History Page
WARNING - THIS EVERYDAY BLOG USES STORIES AND LANGUAGE THAT SOMETIMES AND WILL OFFEND.
THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF A TAVERN OWNER , A FATHER , A GUY , AND A PENIS.
SCROLL DOWN TO MOST RECENT DATE I continued the philosophy work hard , treat everyone with respect , and have fun !! Help promote the BANDS as much as possible and these are my basic ingredients to run a small dive bar that's been around a long time. Work hard : Wheels ( my wife ) gets upset at me. She accuses me of one thing , " you only care about THE NAIL". She is right. If parties come around or social gatherings , I always say lets go and at the last second, I would have to work on bands , websites , or ideas or head to the club. She would get upset and I would eventually go out , but I must drive her insane. I have a sleep disorder. It's called sleep apnea. I sleep no more than 2 hours a day. I use it to my advantage. When I get up in the middle of the night I would start working on NAIL promotions , websites , and business. I eat, sleep, and think THE NAIL. If I had to guess why I am so passionate about being a tiny somewhat semi " successful " club. It's probably because certain people were against us. They said it was a foolish idea and a saturated business. We would be throwing money away. I had to prove them wrong , not for their opinions , but for myself. One person does stick out .........Wheels and I were over a " friend's " house. We'll call him " J ". Having a couple of beers with some " friends ", we decided to tell everyone we bought The Nail. J's brother-in-law, " T " , said " it is the worst business to get in and you will fail eventually" ( and this was a person that was successful and I respected back than). I will never ever ever forget that. Here we were ....proud owners of an established 1947 old nightclub that Wheels and I have been patronizing for 2 decades and now told we had absolutely no chance of making it.....not even a fake congratulations. He was the first of several to try to shoot our hopes down. Every time someone projects negativity towards our bar..........I WORK EVEN HARDER THAN BEFORE................... RUDY of Notre Dame would shit his pants. We bought the club in January of 1997 and as of today , we have the longest tenure of ownership of any owner dating back to its opening day as " Humphs Bar " in 1947. This is a huge monumental enormous gigantic accomplishment since all employees bailed on us when times got tough. My claim to Un-fame......" In our first 2 years of ownership , we lost enough money to buy a house in Havertown." I had 4 jobs and Wheels had 3 to keep The Nail afloat. Our so called friends/employees did not know this. Wheels and I struggled for over 2 years working 60-65 hour work weeks while they got paid and our bills piled up like a mountain........you try it and see how long you last. We did it because we believed in the bar , the music , the bands , and ourselves. Yes we lost friends but true friends and family stuck with us. Little did we know the previous owner Mitch had Daddy buy him the bar as a college gift. So the books looked outstanding without a MORTGAGE. We found out his numbers were all lies at the settlement table. My famous antennas told me many times something was wrong , but we ended up driving the hard road. The quick story of the last owner and how we purchased The Nail. Wheels and I are sitting next to him at the bar one night. I say , " Hey Mitch , if you ever want to sell The Nail , Wheels and I would be interested. " He replies , " No , no , no , no , no I would never sell it. " He gets up and walks towards the front door. About midway he stops and comes right back to us and says , " Are you serious ? , we can meet tomorrow at Villanova Diner if you want ? " Holy shit did my antennas go up , but they were so clouded by my overwhelming feeling that I could own the infamous Nail one day. Anyway , back to the main story of employees and bailing friends. One old school employee left us because he wanted to get " out of the business ". The next week he got a job at a another bar as a bartender......not so old school there. These were the high hurdles Wheels and I had to endure.....day in and day out........by ourselves. It was time to rebuild. Treating people with respect : Its simple, treat people with some dignity , make some humor about myself ( usually about my penis size or sex life) and remove all angry people.........everybody should be treated the same. Saying jokes about myself makes people feel a little better about themselves and they say " you know what , I am not the only one that has money , health , or relationship problems. Removing angry people: Major priority here......nothing worse than sitting next to a drunken idiot proclaiming all life's answers while he works at Burger King deep frying onion rings. A Havertown policeman once quoted to me...." we never get any calls at The Rusty Nail ". I wonder how many bars can say that ? It seems every weekend there are fights or altercations at other clubs. This is our home and that's how we treat people. OUR ONE RULE , " GET IN A FIGHT......DONE FOR LIFE. " Bands: When we started, I asked what can we do for the bands " promotionally " wise ? The same old answer ," we did it all and nothing will help". At the time, we were in 11 newspapers and had one generic monthly calendar. So , one weekend, Wheels and I went up to our mountain house ( that we built with our own hands ) with "phonebooks" from all over the counties. We made a list of all the newspapers and internet companies. I continue to make the list grow. Now, we are in 56 newspapers , radio promos ,our websites (www.thenail1.com., Facebook/rustynail together average over 1500 " hits " a day....that's unbelievable for such a small nightclub) ,.monthly calendars on time , new illuminated outdoor marquee sign., 35 internet companies , mailing list , our own radio show since 2005 , and it goes on. We have quadrupled the band intake. We let bands network with each other by having up to 4 bands or more on the weekends. I remember a phone call I took in 1999. The person said, " we played THE NAIL a couple a months ago, we brought alot of people, had fun , and would like another gig ". I said to him, " you mean no one has called you since than ? " Right