Simple Chaos

August 12, 2008--I've been very absent from this place. This little blog shack that was supposed to be my shelter from the storm on cloudy, thunderboomer days that are perfect for writing or crying. Where have I been? Oh don't ask that. I don't think I know where to start. Let me think.
During the past bit I have moved to a wonderful historic and giant purple duplex closer to downtown and to Raleigh's entire homeless population. The night of my move, 2 nice ladies pulled up to me as I was moving boxes from my car, offering up a rare treat---a giant bottle of Elizabeth Arden Red Door--at a discounted rate. It seems they were hungry and needed gas at 1 in the morning. Of course. When I declined (I don't wear perfume I said--and I don't, I'm more of a sandalwood balm-type of girl) they basically told me to give them 'some dollars,' which I didn't have. But it was awful nice of them to offer to take that burden off my hands. Another man wanted bus fare but wouldnt take the pizza I offered him. SInce when did these characters become so brazen?
At this pace, I'll never summarize my happenings, so sit back and here we go in my nutshell: I moved in the night of July 31--a Thursday-- unpacked until 2am. At work by 9, home by 5:30. It was a little warm in the new place, the lights wouldn't turn on. Are all of the light bulbs blown? no. check the fusebox. shit. Power's off. husband calls Progress Energy. Husband curses, goes outside. Husband says elderly parents are on respirator and need electricity to plug in. (husband lied). Progress doesn't care. No service call until Monday. Out come the candles, spray bottles (did I mention the 104 degree heat?), cold beer, and attitudes. Old friend from hometown by way of New York stops in Raleigh for job interview and for drinks on the porch and to sweat it out with us, and husband's friend. New neighbors pop in. We head downtown to enjoy some nightlife, drink some Smithwicks, dance some jigs, and walk it out like Fosse's Mexican Breakfast Remix. Burning late-night calories on downtown sidewalks is my favorite. We come home late, cool cabby. cheap fare. Friend goes back to hotel. Get up, go to coffee shop, do a little work on computer. Go home. Hot. Go to pub for lunch, have beer and burger. Lots of ice water. Go home. Hot. Weekend passes slowly with no electricity. How did the cavemen live like that? How did they live like that in the 1900s? The 10pm drafts sure were nice (from both the pub and the open windows) but 7am comes early and hot in a Southern Fried August. Even the cats were hot, sleeping on coolers and under beds, like little rugs you're not allowed to step on.
Early the next week I rolled right into my hospitality persona as we host our Annual golf tournament and conference at lovely Pinehurst--home of golf. It's so much nicer to visit than to actually live there. Who knew? The Carolina Hotel stay was a nice perk. Spent one morning on the green witnessing potential hole-in-one--no one made one, but I gave out free beer tickets which won me some new friends. Smiled a lot, assisted, chatted it up, made people feel welcome, took photos, ate, drank, passed out handouts, went home. Passed out. Slept through the weekend. Did a little yoga. Watched opening ceremonies for the 2008 Olympics---wondered how one man could choreograph such a wonderous feat. Wondered how the suits were timed with all those tiny lights. Wondered what was for dinner. Walked with husband to cobblestone section of town to Vic's for some real hand-tossed pizza and enjoyed the musical stylings of Carmine the Crooner. Got freaked out by mobsters at table nine and swiftly departed. Saw The Dark Knight. Was not impressed. Thought Heath looked like Mary Kate. Creepy. Give me some Sundance flix and wine anytime over that razzmatazz. Wished my dad happy birthday. Talked to my wondertwin. Cleaned up the new pad, which I've decided IS the Octopus' Garden in the shade. Watched more Olympics. Ate some salad. Thanked God that my last name isn't Rectanus. Talked to girlfriend from UGA by way of Newport News who went on surreal German adventure with me in 2006. A new Chapel Hill resident, we are back in close quarters. Perfect for reinstating long happy hours and good talks.
Tonight we visit on the front porch of the Octopus' Garden in the shade, with fresh air, electricity, husband, husband's sitar playing friend, cool cats, and general merriment on cobblestone streets before us. And a toast: Here's to not being a Rectanus.

Today's Songlist :

1. Particle Man--They Might be Giants
2. Heat Wave--Martha & The Vandelles
3. Paint it Black--The Rolling Stones
4. Hobo's Lullabye--Woody Guthrie
5. Beautiful People--Marilyn Manson
6. Mariella--Kate Nash
7. My Way--Frank Sinatra
8. Mexican Breakfast--Bob Fosse
9. Octopus' Garden--The Beatles
10. My Moon, My Man--Feist