SPY BAR
During Tim's recent sojourn to the southern edge of Lake Erie, Tim
and Greg visited the Warehouse district in Cleveland, Ohio. Initial thanks
for this event must be given to Jenny A. for her patience in putting up
with the 4:00 AM laughing fits of T and G in the next room while working
on the compliment machine. The Warehouse district is known for its
superior jazz and blues bars so we found it a surprise to find the Spy
Bar. To enter SB you must get escorted by two doormen who are waiting in
a sort of coatroom at the entrance. The cover was five somolians (not so
bad for the atmosphere inside) and valet parking is available. Once paying
you stand looking around the room for a door. The door is actually a hidden
panel in the wall and if you give the correct change to the doorman you
will gain entrance. Once inside the atmosphere is awesome. The place is
typically dark with many booths (in which to conduct secret negotiations),
tables, chairs, etc but with plenty of space to maneuver. The walls are
all finished dark wood (the color of really old stain or cherry).
The lighting is mostly with table candles and chandeliers. The chandelier
over the dance floor actually becomes a strobe light during dancing. An
enhancement that led T and G to discuss suspending a John Deere tractor
from the ceiling of the Big Beef and Beer. On special nights we will actually
crank her up. The atmosphere is perfect and no prop takes away from it.
You can buy cigars behind the bar - really good cigars at a reasonable
price. The drinks are fairly expensive. (Not if you've
ever been off the farm! G.) After buying drinks and cigars we headed
out to the patio which is more like an indoor room with a slat roof.
We spent the rest of the evening setting up the Big Beef and Beer Grand
Plan and checking out people. The people that visit this establishment
are all pretty much putting on airs (which is cool to watch). It is very
easy to see through, though. Of Note: When you visit ask for a waitress
named Elizabeth - she is hot, nice, friendly, and down to earth ( T and
E got engaged that night). If you are being really cool she might buy you
a couple of shots. Second Note: Don't try to enter the place after it is
closed - not a good scene.
FARM REPORT FROM GOD'S COUNTRY
Weeks after the sojourn to southern lake Erie, Tim headed west to South
Bend to camp with parents and family. The trip covered the farm country
from Columbus, to South Bend, to Toledo, and then finally back to Columbus.
Although there has been very little rain in the tri-city area the crops
look great. The corn was easily already waste high a week before the fourth.
The rule is that it must be knee high by the fourth of July. The beans
were short but look healthy - it looks like the majority of farmers have
taken to drilling in beans in the no-till style. The wheat was just turning
and the hay smelled great.
VOLUNTEER BARBEQUE GIG
Over the fourth the partners in crime headed to D.C. for the annual
Capitol Hill street party. The whole weekend was great but not the subject
of this paragraph. T and G made their first official Big Beef and Beer
appearance just 200 yards from Capitol Hill. Although it may not be a thing
for the history books it was the first appearance. G acted as the head
cook and T struggled to assist (he was pleasantly distracted by certain
parties). Nearly 150 burgers and 40 hotdogs were cooked in this first reunion
of the ChiChi's cooks behind the grill on S. Capitol. The reviews raved.
People were heard to say, "Greg is the greatest cook of all time", 'I have
never tasted better hamburgers before', '...on time, on taste, on my plate,
on my tongue....where did the burger go?....' The credit goes to
G for a great bbq and the credit for the burnt hotdogs to T for his slow
locating of the tongs.
This completes the first report from the field offices in Merry 'ol Dublin!