I am up early this morning. It is 5 o’clock!

Dark outside. Very black. I can hear the water running by through the open window.

The weather is great! We are into Key West time!

I had a quiet lunch yesterday at Paradise Cafe. Ate outside. A cuban sandwich and cuban coffee. Read the papers. Peaceful.

Then I decided to take a long walk. It has been a while since I walked far. I have become lazy.

I walked the waterfront. All the people! It is obvious it is the season. Vacationers all over the place! All having a good time! Good for them and good for the local economy!

Yesterday was St. Patrick’s day! So every one was Irish and every bar was an Irish bar! There were people all over wearing green tee shirts and in many instances green hats. Drinking, socializing and whooping it up.

I saw it all on my walk!

Last night I had an early business dinner. At La Trattoria. With a very charming young lady named Tamara. An interesting woman! Owns her own home on Sugarloaf Key, is a single mother of a 9 year old daughter, a Vasser graduate, has a nursing degree also, works in the medical field and on and on. Quite a person! Interesting also is that her bother is President of the Boston Federal Reserve.

Tamara’s parents have to be two proud people!

This AIG thing is a gigantic pain! And another example of corporate America gone wild and knowing no bounds.

There is much I want to express regarding AIG. So much so that I am going to spread it over several days.

Let me start by saying I was privileged to represent AIG in upstate New York for years. There was not a finer insurance company. They were the best of the best!

From my perspective, they were that good for two reasons.

First, leadership. They had a CEO by the name of Greenberg. He ran a tight ship. He guided AIG to the pinnacle of success it once knew.

However he was forced to resign several years ago. Blame Eliot Spitzer!

Spitzer was Attorney General of New York. He wanted to be governor. He went after Wall Street. Not every one he pursued deserved to be. One of those victims was Greenberg. Spitizer went after him on some minute bullshit charges. Greenberg was forced out. However he defended himself with regard to every charge and was totally exonerated several years later.

However he was gone from AIG and AIG no longer had the wisdom of his careful guidance.

The new CEO is the one who screwed things up!

One of his major errors was to insure packages of sub prime loans. This had never been done before. But it presented a way to make a lot more money. Greed!

And the loans did not have to go into default. If it looked like they might or the underlying value of the property diminished, the insurance kicked in. What a deal!

Well folks, a large chunk of the bailout money has gone from AIG’s coffers to pay the banks and other mortgage holders now holding these bad sub prime mortgages.

The banks always seem to come out on top! Rip off artists in three button suits! Frauds of respectability!

The second reason AIG was so good was that under Greenberg it operated as an insurance company. That simple! It insured those things normally insured like autos, homes, doctors, lawyers, dentists, etc. No fancy stuff like sub prime mortgages. And AIG staffed itself with fine insurance professionals to do its work. And I am sure with no fancy bonuses built into their employment contracts. Just a fair days pay for a fair days work! Like every one else!

Enough of AIG for today. More tomorrow.

Still dark outside. The sound of the ocean roaring by is refreshing.

I play golf this morning. How bad will I be? The eternal question!

Perhaps my mind set is wrong. I approach golf very negatively! I think I am going to play poorly and I do play poorly! The only problem is that when I think I am going to play well, I play poorly also!

Enjoy your day!

There is no question that the weather has changed. It has! It is warm every day now. In fact, I turned the air conditioning on for the first time this year last night!

Key West’s cold time is generally mid Decemeber to mid February. This year it ran an extra month. Till mid March!

I am glad the cold is behind us!

Today is St. Patrick’s Day! A venerable day!

Many people go crazy on St. Patrick’s Day. Party time!

It never made sense to me. I have never participated as a mature adult. But must admit that I did as a young man. While in college!

I went to college in New York City. Manhattan College. A Catholic institution run by Christian Brothers.

New York City and St. Patrick’s Day are synominous. A big parade and an even bigger party afterwards!

It was my sophmore year. I was in the Air Force ROTC. Ergo, I marched in the parade.

I enjoyed the march. It was a big deal! Exciting! I found the discipline of marching interesting. The point of the parade I enjoyed most was when we passed the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The Cardinal would be sitting there in all his fine regalia. We would do a sharp eyes right as we went by. A wow!

Then following the parade, it was party time! I think every college from several hundred miles around came to New York for a big time fun day!

