It’s a gorgeous day, I’d say almost the perfect day weather-wise. After three days of grueling humid, ninety plus heat; a mid seventies day is wonderful.
I trucked my son off to summer camp at 8:30am. It’s his third day. I was told yesterday he was bored in the afternoon because he couldn’t participate in pool activities (2:30-5:30 daily) and felt for him. One kid splashed his cast (broke his arm 1 month ago), and with the hindrance, his activity is limited. Mornings, he seems to be fine.
I brainstormed for something to keep him occupied during this boring time. I was the master of self-entertainment as a child, whatever was around, I’d utilize it – create something to do. When Shane was little I had a whole class of kids (age 5) on the playground putting pennies on their elbows and trying to catch them- showing them how to stack them and catching the bunch; If you’d seen all the pennies flyin you would have laughed. I must have lost a dollar’s worth, but it was all worth the entertainment. I remembered Reggie, the homeless guy who made instruments out of pipes, buckets, iron grates and everything around him on the street and the light bulb went off. Since Shane hasn’t had the ability to practice his drums, I thought he could drum. Smacking the sticks into cement, tree trunks, whatever makes sound- experimenting with sounds and tones… that’s entertainment AND practice. Besides, I think there’s a fascination with drummers that might attract others who play instruments, attract others in general. I placed his sticks in his bag and told him my thoughts- he liked the idea.
Later, I thought there is more than one way to use a drumstick. There is the swordplay, burying it in the dirt, and a whole bunch of other scenarios occurred to me… I’d have to hope for the best and NO I didn’t suggest it- that’d just be asking for trouble. Fortunately, his behavior is good.
I woke my daughter out of a deep sleep to be Cinderella. Despite her tired woes, she needed to spend some time to help clean the house. In a few hours, she’d be at her best friends birthday party for the full day, and once again the “clean up” would be back in parental hands. Once again, I’m lucky to have another responsible child, so for now- I keep my fingers crossed. It all starts early, everyone- if you don’t hammer it into them as “littles”, you can’t correct poor behavior later- take my advice and nip it in the bud, if you don’t, YOU pay for it later.
I evaluated the bills this past weekend and overestimated the funds. Over the next few weeks we’re forced to live with little money. I’ve lived from paycheck to paycheck before- definitely nothing new, but it’s forced me to put a serious cap on Best Bar Wednesdays. I’ve banked out $20.00 and made myself a vow to tighten the straps of self-control. Ten dollars per bar- most likely one drink, possibly two. I left a message with JT about abandoning the trip to Coney Island until better funds were available. Being shore side with nothing would really be painful, so I told him perhaps he’d enjoy a scenic Manhattan walk.
The two bars scheduled today are Olde Town Bar on 18th and Oneil’s on Grand Street. Both look like places I could sit for hours with drinks, engage in fascinating conversation and lose myself. Olde Town had its share of literary types through the years, which included Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes). His book jacket is autographed to the bar and framed along with other signed jackets. The place is close to Grammercy Park, and Union Square. I printed out a map of the streets to guide me from one to the other. If you’ve read, you certainly know how easy it is for me to get lost in the labyrinth of streets down THAR.
No bells and whistles, no hullaballoo, just a gorgeous day for a walk and an early planned departure- if only I could make a living doing this.
Tomorrow- the really story of Best Bar Wednesday- Olde Town Bar & Oneil’s; see ya then.