Tropical Update

Hello everyone, sorry for the absence. I feel like I'm coming out of a long ether binge that has lasted about a month. Although I know nothing about what it would be like, somehow it must be much like how I feel, dazed, crazed, and wondering what day it is.

I guess I can start from the end and work my way back! Happy 4th of July everyone, although I worked and got home at 1:45am. I did see spectacular fireworks from the observation deck of the restaurant with a mass of folks enjoying the 360 view of the island of Marathon, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic (Straits of Florida). The city of Marathon put on a fantastic display as did many people doing their own displays seen everywhere else in Marathon, and I'm talking these folks had all the professional huge ones too. We could see beyond the 7 mile bridge as well and many of the larger islands doing their sky rockets. About 10 we at the restaurant/marina also had a display. It was as massive as the Cities and it seemed to go on endlessly, a real kick off to the start of the new business. Mr. B's food is hands down the best around and folks are raving about the new place, and it's all true. I don't know how he can even stand today, but he is already out the door going to tackle yet another 14 hour day. Today I'll go in after noon. R & L stayed home and I doubt they watched them from our top deck; we can see Sugarloaf's and Key West's displays and all the surrounding ones. Not much of a holiday was celebrated here due to working. Such is the life in the hospitality business.

Mr. R's friend/co-music collaborator called yesterday morning to say one of the songs was playing on the radio up in the Orlando area and was all excited. Mr. R has had one on the radio down here that he was on and that makes two for them and hopefully good things will follow.

I finally got all my taxes done, going over past years with all the deductions etc. and rehashing 2005 was depressing. I had spoke with the IRS regarding putting Miss P as a dependent due to her injuries etc. but with all 4 hurricanes that year, it was ridiculous to even add in the medical expenses. All told the damage figure came to approx. $150,000 and will take years of taxes to deduct. Believe me going through all the old photos and paperwork wasn't easy, then looking at the medical bills and all the other "crap" that fall in detail like the loss of 4 vehicles, it was just nuts. Four cars! How the heck did I lose 4 cars?? My rabbit, B's camaro, P's explorer, and yet another explorer that was sitting at the repair shop and off road at the time. All the insurance papers, deductibles, work that was done, replanting an entire yard that was stripped bare...but as always, it's the cleanup that kills your spirit at times like that, it is endless. The shining light was that the Peas had come that same year and we had a fantastic fun time in the middle of the summer with them, although they had to deal with a roof being put on during their stay. Many Mexican Siesta's were observed that summer.

I'm getting my fish shirts together for a line to sell and that excites me. I've had opportunity to paint and create which also is something I love doing, so I've been busy.

Miss P and I drove to Miami to fight two wrongful tickets (improper lane change, improper turn) about 300 bucks worth. Her car broke down in the middle of the road and she put her flashers on, then blinkers, and did everything possible to pull off the road before getting hit from behind. An officer pulled up after she was parked and started harassing her and Bo, and instead of advising them of the nearest gas station/repair he questioned why they were in Miami when they lived in Key West, etc. Which she explained, they were taking a anniversary holiday out of the Keys for an overnight at a booked hotel, showed him their online printout of the hotel etc. He continued to harass them, asking were they drinking etc., at 1:00 in the afternoon! Miss P said, are you kidding? We just drove from the Keys and are en route, two blocks from the hotel and the car broke down. He then searched her car and found nothing of course; neither of them smoke so not even an ash in the ashtray, her car is always meticulous... anyway, with finding NO reason for his BULLSHIT, he then writes her out two tickets.

Back to the ending to this story - at the court "hearing" in Miami, the judge refused to let her speak. She told Miss P, "Either pay these tickets today or get a lawyer for trial. What are you going to do?" I even at that point stood up and raised my hand and started to speak, "Your honor, her car broke down, can she explain here today?" the judge put her hand up and said, "I can't hear you today and pointed to Miss P and repeated, "Are you Paying today or going to trial?" She paid and off we went. It's a huge courthouse, mass of people everywhere and nothing like the Key West court house, where if an out of town person comes to their hearing, they are HEARD and a case/ticket is dismissed if reason is explained to the Judge and they make the decision to go further or not on the matter. Well, La Te Da... not Miami.

It was a long drive, long day, but we enjoyed having the together time, she really is a trooper that Miss P. Please someone find ankle replacement for her PLEASE!!!

Well, this is enough for now I guess, boring as it is. Believe me I could go on and on!!! OH, and I will! more later folks.......