What Do You Call It?
"Thanksgiving Eve." "Black Wednesday." "Biggest Drinking Night of the Year."
And now, "Humpsgiving."
That's what Foran's Irish Pub in downtown Detroit calls this evening. I used to go to Foran's a lot. Mostly for lunch, but sometimes after work for a drink. It was 1990-1992, and I was working for a large law firm. Foran's was about twenty stories below my office window. The first time I heard about it, I had just started working at the firm as a summer associate and three junior partners were taking me out to lunch. One of them said to the others, "Foreskins?" The other guys just nodded. I had no freakin' idea where they were taking me, but I was a bit nervous. The famous strip clubs of Windsor, Canada, after all, were only ten minutes away. When we got to Foran's, I just laughed to myself.
Enjoy the biggest drinking night of the year, everyone. I'll be hanging out at the Hillcrest Lounge . . . a place with a hoppin' jukebox, longneck beers, and a sign out front that hangs from one hinge. It's a tradition for me. I've been going there since 1992. I always went in the mid-afternoon with my father. We saved a big table, knowing lots of people would be coming, then sat back and enjoyed a few rounds before everyone else showed up after 5:00. Those days are gone, but I'm still going out. My Dad would've wanted me to.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
