BOCCE SEASON BEGINS

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Nothing is more important than bocce! Except the grandkids.

The new bocce season began thursday night. I missed it. I was at the Key West High School watching Robert and Ally perform in the Wizard of Oz.

My team did well without me. They won all three games! Hopefully the start of a terrific season for us.

My TV/internet show was yesterday morning. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. It is supposedly being You Tubed. I am not certain if yesterday’s show was. It has been sort of hit and miss. I am trying to have the situation corrected.

My discussion of Time Magazine’s brilliant article on why medical bills are killing us was the most popular. Without peer. Steven Brill’s article is an eye opener. All 18 pages are available free on the internet. I suggest you read it.

The cupboard was bare. It was Publix time. I forgot to buy a lottery ticket.

I wrote next week’s column for KONK Life. Titled it A Little Bit Of Everything. I quick hit on several topics venting my feelings about the issues. Things like the Key West $17 million lottery winner, Key West being one of four cities nationally where women earn more than men, China and cybertheft, sequestration, and Berlusconi and sunday’s election.

A pleasant evening last night.

There was supposed to be a showing of Jack Baron’s works at the Joy Gallery on Duval. I walked up and down the street. Could not find Joy Gallery. The phone book said 1100 block of Duval. Not there. I will telephone today to find out where it is. I suspect the gallery has moved.

I have 15 Jack Baron pieces. Jack has been dead 6 years now. I am curious what the market is for his work.

The Chart Room was next. A good group of friends. Emily, David, Peter, and Sheila. Shared a couple of drinks and decided I was hungry.

Walked across the street to the Hot Tin Roof. Wow! All the people! Even in the bar area. Fortunately, I was able to grab a table in the corner.

Big time basketball this afternoon. Syracuse and Georgetown. At 4. At Syracuse.

The Syracuse/Georgetown rivalry is well known. Many hard fought games over the years. No more league play after this season, however. Syracuse is leaving the Big East.

The teams have played each other in Big East ball for 33 years. Today is the next to last game. Two weeks from now Syracuse and Georgetown will meet once more at Georgetown.

The end of an era.

Today’s game will be typical. Hard fought. Down to the last minute. Syracuse is ranked #8 nationally, Georgetown #11. That says it all.

In recognition of the admiration Syracuse fans have for the rivalry, it was announced earlier this week that the game at the Carrier Dome was sold out. 35,012 people expected. The most ever for a home Syracuse basketball game.

Son in law Corey has a big deal starting up at Mel Fisher’s. It is for the benefit of those interested in slave ships, merchant ships, discovery of both beneath the surface, and how the treasure discovered is restored.

I will share more with you in tomorrow’s blog.

Enjoy your day!

A PROUD GRANDPARENT

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I saw them last night! Robert and Ally. Playing munchkins in the Key West High School production of the Wizard of Oz.

They were absolutely magnificent! For real! They sang and danced like pros.

What impressed me before and after the show was how calm they were. Taking everything in stride.

There is a third component to the grandkid thing. Cameron. Cameron is not young, however. He is a high school senior. Off to college in September.

Cameron played the Straw Man. He was the best performer by far. I was impressed.  He should seriously consider pursuing dramatics as a career.

Needless to say, Lisa and Corey were proud parents..

My day yesterday started with the dentist once again. When will I finish?

Then to the Plantation Coffee House. The lovely Diane working.

I enjoy reading newspapers. Especially free ones. I spent about two hours drinking coffee and plodding through various newspapers.

Show time this morning. At 10 my time. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. In addition to topics already shared with you, I am going to comment on this week’s Time article on how medical costs are killing us. The article is an outstanding piece of investigative journalism.

My show is available on television and the internet. It may be viewed on TV via Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19 from Key West through Miami-Dade County. World wide on the internet. www.tvchannel19.com.

Join me for an interesting and fast moving hour.

Ran into an old friend yesterday. One I had not seen in several months. She looked terrific! Where have you been, I asked. I had a stroke, she replied.

