The City Council drinking game!

Sitting through often lengthy Long Beach City Council meetings most Tuesday nights, I've come to notice certain trends. Combine that with occasional moments of boredom
-- and some long stretches of boredom -- as I await the next big item to be debated, and here's what we get: The Long Beach City Council Drinking Game.

Though I wouldn't recommend playing the game at the council meetings (unless you want to find yourself playing a different kind of game, one you probably won't win, with the police officers on duty there) this could be a fun way to pass the time at home while waiting for your council item to come up for discussion.

Disclaimer: This game shouldn't be played by anyone under age 21, nor should you drink yourself to the point of any health risk. If you find yourself rolling on the floor laughing at all of the council members' jokes, or you decide that this is the greatest reality TV show you've ever seen, you should probably stop drinking. And I would recommend this game be played with beer, not shots of hard liquor. Remember, council meetings have been known to go until midnight.

Following are the drinking rules. Please add your own drinking rule ideas in the comments section. And if you try the game, I'd love to hear how it goes.

Take a drink when:

• The pet being put up for adoption is a dog. If it's a cat, give away the drink to your friend.
• Gadfly Harvey Cochran speaks to the council.
• Cochran says "ring around the rosey" or a similar phrase.
• Mayor Bob Foster has to cut Cochran off, ask him to summarize or gets visibly annoyed with the loquacious gadfly.
• Councilwomen Gerrie Schipske, Tonia Reyes Uranga or Rae Gabelich cast a dissenting vote (one drink for each vote).
• City Attorney Robert Shannon gets upset with council members for not asking for or heeding his legal advice.
• Councilman Patrick O'Donnell says "a tired kid is a good kid."
• The phrase "Mayor and members of the City Council," or some variation, is uttered.
• Gadfly Larry Goodhue mentions the fence at Marine Stadium, government corruption, the Alamitos Bay farmers market or calls for City Manager Pat West to be fired.
• The council votes unanimously.
• The phrase "core services" is mentioned during budget discussions.
• A council member actually appears to be listening during public comment (one drink for each council member who is listening).

Down your entire glass when:

• The council doesn't have a quorum and council members have to be called back to their seats.
• Cochran doesn't speak during an entire meeting (it actually happened last week, the first time in two years).
• Councilman Dee Andrews speaks (other than during comunity announcements at the end of the meeting).
• Foster and Schipske spontaneously give each other a great, big, loving bear hug.

Down the whole damn six pack when:

• The mayor announces he is resigning from office to pursue his acting career. Look out Hollywood!