How Sweet It Is

A bachelor never quite gets over the idea
that he is a thing of beauty and a boy for ever.
-Helen Rowland

The following is on page 16 of the 'Te Matare Ramirez'
Restaurante menu in Buenos Aires, Argentina

DESSERTS

LOVERS THAT SHARE ONE ANOTHER
Thick chocolate fondue with fruits in season,
dark brownies, coconut crisps and lascivious date and fig truffles.

DO WHAT I'M DOING TO YOU!
Refined and creamy four-layer alfajor: cacao joconde,
peanut butter, fresh mulberry gelee and creme chiboust.
Served with a tart red fruit sauce.

ALL THE MOUTHS OF MY BODY WANT YOU
Promiscuous bittersweet chocolate marquise
with slices of citrus fruits and
delightful Amarula whip.

INNOCENT AND WILLING, YOU INSPIRE PERVERSIONS
Delicate and warm tower of bananas Flambe,
covered with a cream of hazelnut and
cream ice cream.

MY TONGUE IN YOUR THIRD PERFUME AND THE BORDER OF YOUR MOUTHS
Warm peach tart, cream cereal cream
and whipped egg-whites flambe.
Served with an orgasmic ginger nectar,
sprinkled with sliced dried fruits.

LUSTFUL STIMULUS
Crunchy orange brisee tulip
with classic scoops of ice cream
and raspberry coulis.

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 4, 1984, Wednesday

I did not sleep very well even with the help of Chris' electric blanket. I craved an aspirin at 4AM but Chris was too "crashed" to look for one. I drank some soothing hot water and tried to sleep again. By 6:15AM or so I heard Barbara leave for her US Coast Guard mission of the day.

I nudged Chris and he awoke to keep me company. I felt down and out. I was beginning to feel sick. I sneezed a few. I coughed a few. I tried to clear my throat many times.

There was a bit of panic as Chris and I had trouble finding my airline ticket. We eventually found it which gave me a sigh of relief.

Chris drove me to the Arcata Airport. We saw Barbara on the way and waved. Chris entered the Airport with me and we departed with a bit of sorrow.

I liked the ring, the sand dollar and the blue-gray jacket he gave me. The activities we shared these last few days were special. We are best-friends, a 'together' couple of 'like' dudes..."you know".

I am now at the airport writing in my journal and a lot of nerds keep looking at me in wonder of what I am rapidly writing. There is some chubby jerk who is smoking nearby, too.

I look forward to my arrival at San Francisco Airport. I will then have to take a shuttle to the Oakland Airport. I want to buy that cycling poster print that I saw. I know mom won't have a problem picking me up at the Oakland Airport.

The flight did not take long. I was at the San Francisco Airport by 11:30AM. I ended up taking a bus to BART and arrived at the Fruitvale BART station by 12:45PM. Dad was kind enough to pick me up.

When I arrived at mom and dad's house I had fun showing mom all of the stuff I brought home from my trip. John and Sherri dropped by, too. I learned from Sherri that Howard Edelstein (the future doctor) called on April 2nd and Michael Thoennes called on March 30th. It was odd for Thoennes to call me when he knew I was returning today.

I still had a slight cough, so I thought it would be ideal to call Howard. He may be able to set up a prescription for me at Longs Drug Store. Howard politely did the favor and I picked up the prescription. I was feeling "ugh" at the thought of returning to work tomorrow. The medication and rest will help. It's nice to have a friend like Howard. We arranged a bicycle riding adventure for next Sunday (April 8, 1984).

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Hollywood Glimpse

"Do not think that beauty means much in life."
-Bette Bao Lord
"Spring Moon"


It is the 81st Annual Academy Award presentation tonight. Hugh Jackman is the master of ceremonies.

I saw him in the 2008 film AUSTRALIA. I absolutely loved it. I would have chosen it as a 'Best Picture' nominee. He has great showmanship and I believe him to be a great choice.

It will be interesting to see who wins the coveted Oscar this year. My personal choices for Best Supporting Actor and Actress are Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight) and Penelope Cruz (Vicky, Cristina Barcelona).


