Posts Tagged ‘Mac’

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Reasons to be Cheerful Part 3

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Well it wasn’t raining today and I’m pretty much happy about that. It was a bright and sunny day, a bit on the cool side but who’s complaining? Besides the usual people, who? I was even out for a walk into the city were I met Harpy for a few minutes.

It was nice to get out and about again. A lot of people around Herald Square where Harpy was doing some bookkeeping work. It was only for a little while.

Last night was different. I was on Bill’s Mac doing whatever it is that I do online. Bill came home earlier than expected, in time to watch game one of the World Series. Me? I didn’t care for the World Series.

That makes me a minority at this time of year in this metropolitan area.

I just closed the door and continued doing what I do. I was going to watch Rachel Getting Married on Bill’s Mac but Bill said he wasn’t going to watch the whole game. He’s feeling achy. His knees, his back all giving him pains.

These could all be related to some extra poundage but if I said anything about that, he wouldn’t hear it. Some people have mentioned that might be the case and I couldn’t help but agree.

Last night while that was going on, Rand texted me, telling me the PC was up and running. I was about to run over and get it, but wisely asked Rand when would be a good time to pick it up. I phoned him since I didn’t want to text. He said he was fine with me getting it this morning and we agreed to speak at around 10:00AM.

I told Bill about it but he seemed a bit sad that it was being fixed. He seemed to enjoy being able to help me out with letting me use his Mac. I have to tell you, the Mac was fine, I was getting used to the Mac commands that are slightly different from a PC, but the spinning rainbow beach ball of death was pissing me off more and more.

I also told him I appreciated his helping me out and I really did.

He went to bed midway through the baseball game and I came out and watched the news, then Easy Riders, Raging Bulls on the Sundance Channel. I didn’t stay up and watch the whole thing since I knew how it ended.

I fell asleep to the sound of Bill breathing through his sleep apnea mask. Woke up, trying to find a reason to not go back to sleep when I remembered that I was getting the PC back from Rand this morning.

Luckily for me, I have taken steps to make this apartment a little more livable and a little less shabby. We were heading towards Collyer Brothers territory and I started the day after Stine was here with Alexander. Not that she’ll ever allow him up here again, but I had to do something.

So papers and whatnot have been shredded bit by bit, page by page. The dual cassette deck that hasn’t been used in quite a while was dismantled and put away. Bill was impressed enough that he even did his bit on Saturday last weekend.

And today being paper recycling day meant that even more paper and corrugated boxes were left at the curb. Who knows? Perhaps next year it won’t be so embarrassing to have Annemarie visiting and wandering around this four room railroad flat.

The PC is working fine, though there is a slight melancholy, from not using the Mac. It is back under a dust cover, shut down. Bill hardly uses it, only when playing his keyboards. It’s good to know it’s there if and when I need it again, and I hope that won’t be for a long long time.

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Posted in Wonderful World Beautiful People | 2 Comments »

Make Me Smile

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Another Sunday. Ho hum. Actually a better Sunday than it was last week. Last week was rain rain rain. Today is bright and sunny. Would have been better weather for the Artist’s Studio Tour, at least Hiro Takeshita might have had a better turnout of visitors to his apartment.

Bill & I watched Go Tell It On The Mountain last night, a 1985 PBS film adapted from the James Baldwin novel of the same name. Of course they couldn’t film all of it, it was really condensed.

But the cast was top notch, Paul Winfield, Olivia Cole, Rosalind Cash, Ruby Dee with James Bond III, Giancarlo Esposito and Ving Rhames in some of their earliest roles. Ving Rhames was just so adorable back then. He’s not bad looking nowadays, but back then he was so damn cute.

Bill spent most of the day yesterday trying to clean up his stuff in the apartment. An all day project for him. Still, he got a lot done and filled a few garbage bags. Bill planned to go to bed early but of course it wasn’t going to happen.

He’s driving a bus today to and from Atlantic City and needed to be in Garfield early this morning. So with a goodbye kiss this morning he was on his way. I of course, stayed in bed until 9:00, getting out to get the paper and some bagels and some groceries.

