THE SHAMROCK IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES

You never know what you’re gonna get when you go to the Shamrock. We had a short three day stay in Wildwood this week. I had to replace the busted TV stand, rehang the sliding doors in front of our washer/dryer pulled down by a previous tenant, and have the air conditioning company fix my one year old air conditioner that froze up on a previous tenant.The joy of being a landlord never ends.

I have a few random anecdotal chocolates gathered over our short stay. The crowds were thinner (not literally) as college students and even some high school and grade school students were already back in school. There was also less riff raff, as only working people can afford to stay for a week at the shore in August. Shockingly, we ended up at the Shamrock all three nights. When we walked in at 10:30 on Wednesday night Billy Jack was playing Brown Eyed Girl on his stage in the middle of the bar. As soon as he noticed us, he yelled out our names in the middle of his song. It feels like Norm walking into Cheers.

We’ve become friends over the years and once someone told him about my blog articles about Wildwood and the Shamrock, he has become an occasional reader of TBP. He enjoyed my articles detailing the crazy stuff that happens at the Shamrock on a nightly basis. He now broadcasts to the entire bar that they should read my blog. I do not tell people about TBP when I’m out socializing. I work under the assumption that most people do not want to read about corruption, government malfeasance, libertarian-ism, the hopelessness of our political system, or the coming downfall of the American surveillance state empire of debt.

It was a decent size crowd for a Wednesday night. Billy Jack, as usual, asks the people around the bar who he gets to know on a first name basis, what songs they want to hear. He pretty much can do any rock and roll song ever written. He did some Tom Petty, Neil Young, CCR, Eagles, and finished up with his outstanding version of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven. After he was done he came over to where we were sitting at the bar to shoot the shit. In the past we would just talk about the bar, the crowds, music and other fairly benign stuff. Tonight Billy Jack wanted to talk about my blog, politics, the government and conspiracy theories. I was a little shocked. It turns out Billy Jack is a big Ron Paul anti-government libertarian. He is well versed in the New World Order issues and clearly understands that both political parties are captured by banking and corporate interests.

I’m sitting in my favorite dark, hole in the wall bar and Billy Jack, my favorite entertainer, has his iPad out showing me the John Connally JFK assassination video. Then he is telling me I have to watch Aaron Russo’s America: Freedom to Fascism to understand the big picture. We both lamented the willful ignorance of the American people as the country goes into the shitter. We both don’t trust the Wall Street banks with our money. After about an hour of discussion, it was pretty clear that Billy Jack and I are in agreement on most political, economic and social issues of the day. You just never know what you’re gonna get at the Shamrock.

Fast forward to Thursday. We love going to Westy’s Irish Pub, which is located on the spot where my parents’ favorite Wildwood joint used to be – Cozy Morley’s. It has an open air deck where an excellent band called Lost in Paris plays from 6:00 pm until 10:00 pm on Thursdays. The master plan for the evening was to drink margaritas at Westy’s until 10:00 and then head over to the Shamrock for 25 cent beer night.

Since Westy’s isn’t walkable from our condo we needed to call our personal taxi driver – JW. There aren’t many taxis in Wildwood. Avalon has JW in her list of phone numbers. Every time she calls, he answers “Hi Dani”. There have been some late night drunken excursions home in old JW’s cab. He is a jovial good natured fellow who is always cracking jokes and bantering along the way.

As JW was driving us to Westy’s he told us about the great gig he had gotten over the summer, which had been extended for the next six months. I didn’t get all of the particulars but a company dealing with worker comp insurance cases contacted him about transporting someone to and from daily therapy sessions. He had to transport a guy from Wildwood to his appointment 43 miles away and then return him after the session. For this daily service JW received $1,000 a week. This was in addition to his regular cab fare business at night. The only problem was finding time to actually sleep, since he usually worked until 3:00 am.

My first thought was – good for JW. His deal annualizes to $52,000. Not bad for a 90 minute round trip per day. Then my skeptical WTF side starting thinking about this. JW said this is an entire industry. Who pays? Where is this money coming from? Who can afford to pay a taxi driver $1,000 per week? His weekly gas costs are about $40. His time commitment is about 15 hours of driving and waiting. That is about $64 per hour.

