Taste Test

While we can experience only five tastes:
sweet, salty, sour, bitter
and the elusive "other" taste known as 'umami'
we can recognize over a thousand smells.
-Tilar Mazzeo
"The Widow Clicquot"



May 31, 1984
Thursday

Once again it was lunch with Tony and Helen. This time we ate at ‘FATS” and I treated myself to a Coors. I chose Coors because that’s the beer that Chris Cordellos’ mom gave us when we went on our excursion to the beach.

At work I moved to my original desk and Sue Reppert is my supervisor once again. Of course, this is only temporary as I will transfer to the BSC (Business Service Center) in ‘The City’ on July 9th.

I had a slight argument with Dad after work about the phone bill.
I owe him $25.35. He was accusing me of owing more. We made things clear and I won the battle.

My evening bike ride was interesting. I saw this guy who was rather “questionable”. He looked a little bit like a cute guy I remembered from high school named Roger De Monte. When I returned home from the brisk bike outing my Dad had two messages for me.
“Chris and Mike called for you,” Dad said.
Chris never called back and I didn’t feel like calling ‘outside the local area’ after the recent phone bill review/argument with Dad. And so, I did not call him.

Michael Thoennes called again with an invitation to a Sunday picnic in Saratoga Springs. I don’t want to go. I’m exhausted.
“I thought Chris was cute but he looks rather young,” Michael T said.
Whatever.

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International Male

What is rice pudding?
Nothing short of heaven.
-Yann Martel
"The Life of Pi"


Twenty-five years ago today:

May 30, 1984
Wednesday

Today was an all right kind of day (I guess). I ate lunch with my brother, Tony, and Helen over by Lake Merritt. Helen brought chicken in for all of us.

I went to the ‘Sperm Bank’ after work and was told that I had an “excellent” count last time with 70% mobility. Barbara, the lady who seems to run the place, was impressed.
“Would you be interested in ‘fresh donor’?” Barbara asked.
I gave a puzzled look and then came to learn that ‘fresh donor’ means being on-call when I am needed. I wasn’t thrilled about the idea.
“I’ll think about it and let you know,” I replied.

Once home I went for a bicycle ride. I have not spoken to Chris though I have thought of him quite a bit. I wore his camel suede coat today. I just LOVE it. I got stares galore and compliments, too. I love my suede coat. Every time I think of it I die at the thought of ‘his’ thought of even taking the time to purchase it for me. I am overjoyed. I want to get him something.


I browsed through the SPIEGEL Collector’s Guild catalog and ordered some items from there as well as from International Male’s Undergear catalog.

I watched the KQED auction with Dad for a while. I stayed up once again to watch Joan Rivers on The Tonight Show.

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Smiling & Biking

A smile makes you master of yourself.
-Thich Nhat Hanh
"Being Peace"


Twenty-five years ago today:

May 29, 1984
Tuesday

I went to the Record Factory to buy a couple of new cassette tapes when I was supposed to be at a doctor’s appointment. I was being naughty by pretending I had a fake appointment. I appeared at work at noon. Work sped by quickly and I came home to homemade hamburgers.

I invited Sue Miller to go bike riding but she was studying. I didn’t feel like an ‘independent ride’.

I was just remembering that Chris and I went to John & Sherri’s yesterday. I neglected to write that in my journal yesterday. I wanted to deliver the little pink tennis shoes that I bought for Ashley. Sherri is such a sweetheart.


I forgot to inquire about any potential mail I might have received at John & Sherri’s. Oh well.

There was not one word to or from CMC (Chris M Cordellos) today. I survived. That’s good. Tomorrow is another day of love, hope and joy.

I slept until 9pm. Helen called me and we caught up on things. She is sweet.
“Have you called David Vigil since you, Barb and Kent Wood will be transferring to his office soon?” Helen asked.
“No, I haven’t. I think I will sometime soon,” I answered.

I stayed up to watch Joan Rivers but her guests tonight weren’t too hot.

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A Writer's Obligation

A writer has a duty and an obligation never to be understood by his own generation.
-Paulo Coelho
"Like The Flowing River"


Twenty-five years ago today:

May 28, 1984
Sunday

It was an erotic morning awakening in a sleeping bag in the Concord Hills.

Chris and I ate at Bob’s Big Boy for breakfast (after we returned the sleeping bags to their proper place).
We continued on the merry day with a visit to Sun Valley Mall with Chris’ mother. It was fun. When we’d argue bitterly we would later apologize to one another, realizing how stupid it is. When we’re apart we want to be together.

I wore the black checkerboard shirt that belonged to Jim Severn (Chris had brought it along from Arcata because he liked it, too). We continued our afternoon with a visit to Alameda. The beach was jammin’ with people today! Chris apologized for his knocking the beach.
“I like Alameda now. I see something new and different every time I come here,” Chris shared with a smile as he nonchalantly combed his hair.
I am glad he feels that way. It makes me feel good to know that I live in a great place.

PHOTO: Alameda South Shore Beach View



While walking along the beach shoreline we drank Coors Beer, cookies and bananas. I saw Ron, the windsurfer dude and went over to talk to him for a while. I briefly introduced Chris. Chris was totally turned off to his Southern California ‘attitude’. I think I understood what he meant. Ron gives off this impression of a dunce surfer-type.

Chris and I continued strolling along the beach. We didn’t do as much of the “oooing and ahhing” and “look at that” as we did on Seacliff Beach. We just walking and hung out. Then I suggested we go over to Suzy Miller’s apartment complex on Shoreline Drive. Michael Miller was there. We hung out there for a good while and ‘played it cool’. I had a relaxing, good time.

PHOTO: Michael G Miller

I played some chess with Michael Miller for a good hour or so. I lost—or rather ‘wanted to lose’ after the anxious hour of strategy. Eventually, we all went to Zachary’s Pizza in North Oakland (including the company of Sue’s mom). We had a delicious deep dish pan pizza. It was a nice time out.

After the dinner at Zachary’s Pizza Chris and I fled to ‘The City’ to see the new Mel Gibson movie, “The Bounty”. The movie made for a nice closure of the weekend.
“In my eyes you’re way better looking than Mel Gibson,” Chris said in his very own complimentary way.
I thought he was being overly nice, of course.
“I don’t want to go on anymore about it because I don’t want your head to swell,” Chris said in regards to my looks.
I had to laugh at that line. My head will not swell. He was just being nice.

