Travel Journal June 8th 2008

I wanted to write about the party and hanging out with John and Randall, but I’m at bub’s now and I just want to write about how fucked up it is in this house. No. Just changed my mind. I think I will write about how much fun I had in the past couple days, because I just really don’t want to harp on how miserable it is here in this house.

It is Sunday. On Friday I hung out with Randall and Nebish. I picked up Rand from his house and then we drove over to West Philly to get John from HMS. It was good to see the two of them. There was a sense of ease being around the two of them. We did some errands for John. I had to drive him around down town so he could pay some bills. Then we found this simply amazing Burmese restaurant to eat dinner at. It was a lovely meal. Then we rolled back to Randall’s house and hung out there for a few hours. It went for a while longer than I expected, because I thought that Rand just wanted to be alone or do his own thing, but it turned out to be a really satisfying evening, just chilling out and being friends. When I finally dropped him off at Lisa’s where he was house sitting he seemed like he was ready to pass out.

Yesterday, Saturday, I drove out to 40^th and Spruce to meet the big guy at the copacabanna where I found him having a beer and salivating over a bartender. It was great to just sit there and shoot the shit with him. We ended up walking around and found ourselves at Clark Park where there was some sort of music festival going on. It was facinating to be there and watch all the people in their youth. Echoes of a time I could have been a part of. A time I was a part of. We came just as the last band was getting done and they sounded just like Syd Barret Pink Floyd. The next band was the perfect mix of rawness, talent, and enthusiasm to make a great punk band despite not having the look. It was heartening to hear them and I actually asked them for a cd but they only had a 7 inch. Even their choice of recording media was punk rock! We ran into Sue, a girl who I had known from the 42^nd and Chestnut street days. We also saw Tim Dunn. He looked exactly the same; the same smile, pushing along the same lo-fi bike, as in as much of a hurry to get somewhere else as he ever was. The only difference was the grey in his hair and that there was a little less of it.

On our way back to the car John almost passed out. He was not doing well. At first I thought he was just uncomfortable, but he was really feeling bad and we had to sit down on a bench in front of a small stone church. I ran to get him water. When I got back he was smoking a cigarette. I must admit I had to question his judgement at that point, but once he had a chance to drink a little he seemed to regain some strength. It had not been that long ago since he had complete renal failure and almost died, and he had been drinking for an hour before I had met up with him at the Copa. While we had been sitting there he told me that I was a foundation for him. That when he needed strength he would think of me. I thank God for that. I thank God that despite what I think of myself, there is still a light that shines in me that love can see and respond to. I’m greatful for that.

We got to Patty’s and started drinking and eating bar BQ. It was great to see everyone. Even Yasmin, a friend from MySpace showed up. I don’t even really know what to say about it except that I had a great time seeing everyone. It was wonderful. Really wonderful. As the evening moved along we tried to play a game of scrabble, but it only lasted for one round before Patty realized she was too faded to be able to maintain the focus necessary to play. Yasmin’s competitiveness was revealed however. I could see it in her eyes once we got started that she wanted to win badly. It was adorable. As the evening drew to a close it was time for poker. Patty busted out the poker chips and Nebish, Kevin, Rutledge, Patty, and I sat down for a game. Nebish kicked ass. Chris revealed that he is a sore loser. Kevin split as did John. It was odd and somewhat sad. He just got up and left even though he had a far way to go and I would have been happy to drive him home if he had just let me sleep a little. But I know how he is and I know there is nothing I can do to change his mind once he gets an idea into his head. The three remaining indians crashed out. I woke up earlier than I should have. I don’t think I was as drunk as I had expected to be and I wasn’t really feeling very hung over. Patty and I watched some Star Trek and I went home.

I got home and after dropping mom off at her work I jetted over to Gordon’s house to see him and his beautiful kids. I wonder if and when I have children if I will spoil them. I don’t imagine that I will, but then who knows? I am surprised to see that Kelt is completely spoiled, and so is Erin really. There has just got to be some kind of middle ground between being neglectful and hanging on every frown that crosses the face ones children. It was great to talk to him though. His babies are amazing. Kelt is really a character. It was really nice to see Kathy too. I expect to spend quite an amount of time with the two of them.

Then I spent some time over at Ellen and Steven’s. It was really great to see the whole family together. They are really such an amazing crew of people. Ellen is so sweet. I do think I can see the difference in her that meditating has done. It is hard to accurately assess just what goes on with that family, but for the most part it does seem like they are really good happy well adjusted people. On the whole. They are good. I sat with Ellen in her meditation room and watched her fish with her. I was amazed to see that Steven has a complete electric drum set. Very cool.

I picked up mom and watched the end of the celtics-lakers game. Regardless of how things go, it is nice to see the lakers down by two. Now it is time to go to bed.