A 50th Birthday Dinner in Barcelona, Spain

"I'm capable of clearing my head for two hours at a stretch.
It's not easily done you know!"
-as heard while watching
the NYC Broadway Show
"The Philanthropist",
starring Matthew Broderick

On the morning of my 50th birthday (May 26, 2009) I was thrilled to see my photo published in the La Vanguardia newspaper in Barcelona, Spain. That was not my only surprise of the day.

Alan and I accompanied Bret and Mimi to the MIRO museum. Bret and Mimi had traveled from Napa Valley to be in Barcelona for my birthday. What a treat! It was beautiful at the MIRO museum up on the hill.

We took a taxi back to ‘Rambla de Catalunya’ where we enjoyed an outdoor lunch at Diviniti Restaurant, Rossello 231, 08008, Barcelona. Brett and Mimi departed for the Gaudi structure viewings while Alan and I did some shopping damage at places like ‘Zara’ and ‘Camper’.

“It’s time for our siesta,” Alan said in his exhaustive tone. “It’s time to rest for the big dinner tonight.”
“Good, I need a siesta,” I replied, feeling rather thrashed and ready for a nap.
We walked into the lobby of the hotel and Alan says, “Wait a minute, look in here at the lobby.”
This lobby is quite beautiful. It’s where a scene from the movie ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ took place.
I walk in and I get the “Paloma Surprise”.

On a plush couch in the distance I see Paloma seated with her husband, Alexandre, surrounded by several wrapped gifts. I was so surprised! I mean, I had a feeling I would see Paloma for dinner at some point but this moment was quite excitedly unexpected. Fantastic!

At 7pm we enjoyed a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne in our suite. Paloma and Alexandre arrived first as our television had a Spanish bullfight going on. Soon Mimi and Brett arrived with a longtime friend, Coleman Andrews, a notable food and wine critic. He wrote a book called ‘Catalan Cuisine’
http://www.amazon.com/Catalan-Cuisine-Colman-Andrews/dp/1558323295

PHOTO: Before Dinner
Left to Right:
Coleman, Alexandre, Alan, Mimi, Paloma, Bret, Michael

Obviously, I never had my siesta for the day. We all ventured over to Comerc, 24, at 24 Carrer Comerc, 08003, Barcelona, for dinner. The courses were unbelievable: Olives stuffed with anchovies,
Golden Macadamia nuts,
Porc Corn with guacahina,
Grissini with pesto, Filo, PARMA, lime and basil,
Sardines with blood orange and wasabi,
Avocado and lobster makis,

Consomme with parmesan, truffle and egg,

Kinder egg,

Duck rice with foie,

Farm Chicken with king prawns,

Sirloin with roses and berries,
Bread, oil, Chocolate and salt,
Mueslie, Yogurt passion,
Mandarin passion mint,
Nougat with tuille cigar, chocolate and coffee,
Black sesam Oreo with vanilla and
Sable with pineapple and meringue.

And the Birthday Cake was made by Oriol Balaguer. He is known as the best pastry chef in the world (2003). I just found him on FACEBOOK and ‘Became a Fan’:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oriol-Balaguer/57958909607

The ‘pina colada’ style cake he made for my Birthday (pictured above) was so unbelievably DELICIOUS. The presentation alone was enough to “oooh and ahhh” about.

The dinner was fabulous and it was one birthday dinner I shall never forget. It was more than a dinner. It was an 'experience'. When in Barcelona be sure to visit Comerc, 24. It's the BEST. Yummy!

PHOTO: After Dinner


Twenty-five years ago today:

June 15, 1984
Friday

Oh yeah, I remember last night when I stopped by to see Sherri she was getting ready to go out with her girlfriend, Gina. Suddenly her mother (Janet) stopped by with some humongous strawberries for us!

Tonight mom took the day off because it was her 27th Wedding Anniversary! Mom and Dad married on June 15, 1957. Ironically, she and dad spent the day cleaning the townhouse at 3330 Cook Lane. They enjoy that feeling of accomplishment when they have done a job well done. I gave them their champagne goblets as an anniversary gift. They don’t really drink champagne but they can still use them to drink wine or KOOL-AID.

