Thursday, March 01, 2007

Memories of The Laid Back

Best dart bar - EVER! I've been to dart bars in Oklahoma City, Omaha, Tulsa, Austin, Nassau and who knows how many places I've forgotten, but The Laid Back was the best ever.

Steaks and burritos. If you had them, you know what I mean. If you never had them, you will never know what I mean.

The wedding. Rotten's "history of The Laid Back" and history of his relationship with Juanita was only topped by the music selections. A Hollywood script writer could not have written this. About 6 songs into what was already on the jukebox, most in attendance were already laughing uncontrollably. Then Buddy Holly's "That'll Be The Day" came on followed by Janis Joplin's "Why, Why, Why". It's the only wedding I've been to where everyone was standing through the entire ceremony and lots of people were standing on chairs.

Rats and Lizzards. You always knew there was a fun time waiting for you when your team was scheduled at The Laid Back on Thursday.

After Air Cap blind draws and steaks. Some of the most fun I've had in darts were the blind draws after the Air Cap. Only the old-timers will remember Chad Sylvan (Air Cap MVP and top 5 nationally) and Rich Baldwin (top 5 in the world for being a jerk). That's what they were when I drew them for partners at The Laid Back. I'm not kidding when I say I carried those guys into money finishes at The Laid Back. They were burned out after the Air Cap and I was a better player in those days.

Buddy. Yep, my former dog is a favorite. Paul Murphy lost his wife, his job, his apartment and had to give his dog away. Buddy's AKC name was "Lord Budweiser Murphy". Buddy was a registered collie and an absolute ringer for "Lassie". Buddy made several trips to The Laid Back with Paul. Then made several more with Robby and me. Getting to know Paul at The Laid Back gave me 14 years of loyal companionship.

Butch Wagner. Butch is probably the guy who told Juanita and Rotten to try to get some dart players to their bar. Butch was the first Wichita darter I ran into at my first out-of-town tournament. He and Linda (Juanita's sister) were major factors in convincing me to go to more out-of-town tournaments.

Thank you, Juanita
Thank you, Rotten

It was a great run. Nothing lasts forever, no matter how much we wish it could.

I stopped by The Laid Back as it was closing for the last time. I gave Juanita a hug and we exchanged these words, "It's not good-bye, it's good night".

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