HIGHLIGHTS FROM SWAN DAY '08

This past Sunday we had BLONDE CHATTERBOX in as a special guest bartender (emphasis on guest), which usually means that it's SWAN DAY, (better known as my birthday). The past few years, BLONDE CHATTERBOX has joined me behind the stick on my birthday weekend, and this year was no exception. The boys were happy to see her and the BREW CREW being who they are, wasted no time in abusing her, as they always do to the bartenders (in good fun, of course).

BLONDE CHATTERBOX fashionably late, per usual....

This was sort of interesting (file under "WTF"); This young lady came into the bar and asked if we had Internet connection. We helped her get online and as she began surfing the net, B.C. and I started asking her some general questions, just to get a sense of who she was and what her story was.

As it turns out, doll baby just moved to New York from Santa Barbara, California and moved into her new apartment in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.... only to move out ten minutes later. Apparently, the ad on Craigslist failed to mention the "flying cockroaches" that shared the "great deal" of an apartment she thought she was getting.

So she's currently staying with a relative across the street, while looking for new digs. Leave it to AFRIKA BAMBATTA (a.k.a. RICKEY HENDERSON) to go and lend a "helping hand".... You can't make this stuff up.

The agonizing look on my face was due to the impending bet that I was scheduled to pay off... Singing the Washington Redskins fight song ("Hail to the Redskins") in front of the whole bar. As you can see, I wasn't looking forward to it.


As the afternoon went on, more and more people came strolling in, many to say hi to BLONDE CHATTERBOX or to wish yours truly a Happy Birthday. Next thing you know, we found ourselves slammed to the gills with friends of the bar. And while yours truly found himself running back and forth behind the bar, our dear friend BLONDE held court, much like Lady Diana would back in the day. She did get her hands wet, however, when it became apparent that we were slammed. So hats off to her for that, seeing that she just got a manicure a day earlier!

THE PRODUCER, one of the locals and huge fan of all teams Miami, actually enjoying a drink this time. I was about to envoke the "Library Rule" on him!



One of the highlights of my day: getting a visit from two former students and good friends, MADDIE and RAMONA. From the looks of things, they turned out all right, if I do say so myself! ;)


This was part of the bet that I had to pay off to AFRIKA BAMBATTA when his team defeated "America's Team", the Cleveland Browns last week. Ol' bastard....















Then came the dreaded moment: Having to sing the fight song in front of the whole bar. AFRIKA BAMBATTA took great joy in getting on the microphone and introducing me to the public. After much laughter and taunts from the peanut gallery, I got on the mike and did what I had to do. I'm not quite sure who suffered more- me in singing that god-awful song, or the patrons for listening to me butcher it. Hey it was all in good fun and I am a man who always honor his bets.

The rest of the afternoon/night was a total blur as we stayed busy throughout. By the time I finally got off of my feet (around 8pm), my shrimp basket that I'd ordered hours earlier was cold but I was so hungry at that point that I didn't care. All told, it was a good day and I think everyone had a good time. SWAN DAY '08 was one for the ages.


DOLLAR DRAFT MADNESS continues tonight with $1.00 Bud/Bud Light mugs, starting at 4pm and rolling ALL NIGHT LONG! Drink a mug or two in my honor as today is my actual birthday!



Nuff Said