there and than I took over the booking. I call all bands every Monday ( or Tuesday sometimes ) before and after they play here ( no other owner does this). Treat bands with respect...they are the backbone of THE NAIL . They are the ones working hard to bring people in, practicing, promoting , and such....so, why the hell wouldn't I help them? I refuse to be the owner that's all drunk behind the bar with a disgusted face saying " they did not bring a 100 people....... they're done". I give out my home phone number (no other owner does this) to prevent frustrating phone tag and usually have 15-20 minute conversations with each individual band on the first phone call (no other owner does this) . I know if I was in a band, I would like a direct link to the owner and have a respectable conversation. I put myself in the shoes of the band and tell them how much we appreciate them. We lend out our PA system to bands playing "other " clubs for FREE ( what the hell other owner does this ? ). Several times with my van and easy pass (no other owner does this). We throw a huge "Wheelstock " party at our private vacation home that Wheels and I built ( 4 years to build ).........for 13 years it was completely free .... it was $20 for the last two years..... 330 people showed up last year ( damn hurricane ).....400 the year before ! Once again, a 4 day party and the NAIL supplies breakfast , lunch , dinner , beer , liquor , bands , and showers for everyone for 4 days ( show me one fucking owner that does this ??!! Throws a party for 400 people for 4 days for fucking FREE ??!! ). We ended it in 2006 because of the incredible amount of time , effort , wear & tear on our home , & neighbors being super pissed at us. The main reason for stopping this party was 2 out of 3 people did not who Wheels or myself were. We walk around to 40-50 campsites and say thank you and people would say , " who the hell are you ? " Yep the WHEELSTOCK party got so big people attending were now friends of friends of friends of friends and had no clue this was a RUST Y NAIL party and US thanking people for their support over the years. Our website is updated & blogged every day under the " HISTORY " link , not one day ever missed....this includes weekends, holidays , and vacations. I talk about my life as if it were a soap opera (no other owner does this) and in this business it usually is , but mostly for entertainment though (doing this since day one of the takeover ) ( no other club owner does this ). I could go on and on and on.......no one comes close. I do all this because we do not have the luxury of the " walk in " crowd. We need the bands to work a little harder for us , that's why I work 10 times harder than any other club owner. We have our own radio show since 2005. All bands get plugs on our LIVE radio show. All bands do live interviews to promote ALL their shows and express their music and songs. What the hell other owners help promote other clubs ? Everyone helps a little......we help more. We hope you join our little family.........simply known as THE NAIL. " LIVE AT THE NAIL " RADIO SHOW !!! We welcome these Radio Stations that promote our show WWW.CYBERSTORMRADIO.COM WWW.SRrocks.COM 1370 WPAZ POTTSTOWN WWW.RADIOFREEWORLDWIDE.COM HOLA 1600 am WXVU 89.1 fm KUR 88.3 fm WEXP 530 am WWUV 90.7 fm WVUM 90.1 fm KUR 1670 am WWXU 91.1 fm WWCY 89.5 fm WIN 88.9 fm ( WIN 89 ) WWEC 88.1 fm WWNW 88.9 fm WVUD 91.3 fm Berks Cable ( Ch 24 ) WPKN 89.5 fm WPKM 88.7 fm WDWN 89.1 fm Hometown Utilicom ( Ch 41 ) WPTC 88.1 fm WCUC 91.7 fm WSRN 91.5 fm WDCV 88.3 fm WXLV 90.3 fm WRRG 88.9 fm 930 AM (The Cockroach) WRHS 89.7 fm WVUD 91.3 fm WIXQ 91.7 FM WIXQ.COM BLACK CIRCUS RADIO ( DEAD CELL RECORDS ) SHORTCAST.COM WSJR ( INTERNET ) WYBF 89.1 FM WWW.THENAIL1.COM ( click on " radio show " on the left index on our home page. LISTEN AT ANYTIME )
WEBCASTED BY REAL AUDIO ** Do you have a contact with a college, internet or commercial radio station ? Any help to air our FREE show would be greatly appreciated. We are here to help the local bands of our communities. Our format is simple. We interview bands. The bands express their opinions and songs through their music.......with alittle fun too. ** This would increase our relationship with your band and The Nail nightclub.** PERFORMED LIVE ONCE A MONTH ON A SUNDAY NIGHT AT 6 PM ( OFF JUNE , JULY , & AUGUST ) ** ALL BANDS GET PROMOTED ** ALL BANDS GET LIVE INTERVIEWS , CD EXPOSURE , ETC.. ** NO OTHER CLUB DOES THIS !! We made our point ............work hard , respect , and promote. All businesses.....whether in a band or selling corn on the cob ........ should have this mentality and attitude. *** BOOKING CONTACT AT mailto:thenail1@comcast.net ***
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 - 25 - 24 ( CHRISTMAS DAY ) IT WAS THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS MORNING UN............TIL. WHEELS AND I ARE UP EARLY. SHE IS PREPPING FOR THE KIDS AND I AM DOING COMPUTER WORK. AT 10:30AM THE KIDS ARE UP AND WE START EXCHANGING VERY COOL GIFTS. WE LISTEN TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND CHILL WITH THE PUP. I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED THE LAST 24 HOURS......UNTIL I GET A GROUP TEXT SAYING MY AUNT HAS PASSED IN THE EARLY MORNING OF CHRISTMAS NIGHT. CONTINUED - AFTER A MILD STROKE A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO THE HOSPITAL PLACED A STENT IN AND ALL SEEMED WELL. FAMILY WAS ACTUALLY TALKING TO HER THE NEXT DAY. THAN , EVERYTHING WENT DOWN HILL AND MY AUNT PASSED IN THE EARLY WEE HOURS OF CHRISTMAS MORNING. THIS HITS TWICE AS HARD. WE ARE JUST CRUSHED WITH THIS BAD NEWS AS I TEXT BROTHERS AND 2 COUSINS. I CALL MY MOM AND WAS TOTALLY SURPRISED THEY WERE GOING TO CHURCH JUST 5 MINUTES AFTER HEARING THE NEWS. MAYBE THEY THOUGHT BEING IN CHURCH WOULD HELP A LITTLE. WE SETTLE IN AND I MAKE PANCAKES FOR EVERYONE. WE TALK ABOUT LIFE AND MORE. WE ALL AGREE TIME IS NEVER ON YOUR SIDE. I POST SOME THINGS AND OUR BARTENDER DECIDES SHE WILL OPEN THE NAIL TONIGHT. SHE ACTUALLY HAD A GOOD CROWD FOR A CHRISTMAS NIGHT. ALL OF US HEAD TO A FAMILY MEMBER'S HOUSE FOR A CHRISTMAS GET TOGETHER. IT WAS CATERED BY A PROFESSIONAL CHEF AND HIS WIFE WHO WORKED ON A PRIVATE GIGANTIC YACHT FOR 7 YEARS. THE FOOD WAS VERY GOOD EVEN WHEN AN ORNAMENT FELL OFF ITS STAND , KNOCKED OVER MY