Overload Of The XXX Olympiad

I have had enough of sports to last me well beyond the next four years. From imgur, the picture sharing site which is irreverent inexcusably vulgar and terribly funny this fine moment captured forever:

One has to respect the effort and energy expended in all these more or less non violent activities, but I will be so glad when we can put these sporting efforts behind us and get on with real life. One more week to go.The Koreas shaking hands. The Olympics weren't totally wasted then. Cool.

Tropical Vacation Memories

I overheard a tourist tell his girlfriend that Key West is the only place on the planet where drunkeness at eight in the morning is not only permitted it's encouraged! Cool.

The public face of alcoholism is an elderly man clutching a pink cab lest he fall flat on his face on Petronia Street. After I came out of the theater near midnight I saw a woman supporting a staggering man who collapsed against a wall next to me, where he pissed himself copiously through his shorts. "I'm not normally like this," he muttered. "Key West has that effect," I replied as I supported his other arm and tried to avoid the waterfall.

For those that look there is so much more to this little town. The San Carlos, property claimed by the Cuban Government as a former consulate is now an arts space on Duval Street.

Margaritaville is Jimmy Buffett's enterprise selling the tropical dream. A major photo opportunity.

Fast Bucks department store is gone and now it is being used for a while at least to showcase art work from various galleries. Worth a visit.

On tandem bicycles men ride at the front and women get to stare at their butts. It's a rule, I'm told.

Children must wear helmets but their parents feel no urge to lead by example even though the law exempts them. I am not impressed by modern parenting techniques.

Everyone dreams of making a living busking on the streets of Key West. A few pull it off:

Drunken bros shambling down Duval. What tropical vacation memories are made of.

St Paul's rises above the shambles

Looking good as the sun also sets over another night of tropical debauchery.
Sigh.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Rooflines And Riders

Pedaling hard with lots of luggage under the noonday sun.


Look up as you walk Key West, for you'll never know what you might see.

All those gear obsessed fusspots would freak to see a man riding in street clothes and sandals. The Harley was a bit too noisy for my taste but I liked the image of freedom and pleasure.

Classic Key West roofline.


Classic Key West scooter renter out riding.


A not very Ket West balcony. It looked more Mediterranean to my eye.


A classic Key West scooter parking lot. Motorcycles welcomed.


Just another day riding in Old Town Key West.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The View From The Bordello

The house pictured below caught my attention. Located on Caroline Street at Elizabeth it used t be rather untidy yet decorated with a hanging bicycle. Now it has fresh paint and carpentry.


It looked more like this next house across the street but it was part of the property owned by the scandal plagued conch Community Land Trust which bit the distribution and reverted it's properties to the city housing authority. One hopes low income needy residents will occupy the splendid new building appearing at the corner of Caroline and Elizabeth.


This sign below caused me a chuckle. By the time I walked back twenty minutes later the scooter was gone. My advice if you are visiting is to follow the posted signs. You never know what privilege locals may enjoy that will get an out of town vehicle towed.


The Red Door building on Caroline at William used to be a whorehouse years ago. Nowadays they sell charming clothes and have a little love seat on the porch which gave me a place to pause out of the heat.


Across the Street is the Home Depot of the boat outfitting world. West Marine is ubiquitous: there are stores on Stock Island, in Marathon and Key Largo covering every single island, pretty much. "Welcome Racers" refers I think to the January sailing races which bring teams of noisy, ill mannered racing sailors and their wealthy sponsors and owners to town. Race week is the week not to eat out as they reserve every table at every restaurant and force the entire room to overhear their sailing exploits recounted in painful detail. But they do bring money to town in January.


Scooter babe.


Idiot with a hang over, I hope.


I looked the over hung photographer with that fuzzy picture so I tried again and got a rear view which didn't improve it much. Were I reduced to intercourse with a plastic doll I should like to think I would be discreet about it.


The city commission has approved the construction of a brew pub at the former Waterfront Market and construction is underway. The mural is taking a beating and I don't suppose Wyland's work will survive.


Some people find it too hot to ride for the next few weeks but I never mind the heat. Fifty degrees is far too cold for me.


Buddy Owen's restaurant isn't air conditioned but this shortcoming doesn't keep customers away even in the summer. Go nude and keep the fans swirling...


Doves don't expect the comfort of a/c so they remain cool, observing it all from up above.


It's true: you'd be surprised what you can get used to if you...get used to it! I am in no hurry to get used to no air conditioning. Been there, done that and I prefer the air!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Casa Marina

Flowers neatly laid on stands almost as though they were for sale.

A pink house that matched my Crocs quite nicely. I don't suppose they'd have seen the joke, them and their "No Trespassing" sign.

This RV parked forever makes a useful little apartment as the weeds grow up around it.

It was painted by a well known man who styles himself the people's artist in Key West, teaching others his magical art.

Nature's magic is growing dates in a climate too cool and too damp to allow the fruit to mature. Abundant though, and I took this picture in color too.

The magic of thousands of clean sheets daily all across a city filled with beds only happens thanks to unseen hard work.

Lately too much rain has left too many scooter seats wet. Every morning I come out of work only to get a wet bum. I still prefer to ride than drive.

Rain works for Cheyenne as she finds refreshment everywhere.

Passers by find it odd that my dog drinks puddles. What do they expect her to do, put the kettle on? Which reminds me...


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Magic City, Florida

My favorite Chinese eatery at Luani Plaza on Kennedy, has been in town a while, check out the worn out delivery sign on the car:

When I lived In Santa Cruz, California, Chef Tong's was a well known restaurant, it's owner a colorful character who did time for gambling related offenses. I still tend to call Tong's Garden "Chef Tong's" when I'm not thinking, thus confusing my listeners.

August 14th is primary day in Florida, those of us who haven't been culled from the voting rolls by our over eager Republican overlord in Tallahassee. I have no strong feelings about control of mosquito control but I'd better get reading between now and then. The Bug Board used to be controversial when the district was managed by an idiotic narcissist who thought being the highest paid county official entitled him to be rude in public. He's gone. Viva democracy!

I saw that arsehole bicycle billboard at the public library on Fleming. I ride a motorcycle so I have no desire to see more drunks driving, thanks.

Magic City is the nickname usually given to Birmingham, Alabama, a city created to meet an industrial need for iron and steel. Key West has the capacity to be magical sometimes too.

I am astonished how a vacation here turns sedate homeowners into hard riding motorcyclists. They wobble, stop suddenly, get lost, hunt through they bags and make abrupt u-turns. But scooter riding is a Key West experience.

Scooters are everywhere and they are a sight to see.

My dentist's office looked magical with a palm tree growing in the lobby, clearly visible behind these lost British tourists on their bicycles.

Most realtors advertise homes for sale. This street side advert advises the passerby the house in question is actually not for sale. Weird, magical perhaps, but true. They've got others for sale though, if you're interested.

This house is for sale and there is a motorcycle in the driveway neatly covered. Perhaps it's included? Cool!

What splendidly magical place for a coat hanger. The hood of a car?




I love you Cheyenne, you patient dog.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad