A Robot Named 'Twenty-One'

It was sometime before he slept, and when he did, he found himself walking on an endless path. At last he came to a place where the path divided, one fork seeming to lead downward into misty, shadowy depths which were somehow strangely, compellingly attractive by their very mystery, and the other branch led uphill into the sunshine. He decided after a moment to keep to the right and follow the upward path. But the climb was steep, and his strength was beginning to fail him when he saw approaching him "a Madonna'.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

I read this article back in February 2009 and had it saved to share on my BLOG for a future date. The future date has arrived (only about six months later). It’s still a major futuristic look as to what is to come.

Japanese scientists and engineers at Waseda University in Tokyo unveiled their latest humanoid robot named Twenty-One.

This new and improved humanoid robot is equipped with manual dexterity capable of picking up a drinking straw, placing it into a tumbler and handing off the drink to its human counter-part.

Twenty-One looks like a robotic version of Steven Spielberg's kind-eyed character ET. Japan is truly taking one giant step forward for mankind.

Read the in-depth article and watch the Robotic Housekeeper video by CLICKING on this link:
http://www.physorg.com/news153079697.html

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 30, 1984
Sunday

The last day of September and I ate breakfast with Frank Vasconcellos at NIKKO’s in Oakland at the foot of the Park Street, Alameda bridge. What a dive! It was my first time to have ever eaten at this place. It wasn’t so hot. I was a bit embarrassed to be seated with Frank with his jet-black, ugly hair color-to tell the truth. I hated it the more I looked at it. He knew it, too.

After breakfast I drove him to the Fruitvale BART station. I skedaddled over to moms’ house. It started to rain and I figured I would not be cycling at all today.

Sherri came by with Ashley because she had to work from 11:30AM to 6PM. Mom happily made arrangements to babysit. I bid farewell to Sherri and played with Ash for a while.

I decided to go for a bike ride anyway. It was only a slight sprinkle of rain. I saw my Colombian friend, Alfonse, on the beach again.
“Hey, yeah, I’m living in Vallejo now,” Alfonse said.
I thought to myself, “Yuck, Vallejo!” The area of Vallejo is not too hot—or so I’ve heard.
“Why don’t you ride by later and share a beer with me.”
I did actually see him later but he had no beers, so I said, “Later.”
I decided to ‘ditch him’.

It was rather windy but I still had a good ride. I decided to take a nap at mom’s house. Then I ended up having to babysit for Ashley for an hour. Mom and Dad decided to go out together for shopping and a visit to Longs Drugstore.

While babysitting Ashley I telephoned Paloma. We had a good talk while Ashley was playing with her toys.

When I was back at my place later I decided to telephone Michael Miller.
“Yeah, I’m feeling a lot better,” Michael said.
He suggested I bring my mini-chess set over so we could play. I didn’t feel like it.

Instead, I went to Walgreens to see if Rick was at Lucky’s Grocery store. I wanted to see if he knew of any potential roommates (including him). While at Walgreens I saw this poster of Ann Turkel that I never seen before. I loved it.

I went to a Book Store and found a few magazines with interesting photography. When I returned home to ‘hang out’ I got a call from mom who said, “Paloma called here a little while ago.”

And so, I returned Paloma's call. Again, we had a great chat. I actually told her about my being Donor number 151 at the Bay Area Sperm Bank. I gave her some of my true stories with regard to the CIA and Gladman. I confessed to my beginning to be in ‘serious like of her’ back in mid-March of this year.
“Then you blew the news of Jody,” I said. Jody is the guy she liked so much. She had met him around that time.

“I thought you had lost interest in me,” Paloma said.
I got the feeling she was just saying that and I was starting to feel that she was interested now.
“I never talk to anyone as long on the phone as I do you,” Paloma exclaimed in her usual French-English style.
“I’m flattered, you know.”
“I have a good time with you. We should go out more and maybe go to Great America…like you said.”

PHOTO: Great America Amusement Park
Santa Clara, California



We do have our Ice-Cream Dock date set for this coming Thursday. Paloma surprised me. I feel so comfortable talking to her. Maybe we needed that break from one another. She also questioned me about my plans for the end of October when I have vacation time.
“I may just stick around here. I’m not sure yet,” I replied.

I think I want to send Paloma that card with the airplane. She has this yearning to become a flight attendant. The card has this verse inscribed in it:
‘I know you’ll be up again soon.’

Paloma says she is depressed often. I can somewhat relate to her feelings. It will also give me a good chance to send her the photo of me with the Green Ferrari (taken in Carmel). She’ll laugh…I think.

I slept and released easily.

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Water is the Best of All Things

A man dying his hair is a sign of sexual perversion.
-Quentin Crisp, who frequently dyed his hair
as heard in the 1975 film
'A Naked Civil Servant'

I was sent this excerpt of an article by my friend, Monty Ng, in Bangkok, Thailand in late April 2009. I thought it had some significance, so I am sharing it today:

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven its value.

For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases: Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.

METHOD OF TREATMENT
As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water

Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes

After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.

After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours

Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.

The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating! There is nothing to lose, everything to gain.

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you.
It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 29, 1984
Saturday

I took my bike out for a ride to mom’s and had some Honey-Nut Cheerios. I played with Ashley for a while when Suzy Miller called. She knew if I wasn’t at my townhouse I would be at mom and dad’s house.
“Hi, I wanted to see if you wanted to go to Ole’s today,” Suzy suggested nonchalantly.
“Hmmm, sounds like a good idea.”
“I’m going with Mike,” she said, referring to her brother.
“I’m going to take a rain check because I had just finished eating.”

I left by 10:30AM on my bike en route for the Fruitvale BART station. I went to JEFCO Jewelry Store to visit Ron Shelly. I tried on a few rings. There was one that I really liked for only $500 plus. I am interested but I better be ‘for REAL’!
Ron has a fun, subtle sense of humor.
“Yeah, Ryan and I are renting a car the last week of October,” Ron said as he proceeded to display a bike pendant charm and a baby carriage charm.
“That sounds like fun,” I said.
“Yeah, but Ryan has been getting uptight. He keeps mentioning having kids together. Ryan can’t seem to get pregnant,” Ron said with a quick flash smile.

