Bocci last night!
A spectacular evening!
We won all 3 games. 16-5, 16-5 and 16-7. A blowout!
Every one played well. Exceptionally well. We were all on!
Special mention to David and Jules.
David is our captain. He did not play the previous 2 weeks. He gave up bocci as one gives up golf. He had a few bad games and said screw it! But last night he decided to try again. And well he played! A star!
My partner Jules was absolutely the best! She has a hook shot that is hard to believe. She got that ball into places last night that were impossible! We all love you, Jules!
I continue reading The Forever Wars about Afghanistan and Iraq.
These people are nuts! If you ever had a question as to whether we should have invaded Iraq, read the book. We did not belong there. Additionally, we are different peoples. How can we talk with a people who slit throats and chop off heads of captives! We should have left them to be. We are different societies. One should not try to impose its way of life on the other. Either side. It goes both ways.
The book suggests the Iraqis are silently tolerating us. They take what we can give. They bide their time till we leave. Whenever that may be.
We were wrong to go in. We must get out. The sooner, the better. Curiously, what will our relationship with Iraq be after we are gone? I doubt a close one. They will not view us as benefactors. Rather as an invader. Who killed over a million of their people, maimed many more and left devestation.
Afghanistan is another story. One reason is Osama Bin Laden. That is where he lives. That is where he hides. And he we must get!
Election day is around the corner. It has been one wild ride getting to this point!
Putting aside my support for Obama, this has been one of the most exciting campaigns of my lifetime. Both men are excellent cxandidates! Another year may have been Mc Cain's time. But not now. He is not the right person at this point in our history.
I sense the excitement that accompanies this election. People are talking. Many have become politically interested for the first time. And for good reason! We are in trouble! Big time!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Golf yesterday. I should have stayed home!
I played a game with Tino. Tino is about 10-15 strokes better than me.
We started even. After 6 holes, Tino said he would give me a stroke a hole on the back nine. One hole later, he kicked in with the stroke a hole. At the tee on 11 he said he would give me 2 strokes on the 3 tough holes on the back side.
All this was voluntary on Tino's part. That was how bad I was playing!
Tino won 12 holes, I 2 and we tied 4. What a day!
I started the evening at Aqua. Bobby Nesbitt time!
The Hudsons were there. Bill and June have returned to their Sugarloaf home for a few weeks. Real people. I like them.
Bill is a leading divorce lawyer in Delaware. We have talked politics many times. A bit last night. I would describe Bill as a black hearted Republican. As he has related to me many times, his Daddy told him when he was young that a bad Republican is always better than a good Democrat.
I do not have to tell you who Bill is voting for.
I had dinner at Antonia's. The Schufers are back. Bill was part of our foursome on the golf course. He and Linda dined at Antonia's last night also. I love Linda! One of the best people I have met in my Key West years.
I stopped at the new Keys afterwards. A cocktail lounge in the old Alice's Restaurant.
An interesting place. I don't know if it will succeed. Why, I am not sure. A feeling. We shall see.
Entertainment is allegedly from New York. Two male singers last night. One particularly good.
I was home well before 11, the time for the Clinton-Obama lovefest. Never made it. I fell asleep. When I awoke, the show was over.
I thought this morning I would be able to see huge parts of it, as well as Obama's earlier half hour telecast, on Morning Joe. No, only very short portions. I think we are getting sick of the political clatter. We have had two years of it. However, only 5 more days. Vote! This truly is the most important election of our lifetimes!
I played a game with Tino. Tino is about 10-15 strokes better than me.
We started even. After 6 holes, Tino said he would give me a stroke a hole on the back nine. One hole later, he kicked in with the stroke a hole. At the tee on 11 he said he would give me 2 strokes on the 3 tough holes on the back side.
All this was voluntary on Tino's part. That was how bad I was playing!
Tino won 12 holes, I 2 and we tied 4. What a day!
I started the evening at Aqua. Bobby Nesbitt time!
The Hudsons were there. Bill and June have returned to their Sugarloaf home for a few weeks. Real people. I like them.
Bill is a leading divorce lawyer in Delaware. We have talked politics many times. A bit last night. I would describe Bill as a black hearted Republican. As he has related to me many times, his Daddy told him when he was young that a bad Republican is always better than a good Democrat.
I do not have to tell you who Bill is voting for.
I had dinner at Antonia's. The Schufers are back. Bill was part of our foursome on the golf course. He and Linda dined at Antonia's last night also. I love Linda! One of the best people I have met in my Key West years.
I stopped at the new Keys afterwards. A cocktail lounge in the old Alice's Restaurant.
An interesting place. I don't know if it will succeed. Why, I am not sure. A feeling. We shall see.
Entertainment is allegedly from New York. Two male singers last night. One particularly good.
I was home well before 11, the time for the Clinton-Obama lovefest. Never made it. I fell asleep. When I awoke, the show was over.
I thought this morning I would be able to see huge parts of it, as well as Obama's earlier half hour telecast, on Morning Joe. No, only very short portions. I think we are getting sick of the political clatter. We have had two years of it. However, only 5 more days. Vote! This truly is the most important election of our lifetimes!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I voted yesterday. First time in Florida!
Interesting. Florida's system of voting is still in the middle ages! No wonder the chad disaster of 2000!
I am told Key West was not part of the chad situation. The voting system here is different from the parts of Florida which had the chad problem. Here in Key West, the voter must fill in what appears to be an oblong circle. For everything! Candidates, resoulutions, questions, etc. Painstaking and slow. I felt like a little kid coloring and fearful of going outside the line.
While I was waiting in line for a compartment to vote in (mark my ballot), I could see those who were already marking their ballots in the compartments. Every one was taking forever. I thought this is one election where people are serious and are considering every item on the ballot with deliberation. No! It was the time it took to fill in the oblong circles!
I am originally from New York State. They still use the same machines there since my first vote in 1960. I have always thought they were antiquated. No way! Miles ahead of the Florida system! You walk in the booth, draw a curtain, pull a series of levers and walk out. All in less than a minute. At the end of the day, a box is removed from the back of the machine and the count taken. Simple. Short. Sweet. Easy.
Florida should enter the modern day in voting! It avoids problems.
All in all, I have always enjoyed voting. I feel patriotic in expressing my governmental desires. I believe most people do.
Obviously I voted early. This is the second week for early voting in Florida. In this respect Florida is miles ahead of New York. New York does not have early voting.
Even with early voting, there was a line. A constant 20-30 people waiting.
There were a few black people casting their votes. I thought how proud they must be. And rightfully so! It has been a long hard journey.
I voted for Obama. No secret. I have been talking about and supporting him since the beginning of the primaries.
The weather was oh! so cold yesterday! High was 69. But nice! You can tell I have become a Key Wester. I am enjoying the cold spell!
The cold spell also changes lifestyles here.
Up north when it is cold, people stay in. In Key West they go out! I lunched at the Yacht Club and dined at La Trattoria. Both places were packed!
Last night it dropped to 62. Cold! Not good to sleep alone on a cold night. I suffered. In the middle of the night, I was wandering around in the dark searching for a blanket.
Today the high is projected at 71. Still cold. I play golf this morning. I shall be wearing long pants. First time in months!
Interesting. Florida's system of voting is still in the middle ages! No wonder the chad disaster of 2000!
I am told Key West was not part of the chad situation. The voting system here is different from the parts of Florida which had the chad problem. Here in Key West, the voter must fill in what appears to be an oblong circle. For everything! Candidates, resoulutions, questions, etc. Painstaking and slow. I felt like a little kid coloring and fearful of going outside the line.
While I was waiting in line for a compartment to vote in (mark my ballot), I could see those who were already marking their ballots in the compartments. Every one was taking forever. I thought this is one election where people are serious and are considering every item on the ballot with deliberation. No! It was the time it took to fill in the oblong circles!
I am originally from New York State. They still use the same machines there since my first vote in 1960. I have always thought they were antiquated. No way! Miles ahead of the Florida system! You walk in the booth, draw a curtain, pull a series of levers and walk out. All in less than a minute. At the end of the day, a box is removed from the back of the machine and the count taken. Simple. Short. Sweet. Easy.
Florida should enter the modern day in voting! It avoids problems.
All in all, I have always enjoyed voting. I feel patriotic in expressing my governmental desires. I believe most people do.
Obviously I voted early. This is the second week for early voting in Florida. In this respect Florida is miles ahead of New York. New York does not have early voting.
Even with early voting, there was a line. A constant 20-30 people waiting.
There were a few black people casting their votes. I thought how proud they must be. And rightfully so! It has been a long hard journey.
I voted for Obama. No secret. I have been talking about and supporting him since the beginning of the primaries.
The weather was oh! so cold yesterday! High was 69. But nice! You can tell I have become a Key Wester. I am enjoying the cold spell!
The cold spell also changes lifestyles here.
Up north when it is cold, people stay in. In Key West they go out! I lunched at the Yacht Club and dined at La Trattoria. Both places were packed!
Last night it dropped to 62. Cold! Not good to sleep alone on a cold night. I suffered. In the middle of the night, I was wandering around in the dark searching for a blanket.
Today the high is projected at 71. Still cold. I play golf this morning. I shall be wearing long pants. First time in months!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Wowie! Cold morning! High projected today at 69.
Wind blowing big time! At least 25-30 miles per hour.
I was told yesterday this is a nor'easter. The cold spell is anticipated to last about 2-3 days. Tomorrow will be a high of 71. Cold for the keys!
I received some interesting responses to yesterday's blog. Church brings out the best in all of us.
Some one wrote and raised the question as to whether dogs go to Heaven. The consensus seemed to be no. No animals!
I don't buy it. A good God is a good God. Dogs are man's best friend. And in that other day, we are all going to be together with family and friends!
As you are aware, I am an Obama supporter. The campaign has raised some interesting points. One criticism of Mc Cain has been that he is not computer literate. Well, some one wrote and said, in response thereto, that Obama cannot land a fighter plane on a carrier at night. The night observation is immaterial. The contrast excellent. Touche! We all have short comings!
I am up early this morning. Just after 5. Going to be a long day.
I have a haircut appointment at 10:30. Always happy to see Lori. Think I will vote afterwards. This will be my first Florida vote. We do not have early voting in New York. I am excited by the fact this is my first Florida vote and even more excited that I shall be casting it for Obama.
The country is in terrible shape. We need a dramatic big time change. Obama respresents that dramatic change! Hopefully.....
Wind blowing big time! At least 25-30 miles per hour.
I was told yesterday this is a nor'easter. The cold spell is anticipated to last about 2-3 days. Tomorrow will be a high of 71. Cold for the keys!
I received some interesting responses to yesterday's blog. Church brings out the best in all of us.
Some one wrote and raised the question as to whether dogs go to Heaven. The consensus seemed to be no. No animals!
I don't buy it. A good God is a good God. Dogs are man's best friend. And in that other day, we are all going to be together with family and friends!
As you are aware, I am an Obama supporter. The campaign has raised some interesting points. One criticism of Mc Cain has been that he is not computer literate. Well, some one wrote and said, in response thereto, that Obama cannot land a fighter plane on a carrier at night. The night observation is immaterial. The contrast excellent. Touche! We all have short comings!
I am up early this morning. Just after 5. Going to be a long day.
I have a haircut appointment at 10:30. Always happy to see Lori. Think I will vote afterwards. This will be my first Florida vote. We do not have early voting in New York. I am excited by the fact this is my first Florida vote and even more excited that I shall be casting it for Obama.
The country is in terrible shape. We need a dramatic big time change. Obama respresents that dramatic change! Hopefully.....
Monday, October 27, 2008
The weather has changed. Cool and windy this morning. Not sure whether it is a nor'easter or nor'wester. But the wind is blowing! Whitecaps on the water!
Temperature is supposed to be in low 70s for the next few days. A drop of about 12 degrees. Cool days! Up north it would be a heat wave!
A nice Sunday yesterday! Nothing unusual occurred. And that is what made it A-ok! I like dependable.
I spent the afternoon at Don's place watching pro football. All watching, including me, were derelicts from the parade the night before. And yet we all were in great shape!
Larry Smith was there. He told an interesting story which I would be remiss in not relating.
Larry's wife Christine was at mass earlier in the day at St. Mary's Catholic Church by the Sea. She was sitting near the first row. Sometime during the Mass, a homeless man entered the Church, came up the aisle and seated himself in the front row.
He participated in the Mass with the rest of the congregation. Sit, stand, kneel, sing and the like. At some point, he took out a ham sandwich and ate it. OK, so he was hungry.
When it was time for communion, he went to the alter rail to receive. Of course, he was first in line since he had been in the first row.
Communion in some Catholic Churches now involves the sipping of wine, as well as the taking of the host.
The homeless man took the chalice full of wine, tipped it up and drank the entire thing down. Left not a drop. Then he returned the chalice to the priest, turned and walked out of the Church. Satiated. Appeared he had to wash down the ham sandwich.
Apparently it was funny. The priest laughed, the congregation laughed.
The priest had to return to the alter to refill the chalice.
Only in Key West!
I had dinner at Lisa's last night. Love my grandchildren! Lisa had made, with the help of the grandkids, cupcakes with pumpkin covered frosting. We had them for desert. Delicious! However Ally would only eat the frosting and leave the cupcake itself. Cute! Typical!