“My mom is probably suspicious about us,” Chris said.
“Do you really think so?”
“Either way, she wants what’s best for me and I’m just going to do what I want,” Chris revealed.
“Well, I like your mom,” I added.
“My mom really likes you, too. She says you are one of my better friends,” Chris said with a gleaming smile.
“I’m glad things are cool. My mom thinks you’re a nice guy, too, Chris.”

“The Bounty” was a good film. We went our separate ways upon arrival to Alameda. There will be other and ‘many more’ good times for us.

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Gallivanting

I want no false coin from you.
I want you to come of your own free will.
-Philippa Gregory
"The Other Boleyn Girl"

May 27, 1984
Sunday

Today is Chris’ Dad’s birthday. He was going to spend the day with his pop, so I was not really expected to see him today. Chris did say he may telephone me. I decided to telephone him at noon but there was no answer. He called me at 12:30pm from his Dad’s pad.
“I just cleaned my Dad’s boat. And you know what?” Chris asked.
“No, what?” I asked.
“My Dad gave me his boat!” Chris announced happily.
I gave my two cents of congratulations on that remark when Chris asked, “Why don’t you meet me in Concord in about an hour?”
And so, like his puppet on his string I met him in an hour.

We went for a dip in the swimming pool and laid out, too. It amazed me when he went down under the water (and down on me). It was fun.


I sort of had the sniffles (probably because of the heat and coolness climate changes from having the Mustang convertible top down). I started to worry a little bit because I learned that Chris was never treated for his throat culture ordeal just because he felt ‘okay’. My throat started feeling raspy again. I know I am probably imagining things. It was probably a combination of that joint and a simple cold coming on. I am happy.

We escaped over to Cost Plus for a few items. We both bought safari hats.

Chris and I joined his folks for a dinner outing at Grogan’s in Walnut Creek. We had a good time. Chris’ mom is a sweetheart. She is so divinely likable. I dread thinking about her fatal outcome given her emphysema condition.

After dinner it was 9PM and Chris and I decided to check out ‘The Hub’. We danced the night away until Chris threw me for a loop.
“I’m going to ask that guy to dance,” Chris said smiling and in a straightforward sort of way.
I paused for a moment.
“Don’t expect me to be here when you get back,” I blurted after his annoying remark.
Chris got all pissed-off.

We left ‘The Hub’ and Chris revealed a surge of mishaps, jealousy and repetition in us to his former relationship with a guy named Tony. Chris was in a relationship with some guy named Tony for seven months. Tony, his ex-partner, was described to me (by Chris) as a partial black guy with green eyes.
“We just fluked it,” Chris said.
Fluked meant that they just “ended” it.
We continued to talk about this previous relationship and ended up arguing about other things like his going off to Eureka. And I couldn’t help throwing out references to things that Barbara had told me about his gallivanting.

Chris was hurt. I was hurt. He was hurt because I was hurt. I was hurt because he was hurt. As I write now I only feel that he was making ‘mountains out of mole hills’.

We made attempts to make up in the laundry room. Our bond started to get better.
“I don’t run your life,” I implored into him.
He agreed that I do not run his life. We seemed to be on good terms once again. We rounded up his sleeping bags and slept out on the nearby Concord hills. The bugs were a nuisance but we loved the night stars and each other’s company.

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The Future Is One's Past

It is scary to discover that one's future is also one's past.
The anticipation of a world is inevitably the myth of an eternal return.
-Jules Verne
"Paris in the Twentieth Century"
(The Lost Novel)

Michael, 'The Gemini'
At 11:59pm Pacific Time I was born fifty years ago today (May 26th) in Oakland, California. I celebrate my 'New 30' in Barcelona, Spain. Viva Espana!

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 26, 1984
Saturday

What a way to start my Birthday morning!
Chris’ lower back was ‘killing him’. He couldn’t take it and I didn’t know what to do. The pain eventually subsided and we managed to have a great morning. We showered and then headed for Carmel.

We ate at a nice outdoor restaurant after I bought a cool, new pair of shoes. The shopping could not be helped among all of the neat little shops.

It looked like the weather was going to be nice but it remained gloomy so we decided to head for the Santa Cruz-Los Gatos area.

We found our way to Seacliff Beach in Aptos, CA. We enjoyed the ‘walk & talk’ as we checked out this entirely new beach, feeling the warm sun along the way. We had fun joking around about the nice bods, the grody bods and the great lookin’ asses and vice versa. It made me laugh hearing Chris talk so spontaneously and directly. There was no jealousy involved either. It was just plain summer fun and goofing off.

PHOTO: by LaWanda Wilson-Cornmesser

We were soon in Los Gatos, CA where we had ice-cream at Swensons. The traffic was hectic for a good while but I had my share of cool, alternative tunes to help pass the time.

Before long we were back in Alameda. Chris fled to Concord to change clothes and shower. Chris returned about two hours later and we ventured over to San Francisco’s Top of the Mark to see the wonderful City Lights view on my 25th Birthday.

I was feeling tired after the long day. We left the Top of the Mark and walked (regretfully) to Polk Street and walked into a 24 hour restaurant called GRUBSTEAK. It was a drastic change from the Top of the Mark clientele. We left as Chris started to feel tired, too.

I had to drive home with Chris dozin’ off. He was not in the mood for ‘anything’. So I remained silent listening to mellow tunes. When we arrived home Chris fell asleep in his car and I went inside to sleep in the house. He didn’t want to come in, so I left. I guess he left after his nap (or maybe after a scary dream of me or some other face knocking on his window).

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A Pleasant Memory

When in doubt, drift off into a pleasant memory.
-Mavis Cheek
"Mrs. Fytton's Country Life"


Twenty-five years ago today:

May 25, 1984
Friday

I received a gift of a tie and a shirt from Helen Wong. She’s too sweet. Barbara Reynolds gifted me a T-shirt, a stuffed rabbit animal and my Birthday Cake. The Cake was luscious with that great real-whipped cream and strawberries.

I thought I would get out of work early but—as it turned out—I could not.

Finally, I arrived home and I telephoned Chris who was back in his Concord stomping grounds. I noticed he had called at 3pm. Mom had left a note for me about his telephone call, posted on the refrigerator.
“I’ll be right over,” Chris said.
I dressed in the new black gray-sleeved shirt that Helen bought for me.

When Chris arrived we both headed for ‘Skylark 23’ on Harbor Bay Island to drink the bottle of champagne I received from work from coworker, Pat Overshoun. ‘Skylark 23’ is a fictitious name that I gave to the elevated lookout tower viewpoint near an isolated park on Harbor Bay Isle.


