This weather is rediculous!

Two days ago it was 80. This morning it is 58. The high today is projected at 61. Tonight the temperature will drop to 53.

Key West is experiencing its third consecutive day of rain. Pouring rain.

Something is screwed up somewhere!

My radio show is tomorrow. Friday. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Please listen in. At 10 am.

KONK 1500 AM radio. See and hear me on the internet. www.konkam.com.

I am going to cover a bit of the historical aspect of separation of Church and State. It will include John Alden and Priscilla. Priscilla of…..”Speak for yourself, John” fame.

My day yesterday was spent in. I had a ton of paper work to get out.

I had to get out last night. Opted for Hogfish.

I have not shaved since friday. Did not want to shave last night. I am in a Key West state of mind. Hogfish made it easy. The dress mode is always slob minus.

I ventured out in the rain. What a storm! I figured Hogfish would be empty because of the weather. Was I wrong! The place was packed! People waiting for tables! Never experienced that before.

I was able to find a spot at the bar quickly, however. Enjoyed a cup of lobster bisque to warm up. Followed by fish and chips. Hogfish obviously.

There was a keys fisherman seated next to me. He was smoking. His secondary smoke tasted delightful. I have not had a cigarette since October 29.

Tonight bocce. If it continues to rain all day, bocce will be rained out. The courts are clay and play is difficult if they are wet.

I hope the rain ends. I enjoy bocce. Missed it last week. The Syracuse/Geogetown basketball game was more important.

Enjoy your day!

This is not easy this morning. This is hard.

Tino telephoned me last night as I was going out. Jana is dead.

Jana. Young. Mid 20s. Absolutely beautiful. Tall. Thin. Always a smile. Always a quiet hello.

Jana was from the Czech Republic. I have known her about 3 years. She would be here in Key West 6 months. And then home to the Czech Republic for 6 months. Back and forth.

She was in love. With Shane. Her male counterpart. Just as nice as her.

They made the perfect couple.

We all played bocce. Though on different teams. Jana and Shane played on Don’s Place. Just last week I was both kidding and admonishing Shane that it was time to marry Jana. His response was his quiet Gary Cooper smile.

Shane is in his early 30s. Makes a living as a boat person. He takes tourists out flat fishing. Shane knows the waters and their dangers.

Jana and Shane went kayaking Saturday. One kayak. A 10 foot 2 seater. They left from the Dry Tortugas. Shane filed a float plan stating they would be back at 4:30. They did not return at 4:30. The Coast Guard sent out a rescue helicopter.

Seventeen hours later they found Jana’s floating body.

An hour later, they found Shane about a mile away. Alive.

The weather is touchy this time of year. It changes unexpectedly. The cold fronts come in and out. Rough weather arises quickly. Even a cautious experienced boater as Shane can be caught in a bad situation.

I spoke with Larry Smith this morning. He described Jana perfectly…..She never spoke over a beautuful whisper.

The playwrite A. Sachs penned a death soliloquoy that fits Jana perfectly: “Death is more universal than life, everyone dies but not everyone lives.”

Jana lived a beautiful existence in the short time she was with us.

Shane, hang in there! We all love you. And we all loved Jana. Nothing more can be said.

The weather started off good yesterday. It was 80 degrees at noon.

Then it started raining. Temp fell to 73. Rained all night. Raining now. Supposed to rain all day.

But the temperature will be in the low to mid 70s. OK!

A great brunch yesterday! A Haitian fund raiser at the A&B Lobster House. A&B has 6 Haitians on staff. So A&B opted to do the right thing. A good thing. A fund raiser. The event was well done and well attended!

Terrific food! A long table of fish and shell fish. Another table of usual breakfast foods like eggs benedict. And a large sweets table. Plus stations for bloody marys and mimosas.

I experienced good food and good company.

Mike and Tina from Hartford invited me as their guest. Two couples also. Jordan and Stephanie. Nick and Julie.

Turns out Jordan is owner of Upper Crust Pizzeria. There is one located on Duval Street near Antonia’s. Always packed. Does a big business.

Jordan does not own it. His father Barry does.

Jordan owns 16 other Upper Crust Pizzerias. A chain. All located in Massachusetts. He is presently opening number 17 in Wellesley on Central Avenue. My daughter Beth and her family live in Wellesley.

Don’s lady is a Boston interior decorator. Stephanie is her name. Lovely. She and Jordan look well together.

Jordan is a pilot. Stephanie is close to obtaining her license. Jordan has a new plane which is scheduled for delivery in 4 weeks.

The pizza business is good!

Nick’s true name is Nicholi. He and his friend Julie operate Key West Sea Planes. They have two. They fly people to Little Palm Island. Do private charters anywhere. And provide flying lessons. Jordan and Stepahanie are or have been students.