Talk with you tomorrow.....
Temperature is supposed to be in low 70s for the next few days. A drop of about 12 degrees. Cool days! Up north it would be a heat wave!
A nice Sunday yesterday! Nothing unusual occurred. And that is what made it A-ok! I like dependable.
I spent the afternoon at Don's place watching pro football. All watching, including me, were derelicts from the parade the night before. And yet we all were in great shape!
Larry Smith was there. He told an interesting story which I would be remiss in not relating.
Larry's wife Christine was at mass earlier in the day at St. Mary's Catholic Church by the Sea. She was sitting near the first row. Sometime during the Mass, a homeless man entered the Church, came up the aisle and seated himself in the front row.
He participated in the Mass with the rest of the congregation. Sit, stand, kneel, sing and the like. At some point, he took out a ham sandwich and ate it. OK, so he was hungry.
When it was time for communion, he went to the alter rail to receive. Of course, he was first in line since he had been in the first row.
Communion in some Catholic Churches now involves the sipping of wine, as well as the taking of the host.
The homeless man took the chalice full of wine, tipped it up and drank the entire thing down. Left not a drop. Then he returned the chalice to the priest, turned and walked out of the Church. Satiated. Appeared he had to wash down the ham sandwich.
Apparently it was funny. The priest laughed, the congregation laughed.
The priest had to return to the alter to refill the chalice.
Only in Key West!
I had dinner at Lisa's last night. Love my grandchildren! Lisa had made, with the help of the grandkids, cupcakes with pumpkin covered frosting. We had them for desert. Delicious! However Ally would only eat the frosting and leave the cupcake itself. Cute! Typical!
Talk with you tomorrow.....
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Wow! I forgot to write my blog yesterday! First time!
I was up and out early to do some errands. Kept running around till 3. That is when I remembered. Too late to do it then. So.....
Last night was the Fantasy Fest parade. I was out and about and had a wonderful time!
Don had invited me to a party one of his distributor's was throwing. So I met Don and some others at Don's place around 5. An early start to what could be a long evening.
The party was upstairs at the old copa on Duval. On top of what is now Wyland Gallaries. A beautiful room with great facilities. And a large second floor balcony overlooking Duval! Perfect for parade watching!
We got there just after 6. The parade started at 7. By the time it reached us, it was about 8:30.
Our host was Premier Beverage Company, the local Bacardi distributor. Premier did itself proud! Good food! And, of course, good booze!
We obviously had a lot of time to eat and drink before the parade reached us.
I have only one complaint. And having been a free loader last night, I should not. But what the hell! I am a gin drinker. Bacardi makes every kind of drink except for.....you guessed it.....gin!
So I started with a shot of tequilla. Good! Very good! But I knew I would never make it through the night if I continued. I switched to beer. I hate beer! Two bottles were all I consumed.
Eat I did, however. A good selection of food.
I knew many at the partry. Met many more. Everyone was having a good time.
Most were costumed. The women especially went all out. Cindy Mc Cain and Sarah Palin were the most popular.
David's Karen was one of the best Cindy Mc Cains. When I arrived at Don's Place, I saw her standing outside. All dressed up! Not shorts or jeans. A formal maroon suit. And high heels. And blond hair pulled back tight.
I could not understand at first why Karen dressed for the party. I did not realize she was actually in costume. I told her how terrific she looked. Finally, at some point she let me know who she was. A terrific costume! A terrific look! Not everyone was as slow on the take up as me!
Karen is absolutely beautiful to begin with! And she added to it!
The suit and jewelry were fantastic! She even wore panty hose to make the appearance perfect. A big deal last night since it was 85 and humid. She topped it all off with a very fine blond wig. Karen is a blond, but she felt her own hair was not long enough. And it did not look like a wig. Even phony eye lashes!
Great job, Karen!
Michael was without doubt a winner on the male side!
Michael is Don's early morning bartender. Last night he was Chiquita Banana. Ear rings, boobs and all! He told me he was up at 5:30 in the morning to dress. He had to be at the bar at 7. So he had been dressed all day! And partying all day!
At 2 in the afternoon he and his wife and Jules did Duval. They were out on the street partying and drinking till they showed up at the party at 7. So Michael was seven shades to the wind when he arrived.
He did well. He was still going strong when I left, though seated most of the time and complaining that he had had it.
Michael looked terrific! If you will excused the description, it took balls for him to dress as he did! You've got them Michael, contrary to the costume last night! Congratualations!
I could go on forever describing the people and their attire. Michael's wife was a great Sarah Palin, even down to the baby! Don's wife was another great Cindy Mc Cain, with an an absolutely fantastic wig! My bocci partner Jules was dressed as Joe the Plumber. Amazing!
I did not dress. Don and Dave did not dress. Next year maybe I will.
You notice I have not commented on the parade. I am sure it was its usual good stuff. However, between the socializing and watching the Penn State/Ohio State football game, I had little time to look over the rail onto Duval.
I left in the middle of the parade to walk to La Te Da. The sidewalks were jam packed. It was a trip! Good on the eyes however. Oh, so many women with painted or otherwise bare breasts. A voyeur's fantasy come true!
I stayed only briefly at La Te Da. Said some hellos. And then I was on my way to retrieve my car. I had left it at Don's parking lot. I did not want to get towed again. A long walk, however. Especially in the humidity.
Interestingly, I was home in bed before 10. And I am glad the night ended that way and that early. Otherwise I would be wiped out this morning.
I love Sundays! The papers, Don's Place and dinner with Lisa and the grandkids.
Hope your day is as good!
I was up and out early to do some errands. Kept running around till 3. That is when I remembered. Too late to do it then. So.....
Last night was the Fantasy Fest parade. I was out and about and had a wonderful time!
Don had invited me to a party one of his distributor's was throwing. So I met Don and some others at Don's place around 5. An early start to what could be a long evening.
The party was upstairs at the old copa on Duval. On top of what is now Wyland Gallaries. A beautiful room with great facilities. And a large second floor balcony overlooking Duval! Perfect for parade watching!
We got there just after 6. The parade started at 7. By the time it reached us, it was about 8:30.
Our host was Premier Beverage Company, the local Bacardi distributor. Premier did itself proud! Good food! And, of course, good booze!
We obviously had a lot of time to eat and drink before the parade reached us.
I have only one complaint. And having been a free loader last night, I should not. But what the hell! I am a gin drinker. Bacardi makes every kind of drink except for.....you guessed it.....gin!
So I started with a shot of tequilla. Good! Very good! But I knew I would never make it through the night if I continued. I switched to beer. I hate beer! Two bottles were all I consumed.
Eat I did, however. A good selection of food.
I knew many at the partry. Met many more. Everyone was having a good time.
Most were costumed. The women especially went all out. Cindy Mc Cain and Sarah Palin were the most popular.
David's Karen was one of the best Cindy Mc Cains. When I arrived at Don's Place, I saw her standing outside. All dressed up! Not shorts or jeans. A formal maroon suit. And high heels. And blond hair pulled back tight.
I could not understand at first why Karen dressed for the party. I did not realize she was actually in costume. I told her how terrific she looked. Finally, at some point she let me know who she was. A terrific costume! A terrific look! Not everyone was as slow on the take up as me!
Karen is absolutely beautiful to begin with! And she added to it!
The suit and jewelry were fantastic! She even wore panty hose to make the appearance perfect. A big deal last night since it was 85 and humid. She topped it all off with a very fine blond wig. Karen is a blond, but she felt her own hair was not long enough. And it did not look like a wig. Even phony eye lashes!
Great job, Karen!
Michael was without doubt a winner on the male side!
Michael is Don's early morning bartender. Last night he was Chiquita Banana. Ear rings, boobs and all! He told me he was up at 5:30 in the morning to dress. He had to be at the bar at 7. So he had been dressed all day! And partying all day!
At 2 in the afternoon he and his wife and Jules did Duval. They were out on the street partying and drinking till they showed up at the party at 7. So Michael was seven shades to the wind when he arrived.
He did well. He was still going strong when I left, though seated most of the time and complaining that he had had it.
Michael looked terrific! If you will excused the description, it took balls for him to dress as he did! You've got them Michael, contrary to the costume last night! Congratualations!
I could go on forever describing the people and their attire. Michael's wife was a great Sarah Palin, even down to the baby! Don's wife was another great Cindy Mc Cain, with an an absolutely fantastic wig! My bocci partner Jules was dressed as Joe the Plumber. Amazing!
I did not dress. Don and Dave did not dress. Next year maybe I will.
You notice I have not commented on the parade. I am sure it was its usual good stuff. However, between the socializing and watching the Penn State/Ohio State football game, I had little time to look over the rail onto Duval.
I left in the middle of the parade to walk to La Te Da. The sidewalks were jam packed. It was a trip! Good on the eyes however. Oh, so many women with painted or otherwise bare breasts. A voyeur's fantasy come true!
I stayed only briefly at La Te Da. Said some hellos. And then I was on my way to retrieve my car. I had left it at Don's parking lot. I did not want to get towed again. A long walk, however. Especially in the humidity.
Interestingly, I was home in bed before 10. And I am glad the night ended that way and that early. Otherwise I would be wiped out this morning.
I love Sundays! The papers, Don's Place and dinner with Lisa and the grandkids.
Hope your day is as good!
Friday, October 24, 2008
I sucked at bocci! My car got towed!
Other than that, I had a wonderful evening!
For whatever reason, my bocci run came to an end last night. I did not have it! I even benched myself for the last game.
Still played better than golf though.
Afterwards I hurried over to a friend's house for a dinner party. Eight persons total. Drinks, dinner and great table chatter. An absolutely marvelous evening!
The magnificent Donna was hosting. She had house guests, an ob/gyn and his wife from Detroit, a local husband and wife realtor team, Mary Jo and I can't remember his name--a charming local gay guy.
Donna out did herself. Stone crabs! They have just come back into season. Delicious!
But even better than the stone crabs, if such is possible, were the conversations. A typical Key West round table. However for another day. Some strange tales!
It was close to midnight. I was the first to offer my thanks and leave. Parking had been difficult. Fantasy Fest time. Donna lives just 2 blocks off Duval. Last night was toga and Pretenders. I parked my car in the lot on the corner of Siminton and Eaton, across from the church. The lot was packed. I was happy to find an open spot. I have been free parking there off and on for 20 years.
When I got to the lot, there were no cars to be seen. Including mine!
It had been towed. There was a sign nearby with a number to call. I did. My car was sitting in a lot on Stock Island.
Note that it was raining at the time. Soon it was pouring non-stop.
I walked back to Donna's. Being the good person she is, she agreed to drive me to Stoock Island to get the car. But first we had to kill 45 minutes. The tow guy told me over the phone he was busy towing other cars and was not at the yard. I had to make an appointment after midnight to recover my car!
Out we went. Stock Island is not the best of places, especially in the dark of night and pouring rain.
By this time, it was a monsoon downpour! Asshole, excuse the description, was sitting in his cab and I am standing in the street. The tow people had no office. He wanted $150. No problem. I gave him a credit card. They do not take credit cards. I only had a $100 in cash on me. He agreed to take the $100 in full settlement of my bill. Now I began to wonder what kind of a rip off was this!
Of course, there was paper work. He is doing it in the cab. I am standing nearby soaking wet and getting even wetter, in spite of the slicker I was wearing. I could not toss him the money and just leave. He had my license and registration for the paperwork.
I finally retrieved my car. Thanked Donna. And drove home. It was 2:30 in the morning!
Last night turned out to be like a sandwich. The bread on each side, bocci and the car towing, were not the best. But what was in between-the dinner party-was terrific!
Other than that, I had a wonderful evening!
For whatever reason, my bocci run came to an end last night. I did not have it! I even benched myself for the last game.
Still played better than golf though.
Afterwards I hurried over to a friend's house for a dinner party. Eight persons total. Drinks, dinner and great table chatter. An absolutely marvelous evening!
The magnificent Donna was hosting. She had house guests, an ob/gyn and his wife from Detroit, a local husband and wife realtor team, Mary Jo and I can't remember his name--a charming local gay guy.
Donna out did herself. Stone crabs! They have just come back into season. Delicious!
But even better than the stone crabs, if such is possible, were the conversations. A typical Key West round table. However for another day. Some strange tales!
It was close to midnight. I was the first to offer my thanks and leave. Parking had been difficult. Fantasy Fest time. Donna lives just 2 blocks off Duval. Last night was toga and Pretenders. I parked my car in the lot on the corner of Siminton and Eaton, across from the church. The lot was packed. I was happy to find an open spot. I have been free parking there off and on for 20 years.
When I got to the lot, there were no cars to be seen. Including mine!
It had been towed. There was a sign nearby with a number to call. I did. My car was sitting in a lot on Stock Island.
Note that it was raining at the time. Soon it was pouring non-stop.
I walked back to Donna's. Being the good person she is, she agreed to drive me to Stoock Island to get the car. But first we had to kill 45 minutes. The tow guy told me over the phone he was busy towing other cars and was not at the yard. I had to make an appointment after midnight to recover my car!
Out we went. Stock Island is not the best of places, especially in the dark of night and pouring rain.
