NORTH DAKOTA OIL BOOM…..WOW!

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Very interesting evening last night at the Chart Room!

Che and Peter engrossed in conversation in the corner with a couple from Las Vegas. Dorothy and Doc in for a drink. Mary bartending.

Me, I met Kevin from North Dakota. What an education I got! Learned so much! I want to share every morsel with you.

Kevin owns a small company that manufactures drill bits. He sells world wide. He is on vacation in Key West with his wife Sheila. First time. They love it!

He and I really got into North Dakota. Recall news over the past couple of years of building an oil pipeline running from Canada to Louisiana. Build or not to build the issue. Environmentalists strongly against it. The pipeline was an issue in the recent campaign.

North Dakota is presently benefiting from an oil boom. It would benefit even more if the pipeline were built. The pipeline would create thousands of good paying jobs up and down its length in the United States..

Here is what Kevin told me.

Young men just out of high school are earning $100,000  a year. Work a 60-70 hour week. Employed as roughnecks.

Wal-Mart is not know for generous wages. Wal-Mart pays its stock clerks $17 an hour.

MacDonald pays $15 an hour with a $300 sign up bonus.

There are presently 3,500 unfilled jobs. People are coming from all over to fill them. Kevin told me he sees many Florida plates.

Kevin lives in Williston. Five years ago it had a population of 15,000. Today, 50,000 and growing.

The United States is in an economic recession. We need jobs. Plain and simple. To build/extend the pipeline to Louisiana would create a ton of jobs. Good paying ones.

It is the eternal clash. I was an environmental attorney. I understand the importance of protecting our lands from damage caused by corporate greed. However on occasion the pendulum must swing when there is a greater need. In this instance, jobs!

The rest of my yesterday was not as exciting as my conversation with Kevin. I did the dentist thing again. Will be doing it for a while yet. Pain still there. However, minimal. Read a small news piece in the Key West Citizen about a Senator Stephen R. Mallory. From Key West. He as a US Senator in the 1850s. Came the Civil War, he went the other way. Joined the Confederacy where he served as Secretary of the Navy. Mallory Square is named after him.

The python hunt ends monday at 5. 1,500 hunters involved. Through last friday, a total of 50 pythons killed. Does not seem to have been worth the effort.

Pope Benedict XVI is retiring at the end of the month. I find his retirement strange.  I do not buy the age/health argument. Last Pope to retire was around 415 AD. I think it has more to do with the ongoing Vatican Bank investigation involving money laundering. Time will tell.

The Olympics have decreed wrestling will no longer be one of its sports. Beginning with the 2020 Olympics. What are they going to replace it with? Foosball?

I did my blog talk radio show this morning at 7. Still not enough people calling in. I had one this morning. It was over the Pope’s retirement. I am considering trying a new time. If it does not get enough call ins at a later time, then it is me. I would not have been cut out to be a blog talk radio host.

Enjoy your day!

 

KEY WEST DURING CIVIL WAR

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Spent three hours with Lisa and the family around lunch time yesterday. Read the Sunday newspapers and visited with Robert and Ally.

There is some sort of Civil War Days celebration at Fort Zach. Robert and Ally had been there the day before. They were excited in telling me about it.

Key West was a strange duck during the Civil War. Florida went with the Confederacy. Key West however remained with the Union. An unusual situation. Understandable when you realize how far Key West was from the rest of the Florida. There was no railroad or roads from the mainland. Water vessels were the only contact.

The Union constructed two forts to ward off invading Confederate vessels. They stand to today. East Martello and West Martello. They were never needed. The war never came to Key West.

Key West’s primary function on behalf of the Union was to take in captured Confederate  vessels and do whatever had to be done with them.

After the Fort Zach Civil War treat, Corey took the grandkids on a trip through the woods. Which, I do not know. Key West has all kind of woods. All kind of mangrove growings.

Corey is an archeologist. Educated and work wise. He was educated at Indiana University. Worked in the Middle East in evacuations. For the last 25 years has served as Mel Fisher’s Chief Archeologist.

