Chatter and Flatter

Have you ever watched city people?
They chatter without stopping.-Franz Kafka
'The Village Schoolmaster'

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 31, 1984
Wednesday

I left the house at approximately 7:30AM and arrived in Los Angeles at about 1:15PM. Once I arrived I was a bit dumbfounded--not knowing where to go--knowing Jim Koran would not be at his home until 6:30PM or so. I took the forecasted map plan, taking the exit on Highway 5 that I had originally planned.

I got off at Los Feliz and drove by Griffith Park until I found Beverly Boulevard. I chose to park in this area; whereby, I walked into some hole-in-the-wall pizza joint across the street from the CBS Television City Studios. I enjoyed my pizza and just about lost my appetite when I saw a "big" giant cockroach make its way across the floor.

I bought a roll of film and walked along, viewing the city sights. I bought some postcards and casually moseyed along through the CBS Studio side entrance. I saw no one of real interest, only about five or six squids (navy types) who came from 'God knows where'.

I returned to my car and wrote about seven postcards including one to 'John & Sherri', 'Mom & Dad' and Barbara Reynolds. Finally, I decided to mail the postcards and drove up Santa Monica Boulevard to the International Male men's clothier store neighborhood. By this time it was 4:30PM and I still have a couple of hours to kill.
PHOTO: Billy Idol

I was craving a vanilla milkshake. And so, I filled my craving and had a vanilla milkshake along with a cup of coffee at Billy's (?). I don't really know the name of the joint but it was amusing to sit there. I observed a nice, good-looking chap who looked a lot like Billy Idol. It was funny because customers were calling "Billy" (which was the waiters' name). A few people gave me a 'double-take', smiling here and there.
One guy had the guts to say, "Well, you are kind of cute."
It was somewhat flattering. I returned a simple, shy smile.

I took a walk a block or so and entered The Rage (the boys' club where I had met Jim Koran originally). It was pretty crowded for 6:30PM on a Wednesday (but it was Halloween after all). I persuaded the bar tender into pouring some extra liquor into my "madras" cocktail. He was nice...'but the evening was just beginning'.

There were a few strangers near the bar who started to get a little too familiar. The alcohol was kicking in as one guy grabbed my "derriere". There were so many costumes of guys dressed in drag. I was almost getting a headache looking at every costume, taking double-takes every which way. I just plain could not take it all in at once! It was amazing. I wondered if this is what the San Francisco Exotic Erotic Ball is like (probably worse).

Before I even telephoned Jim Koran I had already met about three fairly interesting people. I met Robert St. Cyr of Canada, a guy named "Larry Davies" who gave me his business card. He is an older gentleman who claimed to be an 'environmental designer'. Oh, and another guy wrote his telephone number on a napkin, inviting me to give him a call. All were friendly but I could easily read a 'major wish' upon each of their minds. I tended to be a bit leery and 'on-guard'.

I telephoned Jim, "I'm near The Rage right now. I just had a drink there."
"Great. I'll be at the Revolver at eight-thirty. Why don't you just meet me there."
"Okay."

I returned to The Rage bar and spoke with the guy named "Larry Davies" for quite a bit longer. He is originally from 'who knows where' and now lives in the Key West area of Florida.
"I'm only in LA for a couple of months. I have promotional people who help me raise funds here for my designs."
"Oh, that's interesting. I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration," I said, thinking it would offer me some credibility.
Amazingly enough, he 'sort of' immediately offered me a job.
"I like to keep my people on the go, so it's never boring for them."
"That's great," I said, wondering if this guy was for real.
"I am personal friends with Julio Iglesias and Eartha Kitt."
This was kind of impressionable on a suburban Northern California boy like me.
"Really? I don't know any 'one' celebrity personality." I replied sincerely.

Before long I found myself walking together with Larry towards 'The Revolver' bar that was only a block away. We passed the SAFEWAY parking lot when some blond dude began to talk to us about the great acid trip he was on. I think he was a hustler because he was much too talkative to Larry, the older gentleman. I got the impression that "older gents" were this blond guys' specialty. Welcome to LA!

Larry disappeared later while I was at 'The Revolver'. I observed Jim Koran walk into the establishment and I thought he had seen me, sitting on a corner near the entrance. Instead, Jim walked all the way to the back room. I was watching the new episode of DYNASTY on the television monitor at that moment. A few guys were casually nudging me and smiling as it started to get more crowded. I smiled back at one or two, then walked to the back room to converse with Jim.

Jim was in a corner of the back room with friends. There was Greg, "a pointdexter type" (as my friend, Jeffrey Burr, would phrase it later). There was Violetta, "a dyke-like type". Introductions were made as we laughed, watching the DYNASTY scenes on the screen. Jim and I exchanged a few words and it was quite casual. I hung out with Jim all night. We kept 'oooing and ahhing' at all of the creative costumes. After boredom at 'The Revolver' set in we transferred to 'The Back Lot' and 'Studio One' (two other dance/nightclubs in the area).

It was near the end of the evening and Jim kept trying to find his friend Mark. He wanted Mark to give him a ride home. It was clear that he had already left the Halloween scene and probably found a 'Dracula' to go home with.
"Would you mind giving me a lift home?" Jim asked uncomfortably.
"Sure. It's no problem," I said, feeling rather awkward that he had not invited me 'formally' to stay the night over his house.

We had the munchies, so we stopped for BLT Avocado sandwiches at some joint and ate them at his small apartment. We talked and everything was going fine. It was 3AM and we ended up not having a good night sleep. We tossed, turned, caressed and kissed in his bed at this late Halloween-after hour for a good while---but that was all we did.

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It Was Swell

The wonder of offices, she felt, was that so many could waste so much of their lives in them and think their time well spent.
-Morag Joss
"Half Broken Things"

The Wonder Boy
at 'Batting Practice'.

