No political masks were sported on Halloween, although some people with even scarier costumes are having trouble masking their outright fear, or maybe just concern:
– A restaurant manager I know planned to get off his late-night shift and make a beeline for Pudge’s Bar to watch with interest the last election results come in. Knowing his politics, I think he might have had to drown his sorrows, (this was the same guy who exactly eight years ago at the same bar chastised someone who’d had a few too many and made the idiotic proclamation: Bush is the environmental president. Or, the local guy could just focus on all the Minnesota races that you could find on network TV out of the Twin Cities, (after all, as far as all things presidential, they basically fired Trump). Meanwhile, at a bar across town, a local musician was saying this about the ultimate write-in: All things considered, I voted for Jesus.
– Oddly, there were virtually no Trump or Clinton masks to be found on Halloween, a matter that was still being discussed days after. Gaining more attention, based on the buildup various people gave, were the guy-in-the-shower costume, as word spread he’d now done this for 20 straight years and that enabled him to take home major prizes in contests at both the Village Inn and Pier 500, and possibly others. Also mentioned, as a model, was a friend of mine who went as a harem girl/genie adorned in not much more than most people wear in the shower.
– And what do you wear to Paisley Park? All things Prince remain in the news, as do the tales that come from people who’d had a brush with him. A friend said she partied at the Park going back 20 years. Did she ever get a chance to actually talk with Prince? “No” came the answer, as people always had to be hush around him. Oddly, earlier that day, The Oprah Network had an edition of their Where Are They Now show, and featured was the drummer, Sheila E, whose career was launched by Prince. Oddly, there was no mention of his demise. However, when the credits rolled, it was revealed that the episode was taped back in 2012 and now being rerun.
– Ellie’s on Main officially shut down operations and held a sale of all sorts of assorted merchandise on the patio back by the alley, not far from their friendly rivals at Dick’s. This was no “short sale,” as a sign out front listed as examples about a dozen types of stuff they were trying to unload, starting the list with something called ravioli forms (a specialty) and going down the list to crock pots and the like. Not unlike when the old Sandbar that was two blocks up lost its lease, and the regulars were invited to a drink-until-its gone party to get rid of numerous bottles of liquor that no longer served a purpose. The Ellie’s building has reportedly been purchased by the people behind the Smilin’ Moose, located between the former Ellie’s and former Sandbar. Maybe that’s why for several days running, the Ellie’s sign remained lit, for as they say at Motel 6, “we’ll leave the light on for you.”
– People were out in force to root for their favorite World Series team, ‘cuz they don’t get that chance very often. The numbers were smaller at the Green Mill and Buffalo Wild Wings, but more boisterous. At The Mill, there were four guys watching with interest, one of whom kept saying in the ninth inning,” we need just one more. Just one more.” Meanwhile at The Wings, there were seven people at the bar, and more at back tables, who were watching with keen interest. The three closest to me were soon on their social media devices. Maybe that had something to do with the rain delay, which occurred right before the Cubbies were crowned the kings of clout in extra innings.
– And as that goes, overheard about the recent WNBA slight that cost the Twin Cities team another title: “They screwed the Lynx.” That goes along with a comment from some journalism colleagues back in college days, who were dating: “She screws like a Lynx.”
– The sign at Kozy Korner said, “Let’s go Big Red,” in reference to Badger football game it would air the next day. It then added, “we deliver.” Maybe delivering more than some football teams in the region.