Here you go:
Never seen the green flash, never seen the green fairy either. 
I grew up in South Florida; I’ve seen the green. In fact, I’ve seen it in both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Haven’t seen it in the Pacific yet, tho; still working on that one.
I lived near the beach in north San Diego County for several years. Many people, including my friends and I, would head to the cliffs over looking the ocean at sunset every evening. The “green flash” was rather common when the atmosphere was very dry over the water. I’m no scientist, but it seems that the reason one doesn’t see the “green flash” every sunset is because there are a thin layer of clouds on the horizon blocking your view. It also seemed to help if you were watching for it up on a high cliff rather than at beach level.
I’m jealous. I spent nearly every sunset I could while I was in Key West hoping to see it. The mojitos from the Cuban place on the dock helped soften the disappointment somewhat.
“The Green Ripper”?
About 50 years ago, I purchased a homesite in CR, overlooking the Pacific. Still no home though 
I’ve visited a few times over the years, though not recently. I remember one moonless night on the beach with the stars reflecting on the ocean and no visible horizon. Stars above and below…
I don’t recall any mention of the green flash in John D. MacDonald’s work.
It’s right in the title, as well as the book:
Errr, the what?
(Can’t tell if that’s a reference to drugs, or absinthe, or Sleeping Beauty, or … ?)
I’m not much of a comic book reader anymore, but I thought the Flash wore red…
Now, that is just awesome, Dr. Quagdop. May there be tons of such enjoyment in this trip.
But did you understand why you came this way, when you saw it for the first time?
Well, the Green Flash hangs out with the Red Arrow and Underman. They’re a particularly low-selling line DC gave up on.
I was lucky enough to see it once some years ago, while crossing the Straight of Georgia on one of the Canadian ferrys. Conditions were perfect, and I was looking for it. When it did happen it was a flash of brilliant green, almost instantaneous. Had I blinked it would have been missed. Quite a sight, and definitely worth looking for if you can find just the right conditions.
Absinthe. Friends had a bottle of real-deal stuff along with the necessary accoutrements. We drank it and had a good time, but I didn’t see the green fairy.
Ok, I don’t mean to brag but…
About 12 years ago, I spent a glorious week in Cabo San Lucas in a 6th floor timeshare that faced due West. Every evening we all gathered on the balcony and waited. Of the 7 sunsets we saw, 5 were accompanied by a green flash.
I have now seen it 3 times this trip! We are on the 4th floor facing west. Each time it is just a dot lasting maybe a third of a second. It didn’t show three other time, and clouds obscured five other opportunities.
And we saw the southern cross for the first time at 4:30 this am. Beautiful!
Back home tomorrow.
I could see having a home down here.