Guiding Light | Billymarks West | O’Toole’s Way | Del Frisco’s Grille | YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
I’ll come clean and say that I’d never heard of Guiding Light by Mumford and Sons until I was at a bar drinking a pint of Guinness. This song was released in September of ‘18 and was the band’s lead single for their 4th studio album called Delta.
Standard classic opener, gotta be the most used.
All Day Permanent Red might be a reference about two things: 1) a battle scene in Homer’s Illiad or 2) could just simply be about lipstick. The narrator could have been distracted (glazed eyes) by either chaos or appearance until he heard their voice. Judging by how the speaker claims to be alright, I guess you could say he was surprised by the emotional distance in their voice. I think that makes sense.
Oftentimes a guiding light is a reference to something spiritual or God, but in this case, I think it’s about a person. Sitting, folding hands, and closing your eyes (going blind) sounds like praying. While the singer may have it all on the line, they don’t necessarily want prayer, but to reassure them that even when times are dark (no star in sight), they are the singer’s inspiration (guiding light).
I think relating to youth means past mistakes we learn from or discover something about ourselves. I guess they are pleading for their guiding light to not be so distant or come from a high horse if they learn something new.
The only reason why I think the other verses are specifically about a person or people is because in interviews Mumford & Sons have said the song is about “people.” The bridge here feels like it may just be about God, forgiveness of sins, etc. Whether you’re Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, or shit even an atheist, there has gotta be something bigger out there than you and I. My two cents at least.
I like this song. It has a nice feel to it and makes me feel warm inside. Sue me.
Well damn, this got kinda deep for a Wednesday morning, on to the pints…
#GuinnessChallengeSeason
@Kids don’t try this at home. Not just because you’re underage and will have plenty of pints to drink if that ends up being your thing when you’re older but also because Guinness is actually best served in a pint glass from a tap. A pint of Guinness varies depending on the drinking establishment. If the keg it sits in is rarely poured, it can lead to some underwhelming taste. Rather than stealing gimmicks, I’d like to start taking Notes while drinking Guinness. My grandfather from Connemara, who I never got the chance to meet, Thomas Davis, used to drink pints and by all accounts was a self-taught thinker. The one rule I’ve imposed on myself is that I will only have 1 pint per sitting from each establishment I review, so @AnyoneWorrying, don’t worry about my drinking habits. The Guinness Challenge is to “cut the G” on your first sip (more like a gulp and a half). If this is your first time hearing about it, I didn’t come up with the fun challenge @YouTheReader can try the next time you have a Guinness. The 0.0 to 10.0 scale will be extraordinarily nuanced but as a reference point, the only perfect 10.0 I plan ever to give out is at the Guinness Factory in Dublin one day.
Song On In The Background: Every 1’s a Winner by Hot Chocolate
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Dogma movie poster with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon on the wall behind the bar. They also have pictures of Thin Lizzy, Doctor Dre, James Blunt, and The Beatles. On the wall, they have signed Johnny Manziel and Giannis Antekumpo jerseys. There has got to be some backstory behind why these things were collected or else it is quite literally the most random “on the wall” I’ve Noted in New York City. They also have one other unique sign that reads, “Cash only. No vaping. No boy, girl in the bathroom.” The bartender made sure to tell me the to-read sign. Billy and Mark are the bar’s owners. They have darts and a pool table. As soon as I sat down the bartender said “What’s up Peter Parker?” At this point, I had just shaved my grizzled beard and I guess I look 12 again. I don’t think the bartender likes me very much.
Billymark’s West is a vintage old-school neighborhood bar. They have a no-nonsense attitude. It was originally established in 1956, but the bartender didn’t want to talk and I’m not going to go back for a bottled Guinness.
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: “The High Line’s Neighborhood Tavern.” Vincent is the bartender. At this time they had been open for 7 months, 4 of which they had a liquor license. The builders of Hudson Yards wanted their own local pub, so they made their own. The 2nd level of the bar is for lunch, private events, and parties. Their short rib cottage pie is recommended, “it is very similar to shepherd’s pie.” Vincent also recommends their old fashions. He loves New York because “Everything is here. Communities from all over the world.” Vincent is Chilean-American and has spent the last 6 years in New York, his new home.
O’Toole’s Way is an Irish-American-influenced restaurant and bar that celebrates vintage New York City. Located in the heart of Hudson Yards, they have inventive and delicious dishes. They also have a cocktail menu centered around seasonal ingredients so check out their winter options. The bar is brand new and built by developers so you know it’s state of the art with high ceilings to go with an outdoor patio. They serve a very nice pint of Guinness. I look forward to grabbing another pint again soon!
Song On In The Background: Guiding Light by Mumford & Sons
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Mike is the bartender. They have an open buffet set up. It’s a wrap-around bar. The Yankees made no trades during the trade deadline and I’m pissed off. This is a very fancy spot and it’s the one located by the Hudson. They have trippy art on the wall and it is 2 levels. Their Mac-n-cheese and Steak are recommended. There is a rather large selection of wine to choose from. A lot of networking going on around me. I don’t have much else to write about, fire Cashman.
This Del Frisco’s is the latest addition to the Battery Park restaurants. The well-known steakhouse has 15 locations all over the U.S. including one in Hoboken that sadly doesn’t serve the Guinness. They do holiday parties. I’m probably not going to go back to Del Frisco’s for another Guinness in a can, but maybe a steak!