CLICK on this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZR_FYKPAAQ

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 30, 1984
Tuesday

I woke up and shared another bowl of Cream of Wheat breakfast with Helen. Mmmm...mmmm good. We watched POPEYE on television, then she left for work.

The day looked like the possibility of rain, so I did not wash my car. Besides...there was the fact that my water hose was missing (Thanks to Dad).

I drove to the bank for a $200 cash withdrawal. I filled my car with fuel. And then I drove to mom's and examined the Los Angeles-Beverly Hills map. I woke mom at 10AM and we had a quaint breakfast together. We even watched 'The Young & The Restless" soap-opera together. It's all 'more of the same' story lines.

I went biking from 12:30pm until 1:45, then mom and dad came over to my place for lunch. We had stew and rice (leftovers from Helen). I watched "Edge of Night". That has better story lines. Mom departed for work and Dad went home to sleep as he was working the graveyard shift tonight.

I took a relaxing nap until about five o'clock. I decided to craft a tape of tunes for the long drive tomorrow. As I was organizing the music Tony and Helen walked in.
"Are you coming to mom's because I'm cooking dinner there...spaghetti?" Tony asked sternly.
I did not like his tone. It seemed to me that he put Helen up to the invitation.
"I think I'll pass on it tonight," I replied.
"Are you still going to the show?" Helen asked.
She remembered that I wanted to see "The Natural", starring Robert Redford.
I decided at that very moment that it was not such a bad idea.
"I might go...yeah."

At precisely 6:05pm I put the key into the ignition and drove to Berkeley for a quick bite at McDonald's and a Big Hunk Candy bar.

I so thoroughly enjoyed "The Natural". It was a great 'down to earth', exciting and touching story. "Racing with the Moon" was the co-feature. It was a nice tale. It was "The Natural" that sort of made my evening complete.

It was swell. I picked up that word "swell" from Robert Redford.

In the film, while speaking to his ex 'Robert Redford' had said, "You have a swell apartment.

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A "Zit" is Watching You

Michael longed to say, "What has come between us? Why won't you tell me?"
But the words would not come.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

Watch out, a "zit" may be watching you. It was published about ten days ago on October, 19, 2009 via wired.com:

In-Q-Tel, the investment arm of the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) and the wider intelligence community, is putting cash into Visible Technologies, a software firm that specializes in monitoring social media. It is part of a larger movement within the spy services to get better at using open-source intelligence.

Visible crawls over half a million web 2.0 sites a day, scraping more than a million posts and conversations taking place on blogs, online forums, Flickr, YouTube, Twitter and Amazon.
READ the complete article by Noah Shachtman here:
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/10/exclusive-us-spies-buy-stake-in-twitter-blog-monitoring-firm/

I wonder if any of my blog entries will be of interest. Drum roll...

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 29, 1984
Monday

It is my first day of vacation. It did not stop me from getting up at my usual early morning time. I enjoyed a bowl of 'Cream of Wheat' with Helen. She left for work in Downtown Oakland while I gradually began to wake for the day. I watched a bit of television until I decided to give Mike Miller a phone call. Mike was still asleep.
"I'll just call back later."

It was before 8AM and I decided to call on Chris Cordellos 'out of the blue'.
"Hello, this is the Coastal Guard commission and we need you to report to base immediately," I said in a disguised authoritative voice.
"Uhhh..."
"It's only me, I know it's your day off," I blurted with a laugh.
"Oh my God, Mike, I'm so glad it's you. I really thought you were someone from work."
"Yeah, well, what's goin' on?"
"You wouldn't believe all of these dyke ladies that I met recently."
He proceeded to tell a story that didn't interest me.

At 9AM I telephoned Wilkes-Bashford and Bob Umland was not working today.

The next phone call was made to mom.
"I'll be stopping by in a few minutes," I told mom.
"Good because I'm making something special."
When I arrived I was treated to one of mom's new gourmet inventions. I called it 'A Breakfast Virg' (Virg being a shortened version of her first name, Virginia).

I did some bicycling to and from Central Alameda and in and around Alameda High School, too. It was kind of a cool, breezy day. It felt good.

I napped after my afternoon cycling ride. I babysat for Ashley for an hour (3:30-4:30pm). Ashley was a bit on the cranky side. I calmed her down by playing a music box and with just plain 'good ole Uncle Michael' entertainment. I'm good at going "goo goo" and playing with her rattle and stuffed animals as puppets.

When Helen arrived from work she made dinner. We ate together while watching the game show 'Wheel of Fortune'. We watched Part I of "Frankenstein: The True Story" as we played scrabble. I couldn't believe Helen had never heard of the word "zit".

"Zit" definition: noun informal, chiefly North American: a spot or blemish on the skin.

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The Coast is Clear

"Well, all I can say is you're not the first for him, and you won't be the last. He hasn't much heart in him. Don't let him hurt you."
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

On October 16, 2009 it was reported that a new camera can capture your life. New Scientist Magazine reports that it is a camera people can wear as a pendant to create "lifelogs" that archive their entire lives will be available on the market next year from Vicon in Oxford.

It was originally developed as the SenseCam by Microsoft Research Cambridge to help jog the memories of people with Alzheimer's disease.
PHOTO: The Camera That Will Follow your LIFE

I thought it was right up my alley. Smiles.

Read the complete article by CLICKING on this link:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17992-new-camera-promises-to-capture-your-whole-life.html

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 28, 1984
Sunday

I showered and gave my hair a really good wash. Then I telephoned SPIEGEL to order a list of Christmas gifts.

I gave mom a call and went over to her place. I didn't want to see pop because I was being blamed by him for a broken drapery hook. I didn't feel like hearing him gripe. Mom said, "The coast is clear to come over".

