These storms are interesting!

Gustav visited Key West periphally. The outer bands were over us and southern Florida. A lot of blustery rain yesterday. Big wind.

I did not think the wind was as bad as Fay. Until last night! I had stayed in all day. Decided to go out for a drink last night. When I was driving home up US 1, my car kept moving sideways! The wind! Gustav!

It is relatively calm this morning. Sun is out. Never made it yesterday. Not even a peek. A touch of humidity. Quite a brisk wind however.

Last night I saw a couple of trees down in Key West. The stop lights were blowing.

This morning I have not left home as yet. However my deck on the ocean is covered with twigs, leafs and all other sorts of small foliage. Was not that way after Fay.

We were on the dirty side of Gutav. That is why it had whatever the impact was on Key West.

Hanna looks like it is going to totally miss Key West. Heading for northern Florida and the Carolinas. Not yet hurricane speed. It may remain a tropical storm.

What a strange way to live! This is the first year I have been in Key West for all of the hurricane season. It keeps you on the edge of your seat a bit.

These storms are intimidating.

Gustav is apparently going to be a 3. Bad! A hurricane is a spiral thing. Bands of wind and rain shoot out in circular bands. Sometimes hundreds of miles beyond the eye of the storm.

Although Gustav is now south of Cuba and will miss Key West, we are experiencing rain and wind from the bands. The ocean outside my house has been moving rapidly for 2 days. Sometimes as fast as it did for Fay.

And the water level is different. The tide has been unusually high and unusually low in the last 24 hours.

Plus it rained unusually heavy last night.

Note the repetitive use of the word unusual. I know no other way to describe it. Creepy!

It is still gray this morning and it is almost 9.

I am more concerned about Hannah. Hannah is the hurricane right behind Gustav.

Hannah has yet to reach any type land. However it is being discussed as being possibly worse than Gustav. Hannah's path will take it to the Carolina's. It is projected to take a sharp right turn at some point.

So Gustav is missing the keys to the south. Hannah is supposed to miss the keys to the north. It is like being the meat in a sandwich. Key West is located between the slices. I do not trust the situation. Hannah could squeeze in on us!

Politics.

I think McCain's choice of Palin as veep is a bum move! Time will reveal the selection detrimental to his candidacy.

Have a good day!

Bocci last night! Opening of a new season! Fun!

It was good to play again!

We won 2 and lost 1. We lost the first game. Opening game gitters, I guess. We killed them in the next 2 games!

We all played well.....after the first game.

David and I teamed together. David lost 60 pounds plus between seasons. He looks terrific! Twenty years younger!

David's Karen stopped by to say hello. She could not play. She is taking college courses and had an exam last night.

Jules is usually my partner. However she is home recovering from surgery. A tumor the size of a football was removed from her stomach. Fortunately it was benign. She is recovering well. She, too, is going to be thinner when she returns! What a team! We are all beginning to look like athletes!

Michelle is back. Poor Michedlle was playing with a cast on her right wrist. And she was cut and bruised all over. She was hit by a car 2 days earlier. Fortunately she is left handed! So she was able to play! Shades of Tiger!

Don of Don's Place is our captain. He provided his usuual good humor, ability and leadership. After we lost the first game, his admonition to me was to have a drink before the second game. And he was right! I had a gin and played better!

We have a new guy. Shane. First time he ever played bocci was last night. Young and athletic. He played well and is going to develop into an asset.

Remember Jenny from Walgreen's? She was back. A pretty young thing! Last season she played for Hyatt. Hyatt is no more this season so she and some friends started their own team. It is called Just For Us or Just Girls or something like that. I talked with her after a couple of gins (at Don's consistent wise suggestion) and so I do not recall the team's exact name.

Anyhow, it was nice seeing Jenny again! And her team mate Lindsey! Another young beauty!

Jenny and Lindsey were playing against Larry Smith's team. He harrassed the hell out of them all night in typical Larry Smith fashion. I do not know who took unfair advantage of the other. However the girls were winning the last game of their match as I left.

I am up early this morning. Dark. Window open. All of a sudden it has started raining big time. I can hear it. Not see it.

Although I stopped at Don's Place for a drink afterwards last night, I got home in time for Obama's speech. Fantastic! He came out swinging! We need a change in Washington!

Still dark. I am going back to bed.

