A definite low key Saturday. Day of Saturn my ass. More like day of Uranus. Big neck pain today. The catch is my insurance should be activated by Monday. It’s Saturday. Got up at 6:00 AM this morning. Bill had left for another trip to Foxwoods. The good talk seems to have turned a corner and cleared the air. I took one his pillows and replaced it with one of mine that was driving me crazy.

I immediately felt at ease. I figured out that when Bill had cleaned a lot and changed the sheets and pillowcases he mixed up our pillows and that may be the cause of my neck problems. That makes sense. I did want to get a new pillow anyhow. I asked Julio if he could give me a ride to Target. I wanted to also get a new computer chair. He said he could help but had many chores to do so it would be much later.

I was able to get bagels without the benefit of coffee, which I had to go get at the supermarket. It was risky being out in public without caffeine but it was a chance I had to take. I even had to go to the bank. The stiff neck came back a little while after taking a hot shower. By the time to the bank I was el Stiffo again and barely awake after the caffeine. It was the pain that was keeping me awake. And why not? It has been interrupting my sleeping anyway.

There was a short line at the bagel shop and no one was in the bank so that was in and out pretty fast. The supermarket wasn’t that crowded either. I gave Julio a bagel and came upstairs where I made breakfast. Sitting upright with the pain shooting down my right bicep.

I still kept myself busy with laundry but decided not to over exert myself due to my condition. That meant I sat on the sofa and kept everything in reach without having to move much. As I sat there reading the papers the phone rang. It was a deep voice saying, ‘Hi Uncle John!’ It took me a minute to realize that it was my nephew Earl. Hadn’t spoken to him in a while and now he sounds like a young man. Jeezy Creezy! Well he will be 14 in September so it makes sense.

He was asking me about Napster which I used to use. He was getting songs and trying to burn them onto cd’s, but was having problems. I told him to look for preferences or options and try a lower speed to burn. It might take longer, but it might definitely help. I spoke to his mom, my sister Annemarie who gave me some suggestions regarding the neck problem and proceeded to do what she was saying, wrapping a towel, getting a cold press and laying on the bed with pillows under my knees.

It worked. I lie there about 15 minutes and felt almost as good as I did a week ago. I was even able to take a nap for about twenty minutes. After cat napping the day away, Julio showed up and we went to Target where I bought a new pillow and computer chair. Julio was kind enough to carry the chair from where he parked two blocks away and up four flights of stairs.

Then he assembled it, knowing it would take me a long time, probably days. He gets bagels for life from now on. Oh and Mrs. Stine Lopez, arrives on Wednesday.

A nice spring day. Quite nice. A walk to work from the Ninth Street Path station down Sixth Avenue, past St. Joseph’s school where the street was blocked off so the kids could have a playground of sorts. Nothing really to complain about, no contact from anyone from Wanker Banker, which was a first. I guess they’ve finally gotten used to me not being there. Friday will be a month since I started at McMann and Tate and I feel like I’m finally fitting in.

Last night Juan came over. We watched Scrubs. Bill walked in half way and all three of us just giggled throughout the show. Even Juan who is perfectly indifferent chuckled a few times. It’s great having Juan hanging out. A breath of fresh air and he smells so nice. He was telling me about the cruising that goes on at his gym. Bally’s by Kennedy Blvd in North Bergen. Sounds enticing, but Juan is put off by all of the preliminary action.

Juan passed his bartending class yesterday, quite inadvertently. Seems he didn’t know how to make a mind eraser last week and had to come back this week. The teacher who was tired walked in and asked the class who out of all of them was the best bartender. Juan said that he was and the teacher said, ‘ok, go’. Much like my schooling. Getting by on personality. Juan, like me, has personality, which makes everyone stand back in awe.

Juan is close to the perfect guest. Perhaps too perfect. He’s been here often enough and should just say he wants something to drink. Then Bill or I would tell him to get it himself.

Song is on the other side of the world. I guess Ray is back in Sydney so Song should be happy. I think I missed Song’s birthday so I’ll put it out here:

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY SONG!!!!! HUGZ!!!!!

It would be nice if everyone who reads this would comment and wish Song a very happy birthday.

The day at work was hectic. Big wigs in, everyone trying to impress. I hooked up my speakers and played Howie B ‘Music for Babies’ then Marianne Faithfull singing ‘Why’d Ya Do It’ Very opposite from each other with Marianne spewing forth expletives about having been cheated on. How did someone betray her oyster for such a low bid? That’s what I’d like to know.

I saw Marianne Faithfull in the 80’s at the Bottom Line, she looked magnificent. Dressed in red, singing songs from ‘Strange Weather’. She was accompanied by Dr. John. Bill Frisell, Fernando Saunders. Absolutely brilliant. I was with some people from McSwells, Declan, Patty Quinn, Charlie Charas and someone else. We all fell under Marianne’s spell.

Now watching Lost, chatting online with Juan, Julio on the phone on commercial breaks.
I saw Eric Balfour on the street yesterday. He played Gabe, Claire’s boyfriend on Six Feet Under a few years ago. Handsome dude. On his cell talking about having to go to HR. Human resources? Homeroom? Henry Rollins?

Didn’t say anything and once again, didn’t have the camera. Not like he was Mick Jones, or even Rue McLanahan.

The B-52’s will be at Asser Levy Park (next to Coney Island in Brighton Beach) on August 10.
Laurie Anderson is playing in Prospect Park. Teddy Thompson at Summerstage. Looks like it’s gonna be a great summer.