ID Check

Last night, I traveled home from Phoenix. My flight was delayed, so I decided to go to Fox Sports Bar. I ordered a Dirty Martini (side note: I'm on the search for a perfect dirty martini - the best so far is Jake's in Del Mar with Hendricks Gin). The waiter/ bar tender asked to see my ID. Be still my heart . . . oh wait, I've been here before.

Flash back to October 2008 - Kauai, Hawaii. After an amazingly delightful vacation, I was waiting for my red-eye flight. I treated myself to one last fru-fru drink (you know, one with an umbrella and fruit). The bartender asked to see my ID. At first, I was feeling especially young. Then I saw the sign over her right shoulder, "We card everyone." About 20 minutes later a 40 something woman approached the bar and ordered a glass of wine. Following her script, the bartender asked to see her ID. You should have seen the woman light up as she flipped through her wallet. And to this day, I can still see myself turn to her and say, "They check the ID of everyone. See the sign?" And the light went out . . . I'll give her credit she did laugh. But watching her face, I thought, NEVER AGAIN. I will let anyone who wants to believe they are being carded because of their "youthful" looks. They shall have the moment of joy.

Return to yesterday. Fox Sports Bar. I get carded, the 30 something guy next to me gets carded, and about 15 minutes later, an older woman has a moment of joy - and I keep silent.