Another great day starting! So beautiful here this morning! My desk sits on the second floor. The window in front of me is open. All I can see is endless ocean and the top of a palm tree. Blue and green basking in the sun! A real turn on!

President Clinton was great last night! An outstanding orator! He was one of our best Presidents in spite of his moral slip. We would all be better off if this country was in the same economic and international condition it was when Clinton left office.

My grandkids survived their first day at pre school. However they were both beat by the time they arrived home. I stopped by to see them. Walking zombies! I guess that is the way it is when you are 4 and 3 and go all out all day.

Last night was Wednesday evening. Bobby Nesbitt at Aqua! Great, as usual!

Tonight is special. The bocci season kicks off! We have not played in about 3 months. I am anxious to get started again!

So much for today. I am going outside on the deck, have a cup of coffee and contemplate my navel.

A beautiful morning!

I continue feeling lucky that tropical storm Fay was an insect bite for us. It is still dumping rain on the middle Atlantic states.

However this is hurricane season. And Gustav is on its way!

Gustav is sure to be of hurricane force. Probably a 3. Bad!

It is becoming the talk of the island.

When I went to bed last night the right side of the cone suggested it was going to come over the keys. However Gustav is bumping off Cuba and the cone has moved further to the south. So unless Gustav is a fickle woman, it will fortunately miss the keys.

With a name like Gustav, it cannot be a fickle woman!

One of my best friends up north is Gus Detraglia. Gus is short for Gustav. You finally made it Gus! To the big time! This hurricane is yours!

I watched the Democratic Convention last night. I found the Convention overall unimpressive. I thought Hillary gave a great speech that did not make it to the finish line. As good as the political pundits say she was, there was something missing from my perspective when it came to Obama.

The Democrats should be hitting McCain. Instead they are still uniting and trying to make like one big happy family. The Dems should be on an all out offensive at this stage. I am beginning to worry.

I cleaned the garage out yesterday. With help, of course. After 10 years there was little room left for the car.

Key West is ground level. Ergo there are no cellars. Nor attics, though I do not know why. So there is no where to store.

Fortunately I have a double garage. It filled up over the years.

Everything is neatly lined outside waiting for trash pick up. Even an old stoved that we hooked up in the garage to cook the big meals so as not to heat up the house. Good luck! We only used the stove one time in 10 years!

Today is golf day. Unfortunately I have an appoinment and cannot play. Something must be wrong with me. Nothing is more important than golf!

Appointment actually is not a proper description of the event. My grandchildren are going to pre-school this morning for the first time. I want to be there. And that is more important than golf!

A lazy day yesterday. Other than my mid day walk, I just hung around. Was in the pool floating about on a noodle for quite a while.

Last night I grabbed a bite at the bar at La Trattoria. Chatted with a couple of tourists from different parts of the country.

I am getting nervous. These guys were very down and hard on Biden. Obama, of course, as well. From the gut!

This type political opposition scares me. Many people the past several years cannot have an intelligent political discussion. And generally it is the Republicans who talk this way. No disrespect intended to my friends of a different political persuasion than I.

It has to start with the candidates themselves. And since I view this as primarily a Republican failing, it is there that I look for redress.

I read somewhere yesterday that the last Presidential election where the Republican candidate himself did not resort to negativity, casting ill begot aspersions on his opponent's character, etc. was Ronald Reagan. Yes, when Reagan ran for President it was generally a campaign of issues.

The moral of the story is we have to return to the high ground. And what better example to follow than that which Reagan set for us.

I must be up earlier than normal today. The sun has yet to rise. It is not dark however. Shades of gray. A lovely gray!

The weather has been fantastic in Key West since tropical storm Fay. Again, we missed the bullet! Luckily! Look at the devestation in central and north Florida. And strange! Remember that Fay never achieved the intensity of a hurricane.

The iguana population continues to be a growing problem. They are all over the place. Eating the foliage and defecating.

Are they infectuous in any way to humans? Some say they carry bad things which will infect humans. Others say no way.

There was a recent comment in the Voice column of the local paper. The writer conceded that iguanas are germ carrying. But he stated that so are children. And we do not go around exterminating our kids because they get colds and and have virus infections.

A stupid analogy!

My understanding is that there is no determination that iguanas are dangerous to humans from a health perspective. However they are from a property point of view. My foliage is expensive to plant and expensive to maintain. Gardening and watering cost money. Especially here in the keys! and my grandkids stepping in iguana poop while playing is also a problem.

