My alarm goes off at 11:30 a.m. Supposed to be at work right now. Don’t remember hearing the alarm that I set for 11 a.m.
Breakfast: Cliff Bar (Blueberry Crisp). Orange Juice.
Work at China Wok.
A guy named Pete meets me at China Wok to buy a tripod. He rides up in a motorcycle wearing an orange shirt and grey sweat shorts and he’s got a big potbelly. Testing it out using his large format camera from 1952. He’s a former limo driver and a big talker. Staring through his thin orange-tinted shades and listening to his geek-talk about his former camera and where he gets his special film. There’s a calmness and happiness about him that I really admire.
During the dead hours at work, struggling to stay awake off 4 hours of sleep. Napping with my head down on the table and my arms working as a cushion.
Reading Adbusters Magazine and The History of Love.
“Those who know they have enough are rich.”
---- Lao Tzu (Chinese Philosopher)
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”
---- Henry David Thoreau
Stopping by the house to get Lunch: Grilled Cheese with Tomato. Baked Salt N Vinegar Chips. Mango Oolong Tea. Peach.
Driving and making deliveries – listening to the band Bishop Allen. It’s been quite a long time since I’ve heard them. Getting a little nostalgic and soaking in some fond memories from a few years ago. It’s weird how difficult it is to disassociate people or events from particular songs or bands.
Noticing numerous cop cars out on the road today – more than usual. Three of them follow me into the parking lot of the restaurant. A little paranoid at first but then relieved to find out they just want Chinese food. Their cars are parked side by side one another in a perfect line – very photo worthy. I wonder if they planned that, or even if they plan that everywhere they meet.
Delivering an order at a new loft complex called Old Beach Village on Baltic and 30th. A tiny dark skinned girl in a black dress sweetly answers the door and invites me in. She has a white patch over her nose. Her talking is very sparse and careful. “Christie, do we have any cash? Or can we put it on the card?” Another lady in a pink bathrobe, named Christie, is lying on the couch watching T.V. looking quite sick. I’m impressed with the quaint interior design of the loft; black warehouse ceiling and lots of space. I make mention of it, “I’ve never seen the inside of these new places yet. It’s very nice!” Christie smiles at me. The girl in the black dress is acting like she’s never ordered take out before, handing me the receipt and asking, “Is that it? Is that all?” “Thanks. Goodbye ladies.”
Delivering more orders down at the oceanfront just before 9 p.m. The strip is flooded with tourists – vehicle mayhem in the street – bumper to bumper – stop and go – stop and go. I feel hostility and anger growing in me. All of my patience for idiocy is gone. This is not an area meant for cars at this hour. I feel like a Tetris piece stuck on the first level of the game in which I can’t move but barely a millimeter every second.
Going to Mayflower Apartments. Every time I deliver over here I have to park across the street where a sign clearly states that no car shall park here unless you are a customer to the pizza place or the other businesses it’s meant for. Otherwise, you will get towed. I’ve never had to deal with this kind of situation before because I’m usually in and out without a trace. But because of the busyness at the beach I feel like there’s more of a chance and the Aristocrat Towing guys are out on the prowl. I imagine the worst-case scenario…I come out after delivering the order and they already have my van connected to the tow truck. “What the f***?! Oh no you don’t!” The man with no remorse or logic in his eye says, “Sorry sir.” I have no more tolerance, “You’re gonna f**kin disconnect your f**kin tow truck from my f**kin van right now! If you don’t, I’m gonna get in your truck and finish delivering the rest of my orders!” He doesn’t comply and continues with what he’s doing. There’s physical resistance on his part as I head for the driver’s seat of the truck. I start punching him. We wrestle and get into a good nasty brawl. A crowd collects around us. They root for me as we battle. Eventually, there is just no competition. My adrenaline and resistance is too much for him. I win. He disjoins his tow from my van. I drive off as the crowd cheers. Of course, none of this actually happened and all of this is going through my head before I even get there. I make the order successfully and re-join Tetris Traffic.
Finally off work after a 10 hour shift.
Dinner: Vegetable Lo Mein.
Delivering a mattress to a couple that just moved here from Japan.
At home, drinking the best smoothie I’ve ever made: Vanilla Yogurt, Raspberries, Blueberries, Strawberries, and Honey.
Playing Unreal with Art – releasing a lot of aggression.
Organizing. Eating some Spice Cupcakes with Milk.
Selling stuff online.
Sleep around 4:45 a.m.
“All the joy the world contains
Has come through wishing happiness for others
All the misery the world contains
Has come through wanting pleasure for oneself”
---- Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva
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