Mom and I went to the Alameda Flea Market. She bought a lot of things. I was good. I did not buy one thing. My new emergency cash system is to fold up my one-dollar and five-dollar bills into footballs, inserting them into a large Welch's grape juice glass jar. It's going well but I have to steer clear of opening the jar. I dropped mom off at South Shore Shopping Center while I went to get a haircut at PRO-CUTS.

Once home I went bicycling for a good while (until 2:30pm). After the ride I decide to call Jim Koran.
"Hi, it's Mike."
"Mike who?"
He guessed it was me which was flattering.
"Yes, it's me."
Jim seemed happy to hear from me.
"You know, my mom isn't coming for the weekend but will be here for Thanksgiving."
"Well, I'm coming to LA this coming Wednesday or Thursday," I announced.
"Oh, you should come on Wednesday because it's great here for Halloween!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, come on Wednesday! We'll go out and have a good time."
And so, I am driving to Los Angeles on Wednesday morning. I am looking forward to it.
"My call-waiting just signaled, so I'll talk to you later."

I let Jim go only to find the new call to be Chris Cordellos! Just as Chris came on the telephone Tony and Helen had walked in to the house. It was not the most perfect of timing as far as privacy goes.
"What are you up to?" Chris asked.
"Oh...keeping busy."
"Well, what did you do last night?"
"I didn't do anything."
Chris said, "You should've gone to the Galleria."
There was some gay event there and I was not into that 'covered wall' fairy scene.
I pretty much made that clear to him.
"I am going to LA this week."
"You are?" Chris had a definitive element of surprise in his tone.
"Yeah, I am."
"So...what else is going on?"
I couldn't really get in much detail with Tony and Helen seated in the nearby living room.
"I can't really get into the details."
Chris replied, "Well, I have news. I am released from the Coast Guard on December 15th."
"That's great!"
"Yeah, and the card I've been meaning to send you hasn't been mailed yet."
At that point I sort of ended our phone call. It was time to let him go.

I returned a call to Jim Koran from upstairs (for more privacy) while I was folding clothes. We had a neat conversation about a variety of subjects that interested me:
actor Jon Erik Hexum's death,
the Claus Von Bulow affair and his mistress, Alexandra Moltke (Victoria Winters of 'Dark Shadows'),
the film "Thief of Hearts",
"Terror In the Aisles" (a documentary film that Jim really liked),
Halloween in West Hollywood,
Natalie Wood
and finally about telephoning him around 7pm on Halloween night.
PHOTO: actress Alexandra Moltke with
actor Louis Edmonds in background,
a DARK SHADOWS still photograph

I am ready for another cycling ride or a scrabble game. I thought of 'going out' tonight but I am going to save my energy for Wednesday through "?" while I am in Los Angeles.

I watched "Wet Gold", starring Brooke Shields with mom at her place and then walked back to my place.

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The 11th Husband

He kept saying, "I think you can help me to become free. You understand me more than anyone ever has."
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path:

Thank you Brenda Timmons of Jacksonville, Florida for sharing this story:

The 11th Husband

A young man married a beautiful woman who had previously divorced 10 husbands. On their wedding night, she told her new husband to "Please be gentle I'm still a virgin."
"What ?" said the puzzled groom.
"How can that be if you've been married ten times?"
"Well, husband #1 was a Sales Representative; he kept telling me how great it was going to be."

"Husband #2 was in Software Services; he was never really sure how it was supposed to function; but he said he'd look into it and get back with me."

"Husband #3 was from Field Services; he said that everything checked out diagnostically but he just couldn't get the system up."

"Husband #4 was in Telemarketing; even though he knew he had the order, he didn't know when he would be able to deliver."

"Husband #5 was an Engineer; he understood the basic process but he wanted three years to research, implement, and design a new state-of-the-art method."

"Husband #6 was from Administration; he thought he knew how but he wasn't sure whether it was his job or not."

"Husband #7 was in Marketing; although he had a product, he was never sure how to position it."

"Husband #8 was a Psychiatrist; all he did was talk about it."

"Husband #9 was a Gynecologist; all he did was look at it."

"Husband #10 was a Stamp Collector; all he ever did was........... God I miss him!."

"But now that I've married you, I'm so excited".
"Wonderful", said the husband, "but why ?
"You're with the "GOVERNMENT". This time I KNOW I'M gonna get SCREWED."


Twenty-five years ago today:

October 27, 1984
Saturday

I woke up early and went cycling. I rode to LUCKY's grocery store at the South Shore Shopping Center and saw Richard (aka Rick) who is a coworker of Robert Gaspar (my brother John's longtime pal since third grade). I spoke to Rick for a short while and went to Great Western Savings to deposit my $590 paycheck (my advance).

As I continued riding I saw Linda Nannizzi. We rode together for a short distance.
"Oh, I quit Safeway after working there for a week. I am now attending Cal State Hayward full-time," Linda said as the wind made her hair blow every which way.

After the morning ride I went to mom's and woke her up at 10:30am. I had some of her famous homemade pancakes. While I was there I called Paloma to find out how to spell "savoir-faire". Tony is thinking of opening a small ice-cream shop with Dennis Reno and using this name. Paloma was helpful.
Paloma also said, "I will call you later to let you know about the Halloween party."

I bought an ear cuff with a cool feather that hangs as an accessory to my hopeful "pirate" costume. I probably won't end up using it. Paloma never called back later!

Mike Miller telephoned me while I was at mom's house.
"Hi Mike, I wanted to see if you want to go to this computer show in San Francisco."
"Sure I'll go!"

An hour later Mike Miller and I ended up in Berkeley after we realized the computer show required a ten-dollar admission fee. We went to 'Karim Bicycle' to check out the new $199 12-speed Japanese racing bikes. We had a slice of shitty pizza at some "yucky" joint and ended up looking at computers at some computer shop. We also stopped to visit 'The Good Guys' electronics store and "a good guy" with big eyes, long eyelashes and very tall demonstrated the new Laser Discs on a $1998 stereo system.

