Our first full day at Fantasy Fest was spent sitting down with friends (and a few drinks). We also had a tour of The Artist House (the hotel we're moving to on Wednesday).
After a wonderful afternoon we hit the street for Kelly's Fetish Party. Unfortunately the line to get in was so long that we decided to skip the party and instead visit our friends with the Harleys. It turns out that was a VERY wise decision as later in the evening the rains moved in. We heard from people that were in Kelly's that it was horrible because the party is mostly outside so everybody was CRAMMED into what dry spaces there were.
As for us, we took shelter in Kevin's Irish Pub. We danced, sang along with the bands, and generally couldn't have cared less that it was raining.
After it stopped we were given rides on the bikes (our first) down to 801 Bourbon. As always, the show didn't fail to entertain. We gave away a few dollars ... and probably should have earned a few.
It was a long walk back, but the blocks went by quickly as we continually ran into people to talk to. By the time we got back it was 2:30a ... not bad.
So now we're off to a friend's pool party. Although the skies are overcast it's currently not raining and quite warm. Let's hope it stays that way.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Aye Ye Mates!
Last year, a week after after Fantasy Fest, Captain Tony (of Captain Tony's Saloon) passed away at the ripe old age of 92. Although he hasn't owned the saloon for years he was still a fixture, especially during Fantasy Fest. No amount of sickness could keep him away from the ladies. He loved having his picture taken with them and signing their bodies with his Sharpie pen. So it was only fitting that our first stop was the Pirate Party at Captain Tony's Saloon.
This year they finally did it right and closed off the street. Hanging out IN the saloon is hot, but in years past the street has been open so to get a breath of fresh air was to risk being run over. With the street closed we were free to stand in the street and catch up with friends, old and new.
Living on the West coast places us a long ways away from the majority of the FF attendees. So although we have lots of good frends at FF, we only see them once a year. The first night is catching up night, "Look at you!" "Love that costume!" "Where are you staying?" " When are we having dinner together?" Some people we keep in contact with via e-mail, but it's not the same as seeing them face-to-face.
Outside of our circle of friends are the "regulars" ... the faces in the crowd that look familiar after so many years; sometimes we remember their names and sometimes we don't. We try, we really do. But sometimes we just can't. But even without their names we really enjoy talking to people, finding out what's going on with them, etc. As well, we have several "biker" friends that ride in from all over the East coast and they were all present last night.
FF is like going to your High School reunion ... but you have something in common with everybody.
Which makes me think ... what if something were to happen to one of these friends? In this day of extended contacts would someone tell us? Or would we just show up at FF and realize they were missing from the crowd? Maybe we each need to create a Network of Contacts document. A list of our compartments of friends and a lead contact for each. So we'd have our work contacts, our FF contacts, our St. Martin contacts, etc. Hm, a depressing, but weird thought ...
Anyways, so now it's morning and we're trying to remember what we do here during the day, especially this early in the week. The sun's out so I suppose we'll get some work done and go for a stroll. In all our years here we've rarely ventured off Duvall Street, so today might be the day to see what else Key West has to offer.
And since the Pirate Museum is across the street from our hotel maybe we'll stick with last night's theme and start there.
This year they finally did it right and closed off the street. Hanging out IN the saloon is hot, but in years past the street has been open so to get a breath of fresh air was to risk being run over. With the street closed we were free to stand in the street and catch up with friends, old and new.
Living on the West coast places us a long ways away from the majority of the FF attendees. So although we have lots of good frends at FF, we only see them once a year. The first night is catching up night, "Look at you!" "Love that costume!" "Where are you staying?" " When are we having dinner together?" Some people we keep in contact with via e-mail, but it's not the same as seeing them face-to-face.
Outside of our circle of friends are the "regulars" ... the faces in the crowd that look familiar after so many years; sometimes we remember their names and sometimes we don't. We try, we really do. But sometimes we just can't. But even without their names we really enjoy talking to people, finding out what's going on with them, etc. As well, we have several "biker" friends that ride in from all over the East coast and they were all present last night.
FF is like going to your High School reunion ... but you have something in common with everybody.
Which makes me think ... what if something were to happen to one of these friends? In this day of extended contacts would someone tell us? Or would we just show up at FF and realize they were missing from the crowd? Maybe we each need to create a Network of Contacts document. A list of our compartments of friends and a lead contact for each. So we'd have our work contacts, our FF contacts, our St. Martin contacts, etc. Hm, a depressing, but weird thought ...
Anyways, so now it's morning and we're trying to remember what we do here during the day, especially this early in the week. The sun's out so I suppose we'll get some work done and go for a stroll. In all our years here we've rarely ventured off Duvall Street, so today might be the day to see what else Key West has to offer.
And since the Pirate Museum is across the street from our hotel maybe we'll stick with last night's theme and start there.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Oh The Joys!
For as much as we travel, you’d think we’d seen it all when it comes to people-watching … but today we saw all new things.
First of all, I’d like to say that being on a plane right now is like sitting in the Emergency Room of a hospital. We were surrounded by people coughing, sneezing, sniffling and generally spreading their germs around the plane and country. I look at it this way; if you’re so sick you can’t control your symptoms with medication, YOU SHOULDN’T BE FLYING! Wherever you’re going can’t be so important that you have to infect the rest of the population. And let’s face it, if you’re sick, whomever you’re going to see doesn’t want to see you either (unless you’re going home, and even then they may want you to stay at the hotel until you’ve recovered). UGH!