Nick runs the seaplane business. For Julie it is a second love. She is a doctor first. She has her own genral practice here in Key West. Julie Floyd, M.D.

Nick and Julie recently bid on a two year contract to fly people to the Dry Tortugas. The Dry Tortugas is a national park. There were 3 applicants. Two local and one from Alaska. The Alaska guy won. Me thinks there is something screwed up in the national park system. The modus operandi should be to hire local.

Such is government!

Mike and Tina were gracious hosts. Nice people. Soon to be gone, I am afraid. Both may shortly be moving to Japan to work. A big move geographically and other wise for the both of them.

They own a home in Old Town across from the cemetary. They plan on keeping their Key West home.

After brunch I stopped at Borders. I am still reading Game Change. I am into the Republican primary. McCain’s comeback is dramatic.

Then to Lisa’s. The family had just returned from Fort Zach beach. Ally was running around in her bathing suit. Robert in the process of changing.

Robert and I played another game of checkers. Our second game in two days. Robert is just learning.

The game took 45 minutes. We stopped when each of us had 3 kings and it was obvious our moves would not produce a victory or loss for either of us.

We both concentrated. Especially Robert. Five years old and deliberate. Thinks every move and the whole board at the same time. I am impressed with his playing.

Robert plays chess. Well! So does Ally. They learned how to play at Montessori.

Robert says checkers is harder than chess. I told him no. I could never learn how to play chess. It was too hard for me and took too much thinking. Robert disagrees.

Since I ate a huge lunch, I ate no dinner. Still struggling to lose that last pound.

Enjoy your day!

The sun and I got up at the same time today.

The sun was rising just as I walked out on the terrace to see how today’s weather was going to be. A big orange ball breaking over the ocean! Striking!

The rising sun has been hidden the past couiple of weeks because of clouds. It was good to see it again!

To compound matters, I was watching Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises on TV before I walked outside. I am not certain, but Hemingway probably wrote the novel while living in Key West.

Yesterday was supposed to be cool. The weather report suggested the temperature might reach 70. We lucked out! It hit 76! And today and the next few days will be in the low to mid 70s.

About time!

I started yesterday with a haircut. At Lori’s. She told me that Lisa, Robert and Ally had just left. Sorry I missed them.

Ally is 4. Going on 20. She wants long hair. She presently has more hair than face. But Lisa is letting her have her way. Lori told me Ally only had a trim.

After the haircut, I went over to the Coffee House. Read the papers and enjoyed a cup of coffee.

I decided it was time to be nice to Louis. That meant a manicure and pedicure. Relaxing, especially the pedicure. I have a foot fetish. Love to have my feet rubbed. I find it relaxing to the extent that I fall asleep. As I almost did while getting my pedicure yesterday.

Then it was to Lisa’s.

Corey and Ally were leaving for the beach to swim. I told you it was warm! Ally’s hair must have had the slightest of trims. It was still long and covering her head and face big time.

Robert did not want to swim. He opted to stay home with his mother.

Robert and I ended up playing checkers. First time. He is good. Almost beat me. I was lucky to win. I was impressed at Robert’s ability to play. He knew what moves to make. More importantly, he knew why.

And only 5 years old!

I decided to stay in last night. Made a light meal. Then early to bed.

Today is Sunday. My favorite day. Enjoy your Sunday! I shall mine!

The Widow Grimm took me out yesterday.

To the movies and dinner.

I first met Roland and Jackie Grimm about 10 years ago when I bought my home in Key West. They had purchased a Key West home at about the same time.

I used to run into Jackie in those days at Jack Baron’s gallery. We both had made friends with Baron. She was tall, thin, vivacious and absolutely lovely. Still is!

I admired Roland greatly. He was the smartest money man I ever met. He knew the market and finances as no other. Roland passed on last year. Sad.

Jackie gave me a call thursday and asked if I wanted to go to the movies. She had purchased two tickets for a special showing of two films at the Tropic Cinema for yesterday. The films were to be shown at 3:30.

I was a bit hesitant to accept. I had not been to an afternoon movie since my children were small. And what do you do after the movie? It’s still early.

The things I worry about.

We went.

One movie was a history of Aids here in Key West. Well done. A tribute to those who passed on and a larger tribute to those who were able to survive. The other was a film about Key West drag queens. It starred and was the story of Sushi. Sushi is a respected individual and top drag artist. Well admired and loved here in Key West. He stars at 801.

The films were good. Well done. However I could have done without both. Not my cup of tea on the infrequent occasions I get to attend a movie. I prefer a good comedy that leaves me bouncing when I leave the theatre.

The movies ended. It was only 5:30. Neither Jackie nor I are presedntly drinking. Too bad because it was the perfect time to have a few. I do miss an occasional drink.

We went over to the Chart Room. Jackie devoured club sodas and I diet Pepsi. And we ate popcorn. The Chart Room has the best popcorn.