So lets get rid of the iguanas!

Studies are underway to effect that end. A merciless disposition is being sought. So far the best extermination method is freezing. Only in America! They will be with us 10 years from now!

The chickens have survived. So too will the iguanas!

I spent a very pleasant Sunday afternoon yesterday.

I bought several different Sunday papers, threw them in the trunk and drove up the keys with the top down on the car.

I ended up at Boondocks outside of Big Pine. Shades of Hogfish and Schooner's Wharf. Only cleaner and a bit more elegant.

I stayed about 3 hours. Ate a bit. Drank a couple of pina coladas. And quietly read the papers!

A nice afternoon.

It was a day like all days.....

It started yesterday with a stop at Sears. I needed a new pair of kakis. Or chinos as the word may be these days.

Sears is the store of choice in Key West for clothes. Such is island living.

Afterwards I walked the waterfront.

People are in town for the weekend. Tourists have returned following tropical storm Fay.

Lunch and the papers at Paradise Cafe. I could feel the heat yesterday, so I ate inside.

Then to the drugstore and Lisa's. My poor grandkids are both sick with fever and colds. Robert looked terrible!

I hurried home for the first Obama-Biden appearance at 3. Interesting. I suspect it is going to be a knock 'em dead campaign from this point forward.

My beard was 4 days old and I did not feel like shaving. So I had dinner at Hogfish at the bar. Fish and chips! Always good!

And then home to bed!

Good choice Obama! Joe Biden will make a great Vice President! And is well qualified to be President!

I continue to think I have lived a long time. This does not mean I want the trip to end. No way! It is just that so many things happen that have touched me, even if briefly.

I would like to say I know Joe Biden. That would not be a precise statement. However I have met him on a few occasions. And two of them for several hours!

The first was at Dean Mike Hoeflich's home sometime in the late 1980s.

Mike was Dean at the Syracuse University College of Law. He was one of two Deans during my tenure as Chairman of the Board at the Law School.

Mike had a group of parents of prominent students in for a weekend. Fundraising for the Law School was always important. Mike had a cocktail party and dinner at his home. The gathering included the President of Mastercard, the CEO of a major tire company, the President of a large labor union and the cattleman from Texas who was the major supplier of beef to MacDonald's. Heavy hitters all!

And Joe Biden!

Biden was a Syracuse Law graduate. A proud one! Always willing to help. And he was in Syracuse that weekend and attended the gathering at the Dean Hoeflich's home. He was the Dean's star attraction.

What a nice guy! You would never know he was a U.S. Senator. Very down to earth. Cordial. Warm. He had the talent that made you think he was interested in hearing what you had to say. I found it very real!

Funny also. I hate to say it this way. But.....the kind of guy you would like to have a beer with!

A couple of years later Biden was in Syracuse for a weekend. He seemed to periodically return to his law school roots.

I had a box at the Syracuse Dome at the time. He stopped in and asked if he could watch the football game from my box. Obviously a gentleman. And we did have a beer or two together!

I ran into him at other type gatherings off and on in Syracuse over the years. One thing I observed was what would be described as loyalty. Every time Biden was in Syracuse, he was with his law school buddies. The local dignataries were there, but so were his local law school chums.This guy remembers his roots!

There came a time when Dean Hoeflich resigned. Mike was a good guy. Actually, he was the best! I was concerned where Mike would work next. He had resigned over principle. So, he had no job to go to and needed one.

I have a recollection that Biden and I had a telephone chat concerning Mike.

Mike could have gone on to work in Washington. However he opted to remain an educator and ended up Dean at Kansas University Law School.

Thus is my Biden connection. Not much. However enough for me to know he is a great choice!

The weather continues to be perfect! All this following tropical storm Fay. While north Florida continues to be battered by Fay and drowns in its rain, Key West is enjoying fantastic post Fay weather.

The days are warm, with just a touch of humidity.

Last night was perfect! I sat outside around 11. Only a slight breeze and absolutely no touch of warmth. Almost like a cool summer evening up north.

The chickens and iguanas survived the storm.

The chickens have come out from where ever they took refuge. The hens continue to look after the chickies. The chickies follow mother hen around in a straight line. And those dirty old roosters continue chasing the hens for a bit of sex. And the hens keep running from them!

