Misery Loves Company

“Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
–Pablo Picasso

PHOTO: 1984,
ART
by Bobbie Renbarger

This artistic depiction implied my misery
after a complicated business call
while Bobbie had an easy call.
It made me laugh when I found it in my journal.

Misery loves company.

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 1, 1984

The first day of October and it was one fast-paced day at work. I could not believe the amount of calls that I handled in one day. I did it! I have started two New Connect orders but the final outcome is the big question.

Karyn Kossoff made a comment about my wearing my geometric sweater. It was funny. I knew she’d call it my “geometric” sweater.

PHOTO: 1984, Michael J Armijo,
wearing the 'geometric sweater'
while holding his niece,
Ashley Armijo

For lunch, Bobbie, Pat, Barbara and I went to the Health Food Store. We retreated to the Market Street steps to eat. Today was Pat Wright’s last day. She was going to Major Accounts in Redwood City, CA.

I gave Barbara Reynolds a card to mail on my behalf. I could rely on her getting it to the post-office. It was that ‘airplane’ card/letter to Paloma. Since it’s going to Berkeley, CA she should have it within a day.

I forgot to mail Helen Wong a card but I left a ‘Happy Birthday’ message on her telephone answering machine.

I was a bit mind boggled again after work today. I went straight to mom’s house and played with Ashley for a while. I ate dinner there, too. I fed Ashley some chocolate pudding. She sure smiled at the taste.

When Sherri arrived from work we watched a bit of ‘Wheel of Fortune’ together along with an episode of “The Young and the Restless”.

Now I am home and Jim Koran, Karyn Kossoff and Paloma Guerra are all on my mind. Frank and Chris are becoming faint memories. And I have about given up on Maria’s reply from Mexico. There will likely be no confirmation of my visit to her at the end of this month.

I sent Karyn Kossoff my LA 1984 Olympics BIKE Card. I hated to part with it but I believe she’ll treasure it.

It was funny running into Sandra Wilson who is an Assistant Manager in IC (Installation Center) now. We used to be Directory Assistance operators together way back in 1977. It’s a small, small world. Eventually old acquaintances do remix and re-meet.

I wish I made the money an Assistant Manager makes these days. I could use the funds. I could save more and be much more comfortable. I sure as hell cannot complain, considering what I do have now. Most do not have what I’ve got.

I strive for only one thing. I strive to be happy.

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A Late Night Visitor

“She found herself continually speculating about him, wondering what he was thinking when she was with him and what he was doing when she was not.”
-Nial Kent,
“A Divided Path”

I happened to recall a flashback song from 1984 called 'Out Of Touch' by Hall & Oates. I thought I'd seek out the lyrics and the music video for the memory of it.
And you (whoever is reading this today) will be lucky enough to experience it, too.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=out+of+touch%2c+hall+%26+oates&docid=805388026123&mid=62F0EB9CB6C590B908B562F0EB9CB6C590B908B5&FORM=VIVR14#

Shake it up is all that we know
Using the bodies up as we go
Waking up to fantasy
The shades all around aren't the colors we used to see
Broken ice still melts in the sun
And times that are broken can often be one again
We're soul alone
And soul really matters to me
Take a look around

You're out of touch
I'm out of time
But I'm out of my head when you're not around

Reaching out for something to hold
Looking for a love where the climate is cold
Manic moves and drowsy dreams
Or living in the middle between the two extremes
Smoking guns hot to the touch
Would cool down if we didn't use them so much
We're soul alone
And soul really matters to me
Too much

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 20, 1984
Friday
PHOTO: Scene from SCARFACE

Barbara Reynolds and I ate at the ‘Health Food Store’ in The City today. She saw an old friend of hers named Danny. He is an accountant in The City. He seemed nice enough.

I tactfully asked Karyn Kossoff out to RAGGS, a new restaurant. She was born on August 7th, the same day as my former co-worker in Oakland, Pat Overschoun. I love Karyn’s smile. I just plain enjoy her company (despite her being slightly overweight).

After the work day, Barbara Reynolds, David Vigil and I went over to the Embarcadero Center to mingle through the ‘Happy Hour’ parties galore. I treated them both to a drink at some cocktail place that was providing free popcorn. We left relatively early.

I telephoned mom and made arrangements to rent two movies (SCARFACE and VALLEY GIRL). They were both good. It was fun watching them with mom.

