People Make The World Go Round

 The Stylistics - People Make The World Go Round

VERSE 1:

Trash man didn't get my trash today

Oh, why? Because they want more pay

Buses on strike want a raise in fare

So they can help pollute the air

REFRAIN:

But that's what makes the world go round

The ups and downs, a carousel

Changing people's heads around

Go underground, young man

People make the world go round

VERSE 2:

Wall Street losin' dough on every share

They blaming it on longer hair

Big men smokin' in their easy chairs

On a fat cigar without no care

REPEAT REFRAIN

It's so interesting reading the lyrics of some of my favorite songs.   The part where Wall Street is blaming longer hair for stocks losing money seemed a bit peculiar.    But apparently the connection may be due to slang.   The term haircut according to slang refers to the value of an asset deducted to account for a possible fall in its value before it can be liquidated.   So I guess The Stylistics weren't that far off with those lyrics.   You learn something new everyday.

Dom and I always find ourselves remarking how much we "hate people".   Every time I have to pick up litter in front of our house, I always mutter how much I "hate people".   When people speed and cut Dom or I on the road, we mutter that we "hate people".   Both of us were "hating people" when we took the crowded train to downtown Chicago last weekend to see the comedy play Judgment Day starring Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame.   Also co-starring in the play was Daniel Breaker who stars in my latest guilty pleasure on Netflix called Girls5Eva.

Girls5Eva follows four ladies that were part of a late 90's girl band group who are trying to get their group back together after more than 20 years.   It's such a funny comedy.   For me it ranks up there with some of my past faves, including Half & Half (named my first blog after it...LOL) and Schitt's Creek.    The latter I got Dom hooked on it after he kept hearing the flugelhorn when I watched the show in the basement and wondered what the noise was.   We've rewatched the series at least 5 times and started rewatching it again for a sixth time.

Anyway since the train to downtown was packed, we were forced to sit in separate rows.   The guy I sat next to was quiet so that was cool.   But Dom wound up sitting next to a teen influencer apparently.   Dom himself is getting more crotchety as he turns 60 and isn't shy about expressing displeasure.  Said teen had her legs sprawled out on the empty seat as he barked for her to move them so he could sit. 

Sitting in front of me were three "mean girls" that did nothing but gossip about who broke up with who, who slept with who, throughout the whole trip.   The one "mean girl" that sat by herself was extra annoying every time she got up to use the bathroom (and eww I would avoid public bathrooms especially since it's only one and especially as a woman) would bark to the other two to "Watch My Bag".   As if someone was going to steal her bag while she's gone.   Where the fuck would they escape to?  It's a moving train.  I hate people. 

I learned from Dom once we got off the train that the teen influencer had two other girlfriends on the train and they were yapping with each other as well.    One of them stepped on the back of my shoe when we were walking on the platform after departing.   Unfortunately Dom is walking a lot slower so I have to walk slow too and of course the influencers (along with a lot of other folks) were wanting to pass around.   I turned around and scowled at them before they eventually were able to get around us.

We couldn't help but think those teen influencers were the younger version of the mean girls that sat in front of us.   It's so annoying having to interact with those folks in a public setting.   But they are part of what makes the world go round I suppose.

Even getting to the theatre which was at the Chicago Shakespeare theatre was an adventure.   It's located in the Navy Pier and since Dom isn't able to walk like he used to, we needed to get a taxi to get there and to get back.   We didn't see any out on the street so we opted for a Lyft.    It took about 25 minutes for the Lyft to get to us and Dom was annoyed that the driver was on her phone the entire time.   Plus her car reeked of weed.    At least the taxi we got back had a nice older gentleman.   He said he was from Jamaica and he got us back quicker than the Lyft driver.   I gave him an extra $5 tip.   Sometimes you do interact with decent folks too.

It was a journey of dealing with people to get to our destination but the play was definitely worth it.  My understanding is that they were testing it out in Chicago before performing it nationally.   I'll say that it was worth the trip.   Plus we sat in the top row and the arrangement of seating was pretty cool.   Basically it was a single seat in each row and we would be able to view the show from our left.   It was nice being away from people as well.   

And we're doing the train trip to downtown Chicago again in a couple hours.    Why?  LOL.   This time we're catching the show Death Becomes Her based on the movie.   Dom is excited to see that one since it's starring Megan Hitly of NBC Series Smash fame that we both enjoyed.    But what nonsense are we going to encounter today?   Heaven knows...but I guess it makes life interesting, right?   Sure.

