The Spine-Tingling Kamikaze

My yearnings were boundless; without scruple I devoted myself to satisfying them, but along with the inquisitive depravity of my way of life I sought to combine in the most graceful possible manner an idealism that led me, for instance, to heartily desire a pure, spiritual intimacy with a woman.
-Thomas Mann
"Avenged", written in 1899

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 2, 1984
Saturday

I popped over at John & Sherri’s to take photos of Ashley. Afterwards, I came home for a bite to eat. I went bicycling for an hour which was very light riding for a Saturday. I stopped at Pro-Cuts for a haircut.

I returned home for a chat with mom about Pro-Cuts, the hair salon.
“I had a haircut by some lady named Shirley Wright. She is the manager there and I think she gave me a quantitative cut versus a quality cut,” I expressed to mom.
“It still looks good,” mom said.
Later, mom accompanied me to Piggy Malone’s, a cool store with cards n’ stuff where I chose some ‘anytime’ cards for special friends. I sent a card to Chris Cordellos, Jim Severn, Pat Shikuzawa, Barbara Reynolds and Helen Wong.

Suzy called me around 7PM to see what I was up to for this evening.
“I just can’t get into my homework tonight,” Suzy said without really specifying what she had in mind.
I didn’t recommend anything, so we hung up without a commitment.
Then Tamara (Tammy) called at around 8:10pm.
“You know, Tammy, I’m kind of broke so I don’t know if I want to go out tonight,” I explained.
“Oh, why not just come on over,” she pleaded with her invitation.
And so, I went over for a drink. I had a ‘kamikaze’ (lime juice and vodka) or two.

Tammy and I talked about old times and caught up on things.
“You need to call me more often,” Tammy implored.
“Okay, I will,” I said while sipping the spine-tingling kamikaze.
She extended a tentative invite to some wedding reception that her mother is involved with.
I headed home soon after the alcohol seemed to have tapered off.

Ma and Pa were lounging in front of the TV set when I walked in the door. I ‘turned in’ shortly after my arrival.

I was thinking…
about early happenings on this day. Chris Cordellos had called me earlier this morning to tell me of the latest news. He always seems to have some new, dramatic news.
“I may be getting out of the Coast Guard on an honorable discharge,” Chris announced.
He went on to talk about employment and how he would not be available after his last day for about five or six months. I hope he gets out. He seems so unhappy there. I am counting on his discharge. I hope he likes the card I sent him of the partially tan woman laying out on the sand.
I was dreaming…