Well, some things resonate with a person as time goes on, “Scaryoke Night” was one of those events. Not just because of the costumes, the songs or the alcohol, but because of the mood. It was kind of mellow for a Halloween Night.
I remember a lot, I remember because I drank slow and was afraid of what a mix of medication and alcohol could do to me. I didn’t grab the mike because I was still in some possession of my mind. I know I can’t sing.
Yeah, I walked in kind of early and shot pool, a doubles game with Dusty and Yaega Lee, I was teamed up with Daria. She was real happy about that. S.D. showed up looking like Beetlejuice on acid, and was just as wild. S.D. took off for another party but vowed to return (He did).
Pimp staggered in and was being pretty cool (he hadn’t started drinking yet).
Ruby and Shelly were in costume too, Ruby’s dress was definitely in keeping with Halloween but kinda on the sexy side. She roasted me over some things she saw in the blog but she served me anyway and was very kind.
Shelly was in an all white, skin tight baseball outfit with mini skirt. I strained my neck to getting a better look. If you saw the costume you would have tried to get all the looking in you could. They were in preKareoke shakedown mode.
Dino, showed up and was with Mickey and Alice (Friend of Gino’s) Alice was dressed as Laura Croft in camouflage utilities (sun glasses did work for her). Mickey was dressed like Johnny Cash. As the crowd filtered in I watched a couple I never saw before, some loud nasty blonde bimbette with big 1950’s hair was talking trash to Shelly and Ruby. A meeting of current and former bartenders at the mythical 1762 establishment had a powwow at the end of the bar.
The bartender conspiracy included Yaega Lee, Daria, Ruby, Shelly and Gin. I think big hair was mad that her man was giving Shelly second looks (third and fourth looks too). Most guys there were taking in the sights, pretty women showing off cleavage on whatever end was working, heaving breast or bouncing ass, I was glad to be in the number. Much was starting to happen as the crowd flowed in.
The Owner, Bossman walked in and was loving it, he was preaching about the Yankee future and his thoughts about who would be the new coach. As usual he shouted down and maligned anybody who wasn’t a Yankee fan and displayed that they didn’t know what the hell they were talking about. That was entertaining too. But better costumes and drama was yet to come.
Dino looked a little sad as he took his cane and started for the door, I asked, “where ya going, the party hasn’t started yet.” Dino said, “Gotta go, gotta baby sit tonight.”
My eyes opened wide, I put down my drink and said, “WHAT”. “You deaf, I’m gonna be looking after a bunch of kids this week….kinda like a NANNY now”. Dino continued, “A couple of friends of mine are going to Florida and I got their kids till they come back.”
I thought about this for 10 long seconds, I thought about what he said. This was indeed the beginning of the Halloween weekend. The events of Dino’s coming week could be the basis of a situation comedy, a police drama or live coverage on CNN. As Dino left I did utter a silent prayer begging God to keep Satan rolling on the deck laughing in gut wrenching pain, and to look after Dino. God looks after fools and drunkards. Dino should get double protection.
Talk about divine deviates, I couldn’t believe what walked in next. Pregnant Lily dressed like a Nun, (scary thing is she looked so like the real deal) and everybody knew she was pregnant. Bossman said words to the effect of, “she’s from where…Our Lady of the Drunken Hooker, a Nun of the Immaculate Deception”. The ‘Nun’ carried a cross and would later be seen holding a cross and scimitar (hooked knife) with her soda in between.
Pregnant Lilly’s buddy that night was a thoroughly gorgeous, young, tall blonde bombshell dressed a long tight black skirt, aqua and white stripped shirt with a red scarf. She is allegedly a manhater, Celina had all heads turning at one point or another during the evening. The evening was just starting. Mallory showed up and went through the painfully tedious setup with nearly no help. Bossman solicited help from some big dudes to help Mallory get the gear in.
Ka’cee showed up without Ka’tee and was having a good time. I wanted to get to where she was but didn’t stray to far from my seat since I was having a problem standing.
Shelly ran the show behind the bar with plenty of backup from Ruby and Gin. The show began and we started to get a number of singers. Everyone was mellow. Some woman was trying to pickup any man she could. The Met Fan hid from her like he was on the FBI most wanted list.
Then the show stopping act of the night arrived at the mike, Pregnant Lilly and Celina got with Mallory and conspired on their song. It was oxymoronic to say the least.
Pregnant Lilly gently rocked touching herself and Celina as the song started, then they belted out, “Like a Virgin, touched for the very first time, Like a Virrrrgin…”. I was laughing so hard it hurt. During the back part of this number the Pimp ran behind the bar, he was nearly castrated, Shelly was pissed.