My personal ARMIJO AWARD goes to Kate Winslet for 'The Reader' and Sean Penn for 'Milk' as Best Actress and Best Actor.

They are both so OUTSTANDING.


I would not be disappointed if Frank Langella won for 'Best Actor'. I saw his performance in the 2007 film "Starting Out In The Evening" which was phenomenal. And his "Frost/Nixon" performance was truly brilliant.

The Best Picture will likely be "Slumdog Millionaire". It is the all around favorite.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIzbwV7on6Q
I liked the "Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "The Reader" better.
There were more significant lines throughout these films that captured me.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L6K3fkwr-Y
"The Reader" was one of my favorite books this year, so I knew a lot of the intricate details while watching the film. It's quite emotional.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kifRQG_M-Do

I read in the Sunday New York Times this morning that an honorary Oscar will go to Jerry Lewis. It's so well-deserved after so much time. It will be fun to see the film clips of his magnificent career.

I will be watching the entire Oscar show at the CAMEO THEATER in St. Helena, California tonight. Exciting!

Twenty-five years ago today:

February 22, 1984

My work day was all right. I telephoned Chris Cordellos this morning. We are going to see the Nastassja Kinski film tomorrow night. His father has promised to pay for his therapy in Arcata, CA. I guess that means he will be moving further North in about eight weeks time. Who knows when he shall return? We have made plans to celebrate on March 3rd or 4th for his 21st birthday.

I watched a preview of the movie "Angel" today. I actually saw some of the actual filming in Hollywood, CA (when I was there in June 1983).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xLhYLToOuk
I have not heard from Paloma, Leslie or Nancy. I guess they are now part of my past.

I forgot to document my visit last Sunday to the Ice-Cream Dock. I had an orange sherbet freeze there. It is so cool and refreshing. I bought some Cookies n' Cream Ice-Cream for my brother, John. Then John had to go and rent a dumb movie again (Spring Fever). We watched 'Dynasty' together afterward.

Ann-Margret is on my agenda for tonight. She has a guest appearance on The Tonight Show. I am so looking forward to her world premiere TV movie "A Streetcar Named Desire". Everyone "desires".

I fell 'in love' with Ann-Margret after watching the exciting chemistry between her and Elvis in the classic film "Viva Las Vegas".

I applied for a CITICORP Visa with a $5000 credit limit. How exciting!

Do you love shocking surprises? I was informed by Chris today that he is 'definitely' leaving for Arcata.
"I have to leave at eight o'clock tomorrow morning," Chris said sadly.
This was discouraging news. He made a point of expressing his sadness. I, too, felt rather distraught.
"Oh well," I thought, "another one bites the dust."

I took my bike for a spin until 6:30pm to analyze my situations. A few new people crossed my path and gave me nods of the head or a brief "hello". I am curious to know the lives of some of these people that I randomly see as I pass them on my bicycle. Perhaps I shall.

"I told one my good friends, Clay, about my feelings about you, Michael," Chris continued, "and I told him how I have continuous thoughts of you."
"You did?"
"Clay couldn't believe it," Chris said.
Chris went on to say that Clay told his friend, Elliot, about it all. Elliot got angry and 'chewed out' Chris.
"I don't want a faggot as a friend," Elliot screamed at Chris.

I could understand Chris' hurt feelings. Even though I have never experienced anything like this I understood the discrimination. I tried to reassure Chris that 'Clay and Elliot' seemed NOT to be as great of friends as he thought they were. Chris felt better after we had discussed the incident. In time, our relationship might work.
"I am learning who my real friends are," Chris said.
It made me wonder who my real friends would be (if they knew about this other side of me?).

I was dozing off after the 'Dynasty' episode when the telephone rang. It was for me. I was kind of surprised by the phone call.
"Oh, hi, it's you," I said when I heard Paloma's voice.
It looks like there has been a turn of events as Paloma and I made a date for tomorrow night to see Nastassja Kinski in "Moon In The Gutter".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wgj__wUFzM
I was beginning to feel that Paloma and I were so "over" because whenever I tried to make a date on a Friday or Saturday night she would never commit. It was only weekdays with her because she would prefer to go out with her girlfriends. At least this is how she makes me feel. I won't even get into how she 'faced me' with three excuses regarding the potential lunch dates. I don't know what to make of it. She did make a point of saying she would definitely meet me for lunch sometime.

