Faithless

Last night was very quiet. Watched Nirvana Unplugged DVD. Very good. Almost got it for my nephew last year for the holidays but apparently Earl isn’t that into Nirvana these days. It was an enjoyable concert, would have loved to have been there. I did see Nirvana inadvertently when they played McSwells on a likely Thursday night before they made it super big. I wasn’t into them, too loud for my tastes at that time, and they looked like carnival workers. I was more than likely wearing my rock snob hat at the time as well. The DVD didn’t hold much in the way of extras. Just a look at rehearsals, nothing more than that.

Channel surfed after that, while watching a George Harrison interview with Dick Cavett on YouTube and reading the latest Mojo magazine. In the UK the magazine had the Specials on the cover. In the US, it’s Neil Young. I like Neil, but the Specials had my heart. And the Specials would have made a better cover. Wound up watching Biography on TV. All about Happy Days, followed by Backstage Stories about Laverne and Shirley and Cheers. It was definitely low brow but provided the right amount of background noise to carry me through to the News followed by bedtime.

Slept really well, woke up earlier than I’ve been waking up lately. Got to the office, no one in yet. I made coffee and did my thing. Lydia the receptionist texted me, telling me she was still ill. I expected that so I was prepared. What I was not prepared for was staring into the abyss. Yes, the abyss stared back. I was caught in the middle of some struggle in the office. Actually what has the makings of a struggle. But the two parties haven’t communicated with each other yet, at least not about the issue that I’m involved with.

I haven’t done anything wrong, forwarded the right paperwork, but red flags have gone up at one end, and the other end doesn’t know. It has the potential to be ugly, that much I know. And like I said, even though I’ve done nothing wrong, there was that sinking feeling, a feeling of worthlessness and stupidity. Two feelings I have dealt with before and am way to acquainted with. I called Bill as I stood outside my building. It was a nice afternoon as Bill did his best to talk me in off the ledge. Of course in my moment of despondency, on the phone with Bill I get surrounded by a few hot hunky men in suits. Nice, but I really wasn’t in the mood. Especially the worked out hunk in a a very nice navy pinstriped suit.

Obviously I paid attention. Bill was great though and I was glad to be able to turn to him in my hour of need. It wasn’t long after that when I went home, having a Padron and listening to the third set of earphones. For the holidays, Julio and Stine got me a pricey pair, and I used them for a while when one earphone crapped out. It was under warranty so I returned them and a few weeks later got a new pair. Then a few weeks after that, those too crapped out. Once again, made arrangements to return for a new set. Today they came in and they sound great once again.

My friend Martha is having a party for her newest Badly Drawn Comix and she asked me to supply the music, iPod style. So I’ve made a playlist which is now almost 7 hours long. Can’t wait to break it out. Of course I keep hearing in the back of my mind, “they’re going to hate it.” Came home and I knew there was nothing to eat so I went to the supermarket where I ran into Andrea Kenny, someone I used to know.

She’s looking for a job and I tried to give her some suggestions while she just gabbed and gabbed about everything under the sun. I started to think we looked like 2 old ladies in the supermarket talking about this and that. That gave me the idea to flee Andrea Kenny. Wished her good luck and made a beeline to the cashier. Now I’m home, feeling better having eaten. I think I need a vacation. No, I know I need a vacation.

State Farm

It’s Tuesday now. Monday was yesterday. Tomorrow, could be Wednesday but who knows? I had an appointment at NYU Dental School tomorrow but canceled since Lydia was sick today and she might be sick tomorrow and I can’t leave the office unattended in the middle of the day. I’m not in pain so that’s cool, plus I rescheduled for next week. With Lydia the receptionist out, I was busy and I loved it. Really makes the day go by that much faster. The day flew by, it did. I expect to be busy again tomorrow.

Something is up in the office and I don’t know what it is. I think I’m safe, I’m low on the totem pole and don’t make as much money as anyone else. I think they are scaling back. Last month they should Moe the door. Both sides of the door apparently since he’s still around somehow. Another six figured person is also working out of the office from now on. Vivek isn’t one for official announcements but I think he will have to say something next week. If I know, I’ll let you know.

On my way home I walked by everyone’s favorite war criminal from the sixties, Henry Kissinger. He looks like a troll and had a bodyguard as he left the Lincoln Building on 42nd Street. I would have taken a picture of his fat troll ass, but I couldn’t be bothered. I guess he was lucky that most people wouldn’t know who he was or perhaps there would have been a scene. I spent my downtime with various sock puppets. Kitty Friendly, Fred Kleinke, Redneck Rockefeller among others.

There is a boycott in the works against Absolut Vodka. It seems Absolut hired an ad agency for some Mexican magazines, the ad featuring a map of Mexican territory from the 1800’s. Boy did that piss a lot of Americans off. Even though it wasn’t meant for US publication, the furor prompted Absolut to apologize, but to me there was nothing to apologize for. To hundreds of angry Americans, the apology wasn’t enough. They want blood. One of my sock puppets wrote that there is a war on.

“Young men and women are coming back damaged or dead. This administration has cut back on veterans benefits. Gasoline is probably going to hit $4.00 a gallon. We’re on the brink of a major recession/depression and thousands are about to lose their jobs (and not to Mexicans). But it’s definitely crucial that a boycott against a vodka maker is more important.” I know I know. There’s no point, yet I fall for it every time. When will we evolve? Will we evolve? Come on people, catch up!

Another thing, I bought some CFL light bulbs. The curly light bulbs, cut back on electricity, good for the planet. Then I saw something on the news, about how these light bulbs have mercury in them. Not easily recycled. I would have to travel miles to dispose of them properly. And if they break, it could be an environmental disaster in my apartment. A worse environmental disaster than it is now. According to Earth 911’s website, I would have to go to Little Ferry (but that’s in Bergen County, and they only take Bergen County hazardous waste), or New York. I have 2 of these light bulbs, and I don’t think I’ll be getting any more any time soon.

Sorry Earth. I tried. I’ll focus on the other stuff in the meantime.

I love my sock puppets.