Post X-Mas CD Burning Frenzy

Hellooooo

Well another X-mas has gone by, and I made it thru another visit to Pennsyltucky. It was an ok scene there at the in-laws house. We saw several unexpectedly funny movies. From Elvis in "Jailhouse Rock" to the hip Indie film "Napoleon Dynamite"... they were cool. Even "Dodgeball"! Ben Stiller is in every film now however.

I've just finished burning a few CD's off the old I-Tunes. They include Velvet Revolver, The Libertines, as well as a band from LA called The 88. I shall let you know how they all fare. I am too lazy to search and put links in to each name. Suffice to say, as I listen, and enjoy them, I will put them in future postings.

I hope that the folks in Asia and Africa get by. Even Cynical old me who laughs at most major world events... I am unusually troubled by the earthquake/tsunami's that devastated that part of the world. I hear it's up to 22K dead now. Yikes. Even was felt in Thailand where my old friend Ben Smith is, ..... even though he does not like my blog, I still hope he is ok (Hi Ben) .

Well that's about it. Time to hit the gym.

Another weekend has gone

And here it is , I'm sitting on the precipice of the working week, and I find that I really just can't be bothered as the emotionally repressed British would say. I'm not saying that I'd rather bury my head under the covers for a week, but... Wait, that's exactly what I'm saying!! it would be cool to sleep for weeks and weeks and days and days. ......

For our Goyish readers, it is Jesus' Birthday coming up at the end of this week. I know, a huge, big yawn is happening right now as I'm typing this, because I could care less. All I know is that we have another 4 day weekend in Swatera Township, Pa at my in-laws house. I've become very adept at watching the paint crack in the ceiling, and counting the ceiling tiles.. Oh well. Once we get this visit over with, then we don't have to go back for ages and ages. Not that I don't like my in-laws, they're nice people.

I'm just a fan of my routine! I will have to bring a full bottle of Tylenol PM so I can at least go on the nod for a while.

I'm trying to psyche myself up for lots of gospel, and christian music and one of them hams that they cook.... sigh.

Can u believe that they named GW Bush as Time "Man of the Year"? Don't make me vomit.

Surreal Wedding

Well the part time job at the candy/chocolate/gum/cough drop conglomerate is turning into a full time job. I worked 29.5 hours this past week, and I'm bound to work close to 40 this upcoming week. I soo don't think it's going to last any long time, the job is too easy, and they are paying me way too much.

But hey, that's for them to find out. The people seem nice and the people at Cadbury seem to be quite the international group. They even got a couple of South African kids! Go figure. Of course, they have a company store as well, gotta love those low priced chocolate goods!

Vick and I are off to a wedding of an old Sincoff family friend. To say it will be an experience is putting it mildly. While I quite like the family, the guy who is getting married is the living embodiment of Beavis and Butt-head, at least he was when we went to high school and elementary school together :)

Should be wild to revisit all of those painful high school memories! OH BOY!

You might be wondering

Why I mentioned a chocolate factory in the last posting. Well, Dear Reader, it just so happens that I have been offered a contracting position at a major confectionary company. You can say that they offered me a "sweet" deal. HA HA HA HA HA .

I am not gonna name drop who it is. Those in the know in my life will know who it is, those others who may be browsing.... I'm sure they will figure it out in time.

On a totally different note, Neil Young is looking pretty scraggly these days, right??! I just saw an advertisement for his Greatest Hits album. Sheesh.... it makes you think is it him, or his son who is the autistic one! LOL

Ethan Sincoff & The Chocolate Factory

YES!!

I am back working once again. Let me tell you when it rains, it pours. Today, out of nowhere I got a job offer, and really really really really really great money! In fact, 2 other employers had scheduled interviews w/ me, and I had to cancel them, unfortunately. The money was that great. We're gonna be swimming in it!

About time I wrote about some good gnews, right????? Now, only if John Kerry could have been elected :)

Turn, Turn , Turn (the Byrds Song)

Yes, in the spirit of healing and reconciliation that has stormed America, it is time for another Post here in the blog of Ethan. Actually, I don't feel like America is healed, and I STILL think George W. Bush is a cunt, and all of Florida and Ohio should be ashamed of themselves, but I digress here. :) I'm past that now.

Things are looking up, up up on the job front. There are several major players that are interested in bringing me into their midst's. One of them is a major Non Profit Trust, based in New York City (and, YES I think I can work in a brownstone on the Upper East Side!), the other is at a big time confectionery Company (nice peeps, love the chocolate and the gum), and the third is a major Mail Order Pharmaceutical Company.

Now, the reason why I don't name names is that in order to avoid the previous weeks' drama, I don't want some Schmegegee Googling me, and saying "Ethan why do you reference us" ..... So I'm not about to !

I hit the gym today and did 60 minutes on the cross trainer, yet I still can not sleep. Go figure.

Watched a disturbing Brazilian Documentary called "Bus 174" Tonight. They really do have the problemo with the street kids over there!! Alas, that is President Lula's problem, and not mine!

