Key West Law Enforcement

 The sunset from the pool deck in Key West:

Key West... known for its sunsets and laid back lifestyle.

  I would like to show you just HOW laid back the city is during the last week in October.  It is called "Fantasy Fest".  Make sure that the kids are out of the room when you watch. But it is for real.  These are real people walking around--and no-one is arresting them or anything.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAvQN1WDVY4

So - the two of you know me.  I am a rule follower.  I do not speed in my car--10 o'clock and 2 o'clock hand positions on the steering wheel at all times.  I use my turn signal when leaving my driveway.

Last week, when riding my bicycle in Key West, I approached an intersection where there were three cars lined up at the stop sign.  I rode to the right of the cars and then stopped at the stop sign where there was a Key West Police officer directing traffic.  As I begin to brake, Mr Policeman starts to bellow at someone... who is he yelling at?? What?  At ME!!

"WHY AREN'T YOU WAITING BEHIND TRAFFIC??", he screams.

I am completely shocked... so I ask very deferentially  "Oh, I'm supposed to wait behind all of the cars?
This looks like a bike lane to me".  Big mistake.

"OH SO YOU THINK YOU ARE SPECIAL???" he roars. "YOU THINK YOU ARE SO SPECIAL THAT RULES DO NOT APPLY TO YOU??"

"Ummm, no sir", I squeak back in reply.

  I have not been yelled at since... well... since... never. No one has ever really yelled at me (offspring not included).   I can't help but find this ironic.  If you watched the above video, you will see that there are streets filled with nakie, painted people doing G knows what, and sitting down G knows where and probably NOT STOPPING BEHIND THE CARS while perched upon their poor  (yuck) bicycle seats.

However, I have learned my lesson.

I could have painted each boob a different color, braided my armpit hair, while balancing a monkey on my shoulders, and drinking straight vodka from the bottle... but I would make sure that I did not ride my bicycle to the right side of three cars at a stop sign in Key West.