Monthly Archives: December 2010

I Could Have Told You

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Has it really come to this? With all the foot stomping, holding my breath and overall complaining about working retail, do I really find myself lost when I’m not working? It seems that way. Today was a day off and I did get some things done, putting out recyclables, cleaned the bathroom, did some shopping but overall I was pretty much lost, once those things were done I couldn’t think of anything else to do.

I did have a nap for a few minutes, hoping that would reset my clock, my mood, but all I did was wake up hungry. I also went to the bibliothèque twice today, returning and picking up items. I was dismayed to find that 2 items I returned last week are still on my library card. I mentioned it the other day and twice again I brought it up today.

The librarian tried to figure out what was wrong with the printer, why the red light was on when she realized the printer was out of paper. These are the people who will be looking into the case of the missing DVD and CD on my behalf. Things went better at the dry cleaners where dear sweet Mona was able to take items and return them with no problem.

Once again it was cold out though right now with the sun having set, it feels warmer than it did when the sun was out.

I woke up this morning around 9:45, about 45 minutes later than I’ve been sleeping. Philadelphia Freedom by the Elton John Band was what got me out of bed. I didn’t listen to the whole song though it is one of my favorites.

I left the memories of 1975 in the bed as I debated whether or not to go out for bagels and the paper. Staying in was the way to go, having toast instead of bagels and deciding not to get the news, and watched the Daily Show and the Colbert Report as well as the Gilmore Girls for old times sake.

One of my sojourns was to the Burlington Coat Factory where I went a few weeks ago with today’s birthday girl, Lois DiLivio. I checked out some leather overcoats and found the selection wanting. I hoped that the choices would improve a few weeks later and today being today, I once again walked through the doors and found the choice less than satisfactory.

I haven’t given up yet though time is running out. At least if I have it shipped and I’ll probably do that since it seems I will have to purchase it in the city, if a visit to Bergenline Avenue does not pay off on Sunday, my next day off.

I’ve already cut off my long hair so I can purchase that watch fob for Bill. I guess I won’t be needing any combs anytime soon.

I do have Whatever Works by Woody Allen and starring Larry David on DVD from the bibliothèque as well as Shutter Island. I think I will forgo the Keith Olbermann show and watch one or both of those movies. Maybe at the same time.

The Basher doesn’t seem to search for his mention on the blog anymore, but there are recurring visits by residents or merely people who work in Bala Cynwyd.

Tilted laptops I’m sure.


I Could Have Danced All Night

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Wow I am super tired. Been a long day. Not as successful a sales day as I would have liked, or as management would have liked. A few tire kickers who asked if they could get a deal. I suppose it doesn’t hurt to ask, but no, there are no deals to be had.

If you can honestly look at a $2900.00 pen or $760.00 cufflinks, then you can probably afford to pay the actual price. We don’t haggle at the cigar shop.

Last night I went to the cigar bar with the Bradley and his cousin. The Bradley and I have been getting along just fine lately and last night we had a few laughs. Neither one of us wanted to go to the cigar bar, too damn cold out and each of us wanted to go to our homes.

But the pressure was on and we felt obligated to at least make an appearance. The three of us headed to the cigar bar 15 minutes away. We were directed to a special area where Marcus and Calvin were as well as some monied customers. The kind of customers who don’t haggle.

Immediately Marcus had a bottle of old Cuban rum as well as snifters. He poured some run for the three of us, and Calvin appeared giving us cigars. Calvin was a bit wobbly and slurred his words as did Marcus, but not as bad as Calvin.

Both of them expressed gratitude with the fact that the Bradley and I showed up after working all day, saying that it was so very important that we were there. The Bradley, his cousin and I mainly stayed to ourselves and watched most of the guests talking and getting ready to head out into the cold.

Once some people left we were able sit in their now vacant chairs and chatted about how the music that was playing sounded a lot like my iPod. The Clash, The Rolling Stones were heard among others. If I would have heard the Slits or the Fall or even Pylon I would have thought that someone stole my iPod.

We discussed the merits of Tom Petty and soon Marcus reappeared and poured some more rum. I tried to beg off, asking for water instead, but was sort of browbeaten by Marcus who insisted that you couldn’t have a proper toast with water, so I gave in.

After an hour and three snifters of rum for me, I finished my cigar and announced my exit. It was now 11:30 and I did want to get home. Calvin, slurring and a bit unsteady saw my plan and decided to join me. I doffed my hat and coat and Calvin did his own.

The frigid air sobered Calvin up as we walked towards the subway. I walked him to the subway stairs just to make sure he got there alright and then headed towards the bus terminal. A different crowd, and less people waiting for that midnight bus. Mainly men traveling at that hour.

I got home by 12:30, Bill fast asleep in bed. I was glad I wrote before I left the store, and now I am dismayed to find that I was able to write over 500 words in about 25 minutes, but here I am struggling now.

Well I wasn’t as tired as I am now when I wrote last night, and despite being in the store I had less distractions than I do at home. Hardly anyone comes into the store during the last hour and a half, certainly no customers that haggle.

Now I am over 600 words. I could write about how Marcus drunkenly told the Bradley his rule of life. Don’t buy anything new. No new cars, no new houses and no new watches. Most of my co-workers have a fascination for fancy schmancy watches.

I’m not one of them.