So, since I've seen quite a few other people use this site... and i have no mind of my own, I've decided to jump on the blog wagon. Not that I feel that I have anything really important to say, but sometimes I need to say things anyway. So, if you happen to be reading this... I might feel that a pre-emptive apology is in order.

Last night, I went out with a friend of mine that i hadn't seen in a couple months. I live out in the fucking sticks now, and don't get to make it downtown hardly ever. Its a couple miles to the closest bus stop, and it takes forever to get anywhere. Not that I'm complaining, just stating the fact that it's been awhile since I've went downtown for a night of volume drinking and this is how we roll... (as a side note, the public transit system in this town is whack, at best).

We go down to Monk's, which happens to be a really great place to get a really great beer... if you happen to be made of money, or perhaps have access to a money tree. I had a Surly I.P.A, which i believe was of the Furious variety... as the picture clearly states, when I am out to achieve volume drinking... four dollar short taps (i mean like 10 oz tiny taps) are not the route to go... so we said goodbye to the people we met and headed down to the best dive in town... hands down: the Top Hat Bar and Lounge.

It's everything I ever need in a bar: it's dark and smokey; the drinks are strong and everything is dirt cheap (1.75 for a bottle of PBR during happy hour) and the jukebox is one of the best in town. After a couple of rounds and a jager bomb (which is always a GREAT IDEA, as i clutch my head in agony at almost three p.m. the next day) he looks at me and says "hey you know you can get five beers for nine bucks"

(at this point, you can imagine the look on my face... pure delight!)

so i order one of those and get to work... they don't do the buckets if you're running solo on one of these bad asses... they give you little wooden poker chips, which i think is great. way better then a sweaty bucket of ice water messing up the table, right? plus, if you achieve mission accomplished and have a couple in your pocket when you leave, they aren't going to bust your balls for coming in the next day and using them.

ran into a gal that i am going to Minneapolis to see the murder city devils with on Sunday (that will be talked about i am certain) and she joined us at the table... great talk of dogs, art and the trip up to the twin cities ensues... all the while i am doing great work on these beers...

anyway, my friend that i initially came with is constantly on his phone, which is not a problem... until drinks are consumed then he has a tendency to go wandering off... which he did, to another bar a block away. not my favorite place, but i figure... i can handle a couple more brews, and im not exactly sure what the deal is with my buddy... so i do that, and run into some more friends... actually the whole bar was full of cool people who were having a good time, and conversating about the good ol days, like us old farts tend to do.

last call? oh crap... i guess i really havent considered how i am getting home... considering my budget for the evening had well been blown out of the water, and as i mentioned... i live out on the very edge of town.

the whole point of this is to say... whoever paid for my cab. you are a saint. Im doing my best to piece it together, and will make reparations as soon as that happens...