The iguanas are a growing problem in the keys. These mammals , who appear prehistoric, continue to procreate. They are all over the place. They personally bother no one. You can stand next to one and the iguana will not move. Nor attack you. They are not flesh eating. However they deficate all over the place and eat the greenry and flowers.

So they have to go! At some point in time someone will come up with a total plan for elimination and we will be saved from them. Until then keep hosing your property to rid it of the shit and continue replanting your flower beds. They seem to especially enjoy red and yellow leafed flowers.

Where did the iguanas come from?

From people.

Iguanas were brought into Keys homes and kept as pets. No problem.

However then came Hurricane Wilma. The devistation in the lower keys was terrible. Especially in Key West. Homes were empty for long periods of time. Pets were abandoned, among them the iguanas. So the pet iguanas became free agents and now are living freely in increasingly larger numbers on the island.

Enjoyed Bruce Moore and Bobby Nesbitt last night at La Te Da. Their evening of Broadway tunes continues to captivate. What great entertainment.

They generally have a guest slot. Last evening it was 2 of the stars from the Burlesque Review which opened last season upstairs at Kelly's. An immediate hit, it also has played Las Vegas since that time. Strange. If you recall, I did not enjoy the show. It was nothing more than a poor spoof of old time burlesue from my perspective.

The performers are all local ladies. School teachers, mothers and the like who started this thing as a joke. Well, I must have been wrong as to its quality. The show is a gigantic hit! See it when it returns full time during the season!

Time for breakfast!

Wow! We missed the bullet!

This tropical storm Fay is worst than a hurricane! The flooding damage in northern Florida is terrible! Fay hung over us for about 6-8 hours without moving. Now it sits over larger parts of Florida for longer times. But it rains big time whereas here in the lower keys the heavy rain was about 2 hours.

Nature sure can be a problem!

The weather here in Key West is magnificent for the second consecutive day following the storm. Like nothing ever happened!

I played golf yesterday. With Larry, Don and Tino. Funny. During the cooler months we generally have 12 guys showing up to play. In the summer, everyone is gone. Yesterday we were down to 4. Two weeks ago I played with only 2 others.

Whether 4 or 12, it was a fun day! Larry was the big winner. I was happy to break even. I played terrible! Horrible!

The fairways were a bit damp. Not necessarily puddles. Just soft.

The greens were amazing. Fast!

Three years ago Hurricane Wilma flooded the course under 5 feet of salt water. The greens were destroyed. All were replaced. They were rebuilt to handle salt water and flooding in the future. Whatever was done apparently works effectively. The greens were dry, fast and challenging!

Bocci was supposed to start tonight. However Fay flooded the courts. So we will not start the new season till next Thursday. A disappointment. I enjoy bocci!

Last night was Bobby Nesbitt time at Aqua. As usual, a great perfromance!

Bobby plays from 5:30 to 7:30. At 7:30 following Bobby's show, Aqua was having a survival block party. A post tropical storm Fay party! Two of Aqua's drag queens were there for the party. Dressed! I must be here in wa wa land too long! They were absolutely beautiful!

I did not stay for the party. I dragged (like the use of that word) myself away to Lisa's to say good night to the grandchildren.

Enjoy your day!

The storm Fay is beating up central and north Florida. I guess we were lucky here in Key west.

The weather turned yesterday around noon. The sun came out. There was a warm breeze. It rained slightly off and on.

Last night there was no breeze. Strange.

This morning is absolutely beautiful! Just a few clouds. The blue sky can be seen again. A cool breeze.

What a difference a day makes!

I noticed no damage as I went about town last night. We were lucky.

The locals were out. You get stir crazy after a couple of days of confinement. The airport opened at noon. I assume tourists will start filtering in. It should be a normal weekend.

So much for Fay!

Lisa just called. She says there is another storm forming off the coast of Africa. We will all have an extra concern each time this happens now. And this is only the beginning. Hurricane season does not end till November!

Yesterday was one exciting day!

The storm arrived. Not a hurricane, but a tropical storm. I could not tell the difference since I had never experienced either before.

It was exciting! A new sensation! A different experience!

It was raining all morning and into the early afternoon. All of a sudden it was REALLY raining! Heavy and sideways!

And the wind! Wild! Tops was 60 miles per hour. But to a novice like me, it was over a 100!

And none of this was a hurricane! Far short of one. A hurricane has to be a real trip!

The heavy part lasted about 2 hours. And then it was gone! Key West was then in the eye of the storm. Quiet. No rain. No wind. Sort of the next coming of the Lord!