By 12:30PM I was at 2997 California Street. I rang the buzzer but Bobbie Renbarger was not at home. I was disappointed. Oh well.

I rode to a nearby liquor store to replenish with liquids. I munched on an apple and downed a 7-up soft drink. I enjoyed it at the Duboce Park that I happened to stumble upon.

Then I cycled over to Café San Marcos, thinking Bobbie Renbarger might be there. There is a little balcony overlooking the area. I was in this balcony area where I met a fellow named John who was from Santa Clara, CA.
“I’m waiting for someone from Los Gatos,” John said.
I just nodded, making harmless small talk. I had two madras cocktails and then left the joint.

I went to BUCK’s menswear, a little shop nearby. I tried on a pair of pants and saw other things that I wanted. I knew I could not afford to buy them.

I went to the liquor store again for a Hawaiian Punch. I enjoyed that at the Duboce Park. I was so thirsty.

Thereafter, I cycled over to Golden Gate Park and went around the so-called velodrome about twenty times. What a thrill ride! It started to become boring and repetitious.

I soon headed out to the Civic Center BART station. It was not long before I was back at mom’s house (five o’clock) enjoying some fresh squeezed juice and pizza.

I went to my place at around 6pm. Frank called. I agreed to pick him up at the Fruitvale BART station at around 6:30pm. He’s coming from Hayward (or HayWierd I should say).

I took a quick shower and cleaned up the place a bit. I drove to the Fruitvale BART station and there he was, standing around. I almost didn’t recognize him. I remember that he told me that Tammy Duhr had dyed her hair black. He forgot to mention that he also dyed his hair black! It was pitch black! I thought it looked horrible and I told him so.
“Well, it does wash out eventually,” Frank said with slight disappointment in his eyes.
“Well, I hope so,” I said.

Then again, maybe it will just take a while to get used to. I just hate the way he combs it back like a wannabe Mexican dude. He is Portuguese. Why does he want to portray an image of someone that he is not?

I stopped at a Convenient store for a bottle of wine and 7-Up. We drank at my house and watched a couple of situation comedies. We relaxed. I looked through my Spiegel Catalog for Christmas shopping ideas.

Michael Miller telephoned twice.
“So, when are you moving in?” I asked.
“You know, I’m all for it,” Michael said.
We didn’t talk long but it sounds like Michael Miller will be my new roommate.

“It sounds like you really care for him,” Frank said, trying to dig for information.
“I do,” I replied, “He’s sick right now. He hurt his finger on a conveyor belt at United Parcel Service recently.”

I decided to open up to Frank about some things, so I told him about Chris Cordellos not spending the night with me at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Frank’s response could not have been better: “What a low life!”

Frank and I slept together in my bed. That’s all we did: merely slept.

The next morning:

“You moved around all night,” Frank said.
“I know, I had trouble sleeping,” I said, “I’m used to having all of the room in my entire bed and I couldn’t sprawl out all over the place.”
Frank laughed.
“It’s okay. I slept well last night.”

Frank is thinking of moving to Los Angeles in a few weeks. I wish him luck on whatever he decides to do. I just hope he lets his real hair color return. He looks so much better with the light brown hair and blond glistening highlights.

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Three Virgin Daughters

"I don't even know when guys are like 'TOTALLY' gay."
-as heard while watching
the 2000 film
"Urbania"

A Mother had three virgin daughters. They were all getting married within a short time period. Because Mom was a bit worried about how their sex life would get started, she made them all promise to send a postcard from the honeymoon with a few words on how marital sex felt.

The first girl sent a card from Hawaii two days after the wedding. The card said nothing but "Nescafe".

Mom was puzzled at first, but then went to the kitchen and got out the Nescafe jar. It said: "Good till the last drop."
Mom blushed, but was pleased for her daughter.

The second girl sent the card from Vermont a week after the wedding, and the card read: "Benson & Hedges". Mom now knew to go straight to her husbands' cigarettes, and she read from the Benson & Hedges pack: "Extra Long. King Size". She was again slightly embarrassed but still happy for her daughter.

The third girl left for her honeymoon in the Caribbean. Mom waited for a week, nothing.

Another week went by and still nothing. Then after a whole month, a card finally arrived and written on it with shaky hand writing were the words "British Airways".

Mom took out her latest Harper's Bazaar magazine, flipped through the pages fearing the worst, and finally found the ad for “British Airways”.
The ad said: "Three times a day, seven days a week, both ways." Mom fainted....

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 28, 1984
Friday

Today, a few of my calls were mind boggling. I could not handle them, so I arranged ‘call backs’. I began my first New Connect order with a Business called ‘Cross-Country Video’. The owner is to call me back on Monday after he pays the advanced payment and deposit at his local public office. I believe I have even sold him on four custom-calling features, too.

For lunch I went to Security Pacific Bank for a $1400 cash advance.
The teller made a comment, “Easy come, easy go.”
Isn’t that the truth? I deposited the funds into my Great Western checking account. Now it appears as if I have money. Ha-ha.

At 4:30PM the new trainees had a meeting with our instructors. They commended our work the past two days which made us all feel really good. The confidence was building.

At 5PM I learned Karyn and JoAnn (Karyn’s little pal from New York) were here in the office. Eileen whispered the fact into my ear. So, I accompanied them to Barnaby’s for Happy Hour.

PHOTO: Kathleen Diane Hunter
Alameda High, Class of 1974

Tom and Elisabeth and Tom’s friend, John, came along, too. John was visiting from Reno, Nevada. He was a former Alameda High School graduate, Class of 1974. That means I was a freshman when he was a senior. I had some secret crushes on some of the girls in his class.

PHOTO: Laura Lisa Nelson
Alameda High, Class of 1974


“I remember Kathy Hunter, Linda Nelson and Debbie Sivyer. Do you?” I asked.
“You know, they sound familiar. I recognize the names,” John said.