Chris and I ventured over to Bay Fair Shopping Center in San Leandro where I bought myself a sport coat. We popped into MACY’s so that I could apply my $50 gift card to my account. The gift card was a prize that I won at work. We decided to go for a drink at the Red Robin when I saw “Tammy Duhr”!

“Hello, Michael,” Tammy said.
“Wow, how are you?” I asked as I couldn’t help notice the frizzy haired geeky guy she was standing near.
I could tell she was embarrassed to be with him. Her body language made it show. She seemed very glad to see me.
“This is my friend, Chris Cordellos,” I said as they nodded politely over the introduction.
Tammy did not talk for too long.

Chris did not like her illuminated blond hair.
“You weren’t kidding about her nose,” Chris said, after I had mentioned it was a tad conspicuous.
We both agreed that she was very nice.

Our next stop was Milpitas, CA. Chris and I stopped to pay a visit to Michael Thoennes and his friend, Colin. I was shocked to see Michael because it looked as though he had bleached his hair ‘orange’! He was acting too weird. Perhaps he felt uncomfortable about my being there with Chris. We did not stay there very long. We decided to leave and made a big mistake by stopping at McDonald’s in Milpitas.

We went dancing in San Jose at AMS. We ‘sweat it out’ so well. I recall dancing to RELAX by Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x12zxk_frankie-goes-to-hollywood-relax_music
The drinks started to ‘get to me’ on top of the McDonald’s quarter pounder with cheese! We left at approximately 1:20AM and pulled over in Seaside, CA and slept at the first place we could find. It was a Best Western Hotel.

Once we were settled inside the Hotel room I opened my Birthday gift from Chris. He gave me the most beautiful camel colored lamb suede jacket that I absolutely LOVED!
“I can’t believe you bought this for me,” I exclaimed.
“I originally put a down payment on a color console TV but I ‘latered’ that idea after Barb insisted on my telephone bill payment,” Chris remarked as we both started to laugh about that.
I couldn’t get over his generosity. I do LOVE the guy.

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Random Clustering

Statisticians call this kind of thing random clustering,
a useful way of denying its significance.
-William Golding
"Lord of the Flies"


Twenty-five years ago today:

May 24, 1984
Thursday

It was a swift day at work. Chris came over to Downtown Oakland to meet me for lunch. We ate at Monica’s and then managed some time to browse at I.Magnin and The Emporium. Once again we were unwilling to depart from one another but we did.

After work I drove up to Concord and we hung out there for a while. Boredom set in and we decided to go to ‘The Stud’ in The City. Chris liked it there—but then again—he freaked (as I did) over the atmosphere in this popular gay bar. It did not have the type of studs that I imagined in my mind. It was a mere pick-up joint and we both had those shaky suburban vibes of ‘don’t leave me here standing alone’.

After ‘The Stud’ experience I was in no mood to drive all the way out to Concord. So I drove to Alameda.
“I could spend the night,” Chris suggested.
I didn’t feel comfortable having him stay at the house with ‘my mom and dad’. There was no way.
We mutually decided to go to the DAYS INN on Hegenberger Road, near the Oakland Airport. It was fun and strange. There was some cop named B.J. who followed us. Chris dopily invited him into our room! He was nice and it seemed pretty safe given that he was an officer of the law. However, he was one hell of a geeky looking goon.
“Yeah, it’s my birthday on Saturday and we’re on our way to Carmel-by-the Sea,” I said to B.J., the cop.
“Or we might go L.A. or bust. We’re from Eureka,” Chris interjected.
This B.J. cop finally left but he returned to give us two and a half doobies (joints) ! Unbelievable!

Chris and I continued with a few puffs, laughing hysterically. We tried to sleep. We enjoyed ‘ourselves’.

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Clouded Judgement

I was trying to soothe myself by remaining busy.
I felt tainted. The unnamed sensation returned...
...clouded judgement.
-Ian McEwan
"Enduring Love"


Twenty-five years ago today:

May 23, 1984
Wednesday

The big news of the day was the fact that Barbara Reynolds and I were presented with our actual job offers to the City’s Business Service Center effective July 8, 1984. Hoorah! We’re out of here!

After the exciting work day I munched down a quick dinner (chicken and a salad) and went to see John, Sherri and Ashley. Ashley looks ever so cute now. Every time I see her I detect a cute change. I stayed on for a while and then went on a one-hour bicycle ride.

Christopher Cordellos called me at 7:40pm. We arranged to meet at the Walnut Creek BART station. He looked so prepped-out in his plaid shorts and turquoise blue shirt. He teed me off when he would NOT sit in my car to hear me read aloud the letter I worked so hard on last night.

Chris was all talk about his Coast Guard buddies Clay and Tim. These two chaps are stationed in the Bay Area and Chris spent the day shopping with them. There was a changed aura in him that I did not like. I know he got it from hanging’ out with those two dudes, too.
“I want to live in Beverly Hills,” Chris announced.
“Who doesn’t want to?” I asked.


We decided to go to that bar in Walnut Creek called ‘The Hub’. It was so ‘dead’ in there that we ended up at ‘Grogan’s’ for Brandy Alexander and pineapple vodka cocktails. We just ‘hung out’ and ended up talking to a tall woman named Vicki. We told her where we were from.
“Oh wow, my dad used to live in Sonoma and Alameda,” the mysterious Vicki said.

It did not take long before we decided to leave Grogan’s. We hung out at the Walnut Creek BART parking lot and started talking. We shared half of a joint in his car. Of course there was no doubt that Chris brought the joint down from his Humboldt marijuana contact (or maybe it was a gift from Clay and Tim). It was a wild, light-headed and sensual feeling. It was still “ugh” in feeling at the same time.

I barely remember driving home. I do remember that neither one of us wanted to depart from the other. I felt ‘laid back’ when I awoke in the morning.

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Mind Power

By the 2020's, once nanobot-based scanning becomes reality we will be able to place sensors (in the form of nanobots) at millions to billions of locations in the brain and thus witness living brains in action.
-Ray Kurzweil
'The Singularity Is Near'

PHOTO:
Mind Power Extraordinaire,
Angelique, The Witch
DARK SHADOWS

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 22, 1984
Tuesday

My boss (Robert) told me that Barbara Reynolds, Kent Wood and I are going to be ‘next up’ with our job transfer requests. I have heard nothing definite yet. Oh well!