By this time, it was a monsoon downpour! Asshole, excuse the description, was sitting in his cab and I am standing in the street. The tow people had no office. He wanted $150. No problem. I gave him a credit card. They do not take credit cards. I only had a $100 in cash on me. He agreed to take the $100 in full settlement of my bill. Now I began to wonder what kind of a rip off was this!
Of course, there was paper work. He is doing it in the cab. I am standing nearby soaking wet and getting even wetter, in spite of the slicker I was wearing. I could not toss him the money and just leave. He had my license and registration for the paperwork.
I finally retrieved my car. Thanked Donna. And drove home. It was 2:30 in the morning!
Last night turned out to be like a sandwich. The bread on each side, bocci and the car towing, were not the best. But what was in between-the dinner party-was terrific!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Rain! Rain! Rain!
It did not stop yesterday. And it rained during the night also.
It is supposed to rain today and thru Saturday.
Not good. Key West is celebrating Fantasy Fest this week. The outdoor events, and there are many, will be a disaster!
Last night I ventured out in the pouring rain. First to Aqua. Bobby Nesbitt is back! And I am glad! He is one terrific performer!
Afterwards I was invited to Jerry Tinlan's annual "bouffant" party at the Oasis. A drag party. About 150 guys dressed. As opposed to 3 males not. I am one of the 3. I wear my usual shorts and tee shirt. Just want to keep the record straight!
The rain however interfered with my going to the party. From past experience I knew this is a big bash held outdoors. The "bouffants" would not be able to handle the rain and wind last night. Nor could I. So I opted to have dinner instead with some friends I ran into at Aqua. We ate at Antonia's. I generally eat fish. Michael Stewart advised they had no fresh fish. The fishing boats could not go out because of the weather. So I indulged myself with pasta.
I have not seen the local news yet this morning. My sister Joan e mailed me from Tampa to tell me Key West had 7 inches of rain yesterday. I told you it rained big time!
Seven inches is more water than Ike brought to the island.
I knew when I drove home last night the rain had been unusually heavy. My street was flooded. At least 6 inches. Perhaps more.
My garage door motor is broke. I have been parking in the street waiting for the replacement. Last night I was fearful of leaving my car in the street. The water was getting too high. Fortunately my home is built on 8 feet of fill. So I have a steep driveway. Very steep. I parked in the driveway.
I looked out the window this morning. The water level in the street has receeded, but water still covers the street.
Tonight is Pretenders at the Pier House and toga party time at Sloppy Joe's. Pretender's is an outdoor event and toga is partially outside. Both will be disasters if the rain continues as has been reported.
Sad. A lot of money and time have gone into planning these events. Pretenders was cancelled last year because of high winds. It may very well be cancelled this evening because of rain.
Larry Smith and Kathleen Peace have devoted much time to preparations for Pretenders. Last year their group was to preform a Beatles rendition. Cancelled. So they have been practicing to do it this year. Tonight. Questionable.
Yesterday was golf day. Obviously no golf. Tonight is bocci. I doubt it.
All is not lost however. Stone crabs are in season. I am invited to a dinner party this evening where they are to be served. What could be better!
It did not stop yesterday. And it rained during the night also.
It is supposed to rain today and thru Saturday.
Not good. Key West is celebrating Fantasy Fest this week. The outdoor events, and there are many, will be a disaster!
Last night I ventured out in the pouring rain. First to Aqua. Bobby Nesbitt is back! And I am glad! He is one terrific performer!
Afterwards I was invited to Jerry Tinlan's annual "bouffant" party at the Oasis. A drag party. About 150 guys dressed. As opposed to 3 males not. I am one of the 3. I wear my usual shorts and tee shirt. Just want to keep the record straight!
The rain however interfered with my going to the party. From past experience I knew this is a big bash held outdoors. The "bouffants" would not be able to handle the rain and wind last night. Nor could I. So I opted to have dinner instead with some friends I ran into at Aqua. We ate at Antonia's. I generally eat fish. Michael Stewart advised they had no fresh fish. The fishing boats could not go out because of the weather. So I indulged myself with pasta.
I have not seen the local news yet this morning. My sister Joan e mailed me from Tampa to tell me Key West had 7 inches of rain yesterday. I told you it rained big time!
Seven inches is more water than Ike brought to the island.
I knew when I drove home last night the rain had been unusually heavy. My street was flooded. At least 6 inches. Perhaps more.
My garage door motor is broke. I have been parking in the street waiting for the replacement. Last night I was fearful of leaving my car in the street. The water was getting too high. Fortunately my home is built on 8 feet of fill. So I have a steep driveway. Very steep. I parked in the driveway.
I looked out the window this morning. The water level in the street has receeded, but water still covers the street.
Tonight is Pretenders at the Pier House and toga party time at Sloppy Joe's. Pretender's is an outdoor event and toga is partially outside. Both will be disasters if the rain continues as has been reported.
Sad. A lot of money and time have gone into planning these events. Pretenders was cancelled last year because of high winds. It may very well be cancelled this evening because of rain.
Larry Smith and Kathleen Peace have devoted much time to preparations for Pretenders. Last year their group was to preform a Beatles rendition. Cancelled. So they have been practicing to do it this year. Tonight. Questionable.
Yesterday was golf day. Obviously no golf. Tonight is bocci. I doubt it.
All is not lost however. Stone crabs are in season. I am invited to a dinner party this evening where they are to be served. What could be better!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
I finally made it! Lisa permitted me to baby sit last night! First time!
The grandkids are 4 and 3. Lisa says my attention span has not been good enough up to this point. She claims the kids are too fast for me.
Last night therefore was a big test for me! And I passed with flying colors!
Why not? I had 4 children of my own and 9 other grandchildren!
Lisa had to work. At Headdress Ball. Corey was in Key Largo on business.
When I arrived, it was dinner time. Pizza. I had already eaten, but I joined in. Three pieces for me. Bad!
Robert and Ally were glad to see me. I stopped at K Mart on the way in and bought them a couple of pumpkins. Bribery always works!
Lisa left. I had specific instructions.. Only 1 cookie each. Nothing else. What movies to play. What to read. Etc.
We started with the movie. These movies today are terrific. I was bored. They were engrossed. Glued to the set.
At some point, they wanted me to read to them. A book about the Gruffy Goats. Both were sitting on my lap. The book reading went well. They knew every line before I read it.
We played a bit. Then Robert appeared tired. He lay down on the couch and was out in minutes.
Ally does not sleep! No way till her parents were home. She and I jousted a bit. However we made it.
Finally Corey was home. Robert was still asleep. Ally starting to doze. And I reading Newsweek.
A good evening!
And I think I proved my babysitting worth to Lisa. I am confident she will ask me to do it again. Something I want to do!
The grandkids are 4 and 3. Lisa says my attention span has not been good enough up to this point. She claims the kids are too fast for me.
Last night therefore was a big test for me! And I passed with flying colors!
Why not? I had 4 children of my own and 9 other grandchildren!
Lisa had to work. At Headdress Ball. Corey was in Key Largo on business.
When I arrived, it was dinner time. Pizza. I had already eaten, but I joined in. Three pieces for me. Bad!
Robert and Ally were glad to see me. I stopped at K Mart on the way in and bought them a couple of pumpkins. Bribery always works!
Lisa left. I had specific instructions.. Only 1 cookie each. Nothing else. What movies to play. What to read. Etc.
We started with the movie. These movies today are terrific. I was bored. They were engrossed. Glued to the set.
At some point, they wanted me to read to them. A book about the Gruffy Goats. Both were sitting on my lap. The book reading went well. They knew every line before I read it.
We played a bit. Then Robert appeared tired. He lay down on the couch and was out in minutes.
Ally does not sleep! No way till her parents were home. She and I jousted a bit. However we made it.
Finally Corey was home. Robert was still asleep. Ally starting to doze. And I reading Newsweek.
A good evening!
And I think I proved my babysitting worth to Lisa. I am confident she will ask me to do it again. Something I want to do!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I stayed up late last night. Late for me! Till around midnight!
Fantasy Fest is upon us. I really have not been involved until this point. So I opted to walk Duval last night.
Interesting! But then again, it always is.
Duval is starting to fill. It will be more by the end of the week. However last night was healthy enough.
Everyone happy! Everyone having a good time!
All ages. Young and old alike. All body types. Short, tall, skinny and fat.
I thought I saw a bit more nudity than normal. A lot of women were bare chested. And not necessarily body painted! Just hanging there in all their natural beauty. Lightly bouncing with motion.
Every year I find the bare chested women interesting. Not only from the I am a male and like to look perspective. Many are middle aged ladies from middle America. Iowa, Minnesota and the like. They come to Key West's Fantasy Fest to step outside their routine lives for a few days. And they do the risque thing from their perspectives!
Nothing bad. Just a bit of topless nudity. And they do it with pride! You can see it written all over their faces!
The only bar I stopped into was the Bull. The place was packed. Overflowing into the street.
I had a good time! Everyone was expectedly friendly!
Such was my night on the town. I was the quiet observor. In any other enviroment, I would have been considered a voyeur. Come to think of it, that is what I was!
Fantasy Fest is upon us. I really have not been involved until this point. So I opted to walk Duval last night.
Interesting! But then again, it always is.
Duval is starting to fill. It will be more by the end of the week. However last night was healthy enough.
Everyone happy! Everyone having a good time!
All ages. Young and old alike. All body types. Short, tall, skinny and fat.
I thought I saw a bit more nudity than normal. A lot of women were bare chested. And not necessarily body painted! Just hanging there in all their natural beauty. Lightly bouncing with motion.
Every year I find the bare chested women interesting. Not only from the I am a male and like to look perspective. Many are middle aged ladies from middle America. Iowa, Minnesota and the like. They come to Key West's Fantasy Fest to step outside their routine lives for a few days. And they do the risque thing from their perspectives!
Nothing bad. Just a bit of topless nudity. And they do it with pride! You can see it written all over their faces!
The only bar I stopped into was the Bull. The place was packed. Overflowing into the street.
I had a good time! Everyone was expectedly friendly!
Such was my night on the town. I was the quiet observor. In any other enviroment, I would have been considered a voyeur. Come to think of it, that is what I was!
Monday, October 20, 2008
An interesting Sunday! Mildly stated!
I started the day with the papers and coffee. Then Meet the Press. Great show yesterday! As everyone knows by this time, Colin Powell endorsed Obama.
I then decided to take a walk before heading over to Don's Place to watch pro football. Since we are into Fantasy Fest, I thought I would walk Duval to see what was going on.
When I walk Duval, I park at Square One. As I parked my car, I ran into my good friend Donna. The usual pleasantries...where are you going...what are you doing? She said follow me!
We crossed Duval and entered the Monkey Apple Art Factory. Monkey is an art store/gallery owned by Susan and Michael. A husband and wife team, Susan is the artist and Michael the business end of the operation. Susan's paintings run from stills of flowers and fruit to some great pop art! Real good works!
Monkey is located directly acrosss the street from Duval Square next door to the former Fletcher's.
Inside there were a number of people. Some drinking. Male, female, straight, gay, lesbian. Looked like a typical Key West party. And then I saw it! In the center of the room was a girl, lady, woman.....a female.....seated naked on a bar stool. Well, almost naked. On closer observation I noted she was wearing thongs. And being spray painted. The top half of her body, that is.
Turns out Susan has decided to offer spray painting services for a fee during Fantasy Fest. She has never done it before. So she had invited several ladies to come over for her to practice on. Donna was one of them.
Over a period of 2 hours, I watched 3 women being spray painted. What an experience! A lovely experience! Good on the eyes! Good for the soul!
All 3 stripped to their thongs. Just did it.
All 3 had lovely bodies. The statement however has to be placed in perspective. Age comes into play. One was in her 20s, the other in her 40s and my Donna 61. I know Donna does not care that I reveal her age. She tells everyone. Donna looks good with clothes on or off at her age!
Interestingly it was the first time I had seen Donna in any degree of nudity. She is an avowed lesbian. A great body! Beautiful full breasts! No sag! A great butt! In fact, the third lady to strip made comment she was reluctant to do so since Donna's derriere was so much firmer than hers.
Anyhow.....it was a fun experience. I will readily admit I enjoyed watching Susan paint their breasts. The breasts were talented and so was Susan! You cannot imagine the precision required to imaginatively and effectively cover the top half of a woman's torso in paint.
The youngest female ended up with something that looked like marching toy soldiers. Very colorful!
Donna had a black leather vest painted over her boobs. Strings and all! She is "wearing" it to a fetish party tonight.
I did not stay long enough to see what the third became. It was 3 o'clock and I was starving. I had planned on being at Don's at 1 to eat. So Donna and I headed for Southernmost on the Beach for lunch.
As I sat there, I noted Donna was wearing her blouse and had it buttoned part way. I asked why. She said she was embarassed. For real! I could not believe it. I told her that after 3-4 marriages and now being a lesbian of considerable reknown, how could she be embarassed!
As she told me, those things are personal and private. She had never stripped in front of a group before nor sat for an hour with everything showing, except her most personal part. It was different!
A lady!
Afterwards I headed for Don's Place to watch some football and see some friends. Jules just returned from Germany and Switzerland where she was able to see her husband for 2 weeks. He is stationed in the mid east and they had some time together. It is good however to have her back. She is my regular bocci partner. Her left hook is deadly.