A Funny thing happened on the way to the telephone

I don't know if you noticed it, but the old blogster here is a few postings short. That's right, apparently the company I temped at (and we all know who that is, I mean, I write this for myself, and Vicki!) did not like the way they were referenced . They asked the agency that put me there to have me change/delete postings that very vaguely mentioned people..

As opposed to making a whole schpiel about "free speech" and stuff, I just deleted the postings. For some reasons, the postings still do show up under my profile when you click on the profile, however the postings themselves are deleted, wacky, wacky stuff, right? It would be nice if the agency were calling me repeatedly going "Ethan, ohmigod, we have multiple job postings from clients we want to put you in touch with"... but that tain't the case me boyo!

Props to Yasser Arafat for being in a coma!

SHOCK

Well, it's over. What can I say? Everything we hoped, wished and worked for did not end up as enough. I Truly don't understand America, and what the people here want. Don't get it. Don't get why people in like Ohio would vote AGAINST their economic status to put a big business loving prick like George W. Bush in for another 4 years.

Religious Right, baby. They are powerful. Get ready ladies, cos at the rate we are going, there are gonna be no abortions in this country soon. Get ready to have all of your civil liberties taken away, and get ready to be even more ostracized in the world picture.

Fuck you Laura Bush. Fuck you George W. Fuck you Lynne Cheney and Dick Cheney. Most of all, fuck all of you scared, "God Fearing" Fox News Listening backwards Assed Motherfuckers who live out in the hinterland the flyover country. You gave us 4 more years of this asshole.

I hope you don't have any children fighting that stupid war in Iraq.

And, finally, fuck you to all the yuppies who forgot where they came from, and voted for this asshole.

Props to John Kerry for being a too honorable, and decent Democratic candidate for President of the United States.

Fuck you Ohio, and Fuck you Florida! You both suck.

LORDY!

I am almost crazy w/ anticipation awaiting the election results. Let's hope that America decides to make a turn from embracing the whores, and whoremasters of the Bush Regime. It's time to walk towards the light, and retreat from the politics of darkness and entrenchment. The disenfranchisement of minority voters, bastardization of Gays, the horrible economy, the horribly designed war in Iraq, and the rise of the Religious Right alone show that we need to go Democrat.

I don't think we'll ever see such a morally bankrupt administration in our lifetime again!

GO JOHN KERRY AND JOHN EDWARDS!!

OK. I'm nervous. I'm gonna go vomit now.

366 Days O'Bliss

It was exactly one year ago (and a day, because 2004 is a leap year) that I was lucky enough to marry one Vicki Sincoff (nee, Kleinfelter). I think that those in the know who read this space know the trials and tribulations we've been through. From difficult news about Vicki's pregnancy last December, to months of mourning before the baby was born, to Baby Sam's eventual birth, and then tragic passing 1 month later, it's been tough.

When you factor in my getting laid off the week I returned from bereavement time (Nice company IMPATH is... hope they all drop dead), my father's multiple illnesses, and evacuations from his house due to hurricanes... it's been exhausting. Still; there has been utter sheer magic in this year. I could not think of a better wife, and best friend than Vicki. She is someone who I laugh and enjoy the magic of the good times, and cry through the heartache and the loss with.

After all, Lou Reed said that there is a lot of Magic in Life, and some loss to even things out!!!

Thank u Vicki for being you . I love you an incredible amount

Big Props to John Kerry. I'm voting for you on Tuesday. More political stuff manana!

Interviews, I've had interviews

Just wanted to try to endeavor to update this here blog on a semi regular basis. I realize that alot of times, events will happen in everyday life that are not too exciting, as a result--I get quiet, and don't post. However, I'm trying to remind my dopey self that the main reason I started this experiment (which I've never expanded into offering MP3's and stuff, but I will, Oh yes, I wil l, in time) was to document my neurosis' about finding a job, and life being unemployed!

Well, I'm still unemployed, and I'm still chagrined about it! I have been busy w/ interviews. Unfortunately, I have STILL not head from the not so good kids at Vonage. I have left them a couple messages, and I still have not had a reply... I thought the interview went well!! People do surprise you!

I had an interview last week in NYC at this agency for a corporate inventory position at a pharmaceutical Co. The guy who spoke to me was at least 4 and a half bills. Seriously. He was Bob's Big Boy personfied. Almost to the fact that his stomach took on a life of it's own. Pulsating, heaving, alive... A veritable continent in its' own right. I stood there transfixed, staring at it, as he tried to interview me about my contract negotiation skills.

Hey you never know, maybe he can get me in the door there, and maybe he will hit the treadmill.

Had an interview yesterday at an agency for a contract purchasing position in Parsippany @ Company ABC. We shall see. I certainly posess all of the skillset they need. Have another interview today at an electronic component company in Mahwah. Very shady. When the HR lady (who sounds like one of those hardcore, Bloomfield /N. Jersey Italian ladies who smokes 8 packs of Virginia Slims per day) found out about my salary request, she asked if there was some wiggle room there.

Sigh. I shall update more later.

