Didn’t do much of anything yesterday, just watched TV. It was dreary, skies threatening to rain. I went out and got the papers and ran a couple of errands throughout the day. It certainly wasn’t turning out to be a beach day. I did put it out there to Julio earlier in the week but he mentioned that his air conditioner in his car isn’t working right now due to a leak of freon. He scoffed at my idea of using duct tape to cover up the leak. It sounded good to me, but then again, what do I know?

I got the papers for Julio and Stine, no bagels since they are on the no carbs diet thing that pops up in their lives every now and then. Good for them I say! More bagels for everyone. I watched Venus, starring Peter O’Toole the night before. It was better than I expected. A very nice story, once again from one of my favorite screenwriters, Hanif Kureishi. He wrote Sammy and Rosie Get Laid and My Beautiful Laundrette, which is one of my all time favorite films. He also wrote the Buddha of Suburbia which I never saw and that has a soundtrack by David Bowie.

Venus was great, it shows a glimpse into the lives of old men and women. I think I understood how old men are from that movie than from seeing the old men and women in my life. Well, a nicer British version perhaps. The wonderful Vanessa Redgrave was in the film too and I love her. Always loved her since seeing Camelot on TV at 7 Riverview Avenue, where I watched it with Marge Williams who reminded me of Vanessa Redgrave. Marge mentioned to me that she loved Vanessa Redgrave so I guess I caught it from her. She was no Zionist hoodlum. Jodie Whittaker was a bit annoying at first but by the end she’s likable. It’s recommended.

No Juan this weekend, he was doing his own thing, as was Julio and Stine and Bill, who had gone to church. No church for Julio and Stine that is. Julio was mowing grass in West New York before the rain came. Stine was doing whatever it is that she does while Julio mows lawns. I wandered around Hoboken going to the store and that store and not buying anything. The park was overrun by children and their parents so that was a must to avoid.

I came home and watched something on the telly which I don’t remember. (Actually The Stand again. Brother Frank called from the hospital and told me it was on. We talked a few times throughout the day) Then I put on the Da Vinci Code for background noise. Bill came home soon after than and we both got caught up in the movie which was flawed but a good way to kill some time as the rain poured down. Audrey Tautou is always good to watch, and everybody loves Tom Hanks. And Ian McKellan is in it too for bonus points.

We watched The Sopranos which was crazy excellent and surprising and sad. No spoilers. I’m not giving anything away, though if you have a chance to watch it, do so. Entourage was good too but a bit of a come down after watching the Sopranos. Next week is the series finale for Tony and company. Things had be be resolved by then.

Up for work this morning, more rain. Got to work, did whatever it was that I do, including some more errands from which I was a bit wet on my return. The day past by fast enough and by the end of the day it changed from steady rain to some mists. Frank is scheduled for an operation tomorrow morning so you praying types out there, PRAY. For everyone else, good vibrations in the direction of Frank in Hackensack. He’ll appreciate it and I know we all will. Mankind that is.

Initial it, with loving care…♪

It’s Saturday. The other day when Juan was over the weather forecast was for rain every day until next Wednesday. It hasn’t happened. Maybe a spritz here and there but that’s it. I’m not complaining as I just got back from the hospital where I saw brother Frank once again. I went last night and I went today. Yesterday was because I heard how depressed he was, being stuck in a hospital for the second week will do that to you. I went to cheer him up. I printed out some Maureen Dowd columns from the New York Times as well as a few by Dick Cavett, and some reviews of various shows and exhibitions around Manhattan. I also burned a few cds, some Eno stuff including some ambient pieces, an Xtc live cd, and a few Beatles cds including Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band as it is the 40th anniversary weekend of that record.

I thought it would tie in nicely with the Revolution in the Head book that I gave him the other day so he can listen to certain tracks and read about how they were recorded, what color socks Paul was wearing, what type of acid John had just come down from, what digestive biscuits was George eating and whether or not Ringo had rewritten someone else’s song. Yes it’s anal like that, but not as anal as the Marc Lewisohn’s book, The Beatles Sessions, which is fun, has a few pictures and also in hardcover which doesn’t lend itself to easy portability. But what does these days anyway?

My niece Cory was there yesterday with Elaine and we all had a nice talk. I was there for three hours and I did want to go home. I was offered a ride but begged off since I had a feeling it was going to have a few detours that would have delayed my going home. I was talking to Annemarie as I was walking to the bus stop and had a change of heart and decided to take the offer of a ride home with Elaine and Cory. Yes there was a delay but it wasn’t too bad. Meghan was running around Century Park and wasn’t ready. I didn’t want to go hang out in Garfield and Cory drove me home to Hoboken after a dirty look from Meghan. She’s 25 so she’s entitled I guess.

I came home and was quite tired. I turned on Law and Order for some background noise and decided not to write last night. Bill came home a little after 10:00 while a commercial break was on and asked me how Frank was doing. I proceeded to tell him then Law and Order came back on and Bill’s attention was totally taken by the show. That upset me but I didn’t say anything. Bigger fish to fry and after 6 years with Bill and me tuning him out a lot when he rambles on and on, I suppose it’s quid pro quo for him to tune me out when fat head Fred Thompson spiels forth with his homespun wisdom written by the liberal Hollywood elite. I do hope fat head Fred runs for president since that means they won’t be showing the episodes featuring fat head Fred until after the election.

This morning I woke up after not sleeping so well yet again. I had some coffee, showered and went out for the papers and some bagels. Came home, Bill was awake. I was so so. Had some breakfast and read the papers while Bill did his vocal exercises in the bedroom. I did some laundry and after that decided to go back out to Hackensack. If I was bored I’d rather be bored with Frank who was also bored. Caught a bus to Union City then waited for another bus to Hackensack. Frank was in bed watching the beginning of Goodfellas which is a classic movie and we sat there pointing out who was who, mainly picking out faces that would later turn up in episodes of the Sopranos. Elaine and Cory showed up once again, only this time with no offer of a ride back to Hoboken. I didn’t mind, it wasn’t raining.

Caught a bus to Union City and got off and walked to the Four Star Diner where I had a burger which I walked off on my walk down to Hoboken, dodging cars that don’t stop at stop signs and being startled by goofy teenagers who just got their licenses and having passengers scream out the window as they drive by, slamming on their brakes. I trust karma to do it’s job, I just know I won’t be around when it does happen.