almost!

started off the evening yesterday down the road apiece, having beers with my soccer buddies, and recounting and retelling the story of our extremely enjoyable and productive season. i knew better than to expect it would wrap up early, but i also knew that there's only so late a collection of a dozen married guys, despite the one single one, is going to (be able to) stay out, so i figured 4 hours was a reasonable approximation...

well, the berkshire ale was especially tasty, and one thing leading to another, so it was the better part of 11 and five hours afore i got back up the road toward shangri-lowell and a stop in at the hynes tavern to catch a couple sets by red devil lye. arte kenyon (their usual bassist, and a great one indeed) was out recovering from his recent appointment with the orthopedist, but his replacement, that i feel absolutely remiss in not retaining his name, but, believe me, i'm going to find out in a way that we all can remember, was extraordinary, and the blues from him and the rest of the boys--justin, carl, steve and james--was COOKIN'. Crankin'. Suh-WEEEEET.

so now it's that proverbial past midnight, and it's high time to stash the wheels downtown so the rest of the evening won't end up in any inconvenient way, (you'll be pleased to know and i'm proud to say that i kept things moderate and circumspect around the tap right through then), and a quick dash over to the smokehouse to see what the new PA and stage setup is like, and...

of course i was too late to catch the end of the right reverend jj's birthday bash sets because time, tide and rock and roll wait for no man, but i WAS able to fulfill my little personal pleasure to play roadie for the band, so i did get to help break down and carry out the amps so that we'd all have time to get over to the worthen for last call...

so watch this space and your calendar for music at the smokehouse. the stage is proper and properly set up at the back, away from the windows, (where the banquettes uselessly used to be), so as to really make the room--all possibilities. the PA looks good (yes, i do regret not getting there in time to hear it) and i fully expect it'll be a new regular spot for me. (jen kearney and the lost onion will be there in january, for one thing).

so, we rejoin the sojourn over at the worthen house... and the place was PACKED. i have no idea what caused the stars to align on this one, but it was a great crowd and a great vibe in which to enjoy the last retail beer of the evening, before heading out for some after-hours music with the right reverend. somebody even brought a ukulele (i was not traveling with mine, which is probably a very good thing for it) so i got to have a lil fun for myself, too.

cannot wait 'til Tex-Mas Eve!!!