Three Virgin Daughters

"I don't even know when guys are like 'TOTALLY' gay."
-as heard while watching
the 2000 film
"Urbania"

A Mother had three virgin daughters. They were all getting married within a short time period. Because Mom was a bit worried about how their sex life would get started, she made them all promise to send a postcard from the honeymoon with a few words on how marital sex felt.

The first girl sent a card from Hawaii two days after the wedding. The card said nothing but "Nescafe".

Mom was puzzled at first, but then went to the kitchen and got out the Nescafe jar. It said: "Good till the last drop."
Mom blushed, but was pleased for her daughter.

The second girl sent the card from Vermont a week after the wedding, and the card read: "Benson & Hedges". Mom now knew to go straight to her husbands' cigarettes, and she read from the Benson & Hedges pack: "Extra Long. King Size". She was again slightly embarrassed but still happy for her daughter.

The third girl left for her honeymoon in the Caribbean. Mom waited for a week, nothing.

Another week went by and still nothing. Then after a whole month, a card finally arrived and written on it with shaky hand writing were the words "British Airways".

Mom took out her latest Harper's Bazaar magazine, flipped through the pages fearing the worst, and finally found the ad for “British Airways”.
The ad said: "Three times a day, seven days a week, both ways." Mom fainted....

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 28, 1984
Friday

Today, a few of my calls were mind boggling. I could not handle them, so I arranged ‘call backs’. I began my first New Connect order with a Business called ‘Cross-Country Video’. The owner is to call me back on Monday after he pays the advanced payment and deposit at his local public office. I believe I have even sold him on four custom-calling features, too.

For lunch I went to Security Pacific Bank for a $1400 cash advance.
The teller made a comment, “Easy come, easy go.”
Isn’t that the truth? I deposited the funds into my Great Western checking account. Now it appears as if I have money. Ha-ha.

At 4:30PM the new trainees had a meeting with our instructors. They commended our work the past two days which made us all feel really good. The confidence was building.

At 5PM I learned Karyn and JoAnn (Karyn’s little pal from New York) were here in the office. Eileen whispered the fact into my ear. So, I accompanied them to Barnaby’s for Happy Hour.

PHOTO: Kathleen Diane Hunter
Alameda High, Class of 1974

Tom and Elisabeth and Tom’s friend, John, came along, too. John was visiting from Reno, Nevada. He was a former Alameda High School graduate, Class of 1974. That means I was a freshman when he was a senior. I had some secret crushes on some of the girls in his class.

PHOTO: Laura Lisa Nelson
Alameda High, Class of 1974


“I remember Kathy Hunter, Linda Nelson and Debbie Sivyer. Do you?” I asked.
“You know, they sound familiar. I recognize the names,” John said.

What a lame brain. He wasn’t the friendliest. And these three girls were quite popular.

Debbie Sivyer even went on to become Mrs. Fields of Mrs. Fields Cookies. She became a Raiderette cheerleader, met a Stanford student/boyfriend who gave her $50,000 to start her own business. At least that was the version of the story I had heard. That's one inspiring example of starting a business.

PHOTO: Debbie Sivyer,
Alameda High School, Class of 1974

By 9PM we were all hungry. We sobered up a bit and walked around the ‘Embarcadero Center’ vicinity. Tom decided for us.
“Let’s all go to Chef Romano Pizza in Alameda. It’s the best,” Tom said.
"I agree, I love the sausage pizza," I added.

We ended up eating there at the Santa Clara Avenue location. Karyn drove John home (near Fernside Boulevard in Alameda) and then dropped me off at the Fruitvale BART station where my car was waiting for me. Karyn also drove Tom to his house. I could tell she was not thrilled about playing chauffeur.

Karyn is excited that I am in the Business Office now. It will be fun. She has such a lively personality. I love it.

It’s funny. I recall Diana Brock and other fellow employees who were watching me take some telephone calls today. I must have boggled their minds because it really looked like I knew what I was doing. A year from now I may have most local procedures down pat.

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My Melody of Love

They were all good-looking and elegantly groomed, but aside from some chit-chat about the latest book and the latest play, their conversation seemed to consist entirely of “dishing” acquaintances who were not present, and more maliciously than women at a bridge party.
-Nial Kent
“The Divided Path”

On the 4th of July 2009 I walked with Alan to Central Park, New York City. We brought our books along and did a bit of ‘bench hopping’. We’d read one chapter and move to the next bench somewhere in the park. It was a relaxing way to spend the day.