I stayed awhile and then went to find Lisa and the kids. They were at the playground. Ally makes me nervous. She is only 3 and yet climbs all those weird metal contraptions.
Afterwards I headed to Lisa's for Sunday dinner. A good time!
I was home by 7 and spent a liesurely evening watching TV. I am into Mad Men which is on HBO Sunday nights at 10. A very good show! Takes me back to the 1960s when I started practicing law. It is just as society was at the time.
The weather continues to be great here. Low 80s. No humidity. Strong breeze off the Atlantic. Again last night no air conditioning required to sleep. Just an open window.
Enjoy your day!
I started the day with the papers and coffee. Then Meet the Press. Great show yesterday! As everyone knows by this time, Colin Powell endorsed Obama.
I then decided to take a walk before heading over to Don's Place to watch pro football. Since we are into Fantasy Fest, I thought I would walk Duval to see what was going on.
When I walk Duval, I park at Square One. As I parked my car, I ran into my good friend Donna. The usual pleasantries...where are you going...what are you doing? She said follow me!
We crossed Duval and entered the Monkey Apple Art Factory. Monkey is an art store/gallery owned by Susan and Michael. A husband and wife team, Susan is the artist and Michael the business end of the operation. Susan's paintings run from stills of flowers and fruit to some great pop art! Real good works!
Monkey is located directly acrosss the street from Duval Square next door to the former Fletcher's.
Inside there were a number of people. Some drinking. Male, female, straight, gay, lesbian. Looked like a typical Key West party. And then I saw it! In the center of the room was a girl, lady, woman.....a female.....seated naked on a bar stool. Well, almost naked. On closer observation I noted she was wearing thongs. And being spray painted. The top half of her body, that is.
Turns out Susan has decided to offer spray painting services for a fee during Fantasy Fest. She has never done it before. So she had invited several ladies to come over for her to practice on. Donna was one of them.
Over a period of 2 hours, I watched 3 women being spray painted. What an experience! A lovely experience! Good on the eyes! Good for the soul!
All 3 stripped to their thongs. Just did it.
All 3 had lovely bodies. The statement however has to be placed in perspective. Age comes into play. One was in her 20s, the other in her 40s and my Donna 61. I know Donna does not care that I reveal her age. She tells everyone. Donna looks good with clothes on or off at her age!
Interestingly it was the first time I had seen Donna in any degree of nudity. She is an avowed lesbian. A great body! Beautiful full breasts! No sag! A great butt! In fact, the third lady to strip made comment she was reluctant to do so since Donna's derriere was so much firmer than hers.
Anyhow.....it was a fun experience. I will readily admit I enjoyed watching Susan paint their breasts. The breasts were talented and so was Susan! You cannot imagine the precision required to imaginatively and effectively cover the top half of a woman's torso in paint.
The youngest female ended up with something that looked like marching toy soldiers. Very colorful!
Donna had a black leather vest painted over her boobs. Strings and all! She is "wearing" it to a fetish party tonight.
I did not stay long enough to see what the third became. It was 3 o'clock and I was starving. I had planned on being at Don's at 1 to eat. So Donna and I headed for Southernmost on the Beach for lunch.
As I sat there, I noted Donna was wearing her blouse and had it buttoned part way. I asked why. She said she was embarassed. For real! I could not believe it. I told her that after 3-4 marriages and now being a lesbian of considerable reknown, how could she be embarassed!
As she told me, those things are personal and private. She had never stripped in front of a group before nor sat for an hour with everything showing, except her most personal part. It was different!
A lady!
Afterwards I headed for Don's Place to watch some football and see some friends. Jules just returned from Germany and Switzerland where she was able to see her husband for 2 weeks. He is stationed in the mid east and they had some time together. It is good however to have her back. She is my regular bocci partner. Her left hook is deadly.
I stayed awhile and then went to find Lisa and the kids. They were at the playground. Ally makes me nervous. She is only 3 and yet climbs all those weird metal contraptions.
Afterwards I headed to Lisa's for Sunday dinner. A good time!
I was home by 7 and spent a liesurely evening watching TV. I am into Mad Men which is on HBO Sunday nights at 10. A very good show! Takes me back to the 1960s when I started practicing law. It is just as society was at the time.
The weather continues to be great here. Low 80s. No humidity. Strong breeze off the Atlantic. Again last night no air conditioning required to sleep. Just an open window.
Enjoy your day!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Family day big time yesterday.
Corey was away overnight in Fort Lauderdale. So Lisa brought the grandkids over early in the morning. They wanted to swim. The water was a bit cold in the pool. I have not turned the heat on yet and the sun was still not over it. So Robert and Ally played with their toys in the house. I keep my own supply here in the house for them.
After a while the sun was over the pool and it was comforatable to be used. And use it they did! Robert and Ally recently learned how to swim. They no longer require jackets to stay afloat. They jump in the deep end and swim the length of the pool. Great! They are fun to watch. They are tiring to play with.
Then it was lunch time. Lisa feeds them healthy. I eat healthy. So it was easy. Yogurt, turkey on whole wheat and fresh fruit.
By this time they were obviously getting tired. Lisa wanted them to nap here, but they wanted to go home. Good! I needed a rest! I spent the balance of the afternoon in bed watching TV and dozing off.
Fantasy Fest kicked in this weekend. The first two days are Goombay. A street fair.
My evening started with dinner at Antonia's. At the bar, of course. Business was good. Clayton said they were packed tight the evening before. Reflective of the weekend and the week to follow.
Duval was full of people. A lot of families. Goombay is a street fair and good for the kids also. Not like the rest of Fantasy Fest which is clearly adult oriented.
After dinner I stopped in at La Te Da for a bit. A good crowd there also. And Sassy doing his bar thing.
One drink and I left. I was still tired from the grandchildren earlier in the day.
The cool season is upon us. They call it a Nor'easter. A constant cool breeze coming in from the Atlantic. The temperature is still in the low 80s. However absolutely no humidity. It is very comfortable all day and all night. Little, if any, air conditioning is required. In fact, I have been sleeping without air for several nights.
The Nor'easter has also brought some rain with it. It rains off and on all day. Last night during dinner it poured! Big time! All I could think off were those poor merchants in the Goombay street festival and their opoen air booths which were being drenched. It was not the night to rain!
Today is Sunday! Always a good day! As soon as I finish this blog, I am off to buy the Sunday papers. The morning will be spent reading them. This afternoon Don's Place and pro football.
What a great day ahead!
Corey was away overnight in Fort Lauderdale. So Lisa brought the grandkids over early in the morning. They wanted to swim. The water was a bit cold in the pool. I have not turned the heat on yet and the sun was still not over it. So Robert and Ally played with their toys in the house. I keep my own supply here in the house for them.
After a while the sun was over the pool and it was comforatable to be used. And use it they did! Robert and Ally recently learned how to swim. They no longer require jackets to stay afloat. They jump in the deep end and swim the length of the pool. Great! They are fun to watch. They are tiring to play with.
Then it was lunch time. Lisa feeds them healthy. I eat healthy. So it was easy. Yogurt, turkey on whole wheat and fresh fruit.
By this time they were obviously getting tired. Lisa wanted them to nap here, but they wanted to go home. Good! I needed a rest! I spent the balance of the afternoon in bed watching TV and dozing off.
Fantasy Fest kicked in this weekend. The first two days are Goombay. A street fair.
My evening started with dinner at Antonia's. At the bar, of course. Business was good. Clayton said they were packed tight the evening before. Reflective of the weekend and the week to follow.
Duval was full of people. A lot of families. Goombay is a street fair and good for the kids also. Not like the rest of Fantasy Fest which is clearly adult oriented.
After dinner I stopped in at La Te Da for a bit. A good crowd there also. And Sassy doing his bar thing.
One drink and I left. I was still tired from the grandchildren earlier in the day.
The cool season is upon us. They call it a Nor'easter. A constant cool breeze coming in from the Atlantic. The temperature is still in the low 80s. However absolutely no humidity. It is very comfortable all day and all night. Little, if any, air conditioning is required. In fact, I have been sleeping without air for several nights.
The Nor'easter has also brought some rain with it. It rains off and on all day. Last night during dinner it poured! Big time! All I could think off were those poor merchants in the Goombay street festival and their opoen air booths which were being drenched. It was not the night to rain!
Today is Sunday! Always a good day! As soon as I finish this blog, I am off to buy the Sunday papers. The morning will be spent reading them. This afternoon Don's Place and pro football.
What a great day ahead!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Good morning world!
Six am. Black outside. Apparently no wind. I cannot hear the water.
Yesterday was another relatively quiet one.
Lunch at the Yacht club. Read the papers.
Then continued reading Dexter Filkin's book The Forever War. I first became aware of Filkins when he was interviewed on Good Morning Joe earlier this week. Every one seemed taken with his book. So I started reading it. What an eye opener!
I am into the section dealing with Iraqi culture. Somewhat different from ours. A bit weird!
Video is big time in Iraq as it is here. We watch old movies and whatever. I have read many times that pornography is the biggest seller. Forget porn in Iraq. Iraq is a society that covers their women from head to toe in black and covers their faces at the same time to preclude physical stimulation of onlookers. So porn is not their ball game. But video watch they do. And the most popular? Sadism. Yes, torture!
Does not sound healthy to me!
Last night was dinner with Lisa and the grandkids at Hogfish. Dinner with Robert and Ally is always exciting! Last night was no disappoinment.
Robert and I played tic, tac, toe while waiting to be served. He won again! I am going to have to start cheating!
Ally takes it all in.
The place was packed. Always good food, reasonably priced. Great atmosphere. And music! There were two guys playing and singing last night.
We ate early, of course. Lisa dropped me off home after dinner. It was all of seven o'clock. I was early to bed. And that is why I am early up this morning!
Fantasy Fest started last night. Goombay! I missed it. Maybe I will go this evening.
Enjoy your day!
Six am. Black outside. Apparently no wind. I cannot hear the water.
Yesterday was another relatively quiet one.
Lunch at the Yacht club. Read the papers.
Then continued reading Dexter Filkin's book The Forever War. I first became aware of Filkins when he was interviewed on Good Morning Joe earlier this week. Every one seemed taken with his book. So I started reading it. What an eye opener!
I am into the section dealing with Iraqi culture. Somewhat different from ours. A bit weird!
Video is big time in Iraq as it is here. We watch old movies and whatever. I have read many times that pornography is the biggest seller. Forget porn in Iraq. Iraq is a society that covers their women from head to toe in black and covers their faces at the same time to preclude physical stimulation of onlookers. So porn is not their ball game. But video watch they do. And the most popular? Sadism. Yes, torture!
Does not sound healthy to me!
Last night was dinner with Lisa and the grandkids at Hogfish. Dinner with Robert and Ally is always exciting! Last night was no disappoinment.
Robert and I played tic, tac, toe while waiting to be served. He won again! I am going to have to start cheating!
Ally takes it all in.
The place was packed. Always good food, reasonably priced. Great atmosphere. And music! There were two guys playing and singing last night.
We ate early, of course. Lisa dropped me off home after dinner. It was all of seven o'clock. I was early to bed. And that is why I am early up this morning!
Fantasy Fest started last night. Goombay! I missed it. Maybe I will go this evening.
Enjoy your day!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Bocci last night!
We won 2 out of 3 games. We should have won all 3! We were ahead 12-5 in the first game and blew it 16-15. The second game was a rout! We won 16-1. The last game was competitive. Could have gone either way. We won 16-13.
We all played well. Including me. I still cannot understand how I can play bocci so well after only 4 years and golf so poorly after a lifetime!
The team this year is a happy harmonious one. We have a good time!
Our captain is David. A good guy. Early 50s. Used to look like Santa Claus. Lost 50 plus pounds and shaved the beard. Now he looks like a young Paul Newman. He opted not to play last night. Says he has given up the game. He was unhappy with his play. It won't last. He will be back!
Michelle and Karen teamed up and contributed heavily to one of the victories. Last night was Michelle's last bocci game with us. She is in love and moving to Philadelphia with the man in her heart. We will miss you Michelle! You are a rare person and have been a good friend to all!
Karen has not been able to play lately. Besides working full time, she is going to college to complete her degree. Heavy duty! It was good to have her with us last night.
Don, Shane and Rob completed the team. All good guys! All rolled the ball well!
Speaking of Shane, he is a young guy who makes a living running a fishing boat. He owns it. Flat fishing is his specialty. And from community reputation, he is good at. His business name is Key West Flats Fishing. Telephone number 305-394-1873. E mail fishshanewood@gmail.com. Use him! Tell your friends to go out with him. A fun and successful time will be had by all!
Don is Don! Leader extrodinaire! Owner of Don's Place. He is a steady eddy when it comes to bocci. He generally can be depended upon for that special shot when required. By shot, I am referring to bocci and not that which he serves in his establishmnet!
Although Rob has been around forever, I have just started to know him this year. A good guy! He also is very proficient at bocci! And proficient is the proper word. He can see the court and the rolls with ease. He sees what I cannot see. And so he guides me, makes suggestions. Maybe he is why I am playing better this year!