"I'm going to Paris for two months this summer," Paloma said.
Everyone is going somewhere (except for me). I am envious. I wish I were going. At least I can trust that my Huntington Beach, California trip will be a provocative escape.

Paloma and I had a most exciting chat this evening. I even made a suggestion that she become my roommate. (?) My brother John will be moving out. I don't know. Maybe Chris should be my roommate. All I know is that I am so happy that Paloma called. We are going to see "Nastassja" tomorrow.

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What Matters In Life

Yesterday, I received a phone call after lunch at the Auberge du Soleil resort in Napa Valley from my cousin, Lawrence Vigil. He was sharing the sad news about his mother passing away. His mother was Julia Vigil-Casillas, my Aunt (sister to my father). Julia was a vivacious and talkative soul. In her heyday she was said to be quite the beauty. She was a widow since 1995 when her last husband, Armando Casillas passed away. She always had a chihuahua in the house. She'd fatten it up...and when one chihuahua would die she'd replace it with another. As a young boy I would love visiting her home because she would always have a large glass jar filled with colorful Chiclets gum. She always knew how to make a child smile with candy, cookies or some such goodies. I had not stopped by to see her for several years but always sent her my annual Christmas Card. This morning I was thinking of my dear Aunt Julia (born June 19, 1920 in Ledoux, Mora County, New Mexico) and remembered this poem I wrote a month or so after my mother had passed away. I figured it was a good time to read it again.

What Matters In Life

Feeling the fresh wind swoosh across my face
Walking in a brisk, non-swift pace
Hearing birds chirp and wildly flutter
Touching textures smooth, soft as butter
Reading a story of hope, laughter or joy
Watching a child riding a scooter--his toy
Sensing the smell of baked goods with coffee
Listening to leaves rustle atop the oak tree
Seeing a foreign tourist in couture style
Speaking a new accent for a short while
Waking up each morning to see the sun shine
Sharing a humorous joke to see a face line
Remembering a moment with someone gone 'bye'
Running on the beach, squinting an eye
Musing to music for words to live by
Giving a gift that makes another cry
Living for happiness at every moment in time
Wining, dining and hearing bells chime
Feeling the kiss & embrace from your love
Realizing the simple beauty of a white dove.

I had forgotten about my period of writing poems. I should write more. For a while I was writing a WORD OF THE MONTH and creating a poem from that word. If you'd like to browse at some of my poems (from way back when)...I managed to post some of them here at this poetry website:
www.poetry.com/dotnet/P2450444/Michael/Armijo/PoetProfile.aspx

Twenty-five years ago

It is starting to sink in now (in my mind) about my being an uncle in mid-May 2004. Now that I have shared the news with a few friends and co-workers. In fact it is rather exciting and thrilling.

I discussed spending New Years Eve with Helen Wong, her sister, Geneva and her boyfriend, Derek, over a dinner and dancing plan. Where to do this is still in question.

I received word today (effective January 3, 1983) that I can pay monthly parking in Downtown Oakland for $35 at the usual parking lot I use daily. Good news! Hoorah!

I went to I. MAGNIN during my lunch hour and met Linda. She is a new management hire in the sportswear department. We bumped into one another in the mezzanine hallway due to an exchange in smiles. I gave her my card and she said she'd be working there. So...who knows where that might lead?

Helen invited me for dinner tonight. I drove over to her house and I decided to get my hair cut. We ate salad, chicken, macaroni and vanilla cream pie. It was a delicious homemade meal. We lounged a bit. It seems I tend to do a lot of lounging these days. I exercise too, so I believe it evens out in the long run. Helen and I decided on HORATIO'S in Berkeley, CA as the New Years Eve location. And then we may hit the Hilton for drinks and dancing. It should be fun.

I arrived home around 10:30pm. My brother, John, and his friend, Geoffrey Rookard, were watching my favorite "bike" movie, BREAKING AWAY.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8diYzvCMVQ
I definitely need to get my bicycle 'flat tire' repaired!

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