Lucky me that I don't have the stamina to do more than just one night of heavy drinking in a row.
Pints of Creemore followed by some tasty Margaritas led to me flagging a cab at 6:30 this morning. Where did the night go?
I strolled up to the bar with an US magazine in my back pocket. The bar was crowded, but I pulled up a stool like I always do, and read for a bit about the Britneys, Lindsays, and Buffys of some fake make believe world for awhile. I don't like to talk to anyone when I first get inside. I'd rather just keep to myself; afterall, I had only just finished my 87th call not ten minutes earlier.
My hangout has changed since they passed the no-smoking ban. Gone are the days where you'd be assaulted by a thick and creamy wave of hanging smoke when you first walked in. Gone are the familiar rows of ashtray apon ashtray that once lined the 30 foot bar. The ban is bullshit if you ask me. The Only has 2 levels, and when the rules first came out, you were allowed to smoke in an establishment if it had a separate smoking room. Of course, the upstairs is used for productions and the Rainbow dances, but Jerome, the owner, would point out that any non-smoker could enjoy his meal upstairs if requested.
Now that the building is smoke free, it's empty in the mornings, which is a change, because it was usually crowded with people enjoying their first smokes of the day with their morning cup of joe. Since Jerome has pissed off the wrong people fighting the no-smoking bylaw, there's now an enforced capacity policy, no more than 50 inside, 35 on the outdoor patio, and 15 on the front patio. 100. What a number and what a sham. The place is huge, and there are more exits to the place than any other bar in town. He's getting shafted for sure, and it's killing his business.
So, I stayed up at the bar until I could gain entry out on the patio. I never thought I'd see the day of bouncers at The Only. I met up with some girls, after saying hi to my buddy from my college days. I talked with another bar owner and good friend, who agreed that things were tough all over now. It was the first cool night of the week, and I had just gotten my paycheck. We ordered more beer, and listened to the riot upstairs, and simply chatted it up with everyone.
I think I told the bartender I liked his haircut. Funny thing is, in retrospect, Chris' hair is always the same, though it might have been just a smidge shorter than usual. He looked at me weirdly, and went on his way clearing tables. I know everybody who works there, but rarely talk to him. He's the quiet type, and I'm sure he's got a story, just like everyone else, but I don't want to hear it. I'm not much for talking, at least, at first.
Pint followed pint, and so after last call there, we rolled into her bar, and then did a carry out after hailing a taxivan to her place. Ahhh magaritas. And wouldn't you know, that the dark, starry night turned to dawn, then sunrise, then full out sunny day. I made it home in one piece, and cooked up some eggs and toast before going to bed. I got a nice opportunity to sleep in, and after a second breakfast of a bagel and coffee, I collected Kole from her grandparents and we started off for our spending splurge on sleeping bags, air mattresses and a 3 person tent.
I'm tired tonight, and am aiming for another sleep in tomorrow. Grocery shopping followed by laundry and a birthday celebration. I've got a wedding to go to later on in the evening, and then first thing Monday morning we set off to go camping. Mosquitoes, marshmallows and some Coppertone lotion. Nothing like cooking over a fire, and swimming on a 'no motorized vehicle' lake. Card games at the picnic table, followed by sing-a-longs in the evenings.
Ah holidays. Ah beer and summer vacation. Lucky me.
Cheers.