I find it strange that Corey grew up never seeing the ocean. Yet in his adult life, makes his living exploring the ocean bottom.

Corey has told me many times that as a child when other boys were playing baseball, he preferred to walk in the woods looking for strange items.

Therein I suspect  lies the reason why Corey takes Robert and Ally on wood expeditions.

The Saturday trip proved fruitful to Robert. He found a dried snake skin. Head and all. He was all excited  as he showed it to me. Ugh! Made sure I touched it.

Ally discovered nothing of interest. Ally is taken with spiders. Would you believe! She picks them up outside her home.

I was coming down with a cold. Went home to bed for the rest of the day.

Watched the Syracuse/St. John’s game from the comfort of my bed. Syracuse won handily. They looked good. Southerland won his appeal and is back playing. He contributed his 13 points.

I have been down on the team. Perhaps I have been too harsh. The nice way of saying I was probably wrong. I was impressed with their play yesterday. Especially on defense. We shall see.

Tomorrow morning (Tuesday) is my blog talk radio show. The Key West Lou Talk Show. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Seven in the morning my time. Early! If you are up and around, join me. Exciting stuff. Tomorrow I want to know what you think of drones killing Americans, Senator Lindsey’s rumblings re Benghazi, and whatever else tickles your interest. It is a fun show!

Have to hustle. Dentist again at 10 this morning. Feeling much better. Some minor problems yet to be resolved. I think my dental work is like the Jaguar of the 1960s. A lot of money and a lot of problems.

Enjoy your day!

 

ROBERT GOT A BASKETBALL

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Stopped at Lisa’s yesterday morning. Robert was on the porch. He had a basketball. We played catch. He threw the ball well. Caught it well, also. I had him dribble. Did well at that also. However, he kept looking at the ball. He told me that maybe his Dad was going to erect a basket on the palm tree in front so he could play. We talked. I told him it was better to go to Bayview to play on a real court.

Ally had no interest in basketball. The first time she has not wanted to do what her brother was doing. A sign of maturity. She is growing up.

Then to the Plantation Coffee House. Owner Diane working. A nice person. The place was busy. The sign of a good season.

Those of you who have visited my home know I let the mail collect for months on the kitchen counter. Looks terrible. Makes me look lazy. Yesterday afternoon, I cleaned it up. Went through the last 30 days. The rest got dumped.

The Chart Room last night. Another good evening! Sheila, Sean, and Peter. Met Katherine from Michigan. We talked basketball. She is an avid fan. Dorothy and her husband came in. I chatted with Dorothy. Turns out she, her husband and children were frequent visitors to Club Meds world wide. I did a few in my younger days. We compared notes.

It was time to eat. I walked across the Pier House property to the Wine Galley. Larry Smith was playing the piano and singing. Had a light dinner at the bar. While I was sitting there, Katherine from Michigan showed up. She was not following me.

College basketball continues to be crazy. #3 Michigan got beat by Wisconsin. Friend John at the Big Ten Sports Pub had to be excited. He is a Wisconsin  grad. Louisville lost to Notre Dame in five over times. Wow!

Syracuse plays this afternoon. At 3. St. Johns. I will be watching at the Big Ten Sports Pub.

Enjoy your Sunday!

NIA

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Don and Stephanie Manaher are grandparents again! Daughter Katie gave them a lovely new granddaughter. She has been named Nia.

The birth was two days ago. Don and Steph were at the hospital. Steph was in the birthing room and helped deliver Nia. Don was in the reception area waiting.

I was with Don and Steph at Don’s Place last night. Steph was buying everyone a drink in celebration. Her box of cigars.

Spent about 3 hours at Don’s. Chatted with Don, Steph, David, Hershel, Erika, Puff, Kurt, and I cannot recall who else. It was a good friday night crowd.

Dinner was at Don’s also. Steph sent out for food. Pizza, wings, and some sort of oriental peas. Don, Steph, David, and I enjoyed. I especially enjoyed. It was the first pizza and wings I have had in three months.

You are already aware of my dental calamity. I was back in the chair at 8:30 in the morning. Fix me! I hurt!