A nice breakfast, good coffee and something to read makes for a good morning. Annemarie phoned, she was on her way back to Arcata. Hopefully Earl doesn’t have swine flu after accompanying his girlfriend to the emergency room since she might have the flu.

Since it was a very nice day I went out for a walk. Up Clinton Street and talking on the phone with Casey Chasm who seems to be making the most out of living in Vermont. Once again he’s offered his fold out couch for Bill & me if we can ever get it together and pay a visit.

It would be nice, but not right now since finances are dictating what we can and cannot do so staying local, in the Mile Square City is what we’re capable of. It was good to talk to Casey Chasm though.

I went into CVS and saw Martin Kelly, which is always a laugh. He’s doing well, he’s got a job. Some catching up, some gossip then I was on my way.

I lit up a La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero, which Bill gave me for my birthday last month and strolled up Clinton Street. I walked up to 15th Street again, it’s a safer route with less interacting with cars.

It’s my route of choice lately. After reading in Hoboken411 that most locals only go within a four block radius, I go out of my way to prove him wrong. And his little dog too.

A walk around the Hudson Tea building, and then onto the waterfront where I saw a quite familiar couple strolling about. Yes, it was El Jefe and Lady Gigglepuss out for a Sunday constitutional. I saw them before they saw me, and we met up and continued our strolls together.

It was quite enjoyable. On the way we saw a young man playing the guitar singing Baby Let Me Follow You Down & It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry by Dylan. He was good and definitely has what it takes, to perform out in public. I admit I was a bit jealous since I am so hung up on being a lousy player that I can’t get off the couch.

And I probably had 27 years on this youngster.

Rand and Lisa picked up some food at Mission Burrito and we then headed back on Washington Street, parting ways at 7th & Bloomfield.

I ran into Julio, Stine and Alexander headed to the park, I could have joined them but I was hungry. I did get a high five once again from Alexander so that warranted a Chewbacca yell, which made him smile and that made me smile.

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Rand

Rand

I did have a few other pictures but couldn’t figure out how to crop them, or rotate the images on this Mac. I do hope I get my computer back soon As good as using Bill’s Mac is, I am so much more comfortable with my computer. And I want to punch the spinning rainbow wheel on this Mac. It pissed me off so much.

I actually finished this 25 minutes ago but the spinning rainbow wheel wouldn’t let me post.

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Posted in Shed a tear | 4 Comments »

Cinnamon Girl

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

It’s a cold and rainy Thursday, outside on the street it’s 41 degrees. Upstairs on the 5th floor it feels colder than that. So much so that I spent a good part of the day, lying on cold ceramic tiles trying to activate the heater in the bedroom.

The bedroom is the room next to where I am writing this on Bill’s Mac.

Let’s see, last night was an interesting night. Watched Keith Olbermann who had Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Jon Cleese on. It was a bit hard to watch. He was honored to have them on his show and said so a few times. It was awkward to watch.

After Olbermann, I watched Lawn hors d’œuvre SUV. It was lackluster despite Christine Lahti doing her usual excellent acting. I’ve always enjoyed her after seeing Housekeeping 20 years ago. Her character wasn’t a pleasant one, ruffled the feathers of the cast. She unraveled and left the show after her contract for 4 episodes finished.

Bill came home midway through and got right into the show He was impressed with the clean up in the kitchen and bowled over by what I had done to the bedroom. He even noticed that since the bedroom was cleaned up so much that there was a natural echo.

We watched some more Lawn hors d’œuvre on a cable channel then we caught the news. Bill went to bed shortly after I shut down his Mac and put the protective cover over it. I stayed up and watched Jones, Gilliam, Cleese and Eric Idle on Jimmy Fallon.

That was slightly better than Python on Olbermann. After that it was bedtime for me. Bill had his apnea mask on but about an hour later he had the mask off and was snoring. At 2:30 I had to say loudly to put the mask back on.

His snoring was echoing around the bedroom.