I continue reading Dexter Filkin's book The Forever War about Afghanistan and Iraq. These Muslims are well disciplined. Also have little need for jails. Under the religion, a thief is punished by having a hand cut off. Generally as part of a public spectacular. In a football stadium like atrmosphere. Barbaric. However, cost effective. The United states has more jails than any other nation. The tax dollars required to confine wrongdoers is overwhelming. Perhaps a reconsideration of the way we punish is warranted. I speak in jest! Inhumane is inhumane and cannot be tolerated under any circumstance.
Homosexuality is obviously barred in the Koran. However the method of punishment odd. It is by a wall falling on the homosexual. Should the culprit survive, he or she walks away free. Strange. I do not understand an interpretation that permits survival in one instance and loss of a hand in another with no opportunity to save that hand.
I recommend the book. I write about these things because we have to understand the mentality of a people who are in our faces today. Whether friend or foe, we have to comprehend the Arab/Muslim world to effectively confront and deal with it.
Corey is out of town today. I am taking Lisa and the grandkids to dinner tonight.
Goombay starts today. I considered taking them to the street fair. However, they are too young to handle the street crowds. Lisa and I have talked. It is Hogfish tonight for dinner! The grandkids have been there before. Lisa and Corey are good friends with owner Bob. So it will be a friendly evening. And the grandchildren love the music. Ally may dance!
We won 2 out of 3 games. We should have won all 3! We were ahead 12-5 in the first game and blew it 16-15. The second game was a rout! We won 16-1. The last game was competitive. Could have gone either way. We won 16-13.
We all played well. Including me. I still cannot understand how I can play bocci so well after only 4 years and golf so poorly after a lifetime!
The team this year is a happy harmonious one. We have a good time!
Our captain is David. A good guy. Early 50s. Used to look like Santa Claus. Lost 50 plus pounds and shaved the beard. Now he looks like a young Paul Newman. He opted not to play last night. Says he has given up the game. He was unhappy with his play. It won't last. He will be back!
Michelle and Karen teamed up and contributed heavily to one of the victories. Last night was Michelle's last bocci game with us. She is in love and moving to Philadelphia with the man in her heart. We will miss you Michelle! You are a rare person and have been a good friend to all!
Karen has not been able to play lately. Besides working full time, she is going to college to complete her degree. Heavy duty! It was good to have her with us last night.
Don, Shane and Rob completed the team. All good guys! All rolled the ball well!
Speaking of Shane, he is a young guy who makes a living running a fishing boat. He owns it. Flat fishing is his specialty. And from community reputation, he is good at. His business name is Key West Flats Fishing. Telephone number 305-394-1873. E mail fishshanewood@gmail.com. Use him! Tell your friends to go out with him. A fun and successful time will be had by all!
Don is Don! Leader extrodinaire! Owner of Don's Place. He is a steady eddy when it comes to bocci. He generally can be depended upon for that special shot when required. By shot, I am referring to bocci and not that which he serves in his establishmnet!
Although Rob has been around forever, I have just started to know him this year. A good guy! He also is very proficient at bocci! And proficient is the proper word. He can see the court and the rolls with ease. He sees what I cannot see. And so he guides me, makes suggestions. Maybe he is why I am playing better this year!
I continue reading Dexter Filkin's book The Forever War about Afghanistan and Iraq. These Muslims are well disciplined. Also have little need for jails. Under the religion, a thief is punished by having a hand cut off. Generally as part of a public spectacular. In a football stadium like atrmosphere. Barbaric. However, cost effective. The United states has more jails than any other nation. The tax dollars required to confine wrongdoers is overwhelming. Perhaps a reconsideration of the way we punish is warranted. I speak in jest! Inhumane is inhumane and cannot be tolerated under any circumstance.
Homosexuality is obviously barred in the Koran. However the method of punishment odd. It is by a wall falling on the homosexual. Should the culprit survive, he or she walks away free. Strange. I do not understand an interpretation that permits survival in one instance and loss of a hand in another with no opportunity to save that hand.
I recommend the book. I write about these things because we have to understand the mentality of a people who are in our faces today. Whether friend or foe, we have to comprehend the Arab/Muslim world to effectively confront and deal with it.
Corey is out of town today. I am taking Lisa and the grandkids to dinner tonight.
Goombay starts today. I considered taking them to the street fair. However, they are too young to handle the street crowds. Lisa and I have talked. It is Hogfish tonight for dinner! The grandkids have been there before. Lisa and Corey are good friends with owner Bob. So it will be a friendly evening. And the grandchildren love the music. Ally may dance!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
It is not jetblack this morning because I am up later!
The sun is shinning. Not a cloud in the sky. A strong breeze from the east.
The weather is great now. No humidity! Last night it was 82. Like 72 up north.
I played my worst round of golf yesterday in at least a year! Bad! Fortunately, I only lost $9. I played with Yankee Jack and Larry Smith. Larry was the big winner. After my less than a spectacular round, there was no talk of cutting my strokes. If anything, I should have had more yesterday. I shot 67 for the first 9. That is really bad! Additionally I lost 9 balls during the round. Says it all as to the quality of my performance!
Last night was to be the return of Bobby Nesbitt! I hurried to Aqua to hear him. He was not there! His plane was delayed or something. In his place was the lovely Vanessa Di Gennaro. So the evening was not wasted. She gets better every time I hear her. And each week a few more people show up for her performance. So she is catching on.
I ran into Mark at Aqua. Mark is the new bartender at the Pier House's Wine Galley. He replaced my friend Donna who has retruned to Tennesssee. Mark bartended along with Sassy for years at La Te Da. So I knew him before his move. A nice guy. An engaging personality. He will be an asset to the ever popular Wine Galley.
I grabbed a quick bite at the bar at Antonia's. Quiet. Very few patrons. It confuses me. Some nights the town is busy and then nothing!
Then to Lisa's to watch the debate with Lisa and Corey. Robert was sleeping. Not Ally. She was running around well into the debate. Energized! Such love! A joy to behold!
The debate went as expected from my perspective. A few hits by each side, but run of the mill otherwise. I enjoyed Mc Cain's shot at Obama when he, Mc Cain, said he was not George Bush.
The news pundits this morning indicate that Obama was far and away the winner. The polls taken afterwards last night support it. We are desperate for a change. I believe Obama is the proper change. I hope he wins. I suspect he will. My concern however is that whoever wins does not take office till January 20th. A long way off based on what is presently happening with the economy.
Speaking of the economy, how far can the market drop? The situation is discomforting.
I have what can be described as a blank day ahead of me. No plans. It will be interesting.
The sun is shinning. Not a cloud in the sky. A strong breeze from the east.
The weather is great now. No humidity! Last night it was 82. Like 72 up north.
I played my worst round of golf yesterday in at least a year! Bad! Fortunately, I only lost $9. I played with Yankee Jack and Larry Smith. Larry was the big winner. After my less than a spectacular round, there was no talk of cutting my strokes. If anything, I should have had more yesterday. I shot 67 for the first 9. That is really bad! Additionally I lost 9 balls during the round. Says it all as to the quality of my performance!
Last night was to be the return of Bobby Nesbitt! I hurried to Aqua to hear him. He was not there! His plane was delayed or something. In his place was the lovely Vanessa Di Gennaro. So the evening was not wasted. She gets better every time I hear her. And each week a few more people show up for her performance. So she is catching on.
I ran into Mark at Aqua. Mark is the new bartender at the Pier House's Wine Galley. He replaced my friend Donna who has retruned to Tennesssee. Mark bartended along with Sassy for years at La Te Da. So I knew him before his move. A nice guy. An engaging personality. He will be an asset to the ever popular Wine Galley.
I grabbed a quick bite at the bar at Antonia's. Quiet. Very few patrons. It confuses me. Some nights the town is busy and then nothing!
Then to Lisa's to watch the debate with Lisa and Corey. Robert was sleeping. Not Ally. She was running around well into the debate. Energized! Such love! A joy to behold!
The debate went as expected from my perspective. A few hits by each side, but run of the mill otherwise. I enjoyed Mc Cain's shot at Obama when he, Mc Cain, said he was not George Bush.
The news pundits this morning indicate that Obama was far and away the winner. The polls taken afterwards last night support it. We are desperate for a change. I believe Obama is the proper change. I hope he wins. I suspect he will. My concern however is that whoever wins does not take office till January 20th. A long way off based on what is presently happening with the economy.
Speaking of the economy, how far can the market drop? The situation is discomforting.
I have what can be described as a blank day ahead of me. No plans. It will be interesting.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
When does the time change? Either I am up early or it stays dark late! Probably a combination of both.
It is pitch black outside my open window. When one cannot see, one can hear. And I hear the ocean rushing by. Loudly this morning. Very relaxing. Settling.
I had business in town yesterday. Then to the beach bar at the Pier House for coffee and to read the papers. Lunched at the Yacht Club.
On one of the talk shows over the weekend, an author by the name of Dexter Wilkins was interviewed. He has just had a book on the wars in Afganhistan and Iraq published. The title is Forever War or Forever Wars. I started reading it yesterday. Riveting! We know not the Arab/Muslim mind.
Tuesday has turned into soccer time. Four year old Robert is in his first year. Tough for him and the other kids on his team. Think of it. They have been taught from birth to use their hands. All of a sudden, it is feet! It is humorous to watch, but I can also see the confusion/stress factor in the change over.
Wings at Kelly's last night! All of a sudden Key West is alive. Kelly's was packed.
And then home and early to bed. Well before 9.
Golf this morning. I am anxious to play. It has been on my mind for a couple of days. And then the final Presidential debate this evening. A great day in the making! Oh, and I almost forgot, Bobby Nesbitt returns this evening. I will squeeze him in before the debate.
No question. A terrific day ahead!
It is pitch black outside my open window. When one cannot see, one can hear. And I hear the ocean rushing by. Loudly this morning. Very relaxing. Settling.
I had business in town yesterday. Then to the beach bar at the Pier House for coffee and to read the papers. Lunched at the Yacht Club.
On one of the talk shows over the weekend, an author by the name of Dexter Wilkins was interviewed. He has just had a book on the wars in Afganhistan and Iraq published. The title is Forever War or Forever Wars. I started reading it yesterday. Riveting! We know not the Arab/Muslim mind.
Tuesday has turned into soccer time. Four year old Robert is in his first year. Tough for him and the other kids on his team. Think of it. They have been taught from birth to use their hands. All of a sudden, it is feet! It is humorous to watch, but I can also see the confusion/stress factor in the change over.
Wings at Kelly's last night! All of a sudden Key West is alive. Kelly's was packed.
And then home and early to bed. Well before 9.
Golf this morning. I am anxious to play. It has been on my mind for a couple of days. And then the final Presidential debate this evening. A great day in the making! Oh, and I almost forgot, Bobby Nesbitt returns this evening. I will squeeze him in before the debate.
No question. A terrific day ahead!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Rained a lot yesterday. Heavy. Off and on.
I walked early. In between storms.
Gray this morning. Looks like more rain is coming. Definitely. There are mangrove islands to the northweast which I can normally see out of the window. This morning I cannot, which means they are already covered in rain and the rain is coming in.
I did a lot of paper work yesterday. About 3 hours worth. I had let things get behind.
Last night I headed for La Trattoria.
Normally Monday night is quiet. The weekend had been quiet. Not last night! Where every one came from, I do not know. But there was a good crowd in town!
The sidewalks were crowded. People happy. All having a good time.
Monday night is slow slow at La Trattoria. Again, not last night. The bar was packed. Only one seat empty. I grabbed it quickly.
The lovely Kathy was bartending. She, too, was surprised at the volume of business. She told me that on Sunday, the night before, there were only 4 people in and they closed at 8:30.
Who knows!
Even the restaurant portion of La Trattoria filled.
A good Monday night! Good for a Monday night!
Bobby Nesbitt returns tomorrow night! At Aqua at 5:30. He has been in Germany for 6 weeks performing and vacationing. I am excited. I enjoy his singing.
That rain covering the mangrove islands has now reached me. It is pouring! And with it whitecaps in the water. Although lacking in color, it is a pretty sight!
I walked early. In between storms.
Gray this morning. Looks like more rain is coming. Definitely. There are mangrove islands to the northweast which I can normally see out of the window. This morning I cannot, which means they are already covered in rain and the rain is coming in.
I did a lot of paper work yesterday. About 3 hours worth. I had let things get behind.
Last night I headed for La Trattoria.
Normally Monday night is quiet. The weekend had been quiet. Not last night! Where every one came from, I do not know. But there was a good crowd in town!
The sidewalks were crowded. People happy. All having a good time.
Monday night is slow slow at La Trattoria. Again, not last night. The bar was packed. Only one seat empty. I grabbed it quickly.
The lovely Kathy was bartending. She, too, was surprised at the volume of business. She told me that on Sunday, the night before, there were only 4 people in and they closed at 8:30.
Who knows!
Even the restaurant portion of La Trattoria filled.
A good Monday night! Good for a Monday night!
Bobby Nesbitt returns tomorrow night! At Aqua at 5:30. He has been in Germany for 6 weeks performing and vacationing. I am excited. I enjoy his singing.
That rain covering the mangrove islands has now reached me. It is pouring! And with it whitecaps in the water. Although lacking in color, it is a pretty sight!
Monday, October 13, 2008
I am up early again. Dark black outside! I cannot wait till the time changes so I will see sun when my eyes open.
