The Second Coming -English
194 days on, after submitting countless documents, blueprints, declarations and all the other crap that officialdom thrives on, City Hall has declared that O’Malley’s may reopen. It will reopen exactly as before (well, OK, we made a few changes, but the powers that be don’t know that!) and the only real change is the contents (or the lack of thereof) of my bank account. The bank actually owns my backside. 194 days on and we will reopen not one decibel quieter, not one germ cleaner and not one brick safer. Therefore, 194 days on, I am still somewhat perplexed as to why we could not stay open while trying to satisfy the insatiable appetite of officialdom for paper. 194 days that included the end of the Rugby World Cup, Formula 1, Hallowe’en, Superbowl, Christmas, New Year, the bulk of the Champions League, and, alas, St. Patrick’s Day (!).
On the occasion of this first post of the new series of bilingual blogs, I want to thank some of the people that helped enormously to bring about the Second Coming of O’Malley’s. (I promise to make future posts more interesting)
First and foremost, I want to thank the staff, who did not give up on O’Malley’s despite dire financial difficulties that they all went through. It will be due to their perseverance that we will reopen with all familiar faces.
I want to thank Marcel for the incredible support through what seemed like the stations of the cross, as well as Suely and Lilian who worked uncomplainingly, despite not being paid full whack.
I want thank Councilwoman Soninha and her team, especially Luis Nader. They took on the challenge of reopening O’Malley’s despite a complete lack of interest on behalf of the Mayor’s office. Soninha dragged me in front of the pertinent officials and put the matter on track. Counsellors Donato and Marta Costaand their teams also helped in drawing attention to the matter.
I want to thank d. Eloisa at City Hall, who calmed me down when I was about to throttle people and helped move the process on, desk to desk, culminating in the reopening next Monday.
I want to thank Mark for taking on Murphy’s Law so that St. Patrick’s Day would not be without irish music. Murphy’s Law came for the 9Bth straight year. (Last year was the 9th, this year was the 9Bth and next year will be the 10th year.)
I want to thank my friends, many more than I thought I had, who knew when to talk about the bar being closed and when not touch on the subject. I am thankful also for having had the opportunity to find out who are real friends and who just used to say they were. Just that in itself may have made the whole rigmorale worthwhile.
I want to thank my wife and companion for putting up with me and giving me tender loving care for 194 ill humoured days and 194 sleepless nights.
Right. Enough of the sentimental crap. I have a thirst on and I miss my usual position by the pillar at the bottom of the stairs. I’ll be exactly there on Monday and daily thereafter for the longest while.
Slainte