Mr. Miller & the Chicago Connections

"Naturally, with a very advanced mind you find things wrong with a lot of things a lot of the time."
-Woody Allen
in his film
"Whatever Works"

While in PARIS, France on May 23, 2009, Alan became ‘Mr. Miller’ for a few hours. We asked our concierge about a great place for seafood and the ‘Brasserie Bofinger’ was highly recommended. There were no available tables but a guest in the Hotel had to unexpectedly shorten his trip and he (Mr. Miller) had a reservation. So, Alan posed as ‘Mr. Miller’ on this evening (and we used the reservation under his name). Does Alan really look like a ‘Mr. Miller’?

When we arrived at the restaurant at 7PM at 5 et 7, Rue de la Bastille, 75004 we were seated next to Steve Flanigan and his wife, B.P., from Chicago, Illinois. The pate/fois gras that Alan and I shared was fabulous (not to mention the escargots). My salmon with flaky crust satisfied my tummy, too.

The Chicago couple were such nice company. We had a fun chat about ‘corkage fees’. Steve is a chef of a restaurant in a historic Chicago building. The restaurant he is affiliated with is known as The Gage:
http://www.thegagechicago.com/
It's on our 'must visit' list.

Now we have another reason to visit Chicago (The Flanigan's). Our friend and Hotel Manager guru (Alberto) lives in a Chicago suburb now; my photographer pal (Arlene) is in Skokie, IL; Alan’s cousin (Leslie, husband & son) lives in Peoria, IL. And another good reason to visit is that because I have only been to the O’Hare Airport between flights (never left the Airport). I really have no idea what Chicago is all about.

Twenty-five years ago today:

July 21, 1984
Saturday

I woke up on this Saturday morning and started to wash clothes. I was writing in my journal when the telephone rang at 8AM. It was a surprise to hear Chris Cordellos’ voice.
“I am writing in my journal,” I said after he asked what I was doing.
“Oh, I thought maybe you were seeing someone else because every time I call there is no answer.”

I made a deal to call him back at ‘Dan and Joetta’s’ in an hour at 707-442-1973. He could only talk for a minute because he was at a public pay phone.

Tonight I want to see a futuristic movie called ‘Kamikaze 89’ or see a band playing in The City called ‘The Translator’. Chris was going to drive down but his lower back is acting up (which means he may not). He is quite bummed out and he misses it here.

Tomorrow the Golden Gate Branch Business Office picnic takes place. I want to go, so it is best that Chris does not show up. I just hate the fact that he is up there in Humboldt County snortin’ jointin’ or whatever with all of those other semi-losers that he associates with in the US Coast Guard.

When I telephoned Chris he was not in too high of spirits. I guess I made myself sound like I was having too much of a good time these past few days. His jealousy turned into resentment. I really did not feel like listening to his negative, bummed out attitude. Again, he could not really talk but said he would call me back.

I went bicycling and it felt good. It felt so good to have my own self-therapy (with my bike). Everyone should choose some activity (even jump rope) for fun and the release of anxiety.

I stopped by to visit mom for a while. The day was rather muggy. I decided to come back to my pad and take a nap.

The second surprise phone call came from Nici Maurino.
“Were you surprised that I came over last night?” Nici asked.
“Now that you mention it, yes,” I replied.
“Tell me something. Why didn’t you take advantage of me when I was lying there next to you? I was giving it to you on a silver platter,” she said in her own curious way followed by some loud laughter.

Could I really tell her? For one thing, she smelled like sweat and dirty pussy. If she had smelled fresh and like clean puss it might have been a different story. If I wasn’t sleepy or if she was massaging or rubbing aromatic lotions on me (and I her) it might have been a different story. I, as a man, like foreplay as well (long-lasting foreplay). Who wants a ‘wham bam let’s get it on’ kind of scene (unless, of course, I was really ‘hot & horny’…which is often, I’d say).
I laughed and shrugged it off as our conversation ultimately came to an end. It is clear she really did want me to seduce her.

At 3:30PM Bruce called me about going out. I suggested the futuristic movie ‘Kamikaze 89’ in San Francisco. He was all for it.
“I’ll call you around 6:15 when I get out of work,” Bruce said.

I had told Chris that I would probably see the afternoon matinee of that futuristic movie. I ended up being lazy, sleeping and finishing up my laundry. I ate dinner at moms’ house.

Bruce called at 6:30 and we went to The City. I picked him up on Madison in Oakland where he resides with his mother. He really is a nice, harmless guy---but ‘that’s it’ as far as I’m concerned. He is funny. He is not very attractive. I know I’ve heard his laugh somewhere but I can’t seem to place it.

I finally found a parking space near 16th Street. The movie was downright ‘shitty’. It was in German and just plain not very good. After the show we left ‘The City’ and had milkshakes at Jack-in-the Box in Alameda. Then I decided to go to my house where I turned on the TV. It was weird because the TV was ‘on’ but neither of us was really watching it. I could sense that. We talked and he went on about liking my place. He made all sorts of complements over my bicycle (which I keep in my living room). It’s just easier to clean ‘in the house’. He complemented my bed and other items, too.
“You’re a good decorator,” Bruce said.
I got the feeling he was surprised by my pad.

I drove Bruce home at about 1:30AM. It got a little strange when I dropped him off.
“What are you doing next weekend?” Bruce asked as I sat parked in front of his house.
I think I was hoping he’d just hop out of my car and that would be the end of it. That was a strange question. It was as if we had gone out on ‘a date’ or something.
“I don’t know,” I answered with a yawn, making it appear that I was too tired to discuss it.
“I’ll call you,” Bruce said as he unlatched his passenger door.
I don’t know if that’s a plus on my part. He looks so ‘geeky’, but he’s super nice. I can’t be mean.