dr. Boro’s new walk in clinic on the boulevard.

I had been looking for Jean Thornton for 3-4 days. We finally met up last night. Chatted a while. Then decided to head over to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner. I invited Sheila to join us. She declined.

Joseph managing, Matias bartending.

Jean and I had a long and interesting evening. We conversed about everything. We stopped back at the Chart Room after dinner. Ollie was there.

With final prep still awaiting me re tomorrow’s TV/internet show, I doubt I will get out this afternoon or evening.

Enjoy your day!

 

I CANNOT TELL A LIE

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George Washington has nothing on me! He could not lie about chopping down the cherry tree. I cannot lie about last night. I stayed home. In bed. Never went out.

My plan was to do 801 and watch Sushi come down in the red slipper. The eleventh time that I would have seen it. When it was time to shower and dress, I thought why go? Parking will be a problem. I have already been towed twice on special occasions. The crowd will cover several blocks. I will not be that close to 801. During all of this time, I would not even have been able to buy a drink because of the crowd size.

Screw it! I am going to bed was my thought. I poured myself a healthy Beefeater on the rocks and climbed into bed. I fell asleep. A phone call wakened me. Only 11 o’clock. Fell back to sleep. Another phone call woke me at 11:30. Otherwise, I would have slept through midnight.

I flipped between NBC and CNN. NBC had class. I thought CNN sucked. Kathy Griffin does nothing for me. I did not consider her funny. She detracted from Anderson Cooper, also.

I stayed mostly with CNN. Wanted to see 801 and Sushi in the shoe drop. I did. At 12:15. Exciting, as usual. The crowd several blocks deep.

John Zarrella is an old time CNN reporter. He has done 801 and Sushi for 11 years. Last night was his last. He retires tomorrow after 20 years with CNN. I wish him well.

One observation. We who live in Key West are lucky. Every evening is New Year’s Eve!

I was content. Wished myself a Happy New Year, closed the light and went back to sleep.

I wish each of you a very Happy New Year!

A complaint. Probably caused by old age. Perhaps not. My complaint is one every person probably has. The cost of drugs. I went to Walgreen to pick up my new prescription for Effient. A blood thinner. I get the pills in a 90 day supply. The cost to me was around $340. The fine print told me my insurance company saved me around $650. If no insurance, roughly $1,000 for a three month supply. $330 for a one month supply. Legalized thievery! An abuse of the American public. Think of the people who do not have insurance and/or cannot afford even the discounted price. They go without. Obamacare is not going to solve the drug problem any time soon. It is a weak spot in the Affordable Care Act.

I decided to walk Duval in the afternoon from the Atlantic to the Gulf and back. Only made it half way. Had to turn around. Too many people on Duval. It was impossible to walk at a normal or fast clip. The holiday week has turned out to be a good one for the merchants. A lot of families, a lot of children. Contrary to Bill O’Reilly’s comment that Key West was not a good place for children.

Yesterday was the anniversary of John Denver’s birth. Most of you will remember him. A great singer and entertainer. He died in 1997.

Many years ago when Lisa was small, I was in New York with her mother, sister Lori and Lisa. It was a hot summer day. You could fry eggs on the sidewalk! I took the family for lunch to the Brasserie. One of my favorite N ew York City spots. Lisa was somewhere around the sixth to eighth grade. She did not want to go! Made an issue out of it. Her conduct cemented that we were going.

I told Lisa that many movie stars went to the Brasserie. She looked at me as it to say oh, ya.

Dad was correct! John Denver sat at the table next to us. He started  chatting with us. Especially Lisa who was closest to him. He even asked if he could have some of her French fries which she gladly shared with him. When his order arrived, he shared something off his plate with her.

A lesson to be learned. Always trust father!

I learned something new. Yesterday’s Key West Citizen had a note as to how West Virginia was formed. Turns out that when the Civil War began, not all counties in Virginia wanted to secede. The ones that wished to remain with the Union formed a new State. It ultimately became known as West Virginia.

