Finish Your Book!

"I thought at first that you had done something clever,
but I see that there was nothing in it after all."
-Dr. Watson's remark
to Sherlock Holmes

Why Read? Well, I forget where I found these reasons but they all make sense. I am writing them more for myself (as a reminder) because I need to finish my current book, a crime novel called "Half-Broken Things". It is time to start a new book (and get inspired by new ideas). Who knows what will spark my interest next?


1. Reading helps you become an interesting person.
2. Reading helps you learn how to write correctly.
3. Reading develops your imagination.
4. Reading entertains you.
5. Reading teaches you about things unfamiliar to you.

6. Reading takes you to places you have never visited.
7. Reading takes you to times you have never experienced.
8. Reading introduces you to people you have never met.
9. Reading introduces you to new ideas.
10. Reading is fun!

Twenty-five years ago today:

Sunday
August 12, 1984

Chris Cordellos called me before 9AM.
“Guess what?”
“What? Just tell me.”
“I got the time off until September 15th,” Chris announced excitedly.
“That’s so cool!”
“What have you been up to?”
“Well, other than a few lines of coke on Friday night and Michael Miller spending the night last night and…”
“What?”
I laughed. “Yeah and there’s a girl I see at the BART station every morning named Linda Nannizzi that I kind of like.”

Chris sounded worried and wondered about the extent of my ‘going out’. It was evident in his tone of voice.
“There’s no one serious…yet,” I said.
“Well, I understand if you do go out since I am so far and out of reach.”
We continued our good talk. We are both content that we will be able to spend our vacation time together.

Suzy Miller telephoned to see if her brother, Mike, was at my pad.
“Yes, he is. I’ll have him call you back,” I said because I was still talking to Chris at the time of her call.

Keith Collier called for my address in order to send car estimate information. He’s the one who hit my car on the day of Renee’s wedding. He’ll send me the car estimate information so that I can forward it to my auto insurance company. He seemed shaky and nervous over the phone. I called GEICO Insurance and reported the accident to Sonya, a claims representative.

PHOTO: Ashley M Armijo

I went bicycling for a while and then spent part of my Sunday playing with my niece, Ashley. Mom was babysitting Ashley. When Mom was at the store I got to crawl around the floor like a toddler (just like Ashley). I love when she smiles at me.
I started washing clothes. I never did wash my car though.

Later that evening I drove to Mom’s house again for dinner (and ice-cream dessert). I needed some fattening up.

Driving back home I recalled Chris’ reminder of our seven months. Tomorrow, August 13th will mark seven months from the day we met (on January 13, 1984). It was nice of him to remember that (and mention it).