Requiem for a Bartender
David Himmel David Himmel David Himmel David Himmel

Requiem for a Bartender

Steve ran the joint. Tending bar was the family business. His father, Tom, ran it the generation before mine. Steve and I became fast friends. That’s the bartender’s job, after all—to befriend their loyal patrons. But I was also young, boiling over with energy, and thirsty to learn the ways of drinking legally in public. Steve gave me, gave so many of us that arena.

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The Opening Campfire: An (alternative) Introduction to "A Camp Story" – Author's Cut
David Himmel David Himmel David Himmel David Himmel

The Opening Campfire: An (alternative) Introduction to "A Camp Story" – Author's Cut

My biggest concern, beyond not knowing anyone and just generally hating camp, was that I was going to spend a summer in the woods surrounded by swarms of big, disgusting, loud cicadas. It was 1990 and the 17-year cicadas had taken over Chicago. I had killed so many with such bloodlust that I convinced myself the winged beasts in Decatur had gotten word of me and were plotting their revenge for their brethren.

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