KELLEY MC GILLIS / FLAG FOOTBALL

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The 25th annual Kelley McGillis International Women and Girls’ Flag Football Championship games begin January 25 in Key West. A welcome event every year!

The games have become closely associated with Kelley McGillis. A former top movie star. She was the female lead to Tom Cruise in Top Gun and Harrison Ford in Witness.

Kelley lived many years in Key West. She and her then husband owned three restaurants. Kelley’s on Whitehead is named after her. Kelley now resides on a farm in Pennsylvania.

She returns every year for the flag football event. She is an active participant in peripheral  activities. I do not know whether she still plays the game.

These championship games have grown. Sixty teams will arrive in Key West to participate. Primarily from North America, Latin America and Europe.

Cuba got into the picture in 2005. They now have an active flag football league.

Today is the day! Out of the house! I am ok. Feel fine. Need to shave first. Look like a bum.

I need food! Bad! Publix a definite stop. Tissues a must. Amazing the number of boxes you go through when you have a cold.

I want to go out tonight. I need to go out. Something easy. Like Don’s Place. I miss everyone.

Cold! 58 degrees at 7 this morning! High today 71. Even that number is cold for Key Westers, though better than high 50s. I am glad I have heat. My cold would have turned into pneumonia if not.

Many do not have heat in Key West. Key West is in the sub-tropics. Supposedly always warm. Not true.

You can get along without heat if you have a spouse. Two warm bodies next to each other. I did not put the heat in till after my wife left me.

The Flint, Michigan thing a disgrace. Lead in the water. Should not occur in modern America. Does not happen in the United States of today. But it did!

There will be a lot of blame to go around. Properly so. Thousands of children will develop brain problems in later years because they drank the water. I know about these things. My firm handled a number of lead poisoning cases years ago.

I spoke re the Flint problem on my January 5 blog talk radio show. The #1 topic. Somewhere the same day of the show, I came up with something about the problem. I could not understand why the national media were not dealing with it. It is only this past week they have gotten into it.

Cause and effect always an issue. I was aware that Flint got its water for many years from Detroit. Detroit had been in bankruptcy. Flint was under some kind of manager. The governor had taken over the running of Flint because of its financial problems.

At the time, I said money had to be the problem. The cause. The effect obvious. I thought the trustee in bankruptcy might have raised the cost of water to Detroit water users. Recall how Detroit was turning off water to thousands of homes where people were three months behind on their bills.

I took it another step. Thought that Flint had to drop Detroit water because it was too expensive. The governor appointed manager had to find ways to cut also. He concluded use Flint River water.

I cannot believe the Flint River waters were not tested. It is the way things are done. Another mistake in this scenario?

Big time snowstorm predicted up north. Two to three feet. A lot of snow. Many will be snowed in.

We went through this several times over the years in Utica. Never minded being snowed in. The 2-3 days were family time. Just me, the wife and children. There was a calm involved. Except when the kids were at each other’s throats!

Enjoy your day!

AUTHORITARIANISM

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Still nursing/babying myself. At 80, you do this. Cold much better. Another day should do it.

Yesterday was typical of a person on the mend. I read, watched TV, and napped. A lot of napping.

I took my time researching tonight’s blog talk radio show. Great topics! Authoritarianism and Trump, Gaddafi and the predicted Jihad that followed his death, an Israeli study showing marijuana an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s, Congress adding $64 billion to Budget Bill for Ukrainian neo-Nazi party, Saudi Arabia buying up water deprived farm land in California and Arizona, Uber getting into helicopters,and more.

June Nelson e-mailed me an article she thought would interest me. It did. I am going to talk about it a bit this evening on my blog talk radio show. I share the theme/tenor with you at this time.

It is an article in Politico. Titled: The One Weird Trait That Predicts Whether You’re a Trump Supporter. It is by Matthew Mac Williams 1/17/2016. I recommend you read it. It can be found on www.politico.com.

Briefly, authoritarianism is a blind submission to authority. The authoritarian leader generally having a short tenure. It is the opposite of Democracy. It involves the loss of individual freedom.

Authoritarianism has been studied by social scientists since the rise of Nazi Germany.

With authoritarianism, people rally and follow a strong leader, respond aggressively to outsiders (especially when feel threatened). Things such as I will make America great again, build a wall on the border, close the mosques, bar Muslims, and the like.

An interesting article.

My blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou is at 9 tonight my time. Join me for a quick moving half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

COHABITATION A CRIME

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Cohabitation is living together without benefit of marriage. Sex and/or passion presumed. Early in American history, cohabitation was a crime. Once in many States. Now, only three.

Florida is one of three. Conviction means a fine up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail.

No one has been charged and/or convicted of cohabitation in ever so long. An antiquated law. No one pays any attention to the law. Properly so.

Yet, Florida has been trying to get the law off the books for years. The State Legislature fails to cooperate. Another try is in the works this year. Why can’t Florida get the law off the books?

I stayed in all day nursing my cold.

Spent the afternoon writing this week’s KONK Life column Late Night Diner. The story of Edward Hopper and Nighthawks. A little Hemingway and Jack Baron included. The column publishes wednesday.

WOW, is it cold! Low last night 60. 63 at the moment. High today 65. My body picked a good time to get a cold!

Syracuse/Duke tonight. At Duke. Duke a 10.5 point favorite. I will be watching. I am fighting depression this season.

The World Almanac section of today’s Key West Citizen has a pointed quote by the French philosopher Baron de Montesquieu: “Not to be loved is unfortunate, but it is an insult to be loved no longer.” Right on as to a dumped lover or spouse.

I have three appointments today. Dentist, physiotherapy and doctor. Have to cancel all three. The cold controls.

Enjoy your day!

 

SUDAFED

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I bought Sudafed for my cold. Interesting how it works.

The pill is non-drowsy. The last time I took a cold pill, there were no no-drowsys for sale. The pill knocked you on your ass. Today’s pill obviously much better.

The pill is good for four hours. Then almost immediately, the symptoms return. A negative.

I will stay home today and continue nursing myself.

The only item on the agenda is to write this week’s KONK Life column. Research completed. Ready to go. Title: A Late Night Diner. The story of Edward Hopper’s famous painting Nighthawks.

Getting sexy with the column. I will run a picture of the subject matter. A first time thing. It will be a picture of the Nighthawks painting. Most will immediately recognize the work.

Crazy weather. Yet, typical January. Problem is we are spoiled. Januarys have been great weatherwise the past four years. This January a tough one.

You live long enough in Key West, you develop your own sensors as to what the weather will be. For me, it is the two palm trees on my deck. Maybe a half dozen times a year, they bend northward. Means the wind is coming from the south. A guaranteed storm!

Yesterday, the palm tress were bending north, wind from the south. Actually, southwest. I noticed this when the sun was shining and the wind moderate.

There is a tornado out there somewhere. Came up on Florida from the southwest. The wind started in the middle of the night. Loud! Weather reports indicate gusts 39 miles per hour. This morning cloudy. The winds still at a good speed, though less than 39 mph.

Weather report says high today of 79. Terrific! However, tonight it will drop to 60 degrees. Cold! It will stay generally cold the rest of the week.

I feel bad for tourists who catch a bad week. All that money and they sit cuddled up somewhere trying to keep warm.

Syracuse beat Wake Forest decisively yesterday 83-55. Duke monday night.

Enjoy your Sunday!

PROJECTS MOVE AT SNAIL’S PACE

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My cold first. No better. Worse. Going to shower and go buy something over the counter to relief symptoms.

Key West does not get things done in a timely fashion. When it finally gets to a project, the costs are much more than anticipated.

Monroe County is guilty of similar sins. Especially in the lowers Keys.

The big news this morning is that Wal-Mart is closing 269 stores. More than half in the United States and a significant number in Brazil. Appears not to be a big deal. The cut backs represent less than one percent of Wal-Mart’s global revenue. Wal-Mart has 11,000 stores worldwide. The dent by reason of the closings insignificant.

A Wal-Mart has been scheduled for construction up U.S. 1. Not far from me and Key West. Everyone excited.

Where is the store? Construction not even started. Three years so far since the announcement.

I recall an article in the newspaper a couple of month’s ago that things were moving slowly. No one particular person’s fault. Enough guilt to go around.

It is a project in Monroe County. Monroe Country should ride herd on it and make sure things move. Enough of the excuses.

