“Your friend had the bag, he turned to say goodbye and that he would see you tomorrow.”
Ever since I can remember, the easiest way for me to fall asleep was to sit in front of the television and watch any episode of “The Odd Couple” for the millionth time and as an adult that has turned into “Friends.” Recognizing that this is not the healthiest way to get some shut eye but also relishing the fact that something can relax me to the point where I do not even know that I am sleeping or how fast it occurs. My bride and offspring do not try to wake me up to go to my actual bed because they say that I scare too easily (so true). And there are moments where I wake not knowing where I am, while wondering why my entire family left me on the couch.
Looking back to when I was in grammar and middle school, the structure in our home was similar to that of either being raised on a farm or what I assume could be military life in the sense that it was always “early to bed, early to rise.” I can recall the week that Johnny stayed at our home in Otisville, where the instance that we all saw the ending credits to “Happy Days” or “Good Times,” caused us to rise from the couch while my dad shut off the TV to head off to each room for a nights rest. “What is happening? Do we have to go to bed? It is still light outside?” My brother, Rich, and I would chuckle as we walked away because there was no choice in the matter. As a side note, Johnny blamed my mother for his battle with carbs ever since that visit to our house because it was uncommon during his childhood to be fed three times a day plus having a delicious treat. And just like every other teenager who could not wait to have his own place because they could do anything on their own terms, including staying up beyond “nine o’clock,” but looking back, their wisdom was as usual, correct.
Graduating from hawking the daily newspapers near the “circle” at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, Ron assigned Eddie and I to deliver these daily periodicals to the patients stationed at Mount Sinai hospital, located in East Harlem between 98th and 103rd streets on Madison and Fifth Avenues in Manhattan. Now, for those of you outside of New York, this trip from Sunset Park Brooklyn was not a “hop, skip, or a jump” away and being a middle teenager navigating the Subway system during the 1980’s was not only an adventure but being young with a touch of naivety, could make one an easy target for those who let’s say wanted to “make an easy buck.”
Making the trek to upper Manhattan required more than a few maneuvers as Eddie and I walked down to the 45th street station to catch what was then known as the “RR” to go one stop at 36th street. Walking across to the “express” side of the track to jump on the “N,” which we took all the way to “34th Street” in New York and transferred to either the “Q” or “D” line which took us all the way up to the final exit at ninety-sixth street. (Now, the easier way, as well as closer, would have been to switch at 14th street to take the number “6” train but at that point we were unfamiliar with the original “IRT” lines). This trip took at least ninety minutes each way and when the starting time was “Sixx A.M.” well, let’s just say there was a chance one could end up sleeping in public.
Upon leaving the hospital, I was in my usual “hustle mode,” which was always more than a few steps ahead of Eddie, who was holding my bag. Approaching the large intersection, otherwise known as “Madison Avenue,” I see the “Don’t Walk” sign blinking but the light has not yet turned green for the three-to-four lanes of cars ready to beat each other to wherever they have to go. The last thing I heard was Eddie screaming “Errol, watch out!!” As I came upon the outside lane, there was an old-time truck, think a bakery or maybe a UPS, that included a “grille” that extended from underneath the front tires, which made it look like the vehicle was carrying part of a fence but more likely to absorb the brunt of a crash. At the last possible second, I was able to jump right on to that grille as I lifted my feet upon it as well to avoid being run over by those same tires. (Had it been a bus, it most likely would have been my last day on earth). The driver, who was basically standing, leaned over the side opened door and said, “Are you okay?” I nodded my head and he drove off as Eddie screamed at me to remain there- “we are going to sue that guy.”