We hung with the center over us for about 6 hours. Then the storm started moving north.

Interestingly though the storm was coming from Cuba to the south, the wind was from the northeast. It was the circluar bands the storm creates. They were basically coming down upon us from the north or 1 on a clock.

This morning we have wind and rain. From the south! We are experiencing the bottom end of the storm bands. And the wind and rain are nothing like yesterday during those 2 hours when the storm was most severe.

The primary part of the storm is now up around Naples and the people there are experiencing what we did yesterday.

Again it was a new experience for me. I do not know if I would want to stay if it were an actual hurricane. I must admit that I was a bit concerned yesterday when it was really blowing and only 60 mph. Can you imagine what it would be and how I would feel at 120mph!

The hurricane is coming!

It is very overcast this morning. The wind is blowing. TV says only 10 miles an hour at this point. Looks and feels like double that.

News indicates it may be a tropical storm or at worst a category 1. Whatever it is, it will hit sometime tonight or early tomorrow morning. Right now it is still over Cuba.

Again, this is my first hurricane. I am starting to feel a bit ominous. Intersting.

I bought 2 big flashlights yesterday. And more water. I also bought some sort of self sufficient radio that provides weather reports. At some point we will lose electric power. So this radio should come in handy. The real reason I went for the $50 to buy it was that the label said it would also charge cell phones.

I stayed in and worked last night. Never went out. Should have. For sure I will not be going out tonight!

I have already talked to some of the locals this morning. None of them are concerned. It is just going to be a windy rainstorm from their perspective. If it gets to a 1, maybe some tree branches will fall. Such confidence! But they have been here before!

Talk with you tomorrow. Hopefully!

A hurricane is coming!

Monday night or Tuesday morning.

I have never stayed for a hurricane before. I am this time. Don't ask me why.

It will either remain a tropical storm or rise as a high as a 2. I can handle up to a 2. A 3 is questionable. And if ever a 4 or 5, it's good bye! But this one is projected as no higher than a 2.

I started getting ready yesterday.

Food. Bought some canned goods and things that do not need cooling. Also a can opener. If the storm is bad, the power will go.

Bought a lot of water. Will buy more today. For whatever reason, there is no water for a while after a hurricane. I also plan on filling the jacuzzi with water tomorrow so I will have water to flush the toilet and the like.

I will buy 2 flashlights and a small battery radio today.

Tomorrow morning the deck furniture gets dumped in the pool. All outside lights are unscrewed and stored. The outdoor TV will be brought in. The windows will be boarded with plywood. Sandbags will be laid around the base of the house and the entrances through the wall. My home is walled with 2 gated entrances. All get plugged with sand bags to fight off any surge. The house is built 8 feet above sea level which is a blessing. Key West is at sea level. So an 8 foot surge is needed to do any damage to the house.

A mandatory evacuation for tourists/visitors has been called for this morning. Next will be for residents. Those that wish to go. It will probably come tomorrow morning. I will stay. Most if not all of my friends also. Lisa and her family are staying. She has been through this before.

All this preparation could be for nothing also. The hurricane could turn away at any point.

They are showing the projected path right now on TV. Straight over Key West!

Talk with you tomorrow with the latest hurricane update!

I had a wonderful day yesterday!

I went snorkeling with friends John and Linda. The day was beautiful. The water calm. We spent most of the day out on the water.

John and Linda are retired. Rather than live on land, they live on a boat. It is a 35 foot Catamarran.

I snorkeled for quite a while. Fish were few where we were. However the sights were interesting and the exercise good.

When I came back on board I asked what the black things were on the big rocks. Turns out the big rocks are loggerhead sponges. The black spots on top, which I first thought to be some disease, are air holes. John and Linda told me that at certain times of the day you can actually see air spouts running tunnel fashion from the black spots to the top of the water.

It is amazing the things I continue to learn here in Key West!

After lunch, I decided to go back into the water to cool off. I went in alone. No fins or mask. I did take a noodle. A bright yellow one.

I wrapped the noodle under my arms and floated about. I was thinking how comforting!

After no more than 2-3 minutes I looked up and realized I had floated quite a distance from the boat. So I started swimming back. Good luck! The harder I tried, the more I failed.

Unbeknownst to me, the tide was going out and had carried me with it. It was impossible for me to get back to the boat!

