A sincere congrats to the organizers of last night's Long Beach Loop, who provided a nearly seamless night of fun, drinks and adventure for fans of music and Jäger alike. Ten dollars got you a wrist band and a lei from Jägermeister; the wrist band got you admission all night on the Big Red Bus ("I feel like I'm on vacation!" said one rider) as well as the door cover at the Pike, the Prospector and Alex's Bar; the tag from the Jäger lei got you one ice cold shot of Jäger. While I didn't make it to Alex's for Valley Arena (enjoying too much beer and coversation in the dining room at the Prospector) or dios malos (same again), what I did catch--the always lovely Year Zero at the Pike, Greater California turning in what sounded like a Yo La Tengo cover (???) at the Prospector, and later Free Moral Agents melting the minds of everyone in attendance at the Prospector--was unquestionably one of the best nights out I've ever had in these parts. Bravo to all bands, bartenders, bus drivers and bar owners who participated in the event. Let's have another one again soon!

If you don't mind, I would like to start my blogging career with a quote that I heard from a very wise man recently that goes something like this, "Blogging is like video taping yourself jacking off into a mirror only to watch the recording later so you can jack off to it again." I'm paraphrasing of course but that was the gist of it. So with that in mind, just know we all have thoughts, opinions and bad hair days.

I have been nudged to address the recent negative reviews of the service of the last Secret Affair night. You know, the usual "I can't get a drink fast enough" rant? I would like to form a rebuttal, not necessarily as a counter attack but as an insight to what happens on The Other Side Of The Bar.

On this specific night what you may not realize is that a giant portion of you roll in at about 11pm, and I mean a giant portion. We are pretty much counting the holes in the ceiling until we are suddenly bombarded with tons of drink orders at once which, once it's starts, is almost impossible to catch up to. No matter how much we prepare, it's still a sudden burst of tight pants and mustaches in our faces. Point number two (and I will try to be quick) is that you may want ask yourself if maybe, just maybe, the reason it could be a little harder to quench your thirst right now, besides the hundreds of people trying to order simultaneously, is you. That's right, I said it. I get so many orders that go exactly like this: "yeah ummm, Kaiget.." (by the way that's a word you all invented in place of "Can I get" = Kaiget.) two redheaded sluts, one kamakazi, two shots of Patron chilled, a Long Island and a Bloody Mary?" Right there... if the guy in front of you was ordering that... pull up a chair and grab a newspaper. I'm not telling you all to drink Pabst tall cans but I think once you get older (sorry to pull the age card.) you might realize that when it's ass to face busy you might want to simplify. That way everyone wins. Stick to the basics. I understand your lady and her friends want lemon drop martinis but martini bars don't usually deal with 200 people at a time.

What I am really trying to say is that it's a team effort to get us all into that same boat of blissful inebriation and validity. So picture this situation: I just finished an order and I look up to see who's next. I see (one) an aggravated customer who didn't really tip the last time I served them and (two) a silent guy with his money out and a smile on his face. Who am I gonna choose? Bottom line... if you scratch my back I will pour whiskey all over yours.

As a nightcap to this blog and coke I just want to ask... Where else have you been where there is one bar, approximately 200 people, great music, stiff drinks, and you haven't had to wait just a little bit longer for your beverage? I say if you can't handle the heat drink in your own kitchen. Plus the promoting of bringing flasks is really going to bite you in your american apparelled ass in the end. I'm just sayin'. 9 times out of ten we know what you're doing before you do it. So leave your cans of Busch and flasks at home because we don't serve either and you will get rolled.

On a lighter note don't miss Mr. Mister Miyagi on August 16th.

Pieces

Photo taken by Ms. Jen with her Nokia N95 camera phone.

Sat. 08.02.08 - Upon leaving Alex's Bar's parking lot last night, I saw at least 50 bicycles locked up on the railing at the back of the parking lot with more folks arriving by the minute, either by cab or by bike. In all my years of going to Alex's, I have seen multiple cabs, a few bicycles, and a few motorcycles show up, but mostly cars.

I applaud all the folks who came to last nights' Secret Affair DJ Night via bicycle! Save $$ on gas, save on pollution, AND work off the drinks one buys! Smart folks.

On another note: The Secret Affair DJs were spinning the best set of music that I have heard in a long time. Make sure you check them out the first Friday of every month at Alex's.