Anonymous Admirer

She's running blindly now, pursued by a nameless fear, with no goal in mind.
-Stefan Zweig
"The Post-Office Girl"

Twenty-five years ago today:

February 22, 1985
Friday

I woke up at 7:30AM. I made it to work in San Francisco by 8:30AM! What a shock!

Carl Brooks brought me a yogurt during lunch time. That was a thoughtful gesture. What a nice guy.

Dale and I ate lunch at Natoma's and had another round of the usual office gossip. He is so informative. According to Dale, Cindy Chow is leery about my sexuality. I think she has been snooping to Dale about me. Who knows what she has overheard from the phone calls at my desk.

I received a card in the mail from Steffanya today. There was also an "Anonymous" Valentine's Day card. The copy read: "Happy Valentine's Day from a Secret Admirer...and the other days too."

I wonder if the anonymous card is from Bob Umland. Then again, I doubt it. I just don't know who it could be.

I attended the Wilkes-Bashford Fashion Show and saw Bob Umland. We talked a bit. He looked worn out. I noticed two little bumps under his eye. I figured he was just plain tired. When the show began I lost him (or maybe he ditched me).

I recognized a few of the models during the Fashion Show. They recognized me, too. Neat-O! It was probably because I talked to them like they were ordinary people the time they were in the store that one past Saturday.

I made some small talk to a few girls named Irene, Alexandra and Terry. I ate a chocolate-covered strawberry, a pastry, two Hors d'oeuvre and sipped on Champagne. I felt it was time for the EXIT door, so I left.

I went to the 24-Hour Nautilus Gym in San Francisco. It was okay. I went for a root beer milkshake at Natoma's afterward. As I was sipping my milkshake I was thinking about Dale's perception.
Dale asked, "Is Paloma bisexual?"
As I sipped my milkshake and the more I thought about it I began to wonder. Especially now that I recalled her excessive talking about Bo Derek.
Paloma gasped ecstatically, "She is so beautiful."

When I arrived home I read another note from Marty, my roommate:
'I went to Sacramento for the weekend. Jim from L.A. called you and said to go ahead with your plans to Vegas because he may not come up for another two weeks.
Later, Marty.'

I miss Jim. I don't know why.

I telephoned Steffanya and ended up waking her up.
"I just wanted to Thank You for that card you sent me."
I continued with chatter about the Fashion Show, "You really didn't miss much."
After I hung up the phone I ate some leftover Chinese Food and a milkshake. I turned on the TV for a few and then went to bed.
PHOTO: Bo Derek


When the bird has flown, the essence of its song is often mislaid, and then all we are left with is an empty cage.
-Tony Parsons
"As It Is"