And, had wondered where he was, not seen this year, a fixture on Baker or in front of 7-11, long bearded, playing his banjo.
The obituaries confirm he passed away, read with interest, he was about the age when it's no longer a surprise.
But the obituary, predeceased by 5 of his children and 1 grand child - My God!
One wonders at all the tragedies other people carry inside of them, writ not on the flesh or in conversation but there nonetheless and somehow they've healed, moved on, or well hidden it from the casual passers-by
***
Work, busy working but not busy at work. Doubles, days aimlessly without purpose, barely a living, and this jeep hunt, without wheels, well...it could be a lot swifter. The bank, despite promising to call, has reached out to me with no arms (or legs or phones or fingers) and so I'll be a calling them Monday. The private-sale deals always several times better than the those offered on the lots, but you need to have the ready cash, be prepared...
***
Thursday night off, hit the Art Gallery, small new exhibition, then later to the Royal for an Afro-Columbian dance party. That despite the lack of Africans in town (a few, but hardly enough to pack a dance hall). Plenty of Latinos though. The place fills up, the usual suspects, people in your neighbourhood, some very good dancers, some not at all, to this style of music I'm in the "Not at all" category and keep to the back of the dance floor, the rhythms, complex, impossible to keep moving to...
***
And the new, young good looking waiter, who's handwriting represented nothing so much as a "Calvin & Hobbes" Ransom note:
dismissed, he had a few tables, to-go orders, deliveries, unfortunately all at once, and he crashed and burned. Big time. Nice kid, but not everyone is cut out for this.
...
Bringing us to today, Saturday, at the library with my book, last night worked, sent the other waitress home, gave her the night off, with the hopes that if tonight proved the same she'd return the favour. So I'm waiting and will see, not that there's anything on tonight (rave in the Cave up in the Meadows, only - I'd need wheels) - but - a night off is a night off, there's never any complaining about freedom and I have plenty of other things to occupy my time...