I am losing ‘mind power’ over Chris Cordellos (meaning I am succeeding in erasing him from my mind). This is a good thing. I cannot keep depending on, overpowering my mind over him. I shall not dwell on the guy. I refuse to. I am keeping busy with other projects and people.

The evening bicycle ride was good. I thought about how I love driving my car with the convertible top down. My Birthday weekend is coming and another beautiful day is on the forecast.

Michael Thoennes invited me to a party at his house. I have decided to attend after all. My birthday is Saturday, so I will celebrate my birthday at the party as well. It could be interesting meeting his friends. Who are they? Colin is one name he mentioned. Who else?

I drove to Milpitas, CA (where Michael Thoennes lives) and I did meet a lot of Michael’s friends. I found a few of them somewhat amusing. It was a learning experience to see other people. There were a variety of ‘types’, too. It’s the typical Gemini. Michael T has such varied friends. He will be 23 tomorrow, May 23rd. I will be 25 on the 26th.

I returned home to watch ‘Dark Shadows’. It allows me to reminisce about my past. I became inspired to write Chris Cordellos a long letter. The letter expressed my feelings and the episodes of last weekend.

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The Imminence of Terror

The imminence of terror lurked in what you read,
what you did for sex,
how you dressed,
what you thought about religion,
what you knew about science,
where your political allegiances lay.
It drove private life underground.
-when describing life in Milano, Italy
in the 1570's as read in the book
"M-The Man Who Became Caravaggio"
by Peter Robb


Twenty-five years ago today:

May 21, 1984
Monday
When I telephoned Chris Cordellos at 9AM he was still asleep.
“Something’s wrong with our phone because I was home when you called last night,” Chris pleaded innocently.
I don’t believe him. If he wanted me to know where he was I believe he would have told me.
“I will call you when I get there on Wednesday night,” Chris said as closure to the conversation.
We left it ‘at that’.

My supervisor, Robert, told me I should be hearing from the Placement Center anytime now. I don’t know what to think. I would rather not hear about it anymore until it actually happens.

After my quick bicycle ride for the day I called Suzy Miller. Suzy was really ‘teed off’ because her business deal for her Toyota Celica purchase is not going well.

I decided to do something off the cuff and telephoned Tammy Duhr. She doesn’t live with her mother anymore. Her stepfather wouldn’t give me her forwarding telephone number. Oh well. It is her loss (I guess).

I telephoned Michael Miller but he wasn’t at home. I decided to call Sherri and we talked a bit. Ashley is a full-time job. I learned why my snapshots at her Baby Shower didn’t turn out very well. I neglected to set the film speed.

Michael Thoennes telephoned just before I was about to go to sleep for the night.
“Why don’t you just ditch Chris on Saturday night and come to the party?” Michael T asked pointedly.
Now that was ‘direct and to the point’. I don’t think I will do that though. It’s not in my heart to do so.

I went to bed early. However, I am determined to celebrate the rest of this week. It “is” my Birthday week!

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The Pleasure Seeker

As he grew older he began more and more to take refuge in books.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

I will be seeking pleasure and excitement during my BLOGGER VACATION in Paris, Spain and England from May 20-June 8 2009. Therefore, the forthcoming blogs (after today) will be limited to a 'hopeful quote to ponder' and my 'Twenty-five years ago' segment.

I plan to take a paperback that I found some months ago called "The Pleasure Seeker" by Jose Luis de Vilallonga for the trip. I will surely find some good lines in that one (at least I hope so). The front of the paperback cover has imprinted the following:

'The intense revealing novel of a man who traded love for desire and desire for novelty..."Another chapter from La Dolce Vita"
-New York Herald Tribune

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 20, 1984
Sunday

Barbara left early and I woke up with a stiff neck. I showered to relieve the pain. I heard Chris arrive in Jim’s motorcycle at about 8:30am.

We hung out in his room for a while and had a ‘morning delight’ (makes me think of that song by Starland Express called ‘Afternoon Delight’).


We headed out to Arcata for breakfast as Samoa’s Cookhouse. He rode in Jim’s motorcycle and I drove separately in my car. We returned to the house and readied ourselves for the beach (after a shower).

We argued a bit. There was a quiet tension between us.
“All we ever do is argue,” Chris yelled.
“That’s NOT true! You know…you’re not just an asshole but ‘THE WHOLE ASS’ for saying that,” I said in my very pissed-off tone.

We headed for the beach in my car as we had a drawn out spat about ‘weed’. I was “against” it. He was on the “semi-circle” about it.
“We’re nothing alike. I’m radical and hardcore,” Chris announced.
I was silent but I could easily agree with his words. I thought I could be quite radical at times, although I am usually more ‘soft-core’.

We ventured over to the zoo in Eureka because it was too cold at the beach. We ran into Phil and a ‘redhead’ from Oregon. We shared Michelob beers with them and ate small bites.

Later, Chris and I laid out for a bit of sunshine in the patio area of his house. I wore his Dad’s old black bikini bathing suit and we laid out ‘nude’ to ‘semi-nude’. I got a rub down with the Ban du Soleil cream. It was good.


I left the house at 4:30pm and arrived home to Alameda at 9:45pm. Chris was not at home when I telephoned to inform him that I had arrived home safely.

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The Increasing Power of China

"You can't make anyone feel the way you'd like them to."
-as heard while watching
the TV series KYLE-XY

The following words 'On China' are from
SPRING MOON,
a Novel on China published in 1981
by Bette Bao Lord:

In the world today, what position do we occupy?
Compared to the other peoples of the world we have the greatest population and our civilization is 4,000 years old; we should therefore be advancing in the front rank with the nations of Europe and America. But the Chinese people have only family and clan solidarity; they do not have national spirit. Therefore, even though we have four hundred million people gathered together in one China, in reality they are just a heap of loose sand. Today we are the poorest and weakest nation in the world, and occupy the lowest position in International Affairs. Other men are the carving knife and serving dish, we are the fish and the meat.
-Sun Yat-sen


January 2009:
China did have its day in the sun when it unveiled the opening ceremony of the Olympics on August 8, 2008.

