Never My Love

Oh it’s really cold out. Cold enough to go to Costa Rica. I’m not going obviously, Juan is though. I wish him well despite being envious. It’s freezing outside in Hoboken though. It wasn’t so bad yesterday, though I had only gone outside once. Perhaps it did drop, but I didn’t feel like finding out. I stayed in and watched Kiss Kiss bang Bang, starring Robert Downey Jr and Val Kilmer. It’s a snarky detective movie and pretty funny. Downey has a great delivery, which is usually the same in every movie, he being the master of snark, or at least his writers are.

For me yesterday was all about nothing. When Bill was around we watched the Law and Order marathon on one of the cable channels. We got sucked into a three episode arc, then Bill went to work and I was left watching the start of yet another Law and Order episode after which I could take no more. I was even searching online for character backgrounds which shows Bill’s influence on my viewing habits. He also asked me to set up the DVR to record tonight’s two hour episode featuring the introduction of Jeremy Sisto formerly of Six Feet Under.

Last night when Juan bluntly came over, we watched an episode of The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman starring Laura Kightlinger on IFC. I thought Juan would get a kick out of it and he did. We watched another episode after that which I recorded, then watched Blue Velvet which Juan had never seen before. Still a classic movie, perhaps David Lynch’s best, though I do have Inland Empire from Netflix just waiting to be played, I just need to find the time for a proper WTF moment to actually sit and watch it. It’s such a dark movie with totally over the top performances by Isabella Rossellini and Dennis Hopper. The soundtrack is superb with Angelo Badalamenti arrangements mixed with some classic early rock and roll, country & western and rhythm and blues.

Juan asked to watch an episode of Weeds after that and I had to oblige. Then I kicked him out and went to bed. Bill came home as I slept and said I purred when he got in bed, which is a lot better than the jackhammer snoring that Bill does. Woke up reluctantly to the sounds of the Association, singing Never My Love. It seemed to go on forever as I lay there, half awake listening to the production which was quite good, but enough was enough and I eventually found the snooze button.

It felt like a Monday though it was Wednesday. The placement of New Years Day screwed up my sense of the days of the week even more. It’s been like this since last week. It’s not bad but it is confusing. I think a lot of people either took off this week or had it off, as it was a fast ride into the city, and I was taking my time. I usually leave the apartment at 7:00 but left around 7:15, still getting to the office somehow on time, before everyone else. I was hoping to leave early since half the office was expected to be out, but just about everyone was in. I didn’t mind as I set things up both physically and mentally to insure a pleasant year for everyone.

What happened or didn’t happen last year was done. It’s in the past, nothing to do but focus on the year ahead. I hope I do well and I hope you do well. Have a good new year! I think I missed Song while he was around. Sorry Song!

Salt of the Earth

New entry, new year. And I start by writing about the past. Nothing from the future, no lottery numbers or anything like that. No weather forecasts. There was a review in the New Yorker a few weeks ago about diarists by Louis Menand. One thing he said was most people write diaries knowing that someday they would be read by others. Well I can count maybe five people who will read this. Menand said some disparaging remarks about blogs which I won’t comment upon. Obviously, he hasn’t visited the pleasure dome that is https://johnozed.com His loss says I, says I.

Last night was pleasurable, low key and with good company. I was willing to cancel the plans to go to eat in case Bill was tired. The night before, Bill was at wit’s end emotionally. A certain song triggered a despair during which he called me several times leading me to believe he would just be a wreck. It was quite the opposite, he was energetic. Not amped up to 110 as usual, but a relaxed 85. We decided to do what we usually do on New Years Eve, which is go to Arthur’s Steakhouse on Washington. Eat some meat, have a couple of pints, then a cigar while walking around Hoboken watching people hustle off to bars, and clubs and parties.

I spoke to Chaz a week or so ago and invited him to join us, so we met up at the restaurant. Bill and I had been going for the past few years and we couldn’t recall it being as crowded as it was last night. I guess it was the only restaurant that wasn’t charging an admission, most of the others turning into discos with buffet style eating and open bars. The steaks were good, the potatoes as well. You have to eat the potatoes when they’re still hot because when the cool off they can taste quite terrible, and I should know since my nom du tater in my childhood was Patty Last, due mostly to my disdain for potatoes at that time. Like I said they were good.

It was a nice evening walking around Washington Street after dinner, and soon Chaz, Bill and myself came back to the apartment to have some more cocktails before ringing in the new year at Rand and Lisa’s open house. We watched Help on DVD and got a little jazzy to match the Beatles state of mind. I had made some cookies that resembled David’s Cookies from the eighties in taste and brought over a batch with a bottle of champagne and some Guinness. We got there around 11:45, just as Rand’s sisters were leaving. Long story there, not mine and they didn’t leave on my account, nor anyone else’s. Just some familial flakiness.

The three of us arriving balanced the departure of the other three. Soon enough it was midnight and champagne was flowing, hugs and kisses going back and forth. About tow hours later Bill and I were pretty much beat and said our good byes and good wishes and headed home. Dozens of people walking back and forth, leaving parties or go to parties. I was fast asleep mere minutes later after coming home waking up only hours later with a leg cramp. Must get bananas soon. I did go out and get bagels, calling up Rand and Lisa to see if they wanted any and I got them 2. Then I went home and vegged out.

Chaz
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Bill
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Me
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Double Trouble
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Lisa and Lois
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11:59:59
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Woo Hoo Time
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Rand
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Bill again
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John Fig
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