We walked by the Merry-Go-Round while in Central Park and I heard the B.J. Thomas, Raindrops melody that I love so much. Then the Bobby Vinton song ‘My Melody of Love’ came on and I remembered how much I loved that one, too.

I did some research and learned that 'My Melody of Love' was released in 1974. Wow! I was only a freshman in high school at that time.
Listen…
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=my+melody+of+love&qs=n&docid=992832651332&mid=097721A227BAA7717C93097721A227BAA7717C93&FORM=VIVR11


Twenty-five years ago today:

July 10, 1984
Tuesday

Barbara Reynolds and I ate at The Metro Café again on Market Street. We hang out together in San Francisco and it is a fun change from Downtown Oakland. I did a special, involved assignment today for Lee Chandler, Assistant Manager. He is quite gay (effeminate). In fact, many of the men in the office are obviously gay, but I’ll survive. At least I don’t reside in The City. And my AX time for this Friday was approved.

After work today I went to see Charlie Brown at the Alameda Municipal Court.
“Come back when you receive your courtesy notice and I’ll take care of it,” Charlie said.
It looks like Sargeant Al Jayne at the Alameda Police Department was right about this being cleared up on my behalf. I was happy. I went bicycling after all and it was a pleasant evening.

I went to bed early when Cedric Green called me ‘out of the blue’ at 9:45PM.
“I just wanted to say that if you go out this weekend, please give me or Michelle a call,” Cedric said.
That was kind of odd. I really do not have any plans of going out this weekend. I think I will take a break from ‘going out’ and my money situation will thank me.

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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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Hot Summer Night (Oh La La La)

"When you kissed me your lips burned of the chili pepper."
-Penelope Cruz
while in character as Isabella Oliviera
in the 2000 film, "WOMAN ON TOP"

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=hot+summer+night%2c+david+tavare&docid=882472648786&mid=40A33F7F6F71F8EB646F40A33F7F6F71F8EB646F&FORM=VIVR
Oh Boy! Another EUROPA-FM song that I love (and discovered while in Spain last month)...just in time for SUMMER.
It makes me want to dance!

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 22, 1984
Friday

I telephoned my mom from work at 8:30AM. She thought I was at work but I explained about my AX Time. Five minutes later I was at her house. She was so sweet to give me two of her well kept fig tree plants and a wicker chair. I accomplished things today that I normally would not have done.

I went to the Dry Cleaners and made a stop at Great Western Savings for my IRA Contribution 1984. I biked from 1pm to 3pm because the office did not need me to come in midday after all. I had the entire day as AX Time. I spent time with mom just before she left for work at 3:30pm at the Oakland Main post-office. Then I simply went bicycling again.

I stopped over at Suzy’s apartment and she shared her pictures with me. We talked some ‘small talk’ and then I headed back home. Before I knew it the time was 6PM. I saw that Chris’ convertible top was down, so I knew that he was “HERE”. I saw him walking over in a dark sweater, looking ever-so-suave and cool. He walks as if he is so ‘sure of himself’. He gave me a tennis ball and I gave him some Swedish soap, a photograph and a BERLIN music tape with a great BIKE greeting card.

“I want to see my mom, so will you come with me?” Chris asked.
“Sure, let’s go,” I answered.
He drove to Concord and we stayed a while. His mom has this vaporizer in her home because of her emphysema. It’s always so cool in her home.

Chris and I decided to venture over to “The Hub” in Walnut Creek after we finally found Salima’s house so that I could deliver her birthday gift (a $25 vase that looked $100). “The Hub” was a bit of a shock for me because Laura Rossi was there! She was the gorgeous Italian girl that I had met at Gladman a few years ago. She recognized and greeted me. I gave her my business card with my home telephone number written on it.
“Please call me,” I said.
I have not been home, so I don’t know if she has called.

