Category Archives: What’s it doing outside?

I Decided

Well what seemed like a promising day once again turned crappy and I am not even talking about the weather. The day started off awkwardly for me, Bill leaving early enough and me in that limbo, between staying relatively asleep and getting out of bed. All I had to do was wait for the alarm clock. But it didn’t go off.

It should have, I thought I had set the ‘proper’ time before I went to sleep last night, but what I had actually done was move the alarm time from AM to PM. Oddly enough, I had a feeling that is what happened and got out of bed at the time the alarm should have gone off.

Of course I owe it to Bill for the wake up goodbye kiss, for if that never happened I might still be asleep 12 hours later. And it was raining a bit this morning. Nothing too bad, just glad that we don’t live in Paterson or Lodi even. Those spots are still somewhat flooded (Paterson at least) and it is supposed to rain until Friday maybe.

I made it to the bus stop with the umbrella alternately opened and closed. That’s how it was. I enjoyed a little cigar as I waited on got on the bus without any problem. Unfortunately there was traffic outside of the Lincoln Tunnel which in turn set me back a few minutes more than I would have liked.

Still it wasn’t too bad, I was only about 5 minutes late getting in. And it was a full time team today, Calvin, Bradley, Thomas and myself. Things were alright though the need to have a staff like that on was a bit weird. I suppose we kept getting in each other’s way and eventually got on each other’s nerves as well.

It was raining out so my usual routine of going out and sitting on a bench and reading was out of the question. I was able to get the latest issue of Mojo magazine, with Pink Floyd on the cover and decided on sitting in the man cave for my lunch hour. I was trying not to do that since there was a customer that I used to get along with, but fell out of favor with me when he came in lisping and mincing about like a gay stereotype from the 1970’s.

Then I figured why would I allow such a troll like person to have a say in where and how I enjoy my lunch. After all I had Mojo magazine and could just as well bury my head in that. Prior to heading out, but after I signed out, a customer came in and wanted some cigars. Since no one else was on the floor, I helped the gent and got his cigars.

When I started to ring him up, Thomas and Bradley appeared and took over. With an ‘Hasta Luego’ from me to the customer, I headed out. A while after I had lunch and was back to work, I heard that the customer that I initially helped on my own time (not on the clock) had tipped Thomas $10.00.

I never get tips and was surprised to hear it. Bradley and Calvin were egging me on to say something when Thomas went off to buy some snacks. I was reluctant at first and then decided to have a little fun when Thomas returned.

Apparently I went too far and Thomas felt I impugned his honor, which was not my intention. That was the start of the slippery slope this afternoon and I haven’t even touched the bottom of the mountain. Yet.

I was able to have a good talk with Thomas, and cleared the air.I like working with Thomas and we have a good rapport. I was trying to be ‘one of the guys’ with Calvin and Bradley egging me on. Thomas was offended by what I said, though it was in jest. Let’s face it, I have never been nor will I ever be, ‘one of the guys’.





I have to admit a certain bemusement with schmuck master_76 and lazy teat Greg still reading this here blog almost every day. Masochists I guess.

I Confess #2

It’s a soggy Saturday and a day off. I was supposed to be working but with the shutdown of mass transit in this metropolitan area. With no way to get out there was no point of going in. So there was no work today. I was off tomorrow anyhow so it works out nicely I guess. Bill did some grocery shopping last night and I did some this morning after having a cup of coffee.

Last night Bill and I watched way too many reports on Hurricane Irene, and at some point we watched Jurassic Park. I really enjoy that movie and have seen it a few times, and I’m pretty sure this was the second time for Bill. It really is a suspenseful thriller, as good as Jaws.

Before you knew it, it was 2:00 in the morning. Bill went to bed a little after that and I soon followed. Slept fairly well, getting up later than usual on a Saturday morning. No work, no rush you see. Took a shower, made some coffee and after a bit, went to the supermarket.

It was crowded but manageable and I was able to get bread and a few other items that Bill could not get the night before. All in all I was in and out of there in about 20 minutes. Came home and had a nice breakfast. Of course after a few hours some cabin fever set in and I was eager to go outside.

Throughout the day it was raining on and off, not too windy either. I took a few pics as I walked up to Washington Street and since the batteries were slowly dying in my camera I had to get some replacements. Since I wound up downtown I decided to walk over to the river with my camera and fresh batteries, as well as enjoying a cigar.

I walked around Pier A and took some snapshots. Not many people were around but still there was a noticeable number. The streets were nearly devoid of cars. Plenty of parking spots available, much more than usual for a summer weekend. I walked around about an hour and came home to find Bill awake from a nap he had taken earlier.

All day long it’s been news reports on TV and posting YouTube videos of songs that are related somehow to rain. It’s definitely overload. Enough amping up fears and anxiety, I went back to the supermarket to get a few more things should we have to hunker down for more time than expected.

Then on the other hand I can’t help but think there is a lot of hype with regards to the present situation. In any event, I am content to stay home. The refrigerator is well stocked, plenty of water and food. Way more than usual. Also a few Stella Artois, just to save water. I think we’ll be able to ride this out, hopefully without a power outage.

I suppose it’s a good thing that I’ve written now.