What a lame brain. He wasn’t the friendliest. And these three girls were quite popular.

Debbie Sivyer even went on to become Mrs. Fields of Mrs. Fields Cookies. She became a Raiderette cheerleader, met a Stanford student/boyfriend who gave her $50,000 to start her own business. At least that was the version of the story I had heard. That's one inspiring example of starting a business.

PHOTO: Debbie Sivyer,
Alameda High School, Class of 1974

By 9PM we were all hungry. We sobered up a bit and walked around the ‘Embarcadero Center’ vicinity. Tom decided for us.
“Let’s all go to Chef Romano Pizza in Alameda. It’s the best,” Tom said.
"I agree, I love the sausage pizza," I added.

We ended up eating there at the Santa Clara Avenue location. Karyn drove John home (near Fernside Boulevard in Alameda) and then dropped me off at the Fruitvale BART station where my car was waiting for me. Karyn also drove Tom to his house. I could tell she was not thrilled about playing chauffeur.

Karyn is excited that I am in the Business Office now. It will be fun. She has such a lively personality. I love it.

It’s funny. I recall Diana Brock and other fellow employees who were watching me take some telephone calls today. I must have boggled their minds because it really looked like I knew what I was doing. A year from now I may have most local procedures down pat.

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My Guy

For the past couple of years Michael had lived mostly in letters.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path:

Gee, sometimes you hear a song from way back and you wonder why you ever liked it.

Now I know why I liked this one by Mary Wells. It’s called ‘My Guy’.

I was in good company though. Did you know The Beatles had a favorite female singer back in the 60’s? It was Mary Wells?

Check out this video of her performance way back then:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=my+guy&qpvt=my+guy&docid=991897387153&mid=0D41AAF1236DA5856C060D41AAF1236DA5856C06&FORM=VIVR4#

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 27, 1984
Thursday

I went to the Training Center and by 11AM I was (and am) officially in the actual ‘Business Office’ for good. I was now in the 'real world'. I was welcomed by quite a few coworkers, namely Diana, Rene, Linda, Elisabeth, David Vigil and many more. It’s neat feeling popular.

I took about ten ‘real life’ phone calls. Five of them were referrals to other representatives. One order was a T & F! I survived. Practice will make me perfect…I know.

After work I was all worked over, having ‘sweat it out’ with a bit of nerves throughout the day. So I just headed to moms’ house and ate a ‘Cornish hen’ with Tony and Helen. It was delicious and appetizing.

I returned home to my pad to something wonderful! I received a letter from Jim Koran of Los Angeles. He sent a card that I had once sent to Barbara Reynolds. He is a creative intellectual. What a beautiful lookin’ dude. He is going into the ranks of my newest friends. I wrote back to him for a major part of the night.

Bruce called while I was writing. What a pest. He cannot seem to get my ‘avoidance’ drift.

Then another interruption came from Frank Vasconcellos who wanted to apologize for not calling me last Saturday. He insists that he has been trying to call every since but I have not been home. We may spend time together in front of the tube (TV) on Saturday night.

I don’t think I really want to go out on Saturday night anyway. And with my going out for Happy Hour tomorrow night at Barnaby’s it is enough. It’s almost Friday night. Wow.

I am still in awe of Jim Koran’s beautiful, well-versed written card to me. He is unique and a ‘one and only’. Then again, time will reveal his true identity. He is twenty-seven years old.

Jim may think less of me now as I have included a photo of me in front of Mike’s Restaurant in Monterey in this new letter I will mail tomorrow. I wonder what his reaction will be to that particular photo.

Today, in the office, I really got the ‘check him out’ looks. Ugh. It really feels 'too gay' in there sometimes.

“I will guard you,” Bobbie Renbarger said.

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The Massive Obesity Epidemic

The world is deceptive, it looks so solid, yet people can leave it so abruptly.
-Morag Joss
"Half-Broken Things"

As a follow-up to my recent MSG: The Danger Zone BLOG I came across this article from a very dear friend (below) that I had to share with all of you today. Think twice about what you put in your mouth.

“If you can’t pick it, don’t eat it.” (Meaning if you cannot pick it from a tree or under the ground: vegetables are cool.) Or at least be moderate in what you have usually been eating. It’s not an easy task to avoid MSG.

Here is an excerpt of an article that was sent to me by a dear friend, Hanne Reid, in British Columbia, Canada. There are references that defend the claims:

MSG (a slow poison)

The food additive MSG (Mono-Sodium Glutamate) is a slow poison. MSG hides behind 25 or more names, such as Natural Flavoring." MSG is even in your favorite coffee from Tim Horton's and Starbucks coffee shops!

I wondered if there could be an actual chemical causing the massive obesity epidemic, and so did a friend of mine, John Erb. He was a research assistant at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, and spent years working for the government. He made an amazing discovery while going through scientific journals for a book he was writing called The Slow Poisoning of America.

In hundreds of studies around the world, scientists were creating obese mice and rats to use in diet or diabetes test studies. No strain of rat or mice is naturally obese, so scientists have to create them. They make these creatures morbidly obese by injecting them with MSG when they are first born. The MSG triples the amount of insulin the pancreas creates, causing rats (and perhaps humans) to become obese. They even have a name for the fat rodents they create: "MSG-Treated Rats."

When I heard this, I was shocked. I went into my kitchen and checked the cupboards and the refrigerator. MSG was in everything: Campbell soup, the Hostess Doritos, the Lays flavored potato chips, Top Ramen, Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Heinz canned gravy, Swanson frozen prepared meals, and Kraft salad dressings, especially the "healthy low-fat" ones. The items that didn't have MSG marked on the product label had something called "Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein," which is just another name
for Monosodium Glutamate.

It was shocking to see just how many of the foods we feed our children everyday are filled with this stuff. MSG is hidden under many different names in order to fool those who read the ingredient list, so that they don't catch on. (Other names for MSG are "Accent, "Aginomoto," "Natural Meat Tenderizer," etc.)

