The Bar is Open!

If you came here looking for tales of hard time at the big house, there might be some stories, but that's not the point of this section.
The bars I spend my time behind now are the kind that serve libations and, on good nights- memories and experiences that can turn around a bad day, or top off a great one like a full stemmed cherry in a classic Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned.
So what is the point of this "Behind Bars" section of www.scotteb66.com? 
Well, commencing with the very first time I tended bar and continuing on to present 

day, I have had some incredible experiences, met some incredibly interesting people, and spent countless nights in the company of strangers who became friends.
Some people reading this may not even know that I am now indeed a Beverage Technician Extraordinaire!
Yep! Never did it before in my life either. Just started by fluke in September and some may be surprised to know that while I loved my time in both the culinary and Harley-Davidson worlds, bartending is by far my most favorite job ever. Ever!
I work at two different bars. By different, I mean very different! One is a classic small town bar & grill with a very regular crowd that likes their beer, sports, burgers and crop dusting each other in regular bouts of apparent community flatulence. That'd be Tuesday's Bar & Grill in New Lisbon. Where that fluke that got me in the game happened.
The other is a more laid back, upperish scale lounge in Mauston. In fact, it's called Emerald Lounge. And just like Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz, magic seems to happen there sometimes. I also have a tattoo of a Wizard on my back, so there's a coinky-dink for ya right there!
Anyway, I've had a lot of great and interesting stories happen while bartending and it wasn't long after I started the work that I thought it'd be fun to share some of the stories.
I did set up this page, but as per usual for me, I've long procrastinated. I've lost more great stories than I remember.
So, here I begin. The procrastination is done, and I look forward to sharing tales as I remember them and as they happen.
Quick one for tonight: Working at Tuesday's tonight, two young ladies none of us new came in from a conference they were at. They ordered drinks and wanted dinner and I decided to bring my Emerald personality over to Tuesday's. I treated them like they were in at least a three star restaurant. Even brought their drinks on a tray with an apron and took their orders like an old school waiter (which I have also enjoyed as a profession). 
We had fun from beginning to end and they both left with cool little tinfoil roses I made for them with a red M&M in the middle of each.  The younger one who I referred to as "she of diminutive stature" asked me if the M&M was a chocolate covered roofie. I dead-panned back "The 80's called. They want their inappropriate joke back". And she laughed and laughed.
They both left me tips that were, while not obscene, were none the less kinda ridiculous for a couple drinks and burgers. I actually tried giving the tips back as change and they schooled me quick that they were offended at my math skills. I love stuff like that!
For tomorrow, there could be some interesting times at Emerald.
Emerald has it's regulars too, but they aren't daily. They're weekly, bi-weekly, monthly. Sometimes longer. The Emerald's biggest clientele group is truck drivers. We're situated between three truck stops and have a hotel for those who don't have sleepers.
We're also right off the interstate and tomorrow the convoy is supposed to roll through.
Let's not discuss the point of the convoy, people can have their opinions. What I'm looking forward to is taking care of the truckers that stop and watch the passing from the windows with me. 
I remember convoys being a thing in the 70's. There were different reason's for them back then, but they weren't uncommon. In fact, C.W. McCall wrote a song about it. Appropriately titled "Convoy". 
I'm excited to see a coming together of like minded individuals on a large scale, whatever the motivation may be. As a bonus, from what I've heard, this is going to be a very peaceful, safety minded, minimally disruptive operation. I hope that is the case.
I have officially ended my procrastination on starting the Behind Bars segment of my website. 
I'll take my accomplishments as I allow them to come.
And with that I'll sign off thusly: "This here's The Rubber Duck and I'm about to lay the hammer down!" Which I trust our truckers WILL not do. Most of them have governors on their engines anyway.
If you head out to see the convoy, make sure you do so from a place that won't create any safety hazards!
Cheers to You!