WATER , SMASHED MY WINE GLASS , AND FILLED MY DINNER PLATTER (WITH FOOD) WITH WATER. IT WAS A MILLI-SECOND AFTER I MOVED NAME TAGS ON WHERE TO SIT. I GUESS MY LATE FATHER-IN-LAW WAS MESSING WITH ME. BY 8:15PM WE ROLL HOME. WE WATCH SOME VERY GOOD EPISODES OF ANTHONY BOURDAIN. MAN, WHAT A DAMN SHAME ABOUT THIS GUY. HE WAS SO GOOD WORKING WITH PEOPLE , TRAVELING ABROAD , EXPLAINING CULTURES , AND TRYING DIFFERENT FOOD. WE ALSO WATCH 2 EPISODES OF HOT ONES WHICH WAS GOOD TOO. BY 11PM WE ALL HEAD TO BED. I STAY UP FOR ANOTHER HOUR OR SO. BY 12:30AM I HEAD TO BED LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NAIL CHRISTMAS PARTY TOMORROW. THURSDAY 12 - 26 - 24 DID I MENTION CHRISTMAS DAY I PULLED UP A PIECE OF FLOATING FLOOR IN OUR BATHROOM AND RE-SET IT AFTER USING A TABLE SAW. YES , IT WAS BOTHERING ME BECAUSE IT HAD A SLIGHT GAP AT A SEAM. TO GET TO THIS PIECE I HAD TO REMOVE A TOILET SHELF , TILE TRIM , AND QUARTER ROUND TRIM. MERRY CHRISTMAS. SO THE HOLIDAY DATES ARE OVER....BUT NOT QUITE YET FOR SOME GET TOGETHERS. AT 10AM WE HEAD TO LEVITTOWN TO VISIT A FAMILY MEMBER. LITTLE DID WE KNOW VISITING HOURS WERE 12 NOON TO 8PM. THE GUARD CALLED TO THE NURSE STATION AND THEY SAID IT WAS OKAY TO LET US VISIT. WE WERE THERE NEARLY 2 1/2 HOURS BACK HOME I DID GO TO THE NAIL TO PREP FOR OUR ANNUAL NAIL CHRISTMAS PARTY. BACK HOME I GOT SOME WORK DONE AND CHILLED. BY 6PM I ROLL BACK TO THE NAIL. I SET UP EVERYTHING EARLIER SO I GREETED FRIENDS AND STAFF AS THEY ARRIVED. ONE BARTENDER COULDN'T MAKE IT AND ANOTHER WAS LATE.....WHICH PUSHED BACK EVERYTHING. BUT........STILL A GOOD TIME. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TONIGHT : - OPEN BAR AND FOOD ALL NIGHT. STAFF , FRIENDS , AND US BROUGHT BAKED GOODS. - A SHORT 15 MINUTE SPEECH BY ME TO OUR STAFF. - A 10 QUESTION & ANSWER CHRISTMAS BONUS GAME TO ALL STAFF. EACH QUESTION ONE STAFF MEMBER WAS MADE CAPTAIN AND ANSWER THE QUESTION AS A GROUP. IT WAS FUN. - A STICKY HAND COMPETITION WITH ALL STAFF. THIS WAS FRIGGIN' HILARIOUS. - SHOOT POOL AGAINST WHEELS. YOU HAD THE OPTION OF " DOUBLE OR NOTHING " ON YOUR CHRISTMAS BONUS AGAINST HER. 4 STAFF CHALLENGES AND WHEELS WENT UNDEFEATED. THREE BARTENDERS TRIED DOUBLE OR NOTHING. - CORN-HOLE COMPETITION WITH STAFF. WINNER GOT A EXTRA CHRISTMAS BONUS. - CORN-HOLE COMPETITION WITH THE FRIEND YOU BROUGHT TO THE PARTY. AGAIN , WINNER GOT AN EXTRA BONUS. - FINDING JESUS ( NOT RELIGIOUS ) - 3 BARTENDERS TEAMED UP AND FOUND THE PLAY CARD OF JESUS. THEY SPILT THE BONUS EQUALLY. OVERALL , A VERY FUN NIGHT. I EVEN GOT MY CHOCOLATE MARTINI. BY MIDNIGHT I ROLL HOME WITH MY YOUNGEST AND WE CHILL WITH WHEELS. I HEAD TO BED PRETTY TIRED. I CHECK MY EMAILS AND SEE A 1 STAR REVIEW ON OUR VENUE. WELP , MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS TO YOU. I WILL ADDRESS IT TOMORROW. FRIDAY 12 - 27 - 24 ALL HANDS ON DECK. ANTICIPATING A BIG NIGHT I HEAD TO THE NAIL TO PREP FOR THE NIGHT. I SPEND OVER 2 HOURS. BACK HOME I ASK MY YOUNGEST TO HELP ME CLEAR PINE NEEDLES ON OUR ROOF. WE SPEND ABOUT 30 MINUTES FROM START TO FINISH. SHE ALSO SWEPT THE FRONT LANDING WHICH REALLY NEEDED IT. OH , I ALSO PICKED UP POOP. THIS IS ALWAYS SO MUCH FUN. MY YOUNGEST DECLINED THIS TASK. WHEELS AND YOUNGEST GO OUT TO DINNER. BARTENDER CALLS OUT SICK SO MY YOUNGEST TAKES THE SHIFT. I ARRIVE TO MEET OUR SUPER SOUNDMAN. HE PARKS IN THE BACK AND BEGINS TO PREP FOR THE NIGHT. IT WASN'T LONG UNTIL THE CROWD ARRIVED. BY 8PM I SEND OUT A GROUP TEXT FOR A 4TH BARTENDER. ONE ARRIVES AT 8:30PM. BY 9PM I SEND OUT A TEXT FOR A 5TH BARTENDER. IT WAS A FULL ON-BOARD CRAZY FUN NIGHT WITH REALLY FUN MUSIC AND AN OLDER CROWD. WE LOVED IT. ALL NIGHT A SOLID 2 DEEP BAR. THE BARTENDERS RAN WHILE I OVERSAW EVERYTHING. THE GOOD THING WAS WE HAD A SOUNDMAN SO THAT FREES UP MY TIME EVEN MORE. SOMETHING YOU DON'T SEE. A GUY KEPT RE-FILLING HIS BEER BOTTLE FROM OUR WATER JUG. I GUESS HE WANTED TO LOOK COOL THE WHOLE NIGHT. IT REMINDED OF THE GUY WHO KEPT TAKING BAKED GOODS TO HIS CAR. HE DID THIS 5 TIMES. THE NIGHT MOVES ALONG AND THE MUSIC WAS REALLY FUN. I POSTED A FB VIDEO OF THE CROWD AND A SONG A YOUNG GIRL SANG. SHE WAS ADORABLE AND REALLY GOOD. IT'S WEIRD EVERY DAY THIS WEEK FELT LIKE A WEEKEND SHOW. I GOT SOME VERY NICE TEXTS FROM OUR STAFF ABOUT THE NAIL CHRISTMAS PARTY. BASICALLY.......BEST ONE YET. I SEE SOME OLD FRIENDS OF MY BROTHERS STOP IN. I HUNG OUT WITH ONE FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. I REALLY LIKE HIM AND IT WAS GOOD TO SPEND SOME TIME JUST CATCHING UP. FOUND OUT MY BARTENDER WALKED 6 MILES TO RETRIEVE HER CAR FROM THE CHRISTMAS PARTY. SHE LEFT IT PARKED AND DID NOT DRIVE HOME. WHY THE HUSBAND DID NOT DRIVE HER ON HIS WAY TO WORK KINDA BEFUDDLED ME SINCE IT WAS ON THE WAY. BY 1AM MY YOUNGEST AND I ROLL HOME. WE ARE GREETED BY THE PUP WHICH IS ALWAYS FUN. I WANTED TO RE-WATCH THE ARCANE FINALE AND WITHIN 15 MINUTES I WAS FALLING ASLEEP. WE HEAD TO BED. I RESPONDED TO A 1 STAR REVIEWER. PEOPLE ARE JUST SO FUCKING ANGRY. HE HAD 35 REVIEWS ON MANY BUSINESSES AND ALL OF THEM WERE 1 STAR. WHO THE FUCK HAS THE TIME FOR THIS ? I ALWAYS THINK OF THE TV SERIES SHAMELESSS WHERE ONE CHARACTER ( FIONA ) CONFRONTS THE PERSON WHO WROTE A BAD REVIEW ON HER DINER. OF COURSE , EVERYTHING THIS ANGRY GUY WROTE WAS 100% FALSE. SO , ONE BY FUCKING ONE , I PROVED HIM WRONG. I TOLD MYSELF I JUST IGNORE IT AND THAN I SAID , " FUCK THIS. WHY DOES HE GET TO SAY HIS FUCKING FALSE LIES AND BE ANONYMOUS ? " I CALLED HIM OUT TO NAME HIS BAND AND DATE HE PLAYED HERE AND OF COURSE NO RESPONSE. SATURDAY 12 - 28 - 24 THERE'S ALWAYS ONE NUDGE. THIS ONE MADE ME GO CODE RED. DO MY NORMAL STUFF AND THAN OFF TO THE NAIL BY 10AM. I FIRST MADE STOPS AT THE GAS STATION , BEER DISTRIBUTOR ( TWICE ) AND A HARDWARE STORE. THREE HOURS LATER I WAS DONE AND SO DAMN TIRED. BACK HOME I HAD TO NAP. I HAD A LONG FRIDAY NIGHT AND NOW ANOTHER 5 ACT SHOW TONIGHT. I NAPPED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. FOR THE 2ND STRAIGHT NIGHT A BARTENDER CALLS IN SICK JUST HOURS BEFORE HER SHIFT. I DECIDE TO ASK A FORMER BARTENDER FROM VIRGINIA BEACH WHO IS HERE ON HOLIDAY. SHE SAYS YES AND I AM ELATED. FLYERS AND 76ERS WITH GOOD NEEDED WINS. OFF TO THE NAIL WITH MY YOUNGEST. WHEELS GOES TO THE CLUB WITH FAMILY FOR DINNER. I WAS NOT EXPECTING A BIG CROWD BUT PEOPLE CAME IN AND IT WAS SO GOOD TO