Never in all my days would I have dreamt that would be a headline on my blog. Going to the pub was a daily occurance for me, not just to imbibe alcahol but to meet up with friends, have chats and make plans. All the things the governments want to stop us doing now.
I've avoided going since they tentatively opened up (kind of) because I couldn't face the changes which would just upset me. Having to sit down, sign forms, scan codes, show passes, all that palarva which does not belong in a public house licensed for the selling of 'legal drugs'.
Many people (especially here) use the pub as their front room to mingle with fellow humans before going home where they live alone with no-one to talk to but the dog/cat/walls.
So anyway how id it go? I'd been to a little mexican for a meal with a friend with no mask nazi's about and just thought we'd wander round the corner to check out my old favourite pub and see what's the craic. If there were any nazi's we'd just walk right back out and go home.
I looked in and saw smiling faces all around and people sitting at the bar, at tables and even standing around! The barmaid also had a smile so it was looking good.
I sidled up to the end of the bar and asked if we could get a drink. Young pretty barmaid slid a clipboard towards me and said nonchalantly "just sign this here please".
It was one of those 'track and trace' thingies. I almost caved but thought no lets see. So I took the unsanitized pen which everyone else in the bar had used and said out loud "Mickey Mouse?" as I went to write my fake name. Those who heard me gave a little titter and the guy to my right said "Sign yer life away".
So I wrote a load of bollicks on it but not Mickey Mouse, that would be pushing my luck and waited for someone to ask for ID or something. Nope, no ID requested. My fellow boozer was not asked to sign he could be included as my sidekick or 'no.2' on the form. HA
So I was starting to get the jist of this now. They're going through the motions but about as half heartedly as a dole office worker at 5 to 5 on a Friday.
We ordered our liquid drugs and were told the maid would bring them to our table so we went to the outside bit which is my fave spot by the river (and the smoking area where all the best chats are to be had).
We didn't stay too long, just two glasses worth, as it would have been too much of a shock to my system to stay for a full on session. I haven't drank in weeks. It was nice tho to get back out there and mingle totally undistanced with other humans again.
We left as the staggering about stage was commencing in some quarters.
I wonder if I should get some more sessions in quick tho before they bring in the fullmetal jacket lockdown version they have planned for the winter? Maybe I should.
On another note I think I might do a weekly news blog like I did with the doom and gloom post, taking all the best stuff I get sent to me and post on fb but with breakdowns and comments. I'm not sure I've got any full on articles left in me for now, they take a lot of research to put together so would only be sporadic.
What do you think? Would that be of interest? I got some doozies which I'd like to share.