The Lost Entry

I was going through my old blog's administrator section and I found a rough draft post that I never published. I started creating this post mid-September of 2010 so almost 14 years ago. It was related to a guy I dated that summer. I alluded to him in my hobo-sexual entry last year. So you already know where this is going. But finding this missing gem was pretty cool. So I thought I would go ahead and share this entry.   It's as I left the draft so there may be a little more clunkiness in reading it.   Plus it is unfinished.

CRUEL SUMMER

09/16/2010

Things slowly began unraveling though (even during the beginning phases of getting to know each other). After our very first meeting, Columbo called telling me how JHyde flipped out on him over something trivial. I've honestly forgotten what it was about but they wound up making up the next morning. These incidents seem to happen quite a lot though.

The relationship between Columbo and JHyde sank faster and faster. JHyde wasn't happy with the contribution Columbo was making to household bills. I asked Columbo if any kind of agreement was ever made when he moved in with him. He stated it had not and that JHyde had been "begging" him for the last five years to move to Chicago to start a new life since there wasn't anything happening in Columbus.

During my brief time with Columbo, he had two low paying telemarketing jobs. I soon found myself paying for his Verizon calling cards, gas for his car, and saving him twice from overdraft fees from his checking account.

There were moments when I wondered if he was taking advantage of me but in the few moments he had extra cash, he did willingly pay for items. So I never felt he intentionally did so.

Things finally came to an abrupt end between Columbo and JHyde around mid-July. Basically JHyde told Columbo one Thursday night (well texted him actually since he stopped talking to him) that he had to be out of his place by Monday. Columbo called me that night and decided that he didn't want to stay any longer than he needed.

The next morning he told me that he was driving back to Columbus. He needed help with gas money which I provided.

That's actually where the draft ended.   Looking at it now, Columbo had no business dating until he found a job and got his shit together.   I should not have entertained going out with him either.   So I take responsibility for allowing myself to be caught up in that mess.   I blame it on him looking like Kevin James.   Yeah he's the guy I referenced in this post as well.   At least I didn't let him move in with me when he asked after now that I think about it, he probably got thrown out of the place by JHyde.

I did meet JHyde once and I could just imagine he was probably not thrilled with Columbo bringing a random guy over to his place.   Now that I think about it I wonder if JHyde had feelings for Columbo.   So when seeing me JHyde was probably like "hell to the no".   He probably told Columbo he could go ahead and live with me and see if I would take him in.

That was indeed a cruel summer.   I just realized that relationship ended mid-July but it took me a couple months to attempt to blog about it.   I think it may have more or less been out of embarrassment that I didn't finish the draft and publish it.   But when I think of all the experiences I've shared over the years, that should not have been a concern.  I've shared worse.  LOL.   I'm thankful I got out of that situation unscathed.  

Spraying It On Thick

 I was making my way to work via the Southshore train this past week.   I thankfully am able to get my own row to sit in for at least a few stops.   It then inevitably starts to fill up once the station reaches East Chicago.   As an aside the Southshore has a new project called the West Lake Corridor project that plans to extend the train line further Northwest.    It's rumored to have a completion date of May 2025.   I believe once this is completed there'll be less people at the East Chicago station as more of them will be waiting at the new extension.   The majority of folks that board on East Chicago are likely taking it from locations further west.

So Hemingway (been a while since I said that word...LOL) we're approaching East Chicago and a boatload of folks comes in.   One guy settles in my row.   He stands for a long bit before deciding to sit down.   Thankfully my row is a three seater so there's an extra seat at least that's dividing us.    As he sat down I couldn't help but notice he bought with him a heavy scent of aftershave.   Unfortunately he doused himself in way too much.   The smell permeated the area I sat at and I was feeling like I could sneeze at any moment.   What's worse is that the train continues to be very slow in making its way to downtown Chicago.   So I was stuck for at least another 40 minutes or so dealing with the odor.

I noticed occasional whiffs of funk as well which oddly enough I welcomed as a change of pace from the strong aftershave.   I realized that the gentlemen was likely using the aftershave to cover up his funk.   I guess it almost succeeded.   It's just as horrible when women douse themselves with tons of perfume.   As soon as he got up to exit the stop before mine, I was relieved.   I then made my way to the opposite side of the train to exit at the other end for my next stop and eventually....fresh polluted city air.   Ahhh!

It's so funny.  Actually when I was younger I didn't mind cologne or aftershave as much.   I even dabbed a bit of the stuff on myself.    The experience reminded me of a funny story my friend Eugene and I shared.  (Funny now, not so funny at the time.)   I believe the incident in question must've happened sometime in 2006 or 2007 early in our budding friendship.