SEE. ALL THE MUSIC AND MUSICIANS WERE REALLY GOOD. THE WHOLE CROWD WAS SUPER COOL UNNNNNNNNNN........TIL. THE STORY : THIS ONE OLD LADY AND A YOUNG GIRL AND 2 GUYS SAT TOGETHER AT THE BAR. THE OLD LADY SAID THE BARTENDERS WATERED DOWNED HER DRINK. SO , OUR BARTENDERS RE- DID THEM. SHE THAN SAID , " I WANT 4 SHOTS OF VODKA FOR FREE TO ADD IN OUR OBVIOUSLY WATERED DOWN DRINKS ". SHE ALSO SAID SHE WANTED A PIZZA FOR FREE BECAUSE THE BARTENDERS WERE OVER CHARGING FOR THE WATERED DOWN DRINK. THIS IS WHEN I GOT INVOLVED. A BARTENDER WALKED OVER AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO ME AND WHAT WAS GOING ON BY THE FRONT DOOR. AS SOON AS I HEAR " WATERED DOWN AND FREE " IT FUCKING IRATES ME. THIS TELLS ME IMMEDIATELY THE LADY IS ALREADY DRUNK. I GO BEHIND THE BAR AND COMFORT HER ACCUSATIONS. THE YOUNG BLONDE GIRL SAYS , " YO YO YO WHY SO CONFRONTATIONAL ? " SHE KEEPS REPEATING THIS SO NOW I GO CODE RED AND TELL THEM I AM STOPPING SERVING THEM AND THEY MUST LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. IF THEY DO NOT LEAVE THE BAND THEY CAME TO SEE WILL NOT PLAY. THE BAND MEMBERS APOLOGIZES TO ME 20 TIMES. THE MEN WITH THE OLD LADY AND GIRL APOLOGIZE TOO. THE PATRONS SITTING NEAR THEM CONFIRM THE OLD LADY WAS BEING ENTITLED AND HAD A CHIP ON HER ASS AND BROKEN HIP. SEVERAL REGULARS TOLD ME THE SITUATION TOO AND HELPED. THE 4 GOT TO THE FRONT DOOR AND THE 2 GUYS WERE HUMILIATED. I WAS SO SURPRISED THEY DID NOT SAY SOMETHING TO THEIR GRANDMOTHER. THE OLD BAG CALLS ME AN ASSHOLE BEFORE LEAVING. I RESPOND , " I'M THE ASSHOLE HERE ? LOOK FUCKING AROUND !! THIS WHOLE SCENE IS BECAUSE OF YOU. THIRTY FUCKING YEARS AND NO ONE EVER ACCUSED US OF WATERING DRINKS DOWN. ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME ???!!! WE BUST OUR ASS TO KEEP THIS VENUE OPEN FOR THE BANDS !! JUST GET THE FUCK OUT !! " THEY FINALLY GET OUT THE DOOR. THE WHOLE BAND COMES UP TO ME AND APOLOGIZES AGAIN. ONE BAND MEMBER SAID THEY CAME IN DRUNK. IT WAS A PERFECT NIGHT AND THIS OLD DOUCHEBAG RUINED IT......FOR A LITTLE BIT. THE NIGHT MOVED ON PERFECTLY AND BY 1:30AM WE WERE DONE. I HAD A NIGHT CAP WITH THE BARTENDERS AND SOME YOUNG GUYS. IT WAS FUN TO END THE NIGHT. WE ROLL OUT AND HEAD HOME. WE CHILL WITH THE PUP , HAVE SOME WATER , AND WATCH TV FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. I NOW EXPECT ANOTHER BAD GOOGLE REVIEW BY TOMORROW. SUNDAY 12 - 29 - 24 WELP , THE LAST OF THE HOLIDAY GET TOGETHERS HAS ENDED......AND IT WAS VERY NICE. BUT EVEN NICER OUR EAGLES BEAT THE FUCK OUT OF THE COWASSES. HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS !!!!!......BLOW. AFTER MY MORNING ROUTINE I HEAD TO THE NAIL TO PREP FOR THE NIGHT. MY YOUNGEST AND THE PUP COME WITH ME AND I BUY HER A BREAKFAST SANDWICH AT MANHATTAN BAGEL. WE GET EVERYTHING DONE AND I FILM A VIDEO OF MY YOUNGEST CHASING THE PUP AROUND THE NAIL......TOO FUNNY. BACK HOME I HELP WHEELS SET-UP FOR THE FINAL FAMILY GET TOGETHER OF AROUND 14 PEOPLE. SHE HAS BEEN COOKING CHEESEBURGER SOUP ( OMG SO FRICKIN' GOOD) AND MEATBALLS. WE SETTLE IN TO WATCH OUR EAGLES AND LISTEN TO MERRILL REESE AND MIKE QUICK. THE GAME IS 10X BETTER LISTENING TO THEM ON THE RADIO. EVEN BETTER , AFTER A SLOW START THE EAGLES F'N DOMINATED THE DICKHEAD TEAM. FLYERS BLOW 4 - 2 LEAD AND AS I PREDICTED THEY WOULD LOSE. THEY DID AND LOSE 5 - 4. FAMILY ARRIVES AND IT WAS ALOT OF FUN. LOTS OF FOOD , BAKED GOODS , BOOZE , STORY TELLING , AND LAUGHS. AROUND 7:30PM OUR ELDEST DRIVES BACK HER SISTER TO SOUTH PHILLY. IT WAS SUCH A DELIGHT TO HAVE HER HOME FOR 2 WEEKS. I MISS HER ALREADY. ELDEST GOES TO THE NAIL TO VISIT FRIENDS AND SHOOT POOL. FAMILY ROLLS OUT AND WHEELS AND I CLEAN UP. THERE IS A FAIR AMOUNT OF FOOD AND TREATS LEFT. WE DID GIVE A GOOD PORTION TO OUR YOUNGEST. WE SETTLE IN AND WATCH THE SEASON AND SERIES FINALLY OF YELLOWSTONE. IT WAS GOOD. WHEELS HEADS TO BED WHILE I WATCH EAGLES POST GAME , CHECK EMAILS , AND PLAY A GAME OF POKER. IT WAS A NICE WAY TO END OUR WEEKEND. NOW , DO WE HEAD NORTH ? OH , I BOOKED A BAND CALLED JEALOUSY CURVE. THE GUITAR PLAYER WAS AT THE NAIL FRIDAY NIGHT AND SAID HE EMAIL ME ABOUT PLAYING HERE. HE DID AND THEY JUST SOLD OUT ARDMORE MUSIC HALL LAST MONTH. THIS VENUE HOLDS 3,000 PEOPLE. MONDAY 12 - 30 - 24 THE ANGRY LADY WHO CLAIMED WE WATER DOWN DRINKS GAVE A 1 STAR GOOGLE REVIEW. MY RESPONSE IS ALLOWED 4,000 LETTERS. I PRETTY MUCH USED EVERY ONE OF THEM. OFF TO THE BANK AND THAN THE NAIL TO DO NORMAL STUFF. BACK HOME WHEELS AND I LOAD UP TO HEAD NORTH WITH THE PUP. WE MAKE VERY GOOD TIME. WE SETTLE IN AND HAVE LUNCH. BY 3PM I SPEND 3+ HOURS LAYING A NEW WOOD FLOATING FLOOR IN THE UPSTAIRS BATHROOM. WHEELS HELPS ME CARRY TOOLS UPSTAIRS. THIS IS VERY RARE WITH ME BUT EVERYTHING WENT PERFECT. TOMORROW , I WILL TRY TO FINISH IT AND PUT EVERYTHING BACK TOGETHER. WHEELS DRIVES TO A JIREH'S PIZZA AND LIQUOR STORE TO PICK UP SOME SANDWICHES AND RED WINE. OH , ON THE DRIVE BACK WHEELS , FOR THE 2ND TIME IN 2 MONTHS , SHE HITS A DEER. HAIR WAS IN THE SMASHED GRILL AND A LIGHT COVER WAS SLIGHTLY DAMAGED. I COME DOWNSTAIRS TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE AND THE GRILL MAY BE ABLE TO BE PIECED BACK TOGETHER. WE SETTLE IN WITH DINNER AND WATCH 3 EPISODES NO GOOD DEED WITH RAY ROMANO AND LISA KUDROW. OVERALL , IT IS GOOD BUT SOME SCENES I HAD ISSUES WITH. WE WATCH 2 EPISODES OF HOT ONES WITH SHAQ AND BILLIE EIILISH AS GUESTS. THEY WERE VERY GOOD. OFF TO BED AND I WAS HURTING. THE UPSTAIRS HALLWAY HAS TOOLS ALL OVER THE PLACE INCLUDING A POWER MITER AND TABLE SAW. I SLEPT OKAY AT BEST AND WOKE UP SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE NIGHT. AT 4AM I WAS WATCHING THREE'S COMPANY. I KEPT FORCING MYSELF TO GET BACK TO SLEEP. AT 6:45AM I GET A CALL FROM MY BROTHER-IN-LAW. MY OTHER BROTHER-IN-LAW IN THE HOSPITAL HAS TOOK A VERY BAD TURN FOR THE WORST. TUESDAY 12 - 31 - 24 CONTINUE BATHROOM FLOOR PROJECT - TO MY SURPRISE EVERYTHING WENT SMOOTHLY AGAIN. THE FLOOR IS 99% FINISHED AND I AM VERY PLEASED HOW IT CAME OUT. STOP AT BURGER KING AND ARBY'S. I HAVE NOT BEEN TO THESE PLACES IN 20 YEARS. I HAVE TO ADMIT THE BURGERS WERE PRETTY GOOD. WE LOAD UP AND ROLL TO THE HOSPITAL TO VISIT A FAMILY MEMBER. THE PUP WAITS IN THE VAN. AFTER VISIT WE ROLL HOME. I NAP AND WHEELS GOES AND VISITS FAMILY FOR DINNER. FOR DINNER I HAVE SOME EGGNOG PIE AND 2 