Just got in from seeing RENT the movie. Very good. I always had a soft spot for Jesse L. Martin. I was working at Right Track Recording when they recorded the cast album. I met most of the original cast. Jesse was hanging out by my desk quite a bit, listening and singing along to “Who is He and What is He to You” by Bill Withers. Quite a handsome guy and with a killer smile.

He certainly looked great in the movie. I only had eyes for him back then so he commanded my attention most of the time. Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp were very good. I really enjoyed Rosario Dawson. Idina Menzel was incredible. Wilson Jermaine Heredia was touching as Angel. Of course I got choked up at his final scene. I got choked up from the first notes of ‘Seasons of Love’ and then on throughout the rest of the movie.

Beautiful and touching. Would’ve been great 10 years ago but I guess Hollywood needed to see how well the movie version of Chicago went down. Since that was a hit, it gave Rent the green light. It also meant Phantom of the Opera got a green light too. Got to take the good with the bad. My memories of Phantom are unwashably tainted. For Rent, nothing but good memories. My fondness is cast.

In June I decided to take Bill and Julio and Stine to see Rent on Broadway. I had gotten four tickets and made plans to meet in front of the theatre. It was a sold out show, all these years later. Unfortunately it was raining cats and dogs. I was early and went to the Hilton and had a drink in their hotel bar.

After a beer I had gotten a call from Bill, he was at the theatre. Julio and Stine were on their way. I met up with them on the queue. We shuffled in and got to our seats where Bill was already seated. It was a great performance. The cast was credible. I was silently beating myself up for waiting to see it for so long. I would’ve loved to see the original cast, but this cast was quite good. Good enough to carry on after the originals had moved on.

And of course there was my drama that I had to contend with. AT intermission Stine and I went out for a smoke, Julio tagged along and Bill went to the souvenir stand. We came back and Bill was once again seated. He showed off the things that he bought, a hat, a T-shirt, an enamel badge. I wondered what he had gotten me, when all I had to do was close my eyes and I’d see what it was. Nothing.

I was hurt. Really upset. I had to come to terms with the fact that I couldn’t keep holding Bill to my standards of courtesy. It would’ve been nice to have gotten a button or something. But it wasn’t to be. I had to get over my frustration, I was learning about life and death and living for today (didn’t have a blog then). I was able to tell him about it afterwards and he really didn’t have a clue.

June was quite a dramatic month. I reminded him about how I had to go to court as I was being sued by the NY State Department of Labor. That was a long drawn out situation that involved Weehawken, San Francisco, New York and Hoboken. I showed at my court date, and sat among others who had their own trials. They had lawyers, and lot’s of files. All I had was me. I spoke with the judge from my heart and I was honest and truthful. A few weeks later I found the case was dismissed. The thing was with Bill, he knew I had the court date, but didn’t offer any words of encouragement, no pat on the back.

I told him that. I told him, if he had an audition for the part of a 95 year old albino woman playing Bingo, I’d have supported him 100%. If he were up for the role of a Puerto Rican bus driver he would’ve received another 100% from me. I needed to tell him that I needed his support that day and I didn’t get it. Homeboy with his problems of looking past his nose.

He’s making progress. He bought tickets for the movie tonight and surprised me with a RENT baseball cap, which he bought at the theatre this afternoon. I love it. We’re making progress.

No Day But Today.