Happy Halloween!

After going through something like Fantasy Fest, I'm not sure how Key Wester's notice the arrival of Halloween, but the calendar says it's so, so...

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The Final Hurrah

Whewy, it's a good thing this only lasts a week. We're pooped. Yesterday was more of the same during the day, people in costumes or body paint strutting their stuff. I decided we and probably you have had enough of the saggy boobs, pancake bums, and dangling dingalings, so didn't take any more photos of those, but they were out there!

When we realized people were already setting up for the parade starting 4 hours later, we decided to buy some camping chairs and get set up ourselves. Even though it was a long wait time, it was so fun to people watch that the time flew by.

Masquerade Mania

I had over 400 photos to look through this morning. Yesterday's Masquerade March through Old Town has to go on the top 10, maybe even top 5, things Michael & I have ever done. It was a ton of fun. And remember on my last post that said you should keep your kids off Duval after 6 if you don't want them exposed to nudity? Just keep 'em off Duval until next week...

I don't have much to say - let's just leave it for the pics (I thought a couple too risque to keep their faces):

2pm, Duval St. Street Fair:

  

People Watching

We weren't sure if Hurricane Sandy would put a damper on things here, but we should have known that the answer to that would have been a resounding "no!"-  rain or otherwise. The early evening brought drizzle throughout and gusts of winds in certain spots, but  it was surprisingly wind-free on Duval St (the main thoroughfare for this insanity). You can see that while it was pretty calm here on Smather's Beach, it was down right nasty by Sunset Pier (and where the live-aboard boats are anchored - barf).

This is the smart thing to do if you have a bar in a place with a rainy season.

No hurricane was going to stop Fantasy Fest, but the police felt the need to put out a polite "reminder":

• Public nudity: is absolutely prohibited in Key West. Male and female genitalia must not be exposed. Female breasts cannot be exposed. Breasts painted with body paint will only be considered as covered within the Fantasy Zone. Body paint cannot be applied in public; it must be applied in an enclosed area, out of the public view. Sex acts in public are absolutely prohibited.

• Artificial or toy weapons: You’re better off not using them at all. But if your costume simply must have one, make sure it’s clearly a fake. Law enforcement officers will be watching for anything resembling a weapon from water guns to artificial swords or knives. Replica weaponry may be confiscated. In addition, laser pointers are not allowed during the event, and they too may be confiscated.

Fantasy Fest for Pets

Yesterday's hilarity was the pet masquerade (Facebook) at the Casa Marina Resort. First of all, the resort was gorgeous, my pictures just don't do it justice.

Secondly - pet owners are nuts. I include myself in that statement, as I'm wondering if I start training my cat, Jack, now if can enter him next year as a Pussycat Doll - get it?  Of course, I'd enter in the owner/pet look-alike portion so I can dress up too.  I'll start him in the tutu. He likes it!

There were over 60 entrants to this affair so it spanned over two hours, but it was all for a good cause. It's the only fundraiser held all year by the Lower Keys Friends of Animals, so a big deal if you want to help their trap/neuter/release program (not that you can't donate anytime). And what a fun way to do it! My favorite had to be this woman. I didn't kill myself getting a great photo because I figured she'd be on stage later, but she didn't participate in the actual contest! Darn it - well, I would have voted for her. She had 3 dogs - one in the flower box she was carrying and 2 costumed pups on leashes.

Tutu Mania

First up - don Tutu (you can't see our multi-colored fake eyelashes or our green & blue hair very well - but they were there). Someone on the street told me I looked like carnival.



Make a cash stop.

Then register at The Porch For Tutu Tuesday (you'll note the nerd sign is in reference to a nerd party they're having Thursday).

Zombies

Let's start with daylight. Wyland has been making his way down the Keys refreshing several of his murals. He's been here for 3 days and we decided to see how he was doing.

Looking good! I like how the marine life goes around the corner. I got to paint part of a mural in New York City's Hayden planetarium cafeteria as a class project years (and years) ago. The thing was so big it was hard to get a feel for what you were doing. Wyland's work is truly impressive, especially when you see all the paint variances involved.