Looking back to the last time I updated this, last year contained many very fine times. The most memorable event seems to be the most embarrassing. Jimbo and I were out on the maiden voyage of his new jet ski when he decided he needed to check the intake pipe for seaweed. We were at the cruise ship terminal with huge cruise ships looming over us and no where to land or even tie up. Jimbo spotted a small pier and we headed over to stop for a minute. Just as we reached the dock, these Cuban guys ran out to us waving their arms and saying “no no no”. We correctly assumed that we weren’t allowed to tie up there, so we backed up when the unthinkable happened…the jet ski started to roll. And roll. And roll. It’s a three person BIG machine and when it rolls, it’s impossible to stop. You guessed it – in the water we go. Jimbo rights it and tells me to climb up the ladder. No problem, right? Except that the bottom rung of the ladder is higher than my shoulder! Plus, there was nothing to hold on to that would enable me to pull myself up. Jimbo says (and not in a polite way) “DO YOU WANT ME TO SHOVE YOU UP BY THE ASS?” I realized it was the only way I was going to get my ass back on, so I said YES! I finally flopped onto the seat and Jimbo climbed on after me, which meant I had to drive the thing. All of a sudden, we hear clapping and cheering from the seawall. There were busloads of cruise ship passengers waiting to board their ships that had witnessed the entire “event”. What else could I do but wave my fuchsia sequined ball cap in celebration? 
The second time we rolled it, we had been tooling around in Biscayne Bay and were about 30 yards from the dock when, all of a sudden, the damn thing starts rolling again. It truly has a mind of its own. Unfortunately, I was getting comfortable enough to be holding my camera in my hand as we docked. You guessed it. It’s history now. The camera that is. 
Yes, 2008 was the year that had its ups and downs. Let’s see…here are a few highlights:
Getting a job and moving to Miami Beach started the year with a bang!
Loving life in my condo with views of Miami Beach, downtown Miami, and the cruise ship terminals.
Date with a gigolo and the acquisition of a pair of $150 flip flops just like Paris Hilton’s.
Sitting across from the aforementioned Hilton in a restaurant while my dining partner was explaining the origins of the word “F_ _ K”. It really has an honorable beginning.
Watching a girlfriend make a fool of herself over Dennis Rodman. He’s a total jerk.
Watching polo (with real horses) right smack dab on Miami Beach and cheering for Team Lamborghini. (If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you the $40 hat.)
Seeing Owen Wilson, the actor, at aforementioned polo match.
Becoming a regular at the nude beach. I still prefer to not go by myself, but at least I know a few people there to sit with if I want.
Attending the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. I’ve never walked so much in my entire life. I was invited aboard some of the mega-yachts. It’s definitely “invitation only” and you have to remove your shoes before boarding. I was overwhelmingly awed. My only regret is not discovering the food court until the end of the day. There was so much good food – grilled anything you can imagine, including shrimp and lobster, homemade potato chips, fresh lemonade, fruit kabobs. Everything that I love to eat. Of course, the old standbys hotdogs and burgers but who would eat that with all the fresh and healthy stuff so readily available? I also met Guy Harvey. (You can tell I was impressed.)
Spending 4th of July in the Keys – diving, water skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, and parasailing. First time I’ve seen a shark on a night dive. Discovered Kombucha. 
Taking the cruise ship Discovery to Freeport Bahamas with Gypsy. We had SO much fun. Met some really nice people, worked on our tans. 
Getting my Master Scuba Diver certification, along with presents from PADI and my “500 Dives” patch.
Spending Christmas with my mom. I hadn’t seen her in two years and she is, and always will be, my soulmate. Charlene came up on Christmas Eve and we cooked a turkey dinner together. It was also great seeing my nephews for the first time in about 15 years.
Getting tickets to “The Rock Boat” which was a 233 foot yacht turned into a museum that housed jewels from all over the world. The REAL Art Deco jewelry was awe inspiring. Gypsy and I were escorted to the bridge to meet the Captain. (I arranged in advance, of course) He’s just a kid but a nice one. Then Gypsy and I went to the newly reopened and refurbished Fontainebleu Hotel, where we had a cocktail by the “lounging pool” complete with round sofa beds, infinity edge and fiber optic lighting. The $38 bill was a bit of a stunner. For ONE martini and ONE beer!
