Remembering "Labor Day"

As I sat in pain I reminisced about when times were good, when I had my own home, a good job and paid bills.

 I am not about to go into politics now and blame the current President for the corporate greed and attempt at economic subjugation that corporations are doing with the complicity of a congress bought and paid for with stolen money.

I am going to reflect on Labor Day.  I will reflect on the end of a wonderful summertime in the not so distant past.  

Quite frankly, tomorrow looks kind of dim and so many of my ‘working class’ friends are barely working and so many of my ‘middle class’ friends are struggling to stay in the middle.  I find myself alone at the bottom of a depression, economic and psychological.  My fear is that my friends in the middle and the working classes are near the edge of ruin and will join me in this depression.

So, in the name of motivation I will repost a Labor Day article written in better times.  Thanks for hanging with me.  And to Deak and my staff, out on vacation, out getting high, out finding work or just out of desire, please find the spirit to give a fuck.   So here it is:

Labor Day and other National Observances
I got to Bronko’s early Friday evening to catch the baseball games and the football game. I was rung out from busting my ass getting my yard squared away and making sure my wood gets stacked for the winter 
(fuck the oil companies and may all the curses in the book of Deuteronomy be upon every profiteering asshole in them). I sat in my chair, dazed from the day and hurting all over, staring into oblivion as I sat down.

“Hey, are you O.K.?" “G” looked at me like I was getting ready to go ballistic on someone. “Yeah, I’m O.K., just looking forward to getting away from long island” can I get a glass of tonic water “G”? “O.K. just tell me what the hell is going on with you, your not like yourself at all”, “G” then brought me the tonic water and I told her about my Uncle being in the hospital and just feeling like I don’t belong anywhere.

I then told her I wish there was some reason to celebrate before Labor Day, some reason to share a day with a friend. I also told her I haven’t heard from a lady I know for some time and wonder if she is alright. 

“G” said, “there is always a reason to celebrate and August is full of days to celebrate and observe.” I have no hard time looking at “G” she is 41, 25, 36 and is built like she’s 25, her beautifully accented Etruscan facial features tell of a woman a little older.

The fact I went to school with her and knew her since she was eight, and that she shows off pictures of her newborn grandson tells you a lot more about how old she really is. 

“G” is still drop dead, jaw dropping gorgeous and the summer clothes she wears keeps men drooling. I almost forgot we were talking about celebrations and observations. “Exactly what are you talking about “G”?”

“Stop staring at my tits and look me in the eye, now there are a lot of observations this month that you can share with people RJ.” O.K., tell me what you know “G”. So off and on between drinks “G” gave me an education about the months of August and September. These are just some of the things she let me know about:

1) Monday the 25th is National Banana Split Day. Its also Kiss and Make Up Day.

2) Tuesday the 26th is Women’s Equality Day a/k/a Susan B. Anthony Day. “G” was quite particular about letting me know how important this holiday is to her.

3) Thursday the 28th is Dream Day (Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech during civil rights rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1963.) I did not know that this was a day of observance on the National Calendar. I was surprised a genius bartender knew this and I didn’t.

4) Saturday, August 30th is National Toasted Marshmallow Day. I told “G” she had to be kidding and making this shit up. “G” said “if you actually start buying yourself a drink instead of sipping tonic water I’ll tell you some observations in September that could be a lot of fun.

So I bought a beer and we continued this conversation between her serving drink while men drooled looking at her seriously sensuous cleavage. I started to think about ways to observe some of these days in a quiet special way. I also thought about some people I would like to share them with.

“G” started up again about September and the back to the grind mentality everyone has after Labor Day. I said yeah, “because there are no National Observances during September, I do know of some cultural observances but really nothing to actually ‘observe’.” “G” said “you really need to get a life and learn to live it…let me tell you what’s going on next month:

5) “The first week in September is National Payroll Week.” “‘G’ what is the purpose of this why spend a whole week celebrating a paycheck that gets spent in hours.” 

“Listen RJ National Payroll Week celebrates the hard work by America's 156 million wage earners and the payroll professionals who pay them. 

Together, through the payroll withholding system, they contribute, collect, report and deposit approximately $1.7 trillion, or 64.2%, of the annual revenue of the U.S. Treasury.” Great follow to Labor Day."

6) “The second week of September is both Assisted Living Week and Suicide Prevention Week RJ.” “I can understand Suicide Prevention Week following National Payroll Week, either you lament a lousy wage, job or unemployment to the point of depression or get upset realizing your taxes are financing the shipping of our jobs overseas ‘G’”.

7) “The third week of September is Constitution Week RJ.” “Really ‘G’”. “Yeah, you should know this Mr. History Man, the Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 106), designated September 17 as "Citizenship Day," and by joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 108), requested that the President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as "Constitution Week." (I didn’t know that and I was impressed she did).

8) “The fourth week of September is Deaf Awareness Week, Dog Week, and Banned Books Week RJ." “How is it you know all this ‘G’?” “My kids are in the education business, but I will read the blog during Banned Books week…which, if an employer caught employees reading could get you banned from the office RJ.”

