From Tekserve (mac store work @ these days)
F train to Earthmaters - organic caf on L. Eastside
Sit typing on mac song over head: "eevery Roose has its Thornn"
Now: "I wanna knoow what love iisss, I want you to shooww meeee.."
Walk a block over to Mercury Lounge -
Watch Susan Enan perform piano, singing..
Jet at 9 over (few blocks) to Rothko..
Rolling Rock from tap sit back, watch friend from work - electric guitar, electronic beat combo perform - quite the voice. . .
Long hike.. Elizabeth Street.. Prince.. 6 train.. leaf New Yorker mag on up to 116 - emerging from subway car through turnstyle eyes caught by large orange (fresh) crab leg, resting on beigey floor tiles surrounded by tiny, bright orange shrimps, scattered hither dither slip lil digi cam from inside coat pocket snap pict walk on..
Tough push up the 6 grimey flights carrying heavy bag.. roommate on futon in living room (air mattress in his room having poofed out again - second within a few months).. his $500 rent check, sitting on table - half tucked under newly arrived Time Out mag..
In room, drill 3 holes through thick wad of pages printed out yesternight.. string thin wire through each, bind it tight.. - a book I wrote, self published, 2 years ago, entitled 39 Days a gift for bride-to-be in line with her request via e-mail some weeks ago..
Brief deep sleep - blaring (talkshow) alarm.. bowl of hot oats, shoveled in..
Spiral down 6 flights headphones clamped on listening to book on cd (Michael Medveds autobiography). . .
6 to Canal, speedwalk through bustling vendor scene swing into Citibank, rent check deposited.. help to float journey..
Press on.. - line of tired China buses.. tough Chinese lady ticket sellers hollar "where you going?! Philadelphia, D.C.! Leaving now! Where you going!?" -
Hand 12 for a oneway..
15 minutes till departure, pay White Swan Bakery a visit order a coffee, point to vanilla chocolate frosted pastry thing.. sit and eat amidst batch of locals cutthroat vibe in eyes round these ways - comical elements too though: blissful gold cat statue with waving arm..
Board, rumble off as I punch emails into sidekick phone, sipping at yellow paper cup two white swans facing each other on it, forming hearty shape in negative space between their breasts..
Pull plastic case from bag - full of CDs each containing lectures from a world renowned philosophy professor - called The Birth of the Modern Mind - lent to me by boss @ mac store One by one import them into computer then, hooking firewire up, zap em into ipod - all the while listening to electro tunes on puffy headphones, gazing intermittently out window at blurred Jersey trees flowing by. . .
Phila skyline crawls into view.. weave over bridges to parking on Filbert - - - - off bus, head for Market Street buying fruit salad from silver-carted vendor en route.. Opening it loose an instant fifth of it grapes, strawberries, bouncing, roll across sidewalk..
Cut through massive City Hall - has a big hollow center area city compass embedded in ground.. North on Walnut.. Phila has a magical something or other to it a kind of mystique.. The people have a.. knowing to them really seem to get whats going on.. See things for what they are pretty much.. Stroll through pretty lil sycamore-tree-strewn Rittenhouse Square Up a ways a bit more right before vast bridge over the Schyukill river.. Come across a dingy little storefront.. behind the filthy tall glass pane, dusty little antiques, statuettes, framed posters one (80's-looking) has two beauties in skimpy bathing suites - wearing Marine officer hats - caption above them reading: "Were looking for a few good men.." - "you like the window?" says an old man sitting on stone stair close by, closing newspaper, looking up. Standing, walking over.. grey mustache, glasses, bloodshot eyes, points finger to glass, "you know who that is?" referring to a foot-high statue of a guy wearing a mason's kilt, standing next to a podium. "Uh, is he a mason?"
"On the dumb side are we? I asked you who is it?" . . . gauging no answer forthcoming - "Thats Harry Truman." he grunts.. Turning to walk away, "yin school?"
"Im a Temple grad." - lightbulb seems to flick on in his head and he hooks a finger, inviting me into the store/shop..
Tools, stacked papers, junk all over.. He points at old photos, tacked to wall, - guy in crew boat - with a line of others - "thats my son." points to one of a big old white haired Irish man "This is (so n' so) - he gave a million dollars to the football team.."
