A COLD FRONT…..73 DEGREES

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If you do not live in the Keys, it can be difficult to understand. When you have lived here several months and the temperature has been in the mid to high 80s, you are cold when it drops to 73. I am told it is because a person’s blood thins when they live in the sun so long.

The temperature is 73 degrees this morning. The high is anticipated at 81. It will remain cool, however. The front has strong winds. Thirty to sixty miles an hour.

I drove to Cudjoe Key yesterday. I have a friend who has a home there. She has been back in  Boston for a while. I wanted to make sure the house was still there, everything in good shape, etc. It was. Would I have been surprised were it not!

Cudjoe is only 20 miles up US 1. The trip was also an excuse to put the top down and get some sun.

Normally, I would have stopped on the way back at No Name Pub. The best Philly cheese steaks anywhere! Plus a side order of big fries covered with melted cheese.

Because of the diet, I did not. The temptation was great. Especially as I approached the intersection in Big Pine. I was a good boy, however.

Spent some time in the afternoon writing. I have three books going at one time. Two of them for a couple of years. A few days on this one, then I skip over to another. And so on.

This is Parrot Head weekend. They are scattered around the island. The greater number are  at the Casa Marina. Headquarters for their meeting. Day long events planned.

If it is your first time entering onto the Casa’s beach, it could be a cultural shock. All these adults running around with parrot hats on. Definitely different.

A band was playing. The Coral something Unplugged. Good music. I stayed a bit and listened. Watched the parrot heads moving around.

Not my cup of tea. I do not think I could ever be a parrot head. I am a Jimmy buffet fan. However, the head dress is too much!

I was home early. The diet controls. If I go out, inevitably I eat something wrong. The gin and roll the other night at the Marriott are examples. A little bit of the wrong food screws up my metabolism

Syracuse beat Wake Forest yesterday. 13-0. Syracuse had a great third quarter. Syracuse now 4-4.

The clock changed today. Always screws me up. All my life. I am like a little kid. I get confused…..ahead…..behind.

Enjoy your Sunday.

 

 

BUSY DAY YESTERDAY

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Friday began with The Key West Lou Legal Hour. My TV/internet show. Jenna was out of town. It was just me and Krystal.

I spent a lot time talking about present day poverty in the United States. Reductions in the food stamp program was my motivation.

Permit me to share three observations.

I recently read that one out of every four Americans works for $10 an hour or less. I also read that one out of four American children are enrolled in the food stamp program. If true, we are in more trouble than most think. Seeds have been sewn that can have serious consequences.

The last item concerns members of the House of Representatives. They went home yesterday. Their schedule for the balance of the year was announced. It indicated little time in Washington, much at home.

We have budget problems and a multitude of other matters confronting the Nation. Some with specific deadlines coming up in the next 2-3 months. What the hell are these guys doing?

Whatever I said on the show apparently hit home. Post show comment indicated a gigantic interest in the poverty issue.

After the show, it was off to Lisa’s for a while. A little father/daughter time. Jake was with us. Yesterday, he did not bark at me once. Was quiet and sedate. Just  hung around my feet. I cannot figure him out.

I continue to be tired. Maybe the blood pressure. Perhaps the diet. Could be a combination of the two.

Dinner with Pati last night. At the bar at the Marriott Beachside.

Pati is an environmentalist of the first order. To the extreme, I occasionally think. Motivated by goodness all the time, however. In one of my recent shows, I made a mistake. The issue involved the environment. Pati wrote. First apologizing all over the place. Then telling me she did not wish to offend. Then laying the error upon me.

I appreciated her letting me know. Last night was a sort of thank you. Also, we have always been saying lets have dinner together. Last night was the occasion.

The bar was packed. Michael Emerson was playing the guitar and singing. He chatted with us during breaks.

I ate a diet meal. Four shrimp. a little  tiny bit of some shredded beef, and a roll. One gin. My big meal of the day! Of the week!

It was a nice evening. I enjoyed Pati’s company.

Three brief comments regarding Greece, Egypt and Germany.

Two members of the Greek Nazi party were shot and killed this week outside a suburban headquarters. A couple of weeks ago, the leaders of the Nazi party, the Golden Dawn Party, were arrested on some BS charges and are in jail awaiting trial. Good cannot come of what is happening.

More than a year ago after my first trip to Greece, I wrote Greece was a tinderbox. Do not be surprised if the match is being thrown.

