We also had the pleasure of spending some more quality time with Eric’s friends T-Bone (the cherubic originator of the phrase "That’s how we do it down here in the Dirty Dirty") and Zubby, T-Bone’s pal from Boise. A man who came to Eric’s town already bestowed with a top notch nickname. Do you realize how much pressure that takes off of Eric to not have to come up with a nickname for him?
So what can I say about Zubby? I really don’t know where to begin. He’s one of those characters that have to be seen to be believed. Mere words can not truly capture the pure Zubbyness of the entire situation. He left his teaching job in Boise and was living in Memphis in a Winnebago. More importantly, Eric let us know that he loves to be ladled, whatever the hell that means. He kind of reminds me of a burned out hippie frat boy with big curly hair, always tucked neatly under his backwards leaning baseball cap. On this night he wore gigantic pants, a polo shirt, and a giant t-shirt underneath.
During a break in the 8th inning, the PA played "Eye of the Tiger." Zubby bounded down from his perch a few rows behind us and this exchange followed.
Zubby: Hey man, they’re playing your song. Rocky, man. You’re from Philly. C’mon get up and spar with me. (He begins to shadowbox in the aisle.)
Hot Tub Eric: (Sheepish) This is from Rocky III. Maybe if they played "Gonna Fly Now", I’d get up.
Zubby: (Still shadowboxing as the crowd begins to take notice) Come on man, come spar with me. Come on man. (He addresses the crowd.) Folks, he’s from Philly. Don’t you want to see him get up? (The crowd roars in approval. He continues to shadowbox and begs Eric to get up.) Come on, we’ve been waiting all night for this! (Eric is turning redder and redder.)
Kids near us: (chanting) Get up! Get Up! Get Up! (The usher cracks up, the whole section laughs along. Eric never gets up, the song ends, and the game resumes in disappointment.)
After the game, we headed to a party to set off some amazing fireworks for hours. Zubby found the prettiest girls (that’s plural) to help him shoot off his 42 dollar purchase of "The Greatest Show On Earth." Later, he left the party with a different woman on each arm.
In 2003, I didn’t find a cure for cancer, I didn’t write the great American novel, and I didn’t solve the problem of world hunger. But, I might have to say that my biggest regret of the year is that I somehow left Memphis without a picture of Sir Zubby.
Over two years later, Hot Tub Eric hooked me up with a picture of the legendary Zubby. But even more impressive than that, it is a picture that also includes someone very near and dear to my heart.
Wha? Zubby and Huey together? I love it. The details of how this momentous meeting even happened are hazy but why pry when two legends are involved?
Which brings me to this question - who is in to go see Huey in Chicago with me? Youthlarge has begrudgingly said that she will go with me if I don't get anyone else. A number of you out there in Listmaker Land have stated an interest. But now it is time to put your money where your mouth is. Huey is in the show until January 15. Who's in?
Secondly, who's going to make me a picture frame to wear so I can have a chance of hanging out with Huey after the show?
5 comments:
How bout a brother/sister trip to see the great Huey? And what happened to Mom and Dad coming up to see it?
I told you once, I told you a bunch of times. I'm into it and so's my wife.
Plumely is on a roll....he recently spotted the Brand new hecklers 7" on his tenents coffe table....very odd...Memphis is the hub of cool...
Larry
i see Huey is drinking a Pepsi. but that wouldn't have anything to do with your recent allegiance to said cola, now would it?
nice call! i didn't even notice that.
speaking of that, i think i might have just moved out of the whole soda thing all together. or maybe i'm just biding my time until mr. pibb is more widely available.
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