November 30,2003

 Hey!

    Saturday night I decided to check out the Saloon, the new bar operated by Timmy and Terrance
Tubridy (amongst others) on 83rd and York. This is the bar that used to be called Madison's. Madison's
was a place I had no use for. They made you wait in line for up to a 1/2 hour, then you had to pay a 10
dollar cover charge for the privilege of waiting forever to get a drink and to watch the inevitable fight
break out.
    My last trip to Madison's was in October 1998. I vowed never again unless it was a special occasion
(like a birthday). Patti-Ann threatened to have her birthday there a couple of times, but common sense
prevailed, and we had it in other places.
    But now that the establishment is in the hands of professionals, I ended my 5 year boycott. Idiot that I
am though, I couldn't find the place. I thought it was on 83rd. (What was on 83rd Street was the grocery
store where I bought a newspaper and sat outside of while Mike Orbminson called Lorraine "The General"
Kelly a "shanty Irish Bitch" back in 1997. Ahh the memories) It's right on York, between 83rd and 84th.
    I sat in the back bar and hung out with Sean Tubridy and Peter Brady Jr., then I hit the dance floor.
Everything about the place was better, from the security, to the service to the music. It's just as crowded,
but the back bar serves you fast. That makes for happier patrons and viola! no brawls.
I left at 3, even though I vowed to be out by 2. My age is catching up with me. Thanksgiving weekend
used to be a 3 or 4 night drinking bender. Those days are gone forever.

News Item: Black Friday

    This past Friday was known as Black Friday. The day when many people decide to start their
Christmas shopping. All over the news Friday night and Saturday, there were pictures of people rushing
into stores, cars snarled in traffic, and even an occasional fistfight or two made it to the local news.
   I understand that for most people, the Friday after Thanksgiving represents the one good chance that
they'll be able to get their shopping done. It's a day off during the week that is not an official holiday.
But its also taking your life into your hands. I saw one lady on TV standing in a parking spot with a mini-
van showing no intention of slowing down to let her go. When they opened one store in St. Louis, it
looked like the Running of the Bulls in Spain.
There's gotta be a better way.

News Item: President Bush. Hero or Villain?
     President Bush went to Iraq for Thanksgiving. He left his ranch in Crawford, switched planes in
Washington, then flew the 10 hours to Baghdad, in time for Thanksgiving dinner. He stayed for about an
hour or so, then headed back to the States.
     Some have called this a political ploy. Sure it was, but the same people who criticized Bush, had no
problem with Hillary Clinton going to Afghanistan the same day. And it seemed to do the troops a world
of good to see the President there.
    TIME magazine did a whole piece last week on the passions that Bush stirs in American citizens.
According to TIME, you either love Bush or you hate him. The poll numbers they cited backed their
claims up, and they are pretty much dead even.Critics say he is arrogant and pigheaded and stubborn.
Supporters say he's sharp tough and focused
    Me personally, I don't love him or hate him. We needed tough after 9/11 and he was. I'm not sure any
of the guys running against Bush would have been as tough. He had 2 rules. 1) What America says goes
and 2) If you disagree refer to rule number 1. I like that
     But his single mindedness gets him into trouble when he bungles the fedreal budget and screws up
the economy. I know they say the economy is recovering. I don't buy it, yet.

Two New York City Radio stations are going to all holiday music formats for December. Lite-FM (106.7)
and Blink 102.7 are playing 24/7 Christmas music. You have all been warned.

    The start of the bombardment of your senses with holiday music means that Patti-Ann's birthday is
coming. Patti-Ann celebrates her third 29th birthday Wednesday and Amy I believe does the same on
Thursday. Happy happy to both.  
Everyone Else
Have a Great Week
Bill