Tag Archives: Bill

It Keeps You Running

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Well today was a pretty good day. It started out nicely, Bill kissing me goodbye before he headed out around 6:00. I was up and out of bed a little while after that, close to 7:00.

I had the foresight to get my clothes ready and put in a garment bag the night before. Shower, shave, coffee and cereal and at 7:45 I was headed for the bus. Not too crowded, had a decent seat and the air conditioning was on.

I asked Bill last night if he had a garment bag I could use and he said they had them for sale at the Mens Wearhouse. I wouldn’t be able to make it there and Bill said he would if he had a chance. Headed uptown on the train and walked by the shop.

The lights were on but no one answered my knocking. I headed into the public restroom and changed there. Had about a half hour to kill so I wandered around the area in my suit, my street clothes now in the garment bag.

Tried calling Bill but T-Mobile couldn’t find a working network. That happened last night as well while at home. I made it back to the shop and saw Calvin. He was surprised that I was waiting outside. Apparently Marcus was inside the office and didn’t hear me knocking.

Harold, another co-worker showed up. He’s a handsome guy and a part time model. He showed me a photo of himself modeling for Calvin Klein underwear and I did not stare at the prominent bulge. He also showed me his six pack abs in person.

He’s off to South Beach for a modeling competition in a few weeks. I like Harold, he’s very funny. Raymond also came in. I met him when I met with Calvin and Marcus a few weeks ago.

Calvin and Harold said he had OCD and Raymond did not disagree. Apparently Raymond does a lot with the running of the shop and he’s good to turn to if I have a question.

We talked in the humidor about how it is to work there. He doesn’t mind making sure everything is running correctly. He’s a good ally to have.

Since I’m the low man on the totem pole I had to take an early lunch. I forgot to make a sandwich to bring to work so I finally went over to Whole Foods and made myself a salad which was really good. The first bite was incredible but I think I was just so hungry.

I sat on a bench near the park and after the salad smoked a cigar. An older gent walked by and noticed how I was dressed, white shirt, tie and braces and he remarked that I looked like a banker. I told him that I wasn’t, that I had been unemployed for 11 months and that I just started a new job.

He was happy for that and asked where I was working. I told him about the cigar shop and he remarked that he didn’t smoke cigars but wished me well and then he was off buying lottery scratch cards.

He was relieved after much scratching on one of the cards that he didn’t win the Shirley Jackson lottery.

Back to the shop on time and I found that Bill had stopped by with the garment bag. Everyone met him and liked him. How could they not? They also said they knew he was my man since we both looked alike.

I suppose after 10 years that would happen. I was glad they liked Bill and sad that I missed him but I think it was probably all for the best. They also sold Bill some cigars.

Like I said, it was a pretty good day.

Came home and found an email from Harpy saying that Rue McClanahan passed away. She was nice. I met her on the street in December 2005 when I was working at Wanker Banker.
Rue McClanahan 2005

It So Easy

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I am quite a lucky guy. So lucky. No sarcasm intended. Sincerity. I have a good man who loves me so much. Bill is my rock. As much as I bitch sometimes about him, he is there for me, supporting in me and believing in me.

He is so happy that I am employed again, thrilled that I am working at a cigar shop. I can depend on him for anything. True, sometimes in my petulant moments I whine about him driving me crazy but I take a step back and see how miserable my life would be if he wasn’t in it.

The people in my life, Annemarie, my brothers, my sisters in law, Julio, Roda, even Roda’s mother are happy that I’m working again and sometimes they’re thrilled that I am working again. I am happy to be working again.

Sometimes.

The times that I’m not are when I am not at the job. I like the people I work with. It’s going to and coming from the job, where I find myself looking back at my life is when I wind up taking big gulps from the well of despair.

And it’s not my life per se, it’s the jobs that I had. Working at Wanker Banker, and Bio-ID. I left the Wankers at the right time inadvertently and Bio-ID collapsed from the economic climate and the lawsuit following the dismissal of a managing partner.

I know I’m not alone in this situation. Thousands, millions of other people are out of work.

I have a job and like I said when I am there I am fine. I am busy or trying to be busy. I like my co-workers and they seem to like me. The customers like me as well. I’ve been introduced to dozens and almost immediately have forgotten most of their names.

I have a lot to learn besides names though. I have to push the product and be very knowledgeable about the cigars. Try to form relationships with new customers and steer them to the brand of the store. It’s a good brand, internationally known.

And there are many cigars with the brand name on it, from mild to medium to full bodied. I have to know what they taste like, whether it has a spicy flavor, a creamy taste, things like that. Calvin, the assistant manager has been showing me these things but I am a bit overwhelmed.

At some points during the day he asks me what do I know so far and I generally draw a blank. Yesterday being my first day I didn’t know much but did my best. I was given a DVD about the founder of the company and had to watch it last night.

Now I have other homework to do, which is visit the company website and learn some more. Unfortunately I am toast right now. And I was toast when Calvin decided to see what I knew with regards to the brand’s cigars.

I drew a blank despite taking notes about what he was talking about earlier in the day and even read those notes eating a sandwich on a park bench at lunchtime. I was good with the customers, steered them to the brand, encouraged them to give it a try as I chatted with them in the humidor.

But at 6:30 when Calvin asked I came up short.

I also took the smart move and brought my suit and shirt and tie in a garment bag and changed when I got to the shop. I could have dressed better but chose black jeans and a dark shirt for some reason.

But I got through day 2 and will return for more. And I love my family and I love my friends and I love Bill Vila so much.