Key West the worst. The Truman waterfront property has been in the works 15 years. Ground breaking finally late last year. I do not believe any actual construction has begun.

Fifteen years has to be a record!

The Key West City Commission has the obligation to ride herd on projects within the City. No excuses. The City Commission is in charge.

I fear Wal-Mart is going to pull out and the Truman waterfront never gets done.

Between sneezes, a running nose and watering eyes yesterday, I researched for a column topic for this week’s KONK Life. Have not zeroed in on one yet.

Search your heart. Be generous. There but for the grace of God could go you and I.

Today’s Crime Report in the Key West Citizen tells of a 22 year old homeless person who was arrested in the 600 block of Duval yesterday for panhandling. He had $1,000 in cash in his pocket.

Syracuse plays Wake Forest at noon. I have no idea who will win.

Cruz’s $1 million loan from Goldman Sachs has come under scrutiny. Trump says he feels sorry for Cruz. However, the matter should be investigated and he hopes Cruz has no problem.

Cruz is not that old. I was not aware he was so rich he could borrow $1 million dollars and do it on margin. A high roller. Or, something amiss.

My concern is Trump and his banking. He has borrowed everywhere and in voluminous amounts. His projects very costly. The media should look into his banking record.

Fair is fair.

Enjoy your day!

BIKE RIDING IN KEY WEST

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Bicycle riding a problem in Key West. A problem for bike riders, cars and pedestrians. Anyone who says it is not does not, does not know what he/she is talking about.

Note the State of Florida gives Key West a ranking as the top Florida city for fatal crashes involving bikes. ‘Nuff said.

Key West has hired a Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. His name Chris Hamilton. He comes to us from Virginia where he was involved with transportation issues. Says he has been visiting Key West for 20 years. He is now living on Stock Island and rides his bike to work at Habana Plaza on Flagler every day. No problems.

Hamilton claims it is a joy to bike ride in Key West. He always feel safe.

Respectfully, Hamilton does not know what he is talking about.

The bike problem is not on Stock Island or Flagler. It is primarily in Old Town and on Northern Boulevard. I suggest he ride his bike on Simonton from Caroline to Front late afternoons between 5 and 6. Duval in the afternoon. The length of Caroline, also.

It is an obstacle course. for vehicle drivers trying to avoid hitting tourists bike riding. Includes families with young kids and seniors who have not been on a bike in 50 years.

The problem is not with local bike riders. It is with the tourists. Don’t tell me there are not enough tourist bike riders to be a problem. Check the number of bicycles rented daily in Old Town.

I have a cold. I have not had one in years. A head cold. My fault. This has been a cold and wet week. I am on the anti-gravity treadmill five days a week. Raise a big sweat.

I immediately leave the building when I am done. Sweating away and no jacket. The car a 100 feet away. Normally, no problem. In this week’s cold, a big problem.

I deserve the sneezing and stuffed head I am undergoing this morning.

No treadmill for me today.

Immediately following the treadmill, I was at Lori’s getting a haircut. Still sweating.

Last night, a new experience. An English speaking opera at The Studios of Key West. A Thousand Splendid Suns. The lives of females in a Muslim country. Very subservient. Forcibly so.

The opera a work in progress. We only saw the first act. There is more to come at some time.

I went to learn about female life in an Arab nation. I learned nothing new. The ill treatment of women shown was what is already known by most. It was hard for me to follow the forceful singing. The sheer volume deafened the sound.

I am being critical, I guess. The story took too long to tell. I actually dropped off in sleep two times.

I compliment the Studios for offering this performance. Key West is bare of opera activity. I also compliment the performers. In spite of my negative comments.

Dinner followed at Hot Tin Roof.

Kissing is the title of this week’s KONK Life column. A history of kissing. The article was linked to my Key West Lou website this morning. It is also carried in today’s E-Blast.

I will not be doing my usual friday noon 15 minute radio interview with Don Riggs today.

Enjoy your day!

SEASON NEAR YEAR LONG

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When I first started visiting Key West 26 years ago, the season was February 15 to the end of Easter week. Key West has come a long way! The season now almost year long.

The town was dead from January 1 to February 15. Then dead only to February 1. Now, January jumping. Part of the season.