PHOTO: Scene from VALLEY GIRL

I was at my pad by 12:45PM and was sleeping well when my doorbell rang at 2:30AM!

“Who in the hell could that be?” I questioned myself as I rubbed my eyes and scratched my head on my way downstairs.
I thought it might be Chris Cordellos. Lo and behold, it was Nici Maurino!

Nici ended up spending the night at my place. We just held each other and went to sleep. She had been drinking at Gallaghers in Downtown Oakland. Ironically, she was talking to my brother, John, who bar tends there. I guess she felt like stopping by to see me.

“I wonder if she’s a nymphomaniac.” I asked myself during my own silly private mindful thinking. I got ‘hard’ a couple of times during the night and I supposed I could have easily taken advantage. I noticed she did not have very good female hygiene. That was a slight turn off.

Anyway, by 7:30AM I felt her kiss my cheek. Then she left. It was as simple as that.

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Introducing 'Patch William'

"He was better than any 'head shrinker' because he always knew what was buggin' you even before you told him."
-Ava Gardner
as heard in the 1964 film,
"The Night of the Iguana"

Listen to the delicate ‘easy listening’ sounds of ‘Patch William’ sing “The Last Bus”:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=patch+william&docid=952180933176&mid=6AAC3058A76FECDF4A476AAC3058A76FECDF4A47&FORM=VIVR#

I was fortunate to have Ali Digby (one of the band members of Patch William) at my Birthday Cocktail Party celebration in London, England. Ali is a talented musician as well as a ‘true sweetheart’. She performs cello and sings backup vocals for the band. The 'Patch William' band has a website and I took this portion ‘about them’ to post here on my blog today:

Patch William officially started in the summer of 2007 with their first gig at Bristol University.

The band consists of Ed and Will, who are brothers, Bill, who is their father, George, one of their old friends, and "Ali Digby", a recent addition to the band since recording.

For their first year playing the band conscientiously gigged around London, recorded at home and promoted them culminating in a lucky run-in with producer Steve Levine. Having heard them play Steve quickly signed the band to his label, Hubris records, in the summer of 2008.

From this Patch William has been invited to perform a live session for BBC introducing where they recorded three tracks which have subsequently been played on 6music and Radio 1.

Since then the band has begun to record their first studio album, to be released over the summer with a prospective tour to support it soon after.
Website:
http://www.patchwilliam.com/
PHOTO: Ali Digby
at the No. 11 Hotel, London
June 2009

I will have to add the 'Patch William' CD to my WISH LIST once it comes available.





Twenty-five years ago today:

July 18, 1984
Wednesday

For lunch today, Barbara and I were accompanied by Joe (a gay guy that really reminds me of the main actor, Ray Walston, from the old TV-show called ‘My Favorite Martian’).

We saw Presidential nominee, ‘Walter Mondale’, waving our way in his limousine, and then we ate Chinese food followed by a visit to the Gitano Ice-Cream place.


We did some typical office talk as we decided to take a walk to the pier area and then back to work. We are enjoying ourselves, getting paid for doing nothing.

I have been jump roping a lot lately. It’s amazing how fast and how many repetitions I can do now. I even have the energy to go bike riding after working up a sweat.

After work I accompanied mom for a visit to Grandma’s. Mom and I borrowed a movie from ‘John and Sherri’ called “All the Right Moves”, starring Tom Cruise. It was an ‘okay’ evening.

I love working in The City (San Francisco). The time passes so quickly and it’s like a vacation each day.

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Improve Your Posture

Before even trying to find out why I'm feeling uncomfortable, I try to change my posture, to make it more elegant.

When I draw myself up again, I realize that this simple movement has helped me to feel more confident about what I'm doing.

Human beings should be elegant in their actions and their posture, because the word is synonymous with good taste, graciousness, balance and harmony.
-Paulo Coelho
'Like The Flowing River'

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 14, 1984
Saturday

I awoke on this Saturday morning at 10AM when I heard my brothers, Tony and John, enter the house. I chatted with them for a while and then went for a refreshing bicycle ride from 11:30AM until 2:30PM. I was wearing one of my new International Male tank tops and ended up with a 'tank top' sunburn. I hate that! I tried to even it out by lying on the beach shirtless. It did not help much.

Chris Cordellos telephoned me at around 2PM while I was still on my Saturday bicycling adventure. I called back at his mothers' house in Concord, assuming he had arrived in the Bay Area.
His mother responded surprisingly. "As far as I know he is still in Eureka."

