2003-10-08 - 10:15 p.m.

Hawaiian Shirts

I spoke to my mother tonight on the phone and asked her about her recent trip to Hawaii.  She, my aunt, my sister and my cousin took a trip last week.  They have all wanted to go there for years and suddenly the air fare prices were so low they just couldn't turn down the chance.  They had a great time. She said it beautiful.  They took a ride in a helicopter that had no doors on it, like the choppers in the tv show M*A*S*H.

She brought me back two Hawaiian shirts.  I have never owned a Hawaiian shirt before.  They are beautiful.  I think she was sort of shocked when I asked her to get one for me.  I don't think my family thinks of me as the sort of man who would want one.  You see, I could have bought a Hawaiian shirt here in town. You can get them at Target.  But what is the point of having one unless it is real, or at least meaningful?

My plan to fake enthusiasm at work is going well.  I don't get as depressed about being there.  At 5:30 today I quietly shut things down and walked out of the office waving cheerfully to my coworkers as they sat at their desks.  "You leaving Usual?" asked Kevin.  "Yep.  See ya."  And off I went.

It was nice.

I have put in a lot of extra hours at work so far this week.  It is a wonderful luxury to leave the office on time.  To get home at a reasonable hour.

Last Friday my friend Mike invited Kay and me to the opening of an art exhibit in Atlanta.  One of his photographs was accepted.  He has been in several shows in College Town where he lives. This was the first one outside of his normal art clique.  I have never been to one of these things before.  I really liked it.

It was an event and there were a lot of people there. One of his friends suggested that he join this group and submit some of his pieces.  It is very hard to get into one of these shows, but Mike got in on his first try.

There was a lot of food and a lot of drinks.  Everyone was so nice and accepting and friendly.  I spoke to a few people. Hung out with Mike who was stressed out by it all. Kay was no help. She does not really like art, she just wanted to go to push Mike into networking and talking himself up.

It started getting crowded in the gallery so we stepped out into the lobby and were looking in through the glass walls at all the people and activity within.  A guy came up to me and asked me if my name was Mike.  I told him no and he said that I looked exactly like this guy he knows named Mike.  We all talked about how that happens to me a lot.  That I look familiar to a lot of people.

I don't know who my twin is but he must get around a lot.

I love photography and there was a lot of amazing stuff at this show.  We met a few other artists then we went to dinner.

It was good to be with my friends again.  My old friends.  My good friends.  There is another luxury.  Sitting down and having dinner and talking with friends.  I have known these people for 20 years.  We can all talk and talk and talk.  Mike always has a lot of lists and projects to show us.  I have learned a lot from him over the years.  He is just one of those people who can say anything and know that I'll understand what he is talking about.  And Kay, well, she is entertaining and we have all been through so much together.

Tomorrow is Ed's birthday.  Mike is flying out to LA to surprise him at a surprise party Ed's friends are throwing for him.  They wanted Kay and me to go as well, but we just can't manage it.

The same day, October 9, is Joel's birthday.  I think it is cool that two of my best friends share the same birthday.

Jimmy
 

previous - next