I know, I know. It’s not there anymore. Indulge me, please. Just because it’s gone does not mean it’s forgotten. I know I’m not the only one who misses this place. The Library Special, the muffaletta, the 20 oz Beast in a waxed paper cup for a dollar on Fridays out on the porch .
Not to mention the thousands of games of pool, or foosball, or ping pong with someone always wandering over to the jukebox to play tunes for everyone else. This place was the bomb, and we can only hope that someone who misses it terribly will go all in on trying to recreate that vibe Joe Anselmo perfected, then sold, then bought back, then sold again. If it hurts too bad you can wander down the street to the Chimes and recreate the Bleu Boy. Just order the roast beef and ask for a side of bleu cheese dressing.
Here’s another blast from the past: The Chimes is using the old front door to let people into the dining room while construction continues on their rooftop bar. You need to go to the Varsity entrance to get to the bar area. Rumor has it they’ll be done with the project by mid-summer.
And here’s a shot of the wonderful hill across from the bayou that was packed with party animals and real dogs wearing bandannas and chasing Frisbees.
And in the overwhelming spirit of this trip down memory lane–here’s a brand new poem about an old love of mine.
Sue Ellen
I still dream of you
forty years down this long,
very long, and very bumpy road
Obviously not you now,
I don’t know you now,
and now that I’m older,
I wonder how much I knew you then
Especially when you blew me that night
in your parent’s den–I was terrified
but you were bold and wicked and loved
not me, necessarily, but certainly the risk
So I’m never sure if I know anyone at all,
especially me, why do I do what I do?
And who would we be together?
I can sleep with you in my head at night,
but could I still handle you in my bed? in
my car? across the table?
Last night we were on a plane going somewhere
and a bad guy tried to abduct you. He distracted
the attendants and was pulling you from the plane
when I caught you both and he would not quit smiling
as I punched him as hard and fast as I could in a dream
and I could not stop beating him because you were gone
and I never know whether I will see you again
even if it is only a dream