So, what is wrong with beards, I ask. I am not a vain man, how could I be when I get snarky comments from strangers about my pink footwear, but I do like my beard and I am, apparently, in good company.
I never know where inspiration for an essay will come but this one hit me between the eyes while I was at Badboy Burrito getting dinner to go for two. While they made my two Gaucho Ernesto's I flipped through a picture book of photographs of artwork on the old Berlin Wall, whence came the fragment reproduced above.
It was hot in the store especially on the other side of the papaya where the work was getting done. My dog was out in the air conditioning waiting for my return. We were about 50 yards from the location of the murder last week of a woman who got her head bashed in behind First State Bank. I had gone home before it got called in but I met the CSI the next night and Don was looking rather tired. "Any suspects? " I asked on my way to the Communications Center and to my surprise he said he rather thought he had some idea. I was very proud to hear they got the suspect and according to the paper they got a confession inside 30 hours from when the crime was reported. 
Violent crime in Key west is rare and usually between people who know each other, with the exception of last Fantasy Fest's stabbing when an innocent bystander was stabbed to death by some Miami based whack job. Anyway I had the night off and my wife didn't feel like cooking so I suggested, as I was in town anyway, I'd take home a couple of tortilla wrapped concoctions. So I did and as I stood next to the air conditioning unit I pondered the outside world. Not much there, on Simonton Street.
Oops, wait a minute there goes a scooter in the ninety degree (32 C) heat.
As I stood and looked out the window I started to see a pattern. 
The window air conditioning unit was, as my burrito maker pointed out, the best place to wait, but it was having a tough time. The orange number was the desired temperature, the green number was the actual and as far as I could tell ne'er the twain would meet. 
More action outside, if you can call it action. 
I thought this might be indicative of what to expect if one wants to move to Key West and live the life of Riley in the sub tropics. 
Background check? No pets? And fully 500 square feet (40 meters) Phew... Welcome to Key West grasshopper. Now go get a job that can pay for this munificence which includes something north of three thousand dollars just to move in. More pedaling action going on outside which I nearly missed thanks to the bulletin board. 
These two I liked especially the one in back with the con leche. Remember how hot it was outside. 
They nearly lost their collective balance which would have made a better picture than this one. Brave souls. 
Two wheels good, motorized better. 
Then the burrito bag arrived, twenty dollars worth of dinner, but I didn't have enough pictures to make a essay so I waited for the next hapless passer by or two. 
Nearly missed that one, behind the Monroe County Transit bus.
This one I didn't miss.
This dude had gloves, earphones and sensible shoes on. Over dressed you might say. 
This is the Badboy delivery Vespa LX50. 
Key West daily living. Much like anywhere else only sunnier. And more expensive.
I never know where inspiration for an essay will come but this one hit me between the eyes while I was at Badboy Burrito getting dinner to go for two. While they made my two Gaucho Ernesto's I flipped through a picture book of photographs of artwork on the old Berlin Wall, whence came the fragment reproduced above.
It was hot in the store especially on the other side of the papaya where the work was getting done. My dog was out in the air conditioning waiting for my return. We were about 50 yards from the location of the murder last week of a woman who got her head bashed in behind First State Bank. I had gone home before it got called in but I met the CSI the next night and Don was looking rather tired. "Any suspects? " I asked on my way to the Communications Center and to my surprise he said he rather thought he had some idea. I was very proud to hear they got the suspect and according to the paper they got a confession inside 30 hours from when the crime was reported. Violent crime in Key west is rare and usually between people who know each other, with the exception of last Fantasy Fest's stabbing when an innocent bystander was stabbed to death by some Miami based whack job. Anyway I had the night off and my wife didn't feel like cooking so I suggested, as I was in town anyway, I'd take home a couple of tortilla wrapped concoctions. So I did and as I stood next to the air conditioning unit I pondered the outside world. Not much there, on Simonton Street.Oops, wait a minute there goes a scooter in the ninety degree (32 C) heat.
As I stood and looked out the window I started to see a pattern. 
The window air conditioning unit was, as my burrito maker pointed out, the best place to wait, but it was having a tough time. The orange number was the desired temperature, the green number was the actual and as far as I could tell ne'er the twain would meet. 
More action outside, if you can call it action. 
I thought this might be indicative of what to expect if one wants to move to Key West and live the life of Riley in the sub tropics. 
Background check? No pets? And fully 500 square feet (40 meters) Phew... Welcome to Key West grasshopper. Now go get a job that can pay for this munificence which includes something north of three thousand dollars just to move in. More pedaling action going on outside which I nearly missed thanks to the bulletin board. 
These two I liked especially the one in back with the con leche. Remember how hot it was outside. They nearly lost their collective balance which would have made a better picture than this one. Brave souls. 
Two wheels good, motorized better. 
