Kenny Chesney - Old Blue Chair

It's been a while

Well, well, well......how long has it been? WOW...last post was JAN 2009. No, I have not been that busy...lazy, yes...busy no. Well, now that I think about it, yes, I have been busy. I have been busy with my farms, my cafe, my islands, my towns, and my pets. Yes, I have been sucked into the never ending, highly addicting world of games on Facebook.

Today I have started planning my next vacation. It's been exactly 2 years since I have had any kind of a vacation. Two years ago Memorial Day weekend I drove from Key West (where I was living at the time) to Sanibel and Captiva Islands. They were simply lovely.

So, where am I planning to go. I am headed back to the Caribbean (big surprise) to Turks and Caicos. I have always wanted to go. I always see pictures of these wonderful "tanning beds" on the beach. They look like regular beds with a canopy. I imagine myself relaxing on one of these fantastic beds with a ice cold drink and a good book to read and finding my self dozing off in the warm tropical sunshine, but nicely protected by the canopy so I wont get fried, listening to some Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney

I just got my passport renewed, I have my airplane ticket, my hotel booked and paid for...now I just need to find my little suitcase and do some vacation clothes shopping and I will be ready to go. Oh, I do still need to book my airport transportation. For a short trip like this I usually will drive myself and park in the cheap lot....but I am flying out of LAX and coming back into SNA...so that plan won't work this time around.

Ahhh, my dream is to get back to Florida. This is a picture I took at Sanibel and Captiva Islands off the Gulf Coast of Florida just a short drive from Naples, Florida.

Just beautiful!
Relaxing!

All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan!

Kenny Chesney - When The Sun Goes Down

Conch Republic Independence Celebration April 18 - 27, 2008

“DEDICATED TO THE FUNDAMENTALLY AMERICAN SPIRIT OF A PEOPLE UNAFRAID TO STAND UP TO ‘GOVERNMENT GONE MAD WITH POWER’ THAT EMBODIED THE FOUNDING OF THE CONCH REPUBLIC IN 1982. AS THE WORLD’S FIRST FIFTH WORLD NATION, A SOVEREIGN STATE OF MIND SEEKING ONLY TO BRING MORE HUMOR, WARMTH, AND RESPECT TO A WORLD IN SORE NEED OF ALL THREE, THE CONCH REPUBLIC REMAINS THE COUNTRY WHO SECEDED WHERE OTHERS FAILED.”
“We Seceded Where Others Failed"©®™

The Conch Republic was established by secession of the Florida Keys from the United States of America, on April 23rd, 1982 in response to a United States Border Patrol Blockade setup on highway U.S.1 at Florida City just to the north of the Florida Keys. This heinous act effectively isolated Keys Citizens from the U.S. mainland since the blockade was on our only land artery to and from the mainland. This roadblock portrayed Keys residents as non-U.S. citizens who had to prove their citizenship in order to drive onto the Florida mainland! Hardly an American thing to do!

We protested! A totally American thing to do! Key West Mayor Dennis Wardlow along with a few other 'key' Conchs, went to Federal court in Miami to seek an injunction to stop the federal blockade, but to no avail. Upon leaving the Federal Court House , on the court house steps , Mayor Wardlow announced to the world, by way of the assembled TV crews and reporters, that ; "Tomorrow at noon the Florida Keys will secede from the Union!"

At noon, on the day of secession, at Mallory Square in Key West Florida, Mayor Wardlow read the proclamation of secession and proclaimed aloud that the Conch Republic was an independent nation separate from the U.S. and then symbolically began the Conch Republic's Civil Rebellion by breaking a loaf of stale Cuban bread over the head of a man dressed in a U.S. Navy uniform. After one minute of rebellion, the now, Prime Minister Wardlow turned to the Admiral in charge of the Navy Base at Key West, and surrendered to the Union Forces, and demanded 1 Billion dollars in foreign aid and War Relief to rebuild our nation after the long Federal siege!

Thus began our Conch Republic journey which still continues today! We are both Conchs and we are Americans and we are proud to be both. By act of Congress we hold dual citizenship as Conchs and as Americans and will fight for the right to be both!

