I Can’t Help It

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One day off, another day on. Yesterday I was off of work, today I could be found in the cigar shack. It wasn’t so bad. Apparently yesterday was quite slow and I thought today would be just as slow, if not slower, but it wasn’t. It was busy and I did better than expected.

Some of the regulars have not been around, Mister Mitchell among others. Who knows where they might have gone? Another cigar shack perhaps? In any event I hope Mister Mitchell and the missing men are alright and not coming down with pneumonia again or something worse.

The day started out just fine. A good night of sleep and the usual hesitancy to get out of bed, bargaining with myself, another 10 minutes, another hitting of the snooze button. I realized I would have to get out of bed at some time and reluctantly did so.

Shuffle past the TV and turning on the Today Show, making coffee, pouring cereal and jumping in the shower. A shave was needed so conditioner was applied to my face. I was out of the shower and shaving when I heard the coffee maker beep signaling that the coffee was indeed ready.

I watched last night’s episode of the Daily Show and a few minutes of the Colbert Report which I actually watched last night. The weather report, or at least the last one I heard, mentioned that it would be warm during the day and then the temperature would drop about 20 degrees tonight.

Here I am 12 hours later, happy to say they were correct in their forecast. I dressed accordingly. I waited for the bus, enjoying a short cigar and staying far away enough from other commuters so they would complain or be upset with the cigar’s fragrant aroma.

The bus arrived a few minutes late, people flashing their passes, handing in tickets and other people digging in their pockets and purses for the correct change or asking if anyone could break a larger bill. The bus filled up quickly once again and soon I was walking through the bus terminal, listening to Devo, ‘Q: Are We No Men? A: We are Devo!’

Specifically the second side of the album, Too Much Paranoias, Gut Feeling/Slap Your Mammy and Come Back Jonee. I really wanted to hear Come Back Jonee since I think I figured out how to play it last night.

A lot slower than the Devo version, but I figured I would get up to speed soon enough once I figure out how to play the chords comfortably. It was enough of a jolt to get me ready for work before I actually walked through the door.

And I suppose it was a Devo way of looking at the world that got me through the day. Calvin and Thomas were good co-workers today, a few laughs were had. Now here I am at home, 12 hours later, happy to be here, where the heater is working tonight.

I Can Help

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Today was a day off. I had about 8 hours of sleep, it was so good. Slept until about 8:45 this morning and got out of bed. I had a meeting with Donald the K this morning at 11:00 and did not want to be late or miss it.

All I had was a little bit of milk for coffee and not enough for cereal, so I fortified myself with a few cups before heading out. I donned a grey wool pinstripe suit, a Paul Frederick shirt with a black & white & grey flowered tie.

It was chilly outside so I wore an older overcoat as well as my apple jack or newsboy cap. I was about 15 minutes earlier than I usually am and found a totally different scene. Different commuters, different bus driver and instead of sitting on the left side, I sat on the right and looked at things I normally don’t look at.

And once again the bus filled up with people, some of them not having correct change and asking the people already on the bus if they had change for a five dollar bill. I made it into the city and headed east to 6th Avenue.

I walked past Bill’s office building and merely took a camera phone picture as I passed by. I made it to the building where Donald the K’s company is and after a few minutes with security, I gained access to the 19th floor.

I met with Donald the K and we sat in a conference room. I was impressed with the size of their offices. Donald the K was dressed casual and mentioned that I didn’t need to be wearing a suit & tie. I told him I didn’t mind. We talked for a while and he seemed sincere in trying to get me into the job.

The whole meeting lasted about 20 minutes and while I waited for the elevator, he asked what I was making at my last job. I told him the extravagant figure I was paid and that I would have been happy with 15 thousand less.

During the meeting Donald the K told me about how a former co-worker Andrea comes in once a week to do whatever needs to be done on the secretary side of things. She commutes from down the shore in New Jersey and Donald also told me that she had died for a few minutes while delivering her second child.

That was something I did not know about. I did send Andrea a message on Facebook telling her I was meeting with Donald and how I did not want her to think I was gunning for her job. She responded a few hours later saying that she would love to work with me again, so that was cool to know.

I also got an email from another former co-worker, Brenda who’s last day was today for the now non-existent Putnam Lovell. I responded and tried to be supportive. At least she knows from my experience how hard it is out there. But she’s smart and savvy and should have no problem getting something lined up. Exploit those connections!

Made it back to Hoboken safe and sound. I needed a haircut but my barber Tony was not in today. He only works Monday and Saturday now and I guess I will have to wait until next week and get it done. It’s been an adequate day off, not the best but far from the worst.

Back to work tomorrow and off on Thursday. How I yearn for a Monday to Friday job.