Not much to report tonight. I've had a strange, but productive day off from work. Strange because I seemed to be caught in an undercurrent of poor decision making all day. At the bank, two tellers asked me if they could help me at the same time. The man I chose to handle my transaction turned out to be a rookie and kept screwing everything up. And then later, at the grocery store, I chose the slowest check out line. More happened afterward, but you get the idea.
My day was not spoiled, though. I caught up on some reading and writing and got to relax. I've been listening to Bjork's new album, Volta, and so far, it's fantastic. Rufus Wainwright, perhaps my favorite song writer, has a new album coming out tomorrow, and I will hurry over to Newbury Comics after work and buy it. I've been looking forward to this release for a long time. And there's a posthumous Elliot Smith release called New Moon, that's also out. I'm excited to hear it because it's unreleased material from the late nineties, his best period, and from what I hear it's really good. And there's a new Andrew Bird album out I've got to check out. What a great time for music.
I'm off to try and put that string back on my guitar. I still can't get that damn thing to stay on. I may have to cut my losses and buy another string. I will not feel complete until I do.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Dog tell the moon, dog tell the stars
I'm taking an extended break from restringing my nylon string guitar because the High E, the only string I have left to put on, keeps coming loose and falling off. When I worked at the music store, I strung guitars all the time, and didn't mind doing it as it helped pass the time. But, now, at home....I just want to play, man, and not hassle with what is at best a necessary evil. I'll keep myself occupied with other activities until I attempt to tackle that task again.
---
I just watched the Sopranos and can't believe there's only three episodes left before it bids adieu. What a fantastic season it's been! I sometimes forget how multi-layered the show is. It's the superficial and sensational aspects of the show that gets the most attention---every one loves a good whacking---but it's the subtler aspects of the show that reveal its complexity. And that is why twenty or fifty years from now it will still be relevant. I will miss the Soprano's.
---
After a week of hearing people bitch and bloviate, I'm ready for some quiet time. I will end this and watch the second half of the Jazz/Warriors game with a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream, the best there is.. So far, this is the best series in the playoffs. Lots of heart, skill, and grace. I'm referring to the way in which I'll the ice cream, you should know, and not the playoffs. I just want to make that clear.
Ok, that's not a particularly quiet activity, but it will be nutrition for my overworked mind. When the game's over, I'll open a book and then I'll really have my quietude.
---
I just watched the Sopranos and can't believe there's only three episodes left before it bids adieu. What a fantastic season it's been! I sometimes forget how multi-layered the show is. It's the superficial and sensational aspects of the show that gets the most attention---every one loves a good whacking---but it's the subtler aspects of the show that reveal its complexity. And that is why twenty or fifty years from now it will still be relevant. I will miss the Soprano's.
---
After a week of hearing people bitch and bloviate, I'm ready for some quiet time. I will end this and watch the second half of the Jazz/Warriors game with a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream, the best there is.. So far, this is the best series in the playoffs. Lots of heart, skill, and grace. I'm referring to the way in which I'll the ice cream, you should know, and not the playoffs. I just want to make that clear.
Ok, that's not a particularly quiet activity, but it will be nutrition for my overworked mind. When the game's over, I'll open a book and then I'll really have my quietude.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
We had a pirate band, a tear for every grain of sand
I don't know why, but for a good portion of the afternoon, I was testy. If I had to guess, I'd have to say it had something to do with the mugginess. What I need to do, to help combat the moodiness, is start meditating again in earnest and pay more careful attention to my diet. My friend Mary just cut out sugars in her diet and is reporting positive benefits. Maybe I should check out if there's any room on her band wagon for me. I've got to do something, because I need to maintain, man.
---
Rich has developed an annoying routine in the morning that I may need to confront him about. Both Bob TV and Rich get up for work later than I do and, as a result, I get the bathroom to myself every morning between 6:30 and 7:30. I'm not using it the entire time--- I eat breakfast first and then I go in there to take care of business in a variety of ways. Both Bob TV and Rich know my routine and usually adhere to it---except lately.
