So they charged you nearly three thousand dollars, but didn't actually apply it to what you owed them? Wow, I think that's called "stealing".

I'm being glib. But that's quite a startling coincidence -- "Not only did we charge you a huge amount of money, but now we can't find it. Sorry!"

Can somebody explain the whole "dive bar" fad to me? For the longest time, I thought it was a bar where SCUBA fans hung out. What makes it a dive bar? What's cool about it?

At last! After all the computer, music, animal etc. stuff, finally something I can answer.

I think Mr. Jane's bar is probably the quintessential dive bar. Atmosphere comes strictly from the people. I suppose the tattiness of the place lends itself to that, but you're not going to be able to divine what sort of place it is by the look. No one group hangs out there either though, it's all a mix of neighborhood, hipsters, pretty people slumming it, college kids, professionals and professional drinkers. Does it have a dj, soundsystem, or band? Probably not a dive. Jukebox with a mix of newer stuff, oldies, country, obscure goodies etc? Probably a dive. Are the people wearing matching uniforms, t-shirts, nametags or are dressed in business casual? Not a dive. Whatever they rolled out of bed in? Dive.

While I wouldn't call it a new fad, I have noticed an increase in non-regulars and people who just stopped in, so maybe they're getting more noticed because they don't do covers and usually have pretty good drink prices.

A dive is Roadhouse. A neighborhood bar is Cheers.

Cheers is a tourist attraction.

Cheers is a tourist attraction.

Well, yes, but not on the show!

So, I'm sitting here pulling staples out of papers that have sat in my desk since 2003 for no particular reason. Whee!

A dive is Roadhouse.

See, I would think the live music would automatically preclude it from being a dive bar.

My dive bars have no bands.

What do you consider your local, amych? If I went to bars anymore, mine would probably be Jo and Joe's or The Federal. Actually, when I do go to bars anymore that's where I go.

My local is the Green Room -- great bottled beer selection and they let the dog in.

I probably go to Fed or Jo and Joe's more often these days, because I very seldom go to bars for a drink that's not attached to getting food anymore. Love 'em both, but they're just enough further away that they feel more like going out than just stopping in for a beer.

I only sloped off on 45 minutes - that's okay, right?

Totally okay.

I prefer my establishments to be without live music, because it's distracting and loud and generally not that good. I'm generally there to talk to someone, and I like to be able to hear them.

I think you can have live music at a dive bar as long as there's no cover. If you have to pay to hear the music, it's not a dive.

If you have to fence off the live music--dive.