INSANITY AND INCOMPETENCE

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It cannot be left unsaid. The situation worsens by day. Trump is insane and incompetent.

The brown shirts marched saturday in Charlottesville. Accompanied by those who believe white people are better than others. Accompanied by those who once covered their bodies and faces in white sheets.

All haters.

Bannon came out of the woodwork. Spoke at length about his beliefs. A revolutionary at heart. Seeking the overthrow of existing government.

Bannon Trump’s Rasputin.

Is a Reichstag next? The White House or Capitol? If so, all that will remain will be the concentration camps.

America stand up!

Impeachment will come. The grounds set forth in Article II section 4 of the Constitution: “…..impeachment for…..Treason, Bribery, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

Stopped at Don’s Place first last night. Jimmy and John at the bar. Deep sorrow. Joanie not doing well. Hospice has been called in.

Then to the Chart Room.

John bartending. English Peter at the bar. Jean Thornton and Erika Biddle stopped in.

The last time I saw Erika Biddle was at Publix. I wrote about her at the time. Went back and discovered it was April 27, 2015.

At the time, a lovely blond woman came over and said, “You’re Louis Petrone.” She was familiar with my KONK Life writings and radio show. She wanted to tell me.

When she told me she was Erika Biddle, I was ashamed. I should have been searching her out. One of my Key West idols.

Last night was the second time we met.

Erika German born. A community activist where ever she has lived. An environmentalist at heart.

She arrived in Key West in 1994. Her first thought was: “This is the only city I’ve ever visited where I am not the most eccentric person around.” She remains to this day. An intrinsic part of the community. All heart.

Erika takes up causes that others might not. Unpopular ones included. This tiny woman carries the pain of others on her shoulders.

I hope I do not have to wait two more years before visiting with her again.

I was hungry. Stopped at Outback for prime rib. Ran into Doc and his wife.

I have known Doc some 20 years. Used to play golf with him. Only know him as Doc. A retired surgeon from Philadelphia.

We chatted a bit. I rarely run into people older than me. Mentioned I was 82. They shocked me! He 83 and she 85. Both appear in their mind 60’s.

A fun conversation ensued.

Dinner tonight at Berlin’s with Jenna. For sure. She just confirmed.

Enjoy your day!

KEY WEST ON A SATURDAY NIGHT

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For me, last night was unique. I hit more downtown/Duval spots that normal. Did it all between 5 and 10.

Actually, I was at the corner of Sloppy Joe’s at 1. A quick down and back. I did not want to miss the Running of the Bulls. One of Hemingway Days’ finest events.

Stayed all of 15 minutes before returning home.

My evening began with Tammy and a manicure. Tammy just returned from a one month trip to Vietnam tuesday afternoon. The jet lag was not bothering her as she did my nails.

Tammy looked outstanding! The trip definitely changed her appearance. She got the works so to speak in Vietnam.

Magnificent eyebrows. Tattooed. Did not look tattooed at all. Thick. Beautiful. Tammy said they will fade over a period of six months.

Only $50 in Vietnam.

Her eyes done differently, also. Bright!

Her skin a golden tan. Her family lives near a beach. She spent many days at the beach.

Changed her hairstyle and color, also. Difficult for me to describe.

Simply stated, Tammy returned a movie star!

Then to Don’s Place. Had a drink with Jimmy. Jimmy will be painting the inside of my new home in about two weeks.

Boomer bartending. Had not seen Boomer in a while.

Followed up Don’s Place with the Chart Room. John bartending. Saturday not his usual night. He was filling in for Shawn.

Fellow sitting next to me from Oklahoma. Thirty six. In the commercial air conditioning business. Would prefer Key West and many retails. Big commercial jobs have big bills. However they have to go through accounting, etc. for approval and it takes him forever to be paid.

First time in Key West for he and his 26 year old wife.

They have traveled Caribbean and Asian waters. Warm spots. Key West the best. He plans on returning soon.

Another couple could not stop talking about the Garden of Eden. Their favorite spot. Wish it were mine.

I have not been there in 10 years. The two times I went, the only bare body parts I saw were the bare breasts of the female bartender.

I have to give it another shot. The couple claimed full body parts now available for observation.

Three couples came in. Ordered shots. Patron Tequila and Cafe. Patron topped with Bailey’s Irish Cream.

Looked good. John said it was also known as a Body Guinness. Because the drink looked like a miniature Guinness beer.

Decided to walk Duval. A Caribbean Street Festival going big time. The street jammed. Increases the temperature by 20 degrees. A bit uncomfortable when the 20 degrees is added to heavy humidity.

During the Festival walk decided stopped at The Porch. On Caroline, just off Duval. Another place I had not visited in years.