Out again.. Span the long bridge lookin down on green water and on under navy blue bridge - "UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA" painted (white) across it.. into campus.. leg the full extent of Locust Walk budding spring trees, violet azalias, students, chipper..
Into Green Line caf - vegan-organic joint tuna on the menu(?) get it, piled on grainy bagel nosh at it, zinging e-mails on free wireless.. text message buzzes reply to meet on 42nd and Walnut.. hoof it there buy big bottle of water in 7 eleven on corner step out as white Honda pulls in containing a smiling Chrissy and Dave - - - -
95 South. . . . . Jersey.. 495 South.. Delaware.. stop in New Castle, early dinner at "Pizza and Pasta": big fat greasy slice, lots of garlic.. Onwards, shotgun, ipod djing, electro tunes. . . rays of sun cut through holes in gray cloud cover.. tolls, pit stop @ Shell.. back seat, e-mails on phone.. reading book lent by co-worker: '48 Laws of Power'.. grows dark.. to real dark.. VA wind gushing in windows, filling lungs..
Pull into Red Carpet Inn round 10.. Guy at counter gives a gruff "thought you were gonna be here by 6" typing on old PC.. "See what we have here.." two large keys slid on counter.. drive over, find 350..
Room has crossed swords with shields in front of them painted on the walls.. and a bottle opener screwed to the wall in the bathroom next to toilet..
Dave and I drop Chrissy off at bachelorette party as severe lightning storm swoops in.. Brilliant tangley white streaks flash whole sky, crash close by.. One extremely loud and close bolt cuts out the power of the entire fracnchizey maze of a parking lot we're trying to find our way out of - all fizzles black inside big stores.. remains so a few seconds till back-up reserves kick in - with a lone white sign illuminating itself to life bold right before our eyes: 'Berk'.. U-turn after u-turn and multi-loopty-loos brings us around to a different exit.. another turn-around, bamboozled driving, squinting to see through squal.. Spot an SUV - appearing in same boat as we - lost without a clue.. another car, stopped, lights on, "they just gave up.."
Eventually break free, make way to campus.. Walk up none-too-happening main street, in search of live music.. here a kid, striding intent in opposite direction - "hey you know where there's some live band playing or something or other.." - "yeah there's a house party - up by the stadium - on Stadium Road - right behind it - there's gonna be four bands playing.."
We park near the loud old college house, students overflowing out door.. Walk right up, squeeze through porch folks, fill black plastic cups from keg.. in through screen door - to live band - stand drinking runny beer watching scruffy-looking dudes head bang with a vengeance.. singers voice at points - squeals, one side of brain to other..
Buzz Civic back over to University Street.. more happening now.. In search of food, go with "The White Spot" swivel bar stools, high counter.. order a chicken gyro - "no more chicken" replies the chef, removing two frozen slices of a red meat "lamb instead?".. Stand vacillating a second or two - till unshaven student eating cheeseburger at stool to immediate right chimes in with "get it, it's good." -
"yeah, go for it." I say, chef setting them on grill.. Dave and I talk, philosophize, a bit - on how youth ought to be freer than how the current system tends to render them..
As buzz civic towards Red Carpet, passing one of the main student buildings, notice a number of gumdrop tents set up on lawn - and large amount of students present, engaged in a form of protest. Park, walk over: news cameras rolling, kids holding posterboard signs up - one guy repeats over and over again: "Social justice should be everyones mission!" in Dave's ear.. - looking closer, its the unshaven guy who recommended the lamb gyro..
We ask a girl whats going on - tells us a bunch of students (14) marched right into the president's office and staged a sit-in - over the low wages given to the university's vast amounts of non-teaching employees.. the students are refusing to leave until changes happen.. it began Wednesday - - - Saturday now. - "theyre not allowing anyone to feed them - they haven't eaten in three days - and now the police are here thinking of arresting them, so were here to support." I climb the stairs, to where the news cameras are, and look through doors at the students, negotiating inside.. Theres a professor-looking guy (beard, glasses, sweater) leaning against one of the doors, in conversation with a tall student-government-type kid.. Im half-listening in, till he halts the dialog, turns head to me, points a finger and "who are you?"..
"just checking out the scene here.." - "could you (flitting finger) move over there"..
Down stairs, into Civic..
