Random Nights with Random Pints

It was the summer of 2017 in Indiana.  I found Chang Beer at the local liquor store.  Still cannot believe I found a case of Chang longnecks in Indiana.  Gold nectar of the Brewery Buddha Gods be praised!  It was the same brand I drank whilst in Thailand.  My old college friend and I sat at the apartment complex pool talking and catching up.  Sun began to set and sobriety set in.  After some much needed complex carb (because clearly we didn't have enough empty calories) we set forth to downtown Indy.  Headed to Tappers where the pinball games cost a buck and the arcades are free.    

Once there we settled in to a two player joy stick bonanza (sorry boys, we aren't gay).  Clearly some others thought as much for three lovely ladies approached, asked us out to the rooftop bar near by, and off we zoomed.  Both of us in the back seat with new friends.  The odds... In our favor of course. The truth, I've never been approached like that at a bar.  May the frothy suds pour forth!  The conversations were polite enough.  But back to Tappers we went after one of the ladies headed back to her Bae's house (or whatever the cool kids call a relationship these days).  After a brief restroom run my friend introduced me to two Aussies...  So, being of the midwest I bought a round and full of Hoosier pride asked very politely to the bloke, "What the fuck are you doing in Indiana? Ya'll lost?"

Turns out Daniel and Caitlin were from two different cities - Sydney and Brisbane.  They met each other over here and decided to get a VW Van and road trip across the States.  We added each other on Facebook of course.  More pints were had with laughter and merriment.  This was a night I personally needed. Desperately needed.  It was around the same time I decided to truly go for an Australian visa and just needed a sign from somewhere that I made the right choice.  Mom... Don't read the rest.  While I am not Catholic (though I did date Greek Ortho before and avoided the Holy Wine during communion - Apparently its a members only type of thing...) I may still need to find a priest and confess thy sins.  Among the chatter we hear Caitlin speak up and yell, "Bum pictures!  We need Bum Pictures!"

So there I was with my friend as we both smiled at each other knowing full well this is happening. We lined up next to three woman at the bar top, and we all dropped our pants sticking our bums out.  Click goes the shutter.  The evidence of a night truly lived resides here in this blog for all internet eternity.

Tappers Indianapolis, IN 2017

And I got my sign from above I was on the right path.

Over a year later...

My new friend Teri was showing me around Sydney during her off hours as an assistant minister.  Because, I clearly need more Jesus in my life I shared that above story that probably didn't come from above.  I did not want or expect another crazy night of being picked up but always welcome stories from fellow beer connoisseurs.  We got just that.  But here is where I met a lovely lass.  She has darker skin and I truly think has some origins here in Aus before all the damn felons!  Her name is Elsie and just marvel at how good looking she is...  

Elsie the Milk Stout Batch Brewery 2018

There are many like her, but I got to have her that night... but only twice... Because three times would make her a lady.  And I am a gentlemen.

Newtown Sydney 2018

An Aussie named Mike and a Brit named Matt sat just opposite of us in full discussion on what pint to get next.  There are few linguistically bucket list items I have and can now cross off one.  Hearing an Aussie and Brit chat (Talk) back and forth about beer is truly fantastic mates (friends).  But all too soon we had two Americans, an Aussie, and a Brit chatting about beer.  Sharing tastes of our spoils from the bar keep we advanced our conversation to worldly topics.  Often while out here I get asked where have I traveled... Too often Iraq gets brought up.  None were impolite, all were cautious on political views.  Who was I to add anything when only at 31 years old did I find out that Australia fought in Vietnam.  I thought that was just America and South Vietnam fighting.  Not to even mention ANZAC.  

But beers and stories give way and I'll never forget my Aussie mates response when I brought up pay phones on Sydney streets.  Without missing a beat he asks the table, "Well where the bloody am I to change into my red and blue tights with a cape mate, hey?!"  Nothing like experiencing Australian sense of humor full on.  Aussie's have a self deprecating sense of humor designed to take the piss right out of themselves or yourself (defuse and tease a person).  Tall poppy syndrome at its best folks (will explain later)!  Then again this is the same guy that tells us he took his kids camping and found a 1.5 meter python in the bush (country/sticks/woods) whilst taking a wee (urinating).  He brings it back to his kids, they scream, and the Brit listening with us simply shakes his head in polite disgust.  

Just another random night, with some random pints, and seeing where this life in the romp takes me next.

~~~©Dustin J. Casey 2021~~~