Monday, next week is Memorial Day. Today is the 18th. Mike was at the crib all weekend, and is still there today. He may be there until Wednesday. Bill may or may not be back on Wednesday. He says Wednesday but I know if he is out in Pennsylvania and they offer him another job he will more than likely take it. I’d rather know than not know and I know I am guessing but I have seen how this plays out in the past and a modicum of intuition helps.

Saturday was spent with Mike in Hoboken, a walk around town to the supermarket and coming home to clothes on hangers, hanging throughout the kitchen and bathroom. We watched TV, something that Mike recommended that I do not remember at this moment. That was odd. My computer froze for a few minutes and it only came around just now.

I went to bed at the usual time, keeping to my sleep schedule, even on weekends. And even though I do that, I do sleep in a little bit later than usual. Sunday was Sunday. I woke up just a little bit before 9:00 AM and watched Jane Pauley on CBS Sunday Morning. Spoke with Bill on the phone as he started his day hundreds of miles away to the west.

I had my coffee, Mike slowly stirred and woke up as I had coffee and watched TV. Eggs were on the horizon and even though it was bland I ate them with little or no regard. Sunday was the Hoboken Art & Music Festival which I have called the Fart & Mucous Festival in the past.

Rock and roll used to be the dominant music presented, when Feri Gallo was running the show, now it is someone else, Rock & roll sent to the smaller stage and freestyle hip hop is now on top, headlining the main stage. Mile and I walked by the rock & roll stage were a band was doing ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey with no irony, just 100% earnestness.

That was when we ran into Karyn Kuhl who was looking for Christina. It was a brief mencounter, ending with a hug after I introduced Karyn to Mike. Right now, I am watching a replay of Rand & Lisa’s live feed from the feast yesterday. We could have crossed paths but I think Rand & Lisa probably saw me first.

Mike and I strolled down the boulevard looking for the free TAPP cards on offer from representatives of the PATH train. Normally they would charge $5.00 for the card and I could not pass up ‘free’. After that we walked, me smoking a cigar and past city hall where I was shouldered from behind and turning to see just who would do such a thing, I saw it was Julio.

I haven’t seen Julio in a year or two; the last time was outside TD Bank and he wound up walking me home as we chatted. He was with the Mrs; Stine and I hadn’t seen her in an even longer period. I introduced them to Mike and we stood in the middle of the street catching up, which was mainly hearing about Julio and Stine’s boys and Julio’s mother. Stine’s parents were brought up as well.

We parted ways, no selfies were taken, mainly because I had forgotten to set things up, and in so doing, I went old school. Mike and I wandered by the river, with me smoking a cigar and regaling Mike with stories about the hijinks of Me & Julio back in the day.

A walk back, some cigar vids and pics taken on Court Street. We came back to hot dogs, Mike on the couch deep into his phone, me into my computer, not as deep but still in it. I put on The Mandalorian, thinking that Mike might enjoy it. He didn’t pay any attention to it, though I did. And at 10:20 I prepared for bed, which went very well.

I did not want to go to work this morning. Sleep was such a good experience last night, but as I have been telling myself for the past week or so, I’ve got a really good job and I do enjoy working here…

I do enjoy the extra hour of sleep once a month. The fruit stand meeting is this morning and I find myself waiting and there are way too many people fucking around at this hour. I am not used to it at all. A good point is that the bagels were cooled enough that I did not have a greasy bagel but rather, a buttered bagel.

Due to a problem at Penn Station, trains have been diverted to Hoboken making the train very crowded. On a Friday when it’s not supposed to be so crowded. And I went in a little bit later since the fruit stand meeting was scheduled. I thought I had set up the alarm on my phone but I didn’t, which is just as well since my alarming paranoia woke me up at 7:20 AM which is an hour later than the usual wake up time.

The meeting was the first in a few months since Yancy canceled last month’s meeting. Kimberly, Janis, Yancy and Violeta and Me. Basically, the meeting could have been a zoom call, or an email. But neither of those provides an extra hour of sleep so I just keep my mouth closed.

My sister is in Japan with her husband and my brother is in Knoxville TV with his wife to see a southern boogie rock band. Annemarie and Rex are on vacation, and I guess Brian & Karen are as well but they’re following a mediocre rock band. I am not a fan of Southern boogie rock music so I am guessing they are mediocre.

I never cared for that music. The Allman Brothers leave me cold and don’t get me started on Lynrd Skynard. There is maybe one song in the genre that I like and it’s more of a pop song by 38 Special called Hold on Loosely. I only know the song from the days when there was a thing called MTV.

So these young men wearing dresses and makeup looking a bit coming in, I guess I’ve always felt this way but having moved away from their parents and into Manhattan or wherever they are able to be their true selves. And I suppose they’re true selves involve wearing dresses and makeup and whatnot. It doesn’t affect me, it’s their life. I wish them all the best. I hope they find themselves safely and without trouble.

Staring down the barrel of 23 minutes. It’s Friday, like I said, and there are 23 minutes left in the workday. I’m sure I could step out a few minutes early, but with the overcrowded PATH train, why bother? Listening to an ad hoc playlist featuring Reggae pop hits from the 90s. Marcus asked if I play this much Reggae at home, and I don’t. I play more rock & roll, which Bill is largely unfamiliar with.

Mike is at the apartment, off to the supermarket to get dinner. Chicken perhaps. That would be fine. It is laundry night so space will be limited in the kitchen. Bill was supposed to return on Sunday, but now his return may be Wednesday. And that is subject to change.