Monday, August 20, 2007

WEEKEND WRAP-UP

The past weekend was pretty decent from the bar's point of view as we were generally busy most of the time. Friday night was a little light, foot-traffic wise but had its share of moments just as well. For starters, we had some familiar faces stop by that hadn't been here in awhile: JOHN CUSACK and a freshly-tanned BEN AFFLECK stopped by for a couple of cold ones, along with STIFFLER, BETTY BOOP, SILENT BOB and NORBIT. CY SPERLING also made a rare appearance as he happened to be in the neighborhood.

3rd Avenue has its share of homeless panhandlers, just like any other NYC neighborhood. You know who they are: They usually sit outside in front of the bars and hassle drunken patrons for cigarettes or spare change. Each individual has their own set of quirks; One guy likes to hold the "Please Spare Change, I'm Homeless" sign. Another guy tries to sell wilted roses, yet another will do a shuffle dance for you for a coin or a crisp dollar bill. Some are more annoying than others, but for the most part, they are harmless.

Lately, there's been sightings of a newbie, if you will. This homeless person is a female who walks around with crutches and a cast on her right foot. She's normally wearing a peach or cream-colored two piece shirt/shorts ensemble with a basketball sneaker (remember, she's wearing a cast on one foot), and has braids in her hair. Now based on the bracelet on her wrist, she's either checked herself out of a hospital or a mental institution. In any case, she's a piece of work. Making the rounds up and down 3rd Avenue, she's taken a particular liking to our block, often parking herself right out front and chatting up people as they walk up and down the street. One minute, she's outgoing and friendly- the next minute, she's cursing up a storm, ready to throw down. I've had my share of run-ins with her already as she's tried to come into the bar a few times. Now I would never, ever hit a woman, but after seeing her cold-cock some guy in the face last week because he wouldn't give her a cigarette...... Hrmph!

Then there was the MILF who bent my ear for about an hour about her new job, her grandchildren, her life, my life, etc., etc., etc. While this was going on, SILENT BOB and crew enjoyed watching me suffer through the torture of it all. You'd think someone would have come and help a brotha out... but NO!!!! They enjoyed every minute of it.

Saturday was pretty uneventful (for me anyways); I'd won a trip earlier this week to see the METS play the WASHINGTON NATIONALS in D.C., but I had to postpone the trip due to work, so I found myself at the bar all afternoon with a few stragglers here and there. Things picked up later in the day when a group of DAVID BECKHAM fans came in to do a bit of "pre-gaming" before the big debut of their idol at Giants Stadium. Needless to say, after about ten rounds of $2.00 mugs, they ended up blowing off the game and watching it at the bar. The rest of the night picked up considerably as the bar was teeming with hot chicks and the usual contingent of frat boys. By the time that happened, I was long gone, making it an early night.

Sunday I found myself spending the day walking around the East Village. I hadn't been downtown for awhile and needed a long-overdue haircut so I took the opportunity to take advantage of the nice weather and simply strolled around. Surprisingly, the Village was pretty empty. Had a celebrity sighting while I was down there: MICKEY ROURKE, the former heartthrob from the 80's (9 1/2 Weeks, Diner, The Pope of Greenwich Village among others). He'd just gotten off of his Harley Davidson bike and was sporting a bandanna on his head. Definitely had a "weathered" look about him. Talk about a guy who partied hard in his lifetime.... oof.

Tonight, I have the first of many fantasy football drafts taking place and I'm looking forward to it. That is just yet another sign that football season is almost here. Giddy-up!

DOLLAR DRAFT MADNESS TONIGHT! ($1.00 MUGS, Bud, Bud Light and Coors Light, ALL NIGHT LONG)


NUFF said