Facebook Fatigue

“I’m tired of possibilities I need something real.”
-as heard while watching
KYLE-XY, Season I

On Tuesday, August 25, 2009 there was an article in the 'Health and Wellness' section of the Wall Street Journal by Elizabeth Bernstein titled ‘How Facebook Ruins Friendships’. I found it rather amusing in this day and age where Facebook seems to be the social interaction place of choice for most people I know.

If you CLICK on the link below you may read the article in detail. I just found it a tad negative about the site. I agree that we should do every thing in 'moderation'. Never let a website rule your entire world...after all. You will miss out on seeing a lot.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204660604574370450465849142.html

She writes about how people who update their status with lines like
‘having a busy Monday’ or
‘took 30 minutes to brush my teeth’ or
‘anyone know a good restaurant in Berlin’ are really things she would NOT care about. I beg to differ on her opinion. If it is a friend of yours these mini-status updates allow us to have a peek into what is going on in each others’ lives when we normally would not.

I often encourage everyone I know to use Facebook for their own particular needs. It can be designed in such a way that you use Facebook for your links to family, friends and/or business associates.

She writes ‘like many people, I’m experiencing Facebook Fatigue’. Granted, I do feel that Facebook Fatigue at times but it doesn’t mean I will delete my account and close the gap on this cyber social networking site. I enjoy it. I love it. It’s a place to interact with my friends in Denmark, Vancouver, Florida, Spain or wherever they may be ‘all in one place’.

I do agree that Facebook has made people more sedentary. This is NOT good. We do need to get up and walk, stretch and get the blood flow going. I certainly do not make a habit of looking up every update and posting. Who can do that? It’s next to impossible. Some of the games (like building a Farm or the Mafia Wars) are definitely not for me. I could finish a short jog or read a chapter of my book during the time I spend on those nonsense games.

The article was amusing in parts but I still say ‘do what is right for you’. I like sharing my photos and giving people itty bitty tidbits every day or so. It keeps me connected. Simply make it what you want it to be for you. That’s the beauty of it.

Twenty-five years ago today:

August 28, 1984
Tuesday

I had a somewhat better day today. I did that one case role play over again. When I did the second case I talked them out of a repeat on that one. What a relief. The training is a real pressure shit right now. I look forward to when it is all over. Thank God my vacation is starting soon.

I did not ride my bike this evening because of the low leak. I was going to wash my car but ended up just washing the windshield. It will make me feel like it’s all washed. I washed my clothes…one or two loads worth anyway.

I read a lot of my latest ESQUIRE magazine. I called mom after my coffee ice-cream and Mr. Goodbar snack.

I received a phone call from Cedric Green, asking if my vacation was changed. His inquiry was based on whether or not we could go to Hawaii together. I don’t want to go with him. That’s for sure.

I made my share of phone calls tonight. Barbara Reynolds told me that David Vigil had told her to tell me to call him. So I did call him. After some smalltime words he said, “I may go to Barnaby’s on Friday night.”

I telephoned Sue Miller and bid her farewell. She leaves for Arkansas to visit her father tomorrow night.

I telephoned Michael Miller, too, but he was not at home. He leaves for Belgium on Saturday.

I telephoned Helen Wong and followed that up with a phone call to her sister, Geneva. I had to bid congratulations on her newborn daughter, Nicole.

I telephoned Bobbie Renbarger and we will probably go to see a movie tomorrow after work. I want to see “Oxford Blues” starring that Rob Lowe guy. We may see that one.

I telephoned Chris Cordellos.
“He went to Sonoma today to visit his brother-in-law, to have his car checked-out,” said Mrs. Cordellos.
“Oh, he did.”
“Yes, why don’t you give me a call tomorrow and I will find out if he will be coming by tomorrow.”

I also telephoned Karyn Kossoff.
“I’ll call you right back, I’m on another call, ok?” Karyn asked.
“Okay, sure,” I replied as I realized that I don’t take TOP priority over “other” calls. I simply wanted to explain to her about my mom going into the hospital last Friday. I know she did not know why I played a ‘no show’ at Barnaby’s last Friday night. Second thought, I do not need to give her excuses. She is a nice friend though…so I will.