But it didn't stop there. When our family went out to eat, we started asking at the restaurants what menu items contained MSG. Many employees, even the managers, swore they didn't use MSG. But when we ask for the ingredient list, which they grudgingly provided, sure enough, MSG and Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein were everywhere.

Burger King, McDonald's, Wendy's, Taco Bell, every restaurant -- even the sit-down eateries like TGIF, Chili's, Applebee's, and Denny's -- use MSG in abundance. Kentucky Fried Chicken seemed to be the WORST offender: MSG was in every chicken dish, salad dressing and gravy. No wonder I loved to eat that coating on the skin -- their secret spice was MSG!

So why is MSG in so many of the foods we eat? Is it a preservative, or a vitamin? Not according to my friend John Erb. In his book The Slow Poisoning of America, he said that MSG is added to food for the addictive effect it has on the human body.

Even the propaganda website sponsored by the food manufacturers lobby
group supporting MSG explains that the reason they add it to food is to make
people eat more. A study of the elderly showed that older people eat more of the foods that it is added to. The Glutamate Association lobbying group says eating more is a benefit to the elderly, but what does it do to the rest of us?

"Bet you can't eat just one," takes on a whole new meaning where MSG is concerned! And we wonder why the nation is overweight!

MSG manufacturers themselves admit that it addicts people to their products. It makes people choose their product over others, and makes people eat more of it than they would if MSG wasn't added.

Not only is MSG scientifically proven to cause obesity, it is an addictive substance. Since its introduction into the American food supply fifty years ago, MSG has been added in larger and larger doses to the pre-packaged meals, soups, snacks, and fast foods we are tempted to eat every day.

The FDA has set no limits on how much of it can be added to food. They claim it's safe to eat in any amount. Many more of the studies mentioned in John Erb's book link MSG to diabetes, migraines and headaches, autism, ADHD, and even Alzheimer's. So what can we do to stop the food manufactures from dumping this fattening and addictive MSG into our food supply and causing the obesity epidemic we now see?

Several months ago, John Erb took his book and his concerns to one of
the highest government health officials in Canada. While he was sitting in
the government office, the official told him, "Sure, I know how bad MSG is.
I wouldn't touch the stuff." But this top-level government official refuses
to tell the public what he knows.

The big media doesn't want to tell the public either, fearing issues
with their advertisers. It seems that the fallout on the fast food industry
may hurt their profit margin. The food producers and restaurants have been
addicting us to their products for years, and now we are paying the price
for it. Our children should not be cursed with obesity caused by an addictive food additive.

But what can I do about it? I'm just one voice! What can I do to stop the poisoning of our children, while our governments are insuring financial protection for the industry that is poisoning us?

This message is going out to everyone I know in an attempt to tell you the truth that the corporate-owned politicians and media won't tell you. The best way you can help to save yourself and your children from this drug-induced epidemic is to forward this article to everyone. With any luck, it will circle the globe before politicians can pass the legislation protecting those who are poisoning us.

The food industry learned a lot from the tobacco industry. Imagine if
big tobacco had a bill like this in place before someone blew the whistle on
nicotine?

If you are one of the few who can still believe that MSG is good for
us and you don't believe what John Erb has to say, see for yourself. Go to
the National Library of Medicine at www.pubmed.com. Type in the words "MSG Obese" and read a few of the 115 medical studies that appear.

We the public do not want to be rats in one giant experiment and we
do not approve of food that makes us into a nation of obese, lethargic, addicted sheep, feeding the food industry's bottom line while
waiting for the heart transplant, the diabetic-induced amputation,
blindness, or other obesity-induced, life-threatening disorders.

With your help we can put an end to this poison.
Do your part in sending this message out by word of mouth, e-mail, or by
distribution of this printout to your friends all over the world and stop
this "Slow Poisoning of Mankind" by the packaged food industry.

Blowing the whistle on MSG is our responsibility, so get the word out.
Be extra vigilant in checking labels from now on.

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 26, 1984
Wednesday
Paloma did call last night.
“Some photographer at the fitness center wants to take pictures of me,” Paloma said in her sexy French accent.
“What did you say?”

She explained how she shunned him off in her own cute way. I, myself, would love to take some photographic shots of her…actually!

I gave my usual sperm donation today but there was still no word on positive pregnancy results. Time will tell…again, I guess. I still have my recurring appointment on Wednesday. I can use the money—even if it’s pocket change. It will pay for lunch and the toll rides into the City. Laughter.

Lunch was fun with Bobbie, Pat and I as we went for the Ambrosia New Potato Salad at Emporium, followed by yogurt for dessert.

After work I made my sperm donation as mentioned previously and then went cycling along Shoreline Drive. Who do I run into? Of course, I see Linda Nannizzi ride past on her bike in the opposite direction. I did a simple nod as she went by. I rode only from 6:30PM to 7:10PM. I began to wonder how school was treating Linda these days.

I did not call Paloma today even though I said I would. She’s probably at her Hilltop Fitness Center having the bodybuilders ‘spot her’ anyway.

Christmastime is upon us. I already noticed the signs of it while at Emporium today.

I had a good time reading Bobbie’s EROTICA book today.

It was mind boggling to learn the PREMIS/LAC calling business features today on top of everything else we’ve learned. Tomorrow is the big ‘Business Office’ day.

I picked up my pictures tonight. The reprints from the slides and pictures of Wayne, Paul and Ashley totaled twenty-six dollars. Ouch! It’s time to get serious. I need to save my bucks and pay and clear those damn bills of mine. My goal is to get (and have) it together by March 1985.

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A Gentle Sound

They amuse me up to a point.
Coeur de mon coeur...
Heart of my Heart...
Yes, That's lovely.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

I was remembering this fantastic song from 1988 that I just loved to the max! There is something about the lead singers’ voice from ‘The Railway Children’ that electrified me. I can recall how I’d pump on the pedals of my bike and go so FAST FAST FAST to this tune.

