Acupuncture Benefits

“The reason everyone gives in at the end is because they get tired of doing it on their own. They get lonely.”
-as heard while watching
the 1985 film
“Another Country”

I was amused by this 'Funny Acupuncture Commercial'. Watch it, please!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3DVN7XMiQk&feature=related

Don't let the funny video scare you. Acupuncture and alternative therapies are becoming more and more a beneficial 'way to go'.
READ about the benefits of acupuncture here:
http://www.acupuncture-treatment.com/benefits.html

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 21, 1984
Friday

This morning when the alarm rang I dreaded going to work. It was the knowledge of that one complicated T & F role play that I had to deal with. However, when I arrived at work I was finished by 9:30AM (before anyone else). I did forget a few things during the recorded role play. I will worry about it when they give my feedback on Monday.

I was hoping they would give me AX (Absent Without Pay) time but as it turned out none was given. We all played hangman all afternoon (Pat, Joe, Bobbie and I).
Bobbie wanted to go for a drink after work, so I ‘okayed’ the idea by joining her.

We had two ninety-nine cent Margaritas at Raggs. Then we went to Café St. Marcos for three Long Long Long Island Iced-Teas! We were buzzin’ when we left.

Bobbie wants me to join her and her friend from Chicago on Wednesday night for a real night on the town. I’m ‘all for it’. I could use a night on the town about then. Training will be just about over!

Bobbie and I had a great time last night at Café St. Marcos.
“I don’t miss much,” Bobbie said, “I don’t know about you Michael.”
She keeps saying that, too (‘I don’t know about you, Michael’).

We discovered that we are both pretty trustworthy. She’s a lot of fun and she loves observing people…as do I. My observing led me to notice others observing me at the Café St. Marcos on this very night. So it was a bit ‘uh-oh’.

And at lunchtime there was Barbara Reynolds and I going to the Security National Bank for a monthly BART ticket pass. Then we went on to the Galleria for a pizza and a browsing at the New Man (75% Off Sale). Bobbie wants to browse there with me next week. Barbara and I ate by the steps in front of the Foremost-McKesson Building. As we headed for Blum’s Sweets to browse a gentleman with jeans, plaid shirt and body excellence eyed me. I again felt a bit of an “uh oh”.

Bobbie shared with me that she was really saddened in 1979 by her brothers’ death.
“I even had to see a psychologist,” Bobbie said.
I expressed how glad I was to know that she had her niece (her brothers’ daughter) to spend time with from time to time.

Most of all, I want to be Bobbie's friend forever because she’s really special and she makes me laugh. I love the way she laughs. The sound of it tickles me. I hope she’s my ‘tub mate’ when we go into the actual Business Office.
“I’m only going to give the office a two month try and if it’s not to my liking I may not stay,” Bobbie announced.
This was a surprise for me to hear. She is so serious about wanting to concentrate on her own business. The idea of my own business (Michael J of New York) sounds more and more rewarding and worthwhile for me to think about, too. I want to do it but it’s the money. I need to go for it. I want to be my own little operation competing with Wilkes-Bashford and other specialty clothiers for men. It has to have that boutique shop edge with top-notch design. Time will tell.

Bobbie keeps hinting about our going into business together. She may be a ‘fly by night’ dreamer. I am into ‘clothes’. Her focus is something I am not really sure of at this time.

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The Assassination of Hajji Khiyal Akbar Afridi

“Don’t start pulling that string or the whole fabric of our world will be unraveled.”
-Lauren Bacall
as heard from the not-so-good
2007 film
‘The Walker’

ANP stands for the Awami National Party. The ANP’s mission is to establish a prosperous, peaceful and liberal society in Pakistan based on democratic pluralism, cultural diversity, social justice, non-sectarianism, and national sovereignty of the country.

I would like to do a memorial tribute blog today on a righteous, peaceful man known as Hajji Khiyal Akbar Afridi who recently lost his life on July 15, 2009. (Hajji is an Arabic term of respect for someone who has made the pilgrimage to Mecca).

