ANUSH

Anush. Lovely. Charming. An interesting dinner companion.

We dined at Latitudes last night. A long leisurely meal. Great conversation.

Anush is 38. Born and raised in Armenia, she now resides in London. She has lived in Moscow. Well traveled. Vacations often. Typical of Europeans.

Taught for 12 years at Westminster College. Now a cyber security consultant.

She is on holiday. Miami, Key West and Atlanta. Has previously visited Washington. Several trips to the Bahamas. A trip to Buenos Aries.

Other places world wide. Cosmopolitan.

She is making good use of her time in Key West. Arrived wednesday night. Staying at the Marriott. A bite to eat at the bar that night where we met. Then to an early bed. Jet lag still affecting her.

Since thursday morning, she has visited the Little White House, attended the boat races, flew in a two seat open cockpit bi-plane for a half hour, and consumed oysters for the first time at Island Dogs. Last night (friday), dinner with Louis. Today to be spent scuba diving. All day.

She was excited by her time in Key West. Loved the laid back feeling.

Anush leaves Key West tomorrow to spend a couple of days in Atlanta. Then back to London.

I have discovered European women in my old age. Anna being an example. I like them. They are different. Different because from different cultures. The situation probably works in reverse, also. European men who visit the U.S. probably find american women different from those back home.

Whatever, a very pleasant evening.

My weekly interview to discuss this week’s KONK Life column yesterday. Dracula in the Operating Room. On 104.9. Don Riggs interviewed me from Phoenix.

Spent the afternoon researching what I thought would be this week’s KONK Life column. Women Priests. I could not put it together. I was not comfortable with what I came up with. Ergo, no Women Priests this week.

What, I am not sure. It is saturday morning and I have no idea what I am going to write. The article must be to the publisher by 5 tomorrow afternoon.

Divine inspiration will befall me. It always does.

Donald Trump. Will the American people ever tire of him?

He did not do himself much good thursday evening.  Asked, “How stupid are the people of Iowa?” He compared Carson’s childhood temper to that of a pedophile (without using the word). Told us how he would handle ISIS. Bomb the “shit” out of their oilfields.

There is a saying. Vine veritas. In wine, truth. Alcohol loosens the tongue. Being extremely tired does also. It was obvious Trump was dead tired. No excuse. The man’s inner self was exposed.

A Presidential election is like a marathon. Participants must pace themselves.

Poor Syracuse! Today, Syracuse plays Clemson. Number 1 in the nation. Undefeated. Syracuse somewhere around #68 with a 3-5 or 3-6 record. Syracuse a 29 point underdog.

Orange blood will flow today.

Never say never, however. It was September 29, 1984. A day never to be forgotten by Syracuse fans. Syracuse was playing Nebraska. Nebraska #1 in the nation. Syracuse a 25 point underdog. Syracuse beat Nebraska 17-9.

It happens.

The game is at 3:30. On ABC. Only because Clemson is playing. I plan to watch the game from the comfort of my home.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

BUSY BUSY SATURDAY

My yesterday was too busy. All screwed up. Never got to do what I wanted my way.

My plan was to watch the Syracuse/LSU game and research this week’s KONK Life column. I got to watch half the game. Had to move my ass to get the research done.

Let me explain.

I have a new TV. Comcast said I needed a new box. An updated one. Mine was ancient. I had to return my old box and modem and get a new box. Modem part of box now. I went to Comcast with both items in tow at 10 am. Comcast opens at 10.

I expected a miserable Comcast staff. Comcast is not customer friendly. I was shocked. Comcast rep Liana could not have been nicer. She explained everything to me in detail 2-3 times. I do not absorb mechanical info easily.

Thank you, Liana.

Rushed over to Tammy for a 10:30 manicure. Tammy always good company. Lovely in appearance. If I were 50 years younger and she unmarried, I would be chasing after her.

Then home to watch Syracuse/LSU at noon. Leave me alone! I wanted to enjoy the game!

It was not to me.