Here are the lyrics to ‘A Gentle Sound’.

First CLICK this link and take a listen to it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmlLbriO_M8

I know a little church
standing lonely on a hillside
it's cross was bent and broken
scratched and pitted by the cruel tide
one learned man with one book
surveys the blue sky
could the sea should banish god from his town
I can hear a sound

a gentle sound
it's all around me
it takes me up and down
all around me

I know a little girl standing lonely by the quayside
her hair was long and brown
it came right down all around
all love fights hate
in her looks
and in her sighs
still this girl could banish all
but her heart.

I can hear a sound
a gentle sound
it's all around me
it takes me up and down
all around me

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 25, 1984
Tuesday

Today was a much better day as it was beginning to look like it would be my last day of training at the Mission Street location. Hurrah! At the same time it was “Boo-Hoo” because who knows what is in store for me at the actual Business Office.

I went to the Patelco Credit Union today to pick up some brochure information. I inquired about a loan but the $5000 interest rate was not worth my time to even consider. I shot the entire idea.

After work I went bicycling along the beach and I happened to see Michael Miller. I stopped and started talking to him. A guy in a white car slowed down and whistled at us! I thought that was pretty funny. Michael started to tell me about his recent trip to Belgium.
“So listen, maybe I can move into your pad,” Michael suggested.

It was surely time to escape on his own, so I told him it was a great idea. He is so indecisive though. I think he has to think things through because he has things ‘made in the shade’ money wise right now with him living at his mom’s house and all. I think he really wants to move in with me so he can have peace and quiet to study. He knows my company would be easy as well. We get along.

I telephoned Paloma while I was at work today. She was once again pleased to hear from me. I made tentative arrangements for us to get together this coming Saturday or Sunday to rekindle ourselves. I thought we’d go to the Ice-Cream Dock on Harbor Bay Isle. I guess I will have to wait to see what happens.

Paloma seems to have been weight lifting a lot at the Hilltop Mall Fitness Center in Richmond, CA. She makes it sound like she is in such tip top, good shape.
“I’ll call you tonight,” I said towards the end of our conversation.

I just may go ahead and call Paloma now because we had such a great time chatting on the telephone today.

At approximately 9PM Chris Cordellos telephoned me from the Humboldt Coast Guard Base.
“Yeah, I’m on duty,” Chris said in a not very exciting tone, “and I miss you a lot. I just can’t get into too much detail—right now---over the phone.”
“Oh, well I knew you’ve been busy at the base and all.”
Chris had the nerve to say, “I was wondering why you haven’t written.”
It gave me the perfect opportunity to battle him about how he has NEVER written me from up there! Is he illiterate? That is still in question.
“What about Grant?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I really don’t. I mean, Grant’s really into it but it’s not…I don’t know.”

This statement led me to believe that Chris was not HOH (Head Over Heels) over Grant. He surely made it sound that way. I still care a lot about Chris but I don’t know what he expects of me now. I am going to write him a few times more. I guess he still wonders about us and maybe if I do write he will see that I don’t see it as the same anymore. Perhaps I shall mail him a photograph of me and the green Ferrari. I’ll tell him it’s my car. He is so obsessed with cars. I wrote to him. I wrote some curious wonder mush, too.

When I telephoned Paloma at about 9:30PM she was on another phone call.
“I’ll call you back, okay?”
“Sure,” I said as I wondered if she would call—or not.

I remember talking to Paloma today and kidding her about being amongst all of these bodybuilder types at the gym. Maybe I am envious. I like Paloma a lot. I suggested our going out dancing again and she is all for it! I look forward to more time with her. I wonder if I should come upfront and tell her what shunned me away from her the last time. As I recall it was the new beau that she had said she had a crush on. What nerve of her to tell me this. It depressed me to the point of a drink (alcohol, of course).

Time for me to ‘hit the sack’, fondle and wait for Paloma’s call. If Paloma calls I will write about our conversation tomorrow.

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What is your goal ?

‘I ordered my horse to be brought from the stables. The servant did not understand my orders. So I went to the stables myself, saddled my horse, and mounted.

In the distance I heard the sound of a trumpet, and I asked the servant what it meant. He knew nothing and had heard nothing. At the gate he stopped me and asked: “Where is the master going?”

“I don’t know,” I said, “just out of here, just out of here. Out of here, nothing else, it’s the only way I can reach my goal.”

“So you know your goal?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied, “I’ve just told you.
Out of here—that is my goal.”
-Franz Kafka
“The Departure”

Twenty-five years ago:

September 24, 1984
Monday

It was a pretty bad, long day. I did not PASS my practice T & F orders. I had to take four T & F test evaluations. I was busy all day long with these T & F orders. The good news came by the end of the day when I finally did PASS. By the end of the day I was playing “Hangman” again with Bobbie, Pat and Joe. What a relief.

For lunch, Barbara Reynolds and I went to the Restaurant Convention at Moscone Center, using those passes that my brother, Tony, gave me. We sampled lots of food, appetizers, yogurt, pizza, meatballs, french-fries, ice-cream, candy, beer and more. It was a fun hour for a change of pace.

After work I wanted to go cycling but I made the mistake of going to mom’s first for some ‘too spicy’ homemade chili. I ended up playing with my niece, Ashley. She relaxed me and got me to lay low from the bike.

PHOTO: Ashley M Armijo

Ashley’s carefree looks made me feel better. I was especially upset after receiving a letter from CBS Video that I am delinquent on a purchase of a VHS videotape of the movie PAPILLON. They are wrong. Don't they know that the customer is always right?

Sherri came over and I ended up staying there even long, talking to her. We caught up on the latest goings-on. Sherri has started as Assistant Manager at the Pic-A-Dilly boutique shop in Fremont. She seems to be setting goals. Sherri is so sweet (as is Ashley).

I ‘porked out’ a bit on peanuts and homemade fruit punch. I shared my photos with Sherri.

I eventually went home and it was time for a good nights’ rest.

