Well this is a first. Currently my network card on the pc is damaged, fried, kaput. What worked fine this morning, is now on the fritz. Whether or not this is because of the heavy thunderstorms a few hours ago, I’m not too sure but it’s probably more than likely. I was on the phone with Verizon, those nice people who try to be helpful but Dennish Brach was trying too hard. Also had me on for a bit too long. Lost him once and he called me back but after an hour and a half of being on hold and off hold, I gave up and called again which resulted in me screaming YES or NO at the voice prompts which invariably resulted in “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you”. TECH SUPPORT! “That sounded like you wanted to cancel your service. Is that true?” NO!

I feel differently now. I want to cancel it now, even though what happened was not Verizon’s fault. I found that out after I called Verizon and got Steven who read Dennish’s notes. So I need to go to CompUSA or something like that for a new network card, but I don’t really know what kind of network card I need. That is something I need to ask Rand about, but I believe Rand is in San Diego. I’m adjusting to using Bill’s powerbook, now I’m sitting on the couch with the laptop on my lap. How apt, my lap.

It’s coincidental that I had swung past Wanker Banker and hung out with my IT buddies who are way cool and had hooked me up with the computer years ago. I probably could’ve gotten a new card from them. Bah! If I only knew then what I know now. Now being about 12 hours ago. I had an interview around the block from Wanker Banker and I told them that be at McMann and Tate that I would be in by noon. They surprisingly didn’t mind. I thought Felicia was going to be upset that I missed her staff meeting but no, she seemed fine with it.

The interview I had was at Lexington and 54th. It was for what I think is a mortgage refinancing company. Interesting place, I was told later on that they were impressed by me. I was in the running between myself and someone else. I think they’ll go with the other. I told Virginia Wagner that I would take the job if Bill is covered under my benefits. I think it was a deal breaker. McMann and Tate has been unbearably bearable. It’s been ok lately.

Last week when I was stressed I was stressed because of a mistake that I had made. I was busy beating myself up, no one really said anything else about it. That’s how bad I was. Nearly ruined my dinner with Annemarie, Earl and Bill. I will wait and see how Monday and Tuesday go. It was nice to stop by Wanker Banker and see the friendly faces that I missed, even hot dog man on the corner. Who knows where I’ll wind up? Not me. I certainly don’t.

Slept incredibly well last night. Bill was so affectionate. Woke up at 7:00, which is late by my schedule. It was quite warm and I opted to wear a suit for my interview with Virginia Wagner. No tie though I stashed one in my shoulder bag. Regardless I was still sweating even in the apartment. Bill and I bouncing around like satellites, getting dressed. We decided to go to work together and he had no problem walking to my usual stop rather than his.

Things like that matter to both of us. Anyway it was a relatively uneventful bus ride. I was a bit antsy yet I kept my cool in the humidity. By the time I got to the office I was obviously sweating. I went into the bathroom and dabbed with paper towels but it was to no avail, I was a sweatbox. I sat down at Virginia’s desk and she handed me some napkins to mop the literal sweat off my brow.

We talked about revamping the resume, and she walked me around her office introducing me to her fellow employment counselors. I smiled, shook hands, all very much like running for office. The whole thing lasted less than a half hour. I stopped by Smilers on Fifth Avenue after that, getting an egg sandwich from Tony the guy I’d see once a week for my breakfast. Good to see him, seemed like old times. Seemed like four months ago.
Instant nostalgia.

Picked up the latest Uncut and Mojo and hopped onto a nicely air conditioned bus. Once again I have too much to read. It’s not a bad thing at all. Almost up to date with the New Yorker, plus the new Mojo and Uncut, and a book that I ordered from the Library is in. On top of that are the newspapers, which I usually read on line, but when I’m off from work, I buy the print editions, except for the New York Times.

Annemarie, Earl and I went to the beach soon after I got back to Hoboken. It was a flying by the seat of your pants proposition to decide to head down to Sandy Hook when there were very dark clouds in Hoboken. I reminded Annemarie that it was very much the same way last year when Stine joined us. Last year it was actually raining but stopped once we got to the beach. Not too many people stayed during the rain.

There weren’t that many people at the beach today. The water was nice, initially cold but once you were acclimated it was fine. A strong tide kicked up a lot of sand while Earl and I played in the waves. He kept trying to throw me into the waves. His 115 pound frame trying to catch me off guard. It was quite humorous.

We left Sandy Hook after a few hours, catching some parkway traffic as we drove up to Saddle Brook to pick up Rex. After that it was dinner at Park and Orchard, which was very good. Annemarie knew our waitress’ sister and after my 2 Stellas and Rex’s Guinness we paid the check to find that the drinks were on the house. Now I am exhausted and need to sleep. Good night.

But wait! Here are some awesome pics!