I’m trying something new, not forcing myself to blog in the morning. I was hungry so I ate first. When I eat I watch TV and got involved watching Doctor Who. Then I had Budgiedome business to take care of. Then personal business to take care of. Now I’m ready to rumble. Sorry, Kathy, I know you like when I post in the morning. Sometimes I have to cater to my psyche.
After much internal debate I went into the City to get half-priced bagels and Bob’s Bagels. The tipping point was that I wanted to check my PO Box. I realized I might have a birthday card in there. I didn’t. The box was empty. That made me think of two things, Charlie Brown going to his mailbox on Valentine’s Day, seeing nothing, and saying, “Rats.” The other was Ralph in A Christmas Story checking to see if he got his Little Orphan Annie decoder ring. I can remember the expression he says when the box is empty. That bothers me. It’s what I really wanted to say.
After getting the bagels down in the village I didn’t make my usual stop at Trader Joe’s. I wanted to go to Stop & Shop in the Bronx for ice cream. If I bought it at TJ’s it would be melted by the time I got home. I had Google find me the best route. Too bad after I set out the 7th Avenue Line went into disarray because of some sort of trouble at Franklin Ave. All the trains, 1,2, and 3 had major delays. I transfer to the 1 at 34th street. There was a packed train in the station and the platform was crowded. Then everyone had to get off the train, making the platform so packed that people were lined up on the stairs. I was in a good position by the door and made the next train but there was a long wait. It was about 6,000° on the platform. I then got on a totally packed train. The car had AC so it was only 600°. It’s the local and I had to take it from 34th street all the way up to 231st. At every stop until 86th street the conductor had to make multiple attempts to close the door as people were trying to squeeze on. If I wasn’t stationed near the door on the platform I would have waited for the next train which would be less crowded and that I could see from the arrival board was only 2 minutes behind us. People don’t trust that, they should.
Once in the Bronx the train got less crowded and I eventually got a seat. When we got to my stop, the second to the last, I hit a snag, I’m an idiot. It was hot. It was very humid. What happens when it’s very hot and very humid? You get thunderstorms. People who know this and aren’t idiots bring an umbrella. Idiots don’t. I sat in the station to the torrential rain let up a bit. That’s how I know that the train that was promised to be two minutes behind mind really was two minutes behind mine.
I got wet walking to the store but it was still warm enough that I could deal with it. Everything I wore was quick drying but my underwear. Do they sell quick drying underwear? It would be great for Falcon Ridge. I was wearing water safe sandals and no socks so my feet were fine.
When I got to the store I was freezing as it was air conditioned. It was like coming out of a pool. In a few minutes I was dry and comfortable. I got myself a birthday present. T-Bone steaks were on sale and I bought one. I should get two meals for $7.50. It’s cool enough today that I don’t mind cooking.
I got wetter on the way home, walking to the bus stop and waiting for the bus. It was cooler then so for the first time in weeks I felt cold. I will still take this over the oppressive heat. Nothing wrong with a summer cloud burst. It cools things down. As my mother would say, “You’re not made of sugar.”
Did I accomplish anything yesterday? Yes! Budgiedome business. Only two acts are left unconfirmed. The official Falcon Ridge schedule only came out today and artists playing the main stage needed that before committing to a time with us. Tomorrow it should be all done and I’ll post the schedule here. Today I’ll make a Spotify playlist.
I did a pretty good job overcoming anxiety with this. Then today I called a friend about something personal. The key is we talked on the phone. I have no phobias about talking on the phone. I love talking on the phone. I dislike texting. What I have an aversion to is calling people. There is a part of me that thinks that whoever I’m calling will not want to talk to me. This is a new thing for me to work on. I’m not there yet. I imagine all of you saying, “Oh no, Gordon is going to call me. I don’t want to talk to him!” I know I’m not the only one that feels that way. I have some very peculiar sources of anxiety but this one is common.
What’s next? Spotify or rewarding myself with some TV. I could even go for a walk as it’s not raining. Maybe I’ll check the forecast. Maybe I’ll just sit in this chair till I’m forced to get up.
Wise Madness 