Sunday, August 9, 2009

24 Hours of Good Stuff



Had to recycle a snorkel pic from last week since this week we only had one trip with a bunch of boy scouts. A very good day none the less and it started yesterday.

It began with Cricket, Rob and Seava at a Makeover Martini function for Louie's upstairs. Enjoyed one too many Pink Lemontini and got a very fine back massage from Bob. Masseuse extraordinaire from the Pier House.

As we left, a pigeon pooped on my head. Luckily Cricket had her bag of magic tricks and I immediately got baby wiped. It can't be worse than when a seagull pooped on Cricket's tongue as she tried to lick an ice cream. Getting shat upon is supposedly good luck. We've both got a ton of good luck going on especially Cricket.

Last week I found a gun on the snorkel boat and this week I found a wedding ring. It's like a mystery grab bag. As I moved the seat cushions to clean, it clinked on the floor in front of me. I promptly took it to the booth and proposed to Shawn. Apologized for not doing it proper on bended knee but told him he wouldn't have seen me from the booth. It barely fit his pinkie.

Capt Graham wanted to clean the boat and so we did. That man likes to clean. I lost five pounds sweating but at least he was the one who cleaned the head (a.k.a. the toilet). It was "rank" as he put it and he even got some kind of solution to make it all nice. "Mint flavor!" he said smiling. What no pina colada? Note to self devise pina colada smelling head solution and become a millionaire.

After getting dirty cleaning, I headed sans shirt to the Eaton street fish market. The owners are so cool and they're excited about how well the move has gone. He told me about an artist who makes metal fish and he's going to hang them in there for free. Awesome! Got a beautiful piece of grouper and being the nice owner he is, he gave me a discount.

Unfortunately Booty had gone home right before I got there but I got my dog fix in the compound where three pugs are staying. Love me some pugs. Kayaking tomorrow, wonder what's gonna happen.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Quitting has its Benefits



Being a quitter has its benefits. This past week I finished the job I quit and after three days of recovering from a full week of work, I see the results. What are those?

Having three days to recover. Taking in a great movie at the Tropic. Going swimming at the beach. Reading a book. Painting and hanging with friends.

Hurray for Quitters!! I finally have time to do some art. Gotta tie up a couple loose ends before I take my trip next month but that's going to be enjoyable. Thought I was destined for Australia but chose Colorado instead. Strange how it all happened cause I never expected to go back there.

Will be going to see some good old friends in Denver for a few days then heading down to the southwest corner to assist a Buddhist monk in painting a temple. The perfect culmination of a two year journey finding my artist self again.

Learned after last year's trip to Spain, you need a buffer zone to get into vacation mode. Vacation time for me is like being launched out of a rocket and then floating in a spacesuit. You need time to adjust to the weightlessness.

In the meantime, I paint bugs...


Monday, August 3, 2009

Sunday Snorkel Pic 'o the Week


Cottrell Key. My absolute favorite place to go and got to learn how to anchor. AMAZING.







followed by....

Big 'Sis Birthday







A Grand Vin celebratory drink with Mom and Buzzy. Could you ask for more?
Well, yes.

She wanted to catch a ride with this guy. I did too, he had some boomin' beats playing.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Key Largo


My good friend Toni was staying up in Key Largo this week so I drove up yesterday to hang with her. Toni and I became friends after a conversation about beef jerky. She was the new girl and as we both sat bored in a staff lunch meeting, she just turned and asked "What's in beef jerky?". Oddly, I had looked at a pack that week wondering just that same thing.

"Pepper, ketchup, and mechanically separated chicken. What the hell is that?!" I replied. We both made a icky face and have been friends ever since. When we get together, we like to take stupid pictures of each other. Many times this happens in a grocery store or just hanging at the house. We've upgraded our background shot but still take the same kind of photos. She is the queen of funny faces. Had a blast with her, Ryan, Hans, and Luke yesterday.









Key Largo











Monday, July 27, 2009

Monday


Got a good little ride around town before it started to rain, which I'm listening to right now. Have I ever told you how much I love to hear pouring rain bounce off a tin roof?

Tenting houses for termites. It feels like the circus has come to town!


but it's a deadly circus.... Is there any other kind??


Cemetery signs


A Warhol moment.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Booty!





Went for a swim and afterwards visited the new Eaton Street Fish Market. Its the best fish market in town and has moved into one of my favorite buildings.

Old art deco gas station with the coolest employee in town. He even greets you at the door. I love me some Booty!