Posts Tagged ‘Alexander Frederick Sorensen Lopez’

Read A Book

Saturday, February 28th, 2009

Just got back from visiting friends in Hoboken. Never been to their place. Didn’t know exactly where they lived, but I had an inkling for some reason which was on target. Oh by they I mean Elsie and Dutch. 2 people that I know and readers of the blog.

Or at least one of them read it and tells the other I don’t know but I do know their cats like me and from what I heard their cats don’t like just anyone. Always a hit with the pussy I suppose. No possible threat. A bit randy perhaps? Perhaps I was. 4 or 5 Heinekens will do that.

Still it was a last minute thing, phone call, invite of food, sounded good to me. Fast chatter and wandering tangents over a few hours wore me out and I still had to come home to write. I’d be open for another invite and since they read this from time to time I’m putting that out there.

Food was good despite a heavy parmigiana presence and I’m no fan of the parm. Still I left stuffed. There promises to be a heavy snowstorm tomorrow, from what I read they’re anticipating 6 inches or more. Unless it was a male meteorologist then we can actually expect 2 inches.

Last night I had a good phone call with Harpy. He was himself as usual but relatively coherent this time which made it fun. Running down various things Harpy can do for employment.

His girlfriend Deborah is a yoga teacher and I suggested that since she’s successful with that maybe he can manage her and her calendar as well as her fellow yoga teachers, sending them out on various assignments getting a commission or whatnot.

Sort of like Harpy’s Angels, ‘Hello Angels’, ‘Hello Harpy’.

Why not? It could work and wouldn’t hurt to try. He’s another decent cook, that Harpy. Perhaps that angle. I also suggested a government job. In any event we have to find Harpy a job. Him first since he’s been unemployed the longest out of all my friends.

He’s not collecting either so if you know anything let me know and I’ll forward it to him. He’s also a very good bookkeeper which was his last job was. This afternoon I watched 2 DVD’s. The first was the Homecoming with Ian Holm. A film of the Harold Pinter play from 1973 which was quite harrowing.

I’m sure it would have been more intense and perhaps more entertaining (if that’s the right word) watching it live on stage. In fact it was recently on Broadway with Ian McShane, Michael McKean and Raul Esparza which of course, I wasn’t interested in seeing until after it closed.

After that I watched Grizzly Man by Werner Herzog which was engrossing and not as harrowing as I thought it would be. True story of Timothy Treadwell who left civilization to commune with brown grizzly bears in the wilds of Alaska.

It was a collection of videos made by Treadwell that were gathered and edited and made into a documentary by Herzog. Sad, deluded Treadwell, it did not end well for him and his girlfriend. There was an audio track of their attack and slaughter by a grizzly bear, one that wasn’t used to them and vice versa.

You don’t hear the audio but Herzog listens to it and tells a friend of Treadwell to turn it off and then he tells the friend to never listen to it, instructing her to destroy the tape.

It reminded me of Into the Wild, a DVD that I had a few weeks ago, starring Emile Hirsch as yet another young man fed up with civilization and goes off on walkabout eventually meeting an untimely demise.

My walkabout usually involves me staying within the mile square confines of Hoboken and the only bears I see are generally hirsute men.

And to end tonight’s entry on a very Up note, here are 2 recent pictures of Kal-El, who is learning to walk. Still the cutest baby in the world!

alexander-photo-0145

alexander-photo-0153

Wear You to the Ball

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

After all the inaugural footage and festivities have wound down, it feels like the holidays are over. I know they ended a few weeks ago but to me it seemed like it was finished. I mainly watched MSNBC covering the balls and the events of the day regarding the incoming president.

I have to say after hearing the Etta James song, ‘At Last’ nine times I had had enough. A James Brown song would have done better but hey, it wasn’t my party and I wasn’t the guest of honor. A few twirls around the stage and a few words from the president and then it was off to the next ball for them.

Somehow Barack Obama was able to get up and go to work this morning. I did too but all he had to do was get out of bed and walked through the White House from the east wing to the west wing. I’m sure he had a busy day and I was busy myself. Finally.

Things were quiet on the conservative front this morning. Perhaps my comment to them yesterday shut them up, perhaps they were hurt or perhaps they realized they can’t just spew their ignorance around anymore without anyone else speaking up against what they had to say.

What I said yesterday was nonsense though and though I sort of expected the other shined shoe to drop, it never happened. A lot of running around in the cold streets of midtown. Just quick jaunts here and there, nothing too insane.

Got an email from Susan regarding a party for the closing of Farfetched. Harpy mentioned that it might be this weekend so I should keep this weekend open. I committed to this weekend when Pedro called inviting me up to Otisville for a get together to watch a boxing match.

