DRAGON

 

Today is a first. A first in a long time. Two years ago, I purchased Dragon. Dragon is the system whereby you speak and the computer types. Fingers are not required. I wear headphones with a microphone.

I tried the system two years ago. I could not get adjusted to it. I put it aside. I took it out again last week. Sloan has been working with me. She understands all these things that I do not. I wrote a chapter to my new book yesterday using Dragon. This is the first time I am doing a blog.

It’s like giving birth to a child!

If I can make it work and get adept, it will save me a lot of time.

The weather started off well yesterday. The morning was warm. Then it started raining. Off and on. Poured big time. Yesterday evening was a bit cool. Today definitely will be cold. The high today will be 64°. The low tonight 59.

I spent a part of yesterday finalizing last night’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. The show went well. I suspect I may have to enlarge the show from a half-hour to a full hour at some point. There does not seem to be enough time to do the type of show I want in a half hour.

My only venture out of the house yesterday was dinner at Roostica. Lasagna.

I have not been to Roostica  in a couple of months. The last time there I had a sorry experience with one of the waitresses. I usually sit at a table for 4 because I enjoy spreading out my newspapers. She had me move to a small table for two where the newspapers, glasses and dishes did not fit. Ergo, I have not been back in a while.

I was prepared to do battle with the waitress last night. No more moving. If I did move, it would be out the door. Fortunately, there was no confrontation. She was not there. My waitress was Patricia. A nice lady. She remembered me. She says you always order lasagna. I was happy. I had a friend.

Guns and gun laws continue to be screwed up. Where normally we have been averaging one school shooting every 11 days in the United States, the numbers have changed in the new year. For the worse. During the first 17 days of January, there were four school shootings. Additionally in the last 72 hours, there have been two university shootings.

One of the problems as we all know are the laws. The NRA, the legislators beholden to them, and people of the United States who do not understand what is involved, contribute to the problem. Florida is a state that is pro-NRA and pro gun.

The Key West Citizen ran an article a few days ago talking about a gun problem existing in the keys. The Key West Citizen reported that it is legal to shoot guns in Florida on residential properties if not done in a reckless manner, over a public road or occupied dwelling. Someone living in the Keys built a home made gun range in the back of his home. The gun range has been used by the property owner and his friends for three weeks. The neighbors are concerned. They have safety concerns. They have complained to the police. The police can do nothing

Florida’s a concealed carry state. Additionally, there are other laws which make it easy to use handguns most anywhere. In 1987, Florida passed a preemption law. The law said that only the state could determine laws with regard to guns. It prohibited local governments from having any say or regulation with regard to the use of guns.

The 1987 law had no teeth in it whereby local governmental officials could be punished if they tried to do something which would deviate from state gun laws. In 2001, good Governor Scott signed what might be described as the teeth law. The law provided that local elected leaders and police officials could be fined $5000 and/or be removed from office if they established gun regulations. Any gun regulations.

Thank you, Governor Scott!

When will we learn.

Enjoy your day!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN…..

 

Normality has returned to my life! With the demise of the diet, I was out and about yesterday. Freedom!

Last night it was the Chart Room. For about two hours. Friends like Captain Peter, Ollie, Sean, Katherine, Dave and Sheila. And the always charming Emily! I chatted with all about things important and unimportant. While enjoying two drinks and popcorn.

A glorious evening! I did not go out to eat. I did not want to push my luck.

I experienced another enjoyable Key West Lou Legal Hour yesterday on TV and the internet. Apparently my viewers did also. The NRA issue attracted the most comment. The gun issue heats up more each day.

Two phases of the issue struck a chord. The one dealing with 67 million guns having been sold in the United States since Obama’s election in 2008. The other being the reponsibility of gun manufacturers and retailers for the fervor generated by the NRA. They are the power behind the scene.

After the show, I went over to the Plantation Coffee House. Enjoyed a cup of coffee and read the newspapers. Charming Diane and husband Theo were watching the shop. I avoided the Plantation Coffee House during the two months I was dieting. Normally, I would order a toasted bagel loaded with cream cheese. Not healthy for a diet.

I was pleased with myself yesterday. Even though back in the saddle, I did not order a bagel. Not even tempted.

Then to Lisa’s for a visit. Robert and Ally were home. A pleasant surprise. For whatever reason,  no school in the afternoon. Robert was outside. He has a pocket knife. His father is teaching him responsibility. Worries me. He was carving on a piece of wood. Ally was inside at the kitchen table with Lisa playing a game.

Syracuse basketball this afternoon at 4! A big game! The biggest so far this year. Syracuse plays #1 ranked Louisville. Both teams have lost one game. Statistically, the teams are evenly matched. Louisville however is a 7 point favorite on the Vegas Line.

Louisville has always been a tough game for Syracuse. Pitino who worked under Boeheim early on in his career, seems to have Boeheim’s number. Additionally, Louisville is at full strength whereas Sutherland, Syracuse’s third highest scorer, is benched for academics.