Lulu hates you for saying that her new hoodie (that says "Daddy's Girl"!) looks cute. The hoodie was Vicki's idea :) 

Susannah, Me and Vicki at the Walk for Polycystic Kidney Disease. Note the wind ruffling the ladies' hair! It was intense out there!! 

Should Post More Often

But for some reason I don't. There has been alot going on since I gave my shout out to Bernard Hopkins who KO'd ODLH in Las Vegas. First off, Vicki, Susannah and I went on the Polycystic Kidney Disease Walk (in memory of our son, Sam) . It was in Liberty State Park on the 18th September. Although a WINDY blustery day, an emotional, but satisfying time was had by all! Our local North Jersey Chapter raised over $50,000 to fight this horrible disease. If you want more information click here.

Thinking about boxing, last week we saw yet another superstar go down, again KO'd in the 9th Round. Roy Jones, Jr., a guy who I've seen fight live 2x, and who had the athleticism and speed of a ballet dancer; a guy who at one time went multiple rounds without getting hit, got KTFO (knocked the f*ck out!) by a tough guy nameed Glen Johnson last weekend!

This was a particularly BRUTAL KO in that Roy did not move for a good 10 minutes or so, I was really worried about him... he could not open his eyes for the longest time. It was truly one of those sports moments where you are watching on TV, and you feel an overwhelming sense of sadness for the competitors performing. This marked the 2nd fight in a row Roy got KO'd in. Sad to see him hang up the gloves, but "they all get old" as my dad tells me.

Sunday went to a great Tappas place in Soho on Saturday night for Dina's birthday called Pintxos. You should really check it out. The food was delicious, and the place while small, had quite the bit of ambience for all the young lovers out there reading this ! :) And, you can't beat a good pitcher of sangria.

Last night went to see hip English band Keane in concert last night at Irving Plaza w/ Vicki ( who looked GORGEOUS--see me getting brownie points from the wife !) and John and Dina. Aside from the annoying quasi NY hipster couple who made out openly in front of us (and the guy was touching her bum, like had his hand down the back of her pants.. not just on the bum through the jeans!) a good time was had by all.

Got to catch up w/ my old friends the Barretts from Somerset UK today via the phone. It was lovely to talk to Paula and catch up on gossip, and fill her in on the year Vicki and I have had. It sounds like she and Jon and their girls (Georgie and Evie) are doing great, and I promised that Vicki and I would be hoisting a pint w/ them at The Lamb very soon.

It's great to reconnect w/ old friends! It was as if we talked yesterday .. AWWWWWW. How sentimental!

A watched Pot Never Boils

Sorry it's been so long since my last posting, it's been kind of hectic here in the Life o'Sincoff. First off, major props, and congratulations to one of my favorite old school fighters, Mr. Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins. He KO'd Oscar DeLahoya w/ one groovy body punch. Bernard now is (and those of us in the know knew this already) the ONE Middleweight champeen of the world, he has got 4 (yes, count 'em) belts, that's the first time a fighter has held all 4 world sanctioned titles simultaneously.

I'm sure that eventually boxing politics (or "politricks" as Lennox Lewis said) will eventually get in the way, and strip him of a title when he will not fight some bogus mandatory. Until then major props to him for taking the fight, and taking Oscar outta there.

Happy New Year to my readers of the Jewish persuasion, btw. Good Yuntif!

Anyone getting ready for the big ol' fast of Yom Kippur?

Had a good job interview on Monday at Vonage out in not so lovely Edison NJ. I believe the interview went well, I Did speak to all of the executives on their financial staff. The position will entail alot of work, but there seems to be a certain degree of freedom involved. Interesting. We shall see how it develops.

You know I finally went to the gym during the day, and felt good about myself, then my father called me up and yelled at me for high cholesterol, and being fat. He got the high cholesterol info from reading the blog.

sight, NEVER give your url to your dad's girlfriend, ladies and germs.

Dasvedana Bebbe

Went into Brooklyn to see the Dorinson's yesterday. They are my cousins on my mom's side. They have always been Aunt Eileen and Uncle Joe to me, and I literally grew up w/ their kids. Joe was the guy who got me into history, as he is a history professor (the chair actually) at Long Island University, anyway, they are cool peeps.

So the reason Vick and I trucked into the Ocean Parkway area was because Joe got us tickets for boxing in the Russian Jewish Enclave of Brighton Beach! It was this old theatre, that was totally geared toward the Russian denizens of the neighborhood. Eitherway, all the signs and promotions were in Russian! Wild you heard SOOOOO much Russian and Yiddish being spoken.

We were there for all the fights, but especially the main event Dimitri Salita. He is this Orthodox Jewish Fighter from Crooklyn by way of Odessa. He brough 1,200 of his mespuchah into the theatre... He even came out to a Klezmer band. Go figure. He won his fight, and it will be an adventure to see where his career goes. Technically he is sound.

There were these 2 big Irish heavyweight brothers who fought (not each other!) who had NO talent whatsoever. One them got knocked out by a portly Puerto Rican called "the bodyguard".... He showed of worked on his El Cuerpo!! HA HA

After the fights we drove my cousin Rob (who is a few years younger than I) back into the city and had a good laugh about being wild and crazy kids!

