Sunday, March 05, 2006

St Patrick's Day - around the corner

I guess the odds were about 365:1 that I would be born on St Patrick's Day. I won.

I was never a big celebrater of my birthday until I moved back to the USA and Houston. That's when I began spending 5-10 hours per day drinking at Griff's (click to see the website). I had been there many times before, but was not a "regular" until then, in 1994. Griff's is well-known in these parts, good buddy, as the place to go to party in mid-March. They throw a grand party which lasts about one week. It's only a small, neighborhood Irish pub. Indoor seating capacity is about 45. But during the week leading up to Paddy's Day, 6000-10000 would-be Irish celebrationists will walk through the doors. A huge tent goes up in the parking lot and part of the street in front is blocked off. Three sound stages are erected for a dozen bands to play on. There's a Festival Queen Contest with celebrity judges and a big Golf Tournament with hundreds of drinking golfers. Food, beer tubs, outdoor temporary full-bars and porta-toilets are everywhere. Tickets are sold. Radio stations advertise.

In 1999, I became a part-owner of Griff's. In 2003, I got sober. I worked my first sober birthday at The Festival and had no problem not drinking. But I hated being around all those drunks for 15 hours each day. I don't go any longer. In fact, I have not been inside since June 2004 and I live only a block from the bar.

The party begins later this week. I'll be wearing my green. And this year I will be very content to just hear the chaos - from a block away.

2 comments:

Mary Christine said...

Daave, you are blessed to have such a birthday. I hope you will find new traditions to celebrate it sober that will be infinitely better than your past.

Anonymous said...

Hey Dave,

Wow, that's amazing that you are able to keep a sober mind being that close to the bar!

Happy St. Pat's Day! (Did you know that March 16 is St. Urho's Day? Long story...google it.)

Brad :-)