by Debbi | Nov 15, 2007 | People
Pat is a frequent contributor to this blog so it’s only fitting that we fill you in on what he’s been doing since he left The Sandbar. He helpfully contributed his own questions to the standard set I provided.
How long did you work at The Sandbar? Almost nine years. I started out as a doorman and ended as assistant manager.
How did you get the job? I slept my way to the top. {uh, Dave, is there something you want to tell your wife?}
Favorite drink to drink? I consumed my share of Captain and cokes.
Any specialty drinks? Dirty Banana. {Pat came back from his Jamaican vacation a long time ago raving about these, but he didn’t have the recipe and we couldn’t ever replicate it until Dave managed to finagle the recipe out of a Jamaican bartender one time. Lots of dollars were involved.}
How many times have you seen Jimmy Buffett in concert? Let’s say about ten.
Favorite memory at the bar? Memory, what’s that?? I won a $5 bet on St. Patrick’s Day. I bet someone I could stay there and drink for 12 hours. Also, the early Tuesday nights, sitting in the comfy chairs, before the giant fish tank was installed.
Favorite jukebox song? Buffett’s "Travelin’ Clean," Bob Marley’s "Three Little Birds," Don Williams’ "I Believe In Love," and O.A.R.’s "Crazy Game of Poker."
Song you never want to hear again? Shania Twain’s "Any Man of Mine." I hate it when girls danced and stomped on the bar to that one! And "Brown Eyed Girl," that’s a great song but heard it way too many times.
Favorite bar dancing song? "Shake Your Tailfeathers." Love the classics.
Favorite Sandbar float? Pirate ship.
Longest you’ve waited in line? I usually go elsewhere if there’s a line, or get there early and beat the
crowd.
Favorite shot? Penicillin. {when people start asking for penicillin shots at the bar, I’ll know they’ve read this blog.}
Favorite local music venue? I’ve always liked the Bottleneck.
Favorite music? Buffett, Marley (the whole family), Primus or any band with Les Claypool, Chili Peppers, Buckethead, Van Halen, Victor Wooten, Jah Roots, Chilly Moon, Franti, Bela Fleck, Fishbone, Gogol Bordello, Brent Berry, Red Elvises, 311, GNR, The Darkness, The Wildhearts, Outkast, funk, reggae, 80’s metal, classic country, I could go on but I won’t.
Favorite tomato based beverage? Bloody Mary’s and spicy V8.
First concert? Barbara Mandrell at age nine.
First real concert? KISS at age 17.
Favorite chips? Art and Mary’s jalapeno homestyle tater chips, yum.
If you could live anywhere? the Key’s, Jamaica, Costa Rica.
Six Random Things About Pat
- I never got to see Split Lip Rayfield (with Kirk Rundstrom).
- I met Jimmy Buffett in Palm Beach, Florida. He was quite rude.
- I wasn’t really a dog person before I met my dog Marley.
- My high school graduation class had 28 people in it.
- I got a small track scholarship to Emporia State.
- My first day bartending at The Sandbar, I didn’t know how to open the cash register.
And Pat even provided his own pictures, not that I didn’t already have a million pictures of him. Thanks, Pat!
by Debbi | Nov 12, 2007 | Bar Band, People
A conversation between Dave and I on Friday afternoon:
"You'll never guess who was in the bar last night!" {overly enthusiastic husband}
"You're right, I probably won't. Who?" {I never guess correctly, so why even bother?}
"No, you have to at least try to guess!" {okay, all right, I'll play.}
"Keegan?" {I say Keegan because one of the bar band members recently mentioned that our former door guy, now living in Seattle, might be making an appearance in Lawrence soon. Perhaps it was time?}
"No, but you're damn close." {And on the first try! This could be fun!}
"Adam?" {Our former neighbor, not associated with the bar at all, but he also moved to Seattle a few years ago, so he was the next obvious choice, according to my semi-logical thought progression.}
"No…now you're getting colder." {Hmmm…what did we associate Keegan with? Bar band! Who else was part of the bar band?}
"Chad Dempsey?" {Former doorguy, former bar band-er, and the shock of seeing him in the bar for the first time in, oh, years could explain Dave's hyper-excitement.}
"No! But you're so close!" {Okay, this was either getting to be fun, or really frustrating…but I was in for the long haul now.}
"Randy Foster?" {Randy never worked at the bar, I don't think, but he was there a lot. And he was part of the bar band. And the DJ at our wedding. And we haven't seen him in years, either.}
"No! But you're still so close!" {What the hell? Who is left?}
"I give. Tell me. I can't think of anyone else." {I give up so easily.}
"DEAN!"
Of course! How could I have not guessed Dean! He worked at the bar for several years, several years ago. I could tell you a lot more about him if he'd ever respond to the harassing emails I send to former employees, begging them to answer my questions so I can feature them on the blog.
by Debbi | Nov 5, 2007 | People
It’s so exciting to be able to profile a current employee! Tegan has worked at the bar for awhile now, so she’s not really new anymore, but she’s one of the newest staff members. Read on to find out all about her.
How long have you worked at The Sandbar? Six months.
How did you get the job? I loitered and talked KU Basketball with Dave. {I should remove this question. Everyone seems to have gotten this job because they loitered.}
How long were you a customer first? About a year. 
Other jobs you have had? KU men’s basketball manager, cart girl at Alvamar Country Club, beer cart driver at Overland Park Golf Course.
