And you better not cry, because this is what happens when you do.
A few days ago, I posted the first of our annual "Elf Yourself" creations using Sandbar staff members. I explained that the video only allows up to five elves, and given that we have about 14 employees, they wouldn't all fit into one or even two videos. Even though all of the staff wasn't represented at the time, it didn't mean they wouldn't be included in the future.
Danny was heartbroken that he didn't make the cut, so I made a special Elf Yourself video just for him. I hope he appreciates it.
Every year we get super excited when Elf Yourself arrives. Here's our first attempt at holiday greetings from some Sandbar elves! I gave in and upgraded my JibJab subscription this year, so many more of these are on the way. I can only put five elves in each video, so obviously these greetings don't include *all* of our staff. I'll do some more so everyone gets in there.
You might notice that Dave did "the worm" at one point in that video. Next time you see him, ask him about the time he tried to do that on a hardwood floor.
A few weeks ago, some of the Sandbar crew ventured south to Austin, Texas. It was a rag-tag bunch- managing partner Dave and his lovely wife, our art director Justin and his lovely wife, and our Man on the Street Patrick.
It also happened to be the weekend that KU played the Texas Longhorns in a little game called football, so there were lots of folks we knew down there.
But, the game wasn't actually the reason that Dave and I were there.
We planned the trip for two reasons: to check out the bar scene in Austin and steal borrow some ideas, and to catch a concert at the legendary Gruene Hall, the oldest continuously operating dancehall in Texas.
One of our favorite artists, Roger Creager, played Saturday night. He's played in Lawrence and Kansas City several times, and he's partied with us at the Sandbar after a couple of shows. We weren't about to miss the opportunity to see him at Gruene.
Dave and I had dinner at the restaurant next door to Gruene Hall, the Grist Mill, before the show. All of a sudden, who comes walking past our table but Roger himself. Dave got his attention, he stopped to chat for awhile, and went on his way.
About halfway through the concert later that night, Roger started talking about road trips, and fans, and how it's great that people come from all over to see shows. Then, he said this:
"I even ran into a buddy of mine who's here all the way from The Sandbar in Lawrence, Kansas!"
Clearly nobody's mind was on football, or else they knew we were losing badly, because we didn't get booed by the crowd. Dave and I cheered, and a kid about ten feet away came running over to us.
I won't lie, I had seen this guy earlier in the night and thought he looked familiar. Sure enough, he introduced himself as Andrew, a grad student at KU who had been in the Sandbar less than a week ago.
It's such a small world. It was very cool that our tiny little bar got a shout-out in front of a crowd of maybe a thousand people in Texas.
Coming soon, a post about some of the things we learned from the bars in Austin. I know, I'm slow.
Our Man on the Street, otherwise known as Man Who Will Be Celebrating His 40th Birthday Soon, tipped us off to this event. Or rather he has been pestering us about it with video links and posts on our Facebook pages.
I finally decided to check out what was so important, and I'm glad I did. We are totally doing this in downtown Lawrence next year. We might do a test run at our annual holiday/employee appreciation party next weekend.
How fun would it be to roam around Mass Street with a huge group of Santas, scaring little kids handing out candy canes, and spreading holiday cheer?
No, not our high budget hurricane film every few years. This time, we're going to be in an actual movie!
A filmmaker contacted us last month and wanted to use our bar for a scene in his movie. Naturally, we said yes. We don't turn down anything fun. And, even better, he needed some extras!
I'm not giving any details here because I don't want to spoil his announcements. And I have no idea when the movie will be finished. But, we had a blast spending a chilly November afternoon at the Sandbar, wearing bathing suits and tropical attire, and learning how tedious movie-making really is.
Maybe we'll get to have a red carpet premiere party someday!
Dave got a nice surprise package in yesterday's mail.
A young man (or maybe old, I guess I don't really know) sent a small package with a piece of wooden floorboard, a black sharpie, and a letter.
The letter said that he was looking for David Johanning who played basketball at KU from 1990-92, and apologized if he had reached the wrong person. The sender then went on to explain that he is a collector of autographs and sports memorabilia, and emphasized that he is not a dealer or seller but merely collects these things for his own enjoyment.
He very politely asked if Dave would autograph the piece of floorboard, and then send it back in the self-addressed stamped envelope that the sender had also provided.
Of course, Dave will oblige. Several years ago he had a similar request to sign a quilt square, for a KU quilt full of former players' autographs that was being auctioned for charity.
Back when I first met Dave, he was more frequently recognized around town and elsewhere from his playing days. Now, it's more likely that people know him from The Sandbar instead. It's kind of neat when the basketball days are remembered, too.
