These Have Always Brought Me Luck

Let’s face it, laundromats are a little trashy. But, I love them. I’m in one now, the second time I’ve used this location. It’s faster, gets the clothes cleaner, and I frankly like the vibe (I think from my time on tour as Louie the Lightning Bug). I don’t like laundry rooms @ condos/apartments. With the exception of one apartment I used to live in, they’re unkept, always breaking down (the machines; not the rooms), and you’re always waiting. Some of the clothes I’m doing today are from at least 3 years ago (but I’m not one to exaggerate—that’s the other half’s duty). It’s just nice to get them all done @ once. No waiting, and again, they get cleaner. Is this true? I don’t know for sure, so don’t ruin my fantasy. They seem cleaner, what more do I need? However, I could do w/ out the schlepping from apartment to car to Laundromat and back again. Also, it is nice to have plenty of room to fold. That’s a biggie plus for me.

It’s sure been a while since I have blogged. Job’s fine, but busy. Holidays or something. I’m pretty much numb…by that I mean that I don’t hate it, and I sure don’t love it…somewhere in between. I guess numb is too mean. Let’s say indifferent. There are days when I wonder why I’ve been cursed (only to remind myself that it’s nice to have a job at all), and then days when the customers are great, and I have fun w/ the other staff. It evens out. FYI, I was the top salesperson in our district for the month of November. Nice to know that I’m needed. J I overheard on a conference call, the district manager telling everyone how wonderful I was. I wasn’t eavesdropping, I happened to get to the fax machine @ the same time they were commenting on my exemplary salesmanship. The district is made up of about 10 stores, I guess, and who knows how many employees. Neat.

Looks like I’ve got some folding to do already. We’ll catch up later.

The previous bit of nonsense was brought to you by the letter “M”, and by that, I mean that it was written a few days ago; on Monday.

It’s now Thursday morning @ about 3:30 am, and I couldn’t sleep, so here I am. I have this day off, so it’s okay that I’m sitting around typing while the other half is snoring the night away, perhaps dreaming of Satan…a little inside joke.

The title of this entry refers to that oft-replayed Liz Taylor commercial from 25 years ago. Remember White Diamonds? How could you not? It’s been all over the place for the season; being trotted out for the holidays…makes me nostalgic. I don’t really know what for however.

More on the day job. One of my fave employees is calling it quits. I was a bit bummed that I learned this from the other management, not from him. What’s up w/ that? Also, I about died when my big boss put up the schedule for Christmas week. I have the 23rd, 24th and 25th off. Can you believe that? Three days off; including Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day; while working a retail job. I told him I would have kissed him if I knew it wouldn’t be considered inappropriate. At any rate, the other half and I quickly found some freebie hotel nights, and will be venturing south for a couple of days next week; just north of San Diego. It’s the casino/hotel we stayed in once before we “settled” in Phoenix, and once before we settled here. We don’t have much cash, so it will mostly be about the free getaway, not the gambling. Not that we won’t put a couple of bucks in the slots. It’s our thing, you see. I’m extremely excited about it, and I think it will be a nice rejuvenator. Inventory coming up @ the store. Yeah. Can you feel the excitement in my words? All in all, as I said above, I’m actually enjoying the job. BTW, Amy Yasbeck; John Ritter’s wife, was in again today. She’s so nice, and she knows me now. We’re buds. Okay, not buds, but we do have a good customer/salesman relationship. I’ll settle for that.

