I Like It Like That- Tito Nieves

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Well today has been somewhat productive so far. Basically I finally got it together with Rand and started a list of songs to play and sing. There’s probably been about almost 30 songs we talked about, then we have to whittle it down to maybe half that then go through those and getting the songs we won’t have any problem playing.

And also there is changing the names of some songs just for a laugh. We sort of had a plan to practice a bit by the river, and I was there at the time that was mentioned but no Rand. It was cool and windy out and though it was fun to practice there, it wasn’t exactly comfortable. After playing the guitar by the river for about an hour I decided to pack it in and head home.

I did contact Rand and told him the weather report from by the river and then headed in the direction of his abode. I wanted to practice outdoors and suggested playing on his steps. I didn’t hear from him so I decided to head home. After walking about 50 yards I heard from Rand. He was out on his stoop and I duly turned around and headed his way.

Rand did mention that there was a lot of construction going on, on his block and I figured we could incorporate the noise like Einstürzende Neubauten or Throbbing Gristle. It was a late Friday afternoon and I had a feeling which proved to be correct that most of the construction workers would be heading home early if possible, and they were.

We ran through some songs that we covered 25 years ago- Dirty Back Road by the B-52’s, Big Boys by Elvis Costello and the Attractions and Charlie Don’t Surf by the Clash. We also tried out Please Please Me by the Beatles, Smile Away by Macca, Instant Karma by John Lennon, Help Me Rhonda by the Beach Boys, She’s the One by Bruce and Alphabet Street by Prince among others.

Rand had his ukulele and was doing his best to figure out the chords on it as I strummed on my Fender Acoustic. It was getting cooler out and after an hour and a half of that we both decided to call it quits for the day. Rand has some things to do tomorrow and I might be hanging out with Pedro since it’s been a long time since we hung out together.

He was quite concerned when I told him of my dismissal from the cigar shack and once again proved himself to be a valiant friend. Once again it is a Friday night. Bill is off to Atlantic City again tonight and will be back tomorrow morning. I am laying low- not going to Maxwells like Rand is planning on doing.

No, I’ll be home, saving some money. I watched Super 8 last night on DVD from the bibliothèque, and I also have Ides of March starring George Clooney and Ryan Gosling and Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen.

A low key evening indeed. So it goes.




Bryan Ferry – Slave To Love 12 Inch Mix

I Like It- Enrique Iglesias

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It’s been a somewhat busy day. Got a lot of things done, ran all over the place. It was good overall. And now I’ve just woken up from a nap and that went really well too. I should have written about the Eagle experience the other night. That was a lot of fun and I might have been a bit hung over yesterday when I decided to write about Daniel Rodriquez. I got there later than I expected after attending the art installation at the ferry terminal. I was dressed accordingly this time, not in a suit and tie and standing out amongst men dressed in a more ‘casual’ manner.

Some guys recognized me and came up and said hello. They told me of their plans to head to the cigar shack and that they looked forward to seeing me at my place of work. They were surprised when I told them what happened. Some of them knew about this blog and couldn’t understand what happened since the names where changed as well as the name of the place where I worked. A couple of guys took out their chain wallets and removed my business card that I gave out 30 days before and tore them up.

My tale of woe did get me some free drinks as well as a couple of choice Cuban cigars. I suddenly felt like the belle of the ball as I sat there drinking and smoking. I did get asked where they might buy some cigars and someone mentioned that townhouse on 42nd Street, but I suggested they go further on down 42nd Street to another cigar store, a little closer to Grand Central Station and a little bit smaller. Or as I suggested, coming to Hoboken and buying cigars, quite close to the Path train.

After a few hours, a few drinks and a few Cuban cigars with the guys I headed back to the Path train and nearly fell asleep on the way home. It was a slightly drunken and weaving walk home and after climbing the four flights of steps I was able to make it to bed and collapsed next to a sound asleep Bill. He was glad I was home and gave me a very nice hug once I got in bed. Thanks to the drinks and the cigars I slept, not quite soundly but it was sleep nonetheless.

I was touched that these guys that I had met for the first time a month ago felt supportive enough and had my back to go to a store at I am no longer working at. Some of them will buy their cigars online, others will probably go to the other cigar stores that I told them about, specifically avoiding that townhouse which used to be a Szechuan palace just a few years ago.

I didn’t tell them not to go, they came to that conclusion on their own with a nice sense of loyalty. Especially from that guy from Wall Street who looked quite hot in his leather gear. I’m just glad I had a great time, was able to have a few drinks, enjoy some cigars with some great guys and able to sleep off whatever hang over that followed.




01 I Turned You On