We never know.

Celebrities keep popping up in Key West. Last week it was Robin Roberts. Half of the host team on Good Morning America. She was diagnosed with cancer several months ago. Had some heavy treatment. Including bone marrow transplant.

She was vacationing in Key West prior to returning to work this week. She was back on Good Morning America this past monday morning.

Good for her!

Remember my show at 10.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

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!

 

TALK WITH ME AT 9 TONIGHT

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Tonight! Tonight! My blog talk radio show at a new time. And with a new name.

Tuesday Talk With Key West Lou premiers for the first time this evening. A one half hour talk show. A current events show. Call in and lets talk. Should be fun!

Find the show on the internet the same way as the 7 am one. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. If you desire to call and talk with me, there is a telephone number listed. If not, sit back and enjoy.

If you desire to call in and chat, I suggest you call in about 10 minutes before show time. Calls are accepted in the order received. This suggestion does not preclude you from calling in during the show.

I shop at Publix. My supermarket of choice. There is one item I rarely buy, however. A lottery ticket. Maybe once or twice a year.

I should purchase them more often!

The Florida Lottery had a $17 million winner this week. Guess where the lottery ticket was purchased? You got it. Publix in Key West.

The winner has not yet been announced. Either a local or tourist. Whoever, I am thrilled for them. A lifechanger!

My day was relatively quiet yesterday. I woke to a temperature in the 50s. Had to turn the heat on. Laugh you northerners!

Visited the dentist once again. Not there yet. I am to return thursday. Some day.

I played babysitter. From 11 to 4. I think Robert and Ally baby sat me.

We lunched at 5 Guys. We had not been there in a while. I ordered and paid. Then sat down. The grandkids insisted on doing everything else. Getting the soda, ketchup and straws. Picking up our order.

It was bacon cheeseburgers for them. A plain cheeseburger for me. Plus, fires.

We talked a long time. They are both in the Wizard of Oz this week. They are taking their involvement calmly. Though their excitement is not evident, I know they consider it a big deal. Especially Robert. He has 25 talking lines. He is the Barrister. The one who directs Dorothy to the yellow brick road.

We spent the balance of the afternoon in the warmth of my home. They played with their tablets and watched TV. They watched me, also. I fell asleep.

I stayed in last night. Though no longer on the diet, I watch what and how much I eat. Since I had a big cheeseburger for lunch, I was reluctant to eat out.

Again, please join me this evening for my blog talk radio show at 9. Simply type in www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou and I will be there.

Enjoy your day!

 

FATHER / DAUGHTER TALK

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Every now and then it is good for a father and daughter to sit down and talk. About anything and everything. Whatever might be on one’s mind at the moment.

Yesterday was such a day for Lisa and I.

It is difficult to chat at her home. The kids may be around. She might be working. I wanted her away from outside pressures. I wanted us both to devout the time exclusively to each other.

We did.

We went to the Plantation Coffee House. First time for Lisa there. We sat away from everyone.

Yesterday turned out to be Lisa’s time. We talked about Robert and Ally, her work, her health, whatever else came to mind. A good talk. The concerns of life had been lifted, at least for the moment, for the both of us.

Last night was most enjoyable! The Vienna Boys Choir at Tennessee Williams. Jenna invited me. The seats were the best. Fifth row center. I was impressed.

The event packed the house.

Needless to say, the young singers were outstanding. Professional in every way.

The choir members were probably in the 8 to 14 year old range. Watching them brought my youth to mind. The gangling arms. They all had them. Their voices. Unique. I doubt most will have the same voices 5-10 years from now. Voice change in boys is part of the growing process. I recall when mine changed.

We stopped at Tavern ‘N Town afterwards for a drink and bite to eat. It was the first time I had been there since the remodeling. Fantastic!

Tomorrow is tuesday. Tuesday is my blog talk radio show. Note that the time has been changed. It will now be heard at 9 in the evening. Make note. Join me. Chat with me. One half hour of current event opinions and observations.

