Getting in Gear

Getting in gear has 2 meanings.  We had to get in gear to get in the gear.  At 4 PM, we descend upon the River Rat.  Bass guitar player, Thrash, arrives with his wife,  Chris.  Thrash hauls in his amp that's bigger than the River Rat.  Holy Smokes, that thing is going to be smokin'...so will the sides of the River Rat once Thrash kicks that thing into high gear.  Chris, our most dedicated "groupie", reminds us that she attended our very first gig 37 years ago....the wedding.  We had no gear back then.  Kirk was Betch back then.  I love it, still.

What about Bob?  Where is Hendrix?  Do we need that guy?  Hell, yes! Better cell him.  Lefty dials up with his left hand...wait a second...he is left handed.  All that blood splurting and bandages don't really matter.  Back to Bob.  Apparently, he tells Lefty that he can't talk, cuz he is talking to the sheriff that is writing up his ticket for rolling his truck with his Fender, amps and congas.  Guess, he tells Lefty he did his own pre-function of 5 beers.  Then Lefty, who is brilliant, surmises that Hendrix is on to "fibbin'" cuz Hendrix can't manage 5 beers...he's a 3 beer dude.  Lefty asks Hendrix if he is tellin' the truth. Hendrix fesses up and gets a good chuckle goin'.  Hendricks is in tact with his blue tooth dangling and he is behavin'. 

Back to the Rat.  Got gear set up.  Getting tuned up, 'cept for Hendricks, of course.  He's closing in on Wishram...20 minutes up stream. 

Time to try out the River Rat pub food with band mates.  If you ever have a cravin' for a burger the size of a flying saucer, which will feed a family of 20, mowzie on down to the Rat.  Preferred beer for washing down that flying saucer..."Sunburst", the Rat's house beer....maybe that does not sound that tempting.  But Lefty swears by it. 

Friends drop in from Camas...2 hours down river.  Steve and Linda date back to  Betch's childhood days (or daze).  They want to experience our first public gig ( I hope I got that typed right this tme).  They even ask us to sign our poster so that they can have it for future hocking should we become a famous or infamous band. 

Hendrix shows up with just enough time to throw around that River Rat burger. At 6'4", he could throw down a few more.  Got his 3 beers to boot.  Stix and Stones are ready for some tune up.