Chris woke up on the wrong side of the bed or we simply got off on the wrong foot today. We argued about not being able to find Salima’s house quickly enough. And I was wearing sandals, so I was in no mood to dance at “The Hub”.
“Besides, I thought we were just gonna hang out at my pad and watch TV,” I questioned.
Well, Chris ended up dancing anyway. He was dancing with some muscular ‘flip’ (Filipino) named Dallas. He also danced with some grody spic (Spanish) guy named Carlos who was visiting from San Bruno, CA. Chris seemed so infatuated with this Carlos guy.
It burned me up when Chris said, “Carlos has said nicer things to me than you’ve ever said!”
“Give me a break!” I admit that I may have been a bit jealous but he had to drag it out just to spite me. I think he wanted to make me out as an ‘exacto duplicate’ of his ex (Tony) who supposedly maintained jealousy to every move Chris made.

I did not bother to give Chris the satisfaction of reacting the way he wanted me to.
I simply said, “I knew there was nothing to worry about because I thought he was so grody lookin’.”

As anyone could imagine the drive home was a “bummer”. First, it was the argument about finding Salima’s house to deliver her gift in a timely manner. Then it was the Carlos dance fling and the possible future outings alone (and separately).

PHOTO: A fictitious photo of Carlos,
Trust me, he did NOT look like this. LOL


When we arrive to my house Chris continued to act childish. He would not get out of the car.
“Why don’t you just spend the night?” I asked, trying to chalk it all off.
“No, I want to have a joint,” Chris shouted.
Luckily, he did not have that joint. He eventually came inside the house and he looked through my box of clothes that I was planning to give away to Goodwill. He chose a few items he wanted.

We ended up going to sleep together. Slowly but surely and ‘nonchalantly’ we made it nice again.

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Surprise Phone Call

"I've heard them talking."
"So have I...but I don't have to listen."
-Joanne Harris
"Chocolat"


Twenty-five years ago today:

June 1, 1984
Friday

I received a surprise phone call from Tammy Duhr while at work today.
“I just learned from my mother that you had called,” Tammy said in her alluring tone.
We made a date for Saturday (tomorrow night).
“Who was that adorable gent?” Tammy asked.
“Oh…uh, you mean Chris. He’s just a friend,” I replied nervously but knowing that she knew. Tammy is only attracted to gay men for some reason. I remembered Frank telling me so.
“Well, I thought he was very polite and adorable,” Tammy said with some peppered sexy laughter.
Little does she know?

Tammy’s new telephone number is 537-9980. I guess she is rooming with the ‘geek’ (also named Chris) that I saw her with the other day.

I went for an hour bicycle ride after work and came home to watch more of the KQED Auction. I decided to turn in to bed early. There is no need to spend any more money (even if it was Payday today). I stayed home on this Friday night.

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The Adam Lambert Lookalike

"Every one has a double somewhere in the world" is a common phrase.
When I visit parts of Spain I feel the connections in the familiar faces especially in Zaragoza, home of the Armijo Palace.
-Michael Joe Armijo

It happened on March 24, 2009.
"Do you watch American Idol?" asked Brenda, my friend in Jacksonville, Florida.
"No, why?" I asked, "is there someone I should watch via youtube.com?"
"There's a guy on the show who reminds me of you. His name is Adam Lambert," she said.

The next day I received a note on my FaceBook wall from my longtime friend, Suzi Miller, in the Denver, Colorado area.
Suzy wrote, "Have you seen any of American Idol? Adam reminds me of you when we were in our twenties."

I thought it ironic to hear of this news over two days. I proceeded to write this on my FaceBook status on March 26, 2009:

Michael J Armijo is 'sorta' flattered that two people in the last 2 days say "I" remind them of the new Amer Idol hero, Adam Lambert. Could we be distant cousins? It must be the trademark eyebrows. LOL

There were several replies to my status statement, including the one that wrote 'You could be his Dad'. That truly seems more reasonable. I could be his father. Lambert is 27 years old (born January 29, 1982) and I will soon be 5 decades old (on May 26, 2009).

Suzy wrote again, "If you saw him in Wednesday nights' performance, he changed his style up, fixed his hair more like you and that's when I really saw the resemblance."

This morning's Sunday New York Times had another article about Adam Lambert. There is a photo of him next to Liberace, Prince and David Bowie that implies that the young man is "gay". Who cares whether he is or not? Let him be.
And if the three photos I found (below) via an internet surf are any indication the likely answer is a definite affirmative.




He is one talented musician. If I were his son I'd be proud of the chap.

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 12, 1984
Thursday

This morning I telephoned Chris Cordellos.
"Jim came to visit last night and he didn't say one word. I think it was because Barb, Leandra and some other chick was here," Chris said.
Chris was really freakin' out about the fact that Jim didn't say much to him. Was it a case of the 'silent treatment'?