The Zhejiang Wanli University (with support of the WSEAS: World Scientific & Engineering Academy & Society)organized the following parallel conferences for 2009:
COMPUTER ENGINEERING and APPLICATIONS
CIRCUITS, SYSTEMS, SIGNAL and TELECOMMUNICATIONS
MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY and ECOLOGY
FLUID MECHANICS
HEAT and MASS TRANSFER

February 2009:
Over the last quarter century, China's economy has evolved from a centrally planned
system mostly closed to international trade to a rapidly growing market-oriented
economy that is the most important player in the global economy. Beginning with the
phasing out of collectivized agriculture, China’s reforms have included price liberalization, fiscal decentralization, increased autonomy for state enterprises, the development of a diversified banking system, and stock markets. As a result of these reforms, the rapid growth of the private sector, and the opening to foreign trade and investment, China has experienced unprecedented economic growth of between 8 and 12 percent per year. This growth has lifted an estimated 200 million people into the middle class and transformed the economy and consumption patterns. China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December 2001, further boosting GDP growth, direct foreign investment, and exports. Although 75 percent of China’s economic growth comes from domestic sources, its tradition of export-oriented growth has given it foreign exchange reserves of more than $1.3 trillion. Some farming sectors have begun to organize as supply cooperatives to guarantee better prices and collective standards.

China is undergoing the largest internal migration in human history. The official number for rural to urban migration has been
1.5 percent over the last 10 years and is expected to continue requiring China's already overpopulated cities to accommodate another 200 million low-income workers over the next five years. As a result, some projections forecast the rural population to drop to 20 percent of the total by 2027.

March 2009:
Green energy projects increase. China is also reportedly revising its energy development plans to nearly double its nuclear power capacity.

April 2009:
In the few decades since the illegal Chinese invasion of Tibet, Tibetans have seen their ecosystem destroyed, their religion, language, and culture repressed, and systematic oppression and violence against anyone who dares acknowledge Tibetan sovereignty.

The Dalai Lama has been a consistent voice for peace, sharing a "Middle-Way" approach that has gathered accolades from the Nobel Peace Prize to the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. The Dalai Lama has consistently been 'a speaker of truth'. The power of China continues to increase.

May 2009:
China looking to increase solar power goals by order of magnitude.

June 2009:
The Shanghai New International Expo Centre plans a Symposium Exhibit with the CPhI (Chinese Pharmaceutical Industry) in late June 2009.
With new opportunities emerging and new, stricter rules and regulations raising the bar even higher, the pharmaceutical landscape is changing radically. China’s rapidly expanding and diversifying pharmaceutical market is set to enter the world’s top ten in the next five years.


Twenty-five years ago today:

May 19, 1984
Saturday
The day started the early. We ate breakfast. At 8AM, Chris had to report for ‘duty call’ at Humboldt Bay (that’s what they call the Coast Guard base) and I was able to accompany him. I spent just about all day there in ‘observation mode’. I do have my limits though. After a while I left for Clam Beach to breathe so-to-speak.

Chris had made some ‘smart ass’ remarks to annoy me like:
“I left your keys in the car.”

Maybe it was dumb of me but I just needed to escape from that Base anyhow. When Chris was around those guys (Jim, Ed and the others) he seemed less caring. It’s neat in a ‘strange sort of way’ because I would probably do the same around immature 'macho' chums (if I had any). We would not want those chums to have the least amount of suspicion about our ‘secret romance’ after all.

Chris and I had a fun activity of washing my car. I watched them rinse the Coast Guard helicopter.

I enjoyed some nachos at a place called Rosa Linda’s, hanging out there until 10PM. Chris was on-duty for the night shift so I hung out at the house with Barb as we watched “Outland” with Laverne and Thomas (other Coast Guard types). "Outland" was a 1981 dramatic Sci-Fi thriller starring Sean Connery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPXrD5Wa94k
Those two Coast Guard cohorts (Laverne and Thomas) were kind of dull ‘in my book’. They seemed respectable enough but just too ordinary. I was relieved when they left the house. Shortly afterward, Barb and I went to bed (separately, of course).

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The Competitive Edge

"I'm sorry I'm so inadequate.
I always feel so far away from you when you're in a mood like this."
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

During these rough economic times it is important to always have a competitive edge.
My dear friend, Kay Strauss, of Minneapolis, Minnesota sent this amusing resume tip/joke. I thought this joke was worth the laughter for a 'Blue Monday'. Keep in mind that appearance does count and how you appear to others can make or break a job opportunity or your success on the job. Appearance counts all the time!


My Resimay

To hoom it mae cunsern,
I waunt to apply for the job what I saw in the paper.

I kin Type realee qwik wit one finggar and do sum a counting.
I think I am good on the fone and I no I am a pepole person, Pepole realee seam to reespond too me well. Certain men and all the ladies.

I no my spelling is not too good but find that I Offen can get a job wit my persinalety.

My salerery is open so we kin discus wat you want to pay me and wat you think that I am werth,
I kin start emeditely. Thank yoo in advanse fore yore anser.

hopifuly Yore best aplicant so farr.

Sinseerly,
Bubba

PS: Because my resimay is a bit short - below is a pickture of me.


Employer's response:.....

Dear Bubba,
It's OK, we've got spell check.
See you Monday.



Twenty-five years ago today:

May 18, 1984
Friday

I quickly left the office at 5 o’clock sharp and headed for Eureka! It took six hours and I only received one speeding ticket citation. Tunes like 'The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight' made me press on the accelerator a little too much.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xs6sb_dominatrix-dominatrix-sleeps-tonigh_music
Every time I passed a cyclist I wished I was 'on the bike'.


When I arrived I entered the house where Barb and Chris lived. There was no sign of Chris. Only Barbara and Leandra were there in the living room listening to something a little too 'heavy metal' for me.

Apparently, Chris, Jim and Ed had left the house a half an hour earlier and were sharing wine at someone’s house. This was the explanation Chris gave me when he returned. I am just curious as to why Chris immediately brushed his teeth when we arrived at the house. I certainly hope he is NOT smoking. I hope not! I’m not ‘in’ for that runaround.

Chris, Leandra and I all ditched Barb and went to ‘Youngbloods’ in the town of Eureka for a drink. It was cool weekend fun. Chris drove his car and it was nice to be a passenger after the long drive. Leandra treated us all to drinks, too.

A little later Chris and I ‘split the scene’ and went to a hot tub joint. Earlier he was in such a raunchy mood, saying that I arrived at the wrong time—or the worst time. He was pertaining to the fact that Barb had continued to have him all bummed out.
“She thinks she is running my life and keeps putting guilt trips on me,” Chris blurted as if he was being tortured.

I think some of Barb’s advice may (at times) be worth listening to. I do think she overdoes it a lot. If Chris likes to mingle with a variety of people I find that to be a good thing. It will make for a more dynamic person. And if it is Chris’ prerogative to hang out with other people it is his choice—not hers. I think Barb should have limits in terms of breaking out in temper tantrums. Her demanding questions about Chris’ every move would be annoying. He (like everyone) needs their own space.

