deucers.com ~ miami ~ miami beach

Meghann’s tattoo is a juvenile spotted drum (equetus ounctatus).

While Meghann was on a night dive on Alligator Reef in the Keys, a storm approached, more quickly than they expected. They had anticipated a quick dive, and after twenty minutes, it was time to head back. As Meghann got the group turned around, she could see lightening in the distance. Meghann had her hands full: corraling eight novice divers, the storm moving closer, making sure not to miss the boat, the lightning from above reminding her to hurry. Just before she found the hull of the boat, she spotted a juvenile spotted drum fish swimming calmly and beautifully along the reef, which calmed Meghann, allowing her to focus on the job at hand.

With this tattoo, Meghann carries this feeling of grace when things get chaotic. She got a side tattoo, because, when she feels crazed, she can touch her tattoo and refocus herself.

There are some nights when everything comes together and Miami is the best town in the world to live in. Tonight, last night, whatever, was one of those nights. Tony hooked me up with some awesome tickets to Bayfront Park to see Counting Crows and Spearhead.

Now, I first heard of Spearhead at Mark Fisher fourth of July party in 1997 in the Design District. We played basketball that night and for some reason thought it would be a good idea to ignite the fireworks INSIDE the house. Remember? Remember? Mark was the DJ and the groove was awesome. The cow from the Butter Club watched over us  through the dense indoor smoke overhead. Remember? and the black velvet elvis, and the hookah…remember?  Anyway…Spearhead left an impression. Michael Franti has the sexiest voice and righteous lyrics….I digress.

So Spearhead was playing with Counting Crows at Bayfront on a school night, Tuesday night, in the hot summer, and the night couldn’t have been more perfect. What made it a small town Miami night is Jeanne, Natty, Mark, and  I kept running into people we knew and liked – Joshua, Sam, Sigi, Arelis, Yankel, Tony, Malisa, Yankel,Gerald et al….great people all hanging out with the same idea- Spearhead on a school night. The weather was perfect and the crowd was awesome and Adam Duritz and Michael Franti and their bands grooved Bayfront. They even played Cecilia.

Great music. Great night. Great crowd. Great friends.

Thanks, Tony.

I dig the go-for-it spirit of the following tattooed people: My all-time favorite is the Blue Shiva:

My aunt and uncle were in town last week and we went on a brief architectural tour of Miami. Not only did I show them my favorite buildings, but my favorite art in public places. I love people who put art on walls for all to enjoy. The first is in this new apartment building just north of 55th Street Station and features eyes up on high. I prefer to see the benevolent Buddha Eyes as seen on Stupas in Nepal rather than the evil, lurking big brother panopticon:

And a second painting is this odd couple on 39th and NE 2nd Ave in the design district:

This is on 37th & North Miami Avenue. A sliver of beauty on the corner:

It’s not surprising to spot a tourist at Shuckers, or anywhere around town, but this one wins the prize, because he’s four times a tourist:

1) camera

2) loud shirt

3) black socks

4) and the panama hat:

And Shuckers was great as always. Shuckers on the half shell.

Good times.

Happy Birthday, Julie & Conway & Matthew & Fred.

Cheers

Deucer Seth has a thing or two to say to Smokey the Bear in Maine: