NORTH and SOUTH

I enjoyed an unusual Saturday yesterday. I watched television most of the day. Not planned. That is how it worked out.

I was a history major in college. I had a special interest in the Civil War. I took extra courses involving the Civil War.

At noon yesterday, an old mini series appeared on TV. All six segments at one time. From noon till eight in the evening. Concerning matters which lead up to the Civil War. The series was appropriately called North and South.

I watched it all! I was in all my glory! As a result, I never went out.

The only interruption was when Lisa showed up with Robert and Ally to swim. I said hello, how are you and kissed each one. Then it was back to the television set.

While watching, I enjoyed a sandwich and a couple of drinks.

There are things happening that I would like to make comment regarding.

Toilet paper. Back in May, in this blog and on my TV show, I made mention of the acute toilet paper shortage in Venezuela. People were without! Still are! What could be worse?

Venezuela has a large toilet paper making factory. The government took it over this week. Nationalized it, in effect. Shades of Hugo Chavez. Actually, things were good for the people of Venezuela under Chavez. We may have disliked him. His people did not. He took care of everyone.

Syracuse football. Syracuse beat Tulane yesterday 52-17. Big! Syracuse has a new quarterback the last two games. It is said he is the difference. Plus, the defense has been playing unusually well. My recollection is Syracuse blocked four kicks yesterday. Three punts and a field goal attempt.

The proof of the pudding comes in two weeks. Clemson! A top team.

A tropical storm beat the hell out of Acapulco this week. Tropical storm Manuel. 100,000 tourists in Acapulco at the time. The airport is a mess and not in use. A military one is ok, however. Roads are wiped out. Mud slides everywhere.

I have visited Acapulco several times. Not the place to be when a disaster occurs. I was there when a minor one occurred. 40,000 tourists are still stranded. All waiting to be airlifted out by the military. Things will be tough until they get on a plane.

Germany’s national election is today. Merkel is favored to be returned as Germany’s leader. A shame. Europe teeters while Merkel continues to play her hard assed economic game.

Terri White. My friend, my love.

Robin Williams has a new television show. It starts this week or next. In the third show, Terri White will be guest appearing. A big deal! Watch for the show. I look forward to the day when Terri gets her own TV show.

Enjoy your Sunday!

I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO TITLE TODAY

 

My Sunday was quiet and uneventful. An item in this morning’s news disturbing.

The big thing yesterday were the March Madness seedings. Syracuse is a #4 seed. I thought it would be. Hoped for a #3. Four however is good enough.

I woke this morning to the news that the euro bank was planning on levying/taxing Cyprus bank accounts. Savings accounts. What shit!

The Cyprus legislature has to approve the plan today. If not approved, it’s bankruptcy for Cyprus.

A dilemma!

The worst thing European nations did was enter into the euro more than a decade ago. Greed motivated each country. The Germans were smarter than everyone else. Most other nations, such as Cyprus, are getting beat up.

Can you imagine waking up one morning to the news that your savings account was having 6-12 per cent taken out to pay back in effect monies owed Germany?

The run on Cyprus banks has begun. Too late, however. The ATM machines are empty and the banks are withholding withdrawals till things get figured out.

I felt a similar panic when I was on Greece’s Santorini island last summer. The euro problem was all the people were talking about. The Greek people. That and they hated Germany’s Merkel. It was rumored that all Santorini banking was going to close down.

Santorini is a large island. Tremendously larger than Key West. Only two ATM machines on the island.

When I heard the news, I thought I should replenish my euro cash supply. Not everyone in Greece took credit cards. Euros were needed. I walked the mile to the ATM machine near me. It was out of money.

The only other ATM machine was located on the other side of the island. A two bus trip each way. Fortunately, that ATM had money in it.

The crisis swiftly ended. Twenty four hours later, there was cash in the ATM near me.

Merkel is being blamed for Cyprus’ present crisis.

When something like this occurs, a madness sweeps in. A collective madness. Germany keeps pushing the envelope. I said it last summer and I say it again. The next war may start in Europe rather than the Middle East. If it does, it will be because of the euro and Germany pushing its neighbors for repayment.