It wasn’t smooth sailing after that though. I didn’t sleep too well. I t was cold in the bedroom and I slept on my left shoulder which cause a neck ache throughout most of the day. The uncomfortable feeling is still there.

Bill kissed me goodbye and said that I forgot to put the cover on the Mac last night. He would have seen that as he went to bed with the computer off. I know that I did and I’m sure I did not get out of bed and take it off. I don’t know what the hell he was talking about.

It’s always something. Missing bagels suddenly reappearing, covered Macs becoming uncovered by themselves. Life with Bill certainly isn’t dull.

The big news today was of a six year old boy who may have been carried away in a Mylar balloon. When the balloon came down to earth, there was no six year old boy in it. Where did he go? His brother reported that he saw his little brother getting into the balloon.

Personally I think the six year old kid has been hiding bagels and uncovering Macs when no one is looking.

Still cold and raining and I haven’t been outside since this morning. Still have no reason so I’m staying in. Nice and toasty.

6:37PM- Balloon Boy found at home, hiding.

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Posted in Whats for lunch? | 5 Comments »

Daft Punk is Playing at My House

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

Well I am back on my own computer, thanks to the good graces of Rand. He texted me around 1:15, suggesting I bring my computer over so at around 2:00 I did just that.

It was a nice visit with Rand and Lisa. Lisa spent most of the time caulking the bathtub which is another thing I should do. Rand hooked up my computer and after some razzle dazzle it was up and running once again.

We also listened to Daft Punk, and Goldfrapp as well as a Chemical Brothers compilation. I’ve known Rand since about 1982 I think. Or 1983.

I do know I spent New Years Eve with Rand and assorted other friends and woke up to watch Laurie Anderson and Peter Gabriel on a Nam June Paik special on PBS for that 1984 New Years Day. Woke up on the floor of Rand’s sisters apartment on Willow Avenue.

One of my first DJ experiences was that New Years Eve at Lois, Martha and Jane’s apartment on Garden Street. I first met Rand when I was driving for HBJ, from the warehouse in Saddle Brook NJ to the offices at 757 Third Avenue.

My job was to distribute interoffice mail and as I walked on the office floor I saw two guys about 100 feet away from me, acting like I did, or do. It turned out to be Rand and Jose who had just graduated from Colgate University a few months before.

Wound up having a conversation with them and when I found out they lived in Hoboken our fates were sealed. I had been going to McSwells and asked if they did too. They said they did every now and then but I think after our meeting they wound up going more often.

It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

As we got to know each other, Rand and I would drive into the city. I would do whatever it was I had to do at 757 Third Avenue, and then head down to St. Mark’s Place where we would visit St. Mark’s Sounds and St. Mark’s Comics directly across the street.

I had commercial plates by then and would park on the street with no problem. Before I had the commercial plates we would drive through Central Park, listening to music and getting red eyed. Many laughs would ensue of course which cannot be remembered all these years later.

Rand and Lisa make an excellent couple. A nice balance between the two. Lisa is Lady Gigglepuss to Rand’s El Jefe. That’s what I used to call them when I wrote about them in a previous entry on an old web page of Rand’s. That’s how that started.

And I am indebted to Rand for fixing my computer in just a few hours, all the while being as entertaining as he could be as well as getting the inspiration to caulk my bathtub.

Tonight I’m going to McSwells, have a drink with Rand hopefully, as well as Meghan and also seeing my brother Frank before he goes in to see the Feelies. And Bill might join us too!

Of course, thanks to Bill for letting me use his Mac while my computer was on the fritz.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

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Posted in Wonderful World Beautiful People | 4 Comments »

Empty Landscape

Saturday, December 13th, 2008

Well today is quite cold. Last night was when the temperature started to drop. I was safe and sound in the apartment. Watched O & RM, then the Daily Show which had Darryl Hall and John Oates on the show backed with T Bone Wolk on acoustic bass singing a song about Allen Colmes leaving Hannity & Colmes, sung to the tune of She’s Gone. Very funny, Jon Stewart looked genuinely thrilled to have them there.

