Labor Day

I appreciate that on Holidays at the gig, they essentially pay me (very well) for showing up. Generally there's not much to do, however, I do believe that the company that manages the software we use (for our top secret tasks) has planted a holiday bug within the program. Every time I work a holiday, I find myself having to call their help desk to work on some problem. Other than my suspicions, it's what I like to call suave dinero. And I don't mind because after so many years I've probably been conditioned not to be around on Holidays and thus I rarely if ever show up to holiday events, with the exception of Christmas and New Year's Eve.

If was a rest day (no training) so I came on home, only to discover there was a "block party" going on around the corner. In case you don't know what a block party is, it's when a neighborhood blocks off (and that's not why it's called a block party but it could be) a street from traffic and parking and such, and sets up grills, games and a sound system in the street and the neighbors gather and socialize. It's actually a great way to get to know your neighbors, if you have the mind to do so.

Like everything else in this world/city/neighborhood - nothing is as it was. Back in the day we'd actually have a band or two performing, a DJ and some basketball courts sets up. My street is pretty long...it's a city block (which is why they are called "block parties")

Labor Day 2004

Today I arrived to a bad DJ, playing bad music, (badly) on a bad sound system. I eased into my spot in the late afternoon and actually managed to sleep a few hours through the racket. Although I had plenty to complain about... I disciplined myself not to; reminding my consciousness that they are (probably) enjoying themselves and that I'd be able to focus myself into not hearing the noise.

It worked.

There are a handful of reason I am anxious to leave here. A major reason is the neighborhood, and specifically the way it's changed. And, the way it's changed has to do with a bigger picture of how America has changed. Without going into a nostalgic rant - when I was growing up, everyone here had jobs. It was a middle class neighborhood. Middle class, to me, didn't have a price tag on it - it was better defined (in hindsight) as having the ability for a sole bread-winner to support a family (several families in my 'hood numbered 7 or more, excluding adults), pay the mortgage - primarily we were a neighborhood of home-owners - own a vehicle or two and still keep money in the bank for vacations.

Times then seemed to be good, or maybe (I) we were simply too young and unaware to realize what was happening. Mom & Dad did a pretty good job of keeping us comfortable. The world eased in on us little by little.

The kids round here today only know their own lifetime experiences. They really like the music I think is crap, because they don't know any better. Even when you hear "old" music for the first time and like it, it's not like hearing it for the first-first time, and growing up with it.

Anyway. I'll be happy to leave here... sell the place... whenever and go exploring.

I think I'll make a good hermit eventually.. or maybe I'll discover my tribe along the way.