End of an Era

It’s going on week #2 since my corner bar has closed. It still hasn’t really hit me yet, hence a week and a half before I could come up with a meaningful post about it. During the summers I typically spend a lot of time outside on the deck. In years past, in the fall when I’d start going to the bar again, everyone would great me with “Welcome back!” or “You’re still alive?” or “Can’t find your way home again?” In nice weather I like to let the puppy get some fresh air while I enjoy a number of $.44 cans of Milwaukee’s Best Light. I might hit the bar for a bit to play some pool or what have you, but most of the time I’ll just chill at home. Now that I don’t have the option to go to the bar, well, it kind of sucks.

The good thing is I still get to see all my friends. My house has become Corner Bar #2 since it closed. In anticipation of this I spent $950 on new outside chairs and tables for people to sit on. With a classic reference to “If you build it, they will come,” I’ve had numerous nights when all ten stationary seats were occupied with only the canvas fold-up ones not being used. People bring their choice of beer over and I keep it cold for them. I currently have Budweiser, Miller High Life, Miller Lite, Spaten and Milwaukee’s Best Light in my fridge.

Much like the bar setting, I don’t get a phone call or text regarding the evening activities; people just show up. For some reason this is perfectly ok with me. As long as people don’t show up when I’m lifting weights or if I have an evening project to do everyone is always invited. If people bring food over I’ll gladly grill it for them. (Side note: I really don’t like it when my phone makes noise. I frown every time my phone rings. Even worse when I get a text that might need to be replied to. For me, my phone is used for posting to this blog, checking who’s pitching tonight and for porn. Speaking of which, I need to get some new material on there soon. Now I know what I’m doing tonight after I post this.)

But when it rains, man, it really sucks. I don’t like to smoke in the house. I don’t like to drink in the house if I’m not going to smoke, too. So when it rains I’m pretty much screwed. Last Friday the Renter was nice enough to drive to Steve’s on Bluemound (S.O.B.’s) when it was raining but after July 5th that won’t be a solution either (Wisconsin bars go smoke free). What else can we put into law that will fuck with my lifestyle, make masturbation illegal?

(Governor Doyle, don’t even think about it!)