“So did we find a reason for you to look forward to tomorrow RJ?” 

“Your fine European frame is enough to get me to look forward to tomorrow, now I just have something to consider doing during the coming days and weeks. Thanks for the pep talk ‘G’.” I stuck around to shoot pool to the late night side of morning. I won every game, I just couldn’t miss.

(Posted 8/24/2008)

RJ

KILLCODE: HITING THE CHARTS & CAUSING SOME BUZZ

Entertainment News

Non-Fiction / Event

Tuesday night at Game On was kind of slow.  The bartender slated for work that night didn't make it and Carol Lee got called in.  Jimmy cooked a whole lot of buffalo wings which he didn't do until late.  The few regulars who were there thinned out.

Thats when Erric Bonesmith of KILLCODE showed up with Little Mike.  Erric was really happy and buzzing about his bands upcoming gigs and the following their getting.  Erric did an impromptu interview at Game On with lightning as a backdrop. This interview will be appearing on Facebook and youtube sometime soon.

So here is what you need to know:   

:::KILLCODE:::  Date: Sat, Sep 08, 2012 07:00 PM  Onsale To General Public : Wed, Jul 25, 2012 10:00 AM EST Ticket Price: $15.00

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Supporting act(s): Breakage Rising , Brothers , Reserved for Rondee , Star Killer Age Restriction: 16+ unless accompanied by an adult Join us for Happy Hour! Drink specials every night for two hours after doors open Tickets subject to all applicable facility fees and service charges. Please note we may cancel any ticket orders that exceed the published ticket limit. Tickets may not be available in all price levels and sections. Small personal cameras are allowed in the venue. Commercial photography, flash photography, professional cameras and recording devices are not permitted.

Start making plans right now.  If you don't know what their music sounds like go to their website at myspace or google "KILLCODE".

RJ

Chip & Mindy

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Major Virus Warning: Very Serious Threat

Trojan:W32/Reveton: "Ransomware"

Non-Fiction/ News/ Informational

This is no joke.  There is a new virus classified as "Ransomware" by F-Secure.  This virus masquerades as an FBI warning that your computer has been used to distribute 'child pornography' and freezes your P.C.   

Then a warning with the FBI logo comes up and tells you where to send money to 'unlock your computer'.   You get this virus through e-mail labeled as 'FBI' warnings or compromised web sites.

This warning is currently being broadcast by CNN, the BBC and published in the Huffington Post.   Do not open any e-mail from the FBI or with an FBI reference.  Delete it immediately.

If you get this virus contact an Information Technology Professional.

RJ

Knowing Your Turbans: How To Properly Discriminate

Knowing Your Turbans: How To Properly Discriminate

Sunday I went to the Shamrock in Freeport to fetch myself a cold one.  It was early afternoon when I ran into a local barfly ranting about ‘towel heads’.   

The bartender had Fox News on and the volume was muted.  Sam, the barfly in his late 30’s, talked so much venomous trash about them ‘muslims’ and “what the fuck they were doing with a mosque that big in Wisconsin anyway.”

I just wanted to get up and leave.  I just had to get away from that kind of nasty fucking, spirit sapping, mind scalding hate speak…but the radical in me took charge and I was possessed by the spirit of Malcolm X to educate and enlighten my ‘ignorant’ brethren.  As the sarcasm set in I put a smile on my face, seeing plainly the fun I was going to have.

“Yo’ Sam, your right about towel-heads and mosques, but them aint towel-heads and that sure the fuck isn’t a mosque.”  Sam said, “Yes it is”.  I said, “no it aint…turn up the volume.”   Even the Fox Network mentioned the victims were Sikh’s.  “What’s the difference between a Sikh and your garden variety towel head?” 

I said, “Sam, my all American ignorant fuck, let me explain it to you.  Sikh’s have fought with, protected and defended the anglo saxon peoples for the last 100 to 200 years.  Sihkism is a religion that broke from Hinduism and Sikh’s are educated, purposed and peaceful folks who will join in to fight for a right cause in a heartbeat.”  Sam said, “yeah, how do you know?”

“Sam, young man, I graduated high school and went to a place called ‘college’.  Let me tell you some fast facts about the Sikh’s: 1)The Sikh’s had their own kingdom in East India and Pakistan before the British took it from them around 1850, 2) There was a Sikh regiment in the British Army and Sikh’s serve in both the British Army and India’s Army,

3) The Sikh’s fought the Boer War with the British in South Africa, World War 1, World War 2 and serve to this day 4) Sikh’s were instrumental in securing India’s independence by forming the Indian Army and the mutiny of India’s Navy when under British control.”  Sam attempted to get a word in edgewise but I steamrolled on because he was confused and having a hard time with hard facts.

I said “Sikh’s in America have served since WW1 and uniform regulations have been codified for the uniform wearing of the ‘turban’ in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.  Sikh’s have lived in America for at least a hundred years and are in finance, medicine, education and the government.”  Sam blurted “OK, YOU KNOW EVERY FUCKIN THING…how can you tell a Sikh from an Arab asshole!