Wake up half shivering on big bed, all blankets somehow on floor.. cell phone call.. Meet in lobby return keys, get on road - over to 'Bodos' - bagel shack on main street - pretty good - tidy, smart, together-looking - compared to thrown-together, piled-up (more generous) things you find in NY..
On to the wedding - en route though - "we have to stop in a restroom somewhere - have to change pants." - there being a growing hole by left pocket.. We pull into Arbys. Change pants in grimey bathroom.. return to car.. sitting shotgun, pointing, "pull up to the dumpster." ripped pants in hand, cock arm back, the shot - flutter in through dumpster's side door. . .
Searching for church - turn sneaks up - wheel cranked hard - car veers into long horizontal screeching skid - Dave and I, seatbeltless, cling seats, doors, as it's barely pulled off..
We stroll in.. knowing no one.. seeing the wrapped gifts on table - dawns mine's not - somehow has to be.. ask to be driven to CVS - just 10 minutes to go though.. Young guy walks in with white bag - overflowing with tissue paper - "Im trying to wrap my gift a book I brought - it alright if I have a piece of that tissue paper?" Agreed, I fish out a piece - get keys - jog for civic - book snagged from bag - wrap it - jog back - scrounge, utilize spare cassette tape labels, laying around by bookshelves, as tape.. improvise a 'first time visitor' card: folding it, jot a message: request pardon for homeless wrap job..
Ceremony goes along well enough - sort of a headscratcher message from preacher - entitled something along lines of "I love you like meat loves salt."
Were dismissed for a while - to allow rearrangements for reception lunch
Milling about out front, I notice a friend from a few summers ago (lived in a beach house together) - his name is Gonzo - real name.
Catching up with Gonzo - a sudden 'CRACK!' cuts through air.. Note - over Gonzo's shoulder - a man whirling a whip around - makes it fly again 'CRACK!' - but Gonzo keeps right on talking.. hear guy next to us mutter: "what in the world is this guy doin'?" - 'CRACK!' - all eyes on him now.. I grab a Mountain Dew, station self front and center, slipping lil cam from pocket.. "Anyone have a pack of cigarettes!?" he calls.. pack is thrown.. lights up.. flutters hands a bit - cig vanishes.. applause... gets up on unicycle, juggles gold bowling pins.. - then, on feet, - cracking jokes all the while - sets aflame 3 batons juggles 'em - progresses to finale - full-blown juggling of flaming baton, an egg, and buzzing chainsaw - big applause.. calls for another volunteer - a teenage girl - named Frank(?) steps in.. hands her a plastic flower.. steps back.. takes up whip.. 18 footer.. the wind up - 'CLACK!' yellow head of flower - nipped off..
We file back in - forming line at food table.. Sandwiches, salads, a mound of fruit - sign, sticking out from it, reading "Washed Fruit"..
Jellybean-filled gift boxes sit on tables.. I backslap one, spilling them about.. Dave accidentally backslaps his Coke.. we mop it off tablecloth.. pile soggy napkins on my plate.. Old guy who'd sat at our table for some time, rises now, leaves us.. I place an orange jelly bean in plastic spoon - bend it back - aim it at Chrissy, let it fly - but it soars over her head bounces (textbook, comically) off buzzed head of one of the groom's Air Force buddies.. Swivels thick neck my way.. - "sorry, I was trying to (pointing) hit her."
Time to hit dance floor.. whirl Chrissy round to swing tune.. Taking a seat, mother of the bride swoops in - asks if Im single - at the "no" - whisks me into dancing with a bridesmaid - her daughter, sister to the bride..
We're all handed colorful plastic eggs - all containing bird seed.. we form an isle out front the church doors.. newlyweds beamed right and left, ducking into little maroon Ford - puttering away - string-tied plastic 2 liter bottles and cans, trailing arattle in wake. . .
Heading for car.. "Adam you have the keys right?"
Locked in trunk, Dave appropriates clothes hanger from church.. shimmied through window.. 'click'.. lean in - crank lever - pop trunk - keys by bag
Roll into 'Historic Downtown' Charllotesville - walk along pleasant lil' promenade - duck in bookshop - on over to restaurant - outdoor seating at black metal wire tables, chairs - amidst other outdoor diners - comfortable, clean-clothes-wearing Virginians. Tall thick straight trees, extend up out of promenade brick in seating area.. waiter brings me a gold-orange - shade of an autumn leaf - opaque German wheat beer.. Chrissy a coffee.. Dave, a tall ice water.. Lean back, gaze up at delicate leaves budding on delicate, sophisticated network of branches.. a rare, rich breed, whatever they are..