At least twice this week, I've gone down to the bathroom and Rich is in there. Because I'm on a tight schedule, every minute counts, so having to wait for someone can cause me to be late for work. On both occasions, I didn't have to wait very long for him, but when I went in the bathroom after him the air was thick and brutal with the stench of his morning shit. I've seen what this guy eats and it's not pretty. As far as I can tell, he eats a lot of pizza (has already gotten more take out in a week than I have in the last year), steak and cheese subs, and his beverages of choice are these mean looking energy drinks, a massive amount of coffee, and diet coke. Not the way I'd like to start my morning off, inhaling this guy's fumes, but what am I going to do, tell him to hold it in until I'm gone? Actually, that's not so unreasonable. Maybe that's what I'll do. Or, if he doesn't cotton much to that idea, I'll sit down with him and work out a sensible diet with him, one that doesn't have the catastrophic consequences that his current one provides. Man, I've got to talk to a guy about his bowel movements. I sure didn't see this one coming.
---
For the past several years, I've conducted extensive research into the events of 9/11 and there's nothing at this point that will convince me that the attacks of that day weren't at the very least allowed to happen or worse, perpetrated by elements within our government and military. Because a thorough, non-partisan, impartial, and serious investigation has yet to happen, I can't say I know what really happened. I have my suspicions, and they lean heavily towards the attacks being the result of an inside job, but again, until a proper investigation takes place, I can't say for sure. I do know that facing the likelihood that our government was involved in some capacity with the attacks of that day is frightening because of what it portends, but I've made the decision to be more vocal about my stance because the issue is too important for it to remain suppressed. Anyway, I'll touch on the topic here and there in this blog, but for now I'd just like to wrap this up so I can take a cool, relaxing shower.
---
Rich has developed an annoying routine in the morning that I may need to confront him about. Both Bob TV and Rich get up for work later than I do and, as a result, I get the bathroom to myself every morning between 6:30 and 7:30. I'm not using it the entire time--- I eat breakfast first and then I go in there to take care of business in a variety of ways. Both Bob TV and Rich know my routine and usually adhere to it---except lately.
At least twice this week, I've gone down to the bathroom and Rich is in there. Because I'm on a tight schedule, every minute counts, so having to wait for someone can cause me to be late for work. On both occasions, I didn't have to wait very long for him, but when I went in the bathroom after him the air was thick and brutal with the stench of his morning shit. I've seen what this guy eats and it's not pretty. As far as I can tell, he eats a lot of pizza (has already gotten more take out in a week than I have in the last year), steak and cheese subs, and his beverages of choice are these mean looking energy drinks, a massive amount of coffee, and diet coke. Not the way I'd like to start my morning off, inhaling this guy's fumes, but what am I going to do, tell him to hold it in until I'm gone? Actually, that's not so unreasonable. Maybe that's what I'll do. Or, if he doesn't cotton much to that idea, I'll sit down with him and work out a sensible diet with him, one that doesn't have the catastrophic consequences that his current one provides. Man, I've got to talk to a guy about his bowel movements. I sure didn't see this one coming.
---
For the past several years, I've conducted extensive research into the events of 9/11 and there's nothing at this point that will convince me that the attacks of that day weren't at the very least allowed to happen or worse, perpetrated by elements within our government and military. Because a thorough, non-partisan, impartial, and serious investigation has yet to happen, I can't say I know what really happened. I have my suspicions, and they lean heavily towards the attacks being the result of an inside job, but again, until a proper investigation takes place, I can't say for sure. I do know that facing the likelihood that our government was involved in some capacity with the attacks of that day is frightening because of what it portends, but I've made the decision to be more vocal about my stance because the issue is too important for it to remain suppressed. Anyway, I'll touch on the topic here and there in this blog, but for now I'd just like to wrap this up so I can take a cool, relaxing shower.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Bend down the branches
I fired Angela today. Karen asked me to do it at the end of the day, which I did, and all the way up to the point of impact I was knotted up over how I was going to make it as painless as possible for both Angela and myself. I concluded early on that, no matter what, it wouldn't be a pleasant experience. How could it? Maybe if I offered her a chunky severance package that she'd be able to live off of comfortably for the entire summer, but that certainly wasn't going to happen, especially since she'd only been with the company for a few weeks.
So I bit the bullet and spoke with her at the end of the day. Everyone else was on a delivery or had left for the day, so it was just Angela and me. I took the blunt route and told her without preface she wasn't a good fit and we were going to part company with her. I stressed that it wasn't personal and that she has a bright future ahead of her, but even though I meant it, I sounded insincere. It's like the "it's not you, it's me" line you hear in break-ups. "Yeah, right", you think. "It's totally me, but you're too gutless to say it". Oh, well, there wasn't much else I could have said short of "I"m just teasing---actually we'd like to give you a raise", that would have prevented that stray tear from trekking down her cheek.
She told me she had just put money down on a new apartment and, as a result, the timing of this couldn't have been worse. The timing is never good when you get fired, I thought, but I kept it to myself.
Angela needed to be let go, no question about it. On several occasions she was caught lying and she was rude to customers. She also spent about half her day in the bathroom. But, she's one of the good ones, as far as her character goes, and I meant it when I told her she has a bright future ahead of her. So, adieu, Angela. I wish you well.
---
When I came home from work I made some quinoa with black beans and baked some turkey tips that had been marinated in a sun-dried tomato concoction. Oh, and some roasted asparagus, the king of vegetables, on the side. Just figured I'd let you know that, because I know you were wondering.
After supper, I took a walk to Davis Sq. I listened to mp3 player on random and enjoyed the weather. I saw more beautiful women than I have in the last week on that walk. My only moment of scorn regarding these ladies had to do with the fact that most of them were wearing ballet flats. I know they're the 'in" thing in footwear, but in my opinion they look awful. Not that I expect women to parade around in heels, but c'mon, those ballet shoes are gross.
Ok, I've gone down a road I should probably get off of. Time to end this drivel, before I devolve any further. Ballet flats? What the fuck is the matter with me?
So I bit the bullet and spoke with her at the end of the day. Everyone else was on a delivery or had left for the day, so it was just Angela and me. I took the blunt route and told her without preface she wasn't a good fit and we were going to part company with her. I stressed that it wasn't personal and that she has a bright future ahead of her, but even though I meant it, I sounded insincere. It's like the "it's not you, it's me" line you hear in break-ups. "Yeah, right", you think. "It's totally me, but you're too gutless to say it". Oh, well, there wasn't much else I could have said short of "I"m just teasing---actually we'd like to give you a raise", that would have prevented that stray tear from trekking down her cheek.
She told me she had just put money down on a new apartment and, as a result, the timing of this couldn't have been worse. The timing is never good when you get fired, I thought, but I kept it to myself.
Angela needed to be let go, no question about it. On several occasions she was caught lying and she was rude to customers. She also spent about half her day in the bathroom. But, she's one of the good ones, as far as her character goes, and I meant it when I told her she has a bright future ahead of her. So, adieu, Angela. I wish you well.
---
When I came home from work I made some quinoa with black beans and baked some turkey tips that had been marinated in a sun-dried tomato concoction. Oh, and some roasted asparagus, the king of vegetables, on the side. Just figured I'd let you know that, because I know you were wondering.
After supper, I took a walk to Davis Sq. I listened to mp3 player on random and enjoyed the weather. I saw more beautiful women than I have in the last week on that walk. My only moment of scorn regarding these ladies had to do with the fact that most of them were wearing ballet flats. I know they're the 'in" thing in footwear, but in my opinion they look awful. Not that I expect women to parade around in heels, but c'mon, those ballet shoes are gross.
Ok, I've gone down a road I should probably get off of. Time to end this drivel, before I devolve any further. Ballet flats? What the fuck is the matter with me?
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
When we drink beer, dragonflies appear
I just went down to the kitchen and Rich was there taking our new Britta out of the box. Good, because I've been getting sick of drinking tap water. Anyway, his face was soaked for some reason. I figured he had just washed up and was about to towel off when I came on the scene. I commented that he looked liked he was trying to hide something from me, that he appeared nervous with all that sweating. He replied that he had a long walk home from the T and worked up a good sweat. And that was that. I didn't follow up, but I think he was serious, which meant that all that moisture on his face was really sweat. If I had known, I wouldn't have made a joke. But, man, who sweats that much? It appears that I live with an excessive sweater and I'm fine with that. Bob TV's a molter and I have a pure heart. What a trio we make.
Tomorrow I have to fire Angela, a woman who's been with us for a few weeks now. Karen, the owner, can't bear working with her for a number of legitimate reasons, most of which I agree with, and she has to go. She's a nice woman, though a little sneaky, and I don't expect it will be an enjoyable experience. This will be my first time firing someone.
I thought of her today. I wondered if I'll ever summon the nerve to ask her out and whether I should even bother. For some reason---some of it based on past experiences, to be sure, and some of it the product of thoughtful analysis--- I don't think she'd be too receptive to the idea. But then, when I frame it another way, it seems obvious that, not only would she be receptive to the idea, she'd be ecstatic. Well, maybe not ecstatic, but somewhere in the region. And if I'm truthful with my self, I'll realize that I'm more comfortable with not asking her out, because at least that way, I'll never be rejected and there will at the very least remain the possibility that she'd accept my proposal (perhaps a poor choice of words. I didn't mean it in the sense of asking her to marry me, but I bet you figured that out on your own). So, maybe, just to spite myself, I'll summon up the nerve to ask her out. I'll keep you posted.
