it’s so easy to blow up your problems it’s so easy to play up your breakdown
it’s so easy to fly through a window it’s so easy to fool with the sound
It’s been awhile since I’ve had such an action packed weekend. And after missing a Mardi Gras party at Blue Bayou no thanks to a really bad cold, I reunited w/ my
cousin David Wain on Friday night at The Duke of Perth.
But that came after a long day of research work I had to wrap up. And Samantha in her ultimate wisdom directed me to “get outside and enjoy the sun.” And I didn’t
even hesitate. I walked for over 3 hours and in my trek sought out the new Ranalli’s.
Yes, Ranalli’s on Clark is no more, and that is one of the saddest things I never wanted to see. The structure at the NE corner of N Clark and Belden, former home to
Ranalli’s, Tower Records, and The Limited Too, is an empty shell and constant reminder of our royally screwed up economy. So in my sorrow and anticipation that
the newly reopened Ranalli’s on L:Lincoln might include the staff of the location I was so fond of that I considered it my second home, I walked to 1925 North Lincoln
Avenue which was just south or Lincoln/Armitage. Well I walked inside and it was empty and not opening till 5 PM. This was indeed a huge shock to me. Not only was
it Old Jerry’s (Jerry Seniors old Ranalli’s) but it opened many hours later than my old stomping ground. I did leave my card with the person inside and Jerry Jr. called
me Sunday night.
I will always hold a place in my heart for that staff and room where I did many things instrumental to my career as well as made many friends within.
I filmed part of my episode of the Showtime Reality show Family Business w/ Adam Glasser aka Seymore Butts and Mari Possa at a table as well as my segment in
the PIGFACE movie, “Free For All” there as well. I’ve taken many bands and film personalities within those walls not to mention loves and lovers and friends.
Ranalli’s on Clark RIP
As I got a block from home my cousin called and asked if I would meet he and Angela at The Duke of Perth. Now in the 12 years I’ve called Chicago home I’ve always
wanted to go there for their all you can eat Fish n Chips. And a couple hours prior when it was not crowded I had entertained the same thought. But didn’t want to
dine alone. So I agreed to do so and they said 40 min, and I went home for 30 and was at DOP an hour later, to walk in and feel terror from how packed an loud it was.
This was Chad and Trixie hell for me. Lots of guys bonding loudly and high fiving, and I reserved a table and waited for David and Angela to show. This was exactly
the kind of thing I’ve spent my whole life avoiding. And being I hadn’t seen my cousin in 23 years wasn’t sure this was the right place. When he walked in 30 minutes
after I stood alone waiting, he was not be missed, he now towers at 6′9 tall.
The Duke of Perth also known as Broun’s Reel is a traditional Scottish Reel, played in G Major. Although called a reel, the tune meets the criteria for a rant. However,
it is usually played at a considerably slower tempo as a Scottish measure, or country dance, in 2/4 time. The dance performed to the tune is also called Duke of Perth
and was very popular around Angus, east Fife and Perthshire, to the extent that it was a feature at various hunt balls in the region.
The Duke of Perth 2913 N Clark St www.dukeofperth.com is an authentic Scottish pub, complete with 75 kinds of single-malt whiskey. Every Wednesday and Friday
the Duke fills to the rafters for the $9.50 all-you-can-eat fish and chips special, which is a great deal. I arrived alone and put our name on the list and was told it would
be about 10 - 15 minutes. Well, much to my dismay, it was exactly an hours. We got a table in the back room which was quieter than the bar area. We ordered the
fish and chips and it came out fairly quickly. The fish was hot, lightly fried, flaky and delicious. We got two big strips along with fries and peas. After eating all of my
fish, most of the fries I ordered 2 more pieces of fish. My cousin and Angela had to throw in the proverbial towel. To their credit they did have some friend mac n
cheese.
The portion size is perfect and the service was spot on. The busboy filled our water glasses even if the glass was mostly full. I would definitely come back for their
fish and chips special. I think I may try Wednesday and hope that it’s less crowded. But I doubt it.
The waitress screwed up the charges on our cards and promised it’d be fixed in 24 hours. It’s now 4 days later and the original charge is still on my account. Note to
self, next time, pay cash.
After dinner we parted ways and promised to meet up again over the weekend, and I returned home after picking up a nice bottle of El Jimador and chatted with
Deanne for a few hours. She had sent me a box that included a nice batch of home made cookies and my favorites which she nailed perfectly, no bake cookies. I had
also sent her 2 boxes earlier in that day that included my Mark of the Beast Anal Grease hot sauce and a jar of my home made salsa.
It been eons since anyone has baked for me and from miles away is even more special. I cannot believe I’ll be seeing her for the first time in 19 years 30 days from
now.
Saturday night we talked for hours and I began to feel the effects. Needless to say I slept quite well, and thankfully because by 1230 the next afternoon I’d be
marathon boozing w/ my cousin.
Sunday afternoon at 1230 he and Angela met me in the Holiday Club and we had brunch, he a pitcher of screwdrivers and myself a pitcher of Sweet Tea Vodka.
Angela had a single drink. We all ordered food and I had some very very tasty calamari seared in white wine. We followed by making margaritas at my place, watched
videos and listened to Lil Suzie Fellows CD. And it was kicking in and we were laughing a LOT. Before we knew it the Tequila was gone. There was still some Grape
Skyy vodka left over from the night before but we all wanted to head out so later in the afternoon walked over to the country bar where the maniacal laughter and
madness would continue.
Early in the evening we all went our separate ways and I talked w/ Deanne till I felt I could fall asleep. It was snowing quite heavily and I was sure that the next day
would be a shit storm but it was not. Of course, I woke up around 330 and could not find my way back to sleep.
I had promised to meet my Stephie at Hop Leaf in Andersonville the next night at 6. The false alarm, which I am well used to now, out the BIGGEST SNOWFALL of the
year didn’t happen and I was bored all day since I didn’t get any work. I did get a call regarding a new contract I was offered to work on which was good news, but all
day as I felt fatigue from the sleepless night prior, and I was friggin B O R E D.
To my dismay upon my arrival at Hope Leaf, the upstairs was closed which meant I’d have to wait for Stephie downstairs where it was loud. LOUD due to 4 gents
sitting at the corner of the bar that felt everyone in the pub should hear their ultra-annoying conversation. Thus I nursed a glass of Duvel till I heard from her and I
suggested Holiday Club which she generously agreed to.
There I enjoyed some intelligent banter and we ate and conversed for a couple of hours prior to her heading back north to her dwelling and about 20 min later me to
mine. The woman is a pint sized ball of energy for sure. And part of the old skool Chicago music scene and even appeared in a MINISTRY music video from their
synth pop era. FUCK, that predates my association w/ them by quite a stretch.
All in all it was damned good to see my cousin, and see him as a grown man. Last I saw the fella he was 13 years old and wore a 13 size tennis shoe. But the sense of
humor was a tall as his near 7 ft frame and we shared some good laughs for sure.