My gut tells me we are going to lose. Hope I am wrong.

I will be watching the game at the Big Ten Sports Pub along with Dan and Lisa and Don and Chris and a multitude of other Syracuse fans.

The weather was as I predicted two days ago. The cold front came in about 5 in the afternoon thursday. It always happens fast. Within ten minutes, the wind was howling, the sky black and the temperature dropped 10 degrees. Dropped another 8 during the night to 62. Cold!

Yesterday and last night were cold also. Temperature in the low 60s. I wore long pants and a leather jacket while out.

Temperature is slated to return to 75 today. Already in the low 70s outside.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

KEY WEST LOU LEGAL HOUR THIS MORNING

 

Another friday! Another show!

The Key West Lou Legal Hour this morning at 10 my time. Via television and the internet. Television on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.tvchannel19.com.

Another terrific show!

Fiscal ceiling can be confusing. I have it worked out. Let me share with you what I have learned. Then there is Hagel and the NRA. What is and who are really behind the clamor. Plus, more.

You will enjoy!

Started with a haircut yesterday. Lori. We trimmed the beard also. Me giving directions, she doing the clipping. It took a long time!

I have had no hair or short cropped hair for almost ten years. Nothing to comb. I recently bought a small comb. I need it to comb the beard. Several times a day. Though combed more frequently, a beard is easier than a head of hair to comb.

Visited with Lisa a bit. She chastised me for my wayward ways. Whatever they may be.

Spent the balance of the day fine tuning today’s show.

My Italian friend Anna is moving around.

Two weekends ago she was on the Italian Riviera. Camogli and Portofino. Visiting friends. A cold winter weekend.

Last weekend she was at a ski resort on Mont Blanc. Between Italian Courmayeur and French Chamonix. London’s Mayor Boris Johnson was there at the time. Though they did not meet. Johnson is the person that made a joke out of Romney after Romney criticized London’s preparation for the Olympics.

This weekend Anna is in London. Not to visit Johnson. She is seeing a show and shopping.

What a life!

Please join me later this morning for the Key West Lou Legal Hour.

Enjoy your day!

COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I have been writing recently how terrific the Key West weather has been for this time of the year. 80 by day, low 70s in the evening. This is normally Key West’s cold time.

The cold finally hit yesterday. Just like that! High around 70. Night temperature in the high 50s.

As I write this blog, it is 59 degrees. The high today projected at 66.

As cold as it is (and it is cold to us who live here), the sun is shining brightly and not one cloud in the sky.

The cold wave will be with us through monday.

I started Christmas shopping yesterday. Immediately knew why I have always disliked it. Hordes of people! A zoo!

After shopping, I wrote this week’s article for KONK Life. I liked it. Decided to publish it on Amazon Kindle, also.

The title: The Conscience of a Nation. Concerns itself with the NRA’s reaction to the Newtown shootings. Wayne La Pierre spoke on national television yesterday on behalf of the NRA. I did not like his looks. I disliked his comments even more.

The presentation was from left field. Lacking in common sense. Connecticut’s Senator Blumenthal described it as “tone deaf.” I had a further thought. La Pierre spoke as the Romneyites did in the campaign. They did not get it. He does not get it. All from another era.

Let me share a few numbers with you.

In 1957, 54 per cent of households had guns. In 2010, only 32 percent. Which means we are dealing with a minority. A vocal one, however. Typical of our country, those that shout the loudest seem to get the most attention.

The mix of this minority is further interesting. Most are white middle aged men from Southern states. Fifty per cent are Republicans, 22 percent Democrats.

The numbers make sense.

I got out last night! Mingled with the rest of the world!

I went to the movies. Saw Lincoln. Excellent!

The movie left me with two thoughts. First, politicians are politicians regardless of the era. Second, Lincoln was an adept politician who did what he had to do to get things done. Including lying.

I did not stop at the Chart Room, Don’s Place, or anywhere else. I know my temptations.

Syracuse basketball today! Syracuse plays Temple at noon at Madison Square Garden.

Syracuse presently ranked #3 nationally. The team has a 10-0 record. Temple has a decent record, also. 8-2. One of Temple’s loses was against Duke.

Should be a good game. Showing on ESPN2. I can watch it from my home which is what I plan doing.

Last night was the first night in almost a month that I was out. I liked it! Plan on going out again this evening.

Remember to listen to my blog talk radio show Tuesday morning, if you can. Seven my time. Christmas morning so you may already be up. A call in show also. So call in! We can chat about anything and everything. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. The telephone numbers to listen and/call in are set forth.

The show is also listed on Facebook and Twitter. By the end of today on Word Press. Just click on the notice and you are immediately at the blog talk radio site for my show.

The show is also available worldwide via Skype.

Enjoy your day!