If I hear the word "bounce" in relation to how John Kerry is doing one more time, I'm gonna scream!

Today we took the dogs to this dog run we found in the Paulus Hook area of JC. Lulu was the Queen of the dog run, and Freddie was its' king! They are STILL exhausted from all the pigeon chasing, leaf running and wrestling they did!

OH M'GOSH!

Kate the young hip girlfriend O'Kirk's said "Ethan you look Ripped"!! My weight lifting is paying off :)

Now, if only I could lose 57 pounds!!

It was 34 Years ago today....

That I was born on this big blue marble. Christ, I'm old. I've gone from a premature kid born in Plainfield, NJ (Dad was watching Bob Gibson and the St. Louis Cardinals pitch a no hitter against the N Y Mets in the waiting room) @ Muhlenberg Hospital, to an unemployed, happily married gym going hipster in Jersey City NJ. Ain't life grand?

Had a pretty good Bday, actually. Yesterday was the big celebration for it. Susannah, Kirk, Kate (Kirk's new young cool girlfriend) Bicki and I went out for sushi at Avenue A Sushi in the East Village. A good time, and sushi-riffic fun was had by all. Even the angry, Canadian Lesbian girl who was our waitress... No sweet, smiling deferring Asian waitress for us.. nuh uh. We had straight up angry Bull Dyke from the Great White North, bebbe.

Then of course it was a couple of drinks at St. Dymphnas. Great bar, but the INS should still raid the place, and send all the illegal English construction workers who drink there back to places like Somerset, and Wolverhampton, if you wiiill!

Got a couple o' good pressies including the Modest Mouse CD, the Jenna Jamison Bio "How to Make love like a Porn Star" (she's such a FILTHY slut) and some other stuff.

Tonight was the Franz Ferdinand show, and dinner at Marco and Pepe's!

Gotta love bands who sound like Roxy Music, and Iggy Pop and David Bowie from Glasgow.

Lions and Tigers and Bears

Oh My. Yes, as you can see from my picture postings, Vicki and I were busy this weekend. No we were not opening up an exotic theme park silly billy! We had went to the Brox Zoo with our loyal friend Ms. Susannah. A good time was had by all, and lots o' animals were seen. There were lot's of mysterious black squirrels running around as well, which aren't so exotic, but would be cool if Lulu had been there, she coulda checked them out. I wonder if she would have liked meeting a bison or something. Would Fred befriend a red panda? Makes you think.

Seriously, check out the good kids at the bronx zoo . You will have a great time, and bring the little tykes as well! Put your walking shoes on because you shall need them. My wheels are still aching 2 days later! Even though yesterday was spent at the lovely Shingleton household eating grilled beef, and drinking adult beverages!! Imagine that, an unemployed person celebrating Labor Day! HA HA HA

Now that's political--do you hear me Bono Vox??

Yes, same tiger is now looking at Susannah's chest, and DEFINITELY approves :) 

A small Indian child is about to be eaten by a fierce Bengali tiger.. how appropriate and geographically correct! 

Fred hates his new hooded sweatshirt, but we think it looks great, seriously 

A big sigh of relief

Is just cascading thru my body. We've been able to avoid the freak show that is the Republican National Convention. While I feel that it is imperative to see what those right wing fascist Jesus freaks are up to, I could not support them, and their ilk by watching their convention. Shame on Rudy Guiliani for his speech, and all of his whoremaster shuckster 9/11 imagery. Shame on loveable liberal Mayor Ed Koch for speaking there as well--the words Sell out comes to mind.

I mean , I do feel that John Kerry needs to step up the attack, and now! So get to it Johnny boy!. You know what I mean? I mean go figure. TV has been really sucky to be fair w/ the dick and george show on.

Gotta give a big Ethan shout out to the folks at Miramax... Even thoguh Bob & Harvey Weinstein could kick my ass in a pie eating contest..... "Hero" is a MAGICAL movie... wonderful, wonderful, film.

Gotta work on getting my cholesterol down to a rational level. Unfortunately, The last time I had blood drawn was during a period where I was not taking care of myself... it is at a ridiculously high point right now.... Eeee Gats.

There is no better vibe than the doctor going What is the MATTER w/ you?!

OH I get it

I think that the person posting comments to my blog is Jan Chils... JC= Jan Childs... ok. That's fine.

That's all, just wanted to post that.

Aaah The Mystery

So when I post (trying to do that more often) There is an anonymous poster that has made some comments to some of my postings.. I wonder who this dark and mysterious person may be? James Lipton of The Actors Studio? Former Senator Max Cleland? (who is "stumping for Kerry" right now. HA HA HA)

Post on you anonymous poster you!!!!

Get it, stumping for Kerry?? He lost 3 limbs in Vietnam ... so he's "stumping for Kerry"......

Perhaps it is portly former lead singer of Motely Crue Vince Neil???

