Tag Archives: Cousin Jackie

The Irish Rover

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And today is St. Patrick’s Day. The real thing, not the Fake Patrick’s Day which left Hoboken crowded with newly of age drinkers. And my niece. Bill was up and out early this morning, gave me a nice kiss before he left while I was still in bed.

Groggy eyed and without glasses on I asked him if he was wearing green and he said that he was so I had to take his word for it.

Me & Bill St. Pats NYC 2008

Me & Bill St. Pats NYC 2008

I suspected he had his kelly green beret on and, I then rolled over and continued dreaming about redesigning the artwork for Elvis Costello & the Attractions ‘Punch the Clock’ album which was being reissued for the ninth time.

That’s something about Elvis Costello, new packaging for his back catalog several times over with each re release.

Woke up to find a St. Patrick’s Day card on my computer as well as one in the kitchen and a drawing from Bill on a paper towel professing his love for me, covering up a bowl of cereal that he had poured before he left.

Jeez I love this guy.

It was a gorgeous day, a great day for the Irish. First time in a long time that I didn’t see the parade in NY. When I was working I would take a slightly extended lunch hour and check out the parade. Not this year obviously.

No suit for me today which meant no green tie either. I didn’t even think about going into the city. Not much fun to do it on my own, missing the hordes of kids playing hooky. Been there, done that and did not buy the t-shirt.

Today it was close to 70 degrees, bright & sunny. I decided to head out early this afternoon and stopped by CVS to get a last minute St. Patrick’s Day card for my cousin Theresa.

From there I walked up to 15th Street, up to the Lipton Tea building. It’s been months since I’d been up there and took the standard photo of the Empire State Building seemingly at the end of the walkway.

3.16.10 Hoboken Rooftoppers 002

It was a beautiful day. I wore my late cousin Jackie’s Chesterfield coat and even wearing just a long sleeved t-shirt, it was a bit too warm. Still I like the way it looks.

3.16.10 Hoboken Rooftoppers 004

Once again many photos were uploaded to Facebook. Just give me a compliment on my photographs and I am inspired to photograph more and more.

Enjoyed a nice La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero 700 as I strolled. Sat by Sinatra Park as I did yesterday, only this time read the New Yorker instead of Mojo. After an hour or so I came back home and wrote out the card for my cousin Theresa.

I wanted to at least get it postmarked for today so it was back outside for me. This time, putting on a greenish shirt and a suit jacket. On the way over to the post office, a guy asked for money, saying ‘Do you have any change for a homeless man?’ I couldn’t help so I said, ‘Sorry I can’t help you, I’m an unemployed man’.

And it’s true, when I had money, when I had a job, I wouldn’t think twice about helping out other people. Now on a tight tight tight budget I can’t do it. At least I communicated and didn’t shun him like other people do.

Outside the post office I ran into a friend, Jared and we talked. Mainly I talked about the upcoming Street Corner Mourners show on Friday night at the Park Theater in Union City. We did talk about young people playing music as well as the state of the music business.

He bemoaned the fact that there weren’t as many venues for live music, I mentioned the fact that these kids just set up and play on the street, albeit acoustically. We parted ways and I promised to send him a link for Friday night’s show.

Then I ran into Ralph, a former McSwells patron. He’s working as a conductor for NJ Transit and was on his way to work so it was fleeting. I re-lit the cigar I had earlier and continued on my way up Washington Street where I ran into Jennifer, Ralph’s wife. She had their boys who were most anxious to get to some practice they were running late for.

On the way home I decided to pick up a small bouquet for Stine as a way of thanking her for witnessing the filling out of paperwork for Bill and my civil union. Spent some time with her and Alexander who had just woken up from a nap and was playing with his Thomas the Tank engine train set. Alexander loves Thomas the tank engine.

Then I came home and since I hadn’t eaten since some Irish soda bread and coffee for lunch I had dinner around 6:00.

Julio texted me that he was going to the park with Alexander so I thought I would meet them there and run to the library and return the CD’s I took out earlier in the day. St. Vincent- Actor. Very interesting. Haven’t heard the whole thing yet. Also Phillip Glass’ interpretation of the songs of David Bowie and Brian Eno from ‘Heroes’.

Julio hadn’t left his apartment so I just sat on the stoop and played with my camera. Then Julio and Alexander came out and the 3 of us went to the park where Alexander was just running around and climbing over as many things as he could.