On road.. long stretch.. another hack of progress at 'Power' book.. sling e-mails, myspace messages, on sidekick phone..
Dodge Ram pick-up growls up alongside - decal near taillight - cartoon-looking bee - above which, the words "RUMBLE BEE."
A Monte Carlo - stuffed cats in rear windshield.. cheetah-spotted steering wheel cover - long nails, wrapped round Cruise past a K-9 Unit squad car. . .
On into Philly - park at Penn - walk over to 'Mad Mex' restaurant on Sansom.. where Chrissy goes ahead in - to meet 3 friends waiting for us.. Bouncers check I.D.s at door - hand mine - knowing it's expired.. smile spreads on dude's face "got another" - hands it to giggling co-worker "sorry, can't let you in man - policy..
"Aww cmoon - just gettin' a burrito.." - "sorry (pointing to other) this guy takes bribes - besides that.." Dave phones Chrissy - who emerges - big, pleader eyes, smile.. see ice melt a bit.. they drag it out though.. turn to go - the one gives - "go aheead".. Mex all round.. - minus any alcoholic bev.. - fried doughy triangle things for dessert
One of the three we met there, Brenda, rolls with us.. I'm to crash at her pad tonight - on 'loveseat'.. as, in recent developments, having heard there's an early (6am) Easter sunrise service happening tomorrow morning in Fairmount Park hosted by some arty church I'd heard of often - I agreed to go along..
We zoom 76 a while - beyond Manayunk (where I'd once lived) - to some random exit.. Down a slope there - past old-style-construction stone and brick houses - quaint line of stores.. few turns.. park in lil driveway..
Pretty spacious apartment - clean, together - an Asian umbrella as decoration hung on wall in living room (above loveseat).. another in kitchen (above fridge).. She rustles together a few snacks - brews a coffee for Dave: a late/long journey to NJ ahead..
Crack a few bleary jokes.. and he goes..
Recline on loveseat, feet hanging over edge.. - gals retire to room.. sleep goes off like a prolonged blink - insano dream tucked therein - and alarm blares alive from bedroom.. activity rustles.. the two girls from Mex dinner last night appear.. we drink coffee in oddly-lit kitchen.. eat trailbars, strawberries, pineapple slices.. Pile in car, buzz along 76 through dark - moon shining full force - towards Center City.. increase speed - racing against the sun.. wind snakey Kelly drive - past boathouses - turn into Fairmont park - see crowd gathered under pavilion on Lemon Hill.. Close car dors, climb hill towards.. join group - preacher speaks on a resurrection passage - congregation all reading together at times.. sun rises slow over blue trees in distance - changing whole atmosphere.. Spot a friend from New York, walk over, chat a bit - turns out he's moved here.. See another friend, Aaron - lead singer in a rock band.. go over.. having just returned from California (played concert out there) night before - he's looking tan, ragged, wartorn, sun behind him, shining in my face.. see in periphery girls are heading for car.. trot over.. drive a little ways - to Logan Fountain - blasting its streams - where I climb out of car, grab bag from trunk, say byes, and get hiking for UPenn.. up Chestnut.. past Drexel.. through Locust walk - to 42nd - hm, Green Line cafe closed though.. take a roundabout route towards subway - through warzones (trashed/thrashed hoods) - snapping pictures of a few odd and/or beautiful sights..
Catch 40th St. "El" subway westbound - shwooshes above ground to sunny ghetto - prompting unpocketing of cell - dial.. arrange for Dad to pick me up by 69th St. At the sushi place - which isn't actually a sushi place - it's a Korean restaurant, with red Asian lettering on it.. Arrive, hoof over to it - where Dad soon rolls up in Subaru.. Rita (sister's Chihuahua) fitfully happy at my presence - jittering on lap, licking at chin..
Into Suburbia - 10 minutes outside the city.. The lunch - topped off with ears of chocolate bunny.. The crash-hard powernap on couch.. The big Easter dinner: meat and mashed potatos with - Ma, Pa, and sis.. The ride to 30th Street Station - ticket from machine - run for the 6:08 - caught.. Glide rails towards Manhattan again. . .