Bossman scolded the Pimp, but being in a good mood, Bossman refrained from putting his foot in Pimp's ass. S.D. and Daria did a duet together, I forget the song, it was romantic and sweet. Again, I sat down holding my sides quietly wiping tears from my eyes in laughter. There were two trains, that is chain dances that went through the bar. The first one was really fun. The second one led by Pimp leading the dance backward because it was Celina who was in front of him.
Pimp was hitting on any woman he could with liquor on his breath and a limp (like Pimp actually had a chance). After the chain dance some more singing and more good fun, Pimp had to show out again shouting “do you want me to leave”. Shelly quickly answered affirmatively as she pointed his staggering ass toward the door.
Apparently somewhere in the shuffle Pimp pissed off Daria. Daria jerked pimp with one arm like he was a perp in cuffs, jerked him right into her chest and told him to get the fuck out after he tried to re-adjust the Met Fans back.
Then the night wound down, everybody was still mellow, Ka’cee left and Ka’tee showed up on the back end of the night. Then Cary showed up. There was a light cheer from the crowd.
After two stone soul duets, Mallory and Cary had the crowd begging for more, but it was the end of the night, Scaryoke was over, but the show did go on. The bar looked like it had been nuked. Bossman had left, some squaring away was done but not much. Folks were coming in and out of the ancient dive all night. When things seemed that they were getting quiet around 4 AM (yeah, I didn’t want to miss anything and I didn’t), things got stirred up again.
I remembered that everyone was bone tired. Shelly and Ruby were squaring away the place trying to run out the door. It was 4:04 AM, Jon and Cowboy E were still around, a few others then…the front door blasted open, a guy with a cape over his face stumbled to the bar and ordered a beer. Half startled we stared to the front of the bar, the Pimp said “well can I get a drink”. Shelly was obviously bent out of shape, and it made her look more sexy in that baseball costume. Pimp was ousted out.
Again at 4:26 AM Pimp, in the same sorry disguise came back in. Shelly went nuclear on Pimp’s drunken ass, Jon went into firefighting mode. It ended with Pimp again staggering to his automobile, getting into it and driving off. One of these days Halloween will be even scarier if Pimp doesn’t listen to the chorus of bartenders who have attempted to take his keys from him.
Otherwise it was a real good night.
Later.
Love.
RJ
10.30.2007
Scaryoke Night
10.29.2007
Halloween Karaoke Party
After missing the first karaoke night at 1762, I made it a point to make this one. There were many familiar faces, but just as many new ones present. Shelley and Ruby kept everyone happily intoxicated. The Owner was on hand. He even cooked up a gourmet spread of tortellini and string beans. A culinary genius. I guess that's why he owns a bar and not a restaurant.
The Limpin Pimp made a nuisance of himself at several junctures throughout the party. Highlights included him falling on his ass when he tried to sit on a stool, spinal manipulation by the Met Fan, and his resurfacing donning a cape after he had been cut off, so as to obscure his true identity.
Pregnant Lily won best costume, and rightfully so. She wore a nun's habit at 8.5 months. Awesome. And more importantly, she invited a hot friend. Wow. Like model material. And I remember her having red hair, though others disagree. We did agree that she was tall and had a red ribbon in her hair. Other details are somewhat sketchy due to alcohol distortion.
Despit Lily winning Best Costume, I think that Gin's costume was a close runner up. Next time you are her ask her about it. Very attention-getting design. Sometimed the best costumes are the simplest ones.
Everyone seemed to have a good time smiling, laughing, singing, and dancing. I was a little surprised that more 1762 regulars weren't present. If you missed this one, don't miss the next party!
Also, if you happened to take some pics that night please email them to me at seventeen62broadway@yahoo.com. I would love to post some here.
See you at 1762.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
10.26.2007
[Viigo] Panthers pick Testaverde to start at QB vs. Colts
Yes! The Panthers realize that Vinnie is their best shot!
Coach John Fox on Friday named 43-year-old Vinny Testaverde the starting quarterback for Sunday's game against Indianapolis. Testaverde got the nod ahead of David Carr, who is recovering from a back injury.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3080685&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
--
This article was sent using my Viigo.
For a free download, go to http://mobile.virtualreach.com
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Identity Theft PSA
From wnbc.com:
L.I. Verizon Store Worker Accused Of I.D. Theft
POSTED: 9:37 am EDT October 24, 2007
UPDATED: 9:39 am EDT October 24, 2007
VALLEY STREAM, N.Y. -- A woman who worked for a Long Island Verizon store is accused of stealing the identities of more than 25 customers and using their personal information to obtain credit cards.
Police said Durraine Dunne, 26, of Queens, worked at the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream.
She is charged with forgery, grand larceny, fraud and identity theft. She is scheduled to be arraigned later Wednesday.
