Happy Summer

The birds were singing just awake and the Kerouac inky blue sky had just a hint of rising light as I drove home after a busy night behind the bar about seven hours ago. Just before sleep there seemed to be promise of a fine first day of summer.

But now at the crack of noon there is no joy. The skies outside the windows are only a flat dull color of Central European gray. The air is cool and dead. Summer is here only the weather doesn’t know it.

Whatever the weather the party is on down the Shore to celebrate young Edward Cunning’s graduation from Seton Hall University. Congratulations Eddie!

Time sure does fly. I easily remember Eddie as a wide-eye 11-year-old on his first visit to Ireland. When I first became friends with the Cunning clan of Hoboken I was a young shooter on The Hudson Dispatch and Eddie’s father was a narco Sgt. with the Hoboken cops. Now I often share the work with this tall, smart young man behind the bar at The Quiet Woman pub and his father is a captain.

Well, at least the traffic should be light heading down the shore. And Eddie’s father has tents ready to protect his guests from the rain. Despite the weather I am sure all will enjoy.

But this foul weather is knocking everything out of whack. And the grim economy isn’t helping either.

Usually the Hoboken bar scene dies between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year. Come Friday afternoon all the cool souls head for the beach. Some splash out cash for a house in Belmar or on LIB for the season. Others go down for the weekend and hit the beach in the sun then bar hop along the Atlantic all night.

This year the weather is lousy and too many people are out of work and those working are afraid that they may be let go. People are staying very close to home and spending a few bucks at their local bar instead of a weekend at the shore. And as their barman I am very happy to see them and listen to them bitch and laugh about it all over a cold beer.

But today is my day off. So, off to the Shore and the party. And tonight will be my turn to talk and laugh with the bartender from the relaxed side of the bar. Cheers.