I ordered some trendy summertime tank tops and two pairs of pants from the International Male catalog today.
I shared lunch with my brother, Tony, and his date, Helen, in the company cafeteria. I telephoned mom.
"You have a letter here from Michael Thoennes. That's what it says on the return address," mom said.

I read the card from Michael Thoennes later that evening. He wrote 'I think of you day and night'. I couldn't help but freak out a bit when I read those words. He also wrote that he wasn't going to call me anymore because he wasn't sure where I stood with him. It was kind of him to write this letter. I just don't think I want any deeper involvement with him other than friendship at this time.

I have a recurring appointment at The Sperm Bank on Wednesdays at 5:30PM. I will stick it out a little longer to see what happens. I really just want to wait on the news that someone was impregnated and then 'end my good deed'.

I did not ride my bike today but I went to see a very pregnant Sherri and I picked up my mail that was there. I had my Bicycling Magazine and my car payment bill waiting for me.

While at home I hung out with Tony and we watched a few situation comedy programs on TV (Gimme A Break, Cheers and Family Ties).


The "Cheers" episode made me realize how we tend to take loved ones for granted. When someone new starts to be fond of your loved one, you want your loved one all back to yourself.

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The Aphrodisiac

'Repetition is important in "training'.
-Yann Martel,
The Life of Pi

The Imagination

Each culture and each person responds to aphrodisiacs in his or her own way.
Some work by analogy, like oysters in the shape of vulvas or asparagus in the shape of phallus; others by association and also by suggestion.
That is why it is good to have seductive names for exquisite dishes in the same way as the wise erotic Asian manuals have for different postures.
We might as well say that aphrodisiac is any substance or activity that stirs our erotic desire.
Some of them have a scientific basis, but most of them act by the impulse of our imagination.
This is precisely what 'Te Matare Ramirez' aims at:
to activate the most daring part of our imagination, which is the most powerful aphrodisiac we have knowledge of.
-On page three of the
'Te Matare Ramirez'
restaurant menu

Twenty-five years ago today:

Wednesday, March 28, 1984

I was in the company cafeteria this morning. I had my usual pancakes with the three hidden slices of bacon underneath the second pancake. This was my way of not having to pay for the side order of bacon. Yummy.

Helen and I went for a little chicken, rice and broccoli at the Chinese Food Joint for lunch. We enjoyed lunch outside, laying on the lawn, feeling the warm sun on our faces. We called it our 'temporary nap'.

Later that afternoon I was talking to Judy Albert (another co-worker) and Helen about a friend of mine who suggested an outing to a nude beach. They seemed to giggle at the concept. I am personally tempted and curious about the nude beach deal. I am kind of looking forward to the outdoor freedom. I will have to seriously consider it if I ever hear from Michael Thoennes again.

Surprise, Surprise! Michael Thoennes called me at about 3:15PM today with an invitation to dinner. That was fast. We ate at the Ice Cream Dock on Harbor Bay Isle in Alameda (my suggestion and one of my favorite places). I, of course, had to drive to the Fruitvale BART station to pick him up. That is rather convenient actually. I just realized that I've introduced Paloma, Chris, Paige and Michael to the Ice Cream Dock.

The young fellow that I often see each morning, waiting for his school bus was working at the Ice Cream Dock on this evening.
"See that guy?" I questioned Michael Thoennes with a smooth whisper.
"Yeah, why?" Thoennes asked.
"I really think he's a questionable case," I said in reference to the young fellow being questionably gay. I wasn't sure, but there was reason for speculation.
"I agree with you that there are a lot of 'questionables' out there," Thoennes said.

Michael Thoennes has nice hair but had some ugly sores on the sides of each lip from his aggressive shaving methods. Otherwise, he is quite a 'GLG' (Good Looking Guy). I mentioned Chris Cordellos only once during our dinner conversation.
"You don't really look 'new wavish' considering the alternative rock that you like," Thoennes commented.
"My friend, Chris, looks more 'new wavish' than I do," I replied.
I knew I did not look 'new wave' tonight. I was wearing a red and white striped Rugby shirt.