Captain Peter was there. I introduced Jackie and Captain Peter. The Captain was taken with her. He still has the devil in him.

Dinner was light fare. Tapas upstairs at Louie’s Backyard. Good food. Excellent atmosphere.

Jackie beat me to the bill. She insisted on paying. She had invited me she said.

Our conversation was interesting through out the day. We both had a good time.

Thank you Jackie for a fun day.

And may each of you have an equally enjoyable day today!

The Key West Lou Legal Hour is on the radio and internet today. Yes, friday. At 10 am. KONK 1500 AM. You can see as well as hear me on the internet at www.konkam.com.

Please join me. I would like to share the hour with you.

The biggest event of the day yesterday was the Syracuse/Georgetown basketball game. The world stopped for it!

Syracuse ranked #5. Georgetown #10. Two giants!

Syracuse killed Georgetown two weeks ago in Syracuse. Last night the game was played at Georgetown.

I was concerned. Frankly, I questioned whether we would win. A doubtful Thomas!

Syracuse won!

Closely!

Could have lost!

Syracuse was winning by 23 points at mid point in the second half. Georgetown made a run. What a run! All of a sudden it was a 1 point game! My heart was pounding! Syracuse finally pulled out the victory by 4 points.

Wow! One terrific game!

Now Syracuse has to get past Villanova next week. Then it will have been one hell of a season!

I watched the game at the Sports Page Bar. My growing entourage of Syracuse fans were there also. It is always more fun to watch a game with other fans.

Dan and Lisa from Skaneatles. Howard and Elaine from North Carolina. Dan and Sue from Spenceport. Steve, a 1977 Syracuse graduate, who now lives full time in Key West. The Scott family of trucking fame. Hello Sybil! And a new couple. I cannot recall their names. They own a big computer medical billing company in Auburn. Turns out Skaneatles Dan and the husband grew up together in Auburn.

There were tons of other Syracuse fans also.

It was a loud noisy evening. Many highs and lows. And one huge sigh of relief when the game had concluded with Syraciuse winning!

I stopped at the Chart Room before the game.

Mike and Tina were in from Hartford. They get here on a regular basis at least once a month. Soon I will not be seeing them for a while. They may be heading to Japan to live and work for a few years.

Captain Peter, Dan and Frank were at the bar. Good people.

What an evening! Go Syracuse!

Enjoy your day!

Tomorrow begins a new day and time for my radio show.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour will henceforth be heard fridays at 10 in the morning. Listen in at KONK 1500 AM. See and listen on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/.

During the show I will share with you an interesting tidbit about the Judge hearing the Proposition 8 California gay marriage case, make the point again that arrest does not mean guilt, explore some dumb weird Canadian laws and make note of U.S. Presidents who have visted Key West.

Hope you can join me!

Golf yesterday!

A disaster!

I played Yankee Jack. He destroyed me! I shot 122. He shot 104. I deserved to be beaten!

My partner Rob did well. He shot an 89. After shooting over 100 each of the previous two weeks. He played Randy. Poor Randy. Randy is a good player. However he caught Rob on a day when Rob was shooting extremely well. As Randy said…..Just my luck!

Last night was wednesday. Wednesday is Bobby Nesbitt time at Aqua. A great voice!

June and Bill Hudson were there listening to Bobby. They have just returned to Key West from their northern home in Delaware. Good people! Long time friends! We had a great time together.

We made plans to have dinner together monday night.

Then I was off to Outback.

I am enjoying Outback. Great bar seats. Good food cheap. And big TV screens to watch basketball.

Last night it was Duke/Miami. A game! Duke losing by 12 at half. Miami all excited about possibly beating the #6 ranked team in the country. Then the second half! Duke went to work and literally destroyed Miami.

The weather continues as it has. Cold! The high today will be 61.

Big time Syracuse basketball tonight! Syracuse plays Georgetown at Georgetown! The #5 and the #10 teams meet. A battle! Especially after Syracuse beat Georgetown badly 2 weeks ago at Syracuse. Georgetown will be seeking revenge.

I will be watching the game at the Sports Page Bar. A bunch of us Syracuse fans will gather to yell and scream in support of our alma mater.

Enjoy your day!

The cold continues!

Presently 54 degrees. High projected at 62.

I am playing golf this morning. Stupid! However I am teeing off at 8:22 in league play. My opponent is Yankee Jack. In spite of the cold, it will be a fun match. Yankee hits his drives where I go in 3. My close game will keep me in the match, as long as Yankee screws up his. He also has to give me 8 strokes. Not enough!

The radio show yesterday was terrific! Hope you were able to listen in.

The time for the show has changed again. It will be fridays at 10 am. That is it! It is fixed! Locked in!

The radio station has new and more powerful call numbers. 1500. Great reception! Clear and distinct!