Eugene and I hung out briefly when he was in town and I must've noticed the smell of the cologne he was wearing.   I told him that it actually smelled pretty good and I was curious what the name of it was.  Eugene mentioned that it wasn't cologne but rather an aftershave that he uses.   I asked him what it was called and he revealed it without hesitation.

So next thing I know I decide to purchase the said aftershave, which set me back almost $40.   The next time Eugene and I spoke, I told him that I found that same aftershave and purchased it.    I might as well have told him that I voted for Trump in the last election.   He was furious.    He went into a rant on how the scent was something that he had for himself and prided himself on keeping the name a secret.  He didn't want me copying him.   I told him that we lived in different states so it wouldn't matter since our respective friends and acquaintances wouldn't know.   But that didn't matter to him.   He was mad with himself for telling me.   

He eventually got over it.   But it was touch and go for a minute there.   I thought our new friendship wouldn't withstand the "betrayal" and come to an end.   It's funny how crazy things like my recent encounter triggered this old memory of mine.   I actually need to call Eugene and see if he remembers this moment or not.   It's been so many years so hopefully he'll get as much of a chuckle out of it as I did when it came to mind.

May The Fourth Be With You

 Dom reminded me that today is Star Wars Day.   There's an infamous line in the very first Star Wars movie Episode 4 - A New Hope where Obi-Wan Kenobi say to Luke Skywalker "May The Force Be With You".   Since then every time May 4th rolls along, the running joke is "May The Fourth Be With You".

We had a full morning and early afternoon at least.   Dom had a tele-appointment with his primary early in the morning.   Apparently even for phone appointments, they charge a fee.   Crazy.  

Dom's been feeling lightheaded and dizzy a lot these days.  The last time he felt that way and went to the ER, they said that the cause was due to his sinuses filling up.   He didn't believe it since he wasn't feeling stuffy.   He did try some Flonase and it may have helped his symptoms but it wasn't certain.   He wound up missing three days of work this week due to it.    When mentioning the symptoms again to the primary, they again alluded to the sinuses.   

So after his appointment Dom wanted to go to Walgreens to pick up some prescriptions and Flonase.   He also wanted to go to Costco and we both wanted to go early vote at a designated station.  Afterwards the plan was to dine at a new diner that opened not far from where we lived.

We slowly got ready and wound up leaving the house just after 11am.   We first went to Walgreens.   He picked up his prescriptions and a couple other random items but forgot about the Flonase.

We next went to the early voting area.  One thing about Dom is that he always manages to attract attention everywhere he goes.   He's currently wearing his beard long just like Santa Claus.   Even before doing this I remember when my sister Trina first met Dom she told me privately that he looked like Santa Claus...LOL.   But he definitely looks like it now.

So we both went into the voting location and I let him go ahead of me.   The staff gravitated towards Dom and of course was telling him of his resemblance to old St. Nick.   They kept talking to Dom and of course Dom being the chatty Kathy chatted back.   Meanwhile another staff member eventually came up to me.    We both had to sign our names and give our addresses.   Then we both were directed to vote.

I finished before Dom and the staff were all don't forget to take a sticker and thanks for voting, have a good day.   No chatting with me...which suited me fine.  LOL.  Dom was still voting so I left and waited in the hallway for Dom.   As I was leaving I heard the staff get all chatty again with Dom.   I kept going and waited for Dom.

Dom came out a minute later.   As we walked to the car, he told me that one of the staff noted that we had the same address.   Dom proudly said that I was his spouse.   He said that their faces changed once he said that.   But he did not care.    He told me that he was proud of me and loves me.    That was so sweet.

One thing I'll say about Dom.   He drives me crazy when it comes to his spending habits and other crazy things that he does.  I know too that I do things that he doesn't like either.   But one thing that I never have to doubt about Dom is his love for me.   Despite it all I know he loves and cares for me and he shows it with his actions.   I love Dom as well.

I do feel sad that Dom's slowed down a bit since we've been together.   He needs a cane now to walk and was told he has a degenerative spine disorder.   That along with full neuropathy in his feet and slowly in his hands has slowed him down a bit.   I do worry about our trip next month since part of it is needing to take a shuttle from the economy parking.   He tires so easily.   

After our trip to Costco and then another trip back to Walgreens for the Flonase and then home, his energy was gone and he didn't have the energy to try the restaurant.    So I had to walk there myself and order some lunch to go.

We did have a good lunch and I admit I felt sleepy shortly afterwards.   Getting old sucks...but it's sweeter knowing that I have Dom in my corner.    We just have to navigate through what life throws at us.