Next to Last Crabby Monday

Last Edit October 11, 1999

Eric has responded to his e-mail. Fabio will be honored in Washington this week-end. The President is supposed to be there.
I told the fan club to set their VCRs but I really don't expect any coverage. These groups have events all the time.
The cookbook is out - and I sent for mine. Two dollars and send it in. They'll sell it 'till it runs out.
Meantime, they are trying to set up a publicity blitz - but I don't have high hopes for that either since he hasn't done anything newsworthy for some time. Thor is a ways away.
Maintaining a buzz with such a long gap between event is a bit of a challenge.
I did an e-mail blitz on the existing list. I still need to do an update and put the new names in.
And, I have some of the animation art from Thor! Lovely.
Tonight we 12 at Crabby Monday. Because it is about the last of the crabby Mondays.
Finally found a woman who doesn't like Troy's picture. And several others who thought is was a picture of Fabio! Not quite. But his photo is pretty much swooned over so that bodes well for using him on my cover.
My photo shoot is coming the first or second week of November. Set it up! Duplicate that shot! Need a non-fuzzy copy!
So, I am in a high state of Euphoria.
We 12 have a new manager and a new server. The manager and her husband have joined us. This does not mean that we will be well behaved.
They start with a Sweet & Low blitz across the table. Two tables. Oddly pushed together.
Then they start in with the jokes and riddles.
All this while we are waiting to be served.
We finally get crab. Lots of it. Piled high. And quickly passed around.
We decide that they shall go for the record. And King Crab if possible.
They eat fast - hot crab is better. Except for the new people who joined us (from another Ritz store). They are eating slowly. No! No! Speed up!
I spray lemon juice on my dress (I am eating shrimp). No Comments! (A few are made!)
I am not desert!
I am showered on the left , showered on the right. Crab salt water spray.
Ick.
I am, fortunately, washable. You do not raise two kids and believe in dry cleaning.
I get three cups of coffee.
Dan wants my son to play with his crab meat. They are poking legs at each other.
Actually, into each other.
My son sprays my book, me and mike.
Rubbed it the wrong way.
My notebook is now damp.
My son is singing between plates.
Use the force.
"You don't want the crab."
"These are not the crab you are looking for."
They are fighting over the remaining leg.
The server staggers back to the kitchen.
We are listening to the table near us - loud.
No birthdays in range.
We are trying to check if the kitchen is running low - are we close to King Crab.
Nope. Not yet.
We may send in a spy.
My son cautions - swallow your meat whole - don't chew it.
Less painful.
I'm wondering about Ohlone!
The Hawaiian lady is no longer being dainty.
Mike has dunked his meat into my coffee.
My son caught that.
He needed to wake up.
The meat or the coffee?
Actually, Christine did it. She made Mikey do it.
Kathy knew enough to order a new cup.
Conspiracy.
So when I began pounding on the table and chanting, up ran a befuddled server with a strong cup of decaf.
Everyone of course directs their attention to the one in purple pounding the table.
They talk about us when we aren't here. We know they do. We are a bit off you see.
The table next to us is backing down.
I am now guarding my coffee.
Crab shells are now missiles.
Mikey and Dan are still eating for practice. Their cruise is coming up.
One by one the crab eaters begin to hit the wall while the crab pile diminishes.
Two heaping platters.
Then two more.
Double order.
They descend into madness.
We troop over to sing happy birthday en masse to a small little girl who is overwhelmed by this crowd.
We troop back and begin to eat - everything in site.
And then.
Desert.
The loud group of guys has left - a big party - who tried to outdo us in eating and noise. They left a $4.00 tip!
I am appalled. We ante up a special tip for the server for their table. Crabby Monday is a taxing night for the servers who have to lug plates too and fro with speed . And a big party is almost constant attention.
That was really tacky guys!
There is a new item on the menu.
A "Kelly Special".
Since my son does not share well, they take some of his and put it in a small dish and I get it.
Stops the fighting.
We did not break the record - Only 110 leg clusters!
I am surprised.
What's next?
Shrimp specials.
This should be fun!