Soon the boat was becoming a speck on the horizon. My thought was that me and my noodle were heading for Cuba!

I did not panic. I assumed at some point I would be missed or another boat would come along. It was still early in the afternoon.

Fortunately and correctly, John and Linda took a look outside. I was not there! However they were able to spot the yellow noodle way out there! And me with it!

My rescue was interesting. I would have assumed they would have motored up or taken the dinghy to effect my recovery. No. What they did was to merely lift anchor and let the boat float to me.

Remember the current was strong. The boat arrived in minutes.

I laughed and said I thought I was heading for Cuba. They laughed and said no. Cuba is the other way. You were going to Mexico!

I have a new found respect for the water! No more noodles for me out in the middle of the ocean!

What a night last night!

Busy. And I did not start till 9 pm.

First, I saw Bruce Moore and Bobby Nesbitt do their Broadway gig at La Te Da. Fantastic! Such great voices! Such great talent!

Veronica DeGennaro was their star guest. She has a spectacular voice and style also!

La Te Da was packed. Veronica's Dad is Mayor of Monroe County. And a proud Dad he must have been last night!

Then I walked over to Square One for a drink. The bar was still busy. Chatted with owner Michael, bartender Patty Cakes and Michael Eptien. Yes, after several years away, Michael Eptien has returned! He is working at Square One again!

I should have returned home at this point. However I was in the mood for one more drink. So I drove over to Louie's Backyard and had a night cap on the deck. Pleasant, as always!

I have to move my ass now. I am going snorkeling at 9 am. I have not done so in a while so I am excited!

Good morning!

Another great day in Key West!

However the sun is not bright. There is an overcast. It actually is a blessing in disguise. It cools the breeze off the ocean.

Last night was Wednesday and Wednesday is Bobby Nesbitt time!

He was playing his usual two hour stint at Aqua. He is terrific! He sings all the old Broadway and movie tunes. Everyone knows the words and sings along with him. A couple of drinks and it makes for a great evening!

The Russian bear continues its march through Georgia! Where will it end? Probably after a couple more former parts of the old Russian empire are returned to its domination.

And what can the rest of the world do at this time? Probably little. Except for us, who else would send troops to defend Georgia. And we do not have enough troops at this time. Afganhistan and Iraq have us burdened down. Forget the other NATO nations. They are all talk and bluster. And maybe wiser and safer in the long run for it. Talk is cheap. Troops cost money and mean war with probable retribution.

Putin is a smart man. He reconstructed Russia economically. They are an oil giant. Easy money. Who is going to stand up against him? A good question. I doubt anyone at this time. This problem will fester and develop further. And down the road a few years after we have reconstructed ourselves, it will be dealt with.

Such is the way of the world.

History does repeat itself. However man never seems to learn history's lessons.

Good morning world!

Great day outside! Bright shinning sun, very few clouds and a nice cool breeze off the ocean. Key West IS the place to live!

I was talking with my 94 year old father yesterday. He still lives in Utica in upstate New York. He says the leaves are beginning to change. Slight, but noticable.

The summer is over in upstate New York August 15th. Every year! The evenings start getting chilly. The trees start turning. The high is around 72. Such is life!

And here in key West we are talking about the hottest most humid time which is supposed to be starting now and goes into September!

Last night was a big musical evening.

I stopped first at Aqua. The Arts Council is doing a fundraiser. Runs several weeks. Singers are eliminated weekly as on the national TV shows.

Mary Deasy asked me to attend. I am glad I did. She was terrific! And wore great high heels! Go Mary!

Afterwards I went over to the Wine Galley at the Pier House. Larry Smith features Ladies Night on Tuesdays.

Last night's female entertainer (does not sound quite right) was the ever fabulous Kathleen Peace. What a voice! What a pleasure to listen to her! And what a smile! Fills the room!

OK. Time for my walk. May everyone have a great day!

Another beautiful day starting!

The weather has been spectacular this summer. Warm/hot, but not humid. It was humid for a couple of weeks back in June, but that was it. The days are hot like upstate New York. The evenings comfortable. I rarely use air conditioning in the evening. I sleep with the doors open to the outside and cool the house with the ocean breeze.

What a life!

This war over in Georgia is upsetting!

Russia rolls in and beats the hell out of the small guy. Like Germany invading the small low lying countries prior to World War II.