F train to Earthmaters - organic caf on L. Eastside
Sit typing on mac song over head: "eevery Roose has its Thornn"
Now: "I wanna knoow what love iisss, I want you to shooww meeee.."
Walk a block over to Mercury Lounge -
Watch Susan Enan perform piano, singing..
Jet at 9 over (few blocks) to Rothko..
Rolling Rock from tap sit back, watch friend from work - electric guitar, electronic beat combo perform - quite the voice. . .
Long hike.. Elizabeth Street.. Prince.. 6 train.. leaf New Yorker mag on up to 116 - emerging from subway car through turnstyle eyes caught by large orange (fresh) crab leg, resting on beigey floor tiles surrounded by tiny, bright orange shrimps, scattered hither dither slip lil digi cam from inside coat pocket snap pict walk on..
Tough push up the 6 grimey flights carrying heavy bag.. roommate on futon in living room (air mattress in his room having poofed out again - second within a few months).. his $500 rent check, sitting on table - half tucked under newly arrived Time Out mag..
In room, drill 3 holes through thick wad of pages printed out yesternight.. string thin wire through each, bind it tight.. - a book I wrote, self published, 2 years ago, entitled 39 Days a gift for bride-to-be in line with her request via e-mail some weeks ago..
Brief deep sleep - blaring (talkshow) alarm.. bowl of hot oats, shoveled in..
Spiral down 6 flights headphones clamped on listening to book on cd (Michael Medveds autobiography). . .
6 to Canal, speedwalk through bustling vendor scene swing into Citibank, rent check deposited.. help to float journey..
Press on.. - line of tired China buses.. tough Chinese lady ticket sellers hollar "where you going?! Philadelphia, D.C.! Leaving now! Where you going!?" -
Hand 12 for a oneway..
15 minutes till departure, pay White Swan Bakery a visit order a coffee, point to vanilla chocolate frosted pastry thing.. sit and eat amidst batch of locals cutthroat vibe in eyes round these ways - comical elements too though: blissful gold cat statue with waving arm..
Board, rumble off as I punch emails into sidekick phone, sipping at yellow paper cup two white swans facing each other on it, forming hearty shape in negative space between their breasts..
Pull plastic case from bag - full of CDs each containing lectures from a world renowned philosophy professor - called The Birth of the Modern Mind - lent to me by boss @ mac store One by one import them into computer then, hooking firewire up, zap em into ipod - all the while listening to electro tunes on puffy headphones, gazing intermittently out window at blurred Jersey trees flowing by. . .
Phila skyline crawls into view.. weave over bridges to parking on Filbert - - - - off bus, head for Market Street buying fruit salad from silver-carted vendor en route.. Opening it loose an instant fifth of it grapes, strawberries, bouncing, roll across sidewalk..
Cut through massive City Hall - has a big hollow center area city compass embedded in ground.. North on Walnut.. Phila has a magical something or other to it a kind of mystique.. The people have a.. knowing to them really seem to get whats going on.. See things for what they are pretty much.. Stroll through pretty lil sycamore-tree-strewn Rittenhouse Square Up a ways a bit more right before vast bridge over the Schyukill river.. Come across a dingy little storefront.. behind the filthy tall glass pane, dusty little antiques, statuettes, framed posters one (80's-looking) has two beauties in skimpy bathing suites - wearing Marine officer hats - caption above them reading: "Were looking for a few good men.." - "you like the window?" says an old man sitting on stone stair close by, closing newspaper, looking up. Standing, walking over.. grey mustache, glasses, bloodshot eyes, points finger to glass, "you know who that is?" referring to a foot-high statue of a guy wearing a mason's kilt, standing next to a podium. "Uh, is he a mason?"
"On the dumb side are we? I asked you who is it?" . . . gauging no answer forthcoming - "Thats Harry Truman." he grunts.. Turning to walk away, "yin school?"
"Im a Temple grad." - lightbulb seems to flick on in his head and he hooks a finger, inviting me into the store/shop..
Tools, stacked papers, junk all over.. He points at old photos, tacked to wall, - guy in crew boat - with a line of others - "thats my son." points to one of a big old white haired Irish man "This is (so n' so) - he gave a million dollars to the football team.."