Time passed slowly. Chris finally called again at 6:30PM. He suggested we 'go out' tonight. Chris explained that he was not going to dinner with Barb or his folks.

And so, I eventually found myself at The Kabuki Night Club in San Francisco where I met Barb and Chris. It was crowded there and we ended up at the I-BEAM. We had a pretty good time. The night flew by.

I remember a 'French dude' got busted outside of the club, adding to the excitement.
I remember a 'Black dude' who started rapping with us during the bust.
The guy was saying, "Yeah, I just got outta jail and the cops gave me a joint."
We laughed silently.
We fed our food cravings at a local Sub-sandwich shop. I soon departed for Alameda. Chris and Barbara departed for Concord.

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We Are Still Worth The Same

(Imagine the crumpling/mutilating of a $20 Bill)
So often in our lives, we are crumpled, trampled, ill-treated,
and yet,despite all of that, we are still worth the same.
-Paulo Coelho
'Like The Flowing River'

I was sent this 'Jewish Mother' joke yesterday from a friend in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It made me chuckle a bit.

JEWISH MOTHER

A Jewish woman says to her mother, "I'm divorcing Norm! All he wants is anal sex, and my asshole is now the size of a 50 cent piece when it used to be about the size of a nickel."
Her mother says, "You're married to a multi- millionaire businessman, you live in an 8 bedroom mansion, you drive a Ferrari, you get $2,000 a week allowance, you take 6 vacations a year and you want to throw all that away over 45 cents?"

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 13, 1984
Friday

I telephoned Chris Cordellos during my first break. He seemed 'bummed out' once again.
"I may drive or fly down this weekend," Chris said with an inspiring high-hope pitch in his voice.
We did not speak very long but we had enough minutes to share 'Happy Anniversary' greetings. It has been three months today (January 13th) since we met at the San Francisco I-BEAM night club.

I accompanied Helen, Tony and Michelle for a walk during lunchtime. I had a delicious lemon yogurt. I continue to tease or flirt with Michelle about her fashionable taste in clothes. She is sweet.

I telephoned Chris Cordellos during my afternoon break but he was not home.
PHOTO: 1984-Self-Portrait, Michael Joe Armijo

Oh yeah! David Vigil, my co-worker, had his job transfer accepted to the Business Marketing Service Center in San Francisco. I had just submitted my transfer requests last Monday, April 9th, so I am wondering what my chances are. Barbara Reynolds tells me that the Placement Center representative had told her that there were

After work I skedaddled away on my bicycle. I met Michael Miller and his sister, Sue near Shoreline Drive. The three of us rode around Alameda together, chatting on about our latest happenings. Sue is in the market for a new car purchase. Michael Miller was acting his usual "questionable self" as his eyes shifted here and there. I wonder what he is thinking at times.

I returned home to eat a tuna sandwich with crisp potato chips dinner when the telephone rang at 7:30PM. It was Chris Cordellos.
"Here's the scoop," Chris said, "I want to come down but I am in sort of a predicament because I may have Barbara tagging along."
I could tell Chris was not thrilled about the idea. The phone call was quick. He simply wanted to give me a quick update on what was going on if he decides to come down. He promised to call back tomorrow with more information.

It was a Friday night but I didn't go out tonight. I don't have any money to go out anyway. It's all for the best. I need not spend during this time of debt. I am still debating on the date with Tammy Duhr tomorrow night.

By 9:30PM I was dozing off during the middle of a DALLAS television episode. It was time to go to bed.

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Terms of Endearment

"All endings are beginnings,
we just don't know it at the time."
-The Five People
You Meet In Heaven

I heard this song by Al Jolson called 'You Made Me Love You' while watching the movie 'The Five People You Meet In Heaven' a couple of months ago. It touched me.

I have decided to denote the link/video with Patsy Cline singing the tune. It seems to go well with the 'Terms of Endearment' Academy Award win from '25 Years Ago'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIZtC-gq4is

YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU Lyrics

You made me love you
I didn't want to do it, I didn't want to do it
You made me love you
and all the time you knew it
I guess you always knew it.
You made me happy sometimes, you made me glad
But there were times, Dear, you made me feel so bad

You made me sigh for, I didn't want to tell you
I didn't want to tell you
I want some love that's true, yes I do, deed I do, you know I do

Give me, give me, give me what I cry for
you know you got the brand of kisses that I'd die for
You know you made me love you


Twenty-five years ago today:

April 9, 1984
Monday

I dressed today in my 'Thrift shop from Arcata' wear. I sensed a few glimpses at the office.
"Why are you all dressed up?" someone asked.
"I'm going to the Academy Awards tonight," I replied. It wasn't a lie. I planned to watch at 6pm on ABC-TV.