“Sam my man, terrorists and Arabs usually don’t where head dress in the United States and when they do it is in ‘Arab tradition’ that is called a keffiyeh, shmagh, ghutrah and an Arabic scarf.  Arab head dress always drapes down over the head, the Sikh wears his turban’s bound up with one piece of fabric.  That’s the difference my ignorant ethnocentric beer guzzling buddy.”

Sam said “your probably one of those liberals that screams for gun control aren’t you?”  I said, “hell no, I am a common sense conservative who pleads for gun ownership by everyone.  If a Sikh had a deacon or steward in their congregation who was packing, like black churches do, that asshole in Wisconsin would have died before he got off the second round.”

Sam asked “Black Churches have people packing heat in service?”  “Yeah Sam, why do you think they lock the doors at offering time?”  Sam said “I got to get the fuck out of here” and left.  I did the same a few minutes later.   What is sad is that Sikh churches will eventually be a lot more like Black Churches.  So much for living the First Amendment without Second Amendment backup.

RJ

The Depression, the Struggle & the Medication

The Depression, the Struggle and the Medication

Candy and I had just come from Miller’s Ale House on Hempstead Tpke., generally a decent place to eat but on that rainy Thursday, the food, the service, the overall attitude of the management and even the mixed drinks sucked. 

 Although I got plenty of excuses and the general refrain, you know “sorry you feel this way” I only got angry and left with Candy for the ‘Game’.

Some of the regulars were in attendance, the Met Fan rode in on his subcompact billboard, Big Bro, Bossman and Isley were hanging out and a few hot young girls from the pool hall floated in.  


Bossman left early with Isley when a parade of craziness started.   Slim sold his house and came into the 'Game'  tore up from the floor up, only to find Shmack, with his little old bald head gleaming in the dark, hot on Slim’s heels.

Slim was wearing his shoes on the wrong foot, his eyes were on fire and after talking to Shmack, his nose was running like he had allergies in early spring.   As more people came in the crazier it got.  Bossman and Isley returned only to find that a bunch of hot girls were in the Game, including Emily, looking real good in a summer dress that totally got one thinking naughty thoughts.

Candy struck up several conversations with the dregulars who all reported on the same topics, “I lost my job; still looking for a job, trying to make ends meet, under employed, can’t pay the bills, can’t make payroll, can’t find the way out of the hole…”  One poor bastard staggering in out of the dark said “I can’t find my way home.”  When the ‘Flower Man’ found his license, Krizz’ee called a cab which did find the way home.

Emily followed Bossman to the back and the conversation got heated.  Bossman didn’t have any interest in Emily and she didn’t want to be handed off to Isley like yesterday’s leftovers.  Emily was struggling, her boyfriend was back in jail, she was late on the rent, the fridge was empty and she needed to get some food and have some fun, she wanted to forget for just a little while.

Emily eventually caved and talked to Isley for a while.   As the night went on people put on their happy faces and did forget after I played the kind of tracks that kind of mellowed the place out, that on contributions from patrons who wanted Slim to stay away from the jukebox.  Acid rock got old after the first so called song. 

Candy got into a conversation with a lady who was discussing her medication, she was on anti-depressants to deal with her life.  Sadie told Candy, “my brother died recently, my kid is in the children’s hospital with scarlet fever and septis, my job cut my hours and I might loose my health insurance and on top of all that my ex-husband wants to take me to court over the house.  I can’t stand much more.”

Candy went on with her conversation with Sadie as I walked out the door for some fresh air.  I heard another conversation which I was asked to comment on about the price of electricity and why nobody wants to take LIPA to court.  I did know something about this and said, “LIPA barely has enough power plants to keep the lights going and the cable from Connecticut doesn’t work – but you will surely pay.”

One of the hot little honey’s from the pool hall passed out in Slim’s car and all the sudden slim and Shmack had to leave, with honey still passed out in the car.  One of the female patron’s in the bar got to Slim before he could get in his ride and went off on him.  She made it clear that if anything happened to that girl what she would do to him and Shmack…she knows where Schmack lives.  

Slim had plenty of cash from selling his house, but he didn’t want plenty of trouble, since he needed to leave town as clean as possible.  Yeah, Slim had other problems too.  Slim drove off with Schmack and the girl.  Candy was pissed at me for not stopping Slim, but I told her, “nothing is going to happen to that girl”.  Ten minutes later Slim came back to report the girl got home safe and he dropped Shmack off to the only bitch who cares for him…his dog.

It was late July and the news that was on one of the T.V’s scrolled the news that Sally Ride, America’s first female astronaut was dead.

What was also reported was her relationship to her longtime lady lover that Ride had kept quite secret in her lifetime.  

This news brought a smiling happy Candy to misery and anger.  I knew then it was time to leave.

 

Enough of Depression, Struggle and Medication.  

There are some conversations that smart people stay away from and wise people totally avoid.  I don’t know which one of these people I could be accused of being but either description would probably be wrong.

RJ