Several people commented last night that they had received internet messages during the day from people in Havana. Cuba is receiving KONK 1500 radio shows! Turns out the more powerful 1500 station was previously Spanish speaking and its power extended to Cuba.

Cuba is only 90 miles to the south of Key West.

I spoke on the radio show yesterday of Presidents who had visited Key West.

One was John Kennedy. He spent a month here at the Little White House after the Cuban missle crisis.

One of the more prominent Key West families today are the Spottswoods. They are into everything professionally, businesswise, civically and socially. Good people all! Genuine! Their hearts are into Key West and its peoples.

Back in the early 1960s when Kennedy visited, their father was Sheriff. A big man! A big job!

Sheriff Spottswood spent much time with President Kennedy. He took him around on occasion and showed him the sights, including the florida keys as they existed back then.

A movie was in the planning stages. A World War II movie about Kennedy’s exploits as a PT boat commander. Kennedy had been a war hero.

An island was required as the locale for the movie. Spottswood owned what was then Munson Island. The island was about 30 miles north of Key West. Immediately south of Big Pine.

Spottswood took Kennedy for a ride and showed him the island. He suggested it was a good place for the movie.

Apparently Kennedy and every one else involved agreed. PT 109, as the movie was called, was filmed on Munson island.

Munson Island no longer exists today under that name. It is now known as Little Palm Island. World famous. For the Noble resort located there.

Most are unaware or have forgotten the island’s Kennedy/Spottswood/PT 109 history.

The Chart Room was jam packed last night! Really full! The cold is not keeping the tourists away from Key West.

Marty, Sean, Katherine and Che were there. I spent some time chatting with Sean and Katherine. Great young people! On the move in life!

Sean is a local reporter. Does a radio show also on Konk 1500 as I do. And he hosts a weekly TV show on channel 5.

Katherine is on the rise at the Ocean Key House. Another Noble resort vacation spot.

Marty and I had dinner at the bar at Hot Tin Roof. John Lukas is manager. A great guy! Runs a smart place!

John is a Wisconsin graduate. He is as crazy about Wisconsin as I am about Syracuse. As I walked in the door last night, I exclaimed…..We both got beat last week! Wisconsin lost a game and so did Syracuse. Wisconsin is ranked 12th in the nation and Syracuse 5th in the new rankings. Basketball is big when John and I talk.

Thursday is one of the big games of the year for Syracuse. Georgetown. At Georgetown. Georgetown is ranked #10. Georgetown will be out for revenge! Syracuse embarrassed them badly at Syracuse 2 weeks ago.

That’s it for today! I have to dig out the long johns for today’s golf match!

Enjoy your day!

My radio show is today!

Yes, today!

At 10 am.

I got moved from Thursday to Tuesday. And with a new time besides.

KONK radio has powered up. It can now be heard all the way up the Florida keys. With a new number. 1500 on the dial!

Join me this morning. The internet address remains the same. http://www.konkam.com/. We’ll chat a bit about the Proposition 8 California trial, a couple of recent federal court matters in Miami, Canadian dumb weird laws, the proposed Monroe County lobbying legislation, separation of Church and State, a bit about rape and what have you.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour at 10 this morning!

The lights went out last night in Key West. Around 8 o’clock. Not unuusual. The lights always go out in the keys. We are like a Caribbean island in that regard. The blackout only lasted about 10 minutes.

It was unusual for me, however. It was the first time I was out during a blackout.

I was on Duval walking towards La Trattoria. Key West is packed. It is the season.

Suddenly, darkness. Black. Pitch black.

The people walking on Duval were no longer clearly visible. They were merely moving shadows. It was eerie.

My day yesterday started with babysitting. From 9 to 1. Robert and Ally treated me well. I did my thing by playing checkers with Robert and doing beads with Ally. Then they were bored with me and left me alone to read the papers and work on today’s radio show.

Marty is back! Hip, hip, hooray! He was gone for 3 weeks.

We met at the Chart Room. Chatted a bit. Merla came in. Charming and sweet. It was good to see her again.

Dinner was at La Trattoria. Kathy bartending. Many people. Waiting lines for a table. I had called in earlier for 2 seats at the bar at 8. The seats were waiting for us.

The whole world was at La Trattoria last night. Cheryl and Roger at a table. My Syracuse friends Dan, Lisa, Howard and Elaine at the bar. It was agreed we would meet at the Sports Page Bar at 7 Thursday night for the Syracuse/Georgetown game. A big game! Marty might even attend.

After dinner, I sat at the bar watching Connecticut beat Villanova. A strange season! A tough Big East! Connecticut is unranked. Villanova moved up to #2 yesterday before the game. It won’t be #2 when the new rankings come out next Monday.

I have to review my notes for the radio show.

Enjoy your day!