Dawn picked me up around quarter after 9. It was too early. There was no traffic out, or much of anything. We pulled into the parking lot at Elkins Chevrolet a block or so down the highway from the big TJ Maxx/Michaels' shopping center in Marlton around 9:30. Sat in the car and looked stuff up on our phone until we were ready to go in.
As it turned out, the Chevrolet dealership was a family car sales lot housed in a very modern steel-and-glass building. The sweet lady who gave the interview said I would be working as a receptionist, doing light account work and using their new AI equipment to handle calls, and that they'd be willing to train. Apparently, it was a small business owned by three brothers who had inherited from their father. They have a casual atmosphere and pride themselves on being a cheery place to work. I wouldn't get a huge salary to start, but there would be chances for advancement. I'd even have a regular Friday and Sunday off.
There's only one big problem. The hours are mostly late, 12 to 8, and as I know from my trips to Marlton, the highway is in the middle of nowhere. I'd need to take two buses (one coming from Camden) or an expensive Uber ride every night to get there.
Even if I don't get the job, I now have a better idea of what kind of a job I'd like to look for. I want something like Elkins Chevrolet or the small bank chain where Lauren works in Pittsfield - family-owned businesses or small local chains with a friendlier atmosphere, more time to focus on my work, somewhat less stress, and a chance for advancement. I also need businesses that are more willing to train and take a chance on someone looking to do something new.
Put on The Monkees when I got home and made my grocery lists. For once, it's tough Texan Mike Nesmith who gets conned in "I've Got a Little Song Here." He hocks his beloved blonde guitar to get money for a devious agent who claims he'll sell his song to a star, only to find that the star has no idea what he's talking about. Micky, who knows Hollywood like the back of his hand, poses as a big-shot movie producer to get back at the guy with a con of his own.
Headed out to run errands around 11:30. Stopped at Geneva Pizza for a quick lunch first. The small pizzeria on Cuthbert Road was quiet when I stepped in, though a guy did come in later. I ate a slice of sausage, a slice of square-shaped cheese and basil, and had a water while listening to ESPN talk about last night's game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings (Rams won, BTW, 30-20.)
Rode down Cuthbert, dodging noon rush hour traffic to the Westmont Plaza next. Sprouts was much busier. People must have been shopping on their lunch breaks. I found Nixie sodas with a coupon on them and filled a small bag with dried pineapple pieces. Cascadian Farms granola bars were on sale, as were red grapes. Restocked my coconut milk, too, and dug up vegan oatmeal raisin cookies on clearance.
The lunch traffic was thankfully winding down by the time I left Sprouts and made my way past the Haddon Township Library and High School to the Acme. Mostly needed to restock my yogurt and get bagels for lunch this week. Had online coupons for Too Good yogurt, Breeeze apples, Poppi soda, and Kind granola bars. I earned enough Rewards points to get a freebie. Thought I'd try the pop-can cinnamon rolls for dessert this evening.
Took the long way home through Newton Lake Park. Though it remains sunny and too dry, it's at least cooler here. I don't think it made it out of the 60's. I dodged a few people walking their dogs as I passed the sparkling fountains and glowing gold and scarlet trees. Pushed my bike up the hill, under the golden bowers to the Haddon Township Environmental Center.
Returned to The Monkees as I put everything away. Sweet bassist Peter Tork is "One Man Shy" when he falls for pretty and smart debutante Valerie whose party the guys are going to play at. Her current suitor Ronnie (playwright George Firth) doesn't like that one bit and tries to sabotage the guys' efforts to bring them together. Not only that, Peter really is very shy and doesn't know what to say. Valerie understands that Peter is at his best when he's being himself.
Got my schedule for next week. An early day on Sunday, and a seven-hour day on Wednesday. Slightly more hours. Otherwise, same days off, including Halloween. I might try to do something for Halloween before the kids come around, since it's supposed to be beautiful that day. Maybe I'll ride up to Barrington if I don't oversleep.
Took a long nap after I got off the laptop. I barely got three hours' sleep last night. Went down at 3, got up at 5:30, and felt a little better afterwards.
Worked on the inventory next. Added Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Kitty's Kisses, and the Julie Andrews studio version of The King and I. I just found Kitty in Philly this year, but King and I and Joseph were Abbie Road finds years ago. (King and I goes back to 2007!)
Watched Match Game '77 while eating dinner. Richard was more than happy to help a comely young lady named Chris who had once been a centerfold with "Portland __" on the Audience Match. The others, including David Lansburg and Lee Merriweather, tease Marcia Wallace about her curly mop. In the next episode, Richard and Marcia protest an Ugly Edna question, wondering when they'll hear about Ugly Ed.
Finished the night with Halloween and horror comedies at YouTube. Dracula: Dead and Loving It is Mel Brooks' last parody film to date. It actually follows the plot of Dracula pretty well, with Leslie Nielson as the accident-prone vampire, Amy Yasbeck as his would-be victim, and Harvey Korman as her concerned father. Brooks himself plays a very unlikely Van Helsing. This is far from Brooks' best work, but it does have some fun bits, notably Mina and Dracula dancing in the finale in front of a mirror that reveals that Dracula's not all there. Peter MacNichol puts in one of his best performances as Dracula's groveling slave Renfield.
Garfield's Halloween Adventure is almost as frightening. I went further into this special and Halloween Is Grinch Night at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog on Halloween 2018.
The Paul Lynde Halloween Special is the most 1976 holiday programming in existence. Tired of being annoyed by the Osmonds and their friends on Halloween night, Lynde joins his housekeeper Margaret (Hamilton) at her sister's quiet country home. Of course, her sister is Billie "Witchiepoo" Hayes, their home is a decrepit mansion, and they're both witches. Paul jumps on their offer for three wishes to become a trucker (with Roz Kelly as his girl and Tim Conway as a rival trucker), a sheikh (Florence Henderson is his conquest, Conway is a member of the Foreign Legion), and for the house to become a disco. Betty White turns up at one point as Miss Halloween. KISS plays some of their biggest hits between skits, including "King of the Night Time World," "Beth," and "Detroit Rock City."
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