The only downer was spending New Year’s Eve in bed. Even that had it’s “ups”, though. I spent the day at the beach with friends, then went to the Crab House for a martini and some clam chowder. I woke up just before midnight and celebrated the new year standing on the seawall with a cop watching all the different fireworks displays across the bay. We counted to 29 and quit counting.
I can’t wait to write about New Year’s Eve 2009 and compare notes.
I’m sure there are lots of things I have forgotten, but that just means they can’t be that important. The “losers” from this year are long forgotten and the winners are still in my life.
The second time we rolled it, we had been tooling around in Biscayne Bay and were about 30 yards from the dock when, all of a sudden, the damn thing starts rolling again. It truly has a mind of its own. Unfortunately, I was getting comfortable enough to be holding my camera in my hand as we docked. You guessed it. It’s history now. The camera that is.
Yes, 2008 was the year that had its ups and downs. Let’s see…here are a few highlights:
Getting a job and moving to Miami Beach started the year with a bang!
Loving life in my condo with views of Miami Beach, downtown Miami, and the cruise ship terminals.
Date with a gigolo and the acquisition of a pair of $150 flip flops just like Paris Hilton’s.
Sitting across from the aforementioned Hilton in a restaurant while my dining partner was explaining the origins of the word “F_ _ K”. It really has an honorable beginning.
Watching a girlfriend make a fool of herself over Dennis Rodman. He’s a total jerk.
Watching polo (with real horses) right smack dab on Miami Beach and cheering for Team Lamborghini. (If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you the $40 hat.)
Seeing Owen Wilson, the actor, at aforementioned polo match.
Becoming a regular at the nude beach. I still prefer to not go by myself, but at least I know a few people there to sit with if I want.
Attending the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. I’ve never walked so much in my entire life. I was invited aboard some of the mega-yachts. It’s definitely “invitation only” and you have to remove your shoes before boarding. I was overwhelmingly awed. My only regret is not discovering the food court until the end of the day. There was so much good food – grilled anything you can imagine, including shrimp and lobster, homemade potato chips, fresh lemonade, fruit kabobs. Everything that I love to eat. Of course, the old standbys hotdogs and burgers but who would eat that with all the fresh and healthy stuff so readily available? I also met Guy Harvey. (You can tell I was impressed.)
Spending 4th of July in the Keys – diving, water skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, and parasailing. First time I’ve seen a shark on a night dive. Discovered Kombucha. 
Taking the cruise ship Discovery to Freeport Bahamas with Gypsy. We had SO much fun. Met some really nice people, worked on our tans.
Getting my Master Scuba Diver certification, along with presents from PADI and my “500 Dives” patch.
Spending Christmas with my mom. I hadn’t seen her in two years and she is, and always will be, my soulmate. Charlene came up on Christmas Eve and we cooked a turkey dinner together. It was also great seeing my nephews for the first time in about 15 years.
Getting tickets to “The Rock Boat” which was a 233 foot yacht turned into a museum that housed jewels from all over the world. The REAL Art Deco jewelry was awe inspiring. Gypsy and I were escorted to the bridge to meet the Captain. (I arranged in advance, of course) He’s just a kid but a nice one. Then Gypsy and I went to the newly reopened and refurbished Fontainebleu Hotel, where we had a cocktail by the “lounging pool” complete with round sofa beds, infinity edge and fiber optic lighting. The $38 bill was a bit of a stunner. For ONE martini and ONE beer!
The only downer was spending New Year’s Eve in bed. Even that had it’s “ups”, though. I spent the day at the beach with friends, then went to the Crab House for a martini and some clam chowder. I woke up just before midnight and celebrated the new year standing on the seawall with a cop watching all the different fireworks displays across the bay. We counted to 29 and quit counting.
I can’t wait to write about New Year’s Eve 2009 and compare notes.
I’m sure there are lots of things I have forgotten, but that just means they can’t be that important. The “losers” from this year are long forgotten and the winners are still in my life.
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