A half hour later we were at my pad ordering pizza at La Val's Pizza. I went to pick it up at the Harbor Bay Isle location. A guy named John Suzack was working.
"Hey, I saw you on your bike," John said.
"Oh yeah?" Hurrah! Someone saw me riding. I imagine a lot of Alamedans see me now and then. Mmm...John Suzack is a nice guy.
Mike Miller said, "His sister, Stacy, is really good lookin'."
"I believe it," I replied after seeing John because he's a nice lookin' guy.
We ate the La Val's pizza at my pad.

The telephone rang and it was Sherri, asking if I would bring her some firewood. And so, I left Mike alone at my pad to deliver the firewood. While at Sherri's I met her pal, Kim, who was visiting from San Jose. She is cute and seemed pretty nice. I kind of liked her. I remained there a while as Sherri prepared the fire.

When I returned to my pad Helen was there. Mike Miller hung out and we browsed some SPIEGEL catalogs, watched a bit of the "Cover Up" TV series. Mike departed around 10:30pm. I 'hit the hay' by 11pm.

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The Art of Happiness

I learned that a part of joy is the apparent infinity of it. When you are HAPPY, happiness stretches out ahead of you, its end forever receding even as you suspect that something this good can't last.
But it does.
It goes on, and you're confounded, you ought to be expecting it to finish, and it doesn't.
The something quite giddy gets into you, and then you start to think you need it to go on.
And it does, it does.
It's one of the things about it.
Suddenly, because I was happy...
Happiness surrounded me like trees so I couldn't see...
-Morag Joss
"Half Broken Things"

While in Santa Fe, New Mexico in December 2008 during the procession of the Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Pojoaque Pueblo I saw a young 'twentysomething' woman reading "The Art of Happiness" by Dalai Lama.
"Oh, that's an inspiring book," I said to her.
"Yeah, I'm just getting into it!"
I had read it in 2001 and wrote the following review on Amazon.com back on June 15, 2001:

This book was useful for me. I was happy to read that I already practice a lot of the advice in the book. The last thing I want to do is get angry and harm my inner self (and/or my internal organs).

The book reminded me of the importance of spirituality. It is a great handbook for living. I strongly recommend this book for anyone trying to move on from any sort of suffering (death, divorce, argument, career blues, etc.) which means we would ALL find this book useful.

It's true that we all have one unique goal as human beings: happiness. This book is a great starting point for MORE happiness in our lives.

I highlighted so many significant lines in the book.
As an example: As products of an imperfect world, all of us are imperfect. Every one of us has done something wrong.
OR
It would not be helpful...if I let that feeling of regret weigh me down, be simply a source of discouragement and depression with no purpose, or interfere with going on with my life to the best of my ability.
OR
The first step in seeking happiness is learning.

I urge everyone to LEARN from this informative book. In a nutshell the book reminds us that by Being Happy one must use protective techniques of love & compassion.


Twenty-five years ago today:

October 26, 1984
Friday

My last day, then "ONE" whole week off! Hurrah!

I had an excellent sales production day. I sold ten custom calling features, one Remote Call Forwarding Service and two Premiere Business lines. I was proud of myself. I am so glad that I am doing so well. My rapport with my customers feels good. I am beginning to enjoy the job better. It will be nice when I can easily handle every call/task that is presented.

Bobbie Renbarger wished me a pleasant vacation. Barbara Reynolds had the day off. Dolores accompanied me at lunch time as we sat on the Market Street steps and washed the passers-by. Dolores is a sweet black lady who has been with Pacific Bell since March 1977.

I arrived home late by missing my BART train. By 7PM or so I decided to call Karyn Kossoff.
"Why don't you just come by. I mean, Elizabeth Center is coming over...but it'll be fun," Karyn said.
"Okay, maybe I will."
I went over to visit my Dad and pick up the bit of mail I had delivered there. I decided not to go to Karyn's apartment in North Oakland after all. I just wanted to lounge at home. Upon returning to my place I warmed Helen's leftovers. I 'turned in' early.

Happiness is NOT a possession to be prized, it is a quality of thought, a state of mind.
-Daphne du Maurier
"Rebecca"

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The Pirate & The Warrior Princess

And so what dissatisfied her suddenly, she thought, could not be simple loneliness, not some unmet desire for a companion, but more a regret that she was the only person in the world who had seen the short but satisfying burning of a letter.
-Morag Joss
"Half Broken Things"

All of these flashbacks from "25 Years Ago" are making me all nostalgic for the music of those times. Here are the TOP 10 singles of 1984:

1. ?????????????????????????
2. "What's Love Got To Do With It".....Tina Turner
3. "Jump".....Van Halen
4. "Karma Chameleon".....Culture Club
5. "Like A Virgin".....Madonna
6. "Hello".....Lionel Richie
7. "Owner Of A Lonely Heart".....Yes
8. "Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)".....Phil Collins
9. "Footloose".....Kenny Loggins
10. "Ghostbusters".....Ray Parker, Jr.

Guess what was the #1 Top Song for 1984?
CLICK here for the answer:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xk5s3_when-doves-cry_dating

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 25, 1984
Thursday

I joked around with Bobbie today. She makes me laugh. Too bad her last day in the office is just around the corner (November 15th). I think she is regretting it a bit (especially when I told her that the company retro activated from August 1, 1984 the Pacific Bell payment of 100 percent of an employee's college books and tuition for any continuing education).

I telephoned Paloma on my afternoon break today. She may help me on Saturday to get made up as a "pirate" for Halloween. It's not a sure thing but I think it might work out. Paloma plans to dress all in black as a sexy warrior girl with a golden sword. I plan to keep my hair long right now so that I can be a realistic looking pirate.