I have renamed the show. Why not! It will hence forth be known as Tuesday Talk With Key West Lou.

You will find the show on the internet the same as always. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

I have to hustle. Another dentist appointment this morning. When will it end? I suspect I am close.

Enjoy your day!

TALK SHOW MOVING TO 9 TUESDAY EVENINGS

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The Key West Lou Blog Talk Radio Show is moving. Time wise. From 7 in the morning to 9 in the evening. The day will still be tuesday.

The name is being changed also. From this point forward, it will be known Tuesday Talk With Key West Lou. Sounds better, moves off the tongue easier.

I am moving the show to 9 for two reasons. First, getting up at 4:30 is bothering me. Yes, I have to be up that early to be ready to open the show at 7. Second, many of you tell me 7 is too early…..do the show another time. I am listening.

I hope 9 in the evening works better. The 7 time slot had many listeners. Not enough from my perspective, however. I hope 9 proves to be better.

And all of you who argue with me in person, via comments, and e mails, this is your opportunity to discuss our contrary positions live.

I invite you to join me tueday evenings at 9 for Tuesday Talk With Key West Lou. Find me the same way as before. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Cold this morning!!! Like 59 degrees at the momnet. Today’s high projected at 62 degrees. Key Westers will be dressing warm! No shorts today!

The cold front hit yesterday. It is a 48 hour one. It will leave tomorrow. The high tomorrow is 72. The rest of the week 80 degrees. We can live with two cold days.

My heart is taking a beating watching these Syracuse games! Seton Hall last night. Syracuse was down by 10 points after 10 minutes of play. Syracuse came back, however. Beat Seton Hall 76-65. We played well the last 30 minutes of the game. Not well enough though. Seton Hall had lost six straight coming into last night’s game.

Trische looked fantastic. Scored 29 points.

The Vienna Boys Choir is appearing in Key West for the first time this evening. The Choir is guesting with the South Florida Symphony at Tennessee Willaims. Should be a great show.

I am going. As Jenna’s guest. How nice!

The South Florida Symphony is the old Key West Symphony. It has broadened its base to include Miami and other mainland cities. The Symphony also moved its primary location from Key West to Miami.

I was a board memebr of the former Symphony for a couple of years. My former wife for eight.

Today is the middle day of a three day holiday weekend. It is sunday. So far the weekend has been good. Sushi with Jenna friday evening. Syracuse basketball last night at John Lukas’s place. The Vienna Choir and Symphony this evening at the college with Jenna.

Enjoy your day! Enjoy the long weekend!

MINIMUM WAGE AND WORKING POOR

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Another great Key West Lou Legal Hour yesterday! I love doing the show. God is good!

My minimum wage dissertation interested many. Especially when tied in with the working poor. The topic drew the most response post show.

Yesterday’s show is available 24 hours a day on You Tube. A few You Tube wrinkles still being worked out. However, it is there.

I wrote next week’s KONK Life column. On the minimum wage. Tied it into the working poor. Felt the issue was newsworthy as so many people seemed to be into it. I liked the completed article. Published it immediately on Amazon Kindle as well.

Key West experienced one of those monsoon type rainstorms thursday night. My cell phone was charging at the time. When I took it off charge after the storm, everything was screwed up. The face was different. The icons different. Nothing where it had been. I could find nothing. Could not even figure out how to call out.

After yesterday’s show, I went to Verizon to get the phone fixed. There was no problem. At the same time as the storm, Verizon was changing over to something new. That is why my phone was as it was. It was not broke.

I was not intertested in the new format. I was comfortable with the old. I wanted the phone changed back to the old system. No way, I was told. You have to use the new. So teach me, I said. It took all of two minutes.

Mechanically inclined I am not. I get nervous when something changes or goes wrong.

Visited the Chart Room alone last night. All the people! We are into a three day holiday weekend. Tourists arriving in droves.

I saw Peter sitting by the wall. I joined him for a drink.

