Thursday, June 21, 2007

SUMMER SOLSTICE

Today is officially the first day of summer; it's also the longest day of the year. It's all downhill from here. Enjoy it while it lasts!

Last night began what will be a series of reunions and sendoffs before we close our doors for good next week. Looking over the faces in the crowd, it was like I stepped into a time machine as I distinctly remember individuals from the days when the bar first opened 16 years ago. Both MATT and JIM LONG were in attendance, along with a few of the siblings and a multitude of good friends of the bar from years past.

While I did some mingling here and there, I chose instead to just sit back and take in the moment and listen in on some of the stories being told about the past. Many of the stories brought a smile to my face. Speaking with various supporters of the bar and to listen to them talk about their feelings over what's taking place; You could see the sadness in their faces and they could see it in mine as well. I guess as D-Day draws closer, reality is finally hitting home that this could be it. The end of an era. Wow.

Other interesting tidbits from last night:

* The drunken idiot who felt it was okay to try and walk home with a bar stool (not the big ones but the small wooden ones that are in the back of the bar). He got halfway across the street before the bouncer snatched the chair from him. Idiot.

* The huge pile of Hershey Kisses-like shit that I had to clean from the back of a toilet in the ladies room. A very humbling experience. Ladies, how on earth does one miss the toilet bowl entirely, only to spackle on the back of the toilet seat cover? What kind of aim are we shooting for here? Very disgusting. I'm still traumatized by it.

* A very nice conversation with REDSKINS GIRL. We don't get to have deep conversations very often, but when we do, I thoroughly enjoy them.

*Another very nice conversation I had with my favorite woman from the not-so-great state of Michigan. The fact that she's from Detroit is irrelevant; She is a great person and I simply adore her. Thank you very much for your kind words of support!

*Finally- you know how you have folks who try to sell you shit while you're hanging out the windows in the front of the bar? You got the CANDY PIMP and his little trolls; Then there's the occasional crackhead who tries to sell you that used Metro Card or something weird like that. Well, this guy took the cake. He tried to sell a set of neon yellow-colored diving goggles and diving fins (at least I think that's what they are called). They looked like they were used quite a few times but the dude swore they were new. Simply "broken-in" new. Photos to follow. Not to be missed.


THURSDAY NIGHT (Staff/Patron Reunion Night I): $4.00 ALL LIGHT BEERS (bottles/drafts).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIRTY SANCHEZ!!!

And finally, don't forget to bid on the THIRD and LONG Series II T-Shirt, currently posted on EBAY, with proceeds going to the FDNY Widows and Children's Fund. You can bid on the shirt HERE



nuff said