The issue was where to party. A private party was considered best. That meant a hotel room.

The hotels did not want us. No college students/parties! Hotel staffs went out of their way to discourage college students. College students were up to the task, however.

We had planned our St. Patrick Day onslaught about 2 months in advance. With ingenuity, of course. Remember, we were tomorrow’s leaders. So smart we were!

One of my friends had previously flunked out of Pennsylvania. Before you think ill of him, he did finally succeeed and became an outstanding doctor later in life. But at that phase of his existence, his father had reentered him in Manhattan to start anew.

While at the University of Pennsylvania, he had been a fraternity man. He contacted one of his fraternity brothers and the following scenerio was decided upon. The frat brother at Penn U wrote a letter to the Biltmore Hotel advising he would be in New York on business for one night, March 17th of course, and required a room. He got the room and a written reservation paper. Which he forwarded to my friend now at Manhattan.

My friend was not in the ROTC. So he was not in uniform. He dressed appropriately however. Suit, tie, dress coat and a homburg. A homburg for the unaware is a very formal man’s hat.

He looked the part!

He came with a suitacase. The suitcase was a large one and loaded with booze. The bottles of liquor made it extremely heavy!

We were worried about the check in. We were watching from a corner of the lobby. He got away with it!

There was one moment of concern, however. When the bellboy bent down to pick up the suitcase! His eyes bulged and he stopped in mid air! The bag was heavy! Rupture heavy!

The bell boy looked up at my friend and suddenly smiled. He knew what was going on. And fortunately for us, he did not care! He lifted that bag and away they went.

I am sure he was given a big tip! Probably $5 at a time when $.25 a bag was the going rate.

At some point we all made it up to the room. It was difficult getting there. No one was going to let me on an elevator in my Air Force ROTC uniform. I opted for the stairs. There was a security guard. I said to myself, what the hell! I faked to the right and went left around him. He chased me up a couple of floors and then gave up. I was much younger than him!

The room was packed when I arrived. The party was on big time! Guys, girls and booze. What a wonderful combination!

The young ladies came from all over. Many colleges were represented.

None of us could handle the liquor. We were too inexperienced!

Space was a problem. Where to sort of be alone with the opposite sex. The outside window sill was in use. The closet, also. I was young and smart. I ended up with this cute little preppy thing. I directed her to the bathroom and its bathtub. I took one of the pillows from the bed with me. We snuggled in the tub, with the curtain drawn of course. The bathroom continued in full use, but we were oblvious to its visitors and they to us.

Lest any one misunderstand, sex was limited to necking in those day. With very little touching, if at all. It was the mid 1950s. The 1960s and all its freedoms had not yet arrived.

At some point, my lady friend and I fell asleep. All of a sudden we were awakened by some older man in a suit. An assistant manager! We were told to leave. The room was empty. Apparently the party became too noisy, was discovered and management broke it up! We were the last to be discovered.

My lady friend was drunk. Oblivious to the world! Could hardly stand!

I asked her where she was from. She said Marymount. Marymount was a Catholic girls’ college in those days. Oh, those Catholics!

What to do with her? We were sort of bound at the hip. I could not just leave her.

I decided to take her back to Marymount. Ever the gentleman even then!

The train was required. I got her to the lower level of Grand Central. Note I am half carrying her. She was gone! I figured out which train to take. Got us to the gate! And luck befell both of us!

Her girl friends were there. Happy to have found her. They took her and took over.

That was my St. Patrick’s day that year. However, there is more to the story.

A week later Marymount was having a dance. I decided to go. I wanted to meet the young lady again. After all, I was her saviour!

I saw her at the dance. I went up to her expecting a big hug and thank you. No way! She looked at me blindly! Did not even want to talk to me. I felt like an ass!

I explained the party, our time in the tub, my taking her to the train station, etc. She recalled none of it and thought I was nuts!

She turned her back and walked away.

That was the end of our relationship.

They say good deeds never go for naught. Here is one that did.

Such is life!

I gave up partying on St. Patrick’s day. Bath tubs are too hard to sleep in!

Sundays are always good!

Lisa came over yesterday afternoon with Ally to swim. Robert stayed home with his father. A new thing. Robert is becoming manly. Does not want to be with the girls.

Ally is so much fun! We do hot chocolate when she comes over. A sweet thing for me in more ways than one!

Last night I had a light dinner with Marty at 915. First time I have eaten there. Tapas just not my thing. Food was good. Atmosphere could have been better. While I was sitting upstairs, I thought how much happier I would have been at Martin’s next door.

Then to the Pier House’s Wine Galley for the big night!

It was bigger and better than I had anticipated!

The place was jammed packed, inside and out. Not a seat to be had.

Larry Smith did his usual good job in putting together a top quality show. His musical talent is without peer. He organizes, directs, writes, performs. He does it all, including washing the windows! He is the whole package when it comes to music!

Kathleen Peace and Christine Cardone performed. What a duo! They sang Irish lyrics all night! Some I knew. Others I had never heard. All exciting to hear! There was occasionally audience participation. It was an outstanding St. Patrick’s Day party!

It was also Kathleen Peace’s birtrhday. The evening was intertwined with a celebration for her. Cake, candles and all! A lovely lady! A great talent! Happy birthday again, Kathleen!

Bob and Lynda Frascheete showed up during the performance with some professinal Irish performers.

First, there was a bag pipper. Kilt and all!

Then a singer.

Finally, two young ladies who danced what I would describe as the Irish jig. Terrific!

A good night was had by all! Key West friends and visitors joined together to celebrate a special occasion!

Sunday!

I slept late. So the blog is late. Sorry!

The big news of yesterday is the Syracuse/Louisville game for the Big East championship. Louisville won by 10 points.

It was as I had predicted. Syracuse ran out of steam in the second half. Not an excuse. Merely an observation and explanation. Too many overtimes and one game too many. This was the fifth game in five days for Syracuse.

The real killer was Louisville’s full court press. No way could Syracuse hold up to it after the previous 4 games.

Congrats to Louisville. Congrats also to Syracuse who played outstanding basketball in the tournamnet. Syracuse’s play will be recorded for the ages!

Now on to the NCAA tournamnet. I love March Madness!

Tonight is Kathleen Peace singing at the Wine Galley at the Pier House. Nine o’clock! Go! Listen to her! Enjoy! She is one of the finest!

Have a good day, my friends!

Syracuse! Syracuse! Syracuse!

They did it again last night! Won by 5 points in overtime! Six overtimes the night before. One overtime last night. Syracuse has to be exhausted!

Syracuse has won 4 games in four days. They actually have played 5 games. Add the 35 minutes of overtimes and you only come up 5 minutes short of a full game!

Tonight Syracuse plays Louisville for the Big East championship. Madison Square Garden in all its glory! A big game! A big night!

I think Syracuse will lose. They have to be dead tired. Their bodies and legs have to give out.

Louisville is coached by Rick Pitino. Pitino plays his bench. All 10 players. He keeps his players rotated and rested.

Boeheim only plays 7. The same 7 who have overdone the past two nights.

I believe Syracuse will start running out of gas early or in the middle of the second half. And then it will be over!

On the other hand……Syracuse’s juices are flowing after these two recent wins! The adrenlin may be enough tonight to carry them to victory! We shall see!

Pitnio and Boeheim are the best of freinds. Pitino coached under Boeheim early in his career. One was best man for the other. Their families are tight. All good people.

My day went as planned yesterday.

I did nothing. It was Louis’ day.

A quiet lunch at the Pier House. Sat on the deck outside the Wine Galley and watched the water, read my papers and listened to the music.

I ran into Kathleen Peace. Besides possessing one of the outstanding voices in Key West, she is Food and Beverage Director at the Pier House. A big job! Kathleen is being featured at Larry Smith’s Sunday Showcase at the Pier House tomorrow night. Do yourself a real favor. Go hear Kathleen sing!

Last night started with a drink at the Keys Piano Bar. Only one. A diet Pepsi.

Then across the street to La Te Da. Chatted with some of the folks at the outside bar.

I met Don and Eileen. They are in Key West for a long weekend. Come down from somewhere around Sarasota. They visit Key West regularly. They are contemporaries of sort. Somewhere in their early 60s.

Nice people. We hit it off. Drinking and laughing. I had my first drink.

Don and Eileen like Irish Kevins. I do, also. However I rarely get there. So I agreed to join them at Irish Kevins for a drink.