Taking our seats on the frigid “D” train, Eddie, still in disbelief, could not stop talking about it as he continued to scold me from the opposite side and eventually, we rested our heads upon the window. Unbeknownst to either one, we both fell asleep on a NY City subway car during the 1980’s, which looking back now was not the smartest thing. My bag was between my legs on the floor and apparently someone sat right next to me (think the letter “L”). At 49th street, I awoken and notice that my duffle was gone. I look over towards Eddie and he is out like a light. As I get up to look all around, this older gentleman stated the aforementioned. My retort was that my friend is sound asleep. He described my friend as a thin and tall man, who must have made believe that he was tying his shoe-laces or picking something up. And that something was my bag. I decided to head to the beach anyway because my money was inside my sneaker, but I lost my favorite “Lee Mazzilli” T-shirt that day.
Fast forward to my days spent in Ringwood and traveling with my “best bud,” “99” almost every day for more than eight years. The morning commute was always a definite, but the journey back home may or may not have included her company. Despite not speaking with all the familiar faces that boarded the same train day in and day out, I would have anticipated a shake on my shoulder. Anyway, the daily excursions to and from Radburn Fairlawn to make our way to Hoboken was filled with stories that could fill a book. This one summer day, I was running late and needed to race all the way to the World Trade Center in my suit to ensure a seat on the 4:31 p.m. N.J. Transit train leaving Hoboken. Flying up the stairs from the PATH, I barely make it as the steel door slid closed behind me as I took the three steps up and then slid another door open to walk in. The air-conditioning in this car was working extremely well so that one could hang meat as I could not have been any happier to sit while trying to stop sweating. While no one was looking I took my jacket off and laid it above me in the spot designated for your briefcase or what have you. Again, sitting with my head on the window, I love to just watch all the houses and roads pass by as the train pierces the landscape just as easily as a heated knife slices through butter, while I am trying to cool off. I believe I fell asleep at Garfield which was a huge mistake because Radburn was only three stops away.
And sure enough, my eyes start to open as I begin to get my bearings as I suddenly realize the familiar scenery was where I was supposed to make my exit. I quickly stand up, grab my suit jacket, and run towards the door while speaking loudly for the train to stop. The NJ transit worker informs me that I will just have to get off at Glen Rock. This town could be the only one that has two different lines running through it, so I walked towards the Main line assuming there would be “straight roads” back to Fairlawn. What happens when you assume? After trekking through the local streets, I came upon a cul-de-sac and realized that I was never going to figure out how to navigate through these towns to arrive back at the parking lot at Radburn.
Making my way back to the Bergen County line for Glen Rock, I look around and see no one outside on this humid Friday afternoon, so I decided to jump off the platform to walk back to Fairlawn on the train tracks. Totally acknowledging that if I am caught hiking on these grounds could lead to a federal or at the least, state trespassing charge, my nervousness affords me accelerating speeds as my shoes are being cut by the thousands of stones mixed in between the wooden tracks. It was like being on a fishing boat while losing sight of land as I could not see the Radburn station for what seemed like miles of a hallowed path. But then at times, I was suddenly in someone’s backyard as furious German shepherd’s chased me until either an invisible fence or common sense told them to stop. Booming voices from other houses screaming at me to not be on the tracks only exemplified the fear as even I was amazed that I could kick it into another gear. Finally, from a distance I could see the house where we would buy coffee or train tickets come into view as I recognized that the nightmare would soon come to an end. I ran even harder as I slid on to the blacktop which housed all the parked cars and again removed my jacket. By this point, it literally looked like I had just taken a shower in my clothes. As I closed the door to my car, trying to catch my breath and cool off at the same time, I looked down at my shoes and saw my right big toe sticking through the large hole created by the tracks, as well as the millions of rocks. All of this was caused by my sleeping in public.
After leaving Ringwood, I ventured into the world of MBIA, and this sleeping tale may stretch the limits a bit because I was not in public view but involved with various participants. It was late in the afternoon while working on a transaction and the conference call broke for dinner with the return scheduled for sixty minutes later. Since it was already past the five o’clock whistle, I decided to leave the lovely confines of King Street knowing that I could easily arrive home with time to spare before dialing back in. I stopped off at Bruno’s to purchase my “go-to” sandwich of “Peppers & Eggs.”
