I AM CONFUSED

There has been a recent increase in the cost of gas. We are told it is the Russia/Ukraine confrontation which has caused it. I do not understand. We get very little, if any, gas from the pipelines running across Ukraine.

As usual, the oil companies are taking advantage of a crisis. The price of gas has been gone up everywhere, including the United States.

Louis’ confusion arises from a local situation.

I live outside Key West on an island referred to as Key Haven. A Shell station sits at the entrance at US 1. For two days, the cost of a gallon of regular gasoline has been $4.07. I noticed yesterday the cost at the Shell station at Kennedy and the Boulevard was $3.89. I was by the Shell on Geiger Key at lunch time. The cost $3.89. An $ .18 per gallon difference. The Boulevard Shell station is 5 miles from the Key Haven Shell. The Geiger Key one 7.5 miles.

Do you blame me for being confused? Rip off time. At least as regards the Key Haven Shell.

Haircut with Lori yesterday morning. It now takes longer to trim my beard that cut my hair.

Then visited with Lisa for a while.

I planned on writing next week’s KONK Life column in the afternoon. I stopped at Subway to grab a sandwich to take home. I needed to conserve time. The column would take most of the afternoon to complete.

Buy stock in Subway! I walked in at 12:15. The line was backed up almost to the door. Fifteen persons. No way was I going to wait. Besides being in a hurry, I hate lines.

I do not know what possessed me. However, I said the hell with it and headed up to Geiger Key. Several miles past my home. That is how I discovered that the Geiger Key Shell was selling gas $.18 a gallon cheaper.

I thoroughly enjoyed my fish sandwich lunch. Geiger Key is a relaxing place to eat.

Next week’s KONK Life column did not take as long as I thought. The title is Muslims Taking Over Sweden. I had researched the topic thoroughly prior to yesterday. I was able to complete the article in two hours.

I have not written a KONK Life column for several weeks. I took a few weeks off. Next week marks my return. With a new column title. The Key West Lou COMMENTARY. Over the years, I drifted away from a legal column to commenting on events in general. Ergo, the COMMENTARY.

Bocce last night. Horrible! Horrendous! I obviously played poorly as I expected. I had not played in five weeks. Overall however, we were not with it. Lost the first two games 16-2 and 16-1. I participated in the 16-1 defeat. The third game was close. However, we lost 16-13.

What has happened to us?

Someone asked in a Comment received this morning if bocce being played in Key West meant there was a robust Italian community. Quite frankly, I doubt that many Italians reside in the Key West area. The large number of people playing bocce come from all ethnic and economic backgrounds. The bocce courts are a United Nations unto themselves.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

RAVEN

Raven has been one of Key West’s leading vocalists for many years. I have heard her sing on occasion. She appeared at the Wine Galley as Larry Smith’s guest often. I was never impressed with her.

Last night, I was. Why the change of heart, I do not know. I heard Raven last night and was very much taken with her. It was  pleasure to listen to her. Why last night and not before, I do not know.

I used to tell Larry Smith I did not enjoy her singing. He used to ask why, telling me she was one of the best on the island. Larry was right.

Early yesterday afternoon was at my heart doctor’s office. Dr. Mc Ivor. It was time for another echo heart test.

The balance of the afternoon was spent continuing research for next week’s KONK Life column. It has to do with the Muslim impact on Sweden in recent years. Interesting material.

Spent time chatting with Shawn at the Chart Room. Always good company.

Tom and Fran Dixon from the Buffalo area showed up. They arrived yesterday. Good friends. We talked away over a couple of drinks at the Chart Room. Syracuse basketball was one of the topics. Tom is a diehard fan, also.

We agreed to have dinner together saturday evening at Square One.

Today is what I would describe as a reflective day in history. Reflective for you and me. On this date in 1938, Germany officially annexed Austria. Shades of Russia and Crimea today.

Hitler’s next step after Austria was marching into Czechoslovakia. Will Putin follow suit and forcefully take eastern Ukraine?

Bocce tonight. I have not played in 4-5 weeks. I will get there if I have to crawl. I hope I remember how to throw the ball.

Enjoy your day!

 

KEY WEST LOU LEGAL HOUR THIS MORNING

Today is friday. Friday means the Key West Lou Legal Hour. My internet broadcast. World wide. Ten in the morning my time. www.konknet.com/tv/personalities.

Needless to say, the week has been exciting. And sad. Joy and tragedy. I have many today topics to share with you. Comments regarding Sandy and the Presidential election, of course. Plus Panama’s desire to get into the euro, how brothels are financing Greek football clubs, Auschwitz, the first gay Episcopal bishop, the 1948 Presidential election, and the New York City police officer charged with planning to kidnap, cook and eat a woman.

In addition, a Chinese exam story, more Silvio Berlusconi, Muslims bombing a Catholic Church in Nigeria, the failure of the Personhood Amendment in Oklahoma, and more.

Please join me. Guaranteed you will not be bored!

My yesterday started with a haircut with Lori. We discussed my new beard. It is now entering its third week. Decided it was too soon to do any trimming.

Stopped at Blossoms for lunch. The best Cuban cheese toast with tomato in Key West! Stayed and read a while. Three young ladies work the place. Very young. Twenty one or under. Energetic. Helpful. Enthusiastic. Always a smile on their faces. Made me wonder if a person has to be young to smile all the time.

Publix next. Needed some groceries. I enjoy grocery shopping. I who never did it in my other life. I meet people I know. Make new friends.

Bocce last night. We played the #2 team. Prior to last night, we were ranked #5. They were good. Beat us decisively in the first game. The second game was close. We lost by a point. We were down 10-2 and came back. The third game we won. By one point.

Someone brought what was represented to be moonshine. I never tasted moonshine. Tried a bit last night. About a half inch in a cup. Commented before drinking it that I hoped it would not make me blind.

The moonshine or whatever had no effect on me.

Met an interesting couple at bocce. Jack and Var. I may not have the wife’s name correct. If not, I apologize.

Jack and Var are from Dublin, Ireland. They are here on a three week trip. Have been here before several times. A daughter resides in Key West.

Jack and Var are friends of Don. Don introduced them to me.

Jack is likewise retired. Seventy five. We are birds of a feather. We spoke of health issues. Especially heart ones. And fortunately, the vitality still within us. We spoke also of golf. Jack is a player.

Jack owned his own business in Ireland. Another daughter now runs it. The business has to do with tool making and specialized high production items. He spoke proudly of his accomplishments work wise, as he should. Boeing was one of his customers.

We also discussed the euro. Ireland got into the euro at the beginning. Still is in it. Jack said money was easy and plentiful at the beginning. Now Ireland cannot pay back its debt. Germany and the Euro Nation are on Ireland’s ass. The story much the same as with Greece, Italy and Spain.

Taxes came into the picture. Federal taxes. Jack paid 49 per cent of his salary in taxes. And our successful business people, the 2 per centers, do not want to pay 38-39 per cent!

I enjoyed my time with Jack and Var. Hopefully, we will be able to spend a bit more time together before they return home.

Remember to watch my show.

Enjoy your day!