Contrary to recent reports, the name "Conch Republic" refers to "all"of the Florida Keys, or, that geographic apportionment of land that falls within the legally defined boundaries of Monroe County Florida, northward to "Skeeter's Last Chance Saloon" in Florida City , Dade County Florida, with Key West as the Nation's Capitol and all territories north of Key West being referred to as "The Northern Territories". Be it known that these boundaries were established by the U.S. Government when they set up "THE" Border Patrol blockade in front of "Skeeter's Last Chance Saloon", in April of 1982, thereby establishing a new United States border!
To enforce the validity of our secession, the Monroe County Commission, in 1994, by unanimous vote, did pass a County Resolution recognizing Mayor Wardlow's actions, on the 23rd of April in 1982, as by, of and for the people of the Florida Keys. Read the full story!

We celebrate our Independence every year with a week long celebration. Click Here for the current schedule of events.

In the quest for recognition, the Honorable Peter Anderson, Secretary General of the Conch Republic has created "Official Conch Republic Passports" . The Secretary General has extensively traveled our surrounding Caribbean Nations with nothing more than his Diplomatic Passport and has been well received by many as a Diplomat and as a Government Official of the Conch Republic and even had his passport endorsed by nearly all! Officially, our passports, Diplomats and Citizens, have been well received by 13 Caribbean Nations as well as Germany, Sweden, Havana, Mexico, France, Spain, Ireland, and Russia.

Pirate Translator

Bama Breeze

Happy New Year !!

So, here we are, again. It's another new year and I am still living paradise. My best friend is having his 16th or 20th back surgery this week. (I have lost count) This guy has been through hell. We meet in a chronic pain support group many years ago. (while I was in recovery from my 2nd back surgery and his 3rd) We have been there for the rest of each others surgeries..but I stopped after 3...(he is still going at it) We hit it off, right away. We both love Taco Bell, Weinersnitzel, Robertos, Swap meets, gardening, and camping (just to name a few things). The one thing I miss most about being here instead of San Diego (what I call my real home) is calling him up asking if he is up for a pizza and a movie...and going camping. We would camp 2-4 times a year. I really miss that. I want to go up North to check out some camp sites. I don't mind camping alone, but it would be nice if I could find someone who like to camp as well. Another thing I miss....woodworking and crafting. Back in San Diego when I had my own home, I built my own potting bench and patio furniture. And gardening and crafting...I did those every day. I painted, cross-stitched, beaded, mosaics, and many other crafts. I had started making a life sized Santa, sculpting his head from clay...but it did not make it across America. It "mysteriously" disappeared from the moving truck. But, I did manage to find my canvas's....now if I can just find my acrylics (might have to buy some new ones) Ben Franklyn Crafts is the local craft supply shop. It's not a bad little shop. Not as good and extensive as Michaels and Joannes in California...but it's workable. Plus, I can always shop for supplies online if I need to. So, this comes to some New Years resolutions. Who likes to make these things..??? Not me..so I don't. Why? Because I never follow through with them. If I call them goals, I tend to hang on to them a little longer. So my goal right now....get back into crafting and painting. I am taking a break from school this semester so I will have time to play. Last semester I bombed. The first C I EVER got. I just lost my 4.0 GPA because of my new job taking way too much of my personal time. I had absolutly no time for studying this semester. I am so disappointed in myself. I must snap out of it. So, to help me do that...I am taking a break. It's time to take care of Lisa.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Yup, it is that time of the year again...Deck the Halls, World Peace, Fa la la la and Ho ho ho...This is my first Holiday Season in the Tropics. It's not that much different than being in Los Angeles or San Diego. I am planning on going up to Fort Lauderdale this weekend. I have tickets to see the famous Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. I have always wanted to see a Rockettes show. And here they are, in my back yard. I am very excited and think it is a great way to kick off the Season of the Big Jolly Man in the Red Velvet and White Fur Suit.

