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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Who is Amanda Harris ?

"Don't I know you from somewhere?"
-Nial Kent
"A Divided Path"
as referenced about
a dramatic play of the same name

It was October 9, 2006 and the place was Madison Square Garden, New York City. The excited whispers and exclamations were all about Barbra Streisand doing a rare on-stage appearance via her tour with Il Divo.

Before the show there was a loud, uniform gasp from the audience because Oprah Winfrey had just arrived in a long red gown. One would think the Queen of England had just arrived.
Barbra sang like a songbird. It was no surprise that the night would be entertaining.
Alan and I were there with friends in very good center (to-the-right side) seats. It was intermission and Alan and I took a walk for refreshments when we saw “her”.
“Alan! That’s Amanda Harris…look!”
“You’re right…it is!”
“Amanda!” Alan shouted.
“Yell it again, she didn’t hear, I know it’s her.”
“Amanda!” Alan shouted loudly.
She turned her head as if it were a scene from Cinderella to look at us. She smile and (I think) gave a slight awareness wave of her hand. We were star-struck and no one could understand but us.

Amanda Harris is a character in the 1966-1971 Gothic TV soap-opera show known as Dark Shadows. The character, Amanda Harris, was in several episodes playing an alluring woman with a mysterious past during the 1897 time period. She also played Olivia Corey in the present day 20th Century of 1969. We had been watching the Dark Shadows DVD collection, so ‘Amanda Harris’ was fresh on our minds. She surely thought we were crazed fanatics but it was “Amanda Harris”!

Amanda Harris is actually known as the fabulous Donna McKechnie. We learned more about her after another chance meeting.

It was 4th of July 2009 (this MONTH!) when Alan and I were invited to our friends' home (Lynn) that has views of the fireworks on the Hudson River side of New York City. It was a small gathering of a handful of friends.

In walks a woman that I recognize from somewhere. I am with Lynn when this lovely guest is introduced to me on the outside balcony overlooking New York City.
“She played Cassie in “Chorus Line”,” said Lynn excitedly.
“Oh, wow! And I thought you were Amanda Harris,” I said.
Donna giggled with a slightly surprised look on her face.
The views were mesmerizing as we continued to chat about the beauty of the skyscrapers and Central Park. Alan walks onto the balcony and I introduce him to Donna as the ‘actress who played Cassie’.
“I actually thought you were another actress I remembered from Dark Shadows named Amanda Harris,” I said.
“I am,” Donna answered.
“Oh my God, it is you,” I said in amazement.
Alan began to realize that Donna was the Amanda Harris we knew from Dark Shadows. He went on to remind her about the 2006 Barbra Streisand concert and how he yelled out her name. Ironically, she recalled the strangeness of that moment, too. We laughed hysterically. What a great ‘reunion’ of sorts.

Donna McKechnie won a TONY Award for Best-Actress in the musical Chorus Line. She is an amazingly talented dancer, singer and actress. CLICK on either of these links for more insight on her history:
http://www.collinwood.net/cast/mckechnie.htm
OR here at the BARNABAS & CO. website:http://www.darkshadowsonline.com/where-mckechnie.html
The fantastic sounds of her music are available on her ‘Inside the Music’ CD.

http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Music-Donna-McKechnie/dp/B000065UNA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1248212678&sr=8-3

Donna is the choreographer for a Guys & Dolls In-Concert performance that will be appearing at “The Hollywood Bowl” on July 31; August 1st and 2nd, 2009. We hope to make it to one of the shows to honor her with more good cheer.

Twenty-five years ago today:

July 24, 1984
Tuesday

I mentioned to Barbara Reynolds about Nici stopping by my house late Friday night. I did not give her any further details. Barbara influenced me to pass on attending the section party on Friday night in San Bruno (the one Karyn Kossoff had invited me to attend). I think she is right. Why start something that I know will lead to nothing. Karyn is not really my type now (or is she?). She is so sweet and seems so wise. She smokes sometimes though (ugh!). Whatever happened to Katie Jones? She is the one I met in Concord who never called me back. I like what Barbara said about her.
“Well, she just wasn’t for you,” Barbara so succinctly pointed out.

At lunchtime, Barbara wanted to nap or meditate (or whatever), so I was on my own. I had to fend for myself this afternoon.

I decided to walk over to the BART station to buy a ticket. I decided to stop and talk to Bruce at his workplace. I checked out his store (Topps & Trowsers) for a while and kept the visit brief.