It is evident to me that these costs are buried into our massive medical insurance complex. When no one is responsible for the actual cost, no one cares, and the insurance industry rapes the patients, companies and taxpayers. In a real free market where fees were negotiated between two concerned parties, this could never happen. This is only possible in a crony capitalist system built upon easy money, debt, and no accountability. The medical system is captured by the insurance conglomerates, corporate hospitals, and drug companies, while being aided and abetted by the corrupt captured political swine in Washington DC.

But after four or five margaritas, my concern about our unsustainable fiscal system was greatly diminished. We called JW and asked him to drop us at the Shamrock. This was only the second time in his cab driver career where someone actually asked him to drive to the Shamrock. We were also the first time. This led to the love story portion of our story. As soon as we entered the bar, which was packed with more people than I’ve ever seen in the Shamrock, Avalon was immediately approached by a young couple – Tim and Krystal. Avalon tends to become a matchmaker when she is slightly intoxicated. And this couple came over to thank her for her advice three years ago.

It was Monster Truck Weekend three Octobers ago. The monster truck crowd loves the Shamrock. Our friend Jim once drove the world famous Gravedigger monster truck and is still announced as Gravedigger by Billy Jack. A bunch of the drivers were from the Poconos. They referred to us as flat landers. We began talking to the guys, one of whom was Tim. He had recently hooked up with Krystal, but she lived in Atlantic City and had a baby daughter. He asked Avalon what he should do. Little did he know she was probably loaded. She told him to go for it. Don’t worry about the obstacles and follow your heart.

Evidently he followed her advice. He convinced Krystal to move back to the Poconos and they began going out. They were hoping we showed up on Thursday so they could show Avalon they were engaged. They were so happy and Avalon was thrilled that she had a part in their happiness. Being the wet blanket, I told Avalon they’ll blame her in five years when they get a divorce. We’ve seen a wedding party at the Shamrock. We’ve seen a proposal on stage at the Shamrock. Billy Jack already told Tim he would play their wedding. I think they should have the wedding at the Shamrock, with Avalon as the maid of honor. Now that would be a story.

After a few $2.50 pitchers and the happy love news, Avalon had to go. She reached her limit. I can tell because she gets really talky. After a slice of pizza at Romeo’s we staggered home at about 1:30 am. On Friday we watched the fireworks at 10:00. Then we headed to the Shamrock for a third night in a row.

Jim, aka Gravedigger, his wife and the other band of regulars were all there. Billy Jack had the crowd singing along, banging the bar, and dancing. Everyone in the place was singing along to Sweet Caroline and American Pie. It was another memorable night at the Shamrock. You never know what you’re gonna get. With my condo up for sale and the Shamrock up for sale, the future is uncertain. My series of articles about the Shamrock may be coming to an end.

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Gator
Gator

you never know where and how you will find another ron paul fan/libertarian, but Ive been surprised myself on more than one occasion. Like you, I really don’t talk about it to people, most don’t wanna hear it. But finding other such people like that regularly and reading about other people having a similar experience has shown me that there are A LOT more of us out there than we would think and than we are told by most public opinion polls

Westcoaster
Westcoaster

Love your stories about Wildwood, Jim, The Shamrock, and the characters within. When you retire you might think about writing a screenplay because it could make an entertaining movie.

mike in ga
mike in ga

Great story, Jim, and you tell it well.

The further we get into this unprecedented global mess, the more people – like Billy Jack – are accepting that it is the system that is corrupt, as all human governance systems are wont to become. The only winning play is none of the above.

llpoh
llpoh

Great stories, Jim. As always, thanks for taking the time.

As for libertarians, I meet a lot of them. They just do not know they are such.

Almost every small business person I meet is a libertarian – they just do not understand what that means. But they sure as hell know that they want to be left the hell alone.

They intimately know the problems and ills of the world. They understand, intuitively, what is going wrong. They know they are getting perpetually screwed. And that when Rapist A is done with the, Rapist B is ready and waiting. They know their kids are looking at a bleak future. They generally know what the fix is to the problems, but also know there is no hope it will happen.

