Velociworld

GEORGIA, FLORIDA

Tomorrow is the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party here in Jax, but I shan't be attending the game for a change. I'm bad luck for the Bulldogs. Plus the idea of paying $250 a ticket when the quarterback is down seems, well, cheeky. As luck would have it The Bride saw a client today who had given away 2 tickets a mere hour before, but as I say, I am bad luck. And I scream and lose my voice for 3 days when I go. And I run the risk of DUI, and the wetting of the britches. No, I shall stagger a few doors down to my neighbors' for the game. They let me pass out anywhere.

But to set the mood, a bit of flavah. In 1976 (29 years?? That was 29 years ago?!? Jumping Jesus! I must have been 5 or so!) my brother and cousin and I drove from Savannah to Jacksonville to see Eric Clapton. The Hello, Old Friend tour. Not Eric's finest moment, but enjoyable nonetheless, and he was smack-free. Had the Arkansas credit card for refueling, a bag of golden Columbian for level-setting, as HR departments call it now.

At any rate, as we were attempting to enjoy the show, there was a savagely wasted fellow at the front of the stage. After every song he would rise erect, shoulders back, and into the lull scream "Presence of the Lord! Presence of the Lord!" Seems this guy was a big Blind Faith fan, or just liked the song. Very annoying shit, as I was arched back screaming "Bell Bottom Blues!" but getting drownded out by this show-off, this upstart.

Did I mention he was wearing a Florida Gators T shirt? Oh, yes. Oh hell yes. The flagship uniform of the habitually fucked. And that is a Gator fan. When I was in Whistler in January aught-four it was kind of nice being away from Americans for a change, I must admit. Canucks, Chinee, Aussies, Brits. No Amerikaners. And yet, at dinner one night a drunken pustule staggered in to the restaurant, and disrupted everyone's dinner. Wearing, of course, a Florida Gators T shirt, the flagship uniform of the... well, you get the picture.

I am off. Change of plans. Screw the neighbors. Some friends have their boat docked by the stadium, and just called and insist we come party for the weekend. I'm not much of a partier myself, but to not attend would be poor form. Right?