It is not getting easier as soon as I had hoped. It’s not getting harder though. I see desperation on the horizon. It’s been over a month and a half and bitterness still lingers.
I have decided to cut any ties with Barry McGarry for the sake of my mental health. Unfortunately, that would mean cutting off Daisy and though she has done me no harm, she is part of that system therefore a reminder of the system that threw me out.
Her last text to me was about meeting up but I don’t see it happening since I am still wounded and all I would do is focus on my wound and denigrate the people she works with. I think I helped improve her life, getting her out of the fast food world with a steady Monday through Friday job with benefits and also a year end bonus which she more than likely received this time of year.
I found myself thinking of the boys that I graduated from St Francis de Sales with, in June 1976. Granted I never saw them outside of the school year, by September 1976 Ronald Straub, Frank Mallia, Santo Munafo, Jimmy Bartoli, Frank Musacchio, Charlie Wrede, and that helicopter guy Kaminski something or other.
We were all friendly in grammar school but by high school 3 months later, we were separated and any contact between me and them was nonexistent. I see Charlie Wrede on the social medias but he seems to be touched by maga that I keep my distance.
Ronald Straub was a sensitive guy, very quiet, and very smart. The rest were not as smart as Ronald. I did see Santo Munafo and Jimmy Bartoli at the reunion in 2000. I was gakked out that night and the guys I wanted to see were not there. It was a futile return to the past and I left knowing that I would never want to see these people again.
The guys I wanted to see were John Nesselt who maintains no social media presence as far as I know, and Jim Carley who seems to have passed away at age 35 in 1997 while jogging.
Let that be a lesson for ya! I learned not to go to any reunions that were not family functions.
The TV has been off most of the day so far and I’ve been listening to music most of the time. Earlier before heading out for a cigar stroll, I listened to music tones from the Bloom 10 app. Now I listen to an Elton playlist.
Bill and I watched the Elton John documentary streaming last week. I found it to be very good and well-made. Bill seemed to enjoy it too. Piano player watching a piano player.
The idea for a podcast still exists in the back of my mind. The chat with Jim Mastro planted a seed in my head. I mentioned picking up the torch that was dropped by Spalding Gray and where Spalding sat at a table talking, the spaces in which to do just that are few and far between. To me, it seems a podcast would be the place to do such a thing.
I could also interview friends like RoDa, Karyn Kuhl and others. If I get just a few pairs of eyeballs to watch, that would suffice. Not necessarily profitable but artistically it would be like this here blog, where the only eyeballs that seem to read this are my own. But with all the entries I have posted since 2005, I have a wealth of material to draw from.
I have kept the fact of my unemployment to a handful of people, Bill, of course, Annemarie, my sister-in-law Elaine, and Mike who still dangles the prospect of working alongside him in the shelter.
Today I just told my brother Brian who asked if I had gone to the company holiday party. I couldn’t hide it from him since he asked and lying about it would do no good at all. He’s recovering from a cardiac procedure last week and I asked how he was doing via text and his reply was about the holiday party.
I just told him to keep getting better and not to worry about me and to keep it to himself. We shall see how that goes.
the Gemini AI rewrite:
Gemini AI and it’s rewrite in an upbeat manner
“Things are definitely taking longer to settle than I initially hoped, but I’m not letting it get me down. I’ve decided to distance myself from anything Barasch & McGarry related, including unfortunately, my friend Daisy.
While I value our friendship, it’s become too intertwined with the negativity surrounding my recent experience. I don’t want to let that negativity overshadow our relationship.
I’ve been reflecting on old times lately, thinking about my high school classmates. It’s interesting how life takes us all in different directions. Some paths lead to unexpected places, while others seem to fade into the background.
But I’m focusing on the future now. I’ve been enjoying some quiet time at home, listening to music and letting my mind wander. The idea of a podcast is still percolating, and I’m excited about the possibility of exploring that creative outlet.
I’m also looking forward to spending more time with Bill and enjoying the simple pleasures in life. We recently watched the Elton John documentary, which was truly inspiring.
I’m confident that good things are ahead. I’m taking things one day at a time, focusing on my well-being, and exploring new possibilities.
I’m also thinking of reaching out to old friends, like RoDa and Karyn, and reconnecting. Maybe we can even collaborate on some projects together.
The future is uncertain, but I’m approaching it with a sense of optimism and a renewed sense of purpose.”