I ate some pizza on Powell Street at BLONDIES and saw some ‘humdinger’ type people. There were some strange ones out today! A lot of them kind of looked at me. Did I attract their eye or did they see me as an alien, too? The pizza cook at BLONDIES kept staring at me. What was that about? I got my share of double-takes today.

Training has been easy thus far.

I rode my bike a while and ate BBQ baked chicken at mom’s house. I came home and turned in for bed earlier than usual. I was just plain tired I guess. I must be mentally drained from all of the new information I am learning at work. At least I washed my car before I went bicycling. That was a good feeling of accomplishment.

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Heartbreak Alley

"I shall be better for having known you."
-from the British film
Daniel Deronda

I am in the mood to do a tribute sort of blog today. I want to share two sorrowful stories that began as pleasure excursions. It gives us all a wake up call as to how a random mishap can turn our lives around.

The first one involved two NFL football players and two of their good friends. They sailed into the Gulf of Mexico on a fishing trip on February 28, 2009 when the boat overturned in the choppy waters. I read a few online articles and found them confusing as to 'who was who' in terms of these players. I decided to 'cut to the chase' by writing this condensed tribute story while clarifying 'who is who' through these photographs.

PHOTO: These are the players pictured here respectively (Corey Smith, William Bleakley, Victor Marquis Cooper and Nick Schuyler):


Corey smith was a free agent defensive lineman.

William Bleakley was a former University of South Florida football player.

Victor Marquis Cooper owned the boat and was an Oakland Raiders linebacker.


Nick Schulyer was a former twenty-four year old former University of South Florida football player.

Nick was the sole survivor in this unfortunate tragedy. Nick Schuyler said that he and Bleakley were the last two survivors. Bleakley encouraged Nick to stay upbeat as they hung on to the boat and talked to each other through the last night in the dark terrifying waters.
"It's the longest thing possible you can imagine. We just kept saying that we weren't going to go out like this," Nick Schuyler said.

PHOTO: 2007-Nick with his girlfriend, Paula Olivera.

Nick was found clinging to the hull of the twenty-one foot Everglades boat on Monday afternoon,March 2, 2009. The search for the remaining three athletes was called off on Tuesday, March 3, 2009.

PHOTO: William Bleakley during a game

"He saved my life. I'll never ever forget Will. I'm only here today because of what Will did," Nick Schuyler told reporters.

The second story involves actress, Natasha Richardson. She was born in England on May 11, 1963. She ventured out on a Montreal ski vacation with her husband, Liam Neeson, and her two sons (Michael and Daniel Neeson).

She died of injuries from a blunt impact to the head after falling on a Canadian ski slope. She passed away two days later at Lenox Hill hospital in New York City on March 18, 2009 (yesterday).

I now wish I had seen her On-Broadway in 'A Streetcar Named Desire' in 2005 when I had the opportunity. She was such a talent and will be greatly missed by many.
She had been scheduled to perform in a revival of Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music" this year, after a January benefit performance of the show. We can still see her 'forever' in her many films.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001670/

Twenty-five years ago today:

March 19, 1984, Tuesday

During my lunch hour I went to Brooks Camera. To my own embarrassment the problem with my camera was that it just needed new batteries. That minor problem had not even dawned on me.

I drove to Berkeley, CA after work and bought a camera at Denevi's. I'm glad I bought it, too. It was on sale for $49.95. Yes, I charged it on my Preferred VISA. I used it again.

The weather today was so very Springtime. I was about to go bike riding when Chris Cordellos called to interrupt my escape. We got to talking about the Billy Idol concert on Friday night. We also discussed my possible visit to Arcata on the April 1st weekend.
"I'm worried about you being down there in Alameda all alone," Chris said.
To put it plainly his concern is that I may get 'picked up' by someone else. This was flattering to hear. It boosted my morale but I assured him that it was hardly likely.

I did call Nadine tonight though. She wasn't home. I was surprised when she called me but her call was only to say that she received a third notice from Pacific Bell without being referred to an outside collection agency.
"What is this?" I asked myself silently. I'm not even 'at work' now!
I tried to console her worries. She didn't seem to listen to my reasoning. I was actually willing to drive over to visit her but she was going to dinner with her visiting Arkansas girlfriends.
"I'll call you back tonight," Nadine said, making me believe that she really enjoys my conversation.

Chris and I wanted to remain on the telephone all night long. I have a good time talking with him. He's my "VBF" (Very Best Friend) right now. I remember when 'others' were my very best friends. Chris seems extra special now.

