Pubs in peril

I miss going to Papa's. But it's not high beer prices keeping me away, it's the smoke. Not the case in jolly ole England ...

LONDON (AP) — Raise a pint to the old British pub: Dark-paneled, fixed on the English landscape — and, more than ever these days, empty.

Beer sales in British pubs have slumped to their lowest level since the Great Depression, including a 10 percent drop in pints drawn in just the past year, an industry group said Monday.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hNk_VoQeywApudn_ScR4rJB3VrLgD9273BU01

And Peppas thought the Cowboy was wild

Chicks kissing at the Cowboy in Fort Smith don't compare to this ...

ATHENS (Reuters) - Nine British women were facing prostitution charges after being arrested at the weekend for taking part in an oral sex competition in the Greek holiday island of Zakynthos, police said on Monday.

Six British and six Greek men, including two bar owners, were also charged in the incident, which took place at Laganas beach in the south of the Ionian island, which lies off the west coast of mainland Greece, police said.

The women, who came to the popular resort on holiday, had been paid to take part in the competition, which was video recorded and was to be posted on the Internet, police said.

The men were charged with encouraging obscene behavior.

In recent years, Laganas has established itself as one of Greece's most popular destinations for twenty-something holidaymakers and is known for its wild party scene.

Around 15 million people -- a fifth of them British -- visit the eastern Mediterranean country each year, drawn by its soaring summer temperatures, azure waters and sandy beaches.

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN1441724120080714?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

DMB

Very likely won't get back to the blog for a week or so.

Jen and I are heading out of town to see the Dave Matthews Band in St. Louis. Naturally, we'll be crashing with the Martins.

After a few days there, we're heading down to Walnut Ridge to hang out with the in-laws for a couple of days.

When we get back, we've got some major home remodeling to start. And a complete replacement of our central heat and air units.

Jen's home ... finally

Jen is back in Fort Smith after her trip to Sacramento with Katie to see Sam and Kevin. Finally.

Her original flight from Houston to Tulsa was delayed and then finally scrapped. Something about needing a new part for the plane. So instead of landing at 8:50 p.m. she landed at almost 11.

Of course, she had no way of knowing the flight was delayed until I was already on the road to Tulsa. I was halfway to Tulsa when the delay was announced.

Luckily, I'd goofed off yesterday afternoon. My original plan was to leave early, get to Tulsa around 6:30 and hit the new Bass Pro Shop in Broken Arrow and another big outdoors store in Tulsa. Instead, I decided to just head straight to the airport, arriving around 8:30.

But, thanks to the delay, I had time to hit the BPS. I spent an hour there. Bought a new fishing net, which I'd not done without the flight being delayed.

Worst part of the trip was after picking up Jen, we were both starving. By BPS, there was a Steak & Shake and a Taco Bueno, two chains we don't have here in Fort Smith. So that's where I went. Except both were closed at 11:15 p.m. @#$%&!!! Luckily, there was a Burger King. Chicken fries ... mmmmmm, good. We rolled into Fort Smith at 1:30ish this morning.

Jen lost her voice on Friday, screaming and singing along with an 80s band. She's now fighting off a cold and not feeling too well.

So, the moral of the story is: Don't go see 80s bands.

7:05 a.m.

Made it back from Tulsa, pulling up to the house right at 7:05.

It started sleeting right after I left the airport. Luckily, I scooted out of there before it began to slick up the roads. I was east-bound and down (Smokey and the Bandit reference) with the cruise control set on 80.

After about four hours of sleep (plus two and a half I got before going to Tulsa), I'm awake. And Jen is still has about another 90 minutes of flight time until she lands in Sacramento.

6:10 a.m.

Jen is flying out to Sacramento tomorrow morning to visit Sam and Kevin.

Being a good husband, I'm driving her to the airport. Her flight is at 6:10 a.m. ... in Tulsa.

So while y'all are blissfully sleeping tonight, I'll be heading out the door at 3 a.m. for Tulsa.

Oh, did I mention there are high school basketball games tonight, so I'll be in the office until 11 p.m.-ish? And there's a chance of freezing rain (sure it's only 10 percent, but it's still a chance) in Tulsa?