They were followed by my ersatz doppleganger Phillip Seymour Hoffman. I don’t care what anyone says, I do not look like him. He’s a good actor, that’s a given, but he’s a lot rounder in the midsection than I am despite Vivek mentioning my gut the other day at work.

Yeah I’m a bit sensitive about that.

A few years ago when Bill and I started going out, we went to the Lure in the Meatpacking district, (before it became boutique central) for some sort of party. Lot’s of heavyset guys there, some were pretty fat I thought to myself, when Bill walks up and tells me all these guys reminded him of me.

My first thought- he’s saying that I was fat. That’s what I was thinking while mingling around the heavyweight set. I was horrified, and Bill was totally innocent since he had no idea what I was thinking. I still chuckle about that years later.

After the Daily Show I watched The Colbert Report, once again very funny. He has Michael Phelps on and it was a very funny interview.

I also watched the Office which was surprisingly downbeat. It had some funny moments but overall it was one of their odder episodes. 30 Rock was way funnier with Elaine Stritch playing Alec Baldwin’s mother.

After that I went to bed around 1:00AM. Woke up around 8:30, got bagels and whatnot. Saw Julio, Stine and Kal-El for a little while. They were getting ready to go out and I was getting hungry. Had a nice breakfast, read the news and did some laundry, all finished by 11:00.

Watched It Came From Beneath the Sea, a 1950’s sci-fi movie about a giant octopus that attacks San Francisco. I saw it a few times in my childhood. Never really heard a certain line from the movie until today when one male character says to another about how today’s woman (in the 1950’s) isn’t afraid and is quite courageous, and able to do a lot of things men can do. Of course this is said right before the octopus attacks the Golden Gate Bridge so it was quickly forgotten.

I decided to head into the city and check out some art galleries. I waited for the bus and I ran into Meghan Taylor Mastro with her daughter Ruby who has sprouted up quite a bit since I last saw her during the summer. Quick plans to meet up when Ann Louise Boyles comes to the area next week.

I decided on Chelsea since there’s a lot of galleries all within walking distance. I started out at the Cindy Sherman show but I wasn’t too impressed. I guess I have to be in the mood for her.

I was impressed by Eric Fischl’s sculpture show. That was very good and very powerful. A few more shows which were ranging from fun to okay. I do enjoy art when it makes me laugh or smile.

I called up Rita after leaving the Eric Fischl show remembering she liked him way back when. Just a quick word telling her to check out the show before it closes this Friday. If she’s into it, maybe I’ll leave work early on Friday and we can check it out.

After that I had a La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero that I had extinguished before heading into the galleries. Walked over to the Path and started reading last week’s New Yorker.

Walking up Washington Street I noticed about 30 Santa’s heading downtown. Apparently it’s Dress As Santa day and lot’s of guys were in the pubs and bars dressed like Kris Kringle with their girlfriends dressed as Mrs. Claus or elves and reindeer.

It reminded me of dreams that I used to have when I was actually killed by Santa Claus. Basically the dream was with me playing in my parent’s driveway and looking up to see his sleigh landing on top of me much like the house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East in The Wizard of Oz. It was one of those dreams that I used to have frequently when I was growing up.

Other dreams featured a large box, designed as a book that my mother used to have photographs in. In that dream I was told never to open that book/box but of course I did, unleashing a river of blood that Jesus would surf on, never helping me as I drowned.

It was the same Jesus who’s picture hung on the wall above my parents bed next to a picture of his mother Mary, both with their sacred hearts out of their chests.

Then there was the Black Ghost, a shroud reminiscent of the ghost of Christmas Future from a Christmas Carol. The Black Ghost would appear down the block in front of the Crist’s house and summon me towards him despite my resistance.

Then we would go flying over Lodi. In retrospect, the Black Ghost treated me better than Jesus or Santa.

There was also the Red Devil (who looked like the bad guy/wolf from Underdog) who used to make hot dogs in my backyard and threatened me with eternal damnation.

The Black Ghost and Red Devil eventually faded away when I had a dream in which I overheard my sister Annemarie and my brother Brian discussing who was going to be the Black Ghost and who was going to be the Red Devil that night.

