I started this post thinking I’d talk about my ex-girlfriends. I know, I know. Pretty damn boring. Not to mention, pathetic. Anyway, turns out there’s a restaurant bar called Used To Be’s.

It’s located on the East Coast.

Mantoloking Shores, New Jersey

It’s on the ocean. Or…

The Jersey Shore.

The Beach is right behind the restaurant.

Looks like a dump. That’s okay. I like dumps. Especially dumps right on the beach.

Or, the Shore, as they say in New Jersey.

My Used To Be’s

My current girlfriend, Joan, is not a Used To Be. She’s not perfect but who is?

Not me, that’s for sure. Not by a long shot.

You reach a certain age you stop looking for perfection. Especially if you are a far cry from perfection.

But not everybody settles for less than perfect.

I know several women around my age who won’t settle for anything less than perfect. All of these women live alone. And the older they get, the more single they’re gonna be, until they’re nothing but single, alone, lonely, with a cat, or two cats, or a little dog that demands attention.

Every day they check the mail box and find no letter from an admirer or even a simple valentine that says, “you’re so special to me.”

Nothing.

And so they go back inside and pour themselves a stiff one.

Later they walk the little dog. The little poochy…

Then maybe they pour another stiff one.

Man, this is kinda depressing…

Let me get back to that beautiful Joint in Jersey

The Used To Be’s Menu

Okay, there’s lots more stuff on the menu, but I’ve seen enough….

I’m sure the food is terrific at Used To Be’s. That’s the way it is at these funky bar/restaurants. They always surprise you.

The entertainment

The bar at Used To Be’s

They got a friendly bar. With nice friendly bartenders.

I Found this review of the house band

Live music was trash

The drinks are OK at best, the live music is a DISASTER. The band (something Bryson and co) was humiliated by a costumer who finally had enough of the painful mediocrity. Costumers yelling at the dude who didn’t stop singing. Musician started to prompt his friends to attack the costumers who were done with the horrible experience. Everything became cringy when a woman who came with the band stood up and started to sing alone in the middle of the restaurant. I searched for the “band” and found a pic from that horrible comedy show…

Date of visit: January 2023

I guess you can’t please everybody…

A final note on Used To Be’s

I want to go there and hang out. Drink. Sample the fabulous menu. Listen to the house band. Hang out on the beach. The Jersey Shore. The thing is, I’m broke. I need to come up with some money. Then I can take a vacation to the Jersey Shore. Maybe this summer. Bring Joan. She’ll love it. Maybe. She’s not my used to be, by the way.

Did I clarify that? She might become my Used To Be, in which case I could call her my future Used To Be. I won’t do that because I don’t want to jinx the deal. I don’t want to be stuck walking poochy. Or checking the mailbox for Valentines. I’m not gonna dwell on negative shit.

I’m gonna make plans for my summer vacation to the Jersey Shore!

First things first. First I need to find a job. I have a job. I’m a booze sample dude. But that’s not enough. I need to find another job. Why? Because I’ve joined the ranks of all those poor saps that need to work three jobs or more in order to make ends meet.

I’ll check craigslist. Maybe there’s something in there today.

How about this:

TV CASTING: ARE YOU DATING A WOMAN IN PRISON? (oakland downtown)

compensation: $$
Are you currently dating a female inmate?
Are they coming home this year?
Did you meet during their incarceration?
A popular TV series is looking to feature new couples in an upcoming season.

If you or someone you know is dating a woman who is incarcerated, please apply.

We look forward to hearing your story.
Thanks!

Did any of my used to be’s spend time in prison?