I Remember...

PHOTO:
ARMIJO 'Coat-Of-Arms'

You don't notice how you change until you see a photo of yourself, do you?
-Morag Joss
"Half Broken Things"

1. I remember making a toast on New Year's Eve (December 31, 2009) to "Remembering". I encouraged the other sixteen guests inside of a Napa Valley wine cave to list ten things the next day (January 1, 2010) by writing "I remember..." because memories are what life is all about. I wonder who followed my suggestion (besides me).

2. I remember being four years old (in 1964) and falling in the backyard of our home at '1447 16th Avenue' in Oakland, CA. I hit my nose on a concrete step and my face was a bloody mess. My mom heard my crying and ran to help me. She gave a shriek of a scream at the sight of me. She stopped the bleeding, consoled me as mothers do and managed to get me to take a nap to dream it all away.

3. I remember picking rocks in the backyard of our home at '356 Magnolia Drive' in Alameda, CA with my father in the mid-1970's. We cultivated the earth by shoveling the dirt over. I helped him to start his garden of tomatoes, zucchini, snap peas, onions, carrots and radishes. While I felt disgruntled about the work-at first-it became a great sense of accomplishment.

4. I remember the transition from Catholic School in 5th grade (1970-71) to Public School in 6th grade. I was so thrilled about 'free dress'. I no longer had to wear the gray trousers, white shirt and maroon sweater uniform at St. Anthony's in Oakland, CA any longer.

5. I remember my high school 'Advanced Composition' writing class at Alameda High School. How I loved that early morning requirement time of doing my morning journal entry. I also remember the time we left the classroom for Park Street to explore our five senses (the power of touch, smell, sight, taste, hearing). We had to write words pertaining to each sensory experience. The fresh smell of the donuts at a local bakery remain in my mind as I wrote about it and no one else seemed to use the sense of smell.

6. I remember having the measles in first or second grade and being able to stay home. I would lay on the couch in the afternoon while watching a full-episode of the TV soap "Dark Shadows" with my mother. I remember sleep being the best nurse.

7. I remember the time my sister-in-law (Sherri) called me before midnight on January 24, 2000. My mother had suddenly passed away of a condition known as 'mitral regurgitation'. During the Southwest Air flight from LAX to OAKLAND that morning of January 25th I felt completely numb with a 'nothing matters' feeling. I was in shock; yet, my consolation was from a telephone conversation at 8pm on January 24, 2000. Before I hung up I said those three last words to her, "I love you."

8. I remember moving to Los Angeles in October 1989. I met a man on November 20, 1989 and we exchanged telephone numbers while at a bar known as MICKEY's. During one of our first dinner dates of filet mignon and a bottle of Château de Beaucastel, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Vallée du Rhône wine I asked him, "Is there really a future in a man-to-man relationship?"
He hesitated and said, "I don't see why not."
Today, I am still in a relationship with this man (Alan Freiman) who obviously gave the right answer.

9. I remember feeling so 'at home' while visiting Zaragoza, Spain and the thrill of seeing the signs to the Armijo Palace. It led me to 'Calle de Lucero', the street where the Armijo Palace is located. I was astonished because my mother's maiden name is Lucero. The Origins of the ARMIJO clan and 'coat of arms' still stir me with fascination and interest.

10. I remember the wonderful escapes of a good book and a great, real-life true story that force me to imagine more...
I remember almost marrying Paloma.
I remember being in a caged ferris wheel ride at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, CA, as a teenager. I persuaded my mother to take the ferris wheel ride with me. While in the thrilling cage of movement we laughed so hard that our stomachs ached in painful delight. What a spontaneous non-stop adventure.
I remember playing croquet and tackle football with my brothers on the front lawn of our home on Harbor Bay Isle.
I remember how music still soothes and touches my heart...here is a favorite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYKJuDxYr3I
I remember 'this minute' and feeling like I can continue writing one-hundred or more things that I remember...

MY HOUSE IN UMBRIA (U.K. 2003), Screened on May 7, 2003 @ PACE UNIVERSITY.
Director: Richard Loncraine
My House In Umbria is an exquisitely affecting adaptation of the William Trevor novella that follows a diverse group of train-explosion survivors invited to fellow survivor and romance novelist Mrs. Emily Delahunty's (Maggie Smith) idyllic home in the Italian countryside to recover. The group slowly forms a tender family identity whose resolve is tested when an outsider threatens to break them up. Also featuring Chris Cooper, Timothy Spall, and Giancarlo Giannini.

My Comments: 5 STARS
"Ahhhh"...reminders of the Italian Countryside, good wine and the essence of fragrant flowers in a garden are prominently depicted in this film. The story was centered on the survivors of a train accident. I loved how I cared so much about the characters. The main character role was played by Academy Award winning actress, Maggie Smith (who made it all the more fantastic). I loved hearing her thoughts spoken aloud. She made me laugh. Her loneliness made me sad. I was happy that the little orphan girl ended up staying in Umbria. I'd LOVE to see this film again someday. It is a reminder of how we all need LOVE and PEOPLE to share happy times...as we all make mistakes along the way.

Twenty-five years ago today:

January 4, 1985
Friday

This morning I finally met Christie. She is this girl that I've seen off and on who apparently works one floor above me in the AIC (Accounts Inquiry Center). She is sweet and has a beautiful smile that sort of reminds me of Becky Winslow (a college gal I knew with green eyes who was infatuated with me). Becky was a former semi-girlfriend that never amounted to anything because I moved to Sacramento in 1980. We met in that unique extra credit class called THE FOURTH 'R' (RELAXATION) at the College of Alameda in December 1979. It seems like ancient history now.

I ordered a toaster, a lamp, two fancy Director folding chairs with my winning sales coupons. Hurrah!

At lunch I accompanied David Vigil to MACY's where we gabbed. David said that a male model friend of his (also named David) had borrowed two-hundred dollars and took off with it along with a bunch of his nice clothes.
"Can you believe it? And he left for New York!" David said with a gasp and his gay lisp.
David was 'pissed-off' to say the least. We each ate up a slice of BLONDIE's PIZZA and headed back to the office. As we walked David shared more information.
"You know, Michael, I am on a temporary phase of using cocaine."
I mentioned my coke experience with Bob Umland of Wilkes-Bashford.
David continued. "I'm trying to get a Recreational Management position designed for me in San Ramon."
"Sounds good. I wish you luck."

After work I wanted to see the SNEAK PREVIEW of 'The River' so I drove to San Francisco. I was let down because the SNEAK was not until tomorrow night! And so...I stayed in The City and watched 'Falling In Love', starring Meryl Streep and Robert DeNiro. When I was walking to the theater and out I felt EYES checking me out. Was it the outfit of my 501's and leather camel colored jacket?
I thought, "Shit...Ugh", remembering about AIDS.

I went to NATION's in Alameda for a burger and fries 'to go'. I read my San Francisco Examiner and watched the TV series 'Falcon Crest'. It was time to turn in. Snooze.

"I never talk during music, at least during good music. If one hears bad music, it is one's duty to drown it in conversation."
-Oscar Wilde
"The Portrait of Dorian Gray"