School Nights and Absent Friends

If we were having a beer, you would start with a nice gesture.

“Hey, sorry about your Steelers. Everything’s on me today, beer, wine, wings. Order up.”

“Thanks. That’s nice of you. It’s also nice of you not to rub the Patriots win in.”

“I’m a Giants fan, we own those guys.”

“Did I hear that someone wants beer wine and food?”

“You did Cheryl. My buddy’s buying. I’ll have a Corona.”

“And for you?”

“I’ll have a glass of Meiomi.”

“No Woodford Reserve today?”

“I only order that when he’s buying. And, what’s with you and the Corona? Paying for your brick in the wall ahead of time?”

“Ha ha. No, I switch to Corona this time of year, in honor of my sister-in-law.”

“That’s an interesting tribute. I remember your brother’s guest post about her.”

“Yeah, I think she’d be ordering Corona today.”

“OK, Meiomi and a Corona. You want that in a frosted glass?”

“No, the bottle is fine. Can you shove a hunk of lime in there?”

“Absolutely. I love it when you guys use bartender technical terms.”

“Maybe when you retire, you can give Cheryl competition behind the bar. What’s the deal with the lime, anyway?”

“I don’t know. Some people said it helps keep flies away. Some say it was a bartender’s bet with a customer. In any case, I like the taste.”

“You’re in good company. Most of my customers who order Corona ask for it with lime.”

“I don’t like fruit in my beer.”

“You don’t drink beer.”

“I don’t drink beer very often, but when I do, I don’t like fruit in it.”

“I can see why the folks at Dos Equis didn’t name you the most interesting man in the world.”

“Beer is beer. It’s not like you use it to make a mixed drink.”

“Some people do.”

“Huh?”

“When I was in Pittsburgh, a guy ordered a Corona. The bartender asked him if he wanted a slice of lime. He said no, but asked her to top the bottle off with Rum.”

“That sounds gross.”

“It seemed to go down pretty easily.”

“Speaking of travel, where were you this week? I was looking for you on Wednesday.”

“I was up in Boston for a few days.”

“Wait, did you go to the game?”

“No, no, I watched with my daughter, at her place.”

“Have you seen them in Foxboro?”

“I have. Never again, though.”

“Why not? I think there’s something special about being in the stadium.”

“There is, when the stadium is Heinz Field. I want to be able to scream when they score, but I also want to be able to yell at them when they mess up.”

“Well you certainly would have had opportunities for the latter.”

“I get it. I wouldn’t yell at them from enemy territory.”

“So, are you a Falcons fan now?”

“Yeah, for a couple of weeks.”

“I think the Super Bowl is better on TV anyway.”

“I think football in general is better on TV.”

“Same for baseball. I think hockey is the only sport that’s better in person.”

“Wow, we actually agree on something.”

“It occurred to me because I noticed that you’re wearing a Penguins tee-shirt.”

“Yep, I put all the football shirts away until September.”

“Do you have enough Penguins gear?”

“No, but there’s college basketball, WVU and Pitt, and pitchers and catchers report to Bradenton, February 13^th.”

“I’ve seen your Pirates shirts. It seems like you have plenty, but I don’t think they’re going to help you on opening day.”

“Oh, that’s right, you’re a Red Sox fan.”

“Yep, and your guys are coming to Fenway for a 3-game series to kick off our World Series quest. You want to go? Maybe I can get tickets.”

“No, I’ll be here. It’s a school night.”

“You boys want another round?”

“Yes we do, and some Barbecue Wings. By the way, Cheryl, has anyone ever asked you to top off a Corona with rum?”

“Sure, that’s called a Limona. You want one?”

“No, I’ll stick with the lime.”

“Are you done? What do you mean ‘school night?’ You don’t have kids at home.”

“It’s a Monday, and the game starts at 2:05. That means taking a vacation day. Not worth it. Besides, the Pirates don’t start playing good ball until May.”

“Here’s your wine, your wings, and your Corona with a hunk of lime shoved in.”

“Thanks Cheryl.”

“So, when you were up in Boston, did you mention that you’re a Steelers fan?”

“I didn’t have to. I was meeting with people who know me.”

“That had to be tough.”

“They were gracious. A little ribbing, that’s all.”

“They sound like good friends.”

“The best.”

When it was time to leave, the sun was shining bright in the blue sky.

oooh, blasting.

And, stopped we were.

Who doesn’t like watching the Zamboni?

Wind-driven sleet woke me up at 3:30 am.

Wind-driven sleet woke me up at 3:30 am.

Not much accumulation, but I was glad my meetings were in the hotel.

Sorry to my friends in Toronto.

“The Paint Bucket” or the “Paint Can.” They only sold the naming rights a few weeks before we got there.

Lets go Pens!

We’re early

These guys float around pregame and between periods.

The loudest place on earth. Hockey crowds are extremely loud.