1000 degrees

all-you-can-drink-@-still

oppressive heat has hit the city the past days. with temperatures reaching over a 100 degrees farenheit, man holes were exploding, black outs happening, and irritability levels rising.

last night saw me heading to still with officemates, a gramercy area bar apparently known for their wednesday all you can drink for 10 bucks special. an impromptu back-up plan after our first option of having belgian mussels failed upon finding out that the restaurant's airconditioner is just no match for the oppresive heat. of course, something about unlimited dehydrating alcohol on a 100-degree day shouldve been signal enough for trouble. but since retox has been the past days' goal since doing 31 straight days of detoxifying yoga, i was the willing participant to a night of drinking.

immediately, a small scene greeted us at the door. for some reason, the girls we were with decided they weren't drinking hence refused to pay the 10 bucks. but the bouncer insisted. of course, in my mind, i was "well why did we head here then if we weren't drinking in the first place." but the girls won that battle. the bouncer eventually let them in without coughing up the 10.

and so we were bit settled in our nice little corner. we had plates of half-price wings, poppers and mozarella sticks. and lined up next to the bar food goodness were glasses of (watered down) bud light (yuck) and gin & tonics and rum & cokes(now we're talking). and of course, yup, the girls did decide they were drinking. oh the joys of going out with girls asking for trouble. and true enough, from the mirror i saw the bouncer heading our way.

"give me 10 dollars for that," big joe pointed to the glass of bud my officemate had in her hand. "well, my friend paid for it. she didnt drink (of course she had a sip) and she was just here for 20 minutes (well she was there for just 20 minutes)." "you can't do that. 10 dollars." of course some cursin and some ugly words ensued. my officemate mostly stunned, especially when the big dude threatened to take the conversation out to the streets. another officemate of mine and i tried to play peacemaker. my hand was already reaching for my wallet but the other peacemaker beat me to it and handed the bouncer the 10 bucks that was rightfully his. few minutes later, he left us. my officemate still in a semistate of shock and anger, wanting him to get fired. we tried to calm her down telling her to just drink it up.

enjoyed a bit of quiet again. but the bouncer headed back our way. "YOU and YOU" he pointed to me and the guy who handed him the 10. he led us to the kitchen. nope, he didnt chop and grill is into filet mignon pieces. instead, he just wanted us to hear his side out and wanted to apologize for the unnecessary melee. of course, i thought he really didnt need to apologize anyway coz he was in the right to begin with. that brief conversation was over. he headed back to the door. and us in our little corner of overflowing wings and booze. everyone calmed down again eventually and enjoyed the drinks infront of us. and i drinked happily ever after. well, avoiding the bland beer at least and going for the good ones. trying not to get myself too dehydrated.

despite the fuming tempers here and there, i must say it was actually a good place. where else in this city can you enjoy all that food and booze for just 15 bucks. and where else in the city can you find a bouncer who doesnt beat the crap out of a girl and eventually throwing her in some dumpster or empty lot after that heated a conversation. i shall return.

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am on the bus right now actually typing away. on my way to delaware to spend the weekend cooling off at my sister's. we have family dinner tonight at some wine bar to celebrate my nephew's birthday. i expect no less than a fine civilized dining and wining experience.

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a recent reader's digest study ranks new york as the most courteous city in the world (amsterdam 20th, manila is 22nd). might be a big surprise for most, especially with the big head reputation. but apparently, the big apple has a big heart too. nice.