Over the last few years I got involved in the bar business. Spending many hours behind the bar, I met some very interesting people to say the least. I've also made some friends, and probably some enemies. Whether you're tending bar or just managing things, some customers feel the need to tell you their life's story. Sometimes it's just that day's events, or it may be a childhood experience. It comes with the territory. I always listen and express a degree of interest.

One of these barflys told me a great deal about himself. I think a very small part of it was true, but it made him feel good to paint a grand picture of himself. He wasn't hurting anyone so I listened and simply smiled and agreed with him. He flew to Hawkeye games with coach Ferentz, finished a round of golf at Augusta with Tiger and became personal friends with Michael Jordan...or so he said. I just listened while he sipped his Grand Marnier on the rocks. He was always alone. He was always drunk. He was always grinning.

Today I saw this guy's obituary in the local paper. He died at his residence at the age of 57. It really made me sad. There will be no services, he is survived by his mother, two sons and their families. He would be very disappointed in the obit. After the flamboyant tales I've listened to for the past 2 years, the author of the obit did not share in this barfly's imagination.