In my Blog there is trouble

So sorry to be away for a while, what can I say? It's not that I can say "work is pressing", or "I have been away on business", or "my band had to go back into the studio to do some overdubs"... Nope, nah, can't do it. I have been going to the gym, and limping really hard, and improving the ol' cardiovascular.... so I wont get the heart disease when I'm 45. Feels great, but a shock to the system after months of stuffing my fat, depressed mouth.

Gots to get back into the job hunt. Couple o'things....

First off, I have no Olympic Fever... That Paul Hamm guy seems like a dick, and should give his dopey medal back because he did not win it. Athens, however, seems like a lovely town.

Mega kudos to Mr. Sacha Baron Cohen for his brilliant season of "Da Ali G Show" that just finished up on HBO. Check it out once they reshow it beginning sunday if you were a loser and out clubbing when it was on originally!

Mega shout outs to my main man President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.. Any left wing despot who steals his election, but has a talk show where he talks about sports, cooking AND politics is ok in my book! La lucha continua Senor Presidente!!!

Health Insurance

Now I know why this is such a "hot" issue when people run for office. Vicki's insurance covers like NONE of the medications that I take on a regular basis!! I mean jeeze louise, why have coverage at all if 3 prescriptions will cost you $130!? No wonder senior citizens today in this country live off canned tuna and cat food so they can afford all the medecines they need.

Bring on National Health and bad teeth like our orthodontically challenged cousins the British!!

I have returned

To the land of fast paced living, and cable modem internet access. I have successfully flown out of Orlando International Airport, beating Hurricane Charley. Boy, are my arms tired.

Nice to see everyone at home: wife Vicki, cats, dogs, etc. Dad is going to be ok, it shall take some time however. He needs to take it slow for a bit.

I'm tired, and cranky.

Now it's back to finding a job. What is the lyric to that Clash song?

Career Opportunities, the ones that never knock.

Turkey Necks

I have been thinking about that "maverick" senator John McCain dude. He has a real turkey neck. Hangs over his dress shirt and everything. Gobble Gobble Gobble! Maybe he should go BACK to Vietnam to lose that or something... But seriously folks, he's a good guy. Just supports the wrong guy for President for some reason... Hated him in 2000, loves him now... hmmmmm

Caught Bill Clinton on the Daily Show last night... Very low key... but still a good interview, and John Stewart shows that he is one of the best interviewers in the biz... that's my .05

Dad looks like he is coming home tomorrow. Supposed to be today, but his Potassium levels were too high. So we're gonna have a bannana FEST when he gets home....

Or , like, he is.. My ass is on a plane to Newark, NJ!

Hope he loves the bannanas though. I just have to get home. 2 weeks in Florida visiting a hospital every day is Eeeeeeeee-nuff

You know, Dad has that hipster NY Cable station Trio. They had a special, or as the kids in Indiana say "Spay-shal" about Bill Hicks. The late, great, very dad alternative comic.

Ok, that's it. Back to the hospital visit.

I shall also be excited when I can post on a computer that does not run on an operating system that was created when the LA Riots happened. This is ridiculous.

Lates!

Them heart specialists are Fan-tastic

So, I think my father is getting back to normal and is well on the road to recovery. He used the word "motherfucker" in conversation very loudly relating to how he is smarter than any other motherfucker out there. Then some social worker asked him what his name was in a sort of "you are old" type way. He sooo loved that.

He even yelled at Aunt Cynthi a little-- he is angry, perhaps at the sudden passing of Rick James. Who, much like Dad, was a "Super Freak".

So yeah he is a grizzled, cranky old man, We are the world, you know?

There is this old man slowly dying in the next bed and he has a VERY demonstrative wife ... who is praying , crying to St. Jude, Jesus, etc. It does not make for great Orlando Sentinel reading, or conversation w/ my dad about Acelino Freitas quitting like a little bitch last night against Diego Corrales.

Diego has the GREATEST tattoo of all time on his breast: "Pain for Love"... truer words have never been spoken! :)

I miss Bicki terribly.
Gotta go drink the coffee.

Cookies

Are what are good at the Holmes Regional Medical Center Cafeteria. Cookies are what I am enjoying right now as a delicious snack . They are probably backed in Jersey City for all I know and shipped down here... but they are a delectable Florida treat for me. It helps to eat cookies when you are visiting your sick old father in the hospital.

It seems that, aside from myself (and my family who live down here excluded by connection of course) that everyone in Brevard County is old, and with no fashion sense. I mean, where is it written that once you hit 69+, you have to run around with socks up to your knees if you're a guy, and a sweater w/ monogrammed puppies and kittens if you are a girl????

I mean, go to the Gap, and buy a couple shirts, am I right?

Ah, bliss.

Beautiful Downtown Melbourne

Is where I am at typing this right now. The good kids at the Melbourne Public Library prvovide the nice, Family values minded Christian souls of Brevard county w/ "internet computer access". I guess they feel that the worldwide web brings folks closer to Christ, or something like that. Can you imagine how many hits you would get if you Googled Jesus? It's my favorite Michael Caine movie btw.

