Sunday, August 05, 2007

A bad-temper day...

...which started with the usual dull ache in the approximate area of my soul, then got worse.

My friend D., the photographer, called: "We have a job to do tomorrow!" Then he told me where we have to go, which is a mere three hours from here (each way). Then I checked the weather report for tomorrow at the photo location: clear, 102 degrees.

I suggested we not go and say we did. That didn't go over with him.

And then I suggested that we wait and do this story four or five (or more) months from now, which is when we might -- might -- get paid. He didn't like that either.

I swear to you I absolutely cannot understand his ability to stay enthusiastic about this shit. If we were making good money from this magazine, I wouldn't mind working up a bit of a sweat to get the job done. If they paid on time, I might be able to reply in words of more than four letters when told that we have a "story."

Since neither is true, my enthusiasm is, shall we say, well hidden.

Not long after I hung up the phone and got my blood pressure back down to its usual excessive rate, I happened to hear a radio commercial for the Hollywood Bowl. Such spiels usually float right in one ear and out the other. But then I heard the magic words:

Diana Krall.

I looked up the website, ready to buy tickets (which I can't afford, but hey, it's Diana Krall) for both of her performances. Then I looked at the dates.

I have committed to be 400 miles away on both nights. Can't get out of the trip unless I die, and even then I'd have a hard time making the shows.

There aren't many singers that grab me that way, and most of them have long since tapped out. I really needed the fix, Jim.

This has gotten to be a pretty joyless scene. And it seems each new event -- or non-event, in the case of the concerts -- does nothing to stop the growth of that big ball of anger and frustration in my gut.

Doing work I am coming to dislike more and more each day is bad enough. When I can't even listen to the music I love (which is not just sweet, swingin' gal singers, but that has tie-ins to other kinds of music for me) there is less and less reason to put up with the aggravations.

Might as well just find a cave somewhere. Can't make anything good happen.

9 comments:

Kimmywoo said...

Yeah Diana Krall. She's pretty sexy! I can see the reasoning for ditching it all and going to see her sing!

MrScribbler said...

If only I could, Kim....

Anonymous said...

Try this: Grow a (longer) beard, wear a diaper on your head and a sheet for clothes, and root around in those dark, damp caves in Afghanistan. Find UBL and take him out, collect the Gazillion dollar reward, tell all those publishers to kiss your ass, and hire Diana Krall to give you your on personal concert at your place every Saturday night.

Whatdayathink?

Seriously, I'm always saddened when I hear of a good person like you, Scribbs, get jacked around like that. Hope something good happens for you soon, friend. :)

MrScribbler said...

l&s -- What if OBL offers me 72 Diana Kralls in paradise?

Well, not her, exactly, 'cause she's not a...but you know what I mean....

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry Scribbs. I've had a pretty down day myself.

Gill

John0 Juanderlust said...

Maybe you'll find the lost treasure of Cortez out there in the blazing heat. Could happen.
I hope something crosses your path that sparks enthusiasm. I wish for you what I'd wish for me.

MrScribbler said...

John -- where I'm going, it's more likely I'll run into a swarm of illegals asking for a ride to L.A.

Anonymous said...

102 degrees. Whew.

Beard and Diaper on your head, eh? Make sure to get one picture with you in it.

Take care, Scribbs. I hope things look brighter in the morning.

paulafrances said...

diana krall...awesome. 'nough said.
:)