Thoennes came over to my house for a while. I took a photograph of him. He took interest in looking at my photos. Eventually we gave a quick hug goodbye for the evening. That is all. There was not talk of 'nude beaches'. I certainly wasn't going to bring it up. I drove him to the Fruitvale BART station at 8:30PM and was back home by 9PM. I was just in time for the latest episode of 'Dynasty'.

Chris is expected to call. Should I mention the Michael Thoennes dinner? I think I will hold off on the subject until the weekend comes around.

Tomorrow is Salima's last day at the Downtown Oakland office. I wonder if she'll like her new promotion at the 'Final Accounts Collection Center' in El Cerrito, CA. I am envious that she has a change in business venue. I will give her my 'You're Simply Grand' greeting card that I've held on to for a year. She is the "right" person for that card.

At 5pm tomorrow I have my medical physical appointment at the Bay Area Sperm Bank. This is the last phase in the process. Then my 'itty bitty' friends will apparently be shout up into some needy ladies' you-know-what. Eighteen years from now (2002 or 2003) will be very interesting. I wonder if I will ever meet this inseminated child of mine.

I fell asleep and woke up in the middle of the night. I realized that I wasn't going to get that telephone call from Chris Cordellos after all. I tossed and turned and rolled over many times until I finally fell asleep.

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I Like Boys

“You’re a different fish in a sea of sameness.”
-Jason F. Wright
In his novel, ‘The Wednesday Letters’

I read a book called ‘Telling Tales Out of School’ about a month ago. The following excerpt inspired me to write my very own ‘write-up’ of when I realized I was gay:

“I knew I liked boys more than I should. I had already had a torrid, if one-sided affair with Montgomery Clift and several other actors I saw in late-night movies on TV.”
-John DiCarlo
In the book,
‘Telling Tales Out of School’ edited by Kevin Jennings.

I laughed when I came across the above line as I was reading some of the stories in ‘Telling Tales Out of School’ (about gays, lesbians and bisexuals revisiting their school days). I did not really know the actor, Montgomery Clift, but he is on my priority ‘movie rental’ list.

My very own personal torrid, one-sided affair was with Robert Conrad, the actor who played James T. West in the TV series The Wild Wild West. I never knew his real name was Konrad Robert Falkowski until today!

It must have been in tenth or eleventh grade that I really confirmed—in my mind--my attraction to boys.

I grew up as a Catholic schoolboy at St. Anthony’s School in Oakland, California. When I was in sixth grade I was on the chunky side and began attending my first public school in Alameda, CA. I had a secret envy for wanting to be slim like most of the other boys in my class. I never realized my attraction to boys at this early stage though.

We are all different, special and unique in our own sexual-oriented way. Many kids ‘play act’ and dress up and ‘act out’ as ‘so and so’ during their growing up years. Girls could never be avoided. To this day girls still cannot be removed from my life. I love women.
I recall one gay friend asking me in my twenties, “You like tuna?” It never occurred to me that was his slang way of asking me if I liked women.
“Sometimes I do,” I said.

During my high-school years I remember being in the garage one summer, reading ads from an old newspaper known as the Berkeley Barb. My Dad would get the newspapers from friends at work every once in a while. There were explicit requests by men (and women) looking to date and act out sexual pleasures. Many of the advertisements were not really comprehensible to me at the time.

Looking back I realized I was homophobic (and I still am—to some extent). When I was seventeen I subscribed to PLAYBOY magazine for a year. I thought the magazines would help me get the ‘boy craze’ out of my mind. It was my way of trying to draw the attention away. This was around the time I had the one-sided affair/crush on actor Robert Conrad among others (Lyle Wagoner in the Carol Burnett Show; David Cassidy who played Keith Partridge in The Partridge Family; Bobby Sherman and a few other teen idols. I was what I called an “in-betweenie” in high-school. I had friends among the jocks and cheerleaders, the bookworms and the burnouts (the students who smoked cigarettes behind the school). I could easily interchange friendships in-between each of the sector cliques, allowing me to fit in with most everyone.

“Stranger, if you passing see me and desire to speak to me,
Why should I not speak to you?
And why should you not speak to me?”
-Walt Whitman

I had a secret crush on Paul Michael Glaser, the brilliant tough cop in the TV show “Starsky & Hutch”. It seems funny now. The “it” guy for me was ‘West’ of The Wild Wild West.

