KEY WEST FILM FESTIVAL

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

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

Syracuse got beat by Florida State 59-3.

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

Syracuse’s time will come!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy your Sunday!

SYRACUSE v. FLORIDA STATE

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

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

The Vegas line is 38.5 points.

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

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

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

I have that feeling. Nothing more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy your day!

THE FLU

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

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

I talked too soon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WINTER MOVING IN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy your day!

BOOK PUBLISHED!

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

The World Upside Down has gone on sale.

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

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

I hope you enjoy reading it.

Enjoy your day!

VETERANS DAY PARADE TERRIFIC!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy your day!

SMALL TOWN PARADES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy your holiday!

LUNCH WITH TOMORROW’S LEADERS

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I enjoyed lunch yesterday with two of tomorrow’s leaders. My grandchildren, Robert and Ally. Always an experience!

We ate at Lobos. First time for all of us. Lobos is that little outdoor place with picnic tables on the pathway from Duval to the parking lot behind Antonio’s. We keep looking for new places to eat.

Lobos has to be a gold mine. The place is small, but was packed. Mostly tourists. Drinking beer and wine one after the other. One table of ladies champagne. Bottle after bottle.

Some clever/interesting comments arose during the luncheon. Everything originated in their minds and came out of their mouths. Like why do people always give the President a hard time? Perceptive, I thought. We want a Butterball turkey for Thanksgiving. Mom never makes one. Why Butterball, I asked. Because there is a ball of butter in it, replied Robert.

Sleeping Thanksgiving weekend will be a bit of a problem. Cameron will be home from college. Robert has taken over his bedroom. Robert will have to move into his sister’s bedroom and sleep in the bunk bed. He was not happy! Plus, the grandparents will be sleeping in the upstairs bedroom.

Spent some time in the afternoon working on the KONK Life column for this week. A little nationalistic pride. The topic is one few people are aware of. I only know because I am old enough to. Most who came before me are dead.

The topic is the Doolittle Raid. A World War II tale of pride and heroism.

I received an email from the publisher of my soon to be published book. The World Upside Down. The email had attachments consistiong of a 6″ x 9″ formated manuscript, the jpg cover, and the back cover text. Exciting! Another closer to publication!

Syracuse beat Maryland 20-3. Unexpected. I am proud of my alma mater. Syracuse is now 5-4. One more victory and Syracuse will receive a bowl bid.

I was unaware the game was to be televised. It was no big deal so as to be on national or regional TV. But there it was! I watched the game from 4 to 8. Never went out of course. The game kept me glued to the TV set.

I thought Syracuse played well. The best I have seen them play this season. The defense played especially well causing some fumbles and interceptions. I read a post game review by a sports columnist in a Maryland paper. His take was that Maryland handed the game to Syracuse because of their sloppy play. He had it wrong. The Syracuse defense caused Maryland to play poorly.

Go ‘Cuse!

Enjoy your Sunday!

WHERE HAVE CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY GONE?

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This morning’s news carried the story of two U.S. Navy admirals who have been suspended pending further investigation in a major bribery scandal involving a Singapore defense contractor. Several other high ranking Navy officers were previously removed from duty. The two Admirals are at the top of Naval intelligence.

It has to be the pinnacle in one’s life to have achieved Admiral status. The ultimate in respect goes with the status.

When I read something like today’s news report, I wonder what has happened to character and integrity. It was important once to each individual. Today, it appears it not as important. If I am correct, it is a cancer eating away at our society.

I add most of our Congressmen to the group. Where has honor gone?

Reviewed some new numbers yesterday for this blog. It is now being read in 68 countries. Amazing! The last time I looked it was 49. There was a definite upswing in readers in Sweden and Hong Kong. The blog took a nose dive in South Africa, however. My friend Rita in Calitzdorp, tell me what is happening!

Talking about the blog, permit a suggestion. I know a large number read the blog every day. Most by dialing up Keywestlou.com and reading it on Facebook. Why go through all that work. SUBSCRIBE instead. In the upper right hand corner is the word Subscribe. Click on and you will then receive the blog directly in your email every day. What could be easier?

Yesterday was another simple laid back Key West day. Visited Tammy for a manicure at noon. Tammy is Vietnamese. She has lived in the United States about 15 years. She recently became a citizen. A proud one.

She has two children. Approximately 3 and 5. American holidays are strange to her. She is taking them a step at a time.

This was the family’s first real Halloween. It is also the first Halloween Tammy and family have their own home. They did tricking and treating early. Then greeted other children at their door. Tammy said they ran out of candy after one hour and had to use her children’s stash.

I bug Tammy every year about Thanksgiving. She is not there yet. Cooking a turkey intimidates her. She still feeds her family Vietnamese style. Tammy says in a few years when her kids understand Thanksgiving, she will learn to cook the meal.

Wrote the rest of the day. Hope some day people read what I am writing. One of the other books  is Growing Up Italian. I like it. Hope others will, also.

Speaking of books, I am waiting for the publisher to advise the date of publication of my first one. The World Upside Down.

We worry about hurricanes in Key West. Every Fall. A typhoon is a hurricane by another name. Atlantic storms are labeled hurricanes and Pacific ones typhoons.

The Philippine typhoon that hit yesterday was enormous. It is claimed to be the worst storm in recorded history. It ended up a category 4, close to a 5. Winds 147 miles per hour. Gusts up to 170 miles per hour. So far only 12 have been reported dead. I suspect the worse is not yet known. I fear the final number will exceed 1,000.

A category 4 would wipe out most of Key West. Especially one close to a 5. A 5 definitely would knock everything down.

If you will recall, Andrew was a category 5. It went through Homestead. I drove through Homestead three weeks after the storm. I could not believe what my eyes beheld. Not a building was left standing.

I pray we never get hit that bad in Key West.

Syracuse plays again today. Maryland. The Vegas line has Maryland a six point favorite. We shall see.

I am anxious for this season to be behind us. Syracuse is a building team. We expect the team to do better next year.

Enjoy your day!

 

A BAD BOCCE NIGHT

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There is no joy in Mudville…..Mighty Casey has struck out!

So it was with bocce last night.

Let me put it in perspective.

It was a money game. The championship game in effect of the 5 team mini league we have within the big bocce league. We were tied for first place with the team we played. Whoever won 2 out of 3 games, won it all!

It wasn’t us. We lost all three.

That is not what made it bad. Defeat is easy to handle. It was how we lost in the first game that bothered us. We were winning 13-3. We lost 16-15.

Says it all!

Momentum, the tempo, was set. We lost the next two also. Though with dignity.

My day started yesterday with a Lori visit. Needed a haircut and beard trim. Then to the Plantation Coffee House. Said hello to Diane and read the newspapers.

The afternoon was non eventful. Stayed home researching and writing. However, did it outside under the shade of the tiki hut. Every now and then, I would dunk myself in the pool to cool off. Sometimes laid out a but till the sun dried me off.

It is Friday. The weekend is here. I have nothing planned. Such a weekend normally turns out to be pretty good. We shall see.

No TV/internet show this morning. I have been replaced for a live showing of the power boat races. I return next Friday.

Enjoy your day!