The Aphrodisiac

'Repetition is important in "training'.
-Yann Martel,
The Life of Pi

The Imagination

Each culture and each person responds to aphrodisiacs in his or her own way.
Some work by analogy, like oysters in the shape of vulvas or asparagus in the shape of phallus; others by association and also by suggestion.
That is why it is good to have seductive names for exquisite dishes in the same way as the wise erotic Asian manuals have for different postures.
We might as well say that aphrodisiac is any substance or activity that stirs our erotic desire.
Some of them have a scientific basis, but most of them act by the impulse of our imagination.
This is precisely what 'Te Matare Ramirez' aims at:
to activate the most daring part of our imagination, which is the most powerful aphrodisiac we have knowledge of.
-On page three of the
'Te Matare Ramirez'
restaurant menu

Twenty-five years ago today:

Wednesday, March 28, 1984

I was in the company cafeteria this morning. I had my usual pancakes with the three hidden slices of bacon underneath the second pancake. This was my way of not having to pay for the side order of bacon. Yummy.

Helen and I went for a little chicken, rice and broccoli at the Chinese Food Joint for lunch. We enjoyed lunch outside, laying on the lawn, feeling the warm sun on our faces. We called it our 'temporary nap'.

Later that afternoon I was talking to Judy Albert (another co-worker) and Helen about a friend of mine who suggested an outing to a nude beach. They seemed to giggle at the concept. I am personally tempted and curious about the nude beach deal. I am kind of looking forward to the outdoor freedom. I will have to seriously consider it if I ever hear from Michael Thoennes again.

Surprise, Surprise! Michael Thoennes called me at about 3:15PM today with an invitation to dinner. That was fast. We ate at the Ice Cream Dock on Harbor Bay Isle in Alameda (my suggestion and one of my favorite places). I, of course, had to drive to the Fruitvale BART station to pick him up. That is rather convenient actually. I just realized that I've introduced Paloma, Chris, Paige and Michael to the Ice Cream Dock.

The young fellow that I often see each morning, waiting for his school bus was working at the Ice Cream Dock on this evening.
"See that guy?" I questioned Michael Thoennes with a smooth whisper.
"Yeah, why?" Thoennes asked.
"I really think he's a questionable case," I said in reference to the young fellow being questionably gay. I wasn't sure, but there was reason for speculation.
"I agree with you that there are a lot of 'questionables' out there," Thoennes said.

Michael Thoennes has nice hair but had some ugly sores on the sides of each lip from his aggressive shaving methods. Otherwise, he is quite a 'GLG' (Good Looking Guy). I mentioned Chris Cordellos only once during our dinner conversation.
"You don't really look 'new wavish' considering the alternative rock that you like," Thoennes commented.
"My friend, Chris, looks more 'new wavish' than I do," I replied.
I knew I did not look 'new wave' tonight. I was wearing a red and white striped Rugby shirt.

Thoennes came over to my house for a while. I took a photograph of him. He took interest in looking at my photos. Eventually we gave a quick hug goodbye for the evening. That is all. There was not talk of 'nude beaches'. I certainly wasn't going to bring it up. I drove him to the Fruitvale BART station at 8:30PM and was back home by 9PM. I was just in time for the latest episode of 'Dynasty'.

Chris is expected to call. Should I mention the Michael Thoennes dinner? I think I will hold off on the subject until the weekend comes around.

Tomorrow is Salima's last day at the Downtown Oakland office. I wonder if she'll like her new promotion at the 'Final Accounts Collection Center' in El Cerrito, CA. I am envious that she has a change in business venue. I will give her my 'You're Simply Grand' greeting card that I've held on to for a year. She is the "right" person for that card.

At 5pm tomorrow I have my medical physical appointment at the Bay Area Sperm Bank. This is the last phase in the process. Then my 'itty bitty' friends will apparently be shout up into some needy ladies' you-know-what. Eighteen years from now (2002 or 2003) will be very interesting. I wonder if I will ever meet this inseminated child of mine.

I fell asleep and woke up in the middle of the night. I realized that I wasn't going to get that telephone call from Chris Cordellos after all. I tossed and turned and rolled over many times until I finally fell asleep.