It could not immediately determined if Dunne has a lawyer.
Having knowledge of many aspects of the growing Identity Theft problem [sorry, can't reveal my sources], the MO for this type of crime can involve the use of a second credit card reader that is possessed by the larcenous employee. Your CC is swiped in the store's reader as well as the illegal reader. To avoid this, watch you card when you hand it to the cashier. Your card should never leave your sight!
This Week's Hometown Zero
It has been a couple of weeks since we published this segment. Let's hear it for Good Behavior in the Five Towns and surrounding environs!
[APPLAUSE]
But alas, all good things must come to an end, so ends our streak. The following is from NY Newsday. Way to set an example, Mom!
Soccer mom charged with taking a chair to coach's head
10:09 AM EDT, October 23, 2007
ELMONT, N.Y. - A Long Island soccer mom is being charged with hitting her daughter's coach with a folding chair, because he gave her bad directions to a game. Nassau County Police say 33-year-old Alicia Vigil of East Rockaway was arrested at 11:10 p.m. Monday at her home, and charged with reckless endangerment.
Detective Frederick Goldman says the woman's daughter plays for the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Soccer Club. She was apparently upset about the directions the coach emailed her to the field at Sewanhaka High School - for a Sunday afternoon game.
Goldman says the two had words and the mom allegedly swung a folding chair hitting the coach in the face, cutting his lip and cheek. Police say the coach, who was not identified, refused medical attention.
7 Random Things
I subscribe to a blog called Pimp Your Work
Celine, the blogger there has tagged all of her readers and asks that we post 7 random things about ourselves, as she has done on her blog. So here goes.
1. I take approximately 15 different vitamins and supplements each day. Yep,...that's off the top of my head...
...Oh yeah, I almost forgot, add ginseng and gingko biloba for memory.
2. I enjoy creative pursuits including writing, drawing, and cooking. Oddly enough, I have never considered doing any of them professionally. I was always told that writers and artists starve. I would think that cooks do OK in that department.
3. My 14 year old daughter is teaching me how to play the guitar. In my first lesson I managed to crack myself across the bridge of my nose with the neck of the guitar. I don't recommend it.
4. I recently began to worry that I may have a drinking problem. Turns out that I don't. Luckily, I have been blessed with a non-addictive personality. That may be the best part of my DNA strands.
5. I have personally placed handcuffs on over 300 people. While some were practically begging for it, none of them liked it.
6. At forty years old I still enjoy playing video games. It helps me to maintain my cat-like reflexes. Coordination is another story. Remember the guitar incident?
7. I currently have three dogs as pets. Their combined weight is a paltry forty-three pounds. There is a lot to be said for small dogs. They make small poops for one thing. Makes cleaning up after them a little less unpleasant.
OK. That's it.
Let's hear from some of you now. Post your 7 Random Things here or elsewhere. Link here so we can share!
10.25.2007
The "D" Word: All The Crazy People
It has happened and is happening to people I know and love dearly. I can’t remember exactly when it happened to me. I do remember choking back a wave of sadness when I lost one of my Marines to it. He committed suicide.
I had always longed for the haughty spirit of the warrior class to which I belong. To talk trash, show off pictures, compete in baseball, basketball or even a Marine Corps PFT (Physical Fitness Test). I remember being too stupid to be afraid of anything. Now I live in apprehension of myself in the darkness of my own domicile. I remember being someone my Marines looked up to. Now, there are days I can’t look at myself.
I remember confronting hatred and malice in a church I belonged to, only to be asked to leave. I remember when I graduated from a theological college only to realize I would not see the free thinkers and gospel givers again. I remember being dragged into court by my own family, I remember how they turned their backs on me after the Judge ruled in my favor. My own wife walked out on me for awhile and sided with the loosers in court, not the winner, her husband.
I remember when she came back, and my lost joy when I carried out the very command God gave Ezekiel when my wife died. I did not grieve in front of anyone, I would not hurt, I would not cry. I remember loosing my confidants from the old order, the children of the depression, my parents generation.
When he died, I consoled everyone, my brothers thought I was stronger than heavy steel on a bitter cold day. I suffered a stroke, I had aggravation from people too ignorant to live and ongoing pain from both internal and skeletal injuries that are only getting worse. I have the darkness to hide in. It’s not just the ‘blues’ or ‘unwillingness to face reality’. The so-called friends and fast ‘acquaintances’ often say your being petty over nothing. You’re a strong person!
People treat you funny when you use the “D” word, that is depression. Some see it as a cop out, some think your not willing to confront your circumstance which some would blame all on you. “You made your bed, lie in it.” That quote or some other mealy mouthed words spewing from a cesspool of ignorance in the minds of those who call themselves your “friend.” People see you as weak, stupid, sorry, or ‘nuts’. Depression is a disease people die from, I lost a Marine to it.
