Monthly Archives: December 2007

Land of 1,000 Dances

Well today is quite a gray day, much like that Morrissey song, Everyday is Like Sunday. Not that I mind. I had to go out into the gray to mail some cards for Julio and Stine. Stine had photo stamps made for her friends and relatives in Denmark but the stamps didn’t arrive by the time Julio and Stine flew off to Copenhagen and since I’m checking their mail, they asked for me to keep an eye out and mail the cards for them. So that was the opportunity to go out and I’m glad I did. Hardly anyone out, most everyone staying in or left Hoboken already. You can tell by the sudden appearance of plentiful parking.

I was also able to pick up my Stevia for my morning coffee, wishing deep voiced Jeff at the Hoboken Farmboy a happy holiday. I spoke with both Annemarie and brother Frank on the phone today, everyone seems to be doing well. Annemarie in Orlando with Rex and Earl visiting Rex’s mother and family. Last year they were screwed by major snowstorms and the trip had to be aborted so they stayed home. No hitches like that this year, everyone safe and sound down there. Brother Frank seems to be showing good progress. His sense of humor is coming back which is was threw me for a loop the other night on the phone.

He really had me going with believing that he had gone to see Sweeney Todd before I did. I didn’t expect for him to be putting me on, but he did and that’s the sign of a good put on, you don’t know that you’re being had. Last night I was pretty exhausted, struggled to write the blog and though I stayed up until 12:30 watching a repeat of SNL from the nineties, I finally fell asleep. My allergy seems to have cleared up mostly. An occasional itch up the nostril but I sneezed a few times and that seems to have knocked it out. I wandered around Pier A after mailing the cards and took some gray pictures.

Now I’m watching the 7 Ages if Rock on VH1, narrated by Dennis Hopper. I guess he’s not shelling for retirement dreams at the moment. No plans for the evening, just hanging out at home. Bill’s sleeping here tonight so that should be fun. I sleep better when he’s in the bed. Now the rain is beating against the window. Johnny Rotten is discussing Richard Hell. Did you know that Richard Hell is actually Richard Meyers, son of the founder of Jacoby and Meyers? So I guess Richard isn’t hurting for money.

Now my shopping is done, cards have been sent, Bill just walked in like the big kid that he is. He rode on a 1930’s subway this afternoon and met some fellow trainspotters that he hadn’t seen since the opening of the Transit Museum some thirty years ago. He’s great when he’s like this, like a great big Muppet. I guess I’m Bert to his Ernie. Funny, I used to think I was Ernie.

Here’s some pics. Peace!

almost medieval
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No Ball Playing
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Flotsam
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Gully
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From Banksy
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You Got Lucky

Well it’s Saturday and I’m back down to earth. Consigned to whatever fate has in store for me, I’ll just grin and smile. Presently I’m exhausted from working at Farfetched. Woke up around 4:00AM with a sneezing attack which set the tone for an allergy attack all day long. Not feeling ill, just a quadrant of my head filled with mucous trying to get out the only way possible, through my right nostril. Don’t know what started it, just felt like something flew up my nose and set up camp making my day very uncomfortable.

It was pretty bad, I was fine most of the time while working at Farfetched but when I had to actually help a customer, that’s when the drip would start. I saw myself in the mirror and it was visible at the tip of my nose. I took an antihistamine before I left the apartment and hoped for the best but it didn’t do anything. I was hoping it would dry me out but it didn’t. Or maybe it did. Maybe it would have been a lot worse if I didn’t take the pill. Susan gave me one of her sinus medications but it didn’t work that well either.

It was busy enough in the store to make the day go past rather quickly. Harpy manning the iPod and being the holiday DJ though I got my chance and played the first three Beatles albums, which everyone liked. It’s fun to see a few customers singing along quietly as they shopped. The Fabs usually stir up happy memories during the holidays. At least they do for me. Susan and Harpy left like last week around 6:00 leaving Lois and myself to run the store. It had quieted down somewhat, one guy looking like Michael McDonald obsessing over one card.

He asked if he could have something wrapped. The store policy is only for items bought at Farfetched, but since it was slow and I had nothing else to do besides wipe my nose I told him I would wrap his gift. He pulled out a first edition Norman Mailer book and I set about wrapping it up, though I was more focused on my nose. I was able to wrap the book and he was most appreciative, offering to buy me a drink after work. I begged off, saying that I was just heading home. He understood and thanked me for saving his Christmas. I couldn’t bear to sit in a bar and listen to Ya Mo Be There all night long anyway.

After work I just had a Padron and walked up to the Path station at 33rd street so I could get a seat, after enjoying a cigar. The nose is better now, not running like it was earlier. Got off the train in Hoboken, walking past holiday parties, people outside of bars smoking on the street. Good to be home. I’m sure I’ll sleep really well tonight, since I am so very exhausted.

Happy Pagan Holiday!