COOKIES. YEP , FUCK IT. I WATCH THE FLYERS AND PENN STATE WIN. A LITTLE DRAMA AS OUR BARTENDER / ROOM MATE KICKS OUT OUR ELDEST'S BOY FRIEND OUT OF OUR HOUSE. I WAS OKAY WITH IT. I TRULY FEEL OUR ELDEST DESERVES THE BEST GUY EVER. WHEELS COMES HOME AND WE CHILL FOR A BIT. ELDEST AND ROOM MATE GO OUT FOR A NEW YEARS EVE PARTY. I GO TO MY BEDROOM TO EMAIL BANDS , SURF THE INTERNET , WATCH PORN , AND SEE THE NEW YORK BALL DROP FOR THE NEW 2025 YEAR. I WAS VERY MELANCHOLY. THIS LAST MONTH OR SO HAS BEEN VERY SAD WITH FAMILY MEMBERS PASSING. I WAKE UP AND HEAD TO THE MAIN ROOM. WHEELS IS WATCHING THE NEWS. WHAT IS THE ONLY FUCKING STORY ON ? - SOME FUCKING TERRORIST DROVE THROUGH A NEW ORLEANS CROWD KILLING 10 PEOPLE AND INJURING ALOT MORE. WHAT A FUCKING SHIT WORLD. I CAN'T IMAGINE BEING SO FUCKING ANGRY TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS. WEDNESDAY 1 - 1 - 25 AND 2024 IS DONE. FOR THE MOST PART A GOOD YEAR. FOR FAMILY.....NOT SO GOOD. THINGS CAN CHANGE LIGHTNING FAT SO I ALWAYS HAVE THE MINDSET TO TRY TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND , ENJOY LIFE , ENJOY YOUR KIDS , ENJOY FOOD , AND TRY NOT TO BE A DICKHEAD. I MADE A PUNCH LIST AND IT GOT SO BIG I HAD TO STOP. WHEELS GOES TO HER MOM'S HOUSE AT 11AM. SHE BRINGS LUNCH. SHE RETURNED AROUND 8:30PM. A WONDERFUL FACETME WITH MY YOUNGEST. SHE CRITIQUED MY GOOGLE REVIEW OF AN ENTITLE OLD LADY AT OUR BAR , HELPED ME PRINT OUT SOME LUMINEER LIGHT SHOW TICKETS AT THE ZOO , AND SHE TOLD ME ABOUT HER VERY GOOD TIME ON NEW YEARS EVE. TALK TO SOME FAMILY TODAY AND THAN STARTED SOME PROJECTS. I START AT 7:30AM AND FINISHED AROUND 7PM. - FINISHED JANUARY CALENDARS. - GO ONLINE AND MAKE A LIQUOR ORDER. - FINISHED JANUARY CALENDAR ON THE NAIL'S WEBSITE. - LOOKED FOR A TIMER AND COULDN'T FIND IT. - DID A FACEBOOK POST FOR THE BANDS THIS WEEKEND. - BROUGHT ALL TABLES AND CHAIRS BACK DOWN THE BASEMENT. - CLEANED , ORGANIZED , RE-FIXED FLOORING , AND VACUUMED THE BASEMENT. THIS TOOK ALMOST 2 HOURS. I WATCHED A COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL GAME AND LISTENED TO MUSIC. I TOOK A VIDEO WHEN DONE AND SENT IT TO MY FAMILY. BY 7:30PM I AM DONE. I HAVE HALVES OF A CHICKEN PARM AND MEATBALL SANDWICH FOR DINNER. THEY WERE LEFTOVERS. WHEELS COMES HOME AND HAS A VERY NICE FACETIME WITH OUR YOUNGEST. WE THAN WATCH 2 EPISODES OF NO GOOD DEED. THEY WERE OKAY TO GOOD. 76ERS BLOW LEAD AND LOSE. EAGLES ANNOUNCE SAQUON BARKLEY WILL NOT GO FOR THE RECORD. TO ME , I WOULD OF GAVE HIM A CHANCE AT IMMORTALLY. WINNING THE SUPER BOWL IS A LONG SHOT , GETTING THE RUSHING RECORD IS VERY DOABLE. OFF TO BED AND TOSSED AND TURNED. AT 4AM I GET ON MY COMPUTER TO SURF AND RESPOND TO EMAILS. IT IS NOW 7AM......I SHOULD TRY TO GO BACK TO BED. WEDNESDAY 1 - 2 - 25 SHAKING MY HEAD ON THIS ONE. FROM A REALLY FUN FAMILY NIGHT TO COMPLETE SILENCE AND MELANCHOLY. CONTINUED CONTACTING BANDS TO TRY TO FILL IN JANUARY SCHEDULE. I DID NOT REALIZE I HAD SO MANY OPEN DATES. I GUESS MY MIND WAS PREOCCUPIED. START MY RUNNING - 4 HOURS TOTAL. - HEAD TO RESTAURANT DEPOT FOR SUPPLIES. I WAS HOPING TO PICK UP MY YOUNGEST BUT SHE HAD PLANS ALREADY. - CALL LIQUOR STORE BUT ORDER IS NOT READY. - AT THE NAIL I UNLOAD A SHIT LOAD OF PRODUCT AND STOCK. - FIRST BEER ORDER ARRIVES AND I DECIDE TO ORGANIZE OUR TAKE-OUT FRIDGE BY PLACING ALL BEERS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. IT USED TO BE THIS WAY YEARS AGO SO BARTENDERS COULD FIND BEERS FAST. - I CONTINUE CLEANING AND ORGANIZING UNTIL THE 2ND BEER DELIVERY ARRIVES. I STOCK THAT QUITE QUICKLY. I MAKE A GOOD DECISION AND PICKED UP MY LIQUOR ORDER RIGHT BEFORE THE BEER DELIVERY GUYS ARRIVED. I ROLL HOME AND SETTLE IN FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. WHEELS , MYSELF , AND ELDEST HEAD TO SOUTH PHILLY TO PICK-UP OUR YOUNGEST. WE ALL HEAD TO THE PHILADELPHIA ZOO FOR LUMINATURE. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL AND WE REALLY NEEDED THIS FAMILY TIME TOGETHER. WE DRIVE OUR YOUNGEST BACK TO HER APARTMENT. WE DROP OFF OUR ELDEST AT THE NAIL. WHEELS AND I ARE GREETED BY THE PUP. WE SETTLE IN AND FINISH SEASON 1 OF NO GOOD DEED. OVERALL , IT WAS OKAY TO GOOD. THE PLOT LINE WAS FRUSTRATING BUT IT CAME TOGETHER IN THE LAST 10 MINUTES OF THE FINAL EPISODE. WE FINISH UP TO WATCH THE 76ERS AND FLYERS BOTH LOSE. AT 11:20PM WE GET A CALL FROM A FAMILY MEMBER. IT WAS NOT GOOD. FRIDAY 1 - 3 - 25 IT WAS NOT A MERRY CHRISTMAS NOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR. LIFE WAS COMPLETELY UNKIND TO TAKE THIS PERSON. I LOST A BEST FRIEND AND BROTHER. I AM SHAKING MY HEAD ON THIS ONE. TO SAY I AM COMPLETELY CRUSHED WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT. HE WAS THE MOST KIND GENTLE PERSON THAT EVER ENTERED MY LIFE. I KNOW YOU'RE AT PEACE NOW WITH NO MORE UNNECESSARY PAIN BUT MAN I WILL MISS YOU AT MY HOME AND THE NAIL. JAY , REST IN PEACE , AND I WILL DO THE VACUUMING FROM NOW ON. SUNDAY 1 - 5 - 25 BEEN BUMMING PRETTY BAD ON THE UNNECESSARY LOSS OF MY BROTHER-IN-LAW'S LIFE AND BASICALLY FORGOT TO WRITE THE LAST 2 DAYS. LONG DAY AND NIGHT - AT 7:45AM I LEAVE MY HOUSE TO PICK UP MY PARENTS. I DROP THEM OFF AT ANNUNCIATION CHURCH IN SOUTH PHILLY. I THAN GO GET MY YOUNGEST. SHE WAS HUGE IN BEING WITH ME THE WHOLE DAY. WE ATTEND CHURCH AND DRIVE IN LINE TO SAINT PETER AND PAUL'S BURIAL CEMETERY. IT WAS COLD AND WINDS BLEW SIDEWAYS. I BROUGHT A WINTER JACKET BUT GAVE IT TO MY BROTHER. WE THAN HEAD TO THE LUNCHEON AT ANTHONY'S IN SPRINGFIELD. I READ THE EULOGY MY COUSIN GAVE ME BECAUSE IN CHURCH I COULD NOT HEAR HIM. ONE LINE GOT ME FOR MY AUNT DIED ON CHRISTMAS MORNING AND HER SISTER PASSED UNDER A YEAR AGO. THE LINE READ , " WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SURPRISE THAT ONE SISTER SAW HER YOUNGEST SISTER ON CHRISTMAS MORNING. " WE ROLL HOME AND DROP OFF MY PARENTS. MY YOUNGEST AND I STOP AT THE NAIL TO PREP FOR THE NIGHT. AT HOME WE TRY TO NAP BECAUSE TONIGHT WILL BE A SIDEWAYS SHIT SHOW.........IN A FUN WAY WE THINK. SATURDAY NIGHT - OVER 300 FANS COME THROUGH. WE HAD 5 BARTENDERS AND 2 BAR BACKS RUN NON-STOP FOR 5 HOURS. