Big Al’s Blog: Dude, I’m sorry…NO!
Big Al’s Blog: Dude, I’m sorry…NO!

Why is it that I was laying in bed until after midnight trying to fall asleep? Ok, I know you don’t know the answer to that question but it’s what I was thinking about so I had to at least ask. That is one of the most frustrating things, not being able to fall asleep when you have to wake up in 3 hours. I think I finally fell asleep around 1 a.m. and here I am.

I wonder is it business related? It’s time for the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament and that is usually one of the busiest seasons of the year for my bar or any sports bar I’m guessing. And when it’s busy, you have to take advantage. MATBusy seasons are far and few between. To put it in perspective, February is one of the slowest months of the year. I mean its stanky slow. As Kidd was talking about the other day, even on Saturday nights, like when he was there a few weeks ago, there’s plenty of room to: do dance routines, play dodge ball games, set off pyrotechnics, whatever you want to do. After the slow “molasses” month, its busy (hopefully) for a few weeks with March Madness. Then, it’s back to slow again. So, I guess I’ve answered my own question. Maybe, I’m nervous a little that the busy season won’t be busy enough. Ok, I admitted it. Maybe after that confession, it will ease my mind and I’ll be able to get some sleep. But you can’t run scared…Confidence is EVERYTHING, RIGHT? WE CAN DO IT! WE CAN DO IT!

Here’s something that is kinda sad but a little amusing. This guy walked into my bar yesterday and asked me, “can I talk to you for a minute?” NOTHING GOOD EVER COMES AFTER “CAN I TALK TO YOU FOR A MINUTE?” He used to come visit with his girl several months back and he would sit and have a drink and even sing Karaoke. But about a year ago, he came in and asked me for money. He said he was going through a rough patch. I don’t even know this dude’s name. I just say that because I want you to know we aren’t close friends. But he seemed like an ok guy. My Pastor has said many times if a person asks you to borrow money, just give it to them. Assuming you can afford it. But that takes away the obligation for them to pay you back as well as the uncomfortability, (is that even a word?), of it all. So, this dude walked up to me yesterday and asked me if I had anything that he could do to make some money? Well, I could tell by his appearance that things were not going well in his life. He admitted to me that he had spent the night outside. So I had to tell him no. Judging by his appearance, this money or job would not be going to anything good. So, I could just tell that I didn’t need him around my business. After I turned him down, he told me how he appreciated how I gave him $100 a while back and how he also appreciated that I wouldn’t let him pay me back. Then he asked, “Can you do that again?” I told him I was sorry… I just didn’t have it. Then he said, “How about $20?” Dude, No Means NO!

That was the whole purpose of me GIVING you the $100 in the first place…so we would never have to have this conversation again.

SEE MORE FROM BIG ALL