Stay Hungry

August 12th, a Tuesday in 2025. August 12th, 1976, I went to my first rock concert at Madison Square Garden, Elton John, Louder than Concorde but not quite as pretty, that was the name of the tour.

It was an experience that I had never had before until that time, and I was changed by it. The next day I wanted to go back, but I couldn’t and probably had a mini nervous breakdown, which is probably also aligned with my nascent coming out, although I didn’t realize it then on August 13th.

And as luck would have it, today Mike has a job orientation at Madison Square Garden so I am trying to fit this all in one box and using my wonderful experience from 49 years ago and applying it to Mike’s present experience on Tuesday, August 12th, 2025.

Last night was nice and mellow. Bill was at his rehearsal for his play. Mike was on the couch, and I was in front of the computer smoking a cigar. I put on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which I had seen before as well, as Mike, it was familiar and comforting.

I’ve been in the office for an hour, and I’ve only seen one person, so it could be that kind of day.
I am playing Elton John Rock of the Westies, which of course I loved at the time, so it wasn’t the Elton John band I had loved so much. Elton was touring to promote this album, which opened at the charts at number one, which is the same position as the previous album, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. Entering the charts at the pole position.

Oh my usual spot has been occupied just a few minutes late, and I don’t think they were waiting for me to not show up, they just took it, and I am still in the shade, a little bit comfortable, it always be more comfortable but that would be me being at home.

Nice orientation seems to be going on well, he is taking a tour of the facilities, and it’s quiet where I am. Perhaps a little too quiet. This makes me uneasy. I am reassured that they keep telling me I am doing a good job, so there’s that. I put in a personal time off request for September 12th, which is a holy day of obligation for me. I must respect myself and take that day off, which I have been for the past number of years.

It is Rafe Dais’ birthday, and I sent him a meme that said Happy Bidet featuring an illustration of a bidet.

It is hot once again temperature-wise wise growing up to the ’90s this week, so it’s the third heat wave of the summer, they say. It’s not humid, though, which is nice.

Today we listen to Talking Heads Naked album and bits and pieces of Grace Jones, and when I left it was on the Pretenders first album.

Monday, August 11th, 2025

Sitting at my desk in the fruit tree, and it’s very quiet. I did not sleep well on Saturday night, and I slept a little better on Sunday night so I could still use a good full night’s sleep.

I rode about 13 miles yesterday on the bicycle to and from Liberty State Park. Not too many negative encounters with people, so that was good. We did a bit of walking around Hoboken with Mike yesterday while Bill was driving tourists around Manhattan.

And it’s a Monday morning, and though I did sleep last nigh,t it was not entirely restful, so I find myself grasping at straws in order to stay awake.

So far at work today I played Brian Wilson’s Smile album, David Bowie Station to Station, and Prince Sign of the Times. Next, I think I’m going to play Grace Jones’ Warm Leatherette.

I had a good weekend with Mike. He came over on Saturday, we did the walk around Hoboken to the grocery store to the dispensary and back home, and then we just watched TV for the rest of the day.

Bill slept at the hotel on Saturday into Sunday, so Mike slept in the air-conditioned room alongside yours truly. No funny business, but not much sleep on my end either I have to figure out the perfect combination in order to get a good night’s sleep, and it’s been elusive as of late.

Still, last night was not so bad, and that’s probably because Bill was home and took Mike’s place back in the bed.

I could not resist ordering an item from Amazon, and I’m having it delivered to the Whole Foods nearby on 14th Street. Yesterday, it said that it would be delivered by 1:00 p.m., and now it is after 1:00 p.m. and there is no delivery as of yet. That leads me to believe that I’ll just have to get it tomorrow. No big deal, not the end of the world so if it comes in by the time I leave, I will pick it up on my way back home.

So Mike starts an onboarding thing tomorrow at the new gig, working for the Dolan family. And I certainly hope it goes well. He definitely needs to get this job. He’s eager, I’m anxious, as is Bill and other people, I am sure, in his life.

The workday is halfway over, just a few hours to go, 3 hours and some change.

Trying to figure out what to have for dinner tonight, since Mike will be there, I think I will have to cook for him as well. He’s a fussy eater. Whole wheat bread? No, thank you! Pesto…Mike will leave the room.

I suppose I might have spoiled him with my adequate cooking. Don’t know what it’ll be tonight, but I guess I will find out when I get home. Not much else to report at this moment, perhaps later there will be something, but there are no guarantees. Warm leatherette plays…

Steven hero/kitchens of distinction. I remember Patrick Fitzgerald in the ’80s, or was it the ’90s? He was signed to A&M Records, and I had a friend who worked at A&M Records, and they thought it would be good if I met up with him. I brought a friend of mine, and Patrick was more interested in the friend of mine than me, so I faded into the woodwork, not wanting to be a third wheel. Now I’ve seen pictures of Patrick recently, and man, has he aged! I mean, I didn’t think he was that much older than me, but the photographs state otherwise.

I think Grace Jones ‘Nightclubbing’ is her best album.