Favorite job besides The Sandbar? KU men’s basketball manager.
Favorite drink to drink? Pacifico.
Favorite drink to make? We make drinks here? I’m just here to hang out! The Big Wave Dave.
Most embarrassing moment at the bar? Not any noteworthy ones…yet. It’s pretty much embarrassing anytime I get up on the bar to dance.
Favorite jukebox song? "What I Got," Sublime.
Song you never want to hear again? "Dancing Queen," or "I Will Survive."
Favorite bar dancing song? Sandbar song- "Car Wash." Jukebox song- "Rocky Top." I love my Tennessee roommate!
Favorite Sandbar float? I’ve always been with the basketball team traveling in March for the NCAA, so I’ve never actually seen one.
Longest you’ve waited in line? About 30 minutes before I gave up.
Hobbies: Golf, working out, sleeping, shopping, Royals, and any KU sporting events.
Favorite quote: "If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?"- John Wooden
Favorite ice cream: yogurt from TCBY
If you could live anywhere: any place tropical
Five Random Facts About Tegan:
- I have a phobia of Asians and anything Asian. If you see me, you’ll scratch your head. {see the photos in this post. yeah, we don’t get it either.}
- I played golf my first two years of college.
- I own over 40 different color combinations of Ralph Lauren Polo shirts and a sick shoe collection.
- I bake cookies for The Sandbar every Tuesday. {and they’re yummy!}
- I won’t eat mayo on anything.
There you have it. Stop by and visit Tegan on Wednesdays after work.
by Debbi | Oct 29, 2007 | People
Our very own attention-loving Danny was in the LJW the other day.
Someone decided that Lawrence needed it’s own "Zombie Walk" to celebrate Halloween. About 50 zombies met at South Park last Thursday and proceeded down Massachusetts Street.
You can go here to see the picture of Danny.
Maybe the entire Sandbar staff can participate next year. Are there zombies who wear grass skirts and flower leis?
by Debbi | Oct 21, 2007 | People
It’s been awhile since I featured one of our current or former Sandbar employees here, mostly because I haven’t been able to get anyone to answer my questions. Erick humored me the other day and sent me something, so here it is.
How long did you work at The Sandbar? I was there for about 2 years, appearing Wednesdays and Saturdays. I still make my yearly appearance the night before Thanksgiving. It’s become Blair’s and my
tradition.
How did you get the job? I did what everyone else has done; went there about every night and bugged Dave enough for him to tire of my asking and finally give me a job.
How long were you a customer first? Only a year or so. The first time I was there was for the Peter Mayer concert.
Other jobs you have had? Before The Sandbar, I worked at the KU athletics department and afterwards I worked for the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Now I’m back in school working towards pharmacy school and working at Jayhawk Pharmacy.
Favorite job besides The Sandbar? I worked summers in high school as crowd control at Sandstone (now known as Verizon Wireless amphitheater). I got to (had to?) work backstage for Britney Spears, was a bodyguard for Cyndi Lauper, and protected the stage for AC/DC (and I can still hear). It was an interesting job.
Favorite drink to drink? Jager Bomb!
Favorite drink to make? Jager Bomb!
Any specialty drinks? Um, a really good Jager Bomb? (noticing a theme here…)
Most embarrassing moment at the bar? If one happened I’m sure I don’t remember it.
Favorite memory at the bar? This may not be a good memory, but I had to actually help break up a fight in the bar…yeah, I know, people were fighting in The Sandbar. What’s up with that?!?
Favorite jukebox song? Living’ On a Prayer, it’s on my CD so gotta say it.
Song you never want to hear again? Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy. Those no-talent a** clowns need to give it up.
Favorite bar dancing song? Didn’t do much of that, but anything by KC and the Sunshine Band.
How many dollars on the wall? That would be zero. Too busy drinking to worry about that kind of stuff.
Favorite Sandbar float? The one where Will, Keegan, and I pretended to play saxophones and the palm tree fell off in front of the judges. (that was the Love Shack float).
Longest you’ve waited in line? You’re supposed to wait?
Hobbies: boating and reading
Favorite quote: Never mind the time and forget about the costs…there’s more important things.
Favorite music: Texas country, like Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jason Boland, and Cory Morrow, and the best ever, Van Morrison
Favorite ice cream: mint chocolate chip
If you could live anywhere: St. Thomas
5 Random Things About Erick:
- Before pharmacy school, I toyed with the notion of going to culinary school.
- I once killed a six-pack just to watch it die.
- I just may be a bigger fan of KU football than basketball (and I’m not just saying that because of this year). I went to my first KU football game when I was 3 months old, my first KU basketball game when I was 5 months old, and I haven’t missed a whole lot of home games since then.
- I’m between 5’11" and 6’2" depending on what convenience store I’m walking out of.
- Most importantly, I’ve been to 29 Jimmy Buffett concerts.
If you see Erick around The Sandbar, buy him a beer. Or better yet, a jager bomb.
by Debbi | Oct 20, 2007 | People
Pat sent me this picture:
His cousin Tim is the drummer for Purgatory Paradise, a band that plays around Manhattan. They describe themselves as ‘hardcore, rock, or experimental,’ which doesn’t sound like The Sandbar at all. Nevertheless, drummer Tim is sporting our shirt at one of their shows.
How did you get the job? I slept my way to the top. {uh, Dave, is there something you want to tell your wife?}
crowd.