Thanks for taking time to write such a wonderful article. Glad there is a place that you can, at least for the moment, escape from the crap and have a good time.

Hope you can sell the rental real soon.

Stucky

Most enjoyable read, as always.

That $1,000 cab ride story just pisses me the fuck off. The stories I could tell … but I won’t … about the fucking dreck scumbags that come to see Ms Freud in order to qualify for SSDI would make you puke.

(For the record, she NEVER makes ANY recommendations, either way. She merely confirms or denies whether the patient has mental issues, and leaves it to “the system” to decide one way or another. Funny thing however. When she gets a new case, she announces it to me thusly, and I am NOT kidding — “I just got another Free Shit client today.”. See why I love her?)

okmed hassan
okmed hassan

Very interesting article about Mr. Grouchy, The legend , Mr. wonderful, Billy Jack. I wouldn’t go in there if beer was free! although he does give out a lot of free ones.
Great job Mr. Jim Id love to meet you one time there!!

Llpoh
Llpoh

Fucking disgraceful this article has only 6 comments so far. Jim takes the time to write a very entertaining article and it gets six fucking comments.

You assholes should be ashamed.

Stucky

You goddamned COCKSUCKERS!!!

It’s been two and half fuckin hours since Llpoh challenged you shitheads to comment on this article! Bupkus!! Cocksuckers

SSS

“Fucking disgraceful this article has only 6 comments so far. Jim takes the time to write a very entertaining article and it gets six fucking comments. You assholes should be ashamed.”
—-Llpoh

Tranquillo, amigo. Tranquillo.

The article is forever in Jim’s “30 Blocks” and “Wildwood” archives. He likes to observe, listen, interact, and write. Whether the article gets 1 comment or 1,000 makes no difference, it’s his. And at some point in the future, it will be his and Avalon’s decision what to with this wonderfully entertaining and informative collection of personal experiences.

Number of comments is not a factor in the equation.

Archie
Archie

Llpoh, yes you’re right. But how many times can one say, “that kicked ass admin” or ” great article” or “this is your best”, etc.?

I, and most of the other TBP monkeys have praised admin’s writing to the rooftops for years now. In my case, praise comes rarely and reluctantly. And yet admin deserves every bit of it. But, he does not need further, daily approval. He’s a stubborn Irishman. I could probably use his head as my 3 wood.

Admin is an excellent writer. Period.

llpoh
llpoh

Archie – he deserves claps every damn time, that is how often. The Admin keeps this fucker running, lets the monkeys run and play, pays fiat for the privilege of doing all the work he does.

He deserves a clap. All the time. And these stories are outstanding. We can all add our own little stories to this.

Like the time I went to watch Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics in Boston on New Years. It was outrageous. More fun than should be legal was had by all. They were full on punk-rockers. There was stage diving. There was nipples (sorry SSS). There were Mohawks and leather and head-banging. There were chainsaws! Yes there were! It was glorious – we were young and wild!

What did it sound like? Who cares! It was loud and had a beat and it was New Year’s eve!

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Archie
Archie

Llpoh, I’ll say it again. You’re right. But perhaps you are missing the irish psychology bit. I know since my mom is a stubborn Irishwoman. See, it matters much more if a negative or disagreeable comment is made on admins threads. That’s why he goes after them like a rabid dog.

The absence of nice comments on his popular threads means nothing to him. He doesn’t give a shit. But if there is one singular negative comment on his article from 25 years ago, he wakes up from his 6 minute nap and attacks like a a wounded raccoon. You know this.

Goddamn Irish.

okmed hassan
okmed hassan

I have seen you at the shamrock!! I recognize that face!

Alex Pussie
Alex Pussie

A Legend in his own Mind!!!!
I’m from Upper Darby and get to Wildwood around twice a month in the spring and summer. The Shamrock has gone down hill from years past, and that singer billy jack is alot angrier these days. What’s he on? Never see the manager anymore, probably why the place is for sale, no one cares! I saw billy “jerk” yell at the barteners who were busting there ass, and even yelling at customers who ask for songs. Someone told be that they were locals – how rude!! Who wants to go to a bar to be yelled at and not get you song played. It’s a sad situation, but will find a friendlier bar to go to next year.

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