Liquor Store.

Wow, what a one-two punch the first two days of July are turning out to be. In an unexpected complete reversal of direction our good friend Zoe, who was perched to fly from Allston, leaving behind the kids and the grime and good times for the slightly more "getting a little older and more mature indie-rocker" Jamaica Plain area has decided to not only renew her lease in Comm. Ave. but she has, I was just informed by a phone call on the walk to her first day, GOTTEN A JOB AT BLANCHARD'S LIQUOR STORE. I cannot put too fine a point on this, the girl was set to leave, and in the last week or so has decided not to leave, not to move anywhere else either, to renew her lease and not only that but also to get a job at (now theat MARTY'S, God rest it's soul, has gone under) what is, arguably, the most Allstony place that there is in all of Allston. I mean, hey I was gonna peace out but uhhhh, eh how about instead if I jump way, way deeper into the deep end? Sweet. I mean she might as well move over to Glenville Ave. at the rate she's going.

Now, we all know how loathe I am to venture out to such a far orbit of Boston. I have certainly been quoted as saying that going to JP is "like traveling to Pluto" and I still stand by that. This was, as one of the last of the famous Allstonian playboys, heartbreaking, of course, because, in essence Zoe has become the literal last of the famous etc etc... Yes we have made new friends that are also Allston all-stars in the recent years, but, to be fair, Zoe has been sort of the last man standing of the "old guard". I know it's a lot to shoulder. And so it means especially a lot to me as an ex-patriot. Even more so in light of the fact that Z is approaching my own heavyweight championship record of time spent in Allston, 8 years. She is on her 7th. Of course, not to take that away from her, much like Barry Bonds and the home run record, her achievement will receive an asterisk of sorts (my record was set as 8 years in the same apartment, when she matches and possibly, fingers crossed, passes me, it will be over the course of at least 3 different apartments).

And, as we talked about, how perfect that the post about Universe, containing the story of my relationship with Blanchard's as it relates to Jawbreaker's "Kiss the Bottle", has just gone up this week. Prophetic, apropos, C'est la Vie. I think it's safe to say that we are all expecting full reports from the front lines. This reminds me of the part in Lost Season 2 where John has become disillusioned about pushing the button, believing it to be nothing but a lie that he has foolishly believed. Thinking that his hopes and beliefs have all been wasted. He decides to quit pressing the button and the beloved Mr. Eko takes up the mantle, arguing with John, after having had a series of intense dreams and Smoke monster related experiences. He says to John "on the contrary, I believe that the work we are doing in the hatch is more important than ever now..."
And here we are, John, don't give up on it. The work you are doing in Allston, keeping it alive for all of us who are so, so scattered all over the place now, is more important than ever.

If Lost has taught us nothing else it's that sometimes the hopes and dreams and survival of the many rests on the shoulders of one single person (at different time and in different ways: Jack, John, Desmond, Mr. Eko, Jacob, Hurley, etc...) It is lonely, thankless work, but noble and necessary.
Consider yourself as joining the ranks of these amazing individuals and their work to save the world and themselves and their friends.

Now you are like me.




In support of our good friend we should all consider this to be a red letter KINGS holiday and mark the occasion with some small acts of solidarity for Zoe. I propose, in similar fashion to July 1st, that July 2nd is the day when all of our homework assignments are to listen to one, or all, of the mixes on which a version of "Kiss the Bottle" appears. And, barring the chance to do that, let's all, if nothing else, at least listen to "Kiss the Bottle" over and over today and drink a few beers and not stop believing. (Also if someone can get me a picture of that paper that Liz K had taped up in her window facing out to the street as you passed it, near the Star market that said "Allston is all I know" so I can add it to this post I would be most grateful.)

The mixes are:


--003(Universe) original version from the "ETC." cd and the "17 Reasons: The Mission District" triple 7" released in Oct. 1992

--091(I Know No One) live version from the "In Honor" compilation.

--144b/175a(Don't Worry Baby/.........) (K6) covered by Lucero, from their "Attic Tapes" album.

--212(esrevinU/Universe [Live At South Union Arts-Chicago, IL 6-1-07]) (10-27-09 night alone) (2) live version from the "Jawbreaker Live 5/29/93" album




There are at least three other versions of this out there in the not-yet-used mix song pool, if you have them all I suggest listening to them all in support of our sister, because, after all,

it gets loneliest at night, down at the liquor store.












it is 4:59 PM
this is the seance.






























xo