It took an hour. Think it worked this time. Pain 90 per cent gone. Better this morning. I was able to eat pizza and wings last night.

Spent the balance of the morning and part of the afternoon writing my column for next week’s KONK Life. The article is revealing. Hits you in the face with facts the US media seeems to ignore. The true story of the inter play between Greece and Germany arising out of the euro. I  venture that if there is a third world war, it could very well start in Greece between the Germans and Greeks. Not in the Middle East as most believe.

KONK Life will be on the news stand next thursday. Pick up a copy and read the column. I guarantee the contents will surprise you.

My television/internet show the Key West Lou Legal Hour was broadcast yesterday. No question which topic was enjoyed most. The one concerning an 18 year old girl up on drug charges in a Miami court who gave the Judge the finger and told him f–k you. She got 30 days for contempt of court.

Friday’s Key West Lou Legal Hour is now available 24 hours a day on You tube. Look for Key West Lou Legal Hour. Easy to find.

A friend living in Armogos e mailed me yesterday. Maria. Amorgos is a Greek island.  Maria and her husband own the apartment I rented by the sea. The one with the terrace I enjoyed so much.

Greece is in a bit of turmoil. Her words reflected the situation: “…things here a little difficult…we hope for the best.”

Difficult does not describe the chaos well enough. If you wish to know the down and dirty re what is happening in Greece, read my next week’s article in KONK Life. I apologize for repeating myself. However, I believe the world should be aware of what the Greek people are experiencing and where I think it may all lead.

Nemo. We now name snow storms. This one a BIG ONE! Boston really getting hit. I have a friend who lives on Cape Cod. Right in the middle of it all. She will probably be digging herself out for a month.

Enjoy your day!

OH, THE PAIN!

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I told you yesterday that my implant problem kept me in the dentist’s chair three hours. No problem, however. No pain. All mechanical.

I was kidding myself!

Oh, the pain! Last night, all night. I was back in the dentist’s office this morning at 8. I think everything is ok now. I hope.

It is 9:30 my time now. The Key West Lou Legal hour starts at 1o. Watch, if you can! I prerecorded the show wednesday.

The show can be seen on television throughout the Florida keys and all of Miami-Dade County on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Also available world wide via the internet. www.tvchannel19.com.

If you miss the show this morning, no problem. It is now available on You tube 24 hours a day. Just click on You tube and type in Key West Lou Legal hour.

My only stop last night was the Chart Room. The while world was there! It was fun time. Except for my mouth. As I was sitting there, my mouth, jaw and ear started hurting. Bad! Like bang my head against the bar time.

I left and headed home. Two aspirins and to bed. Aspirins no help. I fell asleep after a while.

What a college basketball season! Another #1 ranked team has fallen. Indiana got beat by unranked Illinois 74-72. The #1 spot is turning out to be a bad luck place to be.

Some years in some leagues, all the teams are basically good. It is called parity. Is parity extending to collegiate basketball nationally?

Enjoy your day!

 

THREE HOURS IN DENTIST CHAIR

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I am very late with today’s blog. I am starting it at 2 in the afternoon. Sorry.

I had to be at the TV studio at 8 this morning. Need producer Jenna and engineer Krystal to do  my show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour is normally broadcast live at 10 on Fridays. This weekend presented a problem. Krystal is leaving tonight for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Ergo, my show had to be recorded this morning for viewing tomorrow morning.

Show recorded. Then hurried to a 10 am dental appointment. My implants were not working again. I spent 3 full hours in the dentist chair having them worked on. Thank God the problems were mechanical. No pain and suffering involved.

I did not have the time to do this blog before I left for the studio. It is now 2 in the afternoon and I am getting to it. I was in the dentist chair till one.

Spent yesterday afternoon writing another short story. Malocchio. A southern Italian version of the evil eye.

Last night was the Chart Room first. Emily, Che, Peter, and David at the bar. We were like at each other’s throats last night. Each a little edgy. Even Emily. I would give David a pass. He is incapable of speaking harshly to anyone.