Years later (in 1991) I would attend my boyfriends’ daughters’ piano recital in Malibu, California only to actually see Robert Conrad in the audience, seated two rows away from me. He was older (more chunky) and much shorter than I expected. I thought him much taller when watching the repeat TV episodes in the 1970s. I was sidetracked during this piano recital event because actress Lindsay Wagner was there, too. She played ‘The Bionic Woman’ on TV and I had a secret crush on her too.

It was June 1979 and my very ‘first’ ‘Tale Out of School’ happened. I took a trip to Hawaii with a former girlfriend named Elisa Berney. We were like ‘brother and sister’ at this point. We were both twenty years old and were strictly platonic pals. We were so excited about our first vacation getaway to Hawaii. There’s something about that tropical heat that gets one going.

One night Elisa and I went to a dance club. I can still hear that Donna Summer song going strong.
“Bad Girls”

Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Bad girls
Talkin' about the sad girls
Sad girls
Talkin' about bad girls, yeah
See them out on the street at night
Picking up on all kinds of strangers
If the price is right
You can score if your pocket's nice
But you want a good time
You ask yourself, who they are?
Like everybody else, they come from near and far
Bad girls, yeah
Bad girls
Talkin' about the sad girls, yeah
Sad girls
Talkin' about bad bad girls, yeah
Friday night and the strip is hot
Sun's gone down and they're about to trot
Spirit's high and they look hot
Do you wanna get down
Now, don't you ask yourself, who they are?
Like everybody else, they wanna be a star
Yeah, yeah, there comes
Bad girls, sad girls
You're such a dirty bad girl
Beep beep, uh uh
You're bad girl, you're sad girl
You're such a dirty bad girl
Beep beep, uh uh
Now you and me, we are both the same
But you call yourself by different names
Now your Mama won't like it when she finds out
Girl, is out at night
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Hey mister, have you got a dime?
Mister, do you want to spend some time, oh yeah
I got what you want, you got what I need
I'll be your baby, come and spend it on me
Hey mister, I'll spend some time with you
With you, you're fine, with you
Bad girls
They're just bad girls
Talkin' about sad girls, yeah
Sad girls
Hey, hey mister
Got a dime?
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep

Elisa met an actual Hawaiian guy. She was mesmerized in ‘dance heaven’. The hotel was not far away. Feeling exhausted, I chose to head back for some shut-eye. Elisa promised to return to the hotel soon. I think she wanted to sneak in a few French ‘Bad Girl’ kisses with the Hawaiian fellow.

As I walked to the hotel I took a stroll along the beach side (not far from Waikiki Beach). I suddenly stumbled on a very ‘beach boy’ looking type who gave me eye contact. The feeling was very ‘electric’. We barely exchanged words. The eye contact and body language did all of the work for us. It was simple eye-contact and physical attraction at work. It was probably one o’clock in the morning. The only sign of real life was a McDonald’s where folks were getting their munchies cravings filled after the nightclub energy.

“Are you a local?” the ‘beach boy’ asked. He really was like a model torn from a page of Men’s Vogue.
“No, I’m on vacation from California,” I replied in a shakily and very excited tone. I felt a nervous lump in my throat as I spoke. It helps to be able to get a tan in just two days. I did look very much like a local.
“I thought for sure you were a local surfer,” he said.

I was so ‘hard’ in anticipation of what was about to happen. We found ourselves camouflaged near a large tree. He seemed so much more mature. I think I heard a new version of Donna Summer’s song.
It could have been called “Bad Boys”.
“How old are you?” I asked.
“I’m twenty-three, and you?” he asked, “What’s your name?”
“Twenty…Michael,” I said, “
I had just turned twenty years old and he was twenty-three. He was tan, blond with faint facial nubs from a couple of days of non-shaving. I had to ask his name and where he was from.
“I’m Craig. I’m from Palm Springs and I attend the University of Hawaii,” he revealed.

It was clear that we both wanted instantaneous pleasure before bedtime as I explained that I had to be back at my hotel to meet my ‘platonic’ girlfriend. It was all new for me. He suggested we go up to the lifeguard deck too look out at the ocean and the stars. It was our spot. It was my first receivership experience in the ‘oral sex’ department. It all happened so fast. Craig soon left. There was no exchange of telephone numbers.
“Thank you…Good Night,” I believe were Craig's last words.
A little voice said, “Hey Michael, you could be gay!”
I sat there alone on the lifeguard deck.