Then the burrito bag arrived, twenty dollars worth of dinner, but I didn't have enough pictures to make a essay so I waited for the next hapless passer by or two. Nearly missed that one, behind the Monroe County Transit bus.This one I didn't miss.This dude had gloves, earphones and sensible shoes on. Over dressed you might say. 
This is the Badboy delivery Vespa LX50. 
14 comments:
Hmmmm. Can't wait to get there. My daughter keeps telling me how hot and muggy it is. I said It's Key West, its always like that. I've been there in October.....muggy, been there in May.... muggy. Buy its Key West I say! Maybe she's trying to change my mind.Hmmmm
On the scooters, I guess there are different sizes now? The old school "vespa" style sized scoots I am familar.
I ask, because in coming back from Tampa yesterday we saw one on the highway that was between a motorcycle and a scooter in size (and it was doing 75 mph).
I thought most topped out at about 70 mph.
BTW, did you get a picture of the burritos?
I'm really liking your new car! Congrats btw, good choice! We bought a 2010 Focus last August during the bailout/buyout, traded our daughter's old Ford Ranger, since it was falling apart and she still hadn't paid us back for it. She still made out better, got my 2000 Toyota Camry so she could commute to college. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the Ford, not being a big Ford fan (hubbie is though) and am singing a new tune when it comes to buying them. This was our first brand new car in about 25 years,so it had better last! LOL!! Good on gas mileage too, was glad to get rid of the gas hog/problem car and not leaving as much of a footprint as we were. The payments aren't bad either, thanks to the government incentive, and the husband's supplier discount (only time working in the auto industry has come in handy!). Vacation is getting closer, are you excited?
Mr Conchscooter:
Yes, Burritos are good. I managed to share 1/2 of a burrito with SonjaM yesterday. I hobbled there and back. sorry, no photos either.
bob
Wet Coast Scootin
The wife and I are looking to get out of Orlando at the beginning of the year and move to Tampa. That's where I'm hoping to find mucho Hispanic food.
@FLblogger - Ybor city for a mix of Cuban, Italian, and Greek with a side of Deviled crab (sometimes all at the same place).
Judi- locals are grumbling about the August-like heat and oppressive humidity. For you probably you won't notice much between what we have and what we expect...
Jeffrey-scooters are a body type (Vespa-like) mostly with a step through middle part. They come in all engine sizes up to 800cc (Gilera ) but even a Vespa 250 such as is in my banner picture did 85 mph on the freeway. 125/150 cc (needs a motorcycle endorsement) does 60/65 mph.
Shonassie- I have short timers really badly. Last night nothing happened and I sat up all night wishing I wasn't there. I have to work this weekend and Tuesday morning when I get home we arfe leaving. I am really enjoying the Fusion, not least because it is a stealth car. i was pleased to see I got to 80 mph the other day passing before I realized it and it's very very comfortable. Based on what I have seen so far (1800 miles) I will certainly buy another one if industrial civilization lasts that long.
Bobskoot- I did not photograph the burrito this time as I have been photographing too much food lately- essays to come. As usual the blog will continue uninterrupted through my vacation so I have been photographing everything.
FlaBlo- Tampa tested my liberalism but St Pete is quite pretty with lots of destinations. The spread out nature of the Bay Area seems to involve lots of driving. I lived on aboat in St Pete and quite enjoyed it. The city seems to have had a revival during the credit boom years too. No longer God's waiting room.
Mr Conchscooter:
don't use up ALL of your vacations. Save some for your cross country trek. I can hardly wait. only 5 more weeks and I get to buy you a burrito
bob
Wet Coast Scootin
Hummmm....I have a monthly mortgage of a thousand for a 1950s brick cottage in a cool, artsy SW VA big town/little city - guess I really can't afford to live in KW - but I can still dream...stayed in a Simonton Street guest house back in February...thanks for the photos.
Oh no you are leaving soon? I was hoping to run into on one of your walks.
Leaving Tuesday 6 am for north Carolina. Trip west cancelled. Er... Now bob is mad and riepe is grumpy.
Mr CS:
what do you mean cancelled ? don't I get to vote ? It feels like the air in my balloon has collapsed.
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
I'll be there 6/30 to 7/10.
Dear Conchscooter:
Riepe is not grumpy at all. I just rolled in from a great four-day motorcycle cruise, during which not one woman lifted up her shirt. But it was a great time anyway. Did I tell you the temperature dropped to 53º on the third night. For two days we rode in 73º weather. Choke on that.
Quite frankly, I think it would complete the set to have your picture up there with Binladen, Castro, Marx, and Trotsky. And you have your nerve using the word "poof" — when you insist on wearing those stupid shoes.
I cannot image riding a scooter in flip-flops. The opportunity to drag one's toes is too ever-present. It will be easy to pick me out when I come to Key West. I'll be wearig the full body armor.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
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