Sunday. Haven’t done much of anything. Watched Sherry Baby which was good. Maggie Gyllennhaal was better than I expected in a rather harrowing role. Also watched the Science of Sleep by Michel Gondry. Didn’t like it too much. I did enjoy the installation at Deitch Projects last year, but as a movie, it couldn’t hold my attention. I read all the newspapers and watched the morning shows and that was about it. It was all about lolly gagging. Me, ably playing the role of Mr. Nelson Neversweat just puttered about the apartment. No one was around to do anything and I couldn’t be arsed to go out into the world.

Here’s what’s going on iPod wise.

Wed Today Divorce Tomorrow – Gabriel Omolo & his Apollo Komesha
From the Africa: Never Stand Still cd. I got this 8 song sampler at a New Music Seminar convention in the 1990’s when I still entertained the idea of working in the music business. I just uploaded it a week or so ago. I really like African music. This is pretty good. Doesn’t say much in favor of matrimony though.

While My Heart is Still Beating – Roxy Music.
The only Roxy Music album I like, Avalon. Long after Eno left the group. Just didn’t get them. Don’t find their earlier stuff too appealing though a few good friends swear by them. I know they’re talented but their music leaves me cold. Avalon doesn’t though.

I Got the News – Steely Dan
From Aja. My favorite band named after a dildo, though I am hard pressed to name another one. I did meet Donald Fagen years ago when he was writing for Premiere Magazine and I was working down the hall for Murdoch Magazines. He mumbled as I asked him to sign my cassette of Aja. I can easily see him playing the role of Fagin in Oliver! Most of the Aja album can usually be heard on CD101 FM at various parts of the day. As you sit in the dentist chair and you hear something from Aja, think of a killer dildo.

Play Dead – Bjork
From her Greatest Hits. Most of the nineties was spent by me overhearing Bjork constantly. My roommate B, played her a lot when we shared an apartment in Weehawken. I never disliked her, but he never really alternated too much, unless he was upset. Then he would play Sinead O’Connor a lot and very loudly. I like Bjork, but this isn’t one of my faves.

Hold On- John Lennon
From Plastic Ono Band, where he denounces everything and comes out of the closet stating how he loved Brian Epstein. No wait, he denounced Elvis, Dylan and the Beatles and professed his atheism. Great impersonation of the Cookie Monster on this one.

Separate Ways- Teddy Thompson
Pretty good song by Teddy Thompson, son of Richard and Linda, peer to Martha and Rufus Wainwright. I heard him at Summerstage and he was pretty good. A little too middle of the road, but then again that’s ok to chill to on occasion. Nice string arrangement.

Everybody Needs Love- Slim Smith
Hearing this for the first time since I’ve finally started to upload all those free cd’s from Mojo and Uncut magazines. I have dozens from the past few years that haven’t been opened. A very nice irie surprise. That means reggae.

Making Flippy Floppy- Talking Heads
From Stop Making Sense. Great concert movie. My only problem was that I saw it so many times in the theater, on VHS and also on DVD. And I had it on vinyl and also the extended cd version. This originally came out on Speaking in Tongues which I had as well as the 12 inch version.

Friday. Bill spent the night at his folks and for once he was the lucky one. I watched television Thursday, and of course surfed and chatted with Juan about arrangements for Friday night’s excursion to Philadelphia and seeing the Scissor Sisters at the Electric Factory. I watched a little of the Daily Show before drifting off to sleep. It was a good sleep until 3:00AM when a car alarm went off for about 45 minutes. I lay there thinking that this wasn’t really happening, but it was. Julio confirmed this later in the day.

Work was ok, nothing special. It was a birthday day for someone in the office. That meant I had to pick up a birthday balloon before I came in, then run an errand later in the day to get an ice cream cake. Everything seemed to be going rather well. It started out pouring rain and very windy (which more than likely set off the car alarm), but by the afternoon when I had to get the cake it was nice and getting quite warm. The day ended as it should but being a Friday, took much longer than usual.

My original plan was to go to the train directly from work and ride to Hamilton to meet Juan. But I decided to run home and catch a later train. I came home to find Bill stressed out about the pay he was rehearsing for was canceled due to the ineptitude of the director/producer and his lying to Actor’s Equity about Bill stating that he was a member of Actor’s Equity. It’s a convoluted story which has left Bill feeling somewhat burned. I could only add to his stress and since I had a train to catch I left wishing that he would feel better.

The train ride was uneventful which is a good thing. I called Juan when the train left New Brunswick and waited for him when it arrived at Hamilton. Juan soon showed up and we were off to get some sandwiches at Quick Chek where Juan used his student discount and we saved some dough. We drove down some very dark highways, me and the ‘liter of the pack’, Juan. We made it to Philly safe and sound but didn’t really have too much of an idea where the Electric Factory was. We drove through some dodgy areas and asked for some directions from two girls who thought Juan was cute.

We found the Electric Factory and got in after they took my bottle of water away. The club which is really set up well also segregates people who are of drinking age and people that aren’t. I didn’t know this until Juan followed me and was carded. I wasn’t carded, they merely stamped my hand without question. Yes Juan looks young and I do not. I’m just not a kid anymore. Zoom zoom zoom!

We missed the first half hour of the show but I heard all the hits that I wanted to hear in the last hour.

The audience certainly came alive when they would play songs from the first album, more so than songs from the second. I know I became more alive. During one of the second album songs I went out for a smoke in the warmish air. It was really a big gay concert and the smoking section outside was like being in Chelsea. I stood off to the side as that’s what I usually do and some guy made a beeline to me and we started chatting about whether or not picture taking was allowed inside. He was from Wilmington, DE and used Google maps as well and got lost just like Juan and I did.

He was a nice guy and after I finished my smoke I shook his hand telling him it was nice meeting him and then I went inside. Never got his name and he never got mine. There were so many cute boys there, a few twinks and bears scattered throughout. I think it made the security very nervous, being around so many gay and gay friendly people. Too bad. Juan and I left after the show, only one encore offered. Must be time restraints, got to be off the stage by 11:00. In New York they usually don’t go on until 11:00. I like the Philly time frame. Gone are the days of seeing a show at 2:30 in the morning like I did with Julio and William when we went to see Tricky.

Juan and I drove back to Hoboken, he was staying at his mother’s in Union City. We took Route 1 where Juan showed me what an excellent and able driver he was. I was mighty impressed. I got home around 1:30, Bill sawing wood. I fell asleep almost immediately.

Saturday. Nice day, started out warm got nippy at the end. It’s St Patrick’s Day in Hoboken. They have it on the first Saturday in March so as to not compete with the official holiday parade on March 17. Score of newly of age drinkers come to town and take over, drinking all the Guinness and eventually regurgitating the black beer on the streets. I went out a few times to run errands and was surprised at all the young people wearing the green. All different sizes and shapes and colors of people are wobbling from one party to a pub then to more parties.

There was the usual parade and a sea of green underneath a sky of blue (which soon became dark). I walked the boulevard taken discreet snapshots and smoking a Padron. I didn’t see anyone I knew, just people lining up outside of bars, and that was every bar literally. It started being crazy at around 9:00 this morning with a line into the street for bagels, and none of the bagels were green. All these newbies, throwing parties in the morning only to be in the evening, throwing up. I did try to get some Guinness but they were totally sold out everywhere like I said.

I have no idea who this couple is.