Wednesday, January 31, 2007

The Girl 2

go to the beginning of the story

"Good enough..."

Having dressed in her favorite funky, professional pants, her brown leather boots and brown cashmere sweater, she looked toward her jewelry box. This was her favorite part of the day. She loved all her jewelry and truly felt naked when she did not have it on. Many of her pieces she had purchased throughout the years, some were gifts and some were bequeathed to her from favorite Aunts, etc.

Today was a silver day she decided. In keeping with the funky mood, she chose 2 inch, hoop earrings. She loved to turn here head back and forth and feel them on her neck. A thin-chained silver necklace with a single teardrop shape made her smile. “I look good”, she thought. Of all things in the jewelry box, she treasured her rings the most. Each one had a story and that memory made each day she wore it special. After several minutes of debate, she decided that one ring for her forefinger is all she desired. The choice was simple, Aunt Bridget’s silver and opal ring.

As she slipped the ring into position, she sat back on her dressing room chair and was lost in a thought. The last time she had seen her Aunt was 10 years ago. It was summer and, as she did since she could remember, she was spending it at music camp. The camp was located in Pennsylvania, not far from her Aunt’s cabin. The highlight of her two months at camp was the last day. For on that day, crazy Aunt Bridget would pick her up, they would go back to the cabin and the weekend was spent with just the two of them. The two days of girl talk, cooking, reading, painting and hiking were the best of her summer. She dreaded the next week that she would need to go home and be dull little Annie again.

Ann kissed the ring, got up and looked again in the mirror. “Good enough”, she sighed.

To be continued…


Song of the Day: Misty Mountain Hop, by Led Zeppelin

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

The Girl

God I wish her well…

OK, not exactly the most upbeat of stories, but I saw this girl today. She was just so brilliant; a true presence on the Number 4 subway train. She stood by the doors, facing inward. She would only open her eyes at the station stops. Otherwise, she looked as if she could be dead; eyes closed, lips pursed and skin as ashen as I have ever seen. She was the highlight of my day, my week, perhaps even my pathetic month. I do not know her true story, but here is what I imagined it to be…

She woke up; at 6:03 AM, as always. She wakes up at 6:03 AM to remind her of the day her life changed forever. That was the exact time that she received the call that her boyfriend had died in a plane crash over Italy. Actually, the time in the US was 1:03 AM, but he traveled so often that the time conversion was instant in her head. It’s been 2 years, one month and four days since the call. Still, she misses him at the same time every day.

Upon waking, she removes his beat up Fordham t-shirt and gets in the shower. She has no meetings today, so pants are on option. That being the case, shaving her legs will not happen. She wonders when she started brushing her teeth in the shower. She used to do it at the sink. Not important enough to continue her thought, she moves on to the day ahead.

As she dries of her nearly perfect body with a sea foam green towel, she looks in the mirror. She smiles like an angel; she is beautiful. Then she cries. Just for one minute, like she does every day. She rewashes her face and moves to the next step of her well planned life. She has no idea what will happen to her in just two short hours.

To be continued…


Song of the Day: Dirty Boulevard, by Lou Reed

Monday, January 29, 2007

A Real Job

I have one this week…

I am one of the minions again. For the entire week, I will be dragging my sorry ass to NY City for meetings in our office. This is not the norm for me since I have been working remotely from my home office. Actually, truth be told, I spend about half of the month in any one of our offices across the country. For example, I will be in Chicago all next week.

Anyway, as an interesting anecdote, my office looks out at 42nd Street & Madison Avenue. I am constantly amazed by the amount of people that walk by all day long. Do these people not work? I mean, there are millions of them. Young, old, fat, skinny, men and women. And kids. Hello, school? I catch myself at times just staring, making up stories for them. Maybe I’ll share a couple this week.

Happy Monday, everyone! I’m hard at work at my real job…


Song of the Day: Drive My Car, by The Beatles

Friday, January 26, 2007

The Friday 5, 15 or 50...Depends on My Mood

People that think, and the reason for my admiration...

!) Eninstien, e=mc2
2) Johnadam, being my friend
3) Jack Welch, Hello- GE
4) My boss, I am not fired...yet
5) Eminem, 8 Mile (just watch it)

Life is thinkable...

Song of the day: War Pigs, by Ozzy

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Women Hate Me

A fact, not an observation...

In the lost minutes, he sees years, not days.

He knows...


Song of the day: We Belong, by Pat Benatar

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

OK, OK, New York City is Cool

If you live long enough…

Sometimes, things sneak up on you. Like the dude whose girl you’re snaking (accidentally). Or the expired milk you drank last night. You get the point. Anyway, my present working arrangement allows me to work from my home office. Yes, I live at the beach, so the days and the views are not so bad. I plug away all day in my Nike sneakers, torn shorts and my “It’s all about me” t-shirt. I get paid to think, not look good…

To the point; I commuted to “the city” today and the energy was palpable. I stepped off the ferry – yes, the $200 a week ferry – and my first footstep reminded me of why I have made this crazy commute for 15 years (yes, I began working when I was 5). Not to bring down the mood in this inspiring post, but I was downtown on 9/11. I was scared, pissed, scared, confused, and finally relieved to get off the island. That relief was the opposite today as I wanted nothing more than to get on the island. I cannot do it every day because some has to feed my cat, but I’ll do it more after my experience today. I promise…

Crap, I hate when I’m wrong.


Song of the day: In The City, by Eagles

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

State Of My Union

Hint: It's not good...

Like many of you, I am tired of our current direction on many things:
  • Iraq
  • The environment
  • Health care

Oh, you know the deal. I have a daughter. It's her world more than mine. I want more for her.

Bring on the candidates!

Song of the day: Piss It All Away, by Puddle of Mudd

Monday, January 22, 2007

Blue Monday

Now it all makes sense...

I read today that this Monday of the year is known as Blue Monday. It seems that our lack of ability to repay our Christmas debt, need for a vacation, the weather and New Years' resolutions not realized all contribute. Let me say that I, for one, am convinced.

But today, contrary to my actions in years' past, I am in a good mood. The weather sucks, I have no money (relatively), I need a vacation (which I will get in February), I have been going to the gym. 50/50? I'll take it!

The doctor in the article suggested that we can do something to cheer our fellow humans up. OK, here goes...you look mahhhvelous!!


Song of the day: Turn to Stone, by Electric Light Orchestra

Friday, January 19, 2007

The Friday 5, 15 or 50...Depends on My Mood

Things that...

...smell good to me

1) Very Sexy 2 - for Women (another secret of Victoria's)
2) Sea air
3) Steak Fajitas
4) Fresh beer
5) My daughter after a long day in the summer sun

Let's stop there for now. After all, I'm just getting the old feet wet again. Speaking of that...snow blows!

Happy weekend, all.

Song of the day: Little Miss Magic, by Buffett

Thursday, January 18, 2007

I See Dead People

Funny How Life Works...

So, yesterday was the 10th anniversary of my Father's death. I was surprised how much it affected me. Don't get me wrong, I miss the guy more than anything, and would trade many and much to have him look at me again. It's just that as days, and months, and years go by, life allows your hurt to mellow from irreparable to manageable.

Yesterday was tough.

Anyway, it got me thinking of what would make me feel better. So, I went to the cemetery, got drunk, made a list and fell down. Today I read the list and it said, among other ramblings, (barely legible) "blog again". OK, here I am, blogging. Feel better? Slightly.

Love you Dad...


Song of the day: Daddy's Hands, by Holly Dunn