So dad is doing so well that they moved him to his own room! He is no longer in the cardiac intensive care unit! So that's good stuff. He had me fill out his menu for tomorrow. There's nothing better then hospital food I tell you . I miss my gorgeous wife SO MUCH :(

It sucks being in a town where you don't know anyone, just relatives, and most of them are ill! I did get tohave a drink w/ Ms. jan childs, last night, which was quite ok!

We also saw "The Village" by M. Night Shamalyn... Real neato suprise twist ending!

And Opies daughter is in it!

Go Figure.

Hanging Chads while Under the Knife

So I'm here at Holmes Regional Medical Center. It's 7:20am-- and I've just said goodbye to dad so he can be put under for surgery. We joked w/ the anesthesiologist about him being from New York, and he said that it was ok that Dad was a Mets fan, he would not hold it against him.

So, I'm very optimistic about today--I have to tell you. While I would rather NOT be woken up this morning, what can you do? Dad was in good spirits, and I even told him that he better get used to having a smooth, hairless body (they shaved him b4 surgery) because after he recovers we are gonna turn his white ass OUT on the street to make some money!

We laughed.

So,Yeah. It's coffee time now.

Surgery

BTW...

I'm not being nonchalant about Dad's surgery.  I mean , I'm aware it's serious, but what can you do? Gotta be a good son, and be there w/ him while he has bypass surgery.

He's a tough guy, and will be fine. Something good has to happen to this family now!

I like doing this blog because it is very cathartic for me during this wacky time.

 

Kerry-Mania

I may be a bit over emotional, but I really found myself getting overwhelmed during John Kerry's speech during the Democratic Convention tonight.  Prior to his speech tonight, I really felt that he had to hit a home run of a speech, really say who he is, and identify where we're gonna go as a nation.

I felt he did all of those things w/ his speech.  He hit all the aspects that I was looking for... From humor, to talking tough about terrorism, from health care for ALL Americans, to his tenure as a Senator and Prosecutor in Massachusetts.  From his service record in Vietnam, to his relgious faith that he did not have to wear on his sleeve.  It was all there.

I don't think I have felt an election be so important since my first time voting in a presidential election in 1988 ( That was Bush vs. Dukakis for all of you old timers out there).  Let's all stand up and say that we do not a president who is controlled  by his God, and his appeasing the most right wing conservatists wack jobs.  Let's embrace a guy who wants to be president who says yes to scientific research, yes to healthcare for all,  yes to those struggling to make a buck in this country having the chance to get a bigger piece of the pie.  And,  let's have those who GET THE MOST OUT of our country financially put the most BACK IN w / their taxes.

Let's give John Kerry of Massachussetts a chance come November 2nd.

Ok, enough of my schpiel.

I'm off to Florida tomorrow to see my dad.  It looks like his surgery is Monday morning. I will try to update this from the library or something down there.

Do they even HAVE libraries in Florida ? :)

 

Y'know, I only thought you had to foster kittens for a LITTLE while :) This little gal is still available... 

Urban Legends

I always get accosted by the youth of Jersey City, NJ while walking Fred and Lulu Sincoff (the hippest of all dogs).  It is never the same kid, but they always seem to have the same questions.  Primarily, they're Latino kids, because if you are not in your 20's living here and white, you are Hispanic and your family has lived here FOREVER.

I was walking Fred and Lulu today, and this young Spanish family came walking towards us. Teenage Dad (with complete Blood (of Bloods & Crips fame) bandana and jailhouse style baggy pants), teenage mom, and little boy.

Fred being the friendly dog he is, approached the kid, wagging his tail. The closer that Fred got, the more the kid moved back. Finally the kid backed into the middle of the street to get away from Fred, who stood there wagging his tail quizzically on the curb

I turn into the little patch of Urban Greenery we call a park, and instantly several little kids surround us.  I got an:

1. Are those your dogs?   (they are on leashes held by ME!)
2. Are they boys, or girls? ( I tell them one of each)
3. What are their names? Why did you call them that (because Fred looks like a Fred, and Lulu is a Lulu!)
4. Do they bite? (usually by this time Fred has jumped up to say hello, and Lulu is running up to make sure she has a share of the attention as well)

I always try to make these conversations very short, because what kind of guy talks to kids by himself in the middle of the day? Aside from me, who is just lame, and out of a job right now? That's right, no Michael Jackson type stories awaiting me!

And then they trot their way, And I take my unemployed self home, along w/ my dogs.

Just trying to bring the community in my little place in the NY Area a little Closer together.

Hey, it takes a Village, you know? 

There is nothing Like

Having a phone problem when there is an imminent family  emergency going on.  Not to make this blog a personal thing to reflect EVERYTHING that is going on in my life, but  my dad was admitted to the hospital (as mentioned previously-in Florida)  w/ chest pains.

It now looks like he is going to have to have coronary bypass surgery.  He is on blood thinners, so they have to wait for those drugs to finish in his system before he can  go into surgery.  So I gotta go down to Florida. . ... Not an ideal visit.