Tomorrow I have to fire Angela, a woman who's been with us for a few weeks now. Karen, the owner, can't bear working with her for a number of legitimate reasons, most of which I agree with, and she has to go. She's a nice woman, though a little sneaky, and I don't expect it will be an enjoyable experience. This will be my first time firing someone.
I thought of her today. I wondered if I'll ever summon the nerve to ask her out and whether I should even bother. For some reason---some of it based on past experiences, to be sure, and some of it the product of thoughtful analysis--- I don't think she'd be too receptive to the idea. But then, when I frame it another way, it seems obvious that, not only would she be receptive to the idea, she'd be ecstatic. Well, maybe not ecstatic, but somewhere in the region. And if I'm truthful with my self, I'll realize that I'm more comfortable with not asking her out, because at least that way, I'll never be rejected and there will at the very least remain the possibility that she'd accept my proposal (perhaps a poor choice of words. I didn't mean it in the sense of asking her to marry me, but I bet you figured that out on your own). So, maybe, just to spite myself, I'll summon up the nerve to ask her out. I'll keep you posted.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Torn Curtain
I had a satisfying weekend. Kreg and Mike came to town Saturday night and we, along with Spira and Luke Warm, went to Christopher's in Porter Sq for dinner. Because it was Cinco de Mayo, or as I prefer to call it, another excuse to get drunk day, I suspected we'd have to wait a while, no matter where we went. My suspicions proved to be accurate, at least in the case of Redbones, the first place we attempted to eat at. A forty five minute wait. So we drove through Davis Sq., trying to find parking and think of another place to eat that everyone would find agreeable. Luke Warm was awarded epiphany of the night when he blurted out we should go to Christopher's, because it ended up being the wise choice.
We were seated immediately upon entering the establishment, and the food was excellent. And, please excuse the catering to my baser instincts, but there were some exquisite looking women working there, which made me feel all randy and such. I remained civil, though, and kept my focus on the goings on at my table. I still have a modicum of civility, despite what you may think. The food? I had a burger that I had made all especial, with swiss cheese (the best and brightest ), caramelized onions, and sauteed portabella mushrooms. Other than that, we had some tasty calamari and nachos. And alcohol. That's a general accounting; if you want more in the way of specifics, you'll have to email me privately.
Went up to Lowell yesterday to see Doug at Brewed Awakening, a cozy and hip little coffee house on Market St. Doug has a running exhibit of some of his photographs there, which, if you're in the area you should check out. Great stuff. Had some chai and some refreshing conversation. It's not often I get to see Doug, but when I do, I always come out of it feeling good and better informed. And we didn't even get to talk about the Yeti, a shared interest of ours. Next time.
---
I asked Spira last night via voicemail, if she'd record me performing some of my songs, so that I could make a music page on myspace and put some of it on there. I'm a fan of the idea. I have so many songs that are collecting dust and I would be doing them a disservice if I didn't at least try to share them with a few people. So, we'll see. If she chooses to be a jerk about and doesn't want any part of my plan, which I don't see happening, I'll find another way. I'm going to "get 'er done", as the most underrated and wonderful comic Larry the Cable guy is wont to say.
---
Because I was sick of women overlooking me in favor of better looking, more troublesome, drug-addled, and abusive men, I decided I'd better get on the ball and work at this thing in earnest. So, I took the first step on the road to couplehood. Please forward the link to any single women out there. I'm so utterly, utterly lonely.
http://dating.personals.yahoo.com/personals-1164133808-999863
We were seated immediately upon entering the establishment, and the food was excellent. And, please excuse the catering to my baser instincts, but there were some exquisite looking women working there, which made me feel all randy and such. I remained civil, though, and kept my focus on the goings on at my table. I still have a modicum of civility, despite what you may think. The food? I had a burger that I had made all especial, with swiss cheese (the best and brightest ), caramelized onions, and sauteed portabella mushrooms. Other than that, we had some tasty calamari and nachos. And alcohol. That's a general accounting; if you want more in the way of specifics, you'll have to email me privately.
Went up to Lowell yesterday to see Doug at Brewed Awakening, a cozy and hip little coffee house on Market St. Doug has a running exhibit of some of his photographs there, which, if you're in the area you should check out. Great stuff. Had some chai and some refreshing conversation. It's not often I get to see Doug, but when I do, I always come out of it feeling good and better informed. And we didn't even get to talk about the Yeti, a shared interest of ours. Next time.
