Hoboken
Emails Found on my Old Computer, Episode #4
Last night, seven and a half years later, I saw the same band at the same club. Could’ve sworn that had been a Valentine’s weekend show, but maybe that’s because the band, Higgins, handed out a CD in a Russell Stover heart box with chocolates inside. The chocolates and box are long gone, as are [...]
I’ll try to rest my voice for a while.
In what I’m guessing was summer 2003 (I was a new cellphone owner, and we were at war with Iraq), my friend-since-junior-high Jeff was visiting from San Francisco. We would be meeting up later with our other friend Steve. I was greatly looking forward to the day. The only problem: I lost my voice! I [...]
September Remembered
I don’t get into work real early. I used to, in the early ’90s I guess, but it wasn’t really in my true nature. Anyway, that’s why I wasn’t yet in Manhattan when the towers were struck on September 11, 2001. I was all ready to go in. Showered, shaved. In the mornings I listen [...]
Memorial Day Sense Memory
With mom-and-pop establishments sealed up tight on national holidays, we—the non-food-preparers—must rely on the kindness of chain restaurants. And that’s how I ended up at my local Qdoba Mexican Grill for lunch today. (I don’t know where dinner will be, but Blimpie is on the short list.) For about a month, a sign has been [...]
Emails Found on my Old Computer, Episode #3
10/12/03 i was walking out of benny’s [pizzeria], and saw benny sitting outside. “i was looking for you!” he says. “i want you to call this girl.” he pulls out a receipt with a name and number written on it in black Sharpie. “Nice girl,” he says. I ask, “What’s her story? Is she tall? [...]
I Needed to Deliver a Package
After a day marked by anxiety which I couldn’t quite pinpoint as job-related or should-I-or-shouldn’t-I-make-a-mix-CD-for-a-girl-related, I was just happy to be home. Alas, my work was not yet done. I picked up a small package inside the vestibule of my apartment building. It was not for me or, for that matter, for any of the [...]
Barbers I Have Known
A friend, having returned from the hairdresser, told me, “You’re lucky you’re a boy. You can get your hair done in five minutes for five bucks.” True enough. But it’s not to say that a special bond can’t develop between a boy and his barber. The shop itself is a special world of masculinity, celebrated [...]
Jack Silbert, curator