random thoughts – Day 1,325 – (Thursday) – eat at ralph’s

Eat at Ralph's & Live Forever.

A text from Louie, a long-time but seldom seen friend, arrived on Wednesday. It was sent to three of us -- Sharon, Denise, and me -- and read “Burgers at Ralph’s tomorrow? 7pm?” Ummm, yes please. Hell to the yes to the company, the venue, and the food plan. With this group, I would probably have said yes even if the food venue was someone’s compost pile. 

Ralph’s, once called Ralph's Chadwick Square Diner and now called Ralph's Rock Diner, has been known for its burgers forever. They are still on the menu, but with a few more items that I didn't read from the whiteboard because I didn't really care. Back when the menu was just burgers and chili and I was in the place every week, the motto was “Eat at Ralph’s and Live Forever.”

Three of us met in photography class at the Worcester Center for Crafts, which we attended religiously on Thursday nights for years. The photo crew was so much fun and we all clicked and each week after class we went to Ralph’s for beverages and socializing. Damn, those were great times.

Crater field.

It had been so long ago that I couldn’t remember when the four of us were all together last, but it was at the same diner, before the world skidded sideways. You know when I mean.

The drive to Worcester from Lowell was the usual bundle of fun. Route 495 was awful until it got worse. Waze re-routed me onto route 62 in Berlin where I very nearly hit a deer, which made the traffic jam on 495 seem less awful. 

The access point to Ralph's from Prescott Street led to the dirt parking lot at the side of the building that was even more magnificently rutted than ever. Approaching in the dark, it looked like a field of craters with bonus water and a great way to lose a front end or bust an axle. Luckily, there is paved parking in front of the diner.

And then, there we were, back in the diner. Older. Wiser. More tired.

It was fun. We ate burgers and had beers. We caught up on the topics of the day like "what day is this, anyway?" and our jobs and vacation time and art museums and book clubs and other random topics.

The pinball
stall survives.

Then, a few hours later, at the hour where once upon a time we began our night, we were saying goodbyes and wrapping up for the night. Before hitting the road again, I visited the bathroom for the pre-emptive pee. Much of the ladies room was like I remembered it from decades ago. This wasn't necessarily a good thing. It used to feel quirky and charming and fun, but now it felt like I do -- kind of tired.

The big stall still has a massive mirror mounted low on the wall where you can watch yourself toilet. The smallest stall still has the old artwork for “Eat at Ralph’s and Live Forever” with the image of the original Ralph (may he rest in peace). It's painted on the stall door and has been preserved by being painted around. Behind the door, a part from a pinball machine is still mounted on the wall over the toilet.

It’s nice to have stable touchpoints. Like friends. And the still crazy bathroom in the crazy diner/bar/music hall. And a place to eat with the promise of living forever.