A PEEK AT FANTASY FEST

I have done very little Fantasy Fest this year.  Goombay the first night. Goombay is not really Fantasy Fest, however. A family event. Beginning sunday is when the adult stuff comes into play.

Due to the weather, I have not done Duval street yet. Last night however, while having dinner at the bar at Tavern ‘n Town, I got my first glimpse. The bar was pretty packed. In walks a 60ish man with a young lady in her 20’s.

My first thought was how lucky he was. That was only seeing her face. Then came a break in the crowd. I got it all! She was wearing a black thong. Less than a thong if there can be such a thing. Topped by a tiny thin black leather brassiere.

The man was dressed Key West fashion. Shorts and a sport shirt.

They had a drink and left. Probably to one of the parties downtown.

The rain directed me to Tavern ‘n Town last night. It was pouring. I went from my garage to the Marriott Beachside parking garage. I did not have to deal with the rain.

The rain is limiting some events. The Pet Masquerade and Parade got cancelled. Sad because it is an event adults and children alike enjoy. It is not being rescheduled this year.

It seems these several days of rain are the result of what has now been labeled Tropical Depression Nine. Must have been labeled by the Mexican government. US names are simpler.

Anyhow, Tropical Depression Nine is off the coast of Mexico. It will be crossing the Yucatan peninsula today. Then head for the west coast of Cuba. It is anticipated Key West will only suffer heavy rains.

The usual streets and intersections are flooding. A foot or more in some places. Tourists not discouraged. They wade through wearing toe or crocs. Ponchos also, of course.

Tonight is the test as to whether the rain will keep party people off Duval. Tonight is Toga Party at Sloppy Joe’s. Inside and out on the street. I suspect few will miss the event. The ladies will show their wares in exchange for beads. The more beads, the more one gets to see.

I do not plan on going. It will be wet and sloppy. My eyes have seen enough over the years so it will not matter if I miss a year.

I asked yesterday for help in finding decent lamps in Key West. I thank those who responded and gave me direction. Hopefully today I will find what I am looking for. If not, I have located a site on the internet.

Enjoy your day!

TUTU PARTY

I was at Goldman’s for a late lunch yesterday enjoying a pastrami sandwich. A friend walked in. Came over to say hello. A big guy. Probably a lineman on a football team in his younger day. Bearded.

He was all excited. He was going to a tutu party last night. I am old and retarded. I did not know what a tutu party was. As he talked, I figured it out. Men in dresses.

As I later found out, tutu dresses are short, generally chiffon, perhaps with a bit of crinoline so they flair out. He had the dress. Even a brassiere, which he was going to stuff. He was going to be the Bearded Lady.

He said I should try it next year. I can’t see me doing it. Something does not set right in my mind. Additionally, I doubt I would look good in pink chiffon.

Less I be misunderstood, this guy is perfectly straight. Straights dressing as women is not uncommon in Key West for party purposes. A tutu party is one example of life in Key West during Fantasy Fest.

I hope my friend did not get his hair wet. It poured like hell all day yesterday. It will rain today and tomorrow. Some kind of tropical storm developing off Mexico. The rain is supposed to let up saturday during the day. I hope so. The big parade is saturday night. Sixty thousand people will be lining Duval watching the parade. I do not know where they all sleep afterwards. There are not 60,000 beds in Key West. Not even close.

The weather will only minimally detract from festivities. The parties are mostly inside. Everyone has at the least ponchos. No one will permit the weather to dampen their spirits.

I went shopping for two new lamps yesterday. I need a floor lamp and a table lamp. Pickings were slim. I went to K Mart, Ross, Home Depot, and Sears. Found nothing I liked. Stock was limited.

I don’t know anywhere else in Key West to buy a lamp. If you do, let me know.

Fine tuned my blog talk radio show in the late afternoon. Hosted the show at 9. I thought one of my better shows. It did not matter. Audio was cut off after two minutes. I did not know. Kept going in my usual excited manner. It was only after the show that I learned I was the only one who heard me.

The problem was at the Blog Talk people’s end. Sloan is trying to figure out why this morning.

In between prep and doing the show, I watched the Crist/Scott debate on TV. A disgrace. Too much personal mud slinging. What ever happened to issues?

I had not seen Scott before. I was not impressed.

There are two Fantasy Fest events which I especially enjoy. Toga Party and the Pet Masquerade Parade. The Pet Parade is this afternoon at Casa Marine. The Toga Party thursday at Sloppy Joe’s.

The Pet Parade will have pets galore. All dressed in costumes. Beautiful! Most of the owners dressed also. I will talk about toga tomorrow night. Not a family event.

There are times when the powers to be in Key West do things the wrong way. This time it is price gouging. The City parking garage on Caroline will have a flat rate rather than an hourly on friday and saturday. $30. The City is copying the hotels who jack their prices for special events. Key West biting the hand that feeds it.

Enjoy your day!