I just took the hipster handbook quiz to see if I was a hipster or not. I scored a 67%. You need to score a 72% to qualify as a hipster. Whew. Like many areas of my life, I can fit in just fine, but don't really fully qualify or belong. There are some great pencil sketches of hipsters on the main page of that site too. But I always thought being anti-hipster was pretty hipster. Like being anti-punk rock was the most punk rock you can get. Along those lines, I've long thought that Republicanism is the new punk rock. In New York, anyway.Anyway, getting over a lingering illness. Feeling very weak right now. And in 20 minutes, I'm off to my guitar lesson at the smoked filled and swampy apartment of my teacher in the west village. I think he wakes up around 4 or 5 and takes a long hot shower. Every time I walk in, I want to run out screaming. It reminds me of when I was a small lad and would walk into the bathroom when my dad or someone was taking a shower so I could brush my teeth, and the steam was totally unbearable for me at such a young age (and mild temperament). I get used to it after a while, but I think that actually makes me feel worse. I'd rather it bother me for the entire hour and a half than think my lungs could get used to such poor quality air.
The other day, after writing about how I thought I was a better drummer than Charlie Watts and/or Ringo Starr, I was waiting for the bus at Bedford Ave., where I saw a sign for a band looking for a drummer. Among the qualifications was the line "Someone with a Charlie or Ringo sensibility." I thought for a half second about audition, but I'd probably be exposed for the fraud that I am. I guess all it takes is a modicum of talent and a lot of confidence. How Charlie Watts manages to keep a straight face after 40 years of playing the same beats, I'll never know. If I were in his position, I'd be yelling and laughing like a madman all of the day and all of the night.
Since finally breaking down and buying gloves last week, there have been some terribly frigid days, and I'm glad I splurged for the 5 dollar pair of gloves I bought on the street. My new grudge match is with umbrellas. I refuse to buy one. My apartment is so close to the subway, and the subway relatively close to work, that I never manage to get too wet during my commute. Plus, I always ending up spending 3 bucks for an umbrella I'll use less than 5 times before it breaks. I should just spring for a good umbrella, but I'm so used to my roommates taking them that even though I have no roommates now, I'm still convinced that I'll lose it somehow. There are no umbrellas in my house right now, and I know that there used to be at least two. I was just thinking about my anti-umbrella stance yesterday whilst enjoying my warm hands in my new gloves, and this morning I awoke to the sound of rain gently rapping at my windows. I figured I was due for a drenching. When I got into the shower I checked, and it was coming down all right. I thought, why can't it just turn to snow? Only utter fools use umbrellas in the snow, as everyone knows. So I got out of the shower and was listening to the radio, and lo and behold, I hear "And look, there are snow flakes coming down now. It's all turned to snow." So I was spared. Now I fully intend to trip in the snow and hurt myself in some way.
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