Category Archives: So how’s band camp?

About Face

Updated 9:32PM
Well today is the day off. Next one is Sunday. Last night was a quiet night. Just spent time chilling out. Watched TV of course. Bill came home close to the end of the finale of Nurse Jackie.

He had major drama at work and proceeded to tell me all about it. I paused the DVR as he explained what happened in great detail. Quite an interesting story, but it’s his story and not mine. He went to bed soon after that and I stayed up and watched the Simpsons.

Then I went to bed and did not have an easy night of sleep. The weather has cooled considerably so the windows were open, allowing me to hear the smashing of bottles that were being picked up for recycling. The dreams I had were strange, and maybe a bit violent. I did sleep for about 8 hours though and that was OK.

Felt a bit unmoored, not knowing what to do. I knew enough to have breakfast after I showered. Caught the Daily Show and the Colbert Report, both of which I hardly ever watch anymore. I did have tickets for the Colbert Report taping last night but had to return them since I wasn’t able to go, being employed and all.

I started a playlist for the shop and headed out with about 50 songs on the list. I went to T-Mobile since I’ve been having problems with my sending of pictures to Facebook, to my email, and even to my cellphone.

I was on the phone with T-Mobile the past two days and followed their instructions, including if all else fails, go to a T-Mobile store. So I went to the one on Washington Street. I dealt with Laura who talked with an Eastern European accent.

She mentioned that I might need a new SIM card and she wouldn’t charge me for it. I was surprised that she would even consider charging me for the SIM card since the phone is relatively new, having only gotten it in December.

I mentioned that the customer service on the phone never mentioned it and as I said that she cut me off. She kept doing that, I guess she was expecting me to shut up. I don’t do that, I keep talking about what I was saying.

She’s been doing this for six years she said so she knew all about these types of things. She also mentioned that she had a smart phone and never had the type of problem, including losing a network immediately after a phone call.

The new SIM card seemed to have done the trick. I thanked her in what I thought was her original language, Russian- спасибо! She smirked and said she was Albanian but knew what I meant. She certainly wasn’t a charming salesperson like I try to be at the cigar shop.

I walked over to the Guitar Bar and saw Mister Wonderful, Jim Mastro. He asked me how the job was going and I told him despite some initial feeling of confusion and a general not knowing what the hell I was doing, it was getting a lot better.

He asked if I was getting psyched for the party next month and for a minute I didn’t know what he was talking about. Then I figured it out. He mentioned that his daughters Lily and Ruby were working on a set list. I headed out of there since Jim was dealing with a customer who was playing a bass quite loudly for my ears.

Walked back up to Washington Street and started taking cellphone pics of various flowers, just to see if the camera was working. Decided to walk up to Eleventh Street and listened to the playlist on the iPod. Sounded fine to me.

Headed to the supermarket to get some groceries and cash in a rain check from April before it expired. When I came home and looked over the receipt which seemed a bit odd and it was off. They over charged me and I called up the store who told me to come back for the refund.

Ran into Julio who was running home on his lunch hour and chatted for a few minutes before it started to rain. Dropped off and picked up some dry cleaning for Bill and myself. Came home and added a lot more songs to the playlist which runs from pop, R&B, some hip hop and even opera and rock and roll.

At last count it’s 12 hours long and has 176 songs in it. I hope it goes over well. And if it doesn’t I will try not to take it personally like I used to at Farfetched.

Back to work tomorrow, early shift, then Friday and Saturday I get the late shift. Off on Sunday, for which I hope will have good weather.

Update: I had a letter to the Editor published in the NY Daily News again on June 2, a reaction to a letter regarding Memorial Day.

They also serve II
Hoboken, N.J.: It’s a shame that what seemed to be Voicer Bill Lynch’s heartfelt sentiment regarding Memorial Day was cheapened by his politicizing and liberal-bashing. Liberals have fought and died for this country. And the ACLU will defend his civil liberties should they become endangered.

Day After Tomorrow

Heat rises. As I climb the four flights of steps it’s readily noticeable. Top floor, my floor is like an oven. Nowhere for the heat to go. There is no Now/Here. It’s been in the 90 degree range today. Quite oppressive.

I would prefer 20 degrees less but what can I do? It’s supposed to be like that tomorrow but with that temperature drop there will be rain. Or blood. Or a reign of blood.

I’ve noticed that my mind is more prepared for the new job on top of the Empire State Building that I am somehow. Last night as the 11:00 news was on I found myself getting ready for bed, which is about 2 hours earlier than it’s been the past 9 months.

I know I’ve been out of work 10 months and change but the first month of being out of work I still had that routine. Then somewhere in the past 10 months I was up watching Craig Ferguson until the end. The other night he had Ben Stein on so I didn’t watch, so maybe it started then.

Going to bed earlier meant waking up earlier and that meant around 8:00. I was refreshed, not groggy. I had to head into the new job and pick up some paperwork to fill out so I could properly start next week.

Don’t you ever stop, long enough to start/get your car outta that gear!

Showered and did my thing and was soon on a crowded bus. I gave up my seat so a woman and her kids could sit and sat next to guy who very much did not want to sit next to me. So much so that I had to ask him to move so I could sit.

Oh how I miss that commute. I had better get my machete cleaned up.

Walked up to the 86th floor, regretfully no giant apes around. Got my paperwork and talked shop. Asked if it would be alright if I brought my suit in a bag and changed it there since I tend to sweat like a horse when the summer arrives. They had no problem with it.

They did mention that I could wear a Guyabera like I was wearing today when I work on weekends. No shorts though. That’s fine with me. The unknown is before me and though I anticipate it, I’m not terribly worried. It’s nothing I haven’t done before.

Saw Bill after that. I love him. He loves me. He drives me crazy. I probably drive him crazy. Last night Bill was feeling like he was ill, had a cold he said. Today he seemed fine. But last night not so good.

He bought me some Godiva truffles once again. He’s spoiled me. The past 3 weeks, each time I’ve seen him he’s bought me Godiva truffles, so I’ve come to expect it. I walked him back to his office and I know he is thrilled that I have a job once again.

The Path train was fairly empty and the air conditioning was kicking. Walked along the waterfront when I got back to Hoboken. Some function going on, on Pier A. No Tariq in sight and it was too hot to go back and get the guitar and head back out again so I came home and had lunch.

Ran into Stine. Today is her birthday, AND IT’S HARPY’S BIRTHDAY AS WELL. I left a note on the apartment door wishing a happy birthday to Stine and I thought I wrote it in Danish using Google translate, but actually it was in Dutch. The price you pay when you use Google translate without having had a cuppa.

Just got back from spending some time with Rand. He suggested meeting up so I went out. We talked about a lot of things, including what was bothering me. It cleared the air and I’m glad we met up.

I have just returned from a walk around Hoboken and checked out the Memorial Day parade.

What?

It’s Hoboken and they do things their own way. More marchers than spectators and there are fewer veterans with each passing year.
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Rand

Rand


the few remaining members...

the few remaining veterans from back then...