First Day of Fall

Today is the first day of Fall.  I can definitely feel it in the air.  The temperature has dropped a bit, but the humidity has not.  The winds are picking up.  There is a definite smell that reminds me of home.  Home is San Diego and Los Angeles, California.  I moved here the beginning of July and am now beginning to feel a little bit home sick.  This just came on this week, with the new smells in my head. 

So, I have been doing a little research. There are a couple of exciting events coming up here in beautiful Key West. We have Fantasy Fest 2007 coming up in October and the Goombay festival also in October. In November is the Parrotheads in Paradise Meeting of the Minds, which is the annual Parrotheads Phlocking. As you can tell by some of my posts, yes, I am a Parrothead. I have never been to one of these conventions and I am excited for my first one. And I don't even have to travel for it. Parrotheads from all over the country will fly in for this event. Not me....I will just drive or walk over to it. Then there is also the Pirates in Paradise festival. I think that is the end of November or beginning of December. Also in November is the Indy 500 for powerboats...the World Champion Powerboat races, and up in Key Largo is the Humphry Bogart Festival. I have posted the links for all these events here for anyone who is interested in checking them out.

Goombay Festival
Fantastfest 2007
Parrotheads in Paradise
Pirates in Paradise
Off Shore Powerboat Races
Bogie Festival

It's Been a Long Time

Wow...I can not believe it has been so long since I posted. I think I was going to try and post at least once a month. I guess that went all to heck. So, what is up with me. Well, a couple of my dreams have finally come true. After so many years of trying to get out to the East Coast, I finally made it. I moved to Key West, Florida....yeah!!!! I was offered a job as an office manager at twice the salary I was making. Now who, in their right mind, would not even consider such an offer? !!?? So, not only did I get a great job offer, it was in Paradise, to boot! Everything happened so very fast. I got a call and had to be out as soon as possible. So I gave my two weeks notice and planned to make the trek across the U.S. of A in about 5 days..take a couple days to relax and start my new job. So, I did this all in less than 3 weeks. Now, I have never moved farther than from San Diego to Los Angeles (about 90miles). So this was all new to me and quite the challenge. I was currently staying in Los Angeles with family. I had all my stuff in storage in San Diego. So, I had to get the movers to clear out my storage in Carlsbad, then clear out my stuff in Los Angeles. This all began June 29th. The movers were able to hit both places in one day. Then I had one more day to pack up my van with the stuff I was going to need for the next couple of weeks, until the movers showed up in Florida. They told me they would have my stuff there in 14days. Liars!!! I did not get my belongings until July 27th...and most everything was broken in some way, shape, or form. I would never recommend Expedient to anyone. I will explain everything at another time. I was just happy to finally get my stuff.

So, now I am in my new home, in paradise, enjoying my new job. The people here in Key West are very friendly. I have yet to come across a rude person. It's hot and humid, but I love it! We have had some fantastic lightening storms. There is no window in my bedroom but my living room faces East and overlooks the ocean (but I can not see the water as I am on the 3rd floor and my balcony overlooks the tops of the trees in front of me, but I know it is there) So, what I have done is set up my bed in the living room so I can watch the storms at night. It is so awesome! And I can wake to the sun rising into my apartment. I love it!

I also just got back from my annual Hurricane trip. This year I went to St Kitts and Nevis. Two, incredibly beautiful islands. I went horseback riding in the rain forest, snorkeling at a couple of sunken ships (one was an old Spanish Galleon that all that was left, for the most part, were the cannons), took the ferry over to Nevis and did an island tour, rented a car in St Kitts and did a circle island trip. They not only drive on the left side of the road, but the steering wheel was on the right side of the car, Now that was bizarre. I have driven on the left side of the road before, but the steering wheel was always on the left like it is here. The people were all nice. But everything was pretty expensive. The food was great. We ate at this great little place on the beach. Mr X's Shiggity Shack. This place was so packed. There was no place to sit, but a nice couple invited us to share their table. It was an outdoor place...with some areas covered. There was a bonfire and a band, even a fire eater for entertainment. People swimming in the ocean, having all kinds of fun. For dinner I had the jerked chicken. It was excellent and hot. The place is popular for the lobster and they usually sell out early in the evening. Then this other place we ate at for lunch, Shipwrecked, was also very good. Reasonable prices. And Monkeys...there are allot of monkeys on the island...and at the Shipwrecked (and others along the beach) the monkeys come down from the hills to the beach for food. The love the sugar cane. They are not to skittish of the tourist. It was amazing....what else?? hmmm, I guess that is about it.