I felt under the weather yesterday. My stomach was off. Other than a stop at the Plantation Coffee House, I spent the day home lounging around.

I feel fine this morning.

Enjoy your day!

SYRACUSE BASKETBALL AT LUKAS’ BIG TEN PUB

 

Syracuse fans who visit Key West! There is a new place for watching Syracuse basketball. John Lukas’ Big Ten Pub. Located on lower Caroline Street.

You have previously joined me at the Sports Bar on Green street. It is no more. Closed. In the meantime, John Lukas opened a new  sports bar. Fortune shined on us. The place is terrific!

The season has started. San Diego State is behind us. I stopped in to see John last night at his sports bar. I made the deal for the season. There will always be at least one TV set aside for Syracuse viewing. The same one. We have our own corner, tables and chairs. It matters not whether pro foot ball or other sports are playing. Syracuse basketball will be available! Guaranteed!

The food is good, also. Extra good.

We need a Syracuse flag. I told John  I would get one. The flag we had at the other bar was supposed to be returned to me. Never got it.

You will like John. He is a gracious host.

My yesterday started with a hair cut at Lori’s Blown Away. I was surprised when I walked in. Lori was finishing up Lisa. A pleasure to run into my daughter. I asked how Ally did after I left the day before. Lisa said she redid everything per my instructions. Ally was thrilled with the result. A good grandfather am I!

I had Lori trim my beard a bit. Not much. Under the chin and neck. I had more hair on my neck than on my chin.

I researched and read till late afternoon. I had a 4 o’clock appointment at the Comcast TV studio. Jenna and I fine tuned the physical portion of the show. The dark/night background is gone. A light orange replaces it. Chairs were changed, etc. Crystal the engineer and owner Rick helped.

Everything should work properly this friday. I consider  friday my first show. Four minutes last week was not enough to qualify. We are doing a run through this afternoon to make sure everything is A-OK.

The show….. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten in the morning my time friday. Available on television in the Keys on Comcast Channel 87. Available world wide via the internet. www.tvchannel19.com.

I stopped at the gas station on US 1 and Key Haven. A Sheriff’s car sitting there. Out jumped Matt Dowling. Matt is an old friend I see not enough. He is obviously a deputy. We were both glad to have run into each other.

The Chart Room was interesting. JJ bartending. The only other customer besides me for a while was Dan. I met Dan last night for the first time.

Dan is manager at the Sunset Pier Bar.

The three of us chatted. Dan’s wife is Sheila. Sheila is the bartender at the Hot Tin Roof. I told Dan how I once judged a high heels contest at Vino’s. Sheila was in it. Very high heeled red shoes. He recalled. Says she has never worn them since. We decided women buy a lot of clothes they rarely use.

Some how the conversation got around to Cape Cod. JJ spent his wedding night at the Chatham Bar Inn. I stayed at the Inn once or twice a summer for several years. A great place.

We chatted about another Dan. The Dan presently the manager of Hogsbreath. Formerly manager of the Yacht Club. I shared that Dan was once the manager of the Impudent Oyster in Chatham.

A small world.

Then it was to John Lukas’ sports bar. While there, I watched the first half of the Michigan State/Kansas basketball game.

I finished watching the game at Don’s Place. A close game. Michigan State won. Terrific basketball! Unusual this early in the season.

An Italian friend emailed  and told me that Italy would have a demonstration today. I was told the papers were not even reporting it for fear the demonstration would get out of hand.

Italy is six hours ahead of us time wise. The demonstration has already occurred as I write this blog. Thousands of people. No reported injuries or damage.

Turns out several countries demonstrated yesterday. Greece, Spain and Portugal included. The people of each country are sick of the austerity programs being imposed on them. They have had two years of austerity already.

Germany’s Chancellor Merkel visited Italy monday. She was not welcome. The Italians are beginning to dislike Germany as the Greeks do. Germany is the banker.

If it were not so serious, it would be a joke. Germany is never going to collect all the dollars it loaned. Did Germany pay back the heavy reparations following World War I? Of course not. There is only so much that can be done in spite of promises made.

I have an appointment to see a dermatologist later this morning. I  developed a growth on my back. It is going to be cut out. Ouch!

Enjoy your day!