The place was packed. Very! It is a spring break weekend. The college kids are here in droves!

We pushed our way to the bar and ordered drinks. Only my second of the night! I opted for a Patron Silver shot of tequila. With a slice of lime, of course!

While waiting for our drinks, a young man asked me, “Down for spring break?” He meant well, but was being a smart ass!

“Yes” I responded. “We are going to college late in life. Miami University. Don and I are Dekes.”

He bought it! And he bought our round of drinks!

Having consumed my 2 drink limit, I said my good nights and was home in bed in time to catch a good portion of the Syracuse game.

A good evening!

No matter what happened yesterday, the best part was the Big East’s Syracuse/Connecticut basketnball game.

I’m tired!

Connecticut has been in and out of 1st place all year in the national rankings. Syracuse finished 20th.

The game will be an historical classic!

It went into 6 overtimes. Six! And in the end Syracuse won by 10 points! My team!

Six overtimes is 30 minutes. A game is 40 minutes. These guys played almost a whole second game in the overtimes.

The game started just after 9 and ended around 1 in the morning.

These players have to be exhausted! Syracuse plays West Virginia today in the quarter finals. I doubt Syracuse will win. They have to run out of steam!

Mike Yutzy now lives in Las Vegas. He was texting me all night commentiung on the game.

It was bocci time last night!

My life is strange. I am beginning to think that I play better golf than bocci.

Yes, I played poorly again last night. This makes 3 weeks in a row that my bocci game has sucked. I know not why!

As you know, drinking in an integral part of the bocci sport. Don and David wanted me a bit under the weather last night. They are convinced I play better after a couple of drinks.

Don brings the booze for the team. Your choice! I drink Beefeaters and so there is always a bottle of Beafeaters. Someone made a mistake last night, however. There was only enough gin in the bottle for one drink. To compound the problem, I only had one small sip out of my drink. A female player from the other team accidently knocked my drink over.

This was just as the first match started. Don and David went crazy! I said worry not. It will be different to play totally sober!

They did not agrre. They did not care. Winning has become everything!

David hopped on his moped and drove back to the bar. He returned with a full bottle of Beefeaters. I was playing at the other end of the court. All of a sudden David was there! He handed me a glass of gin on the rocks. And said, drink!

It is called victory at any cost!

However I failed! I played poorly again!

I am glad I never practiced law like I play golf and more recently bocci. I would be a homeless person today!

It may not sound like I am still in my good health kick. But, I am! I ate well yesterday. Even bought spinach. Have not cooked it yet, though. That drink from David was my only drink last night. And I walked 3 miles!

My plan is to have a Louis day today. Do nothing. I have not had one in a while.

Do the same for yourself, if you can!

Good morning every one!

The weather has finally turned here in Key West. A month late. But better late than never!

82 yesterday. No humidity. Perfect!

Golf was great! Nothing spectacular! Played my usual game. Shot 115. Even missed 3 putts less than 2 feet. What a disgrace, but I had fun!

I rode with Yankee Jack. A trip!

We played with Phil and a new guy, Tim.

Yankee, Phil and Tim are all better golfers than me. Every one is! They gave me a stroke a hole, except on the 3s. Did not help much. I lost $10!

I spent the afternoon at home doing paper work.

Last night I went to Aqua to hear Bobby Nesbitt. He leaves this morning for Tahiti and Bora Bora. He and Bruce Moore. Remember that cruise they went on a couple of months ago. It was a gig. They sang in one of the small rooms. The same cruise line has invited them back to sing in the main room! No surprise! These guys are terrific, whether singing alone or together!

I then went down to the Keys Piano Bar. I made a mistake in yesterday’s blog. Donna and Terri do not leave for New York till tomorrow.

This Terri is one fantastic singer! We were sitting at the bar quietly talking. The piano player was a for real piano player. He was into some heavy stuff.

All of a sudden he was playing West Side Story. Maria! Terri turned from me and joined in from her seat. You have to hear her sing Maria! Gave me goose bumps!

Then across the street to La Te Da for dinner. A light one.

I ate at the bar outside.

Tonto and Dawn were bartending.

Tonto is a female who has been bartending here in Key West for years. A charmer! She and her partner Mandy make a terrific couple. I like Mandy also. She’s into money and mortgages. A knowledgable woman!