Chris and I broke into his bedroom window because he didn’t want Barb to hear us come in. It was funny whispering our way through. He slept on the floor (“afterwards”). I slept on his bed. It was great seeing each other again despite his goofy US Coast Guard cohorts who had to be hanging out with us.

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How To Dazzle Them

Michelangelo Merisi's (aka Caravaggio) early work stunned his contemporaries because it seemed so real. He dazzled them. The quality of his bare skin on canvas sent people into delirium.
-as read in the book
"M-The Man Who Became Caravaggio"
by Peter Robb

I race too much. My brain races too much, so even if I’ve listened to everything somebody said, unless you show that you’ve digested it, people don’t think they are being well heard.
Sometimes you really don’t hear because you’re racing.
It’s just the way my brain works.

My brain is just chop, chop, chop, chop, chop.
And so, if you really want to get the best out of people, you have to really hear them and they have to feel like they’ve been really heard.
So I’ve got to learn to slow down and improve in that dimension, both to make me better and to make the people around me better.
-Steve A Ballmer,
Microsoft CEO, when asked by NY Times Adam Bryant
if there are areas you want to improve as a leader

May 17, 1984
Thursday
The ‘after work’ bicycle ride was energizing. I saw Ron, the windsurfer, on his bike. I didn’t talk to him. I just continued my invigorating ride and fled home.

I fed Ashley with the baby bottle while Sherri and her mom, Janet, looked on.
“My girlfriend, Kim, saw your picture and thought you were cute,” Sherri said.
“Oh really?” I questioned and changed the subject. Although, who knows?

PHOTO: Sherri Lewis-Armijo
with daughter, Ashley M Armijo

Michael Thoennes telephoned from San Francisco. I decided to go out and meet him at a place called ‘Hamburger Mary’s’ for a drink. I disclosed a little bit more about myself. It’s easy to do after a strong margarita. I gave him glimpses of my past on subjects/relationships like: Gladman, Lynne Major, Frank Vasconcellos, Howard Edelstein, George Jones, Tammy Duhr, Paloma Sanchez-Guerra. He freaked a bit on the Bill Helbush character for some reason.

We departed ‘Hamburger Mary’s’ by 11 o’clock. He invited me to a party on Sunday.
“I might be driving up to Eureka because my cassette player was fixed today,” I answered in hopes that he would understand.

The broken cassette player was no thanks to Paige LaBris of Sacramento (who broke it). Helen Wong suggested I send her a copy of the repair bill. I laughed.

There is still no word on my San Francisco Business Service Center job transfer.

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What People Are Reading

We will boldly go where no one has gone before.
-Star Trek

I was out and about in New York City a couple of days ago and I saw the following people reading these books:
1. Love and Hydrogen: New and Selected Stories
by Jim Shepard.
Who was reading it? A bespectacled mid-thirties man, wearing light brown army fatigue camouflage pants and a denim baseball cap. He was on the Lexington Line Express train. I imagined him to be a former military based type.

2. Ragged Dick & Struggling Upward
by Horatio Alger Jr.
Who was reading it? A bald, bespectacled late-thirties gentleman with an IKEA shopping bag. He was on the Lexington Line local train. I imagined him to be Swedish.

3. The Devil and Miss Prym, a novel of Temptation
by Paulo Coelho.
Who was reading it? An early twenties black fellow wearing a dark hood, khaki colored cargo pants and IPOD headphones while on the M86 bus headed towards W. 86th Street & Broadway. I imagined him to be a student (the backpack was a dead giveaway).

4. Sweet Sensation
by Gwyneth Bolton (Sensuous Love Stories).
Who was reading it? An early 20’s black woman, wearing a baseball cap with a wig and the words ‘RUN EASY’ printed on the cap. She was on an Express subway heading Downtown, talking loud, aggressively to her potential boyfriend.

5. The Nightingale (Hardcover)
by Hans Christian Anderson (illustrated by Jerry Pinkney).
Who was reading it? A four year old girl, seated next to her mother who was knitting. The little girl was wearing bright neon pastel colors. I imagined her mother to be a maid who finished work and just picked up her daughter at some unknown pre-school.

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 16, 1984
Wednesday

I sold six custom calling features today. I was on a roll. I am still crossing my fingers that my company job transfer will come through.

I drank a wine cooler and a Dorado sandwich at the Pot Belli Deli. Boy, was that good! I ate alone as I examined the BASS concert ticket schedule for May 1984.

When I telephoned Chris I learned he was at the Coast Guard Base. Barb was there having lunch. Chris was on-duty. I had to chat with her for a good fifteen minutes. When I made another attempt to call Chris at 2:30PM he was not able to come to the phone. His US Coast Guard duty took precedence.

5pm came around and I took off to donate at the “Bank”. I was surprised when they gave me a $65 dollar check from my donations since the month of April. Whoopee! I can pay off a bill or buy a new pair of bike shorts.

I took a bike ride to the bank to deposit it into a real “Bank”. A couple of lewd looking fellas were eyeing me while seated in their truck. I simply ignored them.

I returned home for ‘a good bike ride excursion’ and made myself a homemade ham sandwich. I did some personal bookkeeping, paid off a few bills. At precisely 8:35PM the telephone rang. It was Chris Cordellos calling to say how ‘down and out’ he was feeling.
“You know Barbara’s ever-changing moods really get to me,” Chris explained.
“What did she do now?” I asked.
“Never mind her...I have to tell you what happened with Leandra!”
“Leandra?”
“Yeah, while I was sleeping she took off all of her clothes and crawled into bed with me. She went down my pants with her hands!” Chris revealed as I grimaced in disbelief.
I could not believe that one. How does he get in these predicaments? I guess I should talk, huh?
“And then what happened?” I asked, pressing for the follow-up ‘happy ending’.
“Well, I woke up! I got up and I talked to a couple of people about it. I think Leandra was kind of ‘out of it’ or somethin’. Whatever,” Chris said with a ‘still in shock’ tone.

Chris is still worried about our long-distance romance. He continues to jabber on about his being there (Arcata) and my being here (Alameda). I did reassure him once again. We talked until 9:10pm and I told him I’d call back at 11PM (when the long-distance rates are cheaper).