Had a date. Jenna at eight. Picked her up. We headed to Ambrosia for dinner.

Jenna never eats. Runs 5 miles a day or roller blades. I should be so thin!

She eats sushi, however. More than me! We had a good time. Sipped champagne along with the meal.

I had not been to Ambrosia in a couple of years. I prefer Orgami for sushi. Not because of the food, but the ambiance. Very calm and settled. Whereas Ambrosia is a modern high ceilinged emporium with a Las Vegas flavor. Interesting and pleasant in its own way.

I had seen in the paper earlier in the week that the Bottle Cap was having a ’50s, ’60s and ’70s music night last night. From eight to midnight. Apparently for the old folk such as myself.

Jenna was really not interested in going. She is a mere 27. Not here type music. She went to accomodate me.

The Bottle Cap was empty. At 9:30. Only Jenna and me. The bartender said no one had come to the event. They were not even playing the old music when we arrived.

Jenna and I had one drink at the bar and left.

Remember Becha? My Becha! The manager at La Trattoria for years. No more. She is now working at Bottle Cap. After a 20 year run at La Trattoria. We hugged. Love her hugs. Intoduced Becha to Jenna.

I dropped Jenna off. Then to Don’s Place. Don had telephoned earlier and said drop by.

Don and I spent a long time at the corner of the bar chatting. Without a doubt, Don is one of Key West’s nicest people.

Syracuse basketball tonight. Against Seton Hall. Eight o’clock. I will be at John Lukas’ Big Ten Sports Pub. John is doing a Syracuse night. Free pickies during the game!

The meteor that zoomed over Russia is some thing! The news reported it had the force of 30 Hiroshima atomic bombs!

Betweem now and the game tonight, I am going to screw off. Just lay around. My body is telling me to do it.

Enjoy your day!

GUESS WHO SENT ME A VALENTINE CARD

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This world of high tech is amazing. I received an e mail Valentine message yesterday from Silvio Berlusconi. Former Prime Minister of Italy and probable Prime Minister again after the next election.

I have never met Berlusconi. I have mentioned him several times in this blog. I speak of him often on my television/internet show. Many Italians follow the blog and TV/internet show.

Whatever, however, my name is now apparently on his e mail list.

The Valentine greeting was in Italian, of course. I do not speak Italian. But the jist of the message was understandable. Greetings, I love you, vote for me!

A very busy day yesterday. Started with the dentist. I think we are getting close to resolution. Then the Plantation Coffee House. Chatted briefly with Diane. Tammy for a manicure. Her 5 year old son had gotten sick in school. He was sent home. He was running around the salon having a good time. A fast recovery! Publix for some groceries. Then spent the balance of the day fine tuning today’s Key West Lou Legal Hour.

With all modesty, today’s show is terrific! Especially my discussion of the minimum wage issue. You will love it!

The Key West Lou Legal Hour is available at 10 this morning my time. On  television all the way through Miami-Dade County via Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. World wide via the internet. www.tvchannel19.com.

Join me!

Peter, Paul and Mary were from my distant past. All of a sudden, Paul is a part of my present. I learned yesterday via the Key West Citizen that Paul, aka Noel Paul Stookey, has become a Key West snow bird. Has recently been spending one month during the winter in Key West. A couple of days ago, he did a fun musical thing with the high school kids. Some to honor him, dressed as hippies and carried signs stating Peace Not War.

Syracuse basketball tomorrow night. Play Seton Hall. Eight in the evening.

John Lukas is throwing a party for Syracuse fans. Free appetizers. Come enjoy the game with me at John’s Big Ten Sports Pub.

Big evening tonight! Jenna and I are having sushi at Ambrosia. Good company and good food!

Enjoy your day!

 

OH SYRACUSE MY SYRACUSE…..

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It has been a tough season for this Syracuse sports fan! Syracuse basketball has been up and down. Last night down.

