Yesterday I inadvisedly decided to do something for Cinco de Mayo, a holiday which for one reason or another I have never marked. One reason was that I read that Matt Grainger was playing at the Saalty Dawg Saloon. I have not heard him in a while.
I started out in some trepidation, because I have been to the Saalty Dawg once, and that time my cell phone told my friend Kim where to drive. I no longer have a cell phone and I have never had a very good sense of direction. Hoping for the best, I drove through Ilion till I got to the sign that said “Saalty Dawg” and pointed up Barringer Road.
And drove and drove. I had it in my head that the Dawg was not actually on Barringer Road, but I had foolishly not written down the address. I took two wrong turns, turned around in some dumb places, and had just about decided that I had gone too far when I found it.
Imagine my disappointment when I found out Matt would not start playing till eight. I had a margarita and some chips with queso dip while I was there. I admired the view and worked on a letter to a friend.
By this time it was after six (still too long to wait for eight), and I remembered that the Phil-Ins were playing at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort. This is a band with Phil Arcuri and friends. They would start at seven. I drove there with no false starts.
Geno the bartender greeted me as I came in. I sat at the bar and ordered Sauvignon Blanc and a slice of cheesecake. I never have room for dessert so thought for once I would get some. I did not have long to wait for some good music.
Unfortunately, my stomach soon let me know that the queso dip was a big mistake. I confess to having some fears when I saw the peppers but of course I ate it anyways. In my defense, yum. I hoped the cheesecake would help. It sounded soothing.
I fear it is a symptom of getting old that my stomach did not settle down. I enjoyed some music but felt forced to head home. I stretched out on my bed (by this time it took some effort to get there) and proceeded to feel miserable for a few hours. That is why I did not make my Lame Post Friday post on Friday.
On the brighter side, before I left Fratello’s, Geno read me some of their upcoming musical entertainment. Matt Grainger plays on Wednesday!