A new year, a new league for Syracuse basketball. The league is the ACC. Syracuse at this point is ranked #2 nationally and is 13-0. ACC play starts this week. Syracuse opens against Miami on saturday. Now we will see if Syracuse is as good as the numbers reflect and as good as I think they are this year.

Enjoy your New Year’s Day!

 

 

 

A LITTLE NEW YEAR’S EVE / A LITTLE EVERYTHING

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It is already New Year’s Day in New Zealand and Australia. Auckland was the first major city to welcome 2014 in with a fireworks display. Then Sydney. In both places, people were dancing in the streets. Much like Key West and New York City will be this evening.

I have a blog follower in Papua, New Guinea. Since Papua is close to Australia, I assume Papua has likewise welcomed the New Year.

An historic event occurred yesterday/Monday. The first flight from Key West to Havana took place. The first in more than 50 years. It will not be a regular flight. At least not yet. This one took two years to arrange. The rules limited the size of the plane to a ten seater.

Castro screwed the Cubans when he took over. Especially the affluent ones who lost everything and had to escape to the United States. I would hate Castro if I were one of them or one of their families. However, all that took place was three generations ago. The Cubans who came to the United States have as a whole done extremely well for themselves. Especially in South Florida. I believe the time has come to lift the travel and trade ban.

I walked yesterday. Not long. A half hour at Home Depot. It was a bit humid and rainy. Michael was working. Michael was on our bocce team several years ago. A good player. We exchanged New Year greetings. Michael told me about the home he and his wife are in the process of purchasing in Mexico. They close on it next month. Good for you, Michael!

I needed a few things from Publix. Yesterday was the wrong time to shop. Everyone was. The aisles were two way traffic. I only needed bread, Weight Watcher cakes, bananas and yogurt. Took forever!

I now have three books in the works. The newest one concerns the parents of today  who are a forgotten generation when it comes to their adult children. I have to settle into one book and go for it!

It was the Chart Room first last night. I was all alone. The place was packed. However none of my usual acquaintances were to be found. I chatted with Gary who works a rescue boat when a boat breaks down on the high seas.

There was an interesting occurrence. I am not trying to be gross as I share the experience with you. There was a lovely young lady in the Chart Room with exceptionally large breasts. Had to be man made. She was wearing what appeared to be a very strong halter which she occasionally pulled down to exhibit her good fortune to admirers. She was proud of what she had. Rightfully so.

I had a similar experience earlier in the day when I was walking in Home Depot. Another young and beautiful woman. Her breasts huge! Too big! My initial thought after WOW! was how can she balance herself as she walks. Obviously man made, also. Had to be.

I walked over to Hot Tin Roof hoping to run into friends. None to be found. Asked Sheila where everyone was. She found it strange also.

Even without my local friends, the place was packed! A good business night!

Met Matis. He is a new bartender. Recently arrived from Rhode Island. We talked a bit about Block Island.

Traffic  was a pain yesterday. My evening trip into Key west took 45 minutes. Normally, 15. I figured let me get home and avoid the people and traffic later in the evening. Home I went. It still took me 40 minutes to get home. The traffic was a combination of the boulevard construction and the exceptionally large number of tourists.

When I finish this blog, I will be off to Home Depot again. Walking two days in a row will be a major accomplishment.

This afternoon I will either watch the Syracuse game or work on Friday’s TV/internet show. I am not sure who Syracuse is playing. The game is this afternoon. If it is not on local television, I will not be seeing it. I do not wish to handle the traffic to get to John Lukas’ Sports Bar.

Tonight, I am not sure. I have a couple of parties to attend. I might watch Sushi drop in the red shoe at 801. I may stay home. At the moment, home is attractive to me. I am lucky. Every night is New Year’s Eve in Key West.

This day reminds me of a special one I had about fifteen years ago. I thought it might be my father’s last New Year’s eve. I decided he and I should spend it together. We did. Quietly alone in my living room in front of a roaring fire. We spoke of many things. Mostly from the past. His past. Our past together. His wife, my mother. I treasure the evening.

I was wrong that it might be our last together. My father did not pass away till last year. He was 98.

Happy New Year. Chat with you in the morning. The first morning of the New Year.