Tuesday night I realized that my headlights were out. I was surprised that they both went out at the same time, until someone mentioned that one had been out for a while. I’m always the last to know. On Wednesday I pulled up to my service station, Unocal on 26th and Wilshire, only to find [...]
I made two resolutions for the New Year. The first one was to give up wheat, which didn’t start until the Second of January. My second resolution, to quit smoking, took over three weeks to put in motion. I quit smoking last February when I got sick. I figured if this what a cold feels [...]
The first time I ever walked in to O’ Brien’s was a Tuesday night. Tuesday’s used to be guest bartender night. That night T.K. and Jimbo were behind the bar. I didn’t know them then, but we have since become good friends. The way it worked is that the bartender that night would let his [...]
Kevin quoted an old bartender friend of his the other night saying, “A bartender makes his money in the last hour of the night.” Thank God for that last hour, because the first nine pretty much sucked. After ten days of eighty degree weather, rain finally hit Los Angeles. Of course, I had low expectations, [...]
I used to be a shift whore. Any time someone wanted me to cover, I would do it. A couple of times I worked Thursday to Sunday from four-thirty til close. Forty hours in four days is definitely the path to burn out. I haven’t had as many opportunities to cover, as of late, but [...]
Growing up in the cozy enclave of Beverly Hills, I was constantly reading about the ongoing gang war between Crips and Bloods just a few miles away. Although there was a drive-by in Westwood Village, I never felt threatened in any way. But I was always conscious of the fact that anyone could be carrying [...]
It was only fish semen, as if that’s any better. Julie and I went to Echigo on Thursday night. We sat at the bar, where they serve omakase, chef’s choice. After ending with the unbelievable crab hand roll, we were free to order what we wanted. I went straight to the specials board. I can’t [...]
It’s amazing how a day can change over the course of sixteen hours. Monday was cleaning day. I got there early, cranked up the tunes, and got to work. I was soon joined by my colleagues. I’ve mentioned before that cleaning isn’t my forte, and I don’t enjoy setting my alarm after working late, but [...]
It was just an ordinary Saturday during the slow time of the year. Kevin, Tim, and I, three tons of fun, were set to bartend for the third time in a year. I figured we’d spend the night shouting, “My turn!” then go out and curtail our young lives smoking, with the hopes that once [...]
On January 10th, 2009 my 6000th reader logged in at 3:26 p.m. from Los Angeles, CA using Sprint PCS. It took me 34 days and 16 posts to get from 5000 to 6000. I just want to take this time to thank all my readers. Please continue to read and spread the word. Thank you, [...]