3.16.10 Hoboken Rooftoppers 004

Being such a warm evening there were a lot of children and toddlers out. Julio encouraged Alexander running around just to tire him out. It was a fun evening all around. A near perfect day.

No Guinness yet, but it may be just a matter of time since I do have a few cans in the refrigerator.

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camera play


What?

What?


Eye see you

Eye see you


Uhh Davey...

Uhh Davey...


Hope you had a happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hope you had a happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Hardest Part

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Just had a nap. A little longer than I hoped. I asked Bill to give me a call when he was leaving the office but I don’t think he did. So instead of waking up at 5:30, I woke up at 6:45. Not so bad.

Today has been a day of wearing a suit and tie and pounding the pavement. Got up at 7:45 this morning for an interview at 11:00 at the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. I puttered around this morning, having coffee.

Even watched the Today show, grateful that Matt Lauer was nowhere to be seen. After showering I trimmed my goatee a bit, it was looking a little weedy. Had breakfast, and checked my emails and at 9:30 headed out to catch the bus.

Same types of people waiting for the bus, of course none of them put out their hands to signal the driver to stop, so I did and the bus stopped where I stood. I was surprised they had an easy pay machine like they have at certain stores next to the fare box. My how things change within a few months.

I was early enough and wandered around the Time Warner Center which is basically a high end shopping mall under an office building. Spoke to Bill who told me to break a leg. He also called the interview, an audition.

I got to the office building, showed my ID at the lobby desk then instructed to a room off to the side to have my shoulder bag scanned in an x-ray machine. Then I rode up to some very nice offices.

The company I was interviewing with is a screening company, meaning they see me first then recommend me to the actual company. And if I pass the background check, which I should, then there should be no problem.

It’s all up to the company. Not naming the company right now on this blog, but they did receive bail out money and are no longer an investment bank, they’re an actual bank thanks to the Federal Reserve. The original job I applied for was an office manager but since I only oversaw 20 people and not the 150 plus they had hoped for, a receptionist position was suggested and I readily agreed.

Can’t be too choosy.

The first person I met, Barbara was very nice and of course I was all about the eye contact. Wisely I took a Xanax before the interview so any edginess was gone. The interview went well, Barbara telling me that that the company had 5 offices in Manhattan which were going to be consolidated into one building and that they also had an office in Jersey City which will remain.

I told her getting into Manhattan was no big deal and that the Jersey City office would be within walking distance. She didn’t know that Hoboken and Jersey City were right next to each other. I even asked pertinent questions afterward.

I usually draw a blank at that and wind up saying, in an attempt to compliment them by saying they had answered all my questions during the interview. Barbara went to see if someone named Nick would be available to see me and I sat in a very nice conference room overlooking Columbus Circle and Central Park.

Nick came in and I resumed eye contact, answering all his questions and hopefully making a good impression. It was over soon enough and I’d like to think I made a good impression and that it went well. If I get the job I would start right away.

I went outside, called Bill and told him and of course, Bill was quite supportive. Since I was in the city I decided to walk around a bit.

Even though I knew Paul McCartney was probably in England, I walked by Eastman and Eastman. You never know, right. But no Macca was to be seen. I then walked over to 65 east 55th Street and gave a former co-worker Vinnie a call.

Vinnie was going to lunch and came down a few minute early. It was great to see him, he and his family are doing well. It was good to see Vinnie. I put him down as a reference and gave him the heads up. He was soon headed to lunch with his colleagues and I was on my way. I decided to walk over to my former job to see Greg Stevens.

I wasn’t sure if he was in but he was. Since the company he worked for is in Los Angeles, they don’t get into their offices until 9:00PST so he now comes into his office around noon.

Once again he was having some problems with the computer and I was able to help him out, once again telling him to step away from his computer so I could sit at his desk and do a few things like close some tabs on his browser which might have been slowing things down.

He’s a good guy. He may need my help next month when he leaves the former office and moves to a smaller space. Also saw some other people, the other tenants in the office. They were happy to see me, remarking that it looked like I lost some weight.

I’m sure I did, don’t know how much I lost but looking at the picture I posted last night of Bill and myself protesting in Times Square last weekend I really do look a bit thinner. Even the shirt I wore today, sized 17.5/35 was not as snug around the neck as it used to be.

That’s a good thing. Walked down to the Path train, following my old route and read the November 2 issue of the New Yorker. That’s how far behind I am.

I’d really like a job, if only to catch up with the New Yorker.

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