The Penalty Box

I went to Allen’s Hallowe’en party yesterday. Showed up as a 1950s era gangster, complete with a Nerf Maverick. There were various costumes there, one of note was Jason, who dressed as a newspaper. Specifically, black and white and red all over. Pun. Hurr. All in all, a fairly entertaining party, particularly when people got sauced. One of Allen’s brothers managed to rip his pants, butt to crotch, after rolling off a recliner.

Speaking of Hallowe’en, there have been surprisingly few fireworks/firecrackers set off in my neighbourhood. Usually I hear them starting at least the weekend before the 31st, sometimes earlier than that. Pretty much nothing so far, so maybe the troublemakers have all disappeared. One could only hope.

In honour of those that were plastered this weekend, and for those of you with a particularly tough midterm schedule this time of year, here’s a little diddy by Great Big Sea. It’s called “The Old Black Rum.”

I drank sixteen doubles for the price of one
Trying to find the courage to talk to one
I asked her for a dance
Not a second glance
My night had just begun

Well I drink to the father and the holy ghost
I’m kneeling at the alter of my nightly post
So I’ll raise a glass, not the first nor last
Come join me in this toast

Chorus:
Because the old black rum’s got a hold on me
Like a dog wrapped round my leg
And the old black rum’s got a hold on me
Will I live for another day?
Hey, Will I live for another day?

Well the queen of George Street just went walking on by
Walking on by with some guy who don’t care
That she stood in line
Since half past nine
And spent three hours on her hair (On her hair!)

Well her friend is looking at me with an evil grin
I think the bloody racket might soon begin
I must have said some thing
To the George Street queen
The boys are joining in!

[Chorus]

So I drank all of my money
And I slept out in the rain
Everyday is different but the nights they’re all the same
You never see the sun on the old black rum
But I know I’m gonna do it again!

[Chorus 2x]