Many individuals from different parts of my life have been instrumental in the production and ultimate outcome of this book. Just the fact that many of those mentioned below put up with me for so many years and even decades, is simply amazing. To all of you – THANK YOU!
Mom and Dad – thanks for giving me the framework to accomplish this and for your unconditional support throughout. While many of my parents’ same generation friends weighed in throughout, Mr. and Mrs. L. were the biggest contributors by far as Mrs. L.’s former English school teacher background was instrumental on establishing my writing style, grammar and manuscript flow. Other major contributors from a production perspective include Chris H. (editor), Kris C. (copyeditor), Jymm B. (cover designer), April May (book designer) and Chris B. (website designer).
Michael R. – you had to listen to all of this since college without any breaks, and thus for the longest period of time, my apologies once again. Carl C. – without you and your seasoned personal experiences and insights, I might not have ever been motivated enough to pull this journey off. Bill A.’s wisdom and support also kept me going.
Belisa C. – your female viewpoints and support of my message was the icing on the cake of this mission. Vanessa G. – you jumped on board about three-quarters along the way, basically sticking the candles in that now iced up cake. And of course, Steph M. filling me in on the opposite sex and their beauty needs during my bi-weekly haircuts didn’t hurt the cause either.
Meanwhile, where would my moral compass be without Mr. Bill de Smith keeping me honest with my chosen lifestyle. I have on the other end of the spectrum, Jymm B., Jason C. and Will L. to thank for showing me it is not just New York and the females I end up dating. Dave M. read through more versions of the manuscript than any human should ever have to, always strengthening my confidence in Last Call’s ultimate message of respect for how it is all really working out there.
As for my own partnerships through the decades, I certainly owe a lot—for better or worse—to those who dated me longer term. My collective thanks are extended to Josie, Elizabeth, Mary Ellen, Laurie, Rosalie, Carole, Bianca, and Sharon. Wingmen and wing-women that stood by me while on the front lines also were instrumental for obvious reasons. Thank you to Hank, John, Scott, Jeff, Ron, Frank, Andrew, Mark A., Joseph, Lynette, Stephanie, Maria, Brittani and Brittany. Many others also gave their opinions – Jasmine, Sara, Luisally, Nikky, Mike, Scott, Victor and Vincent to name a few – in both directions regarding my viewpoints. Your feedback and patience with this entire process proved invaluable.
For obvious reasons I cannot forget about the hundreds of bars which faithfully served me throughout the last three decades. Some that deserve special mention given how much time I ended up spending there: Trot Inn, Howard’s, TK’s, Night Cap, Hammerheads, Chevy’s, OBI South, Firehouse, Barker’s, Salty Dog, Shadows, Heffron’s, CPI, Boardy Barn, Casey’s, Neptune Beach Club, Summer’s, Docker’s, Beach Bar, Zachary’s, The Big Easy, LI Saloon, Crazy Donkey, Wall Street, Cyberia, Snafu, Faces & Names, McGee’s, Hooters Manhattan, Kevin St. James, Scruffy Duffy’s, Tonic West, Barcelona’s, Rumors, Bourbon Street, Tracks, Kabooz, Brother Jimmy’s, Pig & Whistle, Whiskey Trader, Hibernia Bar, Miller’s Ale House, McHale’s, Playwright Celtic Pub, and The West End. Cheers!