Buckle Down, (Part 2).
The weekend does one thing to all of your well planned intentions. It pisses on them and prevents most of us from accomplishing any of our short term goals. Why does this continue to happen? My belief in this annihilation of ambition relies on my consistent (yet often unwanted) obligation to my life as a social animal. Why can’t I say no to brunch, hangs, late nights and shows? Because I need them to validate my life. Is that a problem? Well, not yet.
Beat The Heat.
Oveis woke me with a call last Saturday. He was in search of brunch, and naturally I was in the mood for some grub. Since I was still in possession of the car, we drove up Avenue B to pick up Hawkins who led us out to Williamsburg. We parked the car a block East of Bedford and made our way down North 6th Street. Upon reaching Bedford we immediately ran into Christie who was headed to Justin and Liz’s to do some work. We walked down Bedford with her trying to make a decision on brunch. At one point I almost talked Hawkins into running in and diving into the Public Pool for some free brunch. We trekked back through the heat to our original destination for some decent grub. I don’t remember the name of the restaurant but the garden space had sand and a very tropical feel. In my endless pursuit of Lobster, I found a roll on the menu that was scrumptious.
After lunch I bought a small blue BMX from a guy on North 6th street. It’s a sweet little ride, but a big guy like me looks a bit goofy on it. So please withhold your comments because I love my miniature bike. The three of us rode back into the city and rested in the air conditioning for a hot minute.
With a serious bike riding itch to scratch, I took to the streets heading West to the New Designers Market on Mulberry street where Nathan was hanging out. Nate and I sat outside as a sun shower cooled our overheated jets. Brendan came out from his t-shirt selling post to have a smoke and talk some records. We chatted away in the muggy weather for quite some time. Eventually Nathan and I walked over to the Vice store to hang out with Drew and the friendly ladies in the shop. I ended up purchasing the Vietnam Ep, but unfortunately it didn’t have my favorite track on it. What gives? I don’t know the name of the song, but it was a definite jam.
After purchasing a bike lock, I met up with Sivan for some sushi. We had such a great time bullshitting about life in general. All of these conversations need to be recorded. Whether it was talking about moving to Brooklyn (with Nate), sophomore records that slumped (with Brendan) or current speed bumps (with Sivan); my Saturday was filled with the good stuff kids go for. Sivan and I went back to 186 for a hang before she bolted to meet with the New Zealanders.
Later that evening friends began to stop in on their way to various evening engagements. Oveis, Leah, Cami and I got things started with some Mario Tennis. Builder, Mim, Alistar and Sean Bones soon followed. Sean must have taken his awesome pills that morning because the kid was fucking on. So hilarious. We later stopped into 2A to wish Jeanie a happy birthday. A couple drinks later and I called it an evening.
Yeah, I’m that cheesy. Christie and I met at Esperanto for brunch on Sunday. This was after I rode all around the city trying to pay my rent. The sweat was dripping, but it soon subsided. We talked about Learned Evolution which is the company she has been helping Liz and Justin launch. The site was launched today so congrats to all who are involved. I wish Justin and his crew the best.
After lunch I met up with Sean Bones to get started on our gathering of information for the band. If any of you have huge databases for your bands and you don’t mind sharing, let me know, but don’t worry I would never expect any of you to actually email me. After we finished I stopped by Hawkin’s pad to pick up a power chord and meet his parents prior to heading down to my place for naptime.
Later that evening Cami and I decided to check out Zach Braff’s masterpiece, Garden State. The film took me on a roller coaster of emotions. I wanted to cry, cuddle, scream, make out, dance and do some drugs. Fortunately all I could muster was watching intently in disbelief at the stunning visuals and acute attention to detail. Not only was Braff’s screenplay incredibly punchy and full of laughs, but it also had numerous thought provoking moments. There were also instances with his father that made me want to cry. There are so many issues that I’ll never have a chance to resolve with my dad, but seeing an instance where a relationship with so much hardship can be mended makes me believe my dad and I would be fine if he were still around. It’s not as though my father and I had problems, but there are always regrets and hurt feelings left behind when we lose someone we love so dearly. I miss you pops, but I know you are looking out for me.
When Largeman said he didn’t have the ability to cry, I couldn’t relate more. After all the loss my family suffered between 1994 and 1997, I couldn’t bring myself to cry. Being desensitized to death is a tough thing. Why couldn’t I cry the day we put my dad in the ground? Was I being strong for my mother? Was I angry with him for leaving us so suddenly? Or was it that fact that my family had been put through the worst, and I was still kicking. I haven’t cried since my grandfather’s funeral a year earlier than my fathers, and at this point who knows what kind of catastrophe will cause me to lose that control. I just hope I never find out.
There was also the idea of returning home to your friends who have stuck it out and are attempting to make a life for themselves in your hometown. You don’t know how often you can relate to them, but you do know that the loyalty you once shared is still intact. There may be instances where we push each other too far, but a mutual respect for each others plot in life is what keeps friends so close. The film made me want to run home and tell all my buddies that despite the fact I’m living in New York, life is just as hard as it is back home. We all have the same problems, but we choose to navigate through them on different courses.
Should I even get into the whole relationship between Sam and Andrew? I think at some point we all have to stop being afraid and go for what we feel is right. When will that happen? Unfortunately, the answer for most of us is never. Andrew came to the realization that his life was a mess until he met Sam and in a short trip home he found what had been missing. We should all be so lucky. Maybe one day each and every one of us will get to experience the discovery of a person who helps you understand who and what you really are, but isn’t that wishful thinking? Maybe we will have the nerve to make that happen, but more than likely we’ll get on that plane and have to live with some intense regret for the rest of our waking life.
If all this isn’t enough reason for you to see the film, than go check out Jomo’s dog Magoo who masturbates in one hilariously awkward scene.
5 Comments:
Aligator Alley Jay Belin
jay, i don't know you so i didn't know about your father's passing. i offer my sincerest regrets, for what it's worth. that's got to have been a terrible episode in your life which i hope you have learned to take in stride. again, i'm sorry you had and have to deal with such a thing. scat turdly
thanks scat. i wasn't looking for sympathy, but thanks for the kind words. its something i have to live with everyday, but it makes you realize the importance of a lot of things.
yes, in fact it did. scat
jay -
hey... we've met before right? or have we not. i'm bad with things like this. anyways, thanks for the link. also, my mother passed away three years ago and Garden State brought back a lot of those issues/memories for me also, so you def. aren't alone on that one...
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