Tuesday May 24 2011



DREAM: Just outside my townhome in Chanticleer. It’s nighttime. There’s a trailer with an awning set up. I watch James walk underneath it as the awning accidently falls down hitting his face. He slips out from behind it like nothing happened. I’ve got a bass guitar in hand and begin a two-note pop progression. Not sure where the amp is but I can hear the rumbling bass tone. A few other house friends are around and attempt to play along with their own instruments. It’s like we’re a band. But I suddenly realize it’s after midnight and we shouldn’t be loud in the neighborhood for fear of getting a noise violation. The scene switches. We’re all in a car driving to another part of the neighborhood. We enter an unfamiliar court. In the center of the median is a pile of rubble and debris from an old building, and discarded junk from other people. I spot a few pictures that I think would fit in our house. I get out the car. A cop approaches and tells us to leave. We’re set on staying. The cop then asks me questions about the bottle I’m holding and if it’s beer.

Me: “No officer, this is a bottle of juice. See!”

Cop: “Well, why don’t you go to 7-11 and get me one. Now get out of here!”

Something bad just happened here in the neighborhood.

Me: “Excuse me, what happened here? Did somebody get killed?”

Cop: “Yeah, it’s pretty bad.”

Me: “Like murder?”

Cop: “Yeah the dude strained himself.”


Awake after 1:40 p.m.


Breakfast: Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese. Orange Juice.


Business.


Emily comes over and we drive to Calum’s house in Croatan to audition for Stephanie’s film. Pulling up in the driveway, it’s a beautiful house. “I really like this blue color.” Upstairs they’ve got a green sheet hanging down behind two wooden stools with a camera set up in front. Emily and I perform our Eternal Sunshine scene, then a dry run through the actual script we’re auditioning for. Also, doing a few improv scenes, one of them involving a ferret dying. As soon as we’re done an incredibly strong wind picks up outside—big trees swaying and leaves shuffling and debris flying through the air. Standing out on the balcony experiencing the surreal moment of Mother Nature. “This is crazy!”

Back inside chit chatting about movies, time travel, and other things. Enjoying one of the cupcakes on the counter. Feeling confident about Emily and I’s interaction on camera.


The power is out all throughout Chanticleer.

It’s amazing what happens when there’s no electricity. You have no access to the internet. You have no access to basic appliances. The inside of the house becomes useless. You’re forced to leave and get outside. Humanity is back to square one.


Lunch: Peanut Butter on Sourdough Bread. Kettle Cooked Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea. Strawberry Yogurt.


Anthony and I go to Target. Inside the lights are dim because of the generator that’s in use. “I kind of expected it to be hectic in here but everything’s so calm and the people are quiet. There’s no music in here.” We complete our mission to buy a new basketball and head to The Friend’s School courts for some b-ball.


Back at the house, Anthony and Kevin are getting ready to leave on their trip across the country for California. Warm goodbye hugs and words are exchanged.


I’ve got to get out of here. I start driving. Coincidentally Margot is just getting out of work so we meet up at Thai Arroy.

Sitting across the table, she gives me the kissy sign. I playfully decline at first complaining about how far away she is, until she says this: “You’re supposed to want to cross mountains to kiss me.”

Dinner: Tom Yum Vegetable Soup. Chicken Pad Thai. Thai Iced Tea.


Margot and I drive over to Art and Roma’s place—they have power. James joins for a little bit. Playing a long game of Phase 10, which we never end up finishing. Jamil has an imported Hot Red Pepper Russian vodka—taking a few shots together, “Kampei!”

Art has a pool table in his garage. He schools me in a few rounds.


Still no electricity at my house. Margot takes me to her home, where we assumed the power might be on but to our dismay and, well, my expectation, is not on at all. But the neighbors have a generator going—able to smooch off their internet—can hear the loud hum through the windows.

She’s excited about her little chargeable mushroom light she purchased from Target. It’s lighting up her bedroom nicely.


Snuggling next to my 24/7 comfy girlfriend.

Sleep 4:30 a.m.

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