Egypt’s last President, Mursi, goes on trial Monday. He was arrested and has been confined to jail for months. Has not been permitted a visit by his attorney nor has he been provided with the written charges against him. And monday his life is on the line!

So much for the new democratic Egypt that our leaders cheered about when Mubarak was overthrown. I hope lessons have been learned. A massive street demonstration is no guaranty that a democratic government will follow.

I do not like Angela Merkel. She is a trouble maker and opportunist. It was announced yesterday that she had sent her intelligence people to Russia to interview Snowden about who knew what and when concerning the U.S.’s bugging of her cell phone.

Merkel has economically destroyed many European countries with the Euro Union and the euro. She recently indicated that the member nations of the Euro Union should have one army. With Germany being in charge of the air force and navy. She is blowing the cell phone tapping incident out of all proportion. She is another Putin.

Now to the important. Syracuse plays Wake Forest today. The Vegas line has Syracuse a 4.5 favorite. My fingers are crossed.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARROT HEADS / POWER BOAT RACES

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Key West weather continues to be magnificent! Outstanding! High temperatures with no humidity. Air conditioning not  required while sleeping.

Keys’ weather changes dramatically. Next month, we could have evenings from high 40’s through mid 60’s. The issue then is not air conditioning. It is do you gave a heater or do you bury yourself under blankets.

Today is Friday. TV/internet show time. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten in the morning. Join me.

Great topics. The best may be poverty. The impoverished are becoming a bigger and bigger class in American society. For example, were you aware that 1.2 million public school students are homeless. They leave for school each morning from under the bridge, the woods or an abandoned car.

Disgraceful!

I spent a bit of yesterday lying by my pool. When uncomfortable, I walk into the pool. Dunk all of me, including my head. And then come out to go through the routine again after a while.

I spent a good deal of the afternoon fine tuning this morning’s TV/internet show. It’s a good one!

Last night was bocce. I never made it. Took a shower and felt weak. Very. Thought I might pass out. Laid down. No help. Called David and told him the team would have to win without me. Ho ho! I also telephoned Lisa. My plan was to stop by before bocce to see Robert and Ally in their costumes. No way could I handle it.

I was in bed around 5 and stayed there. I do not think it is the diet. I suspect my blood pressure. You will recall several weeks ago it was running high and I could not control it. Finally, Dr. Mc Ivor got it under control. When I took my blood pressure at 5, it was 90/69. Under control plus!

This is Parrot Head weekend.  The organization is twenty two years old. Jimmy Buffet fans. They wear crazy hats, love Jimmy Buffet, and enjoy a special Key West weekend. Every 4-5 years, Buffet flies in, sings for an hour or two, and flies out. Always a surprise.

Parrot Head activities are centered at the Casa Marina.

Sunday afternoon begins the Power Boat Races.  A spectacular event! A world wide event! It lasts a week.

The boats are massive. Long thick cigar type. Fast. Expensive. Those who participate in the sport are well off financially. A boat obviously is required. Ahe rich owner to drive it. The owner and his crew, plus wives and girl friends, to enjoy the week.

They are spenders. Big time! Power boating is a millionaire’s sport. The restaurants and bars will do well. It is thought the Power Boat Races are the most profitable business wise for Key West.

It is excitement time watching the boats race. Make big time noise. Little or no mufflers. You turn your head swiftly as they race by. Her and gone just like that. An example of how fast they go.

There is another excitement. Many helicopters overhead zooming low to get pictures of the boats in action. You think you are in the center of a war zone when they sweep over.

I hope I get out tonight. I plan at starting at Don’s around 5. Then to the Chart Room. Then I do not know where. But, there will be a where.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

ALL HALLOW’S EVE

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This is the big day! Rather, evening! It’s Halloween!

It is the night before the Christian holy day of All Saints Day.

In days of old, hallows was an interchangeable word with saints. They meant the same. Today was called All Hallow’s Eve. Over time, All Hallow’s Eve became shortened to Halloween.

Halloween’s beginnings are clouded. There is no certainty as to time and where. Many different stories. Suffice to say, Halloween has both Pagan and Christian roots. Its date of beginning covers centuries.

When I was young, my father walked with me as I went door to door tricking or treating. I did the same with my four children. I used to  stand in the shadows on the street as they went to the doors.

Lisa does the same with Robert and Ally. I generally join them. Not tonight. Bocce.