The Proof of the pudding is this January. It started before Christmas and has not stopped. Tons of visitors.

The season is really here when locals have to call for a reservation. I went to Tavern ‘n Town last night for dinner. 6:15. Not a seat in the bar or in the bar area. I did not want to drive downtown because the problem would be the same.

I went to the hostess desk. I could hear one hostess saying to a couple an hour to hour and a half wait.

Screwed!

Fortunately, Tavern ‘n Town Restaurant Manager Marcus walked up. I quietly asked Marcus if he could help, pointing out there was no room at the bar. The hostess went to interrupt him. He gently put up his hand to her and me. The message was clear. He would take care of it. He did. I was taken to a lovely table in the new dining room.

I have lived in Key West long enough to know a reservation is required during season. It was my fault if I could not be seated. It was nice that Marcus recognized I was a regular customer. I eat at Tavern ‘n Town at least two nights a week. Sometimes, three.

Ran into Tino at Tavern ‘n Town. We hugged. He will be here a couple of weeks.

I am going to the opera tonight. At The studios of Key West. I have been to only one opera in my life. Did not enjoy it. Not understanding the language one of the problems.

Two reasons why I am going tonight. The opera is in English. Second, the topic interesting. Concerns two Arab ladies married to the same man in a Muslim country. The every day lives of the two ladies.

I am excited about the opera. There is much to learn about Muslim customs. The opera is titled A Thousand Splendid Suns.

My plan is to have dinner afterwards at Hot Tin Roof. I will call for a reservation.

My sole outing day wise yesterday was to use the anti-gravity treadmill. Dave using it also. Always good to see Dave.

I spent the afternoon at home being lazy.

Syracuse played Boston College last night. Syracuse won 60-42. Expected, but not certain this year.

Cold yesterday. Cold last night. Kept the heat on. Raining now. The day supposed to warm up. To around 75 degrees.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

BOMB THREAT AGAIN

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There was a bomb threat at the Key West High School yesterday morning. The second in a month. Telephoned in again.

Authorities investigated the auditorium first. It was deemed safe. Students and faculty were immediately secured in the auditorium. Two persons were injured in the move.

No bomb was found. Classes resumed.

Some nut or nuts is having fun. Sick fun. My concern is that another type nut will enter the scene. One who will plant a bomb. One crazy encourages another.

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Then to Walgreens. A prescription pick up. Publix for a few items.

I was home by one. No TV, computer or house phone. All on Comcast. Comcast down. Did not come on till 4.

Difficult to live without TV and computer. I had some fine tuning remaining for last night’s show. Needed the computer. Could not do it till after 4. Fortunately, there was not much to do.

I wish Comcast was required to pay us for down time. Take something off our monthly bills. Comcast shows no mercy. They are difficult to do business with. Good luck in trying to talk to a human on the telephone. Impossible to complain.

Last night’s show went fine. Only one problem. My show is at 9. The President’s State of the Union address began at 9. I am sure he took more listeners from me than I him.

Watched the last half hour of the President’s State of the Union after my show concluded. You cannot take it away from Obama. He speaks well.

Hurried over to Hogfish for a quick bite around 6:30. Packed. Snowbirds again. Found a seat at the bar. Between body heat and heaters, I did not feel the cold.

My dryer died. Time for a new one. Keith picked one up for me at Sears. It sits in my garage in a box. I assume Keith will install it today. I never learned how to do these things.

The weather. It is cold. We are into our winter. A typical January. Last night really cold. Dropped to 66.

I live on open water. My bedroom faces the northwest. The wind over the ocean comes from the northwest. It is colder than the cold on the land. It seems to permeate my walls. I was freezing!

Tried an extra blanket. Not much help. Turned on the heat. Was reluctant to do so. Glad I did. Within minutes, my bedroom and body were warm.

Going to be cold today. High around 69.

Syracuse plays Boston College tonight. Syracuse should win. Boston’s record 7-8. Syracuse 10-7.

Wednesday is my friday. It is also screw off day for me. I research and write steadily friday through tuesday. It will be a Louis day all day.

I am going to schedule a manicure and pedicure. That’s being good to me!

Enjoy  your day!