The other half and I had freebie tickets for The Day the Earth Stood Still last Thursday. We waited in line for 2 hours (outside, so folks were smoking, and apparently bathing in their department store perfume samples), almost didn’t get to sit together (actually, we had one guy sitting between us, that simply would not move), and the movie stank (not only the film, but the smell-o-vision of the woman next to me—holy halitosis, Batman!...and she was wacko, telling me of a failed relationship before the movie started—why do I always get the crazies?) Of note, Jennifer Connelly was marvelous, given the horrific dialogue she was made to speak. Jaden Smith was awful. The writing was awful. Lines like “They’re leaving”; after the aliens depart; and it’s clear that that is the action on screen (one of those Scooby Doo, let’s say exactly what’s currently taking place—for the slow folks in the audience), were the norm in this mess. The effects seemed downright cheap; many obvious green screen shots. Needless to say, this was a far cry from the original. A complete waste of my time, and boy did I let the world know it. Screaming, carrying on, cursing, etc. Avoid this at all cost. What is the quote from the original (and dare I say; almost miss-able in the remake) “Klaatu, Nikto, Dericto, Pam cooking spray”…something like that. Loosely translated, “Danger, danger, movie goer. This movie stinks.” Yeah, that’s lame, and a different movie reference, but what the hell do you want from me? It’s almost 4 in the morning. BTW, I don’t fault Keanu. The role was tailor made for him. Don’t blame him.

Nothing at all on the Simon Baker script. I’ve written nothing in over 3 weeks. Nothing. Therefore, I consider myself a loser. However, on the movie company front; I have been building a new website. Once the basic structure is up, I will be opening it up for visitors. Hold on to your butts. Wait, that’s too much hype. It won’t be all that. But, for those who saw my previous “klugula” website, this will be much improved. I’m pretty excited about it.

Friend Chris and I had another meeting on Monday; still brainstorming about a film project we will undertake together. Our next step is to meet over a weekend (assuming I can get it off from work) @ his place, and just start actual writing. No more talk; just action. Also very exciting.

BTW, after over a month of not speaking, my mother and I finally talked. It was a little stilted, but whatever. News of my uncle is good. He had a stroke several months ago, remember? He’s apparently @ about 98 percent. Doing great! Yeah, uncle!

Why do I eat salty food before bedtime? I know it’s bad for me, but also, I absolutely must drink water during the night. So much peeing.

I’m afraid I’m running out of things to report. I have a couple of celeb sightings to write about, but that’ll be its own separate, special needs entry.

Oh yeah, super excited about Hillary as Secretary of State. My gal Hill is gonna be awesome!

Rod Blagovich can suck it. It’s nice to know I’m not an Illinois resident; once this all went down. What a maroon.

The other half informed me that he will not use the word “jewelry” in my presence. Instead, he will say “jewels”. His reasoning? I get angry when people mispronounce this word. So many folks (are you one of them?) say “jew-le-ree”; when it’s “jew-el-ree”. It’s true, it does piss me off. That’s just one of my many quirks, and why I’m so beloved by this human race.

I had two women @ the same Christmas tree; in the store, pulling ornaments off. One seemed to follow what the other was doing, and it was pissing off the original one. This woman was a bitch. A day later, they were both in again; but thankfully, not at the same time. Can you imagine if I had to put up w/ that two days in a row? How irritating. Things are much worse in the world than someone pulling the same ornaments that you were. Am I right? To the bitch’s credit, the woman pulling from behind her, was a bit wacko, but kind of sweet. In 4 seconds time, she managed to call me “honey”, “baby”, “sweetie” and “angel”. I’m all for good customer connections, but this was a bit syrupy, even for me.

The other half is stirring…do you think he hears my clicking on the keyboard?

Oh, I reconnected w/ a college chum last Saturday. He was doing a free show @ the Actor’s Playpen; just off of Sunset on Gardner. It was a short show of three pieces; all written by his friend Bo. Great fun. Great writing. Great acting. Hot actors and free drinks. Hello! How could it not be super? We went out w/ friend Matt (haven’t seen him in 12 years or so) and his troupe afterward…had quite a super time as well. Food, hookah and fun. We plan to see more of my Mattie. I used to have a crush on him…I guess I still do. Hey, if the other half can go on a romantic getaway weekend in Palm Springs w/ an old flame, I can re-lust after an old college wannabe-lover. Right? I thought so, fuckers.

I am wondering if I’m going to get any holiday letter out this year. It’s too late for actual Christmas, but maybe after the new year. We’ll see.

Ooh, the other half is up and moving. Apparently, he ate salty snacks before bedtime too.

Moving onto other things. For not a lot going on, this is one long ass blog. Forgive. Later, y’all.