The exterminator showed up. Fifteen hours late. He spent two hours doing what he had to do and constantly interrupting me with questions, see this, etc.

While this was going on, Tim Reynolds showed up. He was going to hook up the new TV. He wanted to talk.

I was ready to yell screw everybody, screw everything! I want to watch the game!

I only got to watch the first half. Syracuse has a team. Proved it yesterday in spite of losing 34-24. A couple of missed touchdowns at the end of the first half might have resulted in a Syracuse win.

After many years, I was proud of a Syracuse football team. A once again moment.

The flies are gone. Maggot flies from the dead rat. Ugh! The exterminator knew exactly what to do.

I had a couple of hours to kill after everything settled down. Time to research this week’s column. I decided to write something about Pope Francis. Something off the beaten track.

The column yet to be written will be titled Man To Pope. The history of Francis’ transition from man to Pope. The odd ball human things in his younger life that molded the man we saw this past week. Like his three love affairs. The third and last while he was in the seminary. Also, his bouncer job in a night club while working on his graduate chemistry degree.

It is starting to thunder and lightening. Going to storm!

Dinner last night at Latitudes. I had one drink too many. Required after my day.

What can I say about Latitudes. Fine food, fine presentation and perfect service. Manager Susan visited a while. Met Olga the reservations person in person. Our previous relationship had been via phone. Olga is a tiny lovely young lady of French extraction. Met another staffer named Andrea.

Everyone attentive to make sure the evening was no less than perfect.

I like Rick Boettger. Unfortunately, we only became friends this past year. Rick used to write for KONK Life also.

Rick wrote his last KONK Life column three weeks ago. Wrote he was going to die. Cancer had gotten the best of him. No one knew.

This morning at 11 at United Spiritual Center, Rick is going to speak to his friends for the last time. I will be there. In church, to listen to a friend.

Rick is deserving of credit. He is going out his way. Not just writing his obituary as some do, he is planning his good byes step by step.

God love you, Rick!

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

STEROIDS

My sciatica problem has been acting up. After a week of Ibuprofen not touching it, I went to see Dr. Jackie Lefferts. I had the problem in  a similar acute fashion three years ago. She gave me a steroid shot in the butt. Within hours, no pain. Then a followup regime for a week of steroid pills.

I got this year’s shot wednesday afternoon. Have been on the pills since. No pain once again. Even did the anti-gravity treadmill yesterday without pain.

My physical reaction to the steroids is interesting. Three years ago and this week, the same. I feel big. Huge. Not fat. Just a tower of strength. I feel like the Hulk! I could hit more home runs than Barry Bonds!

After the treadmill yesterday, I went to the Cuban Coffee House for lunch and to read the newspapers. Peter Diamond stopped by. We chatted about the Harry Truman column re his mother in law. He enjoyed the article.

Last night a big time! Dinner with Jenna at Latitudes. Both special. Latitudes will be joining my list of special places.

Again, the service was excellent, the food outstanding! The setting without comparison. We sat inside by the window in the comfort of air conditioning.

My waitress from last week Ivellisse stopped by to say hello. She and Jenna recognized each other. Several years ago Ivellisse had a store on Duval and Jenna would stop in.

Ivellisse introduced me to Latitudes’ General Manager Susan Crocker. A pro. She handled a couple of small problems I had as they occurred. With promptness and efficiency.

I had a terrific waiter. For shame, I never got his name.

I plan on trying lunch. I would like to do as at other places. Sit at the bar, research the newspapers and make notes for a next writing. The Latitudes feeling surrounding me would add another dimension.

Jenna and I had much business to discuss. Off and on over the years, she has helped. She was the producer of my TV show that ran three years. She has assisted in my approach to reaching more people.

Jenna is on a new kick. She wants me to video my blog each day instead of writing it. Same set up. However, you will click on the video and I will share with you whatever my thoughts are for the day. Same as in the written blog.

The procedure involves a bit more work at my end that just sitting down and hitting the keys each day. If you would, please let me know what you think about the video approach. I have not yet made up my mind.