I received a telephone call from Sherri.
“Could you bring the Baby Pageant raffle tickets over to the house?” Sherri asked.
I guess she was able to sell a few extra. When I arrived at the house her friend, Gina, was there again. She was watching that movie that John is so obsessed about (Eddie & The Cruisers).
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=eddie%20and%20the%20cruisers&docid=976036102884&mid=106EC7359A17963DEF37106EC7359A17963DEF37&FORM=VIVR11

Gina is cute. I believe she is of Hawaiian descent. She really has a nicely shaped body. She is petite and her ass turns me on. Gina left midway through the film to pick up a friend (so she said).

I played with Ashley for a while until I decided to come home. I liked hanging out with mom and dad in celebration of their Anniversary. I turned in to bed by eleven o’clock that evening.

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The Main Course

It would take more than a shower to wash away these thoughts.
-Ira Levin

PHOTO: Alan Neil Freiman
In the Shower,
Napa Valley, California

The following is on page 14 of the 'Te Matare Ramirez'
Restaurante menu in Buenos Aires, Argentina

MAIN COURSES

HER TRIGGERING ENJOYMENT GOES BEYOND MY LIMITS
Delicate bunch of Pacific rose salmon filled with mozzarella di bufala,
fresh tomato and perfumed basil. Served in Andalusian tomato juice
and with Asian sautee and gratinated baby potatoes.

YOU SURRENDER TO MY INTIMATE PERVERSIONS
Roast lamb covered with aromatic fennel, celery and quinoa seeds.
Served with creamy hummus, arabic Tabbouleh and lacquered rustic vegetables.

COMPLETELY AT MY MERCY
Sinful tenderloin tournedo on pine mushroom marmalade and crisp sheet of
phila dough in a mushroom and Malbec sauce. Served with oval buttered potatoes
and sauteed tomatoes, mushrooms and scallions.

YOUR ARROW SHAPED VIRILITY SHOOTS OUT TO MY OPEN FLOWER
Phallic pork sirloin on a spicy orange coulis,
served with a pear strudel and candied sweet potatoes.

SURRENDERING TO UNTHINKABLE PLEASURE
Small baby chicken legs stuffed with spinach and mushrooms spread with a
reduction of Dijon mustard cream. Served with crunchy wild rice and
artichoke hearts en croute.

HER CHILDLIKE MOUTH INSPIRES PERVERSIONS
Voluptuous cappelliti ripieni filld with tenderloin, dried tomato and
Aragula ragu. Served with a fresh tomato, oyster and sesame oil sauce.

INFLAMED, I BET THAT YOU SPILL ALL OVER MY BODY
Lasagna gratine of grilled vegetables and brie cheese on a fine herb
cream and a promiscuous cherry confit.

Now...what may I serve you?

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 2, 1984, Monday

I heard Chris' alarm clock go off. I saw him getting ready for the U.S. Coast Guard. What a drag. He's good. He just wants to get his ten months out of the way.
"I already have a job lined up with a company called 'Interface'," Chris had said the day before.
"It sounds promising." I thought as I tossed over to my other side while in bed.

Chris left. I showered and then Barbara woke up. Barbara is also in the U.S. Coast Guard but she had the day off. She made me breakfast and we looked at some of her hometown photographs from Pennsylvania. The pictures were excellent. She had some photos taken from the Humboldt County area, too. We also had the television on. The Phil Donahue Show was on and a 'pornography discussion' was taking place.

The Phil Donahue Show was followed by the Sexiest Men in the World segment. Tom Selleck and Mel Gibson were included. Too bad they forgot Michael J Armijo and Christopher Cordellos.
PHOTO: Tom Selleck


PHOTO: Mel Gibson

Barbara left for errands and the bank. I took an excursion on Chris' bicycle throughout the neighborhood.