 

TUESDAY TALK WITH KEY WEST LOU

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Busy day yesterday. I was running behind in preparation for my blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Became necessary to miss the anti-gravity treadmill.

The day was spent researching and organizing tonight’s show. Interesting topics. The $1.3 billion Powerball Jackpot. That kind of money worthy of comment. My thoughts re Trump and the Muslim woman at the South Carolina rally, meat we eat no longer required to be labeled as to country of origin (Thank you, Congress), number of US bombs dropped on Muslims in 2015 together with numbers as to who hit, sunday’s no pants subway ride. and more.

The show is at 9 my time. A quick hard hitting half hour. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Dinner at Roostica. Got the only empty seat in the house. At the bar. The place packed. It was obvious why. Snowbirds! They are back in droves. Could tell by the conversations around me. Happy campers all!

The football game one of the best ever! Two great teams! Alabama and Clemson met head on. Alabama winning 45-40. It was a pleasure watching from the comfort of my bed.

Mike Shield’s son passed on several months ago. He was cremated.  His ashes slowly cast into the ocean at the Simonton Pier sunday. By one of the visiting Tibetan monks.  A warm spiritual disposition.

I am going to complain. I want to attend an event at The Studios of Key West. The opera A Thousand Splendid Suns. Thursday at 5. Went to buy two tickets on The Studios’ website. Tickets not available via the internet elsewhere.

The experience a disaster. The website itself is too long and too complicated. Forget that. My complaint is specifically directed to ticket ordering. Everything is required short of college grades. Too much info and too much time involved. Again, I just wanted two tickets.

I finally paid for two via my Visa card. There is still a problem. One of the many questions asked the name of the attendees. Not marked with an asterisk requiring the names be provided. I left it blank. No one’s business. Too much information as the saying goes.

My computer receipt does not list two tickets in my name. It did have two blank spaces labeled attendees. I have this uncomfortable feeling I may have paid but there will be no record of it.

Cold and rainy this morning. Typical January.

Enjoy your day!

 

JUNE AND BOBBY

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Great evening last night!

Dinner and Bobby Nesbitt in the company of June Hudson. Dinner at Tavern ‘n Town. Packed. Many locals having a bite to eat before seeing Bobby Nesbitt perform at the Tennessee Williams Theater.

Nesbitt’s Cabaret Show was his tenth successive. He has done one a year the past ten years. All at the Tennessee Williams Theater.

Carmen Rodriguez joined Bobby in the performance.

The theme/background of show was Las Vegas. From Frank Sinatra to Louis Prima and Keely Smith. Outstanding! Especially for one who lived through those years. The tunes became popular beginning with Sinatra’s 1950s Las Vegas Rat Pack days. My college years.

I looked around the room where Bobby was performing. Many familiar faces. All loyal fans and followers. Most at least twenty years. Wherever and whenever Bobby performed in Key West. Some followed him to San Farncisco and Germany also for shows in those locations.

June excellent company. I screwed up her evening a bit. There was a private party at someone’s home following the show. June and I were to go. I begged off after Bobby’s show.

I did nothing sunday work wise. Thought I was ahead of the game. Actually was not. Knew I had a big day today. Preparation for tomorrow night’s blog talk radio show. Needed to get to bed.

I was correct. I am behind. So much so that I have cancelled my time on the anti-gravity treadmill this morning.

Happily, June did not let me deter her. She went to the party.

A new show is opening soon at the Red Barn Theater. Scott and Hem. F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway together for an evening of chit chat. The play was written by Mark St. Germain. His credits include many plays, novels and TV shows. One of the TV shows in the news these days. He was the writer for the Cosby Show.

I hope to see Scott and Hem.

Another cold front coming in. High today will be 69. Will be cold a couple of days.

Lisa’s in-laws live in Cape Coral. Cape Coral was hit by a tornado last night. The in-laws fortunately only lost the screen covering the pool.

No difficulty in deciding where I will be tonight. At home. Watching the Clemson/Alabama game. I have no favorite. Jean Thornton and David Heath do. Both die hard Alabama fans. It is questionable whether Jean will survive if Alabama loses.

The day ahead pleasant for me. Researching tomorrow night’s blog talk radio show. A good five hours involved.

Enjoy your day!