When I last visited, people sat on the huge front porch and drank. Not last night. Things have changed.

You can drink on the porch. However, it appeared most preferred inside.

The inside different. As you walked in the front door of this lovely old mansion, there were signs on either side of you. The sign to the left indicating the room to the left for beer drinkers. The sign to the right indicating liquor and spirit drinkers.

I went to the right and enjoyed a gin.

Both rooms packed.

I have heard a lot recently about a relatively new place on Caroline. Across from the Tropic Cinema. The Saint.

The Saint it was.

Looks like a guest house from the outside. With a fire engine red carpet running to the front door.

The inside blew me out!

The newest smartest place in Key West. Smart being the operative word. A long bar. Tons of people. The people as smart appearing as the room.

Customers primarily in the 30’s to 40’s range.

Something about their clothes. Key West remains a tee shirt/sport shirt/shorts town. These people were dressed appropriately, but a step up. I don’t know how tee shirts and shorts can look smart, but they did. The people and their attire went well together.

The Saint definitely will be added to one of those places I frequently attend. Loved it!

It was time to eat. Tavern ‘n Town the choice. The 9 o’clock happy hour.

Fried calamari and a couple of drinks. Read the newspapers. Enjoyed Bobby Nesbitt. Followed by a new singer. Nick Hagelin. Plays the guitar and sings. Outstanding! Diners cheered and clapped loudly each time he finished a tune.

Only appearing at Tavern ‘n Town one night. Hope he returns.

Was home and in bed at 10. A busy evening. All fun!

I did a change of pace video on Facebook yesterday. Talked about my grandfather and his immigration to the U.S. in 1906.

An excellent piece. Said with humility. My grandfather was a unique person and it was a joy to write about him.

I plan on doing a follow up today re my grandfather. He never knew his parents. Born a bastard. The video will tell the story of how he got his last name (and now mine) of Petrone.

Take a look. Both videos interesting. The video is Key West Lou Live on Facebook.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

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This day in history…..I was born! July 6, 1935.

I am 82 years old today. Wow! My father made it to 98. His father 94. My father’s sister Mary 102.

I of course have no recollection of the day of my birth. All I know is what my mother told me. It was hot and humid. No air conditioning in 1935. She was in labor 23 hours.

She was not a happy camper about the 23 hours. Her comments always concluded with…..You were worth it!

A mother’s love.

Stopped by my former home yesterday. Wanted to get the garbage containers off the street. Found a note on the front door: Pipe broke. Boil water from 6/29-7/2.

I left 6/29. Apparently before the pipe broke. A tragedy avoided.

Still unpacking boxes. Hope to finish today. My back is killing me.

Jimmy and Johnny stopped over in the afternoon. Not to welcome me to the neighborhood. I am having the inside of the house painted. They will start in about three weeks.

Chart Room last night.

A touchy evening.

Political chatter.

Met a 60ish gentleman from Indiana. Lives in Mike Pence’s district. Knows Mike Pence. Unhappy with the way the Dems are treating Trump. Thought the Republicans gave Obama a free ride and Trump was entitled to the same.

He was getting excited. I was calm. John said, no politics.

I was at the other end of the bar. He came over about 10 minutes later and we talked about non-political things for about 15 minutes. Nice of him.

Another fellow was seated next to me. His first time in Key West. Been here a few days. Staying till sunday. His goal is to have a beer in as many bars as possible. The Chart Room was #23.

Old movie houses. Key West has one. To this day. Though not a movie theater today. A Walgreens. The movie theater outside facade remains.

The movie house was called the Strand Theater. Opened in mid Duval in the early 1920’s. Seated over 800. Initially showed silent films. Then talkies.

The Strand was destroyed by fire on this date in 1934. Rebuilt and reopened as the Strand. Closed in the 1980’s. Theater attendance was falling.

Various businesses operated out of the Strand. For several years, it was a big time gay bar. Went only once. When I was relatively new to Key West and unaccustomed to certain of its nuances. A midnight show: A  Black Mass. My deviate mind compelled my attendance.

I was sitting on a ledge waiting for the show to begin. The place packed. All genders, all sexual preferences. Two men dressed as nuns came by. One said he/she would like to hold my nuts. His palm opened. He held two peanuts.

I was out the door.

Ripley’s is now in the 100 block of Duval. From 1993-2002, it operated in the Strand. Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium.

Today, the majestic theater of old a small crowded Walgreens.

I consider Forrest Gump an outstanding movie. Forrest Gump opened this day in 1994. Starred Tom Hanks.

My day will consist of  more box openings and then dinner tonight at Rooftop. Friend Joseph is taking me out to dinner for my birthday.

Enjoy your day!