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Remembering Jon-Erik Hexum

"One of my strongest traits is confidence; at times I'm amazed at my confidence, even when it doesn't make sense that I should be."
-Jon-Erik Hexum

In the early 1980s there was this ruggedly handsome young man of Norwegian parentage who was seen as the "next big thing", and then suddenly he was dead from an accident via a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Hexum was born and raised in Tenafly, New Jersey where he was a musically gifted student at school playing both the horn & the violin in the school orchestra, and even the piano at home. He then attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio before transferring across to Michigan State University studying bio-medical engineering and then switching over to philosophy. Whilst at MSU, Hexum played football, and DJ'd at several local radio stations under the name of "Yukon Jack", before being discovered by John Travolta's manager, Bob LeMond.

Hexum allegedly turned down plenty of opportunities to appear in shows such as "The Dukes of Hazzard" (1979) & "CHiPs" (1977) and many day time soap operas before finally making his debut in the TV series "Voyagers!" (1982) as time traveler Phineas Bogg. He was then cast as hunk Tyler Burnett alongside Joan Collins in Making of a Male Model (1983) (TV), and then as ex-Green Beret, Mac Harper in the TV series Cover Up (1984) (TV).

However, on October 12th, 1984 after a long and draining day's shooting on the set of Cover Up (1984) (TV), Hexum became bored with the extensive delays and jokingly put a prop .44 magnum revolver to his temple and pulled the trigger. The gun fired, and the wadding from the blank cartridge shattered his skull, whereupon the mortally injured Hexum was rushed via ambulance to hospital to undergo extensive surgery.

Despite five hours of work, the chief surgeon Dr David Ditsworth, described the damage to Hexum's brain as life ending, and one week later on October 18th, he was taken off life support and pronounced dead. However, Hexum's commitment to organ donation meant five other lives were assisted or saved with organs harvested from him. The youthful & charming Hexum was dead at only 26 years of age.

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 23, 1984
Sunday

I went to visit mom at 9:30AM and ended up having breakfast there. How convenient.

I was supposed to call Bruce when I got up to see about hiking. Then I realized that I would have to chauffeur him to the hiking destination and I was in no mood to do so. I did not call him after all.

While at mom and dad’s house I telephoned Karyn Kossoff to see if her pal, Joann, had arrived safely from New York. I also wanted to wish her a happy week of vacation time. Karyn is ultra sweet.
“If you’re in the area go ahead and drop by,” Karyn said sweetly.
“I might just do that because I have wanted to do a bike ride into Berkeley,” I replied happily.

As it turned out, I dropped by on this very day. I met Joann and found her to be really short. Her teeth also looked sort of yellow (but I won’t hold that against her). She was really very nice. While looking through Karyn’s photo album I learned that an ex-beau of hers kind of resembled me (at least Joann made a point of saying so). He had a moustache though. I wonder if that’s the ‘plus plus’ reason for her strong attraction towards me? Whatever. She’s a sweetie in my book.

PHOTO: Michael J Armijo ID cards

I went to visit Howard Edelstein since he lived on Claremont in that same North Oakland vicinity. He was not at home though.

I took a ride via College Avenue and into Berkeley and dropped by at Barbara Reynolds place at about 1:30PM. She was not at home either.

I cruised along some park in Berkeley that was adjacent to the 880 Freeway. I never really knew of this park. Then I headed home and went to mom’s house for juice refueling.

I watched “Cover-Up”, a 2-hour movie starring Jon-Erik Hexum and Jennifer O’Neill. It was okay. I thought the actor, Jon-Erik Hexum, was extraordinarily handsome. It was just an okay movie.

I went cycling after the film. I did my usual Shoreline Drive ride along the beach. When I returned home the phone rang. It was mom calling on behalf of Tony.
“Tony asked me to call you because he has two passes to the Moscone Center tomorrow for lunch and a free T-shirt,” mom said.
“Sounds interesting…okay, I’ll come over to get the tickets.”

When I arrived I discovered Helen Wong there. She was visiting Tony (I guess). They both work in Downtown Oakland now. We caught up on some people and events from the old Downtown Oakland office in which we worked. It was nice to see Helen.

I suddenly realized it was already 6:30PM and I should have been home because I was expecting a phone call from Paloma. Oh well…

I received a letter from Bill Helbush and a card from Salima Nasardeen-Hamilton. I decided to reciprocate and write them back. They were sweet enough to take the time to think of me. They are both ‘bright’ and ‘good’ company.

I also plan to watch a movie called “Paper Dolls” tonight. It is starring Morgan Fairchild. I like her. She has such sex appeal despite her slippery little nose.

I am debating on whether or not I should call Karen Jackson (of England) tonight or not.

Hours passed and I did not call Karen Jackson. I began to watch “Paper Dolls” but got tied up with concentration on my letter writing to Bill and Salima; whereby, I turned the television off and focused on music and writing.

It was about ten o’clock when I decided to take a shower and simply ‘hit the sack’.

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Inappropriate, but not Unlawful

"It's wonderful to have a friend like you..someone to depend upon and come back to."
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

I was seated outside at Monsoon Café at 2PM on Thursday, September 16th (a few days ago) in Santa Monica, California when two police officers walked by. I overheard just four words.

One officer said to the other, “Inappropriate, but not unlawful.”

After a bit of discussion on the matter (with Alan Freiman) we took it to mean that one can get away with a lot in this town without it being ‘against the law’.

My advice:
When in doubt just be GOOD!

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 22, 1984
Saturday

I’m getting my car a ‘clean through’ in terms of changing oil, filter and lube at Gomes Tire Service over in Oakland. Then I plan to head over to Great Western Savings for a loan of $5000 at a fixed-rate for one year to clear my credit card debt.
“Ugh to those damn credit cards with nineteen to seventeen percent annual percentage rates!”

I learned that Great Western does not accept personal loans, only mortgage and home equity loans. And so, it’s their loss. I will have to see Patelco Credit Union next week sometime.