Karyn called me back just as I was beginning to doze off for the night.
“You should have seen some of the pictures that were taken at that ‘Section E’ party in San Bruno. It was pretty funny,” Karyn said with her ‘Pebbles’ giggle.
I wonder about the photos now. She said there was one shot of Karyn and I and Bob carrying a drenched towel right as we were getting out of the hot tub.

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Passion and Momentum

In LIFE everybody gets labeled.
People try to tell us who we’re meant to be.
-as heard while watching
KYLE-XY, Season 2

On June 28, 2009 Alan and I accompanied dear friends, A.T. Nguyen and Amy Margolis, to Jacob’s Pillow Dance in Becket, Massachusetts. I have to give an honorable mention for the talented Spanish dancers that I saw on this day. The show was Mujeres: Belen Maya & Rocio Molina.
Here is a brief glimpse of the show (that someone managed to scoop via YouTube):
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=rocio+molina&docid=647588020989&mid=27AB7D023E6BB1C0A91727AB7D023E6BB1C0A917&FORM=VIVR31
After the show the two words that rang through my mind were 'Passion and Momentum'. Boy, they really felt the rhythm. I did, too. It must be in my Spanish blood.
Belen Maya is the daughter of two great flamenco artists (Carmen Mora and Mario Maya). Maya studied at the School of the Spanish National Ballet and later relocated to Seville in order to focus on flamenco. She was invited by Carols Saura to represent the new generation of flamenco in the 1995 film, FLAMENCO. She is one of the best.

Rocio Molina is considered the most important bailaora coming out of Malaga, Spain in decades. She was born in Malaga in 1984 and she started dancing at the age of three. Her drive and passion is so apparent when she takes on the floor ‘solo’. She is one remarkable dancer!

I feel lucky to have spent a little over an hour watching these two Spanish dancers ‘go at it’.

Twenty-five years ago today:

July 9, 1984
Monday

I decided to wear the blue-gray sport jacket that Chris bought for me from the Arcata Thrift Shop to my first day at work in San Francisco. It was a great day but a lot of those guys at the BSC (Business Service Center) give me the creeps. The “vibes” are unreal (if you know what I mean: too gay). There were a few cute gals, too. It seems like a fun business environment. The youthful vibes and the friendliness of my new coworkers make it that way.

I know I don’t want to get into any of their openly gay ways. I don’t even want to ever visit a gay bar or whatever in the Bay Area now. Who knows who I could run into! I don’t know but I’m really not into their scene. Dennis Reno, a cohort from Alameda High School, was there and he was very nice.

Our training is delayed until possibly July 23rd, so I get to observe and ‘pretty much’ have a sort of vacation time for the next couple of weeks (even if I do have to show up for work). I do have AX (Absent without pay) time on Friday. Horrah! I plan to go out with mom since she’s on vacation. Then I plan to go on a good bike ride all day long (until 8:30PM). Then I’ll probably crash for a good nights’ sleep.

I had a good time at work. I spent a lot of time sitting in and observing Rene Narducci and Karen, Bob and Kevin (all very nice people).

After work I went cycling until 7:30PM to release any anxieties I might have taken in after my new day. Mom came by to fold clothes. I accompanied her to Safeway. Dad came along and he took forever. I really think he likes to ‘hang out’ at the grocery store. I ate hot dogs at mom and dad’s and then I returned home to my pad.

I telephoned Danny Garcia from work today (during break time). He was at work but I spoke to Mary, his roommate, for a short while and ‘that was that’. I really think I only want to be Danny’s pal. I miss CMC (Christopher M. Cordellos) especially after yesterday.

I definitely have the last week in December (before Christmas) and those four days in October free from work. However, the last week in August is “iffy” now. The first week in September will be just as good a time to be off from work anyway.

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The La Vanguardia Periodico

Dreams are a reflection of
what's going on in our subconscious.
-as heard during Season I of
KYLE-XY, the TV series
On May 25, 2009, Alan and I took a walk into 'local flavor' Barcelona-style. We found a patisserie on Carrer Taxdirt (yes, that is the name of the street) and found the best 'coca' (a pine nut crisp flat bread pastry). Yummy! The bottled water was only .95 Eurocents, too. We were 'ripped off' the day before on Carre de Gracia where they charged us 3 Euro for the water.