Dialing in with my home phone, while praying no one would call our land line, I am basically in “listen mode” as the primary, the late Sandy, was leading the call with extreme precision. After quietly “wolfing down” my dinner, I moved from the kitchen table to the couch around 8:00 p.m. as the call, which was already two hours long, appeared to have no ending in the near future. Sitting on the sofa made me comfortable and the next thing I recall was that I woke up in the pitch dark. Again, emerging from the cobwebs, I see that the television box states that the time is 10:55 p.m.
As I stand up to turn the light on, I see the phone in the middle of the living room floor and when I reach out to pick it up, I can hear voices. Putting the phone to my left ear, I realize that the meeting is still going on but there is no way I can hang up because all the attendants would hear that click. Of course, the phone slips and almost drops to the floor as I catch it before it hits the ground. At that moment, all the parties become quiet as Sandy asks who is there. I state that it was me. “Did something happen to your phone? We asked you a question earlier but did not hear your response.” I asked them to repeat it and gave my answer, along with a side order of denial while feinting that I had no idea what he was talking about. That was the first and only time that ever occurred. Sleeping in public is most likely never a good thing and could lead to difficulties or trouble.
In honor of “National Public Sleeping Day” today, this setlist will contain songs that deal with sleeping (trying to avoid those used in last year’s post of “Can’t Sleep”) or wanting someone to wake you, as well as tunes that I feel are appropriate. (Enjoy!)
1— “Don’t Sleep in the Subway” by Petula Clark— Could there have been a better song to start this list? If only I had taken Petula’s advice but believe it or not it was not the only time I slept on the subway. There was a stretch of work days where I was running on fumes and the number 4 train was packed (as usual) and I grabbed the iron pole above the seated passengers. I woke up just in time at Grand Central as the people sitting were amazed as one woman said, “I would have not believed it if I did not see it with my own eyes, you were asleep on your right arm and never moved.” I would not advise falling asleep in public on a train because you never know what might happen.
2— “Shut Down” by Beach Boys— Okay I know this a huge stretch but stay with me, sometimes I would say that I “pass out” or “shut down.” No? Oh well, I believe it passes the test. I know my dad says the Beach Boys ruined rock and roll but I love their vocal harmonies and they had some of the biggest songs in the history of music. I feel sad for Brian Wilson and my prayers are with him, as well as his wife and family. The man is a musical genius.
3— “I Love the Nightlife” by Alicia Bridges— Sometimes the nightlife can result in an unexpected public display of sleeping because there are instances when only getting two-to-three hours of shuteye the night before is worse than remaining up the entire evening/morning and a next day trip to the mall just may result in you passing out on a bench, but hopefully there is no Homer Simpson moment of drooling. How great is this song? Back in the day I had to make believe I did not like it because I was the “rock guy” but this is beyond addictive. My oldest visited us from Oregon and we spent time together Friday night at the Blue Note. The 10:30 p.m. show was delayed, and the doors did not open until 11:15 p.m. The establishment had to make their money so ordering of food and drinks added another thirty minutes. Of course, I had to visit the restroom and when I returned my son was waiting. “Let’s head back home.” I did not even realize that it was “one-thirty” in the morning. We arrived home at three and I was in Starbucks on Saturday morning to meet the usual crowd for coffee at “six thirty,” feeling like a truck had run me over… but I did not have a display of sleeping in public.
4— “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham— The title of the song is what I should have informed all the people on N.J. Transit that summer afternoon, but I assumed they would have since they saw me every day for years. I know had “99” been on that trip home, she would have woken me up. This past week, our community group spoke about our favorite George Michael songs and one member stated that they did not know any of his catalog. What??!!
5— “Stay Up Late” by Talking Heads— I forgot how much I love this song and when we stay up late, it sometimes can lead to a public display of sleeping. There was this infamous time when Cheesy had a few too many and it was really late, with much of the public indoors sleeping. Placing him at the top step of his house in a lying position on his back, we rang his doorbell and hid behind the parked cars to ensure either his mother or father answered. It was his father, who I will always remember as a “yeller,” and his screams barely moved his son, but it was just enough to get him into private quarters.