Last night was the first time I met Dawn. Another lovely person! Turns out Dawn has just returned to Key West after a 10 year hiatus. Dawn spent years working for the Rapisardi family. I bought my Key West home from the father Rapasardi. In fact, Mr. Rapisardi built the home I now live in. The son Sal is one of the finest businessmen I have ever met. An MIT graduate, he made his fortune in gay hotels, bars and restaurants in Key West. From engineering to a particular phase of hospitality lodging and entertainment. The man possesed the talent to recognize a needy and growing market!

The Rapasardis are long gone from Key West. Dawn told me Sal is now in West Palm Beach.

Dinner was terrific! The food at La Te Da sucked for a couple of years. But Alice is back! And she is cooking!

I had french onion soup and the tuna tartare appetizer. Both were outstanding, especially the tuna tartare. Tasty and just enough!

I am back into a good health kick! My annual physical was OK. However I had a few negatives. My triglycirides are up. Not bad, but up. A new problem. My iron is down. Also, a new problem. And my weight is a bit up. An old and continuing problem.

So time for healthy living again! The only problem is I thought I was living healthy.

Triglycirides up means too much sugar and alcohol. Since I am not into sweets or desserts, it has to be the gin. So I am cutting back to 2 drinks a day. Not easy in Key West.

The low iron score surprised me! I eat fish every day. It is fresh and good here in the keys. I have become a half assed vegetarian in the process. I have steak about 2 times a year.

The message from the doctor is eat at least one steak every 2 weeks. Also start eating spinach. So Popeye I shall become!

The weight isn’t bad. Ten pounds in a year. It is always 10 pounds!

I used to walk briskly for exercise every day. I stopped a few months ago. I start again this morning.

There was no sense in staying out after dinner at La Te Da last night. I had already consumed my 2 gins. The first at Aqua and the second with dinner. I had a diet coke at the Keys, being the good boy that I am!

So it was home to bed and a good nights sleep. It also gave me the opportunity to watch Syracuse win its first game in the Big East tournamment in New York!

This morning Lori cuts my hair! Always an event! Ho, ho, ho!

Good morning!

Golf today! Can’t wait!

I finally have a new cap. It only took 5 weeks to get it. I am glad the problem is resolved. Now I can chew on both sides of my mouth! What a difference!

I also had a 2 hour physical yesterday. It was good health day!

My doctor is Jackie Lefferts. A terrific internest!

Dinner was late last night. I was going to stay in. Then got bored. So out I was.

I walked into La Trattoria. It was my lucky night. There was only one seat at the bar. Next to Lee Ann.

Lee Ann and her husband are friends. They moved to Key West full time about 3 years ago from I do not recall where. Both are younger. Probably in their mid 40s.

Lee Ann is a knock out. An absolute beauty! Slim blond type.

Her husband commutes. All over the world during the week. Returns to their Key west home on weekends.

Lee Ann works as Financial Director at the Wellsley House here in Key West.

They have a lovely condo in Truman Annex. I have partied there. Charming hosts.

So what initially was going to be a boring evening, turned into a most pleasant one. Lee Ann and I chatted non stop.

Afterwards I hurried over to the Keys Piano Bar to say good bye to Donna and Terri. They leave for New York thursday. We will not be seeing each other tonight.

Still dark outside. This clock change thing still has me a little screwed up. By the time I tee off, the sun will be up. Hopefully!

I have to move my butt this morning. Dentist at 8 to finally get my new cap after waiting five weeks. Then to the doctor’s at ten for my annual physical.

A health nurturung morning ahead!

I had lunch at Paradise Cafe yesterday. Paradise is a cheapie place. I usually have a cuban toast with melted cheese and tomato and a diet Pepsi for $4 and change.

Yesterday the place was packed! Inside and out! I have never seen so many people. There was no room for the chickens!

I believe the crowd at Paradise is another reflection of the economy. People are downsizing in their spending. An inexpensive lunch is one indication.

Marty called last night. Invited me to dinner. He wanted to buy.

We met at the Chart Room for a drink. Then had dinner at the Hot Tin Roof.

Hot Tin Roof is on the water side of the Ocean Key House. Ocean Key is a part of the Noble chain of resorts. One of the finest in the United States.