I worry when driving Halloween night. Key West children are all over the place. In the roads, also. Lighting is not the best in  Key West nor Key Haven where I live. Caution is the order of the day.

Great baseball game last night! I rarely watch baseball. I did last night. Glad I did. I was particularly impressed with the third or fourth inning where Boston got all those runs. I felt bad for St. Louis. Even with 2 out, Boston kept getting hits. St. Louis had to be saying mentally…..guys, stop…..get it over with!

My day out consisted of a trip to the bank. An exciting day.

I spent time preparing for my TV/internet show  tomorrow. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. A ton of topics. The problem this week is selection. So much has happened.

I plan on stressing poverty a bit. I feel its is exploding in our country. Plus, some NSA observations including bugging the new Pope, General Motor’s continued screwing of the American public, an example of why Golf Channel analyst Brande Chamblee is an ass, additional shocking examples of governmental waste, and more.

The show is 10 in the morning my time. Airs on television Key West through Boca Raton on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Airs on the internet worldwide. www.weyw19.com.

Also You Tubed in case you miss the show.

I bought a printer at Office Max more than a year ago. A fancy one with all of the buttons. I should have purchased the cheap one. I have never been able to make it work. Nor has Sloan nor anyone else I asked to help.

I went to a pro yesterday. A nerd. Within minutes the machine was operational. Amazing!

I have been dieting again. The story of my life. Up and down for 50 years. I know, not healthy.

I started a different type diet this time. I am just cutting back. Eating little. Around 1,000 calories a day. Walking, also. Though still not as much as I should.

I feel like a good boy. I have lost 10 pounds in 16 days.

Enjoy your day!

MY TUESDAY NIGHTS

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My Tuesday nights have become stay at home ones. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou is aired tuesday evenings at 9. My blog talk radio show. I do the show from home. Actually, the kitchen table. Headset and all.

I do not mind missing a night out on the town. I derive great pleasure from doing the show.

I spent some time last night discussing poverty. The 99 per cent are on  a fast road downhill. Not a good situation. The stats are shocking. Like 1.2 million public school students are homeless. Can you imagine going to school from a “home” under the bridge, in the woods, or an abandoned car. Consider also that the U.S. is purported to be the wealthiest nation in the world. If so, why is one out of every four children enrolled in the food stamp program?

Snuck off for a little Louis time during the day. Went to Fort Zachery Taylor. The most beautiful beach in Key West.

I tried to find Peter. He spends his days there. Could not. He might have taken yesterday off.

The water always clear. The views spectacular. Especially of the boats coming in and out of the channel. All sizes, including the big cruise ships

Did a bit of research on gender inequality. An interesting topic. If I decide at some point to do a column on the issue, it will take considerably more research.

I did learn a few things from my brief perusal. Women have always been considered second class citizens. Religion one of the reasons. Another is insecure men who try to keep women in their place, so to speak. Whereas, a real man would not.

The thrust of the research again was that women are basically inferior to men.

These thoughts are the same ones that have existed since the beginning of time. Inroads have been made. However Congress is a perfect example of why women have such a hard time being equated with men. The thinking of the males in Congress is the same that has permeated society for thousands of years. Even before the birth of Christ.

The Key West Citizen carried an interesting article this morning. A small airline is planning to open direct flights between Key West and Havana on November 15. Some approvals are still required. Can you imagine, a weekend in Havana!

Key West loves Harry Truman. No question. Key West was his vacation home during and after his Presidency.

I learned something about the President I never knew. It bothers me that I did not know. I read the Pulitzer Prize winning 1,000 page plus book written about ten years ago. A Harry Truman biography.

What I do not recall having known: Truman was the least formally educated President in history. His education consisted of nine years of schooling.

Sometimes it is not all in the books. Truman made some of the heaviest decisions ever confronting a President. Like should the atomic bomb be dropped on Japan. His life is proof that it is not all in the books.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

ENGLAND’S DAVID AND SUE

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I had a busy day yesterday.

Spent time completing the editing of the manuscript. Including the cover. Love the cover! Then delivered the materials to the publisher.

Spent some time at the bank.

Ran some errands.

It was 5 when I arrived at Don’s Place. It was there I met David and Sue. Visiting from a small community just outside London.

David is Erika’s uncle. Don and Key West’s David had taken the couple to play golf. They were just returning when I arrived.

I was introduced to David and Sue immediately. Nice people. In their 60s. As our conversation developed, I noticed Sue was a spunky lady. Good for her, I thought.