He’s big into boxing. I told him about Farfetched and their closing party and of course he berated me for not going up to see him. The email that Susan sent this morning was announcing the party being on January 30.

I texted Pedro this morning, letting him know I could make it after all. Effectively giving him another opportunity to bust my balls and telling me that I wasn’t invited after all.

I told Bill about Otisville and he wanted to go, but when I told him it would be an overnight trip, a two hour train ride each way he said he wouldn’t be able to make it after all since he has to do a reading at his church on Sunday morning. We’ll probably be just getting up when he mounts the pulpit.

Bill and I will have to work out a visit later in the year when it’s warmer. Then it would be up to Pedro and Connie to invite us up. But that’s further down the line and a few flips of the calendar pages and right now I’m just too tired to really care.

Hopefully I will get to sleep at a decent hour but having said that, it seems unlikely, what with Lost returning to TV tonight in a 2 hour season premiere.

Here’s a picture of Superboy that Julio took with his cellphone last month.

Superboy!

Superboy!

Don’t Fall In Love

Saturday, September 20th, 2008

Last night was most chill, and cool. Chill in the apartment, me and Bill watching Rachel Maddow and recordings of the Daily Show and The Colbert Report, followed by Bill Maher and cool weather wise. I was pretty much wide awake after having taken a nap when I got home.

All pretty good shows. Bill was watching Chris Rock on his laptop while wearing headphones and laughing at the most inappropriate times during Bill Maher. It was odd listening to Andrew Sullivan or Naomi Klein talk about some serious issues and hearing Bill chuckle,

Will I. Am was the third panelist and he didn’t have much to say except when Bill Maher discussed his documentary about the insanity of religion. My Bill went to bed soon after and I stayed up to unfortunately watch the last 45 minutes of Balls of Fury, the ping pong movie starring Christopher Walken. It was odd and elicited a giggle or two but overall not worth watching.

Woke up this morning around 8:30 and went out in the world picking up bagels for the family on the third floor. Julio was feeding Alexander while Stine was getting ready for a baby shower for Julio’s sister. Hung out with them for a while before heading upstairs and having my own breakfast.

Bill was getting ready to see his mom and I read the Daily News and started doing laundry. Another Saturday another bike ride. I wasn’t sure where I was going. I rode up the elevator to Congress Street and proceeded up Palisades Avenue, getting bananas in my old neighborhood.

Still wasn’t sure where I was going though the bike decided on heading north. I pedaled in agreement and eventually found myself in Fort Lee by the George Washington Bridge, after briefly talking to my sister on the cellphone while stopping in Cliffside Park. Had a quick bite to eat then I rode across the bridge.

Several other riders in bicycle riding gear passing me by in groups all shiny in their spandex and branding. I didn’t know until I was in the thick of it but today was a big festival for the Little Red Lighthouse underneath the bridge. It’s a children’s book too you know. Strollers and families everywhere slowing me down. I got around them with no problem and decided on a different route.

I got off the bike path and rode up to Riverside Drive and then down 96th street into the park. There was supposed to be something for the play, Hair going in in the park but I couldn’t find it. I rode over to the skate circle and sat watching Disco Granny and the guys on Bear Hill.

Bear Hill

It was nippy out and I was only there for just short of an hour. Rode down 59th street where on the hill between 10th and 11th Avenues some woman decides to make a U Turn just as I am hitting a nice speed. I yelled, ‘what the hell are you doing you fucking bitch’ she says I should just go around her, into oncoming traffic. A flip of the bird and I was on my way to the safety of the bike path again.

Rode to the World Trade Center and caught the Path back to Jersey City where I stumbled upon a Jersey City Irish Festival. Lot’s of people that looked like my tribe, most of them carrying cups full of Guinness. I thought about getting one for myself but decided to head on home and make dinner before meeting up with Rand finally for a pint or two at McSwells.

7 World Trade Center

Jersey City

Neumann Leather Building

Observer Highway

Beware of Darkness

Friday, July 11th, 2008

It’s finally Friday and we all give thanks for it. Who do we thank? I don’t know, I’ll just put it out there in the ever expanding universe. Not that the universe runs on an earthly calendar. Could be a Mayan calendar, but I doubt it.

In any event, it’s good to be home and resting. I just ordered Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros for my brother Brian’s birthday present.

Hopefully it will get to Hillsdale by Thursday and hopefully his son Brian won’t open the package thinking it’s a present for him. Little Brian’s gift is a gift card from Pac Sun, his sister Cassie got $2000000.00 and my niece Cory got $30000000.00 since she’s an adult and could use the money for gas or whatever. I just hope they don’t cash the checks.

Brian’s oldest daughter, Hillary has her birthday at the end of July which gives me some breathing space. The four birthdays in the middle of the month lightens my wallet somewhat. I’m glad the rest of the birthdays are spread out through the year.

