Thanks Given For Large Favors

When I worked with bands in bars in the late 70's and early 80's, there was one holiday that you did not want to work.

Thanksgiving.

Think about it. The only people who went out on Thanksgiving were people without friends or family, or who were outcasts from same. Not a pretty crowd. That being said, if you did well on Thanksgiving, you would probably get asked back- for Christmas night!

The worst was a place called The Cabooze. Here's a hint to judging drinking establishments: If the name of the place has some vulgar reference to liquor in it, you'll know exactly what you're getting into. Truth in advertising, you might say. A bar full of losers, loners and misfits- a sure-fire recipe for holiday frivolity.

This reminds me of some of the other fine watering holes in this area, past and present:

The Viking Bar has had a consistent clientle for the last thirty years, the same crowd, and they aren't looking any better after thirty years. They've added approriate live music awhile back- blues, blues and more blues.

Moby Dick's (now demolished) was so hard-core that, as legend has it, any A.A. member having a "sobriety pin" could swap it for a free drink—and the wall behind the cash register held hundreds.

Palmer's Bar is the champ. Open for Breakfast, 365 days a year. No food served. If you just couldn't wait until 10 or 11 a.m., you can go here. Professional drinkers only, amateurs and dilettantes need not apply.

I've been fortunate. I managed to avoid being sucked into that mælstrom. So I give thanks for that, and wish the best for those who have not, and are doing their "bit" to keep decadence and despair alive.