Random moments of life going on

So many things happening and yet nothing much at all. Its been a whirlwind. Since the visit to DC and the reopening of Ford's... my mom came back to Miami with me and we visited and hung out. Then just a few days later Elliott came down and we headed to the Fl Keys for a celebration of her birthday.

In the mean time, I'm trying to work, get our stuff together and prepare to go to my first CFS conference. Next Wednesday I'm heading to Reno NV to the IACFS/ME conference. That's International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encaphalitis. Oh god I hope I don't embarrass myself. My learning curve has been good, I've gained a ton of knowledge, but these people -- patients included -- are the pros. It will be a great place to meet people in the field. And of course, we'll be announcing the opening of our new clinic. If I'm really lucky, we'll stumble on a funder who falls in love with us while we're there. Short of that, I'll be happy to come home with a million names of folks who want to sign up for the new clinic.

But before that happens, there was fun to be had. The trip to the Keys was fun. We stopped first at Marathon Key about half way to Key West. It was a nice little motel.

Right on the water --even if the tide was so low it was a long walk to water higher than our calves. No matter, it was fun. Views to the left. I love playing with the shadows of the palm trees. Nothing beats the sound of them in the breeze. Kind of chattering. We had dinner out at a waterside restaurant and ate like piggies. The entertainment was fabulous -- a perfect sunset. No one would




take us snorkeling... we were ultimately rejected four times -- but no worries, fun was had in other ways!




Here's a photo along the Seven Mile bridge. Its not too bad because its not high up. The weird part is that its parallel to the old railroad bridge which isn't used any more. that's not the weird part. What's weird is every once in a while they cut out a section so taller boats can go through. Its just a little visually disconcerting.


Once we got to Key West we checked into Pearl's a women only B & B. That was great fun. Two pools
a patio bar, couple of hot tubs. Good thing, too. Key West is an odd beach town in that beaches are few and far between. Its all about where you stay and those amenities. Luckily, ours was a great place.

Key West itself has gotten more commercial. They have cruise ships that stop there now and I think you can tell from the kinds of stores. There are still very cool artsy shops but also plenty of t-shirt shops with real low level crap. Also far too many "nudey" kinds of bars for my tastes. I'm so spoiled....

Okay, so back in the big city.... I went to see Les Miserables last night. The Actors' Playhouse here in Coral Gables got the regional rights and I gotta say they did a good job. they brought some talent from the national tour and there were some really good voices. I did a volunteer usher stint and stayed for the first act. Next time, I'll go for the second act. I promised them a few usherings so I don't want to peak too early. 3 hours + is a big commitment. Tomorrow, I usher for the kids production of Alice in Wonderland. I'm a good egg. Its me and the older folks. Boy, don't get in their way, they'll knock you right down to get to their favorite ushering spot.

While out running errands yesterday, I picked up a couple of the local papers to find out what's going on this weekend. Some thing I hadn't seen before is the Coral Gables Gazette. Now I know why... I kid you not, this is an actual piece that appeared in the March 5-11 edition. This is one item from the "Police Blotter:"

"Two dirt bags in a pick up truck snatched a lawn care company's tools in broad daylight at 9:50 am, Feb 24. Angel Delgado, 51, raised the alarm and sent for police assistance at 3105 Granada Blvd after he witnessed two Latin males steal two leaf blowers and a weed eater. Delgado told police that he first spotted the two lowlifes after they stopped their four door Ford 350 truck next to his landscaping trailer. The two dirt bags ran into the trailer and appeared seconds later with Delgado's lawn equipment. The truck and the dirt bags were last scene (sic) fleeing at a high rate of speed on Granada Blvd."

Now I grant you, this publication is by no means the main paper here but PEOPLE! When I tell you that I have landed in a slightly intellectually challenged place far, far outside the Beltway... well just take it as truth!

I seem to have more visitors when I'm not here than when I am... but come visit. I miss you all. Even the cold and snow.

Until the next exciting installment of my life. Hasta la vista, amigos. Tiene una buena dia. No se olvíde escribir ni llamar. Yo los pierdo. Still working on my Spanish....(had to cheat on that one)