Today was a bit of a purple nurple. Slept well, Bill was off to work, kissing me goodbye as I said hello. I got motivated and did my thing and was out of the apartment before 7:00 since I don’t like the morning show team on TV. They changed some anchors and they didn’t ask me.

I rode the bus, reading about the saber rattling towards Iran. Man this country is in a mess thanks to that buffoon on Pennsylvania Avenue.

The headphones I bought a few weeks ago are shot, or at least on their last legs. Made listening to David Bowie a little bit difficult but I managed. Work was quiet since it was a Friday. Most of the major players were out, still some were in.

I entertained the idea of leaving early today, like around 3:00 but having only worked four days this week, it didn’t seem likely. Last week I dropped off my eyeglasses that I got in November, broken arm on the frame. Evan who seems to like me a lot said he would have them fixed.

Today they came in and I went across the street to pick them up. They looked brand new as Evan cleaned off the lenses, mentioning that the lenses are no longer a problem. They were not fully in the frame the whole time I had them and I thought thats how they were supposed to be.

I walked out of the store, into the sunlight wearing my like new specs. I came to the office and they seemed a bit dirty so I cleaned them. Still dirty. Cleaned them again and I noticed they seemed stained. I went back across the street, the lenses were dislodged again.

I spoke to Evan who said he’d order me new lenses. I was frustrated and called my insurance company to find out when I would be able to get a new set of lenses. That wouldn’t be until November, at least the getting the prescription, and actually getting a new set of glasses wouldn’t be done until January.

Since I had the insurance company on the phone I asked how my appeal for my dental work was going. I resubmitted my claim in June. They told me once again that since I had two procedures done on the same day my claim was rejected.

I resubmitted with a letter from my dentist while explaining that while I maybe out of the network I was saving them and myself money. I got a letter from the insurance company today telling me I have to submit my periodontal chart as well as the x-rays.

I have to do this myself, the dental school doesn’t do paperwork. So I have to make arrangements to go to the dental school and pick up these items next week.

I didn’t leave the office until after 4:30 this afternoon. I had my Padron and walked across town, not staying around for Manhattan-henge. That’s when the sun is in a perfect position as it sets and all the cross streets in the grid of Manhattan are illuminated with sunlight.

I came home on a crowded bus, trying to read Tweak while next to me a woman standing up, her purse kept landing on top of my book, making it difficult to turn the page. She of course was oblivious. I came home and decided to have hot dogs for dinner.

Then I realized I let Bill finish off the bread leaving me without bread. Out to the supermarket where I ran into Stine and Alexander, making the end of my day so much better than the day that came before it.

Here’s some snaps

The Kiss Army at 7:30 waiting for Gene Simmons to show up at 12:30.

The shin

My building reflected

No Words

Saturday, June 21st, 2008

Nothing to say today. Did some riding around Hoboken. It was a nice day. Ran into Julio, Stine and Alexander. Finally some pictures with Alexander and his eyes open. So here they are. Meeting Rand at McSwells for a few pints so maybe I’ll write later. In the meantime, here’s some pictures.

I actually wrote. See after the pictures

The view from 16th street in Hoboken

Laughing baby!

My Lotus

“we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds… ”

the soon to be 40 father with his 2 month old son

The remarkably non-plussed Alexander and me.

Ooojah boo boo!

making a point

Stine and Alexander

Un famile

Choochie time

Someone’s getting tired

Well I was supposed to meet Rand at 8:00 but I just called to let him know I would be a little late, he replied in kind so now we’re looking at 8:30-ish. Which should give me enough time to perhaps rub one out. Another entry, that is. Let’s see, last night watched TV, including a very good show on PBS about Arab satellite television, specifically a show for women.

Sort of like the View, but not. 3 women in modern dress, one woman in a head scarf. They get a lot of shit from the extremists, the 3 women for the way they dress, which is quite tasteful to my western eyes. They talked about the subjugation of women, of homosexuality and of masturbation, all taboo subjects.

Not just to the Imams and such, but also over here. It was like both the right wing christians here and the right wing muslims there both read from the same script. Of course it’s a bullshit script, but you can’t tell them that. It was engrossing and I watched the whole hour with heavily lidded eyes. Soon after that I fell into a deep sleep without any zombie dreams or Justin Long (tee hee).

Woke up at 5:00 with the sun already up, so I tossed and turned and tossed again finally awaking and getting out of bed around 8:00. Did my thing, bagels for the family on the third floor, some grocery shopping for myself including my dear Stevia. Hoboken Farm boy has been rather strange as of late, rather cold people behind the counter.