The comments were sometime biting. We concluded at the end of the evening that we were a bit out of sorts and that we still loved each other.

I had to eat. Where? Did not want much. But craved real food! The diet hangs over me like a black cloud.

I went to 5 Guys. Did good. Ordered one cheeseburger with some veggies on it and a diet Pepsi. No fries, no peanuts.

I ate the cheeseburger by itself. No roll. Pushed it to the side.

Afterwards I thought….. What a good boy am I!

Please watch the Key West Lou Legal Hour tomorrow morning. Ten my time. Televised through out the Florida keys and Miami-Dade County via Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Available on the internet world wide. www.tvchannel19.com.

Since I have already done the show, I can guarantee it is a good one! From Super bowl to Mickelson to Mc Cain to a young female defendant who gave a Judge the finger and told him f–K you to an analysis of Greece’s today problems to the illegality of women wearing pants in Paris to a German Cardinal announcing that new morning after pills were ok for German Catholic women to take in the event of a rape to more. All good stuff. Even a touch of the French and Indian War.

A major announcement. I am finally and definitely on You Tube. I verify it. I saw me myself.

You tube is carrying my friday TV/internet show the Key West Lou Legal Hour. Go to You tube and type in Key West Lou Legal Hour. The last two weeks are already in. Tomorrow’s show will allegedly be posted after the show’s scheduled completion. The shows will be aired 24 hours a day. So if you miss a friday or have not been able to watch at 10 friday mornings, You tube is available to you.

The You tube material has some kinks. Not many. All curable I am told. My show is done in five 8 minute segments. The show has been posted with each segment appearing separately. When Krystal returns from Mardi Gras, her first assignment is to make the show one segment.

That’s it for today!

Enjoy your thursday!

 

AN EXCEPTIONAL EVENING

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Spectacular! The only way I can describe last evening.

Larry Smith provided a special jazz night. Well known artists from all over the world came to join Larry in Key West for a show of shows.

The setting was the ever beautiful Wine Galley at the Pier House. Small round tables, white chairs, champagne, wine, excellent food, and a performance to beat all performances.

I met many interesting people. All notables in the jazz world. Like Dan Brubeck. The internationally reknown drummer. What he did with the drums! Dan’s father was the well known jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck. Dave spent most of his final years in Key West.

Names escape me. I cannot remember all. One was a lady jazz violinist. Obviously well known. She played at the Obama inaugural and one of Bush 2’s inaugurals. Then there was a guitarist who flew in from some far away place to perform last night. Last but not least, an exceptional trombonist from Boston.

Kathleen Peace and Christine Cordone sang. The two perform so well together. They compliment each other.

I met Noel Paul Stookey. Talked to him a while. Who is Noel? Paul of Peter, Paul and Mary. I was impressed! Songs of my era such as If I Had A Hammer and Puff The Magic Dragon. A tall, bearded, distinguished appearing individual. He sang a duet with Christine.

What made the show even better was the attitude the performers brought with them. They were like a bunch of kids in someone’s garage playing jazz. Having the best time of their lives!

I sat with Don, Stephanie and Erika. Erika was my date. Her husband Herschel could not attend.

Last night was a rare occasion. I hope I am lucky to see more.

Enjoy your day!

 

CHELSEA CLINTON

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The mystery has been solved! Chelsea Clinton was in Key West in recent days. Peter was correct that he saw her jogging at Fort Zach beach.

Key West Golden Girl Jean Thornton is home in Atlanta at the present. She knew. She emailed me yesterday to say Chelsea Clinton was in Key West to interview Judy Blume for NBC.

I believe I was the only one to publicize her presence. The newspapers even did not know. I spoke with one. I was told they could not verify her presence.

Two significant points are to be made. Peter has good eyesight and always believe Peter.

The more interesting question is who is Judy Blume? I never heard of her. I say this with shame. I googled her. She is a big deal. Must be if she was interviewed by the likes of Chelsea Clinton.