Time to think about my next Caribbean adventure. I will say, one thing I really miss since I moved to Key West is Disneyland. I was an annual pass holder (and a previous cast member), Before I moved here I worked in Anaheim, 5 minutes from the park. Every Friday after work I would go in the park for dinner and hit a couple of rides or see a show, do some shopping. Or at lunch I would run over and get some of their great popcorn or grab an ice cream. I really miss that. I guess I will have to get my fix by going up to Orlando and going to Walt Disney World, but it is just not the same. Oh well, the sacrifice I have to make to live in paradise, right?

Happy New Year !!

Happy New Year !!

Well, It best be a happy New Year. I spent this Holiday Season purging out the old one. Yes, I was one of those that got sick on either a Thursday night or Friday morning, spent the weekend in bed, got better to go to work all week just to do it all over again the next weekend and then again the next. Yes, I was sick every weekend in the month of December all the way through New Years. It sucked spending an awesome 4-day weekend in bed. But, I made something positive out of something negative. I purged out the old year. "No pun intended" So far this year is out for a good start. I feel good. I am looking for a home. I have not had any luck finding a place here in the O.C. that I can afford. I am back to looking in the lovely state of Florida. I just need to figure out if I want Southeast or Southwest Florida. I am leaning toward Southeast. Fr Lauderdale/Miami area. If I go with Southwest, I am think Ft Myers/Sarasota area.

In looking back at some of my old post, I found one of my first posts, (like there have been so many) ha ha ha. Anyway, I felt the urge to re-post a couple of links to a a few favorite sites of mine.

Keysnews

Margaritaville

If you read one of these posts you will find that I have been trying to move to Florida for a very long time. Maybe this year I will get there...maybe...

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Tis the season, huh? Well, things have been going okay for me. I am enjoying watching all the Christmas specials and movies on T.V. I never realized there were so many movies geared toward Christmas. Some are sad, some are happy, but all are inspiring. What do I want for Christmas? As Kenny Chesney says, "All I want for Christmas is a real good tan" What a great idea. I would love to head back to the tropics for the Holidays. Even though I live in Southern California and our Christmas' are usually in the 70's and sometimes the 80's, I would love to go to the tropics for the big day. I almost went to Budpest and Austria for Christmas and New Years on a river cruise, but stuff happens and I had to cancel it. I was also hoping that this would be my first Christmas in my new condo. But that too got canned. Maybe next year. I recently purhcased Jimmy Buffett's new album, ok, I just dated myself, I guess the appropriate term is now CD. JB's Take the Weather with You is awesome. He has his way with words and is such a great storyteller. There are 14 tracks on this CD. Much of it has that good ole country flair...I like to call it Caribbean County style. I have a few favorites. Bama Breeze, the lead in song is a catchy slice of southern soul about a down home bar. Party at the End of the World is another catchy tune totally making fun of terrism. Everybody's on the Phone pokes at the new celluar world. Another favorite of mine is Breath in, Breath out, Move on. This song is not only a rememberance of Hurrican Katrina, but all hurricanes, or any tragedy in general. It's a very moving and emotional song. Dukes on Sunday is the last track of the album and a perfect closer. It's beautiful and makes me want to go back to Hawaii and hang out a Dukes. It's a great restaurant and bar and a great place to be on Sunday afternoon. Well, this is most likely my last post of the year.I hope everyone has a Happy Holday Season and a very SAFE New Year!!