I knew something was wrong with me, one day I was going to class after a fight with June, I grabbed my books and went for the door. I woke up on the floor the next morning, I thought it was still the day before. I went to have myself checked out by ‘mental health care professionals’ (aka-shrinks). They ran several word tests and object association tests and gave me the classic clinical runaround. It was after group association testing the Ph.D’s and Medical Doctors started talking to me in a different tone of voice, I got scared. I quickly located all the exits in the building, hiding a sense of dread and anger for being ‘analyzed’. I just needed a long vacation in a place with lots of young half naked women.
They walked me past this padded room and I started to sweat when I saw a straight jacket. I was then seated in an office with soft chairs and no hard objects. Everybody was smiling at me, every one was being polite and kind.
I was frightened beyond all description. Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Hills Have Eyes, Marathon Man, One Flew Over the Cuckoos’ Nest, that’s what I was thinking.The Doctor walked in with a cup of coffee and sat down next to me and asked me if I wanted anything. “Maybe some water, please”. Doctor used the intercom and someone brought me water. The Doctor told me many things that day, explaining that there are several things that cause a person to undergo undue stress, on a test with 50 high stress items I had eight in the top ten and four in the next 20. The diagnosis was a form of depression many who served in the Military have.
The Doctor told me that time, events and emotional denial have made things a bit worse for me. Then she wanted to know if there was anything in my house I could use to hurt myself. That’s when I put the breaks on this interview. “Why? What is the reason for this question?” Doctor said, We always ask that question when dealing with depression. I respectfully declined to answer. “I won’t hurt myself, I have too many things to do”, I said in a low steady voice.
It was explained to me I was under an incredible amount of personal and professional stress and I needed to get ‘help’ as soon as possible. The Doctor noted that my posture had become decidedly aggressive, I apologized, but noted the circumstance and how intimidated I felt after being paraded past the ‘rubber room’. The Doctor laughed, I smiled ever so cautiously.It was noted that my responses to most things were somewhat ‘deliberate’ due to growing up being challenged and discriminated against. My solution was to be something in the background, I was essentially a nobody who was only needed when something went wrong. That is what the Doctor’s were concerned about. I agreed to get some help.
Like any chronic disease, treatment is an ongoing part of life. High blood pressure, cancer, diabetes or whatever else one may have, you find a way to live with it. Cure comes with divine intervention. Let me throw some statistics at you, 1) Major depression is very common — it affects an estimated 19 million American adults every year. Nearly twice as many women (6.5%) as men (3.3%) suffer from depression each year.
2) Depression Statistics: General Fact Information
_ In any given year, about seven percent - between 13 million and 14 million people - will experience a depressive disorder.
_ Of those who develop depression, only about 20 percent will receive adequate treatment.
_ About 16 percent of adults will experience depression at some point in their life.
_ About 97 percent of those reporting depression also reported that their work, home life and relationships suffered as a result. (In total over 44 million Americans)
_ Depression can quadruple a person's risk of dying within 6 months after a heart attack.
_ Depression is also known to weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to physical illness.
3) Depression Statistics: Women Fact Information
_ Women are twice as likely to experience depression as men.
_ Approximately 7 million women in the United States are clinically depressed.
_ One in five women can expect to develop clinical depression at some time in her life.
_ Depression is the leading cause of disability in women.
_ Only one of every three depressed women will seek professional help.
_ Almost 15 percent of women suffering from severe depression will commit suicide.
_ About 10 percent of women will experience postpartum depression in the months following the birth of a child.
_ Married women have higher rates of depression than single women, with depression most likely during childbearing years.
_ Depression in women occurs most frequently between the ages of 25 and 44.
4) Depression Statistics: Men Fact Information
_ Though women experience depression at double the rate of men, men are three times as likely to commit suicide than women.
_ Suicide is most common among men who are separated, widowed, divorced.
_ One in seven men will develop depression within 6 months of becoming unemployed.
_ Retired men are also at an increased risk for depression.
_ Men recently diagnosed with depression are at double the risk of cardiovascular problems in the next five years. (From http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/)
I sit in a cold, damp house occasionally making telephone calls and pursuing business leads. I spend a lot more time grieving and regretting than I want to. There are many dark forces and bad things happening in America that compel conditions like unemployment, under-employment, divorce, victimization, and other terrible things that bring on depression. We even pretend not to see a person who looks dazed or lonely, look close enough and we might see ourselves.
Shame and humiliation dispensed by fools should not keep you from getting help. Many ‘great’ people went through significant depressions. Love
RJ
