Same as it ever was
Sure, I pretend to be cultured now, but here’s who I really am. This is me out in the wild, so to speak.
I’ve known these guys for 20 years or more. Thank God they haven’t changed one bit.
The Black Cat Inn has, though, for good and ill. As Paul (in the middle, in the yellow shirt) immediately pointed out as we pulled into the parking lot, “Oh my God, they cleaned up the Black Cat!” For one thing, it was now paved. No more transmission-challenging foot-deep gravel ruts, and in a way that was a shame. Moreover, you can’t smoke a cigar in the joint anymore! Well, blame the State for that.
After decades as a gloomy dungeon, the Cat has been transformed into a brightly lit amusement pit with too many flatscreen TV’s and way too much mismatched bric-a-brac. Note the odd assembly of replica sports trophies, toy cars, vintage etched glass, and Hollywood press photos. Huh? And, naturally, the wine card offering wine in “any flavor.” The Waldorf Astoria it isn’t. It seems perfect that I wore my Orlando’s Joint t-shirt, because while it’s stylish, it also doesn’t fit in.
Something else that’s changed: Rolling Rock, our college beer of choice. Ski (guy on the left) noted that you had to specifically order a “Latrobe, PA” Rolling Rock or you ran the risk of getting one of the new Anheuser Busch-brewed models — and trust us, you don’t want that. (I guess now they’ll have to switch their tagline from “Same as it ever was.” And now more than ever the Talking Heads song is a period piece.)
Closing thought. On the left is Rich, a mail carrier, and on the right is Joe, a mortician. In other words, these are the sort of “responsible authority figures” you find in these parts.
Guys like this remind me that given my druthers I’d be up in the woods right now in a pickup truck and with a cigar and an imminent poker game. And with a Latrobe Rolling Rock. Same as it ever was.
December 17th, 2006 at 8:13 am
Joe wants to note well that he’s no longer a Mortician, because of having sold the REAL ESTATE on which he operated a dying business; that the only way a Funeral Director really makes money is on the run up to land values surpassing anyone’s mistaken impression that there’s actually profit in seeing someone’s uh…bones… off to the other side of the river Styx. Of course the ferryman did actually live quite comfortably, inspite of any perception to the contrary.
So, now Joe’s crossing over from the Darkside as it were, and becoming a nurse (licensed Registered Nurse), surely to rock the ‘Force’ as it were. And aiding and seeing to the palliative care of Terminally Ill folks, and at the same time having a look at what his ‘clients’ of the past were doing before he ‘met’ them.
Some fun, no? ? ? Actually the answer to that is YES. I’ll be sending a resume to Dr. Kevorkian as soon as he gets out of prison this coming July.
December 17th, 2006 at 9:33 am
I for one am happy that you did not have an old photo of us at the Cat back in the late 80’s to post beside this one.
Paul
December 17th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
I have to say, although our time spent together was too short, it was “The same as it ever was!” When we get together, no matter what the distance or the time, it is as if we have seen each other just yesterday.
The Black Cat has changed, but the players (or should I say, the Cabin Crew has not.)
I am disappointed that Rolling Rock is now being brewed in Newark. See this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Rock
Although I grew up in Jersey all my life, I am from South Jersey and I had a Newark brewed Rolling Rock and there sure is a difference in the taste of the “Same as it ever was” Rolling Rock.
I had the misfortune of drinking a Rolling Rock Light about 2 years ago and was not impressed by that either then, but…if it is not a big seller, I might have to stick with that until they sell out of the Rolling Rocks that were brewed in Latrobe. Then it will be a tough decision on what to do.
For those that are interested in the official Rolling Rock site (Now Brewed out of Newark, NJ) see: http://www.rollingrock.com/
Good seeing all of you guys again. YYYYYYYYEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHH!
-Ski
December 17th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
The old Black Cat was dungeony enough that my wife Ruth wouldn’t even go there. Now she’d probably like it. On the other hand, I don’t remember the original place having a bartender who looked like a Victoria’s Secret model. Guess it’s a trade-off.
“Time passes and things change.” So says Mr. Natural.
December 17th, 2006 at 7:51 pm
I’ll agree with Rich that the looks of the bartender looked much better than in the old days.
One big improvement is that the Cat now offers food. We used to call Joe and John’s a few blocks away to deliver food or we would go across the street tot the High Point and get take out and eat it at the Cat.
Of course there is no more Black Cat Clam Night. What a let down.
Paul
December 18th, 2006 at 7:37 am
The last posting sums ALL.
December 19th, 2006 at 9:02 am
When did everyone start looking so much older ?
December 19th, 2006 at 5:27 pm
In answer to Ruth’s question, that’s why I happy Lee did not post a “before” picture.
Paul
December 23rd, 2006 at 2:37 pm
[…] The Black Cat Inn with good friends […]
December 29th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
[…] Rock retains the tagline “Same As It Ever Was” even though they changed the formula. It’s four years later and I’m still outraged. The people behind Rolling Rock are frauds and mountebanks and they […]