Helen prepared dinner again tonight. We discussed the likelihood of her moving into her Oakland condominium this coming Saturday. She has been a pretty good roommate. I would say we have made an "okay" team. Still...it will be nice to have my "anything goes" privacy back again.

When I telephoned Karyn Kossoff (after my bike ride) tonight we laughed together. We made a possible date for tomorrow night. We talked about seeing a flick but I think I may end up cancelling.

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Do you Chiggy Wiggy ?

"How like children the Americans were, with their pranks and easy warmth!
Men who offerred their hands for strangers to shake,
ladies who sat and chatted at dinner with gentleman they had never seen before, children who throw snowballs at adults no matter what their station."
-Bette Bao Lord
"Spring Moon"

A music video by Kylie Minogue was recently brought to my attention. She's a 'smart cookie'. I can tell she is zoomin' in on the massive INDIA market. Watch it...but what is 'chiggy wiggy'? Wanna 'chiggy wiggy' with me?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2B_lsKVw8M

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 24, 1984
Wednesday

Today I had a fairly good day in sales. Karyn Kossoff did not talke to me much nor does she on any other day for that matter. Hank came by to ask me a business question from my experience in Residence Marketing. I could not help him because the question was related to the Residential Telephone Order Department and I worked in the Residential Account Service Center unit. Hank is nice though. I like that he thought highly enough to ask me the question.

Sue Leith is such a nice lady at work. Too bad she has a boyfriend. There is a sweet, wholesome quality about her that I like.

I have been thinking about my scheduled flight to Los Angeles on November 1st. I think I will drive instead. I will save on the cost for the flight and the ordeal of renting a car. It will be hotel costs that will be my only problem. Unless, of course, I look up Laurie Robertson and/or Jim Koran. Laurie is the one that I met via a wrong number when I attended Sacramento State. She lives in Tustin (near Santa Ana) and stalked me for a good while. I am just going to have an A-1 'good time'.

After work I gave my Sperm Bank donation and deposited the $86.18 check I was given (that must have been for the last three months because I almost forgot that I was even getting paid for that).

I bumped into that sweet black girl, Denise (who works for AT&T). She is the one who is good friends with Ron Shelly and Ryan Hargrave.

I went home to find a package. My olive green pants and black-buttoned tank top had arrived. When I arrived home I found Helen and Tony cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
"You arrived just in time," Helen said.
And so, I ate dinner with them.

Paloma telephoned me tonight. She stressed some points that I liked hearing.

"I am so comfortable with you because you're not like most guys...uh, who just want to f---k me."
"And who says I don't?" I thought silently and never said aloud.

I like how Paloma will "uh" and "ah" as she thinks of the right English word to use. It's cute. She made it clear that she appreciated that I do not paw at her. This led me to believe that there have been guys who have been obviously moving too damn fast for her.
"I will call you on Saturday to see about that Halloween Party and uh tell you what's going on," Paloma said.

I am now looking at my checkbook balance. It is only $302.93. Yikes.

It is now time to watch DYNASTY. Then it's beddie-bye for me.

I wonder why Jim Koran has not written (or Chris Cordellos for that matter). I wonder if I will ever hear from Cathy Ainlay, Lisa Pingatore or George Jones (after sending them their brief postal notes). I am really only too curious about Jim Koran, my new buddy. I guess I'm wondering about Bob Umland a little. I went to Wilkes-Bashford on my lunch hour today but he was not there. And everytime I call him the line is always busy or there is no answer. So what was the point of his handing me his card?

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There Is A Light

He had been feeling a hot surge of unreasoning jealousy over something that had never happened in actuality, and could never happen.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

A few months ago I saw a romantic comedy called "500 Days of Summer". There were a few good lines and it was a cute film (even if I did only rate it a 3-STAR movie). What I remember most was a flashback to music by 'The Smiths' that I loved in the 1980's. A song called "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" had such significant memories for me (as it was originally released in 1986 & I felt I had discovered it at that time). In those days, no one knew of this particular tune because 'the single' was never OFFICIALLY released until 1992.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbg2AhnIDVM
Listen to it (by clicking on the link above). I love the voice of MORRISSEY. His lyrics/music always seemed so ahead of the times:

Take me out tonight
Where there's music and there's people
And they're young and alive
Driving in your car
I never never want to go home
Because I haven't got one
Anymore

Take me out tonight
Because I want to see people and I
Want to see life
Driving in your car
Oh, please don't drop me home
Because it's not my home, it's their
Home, and I'm welcome no more

And if a double-decker bus
Crashes into us
To die by your side
Is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten-ton truck
Kills the both of us
To die by your side
Well, the pleasure - the privilege is mine

Take me out tonight
Take me anywhere, I don't care
I don't care, I don't care
And in the darkened underpass
I thought oh god, my chance has come at last
(but then a strange fear gripped me and I
Just couldn't ask)

Take me out tonight
Oh, take me anywhere, I don't care
I don't care, I don't care
Driving in your car
I never never want to go home
Because I haven't got one, da ...
Oh, I haven't got one

And if a double-decker bus
Crashes into us
To die by your side
Is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten-ton truck
Kills the both of us
To die by your side
Well, the pleasure - the privilege is mine

Oh, there is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 23, 1984
Tuesday

I sold one RCF (Remote Call Forwarding Service) today. I had lunch with Barbara and Bobbie on the Market Street steps, observing the crowds.

I was bicycling from 6pm-7pm.

Helen went grocery shopping and prepared a big dinner for 'Tony and I'. We ate chicken, veggies and rice. It was all very good.

I started thinking about my low funds and my plans for vacation. I focused on my striving wish for having more funds. I then found myself looking through the International Male catalog. I was tempted to buy more clothes, so I put the catalog away.