Khiyal Akbar was an active worker of the ANP. He was recently visiting the USA in June and July of this year with other Afghan leaders. My cousin was honorably selected to give them a tour of his Native American pueblo while in Santa Fe, NM.

PHOTO: Afghan Leaders, Santa Fe, NM
photo provided by Daniel Moya

I remember seeing this photo of Hajji Khiyal Akbar Afridi as he was holding my God Daughter, Micaela.

I had commented, “Wow, Micaela looks so cute. And I see we have the love of ‘watermelon’ and ‘world peace’ in common.”

PHOTO: Hajji Khiyal Akbar Afridi
with Micaela, Santa Fe, NM


Khiyal Akbar Afridi, in his 60s, was playing an active role in restoration of peace to the volatile gun-manufacturing town of Darra Adamkhel as head of the Amn Committee. He was the former president of the Tehrik-i-Azad Qabail. Khiyal Akbar was an ardent Pakhtun nationalist, a disciple of Abdul Ghafar Khan and a close companion of Khan Abdul Wali Khan. He had secular ideas, but the arrival of Taliban in his town brought some changes in his ideas.

Afridi’s son said that two men riding motorcycles came to their home on Wednesday evening of July 15, 2009 and wanted to meet his father. He added that when his father came out of the house, the attackers suddenly opened fire on him. The attackers, it was learnt, also opened fire on children and women present in the house.

There seems no apparent reason for his killing. His elder son, Afzal, who had seen the attackers, says that they were Taliban. But since he had no adverse ties with the Taliban, why would they kill him? Only two things might have led to his murder. First and foremost is the internal bickering between the two factions of Taliban in Darra — one led by Commander Tariq and other by Abdul Momin — as he had some leniency towards the former.

Another reason might be his recent one-and-a-half month visit to the USA from which he returned on July 6, 2009. Whatever the cause of his killing, the fact remains that Darra lost another prominent leader, leaving very few leading personalities in the semi-tribal region.

It is sad when a country loses someone that offers much hope. God bless Hajji Khiyal Akbar Afridi. He has recently been added to the list of ANP martyrs.

As read in an article dated February 11, 2008 at Kyberwatch.com this explains the current relationship between ANP and present day Afghanistan:

After the presidential elections in Afghanistan a fresh and close relationship was established between ANP and the Hamid Karzai-led Afghan leadership. ANP’s three top leaders Asfandyar Wali Khan, Afzal Khan and Afrasiab Khattak visited Kabul several times and got fully state protocol in the Afghan Capital.

In April 2007 a high level gathering was reported in Jalalabad for the inauguration of Baacha Khan Markaz in which Asfandyar Wali Khan was the chief guest while Hamid Karzai also attended the ceremony with an official delegation. Karzai announced a state medal in the name of Baacha Khan and also a package of education and health for Pakistani based Pakhtun community.

After the ceremony Asfandyar Wali and Afrasiab Khattak left for Kabul along with Hamid Karzai where they stayed for one week and held meetings with several American and European officials. In Kabul they enjoyed a protocol of state guests.

After such relationships Taliban and other Jihadi groups seriously noticed that ANP was once again entering in Kabul. These groups wanted ANP to withdraw its support towards Karzai and Americans.

Here are some interesting TIMELINE reports found online against the ANP that have thwarted hopeful PEACE efforts for Pakistan:

Sept. 21, 2007: Former Fed Minister and Central Leader of the ANP, Mohammad Afzal Khan, suffered injuries when his car came under fire while riding with his nephew, Nazim Matta, to his village of Dreshkhela.

Dec. 9, 2007: Abdullah Qureshi was killed in a suicidal attack near the NangoLai area check post. He was passing through the area when the attacker blew himself up resulting in the killing of several other civilians. It was the day when the Labor Party Pakistan’s fourth conference was taking place in Lahore. He and other delegates from the valley could not attend because of roadblocks and military operation.

PHOTO: Abdullah Qureshi


Dec. 28, 2007: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed along with twenty-eight others by an assassin who fired shots and blew himself up after an inspiring Bhutto election campaign.

