The distraught call from Ray came late Saturday; the electricity in the back bar had gone out and couldn't be repaired til Monday. I asked him to not worry as it wouldn't be the first time we held a party by candlelight. The front bartenders had coyly offered their room, but Ray's people expect to be at Ray's bar with Ray, and I nipped that in the bud. By mid-afternoon a skillful use of extension cords had brought the coolers, a large fan, the music, and finally the computers back and a flurry of texts were being sent out announcing a "black out party".


I actually sat with Riley waiting an eternity for the bloody sun to go down, like Dracula, but when it did it was worth it. Looking at this photo, I can just hear Riley saying to the Latinos, "Velcome, children of the night."

It was Nick's birthday and that birthday party was going to happen light or no light. (Not until this morning did I notice the mis-spelling of "whale"; these kids.)

But the kids had fun and only the flash of my camera illuminated the real action that was going on.

Happy birthday, Nick. We should have a black out party once a month.