When Chris returned home I was helping Barbara set up a flower bed. Yes, I felt like I was doing a segment for 'Better Homes & Gardens'. It was fun. Chris was feeling a tad depressed.
"I just learned my mom is in the hospital because of her emphysema complications," Chris revealed.
Chris had to return to work. It was only a brief afternoon visit. He was also upset because he was returning to the BASE where he was not doing much of anything.

Barbara and I took a drive to Patrick Point State Park.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=417
PHOTO: Patrick Point State Park

Then we went to visit Palmer's Point and the locally popular 'Wedding Rock'. It's a local tradition for over a hundred years to get married on top of Wedding Rock in Patrick's Point State Park. It was at Palmer's Point where Barbara had to climb down the main cliff. I hoped to get some great pictures. It was a fun-filled day spent getting to know Barbara.

PHOTO: Wedding Rock

Barbara and I continued on our way to Arcata where we bought some neat greeting cards at Jacoby's. I couldn't find my bank. We later learned that it had closed down. We returned home to nap as we watched 'The Waltons' and 'The Big Valley'.

Later, Barbara and I went to the U.S. Coast Guard Station-Humboldt Bay Base to visi Chris Cordellos. We hung out there for a while, meeting a few "nerds". There was Phil (the alcoholic), Eddie (from Oregon), and Jim Severn. Barbara and I bid our farewell at around 12:30PM and stopped over at Safeway. We had tea at home with Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies. We discussed the 'boyishness' of Jim Severn and the others. I defended Chris' maturity. Barbara agreed with me.

Barbara cooked burritos. We planned on delivering one to Chris (only we didn't know until the last minute that he was having red wine and a barbecue steak at the local Phil's Bar!

After his work at the U.S. Coast Guard Base he came home to do his laundry. I went down and talked to him for a while.
"I feel kinda bad and jealous cuz I couldn't spend the day with you," Chris said.
"Ah, don't feel bad," I replied reassuringly.
"Yeah, but you came all this way and you're the visitor."
"Well, I did think of you all day and the best part was when you came home," I said.
He smiled.

We went into a hidden storage room behind a trailer, near the tennis courts. We just rapped (talking excessively about nonsense). Chris chose to dwell on the 'shitty fact' that I was leaving on Wednesday. I turned the situation around, stressing how we always have such fun hangin' out.

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The Clutter Removal Project

"I want to understand other points of view."
-as heard in the film
"Daniel Deronda"

I laughed when my dear friend, Barbara Reynolds, advised Alan and I of a book called "It's All Too Much". She heard the author (Peter Walsh) on Oprah. The advice isn't too far-fetched from what we are trying to do. We are in the middle of a 'clutter removal project' at our home in Marina Del Rey, California. Things just seem to collect and we don't throw out enough.

Isn't the idea of buying the Peter Walsh book adding to my clutter?
www.amazon.com/Its-All-Too-Much-Living/dp/0743292650/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234464864&sr=8-1
I suppose the book is worth it if it helps me to become more of a minimalist.

Woman's Day magazine raves about this book as being "The best organizing advice we've ever heard!" Who knew there is an expert on "clutter management"? I don't own the book but Part I supposedly examines the problem by explaining how it happens and how to face it without excuses and discouragement. Part II offers a step-by-step approach. This didn't surprise me since my friend, Barbara, loves 12-Steps (or less) advice.

I believe the book explains 'surface clutter' (like the stuff on my desk right now) and provides a household plan to get started. I just added it to my Amazon.com 'Wish List'. In the meantime, the 'clutter removal project' continues using our own methods. I'm on my way to 'Goodwill', 'The Salvation Army' and 'Out of the Closet' today.

I won't even get into organizing the closets--but I do have a plan (California Closets). I found this page of tips at the Good Housekeeping website:
www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/easy-closet-organizing-tips

Twenty-five years ago today:

Sunday, February 12, 1984

This morning mom told me that Tony attended an event at The Moscone Center in San Francisco yesterday. Tony went on to explain that it was a celebrity, producer, director sales event for General Station managers in the San Francisco-Bay Area.
"I saw Ann Turkel there," Tony was saying loud enough for me to hear. He was munching on mom's homemade pancake breakfast. He knew how much I adored that actress/cover girl (Ann Turkel)-even if she did marry Richard Harris in 1974.

