Football & Things

"Of course, I'll miss football and things, especially dramatics, but in order to get one thing you want it seems like you almost always have to give up something else, don't you think so?"
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

It was twenty years ago today (November 20, 1989) that I met Alan Freiman. Today is our 20th Anniversary so-to-speak. It was a Monday night in West Hollywood around 5:30pm. I was new to the area and thought it would be a good idea to visit this bar on a Monday night. I thought I would meet someone local, not someone faraway looking for a 'one night stand'.

I was in a bar called MICKEY's having a 'White Russian' cocktail. Alan walked in and we exchanged glances. He sat near me and there were two empty bar stools between us.
The bar was relatively empty, so we started to 'schmooze' (schmooze: Yiddish word meaning-To converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection).
Alan asked, "What is that you're drinking?"
"Oh, it's called a 'White Russian'. It's really good."
"I think I'll have one of those," Alan instructed the bartender.
We began to talk a bit more.
"So, are you just getting out of work?" I asked.
"Yeah, but I have a meeting over at the Bel Age Hotel within the hour. Are you from around here?"
"Actually, I'm new to the area. I thought I'd go out now, on a Monday evening, to meet some local people. I live up near Sunset across from Tower Records."
"I'm in Venice Beach."
"Really? I so want to get familiar with the Southern Cal beaches. That's one of the reasons I moved down here...for the beaches and palm trees."
We seemed to get along very well. I explained how I transferred from my job in Northern California. We ordered second rounds. We ended up exchanging telephone numbers. Alan left for his meeting and I decided to head on home. I felt I accomplished what I wanted. I met a local and I got a phone number. I had no idea where it would lead 'at the time'.

On November 20, 2006 we re-enacted our first meeting at the same MICKEY'S BAR. We ordered 'white Russians'. I arrived first. There was a 2 for 1 special 'Happy Hour' deal, so I ordered two. When Alan arrived fifteen minutes later I told him to pretend he just bought the drink...and we re-lived the first meeting. Funny.
PHOTO: The bartender took our photo
in celebration of our 17th Anniversary
November 20, 2006

To commemorate our special anniversary on this day I dedicate this video of #1 HIT songs of 1989 to "us". Do you remember any of them?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzK7pUCXHsE


Twenty-five years ago today:

November 20, 1984
Tuesday
Carl, my tub mate at work, seems to be giving me this eye that I read as ‘I like your body and then some…’ He’s a nice guy, but…

I enjoyed lunch with Karyn at a little Italian Café. It was fun spending time with her today.

After work I picked up Karyn at her place near Rockridge Center. We went out to see a 1978 Australian flick called “Mouth To Mouth” which was a pretty ‘shitty’ movie. We did not even stay for the co-feature, “Don’s Party”. We still had fun though.

We did a good job of sneaking in our McDonald’s dinner into the theater. We looked at each other with these ‘what in the hell’ sort of eyes when we heard a strange man in the movie theater yell ‘cocksucker’ and other vulgarities inside the theater.

We kissed each other goodnight. The date was pleasant.

I came home to read a bit. I had dreams. I felt confused and delirious.

“Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch;
nay, you may kick it about all day, like a football,
and it will be round and full at evening.”
-Mark Twain