I'm going to Hell

Cayman Islands, that is. Did you know there was an actual city called Hell? Well there is, and it it is on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands. I am heading off there in a couple of weeks for an extended weekend. I hear that Hell is a very beautiful place. Hell, is an area of Grand Cayman that was once under water. The limestone deposits are from the coral that had inhabited that area. A bacteria attacks the dead coral (limestone) and turns it black. So, what one sees is lots of black jagged rocks that kind of look like brimstone. In the distance the Mangrove trees have started to take over the area about 200-300 yards away from the Hell stone. Very Pretty and unique. If you visit Grand Cayman go to Hell. haha.....so, I;m going to Hell.

Hot Dang, Summer in the City

One should be spending all their free time not only at the beach but on the beach and in the ocean. Is this a hot one, or what? I love it!!! Currently my beach of choice is in Surf City, USA. It's not too far from where I live. I can always find a parking spot. Traffic is not too bad, unlike one of my other favorites, Newport Beach. Have you even tried to get to the pier area lately? I suggest to not even try, unless you get up VERY early in the morning or you have several hours to sit in your car waiting to move a foot and watch others walk by you with their towels, coolers, and boogie boards in hand. Ha, what a joke! Stick to Huntington Beach, is what I say. It is a very large beach. Lots of sand to find your perfect spot to set up your umbrella and plant it for the day. Food is plentiful if you decide not to bring your own. You can rent bikes, or skates to cruise along the "boardwalk" or bring your own. There is lots of fun people watching, but not as fun as Venice Beach. Now there is an awesome people watching beach. Other good beaches are North a little, Zuma, Surfrider, Point Dume. They are all fun to explore and one must hit them all at least once this summer. As this will be the longest, hottest, endless summer ever!

Surf City USA
Venice Beach
Newport Beach
Malibu Surfrider

BuffettNews.com - Tour Dates

BuffettNews.com - Tour Dates

Party at the end of the World 2006 !!! The Tiki Bar is still open and it's 5:00 somewhere, so let's change our latitude and our attitude cause I wanna go where it's warm!

San Clemente Ocean Festival - Welcome

San Clemente Ocean Festival - Welcome

Mark your calenders NOW! This a super fun weekend with tons of activities for both adults and children alike. There are surfing contests (longboard and shortboard), lifeguard competitions, body surfing and sand sculpture competitions. There is an arts a crafts fair and a Classic Woodie Car show. For the kids there is a childrens area with arts and crafts to keep them occupied. And the food....plenty of good food to be eaten. Saturday night is the beach party and free concert. Sunday morning is the pancake breakfast and the kid klassic surf kontest (these kids are fantastic to watch) Then to wrap the the weekend, Sunday late afternoon is the every so famous Great Rubber Duck Race. Don't forget to stop by the booth to register and buy your rubber duck (you have to buy theirs or you will be disqualifed) then stick around as they toss those rubber ducks off the pier and root yours to make it to shore first! There are tons of great prized to be won.

A Long Week

WOW what a week, I have been working the past 6 days and about 10-11 hrs a day. Just thinking about that overtime....WooHoo!! This should be a very nice paycheck coming up. I am taking the weekend off to do laundry and go house hunting. Yes, I am still trying to find a place to buy. Why does Southern California have to be so damn expensive. I could look to buy in another state and work from home. But the only other place I would consider buying is in Florida or Hawaii. It has to be someplace warm and tropical. But if I moved to Florida, could I handle the humidity and the hurricanes? Hmmm...Something to think about. I have certainly proven myself and my ablilites to my employer. They would most certainly let me work from home if it came down to it.


Disneyland
Disneyworld
Disney
Virtual Magic Kingdom

I have two camping trips planned so far this year. I love to go camping, but I also need to go on a regular vacation. I did not get to go on one last year. I did go on a cruise, but it was a working cruise. Not that I didn't have fun...It just wasn't a real vacation. Wait, I take that back. I did go to Florida, to Walt Disney World. I took my Mom for the Christmas holidays. We went right after Thanksgiving. It was not that crowded and we got to see The World all dressed up in it's Holiday garb. It was spectacular; the lights; the decorations; the entertainment....Simply awesome!!!