Only slightly less
Friday, September 19th, in the office. Playing the Smiths Stop Me if You Think You’ve Heard This One Before which always reminds me of the late Michael D’Isa. Pier Platters 2 on 1st Street, The Smith’s album came out, and Michael could not resist singing along to Morrissey.
Oh, this week was the first 5-day work week that I’ve worked since August. Last Friday was my birthday, and it was not as good as I had hoped it would be. That’s mainly because we invited Mike to join us, and Mike was a bitter pill to be around.
I will see him tomorrow, and part of it is filled with anxiety because he’s a Gemini, and like Bill says, you never know which twin you’re going to get. Sometimes it’s a sweetheart, sometimes it’s a spoiled little brat. And man, can he talk your ear off. Both Bill and Mike go for that astrology stuff.
The country is a mess, L’Orange Merde acting like a tin pot dictator, and somebody should have punched him in the face numerous times, as well as a baseball bat massage to his skull. I shouldn’t have to say it, but I have to. This is all hyperbole.
I am vacillating between going to meet up with Von at the cigar lounge after work or just going home. I did my laundry last night, which is what I usually do on Fridays when I get home from work, but I did it last night and advance of going to the cigar lounge. It would be nice to see Von, he’s a good man, and it’s always a good reason to smoke a cigar as if I needed one. So at 9:13 a.m. I am going to the cigar lounge this evening. At 9:15, it might be a different story, but so far so good.
Now I am listening to Buzzcocks. Perhaps I am in a Manchester, UK state of mind. I finally returned the Talking Heads book to the bibliothèque this morning. One less item to carry to the cigar shop.
Still vacillating as to tonight’s event. It’s a message to Von, looking for clarification on his attendance haven’t heard anything, so hence the vacillation. I would be content with just going home also, even though Bill won’t be there till he’s working late tonight, which means he’s starting late and we’ll finish late, and the operative word there is late.
Once again I sit outside in the shade smoking a small cigar and also contemplating on how I would get up to the cigar lounge if I go part of me is considering walking out there which we definitely kill some time but two Fridays ago or three Fridays ago and I took the train to the world trade center actually the ferry to the world trade center and walked up to Chelsea and the eventually 39th Street each step was heavy like lead. All for gathering my steps, I suppose.
I’ve spent some time today working on tests for online courses for the company that has placed me at the fruit stand, and I’m actually doing well on them.
There are many things that I could say, but I can’t think of any of them right now. I had a salad from Sweetgreen, and it was okay. My attempt yet eating healthy for the week. I’ve composed my shopping list for tomorrow. Which I will do before noon, I hope.
What time Mike is planning on coming over, he says 9:00-ish, which means 11ish, which means I have no idea, I don’t think he does either. I told him last week I had canceled the Lyft account, which upset him so how he is getting to Hoboken, I have no idea. I don’t think it’s my concern either, but then again, it will affect me one way or another.
Von has clarified that he will be there, so I am committed since he makes it worthwhile, and he has those kissable lips. Not that I’ve kissed them, but they are lovely.
So I am hoofing it up to the cigar lounge. I’m going to be crazy early once I get there. I could sit down and chill and have a cigar, and it’s not going to be an all-night thing anyway, obviously our or two see pVon and probably bounce.
I started on 14th Street, walked to Union Square to Park Avenue South, to 34th Street, over to Lexington, over to 3rd, things like that
So many places that I used to frequent, but it turns out it was 40 years ago or so. Here’s Mike calling me on the phone. Mike went to the Newport Mall and bought some clothes at JCPenney, and now he’s lost, so I was calling me for directions around Jersey City.
So, back to me which means Mike should interrupt a few minutes I’ve passed where the algerians worked and they really revamp the building and 6 years because it looks incredible and I walked up Park avenue South and then onto 34th Street but I also walked past two Park avenue where I worked the late ’80s and made some friends that I’m still friends with nowadays
I remember the theater where I saw both Star 80 and Radio Days, but not at the same time, no double feature, also where a magazine store used to be, but there are no more magazine stores, and here’s my calling again
Still lost but not as lost as he used to be. And there are quite a number of good-looking guys out on the street that night. Summer is winding down.
The cigar lounge visit was nice. I was crazy early and sat smoking a Padrón 7000. A few TVs were on, showing sports, and I was not interested in that at all. I read a music trade magazine, which was boring because I don’t know anything about the current hitmakers.
Shane, with his leather vest and white beard, arrived first. He’s running the Friday night social. There was a hint of recognition from Shane since we had met a few times over the past weeks, months. Brent showed up next, and I moved from one side of the room to the other where they were sitting.
Reintroductions were in order, stories were told, mainly by me, about the music business then in the 1990s to today at the fruit stand.
Von Harris arrived, and he livened things up for us. We enjoyed each other’s company. They were all drinking, and I had water. It was too short a time to spend with Von since I got there early and was soon to trod back down to the PATH.
My sleep routine was disrupted by this socializing, and though I walked about 14 miles and was dead tired, I couldn’t fall asleep fast enough. Took a couple of hours, actually. My toes had been bothering me on occasion when in bed, and I mentioned this to Jimmy Chile, who said I was lacking in magnesium. So I bought some magnesium.
The plan for Mike and me to meet up fell by the wayside, perhaps accompanied by sighs of relief on both sides of the text screen. I suggested a reschedule, and Mike agreed, saying next week. From what Mike has told me, he is finally meeting the love of his life next weekend, and I reminded him of that.
Today is September 20, 25 years to the day when Bill and I first met at a Men in Suits and Ties Yahoo group party on Ann St. Bill is out on the road and I am chillin at home. All is well.
Life without you
Is easy to do
Feeling green
And no longer blue
The Google Gemini rewrite as a Shakespearean Sonnet:
Hark, gentle soul, a tale in verse I spin,
Of Friday’s woes and joys that lie therein.
The Smiths did play, a mournful, sweet refrain,
And spoke of him, lost friend, in gentle pain.
This week, a five-day gauntlet I did face,
Since August’s wane, with sluggish, weary pace.
My birth-day last, a sour and bitter brew,
With Mike, that Gemini, whom none can view
With certain eye, for he, a shifting twin,
Can be both saintly kin and spoiled within.
My land’s a wreck, by folly’s hand oppressed,
A gilded tyrant, vile and dispossessed.
Yet hyperbole, my Muse, must I confess,
For words are but a balm for dire duress.
To go or stay? The cigar lounge doth call,
To meet with Von, and smoke, and stand up tall.
I did my wash, in hopeful, fine advance,
Then hooved it forth, to seize the fleeting chance.
My feet, like lead, did bear me through the street,
A weary pilgrim, in the sun’s warm heat.
Sweetgreen did serve a bland and healthy fare,
And Buzzcocks’ tunes did fill the Mancunian air.
Mike, ever late, a constant, shifting cloud,
Did call me lost, and speak his woes aloud.
Yet Von, a light, a reason true and grand,
With lips that tempt, did make me understand
That fellowship was worth the weary tread,
And so I strode, by longing forward led.
The lounge was good, a Padrón’s smoky grace,
With Shane and Brent, to fill the lonely space.
Then Von did come, and laughter did abound,
Though brief the time, and quickly homeward bound.
My sleep did flee, by lengthy walking spent,
My toes did ache, on magnesium intent.
Mike’s plan dissolved, a sigh of sweet relief,
And peace returned, dispelling worldly grief.
This day, a milestone, twenty years and five,
Since Bill and I did first in friendship thrive.
He’s far afield, and I am here at rest,
With quiet heart, and spirit truly blessed.