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I SAID TO MYSELF , " PLEASE PEOPLE , STOP COMING IN " FIRST BAND'S DRUMMERS GOT ON MY FUCKING NERVES BECAUSE HE WAS SO GOD DAMN NEGATIVE. IN UNDER 15 MINUTES I WANTED HIM NOT TO PLAY. A BARTENDER SERVED HIM A SODA AND ASKED , " ARE YOU PAYING CASH OR CHARGE ? " I ABSOLUTELY FUCKING KNEW HE WOULD NOT PAY. HE REPLIED , " YOU'RE GOING TO CHARGE ME FOR A FUCKING SODA ? " WITH ALL THE STUFF GOING ON WITH MY BROTHER-IN-LAW I FUCKING FLIPPED OUT. THE GUITAR PLAYER SIMMERED THE SITUATION BY SAYING , " PUT EVERYTHING OF HIS ON MY TAB. " A VERY YOUNG CROWD STORMED THE NAIL. I HAD TO STOP PEOPLE FROM COMING IN BECAUSE WE WERE AT CAPACITY. WE WERE NOT SURE IF THIS WAS GOOD OR BAD BECAUSE THEY WERE SO YOUNG , DIDN'T TIP , AND SNUCK IN A TON OF BEER AND BOOZE. BY 2:30AM WE GOT EVERYONE OUT AND HAD A NIGHT CAP WITH THE STAFF. WE TOLD STORIES ABOUT HOW SOME PEOPLE WERE DICKHEADS DURING THE NIGHT. ON SUNDAY I DRIVE MY YOUNGEST BACK TO SOUTH PHILLY BUT FIRST STOP AT KISMET BAGELS FOR BREAKFAST. IT WAS VERY GOOD. WE TALK AND I THANK HER FOR HANGING AND WORKING WITH ME FOR THE PAST 24 HOURS. THE KID IS A STEP UP THAN EVERYONE ELSE. I HEAD TO THE NAIL AND START MY 3+ HOUR CLEAN UP. I ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY CRAWLED ON THE GROUND OF THE ENTIRE NAIL TO PICK UP BROKEN GLASS , PLASTIC , AND MORE. FUNNY THING IS , I WAS OKAY WITH CLEANING AS I LISTENED TO MERRILL REESE AND MIKE QUICK WHILE I HAD THE EAGLES GAME ON ALL THE TV'S. THEY WON THEIR FINALE OVER THE GIANTS. EAGLES WILL PLAY THE PACKERS IN THE FIRST ROUND. IT IS A TOUGH GAME BUT WINNABLE AT HOME. I DRIVE HOME TIRED AND MAKE A LAST MINUTE DECISION. WHEELS HELPS ME LOAD UP AND I HEAD NORTH. SHE CALLS ME ABOUT 20 MINUTES INTO THE RIDE TO KEEP ME AWAKE. FLYERS LOSE IN OVERTIME. I ARRIVE AND THE LAST RENTER'S LEFT OUR HOME PERFECT. IT IS 6:15PM AND TO ME , IT FEELS LIKE MIDNIGHT. I WAS THAT DAMN TIRED. I SETTLE IN AND THE GOOD THING IS THE HOUSE IS STILL WARM FROM THE RENTERS WHO I GUESS JUST TURNED THE HEAT OFF. IT GOT PRETTY COLD UP HERE. I WATCH THE LIONS CRUSH THE VIKINGS FOR THE #1 SEED. MAN , IT SUCKS FOR THE VIKINGS DROPPED TO 5TH SEED AND THE FIRST PLAYOFF GAME IS ON THE ROAD. DOESN'T SEEM FAIR FOR A 14 WIN TEAM. I ALSO WATCH THE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS. I HEAD TO BED AROUND 11PM AND TRY TO SLEEP. I WAS SO-SO AT BEST. MONDAY 1 - 6 - 25 SHOWERING WITHOUT A TOWEL TOTALLY BLOWS. USING A COUCH COMFORTER DOES NOT ABSORB ANY WATER OFF YOUR BODY. IT LITERALLY JUST MOVES THE WATER FROM YOUR SKIN TO ANOTHER AREA ON YOUR BODY. MOST WATER SETTLED RIGHT IN MY ASS CRACK. IT GOT COLD. THE PEOPLE WHO LIKE WINTER OVER SUMMER I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH. BASICALLY , COLD HURTS. TOOK A RIDE TO THE HARDWARE STORE TO PICK UP A OUTDOOR TIMER. IT WORKED AND THAN DIDN'T WORK. I'VE BEEN FIGHTING THESE DAMN DRIVING LIGHTS FOR MONTHS NOW. AT 10PM AT NIGHT I RAN A WHOLE NEW EXTENSION CORD AND THE LIGHTS STILL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. I TESTED THE OLD TIMER AND IT WORKED PERFECTLY INDOORS. SO , I BOUGHT AN EXTERIOR TIMER FOR NO REASON........BLOW. STOP AT RENEE'S COLD CUT HUT FOR POSSIBLY THE BEST BREAKFAST SANDWICHES EVER. SAUSAGE , EGG , AND CHEESE ON A CROISSANT IN A HEATED BAG. $3 EACH. I GOT ALOT OF BAND EMAILS DONE. I ALSO CREATED A 28TH NAIL ANNIVERSARY FB AND INSTAGRAM POST. IT WAS NICE TO SEE SOME PEOPLE LIKED AND COMMENTED ON IT. IN UNDER 2 HOURS OVER 600+ RESPONDED. I WATCH A COUPLE OF EPISODES OF THE ORIGINAL THE HONEYMOONERS. THIS WAS A PRETTY GOOD SHOW. I ALSO WATCH A COUPLE OF EPISODES OF SUPERMAN & LOIS. IT WASN'T BAD BUT I HAD ISSUES HOW MANY TIMES THE 14 YEAR OLD KIDS COMPLAINED OR CRIED. OH DADDY YOU LIED TO US HIDING YOU'RE SUPERMAN......BOO HOO. I BE LIKE , " FUCKING AYE DAD YOU'RE FUCKING SUPERMAN......YES !!! LET'S START KICKING ASS , ROBBING BANKS , AND SEEING THROUGH GIRLS CLOTHES. " ALSO , ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE ARE A SHITLOAD OF SUPER VILLAINS MORE POWERFUL THAN SUPERMAN. I MEAN IN 3 EPISODES SUPERMAN GOT HIS ASS KICKED 10 TIMES. 76ERS LOOK HORRIBLE AND LOSE AGAIN. TALKED TO A COUSIN FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. ANOTHER COUSIN CALLED ME BECAUSE HE THOUGHT I DIED. I ASKED HIM TO DO MY EULOGY. TALKED TO WHEELS FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. HEAD TO BED AROUND 10PM. I JUST WANTED TO LAY DOWN. AFTER 15 MINUTES I GET UP AND WALK INTO THE HALLWAY AND LOOK DOWN. I SEE MY DOG STARING OUT THE WINDOW AT SOMETHING. IT KINDA FREAKED ME OUT. I WATCHED HER FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. SHE THAN CAME UPSTAIRS. I SLEPT ON AND OFF ALL NIGHT....NOT SO GOOD. I DID ENJOY A DREAM ABOUT MY BROTHER-IN-LAW GOLFING WITH ME AND ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER. TUESDAY 1 - 7 - 25 I CAN NOT FIGURE OUT THESE DAMN DRIVEWAY LIGHTS. THEY GO ON FOR AN HOUR AND THAN OFF FOR AN HOUR. NOT SLEEPING WELL AT ALL. DID SOME LITTLE PROJECTS TODAY. ONE INCLUDED TRAVEL. NEIGHBOR AND HIS PUP STOPPED OVER FOR A LITTLE BIT. AFTER HE LEFT I RAN MY PUP OUTSIDE FOR A LITTLE. SHE IS JUST TOO FUNNY. WATCH SOME EPISODES OF THE HONEYMOONERS. I NEVER REALIZED EVERY EPISODE RALPH KRAMDEN ( JACKIE GLEASON) SCREAMS. IT MUST OF BEEN EXHAUSTING. EPISODES ARE ONLY 8 TO 11 MINUTES LONG BUT STILL GOOD EVEN TO TODAY. I RESEARCHED THE HISTORY OF THIS SHOW......OT ALL GOOD. I WATCHED A MOVIE CALLED NINJA ASSASSIN. THE REVIEWS WERE NOT GOOD. THEY WERE RIGHT. STREAMED ESPN+ TO WATCH THE FLYERS LOSE BACK TO BACK TO THE MAPLE LEAFS AGAIN 3 - 2. TALKED TO WHEELS AND OUR YOUNGEST FOR A BIT. OFF TO BED EARLY AND AGAIN SLEPT REALLY BAD. WEDNESDAY 1 - 8 - 25 I NEVER HAD A DREAM ABOUT MY BROTHER-IN-LAW NOR HAVE I EVER GOLFED WITH HIM. TWO NIGHTS AGO I HAD A DREAM ABOUT GOLFING WITH HIM AND ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER. LAST NIGHT WHEELS SAYS TO ME , " DO YOU WANT HIS GOLF BALL? IT WAS IN HIS JACKET AND HE ALWAYS CARRIED IT WITH HIM. I AM NOT SURE WHY." ANOTHER DAY OF DOING SMALL PROJECTS. THE DRIVEWAY LIGHTS ARE STILL GOING ON AND OFF PERIODICALLY. TESTED THE JACUZZI FOR 40 MINUTES. IT WORKS. HEY , SOMEONE HAD TO DO IT. I ALSO FINISHED THE CAULKING OF THE FLOATING FLOOR. I HAD NO RAGS SO I USED MY SOCK TO WIPE THE CAULK OUT OF THE SEAM. TOOK APART THE COLD FAUCET KNOB ON THE JACUZZI TO TRY TO FIX A TINY LEAK. I NEED A NEW PART TO FIX IT. I WAS GLAD EVERYTHING WAS PUT BACK TOGETHER OKAY. I HAD TO SHUT OFF THE WHOLE HOUSE TO REMOVE THE STEM AND WASHER. WATCHED SOME MORE EPISODES OF THE HONEYMOONERS. THIS TIME WITH THE FIRST ACTRESS WHO PLAYED " ALICE ". I WAS SO-SO ON HER COMPARED TO THE 2ND ACTRESS AUDREY MEADOWS. WATCHED A MOVIE CALLED DEATH RACE BECAUSE I LIKE JASON STATHAM. IT WAS NOT SO GOOD. TALKED TO WHEELS FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES TO GET UPDATES. MY YOUNGEST AND I WERE NERVOUS BECAUSE WE COULD NOT TRACK HER OR GETTING ANSWERS FROM TEXT OR CALLS. I TOTALLY FORGOT SHE WS ATTENDING A FUNERAL. PEOPLE WHO SAY WINTER IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN SUMMER ARE DICKHEADS. IT GOT PRETTY COLD UP HERE. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TAKING A BEATING WITH WILD FIRES. MAN , WITH TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE TO EXTINGUISH THEM FASTER. 76ERS BLOW 16 POINT LEAD BUT HOLD ONTO BEAT THE WORST TEAM IN THE NBA......AT HOME. WENT TO BED AT 9:30PM. I WATCHED TV FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND THAN TRIED TO SLEEP. IT WAS HORRIBLE. THURSDAY 1 - 9 - 25 KINDA COOL - A LARGE RED CARDINAL WAS PERCHED IN A TREE RIGHT OUTSIDE OUR WINDOW. THANKS JAY. WELP , TIME TO LEAVE THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE. IT WAS A REALLY NICE STAY. I LOAD UP AND PACK THE CAR. I START THE CAR TO WARM-UP AND WALK THE PUP. I AM SECONDS BEFORE LEAVING AND I SEE WHAT I THINK IS 2 LONG PIECES OF WOOD FLOATING FLOOR ON THE GROUND BEHIND THE HOUSE. I SAY TO MYSELF , " WOW , DID A RENTER THROW THEM OUTSIDE FROM OUR MUD ROOM ? " I WALK CLOSER AND SEE IT IS 2 PIECES OF SIDING. I LOOK UP AND THERE IS 2 PIECES OF SIDING MISSING FROM THE BACK OF OUR HOUSE........AT THE VERY TOP. I GET ON THE ROAD AND MAKE GOOD TIME. WHEELS HELPS ME UNLOAD AND SAYS , " DID YOU BRING HOME THE DOG'S RUNNER ? " I TEXT OUR MOUNTAIN HOUSE NEIGHBOR , " CAN YOU PLACE OUR DOG'S RUNNER ON THE FRONT DECK BY THE BACK DOOR ? I'LL GET IT NEXT TIME I COME UP. " I HEAD TO THE LIQUOR STORE AND TO THE NAIL TO RECEIVE A BEER ORDER. I CLEAN AND STOCK FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. WHEELS PICKS UP OUR YOUNGEST. WE CHILL BUT BY 5:30PM MORE FAMILY ARRIVES TO VISIT AND HAVE A PIZZA DINNER. I DECIDE TO WORK TONIGHT BECAUSE OUR BARTENDER SAID THURSDAY OPEN MIC'S WERE SLOW AND NOT WORTH WORKING. SO , MY 2 KIDS COME WITH ME AND WE BEGIN TO CLEAN , TAKE DOWN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS , RE-DO THE MARQUEE , AND MORE. BY 11PM WE HAD 50 PEOPLE. THE BARTENDER COMES IN AND WAS ASTONISHED. A WEIRD RAP GUY STOPPED IN FOR THE OPEN MIC. HIS MUSIC WAS BAD , HE SPENT WAY TOO MUCH TIME IN THE BATHROOM , AND DID NOT SPEND ONE PENNY. KINDA BOTHERS ME. JUST IMAGINE IF WE HAD 100 PEOPLE ALL COME IN AND NO ONE SPENT A PENNY. WE BE OUT OF BUSINESS IN MONTHS. HE ALSO TRIED TO PLAY SOMEONE ELSE'S POOL GAME WITH A BRIDGE STICK. BRUTAL LOSS BY PENN STATE. I ABSOLUTELY KNEW THEY LOSE EVEN WHEN GOING UP 10 - 0. FLYERS GET SMOKED 4 - 1. THEY CONTINUE THEIR LOSING STREAK.......BLOW. WE GET EVERYONE OUT BY MIDNIGHT WHICH WAS AMAZING TO ME. I DID REPEAT MANY TIMES WE HAD A FUNERAL THE NEXT MORNING. WE HEAD HOME. ELDEST GOES DOWN THE BASEMENT TO CHILL WITH HER ROOM MATE WHILE MY YOUNGEST AND I WATCH TV FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND HEAD TO BED. TOMORROW WILL BE A LONG DAY. FRIDAY 1 - 10 - 25 A RED CARDINAL SITTING IN OUR FRONT JAPANESE MAPLE TREE. I HAVE NOT SEEN ONE IN MANY MONTHS. IT WAS 5 MINUTES BEFORE WE WERE HEADING TO THE CHURCH. IT MADE ME FEEL GOOD. TODAY WAS A TOUGH DAY AS WE CELEBRATED THE LIFE OF WHEEL'S YOUNGEST BROTHER. HIS PASSING AND PAIN SHOULD OF NEVER HAPPENED AND I AM STILL SHAKING MY HEAD ON THIS ONE. WE ARRIVE AT THE CHURCH AND STAND IN THE FRONT LIKE A RECEIVING LINE. FLOWERS WERE BEAUTIFUL AND IT WAS NICE TO SEE FAMILY VISIT US DURING THIS VERY TOUGH TIME. I COACH MY NIECE AND YOUNGEST ON THEIR READINGS AND HOW TO ENTER THE ALTAR. CHURCH CEREMONIES WERE VERY NICE WITH FAMILY DOING THE READINGS AND A SPECIAL TREAT OF MY BROTHER-IN-LAW PLAYING " SITTING ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY " VIA HIS VIOLIN. IT WAS AWESOME TO SEE AND HEAR. HE IS AN ACCOMPLISHED VIOLINIST AND HAS TRAVELED THE WORLD. HE IS ALSO A RETIRED ROCKET SCIENTIST THAT WORKED FOR THE GOVERNMENT. FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAN HEAD TO GULLIFTY'S IN BRYN MAWR. IT WAS WONDERFUL TO SEE AND THE FOOD AND SERVICE WAS VERY GOOD. ONE OF OUR FORMER BARTENDERS WHO I TREAT LIKE A DAUGHTER MOVED HER SHIFT TO WORK THIS LUNCHEON. I ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH AND MY FAVORITE WAS JUST SITTING WITH MY BROTHERS TALKING THE SHIT AND HAVING SOME FUN CONVERSATIONS. I THANK THE OWNER WHO I KNOW AND WE WERE THE LAST ONES TO LEAVE. WE GAVE OUT FLOWERS AND EXTRA FOOD TO AS MANY FAMILY AS WE COULD. AT HOME WE ALL TAKE NAPS AND I SLEPT FROM 3:15PM TO 6PM. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT WHEN WHEELS WOKE ME UP. I ACTUALLY THOUGHT IT WAS THE NEXT DAY. OFF TO THE NAIL FOR A SLOW NIGHT WHICH I WAS SEMI-OKAY WITH. WE HAD A NUDGE WHO SAID PEOPLE SHOOTING POOL WERE TOO NOISY FOR THE SOLO ACTS PERFORMING. IN 30 YEARS I NEVER HAD ANYONE SAY THIS TO ME. I WAS NOT IN A GOOD MOOD AT ALL WITH TODAY'S FUNERAL AND A BAD TURNOUT BUT I ROLLED WITH IT AND JUST TURNED MY BARSTOOL AWAY FROM HER LIKE THE GIRL DID TO BART SIMPSON......" I'M JUST GOING TO STAND OVER HERE. " THAN WE GET SLAMMED WITH VERY YOUNG COLLEGE KIDS. THEY HAVE PERFECT ID'S. I DECIDED TO CHARGE THEM A COVER CHARGE AND GAVE THE MONEY TO THE BARTENDERS SINCE COLLEGE KIDS DO NOT TIP. BY 1AM WE HAD EVERYONE OUT. AT HOME I CHILL WITH MY YOUNGEST. I HAVE A BOTTLE WATER AND A COOKIE. WE HEAD TO BED BY 2AM. SATURDAY 1 - 11 - 25 ( WHEELS BIRTHDAY ) AS I SEE HIS MASS CARD WITH PICTURE AND HIS GOLF BALL ON MY DESK I JUST KEEP SHAKING MY HEAD ON HOW THE FUCK DID IT COME TO THIS ? EVEN WORSE , THERE WILL BE ZERO FUCKING REPERCUSSIONS ON THE PEOPLE WHO DID THIS TO HIM. SO WE REMEMBER AND KEEP MOVING ON. IT WAS A NICE DAY AND NIGHT. WATCHED CNN ON THE FIRES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. MY GOD IT IS BAD. THEY BLAME JOE BIDEN WITH CUTTING BUDGETS WITH WATER RELATED THINGS THAT HAD ZERO TO DO WITH FIGHTING HUGE OUT OF CONTROL FOREST FIRES. OF COURSE , TRUMP WITH NO COMPASSION AND ALWAYS LOOKING TO BELITTLE HIS OPPONENTS , INSTEAD OF BEING KIND , THREW BIDEN AND DEMOCRATS UNDER THE BUS. TO THIS DAY HOW THE FUCK CAN YOU LIKE TRUMP ? I