I spent the morning leafing through the Sunday papers yesterday.
Then to Don's Place in the early afternoon to watch pro football and chat with friends.
On the way home, I stopped at Lisa's to see the grandkids. The door was locked. No one at the inn. Later I learned they were at a kid's birthday party.
Dinner at the Yacht club with Lisa, Corey and the grandchildren. Ally was wired. Lisa said sugar! Ally ate candy and cake at the party.
Then to the Pier House for Larry Smith's Sunday Showcase. A big night!
First, it was Larry's birthday. Party time! Ballons and all!
Kate Miano was Larry's featured performer. I did not know she could sing. What a voice! I enjoyed her!
Kate is running for Fantasy Fest Queen. I suspect she will win. She had a huge following with her last night.
Kate is an interesting and multi-talented individual. She owns and operates the Gardens Hotel. The Gardens is one of Key West's most luxurious resorts. Kate made it that way!
Tino and Maria were back. From Mexico city. They visited their son who is stationed there with the U.S. government.
Harlan has returned! He was at the Showcase also. Old home week!
Harlan used to live in Key West. A man's man. He now lives in Costa Rica. He is visiting for a week.
I admire Harlan's business abilities. He owns one the laregest limousine fleets in New York City. He has owned it for many years. He used to operate it from Key West. Now he operates it from Costa Rica. The computer is key. And a dependable New York staff. The two permit Harlan to reside in Costa Rica and only drop into New York every 2 or 3 weeks for a few days to check the business out. A smart man!
Still black outside. Thunder and lightning now. Sharp blue flashes across a horizon that I cannot see!
I spent the morning leafing through the Sunday papers yesterday.
Then to Don's Place in the early afternoon to watch pro football and chat with friends.
On the way home, I stopped at Lisa's to see the grandkids. The door was locked. No one at the inn. Later I learned they were at a kid's birthday party.
Dinner at the Yacht club with Lisa, Corey and the grandchildren. Ally was wired. Lisa said sugar! Ally ate candy and cake at the party.
Then to the Pier House for Larry Smith's Sunday Showcase. A big night!
First, it was Larry's birthday. Party time! Ballons and all!
Kate Miano was Larry's featured performer. I did not know she could sing. What a voice! I enjoyed her!
Kate is running for Fantasy Fest Queen. I suspect she will win. She had a huge following with her last night.
Kate is an interesting and multi-talented individual. She owns and operates the Gardens Hotel. The Gardens is one of Key West's most luxurious resorts. Kate made it that way!
Tino and Maria were back. From Mexico city. They visited their son who is stationed there with the U.S. government.
Harlan has returned! He was at the Showcase also. Old home week!
Harlan used to live in Key West. A man's man. He now lives in Costa Rica. He is visiting for a week.
I admire Harlan's business abilities. He owns one the laregest limousine fleets in New York City. He has owned it for many years. He used to operate it from Key West. Now he operates it from Costa Rica. The computer is key. And a dependable New York staff. The two permit Harlan to reside in Costa Rica and only drop into New York every 2 or 3 weeks for a few days to check the business out. A smart man!
Still black outside. Thunder and lightning now. Sharp blue flashes across a horizon that I cannot see!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Happy Sunday morning!
My favorite day! The Sunday papers, Don's Place and dinner with Lisa, Corey and the grandkids.
Yesterday started with a walk. Then a visit to see the grandchildren. They are both at Montessori. Friday they brought home coloring work they had done. It was hanging on the refrigerator door.
Robert showed me his drawings with pride. Ally was afraid I was going to take hers away.
Last night I met my friend Donna for an easy drink and dinner time. At Kelly's. We both had wings. A big night!
The food and company were both good.
Christopher is back as bartender at Kelly's. Chris is reigning Fantasy Fest King, having beeen elected last year. His time as King ends in 2 weeks.
It was good to see Chris again. He has been sick.
Chris complained for a month to several doctors of pain in his stomach. He apparently was consistently misdiagnosed. In the end it turned out to be gall stones, which were removed. Chris lost 25 pounds during the month of misdiagnoses.
However he is back, which is good! Happy to feel good again! And oh, so thin!
It is Sunday papers time!
My favorite day! The Sunday papers, Don's Place and dinner with Lisa, Corey and the grandkids.
Yesterday started with a walk. Then a visit to see the grandchildren. They are both at Montessori. Friday they brought home coloring work they had done. It was hanging on the refrigerator door.
Robert showed me his drawings with pride. Ally was afraid I was going to take hers away.
Last night I met my friend Donna for an easy drink and dinner time. At Kelly's. We both had wings. A big night!
The food and company were both good.
Christopher is back as bartender at Kelly's. Chris is reigning Fantasy Fest King, having beeen elected last year. His time as King ends in 2 weeks.
It was good to see Chris again. He has been sick.
Chris complained for a month to several doctors of pain in his stomach. He apparently was consistently misdiagnosed. In the end it turned out to be gall stones, which were removed. Chris lost 25 pounds during the month of misdiagnoses.
However he is back, which is good! Happy to feel good again! And oh, so thin!
It is Sunday papers time!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
A quiet day yestrday.
Haircut in the morning. Love seeing Lori. She looks good and smells good. Everyone should have Lori cut their hair!
Lunch at Paradise Cafe. Read the papers.
There are a new brood of chickies following mother hen around. The rooster was no where to be seen. He did his job. Probably hanging out in some other hen's house.
The chicken situation can become overwhelming. The Paradise people are trying to rid their property of them. They are noisy and dirty. So the chickens get periodically hosed. Gently, of course. Just enough to make them scurry away.
For whatever reason, I was tired after lunch. Laid down on the bed for a few minutes and woke three hours later.
Mc Cain returned to being a class act yesterday. His several comments regarding Obama being a good person, good family man and that he would make a good President were well said. Mc Cain further observed, and properly so however, that he, Mc Cain, would make a better President.
The campaign was getting out of control. Hatredness seemed to be overtaking the Mc Cain campaign. Perhaps rabble rousing of the worst sort. As I said yesterday, the economy and the war are the issues at this stage. Everything else is extraneous.
I was out to dinner at La Trattoria last night. I have not been there in a while. Good to see the lovely Erin and the lovely Beecha.
A friend and his fiance were at a a nearby table. I went over to say hello. It is important to note I had not had a drink yet. Somehow in the handshaking experience I knocked over a large glass of red wine. All over the table and all over him! Nothing on her fortunately.
How embarrassing! If there was a hole, I would have dove into it!
I ended up buying their dinner. It was the least I could do.
I hope they still like me.
Haircut in the morning. Love seeing Lori. She looks good and smells good. Everyone should have Lori cut their hair!
Lunch at Paradise Cafe. Read the papers.
There are a new brood of chickies following mother hen around. The rooster was no where to be seen. He did his job. Probably hanging out in some other hen's house.
The chicken situation can become overwhelming. The Paradise people are trying to rid their property of them. They are noisy and dirty. So the chickens get periodically hosed. Gently, of course. Just enough to make them scurry away.
For whatever reason, I was tired after lunch. Laid down on the bed for a few minutes and woke three hours later.
Mc Cain returned to being a class act yesterday. His several comments regarding Obama being a good person, good family man and that he would make a good President were well said. Mc Cain further observed, and properly so however, that he, Mc Cain, would make a better President.
The campaign was getting out of control. Hatredness seemed to be overtaking the Mc Cain campaign. Perhaps rabble rousing of the worst sort. As I said yesterday, the economy and the war are the issues at this stage. Everything else is extraneous.
I was out to dinner at La Trattoria last night. I have not been there in a while. Good to see the lovely Erin and the lovely Beecha.
A friend and his fiance were at a a nearby table. I went over to say hello. It is important to note I had not had a drink yet. Somehow in the handshaking experience I knocked over a large glass of red wine. All over the table and all over him! Nothing on her fortunately.
How embarrassing! If there was a hole, I would have dove into it!
I ended up buying their dinner. It was the least I could do.
I hope they still like me.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Bocci last night!
Big fun!
We won 2 out of 3 games. I played well.
And had fun besides!
The people playing Key West bocci are from all over the world. Europe, Asia and Central America, as well as the U.S. All ages. All come together one night a week to play, drink and have a good time!
Shane is playing with our team this year. He and I partnered up for 2 of the matches last night.
This is Shane's first year. He is probably in his late 20s. Makes a living with a fishing boat. He has owned one for 3 years. Does private charters.
Shane's girl friend is Czech. They met here in Key West. She recently returned home to complete her education. Shane just returned from a 3 week visit to her. He had a terrific time! Went to all the right places. Why not! He had a home born travel agent in the girl friend. He was especially taken by Prague.
This is Shane's first year at bocci. He is good at it and will be fantastic after a year or two. He is a natural born athlete. You can see it. Great eye/hand coordination. The game comes easy to him.
We had won the first game and lost the second. So victory in the third game was important. It came down to the last shot. Shane's shot! He put the ball where it could not go! We won! Such jubilation!
This market thing eats at me. And every one else. World wide! Except for one place. TV news this morning says the one place where the market shot upward big time yesterday was Bagdad. Would you believe it! There is a message here.
The Presidential campaign is getting down and dirty. Not good. The issues are key. Not distant vague relationships. Mc Cain is not the warrior of 2000 nor is he doing his reputation any good. Victory at any cost is not worthy of him nor the office he seeks. Slug it out toe to toe on the economy and war. Not trash.
I am up early. Still dark. Black. I am going to make a cup of coffee and sit outside and watch the sun rise. Life returns every morning!
Big fun!
We won 2 out of 3 games. I played well.
And had fun besides!
The people playing Key West bocci are from all over the world. Europe, Asia and Central America, as well as the U.S. All ages. All come together one night a week to play, drink and have a good time!
Shane is playing with our team this year. He and I partnered up for 2 of the matches last night.
This is Shane's first year. He is probably in his late 20s. Makes a living with a fishing boat. He has owned one for 3 years. Does private charters.
Shane's girl friend is Czech. They met here in Key West. She recently returned home to complete her education. Shane just returned from a 3 week visit to her. He had a terrific time! Went to all the right places. Why not! He had a home born travel agent in the girl friend. He was especially taken by Prague.
This is Shane's first year at bocci. He is good at it and will be fantastic after a year or two. He is a natural born athlete. You can see it. Great eye/hand coordination. The game comes easy to him.
We had won the first game and lost the second. So victory in the third game was important. It came down to the last shot. Shane's shot! He put the ball where it could not go! We won! Such jubilation!
This market thing eats at me. And every one else. World wide! Except for one place. TV news this morning says the one place where the market shot upward big time yesterday was Bagdad. Would you believe it! There is a message here.
The Presidential campaign is getting down and dirty. Not good. The issues are key. Not distant vague relationships. Mc Cain is not the warrior of 2000 nor is he doing his reputation any good. Victory at any cost is not worthy of him nor the office he seeks. Slug it out toe to toe on the economy and war. Not trash.
I am up early. Still dark. Black. I am going to make a cup of coffee and sit outside and watch the sun rise. Life returns every morning!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Good morning!
A nice day! Sun shinning. A slight breeze. Water moving softly.
Things are tough financially. And getting worse! With each passing day!
I was out last night. Stopped at Antonia's for a bite to eat. Including me, there were a total of 4 customers in the restaurant!
We are now into October. Business should be picking up. It is not. People are afraid to spend. And justifiably! Assuming they have money to spend, that is.
Duval by day is slow also.
I heard yesterday that fewer cruise ships are coming in. People are not vacationing as they did. Better to be safe than sorry! Watch the bucks!
And this problem is world wide. Who would ever have believed it could have occurred!
I consider myself a fairly intelligent person. And it is beyond my comprehension as to how all this came to be. And even worse, that it was not foreseen by the experts and government and dealt with before it hit.
I fear I still may end up selling apples on a street corner!
A nice day! Sun shinning. A slight breeze. Water moving softly.
Things are tough financially. And getting worse! With each passing day!
I was out last night. Stopped at Antonia's for a bite to eat. Including me, there were a total of 4 customers in the restaurant!
We are now into October. Business should be picking up. It is not. People are afraid to spend. And justifiably! Assuming they have money to spend, that is.
Duval by day is slow also.
I heard yesterday that fewer cruise ships are coming in. People are not vacationing as they did. Better to be safe than sorry! Watch the bucks!
And this problem is world wide. Who would ever have believed it could have occurred!
I consider myself a fairly intelligent person. And it is beyond my comprehension as to how all this came to be. And even worse, that it was not foreseen by the experts and government and dealt with before it hit.
I fear I still may end up selling apples on a street corner!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The market and the debate. What else held any importance yesterday!
This credit crunch is too much for me to understand. The cause, that is. The effect everyone feels!
My 94 year old father remembers the depression of the 1930s. He is not depositing checks into his bank account. He fears bank failure. On the other hand, he is just sitting on them. Not cashing them anywhere. Recognize it is not that easy to cash checks any more.
The point is clear. We are in trouble.
Many of my friends are redistributing their wealth by scattering their money into many banks so as to have the protection of the federal government who guarantees bank accounts up to $100,000 and now, perhaps, to $250,000. The only problem is good luck! if there is bank failure and you have to collect from the government. There is not enough money to cover every one's deposits!
