Peppermint Pig

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Well it’s been a roller coaster day for me today. Woke up feeling OK basically. Woke up earlier than usual even. But as the minutes passed I noticed I was getting a headache. Not just any headache, but a sinus headache.

Was it allergies? Was it the virus that’s been bouncing around?

After the Shakespeare reading at McSwells Lois wound up being bedridden for about a week. Last Saturday after the parade Rand mentioned that he was going home since he was sick most of the week and going out for the parade might have been a little too much.

Alexander had been quite ill as well a week or so ago. Could it have been my turn?

Let’s face it, I can be quite crabby when I start feeling unwell. Bill was understanding and comforting and I was grouchy. The phone rang and it was my brother Brian.

Now about a month ago he mentioned that his son was in a play and his school and his son asked if Bill and I could make it. I duly ran it by Bill but he’s been involved with the play which starts on Friday and opens next Wednesday.

I told Brian that and never heard anything about it again. I figured that it was an ‘Oh well’ situation, that Brian was hoping that Bill would drive and that would be that. But having heard nothing I just assumed that Brian and his family would simply go on without me.

So I was surprised to hear from Brian asking about when I would be going up to their neck of the woods. Taken aback with a stuffed and achy head I told him that I hadn’t heard anything about it since he brought it up.

And keep in mind I was not feeling too well and snapped at Brian as I said it. Or at least I thought I did. I felt bad for Brian but I was feeling bad overall. I did call back later in the afternoon and left an apology.

The day progressed. Bill had a call back for something he auditioned for and then he was of to Harlem for the play. I had to go to the post office and while I was out I felt a lot better. I had taken 2 Advil and the fresh air seemed to do me good.

A bit groggy though which made me worry that it wasn’t merely a sinus headache but the bug that’s been hopping around. I went to the supermarket, bought some juice and some food.

I had a pot of water on the stove, making things humid and also put a few drops of peppermint oil which really opened up the clogged airways. All the walking around tired me out somewhat so I had a nap which lasted about 30 minutes.

I’m feeling a little better right now, not 100% but better than this morning. Took my temperature a few times today. It was 97.7 earlier, just took it again it was 97.9.

I wasn’t going to write today, but it seems I am compelled to write no matter what. So there you have it.

Cheeking Tongues

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Things are fucking weird lately. I thought it was me, but it’s not. Perhaps it’s because of the sudden change in the weather. A week or so ago we had over a foot of snow in this area, now it’s pushing 60 degrees. I’m definitely not complaining about the weather.

I just got back from sitting by the river and finished the March issue of Mojo with Syd Barrett on the cover. A tragic story about old Syd. I knew the gist of it but now I know a little bit more. Like the 1970’s, people didn’t know how to put a hand out, perhaps saying ‘maybe doing LSD every day isn’t that good an idea’.

Lennon was the same way, nearly a casualty and Cynthia nor the other Beatles did anything about it. Of course I wasn’t there so I shouldn’t really say anything, all my info is third or fourth hand.

And if I was there, who would listen to a 5 year old, which is what I was in that acid drenched year of 1967. I had my own problems, just starting school, trying to stay out of Vietnam. You know the score.

Last night was decent. Nothing earth shattering to write about. I watched It Might Get Loud, a documentary of sorts featuring Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White. Jimmy Page, Mr Cool and mellow in this day and age. The Edge, I’m sure he’s a nice guy but he didn’t really do much for me but Jack White.

Wow, Jack White. Love his attitude, his approach, his philosophy. It’s worth watching if just for Jimmy Page and Jack White.

Had interesting dreams once again, cannabis free. One involved a Warhol exhibition of Andy’s paintings which seemed to be modeled on Edward Hopper’s work. I really don’t think Andy did any work like that.

In the dream I was on a bus headed to the exhibition and sitting next to old friend Eileen Lynch talking about the Warhol show in Chelsea I believe. Maybe I should or someone should do a series of Edward Hooper paintings in a Warhol style.

That wouldn’t be so weird considering so many photo stores advertise their services for doing photographs in the manner of Warhol’s portrait series from the 1970’s. If you saw them you’d know what I mean.

For some reason I wrote in my dream notepad ‘No, not Jasper Johns, but Jasper Johns’.

Another dream I had involved me finding a store by a motel I was staying at that sold Gauloises. That dream is probably stemming from the fact that I haven’t had a cigarette since last week. I’ve had a few cigars, but no more cigarettes.

It wasn’t really a conscious decision, it just happened.

In the dream I had that familiar blue pack of tobacco that I enjoyed for so long which suddenly became unavailable here in the states. In real life I got into an online argument with some wanker who called me a typical American who thinks the world revolved around the USA.

And all I had written was the fact that they were no longer available here. I’m sure I would be tempted to smoke cigarettes again if Gauloises made an appearance on the market again but we know it’s unlikely to happen.

That time I wrote faster than the processor could handle and that last line came out as ‘if Gauloises made an appeely to happen.’

So about the tease the other day, no it wasn’t about me giving up fags. It was about a plan for Bill and I to get a Civil Union license, document or what have you.

I had hoped Rand could be our witness but I think he’s been under the weather (he mentioned that after the parade)and didn’t respond to my message on Sunday. When he finally did respond, (not to the message but to the fact that I called and hung up instead of leaving a message on Monday) it was too late.

Bill was off in the city and both parties need to be present for a civil union. I did ask Jim Mastro who said he would witness but we both thought it would be at City Hall. Instead it will be at the Multi Service Community Center on Grand Street here in Hoboken.

Not around the block from the Guitar Bar as we had thought.

So I asked Stine who will witness with Alexander after they get out of their morning play session on Thursday. That was nice of her to be able to do so.

I saw Stine and Alexander this morning and it was funny to see Alexander having the same eye expressions as Julio. To the T, the rolling upwards of the eyes as if to say ‘Oh Brother’.

So now you know the plan. Bill and I getting legitimized somewhat in the eyes of the Hoboken city government. We’re registered at Regency Cigar Emporium at 752 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI 02818-3501 in case you were wondering.

Just send them an email and tell them my real name. They have my address as well as what I like. Just tell them to duplicate my last orders.

Cheeky ol’ me…

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