Lost Weekend
April 28, 2012
Lost Weekend
In the early 70’s, John Lennon briefly separated from Yoko
Ono and spent some time carousing like a mad man with his pal Harry Nilsson.
Drinking heavily, womanizing and basically acting crazy, Lennon still was
somehow able to craft the brilliant album, “Mind Games” during this period.
With Kathy gone this week rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand
Canyon, I somehow stumbled in to my own mini-version of a Lost Weekend. While
Lennon’s lasted more than a year, mine was just a week. Thankfully mine was
slightly more tame as I did not get thrown out of a single establishment.
Spurred on by a series of fun Key West events this week, out
of town visitors and even a bachelor party for our friend Arlo, the setting was
perfect for a week of late-night debauchery and fun. I don’t think I was home
any night this week earlier than 2 AM and got to hang out with friends old and
new and still manage to keep up my full work and fitness regime, not too
shabby.
It started with “A Taste of Key West” on Monday evening and
continued each evening with more events and bar hopping fun. Tuesday, I headed
out on the town to join some friends who are Boston Bruins fans as we watched
the critical game seven of their playoff series at Jack Flats. It was a lot of
fun except that their team lost and they headed home somewhat saddened. I ran
in to a new friend who I had met the previous night at the Taste, Charlotte who
was visiting from Chicago. Charlotte is friends with our friends Wendy &
Scott and I ran in to her on Duval Street and we ended up spending a long fun
evening enjoying drinks at Willie T’s bar while having an amazing and enjoyable
talk on life. I had a great time getting to know her and look forward to
hanging out again when she returns to Key West.
Wednesday the fun continued with the advance preview of
Marky Pierson’s new art exhibit at Art Space. He presented new works of his
colorful, beautiful paintings. I stopped back in on Thursday briefly for the
official opening before heading over to Arlo’s place to get started on the
bachelor party activities.
Arlo had already had a previously notorious bachelor party,
but somehow a second version was being held for all the out of town friends to
attend. Mixologist extraordinaire Jason was in town to mix up some amazing
drinks before the group of about twenty of us headed over to the Chart Room bar
at the Pier House where we continued the celebration. We stayed there a while,
a fairly long while actually before we just headed back to the Love Lane
compound where we met up with the group of women who had been out as well and a
regular old party ensued.
Parties at Love Lane are legendary and this one did not
disappoint. We all had a fantastic time and I was out late, late once again. We
even had a beautiful Fire Dancer there to entertain us all as the lovely Lydia
Firefly entertained the crowd. It was fun, fun.
Friday night, I was out yet again. This time I joined our
out of town friend Janine who was in town visiting this week with her boyfriend
Terry. Our friends Bonnie & Jerian joined myself, Janine and Terry at
Santiago’s Bodega for dinner, then we headed out on the town. Going to the
Green Parrot where we watched the Lee Boys play a wicked set before heading
over to close out yet another late, late night at The Porch. I outlasted
everyone and stayed at the Porch late, talking to my bartender friend Erica and
drinking with my friend Tara. It was another interesting evening and to think I
still have the actual wedding to attend before heading to Vegas for a week to
meet Kathy.