We presently live in a shakey world of cards when it comes to the economy.
I believe we will recover. The whole world is involved. Governments cannot permit a total collapse. Governments will then fail to exist. The world will become a very bad place to live. Society itself is at stake.
The debate last night was not that which was trumpted all day and expected. No down and dirty. From my perspective, Obama was clearly the winner. Mc Cain just does not get it.
Another problem is Mc Cain's age. He looked like an old man moving around the stage. The reason why: He is an old man! He looked tired and moved tired. And recognize as I have said before, I know age and its effects. I am 73; Mc Cain 71.
Other than the excitement of the market and debate, I spent a relatively quiet day yesterday. The real high point was watching 4 year old Robert play soccer early last evening. Great!
Ally at 3 is one year too young to play. So she watches Robert play. When she becomes bored, she hustles over to the swings nearby.
I left the soccer early. I passed about 50 feet from Ally on the swing. She saw me and yelled Poppa! She jumped off the swing and ran over to me. She wanted to give me a big hug and kiss good bye! What could be better!
This credit crunch is too much for me to understand. The cause, that is. The effect everyone feels!
My 94 year old father remembers the depression of the 1930s. He is not depositing checks into his bank account. He fears bank failure. On the other hand, he is just sitting on them. Not cashing them anywhere. Recognize it is not that easy to cash checks any more.
The point is clear. We are in trouble.
Many of my friends are redistributing their wealth by scattering their money into many banks so as to have the protection of the federal government who guarantees bank accounts up to $100,000 and now, perhaps, to $250,000. The only problem is good luck! if there is bank failure and you have to collect from the government. There is not enough money to cover every one's deposits!
We presently live in a shakey world of cards when it comes to the economy.
I believe we will recover. The whole world is involved. Governments cannot permit a total collapse. Governments will then fail to exist. The world will become a very bad place to live. Society itself is at stake.
The debate last night was not that which was trumpted all day and expected. No down and dirty. From my perspective, Obama was clearly the winner. Mc Cain just does not get it.
Another problem is Mc Cain's age. He looked like an old man moving around the stage. The reason why: He is an old man! He looked tired and moved tired. And recognize as I have said before, I know age and its effects. I am 73; Mc Cain 71.
Other than the excitement of the market and debate, I spent a relatively quiet day yesterday. The real high point was watching 4 year old Robert play soccer early last evening. Great!
Ally at 3 is one year too young to play. So she watches Robert play. When she becomes bored, she hustles over to the swings nearby.
I left the soccer early. I passed about 50 feet from Ally on the swing. She saw me and yelled Poppa! She jumped off the swing and ran over to me. She wanted to give me a big hug and kiss good bye! What could be better!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Are we ready to jump out of windows yet?
I have never seen anything like this economy! Scarry! Big time!
It is THE topic of conversation. Everyone has the fear factor. No bravado here.
The Presidential debate tonight is going to be most interesting. Both candidates will have to hit the economy issue big time. But will they?
Even assuming one of them makes sense and the American public is comfortable of a solution, we will still have to wait till mid January for him to take office.
This country is in a free fall. Steps must be taken now. Each day appears to be worse than the preceding. The $700 billion passed and signed into law friday was to be the problem solver. A lot of money! That amount of money should solve anyone's problems. But it did not! At least initially. The market fell dramatically again yesterday. As did the markets in the rest of the world.
I remember nothing like this ever before in my lifetime.
Back to 1955. At least it brings a wry smile to my face.
.....It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they both can work.
......No one can afford to be sick anymore. At $35.00 a day in the hospital it's too rich for my blood.
.....If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it.
Watch the debate tonight like your life depends on it. It just might!
I have never seen anything like this economy! Scarry! Big time!
It is THE topic of conversation. Everyone has the fear factor. No bravado here.
The Presidential debate tonight is going to be most interesting. Both candidates will have to hit the economy issue big time. But will they?
Even assuming one of them makes sense and the American public is comfortable of a solution, we will still have to wait till mid January for him to take office.
This country is in a free fall. Steps must be taken now. Each day appears to be worse than the preceding. The $700 billion passed and signed into law friday was to be the problem solver. A lot of money! That amount of money should solve anyone's problems. But it did not! At least initially. The market fell dramatically again yesterday. As did the markets in the rest of the world.
I remember nothing like this ever before in my lifetime.
Back to 1955. At least it brings a wry smile to my face.
.....It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they both can work.
......No one can afford to be sick anymore. At $35.00 a day in the hospital it's too rich for my blood.
.....If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it.
Watch the debate tonight like your life depends on it. It just might!
Monday, October 6, 2008
I like Sundays!
I do nothing!
One of my most favored past times is reading the Sunday papers. Slowly and liesurely. Sipping coffee.
Sunday afternoons during pro football season is Don's Place. Techanically called Don's Millionaire Bar! And Don has a million TV sets inside and out so his patrons can view the games several at a time.
Don's Place is where I spent yesterday's Sunday afternoon. Watching Donovan Mc Nabb and Philadelphia lose! Terrible! I follow the Eagles because Mc Nabb played at Syracuse University, my school.
Then dinner at the Yacht Club with Lisa, Corey and the grandkids. The little ones had not napped so they were a bit rambunctious.
Robert and I are into Tic, Tac, Toe. I am 73. Robert is 4. His age makes him a worthy adversary. He beat me 3 games out of 5! I high fived him for his victory!
Sunday night is the Larry Smith Showcase time. Last evening's featured performer was Lady Diane. Diane is running for Fantasy Queen. Quite a delegation came out to support her. She sings the blues. Good!
The other candidates for King and Queen were there also. Kate Miano is one of them. She will be Larry's featured performer next week.
This Presidential campaign is turning into gutter politics. The economy is dropping rapidly. It is on every person's lips. And Mc Cain comes up with this Ayers garbage again. And now this morning Obama is retaliating with the Keating scandal. Fair game. Tit for tat. But not what we want to hear! It is the economy, gentlemen!
I do nothing!
One of my most favored past times is reading the Sunday papers. Slowly and liesurely. Sipping coffee.
Sunday afternoons during pro football season is Don's Place. Techanically called Don's Millionaire Bar! And Don has a million TV sets inside and out so his patrons can view the games several at a time.
Don's Place is where I spent yesterday's Sunday afternoon. Watching Donovan Mc Nabb and Philadelphia lose! Terrible! I follow the Eagles because Mc Nabb played at Syracuse University, my school.
Then dinner at the Yacht Club with Lisa, Corey and the grandkids. The little ones had not napped so they were a bit rambunctious.
Robert and I are into Tic, Tac, Toe. I am 73. Robert is 4. His age makes him a worthy adversary. He beat me 3 games out of 5! I high fived him for his victory!
Sunday night is the Larry Smith Showcase time. Last evening's featured performer was Lady Diane. Diane is running for Fantasy Queen. Quite a delegation came out to support her. She sings the blues. Good!
The other candidates for King and Queen were there also. Kate Miano is one of them. She will be Larry's featured performer next week.
This Presidential campaign is turning into gutter politics. The economy is dropping rapidly. It is on every person's lips. And Mc Cain comes up with this Ayers garbage again. And now this morning Obama is retaliating with the Keating scandal. Fair game. Tit for tat. But not what we want to hear! It is the economy, gentlemen!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Gray this morning. Like yesterday.
It rained most of yesterday. The sun only peeked through a couple of times.
A dreary day. So I stayed in bed all day!
Last night my friend Donna Barnett took me to dinner. At Martin's. It was weinerschnitzel time!
The economy is impacting on the restuarants here. My weiner was half of the size it normally is. And the schnitzel twice the portion. The price was the same!
I understood. Never the less I was disappointed.
Afterwards we walked over to La Te Da for a drink. The bar was empty except for Sassy when we arrived. However it soon filled. It was a fun place to be!
One drink was enough for me. I gave Donna a peck on the cheek, wished her good night and was home to bed before 11.
A quiet day.
Once I send this blog to you, I will be off to buy some Sunday papers. Then back home to read them. And, of course, watch Meet the Press. Later today Lisa is bringing the grandkids over to swim, assuming the weather clears. And then tonight I am taking them all to dinner at the Yacht Club.
A typical Sunday.
Talk with you tomorrow!
It rained most of yesterday. The sun only peeked through a couple of times.
A dreary day. So I stayed in bed all day!
Last night my friend Donna Barnett took me to dinner. At Martin's. It was weinerschnitzel time!
The economy is impacting on the restuarants here. My weiner was half of the size it normally is. And the schnitzel twice the portion. The price was the same!
I understood. Never the less I was disappointed.
Afterwards we walked over to La Te Da for a drink. The bar was empty except for Sassy when we arrived. However it soon filled. It was a fun place to be!
One drink was enough for me. I gave Donna a peck on the cheek, wished her good night and was home to bed before 11.
A quiet day.
Once I send this blog to you, I will be off to buy some Sunday papers. Then back home to read them. And, of course, watch Meet the Press. Later today Lisa is bringing the grandkids over to swim, assuming the weather clears. And then tonight I am taking them all to dinner at the Yacht Club.
A typical Sunday.
Talk with you tomorrow!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
It is just after 7 this morning and still dark. I have the window open and can see nothing. However I can hear the water slapping at the rocks.
Yesterday was a relatively quiet one.
A late lunch at the Yacht club and then read the papers.
My nephew Jimmy called yesterday afternoon. He is my sister Joan's son. He was in town for the weekend. We agreed to meet later at Antonia's for dinner.
I have not seen Jimmy for a couple of years. It was good to be with him again.
Jimmy is an air controller. Out of Miami. He has been at it for a long time now. He has become active in union affairs and is President of the air controllers' union for the Miami area. He is considering running for national office.
An interesting career. An interesting young man.
Buchanan's book keeps running through my mind. Such stimulation! Again I suggest you read it.
The one glaring failure of the book is how it deals with the holocaust. It does not. It sort of passes over it.
Hitler had already evidenced his hatred for the Jews during the 1930s in Germany itself. Poland became key in Hitler's conquest plans. England got into the war with Germany over a treaty it had with the Poles to defend Poland in case of attack.
Buchanan takes the position the treaty was a stupid move on England's part as England had only 2 military divisions at the time and Germany over 70. In effect, England promised something it could not deliver, to wit: the defense of Poland.
Buchanan views the Poland defense treaty as a far worse move than what Chamberlan did at Munich.
As we know, Germany invaded Poland. England came into the war. England could not save Poland. Poland fell.
Now for what Buchanan's book fails to talk about. The Warsaw Ghetto!
Polish Jews sought refuge in a certain area of Warsaw. The Germans confined them to that area. In the end there was a long and bloody battle by the Jews against the Germans. One of the heroic battles of history!
I do not recall any mention of the Warsaw Ghetto in the book. If it was there, it had to be a miniscule reference for me not to recall it.
My point is that Buchanan failed to tie into his otherwise detailed and most interesting analysis Hitler's position re the Jewish people. There is some reference in the book to it, but not enough. It is sort of a gloss over.
I find the failure to more fully develop and analyze the holocaust the one failure of the book. It would have been interesting to know Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin's thought processes on the issue. We are aware of Hitler's without even reading the book.
I promise to speak no more of Buchanan's book!
A few more 1955 comments.
.....I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now.
.....It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.
.....The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.
Well, the sun has apparently come up! But I cannot see it. Too many clouds. Very gray outside.
Enjoy the day.
Yesterday was a relatively quiet one.
A late lunch at the Yacht club and then read the papers.
My nephew Jimmy called yesterday afternoon. He is my sister Joan's son. He was in town for the weekend. We agreed to meet later at Antonia's for dinner.
I have not seen Jimmy for a couple of years. It was good to be with him again.
Jimmy is an air controller. Out of Miami. He has been at it for a long time now. He has become active in union affairs and is President of the air controllers' union for the Miami area. He is considering running for national office.
An interesting career. An interesting young man.
Buchanan's book keeps running through my mind. Such stimulation! Again I suggest you read it.
The one glaring failure of the book is how it deals with the holocaust. It does not. It sort of passes over it.
Hitler had already evidenced his hatred for the Jews during the 1930s in Germany itself. Poland became key in Hitler's conquest plans. England got into the war with Germany over a treaty it had with the Poles to defend Poland in case of attack.
Buchanan takes the position the treaty was a stupid move on England's part as England had only 2 military divisions at the time and Germany over 70. In effect, England promised something it could not deliver, to wit: the defense of Poland.
Buchanan views the Poland defense treaty as a far worse move than what Chamberlan did at Munich.
As we know, Germany invaded Poland. England came into the war. England could not save Poland. Poland fell.
Now for what Buchanan's book fails to talk about. The Warsaw Ghetto!
Polish Jews sought refuge in a certain area of Warsaw. The Germans confined them to that area. In the end there was a long and bloody battle by the Jews against the Germans. One of the heroic battles of history!
I do not recall any mention of the Warsaw Ghetto in the book. If it was there, it had to be a miniscule reference for me not to recall it.
My point is that Buchanan failed to tie into his otherwise detailed and most interesting analysis Hitler's position re the Jewish people. There is some reference in the book to it, but not enough. It is sort of a gloss over.