I referred to she and David as husband and wife. We are not married, she retorted. With emphasis. As the conversation developed, she let me know that they had met last September on line. Good for her, again.

An interesting couple.

Hershel was there, also. Erika was still at work. Claire, Stan, Jimmy, and Toni at the bar.

Teresa is a friend of my across the water neighbor Andrew. Andrew is the fellow who owns the MTV house. Teresa decided to move to the keys. She stopped her trip down in Marathon. Why, I do not know. There is nothing in Marathon. Key West is the place. Everywhere else in the keys lovely, but mundane.

Marathon is 45 miles north of Key West.

She has decided she wants to settle in Key West. She spent all day yesterday up and down Duval and other places looking for work, handing out resumes, etc. I admire her effort.

I ended up having a drink at the Chart Room with Teresa and Jean. Yes, Jean Thornton is back! Key West is a better placed when she is here.

Peter later joined us.

Che was in. We see each other seldom. I refer to him as a Cuban rebel. Actually, Che is a transplanted New York City Jew. Where he picked up the name Che, I do not know.

On the way home, I stopped at Publix. The cupboard bare again.

I was home in bed by 8. I lead an exciting life!

My radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Blog talk radio. On the internet. Nine in the evening. One half hour. I talk bout whatever moves me at the moment. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Tonight, I suspect I will be discussing what a lousy job it must be to be President. One headache after another. Plus, the Secret Service Service, the Venezuelan Ministry of Supreme Happiness (I kid you not!), Saudi women who defied the driving ban, the intelligence fiasco, and I do not know what else. I probably will not have time to hit all of that which I would like to discuss.

Join me. The show is interesting and many times revealing.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

PAASED UP DINNER WITH JENNA

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Yesterday was a for real Sunday at home. Never left the property.

I was busy writing all day. I appreciate it has become an integral part of my life. Some days too much, however. Yesterday was one of them.

I researched and wrote from 6:30 in the morning till 4:30 in the afternoon. Two spots. My kitchen counter and in the shade of the tiki hut on the deck.

Started with the blog. Then I had to get out next week’s column for KONK Life. It was due. I did not have a topic. A couple of things interested me. One was Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel. A hard ass from my perspective. I figured out why. One reason at least. She grew up in East Germany.  The Communist side of Germany at the time. Her formative years have to be affecting how she handles things today.

I decided not to go with Merkel. Saved her for another day.

What tickled my interest was the announcement that friday, Venezuela’s President Maduro announced a new Cabinet ministry. The Ministry of Supreme Happiness. I kid you not. That is its name.

Things are bad in Venezuela. People cannot even buy toilet paper. How much worse can it get?

I wrote the KONK column about  Venezuela’s new ministry. Although President Maduro views it as serious and important, I see it as a joke. My article details why.

After the KONK column, I continued revising the manuscript of The World Upside Down.

By 4:30, I was dead. I must have been. Jenna and I were going to have dinner together. The bar at the Mariott Beachside. I telephoned her and begged off.

I had to be tired to give up an evening with Jenna!

I have to readjust my schedule. Go back to the old one. Go out every night and for a few hours in the afternoon.

Enjoy your day!

 

I’M BACK / FANTASY FEST HIGHLIGHTS

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No, I did not get way laid at one of those super sexy Fantasy Fest parties!

No blog for two days because some one was trying to hack my personal computer. Had to have it cleaned up. Everything ok now. I caught it in time and did not contaminate anyone. My back up computer (20 years old) refused to type consecutive words as typed. Ends of sentences would all of a sudden be at the beginning.

I could have run to Lisa’s or used anyone else’s computer. However, the computer breakdowns seem to have coincided with a Louis break down. For the past couple of days, I have been tired. Really tired. Bed was the only attraction for me.

I feel alright this morning and hope that whatever was bugging me is gone.

Whether I was actually present is immaterial in describing some of the highlights of this year’s Fantasy Fest. I have seen so many, I know them by heart.

To me, the Toga Party on Thursday night at Sloppy Joe’s and in front on the street is the best! Naked breast time and whatever else. It’s a barter system. The ladies show their privates in exchange for beads. Each woman wants to end up with the most beads. So…..show me your breasts and I will give you a string of beads…..ok!