I completed three new job transfer forms for the Business Service Center in San Francisco, cancelling the other three that I had less of a chance with acceptance. I was given Q-3 ratings on those former requests and now I had a Q-1.

After my work day I came home to mom's baked BBQ chicken and a salad. It was a yummy dinner treat while watching the Academy Awards.

Sherri telephoned to tell me that my PAPILLON VHS-video tape had arrived in their mailbox. It's one of my all-time favorite flicks. I love it because I read the book by Henri Charriere and new the details. It's a gripping true autobiographical story that was first published in France in 1968.

Henri Charriere gave the title of 'Papillon' for the butterfly tattoo on his chest. It was in Paris 1931 that he was convicted of a murder he did not commit. Sentenced to life imprisonment in the penal colony of French Guiana, he became obsessed with one goal: escape.

PHOTO: Dustin Hoffman, Steve McQueen
in the 1973 film PAPILLON


After planning and executing a series of treacherous yet failed attempts over many years, he was eventually sent to the notorious prison, Devil's Island, a place from which no one had ever escaped...until Papillon. His flight to freedom remains one of the most incredible feats of human cunning, will, and endurance ever undertaken. Charriere's autobiography was published more than twenty years after his final escape.

Shirley MacLaine won the BEST Actress Award for 'Terms of Endearment'. Robert Duvall won the BEST Actor Award for 'Tender Mercies'. Linda Hunt won BEST Supporting Actress for 'The Year of Living Dangerously'. Jack Nicholson won BEST Supporting Actor for "Terms of Endearment'.

Who lost? Michael Caine (Educating Rita), Tom Conti (Reuben, Reuben), Tom Courtenay (The Dresser), Albert Finney (The Dresser); Jane Alexander (Testament), Meryl Streep (Silkwood), Julie Walters (Educating Rita), Debra Winger (Terms of Endearment). The losers in the Supporting categories were Cher (Silkwood), Glenn Close (The Big Chill), Amy Irving (Yentl), Alfre Woodard (Cross Creek), Charles Durning (To Be or Not To Be), John Lithgow (Terms of Endearment), Sam Shepard (The Right Stuff) and Rip Torn (Cross Creek).

The Best Picture was 'Terms of Endearment'. It was the movie I saw at Hilltop Mall in Richmond, CA with Suzy Miller and her brother, Michael Miller. I suppose it deserved the Award.

I wonder if Chris Cordellos watched the Academy Awards tonight? He said he would.

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Suspicious Love

"Do you regret our love? I must know."
"Why do they ask? she thought. Do they ask the sun if it regrets the light?
"No, I do not," she answered tenderly. "I only regret that we must part today."
"Must it be today?"
"Today is easier than tomorrow," she replied.
He did not deny the truth.
-Bette Bao Lord
in her book,
"Spring Moon"

A song by Camouflage comes to mind today. They are a German synthpop and dance music trio. They performed this tune in 1993 that I really love. Listen!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=djlrWtIRxXs

'Suspicious Love' Lyrics

Try to tell me something,
Try to tell me how it feels,
Build it up to beat it down again,
All the things you're hiding,
All the games you play with me,
Build it up to beat it down again.
Suspicious love,
Froze my natural laugh,
And I need to change,
But something keeps me here.
I feel I know,
I won't let it grow,
And I need to change,
But something keeps me here,
I refuse to crawl.
Got to tell you something,
Got to tell you how it feels,
Once built up and beaten down again.
Promises once spoken,
All the warmth you gave to me
Leave me always somehow inbetween...
I'd like to see you crawling.

Twenty-five years ago today:

March 15, 1984, Thursday

First of all, Paloma had intended on having lunch with me and she "faced" me once again! Why? She had to work.
"Could we go out tonight instead of on Friday night because I have something to do?" Paloma asked.
Who knows what she has to do? Perhaps she made another date!
"Sure," I said, feeling quite curious, "I'll call you this evening."