I find the failure to more fully develop and analyze the holocaust the one failure of the book. It would have been interesting to know Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin's thought processes on the issue. We are aware of Hitler's without even reading the book.
I promise to speak no more of Buchanan's book!
A few more 1955 comments.
.....I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now.
.....It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.
.....The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.
Well, the sun has apparently come up! But I cannot see it. Too many clouds. Very gray outside.
Enjoy the day.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Bocci last night was truly night time bocci. The lights went out!
A wire went down behind Home Depot and the whole island turned dark. For about 2 hours.
We tried to play with headlights. It did not work for us. Our court was located at the end where we could not get a car close enough. At the other end however, two courts were able to play under car and truck lights. Like under the stars!
So we drank. And lamented that we were going to miss the debate!
Someone said the lights were out only on the island. Up the keys things were ok. I live 2.5 miles north of Key West. So I hurried home. I had power!
I fixed myself a drink and settled in for the debate.
Palin did better than expected. One could say her expectations were so low, she could not miss.
There is some merit to that statement. However she did do good! Credit must be given were deserved.
On the other hand, she answered very few questions directly. She took off on her own from what I assume was a prepared script. A better moderator would have followed up and required more pertinent responses. However such did not happen and so we must give Palin credit for a good performance.
Biden was what I expected. A knowledgable performance. He gets good grades also!
In the end I thought Biden was the winner, if there is one. However there really was no loser.
My mind is clear though. If one of them might become President, I would want Biden answering that telephone at 3 in the morning!
Lights out was a common place occurrence yesterday.
I was reading Buchanan's book on how WW II could have been avoided at Borders in the afternoon. I was sitting in the back. The lights went out. For about 20 minutes. Very dark in the store. I made my way to the front where there are large windows. Mother Nature was helping. The sun was coming in the windows. I found a chair nearby and continued to read.
I finally finished the book. One of the most interesting writings I have read in several years. Maybe because I was a history major and now a political junkie.
Churchill turns out not to be the hero we all knew. Rather he was a politico who wanted Hitler defeated at any cost. At any cost.....the operative words. Several times the war could have been avoided or concluded. But Churchill was not so inclined. His destiny was tied to defeating Hitler.
Churchill succeeded. But it cost Britan 400,000 men and the loss of the Empire. A heavy price to pay to satisfy personal vanity.
Judgment comes into play. Churchill thought Stalin was a great guy. Churchill agreed to many give aways to guarantee Russia's assistance against Germany. Again, victory at any cost!
Stalin must have been a charmer. The book takes the position that even Roosevelt was taken with him.
Lend lease was interesting. I was always under the impression that Roosevelt helped England out of the goodness of our hearts. The US was helping a friend it could not yet do battle for.
Buchanan shows that Roosevelt charged England for every piece of lend lease aid. And collected every penny like a banker.
Apparently the cost of payment helped put England in dire financiasl straites. But Churchill was not concerned. Again that victory at any cost thing.
Buchanan suggests that Hitler was willing to end the war after Dunkirk. He never wanted to fight the British. His concern was Stalin and Russia. Buchanan claims all Hitler wanted was the return of some African colonies that England had taken from Germany as part of the Treaty of Versaille following WW I.
Think of what might have happened if that scenerio had played out. The Germans and Russians would have killed each other. We would have avoided getting into WW II and then 50 years of Communism. And England would have remained a giant among nations!
Buchanan closes the novel with something which left me feeling a bit uncomfortable. He claims that when the present President Bush took office, he had a bust of Churchill placed in his office.
A friend sent me an e mail about comments made in 1955. That is 53 years ago. I am going to share a few with you over the next few days.
...If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit. A quarter a pack is rediculous.
...I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible
to buy a week's groceries for $20.
...When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost
29 cents a gallon. Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage.
The sun is shinning bright this morning! What will this day hold for me?
A wire went down behind Home Depot and the whole island turned dark. For about 2 hours.
We tried to play with headlights. It did not work for us. Our court was located at the end where we could not get a car close enough. At the other end however, two courts were able to play under car and truck lights. Like under the stars!
So we drank. And lamented that we were going to miss the debate!
Someone said the lights were out only on the island. Up the keys things were ok. I live 2.5 miles north of Key West. So I hurried home. I had power!
I fixed myself a drink and settled in for the debate.
Palin did better than expected. One could say her expectations were so low, she could not miss.
There is some merit to that statement. However she did do good! Credit must be given were deserved.
On the other hand, she answered very few questions directly. She took off on her own from what I assume was a prepared script. A better moderator would have followed up and required more pertinent responses. However such did not happen and so we must give Palin credit for a good performance.
Biden was what I expected. A knowledgable performance. He gets good grades also!
In the end I thought Biden was the winner, if there is one. However there really was no loser.
My mind is clear though. If one of them might become President, I would want Biden answering that telephone at 3 in the morning!
Lights out was a common place occurrence yesterday.
I was reading Buchanan's book on how WW II could have been avoided at Borders in the afternoon. I was sitting in the back. The lights went out. For about 20 minutes. Very dark in the store. I made my way to the front where there are large windows. Mother Nature was helping. The sun was coming in the windows. I found a chair nearby and continued to read.
I finally finished the book. One of the most interesting writings I have read in several years. Maybe because I was a history major and now a political junkie.
Churchill turns out not to be the hero we all knew. Rather he was a politico who wanted Hitler defeated at any cost. At any cost.....the operative words. Several times the war could have been avoided or concluded. But Churchill was not so inclined. His destiny was tied to defeating Hitler.
Churchill succeeded. But it cost Britan 400,000 men and the loss of the Empire. A heavy price to pay to satisfy personal vanity.
Judgment comes into play. Churchill thought Stalin was a great guy. Churchill agreed to many give aways to guarantee Russia's assistance against Germany. Again, victory at any cost!
Stalin must have been a charmer. The book takes the position that even Roosevelt was taken with him.
Lend lease was interesting. I was always under the impression that Roosevelt helped England out of the goodness of our hearts. The US was helping a friend it could not yet do battle for.
Buchanan shows that Roosevelt charged England for every piece of lend lease aid. And collected every penny like a banker.
Apparently the cost of payment helped put England in dire financiasl straites. But Churchill was not concerned. Again that victory at any cost thing.
Buchanan suggests that Hitler was willing to end the war after Dunkirk. He never wanted to fight the British. His concern was Stalin and Russia. Buchanan claims all Hitler wanted was the return of some African colonies that England had taken from Germany as part of the Treaty of Versaille following WW I.
Think of what might have happened if that scenerio had played out. The Germans and Russians would have killed each other. We would have avoided getting into WW II and then 50 years of Communism. And England would have remained a giant among nations!
Buchanan closes the novel with something which left me feeling a bit uncomfortable. He claims that when the present President Bush took office, he had a bust of Churchill placed in his office.
A friend sent me an e mail about comments made in 1955. That is 53 years ago. I am going to share a few with you over the next few days.
...If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit. A quarter a pack is rediculous.
...I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible
to buy a week's groceries for $20.
...When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost
29 cents a gallon. Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage.
The sun is shinning bright this morning! What will this day hold for me?
Thursday, October 2, 2008
A full day yesterday!
Golf in the morning. Played with Yankee Jack and Tino. I only played fairly, even though I won 4 of the first 5 holes. Then nothing the next 13 holes. Tino was the big winner. $4. Yankee the big loser.$3. I lost $1. Not a big day money wise. I enjoyed playing with Yankee and Tino. Good guys.
Last night started at Aqua. Vanessa Di Gennaro is filling in for Bobby Nesbitt. She sings terrific! A winner!
Her proud father is always with her. He is Mario Di Gennaro, Mayor of Monroe County. An old world type. Obviously deeply family oriented. You can see in his facial expressions and eyes his love and admiration for daughter Vanessa. Qualities nice to observe! Lucky Vanessa! Lucky Mario!
Then to Antonia's for dinner at the bar. A great snapper dish! And some good conversation with other patrons.
And home to bed. All before 9. And I slept last night! Between golf and not having slept the night before, it did not take me long to drop off.
Big night tonight! Bocci and the Vice-Presidential debate. What could be better!
Golf in the morning. Played with Yankee Jack and Tino. I only played fairly, even though I won 4 of the first 5 holes. Then nothing the next 13 holes. Tino was the big winner. $4. Yankee the big loser.$3. I lost $1. Not a big day money wise. I enjoyed playing with Yankee and Tino. Good guys.
Last night started at Aqua. Vanessa Di Gennaro is filling in for Bobby Nesbitt. She sings terrific! A winner!
Her proud father is always with her. He is Mario Di Gennaro, Mayor of Monroe County. An old world type. Obviously deeply family oriented. You can see in his facial expressions and eyes his love and admiration for daughter Vanessa. Qualities nice to observe! Lucky Vanessa! Lucky Mario!
Then to Antonia's for dinner at the bar. A great snapper dish! And some good conversation with other patrons.
And home to bed. All before 9. And I slept last night! Between golf and not having slept the night before, it did not take me long to drop off.
Big night tonight! Bocci and the Vice-Presidential debate. What could be better!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Good morning!
It's about 4:30. Some idiot called at 2. Wrong number. I have not been able to get back to sleep.
Yesterday started slowly.
I hung around the house till lunch time. Sat outside reading a book on golf. Not that it will help!
Lunch at the Yacht Club. Me at the bar with hogfish and the papers. Hogfish is soooo delicious!
I continue to freeload at Borders. Still reading Buchanan's book on how WW II might have been avoided. Interesting! Revealing! Read it!
Grandson Robert had his first soccer game last night. Turned out just to be practice. Regardless, he was so excited!
And so was I! And Lisa and Corey! Ally could care less. She took off to play on the swings.
We were there all of 10 minutes when it started to rain. Typical September rain. It poured monsoons! Practice ended immediately. We all hurried to our cars. Getting soaking wet in the process!
I hurried home to shower and change. I was cold!
Then to Lisa's and Happy Birthday!
The grandkids get all excited for these things. They sang and helped Lisa blow out the candles.
Being the last of the big spenders, I bought Lisa a necklace from a street vendor on Duval for $2. I got what I paid for. It broke as she was trying it on!
Afterwards I went to Aqua for the finals of Aqua Idol. The place was packed. At least 150 people. All excited.
The three finalists were Vanessa Di Gennaro, Mary Deasy and Madge Johnson. All winners! Hard to select one over the other. But some one has to win and the winner was Vanessa Di Gennaro. Congratulations!
I compliment all three. However I have got to say Madge's last song blew me out. She was terrific! Ten years ago, give or take a few, Madge was not a singer. Larry Smith got her to sing, encouraged her and helped develop her. She has not needed his assistance in a long time. She is now recognized as one of the premier singers on the island.
Vanessa sings at Aqua tonight from 5:30m to 7:30. She continues to fill in for Bobby Nesbitt who is enjoying Europe. Stop in and listen to Vanessa! She is great!
It was a music night. I went from Aqua to the Pier House. Larry Smith's Ladies' Night!
Carmen Rodriguez starred. A talent! I enjoy watching her perform.
I am going to crawl into bed now. Hope I can grab a couple of hours of sleep. Then up early to play golf. It is already early! It is 5 am!
It's about 4:30. Some idiot called at 2. Wrong number. I have not been able to get back to sleep.
Yesterday started slowly.
I hung around the house till lunch time. Sat outside reading a book on golf. Not that it will help!
Lunch at the Yacht Club. Me at the bar with hogfish and the papers. Hogfish is soooo delicious!
I continue to freeload at Borders. Still reading Buchanan's book on how WW II might have been avoided. Interesting! Revealing! Read it!
Grandson Robert had his first soccer game last night. Turned out just to be practice. Regardless, he was so excited!
And so was I! And Lisa and Corey! Ally could care less. She took off to play on the swings.
We were there all of 10 minutes when it started to rain. Typical September rain. It poured monsoons! Practice ended immediately. We all hurried to our cars. Getting soaking wet in the process!
I hurried home to shower and change. I was cold!
Then to Lisa's and Happy Birthday!
The grandkids get all excited for these things. They sang and helped Lisa blow out the candles.
Being the last of the big spenders, I bought Lisa a necklace from a street vendor on Duval for $2. I got what I paid for. It broke as she was trying it on!
Afterwards I went to Aqua for the finals of Aqua Idol. The place was packed. At least 150 people. All excited.
The three finalists were Vanessa Di Gennaro, Mary Deasy and Madge Johnson. All winners! Hard to select one over the other. But some one has to win and the winner was Vanessa Di Gennaro. Congratulations!
I compliment all three. However I have got to say Madge's last song blew me out. She was terrific! Ten years ago, give or take a few, Madge was not a singer. Larry Smith got her to sing, encouraged her and helped develop her. She has not needed his assistance in a long time. She is now recognized as one of the premier singers on the island.
Vanessa sings at Aqua tonight from 5:30m to 7:30. She continues to fill in for Bobby Nesbitt who is enjoying Europe. Stop in and listen to Vanessa! She is great!
It was a music night. I went from Aqua to the Pier House. Larry Smith's Ladies' Night!
Carmen Rodriguez starred. A talent! I enjoy watching her perform.
I am going to crawl into bed now. Hope I can grab a couple of hours of sleep. Then up early to play golf. It is already early! It is 5 am!
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