Once I arrived home at 9:15AM (or so) Suzy Miller called to invite me to Ole’s Waffle Shop for breakfast. She treated me and it was quaint conversation. It seems that every time I go to Ole’s now there is someone to look at or there is someone that finds me interesting to look at. I guess that is a good thing. I must be eye-catching. Suzy is eye-catching, too.

I went bicycling after Suzy looked at some pictures that I had over at my mom’s house. Suzy didn’t feel like biking right away. She wanted to lie out and catch some sun rays for a while first.

I went cycling and I saw the blond girl from Denmark that I met when Wayne, Paul and I went to Baxter’s nightclub that night. She’s a bit OW (overweight).

I also met Alfonse who is from Colombia. He is looking for a job and a place to live. We had a good talk. I don’t know too much about this chap, so I’m playing it cool. I saw the movie SCARFACE and don’t want any Colombia drug lords in my life.
Suzy still did not end up biking with me today because she thought I wasn’t coming over. Instead, she promised a fellow apartment mate a bike ride alongside him as he jogged.
“Oh, okay,” I said after she explained that one.

Then I went home and expected Frank Vasconcellos to call me. He never did.

I decided to go to the movies with Suzy instead. At about 6:30PM when I was just walking out the door the telephone rang. It was Karen Jackson (of England) calling me from San Francisco.
“Hello. I called to see what you were up to. I thought you might want to go out tonight.
“Well, I just made plans with my friend, Frank. I will call you tomorrow about going out on Sunday night,” I replied, knowing full well I would not be able to go out for ‘short on cash’ reasons.
“Oh, well, I just returned from Santa Cruz anyway. That will be good,” Karen said.

I spent one-hundred dollars real quick:
$20 for gas
$20 for BART ticket
$20 for Oil, Lube and Filter change
$20 for Dinner and movie with Suzy
$20 for miscellaneous lunch, and photo developing

Suzy and I went to see a ‘Sneak Preview’ screening of ‘Irreconcilable Differences’ but ended up seeing ‘Windy City’ instead from 9:30pm to 11:30pm. We shared a small pizza at ‘Ye Olde Pizza Joint’. It was fun. We had a good time. There was no kiss goodnight sharing but then again I didn’t make the initiation for one. I wondered if she would have liked me to kiss her.

That kissing thought was immediately erased when Suzy said, “That flick reminded me of Don, my ex-boyfriend.” I thought that was a shitty thing to say to me. We decided against dancing over at the Black Angus.
“I feel I am a party pooper tonight,” Suzy said.

I dropped Suzy off at her apartment, went home, jerked myself a soda and started to sleep.

PHOTO: 1980s,
Paloma

I decided to telephone Paloma. She was really very happy to hear from me. We kept it brief but it was nice to hear her voice once again.

Paloma will call me tomorrow and we shall carry on with our 'catching up' conversation.

Already her beauty was now too full-blown, too opulent.
A rose, wide open to its fullest extent, just at the moment before it begins to fade.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path:

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Acupuncture Benefits

“The reason everyone gives in at the end is because they get tired of doing it on their own. They get lonely.”
-as heard while watching
the 1985 film
“Another Country”

I was amused by this 'Funny Acupuncture Commercial'. Watch it, please!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3DVN7XMiQk&feature=related

Don't let the funny video scare you. Acupuncture and alternative therapies are becoming more and more a beneficial 'way to go'.
READ about the benefits of acupuncture here:
http://www.acupuncture-treatment.com/benefits.html

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 21, 1984
Friday

This morning when the alarm rang I dreaded going to work. It was the knowledge of that one complicated T & F role play that I had to deal with. However, when I arrived at work I was finished by 9:30AM (before anyone else). I did forget a few things during the recorded role play. I will worry about it when they give my feedback on Monday.

I was hoping they would give me AX (Absent Without Pay) time but as it turned out none was given. We all played hangman all afternoon (Pat, Joe, Bobbie and I).
Bobbie wanted to go for a drink after work, so I ‘okayed’ the idea by joining her.

We had two ninety-nine cent Margaritas at Raggs. Then we went to Café St. Marcos for three Long Long Long Island Iced-Teas! We were buzzin’ when we left.

Bobbie wants me to join her and her friend from Chicago on Wednesday night for a real night on the town. I’m ‘all for it’. I could use a night on the town about then. Training will be just about over!

Bobbie and I had a great time last night at Café St. Marcos.
“I don’t miss much,” Bobbie said, “I don’t know about you Michael.”
She keeps saying that, too (‘I don’t know about you, Michael’).

We discovered that we are both pretty trustworthy. She’s a lot of fun and she loves observing people…as do I. My observing led me to notice others observing me at the Café St. Marcos on this very night. So it was a bit ‘uh-oh’.

And at lunchtime there was Barbara Reynolds and I going to the Security National Bank for a monthly BART ticket pass. Then we went on to the Galleria for a pizza and a browsing at the New Man (75% Off Sale). Bobbie wants to browse there with me next week. Barbara and I ate by the steps in front of the Foremost-McKesson Building. As we headed for Blum’s Sweets to browse a gentleman with jeans, plaid shirt and body excellence eyed me. I again felt a bit of an “uh oh”.

Bobbie shared with me that she was really saddened in 1979 by her brothers’ death.
“I even had to see a psychologist,” Bobbie said.
I expressed how glad I was to know that she had her niece (her brothers’ daughter) to spend time with from time to time.

Most of all, I want to be Bobbie's friend forever because she’s really special and she makes me laugh. I love the way she laughs. The sound of it tickles me. I hope she’s my ‘tub mate’ when we go into the actual Business Office.
“I’m only going to give the office a two month try and if it’s not to my liking I may not stay,” Bobbie announced.
This was a surprise for me to hear. She is so serious about wanting to concentrate on her own business. The idea of my own business (Michael J of New York) sounds more and more rewarding and worthwhile for me to think about, too. I want to do it but it’s the money. I need to go for it. I want to be my own little operation competing with Wilkes-Bashford and other specialty clothiers for men. It has to have that boutique shop edge with top-notch design. Time will tell.