I continued taping ninety minutes of select KQAK music. I wanted to create a tape of great music for Chris because I felt guilty that I didn't really give him anything for his 21st Birthday. I am taking him to see Billy Idol and I did treat him to dinner. I guess it will balance itself out. I just feel this tape of selected music is a touch more personal. He will be one that appreciates the time and effort it took to create.

When I went to eat salad and a pork chop with my Dad I looked in the mirror. I was surprised to see some color in my face. It must be from the bike riding. It's good that I take in the sun gradually. Chris said he was 'lobster red' from his visit to the beach. I am envious. I want more free beach time, too.

I called Chris after 11 o'clock when the long-distance rates were 60% off. He was tired, so we didn't talk as long as usual.

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Three Jewels of the Tao

"I intend to have my revenge"
-Grayson Hall,
Best Supporting Actress nominee
for the 1964 film,
'The Night of the Iguana'
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0355621/bio

"Force is followed by loss of strength,
This is not the way of TAO.
That which goes against TAO,
Comes to an early end."
-Lao Tzu

Taoism refers to a variety of related philosophical and religious traditions and concepts. These traditions have influenced East Asia for over two thousand years and some have spread to the west. The word Tao means "path" or "way". Taoist propriety and ethics emphasize the Three Jewels of the Tao:
compassion,
moderation,
and humility.
Taoist thought generally focuses on nature, men-cosmos correspondence, health, longevity, wu wei (effortless action), liberty, immortality and spontaneity.

Twenty-five years ago today:

Saturday, March 3, 1984

Chris had an idea this morning.
"Hey, let's go to Sonoma!" Chris announced.
It was a Saturday, so why not? I drove in my car, following Chris in his car en route for Concord. When we reached Concord Chris drove to Sonoma (his old stomping grounds).

We had a great time. We ate fresh sour dough bread, sipped on wine and nibbled on cheese in the old Sonoma town square. We meandered into a few shops where I browsed at books, prints, cards, etc. I also found some neat looking bicycle memorabilia that I liked. We cruised around the Sonoma area for most of the day. I even had the pleasure of meeting Chris' brother, Nick, and his girlfriend, Julie. We went to visit some winery where we hung out and had a beer by their attached lagoon. We even popped in on Chris' sisters' house.

Later we enjoyed a root-beer float and ate dinner at Chris' parents friends' Italian Restaurant. It was a great getaway adventure. We drove back to Concord together and then I drove home to Alameda. Chris got ready and planned to drive out to my place by 8:30pm.

Just before Chris arrived I received a telephone call from Nadine DeShera of San Leandro. She is a customer I know from work. We arranged a tentative date fro lunch tomorrow. I am supposed to call her to confirm between Noon and one o'clock tomorrow. Who knows?

Chris and I decided to hit the "I-BEAM" for dance and fun on this Saturday night. Before we left we went upstairs to my bedroom and ventured into a 'vivacious activity'. Then we were bound for 'The City'.

I met Monica Vestfold of Santa Rosa, CA while at the "I-BEAM". Monica and I danced a few but we never got to the 'kissy-kissy' stage. We ended with a hug; however, I did give her my telephone number.
"I'll call you," Monica said.
We shall see.
"If she doesn't call, something is definitely wrong with her," Chris said.

While Chris and I were 'into' one another. I loved that we could go out and find girls to 'swoop on'. He liked flirting, too. I laughed at Chris' philosophy.
"You can't live with 'em, you can't live without 'em," Chris said on his philosophy of women.

On this night, Chris confided in me about a psychiatrist that he saw when he was only seventeen years old.
"Yeah, my dad would beat me just because I saw him with another woman while he was married to my mother," Chris shared as he looked downward with sad eyes.
"I locked myself in my room and just stayed there for about three days," Chris said.
"What about going to the bathroom?" I asked foolishly.
"I just went to the bathroom in my room and cried," he continued, "I even contemplated killing my dad while he was asleep."
It was all rather shocking for me to hear these facts.
"I've never told anyone about the incident but I'm glad I finally told you," said Chris with the feeling that I could relate.
I definitely could relate to his sorrow. I am happy he shared this with me. I think he told me because of my sharing with him about my own mishaps in late 1980. The important thing is that it is all over. He has to be thankful that he wasn't "put away" over something that wasn't his fault (even if his parents thought he was having a nervous breakdown).