6— “Late in the Evening”—by Paul Simon– This brilliant tune is beyond infectious, and the musicianship is incredible. Doesn’t it make you want to join the “conga line?” although, at this stage of the game I may not be able to bend that low and if I did, I probably could not get back up. If not obvious, the “late” reference is the key to its inclusion.
7— “Late Night Talking”—by Harry Styles– “Harry’s House” is an album that should be included in your library because there is not one bad song. It is amazing how his career has skyrocketed and deservedly so. My bride and offspring know that sometimes late-night talking does not work for me because at a moments notice, I could fall asleep right in mid-sentence. Do you know how many times I have fallen asleep late at night while speaking to family members? It counts as public sleeping. LOL.
8— “No Sleep Till Brooklyn”- by Beastie Boys– Arguably the greatest Brooklyn song in the history of music, no? I remember being the singer while playing some form of “Guitar Hero” while my youngest was on drums and oldest on guitar. They always met the colors with exact precision and sometimes my singing was so bad the song would crash because I screwed things up. If you live in Brooklyn, or was reared there, you know this song extremely well. Thank you, “Ad-Rock,” “MCA,” and “Mike-D” for keeping Brooklyn on the map!
9— “Wake Up Call”– by Maroon 5 (Mark Ronson Remix feat. Mary J. Blige)–Sometimes a wake-up call is needed as we all have seen that person asleep in the park or lawn chair. I usually love the way Mr. Ronson puts his spin on great songs and dare I say, this rendition is better than the original, especially with the brilliant move of adding Mary J to the mix. Mark is the step-son of Mick Jones, the founder of Foreigner, and he has called on his music buddies to make the case for ensuring that Foreigner earns its way into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after finally receiving its first nomination a few weeks ago. You all know how I feel. Long overdue.
10— “Wake Up Alone”- by Amy Winehouse – Most times one does wake up alone, even though you fell asleep in public because if no one wakes you up, then you wake up alone. Trying to shake the cobwebs can be amusing to those who can see you. Each time I hear Amy’s voice now, I shake my head in sadness because her voice is mesmerizing, and it is too sad that she is no longer with us. Listen to her vocal prowess on this song. Staggering.
11— “Blackout”- by Scorpions –Sometimes when you are extremely tired, you could fall asleep at a moments notice or experience a blackout. Case in point, last year while walking nearly 30,000 steps around Vegas waiting for my “red-eye” flight back to New York, I was beyond tired, and I do not even remember if I moved for my neighbors as I had the aisle seat. Next thing I felt was the plane landing at LaGuardia at six in the morning that Monday, a total blackout for me, first time I ever slept the entire flight.
12— “Goodnight (Live)” by Cheap Trick– Another stretch of the imagination but what do we say most times we fall asleep- “Goodnight.” Now, if you fall asleep in public, there may be others that will say Goodnight. Cheap Trick is still going strong, and it is a testament to the love of their craft. Robin can still sing, and this is one of my favorites off of one of the finest live albums ever, “Live at Budokan.”
13— “5 O’clock in the Morning”- by The Donnas-If we do get home at “5 O’clock in the Morning” chances are good that you will fall asleep in public, especially if the next afternoon you make a trip to the movies or the mall. This band was active from 1993-2012 and I love their sound as the head-banging always seemed to be in full gear. I read somewhere that the drummer had to have shoulder surgery (I can hear that) and the band broke up shortly thereafter. Apparently, they have turned away offers for a reunion. Crank this one way up!
14— “King of the Night Time World (Live)”- by KISS-In my mind if you are one who enjoys being the King (or Queen) of the Night Time World, chances are you have slept in public before and that is how this track makes the list in my mind. Any chance I have to put KISS into the mix, I will take it. Eddie Trunk is still at it with his Sirius channel by having Peter on a few weeks ago and the majority of the conversation (and calls from the Gene and Paul haters) centered around how badly he was treated. It amazes me that many in our society have no self-awareness and it is never their fault. Then on the other side, Ace still spouting off that he has put out more albums than KISS in the last decade. I wonder if he realizes those guys are done.