There is a picture of Jenna as part of today’s blog. She is with Key West icon Mr. Chapman. He leaves today with his family to live with other family in Delaware. He lost his Key West home in a mortgage foreclosure. I understand as much as $60,000 was raised locally to help him. It was not enough. A band aid.

Diana Nyad swam from Cuba to Key West. She trained in Key West waters. Now comes Ben Hooper. He plans on swimming from Africa to Brazil. He is training in Key West waters.

Quite a trip! Two thousand miles. It will take 4 months. If successful, it will set a world record.

Hooper will not stay in the water all the time. Evenings will be on a boat.

He is training in Key West waters because of the shark problem he will face. He is training with several shark protection experts who will make the trip. There will also be a doctor and physiotherapist aboard.

I am impressed. I wish him well.

The James Bond movie Licence Revoked was partially shot in Key West in 1988. Licence is not misspelled. That is the way it was spelled in the title.

The Key West portion involves a meeting at the Hemingway House between Bond and M.

The word “shit” was spoken in the movie. Only the second time ever in a movie.

Got to hustle. Sloan due at 10:30. We have much to do. I have a new computer that she has to set up, etc.

Enjoy your day!

HEMINGWAY DAYS SADLY OVER

Key West empty last night. Hemingway Days ended. Everyone heading out of town. Sad that Hemingway Days had come to an end. From my perspective, one of the most enjoyable Key West events.

One hundred twenty two participants in the Hemingway Look Alike Contest. Charlie Boice from Palm Beach Gardens won. He had been trying for 15 years. There were winners in the Hemingway Days Arm Wrestling Contest at Sloppy Joe’s. Males and females participating.

I was out and about yesterday. That is why I knew the Hemingway people were moving out or already gone.

It was Martin’s for brunch. Dee was supposed to meet me at noon. She never showed. I telephoned her. She had forgotten. An indicator of how much she thinks of me. I enjoyed eggs benedict alone.

Spent the afternoon writing this week’s KONK Life column. Harry Truman’s Mother In Law. Did he have a mother in law! A cross he silently bore. You will find the article interesting.

Schooner Wharf to start the evening. Unusually quiet. About a third of the bar occupied. Again, the Hemingways had departed. I enjoyed a couple of drinks. Missy from Don’s Place bartending. Met Devin who is in charge of maintenance at Sunset Key. He is maintenance! We talked about L’Atitudes.

Then to Pepi’s for dinner. Very few customers, also. Ate at the bar. Kelley bartending. My usual. Barbecued chicken and mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes buried in brown gravy.

Pepi’s had an historical listing on the back of the menu. Pepi’s was founded in 1909. The menu listed other historical events which occurred in 1909. One was the granting of the first patent for a gasoline electric hybrid auto. Took a long time to become a reality!

Randy Roberts is one of the great Key West entertainers. He has starred at La Te Da for 17 years. As Cher, Judy Garland, etc. He is Cher and Judy Garland. Outstanding drag performances!

Randy will appear tomorrow night on America’s Got Talent. Eight o’clock on NBC. Watch! Hope he wins!

Lobster Mini Season wednesday and thursday this week. The enthusiasts have already begun arriving. There were a bunch who apparently rented the house next door to me. Around 11 last night the noise began. Big time! Till 2 in the morning. Music to deafen by!

Thirty thousand visitors expected for the two day mini season.

I have been critical of recent court decisions. Too far out. People are losing respect for the judicial system.

An example is a federal appellate decision involving a Texas case. The police pulled a car over. The reason being they thought the occupants were engaged in criminal activity. Bullshit items were the alleged justification for pulling the car over. The court held that air fresheners, rosaries and pro police stickers could be construed as indicators of criminal activity.

Would you believe!

We are edging closer and closer to becoming a police state.

Ignition key works. My back does not. Sciatica. Wow! No anti-gravity treadmill this morning. They say that today 80 is 60. I never had sciatica at 60!

Enjoy your day!