Inspiration took over as I decided to call on Helen Wong to join me for a visit to the Moscone Center. We were semi-dressed up and looking pretty good together. We actually saw Bonni Franklin, Robert Culp, Ben Murphy, Joanne Greggains, Elaine Joyce, John Byner and Roger Ebert. There was no sign of Ann Turkel though (sadness).
www.imdb.com/name/nm0877183/bio
I did get up my nerve to question Roger Ebert, the film critic.
"Did you like Natassja Kinki's new movie, 'The Moon In The Gutter'," I asked.
The film was French and also known as 'La Lune dans le caniveau'. I knew he'd know what I was talking about. Of course, I was stumped with his response.
"Hated it!" he replied.

Helen didn't want to stick around. I could read her body language. So after we talked to 'Denny' who was in charge of the DYNASTY 'fake foyer' display we left. We had our fair share of champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

Once Helen had departed I went to Mom & Dad's for rest and relaxation. I persuaded mom to join me for dinner at Horatio's in San Leandro. It was an enjoyable outing. She came with me to my pad and I witnessed the "Mom surprise". She had been there tidying up the place. She knew I would be smiling from ear to ear at how she cleaned up. After she left I spent time cleaning my bike.

John and Sherri appeared thereafter to join me in the screening of the TV-mini series "Celebrity". The handsome Joseph Bottoms was one of the key characters. It was great! After the show I 'hit the sack'. Yawn.

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My First 'Patty Melt'

It had seemed like the beginning of happiness, and Clarissa still sometimes shocked, more than thirty years later, to realize that it was happiness; that the entire experience lay in a kiss and a walk, the anticipation of dinner and a book.
-Michael Cunningham
from THE HOURS, a novel

Alan's mom (Gloria) gushes with excitement at the very phrase ("patty melt"). Have you ever had one? Is it true? Is happiness a "patty melt"?

All weekend I have been hearing about the delicous-ness of a "patty melt". I have had a "tuna melt" and I do enjoy those but I have yet to try a "patty melt". Today IS the day. I will be eating a "patty melt" at lunch today. I believe it will make my tummy happy (hopeful anyway).

I did a bit of research on the sandwich:

A patty melt is a type of hamburger sandwich consisting of a hamburger (or other ground meat) patty, pieces of sautéed or grilled onion, and cheese between two slices of bread (traditionally rye, though sourdough, or Texas toast have recently been substituted). The sandwich is then grilled so that the cheese melts thoroughly.

In Belarus the addition of fish roe and chicken egg is common. In Canada it is often served open faced and with gravy.

The name Patty Melt is also used by a cartoon character used by state beef councils to promote the nutritional benefits of beef [1] at public events. She has made appearances at state fairs, NASCAR Races, children's events, and beef cook-offs. Patty is a large plush cheeseburger with a pink ballhat and long blonde braids.

Twenty-five years ago today:

February 2, 1984, Thursday

Today I paid for my Downtown Oakland monthly public parking. The day passed rather quickly. Salima liked the Cocoa Puffs breakfast cereal I brought in to the office (as a snack). I'm cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. Salima couldn't resist not having a bowl of cereal.

I received the most wonderful call from a customer today. She was an elderly woman in her 80's. She liked to talk and shared the joyful feeling of her Indian Summer Days as a young girl. She painted a picture in my mind. She gave me a bit of advice that I made sure to write down:

'No matter how mad you get at her...Never forget to kiss her good night!'

My conversation with this woman was a wonderful change to the monotony of my usual work day.

I gave Helen a call while at work. She is still ill.

I broke down and called Nancy. She wasn't home. I left a message. Now it's her turn to 'make a move'.

At dinnertime I found myself enjoying a meal and light conversation with Dad. Mom had already gone to work. I had a brief chat with my brother, John, and Sherri. They were leaving for a Golden State Warrior basketball game at the Coliseum.