While this war is starting, there are Bush and Putin sitting one seat apart in at the Olympics. Both in shirt sleeves and chatting as if attending a football game. For all the world to see on TV.

Georgia says to the United States help us. But we cannot. We are powerless. Our army is stretched thin because of Iraq. Where are we going to get the troops, even if we wanted to? Russia knew what it was doing and what we were capabale or incapable of doing.

And don't forget that Bush several years ago looked into Putin' eyes and saw his soul. Bush reported Putin was a good man. That good man is a former KGB agent and has just slaughtered 2,000 Georgians in much less time than it took for us to lose the same number in Iraq.

We have become a paper tiger.

Our President sits and chats while people die. And all because our troops are tired and depleted because of his ill conceived Iraqi war.

Again, this Russian invasion is so vividly comparable to Hitler and Germany rolling into Poland and Checkoslavakia.

What can we do? What will we do?

I see from the morning news that Russia has instiuted a cease fire. How nice! After capturing the territory they wanted and destroying people and property to accomplish it. The world will probably ultimately appease Russia and permit it to keep the conquered portions of Georgia. That is today. What happens tomorrow when the Russian bear is hungry for further conquests and acquisitions? Putin's goal from day one has been to restore Russia to its former days of glory and power.

We need a new President and a new approach to world affairs. Whoever it is better be one hell of a smart man because the bullies are going to come out of the woodwork in increasing numbers!

No blog the past few days. Sorry. Computer down.

George M. Cohan wrote music about America. Alex Okinczyck writes music about Key West!

Last night Alex's one man show made its debut at the Larry Smith Showcase in the Pier House. A hit!

Alex performed. With multiple costume changes!

His songs covered Key West from one end to the other! From Mallory Square to the homeless to Cow Bridge to hurricanes and on and on and on!

A great show! Worthy of the Waterfront or Red Barn!

Congratualations Alex on a job well done!

My diet has been over for almost 2 weeks. My weight is holding. However I watch everything I eat.

Every now and then I give myself a treat. Over the weekend I tried Dion's chicken for the first time. Dion is a small grocery outlet that cooks and sells fried chicken. Kentucky Fried Chicken's poor cousin!

I have never had Dion's chicken before. For some reason I desired it. So over the weekend I bought 2 pieces. Greasy and juicy. With greasy being the operative word!

Oh, so good! However I freaked out after eating it. That night the scale said 2 extra pounds! Bad! But by morning those extra pounds had disappeared. No more Dion's chicken for me!

I am confused. The Russians invaded Georgia. Bush complained vigorously. To no avail. On televsion I see Bush and Putrin sitting almost next to each other in shirt sleeves in China watching the events. Strange!

Enjoy your day!

What an exciting evening last night!

Bobby Nesbitt and Bruce Moore!

Upstairs in the Crystal Room at La Te Da.

Without question one of the finest shows I have seen anywhere! Its quality would be diffcult to replicate even in the Big Apple!

Every Thursday evening at 9 Bobby and Bruce entertain with a show of Broadway tunes. Each week different tunes. No repitition.

And a guest performer each week! Last night Carmen Rodriguez.

The show will touch your heart and soul! Go see it next week!

Played golf yesterday. Horrible! The worst I have played in a year!

I played with Larry, Nick and Tino. As bad as I was I still pared 2 consectutve holes on the back side. A 3 and a 4. I never par anything! Who knows with this game!

Wednesday night is Bobby Nesbtt time at Aqua. Mark Watson and Randy Thompson joined him for a song or two. Both have great voices.

My evening took me to Don's Place. Dave and Karen were there. Karen looked terrific! As always!

Dave I did not recognize! He had to talk to me! I did not know him!

He has lost 56 pounds. What a difference! He also shaved his beard and moustache. He was a Hemingway look a like.

He looked 25 years younger!

Congratulatinons Dave! Keep it off!

Have to run! Have an early mornig meeting. Talk with you tomorrow.

Rained like hell last night! Big time thunder and lightning! Kept waking me up!

Key West is a treasure chest of musicians. Absolutely amazing! So many of them! And most of quality and talented.

Obviously one of those so possessed is Larry Smith. Key West is fortunate to have him!

One of Larry's talents is that he recognizes raw musical ability and seeks to develop it. A very unselfish trait!

Alex Okinczyck is one of those developing talents. Perhaps wrongly described. He may have already arrived.

Alex blows a crazy trumphet. He can generally be found playing at the Pier House acompanying Larry smith.

