Water is the Best of All Things

A man dying his hair is a sign of sexual perversion.
-Quentin Crisp, who frequently dyed his hair
as heard in the 1975 film
'A Naked Civil Servant'

I was sent this excerpt of an article by my friend, Monty Ng, in Bangkok, Thailand in late April 2009. I thought it had some significance, so I am sharing it today:

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven its value.

For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases: Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.

METHOD OF TREATMENT
As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water

Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes

After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.

After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours

Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.

The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating! There is nothing to lose, everything to gain.

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you.
It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 29, 1984
Saturday

I took my bike out for a ride to mom’s and had some Honey-Nut Cheerios. I played with Ashley for a while when Suzy Miller called. She knew if I wasn’t at my townhouse I would be at mom and dad’s house.
“Hi, I wanted to see if you wanted to go to Ole’s today,” Suzy suggested nonchalantly.
“Hmmm, sounds like a good idea.”
“I’m going with Mike,” she said, referring to her brother.
“I’m going to take a rain check because I had just finished eating.”

I left by 10:30AM on my bike en route for the Fruitvale BART station. I went to JEFCO Jewelry Store to visit Ron Shelly. I tried on a few rings. There was one that I really liked for only $500 plus. I am interested but I better be ‘for REAL’!
Ron has a fun, subtle sense of humor.
“Yeah, Ryan and I are renting a car the last week of October,” Ron said as he proceeded to display a bike pendant charm and a baby carriage charm.
“That sounds like fun,” I said.
“Yeah, but Ryan has been getting uptight. He keeps mentioning having kids together. Ryan can’t seem to get pregnant,” Ron said with a quick flash smile.

By 12:30PM I was at 2997 California Street. I rang the buzzer but Bobbie Renbarger was not at home. I was disappointed. Oh well.

I rode to a nearby liquor store to replenish with liquids. I munched on an apple and downed a 7-up soft drink. I enjoyed it at the Duboce Park that I happened to stumble upon.

Then I cycled over to Café San Marcos, thinking Bobbie Renbarger might be there. There is a little balcony overlooking the area. I was in this balcony area where I met a fellow named John who was from Santa Clara, CA.
“I’m waiting for someone from Los Gatos,” John said.
I just nodded, making harmless small talk. I had two madras cocktails and then left the joint.

I went to BUCK’s menswear, a little shop nearby. I tried on a pair of pants and saw other things that I wanted. I knew I could not afford to buy them.

I went to the liquor store again for a Hawaiian Punch. I enjoyed that at the Duboce Park. I was so thirsty.

Thereafter, I cycled over to Golden Gate Park and went around the so-called velodrome about twenty times. What a thrill ride! It started to become boring and repetitious.

I soon headed out to the Civic Center BART station. It was not long before I was back at mom’s house (five o’clock) enjoying some fresh squeezed juice and pizza.

I went to my place at around 6pm. Frank called. I agreed to pick him up at the Fruitvale BART station at around 6:30pm. He’s coming from Hayward (or HayWierd I should say).

I took a quick shower and cleaned up the place a bit. I drove to the Fruitvale BART station and there he was, standing around. I almost didn’t recognize him. I remember that he told me that Tammy Duhr had dyed her hair black. He forgot to mention that he also dyed his hair black! It was pitch black! I thought it looked horrible and I told him so.
“Well, it does wash out eventually,” Frank said with slight disappointment in his eyes.
“Well, I hope so,” I said.

Then again, maybe it will just take a while to get used to. I just hate the way he combs it back like a wannabe Mexican dude. He is Portuguese. Why does he want to portray an image of someone that he is not?

I stopped at a Convenient store for a bottle of wine and 7-Up. We drank at my house and watched a couple of situation comedies. We relaxed. I looked through my Spiegel Catalog for Christmas shopping ideas.

Michael Miller telephoned twice.
“So, when are you moving in?” I asked.
“You know, I’m all for it,” Michael said.
We didn’t talk long but it sounds like Michael Miller will be my new roommate.

“It sounds like you really care for him,” Frank said, trying to dig for information.
“I do,” I replied, “He’s sick right now. He hurt his finger on a conveyor belt at United Parcel Service recently.”

I decided to open up to Frank about some things, so I told him about Chris Cordellos not spending the night with me at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Frank’s response could not have been better: “What a low life!”