I exercised and showered. I have a damn itching in my crotch area. I know it's from the excess bike riding. I hope it will come to pass soon. I'm clean and powdered now.

I watched a couple of sit-coms and 'hit the hay' early. No one called me on this evening.

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Outside the Box of Thinking

"Connecting the Dots...That's what it's all about!"
-Zahra

I met Zahra at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City about five years ago. She and her husband, Tim, remain great friends. I just received a postcard from Zahra yesterday that included a poem that I wish to document in my blog today.
. . .
. . .
. . .
Can you connect all nine dots with four straight lines without lifting your pencil?

"Have you ever wondered why some of us are unable to turn our misfortune into insight, our grief into joy? I have been pondering this question of late.

The Persian Poet Rumi says:

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the door sill.
Where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep.

"Our lives are full of dots. The door is round in opportunities to live, grow and change. My dear friend...Are you awake or do you sleep?"
-Zahra

Twenty-five years ago today:

January 21, 1984

8:30am: I took a 'back and forth' ride on my bike along the Alameda South Shore Beach until 10:30am. It was funny when some old man shook his head after I passed him by for the 8th time during my exhilarating excursion.

10:30am: I had breakfast at Mom's house (356 Magnolia Drive). The chocolate milkshake I made was delicious.
"You careered!" said my brother, John, after he tasted the orange juice, vanilla ice-cream milkshake I prepared for him.

I called Sue Miller to verify the dinner itinerary. I couldn't stay still and had to go bike riding again until about 2pm.

Once I returned to my pad and fueled up on some water and yogurt I decided to nap until 4:30pm.

My mom stopped by to bring the keys I had left at her house. She started to 'pick up after' the household mess that John and I had left in the surrounding areas. I couldn't resist commenting.
"Let us live our bachelor lives in peace," I said jokingly.

By 5pm I was readying myself for 'A Little Italy' outing. I was at Sue's apartment by 6pm. Her brother, Michael Miller, was there and we talked for a while until Sue was finally ready to leave. I required Sue to listen to the taped music I had created. I think she was amused by it.

We met Rene (Dave's cousin), his girlfriend, Tala, and Stevei (Dave's girlfriend). We sipped white wine together until it was time to follow them to Castro & Noe to eat. The reservation was a half hour wait, so we had a drink at some Pub located down the street. Dinner was good. Rene was loud. Stevei looked familiar. Tala was good lookin' in her own right. Only Sue and I ate the coffee chip and coffee crunch ice-cream for dessert.

Before long we were en route back to the East Bay in Alameda but we decided to stop at The Rusty Pelican to dance a few. Sue said some 'fat broad' was giving her dirty looks, acting selfish and jealous. We decided to leave the scene. I had some iced-tea at Sue's apartment and we talked about the interesting and semi-eventful evening.

Tomorrow...Paloma and 'The Super Bowl' I suppose.

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A New Year In Australia

"Imagination rules the world"
-inside a fortune cookie

My daughter, Arianna, and her boyfriend, Nick, flew out of Los Angeles in late October 2008. They are on a 6 month to 1 year adventure of working and living abroad in Australia. They keep me informed via an imaginative and occasional email. I don't think they'll be too upset if I post this most recent one received on December 23, 2008. I loved the imagination and the cleverness of it:

As I am very far away, in an Australian summer... I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you!
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Love Always~
Ari

P.S. Nick and I wrote you a holiday greeting:


