Wednesday, May 20. Midweek. Humpday. Yesterday was OK. Still with the air conditioning problems at work. Nothing insurmountable. I would do some work in the 104 fruit stand and then I would go to the 100 fruit stand and chill down for a few minutes. In fact yesterday , was a day where I did very little and it was understood because of the tremendous heat.

Sister Mary Octavian. Last night I told Mike the story of Sister Mary Octavian and how she used to beat me when I was in kindergarten, waiting for Mrs Burson to begin the afternoon sessions. Sister Mary Octavian would walk in and seeing me alone in the classroom, would chase me and when she caught me, would spank me and make me stand behind the television set until Mrs. Burson arrived.

Sister Mary Octavian might have had problems with my brother Brian, who was in her class, and perhaps would take her frustrations with him out on me.

Sister Mary Octavian eventually died and her wake was in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. MY parents were still somewhat involved in my schooling and the parish and so we attended. We walked up the long aisle to her pine coffin. There she was, in her nun’s habit wearing a crown of thorns.

I later learned that Sister Mary Octavian had built her own coffin. My mother had me add her to my nighttime prayers, including her after my family, Mommy, Daddy, Francis, Annemarie, Brian, John (Me), and Sister Mary Octavian. Praying that my tormentor was blessed. Stockholm syndrome by way of the Vatican.

At lunchtime, I like to sit outside my building and have a quick little cigar. The spot is usually empty of people, though yesterday there was some guy I took to be homeless. He was so bothered by my smoking that he gathered his stuff and moved about 20 feet away.

He was there today and as I was sitting down and I told him I was lighting up. He didn’t mind and started talking about cigars as well as all the items he retrieves from the trash of upper-class buildings in the area. His name is Von, and he just talked and talked. IT wasn’t so bad but the solace I sought was not to be found today.

Von lives with his wife in Staten Island and keeps his stuff in a storage facility on Varick Street. His stories were a bit outlandish but I wasn’t going to say anything but every now and then, an “Oh really?” and of course the good old standby, “Wow”.

I finished the little cigar and thanked him for his chat. We will probably cross paths again, now that he’s taking over my usual lunchtime spot.
Von probably pushed his shopping cart around, wherever the spoils of trash could be found.

The air conditioner is working fine. Subtle, not too cold. Tomorrow is the Thursday morning on camera meeting and I think I am prepared for it, though when showtime hits, who knows.

I put on The Running Man movie from last year on. I had recorded it. I hoped MIke would be into it, but it could not compete with his phone. It was good that he spent the night, but it is time for him to go back to his crib. His beloved is supposed to arrive tomorrow, staying until Monday so if that
is the case I won’t be hearing from Mike until next week.

96 degrees on this spring day in Manhattan. It’s Tuesday, May 19 and It is friggin hot. Yesterday was hot as well. And last night was a bit much. The day was not so bad despite the heat, but I don’t handle heat too well.

The train was not so bad going in and going out. Last week there was a problem with the train tunnels and most NJ Transit trains had Hoboken as their final stop, being unable to get to Penn Station in Midtown. The trains were crowded and it was not that bad, just a couple of hundred extra bodies.

Yesterday things were better. But the walk from the train to my crib did a number on my head. I was not in the best mood and Mike did his best to tip toe around me and give me my space. If Bill were around, he would know what to do. But Bill was not around and Mike did not know what to do which caused friction and discomfort.

Bill would have known to give me a hug and wait it out until I ate. Mike didn’t and poked the bear a bit. I did eat and things were on the upswing but Mike fell asleep and was unable to catch that upswing. I suggested he go to the bedroom and he did just that.

I posted this here blog online and talked with Bill on the phone. Bill knew what was up. Bill and I hug a lot. And I’ve read, and I believe that an embrace, or hug, if it goes to 20 seconds, the embracing bodies’ chemistry changes somewhat. I usually hug Bill for 30 seconds just for the sake of hugging Bill for extra seconds.

Mike didn’t get that info and before he fell asleep, I asked for a hug which resembled Voldemort hugging Draco, all too brief and awkward. I asked again for a hug from Mike and it seemed to put him off even though I explained my rationale.

By the time I did my getting ready for sleep regimen, and after talking briefly with Bill who is on the road I went to bed. And I started to fall asleep when Mike woke up and started to talk to me, waking me up from my slumber and leaving me unable to get a decent night of sleep.

Mike was up most of the night, chatting with his admirers on my computer, shooting videos and posting pics. By the time he actually went to bed I was able to get some sleep, but it was not to last as I had to get up for work. I was annoyed and it was mainly the annoyance from the night before carried into the new day.

I did what I had to do and headed out without even saying bye to Mike who was fast asleep, yet realizing that I was still in a mood from last night. I thought it would be best for Mike to go back to his crib today and he mentioned it when we texted each other.

And that’s when it all got hairy via text. It was not pleasant and Mike does not know how to deal with me as much as I do not know how to deal with Mike. We had a few good days, had some fun but yesterday showed the flaws in the friendship.

Actually, talking on the phone helped, and instead of Mike going home today, he’ll be heading out tomorrow. One more chance to set things gay.