Frank and I slept together in my bed. That’s all we did: merely slept.

The next morning:

“You moved around all night,” Frank said.
“I know, I had trouble sleeping,” I said, “I’m used to having all of the room in my entire bed and I couldn’t sprawl out all over the place.”
Frank laughed.
“It’s okay. I slept well last night.”

Frank is thinking of moving to Los Angeles in a few weeks. I wish him luck on whatever he decides to do. I just hope he lets his real hair color return. He looks so much better with the light brown hair and blond glistening highlights.

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The Stranger

“…He came up and spoke to me and then walked with me, in spite of the fact that there was nothing he wanted to find out from me and that he himself still had something else to do.

But now all of a sudden he has gone away, and yet I can’t have offended him even with a single word.

I did refuse to spend the evening in town, but that was only natural, that can’t have offended him, for he is a sensible person.”
-Franz Kafka
‘Wedding Preparations in the Country’


Twenty-five years ago today:

September 20, 1984
Thursday

Today was fun. Bobbie Renbarger never fails to amaze me. She actually brought in a rubber piece of vomit today. She set it on my paperwork and it made me laugh until my stomach ached. Laughing is so good for one’s health and abdominal muscles. She is fun. Bobbie says a girlfriend of hers is coming in from Chicago.
“You should join us for a drink next week,” Bobbie said.
That ought to be fun.

I enjoyed lunch with Bobbie and Pat today at the Health Food Store. We talked and ‘bitched’ about the things we forgot to say during our ‘T & F’ role plays. A ‘T & F’ is a term used regarding an order request to move telephone service from one location to another (Transfer ‘To and From’).

The old gentleman and stranger who looks a lot like actor Marty Feldman sat next to me on the BART Train ride this morning. I know he is gay and he is kind of gross but he is nice enough to have conversation.

PHOTO: Marty Feldman, actor

“I thought you were about twenty, not twenty-five,” the Marty-lookalike said.

“So, what do you do in the City?” I asked politely.

“I work for Union Pacific Railroad and I love my work.”

“It’s good that you enjoy it. I don’t see myself doing the work I do forever. I always look forward to the weekend.”

“I recall being your age and loving to have time off, but now…I find time off dull because I don’t have much to do.”

“Maybe you should write a book,” I said just as I started to get up as the BART train had arrived at my station. I hope I didn't offend him. I only hope I gave him something to think about.

I got into my car at the Fruitvale BART station and drove straight to mom’s house. I teased mom and Tony with the fake ‘vomit piece’ that Bobbie let me borrow. I don't know why it made me laugh so hard. I ended up having hamburgers for dinner which made it all the more gross.

At least I received my paycheck today. I still have debts.

I went cycling for a good forty minutes. Once home I hopped into my car and drove to mom’s once again to show her my latest photographs.

Bruce Gorce telephoned later. I explained to him that I was in Los Angeles last week.
“Oh, no wonder. Well, we should go on a hike on Sunday,” Bruce suggested.
“I’ll tell you what. I’ll call you on Saturday at around five o’clock,” I answered as I realized that I also expected a call from Frank Vasconcellos around that same time.

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Blue Monday

Like any man who succeeded by his wits,
he had his own sources of information.
-Bette Bao Lord
"Spring Moon"

A dear friend, Susan Hartley, mentioned the remarkable performances of actress Irene Dunne recently. I was slightly embarrassed because I had ‘no clue’ about this movie star legend. I asked Susan to recommend a few of her favorite films and she suggested:

1. My Favorite Wife
2. Showboat
3. I Remember Mama

I watched this film clip with Irene opposite Cary Grant in ‘My Favorite Wife’ and it looks like it is worth a peek. I have added it to my Netflix list.

'My Favorite Wife' tells the story of a woman returning home to her husband and children after being shipwrecked on a tropical island for seven years. I love the ending from this 2-minute clip:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=irene+dunne&qs=AS&first=21&docid=1131659395750&mid=5C1E7BC39DF60E1827505C1E7BC39DF60E182750&FORM=VIVR36#
Irene Dunne (December 20, 1898 – September 4, 1990) was an American (Louisville, Kentucky) film actress and singer of the 1930s and 1940s. She was nominated five times for the Academy Award for Best Actress, for her performances in Cimarron-1931, Theodora Goes Wild-1936, The Awful Truth-1937, Love Affair-1939, and I Remember Mama-1948. Dunne has been described as the best actress to NEVER win an Academy Award. With this reputation it is time I brought her into my living room...maybe next Monday. By any chance, did YOU know about her?

