Tuesday Morning Update #10
Sep 10, 2003 myMusicShare/Save
Oops. I knew I’d forgotten to do something.
Not much happened this week. Last Sunday, I went out to Cleopatra’s needle, a restaurant on 92nd St., to check out their jazz vocal open mic. It was pretty cool – the trio was good, and some of the singers had their moments. Definitely an older crowd, but hey, I can hold my own. There was one singer in particular whose name I can’t remember. She sang with a pronounced Japanese accent and had a surprisingly good ear. I smiled and I clapped.
On Saturday, I went to Barnes and Noble to look for a book on Gödel. (Yeah, so I’m a nerd. So what?) I couldn’t find it, but there was an author there by the name of James McBride giving a talk and playing with his jazz group. I stopped to listen to them for a while, realized how much I miss playing jazz, and was about to leave when…lo and behold, the same singer from Cleopatra’s Needle got up and started singing! And playing congas!
This is a sign, I thought. I have to sing tomorrow and talk to this woman. So I reviewed the lyrics to Lullaby of Birdland and Here’s That Rainy Day and set out the following afternoon with charts in hand. I got there at about 5 and signed up dead last on the list. This woman was nowhere to be found. I sat through about an hour of singers when finally, at just a little bit after 6, they ended it. Right before my turn. Nuts.
Thought about playing some covers at the Sidewalk Cafe on Monday to make up for it. Monday morning, walking around my messy apartment, I decided to jump over some particularly obstructive obstacle. I landed, stopped short, and crumpled to the floor. Sprained ankle. Very minor, but I spent Monday night Resting, Icing, Compressing, and Elevating.
Tomorrow, however, I begin my vacation. I cannot imagine the sigh of relief I will breathe when I don’t have to go back to awful tech support and customer service for a whole week. I’m not going anywhere, so I plan to spend my vacation doing a few choice things:
1) Writing songs. 2) Writing PHP so I can get a job. 3) Looking for jobs. 4) Chilling in my apartment.
I am PSYCHED. When I have to go back, I will probably cry. Or shoot myself. Or shoot somebody else.
September 10th, 2003 at 10:13 am
I wouldn’t play the part of disgruntled employee too hard here, my friend. You are going to show this to potential employers as an example of your PHP ninjitsu, yes?
There’s certainly a compulsion to be perfectly frank and honest here; we probably wouldn’t have blogs if we didn’t feel that way. I just have that voice in my head when I’m posting, saying “remember, this is the almighty InterWeb. You damn well better be OK with anyone and everyone reading this.” And 99.9% of the time I am, no question, but I’ve definitely re-written some bits to make myself seem less of a slacker.
Of course, now I’ve admitted that to said InterWEb, and everyone will know what a slacker I am.
Cursed Fate, thou hast played me for a ninny yet again.
September 10th, 2003 at 5:11 pm
My brother once dislocated (or maybe just pulled.. but in a really bad way) his shoulder when he tried to jump over a big obstacle and landed awkwardly.. don’t do it, friend! Be a wuss and crawl next time! How do you get a week’s vacation? Hope to see you @ the sidewalk next week!
I was talking to this guy who had seen you at the sidewalk last time, and he said that you were really awesome! I’m pretty sure he knew about whom I was speaking, because I described you as “the piano player/singer with the big, puffy hair.” word, eocs
September 11th, 2003 at 9:23 am
Have a fun vacation, just don’t shoot me — please.
September 11th, 2003 at 9:24 am
And remember, you’re getting paid to sit around when you’re on vacation. Fun.
September 12th, 2003 at 9:12 am
Good luck Arthur!
I hope you pull a french quit!
September 12th, 2003 at 9:40 am
Re: echillri’s comment: I think Arthur has a right to complain. Anyone who works at the same employer and read this blog probably sympathizes. After all, Arthur wouldn’t still be working at _______ if he didn’t like it just a little. I admire the honesty, and since it’s warranted, I’d hope any future employer could do the same…
September 12th, 2003 at 9:46 am
Oh, I definitely have a right to complain.
I don’t know about the justification though – as much as I like some of the people I work with, if I were able to find something else, I’d be out of there in a second. I’ve been saying that since March, but what with getting sidetracked by planning for grad school applications (which I’ve decided not to do yet) and working on projects to demonstrate experience, it’s been tough finding anything. But I press on, in the hopes that someday soon I will move on to something I can enjoy…