I watched a bit of "Paper Dolls" on TV. I decided to disrobe and change into my "black nightie" pullover. It was relaxing. I hit the sack. This day passed by so fast.

PHOTO: Cast from "Paper Dolls"

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Who is Cary Fukunaga?

"I cling to the family motto. He travels the fastest who travels alone."
-Mr. de Winter
"Rebecca"
by Daphne du Maurier

He is half-Japanese and half-Swedish.
He recently directed a film called "Sin Nombre" that won the Best-Director Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
He was born in Oakland, California in 1977 (same City I was born, but different year).
His middle name is Joji.
He is mentioned in my blog today because Paloma Alquier of the 'South of France' found a resemblance in him 'to me' after watching him during a Spanish interview.
He is a graduate from UC Santa Cruz and his film making has taken him around the world (from the Arctic Circle to Haiti and West Africa).
Who is he?
He is Cary Fukunaga, American Film Director.

PHOTO: 1982, Michael J Armijo
College Graduation portrait:
I see a 'Cary Fukunaga' resemblance now

The photograph above (with camera) is of Cary Fukunaga in "on-location" mode. I found the photo via an online image search. His movie, "Sin Nombre" is available on DVD now and I want to see it asap.
PHOTO: "Sin Nombre" photo still

"Sin Nombre" storyline: After murdering his gang's leader, a teenager joins a family of Honduran immigrants making the dangerous journey across Mexico to the United States, avoiding a fellow gang member who has been sent to kill him along the way.

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 22, 1984
Monday

At work I spent most of my day with Denise. She sat with me and helped me out with some of my telephone requests. She helped me issue my five RCF orders, so it was a big ‘Sales Credit’ day for me. Hurrah! The office had a pot-luck lunch/dinner that I thought was very well done.

Needless to say, I felt drained and tired after the work day. I did not feel like bike riding afterwards. Helen was home and we ate dinner. Yes, Tony (my brother) came over to join us. As I was eating Sherri called me and she needed to vent about her problems with John (my other brother).
“He is so stingy and is acting a lot like your Dad in terms of money,” Sherri explained.

PHOTO: 1984, John Armijo, Sherri Lewis
and Ashley Marie Armijo

It is clear that Sherri and John get along but they have more than their share of periods of anguish. That’s expected in all relationships, isn’t it?
I went over to Sherri’s to take her a package of butterscotch chocolate-chip cookies. I was supposed to bring them for the pot-luck at the office today (forgetful me). I ended up feeding Ashley with the baby food while Sherri got on the phone with her girlfriend, Gina. Gina almost died last weekend due to some erroneously prescribed drugs from her doctor.

It was fun feeding Ashley and seeing her smile when I spoon fed her the banana baby food. The smile was irresistible.
When Sherri was off the phone she asked me an interesting question.
“Do you think Tony and Helen are probably going to get married?”
I was dumbfounded. It sort of hit me out of left field. Then again, it would be a kind of a neat scenario.

I left Sherri’s at 9:20pm and walked a block over to my townhouse. We are ‘good buddies’ now.
“You should have invited me to that flick last Friday night,” Sherri had said after I told her I was jilted so many times.
It just happened that she wasn’t doing anything when I went to see “Thief of Hearts”. I will remember her next time.

I received a call from an old friend tonight: Cedric Green.
“Hi Mike, I just wanted to call and see what you were up to these days. I think it was from Helen that I heard you’ve been going out nightly.”
I laughed aloud, “Well, I don’t know if I’d say that. I did apply to MACY’s in San Francisco for a part-time job though. And last Saturday I went on an excursion to Wilkes-Bashford and I’m pretty sure I will be going to LA for the first weekend in November.”
“You know, Michael. You’re really an interesting guy. I mean…you don’t hang out with me for a long period of time and…well, you like variety, huh?”
“No, I don’t think so,” I replied but as I was denying it I now think it may be true. He also mentioned something about tying in my various activities into my journal. He may have laid down some facts for me that I seem to overlook.

I find that I do not indulge on writing about the same character when there are so many characters out there in the USA and elsewhere.

Today, the blond forty-dollar ‘hooker’ I met in Hawaii crossed my mind that I met in November 1982. I now wish I had f---k’d her. Then again, it could have meant a disease I could well have lived without. Oh well, my time and my lady will come. Who knows? My seed may have already reached some lady out there already. An anonymous woman could be carrying my ‘baby’. Wild.

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I've Got You Under My Skin

"Sometimes the more you go over something, details just pop out of nowhere."
-Richard Price
"Lush Life"

I saw the most horrible movie a month or so ago called "GAMER". I thought it would be good since it starred Gabriel Butler who I loved in "Dear Frankie" and "300". The one good thing was hearing a forgotten tune by Sammy Davis Jr. It's called "I've Got You Under My Skin".

Listen. It's GREAT:

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/5246025

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 21, 1984
Sunday

I dreamt about the complicated order that I must deal with on Monday. Then I realized that I am on vacation after this upcoming week is over. I do want to go to Los Angeles on November 1st. It's a sure fire thing that I will.

On this Sunday morning I got up all energized, showered, shampooed and shined. Helen was downstairs counseling Geneva about marital problems. I left them gabbing on the telephone after another slice of banana-nut bread. I got on the bike and went over to mom's house. My niece, Ashley, was there. I took a few more pictures of her.

I decided to take myself and 'my bike' on BART for a new adventure. The first stop was Rockridge Station. I saw a cute gal, then I saw a cute guy. Both of them "eyed" me. What does it mean? I transferred trains at Rockridge and disembarked at Embarcadero in San Francisco. While on the train I conversed with an elderly couple from Placerville, CA. They immediately made me think of Michelle Von Thaden of Loomis (near Sacramento) that I dated briefly while attending Sacramento State. The elderly couple were surprised I knew of the town of Loomis with it being so rural.
"I live in Alameda now."
"For heavens sake, we used to live in Oakland at the Neptune Beach when the amusement park was there," the old gentleman said.
It's fun to find connections with people.