I called him this morning, and he was like "hey I'm having some chest pains, why don't you call me back".. as casually as if he were asking me what I wanted him to get me for lunch.  Thankfully they gave him a nitroglycerine tablet, and he was ok.

Sucks when your parents get old, man.  Hopefully it'll be (semi) smooth sailing once I get down there --we shall see.  Maybe I'll buy some oceanfront property whilst down there.

You  never know.

It's tough being a Democrat sometimes 

Fred get's very angry after he takes a bath. Doesn't he look like an angry young man/er, dog type actor? 

In the Wee Small hours of the morning

I don't want anyone to get worried about my father.  I mean, obviously it  IS a concern that he has chest pains, and IT IS a concern that he is in hospital.  However I have spoken to him, and he is alert, and fine.  He is having some sort of cardiogram thingy tomorrow, more news then.  He has been in that hospital soo many times this past year ( it's called Holmes Regional Medical Center) that they should rename it the Elliott Sincoff Hospital. At least name a floor after the guy.  So don't worry.  As they used to say on The Great Space Coaster when we were kids: "No news is good g'news w/ Gary Gnu". (we all know what happened to him, right? Um, no)

Just a few more comments before I go off to bed.  Caught the Democratic Convention tonight. Isn't it a shame that Bill Clinton can't run again? He gave SUCH a phenominal speech .  I mean I'm voting for Kerry... gotta do that..  But it was an amazing speech. So, good on ya Bill!  When I went to bed, it was pitch black, and I was trying to fall asleep (I have been having problems sleeping lately) when our black cat, Emma (as featured previously on this blog) decided to walk onto my chest and lay down.

Now, this would have been fine if she were an ordinary tabby, or brightly colored feline.. However she is proverbially black as space/night/what have you. So for a brief startling moment, I was almost insane.

Then I thought, nah, it's just Emma, my loveable black cat. So there you go.  A 33 yr old married man (unemployed mind you) sitting here in his boxer shorts, typing to an audience of me, talking about my cat Emma.

Christ.

 

Delicious Iced Coffee

Is what I'm enjoying  right now.  At certain periods in my life, I was more of a shall we say, "A coffee traditionalist".  That is, one who always drinks his/her coffee hot (even on the hottest of summer days) .  Also, a coffee traditionalist, NEVER drinks flavored coffee, always good ol' java original!

Whether I'm caving in to pressure, or whatever the reason is; I now enjoy iced coffee, in particular from Dunkin' Donuts. I've never considered a life of crime (well I have really, but only if I could be  a well dressed "nice" Jewish gangster from the 1930's, who did not end up shot, or being sent to the electric chair), but if someone  offered me a life time  supply of Dunkin' Donuts iced cafe latte's w/ skim milk... I'd rob any bank in the world for that payoff..

Gotta find a job soon,  glad I'm keeping busy today though. All this waiting to hear about jobs sucks.  And now I have heard the bad news that my dad is back in the hospital w/ chest pains.  He seemed fine, because I heard his voice yell to the nurse to tell me he was ok, when I rang the emergency room. Urgh.

 

The blog person himself, caught in a moment of reflection 

"It's too late to put on pants"

Said my lovely wife Vicki to me right now.   I jokingly said she should go out and get triple A batteries for the remote control for our bedroom tv.  That was the smart and sassy assed comeback that she sent my way.  Sigh.  What can you do? Women, can't live w/ them, can't dismember them ! LOL ROTF LMAO!!!!!

Not alot went on today. We vegged, and totally enjoyed doing that.  Ah it's an exciting Monday tomorrow.   Jesus, I gotta find a job soon.  Even if it's a job I hate (which I probably will hate it) at least I wont be home by myself at 2pm singing Def Leppard songs to the dogs/cats in the house.  There really is not alot of things to do during the week during the day. It's seems ALL tv is geared towards unemployed ill educated  folk--- but that's a story for another time. 

I'm not saying I'm depressed--I'm just saying that something better happen SOON!

 

Cooking Burgers for the Democratic Party

Well, it was a very successful cookout/bbq type thing.  In the end, we had about 18 people at the event, most of them strangers.  They were all fairly cool  people, although this middle aged woman who was there positively REEKED of cigarette smoke like it was proverbially going out of style. (note to self, did I smell like that when I was a smoker??)

Burgers, hotdogs, and various side dishes were had by all.  Everyone tried to talk about politics  while Kirk and I made w/ the jokes in the corner of the backyard, and drank plenty o'Heineken Keg cans. 

We raised over $500 for John Kerry/John Edwards campaign which is very good, thank u very much.

Well time to leave.  Arturo Gatti won by 2nd round KO over Leonard Dorin, btw.  Great body punch.. it's like money in the bank!