Out again.. Span the long bridge lookin down on green water and on under navy blue bridge - "UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA" painted (white) across it.. into campus.. leg the full extent of Locust Walk budding spring trees, violet azalias, students, chipper..
Into Green Line caf - vegan-organic joint tuna on the menu(?) get it, piled on grainy bagel nosh at it, zinging e-mails on free wireless.. text message buzzes reply to meet on 42nd and Walnut.. hoof it there buy big bottle of water in 7 eleven on corner step out as white Honda pulls in containing a smiling Chrissy and Dave - - - -
95 South. . . . . Jersey.. 495 South.. Delaware.. stop in New Castle, early dinner at "Pizza and Pasta": big fat greasy slice, lots of garlic.. Onwards, shotgun, ipod djing, electro tunes. . . rays of sun cut through holes in gray cloud cover.. tolls, pit stop @ Shell.. back seat, e-mails on phone.. reading book lent by co-worker: '48 Laws of Power'.. grows dark.. to real dark.. VA wind gushing in windows, filling lungs..
Pull into Red Carpet Inn round 10.. Guy at counter gives a gruff "thought you were gonna be here by 6" typing on old PC.. "See what we have here.." two large keys slid on counter.. drive over, find 350..
Room has crossed swords with shields in front of them painted on the walls.. and a bottle opener screwed to the wall in the bathroom next to toilet..
Dave and I drop Chrissy off at bachelorette party as severe lightning storm swoops in.. Brilliant tangley white streaks flash whole sky, crash close by.. One extremely loud and close bolt cuts out the power of the entire fracnchizey maze of a parking lot we're trying to find our way out of - all fizzles black inside big stores.. remains so a few seconds till back-up reserves kick in - with a lone white sign illuminating itself to life bold right before our eyes: 'Berk'.. U-turn after u-turn and multi-loopty-loos brings us around to a different exit.. another turn-around, bamboozled driving, squinting to see through squal.. Spot an SUV - appearing in same boat as we - lost without a clue.. another car, stopped, lights on, "they just gave up.."
Eventually break free, make way to campus.. Walk up none-too-happening main street, in search of live music.. here a kid, striding intent in opposite direction - "hey you know where there's some live band playing or something or other.." - "yeah there's a house party - up by the stadium - on Stadium Road - right behind it - there's gonna be four bands playing.."
We park near the loud old college house, students overflowing out door.. Walk right up, squeeze through porch folks, fill black plastic cups from keg.. in through screen door - to live band - stand drinking runny beer watching scruffy-looking dudes head bang with a vengeance.. singers voice at points - squeals, one side of brain to other..
Buzz Civic back over to University Street.. more happening now.. In search of food, go with "The White Spot" swivel bar stools, high counter.. order a chicken gyro - "no more chicken" replies the chef, removing two frozen slices of a red meat "lamb instead?".. Stand vacillating a second or two - till unshaven student eating cheeseburger at stool to immediate right chimes in with "get it, it's good." -
"yeah, go for it." I say, chef setting them on grill.. Dave and I talk, philosophize, a bit - on how youth ought to be freer than how the current system tends to render them..
As buzz civic towards Red Carpet, passing one of the main student buildings, notice a number of gumdrop tents set up on lawn - and large amount of students present, engaged in a form of protest. Park, walk over: news cameras rolling, kids holding posterboard signs up - one guy repeats over and over again: "Social justice should be everyones mission!" in Dave's ear.. - looking closer, its the unshaven guy who recommended the lamb gyro..
We ask a girl whats going on - tells us a bunch of students (14) marched right into the president's office and staged a sit-in - over the low wages given to the university's vast amounts of non-teaching employees.. the students are refusing to leave until changes happen.. it began Wednesday - - - Saturday now. - "theyre not allowing anyone to feed them - they haven't eaten in three days - and now the police are here thinking of arresting them, so were here to support." I climb the stairs, to where the news cameras are, and look through doors at the students, negotiating inside.. Theres a professor-looking guy (beard, glasses, sweater) leaning against one of the doors, in conversation with a tall student-government-type kid.. Im half-listening in, till he halts the dialog, turns head to me, points a finger and "who are you?"..
"just checking out the scene here.." - "could you (flitting finger) move over there"..
Down stairs, into Civic..