At 11PM I kept my word and we spoke until midnight.
“Yeah, I am so bummed about Barb always being on my back,” Chris said. We laughed about how she thinks she is like his ‘mother’.
“You don’t know the half of it. She fixes me with these guilt trips so bad,” Chris cried.
We still can’t wait until the May 23rd visit. We discussed the possibility of my coming up this weekend.
“We’ll see how it goes,” I said with hopeful intentions.

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Flesh For LuLu

"Trust your aversions the same as you do your cravings."
Ira Levin
"Rosemary's Baby"

After a grueling work day yesterday a ninety-minute massage was necessary. Bob Hope would be proud of me (you’d understand what I mean if you read my previous blog entry dated April 28, 2009).

My Tui-na massage therapist is named LuLu. She speaks primarily Chinese. Midway through my treatment she mounted my back as if I was a saddle on a horse. She began massaging my back with her knees.
“Not too hard?” she asked.
I moaned.
“In Chinese say ‘Soo Foo’ means comfortable. Is ‘Soo Foo’?” she asked as she continued to press her knees eloquently and systematically along and around my middle and upper back.
“Very ‘Soo-Foo’,” I said with a smile that she could not see (since I was face down).
She laughed, “Very Soo-Foo”.

Thirty-minutes later the reflexology began on my left foot.
“Oh…a cramp,” I screeched.
“Cramp. What that?”
“It NOT ‘Soo-Foo’,” I said.
She laughed once again, “Very smart.”
Somehow she proceeded with the reflexology and I was relieved and in ‘7th Heaven’ once again.
“Awe…so ‘Soo-Foo!”

As LuLu continued to massage me I remembered an alternative rock group from the late 1980s called ‘Flesh For LuLu’. They sang that ‘I Go Crazy’ song and the wonderful ‘Postcards From Paradise’. Too funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPd7MAiX9L0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEkmw36kYvs

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 15, 1984,
Tuesday

When I telephoned Steve Gaster this morning he was not at home. Apparently, (I later learned) his sister went to Oklahoma and allowed him to use her car while she is away. So in a convenient sort of way it makes it easier on me.

I joined Tony and Helen for lunch and we browsed at the Emporium Department Store. Helen purchased a chair and a table. They were nice furniture choices.

I telephoned mom a couple of times from work but she did not have any major news to report. As is said no news is good news.

By 5PM I was riding my bicycle once again. I think I was secretly hoping I’d run into Ron again for the free striptease show. I had a nice meal of BBQ chicken, squash and juice before I embarked on the evening journey. The quickness of eating and riding did not make for a good match as I felt a need to lay down for a while.

I decided to stop over at Sue Miller’s apartment to see her new car. I learned that she didn’t have the car yet.
“It’s a new Celica that’s still on order,” Sue said.
I offered the idea of a movie outing together but she had to read a few chapters for her night class (Managerial Accounting). Ugh!

I simply rode my bike home and ate more chicken and sipped on some punch. I followed that with a few sugar cookies with a tall glass of cold milk. I decided to eat a lot after Sue said I looked ‘skinny’ today. Could it just be the Los Angeles t-shirt I was wearing that made me look skinny?

I telephoned Sherri and her mother, Janet, answered. She was babysitting and was totally unaware if I had received any mail until she found it on the counter. It turned out there was a $300 MACY’s bill waiting for me.

I cuddled up with Ashley and played “goo goo” games. I like playing with her lip, fingering the lower lip repeatedly so it makes that little ‘boop’ noise. Ashley fell asleep in my arms. I left not long after that.

I cannot lie. Chris Cordellos has crossed my mind today. I am just avoiding the frequent habit of calls to him. I just don’t want to be too…what’s the word? Pushy? Forceful? I want to give him space. That’s it. Space!

I am hoping to get my stereo back in tact by Friday evening. If not, I shall not drive up North. If the stereo is working I might go on up.

A visit to the ‘gay’ skating rink in San Leandro crossed my mind on this Tuesday night but it was a very ‘quick crossing’ of my mind. I would rather go with Chris if at all.

This coming Sunday I was invited to some party by Michael Thoennes. I doubt if I will attend. It’s a party for someone’s mother. I think he said it’s for Janelle (his roommate) who is preparing a party for her mother. I don’t know if I’m prepared for that right now.

Ashley looks prettier and prettier each day. She is precious.

There is no word on the job transfer to the San Francisco Business Service Center. I really don’t know if, when, where or what will happen with that. The promising factor is that Robert, my supervisor, told me that the guy at the Placement Center sounded sure he would be calling later in the week. I really do need the change in my work environment. I believe ‘The City’ scene may be more fun and a more professional move.

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It's You I Like

Something about his build and the rhythm of his movements suggested reapers in an Egyptian wall painting.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

Alan and I spontaneously bought tickets to the Second Stage Theater on W. 43rd St. in New York City for an 8pm viewing of 'Everyday Rapture' (about a young woman's psychological-spiritual journey). We saw it last night, May 13, 2009.

The 'Everday Rapture' show was about a young gal from Kansas who had an Amish/Mennonite background and moved to Manhattan. The move to New York City changed her life for the better, of course.

The star of the show (Sherie Rene Scott) said a rabbi or a Muslim (didn't remember) gave her two pieces of paper and told her they should never leave her side, and that she must keep one piece in each of her pockets at all times:

1 piece of paper said:
"I am a speck of dust."

The 2nd piece of paper said:
"The world was created for me."

I like when she sang the "It's You I Like" song by Mr. Rogers. I want to feature the lyrics to that tune and the video of him singing it today. It really does have an important message for every human being in this world.

It's you I like,
It's not the things you wear,
It's not the way you do your hair--
But it's you I like
The way you are right now,
The way down deep inside you--
Not the things that hide you,
Not your toys--
They're just beside you.

But it's you I like--
Every part of you,
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings
Whether old or new.
I hope that you'll remember
Even when you're feeling blue
That it's you I like,
It's you yourself,
It's you, it's you I like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BN9ynEJzLo

Twenty-five years ago today:

Monday,
May 14, 1984
This morning I called Steve Gaster.
“Oh, I already have a ride to work today,” Steve said.
So, the ‘hell with that’ attempt to be kind. I drove to work alone but my music soothed me.

I ended up getting paid for only three hours because I got AX time (Time Off Without Pay) at 11:30am. I accepted the opportunity to escape.

I also had semi-good news from Robert, my supervisor.
“Troy from The Placement Center called to say they had a job offer for you as a Service Rep in the General Business Service Center in San Francisco,” Robert informed me.
Then this Troy character called back ten to fifteen minutes later to say, “There is a HOLD on the offer.”
This was much to my dismay. I still had high hopes because he did say he may call back later in the week. Hoorah!

