What goes up must come down. It?s only logical, since Isaac Newton told me so. Everything comes crashing down to Earth eventually, whether it?s a burst ego, a superbly lofted sand iron shot or a tyrannical military dictatorship. The laws of gravity and downward motion affect everybody and everything around us. The ups and downs and the positives and negatives are all part of life?s own yin and yang. So, recently it was saddening to hear about the immediate closure of two of Phuket?s most diverse restaurants and bars.

The Saxophone Pub first opened its doors over two years ago and finally offered jazz and blues enthusiasts something a little different than what they were already hearing. I actually reviewed Saxophone on behalf of the Phuket Post just over a month ago and wondered if my words were the final straw that broke the camel?s back. I don?t think so; I am definitely overestimating my own self-importance there. But I did mention the lack of customers inside the venue that was creating an adverse affect on the atmosphere.

It?s such a shame to see the first major casualty of the low season ? but it probably runs far deeper than that. Saxophone always employed a generous number of staff comprising four- and five-piece bands and a plethora of waiters and waitresses. It doesn?t take a Richard Branson to work out that you have to sell a whole lot of drinks and food just to cover the basic salaries. The monthly electricity usage alone would be enough to power Belarus for a fortnight, and the water usage would have been big enough to fill the Barringer Crater. You get the picture. I only visited Saxophone about a dozen times, but I never saw it more than a quarter full at best. The location was good, the venue was nice, the food above average, and the band was more than OK. It makes you wonder where it all went wrong.

The second casualty of war is the El Toro restaurant at the Boat Lagoon. It seems like only five minutes ago we were toasting a bright future for their Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine at the grand opening party in January. I have barely had time to remove the paella wedged between my molars, and it?s over already. I really liked the colonial-style building the restaurant was situated in and enjoyed the all-round atmosphere of the place. I visited El Toro on two or three occasions and thought the food was splendid. I really enjoy the company of former restaurant manager Jorge De La Torre. I should have realized that something was amiss when De La Torre decided to quit his job at El Toro and joined the team at the Silk restaurant a few months ago.

I also reviewed El Toro for another newspaper at the time, and I can?t help wondering if I am inflicting some kind of Egyptian curse on unknowing victims. I am sure El Toro would have succeeded if the restaurant had been located in Patong instead of quite a long distance away from the majority of tourists. Location, location, location!

That?s enough eulogizing for one week, and I want to send out my condolences to the grieving family members and friends of both parties at such a distressing time.

When God takes away with one hand, he usually gives back with the other. I don?t really believe in God, but we can look forward to the new Hardrock Caf? opening in Patong during the lead up to high season. And there are other fairly new places to keep us amused, such as the excellent White Box in Kalim, Clublime at Patong and the edgy Rain/Hail restaurant and lounge at Bangtao (reopening in October). And you can always rely on the stalwart establishments such as Baan Rim Pa, The 9th Floor, Rock City and Mom Tri?s Boathouse to stand up and be counted in a good ol? fashioned tussle. So there is no need to get the pipe and slippers out and set up the Monopoly board just yet!

Although tourist figures for the low season are down from this time last year, I shouldn?t see any reason for us to start worrying at the moment. High season drives expats like me underground. But at the same time we realize that our lives would dramatically change if businesses didn?t prosper and flourish in the peak months of the year they depend on so desperately. Good luck to all.

If you have any upcoming musical or entertainment events, jamming sessions, opening parties, orgies or sacrificial slaughters, don?t hesitate to drop Alan Wass a line at entertainment_guru@hotmail.co.uk.