Author’s Note: Hi, Dear Readers. I’m off on my annual summer fling to Eagle River. See you back here on Sunday, August 21. But first to the (monkey) business at hand…
I’ve come to a crossroads, guys. Just check out those street signs. I have to admit it. I have discovered the joys of…
Wait for it…
Day Drinking.
Patsy and Edina- the two Ab Fab gals- have shown me the way.
Movie Review Sidebar: I just saw Absolutely Fabulous, The Movie, last weekend. I give it 15 stars. Let me just add that if you’re not a rabid fan of the television show, don’t bother to see it. It has NO socially-redeemable virtues whatsoever. (Just like Eddie and Patsy.) But if you are an Ab Fab aficionado, drop everything, grab a bottle of Bolly for your purse and go immediately. I screamed with laughter.
My road to ruin started here.
That’s the very sexy bar at RL.
When my buddy, SuperCPA Kevin Gibson was in town for a seminar last October, we dashed in one late Saturday afternoon to get out of the rain. He ordered a G&T. I ordered a Diet Coke.
“You’re no fun,” Kev complained. “Come on. Don’t you like champagne? Look, they have a champagne cocktail. You’re getting it.”
“But it’s a fortune,” I argued.
“You’re getting it.” Kevin stood firm.
I did and it was divine. Like the best thing I had ever drunk. Even better than Seagram’s Diet Ginger Ale.
And the side effects?
I saw the rest of that gloomy, rainy Saturday in a rainbow-colored haze.
(This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago on a repeat engagement but you get the idea.)
My next stop on the highway to day-drinking Hell was this joint.
That’s Charlie Beinlich’s. North Shore bar- and legend. Natasha’s favorite place and in my top ten.
My usual order is a hamburger deluxe with grilled and raw onions and the ubiquitous Diet Coke.
But on this Spring afternoon, a trio of old New Trier pals took me to lunch there.
Author’s Note: For the purposes of preserving their dignity, they will be known as Bob, Mike and Stan.
It was a Tuesday, and when the waiter came around to take our orders, the guys ordered beers.
WTF, I thought. My love life had taken a turn for the worse and I was in a mood exactly like this.
I
If Bogey could take it, I could take it.
“Gimme a Bloody Mary,” I announced. “Really spicy and really light on the vodka.”
Three mouths fell open.
Bob turned to me in amazement.
“What the heck happened to you? You don’t drink.”
“Some guy is giving me a very hard time,” I complained.
“Is he nuts?” asked Stan loyally.
Mike clucked sympathetically.
I downed about half that thing and got royally crocked. I forgot the problematic, would-be boyfriend and started loving the whole wide world.
Hey, this day drinking thing had its advantages, I thought. I was beginning to see the point of it.
Fast forward to two weeks ago.
A trip to Milwaukee and the first stop was here.
That’s A. J. Bomber’s and it was chosen by my traveling companion for its burgers, unique peanut delivery system- that’s the overhead chute that sends them right to your table when you’ve eaten your way through a ton of them- and their justifiably-famous Bloody Marys.
That thing was terrific! Especially the olives. (The little burger/cheese/bacon thing- along with that pony of beer- went to my partner in day-drinking crime.)
And what a sunny mood I was in for the rest of the afternoon.
That was it. I’m a believer.
It’s day drinking for me from here on out.
BTW, that troublesome guy who had been responsible for my very first Beinlich’s Bloody ever?
Let’s just say…
He had a pretty good time in Milwaukee.
(And so did I.)
Cheers!
Welcome to the club kiddo
Thanks, my friend. Why does this make me feel like Groucho Marx?
Just remember Ellen, you can’t drink all day unless you start in the,morning.
Words to live by, Dale. My new mantra. Thanks, my guru.
Lesson number 2: knowing when to say when. That lesson won’t be happening this week. What fabulous timing! Ellen has been bitten by the Ab Fab bug.
Break out the booze. See you around the campfire. Hold the fort until I get there. And thanks, my friend.
Ellen, sorry for the late response, but I’m a bit drained from an an all-nighter in my lab at the U of M. When you first posted at 5 a.m. CDT, I saw cross?o?ds in your second paragraph (before the jump) and perked up. But then I cleaned my glasses, and remembered the immortal line attributed to Yogi Berra, “when you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Crosser words were never spoken.
Enjoy your vacation, and may the Cubs still be in first place when you get back. I hope to have some exciting news by then, if I ever figure out your CAPTCHAs which seem to have dominos and Roman numerals.
I was worried, Doc. And so were my readers. They thought the lab had exploded. Glad you’re Aok and thanks for the punny comment. But what? No “Some Like it Hot?” chatter? Thanks, George. See you on the New Caledonia.
was I Bob, Mike or Stan or are you cheating on me at Charlie B’s?
You were there. I’ll let you figure out your initial. Cheat on my guys? Never. I’ll say hi to the White Stag for you- and your dad. Thanks, buddy. As always.
Ask Kenny to take you to Lumpy’s while up in ER.
I’m jealous!!
I will, Bernie. I like the pizza. And I’m sure they have champagne cocktails. Thanks, my friend.
Ab Fab was fab. Liked the interaction of the daughter with the two.
Saffie was great. Loved her singing “At 17” at the nightclub. Perfect. Thanks, buddy.
Cheers, El. Good girls go to heaven. Bad girls go EVERYWHERE. Thanks for another fun happy hour at the RL.
Thanks, Big K. You are the bubbles in my champagne.