The Bohemians
Today is a pub day, August happy hour on Crazy Eights. I'm looking forward to hanging out with the Bohemians but there will be a notable character missed at happy hour.
The neighborhood around the pub is old by Arizona standards. The homes are very small, built in the middle decades of last century and home to some ASU people. I refer to this neighborhood as Bohemia because the residents I'm familiar with live a Bohemian lifestyle as do many of the pub regulars. Every Friday before happy hour there's a ritual at Gravelly Bob's house known as 'band practice'. There are musicians present but band practice has little to do with music, even if the band is playing. Band practice is a pre-happy hour meeting of pub neighbors to imbibe in spirits not welcome at the pub, or any legal establishment.
You never know which Bohemians will join the festivities on a given Friday but Crazy Chris never misses band practice. Biker Bob is the drummer and usually present, as is Oh Danny Boy and Larry the Lizard. Sometimes Deb, Johnny-O, Plumber Dave, Deborah and Roman will pop in. Even if we don't see them at BP you can count on their presence in the pub during happy hour.
Gravelly Bob presides over this group as the unofficial Mayor of Bohemia. He's a 60-something hippie dude who lived part of his life on the lamb after some sketchy business during the Vietnam War era. I've had some great conversations with Bob over a few pints on politics, history, philosophy, religion, race, anarchy and Snottsdale. We don't agree on all things political but we can talk about divisive issues without rancor. Gravelly Bob is a wise and reasonable man. He has some interesting views on the world and humanity. They're not always politically correct but he manages to say them without sounding un-PC. I appreciate his honesty and ability to listen respectfully......even when he thinks I have my head up my ass.
Bob is my favorite pub character. I always greet him shouting "BOB!" mimicing his gravelly voice. He shouts back in his rugged tone "Roger Williams!" in reference to the independent man. My greeting must change as it will no longer be humorous. Last year Bob thought he beat cancer. Two weeks ago his cancer returned and Bob's larynx was surgically removed. I've heard the mood at the pub has been blue. He will be missed today but hopefully back soon. BP is postponed.
Larry the Lizard is legendary at the pub. He's in his late 40's, tall, handsome, loud and sort of charismatic in a debased fashion. He is the ultimate lounge lizard. One third of the Bohemians don't like Larry, a few hate him. One third get long okay with Larry but we give him a hard time calling him on his bullshit. The remaining third barely tolerate his shenanigans remaining mostly indifferent. Larry uses his lizardly charm to hit on any women that will speak with him. It's actually entertaining watching him sleaze his way into barside conversations to set himself up for a strike. He fancies himself an amateur pornographer and will readily tell you of his escapades on both sides of the camera. That conversation I have mostly avoided.
When Crazy Chris first introduced me he warned, "Never loan Larry money. Buy him a drink if you like but he won't buy you one. Don't get too friendly." When a friend gives you this type of advice it's best to listen. Apparently the Lizard has beaten many people on unpaid debts and has leeched off friends for housing during his 'down times' between jobs. Last year Larry spent time as the guest of our infamous County Sheriff. It seems a soon-to-be-wed former girlfriend accused the amateur pornographer of extortion. Larry claims she asked for old photos, he refused and she went to the police but there was no extortion. I don't know the truth. Neither side of the story is far fetched. Larry did six months and is now walking the line as a reformed man....lesson learned.......?
For the most part the Bohemians are very nice people, ordinary in most ways with some oddities. Johnny-O has many degrees from ASU having spent 20+ years as a 'professional student' not interested in any job offers he's had. Plumber Dave is a former biker gang member slightly embarrassed by his tattoos and unsavory past. When you get to know people over a few pints their old stories come out. I appreciate that these are genuine people without pretense.
The neighborhood around the pub is old by Arizona standards. The homes are very small, built in the middle decades of last century and home to some ASU people. I refer to this neighborhood as Bohemia because the residents I'm familiar with live a Bohemian lifestyle as do many of the pub regulars. Every Friday before happy hour there's a ritual at Gravelly Bob's house known as 'band practice'. There are musicians present but band practice has little to do with music, even if the band is playing. Band practice is a pre-happy hour meeting of pub neighbors to imbibe in spirits not welcome at the pub, or any legal establishment.
You never know which Bohemians will join the festivities on a given Friday but Crazy Chris never misses band practice. Biker Bob is the drummer and usually present, as is Oh Danny Boy and Larry the Lizard. Sometimes Deb, Johnny-O, Plumber Dave, Deborah and Roman will pop in. Even if we don't see them at BP you can count on their presence in the pub during happy hour.
Gravelly Bob presides over this group as the unofficial Mayor of Bohemia. He's a 60-something hippie dude who lived part of his life on the lamb after some sketchy business during the Vietnam War era. I've had some great conversations with Bob over a few pints on politics, history, philosophy, religion, race, anarchy and Snottsdale. We don't agree on all things political but we can talk about divisive issues without rancor. Gravelly Bob is a wise and reasonable man. He has some interesting views on the world and humanity. They're not always politically correct but he manages to say them without sounding un-PC. I appreciate his honesty and ability to listen respectfully......even when he thinks I have my head up my ass.
Bob is my favorite pub character. I always greet him shouting "BOB!" mimicing his gravelly voice. He shouts back in his rugged tone "Roger Williams!" in reference to the independent man. My greeting must change as it will no longer be humorous. Last year Bob thought he beat cancer. Two weeks ago his cancer returned and Bob's larynx was surgically removed. I've heard the mood at the pub has been blue. He will be missed today but hopefully back soon. BP is postponed.
Larry the Lizard is legendary at the pub. He's in his late 40's, tall, handsome, loud and sort of charismatic in a debased fashion. He is the ultimate lounge lizard. One third of the Bohemians don't like Larry, a few hate him. One third get long okay with Larry but we give him a hard time calling him on his bullshit. The remaining third barely tolerate his shenanigans remaining mostly indifferent. Larry uses his lizardly charm to hit on any women that will speak with him. It's actually entertaining watching him sleaze his way into barside conversations to set himself up for a strike. He fancies himself an amateur pornographer and will readily tell you of his escapades on both sides of the camera. That conversation I have mostly avoided.
When Crazy Chris first introduced me he warned, "Never loan Larry money. Buy him a drink if you like but he won't buy you one. Don't get too friendly." When a friend gives you this type of advice it's best to listen. Apparently the Lizard has beaten many people on unpaid debts and has leeched off friends for housing during his 'down times' between jobs. Last year Larry spent time as the guest of our infamous County Sheriff. It seems a soon-to-be-wed former girlfriend accused the amateur pornographer of extortion. Larry claims she asked for old photos, he refused and she went to the police but there was no extortion. I don't know the truth. Neither side of the story is far fetched. Larry did six months and is now walking the line as a reformed man....lesson learned.......?
For the most part the Bohemians are very nice people, ordinary in most ways with some oddities. Johnny-O has many degrees from ASU having spent 20+ years as a 'professional student' not interested in any job offers he's had. Plumber Dave is a former biker gang member slightly embarrassed by his tattoos and unsavory past. When you get to know people over a few pints their old stories come out. I appreciate that these are genuine people without pretense.