Wake up half shivering on big bed, all blankets somehow on floor.. cell phone call.. Meet in lobby return keys, get on road - over to 'Bodos' - bagel shack on main street - pretty good - tidy, smart, together-looking - compared to thrown-together, piled-up (more generous) things you find in NY..
On to the wedding - en route though - "we have to stop in a restroom somewhere - have to change pants." - there being a growing hole by left pocket.. We pull into Arbys. Change pants in grimey bathroom.. return to car.. sitting shotgun, pointing, "pull up to the dumpster." ripped pants in hand, cock arm back, the shot - flutter in through dumpster's side door. . .
Searching for church - turn sneaks up - wheel cranked hard - car veers into long horizontal screeching skid - Dave and I, seatbeltless, cling seats, doors, as it's barely pulled off..
We stroll in.. knowing no one.. seeing the wrapped gifts on table - dawns mine's not - somehow has to be.. ask to be driven to CVS - just 10 minutes to go though.. Young guy walks in with white bag - overflowing with tissue paper - "Im trying to wrap my gift a book I brought - it alright if I have a piece of that tissue paper?" Agreed, I fish out a piece - get keys - jog for civic - book snagged from bag - wrap it - jog back - scrounge, utilize spare cassette tape labels, laying around by bookshelves, as tape.. improvise a 'first time visitor' card: folding it, jot a message: request pardon for homeless wrap job..
Ceremony goes along well enough - sort of a headscratcher message from preacher - entitled something along lines of "I love you like meat loves salt."
Were dismissed for a while - to allow rearrangements for reception lunch
Milling about out front, I notice a friend from a few summers ago (lived in a beach house together) - his name is Gonzo - real name.
Catching up with Gonzo - a sudden 'CRACK!' cuts through air.. Note - over Gonzo's shoulder - a man whirling a whip around - makes it fly again 'CRACK!' - but Gonzo keeps right on talking.. hear guy next to us mutter: "what in the world is this guy doin'?" - 'CRACK!' - all eyes on him now.. I grab a Mountain Dew, station self front and center, slipping lil cam from pocket.. "Anyone have a pack of cigarettes!?" he calls.. pack is thrown.. lights up.. flutters hands a bit - cig vanishes.. applause... gets up on unicycle, juggles gold bowling pins.. - then, on feet, - cracking jokes all the while - sets aflame 3 batons juggles 'em - progresses to finale - full-blown juggling of flaming baton, an egg, and buzzing chainsaw - big applause.. calls for another volunteer - a teenage girl - named Frank(?) steps in.. hands her a plastic flower.. steps back.. takes up whip.. 18 footer.. the wind up - 'CLACK!' yellow head of flower - nipped off..
We file back in - forming line at food table.. Sandwiches, salads, a mound of fruit - sign, sticking out from it, reading "Washed Fruit"..
Jellybean-filled gift boxes sit on tables.. I backslap one, spilling them about.. Dave accidentally backslaps his Coke.. we mop it off tablecloth.. pile soggy napkins on my plate.. Old guy who'd sat at our table for some time, rises now, leaves us.. I place an orange jelly bean in plastic spoon - bend it back - aim it at Chrissy, let it fly - but it soars over her head bounces (textbook, comically) off buzzed head of one of the groom's Air Force buddies.. Swivels thick neck my way.. - "sorry, I was trying to (pointing) hit her."
Time to hit dance floor.. whirl Chrissy round to swing tune.. Taking a seat, mother of the bride swoops in - asks if Im single - at the "no" - whisks me into dancing with a bridesmaid - her daughter, sister to the bride..
We're all handed colorful plastic eggs - all containing bird seed.. we form an isle out front the church doors.. newlyweds beamed right and left, ducking into little maroon Ford - puttering away - string-tied plastic 2 liter bottles and cans, trailing arattle in wake. . .
Heading for car.. "Adam you have the keys right?"
Locked in trunk, Dave appropriates clothes hanger from church.. shimmied through window.. 'click'.. lean in - crank lever - pop trunk - keys by bag
Roll into 'Historic Downtown' Charllotesville - walk along pleasant lil' promenade - duck in bookshop - on over to restaurant - outdoor seating at black metal wire tables, chairs - amidst other outdoor diners - comfortable, clean-clothes-wearing Virginians. Tall thick straight trees, extend up out of promenade brick in seating area.. waiter brings me a gold-orange - shade of an autumn leaf - opaque German wheat beer.. Chrissy a coffee.. Dave, a tall ice water.. Lean back, gaze up at delicate leaves budding on delicate, sophisticated network of branches.. a rare, rich breed, whatever they are..