Okay, we like to people-watch … who doesn’t?!? Usually the best sights are in the airport, but we timed our drive accurately enough that by the time we got through security our plane was ready to board. Luckily, we got our fill on the plane. For the first time ever we actually witnessed a woman go into a full-on melt-down because they ran out of omelets! Really??? Really. Crying, complaining (I got the last one so I was referenced a couple of times … I know, I’m evil), and generally raising such a commotion that the Captain gave up his food to shut her up. Then, the guy in front of us woke up (he’s slept through the breakfast service) and asked for … you guessed it … an omelet. When he learned they were out he gave the Flight Attendant an earful for not waking him up! Poor thing, I seriously thought she was going to cry when Tony gave her a bad time for being out of champagne (he was kidding).
Yes, Tony was having a drink at 6:00a! But come-on, we we’re on vacation and it was just 1 glass of champagne. That was nothing compared to the woman who had 3 vodka cranberries in the first hour of the flight. From the way she looked, maybe she was just continuing what she had been doing all night. Sometimes you get the feeling people think, “It’s free, I need to consume all I can.” Not a brilliant approach, but it worked for her as she slept the rest of the flight. She was still tipsy when she got off the plane so I hope she wasn’t heading for the parking lot to drive home.
Airports are a complete subject for me, and I’ll tackle them one day … but for now I can say today’s flights have left us entertained, and frustrated at how inconsiderate and generally self-centered people can be.
By the time we get to Key West the festivities will be well under way at Captain Tony's Saloon (Pirate Night). So with pirate hat in hand I am ready to board plane for our final leg ... Fantasy Fest 2009 Here We Come!!!
First of all, I’d like to say that being on a plane right now is like sitting in the Emergency Room of a hospital. We were surrounded by people coughing, sneezing, sniffling and generally spreading their germs around the plane and country. I look at it this way; if you’re so sick you can’t control your symptoms with medication, YOU SHOULDN’T BE FLYING! Wherever you’re going can’t be so important that you have to infect the rest of the population. And let’s face it, if you’re sick, whomever you’re going to see doesn’t want to see you either (unless you’re going home, and even then they may want you to stay at the hotel until you’ve recovered). UGH!
Okay, we like to people-watch … who doesn’t?!? Usually the best sights are in the airport, but we timed our drive accurately enough that by the time we got through security our plane was ready to board. Luckily, we got our fill on the plane. For the first time ever we actually witnessed a woman go into a full-on melt-down because they ran out of omelets! Really??? Really. Crying, complaining (I got the last one so I was referenced a couple of times … I know, I’m evil), and generally raising such a commotion that the Captain gave up his food to shut her up. Then, the guy in front of us woke up (he’s slept through the breakfast service) and asked for … you guessed it … an omelet. When he learned they were out he gave the Flight Attendant an earful for not waking him up! Poor thing, I seriously thought she was going to cry when Tony gave her a bad time for being out of champagne (he was kidding).
Yes, Tony was having a drink at 6:00a! But come-on, we we’re on vacation and it was just 1 glass of champagne. That was nothing compared to the woman who had 3 vodka cranberries in the first hour of the flight. From the way she looked, maybe she was just continuing what she had been doing all night. Sometimes you get the feeling people think, “It’s free, I need to consume all I can.” Not a brilliant approach, but it worked for her as she slept the rest of the flight. She was still tipsy when she got off the plane so I hope she wasn’t heading for the parking lot to drive home.
Airports are a complete subject for me, and I’ll tackle them one day … but for now I can say today’s flights have left us entertained, and frustrated at how inconsiderate and generally self-centered people can be.
By the time we get to Key West the festivities will be well under way at Captain Tony's Saloon (Pirate Night). So with pirate hat in hand I am ready to board plane for our final leg ... Fantasy Fest 2009 Here We Come!!!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Heading to Key West
In just 24 hours we'll be headed to Key West for Fantasy Fest. The box of costumes, wine, etc. has been sent and we're ready to go.
For some reason this year has been difficult to get ramped up for. Don't know why really. Maybe because we've been so on-the-go these past few months, maybe it's because I just don't feel like I'm in as good of shape as I've been in the past. Who knows. The reality is that this is always a difficult week for me to get into, until we get there.
It didn't help to get a Welcome Message from our hotel telling us that it's going to be thunderstorming all next week. That will go well with my bodypainting! Last year we had horrible weather, but my costumes were accommodating (i.e., not much bodypaint). But this year I have 3 days of painting planned. We'll just have to see how it goes.
As a heads-up, this blogging thing is new to me. I have some ideas about what I want to do with it, but I'm not sure what people want to hear. When we're traveling I'll try to update it daily with a quick "Me View" of what we did and where we went. When we're not traveling I'll probably pick a topic and stick with it for a few weeks (i.e., exercising). Just things I'm focusing on for me and/or my family.
So, with that being said ... welcome to my blog! Here we go!
For some reason this year has been difficult to get ramped up for. Don't know why really. Maybe because we've been so on-the-go these past few months, maybe it's because I just don't feel like I'm in as good of shape as I've been in the past. Who knows. The reality is that this is always a difficult week for me to get into, until we get there.
It didn't help to get a Welcome Message from our hotel telling us that it's going to be thunderstorming all next week. That will go well with my bodypainting! Last year we had horrible weather, but my costumes were accommodating (i.e., not much bodypaint). But this year I have 3 days of painting planned. We'll just have to see how it goes.
As a heads-up, this blogging thing is new to me. I have some ideas about what I want to do with it, but I'm not sure what people want to hear. When we're traveling I'll try to update it daily with a quick "Me View" of what we did and where we went. When we're not traveling I'll probably pick a topic and stick with it for a few weeks (i.e., exercising). Just things I'm focusing on for me and/or my family.
So, with that being said ... welcome to my blog! Here we go!
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