Judy Blume has had a home in Key West for years. She is an authoress. She has sold more than 80 million books. Her books have been published in 31 languages. The most famous was Tiger Yes, which also was made into a movie. It reached #3 on the New York Times Best Seller List. She is also a two time cancer survivor.

I asked the Chart Room regulars if they knew or had heard of her. The oracles of Key West lore. None had, except for JJ. He knew who she was and his wife knew her personally.

I felt less ashamed at that point.

It is amazing. You think you know everyone. None of us really do. I would like to meet this woman. I probably will.

It is not strange that another author of prominence would have settled in Key West. The home one time of Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee  Williams.

I walked the seaport yesterday. Bustling with tourists. It is a good season!

Afterwards, I stopped at the Plantation Coffee House. Enjoyed a cup and read the newspapers. The place was crowded. On the porch and inside. Another example of the large number of tourists in town.

Then spent a few hours at home preparing for this morning’s blog talk radio show.

Last night, it was the Chart Room first. Sean, Katherine, Che, Peter and JJ. Katherine and I had an interesting discussion about generations and what each expected from life. The boomers representing the age of entitlement. I enjoyed her perception of her generation’s expectations. I am not sharing them yet. I want to have a further conversation with Katherine on the issue first. I was finishing my second drink and my memory is a bit hazy.

I was hungry. Decided to eat out. A treat! Desired a prime rib. Headed to Outback. Too early. The place was crowded. No seats to be had anywhere, not even the bar.

I walked a 100 feet to the Chinese restaurant. Why not? It had been a long time. I destroyed myself. I could not get enough. My taste buds were alive.

Remember the five weeks I spent in Greece last summer? I visited Athens and four Greek isles. I reported getting stuck 3 extra days on santorini and 6 days on Armogos because the ferrys were not running. The seas were too high.

Today’s news carries a story about the Greek ferry boats. The ferry boat employees have been on strike for six days.

Understand that the ferry boats connect the islands. Most do not have airports. It is the boat or nothing. The ferry boats serve the Greek isles as the subway serves New York City.

The ferry boats also carry necessary supplies such as food, gasoline and other every day necessities. In some instances, even water.

Without the ferry boats, inconvenience and possible disaster.

The employees are on strike for pay arrears and monies they have lost because of austerity measures. It all has to do with the euro and Germany. More than half of Greece is unemployed. Things are tough. Going from bad to worse.

A side observation involves the Greek Nazi party. It is known as the Golden Dawn Party. On the rise in Greece. Won seven per cent of the vote in last November’s elections. It is thought if the elections were held today, a mere three months later, the Nazi party would come in a strong third. In a country where coalition government is the way, such gives the Nazi party big time clout.

The party operates similar to Germany in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Anti-Semitic, anti-immigration, convinces its followers Auschwitz was not a bad place. One of the party’s messages is speak Greek or else. Immigrants are beaten. Their homes and places of business vandalized.

These things bother me. That is why I share them with you. As a people, I believe we must be more aware of what is going on in the world. A global existence today. The problems of a far away nation may be ours tomorrow.

Syracuse beat Notre Dame last night 63-47. I did not watch the game. I did not know it was on.

The new national rankings came out yesterday. Syracuse is still in the top ten. Ninth and 10th in the two polls. I was surprised. I thought surely Syracuse would drop to 12-14. It only means most of the top teams are having problems. Misery loves company.

Verbose today. Sorry. I had much on my mind that I wanted to share.

Enjoy your day!

BLACKBIRDS

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The world is too serious. There is not enough humor. We need to lighten up a bit.

My friend Sukiyong Kim in Soeul, South Korea, emailed me the following which was received this morning.

Once upon a time, blackbirds were white. It was freezing cold outside. To avoid death from the cold, the white birds flew inside a chimney. They came out black and ever since have been black.

The simplicity of the tale. The absurdity. It made me laugh. I hope it did you, also.

I thought the Super Bowl was terrific! Some did not. What more could a fan want. One team goes far ahead, the other catches up, a defensive play with minutes to go.

I was at Lisa’s for dinner. A big deal dinner. Yesterday was Corey’s 50th birthday. Lisa prepared a big meal. We sang Happy Birthday! The cake was delicious.

