That is part of a tale I have told to tourists many times over. Out of all the tales I tell. This part of this one tale has always meant so much to me. I use to see it from singer two's point of view. This little island was my home. Now with my eyes wide open I see it from singer One's ( the one that left ) point of view.
I never thought I would be hearing myself say this. It is time to pass the torch to the next BN'r to live in Key West. After some long hard thinking... along with a lot of drinking. I have made the decision to head back to the mainland.
Some of you know I have been flirting with this idea for almost a year now. At first I was thinking Texas. Then I realized that as much as I do love the state of Texas and the people that live there... I am in fact a true sunkissed Floridian. I can not leave Florida. The smell of the sea, the feel of the salt in the air, the humidity. I love it all. So I stayed on The Rock for some time.
Recently an offer was made to me to accept my old job back at Universal. Or NBC Universal Studios Orlando , as the pretencious say. Apparently they are in need of some good old fashioned Quint style leadership. After some long hard thought I did accept the offer. I realized that my heart is in fact in that theme park. I have had many unique and fun jobs in my lifetime. Working there was by far the most fun , challenging, and rewarding.
I came to Key West with a couple of things in mind. I wanted to "chill". I wanted to be the person who does not care about the J-O-B and could call in anytime I wanted. That did not happen. Key West did not turn me into that person. I guess it is in me to be a worker bee and will always be that way. Rather then becoming a slacker I just became a manager of every place I went. Which was exactly the type of thing I was trying to escape from down here. Problem is that if you show up on time and sober to work down here... in two months you will be running the show.
I also came down here because this was in my top three places in the world to vacation. This little rock offers it all. Kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, sailing. The problem is that since it is so expensive to live, we all work so much there is no time to enjoy the activities you moved down for. I can honestly say that I have accomplished more kayaking , fishing, snorkeling in a week of previous vacation then I have in five years of living here. Something is just not right when you live on an island and go two weeks without seeing water. Plus the magic and allure have been lost. On that note the one thing I will say is this. Never move to your one particuliar harbor.
I will always hold many pieces of this island and the people I have met here very close to my heart. It is in living here that I learned a lot of the true meaning of many Jimmy Buffett songs. I for sure understand what it means to live and die in 3/4 time. I owe all of my success down here to my boss. If you have ever been on the Trails tour, you know who I am talking about. I will miss having him as a boss as he is the best boss I have ever had. He once told me " If you do this long enough, you will eventually become part of the tale". I did just that.
I know that this island has changed me in many ways. I know that I have been islandized and there will be challenges in readjusting back to mainland life. But the Lone Palm Airport will only be a five minute ride from where I am at. I look forward to having the time to finish my book about this funky little island town.
For now it is time to get some hustle in my bustle. Universal was glad to accept me back. There was one little catch. My first day of duty is March 22nd at 10AM. That gives me little time to prepare for this move. I spent all day on the phone yesterday nailing down a place to live. I was successful. Now comes the fun of making this happen and figuring out where all this moving money is going to come from. Much like a cat though... I always land on my feet... even with buttered toast on my back.
So I will bid a fond bon voyage to my little island and welcome the next BN'r who chooses to live here. It has been one Hell of a fun and fabulous ride. After all... Key West is a great place to visit.
lovin' that ragtop day 
JB & Sonny 
Cat & Way 
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