Bobbie keeps hinting about our going into business together. She may be a ‘fly by night’ dreamer. I am into ‘clothes’. Her focus is something I am not really sure of at this time.

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The Stranger

“…He came up and spoke to me and then walked with me, in spite of the fact that there was nothing he wanted to find out from me and that he himself still had something else to do.

But now all of a sudden he has gone away, and yet I can’t have offended him even with a single word.

I did refuse to spend the evening in town, but that was only natural, that can’t have offended him, for he is a sensible person.”
-Franz Kafka
‘Wedding Preparations in the Country’


Twenty-five years ago today:

September 20, 1984
Thursday

Today was fun. Bobbie Renbarger never fails to amaze me. She actually brought in a rubber piece of vomit today. She set it on my paperwork and it made me laugh until my stomach ached. Laughing is so good for one’s health and abdominal muscles. She is fun. Bobbie says a girlfriend of hers is coming in from Chicago.
“You should join us for a drink next week,” Bobbie said.
That ought to be fun.

I enjoyed lunch with Bobbie and Pat today at the Health Food Store. We talked and ‘bitched’ about the things we forgot to say during our ‘T & F’ role plays. A ‘T & F’ is a term used regarding an order request to move telephone service from one location to another (Transfer ‘To and From’).

The old gentleman and stranger who looks a lot like actor Marty Feldman sat next to me on the BART Train ride this morning. I know he is gay and he is kind of gross but he is nice enough to have conversation.

PHOTO: Marty Feldman, actor

“I thought you were about twenty, not twenty-five,” the Marty-lookalike said.

“So, what do you do in the City?” I asked politely.

“I work for Union Pacific Railroad and I love my work.”

“It’s good that you enjoy it. I don’t see myself doing the work I do forever. I always look forward to the weekend.”

“I recall being your age and loving to have time off, but now…I find time off dull because I don’t have much to do.”

“Maybe you should write a book,” I said just as I started to get up as the BART train had arrived at my station. I hope I didn't offend him. I only hope I gave him something to think about.

I got into my car at the Fruitvale BART station and drove straight to mom’s house. I teased mom and Tony with the fake ‘vomit piece’ that Bobbie let me borrow. I don't know why it made me laugh so hard. I ended up having hamburgers for dinner which made it all the more gross.

At least I received my paycheck today. I still have debts.

I went cycling for a good forty minutes. Once home I hopped into my car and drove to mom’s once again to show her my latest photographs.

Bruce Gorce telephoned later. I explained to him that I was in Los Angeles last week.
“Oh, no wonder. Well, we should go on a hike on Sunday,” Bruce suggested.
“I’ll tell you what. I’ll call you on Saturday at around five o’clock,” I answered as I realized that I also expected a call from Frank Vasconcellos around that same time.

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Two Chips in One

That’s what HOPE is, isn’t it, something between a decision and a feeling; it is giving of permission to oneself to be optimistic about things yet to be.
-Morag Joss
“Half Broken Things”

On September 16, 2009 An MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) team announced that they had succeeded in combining two semiconductor materials (silicon and gallium nitride) that have different and potentially complementary characteristics into a single hybrid microchip. It is an advance that could lead to overcoming fundamental barriers of size and speed facing today's silicon chips.

This leads me to believe that these two ‘chip’ companies are worth evaluating (if you have a five year or longer investment time horizon they are a BUY):

INTEL Corporation (stock symbol INTC):
This trades currently at about $20 per share
and pays a dividend yield of about 2.85%

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC. (stock symbol MCHP):
This trades currently at about $27 per share
and pays a dividend yield of about 4.9%

Consult your Investment Adviser to see if these investments are appropriate for you.

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 19, 1984
Wednesday

Today was a fun day. My co-workers ‘in training’ played hangman for much of the day. I had them stumped when I used the words ‘TOKYO’ and ‘FOREVER’.

Pat Wright, Barbara Reynolds and I enjoyed lunch together on Market Street as we ate our turkey avocado sandwiches. We had a good laugh at the diversity of people from Hari Krishna chaps to a toothless man to a bunch of other gents who kept passing by. Barb said a lot of the gents were staring at me. I just made a grunt. I looked and they looked away…lucky me.

After work I kept my appointment with the Oakland Women’s Health Center to donate (my sperm). I talked to Robin, the case worker there. She is pretty cool.
“There have not been any pregnancies announced yet,” she said after I had asked about any results. I was presented with a check for $21.25 for my donation.

I took a ride on my bike along the beach. I saw some familiar faces and some new ones that are becoming more familiar.

I went to mom’s for a couple of pork chops and found a package waiting there for me. It was my new military front pocket pants that I ordered from that Bachrach Men’s Catalog from Chicago, Illinois.

I was thinking of Nici Maurino tonight, so I decided to give her a call. There was no answer, just a constant ring.

PHOTO: Sept 10, 2004
Mykonos, Greece.

Richard Greenspan of Daly City called me. He is the guy I met at ‘The Oasis’ the night I met Karen Jackson. He has a bit of a fat tummy and is a redhead. He seems nice and his folks seem to be wealthy because they went to Greece and Israel and who knows where else. He told me he was all alone at their Daly City home.
“So tell me about that Karen girl,” Richard said.
I did not share too much information with him because I didn’t want to prolong thoughts of her (freckles on the back).
“I’m going to ‘The Oasis’ again on Friday night,” Richard said.
“I might go, too.”
I was still undecided as to whether or not I would go to 'The Oasis'. Do I really want to become a regular at any one place? I think not.

Bobbie Renbarger is very interested in the VIP ‘early retirement’ program that is being offered at the company. I am, too. I want to leave the phone company and seriously pursue my idea of ‘Michael J of New York’, clothiers for men. I want to do it—so bad.

I need more support and more of a push to get me going with the concept of my own business. I telephoned Bobbie and left a message on her voice recorder because she inspires me. She gives me more incentive ideas about delving into a private business.

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