I took a few pics this afternoon, but being on Bill’s Mac I can’t upload them. I’ll try later in the week.

Right now, It’s A Wonderful Life is on in the other room. I can hear Old Man Gower wailing on George’s ear. Ouch! ‘Please Mr. Gower, I know you’re sad, it’s not your fault’ Smack! Smack! ‘Don’t hit my sore ear again!’

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Posted in Cool Cold Reality | 3 Comments »

Rhythm is a Dancer

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

Another day, another night, another opening, another show. Last night was quiet. Juan was running late and decided to take a raincheck on stopping by which was fine by me. I spent sometime with Julio & Stine and Superboy.

Hung out, Julio burned some DVD’s for me so I might send them to the left coast as a Christmas present though I was told no Christmas presents, this costs mere pennies so that means I won’t hear ‘Oh you spent too much money, you shouldn’t have’ from Annemarie. This year it’s going to be a cheap holiday gift giving season.

So it was a quiet night and I wasn’t in bed by 11:30, but more like 11:45 which isn’t that big of a deal. Slept really well. Once again my pillows have gone bad and I’ve been waking up with an achy neck.

Since Bill is in Stuyvesant Town I decided to add one of his pillows to mine and voila! It worked and I slept really well. Still some difficulty getting out of bed when the alarm goes off but it wasn’t that bad and I was up and mobile at 6:30 and out at 7:15.

No Casey bus today, but progress is being made. It’s more than likely that when I eventually do catch the bus that I used to see Casey on, he won’t be there. Nothing on him, just the way the cosmic joke is on me, rather than being included on the cosmic joke.

Work was busy, the new subtenants were annoying. There was a new guy and so their discussions around the trading desk were political and had a tinge of anti-Obama feeling to it.

The other day as they were watching CNBC, there was an article on the TV about how investors are sweeping in on India and taking advantage of the chaos following the attacks in Mumbai.

This is the disaster capitalism that Naomi Klein writes about. Something happens, the people are in shock. Public companies are privatized, unions dismantled and occasionally brutalities occur.

Scratch that ‘occasionally’, brutalities happen quite often. Murder, displacement, rampant unemployment, government crackdowns in democratic societies, people going ‘missing’ all in the name of free trade.

That is The Shock Doctrine, as put forth by Milton Friedman and his gang from the University of Chicago. I mentioned it as the news was reported and got a few strange looks as I spoke. I guess a tirade against unregulated capitalism doesn’t go down that well when you’re dealing with traders in a financial institution.

I’ve been reading this book for months now, I read it usually on my way home since it’s generally so upsetting and it angers up my blood. I have less than a third to read and Naomi Klein writes about what happened and continues to happen in Iraq.

I guess I should have paid more attention to the misdeeds of Paul Bremer and his ilk, but I hope that I am making up for lost time and my ignorance.

Like yesterday, I got really tired after lunch, a salad. Sort of crashing. Maybe it’s because of the drop in temperature as the day goes on, it could also be the errands that I have been doing usually in the morning. If I could take a midday nap I would but I can’t so I ate a banana, which helped.

This evening I went to Steven’s Institute of Technology to attend a lecture by Dr. Oliver Sacks, whom I have written about before. The gist of the lecture concerned music and it’s relation to the brain.

I heard about it through Rand and once again I am in his debt. Dr. Sacks is personable and mentioned a few times that the paperback has some rewrites as well as additional case stories which made me regret purchasing the hardcover when it came out. Won’t do that again.

I was hoping to get a chance to talk about my brother Frank and his aphasia. His aphasia seems to go away when he’s talking about music and he’s just as passionate about music as I am. But the opportunity never arose and I was hungry.

I did thank Rand for telling me about the lecture and now here I am mere moments later writing about it. Still tired and a bit hungry now so that’s it.

I have photos from last week to today, but since I’m on Bill’s Mac I can’t figure out how to upload them.

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Posted in So how's band camp? | 2 Comments »

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