Twenty-five years ago today:

July 30, 1984
Monday
It was a very “blah-zay” day with my having to wake up at 6:30AM again. I did it though. I kept up with my new routine of driving to the Fruitvale BART station and then BARTing it into The City.

I enjoyed lunch with Barbara Reynolds at the Café Express, a place that I recalled eating with Suzy Miller one day in the past.

After work I rode my bike and returned home for a quick shower. I went to bed early: 8:30AM! I was just ‘beat tired’.

No one called me on this very 'Blue Monday'.
"Oh yeah, Blue Monday. It's one of my all-time favorite tunes by New Order."
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=blue+monday%2C+new+order&qs=n&docid=1018340114533&mid=F468B571F4F493409685F468B571F4F493409685&FORM=VIVR24#

Besides the call from Bruce on Sunday I had just remembered that Helen Wong telephoned, too. I think she wanted to get together or something but I told her I was too involved with watching the Summer Olympics. I love watching the cycling events but I feel guilty sitting on a couch when I should be "riding".

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Out Of It

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves,
but wiser people so full of doubts."
-Bertrand Russell
& the quote was provided to me
by
Gloria Weiner-Freiman Cohen

As a child I watched a film called GIGOT, starring Jackie Gleason. It is not available on DVD and I really loved it. Gene Kelly directed it in 1962.

It's a sentimental comedy about a mute who befriends the young daughter of a prostitute. Gleason shows his magnificent acting talent without uttering a sound as he plays the bumbling, kind-hearted janitor, Gigot. Gleason wrote the original story and music for this film.

If anyone ever finds a copy available on DVD, please let me know.

Twenty-five years ago today:

July 6, 1984
Friday

I got a plant, a big SUGAR DADDY candy bar, a few farewell/good luck cards and a wallet from the disgruntled fellow employees that were very sad by my leaving the department. There was a pot-luck smorgasbord luncheon that was put together nicely. I had a really good time on my last day. The significance of the SUGAR DADDY candy bar is beyond me. Maybe I was a SUGAR DADDY to a lot of the ladies in the office.

After work Michelle DeBortoli, Cedric Green and I went for Happy Hour drinks at the T.J. Toppers that is located inside the Hyatt-Downtown Oakland. It was even more fun as I drank a white Russian, a long island iced-tea and two separators. Believe me, I was separated myself (after those drinks). A separator is a brandy, Kahlua, milk ‘on the rocks’ shaken well, so one can just imagine.

We had a good time. I drove Michelle home. Cedric took BART home. I made tentative plans to go out dancing with Cedric tomorrow night. One would agree to a lot after a “separator”.

After dropping Michelle off I went to a gas station telephone booth to give Danny Garcia a call. He thought I sounded OOI (Out Of It). He was not all that into my non-sober explanation after Happy Hour. It was clear he didn’t think I should come out to Walnut Creek. He and Mary were going to Lyon’s.
“I’ll meet you there,” I said firmly.
I ended up arriving there before they did. I ordered a white Russian and an ice-water.

It was cool. We talked and gabbed the night until we decided to go to “The Hub”. While I was there I saw Sherri’s friend, Tony, at the club (and Jim Hartman, too).
“Don’t tell Sherri you saw me because I’m not sure how she’d handle it,” Tony said.
“Don’t worry about it,” I said.

Mary, Danny and I were all dancing together (the threesome). It was a fun night for me to celebrate. By 2PM we were at Lyon’s again for ‘eats’. Our tummies were growling.

I ended up spending the night at Danny’s apartment in Alamo. Danny slept with Mary and I slept in Danny’s messy room. I did not understand that. I woke up at 8:30AM and Danny ‘sort of’ woke up around the same time. He bid me goodbye.
“Call me around three o’clock,” Danny said.
“Okay, I will,” I replied.

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Clouded Judgement

I was trying to soothe myself by remaining busy.
I felt tainted. The unnamed sensation returned...
...clouded judgement.
-Ian McEwan
"Enduring Love"


Twenty-five years ago today:

May 23, 1984
Wednesday

The big news of the day was the fact that Barbara Reynolds and I were presented with our actual job offers to the City’s Business Service Center effective July 8, 1984. Hoorah! We’re out of here!