Connecticut beat Syracuse 66-58. We did not look like a Top Ten team. Connecticut was by far the better team.  Syracuse never made one of its fabled runs. Nor did it control the backboards or make its 3 point shots.

My heart has been in my throat every game.

Syracuse plays Seton Hall saturday night. At 8. It is a Pay View game so not available to most fans on TV. Unless you are at a sport bar.

I watched the game last night at John Lukas’ Big Ten Sports Pub. John sat and watched with me.

John wanted to do something for the Syracuse fans. He will be doing it saturday night.

Saturday’s game will have the special VIP rooms open to Syracuse fans. Additionally, there will be appetizers. Butler style, John says. Served throughout the game. Free!

There is no decision to be made. Join me saturday night at John’s place for the game.

Key West weather continues to be phenomenal! Eighty again yesterday. The quality of the weather is reflected in the quantity of tourists. Tons of them. All over the island. Everyone happy and having a good time.

As it should be.

The weeks go by swiftly. Tomorrow is my friday television/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten in the morning my time. Broadcasting on television throughout the Florida Keys and Miami-Dade County on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. World wide via the internet. www.tvchannel19.com.

Another good show! In addition to the topics described yesterday, I will be talking about Senator Lindsay Graham, the hula hoop, German co-op banks, the minimum wage, O’Hare Airport, and the battleship Maine.

Join me! You will enjoy the show!

I have to move on. A busy morning. A haircut, dental visit and hopefully a manicure. A retired person’s life!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW…..

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It is all about Oz! The Wizard of Oz!

Key West High School is presenting the show next week. Grandson Cameron has a lead role. Strawman. Grandkids Robert and Ally are all excited. Practicing away. They are munchkins. I am excited. Cannot wait to see them perform!

I stayed in last night. State of the Union time.

The State of the Union has become ritualistic. The President comes before both houses of Congress and spells out his agenda for the year. He also comments on the health of the Nation. Congress sits and listens. The President’s party smile. The opposition look grim. Contrast Boehner and Biden last night behind the President.

The best part of the State of the Union from my perspective is the gate keeper who enters the Congressional Chamber and speaks in a loud voce, just short of yelling…..The President of the United States!

What did I learn last night? The President’s program is ambitious. He needs only to accomplish a small part for it to be a great year. Jobs are key. I am for infrastructure. I wish the Republicans would bend on  this point. It is a sure way to jobs and positive cash flow.

The Republicans have to give some. Being the opposition does not mean opposing everything. On occasion, cooperation for the good of the country is required.

Senator Cruz was making news on all the TV channels this morning. A new Senator. He has the good fortune of being on the Committee passing judgment on Hagel. Cruz went a step too far in tuesday’s discussions. He accused American war hero Hagel of cozying up to Iran. Not just absurd. Stupid! Even McCain came to Hagel’s defense.

Comcast is in the news big time this morning. My favorite internet provider. Said with tongue in cheek. Comcast bought out GE’s 49 per cent interest in NBC and Universal. Comcast now owns all 100 per cent of NBC. Comcast is also the largest provided of internet services. They became the same in 2002 when they bought AT&T Broadband.

Two thoughts.

First, I hope Comcast does not screw up NBC as it has its Key West internet service. Sometimes top management becomes too distant from its people in the trenches.

Second, is this purchase a step too far? Corporations like Comcast get larger and larger. Just like the banks did. At some point too big to fail? I sometimes think banks and major corporations are our shadow government.

Friday is two days away. My TV/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. The show is developing well. Interesting topics. Like the Pope’s resignation, the State of the Union message, wrestling and the Olympics, a Vienna Museum nudist showing, an Akron police chief and DNA, and more.

Join me friday morning at 10. I guarantee you will enjoy!

Syracuse basketball again tonight. Seven o’clock. It is being carried on ESPN. I am not sure whether I will be watching from bed or John’s Big Ten Sports Pub.

I hope Syracuse wins. I am not sure this season. Every game is a nerve wrecker.

Enjoy your day!