 

It's a rainy Friday

And of course it is laundry day today. Nothing is better than schlepping a load of dirty undies and concert t-shirts to the laundromat around the corner in a torrential tropical island like downpour.  The woman who runs the shop, who always gives me the evil eye like "why is a man doing laundry?!" (she's Asian) has  not fixed any of the machines since the Gerald Ford Administration in 1975.  Everything is broken (and I'm not talkin' the Bob Dylan song that some of us may remember)

So after towelling off from moving said dirty laundry from washer to dryer, I realized that a certain headhunter type guy has called me regarding one of the positions I submitted my resume to via the  lovely hotjobs.com.  See kids, don't despair, those search engines really do work, and the profits don't go to keep Kids in sweatshops, or whatever.  I left him a voicemail so we shall see.

It's shaping  up to be an interesting weekend. First off, tomorrow day--Vicki & your's truly will be hosting a cookout for the folks on the John Kerry for President list here in the NY area. With friends coming as well, it looks like we're gonna have like 30 peeps or so.   There will be grilling/BBQing a plenty. Let's hope it can do some good, and that people make use of the donation sheets that will be passed around.  From what I'm reading, it's gonna be a very, very close race.  I just dont get how working class America can support such a Republican like GW.  He can't even run touting the war in Iraq, it's such a mess there.

After that, for all you boxing fans that are out there, Saturday night is a great super lightweight fight  matching Arturo "Thunder" Gatti (from Jersey City, via Montreal!) for Leonard "The Lion" Dorin (from Montreal via Bucharest Romania!) check out  this site here for more info on these 2 great warriors.  If you want to see a fight w/ tons o'action check this out.

Aside from that, Perhaps my career path should be one of ring cutman?  Can you see me w/ the vaseline on my arm, trying to close a fighters' gash over his eye, screaming "give me the endswell , now dammit"?

Just a thought, more later.

Folks, Mrs. Sincoff is a hot chick! 

Awww, isn't that a great picture of my gorgeous bride Vicki and I?! :) 

Your faithful, and humble narrator! 

Where did the day go?

I have managed to get a lot accomplished.  The job search is going ok, but I'm kind of scared to look into this one lead I may have. I hate the "yeah Ethan, we've actually decided to go in another direction" call. It just sucks.  Bring on the 2nd paycheck in the Sincoff family! :)

First off, what the fuck is up with Jimmy Buffett?  I mean, like who knew right?  I thought that he was a joke and all... Mr. Margueritaville and all.. That surely is a sign of  the decline of  Western Civilization, right???  Oh well, maybe I've been too much of a shut in as of late.

I've forgotten how great a band Wilco was/is.  I'm listening to their debut album from 1995 called "AM" right now.. It totally rocks. Sounds like it could come out today. I have to rediscover their more recent albums. I mean they just put out a new  one, but I have to buy/burn the last 3. The last one I purchased was the double CD.

Sigh,  can't the US government pay you for just being cool :)!?  This job search thang is for the birds.... What if I never find a job?  I'm sure I'm exaggerating, right?  Maybe I can grow my hair a bit longer and join one of them NY bands like the Yeah Yeah Yeah's or Strokes? Huh huh? Whaddaya think?

Ceefa Sincoff! 

Emma looking black and mysterious 

Zelda, Emma and Ceefa Sincoff. These guys, along w/ Fred and Lulu are the permanent animals who run the house. 

This is Fred Sincoff. I find this yawning picture to be the most disturbing thing EVER! :) 

Lulu the dog, ladies and gentlemen! 

So I should be job hunting, but

My new favorite toy is sooo much more interesting . Oh don't worry dear reader(s?) There will be tons o' fine tuning being done on this hear thang. So far today, has been very productive. I have to get the picture of the 3rd kitten up on the blog he kinda looks like the tabby one. The 3 of them are really really inquisitive. Fred and Lulu, our dogs love having them around the house.

Just a note on the kittens. The reason Vicki (my lovely wife) and I are fostering them is the fact our local animal shelter was completely full. They were going to have to start euthanizing animals, even ones that could be adopted because there was no space. So, go out and support your local animal shelter, even if it means just volunteering or something. They do a good thing . Ok, that's my schpiel for now.

I was reading on the rachelandthecity website, and she posted something about how she is getting so old (we're in the same age bracket-I'm 33) that she is starting to hear musical references of the alternative bands she grew up with in the new bands of today... I TOTALLY dig where she is coming from. I mean, I love Interpol, but can they sound any more like Joy Division? C'mon, I'm not stupid.

Apparently, there are a ton of Electronic bands comin' out of Brooklyn (or Crooklyn, as the kids on the street call it) that sound like Depeche Mode circa 1983! Jimini Christmas! :P

But the kids are buying it, and it DOES sound good, but does that make it right???

C'mon dudes, they are real quote, and need a home. Email me : blurfan00@yahoo.com if you are in the NYC area 

Anyone interested in adopting some cute kittens we are fostering currently? They are sweet, and have tons of attitude! 

In the Beginning

Ok. Well here we are w/ the first posting to my blog here. I don't know if anyone else is going to be reading this aside from myself---but we shall see!  -What purpose will this blog serve?  Who knows!  Just a soapbox for me to talk about the world, music, pop culture, etc.  If I talk about  the new Interpol album, or the election--I'm sure a good time shall be had by all