'Twas the night before Christmas and all 'cross the shore,
Not a noise could be heard 'cept for the surf's roar.
The swimsuits were hung from the roof rack with care,
In hopes they'd soon dry in the warm salty air.
The wombats were nestled all snug in their lair,
While Ari and Nick washed the sand from their hair.
All ready for bed and clean from the tap,
We climbed in the tent for a midsummer's nap.
When out on the beach there rose such a clatter,
We zipped out the tent to see what was the matter.
Away to the ocean, we ran in a flash,
Losing our shoes, down the dunes in our dash.
The moon on the crest of each new wave,
An image of wondrous beauty, it gave.
But what to our wandering eyes should appear,
But eight kangaroo and a sleigh drawing near.
With a little old rider, so sun burnt and tan,
We knew in a moment it must be the jolly swagman.
More rapid than seagulls, his kangas they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
"Now Bounder, Now Hopper, Now Jumper and Bouncin',
On Joey, On Skippy, On Springer and Pouncin'."
To the top of the dune they followed his call,
Now bound away, bound away, bound away all.
Like sea foam blown from the cyclone's eye,
When it crashes ashore and blasts to the sky,
Right up on the car the kangas, they hop,
With a sleigh full of toys and Santa on top.
And then with a scraping, we heard from their paws,
Ripping and scratching the paint with their claws.
So with a leap and a bound, Santa jumped off the car,
Down to the ground, which was not very far.
He was dressed in his best red bathing costume,
So tight that his figure, one needn't assume.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a bushman just opening his sack.
His eyes how they twinkle, his dimples how merry,
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.
With a smile so big it lit up the land,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the sand.
Like any good Aussie, he smelled strongly of beer,
Which helped to explain all his good cheer.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That was clearly the result of far too much telly.
He was chubby and plump, not your average surf man,
And we found ourselves laughing at his farmer's tan.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave us to know, we had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word but went straight to work,
Filled the boot full of presents, then turned with a jerk,
To the meat pies, which he ate, even licking the plate,
And grabbing the roof rack, he hoisted his weight.
Flopping into his sleigh, in the most elegant way,
He called out to the 'roos, to start hopping away,
And we heard him exclaim 'ere they bounced out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all and may all eat vegemite!"

Twenty-five years ago today:

January 1, 1984

I am waking up early regularly these days. I hopped on my bicycle after a nutritious breakfast at mom's house. My bike is my 'best friend'. The QUAKE FM-99 tunes help me collect my thoughts as I ride like the wind. Yes, 'Ride Like the Wind' is a favorite song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt9wULOlc6o

By 2pm I was home again. Leslie Fonseca, the CARROWS restaurant hostess surprisingly called me! She is sweet. I thought I heard a baby crying in the background as I spoke to her. I asked if she was babysitting.
"No, it's her daughter," she said.
That sure was not thrilling news. I guess I tried to pretend I had not heard that fact. I'm not prepared for the IFP (Immediate Family Plan).
"I am from Nicaragua," Leslie added after I asked where she was from because of her strong, sexy accent.
"Would you like to go out for lunch tomorrow?" I asked excitedly.
"Yes," she quickly replied with a giggle.
I knew I had promised to call Bill Helbush to see what we might do together but it's just as well. I really think I'd rather see Leslie and get to know someone new.

That evening as I was getting ready for dinner at Salima's house in Concord, CA I decided to call Bill Helbush.
"I went over to the Moscone Center in San Francisco today and I saw Tammy Duhr there with that guy, Sean," Bill said.
"Oh really? Frank had told me he was going there, too. I'm glad I didn't go," I told Bill as I explained how I would not have enjoyed the "vibes".
"I loved being there. I can see that is the fine line where we are different," he said.
"Yeah, whatever," I replied.
"Do you think Tammy is a transvestite?" Bill asked.
I couldn't believe he asked such a question. What a creep. I just can't believe how he blurts out rude things behind ones back.

Before I knew it I was ringing the doorbell to Salima's apartment. Her son answered the door and the little young boy looked half-white. He was quite the nice little chap. Salima's husband, Michael, was there. I was surprised to also find Salima's sister, Saeeda, there. We all had a cordial, pleasant time. We ate chile, shrimp, coleslaw, cornbread, rice followed by apple pie and ice-cream.

We watched a double-feature. They were two repeats for me but still enjoyable the second time around.
FRANCES
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G01a5y84oDc
and PORKY's
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xh-qBa4-bQ

I left Concord and arrived home by 1:30am. So far it's a Happy New Year...No credit card usage and no sex.

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