Cat's Blog :: Covenspace

Sign-Up

Cat

Status:

at home

Updated:

Wednesday, Apr. 16 - 10:27 AM

High Profile

Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 10:59 PM [General]

10/15/08– 4:35 pm–I woke sporadically through the night, I’d eventually wake before the alarm and wait for it to sound, I continued laying in bed until the last minute; I got out of bed and started the car. I poured a cup of coffee, got my bag together, hit the bathroom and made it out the door by 5:25. Robert was doing his laps, Dom/Frank and Philomena were doing their thing, I said good morning to everyone; Nicole is beginning to seem odd. We never discussed how she felt about the sea salts, I threw the question out there, I think she may believe I’m keying on her; she’d tell me that she wasn’t with it this morning due to a death in the Family.
I’m starting to wonder about the drama of it all, I would think that anyone with as many piercing’s in her head would want a lot of attention, I told Nicole I was sorry to hear her news and headed for the pool. Dom/Frank and Phil spend their time treading water from one end to the other, I get my mile in 30 minutes and prepare to leave, I hear Nicole engaging Philomena and stop to talk about the show I saw on Frontline; how both McCain and Obama have impressed me. I don’t talk long and tell everyone I need to get to the gym, I’m out of the Y before 8am.
Today’s the opening day of the barber shop (High Profile) and I could use a shave/haircut, ½ price, why not; I also want to show my support for this fledgling business. I go down and find the shop empty, I thought it was 9am, it was 8:50; Mohammed would return with someone in his car. I thought the passenger was one of the shop’s barbers, he was a customer, it seemed they would make a habit of driving to get their customers today; I would also notice that I had been the only AA (cultural equivalent) to give them business this morning. They had charts on the wall for black/white and Latino heads, there is also an ad for the remaining booth’s rental. Mohammed calls himself Moe, he told me he could handle me when he finished with the guy he had with him, Duane would arrive and tell me that he had appointments until 11! I like these guys, even though it seemed I didn’t fit the profile of their target customer base, I’d called Pelham earlier and he returned my call while I was in the shop; he was telling me all the business he was now handling. I would find that M&D have high ambitions for the shop, it would prove to be one of the most comfortable shops I’ve ever been in, Moe asked how I wanted my cut; I told him to make it look good. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a barber use a straight razor, both of these guys use them, Moe would slap hot towels on me and ply his art; he seemed to have missed my mustache and beard. Being that my cut was half price, perhaps they were trying to hustle me out the door, I think they mainly wanted to immediately convey how busy they would be; get a flowing customer base viewed by the passing populace. I think the barbers may have wanted to present the fact that they’re well enough versed in their skills to cut everyone’s hair, it seemed they made a concerted effort not to have any AA’s frequent the shop, the last thing in the world they should want is to be viewed as culturally biased; nor will they want to present a hip hop face to the business community. Being that they’re now in the heart of the city, they need to keep a tight reign on the image they present to the public.
I’d asked Pelham about his camera’s zoom and freeze frame capabilities, I really wanted to see the camera in use, I’d looked out my office window to see a bush offset by two evergreens; the brilliance of it’s fall color starkly contrasted by them. I’d thought about lying on my back under the bush, taking the shot with the evergreens as a backdrop, then I’d see the hawk soaring past my living room window; the artist in me clamors to be heard. The imagery of life tugs at my spirit, even in the despair of a strangled economy, I can’t help but feel the effervescence of hope bubbling under this epidermis of pain; change is often very painful.
I’m in the process of changing my image and direction, when I’m not troubled, I’m ebullient; I merely want to do something that makes me happy and benefits those I come in contact with.
10/15/08– 10:58 pm–I’d been waiting for the debate to come on, thought I might have mistaken the time and date, I’d been watching Jeopardy when Kenny called; he’d tell me that he’s filing bankruptcy this coming Tuesday. He also told me that he’s been communicating with John Smith, hoping to get a leg up, that his calls are no longer being returned; he has the number of a lawyer that is looking to question anyone with knowledge of Tech Valley Printing. Devon had called earlier to ask about health care for his Son, I told him that the state of New York provides affordable care for him to use. Charlotte would call while I spoke with Kenny, I hate asking anyone to hold while I field another call, I knew I’d get back to her when I finished; I told Kenny to get the lawyer’s # to me and he said that he would.
I called Charlotte, I had a bad feeling, I’d thought of calling her today; I wouldn’t act upon that. I told her that I’d thought of her and I could feel her smile, I asked if she were ok, she told me that things were terrible; she was on the other line and asked if she could call me back, I said yes. Now I would stew on the possibility that she’d lost her job, she called back, she proceeded to tell me that she was planning to resign her position in the morning; I’m thinking that she’s just pissed off. She mentioned all these people constantly enveloping her in their negativity, their fears, from corporate to administrative to the blue collars and how she’s feeling inadequate as the result.
I’m of the impression that she just doesn’t know how to relate, how to diffuse potentially explosive situations, she takes everything far too personal; keep business just that, business. I told her that if someone came into her office with an attitude, she didn’t need to return it, she didn’t even need to experience it; she could calmly explain to that person that they would need to turn around and take the offensive posture back out the door they entered. She could explain to this person that they would be more than welcomed in her office when they got a handle on their emotions, when they could civilly discuss whatever issues were on their mind. She often reminds that she holds no grudges, I don’t need to because people find it hard to stay angry with me, when they return the door is opened wide; if not, Kenny would never be calling me.
She mentioned my taking baths, I’m not sure why, I told her that I bathed her well; it’s not the same as my soaks. We’d stay on the phone for more than an hour, she was noticeably more calm by the time I said goodnight, she knew that she would be; how much I anger her isn’t as important as how much I soothe her.
I told her that Cedar Hill won’t allow her to resign, she didn’t want to hear that, she’d eventually understand my reasons for that assessment; they won’t be able to get anyone else to put up with the stress levels Charlotte has been managing. Cedar Hill won’t be able to fill that position with one body if Charlotte resigns, no other applicant would be willing to go the distances she
maintains. I’m not sure she asked if she could call me later, it wasn’t important anyway!

0 (0 Ratings)

Tags: