The La Vanguardia Periodico

Dreams are a reflection of
what's going on in our subconscious.
-as heard during Season I of
KYLE-XY, the TV series
On May 25, 2009, Alan and I took a walk into 'local flavor' Barcelona-style. We found a patisserie on Carrer Taxdirt (yes, that is the name of the street) and found the best 'coca' (a pine nut crisp flat bread pastry). Yummy! The bottled water was only .95 Eurocents, too. We were 'ripped off' the day before on Carre de Gracia where they charged us 3 Euro for the water.

We stumbled on two sexy mannequins in underwear (male and female) when a La Vanguardia journalist appeared from inside the store to speak with us.
"Would you mind staying outside and taking a few more photos of the mannequins while I photograph you for tomorrow's paper?" Xavier Cervera asked.
"Sure, no problem," we said simultaneously.
This was quite funny. He took photos of the two of us, some shots of just me and some solo shots of just Alan, too. He promised the photo would be in the local La Vanguardia newspaper tomorrow.

The ironic thing is that tomorrow would be my BIG birthday (May 26th)! We couldn't wait to check the paper the next morning. Alan was trying to take credit for getting me 'in the newspaper' on my birthday.

La Vanguardia is the highest-circulation daily newspaper based in Barcelona and Catalonia. It is written in Spanish. La Vanguardia trails only the three main Madrid dailies among general-interest circulation in Spain.

Alan and I woke early and went directly to a local newsstand (after learning that the Hotel did not have the current issue of La Vanguardia). We found a copy for 1 Euro & .10 Eurocents. In the 'VIVIR' (To Live) section was a photo of me, photographing the bosomy blond mannequin. They did not get us taking photos of the male mannequin who resembled David Beckham. Alan was a tad disappointed that he was not in the paper, but it was a so 'fitting' to see that I made the popular paper on my special day.

Twenty-five years ago today:

Sunday, June 10, 1984

It was one of those lazy Sunday mornings. I woke up and mom was surprisingly still asleep herself. I decided to shower and escape for a Sunday morning bicycle ride. I rode for a good hour or so but the heat of the day made me calm down. I chose to head on back home.

I stopped over at Sherri's and my mom was there. She getting ready to leave for Cecelia's Baby Shower. Sherri had a weird male friend of hers there. He seemed pretty 'preppy'. I got the impression that he was kind of "questionable". I stayed there until he left the scene. I hung out with Sherri for a while. The baby (Ashley) is so cute when she smiles.

When I returned home I tried to nap but 'the real estate broker dude' that ma & pa bought the house from on Cook Lane came by to deliver the keys. When the broker dude left I accompanied Dad to '3330 Cook Lane' to see the new Islandia townhouse where 'John, Sherri and Ashley' would eventually reside. Dad wants me to move in there so he could come to clean, refurbish it at any time. I don't really want to move in though. John is also hesitant about moving-in because he did not want the responsibility of buying a new washer, dryer and refrigerator. I guess he'll go ahead and do it now. It would be foolish not to do so.

PHOTO: Islandia Townhouse,
Harbor Bay Isle, Alameda


When mom returned from the Baby Shower for my cousin Cecelia Garcia-Markus another visit to the '3330 Cook Lane' address took place. This time it was me, mom, pops, Ashley, John, Sherri and Sherri's Dad (Bob). I kept silently thinking that I could not wait until I had my own privacy and home again at '3348 Solomon Lane' (where John & Sherri were living now). We all hung out there, playing with Ashley Marie. We were watching John do sit-ups with Ash. That was funny!

PHOTO: 1984-John E Armijo
with daughter, Ashley M Armijo


Mom and I went out for some 'fish n chips'. Dad joined in on the 'porking out' when we arrived home with the food. The time passed quickly. Before long it was already 11PM. I was in bed...dreaming.