It’s almost here. And like every year, I get this conflicting feeling – it’s giddy and melancholy all at the same time. I inevitably go through the list of ‘the last time this year’, every entry followed up by a subdued giggle. Everything feels like it’s due for a new start, new begging, something so different that only the new year can deliver. Maybe it’s because in the olde country they would not give children their presents until the first morning of the year… But then there is the stark realization that this is it. The end. There is a very high likelihood that it will never, ever again be a 2009…

Oh, well. I liked mine and it was good to me. And there is always 2010. I just hope that a year from now I’d feel even stronger about 2010 passing.

Now, for the last time this year, to business! Today’s, December 30, 2009 Puff’n’sip will start the end-of-the-year celebration by kicking off at

4:09 PM @ 83 Proof, 83 First Street (@ Mission)

and carry on at

5:29 to Rickhouse, 246 Kearny (@ Pine)

to finish off at

6:59 PM @ Cigar Bar and Grill, 850 Montgomery (@ Jackson)

Happy New Year, yall!

Lotsa love,

Big Red.

But I do wonder sometimes what would IT have been if… it was not for the clever scheme to make money off a jolly large man with a handsome white beard, or if the Russians didn’t stop Tatar-Mongols on their spring break trip to Europe, or even if the guy with a scraggly beard, way back, decided that 30 coins was just not worth it… My guess, that it would have been a large bear, or a pony. But thanks to all the above, and a couple things in between, we got Santa Claus!
And the annual Bad Santa Pub Crawl is here!!!!

Remember, there is a plenty of time to get ready, and:
• We’re raising funds for the SF Food Bank! We’ll be passing the hat, as well as selling Santa hats ($10) and full Santa costumes ($25), profit goes to SF Food Bank. 2 Costumes left!
• Caroling stop at Union Square! We’re actually going to attempt a couple Christmas Carols. Bring a flask for courage.

4:30 to 5:30PM 83 Proof, 83 1st St
5:30 to 7:00PM Otis, 25 Maiden Lane (Otis is donating 10% of our tab to SF Food Bank!)
7:00 to 7:30PM Union Square caroling stop
7:30 to 8:30PM Gold Dust, 247 Powell St
8:30 to 10:30PM Swig, 561 Geary St
10:30 to ?? Aces, 998 Sutter St

And map: http://bit.ly/BadSanta2009

Bad Santa Pub Crawl Committee

Big Red is “scrambling,” he tells me. And thirsty. But we know that most of you are busy pulling that last-minute costume together, or saving yourself for tomorrows holiday party. We forgive you.

But Puff-n-Sip is still on:

5:30 PM at Alfred’s Steak House, 659 Merchant Street. It’s in the alley between Montgomery and Kearny, 1/2 block north of Clay. Same alley as Cafe Prague.

7:10PM to Cigar Bar and Grill, hopefully

Maybe see you tonight, or tomorrow.

Andy Barry
as POA for BigRed