Alex has graduated. He has written a musical. A big time activity! It is ready for showing. In fact, it debuts Sunday night at 9 at the Wine Galley in the Pier House. It is the star attraction at Larry Smith's Showcase that evening.

The musical is Southernmost Song. Eighteen songs portraying Key West life, times and situations have been combined into a full time show. Costumes and dialogue, of course. I am told it is hilarious!

Alex and Larry co-wrote the music. Alex wrote the lyrics.

This may very well be a Broadway musical in the making!

So mark your calendars! Sunday night at the Pier House! For a taste of the best Key West has to offer!

Beautiful sunrise this morning!

Lisa and her family returned from their vacation yeserday. It is good to have them back. I mssed them.

Good golf yestrday afternoon. Singh is to be congratualed on winning. Mickelson blew it on the last 2 holes. It is difficult to understand how a golfer of his quality could play so badly on the last 2 holes.

The lobster mini season is upon us. It started Wednesday. Prior to the start, the paper said it was a time when people died. The paper was correct. Three divers died Wednesday in the keys diving for lobsters. It is the out of condition overweight men who invite heart attacks diving and holding their breaths under water. Sad that such a wonderful experience results in such tragedy.

The presidential campaigning is ludicrous. We demean the important with these ads. Too much is at stake in this coutry. We are at a crossroad as a nation and as a people. Survival and quality of life are at stake. Have we reached point where our political process no longer serves our needs?

I must see the doctor today. I have had a pain for a week that is starting to give me concern.

My weight continus to hold, even though I am eating. 21 pounds!

Enjoy your day!

Sunday morning!

It is after 7 and the sun is still struggling to come out. Stretched across the sky are black clouds, white clouds, a wisp of blue and a touch of sun. The morning news said it rained all over Florida and the keys last night, except for Key West. Perhaps it is our turn today.

I had a lazy day yesterday. Watched the golf tournament in the afternoon. Mickelson and Singh are making a race of it. The last round this afternoon should prove intersting.

Had dinner last night at the bar at Antonia's. Scallops. Delicious.

Then to La Te Da to hear Bobby Nesbitt. Quiet there. Had a drink and left. Went home to bed.

Not a very exciting evening.

Another great morning!

The beauty of it all!

I wish everyone could see it!

I was lazy yesterday. Just hung around the house till mid afternoon doing nothing.

Then I walked. In the heat of the mid day sun!

Stopped at the Pier House beachside bar for water and diet Pepsi. Read the papers while there. Quite a crowd.

It is interesting how the town is packed with people on weekends in the summer. Weekdays are dead. But the weekends big!

People drive down from South Forida to Key West. Hotel/motel and food prices are cheaper. Visitors take avantage of it. It works. Good for them and good for the local economy.

I had a late dinner last night at the bar at La Trattoria. Ate my first full meal. Snapper done in oil and capers. Erin wanted to know if it was orgastic. Absolutely!

And one gin!

I had planned on going out afterwards. It was after 10. Turned out the meal was enough excitement for the night. I went home to bed instead.

What a beautiful morning!

Bright sun! Blue water! Green palm trees! Little breeze!

A God's in his Heaven and all's right with the world day!

I never left the house during the day yesterday. Had loads of paperwork to do.

However last night was to be my night on the town. La Te Da and a few drinks! Bobby Nesbitt and Bruce Moore were doing a show.

I never made it.

I showered, shaved, dressed. Admired my waist in the mirror as I left. The diet was worth it!

Into the car and on my way.

Got a half mile from the house and the car started wobbling. I had a flat!

The last time I changed a flat was 51 years ago when I was at law school. No way that I was going to do it!

I have an Audi emergency service card. They sold me the program when I bought the car last year. There is always a first time. So I tried it.

Absolutely fantastic service!

Within 20 minutes Alex Service from Ramrod Key showed up. The service man was neatly attired. Not grimey. He knew exactly what he was doing. Was polite.

I was also peased that I did not have a donut for a spare. I guess you pay enough for a car, you get all the works!

It was a bit humid last night. I was standing around while the tire was being changed. By the time it was changed, my slightly starched shirt was soaking wet. It was drooping and I felt uncomfortable. No way I could go out. So I returned home and watched TV.

It was an OK result. I would have had 2 drinks and probably gained a pound. Instead I lost a pound. 21 total and I was not even trying!