PHOTO: Benazir Bhutto, b.1953, d.2007


Feb. 6, 2008: In the Karachi area of Suhrab Goth, ANP Sindh Vice-President Fazal-ur-Rehman Kakakhel died ‘on the spot’ when assailants sprayed a volley of bullets on him.

Feb. 9, 2008: Around thirty-one ANP activists were killed in the area of Shabqadar.

Feb. 11, 2008: President of the NWA Chapter of the ANP, Hajji Anwar Shah, was among the dead when a teenage suicide bomber blew himself up amidst an ANP gathering with the tribal Lashkar. The Lashkar tribes’ people were raised by the Dawar area to evict foreign militants from their area, which according to them, provoked military operations by the Pakistani security forces and caused them multiple hardships. Among the ten killed was ANP Mirali President Bakhtiar Khan Zeraki.

Oct. 2, 2008: The residence of ANP leader Mr. Isfandyar Wali Khan of the Charsada district of Pakistan was involved in a suicide bomb attack. Five people were killed: Mr. Walikhan’s security guard, two policemen, a Bank Manager of the National Bank of Pakistan and a local ANP leader named Shamsuzaman Khan.

Dec. 2008: The TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) insurgency captured the Swat valley area and is now considered dangerous for tourism.

Dec. 31, 2008: Three persons including a local ANP leader and army personnel were killed by unidentified armed men in different incidents in the Swat valley area of Pakistan.

Jan. 22, 2009: Violent riots broke out in several dominated areas of the Karachi metropolis after the killing of a local ANP leader, Ashraf Agha, age 35. He was shot dead over some old rivalry.

Feb. 11, 2009: Alam Zeb Khan died of excessive injuries when a powerful bomb went off near his car. The ANP became a major target of the outlawed TTP (Taliban) after its PEACE deal with the Maulana Fazlullah collapsed in Swat, Pakistan (a valley and an administrative district in the Northwest province of Pakistan). After the PEACE deal collapse a military operation began to target the TTP (Taliban).

Feb. 13, 2009: TTP (Taliban) senior commander, Hakeemullah Mehsud, said in phone calls to the media, “We carried out this attack and will continue attacks on ANP leaders in the future.” This was in reference to the Feb. 11th killing of Alam Zeb Khan.

Late May 2009: The Pakistani Government began a military offensive to regain control of the Swat valley region.

July 15, 2009: Hajji Khiyal Akbar Afridi, a prominent tribal ANP leader of Darra Adamkhel town was killed by two motorcyclists who called him out of his house near the Zangali Canal. It was a clear case of ‘target killing’.
In Karachi, a spokesman for the ANP has said that killings of ANP workers continue in the city. The government has failed to stop the target killings.

July 26, 2009: Senior ANP leader, Lateef Afridi, said “The Pakistani leaders were in fact protecting the TTP (Taliban) militants.”

Aug. 5, 2009: A former President of the ANP, Shehnshah Khan, 32 and his bodyguard, Hakeen Kahn, 40, were killed by armed snipers at a SHELL petrol station. Shehnshah’s wife was miraculously unharmed amidst the spraying of the bullets.
For more of the latest news, please visit the Awami National Party website about their continued quest for PEACE, DEMOCRACY and DEVELOPMENT:
http://www.awaminationalparty.org/news/


Twenty-five years ago today:

September 2, 1984
Sunday

Wayne, Paul and I ate breakfast at Ole’s Waffle Shop in Alameda on Park Street. We saw a cute blond in line behind us. Wayne started to get all excited.

After the Ole’s breakfast we strolled along Park Street and over to Alameda’s South Shore Beach. There weren’t too many people out.

Then I continued to play ‘Bay Area’ tour guide, taking them to Berkeley as we looked through a lot of the shops there. I wanted to buy things but I kept my cool about it.

I took the Englanders to meet mom and she was babysitting Ashley at the time. It was just as well. My mom got a kick out of hearing their English way of speaking.

