THE PALM LOUNGE

The Palm Lounge has done an excellent job renovating itself. The complete makeover, after years of neglect, reminds us of the renewed enthusiasm that Sombrero Fest injected into Charro Days when the latter was going through a stagnant period.

Nevertheless, the owners of the historic establishment forgot to leave a relic from the old days. It is the painting of an obese Native American couple asking the proverbial question, "How?" But sometimes moving into the future means abandoning the past.

For oldtimers Maclovio O'Malley and Jack O'Connell, the change has been little more than moving from an old marriage to a new marriage. They gather for their beers and burgers and talk their bullshit.

"I am paying for my years of excessive eating, drinking and smoking," said O'Malley.

"How's that compadre?" asked O'Connell.

"I have suffered from both heart burn and hemorrhoids over the years but never at the same time."

"So are you telling me that you were on the losing end of a double-header?"

"I was swept. My heart burn was so intense I could feel the smoke escaping through my ears and my ass was on fire. Sometimes I feel that the rest of my life will be reduced to that lockerroom adage of no pain, no gain."

"What did you do to relieve your pain?"

"For the heart burn I chose a two-prong strategy of tums and Zantac and for the hemorrhoids I stuck with my Preparation H, but you have to buy the more expensive tube that contains lidocaine."

"How do you feel today, compadre?"

"I'm gobbling down a greasy burger and sucking down brews."

"You never learn, do you, compadre, but that's why I love you. You make the same mistakes over and over again because the moment reigns supreme. You are going to live life even if it is going to cost you your life in the process."