I found my way on my bike again, heading over to Golden Gate Park. There was some "geek" who passed me up on his bike around the Polo Field.
I thought, "Who in the hell does he think he is?"
I proved my point by passing him up 'twice'. Then he disappeared as he realized he did not my stamina. I was ahead of him and when I looked back he was gone.
"What a cop out," I thought, smiling the ride away.
It was a good workout.

Then a short time later some "skinny" dude passed me up. I "latered" his game by passing him up as well.

Now it was time to check out 'The Different Spokes' Bike Club picnic that I knew as going on at Golden Gate Park. I met a guy named Michael John but his hospitality and friendliness left much to be desired. Others were reasonably friendly. One guy named Kevin (and a few others) kind of stared or glanced my way. It made me feel leery as to what they were thinking. I drank some apple juice, munched on bread, a sushi kabob and some chips. I hung out there until 2:45 and headed on home.

I met another dude at the BART station who was going to Daly City. I spoke to him very briefly.
"Do you ride a lot?"
"Yeah, I do."
"How do you like your Schwinn?"
"Well, I really like it. It's good to me," I replied.
"What's your opinion of a mountain bike?"
"I like those too," I answered as his train arrived.

I started rapping with a girl named Sally as I was waiting for my train.
"I go to Berkeley but I'm originally from Portland, Oregon."
She was cute, but I will never see her again.

PHOTO: Model, Bridget Hall

It wasn't long until I was disembarking at 12th Street in Oakland, riding over to mom's house once again. I went for a quick bite to eat. I ended up babysitting for Ashley while 'mom and dad' went to The Blue Dolphin for a dinner outing. They enjoyed it. They were able to sit by the Marina overlooking the water, too.

Ashley was a good girl. It was nice that she started to nap, so that I could 'rest my eyes' too. When Sherri arrived I flashed a few more snapshots of 'Ashley and Sherri'.

I started to watch TV with mom and dad but decided to head out because the weather was getting colder. My bike was outside 'freezing its wheels off'.

Helen and Tony were at "my" place when I arrived (frown). I enjoyed a leftover piece of their MERRIT Chicken, then skedaddled upstairs to write in my journal.

My vacation is next week. I am debating on whether I will definitely go to Los Angeles--or not. I think I will.

I want to try calling Bob Umland (the guy from Wilkes-Bashford) again. He line is busy again!

My bathtub looked so clean. I guessed Helen gave it her finishing touches. That's an "A plus" for her (and me).

It is only 8:15pm and i feel like going to bed already. I love sleeping.

I wrote to Allen Flusser yesterday, telling him of my aspirations (The Michael J of New York boutique). I should be so lucky if he suggests or mentions any interest in delving into the so called "Michael J" projects. His response to my letter (if any) will be well worth reading. This is for sure.

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Making the Man

"Most days have no impact in the course of a LIFE."
Narrator
from the 2009 film
"500 Days of Summer"

My dear friend and fellow photographer, Hanne Reid, of Vancouver, Canada sent me these words of wisdom associated with NOAH's ARK. I liked it and thought I would post it on my blog today:

Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark .
ONE: Don't miss the boat.

TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat!

THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

FOUR: Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

FIVE: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
SIX: Build your future on high ground.

SEVEN: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

EIGHT: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

NINE: When you're stressed, float awhile.

TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

ELEVEN: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 20, 1984
Saturday

Helen did not spend the night here tonight. She spent the night at her sister Geneva’s house in San Leandro, so it was peacefully lonely. I slept in until 10:30AM or so. As I left the house I met a young lad outside. He was sweeping the front yard next door. I guess that’s his job every Saturday (so he says), making five-dollars for sweeping their garage and straightening out their backyard. He was wearing a faded gray T-Shirt. He could not be more than thirteen or fourteen years old (maybe less actually). He was a nice young boy. He seemed to like me because I struck up some conversation with him during his boring chores. His name is Aubrey. After our friendly talk he hopped on his bike and rode with me over the Bay Farm Island Bridge.
“Who knows, maybe I will hire you as well,” I said encouragingly.

It’s just a matter of figuring out what I want Aubrey to do. He actually lives in Central Alameda. As we rode together we bumped into Ron coming in our direction; whereby, Aubrey sped up Otis Drive and I went my own way via Bayview to Shoreline Drive. I continued with non-stop riding until about 12:30pm this afternoon when I decided I wanted to drive into San Francisco.

I wanted to visit the Wilkes-Bashford men’s store and possibly apply for a part-time job there. I arrived at 1:30pm and parked in a No Parking zone, learning my lesson later with a twenty-dollar parking ticket.

When I walked into the Wilkes-Bashford store there were about four male models there and they were serving free champagne. Allen Flusser, the designer, who wrote “Making the Man: The Insider's Guide to Buying Mens Clothes”, was at the store. I talked to him briefly. He was “so-so” personality-wise. He signed his book for me and included his address in New York.

I spoke to the dimwit models for a while. One guy was named David O’Neill of Concord, CA and another was named Bill from Santa Cruz, CA. The twenty-nine year old named Andy from ‘MODEL Management’ seemed to be the most “together” of the bunch. I just kept sipping champagne and ‘hanging out’ because everyone was friendly and the clothes were so cool. I wished I could afford them. I learned that the models were each making about $800 for the day to just sit, drink champagne and change their outfits each hour!

I also met a couple of the sales clerks. Karen was one of the clerks. The other sales clerk was Bob Umland.
“Why don’t you call me and we can see about lunch?” Bob asked happily as he handed me his business card.
Bob was wearing suede camel colored pants. I loved them. I was really having such a good time prowling about the Wilkes-Bashford men’s boutique in my $95 turtleneck and leather jacket. The champagne (at least FIVE glasses) did me in. I never did inquire about a job. I had more fun picking the brains of the male models and trying to find out if they liked their field of work.