I ate dinner at the Lung Kong Chinese Restaurant in Alameda. I suddenly realized I was beginning to get tired of the ‘Paul and Wayne’ snappiness and their overtly outspoken ways.

I decided to go out with the English duo and chose Baxter’s that evening because I was in no mood to go back to The City. We met Theresa and Lorna. Lorna told me she’d call me before 10AM on Monday, Labor Day to see about spending time with us. (She never did). Nope, Lorna Kerr did not call as promised. Oh well…

We also met some girls from Denmark (of all places)! They were okay. It was my first time drinking beer through a straw during this entire night. I was downright ‘wasted’.

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End Of The Road

To study the way is to study the self,
To study the self is to forget the self,
To forget the self
is to be awakened
with ALL things.
-A Mental Hideaway

There is a song by a group called HOTHOUSE FLOWERS called 'End Of The Road' that inspired me yesterday (while watching a film called 'The Borstal Boy').
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKxqm4_DEAI&feature=related
I have to share the tune. I couldn't find a music video but you can hear a sample of it at www.amazon.com by paging down via this link and giving a CLICK to the 'End Of The Road' track:
http://www.amazon.com/Into-Your-Heart-Hothouse-Flowers/dp/B0002YCOYO/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1240246343&sr=8-2

End Of The Road
Words and music by Peter O'Toole

It's gonna be too late
If we wait for another day
Some things just can't wait anymore
This is do or die
For you and I
Is this the end of the road

All your sweet talking
I've heard it all before
I just wanna know what's turning you on
This is do or die
For you and I
Is this the end of the road

So what's done is done
Never gonna change it
We can kiss it all goodbye
When you don't know what to say
Just don't say anything
We can try (we can try) we can try (we can try)
You're as good as how you take it
We can try (we can try) we can try (we can try)
You're as real as how you fake it

If this is your way
Of giving me what you've got
I just don't need it anymore
This is do or die
For you and I
Is this the end of the road

So what's done is done
Never going to change it
We can kiss it all goodbye
When you don't know what to say
Just don't say anything
We can try (we can try), we can try (we can try)
?It's so good that you can make it?
We can try (we can try) we can try (we can try)
You can give it or you can break it

There's a part of me that's living for new things to do
There's a part of me that's dying baby
Cos I know I'm losing you
This is do or die, for you and I
This is the end of the road

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 20, 1984
Friday

When I called Chris Cordellos today I was happy to learn that the 'slight lump' in his crotch area was nothing serious.
"They took care of it," Chris said as my eyebrow rose in wonder to how they did so.
Chris' friend and Coast Guard cohort, Jim Severn, was there when I telephoned, so speaking freely was a problem for him. We 'beat around the bush' and were able to get our messages across nicely.

I went on a rapid bicycle ride after work, quickly changed my clothes and hopped in my car to make the dinner date with Helen Wong. We ate well and discussed a variety of topics. She confessed that she and Tony are 'somewhat of an item'. Helen shared some photographs from old photo albums. I was in sweet heaven while eating some of the lemon meringue pie she made for me. I left her place by 10PM.

I had videotaped Joan Rivers' last night show and watched that episode along with her appearance on the Tonight Show on this very night. Then I watched some of the funny 'Friday Night Videos' with Dad. We laughed over some of the silly scenes. I went to bed right after that.

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Live For The Moment

The 1719 published novel by Daniel Defoe (Robinson Crusoe) is about a man shipwrecked alone as he struggles against hardship, privation, loneliness, and cannibals in his attempt to survive on a deserted island.

“All this while the storm increased, and the sea, which I had never been upon before, went very high, tho’ nothing like what I have seen many times since. I expected every wave would have swallowed us up...and in this agony of mind I made many vows and resolutions.”
-Daniel Defoe
from 'Robinson Crusoe'

Early this morning I heard on the news about a British couple who were rescued from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean by an Italian tanker after spending 40 days lost at sea in their yacht (after leaving the West Coast of Africa on January 9, 2009 with intentions of reaching Antigua in April 2009).
www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,498347,00.html
The dilemma of being lost made me think of Robinson Crusoe. And now I feel like reading--once again--the classic book 'The Life of Pi' by Yann Martel. Pi is 'lost at sea' for over 200 days. The magical story takes you on a journey of survival, hopes, dreams and more.