I was inspired to take my car in to the shop after being released from work early. I wanted under sealant protection for my car. My Dad said it is a good idea to do that. After that was done I ventured over to ‘Motor Music’ to have my cassette player fixed because the mechanism would NOT accept my tapes.

Mom and I ventured over to see Ashley that afternoon. I also wanted to get any mail that had accumulated there for me. Ashley is getting cuter daily. She gained two ounces last night. Tomorrow she will be one week old.

I napped from 5-6:30. Then I went on a thirty minute bicycle ride along the beach. I saw Ron’s familiar windsurfing sail in the distance. Upon my return to Bay Farm Island I ran into Ron again at a private spot.
“Yeah man, I can’t find my blue straps,” Ron said.
He’s really a cool guy despite his dunce-like sounding voice at times. He is smart in his own peculiar way. My brother, Tony, thinks he is ‘totally stupid’. We talked about sailing, windsurfing, surfing, his special board, and the movies ‘The Bounty’ and ‘Mad Max’.

I could NOT believe my eyes when he took off his wet suit and shorts to his bare necessities in front of me! Although he was hunched over I saw nothing but his smooth, unblemished rear end. Luckily, he did not witness my mouth drop in disbelief (and simultaneous envy).
“He is definitely questionable now,” I thought silently to myself. What do I do? He reminds me of a combination of ‘Michael Miller’ and ‘Chris Cordellos’ put together in looks and perhaps intellect—and--not personality.

I ended up riding away on my bike to "cool off", bidding farewell until the next chance meeting.


At about 9:30PM I decided to call Marley Deslippe of San Francisco.
“So what are you up to this weekend?” I asked.
“Why don’t you call me later in the week because it is too early to tell right now,” Marley replied.
Well ‘shit then’! If she wanted to she could have jumped at the chance of going out with me. I say it is her loss. I have not heard from Ann Sharpe yet. It’s just as well.

I made no contact with Chris Cordellos today. Another situation occurred this afternoon as I walked with Tony and Helen to my car (they were given AX time as well). Some guy was “eyeing” me incredibly too much. While it was scary it was flattering. Yet, why isn’t the person I want around “around" (namely C.M.C. aka Christoper M Cordellos).

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Addictions

"You were not meant to sit in the shade of Life."
-as heard in the HBO series
"John Adams"

Early this morning I stumbled upon a '5 Things You are Addicted To' question via the online social networking site of FACEBOOK. I surprised myself by thinking of '5 Things' very quickly.

What is an addiction after all? It is an abnormally strong craving, yes? An addiction is being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (like cigarette smoking-Yuck!). I came up with these five:

1. Investments
2. Veal Milanesa
3. Digital Photography
4. Coffee Eclairs
5. Foreign Films

I am sure I have more addictions that I neglected to mention. I used to be so addicted to bicycling. I think I should add bicycling, running and weight training to my world. I feel so ashamed that coffee eclairs was one of my initial top choices. Perhaps it's just that I fell in love with them after having one at the FINANCIER in Downtown New York.
http://www.financierpastries.com/

I am addicted to reading, blogging and writing handwritten letters. The list goes on and on...

What are your addictions?

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 13, 1984
Sunday

I quietly awoke at 7:30AM and everyone was still asleep. It looked like too good of a Sunday to waste moping around the house. I slipped into my bike outfit and got my gear together, riding to the Fruitvale BART station. I was there by 8:15AM. I was disappointed when I discovered that the BART station did not open until 9AM.

I decided to ride over to the Lake Merritt BART Station. From there I carried my bike down a couple of flights of stairs and decided to disembark at the Balboa Park Station in San Francisco. I got lost looking for Golden Gate Park. This is proof that I don’t know how to get around in ‘The City’.

I ended up riding into Daly City. All in all I was having a good workout. When I finally did find Golden Gate Park I continued on a beautiful ride. I watched a part of the amateur skate boarding championships. I love how I just stumble on these events. A thin blond fella kept eyeing me. It gave me the creeps actually. I decided to hop on my bike and split the scene.

I rode into Downtown San Francisco and enjoyed an A&W Root Beer float break. I left the busboy a .64 cents tip. It was time to return home. By 2:15PM I was on BART once again.

Mom was lounging on this relaxing Sunday when I arrived.
“I had a burst of morning energy and took BART to Golden Gate Park,” I announced proudly.
"I was wondering where you disappeared to but then I saw your bike was gone," Mom said.

PHOTO: 1984, Proud Uncle I

I was thinking it was time for a brief nap when Sherri called to say she was coming over with Ashley. Ashley was sleeping upon arrival. Ashley gets cuter with each day. Janet (Sherri’s mom) came along. I snapped a few photos, too.

PHOTO: 1984, Proud Uncle II


Once they left I decided to go out again for an evening bike ride (from 4:30-5:30). During that hour I learned that I had missed a telephone call from Suzy Miller. Oh well.

I telephoned Chris Cordellos and Barb answered .
“I don’t know where he is but he’s most likely with Jim Severn,” Barb remarked. She probably knew that would irk me.

I was watching “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” on television with mom when Michael Thoennes called me from Livermore, CA.
“I can stop by in Alameda,” Thoennes surprisingly said.
I arranged to meet him at East 14th Street and High Street out of convenience. We went to McGee’s, a local Irish bar on Park Street, for Irish coffee. He ordered a ‘Tom Collins’. Ugh!
I saw Mike Hansen and (I believe) Mike Gingrich, two old junior high/high schoolmates at McGee’s. I guess it’s a hangout for locals. Who knew? Thoennes and I left after our cocktails and took an evening walk along South Shore beach.
“I like your gray boots with the white jeans,” Michael T said.
“Thank you,” I said as Michael T went on to say that his sister, ‘Bubbles’ had asked for me.
“Bubbles is such a cutie pie,” I said.
During the walk I learned that Michael T’s birthday is on May 23rd. We discussed what each of us may do during the Memorial Day weekend.
“I might be going out with Chris Cordellos as he may drive down from Eureka,” I explained.

By the end of the evening, Michael T ended up with a kiss on the cheek as I felt a hand on my leg/knee. It could have led to more. Fortunately, he understands my predicament with the long-distance relationship with Chris.

By 10:30pm I was home again. I went to sleep after a quick sandwich and a talk with mom about the storyline of the Sunday Night movie she had just seen.

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