15— “The Sleep”- by Pantera– I had to get a song in by this legendary band because I went last week to see them at Madison Square Garden, and I totally recognize that it is not the same unit without Vinnie Paul and Dimebag. Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante have joined forces with Rex Brown (unbelievable bass guitarist) and the imposing Phil Anselmo to pay homage to the brothers as well as introduce this supreme metal act to another generation. In addition, I was able to see them after totally missing the boat when they were in their heyday. I survived the opener, Lamb of God, but thrived when Pantera took the stage. Seeing them indoors this time around (they will open for Metallica again later this year) was nothing less than spectacular. I was supremely impressed with Phil’s ability to still be able to sing these incredibly diverse songs. Charlie played the drums and I felt like Vinnie was sitting there above him smiling down. Witnessing Zakk for the second time, I was absolutely blown away by his superior skills as a guitarist. I could tell the brethren appreciated his acumen and it was one big love affair. One of the best concerts I have ever attended.
16— “Sleeping on the Sidewalk”- by Queen– Another perfect song for this topic and I will not name any names, but I know more than a few folks who ended up sleeping on the sidewalk after a night of possibly having a few too many. Growing up in Sunset Park, it would not be uncommon for someone to fall asleep on the stoop or in a lawn chair in front of the stoop but if you were out like a light on a sidewalk, chances are alcohol, or some other non-mentionable, were involved.
17— “Dreaming” by Blondie– I remember when this song first hit the radio airwaves, it was exciting, energetic, and super infectious. It has been a while since I have heard it but came across it in my I-pod and it make sense for this to be on this list as we are typically dreaming, whether we are sleeping in public or not.
18— “I Can Dream About You” by Dan Hartman– For those of age, they know that this song was the standout for the movie- “Streets of Fire” and Dan originally asked Hall & Oates to sing the song but was turned away. Lucky for Dan because this is a major hit. Unfortunately, Mr. Hartman passed away from a brain tumor at the youthful age of forty-three back in 1994. He wrote some huge tunes, including “Free Ride,” (Edgar Winter), “Instant Replay” (Huge “Brooklyn” disco song) and co-wrote “Living in America.” (James Brown)
19— “Hello It’s Late” by Stone Temple Pilots – This is one of my favorite songs by STP and I will continue to state that I love the “Shangri-La Dee Da” album, as it contains some of the best songs that the late Scott Weiland has ever recorded with his vocal prowess. To those who think that this unit was a “Pearl Jam Wanna-Bee”- think again, they went down their own path and deserves a nomination to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
20— “It’s Too Late by Carole King– What a career by the legendary Carole King, it is astounding to think of how many hit songs that she participated in crafting for herself as well as other artists. Imagine creating the “Tapestry” album? What an amazing legacy.
21— “Daysleeper” by R.E.M.– This is absolutely one of my all-time favorite songs by R.E.M. I believe this is pure magic and I can listen to this tune all day long. If you are sleeping in public, you will most likely be seen in the day, no? I can’t say enough about this beautiful track. Thanks to the members of R.E.M. for creating this unbelievable song.
22— “I’ve Dreamed of You” by Barbara Streisand– I believe I have utilized this astounding song in a past post, but I could not leave it off and had to put it last because I felt that nothing could follow this tune. This will always be dedicated to my bride as it is something that I wish I could have written. After a wonderful week with our oldest coming back home for a visit, I watched my wife hug her son with tears in her eyes as he was going back to his home in Oregon, and I had to turn away before I broke down. We had our first experience with our child coming to visit us after leaving the nest and physically seeing him was wonderful. He left last night and I know I will be dreaming of when we will see him again, but maybe not in public. LOL. Enjoy National Public Sleeping Day! (I have to admit that I would have thought this day would occur in the summertime).
Errols Weekly Music Update. 
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