The interesting aspect of this scenario is that most of the women are middle aged and older. Out of towners. Many from the mid west. Places like Indiana and Iowa. Church goers, school teachers, community leaders, mothers, grandmothers. They visit Key West with their husbands this one week a year and do what they would never think of doing at home. They take off their clothes!

Especially to show their breasts. And  proud to do so. You can see it in their expressions. Even the husbands are beaming. The breasts are not all perky 34-Cs. Some are quite large and drooping. Such is not important. It is the excitement of being a bit risqué in a far away place.

Friday afternoon was Masquerade March time. Tourists and locals join together. Costumed, of course. A lot people. In the thousands. They march from the cemetery to Duval. It got so big several years ago that an extra route had to be added.

I have never done the Masquerade March. However, I have viewed it many times from a friend’s porch on Fleming Street. There are parties going on all over the routes of people observing and drinking. And cheering the marchers on.

The Masquerade March has been ongoing for more than 30 years.

The parade Saturday night was a big deal. Always.  A grand marshal, 50 plus floats, and 60,000-70,000 people watching. The floats loaded with scantily attired ladies. The floats throwing out beads to the viewers. Beads are everything! Yelling and screaming. Hands raised overhead to catch the beads.

I always wonder where the 60,000-70,000 people sleep. There are not that many beds between Key West and Key Largo. I suspect the beaches are full.

The grand marshal this year was Diana Nyad. The lady who recently swam from Cuba to Key West. A big deal in itself.

Diana has become a sort of folk hero already to Key Westers. The town has adopted her with open arms and she has done the same in return. Lisa and family were there to greet Diana when she landed on Smather’s Beach a month ago. Robert and Ally found the experience exciting. Both are serious swimmers.

Yesterday afternoon prior to the parade, Lisa took Robert and Ally to the Tropic Cinema to see Diana. The grandkids were thrilled. Even had their pictures taken with her.

In spite of my dragging ass, I did do my TV/internet show friday morning. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Based on subsequent conversations and emails, Social Security and the U.S. now being the biggest oil exporter world wide were the topics which garnered the most interest.

I keep hitting on the Social Security topic. Most people are unaware that the government has legally stolen $2.7 trillion dollars from Social Security and never paid it back. Social Security is the biggest creditor of the U.S. Not China or Japan.

Social Security is not broke. The U.S. is broke.

Angela Merkel continues to worry me. The woman is dangerous! An opportunist!

Merkel has known for several months that the U.S. was bugging German telephones and emails. She laughed it off each time the issue came up. Now she discovers that her cell phone was bugged. She is upset.

I think it is a too late phony reaction. What I perceive it to be is a reaction to the world perhaps now viewing the U.S. as a weakening power. The recent government shutdown being a major cause. If we cannot govern ourselves, how can we govern/guide the rest of the word.

So Merkel took the opportunity to take a shot at us. She is sending the German intelligence team over to talk with the U.S. Humiliating. The problem should have been taken care of behind closed doors.

I cannot really blame Merkel for taking advantage. I blame those who gave us the shut down debacle. Those who care little or not for the US.’s image. They are too wound up in their selfish ideological interests.

Syracuse did not play yesterday. Fortunately. They needed the extra week to recover from last week’s 55-0 beating. Hopefully, the remainder of the season will be better. I am a die hard fan. I have not been able to stop bleeding orange.

Enjoy your sunday!

 

 

DOG DAY

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A part of yesterday was dog day. Good dog day!

It started in the morning when I visited Lisa. Jake was barking like hell at me before I even came in the door. Two minutes later he was lying snuggled against me on the couch sleeping.

Fantasy Fest has something for pets. A Pet Masquerade and Parade. At dinner time. At the Casa Marina. I went. Have done so in previous years, also. Mostly dogs. All pets in costume. Well behaved. Something to see. Proud owners, also. Obvious from the smiles on their faces.

Then it was off to Sunset Pier for the Original Homemade Bikini Contest. A mob scene. Lovelies all over the place in their scanty home made bathing outfits.

I remember the first Homemade Bikini Contest. It was held some 15 years ago upstairs at Hogs Breath. A commemorative event. I was there.

I spent the afternoon re-editing my book manuscript. The World Upside Down. A series of essays. Publication slated for sometime in November. So much to do. I don’t know how we are going to make it.

Tonight is my favorite night of Fantasy Fest. Toga Party! In the street in front of Sloppy Joe’s. I go to look.  Some ladies exhibit it all in exchange for beads.

Enjoy your day!