---
I asked Spira last night via voicemail, if she'd record me performing some of my songs, so that I could make a music page on myspace and put some of it on there. I'm a fan of the idea. I have so many songs that are collecting dust and I would be doing them a disservice if I didn't at least try to share them with a few people. So, we'll see. If she chooses to be a jerk about and doesn't want any part of my plan, which I don't see happening, I'll find another way. I'm going to "get 'er done", as the most underrated and wonderful comic Larry the Cable guy is wont to say.
---
Because I was sick of women overlooking me in favor of better looking, more troublesome, drug-addled, and abusive men, I decided I'd better get on the ball and work at this thing in earnest. So, I took the first step on the road to couplehood. Please forward the link to any single women out there. I'm so utterly, utterly lonely.
http://dating.personals.yahoo.com/personals-1164133808-999863
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
What kind of fuckery is this?
Rich is all moved in and seems to be adjusting nicely to his new surroundings. He and Bob TV have been inseparable. They compliment each other well: Bob TV has found someone who will listen to his diatribes and Rich, who, at least at this stage, hasn't been particularly outgoing, has found someone to listen to. Not as simple as that, of course---they genuinely seem to get along, and that's fine with me. I'll take harmony over discord every time. Speaking of discord....
Spira and Bob TV haven't been chummy for a good stroke of time now, and things have only gotten worse. Their current conflict can be summarized thusly: Spira payed an entire month's worth of rent, but moved out mid-way through. Because of this, she doesn't feel she should pay utilities for that span of time. Bob TV, however, does. I won't go into the details because I've been going over them ad nauseum with the both of them over the last couple of days and I'm quite through with it. To illustrate how pervasive this issue of the bills has become, as I was typing the above, I was pulled back into the thick of the debate. I'm officially done with this nonsense. I tried to make matters better, but the only result thus far has been a headache.
That shitstorm notwithstanding, I've been in a pretty chipper mood and will strive to keep it in my possession for the rest of the night. I'm confident I can do it; I have a pure heart, after all.
I've been writing a lot more lately--music that is-- and I think I'm due to book a gig or two. I took a lengthier break from playing than I anticipated, but I'm happy to report my skills haven't suffered as a result.
I'm off to do some laundry and later, when I've wound down, I will read from my new book called "Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science". Laugh all you want, but the book is fascinating and it's not tabloid-ey like you might surmise. In fact, it's written by an actual scientist and all the evidence is looked at critically, not to force a conclusion, but to establish a baseline of facts upon which further research can depend (some of that sentence was taken from the back of the book. I may be a real son-of-a-bitch, but I'm not a plagarist). Anyway, so far it's a fascinating book. One of these days I'll relate how I've been hugely into Sasquatch ever since I was a wee lad. Until, then, I'm off to pursue my pleasure.
Spira and Bob TV haven't been chummy for a good stroke of time now, and things have only gotten worse. Their current conflict can be summarized thusly: Spira payed an entire month's worth of rent, but moved out mid-way through. Because of this, she doesn't feel she should pay utilities for that span of time. Bob TV, however, does. I won't go into the details because I've been going over them ad nauseum with the both of them over the last couple of days and I'm quite through with it. To illustrate how pervasive this issue of the bills has become, as I was typing the above, I was pulled back into the thick of the debate. I'm officially done with this nonsense. I tried to make matters better, but the only result thus far has been a headache.
That shitstorm notwithstanding, I've been in a pretty chipper mood and will strive to keep it in my possession for the rest of the night. I'm confident I can do it; I have a pure heart, after all.
I've been writing a lot more lately--music that is-- and I think I'm due to book a gig or two. I took a lengthier break from playing than I anticipated, but I'm happy to report my skills haven't suffered as a result.
I'm off to do some laundry and later, when I've wound down, I will read from my new book called "Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science". Laugh all you want, but the book is fascinating and it's not tabloid-ey like you might surmise. In fact, it's written by an actual scientist and all the evidence is looked at critically, not to force a conclusion, but to establish a baseline of facts upon which further research can depend (some of that sentence was taken from the back of the book. I may be a real son-of-a-bitch, but I'm not a plagarist). Anyway, so far it's a fascinating book. One of these days I'll relate how I've been hugely into Sasquatch ever since I was a wee lad. Until, then, I'm off to pursue my pleasure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