After the exciting work day I munched down a quick dinner (chicken and a salad) and went to see John, Sherri and Ashley. Ashley looks ever so cute now. Every time I see her I detect a cute change. I stayed on for a while and then went on a one-hour bicycle ride.

Christopher Cordellos called me at 7:40pm. We arranged to meet at the Walnut Creek BART station. He looked so prepped-out in his plaid shorts and turquoise blue shirt. He teed me off when he would NOT sit in my car to hear me read aloud the letter I worked so hard on last night.

Chris was all talk about his Coast Guard buddies Clay and Tim. These two chaps are stationed in the Bay Area and Chris spent the day shopping with them. There was a changed aura in him that I did not like. I know he got it from hanging’ out with those two dudes, too.
“I want to live in Beverly Hills,” Chris announced.
“Who doesn’t want to?” I asked.


We decided to go to that bar in Walnut Creek called ‘The Hub’. It was so ‘dead’ in there that we ended up at ‘Grogan’s’ for Brandy Alexander and pineapple vodka cocktails. We just ‘hung out’ and ended up talking to a tall woman named Vicki. We told her where we were from.
“Oh wow, my dad used to live in Sonoma and Alameda,” the mysterious Vicki said.

It did not take long before we decided to leave Grogan’s. We hung out at the Walnut Creek BART parking lot and started talking. We shared half of a joint in his car. Of course there was no doubt that Chris brought the joint down from his Humboldt marijuana contact (or maybe it was a gift from Clay and Tim). It was a wild, light-headed and sensual feeling. It was still “ugh” in feeling at the same time.

I barely remember driving home. I do remember that neither one of us wanted to depart from the other. I felt ‘laid back’ when I awoke in the morning.

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Dance, Sing, Floss and Travel

Communication is complicated. Each person is raised in a different family with a different definition of every word.

Love.

Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to.

Nature wants us to be mediocre because we have a greater chance to survive and reproduce. Mediocre is as close to the bottom as it is to the top.

Be creative. Do one thing a day that scares you.

Take various vitamins. You never know what small mineral can eliminate the bottleneck of everlasting health.

Dance, sing, floss and travel.

PHOTO: During my 'clutter removal project' I found an old 1993 French magazine. This ad was rediscovered as I thumbed through the pages. I took this photo as 'creative memento'. It is so eye-fetching!

Twenty-five years ago today:

Saturday, February 25, 1984

I actually mounted my bicycle at 7am en route to the BART station on Fruitvale Avenue and disembarked at the El Cerrito Plaza station in order to work 'overtime' at the Final Accounts Collection Center. It was a new learning experience. That department needs all the help they can get. I did my fair share.

I was starved and ate at Burger King (of all places). Ugh!

I bought Chris Cordellos a neat Birthday Card of a striking blue water scene with a surfer and a shark that was seen sneaking up atop of a wave. He will love it.

I was able to leave at 2:45pm and didn't take BART. Instead I rode my bike from El Cerrito to Alameda on side streets. I arrived home by 3:30pm.

When I arrived home at 3:30pm I took a quick drive over to mom & dad's house for a 'Saturday greeting'. I ended up bike riding again until about 5 o'clock. It was time to nap after the mental and physical activity of the day.

Helen invited me to the Hilton with her visiting friend, Sheila, but I flaked out on the invitation.

I telephoned Paloma and suggested our going out tomorrow to the International Food Show in San Francisco.

On this night I drove all by my lonesome to Wolfgang's in San Francisco. The music was great. I did not have the greatest of times. I believe it's because of the scene. I stood around most of the evening with two 'Vodka Grapes' and a BECK's beer. I asked one gal to dance because she smiled at me. Her name was Dawn from Foster City, CA. She was nineteen, tan and cute (just back from a ski trip). The best lookin' girl at the club departed early. She was lookin' at me but she was with some 'goober bearded dude'.

The worst part of the night was all the time it took to finally find a parking space. To top it off I was unable to find my car at the end of the night. Once I found it I wanted to scratch the idea of going to the International Food Show in SF tomorrow. Perhaps it would have been best to go out with a pal tonight. It might have been fun with Chris (if he were in town). This coming Thursday night should be fun when Chris does return to town.

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