When my fun afternoon hanging out at Wilkes-Bashford was over at 5pm I drove back to Alameda to mom’s house. She invited me for pasta and some homemade tortillas, too. It was filling—to say the least. I stayed there for a while and then ventured home.

I decided I would try calling Bob Umland, the Wilkes-Bashford sales clerk. The directory assistance operator had only one listing but when I telephoned the number I had a never ending busy signal. Feeling bored at home I drove out to Webster Street where I browsed a bookstore and started feeling hungry again. There was a NATIONS nearby, so I ordered a vanilla milkshake and a hamburger ‘to go’. I went home to enjoy another dinner.

The telephone rang after the second bite of my burger.
“Hi Michael, its Helen, do you want to go to Yoshi’s for dinner? Geneva and I are planning to go now.”
“It sounds good but I just finished eating.”

At around 9:30pm Mike Miller telephoned. He seemed to want to talk, so I just invited him to come over. I tried to get him to stay the night again.
“I would but my mom is going to make something to eat.”
“Ok, well I’m tired and I’m going to sleep now.”

Mike left and I tried to watch “Cover Up” (the Jon Erik Hexum television show) series but I could barely keep my eyes open. I fell asleep only to wake again that night because I heard Helen enter the house. I emerged from bed and enjoyed a glass of milk with a slice of Helen’s famous homemade banana-nut bread. I needed to get rid of that raw onion taste from the burger I had devoured only a few hours earlier.

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Tropical Climates

If the earth were a man with a belt around his middle, the belt would be the equator. Around the equator they have the hottest weather in the world. You can easily see by looking at the globe that Mexico is NOT far north of the equator. It is in the part of the world called the tropics.

In the low parts of our country, the seashores and the deep, deep valleys and canyons, we have what is called the tropical weather. We call these parts 'tierras calientes' (hot lands).

High up in the mountains we have cool weather, so these parts are called tierras frias (cold lands).

In between the high country and the low country, we have in-between weather---lovely weather. This kindliest part we call tierra templada (temperate lands).
-James Mitchell Clarke
"Luis of Guadalajara"

Body Heat. What a scene!
The ultimate BEST:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx9CjT8DS9A

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 19, 1984
Friday

I was surprised and sad this morning to learn that twenty-seven year old actor Jon Erik Hexum had died due to a gun shot would in the head from a blank cartridge while on the set of his new series "Cover Up" (co-starring Jennifer O'Neill). He was cool. It's funny because just the other night mom said I looked like him a bit except for the blue eyes.

PHOTO:
Jon Erik Hexum




I mentioned his death to Karyn Kossoff this morning.
"I didn't really even know who he was," I continued.
"I can't believe you didn't know because he was that actor who played in 'The Male Model' with Alexis/Joan Collins and I thought for sure you'd seen it!"
"No, I want to see it now."
"I guess because of that model image you project I thought you did see it."
I never heard her use that 'model image' term for me. I'll take it.

I have a 5 plus RCF sales deal in the works for this upcoming Monday with some company called 'A+ Professional Nursing Registry' in San Francisco.

I did lunch with Bobbie, Barbara, Peggy and Pat at the Oriental Cafe. It wasn't a 'hey day" lunch. It was more of a "blah zay" lunch. The day went by quickly at least. I was tired by five o'clock. It seems that Ethel is arranging it so that I get my next paycheck in advance. How convenient.

After work I telephoned Paloma to invite her to a movie. I really wanted to see "Thief of Hearts", a flick with the guy (Steven Bauer) who co-starred in the Al Pacino SCARFACE flick. I got shunned from Paloma.
"I have to babysit tonight."
PHOTO: Steven Bauer

And so, I called Karyn to invite her to see the movie.
"I have plans for dinner with my brother."

Then I called on Mike Miller.
"Oh man, I have plans with Suzy to some volleyball match. Oh and by the way, I enlarged a photo of that girl who works at Scotts Seafood Cottage. I dropped in one night with goofy Greg."
I replied, "That must have been fun...or interesting to say the least."
"Yeah, she remembered me!"

Oh well. Then good ole Dad called and I was still kind of pissed at him from last Sunday when he was bitchin' at me for coming over all the time to eat. I decided to level out.
"I'm not pissed," I said (even if I was).
Dad persuaded me to come on over to visit him. I ended up enjoying a few of mom's homemade tuna sandwiches. It was fun being buddies with Dad again.
"Hey, do you want to go see this movie with me, tonight?"
Dad declined my movie invitation, too. And so, I went to the movies alone.

I went to the Century Complex on Hegenberger Road. I am glad I did. I saw "Thief of Hearts". I loved it. It was so good. It was about a robber who stole some goods and a lady's journal. He later read her journal and found out all about her. He fell in love with her as he read her most intimate of thoughts. It was such a creative story with a few plot twists. I was hoping for even more surprises but it worked out fine. I simply liked the cleverness in which he would surprise the lady of things that he knew about her. The movie will be an all-time favorite.

If my journal was entirely read by a stranger they would know me better. I would almost like to rewrite my journal though. I think I could modify it to a more interesting and readable format.

Now that I have returned home from the movie I still felt a need to call Paloma. She wasn't home!
"What a lyin' bitch. Babysittin'...yeah sure!" I thought to myself.

Helen is not here. I guess that is a good thing. I can turn in early now. I'll thumb through some magazines first to divert my thoughts.

Oh yeah, some guy sat right next to me in the movie theater tonight. He was with his girlfriend but he kept nudging his knee against mine. I complied and pressed my knee, doing the same.
Funny.
"Thief of Hearts".

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