“Only fear can defeat life.”
-Yann Martel
in his book 'The Life of Pi'
www.amazon.com/Life-Pi-Illustrated-Yann-Martel/dp/0151013837/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235417381&sr=8-2
In the quote above Pi is explaining the dangers of fear, but at the same time seems to be talking himself out of being afraid. Fear can cause the loss of belief and the loss of reason. The “light of words” defeats fear by not allowing your mind to wallow in it.

You always have a choice and the conscious brain can only hold one thought at a time. Choose a positive thought. Visualize your eventual demise. It has an amazing effect on how you live for the moment.

Twenty-five years ago today:

Thursday, February 23, 1984

My immediate supervisor, Sue Reppert, asked if I wanted to work overtime in El Cerrito (on Saturday).
"Yes, sure," I replied. Why the hell not? I will still be able to ride my bike all day Sunday.

I gave Paloma a call at 3pm. She was at her workout class. She is so devoted to weight training. I could use some tips from her.

PHOTO: 1984-"Paloma"

When I telephoned Paloma at 5pm she was not at home. While I was at the Velo Sport Bike Shop in Berkeley I called again at 6pm. She was finally home. I picked her up and we went to another Bike Shop near University and Shattuck. Our time was tight due to the movie start time, so we hit McDonald's for a quick 'to go' meal.
We did have time to browse at greeting cards. That was fun.

We saw "Moon In The Gutter" starring Nastassja Kinski and the co-feature film called "Invitation au Voyage".
www.imdb.com/title/tt0084149/
The movies had their fair share of good qualities. However, both Paloma and I agreed that we've seen better flicks. I kissed Paloma good night.
"I'll call you on Friday," I said as we both smiled at one another.

The timing of Chris Cordellos is always unexpected. As soon as I walked in my door he telephoned from Arcata, CA. We talked for a little over half an hour. We spoke of OREO cookie ice-cream, a questionable Guardian Angel from New York, the blond gentleman who eyed me while I was in my car today, Chris' sexy body versus mine, our missing one another, a possible Friday night party in Arcata tomorrow night, an Echo Beach dance outing in San Francisco next Thursday night, the possibility of his moving in with me and my folks' final purchase of a new townhouse in Alameda. We finally but hesitantly said 'good night'.

It was fun talking to Chris. I also had a great evening with Paloma. I have an optimistic attitude. It feels good. I never feel very bad these days. I intend to make every effort to feel good in all of my future days.

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What Good Is a Dream ?

"What harm is dreaming, if it eases pain?
What good is reality if it blots out hope?--Bette Bao Lord in her epic novel about China called SPRING MOON

Do you ever remember your dreams? I would like to remember all of mine but it seems as soon as I open my eyes the pictures and stories are completely gone. I need to keep telling myself I will remember them. The vivid ones where I actually see my mother or father are 'heavy' because they seem all too real. Then I wake up and I realize I cannot just pick up the phone or run over to see them anymore.

Dreams are good. I photographed the above young man in Central Park randomly in November 2008. I have a feeling he was dreaming his problems (if any) away. There are a few songs that come to mind that I love that relate to dreams. Do you know "IN DREAMS" or "DREAM LOVER" or "DREAM WEAVER"?

