shishnit.org

Mike was my first real boss.
Mike changed my musical tastes at an early age.
Mike was my first mentor.
Mike and I have kept in touch for 17 years.
Mike is married and lives in J-town with his wife.
Mike and I peeled a lot of stickers together.
Mike does not answer email fast.

From: Kristy
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:31 AM
To: ‘Mike’
Subject: I got a garbage brain it’s driving me insane…

Mike,

I bought an old crusty record copy of The Cramps, Bad Music for Bad People a few weeks ago at a hot ratty thrift shop in Tampa. I swear the minute the needle fell on that record I remembered being 19 and every problem in the world was mine. I sat there listening to it remembering the dirty old carpeting at the National Record Mart and sorting all those cassettes, and peeing while staring at a big stupid cock bird. I’ve had better jobs for sure since then. I currently love my “want to come to college?” job. But something about sitting down in the dark listening to that old record….reminded me that once upon a time work was something far different than it is now. Perhaps because I had nothing to lose because I made barely anything. I remember some really sad paychecks. But it’s always a good thing to remember you weren’t always so old or so smart.

I met two boyfriends and a bad first husband in that joint. That Cramps record is still weird.

Without NRM there would be no child in my life….go figure.

Hope you are staying warm. Are you still working? I got your Christmas card…thanks!

Kristy

thanks for teaching me how to appreciate some whacked music.

From: Mike
Sent: Monday, March 17, 2008 11:03 PM
To: Kristy
Subject: Re: I got a garbage brain it’s driving me insane…

K

Bad people listen to bad music! That was a good record. Ahhh..those were the days. it’s quite funny that you sent the e-mail about NRM. By coincidence NRM played a role in my life this past week. How can this be you ask! Well…I broke my big toe opening that fucking safe, you know the one that Rose stocked all the nickels and dimes in… I was in a hurry, and did a deep knee bend on both legs, bending my toes, and broke one of them.. Well after all these years I decided to have it repaired, and now I’m spending a week in bed after the surgery. No way could I have taken the time back then to have it done! Who would peel stickers? Who would run the sweeper that did nothing more than blow dust and dirt all over everything? Who would help the customer find a Motorhead cassette tape? Who would find the best available seat for a concert? Who would get the dimes out of the safe for Rose? Need I say more?

M