The view was spectacualr. We had the setting sun! An orange ball slipping over the horizon! The food good.

I have not eaten there in several months. Maitre de John was happy to see me. And I was happy to see him again.

I rarely go to Hot Tin Roof because it is touristy and noisy. I have become a local snob. The food however is outstanding!

Afterwards I stopped at the Keys Piano Bar for a nightcap.

Donna and Terri were at the bar. Terri had just finished singing for happy hour. We talked of their pending New York City trip. Terri bought me a drink.

And then I was on my way home.

It just occured to me that I did not spend a penny last night!

Morning Joe reports this morning that Citigroup paid $13 million in bonus money to its employees. The money came out of the $46 billion bailout money paid to Citigroup by the US Government. Our tax dollars.

Citigroup excused its actions by saying it had to keep its troops happy in this competitive society or they would move on to to other jobs.

What bullshit!

Unemployment is at an all time high. Unemployed qualified people are all over the place looking for work. A bonus is not required to keep a person working. People are happy to have jobs today! The work place is not a competitive place today!

What makes banks so omnipotent in their thinking? Wow are they entitled! Banks honestly believe they can do anything they want! And the public be damned!

I have to run! Dentist and doctor await!

Absolutely beautiful day yesterday weatherwise!

82 degrees with a cooling breeze.

I decided to lunch at the Pier House’s Beach Bar. I bought some Sunday papers and seated myself at the end of the bar where I had a clear view of the beach activity. A wise move. The college invasion has started and there were a number of lovelies on the beach. I have gotten old! The 20 year olds looked awfully young!

I have recently been doing the Pier House on Sundays because a bunch of locals hang out there that day each week. They are fun and I enjoy their company. I do not go to view the young ladies, though it does not hurt to sneak a peek!

Afterwards I went over to the Coffee House on Duval. A cup of coffeee and the New York Times! Obviouisly spent quite a while there reading the Times.

I frequent the Coffee House often. So do many other Key West locals. A woman was there yesterday afternoon that I have seen at the Coffeee house many times over the years. Sometimes we exchange some idle chatter. Other times we do not talk at all.

Yesterday she opted to talk with me. She asked, “Do you know where I can get a job?” She then proceeded to tell me how she has worked on one of the diving/fun boats that go out every day for the last ten years. No more, though. Not enough business. The boat did not have enough customers to go out every day and she had been let go.

She said the other boats were experiencing the same problem and letting people go also.

She was decidedly afraid. She had lost her job a week ago and could not find anything. Typical of most, she led a hand to mouth existence. She needed her weekly pay check. She would take any type job. It was a matter of survival!

The recession is impacting Key West. My lady friend is just one example. I know many people in the hotel/lodging industry. They are all concerned about April. Bookings are dramatically down from previous years.

I see the streets full of tourists. But only on weekends! Which suggests shorter trips.

The Keys Piano Bar and La Te Da were full Friday night when I was out and about. But not packed so you could not move, as in previous times.

People are not spending money! Those that have any! They are confused and afraid. What is happening is new to all of us. I am 73 and have never seen anything like it. We need an injection of confidence. What it will take, is beyond me. When you see mainstays of American society, such as banks, the auto industry and insurance companies failing, it is going to take an awful lot to restore the necessary confidence.

Dinner last night was with Lisa and the family. I had not seen the grandkids in a week. Ally is growing! Only 3, she is almost as tall as her brother Robert who is 4. Lisa says Ally has been eating non stop lately. She is in a growth spur!

Dinner was fun. The grandkids talk non stop. Ally is into ketchup. She puts it on everything. Her lettuce. And the banana Lisa cut up for her. Ugh!

We sat outside for awhile after dinner and chatted. Then I was off to home. I went to bed too early and fell asleep. I woke during the night and have been up ever since.

I woke with a bang! And not the right one!

The board holding the spring and mattress at the head end of the bed collapsed! All of a sudden my head was down and my feet up!

The last time something like that happened to me was 30 years ago when I was having sex with my wife.

The middle of the night is no time to screw around with correcting the problem. I hauled myself off to one of the other bedrooms and tried to sleep. Could not. I was awake the rest of the night.

Today is going to be another beautiful day! Sun out. No clouds. Water moving ever so slowly.

Have a good Monday!