We stumbled on two sexy mannequins in underwear (male and female) when a La Vanguardia journalist appeared from inside the store to speak with us.
"Would you mind staying outside and taking a few more photos of the mannequins while I photograph you for tomorrow's paper?" Xavier Cervera asked.
"Sure, no problem," we said simultaneously.
This was quite funny. He took photos of the two of us, some shots of just me and some solo shots of just Alan, too. He promised the photo would be in the local La Vanguardia newspaper tomorrow.

The ironic thing is that tomorrow would be my BIG birthday (May 26th)! We couldn't wait to check the paper the next morning. Alan was trying to take credit for getting me 'in the newspaper' on my birthday.

La Vanguardia is the highest-circulation daily newspaper based in Barcelona and Catalonia. It is written in Spanish. La Vanguardia trails only the three main Madrid dailies among general-interest circulation in Spain.

Alan and I woke early and went directly to a local newsstand (after learning that the Hotel did not have the current issue of La Vanguardia). We found a copy for 1 Euro & .10 Eurocents. In the 'VIVIR' (To Live) section was a photo of me, photographing the bosomy blond mannequin. They did not get us taking photos of the male mannequin who resembled David Beckham. Alan was a tad disappointed that he was not in the paper, but it was a so 'fitting' to see that I made the popular paper on my special day.

Twenty-five years ago today:

Sunday, June 10, 1984

It was one of those lazy Sunday mornings. I woke up and mom was surprisingly still asleep herself. I decided to shower and escape for a Sunday morning bicycle ride. I rode for a good hour or so but the heat of the day made me calm down. I chose to head on back home.

I stopped over at Sherri's and my mom was there. She getting ready to leave for Cecelia's Baby Shower. Sherri had a weird male friend of hers there. He seemed pretty 'preppy'. I got the impression that he was kind of "questionable". I stayed there until he left the scene. I hung out with Sherri for a while. The baby (Ashley) is so cute when she smiles.

When I returned home I tried to nap but 'the real estate broker dude' that ma & pa bought the house from on Cook Lane came by to deliver the keys. When the broker dude left I accompanied Dad to '3330 Cook Lane' to see the new Islandia townhouse where 'John, Sherri and Ashley' would eventually reside. Dad wants me to move in there so he could come to clean, refurbish it at any time. I don't really want to move in though. John is also hesitant about moving-in because he did not want the responsibility of buying a new washer, dryer and refrigerator. I guess he'll go ahead and do it now. It would be foolish not to do so.

PHOTO: Islandia Townhouse,
Harbor Bay Isle, Alameda


When mom returned from the Baby Shower for my cousin Cecelia Garcia-Markus another visit to the '3330 Cook Lane' address took place. This time it was me, mom, pops, Ashley, John, Sherri and Sherri's Dad (Bob). I kept silently thinking that I could not wait until I had my own privacy and home again at '3348 Solomon Lane' (where John & Sherri were living now). We all hung out there, playing with Ashley Marie. We were watching John do sit-ups with Ash. That was funny!

PHOTO: 1984-John E Armijo
with daughter, Ashley M Armijo


Mom and I went out for some 'fish n chips'. Dad joined in on the 'porking out' when we arrived home with the food. The time passed quickly. Before long it was already 11PM. I was in bed...dreaming.

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Afternoon Delight

"Every one had something to do and some place to be."
-as heard on the TV show,
KYLE XY, Season I

I am back from my European Birthday escape. It amazes me how much there is to do when you return home. Phew! And so many new stories to share...

I came home to a delightful email from my dear friend, Brenda Timmons, that inspired me. It was as simple as the lyrics to a song (Afternoon Delight):
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=afternoon%20delight&docid=681080848504&mid=5D37DD0AA0817BC966FD5D37DD0AA0817BC966FD&FORM=VIVR17

Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight
gonna grab some afternoon delight.
My motto's always been; when it's right, it's right.
Why wait until the middle of a cold dark night.
When everything's a little clearer in the light of day.
And you know the night is always gonna be there any way.

Sky rockets in flight. Afternoon delight. Afternoon delight.