This is me.
I want to see. Quiero ver. Show me now. Feel it now.
I want to go. Quiero ir.
Listen. It could be anyone.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=03wCW2GiekY

Twenty-five years ago today:

February 9, 1984
Thursday

Today I sold sixteen 'custom calling' features. This was fantastic for me!

Helen and I took a walk to her hairdresser so she could pay for her haircut. I guess she didn't have the funds available yesterday.

I spoke to co-worker Steve for a while at break time. I also learned that Helen has a scheduled vacation next week. She didn't even remember! That's not something I would forget. She asked to reschedule it to July (I think). I am just happy my vacation escape is set for August and December.

I had planned return to Emporium Capwell today to buy that Speedo bathing suit but instead I went to the bank to deposit my $670 (that will ultimately divert to my $139 car payment, the $121 Emporium Capwell bill and the $420 VISA bill). Drats! I must get serious about my savings.

I devoured the homemade roasted chicken at mom's house and then returned to my pad for some exercise.

Chris Cordellos called from the Oak Knoll Hospital, telling me that he had been transferred to some other hospital in Fairfield this past week. It sounds 'fishy'.

While exercising I watched a couple of TV-sitcoms and read my Bicycle Guide Magazine.

Chris called once again and he started to open up more about his life. He mentioned his 'overprotective mother', his missing sister, his ex-boss, the back problems, the kind medical staff, the visiting hours (2-8pm) and his 21st Birthday in March. My 25th is on May 26th. Chris is starting to seem like a 'really nice guy' all over again. We simultaneously agreed how we both keep crossing each others' minds.

I washed a few loads of clothes, too. Surprise. Now it's "beddie bye".

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A 'Clint Eastwood' Christmas

I just walked in the door after a visit to COSTCO. I am starting to feel the holiday shopping spirit with so many folks 'out and about' on a rainy day. I took a photo while in line at the checkout of an overweight woman with a giant box of CHEERIOS in her cart. It made me wonder if this is a 'sign of the times'. CHEERIOS for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Yikes...

Last night Alan and I pulled off a spontaneous Christmas movie caper outing by checking out the new Clint Eastwood film called GRAN TORINO. It's not exactly a holiday spirited film, but it was a great character study and story. I will give it 3 STARS but I would recommend anyone go out and see this one. We were intrigued by the preview:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9teLeXZ3XMU
It was better than his usual films. He seemed to be more in character with his old Dirty Harry days. I heard four fabulous lines that I jotted down in the darkness of the movie house:
"When things go wrong you have to act quickly."
"The thing that haunts a man most is what he isn't ordered to do."
"That old hag hates my ass."
The above three lines were said by Clint in the movie. The following line of amusement was made by the Asian teen age boy that Clint was trying to make a man out of: "Boy, does my ass hurt from all the guys at the construction job!"

I am loving the mailbox lately. We found a box of Napa Valley WOODHOUSE Chocolates delivered today. There have also been an average of five or so Christmas Cards arriving each day. There is always that 'one' where someone writes a humdinger note. Here was the best one for today:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS
12-15-2008
Merry Christmas to you both_
My boyfriend, Dale, has given me my present early. He told his wife that he's gay and that he is in a relationship with me.
I am very happy with this startling "turn of events".
All the best-Andreas

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 17, 1983
Saturday
I had a freebie family breakfast when I stopped by at Mom and Dad's house before driving out to Bill Helbush's house in Concord. Bill and I went to the Sun Valley Shopping Center to browse. We both bought the remaining gifts on each of our Christmas lists. We went back to his grubby pad for a nap, etcetera.

That evening I drove us out to San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf, wearing my new GAP outfit. We ate at ALIOTO's. It was a great dinner. I had Chicken Cordon Bleu. We followed dinner with a visit to the Alcatraz Theater. We met Dick and Jimmy there. We watched the second act of CLOUD 9 by Caryl Churchill. They didn't care for the play and wanted to leave before it was over. I appreciated the plays' effort and wanted to give the entire show a chance. That's not easy when it is three against one. I tend to avoid confrontation and simply choose to give up.

We found our way at the JUST DESSERTS Owners' holiday party on South Van Ness. I thought this party was pretty dead. Bill and I quickly took a taxicab to my parked car. I drove Bill back to Concord and I drove home, too.

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