So I went to Basic Foods which had a sale, and they were nice behind the counter, so points for that. It makes a difference obviously. Did laundry and since it was a nice day out I decided to break out the bicycle. I inflated the tires and rode around Hoboken’s empty streets. Swung by the Hoboken Museum and looked through a photography book of Hoboken in the 1970′s.

What a run down place Hoboken was. I moved to the Mile Square City in 1984, when it started to crawl back to ‘respectability’. I thought the book would make a nice present for Julio for his upcoming 40th birthday next week, since he was born and raised here, he would remember how it was, places he used to play around.

I also bought 2 tickets to Xanadu for Bill’s birthday which is the day after Julio’s. I got 2 seats on stage, pretty cheap too. Below $50.00 which is cheap considering Broadway shows are over $100.00. It’s a matinée on July 6, so I told him to keep that afternoon open, but not telling him what for. I’m excited about seeing the show.

That’s the Theater Fag coming out of me I guess. I don’t think I really qualify since I only see a Broadway show once every 5 years or so. Sunday in the Park with George last weekend was the exception. I also heard from Donna Rinaldi, my girlfriend from 32 years ago and Andrea Voto again.

I’d love to see them again, find out how their lives are, but that remains to be discussed down the line I suppose. Still it was a thrill. Donna was surprised I remembered her, and Andrea was surprised I remembered that she once owned a Beatles lunch box. Time to go for a pint or two. Cheers!

Pata Pata

Saturday, June 14th, 2008

Well today was the day of the dolphin. No wait, the day of the gate sale. No porpoises involved. Last night was a quiet night. I even went out for a spell. Walked up to the Malibu Diner for a burger and coke, reading the dreadful Songs of John Lennon. It wasn’t what I was hoping for when I ordered it from the library, but it was something to read while I ate. After that I fired up a Padron and walked down Washington Street putting up fliers for the gate sale.

Stopped outside of McSwells, couldn’t go in since I was smoking a cigar. Saw Rand having dinner with his wife Lisa, and also saw Roda. Gave a flier to Rand to post in the wall where the cigarette machine used to be. Wandered further down the street, all the bars and restaurants were full.

Came home and watched Keith Olbermann mourning Tim Russert. I wasn’t that much of a fan of Russert, but condolences for his family. I’m sure he was a decent guy. Actually I’m not sure he was a decent guy, all the other broadcasters seemed to think so.

Watched a DVD, A Stephen Sondheim Celebration which should have been great but was merely so so. It was made in 1992 and doesn’t hold up these days. Can’t really put my finger on why that is.

Woke up early enough this morning, went out did some errands, came home ate breakfast went out to the bank. I had the foresight to get singles in case I had to make change. Saw Julio who was up since 5:00 due to Alexander being a baby. I wasn’t in too good a mood since I had a felling that the gate sale wasn’t going to go that well.

A little resentment towards no one in particular over the fact that I would be doing my part of the sale on my own, where Rand had Lisa, Lois had Fred and Jackie had Dave. I was solo. I made sure I had a big bottle just in case I had to piss, trucker style.

Eventually I came around once I started setting everything up, after moving items down four flights of stairs from the fifth floor. I was drenched in sweat once that was done. Hooked up the iPod and some speakers and waited for the sales to begin. I started out playing Rubber Soul, then Revolver, followed by Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour.

The first 90 minutes were the busiest. Sold a few items that I didn’t want or need anymore. Sold some records, some books by Beat writers and a few other items. Rand stopped by checking in to see if I was doing ok.

I was fine and he was on his way. An hour or so later Lisa arrived checking in. I ran up to pee, and then ran to the liquor store and bought a six pack. Lisa didn’t want one and soon she headed back. I sold a few empty cigar boxes which I usually throw away, actually I leave them by the trash and someone always scoops them up so I was happy to make some cash on that. I told the guy to come back in a few months and I should have some more boxes for him.

Rand came back after hearing I had some beer and we hung out and chatted, eventually needing to get some more beer. It was a good hang and I eventually made a profit of $40.00 US. Soon though the skies opened up and Rand made a beeline to his spot to help Lisa bring stuff in. I managed to salvage most of my things, a few books didn’t make the cut, winding up in the bin. I eventually needed to use the big bottle, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to make it upstairs in time.

Trashy novels that I got when I worked at People magazine that weren’t going to be missed. Came upstairs, made some dinner and now I’m really tired, more than likely from the beer and moving things up four flights of stairs. Here are some snaps of the day.

Here’s Alexander!

Stine, Dita (whom Stine used to babysit for 20 years ago), Alexander and Julio

Some of my stuff

Beware of Tiger!

Vinyl

Lisa/Lady Gigglepuss

Rand/El Jefe

Me

and here’s something sad yet worth watching.