Category Archives: Cool Cold Reality

Where it is and what it came from. The end-all, be-all, and all-for-a-dollar.

Goodbye Stranger

Leave a reply

Earlier yesterday, I set my alarm clock for the morning. I checked to hear what song was playing and it was Supertramp, Goodbye Stranger. Last night as I was going to bed and check once again to hear what song is playing and it was Supertramp, Goodbye Stranger. I thought it was odd, but it actually harkens back to a time when you heard a hit record on the radio several times a day, if not several times an hour. And it was a song that I like so that was good. Yes, I do like some Supertramp songs.

I remember seeing the first Superman movie with my sister and when Lois Lane pulls up to a gas station the song we heard was Supertramp with ‘Give a Little Bit’ to which Annemarie and I both nodded knowingly.

Yesterday was a beautiful day finally, and I would say about a thousand people were strolling the waterfront in the afternoon. I sat and smoked a cigar and read Gilbert Hernandez’ Julio’s Day, his latest graphic novel. I am usually more into Jaime Hernandez’ work, though I do love both of Los Bros Hernandez equally. Julio’s Day was touching and brilliant and I have to admit my admiration of Gilbert’s story and how he handles gay men and their sexual relationships.

And the slinging rock job fell through. Apparently the head honcho saw something I wrote on the Crack Fancy blog and did not like it. It portrayed his illicit activities in a bad light. I should not have written that the head honcho was a dwarflike functioning alcoholic but I did and right then and there I was shown the door. It was a nice door, I have to say. Made of wood I believe.

And of course with yesterday being gorgeous it stands to reason that today would be cold and wet once again. And that was fine by me since I was not standing on a corner slinging rock anymore.

For Memorial Day Bill and I watched Saving Private Ryan. Great movie and brutal. I aksed Bill during the movie if he thought he would be able to do those things that Tom Hanks and company do in the movie. We both agreed that neither of us would be able to do all that. Then again we’re using 21st century thinking and if we were drafted into the army back then, like most recruits we would be brainwashed into meat for the war machine, so perhaps we would be able to kill or be killed though we would really rather not.

And today’s ear worm:

People Are Strange

Leave a reply

Andy’s mother is sick in the hospital and India. He is understandably stressed out. Andy is an owner of Hoboken Daily News. It was just me and Andy in the store for a few minutes and he was able to unload with tears in his eyes. Other customers aren’t so understanding, whining about not being able to get their scratch off lottery cards in the time that wanted while Andy was on the phone trying to hear what is going on with his mother.

She was in one hospital with some lung problems and on a ventilator. The doctors at the hospital told Andy’s brothers that she only had a few days left. They then moved her to another hospital and things improved somewhat and given a better prognosis. I was glad Andy was able to tell me these things, he obviously needed to talk to someone and that was me.

Other than that, today was a good day. I was up early in the morning and was on the streets at 8:00. Believe me that was a major accomplishment. Wearing a placard and walking up and down the sidewalks between Jersey City and Hoboken promoting the summer on the Hoboken waterfront. I will only have the job when it’s not raining and since today was rain free, I did not mind at all.

Bill is heartbroken, watching the news of the Oklahoma tornados. I came home a little while ago and could tell by the sound of his voice that something was wrong. He needed a hug after watching the never ending news cycle. If I wasn’t busy today promoting events for the summer, chances are I would be engrossed as well. Luckily there is a Mel Brooks documentary on PBS tonight and I think that will be a welcome change from this bad news.

Back to the placards tomorrow. The weather seems cooperative and the looks I get from people when they see me handing out flyers and acting like a shy town crier are charming. I don’t mind. It’s good, honest work. And it isn’t sculpture which is always a plus unless you’re Maya Lin or John Chamberlain or even R.Mutt. My boss tells me if I am good enough with the placards I might be moving up to bunting.

Rest in Peace Ray Manzarek.



Hang in there Oklahoma.
Text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, which helps people affected by disasters such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires and tornadoes despite Oklahoma Senators Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn, who voted against federal aid for victims of Sandy.