Ah, to have First World problems -- what a blessing. So a few years ago, the Village of Pinecrest banned gas powered leaf blowers -- to noisy and bad for the environment. Yeah. Whatever.
All was fine -- nobody paid attention -- until I got a "Warning Notice." If our landscape guys used the bad blower again, fine would be $250 for first offense; $500 for later offenses. We contacted our guy, and he said he was "in the process of getting battery blowers" and would take a chance with the gas -- understanding if we got fined, he would pay.
He then stopped showing up, and our tree infested property started looking like the forest it would quickly revert to without a leaf blowing guy. Wifey started looking around for any other companies that used battery -- she was thwarted. It turned out that we and one other neighbor were the only ones warned, and the other neighbor's elderly yard guy is near retirement -- he uses the battery unit Frank and Martha bought for their house's use.
I suspect one of 2 neighbor women who hate me, probably Riva - called the Village on me.
Anyway, today I walked past the VOP Mayor's house, and, lo and behold! - his guy was using a gas powered blower. I took a photo, and emailed Mayor Joe -- nice Italian guy from Philly -- and told him my problem -- explaining every other house I knew still used gas, including one "he might recognize." I'm still very good at being passive-aggressive.
Mayor Joe emailed me in 10 minutes -- referring me to VOP Manager. She said she would send me 3 companies "registered with the Village" who presumably follow the law. I told "Yocie" a little secret -- even the registered guys still use gas -- they work better, are cheaper, and the entire idea to ban them was given by the Avenue Q "Bad Idea Bears."
Anyway, as I type, our landscape guy is finally back here, and I hear the gas blower, well, blowing away. Hopefully we escape the dragnet again.
Meanwhile, D2 and Jonathan had dinner Sunday night at Daniel's Steakhouse, the place that took over for Fiola in the Gables. It's located in the Bacardi HQ building, and Fiola was founded by the Bacardi heir and his BFF Dickenson, the former head of Royal Caribbean Cruises. I was told the 2 lived in Gables Estates, and didn't want to have to drive "all the way" to Downtown Gables for fine dining, and so established a place close by to their waterfront enclave. It has a wine room -- once -- the manager showed Paul and me a $3K bottle!
Anyway, D2 said the place was my kind of place -- a fancier Palm -- great steaks and martinis -- they even bring you a tray so you can customize your martini. We're going tomorrow night -- Barry, Norman, and me -- before our Kabballah class. At our age, the thought of a great steakhouse turns us on greatly.
I remember being on Delray Beach with my Dad -- probably 1981. He was a little younger than I am now, and I pointed out a VERY hot girl in a bikini. He said "At my age, if she had a pastrami sandwich in her cleavage -- THAT would turn me on." I am become my Dad...
So Rabbi Yossi asked me to be on a committee -- to plan the 30th anniversary of the founding of Chabad of Kendall, since I was "a founder." I regretted saying yes as soon as I did -- I LOATHE committees, and "Join the Committee" is Rabbi speak for "Give money to pay for this event."
The first meeting (and I figured, probably my final one) was set for tonight -- but Yossi texted to reschedule. What's the opposite of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)? HIC (Happy It Cancelled)? Anyhow, I have HIC.
So I never enjoyed gambling, other than the formerly annual Day at Gulfstream we used to have at the end of the year with my brother in law/our firm's comptroller Dennis, where we drank and ate and lost money. But now I have the gambling adrenalin going -- will each gardener visit cause a violation? I guess the coming weeks will tell...
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