Monthly Archives: January 2006

Planet Rock

Another cold day. I decided to dress up since I was going to meet Bill and his coworkers after work. Walked to work listening to the Beastie Boys, Section 25, Pop Will Eat Itself and Colourbox all quite enjoyable and with great beats to walk around Manhattan to.

Work as usual was nonsensical. Which was fine. I was through with most of my tasks by midday. Even went shopping on Madison Avenue with one of the good guys, Ahsen from IT. It was his Third Anniversary and was going to have dinner with the wife. He’s a great guy, very nice, down to earth and gives me great insight to Muslim culture and Islam.

Of course every discussion with him about religion includes me saying, “Well you know what I think about that.” Meaning my atheism. He respects that and doesn’t preach. He can be pretty deep and philosophical. We discussed the current Middle East situations as we strolled up Madison Avenue at high noon.

Waked in BCBG Macadamia and waited forever for an elevator that could barely hold Ahsen & myself. We were fortunate that the shop girl riding with us was able to fit between the closed doors. I saw an uber-twink with a waist of something in the low 20’s and absolutely no ass, but all attitude. And why not? Working retail on Madison Avenue must be the pinnacle of employment for some.

The afternoon flew by after that. It suddenly became 5:30, time for me to fly through the doors and not look back. I looked forward to meeting Bill’s coworkers. Bill has met enough of my friends and coworkers, finally I get the chance to meet his. I walked around meandering so I could get the most out of my ritual of smoking a Padron 5000 natural after work.

Rocking the Ipod on a pleasant evening, smoking a good cigar, and going to meet my man at the end of the work day. Sweet.

Bill met me outside Figaro on west 44th street as I finished my cigar. Gave him a kiss and we walked in. Met the first of many people whose name I can’t remember. They were all nice and friendly. A typical welcoming afterwork crowd on a Friday in Manhattan. Very diverse and enjoyable. Had some of Bill’s personal pizza and a few pints. Bill also had a few pints and we both buzzed home on the Path to Hoboken.

After watching Law And Order something or other and with the prospect of watching another episode immediately following, I suggested a movie, and Bill was game. He had never seen Annie Hall. He loved it, I loved it again. One problem though, the segment that has Alvy and Annie on the rooftop after playing tennis, where they’re talking and there are subtitles saying what they are actually thinking, well the subtitles were gone. Strange. Because that’s what made the scene, since they are both prattling on pretentiously.

But it still is a classic regardless. Or is it irregardless?

And Bill just keeps on surprising me. And then some.

The Overload

January has finally arrived. It is cold, but the air is clean. It was a bright sunny day. Bill spent last night at his folks and I had the bed all to myself. And like the Police song, ‘The Bed’s Too Big Without You’, it’s true, it is. And it’s really a small bed for two fully-grown men like Bill and myself.

Can’t believe I quoted the Police.

Walked to work, wind at my back like the old Irish blessing, listening to Cocteau Twins’ ‘Treasure’. A pure Jet record. Jet was heavy into the Cocktail Shrimp as he liked to call them and also enamored of their label 4AD. So much so that he bought a ton of 4AD records when he was working at Tower Records and really used that employee discount as well as the five finger type.

I stopped by 4 Times Square to drop off Bill’s Ipod. That proved to be more difficult than dropping off his Thomas Pink shirt on a hanger. Was given a slight runaround by security when I saw Bill’s friend Tom who is another security guard. He had no problem holding the Ipod until Bill arrived.

Wandered to work, listening to the Cocteaus’, thinking about how I met them briefly at McSwells when Stan had them over for some drinks years ago. Stan was good friends with the three twins and brought them to Hoboken. It turned into a low key jockeying for Liz/Robin/Simon’s attention. Who can outwit who and get a word in to one of the three.

I met Stan through Dave Bell who was friends with my brother Brian. Christmas night 1979 Dave and I were going to see ‘Neighbors’ and we picked up Stan. I was playing Wire ‘154’ that my brother Frank had given me. I didn’t know who they were but I liked what I had heard. At least side one. It took me awhile to finally flip the record, like a few months. On the way home, Stan noticed what I was playing. He was the first person that knew who Wire was. He knew more than I did.

We bonded. Stan was one of the wittiest people around. Spent many hours riffing with him, fast repartee. Don’t see him as much as I used to, maybe once every other year. Last time was at Gang of Four in May 2005. I guess that’s how we’ll cross paths in the future, at old Post Punk reunion tours. Our Woodstock in black.

Work has been ridiculously lightweight lately. I’m busy, but not letting the proctological delights bother me so much. I had an interview today, around the block from where I work. A law firm, I think I aced the first part of the interview, the second interview, perhaps not as good. The Ozed charm didn’t go as far the second time. We’ll see.

Like I said, Wanker Banker hasn’t been as painful for me though not much has changed. It’s my attitude that has changed. It was weird being around the block and seeing the neighborhood where I spend most days from literally, a different perspective. I could see into my office a few stories higher and hoped that no one looked out the window with binoculars…

Not that they would, not during the daytime at least.

Caught up with Bill afterwork and there was drama but progress is being made since we’re able to talk about what the fuck is bothering us to put it bluntly. What was originally a walk to the Path station turned into standing outside of Madison Square Garden for almost an hour. Intense talking, no solutions but a strong will get through it together. The Billy Joel fans started to trickle in and Bill had to get to his cousin’s in the Bronx, and I wanted to get home. Listened to Elvis Costello and the Attractions, ‘Get Happy!!’ Perfect.

It’s bananas, but luckily we like bananas. Start conclusion drawing….NOW.