JUST DON'T GET IT. IT WAS NICE WE GOT SO MUCH DONE LAST NIGHT SO I DID NOT HAVE TO GO TO THE NAIL THIS MORNING. FLYERS WIN. I WATCH A LITTLE NFL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS. STEELERS LOSE. STILL BUMMING PENN STATE LOST. ALL FUNERALS ARE DONE , ALL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ARE DOWN , AND I JUST FEEL SO DAMN MELANCHOLY. I JUST CAN NOT SHAKE THIS FEELING. I NAP FOR A BIT. MY SLEEPING HABITS ARE SO ERRATIC I NEED TO NAP ESPECIALLY IF DOING A DOUBLE SHIFT. WHEELS AND YOUNGEST CHILL AND WATCH TV TOGETHER. I WAS SO HAPPY OUR YOUNGEST WAS STAYING ANOTHER NIGHT. I PLAY TWO 25K POKER NINE PLAYER TOURNAMENTS AND GET ELIMINATED ON FUCKING IMPOSSIBLE ODDS / BAD LUCK HEADS UP HANDS. SO , I FUCKING ENTER A 500K NINE PLAYER TOURNEY AND WIN. WHEELS , YOUNGEST , AND MYSELF HEAD TO OUR FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT FELINI'S TO CELEBRATE QUIETLY WHEELS BIRTHDAY. THE PLACE WAS BUSY AND OUR OWNER/WAITER SEEMS TO BE ALWAYS HAPPY WHEN HE SEES US. I HEAD TO THE NAIL AND BANDS AND FANS START ARRIVING. OVERALL EVERYONE WAS COOL AND SO WERE THE BANDS. WE DID OVER A 100 PEOPLE AND THIS ALWAYS PUTS ME IN A BETTER MOOD. I MET MY BARTENDER'S FATHER. HE IS A FORMER POLICE OFFICER AND SEEMED PRETTY COOL. THE NIGHT MOVED PERFECTLY AND PEOPLE AGAIN GIVING ME CONDOLENCES WHICH I THOUGHT WAS VERY NICE. IT IS AMAZING THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA. I HAVE A NIGHTCAP WITH THE BARTENDERS AND WE ROLL OUT BY 12:30AM. IT WAS A FUN BIG NIGHT FOR THE NAIL. THE BARTENDERS DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB SO I TIPPED THEM $50 EACH. AT HOME I AM GREETED BY THE PUP AND MY YOUNGEST. THIS IS SUCH A GOOD WAY TO END THE NIGHT. I HAVE SOME WATER AND WE WATCH SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES BEFORE HEADING TO BED. MY ELDEST GOES TO ANOTHER BAR. TOMORROW " JAZZ NIGHT AT THE NAIL ". SHOULD BE FUN AND I AM EXPECTING A GOOD CROWD. WE WILL SEE. GO BIRDS. SUNDAY 1 - 12 - 25 THANK YOU EAGLES FOR GIVING US FANS ( I SO NEEDED IT ) A PLAYOFF WIN. I WILL HAVE TO HEAD NORTH AGAIN BECAUSE SIDING WAS BLOWN OFF THE BACK OF OUR HOUSE. WE STOP AT THE NAIL FOR A FULL CLEAN. FOR AN HOUR THREE OF US PREPPED THE NAIL. MAN , HAVING HELP IS SO NICE TO HAVE. WHEELS AND I TAKE OUR YOUNGEST BACK TO SOUTH PHILLY. WE STOP AT MORNING GLORY DINER FOR BREAKFAST. IT WAS VERY GOOD. MY YOUNGEST AND I GAVE WHEELS ALPACA SOCKS FOR HER BIRTHDAY. THEY ARE 4 TIMES WARMER THAN REGULAR SOCKS. ONE TOUCH OF WHEELS TOE CAN ICE A BOTTLE OF BEER. BACK HOME WE CHILL AND WATCH THE EAGLES WITH MERRILL REESE AND MIKE QUICK ON THE RADIO. IT MAKES WATCHING THE GAME 10X BETTER. A SOLID 22 - 10 WIN WHERE I KEPT SAYING THE DEFENSE WILL BE NEEDED TO WIN EVERY GAME WE PLAY....AND MAN THEY STEPPED UP TODAY. OFFENSIVE PLAY CALLING WAS HORRIBLE. I HEAD TO THE NAIL FOR A JAZZ NIGHT. TO MY SURPRISE WE GOT HIT WITH OVER 60 FANS AND FOOD ORDERS WERE NON-STOP SO I CALLED IN HELP. A GOOD CROWD AND EVERYONE WAS COOL. WASHINGTON WINS OVER BUCS ON A FIELD GOAL WITH NO TIME LEFT. THIS MEANS THE EAGLES WILL PLAY THE WINNER OF THE RAMS/VIKINGS GAME TOMORROW. THE BARTENDER HELPS ME PREP FOR THE NEXT SHOW. I GET THE OUTSIDE MARQUEE DONE SO THIS MEANS I WILL NOT HAVE TO COME HERE TOMORROW. WE ROLL OUT AND HEAD HOME. I CHILL AND WATCH SOME TV WITH THE PUP AND MY ELDEST HEADS BACK OUT TO A BAR. I HEAD TO BED. IT WAS SUCH AN EMOTIONAL WEEK. I HUNG A PICTURE OF MY BROTHER-IN-LAW AT MY DESK AND EVERY TIME I LOOKUP AT HIM I THINK , " HOW THE FUCK DID HE PASS AWAY ? " MONDAY 1 - 13 - 25 JESUS H. I ALWAYS FORGET SOMETHING AND THIS WAS IMPORTANT. EAGLES VS RAMS SUNDAY AT 3PM. THIS IS A WINNABLE GAME. I WAS VERY SURPRISED HOW BAD THE VIKINGS LOOKED IN THEIR LOSS TO THE RAMS. LOAD UP AND HEAD NORTH. I HAVE A PROJECT I MUST DO AND IT HAS TO BE DONE TODAY. I ARRIVE AT OUR MOUNTAIN HOUSE AND UNLOAD. I SEE OUR DOG'S RUNNER BY THE BACK DOOR. MY NEIGHBOR PUT IT THERE. I FULLY UNLOAD AND SETTLE IN. IT IS 37 DEGREES WHICH IS LIKE SUMMER HERE IN JANUARY. TOMORROW AND THE REST OF THE WEEK THE TEMPERATURE DROPS TO THE SINGLE DIGITS SO I MUST DO THIS PROJECT NOW AND MAN I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. I REMOVE 2 ACCESS PANEL DOORS TO GET MY GORILLA LADDER FROM UNDER OUR CRAWLSPACE. THIS ITSELF BLOWS. I SET THE LADDER UP FULLY EXTENDED BY THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE IN THE BACK.........JUST INCHES AWAY FROM THE MAIN ELECTRIC LINE ATTACHED TO THE HOUSE. NOW , MY FAT 300 POUND ASS HAS TO GO TO THE VERY TOP TO RE-NAIL 2 PIECES OF LONG SIDING THAT BLEW OFF A WEEK AGO. PLUS , I NEED TO FIX OTHER PIECES. I TEXT MY FAMILY IF I DO NOT CALL THEM IN 30 MINUTES CALL AN AMBULANCE. I USE A 2ND FLOOR WINDOW TO SLIDE THE SIDING PIECES IN SO WHEN I AM ON THE LADDER I CAN JUST GRAB THEM EASILY. THE FIRST PIECE I GO TO SECURE I DROP THE FIRST FUCKING ROOFING NAIL. I YELL " FUCK !! " WHERE NEIGHBORS HEAR ME FROM ACROSS THE LAKE. I TAKE MY TIME AND PUT ALL THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER. I PUT EVERYTHING AWAY. THIS WAS NOT FUN. I ALSO SHOVEL THE FRONT DECK OF SNOW AND RE-SET THE DRIVEWAY LIGHTS AGAIN. AT 3PM I MAKE 2 BURGERS AND BEGIN EMAILING. I SPENT MOST OF THE MORNING EMAILING BANDS. I SETTLE IN WITH A DRINK AND THE PUP LAYING NEXT TO ME. I WATCH A VERY GOOD MOVIE BASED ON A TRUE STORY CALLED NUMBER 24. IT WAS A ABOUT A NORWEGIAN MAN WHO HELPED SABOTAGE AND CREATE ANY DAMAGE TO THE GERMANS AND NAZIS WHO INVADED NORWAY DURING WORLD WAR II. FLYERS COMEBACK AND WIN 4 - 3. RAMS EASILY WIN OVER THE VIKINGS. I GUESS THE VIKINGS DESERVED THAT #5 SEED. SO NOW I HEAD TO BED. I GO UPSTAIRS LOOKING FORWARD TO LAYING DOWN. I PUT ON THE HEAT , MAKE MY BED , ADD PILLOW CASES TO THE PILLOWS , AND SET UP MY CPAP MACHINE. OH , JUST ONE PROBLEM........I CAN NOT FIND THE GEL PART TO MY MASK. I SEARCH DOWNSTAIRS , THE CAR , OUTSIDE ( ITS FUCKING 10 DEGREES) , THE FRIDGE ,THE TRASH , UNDER BEDS , THE BATHROOMS ......ALL FOR NOTHING. I CALL MY ELDEST AND SHE SEARCHES MY BEDROOM. SHE CAN'T FIND IT EITHER. I TALK TO WHEELS THE NEXT MORNING AND SHE SAID SHE FOUND IT AND PUT IT IN A DRAWER WHILE MAKING MY BED. SO TONIGHT'S SLEEP.......FUCKING BLOWS. I WAS UP EVERY 15 MINUTES FROM 11PM TO 7AM. IT WAS HORRENDOUS. I NOW MUST CUT MY STAY AND LEAVE TOMORROW.
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