Paloma called me as soon as I arrived home from work. To my amazement I heard the most odd story from her. Then again, I did implore her to tell me because it was clear she had something on her mind. And so she did.
"I am too passionate in feelings," she began with her cute French/English accent.
I listened intently.
"I am starting to love another guy very much that I met at a party in Berkeley."
Believe me, I was hurt during this process. I didn't hide my feelings and I let her know it. What nerve of her to tell me this.

I thought we were on the brink of something special. Apparently we were not.
"I am looking for real love," she said.
I guess I am too--but love is something that grows over time. This is what I believe.

She is a done for 'wench' as far as I'm concerned!
"I am going to my exercise class now and I will call you at 8:45," Paloma continued, "so I can talk to you some more."
She pointed out clearly how she really wished to talk more.

I, of course, had to go off into the sunset on my bicycle for exhilarating relief while she was off to her exercise class in the City. It was funny because I almost thought she referred to this "guy" as a "she". I thought she was going to spill her guts out about being bisexual (which--in turn--one could say is my very own inner truth).

That evening I drove to my Dad's for a bite to eat. I think there were other reasons I wanted to be away. I didn't want to be home for Paloma's telephone call. I needed time. I decided to drive into the City myself. I went to visit some bar called 'The Stud' that I had heard about. I went to 'The Stud' and arrived early, so it was boring. There were hardly any people there. I did have three vodka gimlets at $1.05 each. Some 'tub of lard' from San Mateo started talking to me. Another fellow who worked at the establishment gave me a handful of "hellos". I seemed to get my fair share of looks as the time ticked on. I couldn't take the vibes there anymore. I left for Alameda. I took a shower when I got home and slept on my 'frustrations'.

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Compliments From The Heart

“There was something more enticing here…the thrill of the hunt.”
--John DiCarlo
In ‘Telling Tales Out of School’

Compliments from the heart elevate others’ spirit and will often result in an encouraging word from someone else…a domino effect.

Twenty-five years ago:

Tuesday, February 28, 1984

I am in a new section at work now. My new supervisor is black. Her name is Gerri Rogers. There is something about her that ‘grosses me out’. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is. Helen is in my section now, so that is nice.
My brother, Tony, played chef tonight. He made tortellini for John and me at our pad.
John bought some new bar bells. He surprised me when he showed off his two new record albums: Nena Hagen and Billy Idol.
I now realize that John has varied tastes—-but then--isn’t that the case for all who are GEMINI?

I was released from my ART Class early due to our instructor’s mild cold. I bet he just wanted to get out of class to see The Grammy Awards. I ended up catching some of the show. Culture Club won the Best New Group category. Boy George made me laugh.
“Thanks America, you know a good drag queen when you see one.”
Boy George is too much.

Chris Cordellos called at eleven o’clock to tell me he went to see ‘Terms of Endearment’ in Arcata, CA.
We talked about possibly meeting up tomorrow since he said he would be back in Concord. We shall see how the timing goes.

It was funny as I thought to myself. “I do have an appointment after work at the Sperm Bank.”

Wednesday, February 29, 1984

I kept my appointment at The Bay Area Sperm Bank. It was a fascinating first visit. I believe it is an excellent choice for me. I get a free medical check-up, too.
“You have an excellent sperm count at 175+,” says the Sperm Bank representative.
I had to masturbate in a room to some tunes and shoot it into a Styrofoam cup. It was a bit difficult—at first—but I did it. If this works out I wonder if I could have a lot of kids. They may be half-way decent looking kids at that! At age eighteen the child will have the option to look me up. I simply have to keep my locale information up-to-date. I am told my identity (and address) is kept strictly confidential. It is an exciting way to disperse myself into society here, there and everywhere. Besides helping the woman in need I am leaving a part of me. Won’t this unknown child be lucky?

Paige LaBris called me from Sacramento, CA that evening. She wanted to come to visit this weekend. However, the weekend is closed for Chris Cordellos’ 21st Birthday activities. It was very pleasant reconnecting with Paige. I persuaded her to come for that visit next weekend. We discussed the possibility of driving south to Carmel-by-the-Sea. It will be nice to see her again.

Chris Cordellos arrived while I was watching ‘Dynasty’. We took a walk to the Harbor Bay Landing lagoon. We had a late-night breakfast at Denny’s and returned to my pad for a “semi-dessert”. I learned that his neck is very ticklish. Chris seemed nervous when he first arrived. Why this is so is still a mystery. Is he ‘too much in like’ or ‘smitten’? Who knows? I do like that coy way about him.

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