Thinkin' of you's workin' up my appetite
looking forward to a little afternoon delight.
Rubbin' sticks and stones together makes the sparks ingite
and the thought of rubbin' you is getting so exciting.

Sky rockets in flight. Afternoon delight. Afternoon delight.

Started out this morning feeling so polite
I always though a fish could not be caught who wouldn't bite
But you've got some bait a waitin' and I think I might try nibbling
a little afternoon delight.

Sky rockets in flight. Afternoon delight. Afternoon delight.

Please be waiting for me baby when I come around.
We could make a lot of lovin' 'for the sun goes down.

Sky rockets in flight. Afternoon delight. Afternoon delight.


Twenty-five years ago today:

June 9, 1984,
Saturday

I woke up and went to see my niece, Ashley. I also delivered John his birthday gift (two shirts). Ashley is getting bigger each day. She’s a cutie pie.

I telephoned Suzy Miller and suggested she accompany me to Steve’s BBQ but I never got a definite reply back from her.

When I telephoned Chris Cordellos he said, “I can come over.”
And so, when I returned from John’s house Chris had arrived. We decided to go to Ole’s Waffle Shop on Park Street in Central Alameda. We happened to bump into Renee Miller, Suzy Miller and Ron. We ended up joining them at their table. It was fun.

I learned the big scoop on Renee’s wedding date. It will be on August 4th. We always have a great meal at Ole’s. It was hilarious as we started talking about the ‘Gremlins’ movie and Renee’s possible future divorce.

PHOTO: Gremlins, 1984

Chris and I eventually left Ole’s for the Alameda Flea Market. I bought an hour glass brass item and lotion while at the Flea Market. I freaked out when a fifteen year old black girl pinched my ass, too! That was crazy! We were so tired from walking all around there that we ended up going for an Orange Julius at the South Shore Shopping Center.

I bought two new ties (for work) at the World of Pants. I am obsessed with ties lately.

Chris and I went to Steve’s BBQ. Michael Miller joined us for a while. He left early to go to Merritt Hospital to see his mother.

Chris was bummed out about his forthcoming drive to Eureka. I suggested he take a flight instead. I ended up going with him to Concord. He needed to gather his things. Then we got in my car in Alameda and I drove him to the San Francisco Airport.


The Hagen Daz liqueur I had at the airport was delicious. Chris left rather abruptly after that ‘last call’ announcement for his flight. Eventually I simply drove back home and hung out with ma & pa. I hit the sack by 11pm.

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Calm, Cool and Collected

My mind is doing things the rest of me didn't understand.
-as heard while watching
the TV series 'KYLE XY'

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 5, 1984
Tuesday

Chris was calm, cool and collected during our conversation today. I have to quit using the word “COOL”. The word is so bland and could be more defined and descriptive using other adjectives.

Helen invited me to dinner for spare ribs. I took a ‘rain check’ deciding to have my mom’s dinner instead.

The bike ride for the day was rewarding. I saw an ex-Pacific Telephone employee (Martha Walters) with her “goober” husband. I also saw Ron, the brainless windsurfer.

Chris telephoned later that night and we spoke from 8:10pm until 9:30pm.
“I haven’t been going out due to my money problems,” I explained.
“If I get a job at InterFace I’ll make $12.75 an hour as a sales rep,” Chris said.
“Well, I hope you get out and can get into that,” I said with encouragement.

I wanted to stay up to watch an episode of ‘Dark Shadows’, instead I went to bed.

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The Increasing Power of China

"You can't make anyone feel the way you'd like them to."
-as heard while watching
the TV series KYLE-XY

The following words 'On China' are from
SPRING MOON,
a Novel on China published in 1981
by Bette Bao Lord:

In the world today, what position do we occupy?
Compared to the other peoples of the world we have the greatest population and our civilization is 4,000 years old; we should therefore be advancing in the front rank with the nations of Europe and America. But the Chinese people have only family and clan solidarity; they do not have national spirit. Therefore, even though we have four hundred million people gathered together in one China, in reality they are just a heap of loose sand. Today we are the poorest and weakest nation in the world, and occupy the lowest position in International Affairs. Other men are the carving knife and serving dish, we are the fish and the meat.
-Sun Yat-sen


January 2009:
China did have its day in the sun when it unveiled the opening ceremony of the Olympics on August 8, 2008.

