No really, it’s like 99 degrees and the surreal feel is like 105. Not a good day for anything except bemoaning the fact that it’s very hot out. A dense heat and the odd thing it’s not humid. That would make it worse. It’s a Monday and that means back to work. I didn’t realize what magical time I was living in while off from work and spending time with Annemarie and Earl, with Rex joining in the next day.

The magic time spell faded away when they flew off to California. I tried to hold up my end with Julio and Stine and we had a good time but there were those moments when I was in the water thinking about how much I wished Earl was there trying to trip me up and dunk me. I didn’t need his assistance on that thank you, I could trip myself up and I often do.

At one point, after a few beers, a jazz cigarette and cigars I was sitting under the umbrella, reading the New Yorker when all of a sudden I just had to close my eyes and put down the magazine. I sat there and went into a deep sleep for like a minute. When I came to, I was relatively refreshed and recharged. The drive back was loaded with traffic, but since I was playing DJ with the iPod I didn’t mind much.

I admit I was a bit raucous with the volume to Stine’s dismay and tried to keep things reasonable. I had to put up with Julio’s comments on whiners, Morrissey (yes he whines) and Rufus (no he doesn’t whine). Julio really knows what buttons to push to get to me and hits all the right buttons at the right time. He picked that up from me, no doubt.

Came home and made chicken sandwiches for Bill and myself. They were quite good. We settled in watching Deadwood, Entourage and the Louis CK show which I don’t remember the title of. Lucky Louie? Very good shows, all three. I think Bill has gotten into Deadwood, just in time with only a few episodes left. Went to bed soon after the insane war that Israel has against the Palestinians and now the Lebanese. They should chill out, like a wise man once said, or will say.

I woke up feeling ok, got my shit together and out the door, leaving Bill on the couch. He was staying home, no work for him. I hope that doesn’t interfere with him going to the beach this weekend. I had a good attitude at work, the magic spell from my sister’s visit continued in the form of memories. I was able to look at Felicia differently. Hard to describe, a feeling of knowing how she is. Linda came back from abroad and there was a nice note from Paula who replaced me last week, hoping that I had a good weekend.

The heat was oppressive enough to make you think the air conditioning wasn’t working. Lot’s of water consumed by myself and lots of water expelled though the skin amongst other parts of the body. Not that you needed to know that. Well, maybe some of you did.

Now I sit in the apartment, with Juan as we alternate D.J.ing songs from his iPod and from my iTunes library. He has tons of cool stuff, making my treasured classics sound torturous. I didn’t know Elvis Costello wrote power ballads. I like about 99% of the stuff Juan plays for me. He doesn’t play everything he owns. He tries to be discreet.

Happy Birthday Brian

t was certainly a beautiful morning today. Woke up around 8:00, Bill and I lying in bed, the fans blowing over us, creating nice breezes. I got out of bed, turned on the telly and jumped in the shower. I was soon out the door to get bagels and the papers. Got bagels for Julio and Stine, then proceeded to make a nice breakfast for myself. Bill got up and puttered around while I phoned Julio for arrangements for our trip down the shore.

Stine was leaning towards 9-ish, which was more than fine with me. We hooked up in the street, loaded the trunk with umbrellas and beach chairs and soon we were headed towards Observer Highway out of Bokeyland. It was the third time this week I was going down the shore and the first time this week without Annemarie and Earl. It was sad and I missed them greatly. We all had such a good time. I waved as we drove past Newark Airport

Julio and Stine are more than excellent company and I don’t want to begrudge them in any way. We stopped in Foodtown in Red Bank instead of going down Route 36 like I had with Annemarie. Much more scenic driving through Rumson rather than all those stop lights. We were headed down to Monmouth Beach, which has more privacy and better waves than Sandy Hook, which has bathroom facilities and lifeguards, two things that Monmouth Beach lacks.

The heat was nearly solid as we walked across the hot sands carrying the umbrellas and chairs and a cooler stocked with food, ice, water and beer. It was incredibly hot as we sat on our chairs, eating our lunches. Soon after I walked into the warm ocean and surfed some waves. Julio and I started throwing the Frisbee back and forth, getting a good volley back and forth when Julio threw the Frisbee into the water as the waves were crashing. We expected to see it as the water receded but there was no Frisbee to be seen. The ocean had claimed it.

I waded into the water to see if it was floating or laying on the bottom while Julio scanned the area to see if it was washing up somewhere. It wasn’t. I didn’t mind swimming around but both Julio and I were disappointed that it wasn’t turning up.

Luckily we had enough to occupy our time, meaning mainly sitting under the umbrellas and reading. It would’ve been wonderful if Annemarie, Rex and Earl were with us. I texted them and Bill saying ‘Wish You Were Here’. I know they did too, especially Bill who was supposed to drive today but found his driving cancelled for the day. He would’ve rather been on the sand with us I’m sure.

There’s always next week. I’m merely thinking that I have to get through the next week in order to get to the beach on Sunday. The reward at the end of the week. It would be nice if Bill could join us, I told him that perhaps he should make plans to next week.

And now, here are some pics!