Ally was especially cute. The event excited her. She took charge of everything. Including running around and turning all the lights off before Corey blew out the candles. Her excitement with each gift opened. The joy of youth!

Corey is a lucky man to have such a loving family. Lisa and Corey are lucky to have each other.

By the time festivities had concluded, it was half time at Super Bowl.  I had intended to watch the game at Don’s Place after dinner. Never made it. Went home to bed instead to watch.

My early morning blog talk radio show tomorrow. Seven in the morning my time. Available world wide.

My friends…..Get up you sleepy heads! Listen in. Call in. It is a talk show. Subjects tomorrow will include the Super Bowl game, whether Mc Cain has had it, the NRA, and whatever you might like to discuss. Call in and let me know.

Listen to the Key West Lou Talk Show at www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

You may call in any time within 15 minutes prior to show time. You will be placed on a list for me to chat with when the show begins.

Enjoy your today!

 

 

SYRACUSE IN TROUBLE

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Good bye Top Ten! Syracuse lost again yesterday. To Pitt. 65-55.

Syracuse is decimating itself. One of its stars has been out for several games for academic reasons. Another had knee surgery this week and is on crutches. Syracuse was only 7 deep at the beginning of the season. It is now 0 deep. Down realistically to 5 active players. The last statement is not precisely correct. Down to 3. Two of the presnt starters are not ready for the big time yet.

I feel sorry for Boeheim and the team. Hopes were bright at the beginning of the season. But a team needs its horses if it is going to win. This year’s scenario is like last year’s when Melo was lost at March Madness time.

It is going to be a long season!

I researched and wrote in the afternoon.

Last night was fun. Jenna and I went out.

The first stop was St. Paul’s Church. Elizabeth von Trapp was performing. Excellent!

Recall Sound of Music. The Captain and wife were her grandparents. Her father the oldest son.

In between songs, she shed some light on the realities of what the family went through when it escaped Austria and Hitler.

One was that her father was not a teen ager at the time. He was 21. When the family arrived in the United States, he was 23.

The family was escaping the Nazis. But it was not as described in the musical or movie. In both instances, the family snuck out of the house in the dark of night. They had to cross the mountains in the distance to get to a safe haven.

Elizabeth said no way! Over the mountains led directly to Germany. Instead, her grandfather locked the door to their home and the family calmly walked to the train station where they took the train to Italy.

The family was singing in the United States. They had two years of performances booked. All of a sudden, the US government feared they might be spies. They were placed on Ellis Island for three days. Three days of hearings.

Grandmother was confident. While the hearing was going on in a room, she had the family in the hall way singing and practicing. Three days later, the family was found sinless and permitted to remain in the United States.

It was an experience hearing Elizabeth. Her family is a part of our memories and history.

The show was over early. Jenna and I headed over to Hot Tin Roof. Last evening at Hot Tin Roof was one of the most enjoyable I have experienced in a long time.

We sat, drank and picked on food. Like sataki, hot shrimp and mashed potatoes. Yes, mashed potatoes. Jenna likes mashed potatoes. Actually, the mashed potatoes were unusually good.

The conversation was pleasant. A multitude of items discussed.

Big day today! Not Super Bowl. It is son in law Corey’s 50th birthday. Happy birthday, Corey! The best son in law a wife’s father could have.

The event is being celebrated with a special dinner this evening. Corey’s parents are in town for the event.

After the Corey festivities have concluded, I plan on stopping at Don’s Place to watch what is left of the Super Bowl game. The place will be crowded.

Was Peter correct in identifying Chelsea Clinton at the beach the other day? I suspect so. Though no one actually seems to know. Some one thought that she was in Key West to interview a Key West figure for NBC. All mysterious and strange. My gut feeling is that she really is in town and is being secreted for some reason. Perhaps privacy?

Paul of Peter, Paul and Mary is in Key West also. He will be attending Larry Smith’s special show tomorrow night at the Wine Galley.

Sloan is due here in an hour. We have work to do.

Enjoy your Sunday!