1. In Dreams
by Roy Orbison (circa 1963)

I believe I fell for this song after seeing the classic cult film BLUE VELVET.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-DjluKLY14
A candy colored clown they call the sandman
Tiptoes to my room every night
Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper,
"Go to sleep, everything is alright."
I close my eyes then I drift away
Into the magic night
I softly say a silent prayer
Like dreamers do
Then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you
In dreams I walk with you
In dreams I talk to you
In dreams you're mine, all the time
With you ever in dreams, in dreams
But just before the dawn
I awake and find you gone
I can't help it, I can't help it
If I cry
I remember that you said goodbye
It's too bad that all these things
Can only happen in my dreams
Only in dreams, in beautiful dreams

2. Dream Lover
by Bobby Darin (circa 1959)

There was always something special about his voice when I heard this one on the oldies but goodies station.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdLn-QhRSB4
Every night I hope and pray
A dream lover will come my way
A girl to hold in my arms
And know the magic of her charms
'Cause I want a girl
To call my own
I wanna dream lover
So I don't have to dream alone
Dream lover, where are you?
With a love, oh, so true
And the hand that I can hold
To feel you near as I grow old
'Cause I want a girl
To call my own
I wanna dream lover
So I don't have to dream alone
Someday, I don't know how
I hope she'll hear my plea
Someway, I don't know how
She'll bring her love to me
Dream lover until then
I'll go to sleep and dream again
That's the only thing to do
Till all my lovers dreams come true
'Cause I want a girl
To call my own
I wanna dream lover
So I don't have to dream alone
Dream lover until then
I'll go to sleep and dream again
That's the only thing to do
Till all my lovers dreams come true
'Cause I want a girl
To call my own
I wanna dream lover
So I don't have to dream alone
Please, don't make me dream alone
I beg you, don't make me dream alone
No, I don't wanna dream alone

3. Dream Weaver
by Gary Wright (circa 1976)
This was one of those songs I liked as a teenager. It sort of took me away on a kaleidoscope, imaginary escape.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk4qeCT-RFk
I've just closed my eyes again
Climbed aboard the dream weaver train
Driver take away my worries of today
And leave tomorrow behind
Ooh dream weaver
I believe you can get me through the night
Ooh dream weaver
I believe we can reach the morning light
Fly me high through the starry skies
Maybe to an astral plane
Cross the highways of fantasy
Help me to forget today's pain
Though the dawn may be coming soon
There still may be some time
Fly me away to the bright side of the moon
And meet me on the other side
There is simply something romantic about these songs. I guess that is why I like them.

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 19, 1983

Work went over just fine except for the fact that my 'secret angel' forgot me. During the holidays every employee in my department secretly picks a name in our group and each employee is responsible for leaving a little gift on the desk of their respective 'secret angel'. I was forgotten.

On the bright side, Salima Nasardeen-Hamilton and I flew paper airplanes from one cubicle to another during non-busy times. We complimented one another on how "HOT" lookin' we were. It was rather amusing. Salima is married to her very own "Michael".

I received a message from Tammy Duhr. I believe she received my Christmas Card. I returned her call when I arrived home and we made tentative Thursday night plans. I also had an answering machine message from Steve Ficarra. He was also thanking me for the Christmas Card. We talked about getting together after the holidays.
Bill Helbush called and thanked me for his "Hershey Kiss" card. We made tentative arrangements for this Thursday night. I guess I might be going out with Tammy or Bill on Thursday night.

I exercised some and called Pac Bell repair service co-worker pal, Nici Maurino. She's always good for some enlightening conversation. She told me abour her weekend and of some big cigar smokin' fellow she met. We made a tentative arrangement for seeing the new CHER movie 'SILKWOOD' on Wednesday night.

I called Juanita Lane (another co-worker at the Business Office) and we discussed work life and her temporary management status assignment. We talked about the possibility of going out sometime. We shared gossip ideas about 'secret angels' and guessed who may have picked who.

I called David Vigil (another co-worker at the Business Office) and we talked about going to Los Angeles for New Years Eve. It could prove fun and interesting. We may go. I think we'd have a good time. He is such a femme fatale though.

I guess George's so-called business is now defunct. I felt sorry for him. He told me to call him again before Christmas but I don't think I will be doing that. After all, there is Juanita, Nici, Tammy, Alexis, Suzy, David, Bill, Mike, Steve and 'God knows who else' (Helen?) all taking up my time in terms of dates, outings and 'what have you'.

It was rather strange when I called Alexis tonight. She said she was just waking up from a dream. She promised to call me right back. She added that if she didn't call back she would call me tomorrow. She never called me.

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