On road.. long stretch.. another hack of progress at 'Power' book.. sling e-mails, myspace messages, on sidekick phone..
Dodge Ram pick-up growls up alongside - decal near taillight - cartoon-looking bee - above which, the words "RUMBLE BEE."
A Monte Carlo - stuffed cats in rear windshield.. cheetah-spotted steering wheel cover - long nails, wrapped round Cruise past a K-9 Unit squad car. . .
On into Philly - park at Penn - walk over to 'Mad Mex' restaurant on Sansom.. where Chrissy goes ahead in - to meet 3 friends waiting for us.. Bouncers check I.D.s at door - hand mine - knowing it's expired.. smile spreads on dude's face "got another" - hands it to giggling co-worker "sorry, can't let you in man - policy..
"Aww cmoon - just gettin' a burrito.." - "sorry (pointing to other) this guy takes bribes - besides that.." Dave phones Chrissy - who emerges - big, pleader eyes, smile.. see ice melt a bit.. they drag it out though.. turn to go - the one gives - "go aheead".. Mex all round.. - minus any alcoholic bev.. - fried doughy triangle things for dessert
One of the three we met there, Brenda, rolls with us.. I'm to crash at her pad tonight - on 'loveseat'.. as, in recent developments, having heard there's an early (6am) Easter sunrise service happening tomorrow morning in Fairmount Park hosted by some arty church I'd heard of often - I agreed to go along..
We zoom 76 a while - beyond Manayunk (where I'd once lived) - to some random exit.. Down a slope there - past old-style-construction stone and brick houses - quaint line of stores.. few turns.. park in lil driveway..
Pretty spacious apartment - clean, together - an Asian umbrella as decoration hung on wall in living room (above loveseat).. another in kitchen (above fridge).. She rustles together a few snacks - brews a coffee for Dave: a late/long journey to NJ ahead..
Crack a few bleary jokes.. and he goes..
Recline on loveseat, feet hanging over edge.. - gals retire to room.. sleep goes off like a prolonged blink - insano dream tucked therein - and alarm blares alive from bedroom.. activity rustles.. the two girls from Mex dinner last night appear.. we drink coffee in oddly-lit kitchen.. eat trailbars, strawberries, pineapple slices.. Pile in car, buzz along 76 through dark - moon shining full force - towards Center City.. increase speed - racing against the sun.. wind snakey Kelly drive - past boathouses - turn into Fairmont park - see crowd gathered under pavilion on Lemon Hill.. Close car dors, climb hill towards.. join group - preacher speaks on a resurrection passage - congregation all reading together at times.. sun rises slow over blue trees in distance - changing whole atmosphere.. Spot a friend from New York, walk over, chat a bit - turns out he's moved here.. See another friend, Aaron - lead singer in a rock band.. go over.. having just returned from California (played concert out there) night before - he's looking tan, ragged, wartorn, sun behind him, shining in my face.. see in periphery girls are heading for car.. trot over.. drive a little ways - to Logan Fountain - blasting its streams - where I climb out of car, grab bag from trunk, say byes, and get hiking for UPenn.. up Chestnut.. past Drexel.. through Locust walk - to 42nd - hm, Green Line cafe closed though.. take a roundabout route towards subway - through warzones (trashed/thrashed hoods) - snapping pictures of a few odd and/or beautiful sights..
Catch 40th St. "El" subway westbound - shwooshes above ground to sunny ghetto - prompting unpocketing of cell - dial.. arrange for Dad to pick me up by 69th St. At the sushi place - which isn't actually a sushi place - it's a Korean restaurant, with red Asian lettering on it.. Arrive, hoof over to it - where Dad soon rolls up in Subaru.. Rita (sister's Chihuahua) fitfully happy at my presence - jittering on lap, licking at chin..
Into Suburbia - 10 minutes outside the city.. The lunch - topped off with ears of chocolate bunny.. The crash-hard powernap on couch.. The big Easter dinner: meat and mashed potatos with - Ma, Pa, and sis.. The ride to 30th Street Station - ticket from machine - run for the 6:08 - caught.. Glide rails towards Manhattan again. . .
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