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Ain’t It Funky Now, Pt 1

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A day off. On a Saturday, which for some one like me, a newbie at the cigar shop, promises to be rare. I just woke up from a 20 minute nap. It’s been a sticky day weather wise, in the upper 80 degree range. I was pretty much tired last night when I came home, but stayed up until 12:45, when I went to bed.

Bill wasn’t home yet and I was a little worried about him when he wasn’t home yet. I lay there sweating and around an hour later I got out of bed to take a melatonin tablet. There was Bill on the couch, a little bit weird. He has been working on a play, performed for one night tomorrow and he was told to get really in depth for his character. I’ll tell you more about that tomorrow.

I was relieved and hoped that now he was home I would be able to sleep. But it was so hot and the melatonin was not acting fast enough. Eventually it did kick in and I fell asleep next to the soundly sleeping Bill.

He was up and about early and I eventually woke up around 9:00 this morning. Still quite warm. I made some coffee and headed out to the supermarket for some eggs and groceries. I was surprised to see my neighbors Mike and Nicole moving out.

Mike’s dad isn’t doing well and him and Nicole have been staying out there somewhere in North Jersey. They’re subletting and I was surprised at how much stuff they had. They offered Bill & I a new king size bed, but we have a California King already. Too much trouble in any event.

I watched An Incident at Owl Creek Bridge, the original Twilight Zone episode and was surprised at how surreal it was. Really brilliant. I knew the concept but had never seen it from start to finish. Brought it back to the library and found I was late with another DVD, a new version of Owl Creek Bridge with Campbell Scott.

After forking over $2.00 I headed over to Church Square Park across the street and hung out with Julio and Alexander for a little while. I pushed Alexander on the swing where Alexander and I counted to 20 with each push. I also told Julio about the work week I had and we both complained about the weather.

Then it was a 1-2-3 whee walk with Alexander holding Julio and my hand. I came home and decided to install the window unit air conditioner, sweating up a storm. Vacuumed a bit and found I needed some new vacuum bags.

I walked over to Shop Rite but they didn’t have any. I bought some hot dogs instead. I decided to walk down Madison Street to check out some Italian deli’s and get some info on catering for the party next month.

I ran into Roda’s cousin Tony who invited me to a Positive Thinking seminar that he is hosting at the Elk’s Club on Tuesday but told him I couldn’t make it since I’d be working. He’s also a cigar aficionado and was happy with the fact that I got a gig at the cigar shop.

Stopped by the Guitar Bar but Mr. Wonderful Jim Mastro was out on tour with Ian Hunter. I was able to get vacuum bags at a hardware store and came home and completed my vacuuming as well as doing laundry.

I had hoped to make it to my friend Roger’s party for his wife but I had too much to do and I was plenty tired after not sleeping so well last night. And there is still laundry to be done. It’s been a busy day and I hope to sleep well tonight.

Air conditioner is working nicely and my spirits seem to be better.

I can’t believe Elton John is singing at Rush Limbaugh’s fourth wedding. Srsly.

Day After Day

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Well a week from today I will start working for the Symbionese Liberation Army. I’m understandably nervous. Tomorrow I am going in to see Cinque who has some paperwork for me to fill out and also a photo session of me wearing a beret and standing in front of a poster of the Hydra.

I’m sure there is really nothing to be nervous about, I’ve worked retail before. There are some routine things to do when opening up the store, things that I’m sure I’ve done before. I will find out more tomorrow.

Last night I didn’t do much of anything. I made sure Lawn Hors d’œuvre was being recorded for Bill, but Bill had set the timer beforehand. And Sure enough, just as the show was starting Bill walked through the door, saying it was a coincidence that he was home just as it was starting.

Yeah, right.

Whatever he wants to believe but I have a pretty good idea that Bill hustled to get home in time. It was a good episode, the series finale. It really did not seem to be a good idea to pull the plug on it when if they had one more year they would have broken the Gunsmoke record for longest running show.

But that’s the way they did things. And the Lieutenant got a positive message from her oncologist at the end.

I spoke with Harpy a little while ago. He loved the Lost finale whereas I loved all of it except for the last 5 minutes. Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?

And I could not help but think of Mary Provost when Vincent appeared in Jack’s last moments. It’s the natural order of things. Sooner or later that smell of blood will overcome the Labrador’s hunger pangs.

What else is going on? I’m not participating in whatever performance will be taking place in Hamilton NY like I was asked months ago. It was the impetus for my playing guitar every day. But even though I think I’ve gotten better on guitar, there will be no performance.

I sort of found that out the other day when I decided to talk to one of the friends that was really bumming me out and making me feel resentful. This friend kept making plans for me to act in a movie, or lend my voice for a voice over or perhaps even join me when I would play by the river.

All three situations, I made myself available. Things fell apart on their end and I did not appreciate not hearing about it, just basically leaving me twisting in the wind.

And so goes the performance in Hamilton. No Art Hams reunion. C’est la vie. I’m just glad I practiced.

Today being a gorgeous day, I went out to the Pier A area with my guitar and strummed for about 3 hours. I have about 10 songs under my belt that I know inside out, though singing those songs is a different story.

Like I’ve written before, when I’m alone (and I’m alone 99.9% of the time) I just strum and do not sing. If Tariq is there I sing, if Rand is there I sing. But solo, no singing.

The plan was to strum and perhaps even busk, once I was good enough, in the vicinity of Central Park. Now with the weather getting to be splendid, I won’t be doing that. Or maybe I will on my days off.

At this moment, 18:56 on May 25 2010 it doesn’t seem likely but then again, anything is possible. Last autumn, it was that kid Tim that lit the spark and got me outside with the guitar, perhaps there will be someone else to inspire me once again.
NJ Governor Chris Christie: "Where's my CAKE?"
NJ Governor Chris Christie: ‘WHERE’S MY CAKE?’