The Zhejiang Wanli University (with support of the WSEAS: World Scientific & Engineering Academy & Society)organized the following parallel conferences for 2009:
COMPUTER ENGINEERING and APPLICATIONS
CIRCUITS, SYSTEMS, SIGNAL and TELECOMMUNICATIONS
MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY and ECOLOGY
FLUID MECHANICS
HEAT and MASS TRANSFER

February 2009:
Over the last quarter century, China's economy has evolved from a centrally planned
system mostly closed to international trade to a rapidly growing market-oriented
economy that is the most important player in the global economy. Beginning with the
phasing out of collectivized agriculture, China’s reforms have included price liberalization, fiscal decentralization, increased autonomy for state enterprises, the development of a diversified banking system, and stock markets. As a result of these reforms, the rapid growth of the private sector, and the opening to foreign trade and investment, China has experienced unprecedented economic growth of between 8 and 12 percent per year. This growth has lifted an estimated 200 million people into the middle class and transformed the economy and consumption patterns. China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December 2001, further boosting GDP growth, direct foreign investment, and exports. Although 75 percent of China’s economic growth comes from domestic sources, its tradition of export-oriented growth has given it foreign exchange reserves of more than $1.3 trillion. Some farming sectors have begun to organize as supply cooperatives to guarantee better prices and collective standards.

China is undergoing the largest internal migration in human history. The official number for rural to urban migration has been
1.5 percent over the last 10 years and is expected to continue requiring China's already overpopulated cities to accommodate another 200 million low-income workers over the next five years. As a result, some projections forecast the rural population to drop to 20 percent of the total by 2027.

March 2009:
Green energy projects increase. China is also reportedly revising its energy development plans to nearly double its nuclear power capacity.

April 2009:
In the few decades since the illegal Chinese invasion of Tibet, Tibetans have seen their ecosystem destroyed, their religion, language, and culture repressed, and systematic oppression and violence against anyone who dares acknowledge Tibetan sovereignty.

The Dalai Lama has been a consistent voice for peace, sharing a "Middle-Way" approach that has gathered accolades from the Nobel Peace Prize to the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. The Dalai Lama has consistently been 'a speaker of truth'. The power of China continues to increase.

May 2009:
China looking to increase solar power goals by order of magnitude.

June 2009:
The Shanghai New International Expo Centre plans a Symposium Exhibit with the CPhI (Chinese Pharmaceutical Industry) in late June 2009.
With new opportunities emerging and new, stricter rules and regulations raising the bar even higher, the pharmaceutical landscape is changing radically. China’s rapidly expanding and diversifying pharmaceutical market is set to enter the world’s top ten in the next five years.


Twenty-five years ago today:

May 19, 1984
Saturday
The day started the early. We ate breakfast. At 8AM, Chris had to report for ‘duty call’ at Humboldt Bay (that’s what they call the Coast Guard base) and I was able to accompany him. I spent just about all day there in ‘observation mode’. I do have my limits though. After a while I left for Clam Beach to breathe so-to-speak.

Chris had made some ‘smart ass’ remarks to annoy me like:
“I left your keys in the car.”

Maybe it was dumb of me but I just needed to escape from that Base anyhow. When Chris was around those guys (Jim, Ed and the others) he seemed less caring. It’s neat in a ‘strange sort of way’ because I would probably do the same around immature 'macho' chums (if I had any). We would not want those chums to have the least amount of suspicion about our ‘secret romance’ after all.

Chris and I had a fun activity of washing my car. I watched them rinse the Coast Guard helicopter.

I enjoyed some nachos at a place called Rosa Linda’s, hanging out there until 10PM. Chris was on-duty for the night shift so I hung out at the house with Barb as we watched “Outland” with Laverne and Thomas (other Coast Guard types). "Outland" was a 1981 dramatic Sci-Fi thriller starring Sean Connery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPXrD5Wa94k
Those two Coast Guard cohorts (Laverne and Thomas) were kind of dull ‘in my book’. They seemed respectable enough but just too ordinary. I was relieved when they left the house. Shortly afterward, Barb and I went to bed (separately, of course).

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