4.08.2011
Last Minute Rossini
We talk about the same things each year: drinking in the streets, eating Italian sausages in the streets, going from bar to bar, causing a scene in the streets, and more drinking throughout the night. Guess what, it will be the same again this year. Sure, we’ll check out the vendors, we’ll run into friends we haven’t seen in a while, and possibly watch the live performances, but make no mistake – we’re there to drink and have a good time.
The weather forecast is 50-50 for rain. Big deal. I’ve been there on rainy days, scorching hot days and wintery cold-as-a-mf days. The weather hasn’t impacted my enjoyment one bit. Having the trifecta by mid-afternoon will make any occasion a good time. Cheers to another fun day downtown Knoxville!
10.14.2010
Shadey Bar Busted
Both articles have similar details of the violations including gambling, selling drugs and operating without proper permits and signage. Pesky rules. WATE goes further, listing the patrons cited in the raid for mary-jane possession. The names are . . . kinda Shadey.
9.27.2010
Self-Immolation: In which I single-handedly destroy credibility


Buckle up:
8.11.2010
1.08.2010
Look here, you sumbitch...
11.26.2009
Get off my land
Yes, I get it. It's Thanksgiving. Again. Year in and year out, I grit my teeth as acquaintances extol everything they are grateful for...usually listing their earthly possessions and worldly goods in a manner that's much more 'look what I've got' rather than sincere gratitude.It's not limited to my religious friends either. Oh no, my atheist compadres also will bore me with a litany of shit. I'm sure God enjoys the irony of both groups being quite like the other in this regard.
I'm quite aware that being a 30-something means I still don't know shit. I'm dumb like an extinct species. What I can tell you is that I learned from a precious few good people what to be thankful for. Surviving Normandy or Hue. Pulling through a nasty life-threatening illness. Eating some meat when you've had more than a year or two of beans and garden grown potatoes. Having a roof over your head that's not a canvas or built to house hundreds. Nearly all of these things I learned from my paternal grandfather, a man in every sense of the word...a man whose shoes I wasn't fit to shine(largely because I've always had shoes). The economy may suck ass, but pick up a history book and look back a few decades if you want to see real Goddamn monetary distress in the world.
I'm thankful on Turkey Day for the things I'm thankful for 24/7/365. I encourage everyone to go into a private room and recount what makes you feel grateful. It's just as valid in the dark as when you drop leaflets from your warplanes.
I'll buy a beer for someone who just tells me, flat out, that this Thanksgiving they are thankful for beer, bird, and football*. This is one American who won't find you a shallow prick. You're being more honest than most. I refer to this holiday and the days around it as Drinksgiving, but I'm not going to tell every asshole I see about it in obnoxious detail and for that good readers-- give earnest thanks. Because, I really don't know shit.
* in fucking hi-def of course
11.05.2009
You say it's your birthday
9.17.2009
One's Golden Years
Beautiful.
8.10.2009
To sum up
Weekend camping is painful
Oilers run fake punt
7.15.2009
5.26.2009
Do tell

4.21.2009
Charge of the light brigade

The only hint I can give you; the only advice I can offer: The bar and lounge at the downtown Knoxville Holiday Inn WILL NOT serve you a complete turkey dinner at 11:30 on a Saturday night.

The bartender was not smiling either.
4.01.2009
Knoxville Ice Bears PLAYOFFS TONIGHT

