John Seward Johnson II

A nephew of the rich and famous Johnson & Johnson's you see in your supermarket, John Seward Johnson II is a sculptor whose work appears around Key West. He not only did Marilyn, he's responsible for every figure in this photograph. First there's "Daydream," in which he recreates the Matisse dancing nudes. And there's the lad preparing to toss a frisbee, oblvious to all the feminine flesh over his shoulder. And finally there's the amateur painter, recreating Johnson's recreation. Called "Copyright Infringement," it's Johnson's way of answering critics who say that's all he does.

It was very hard to get this shot. Many boys, young men and not-so-young men are not as nonchalant around the naked ladies as Seward's sculpture, and I had to wait a long time for several of them to have their photos taken groping the metal boobs and buttocks.

Bored with my vacation yet?

"The bar on the top floor has never gone out of style"

I loved my hotel, La Concha. Took these from the rooftop bar, where I sipped a margarita, listened to a troubadour with a guitar (who even sang "Up on the Roof") and wandered around, taking it all in. I got a different view from each railing.

New Year's Day at the pier

Enjoyed a pina colada and a chilled lobster sandwich and good conversation as we watched the world go by.

This is how to see a movie

On New Year's Day we went to see The King's Speech at Key West's Tropic Cinema. It's a wonderful movie, like All the President's Men in that you're involved and anxious about the events, even though you already know the outcome.

It's a fantastic theater, too. Each movie on each of the four screens is of high quality. The walls are decorated with breathtaking old Hollywood portraits by George Hurrell. In addition to popcorn and soda pop, the concession stand sells red and white wine. And, of course, there's Marilyn to greet you out front. Since there's no subway in Key West, that's a faux grate her stilletos are teetering upon. I love that level of detail.

Key West 2010 -- Souvenirs

A review of this year's vacation in the realm of retail.

Magnets for everyone! I picked up seven magnets, not unlike this one depicting the Southernmost spot in the United States, for my coworkers.

My niece. Since she lives for her summer job at that family-owned beach resort in Wisconsin, I bought her something to help her anticipate it: a sign she can hang on her bedroom door when she leaves that says, "Gone to the Beach."

My nephew. A Key West cap, of course. He loves caps. And a tiny turtle made of shells, because he loves turtles, too.

My mom. A pair of eccentric Christmas tree ornaments -- Robert the Demon Doll (more on him later) and a flamingo preparing to don her bikini in a changing booth. Clearly my mom's Christmas tree is like no other!

And for me. I bought myself a trio of cute junk jewelry necklaces and this DVD, a tribute to the day Margaritaville met Wrigley Field.

Movie Monday

Movies are always giving us characters who undergo some sort of change during the story's arc. These changes aren't always for the better - that's what makes them so compelling. Here are a few characters we came up with who made a distinct change during their time on screen. Share characters from film who have transformed, linking back here at The Bumbles.

Solitary Man. If you get to see this on DVD or cable, you're in for a treat. Michael Douglas plays a successful car salesman who gets bad news about his health that really rocks his world. He decides to fight growing older by reverting and becoming fantastically immature. He pays for it dearly, but not in ways you expect. And Douglas is so good in this that he breaks your heart rather than makes you dislike him.

The Mirror Has Two Faces. Streisand accepts Jeff Bridges' proposal of marriage -- but a marriage that will be strictly intellectual and platonic, with no irrational romance to complicate their bond. She falls in love with him anyway, and longs for a more complete relationship, meaning one that includes physical lovemaking. So while he's away on a lecture tour, she works hard on turning herself into a romantic ideal. New hair, new clothes, new body. Naturally, when he comes home, Bridges finds himself surprised to have the hots for his own wife.