madzia.net

Since the engraved invitations didn’t get to the post office on time, only Kevin and Ron showed up at the Inn’Termission Lounge, a South Side establishment and perennial favorite on the annual St. Patrick’s Bar Tour.

The ‘Burgh Bars site says the place serves sandwiches. When you ask the barmaid for a menu, she will give it to you verbally: hamburger or cheeseburger? It was a good cheeseburger, though, and the beer was fresh.

Kevin and Ron enjoyed solving Wheel Of Fortune puzzles, and other TV events with the locals until about 9:30.

Beth went out boozing with some friends from her office after work that night. By the time Kevin had the requisite beer with them at the River City Inn and got things moving, it was 8:00 when they got to Hemingway’s Cafe. They suspected that Ron might have been there, and left after having waited alone for a while.

Anyway, they have Guiness on tap, and the food was decent (once they found a wait-person). They were joined by Beth’s friend Dalia and her boyfriend LeRon (Ron-Ron?).

After dinner, the party moved on to Jack’s on the South Side. No “H” in the name, but they had darts and an available pool table. Kevin and Beth kicked butt at the dartboard, but LeRon had his say in return on the pool table against Kevin.

Update on 04/03/00: Ron was, indeed, there waiting until 7:45. Mop claims to deserve credit, since he was in the Hospitality Suite at the Hyatt in Long Beach, California.

As reported by Ron

The “G” Report – The continuing saga of the A-to-Z bar tour, sponsored in part by www.madzia.net.

Meredith and Paige joined Ron and Karbo at the Getaway Cafe to start the St. Patty’s day celebration a little early. Meredith, who plans to attend next week and thereby attend more letter bars than her dad and aunt, had a great time climbing in the booth and crawling under the table.

Paige decided that since the Mop was in Kentucky, it was a good time to get all liquored-up. And since Mop’s away next week too…

After the Getaway, Karbo asked “Where should we go now?” Ron cleverly quipped, “Gee, let’s go to the Apple.” Both agreed that the response began with “G,” so that they were still keeping with the spirit of the evening.

Tara and her cousin Karen were no-shows because Tara was tired. I guess that Everson is contagious.

Update:

• Seven letters:
  Ron (A,B,C,D,E,F,G)
• Six letters:
  None
• Five letters:
  Kevin (A,B,D,E,F)
  Beth (A,B,D,E,F)
• Four letters:
  Jacques (B,C,D,E)
• Three letters:
  Karbo (C,F,G)
• Two letters:
  Meredith (A,G)
  Mop (A,E)
  Paige (A,G)
  Sean (B,E)
  Tara (B,E)
• One letter:
  Harry (B)
  Bender (B)
  Kimmi (E)
• No letters:
  Gina (Having strange cravings for a Pickle/Ice Cream/Banana/Tomato/Cole Slaw Sandwich and a Light Beer)
  Ruiz (Too busy drinking Gina’s lambics and refilling the bottles with cherry pop)
  Kaleigh (Trying to figure out why and how they put the baby in there in the first place)
  Shane (Got a killer hangover)
  Lori (Waiting at a STOP sign – damn thing never changes to GO)
  Goofy (Still waiting in line to buy the booger game)
  Kristi (Has to read a large backlog of e-mails from Kimmi)
  The starting line-up of the ’76 Flyers (Trying to pal around with Marty McSorley)
  Karen (Tara’s too tired to take me anywhere)

P.S. (From the editor) Meanwhile, Kevin and Beth paid homage by doing the Mongol Beer Dance in front of the Board of Trade Building in downtown Chicago, atop which stands a statue of Ceres, the goddess of grain.

It should have been the “L” for lame instead of “F,” as Beth, Karbo, Kevin, and Ron tried their best to keep the tradition alive at the Foundry Ale Works. The highlight of the evening was watching Kevin try to make room for dessert. There was discussion of moving on the Fathead’s, but it never came about.

It was a respectable turnout at the Elbow Room, the venerable Shadyside establishment. Beth, Jacques, Kevin, Ron, Sean, Tara, and Mop “I’ll make all the vowels.”

We take full credit for causing confusion among the staff. “Looks like it will only be six of us.” “Let’s say six with room for a possible seventh.” “Make that seven with a possible eighth.” When we were ready to order, nobody seemed ready to order.

All was well in the end, however, including the post-dinner arrival of Kimi, who joined Beth, Jacques, Kevin, Mop, and Ron at Excuses on the South Side, which was our original “E” selection. Stay away from the Yuengling Black & Tan, Beck’s Dark, and other taps with low turnover. Refresh those kegs and clean those lines, guys!