After our dance excursion at the "I-BEAM" we went to check out the Echo Beach nightclub South of Market Street. It was here that I met Maureen Donovan of San Francisco. She is twenty-six. It is too early to say but we may 'go out' when she returns from her vacation in Colorado. She was nice. I met her by approaching her with a 'single rose'. I gave her my business card. Tonight was such a popular night for me (Nadine, Monica and Maureen). Wow!

By 4am we arrived at my pad. My brother, John, wasn't home. I assumed he wouldn't be coming home. I was wrong. I heard him come into the house as Chris and I were sharing some intimate moments. John had no idea that Chris spent the night until I told him the next day. Actually, if we returned at 4am I guess one could say he 'spent the morning'. Funny. Chris left for Concord early that morning. It was officially March 4th, his 21st Birthday.

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What Are Your Priorities ?

"If you have skills you'll still be needed."
-an unknown middle-aged man to his elderly mother
as overheard during a morning run in Marina Del Rey, CA

I find myself eavesdropping on tidbits of conversation sometimes. A couple of days ago I was at the gym and I heard this conversation.
"Hey man, where's your son?" said an out-of-breath fellow to another.
"Oh man, he hasn't worked out here in a while," the guy replied, "you know...he has no time."
That is when I thought about how we ALL 'make time for what is important to us'.

"Value what you do, you're obviously good at it."
-Kate Winslet, to her husband, Leonardo DiCaprio
in the film REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama

Twenty-five years ago today

January 12, 1984

Barbara Reynolds is back to her friendly self. It is as if nothing ever happened. I wonder if she has split-personalities? One of her good friends (Alice) or maybe her 'Robert' may have talked some good sense into making her see things in a new light. She had been making mountains out of mole hills.

Gilbert left a message for me at my office once again. I returned his call and we talked a little as he tried to wiggle his way out of his inappropriate actions last night. Although, I don't forget things that easily.

I called Paloma and tonight is not possible because she is going out with her friend, Monica, tonight. I suggested the options of Friday, Saturday or Sunday. She gave me some lame excuse.
"Well, if things don't go over well on any of those days...remember me and I can be your "second" choice," I abruptly passed on to her.
"Okay," Paloma said, keeping it short and sour.
"Am I second choice?" I asked feeling a tad sad.
"Definitely not," she replied, "I am not avoiding you."
We seemed to come to a decision of keeping Tuesday and Wednesday open for one another. Knowing Paloma and her schedule it will be very "iffy". I did happen to notice (on my calendar) that Wednesday is a Full Moon. That could be a good thing.

When I arrived home from work I received a 'pissed-off' letter in my mailbox from Bill Helbush. I could see the anger from the pressure of his pen in his handwriting.

It made me think of an "anger" letter I wrote once. I fail to recall who I wrote it to now. Oh wait a minute...now I remember. It was to George Jones! What a laugh. That's why I thought Bill's letter was funny...I guess. It seems he wrote this letter last Tuesday night. Bill was 'pissed-off' because I greeted him with a mere hello at the skating rink in San Leandro. He expected more public affection. That's just not my style. It makes me happy that I have not seen him lately. This letter proves how childish he acts (deep down). I mean...if that burned him up...forget it! I sure as hell wasn't going to be one of those effeminate pansies who run up to him and kiss up to him. Forget that!

I called him in response to the letter. I think I calmed him down (a little) just from making the phone call.
"Why don't you drive into the City and we can go to dinner and you can meet a friend another friend of mine?" he asked.
"No, but I can try and meet you afterwards at Cafe San Marco," I suggested.
I don't know why I said that. I won't go because I don't like the San Francisco vibes lately. I don't really want to be around him because of what may be uncontrollably forced to happen. I'm too nice a guy. I just don't want to hurt any one's feelings. I may 'give in' and see him again. I didn't 'give in' for Gilbert, so I may not do so again for Bill. This is a big mess. How I can even be writing about these 'mixed-up' dudes is beyond me.

I need space. I need time to breathe. "Later" for this!

Gilbert called me once again on this very night.
"Listen, Michael, I remembered we were supposed to go dancing to the I-BEAM with Natasha tonight and it got cancelled, but what are you doing Friday night?" Gilbert asked.
"I'm not sure," I said without really knowing what to say.
"Well Natasha has to go to the airport, so after we take her we can do something."
I didn't officially say no but I don't like playing chauffeur. I do think I will come up with some excuse. Why should I waste my time? What more will I get for being a chauffeur except a 'Thanks a lot'. I hate that crap (being used for my car).

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