3.20.2009
Scarlett O'Harlot Returns
All the talk about hangover cures last week got me thinking about hangovers in general (ugh), and that reminded me of The Worst Hangover I Ever Had. I thought I would share, despite the fact that it's not that interesting.
I was eighteen at the time, which makes it somewhat surprising that I would have had such a terrible hangover, considering that at that age, I could usually drink until three in the morning and still be in class at eight. I also hadn’t started smoking yet, and I generally find that a night of binge drinking combined with smoking an entire pack of cigarettes leads to a worse hangover than the drinking alone.
Incidentally, I disagree entirely about cigarettes being a good cure for a hangover. Sure, I’ll probably have one when I wake up, but I don’t think smoking contributes to my actual recovery and may in fact hinder it. But, you know, potayto, potahto.
So, I was in Spain at the time, and because I was only eighteen years old and had spent my freshman year of college drinking Natty Light at fraternity parties and Parrot Bay in my dorm room, I was not exactly a seasoned drinker. I mean, I could drink a LOT of alcohol at one time, but I wasn’t really interested in drinking a VARIETY of alcohols. Beer, rum, and vodka were pretty much my staples. Regrettably, I had not yet become the wino that I am now, and I’m embarrassed to say that I never even tried any wine while I was there, except for some sangria at a party one night, and that doesn't really count, 'cause it was all fruity and shit. If I ever return to Spain, it will be a different story.
One night in Salamanca, I noticed that a friend was drinking gin and juice, something I’d never actually witnessed in person, but had heard about a LOT, and in various genres. Laid back, with my mind on my money and my money on my mind. I asked my friend if I could try a sip of her drink, which I seem to remember was in, like, a stadium-sized plastic cup.
And it was delicious!
I immediately ordered one of my own (por favor) and proceeded to drink my weight in that nefarious libation, which I thought tasted just a little bit like Pine-Sol, but in a good way. I have no idea what time I finally put down the stadium cup and went to bed, but given that I was in Spain, it could have been damn near sunrise. They keep it real over there.
The next day, I awoke with a headache so terrible that I literally could not get out of the bed until seven o’clock in the evening. When I did finally manage to crawl to the toilet, I decided that the bathroom rug, although not as comfortable as the bed, was currently closer in proximity and was therefore a suitable place to lie down. Also, it put me near the porcelain bus, which I desperately wanted to take for a drive. Unfortunately, I’ve never been good at force-puking, so I just had to ride it out.
To this day, I have never been able to drink gin. In fact, even the smell of it is a little nauseating. So much for rollin' down the street, smoking indo....
Anyone else have an aversion to a particular drink, based on a particularly bad hangover?
3.17.2009
The Irish Question

2.24.2009
Cathaholics Day
There was a time, not so long ago, that Mardi Gras stood out on my calendar as a great holiday drinking event that I planned for each year. I would make every attempt to get down New Orleans way come hell or high water. I’d drive 10 hours by myself if I had to, crash on friend’s sofas or floor and eat and drink like the fiend that I am. Most years it would be a few of us piled into a car with enough beer and booze for a small army speeding through Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi on our way to the Big Easy. One year we started in Baton Rouge and drank our way in. Bad behavior was expected and we didn’t disappoint. Some of the most embarrassing moments I’ve lived were during Mardi Gras and I’ve blacked out in New Orleans probably more than anywhere else on this planet. Occasionally we could even afford a decent meal of food but more often we spent our money on booze. Those were kick-ass days.
This year it totally snuck up on me. I just realized that Fat Tuesday was upon us. Knoxville doesn’t have much to offer in the way of celebrating this holiday, not that I’d expect much anyway. One thing I remember was a local jambalaya cook off held downtown but I don’t think they even do that anymore. I’m sure there is a bar party hosted by Miller Lite somewhere around town complete with beads, paper banners and horrible hurricane flavored beer (or is that Bud Light). Last weekend I witnessed the early stages of the 2nd annual Mardi Growl Parade. Great, a fucking dog parade complete with stupid animal/owner costumes and more dog shit everywhere. Excuse me, but I prefer human piss and defecation during my Mardi Gras reveling. The best part about this holiday for me is that I am not Catholic therefore I don’t have to give up anything for Lent. I will continue to drink the same way, day in and day out. Suckers.
1.18.2009
We Gon Drank

12.26.2008
Rooked II: Electric Boogaloo
The room began spinning, and my fun had been doused,
The shot glasses were lined on the counter in disrepair,
In hopes that Holiday fun soon would be there.
(no such luck)

Yeah, it was like that. I managed to use a tiny loophole to drink some gratis Traitorous Jack Daniels that, since I didn't spend my money on it, was technically okay to drink. You've heard the will is strong, but the flesh is weak...well, in this case my constitution rejected this inferior product like a vortex of hatred and pain. It was like surgery gone terribly, terribly wrong. Once again, fuck you poseur Lynchburg pricks. You and your market research can go to Hell.
12.04.2008
Quandary
Last night I was 'awarded' a $5 comp card/coupon/crudely drawn note for being on a winning bar trivia cabal. Yes, I realize that is quite a sum to command. Thanks to my knowledge of NFL quarterbacks and 1980's shitass action films, I proved myself a valued member of said team. It was also almost entirely composed of womern so that was also a plus.
On to my question: would it be prickish of me to use this bounty of bar cred on $1.50pint night? Drink three and slam the sumbitch down? Do the stride of pride out the front door?
I mean, its not like the bartender would care...I'm not such a skinflint as to not tip them properly. Besides, at this point they already know I'm an unpredictable lunatic.

Your asinine comments are welcome.
11.29.2008
Drinking for Vengeance

We start this DfV with a home game...the merciful end to a rotten football season and the swan song for Phil Fulmer. The contest itself is inconsequential, and I suspect that both teams will flop about in a proverbial holocaust on offense. We will be attending to insure that Fulllllllmer does in fact, leave.
Well, time to get this shitstorm rolling. A nice drop of wine to set me up for the day is the first order of business...






