Flesh For LuLu

"Trust your aversions the same as you do your cravings."
Ira Levin
"Rosemary's Baby"

After a grueling work day yesterday a ninety-minute massage was necessary. Bob Hope would be proud of me (you’d understand what I mean if you read my previous blog entry dated April 28, 2009).

My Tui-na massage therapist is named LuLu. She speaks primarily Chinese. Midway through my treatment she mounted my back as if I was a saddle on a horse. She began massaging my back with her knees.
“Not too hard?” she asked.
I moaned.
“In Chinese say ‘Soo Foo’ means comfortable. Is ‘Soo Foo’?” she asked as she continued to press her knees eloquently and systematically along and around my middle and upper back.
“Very ‘Soo-Foo’,” I said with a smile that she could not see (since I was face down).
She laughed, “Very Soo-Foo”.

Thirty-minutes later the reflexology began on my left foot.
“Oh…a cramp,” I screeched.
“Cramp. What that?”
“It NOT ‘Soo-Foo’,” I said.
She laughed once again, “Very smart.”
Somehow she proceeded with the reflexology and I was relieved and in ‘7th Heaven’ once again.
“Awe…so ‘Soo-Foo!”

As LuLu continued to massage me I remembered an alternative rock group from the late 1980s called ‘Flesh For LuLu’. They sang that ‘I Go Crazy’ song and the wonderful ‘Postcards From Paradise’. Too funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPd7MAiX9L0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEkmw36kYvs

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 15, 1984,
Tuesday

When I telephoned Steve Gaster this morning he was not at home. Apparently, (I later learned) his sister went to Oklahoma and allowed him to use her car while she is away. So in a convenient sort of way it makes it easier on me.

I joined Tony and Helen for lunch and we browsed at the Emporium Department Store. Helen purchased a chair and a table. They were nice furniture choices.

I telephoned mom a couple of times from work but she did not have any major news to report. As is said no news is good news.

By 5PM I was riding my bicycle once again. I think I was secretly hoping I’d run into Ron again for the free striptease show. I had a nice meal of BBQ chicken, squash and juice before I embarked on the evening journey. The quickness of eating and riding did not make for a good match as I felt a need to lay down for a while.

I decided to stop over at Sue Miller’s apartment to see her new car. I learned that she didn’t have the car yet.
“It’s a new Celica that’s still on order,” Sue said.
I offered the idea of a movie outing together but she had to read a few chapters for her night class (Managerial Accounting). Ugh!

I simply rode my bike home and ate more chicken and sipped on some punch. I followed that with a few sugar cookies with a tall glass of cold milk. I decided to eat a lot after Sue said I looked ‘skinny’ today. Could it just be the Los Angeles t-shirt I was wearing that made me look skinny?

I telephoned Sherri and her mother, Janet, answered. She was babysitting and was totally unaware if I had received any mail until she found it on the counter. It turned out there was a $300 MACY’s bill waiting for me.

I cuddled up with Ashley and played “goo goo” games. I like playing with her lip, fingering the lower lip repeatedly so it makes that little ‘boop’ noise. Ashley fell asleep in my arms. I left not long after that.

I cannot lie. Chris Cordellos has crossed my mind today. I am just avoiding the frequent habit of calls to him. I just don’t want to be too…what’s the word? Pushy? Forceful? I want to give him space. That’s it. Space!

I am hoping to get my stereo back in tact by Friday evening. If not, I shall not drive up North. If the stereo is working I might go on up.

A visit to the ‘gay’ skating rink in San Leandro crossed my mind on this Tuesday night but it was a very ‘quick crossing’ of my mind. I would rather go with Chris if at all.

This coming Sunday I was invited to some party by Michael Thoennes. I doubt if I will attend. It’s a party for someone’s mother. I think he said it’s for Janelle (his roommate) who is preparing a party for her mother. I don’t know if I’m prepared for that right now.

Ashley looks prettier and prettier each day. She is precious.

There is no word on the job transfer to the San Francisco Business Service Center. I really don’t know if, when, where or what will happen with that. The promising factor is that Robert, my supervisor, told me that the guy at the Placement Center sounded sure he would be calling later in the week. I really do need the change in my work environment. I believe ‘The City’ scene may be more fun and a more professional move.

Read More

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.

Read More

Carnal Pleasure

Trust your aversions the same as you do your cravings.
-Ira Levin,
Rosemary's Baby

There are some places you just never forget. This time it is a restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina called "Te Matare Ramirez".
Translated it literally means "I'm going to kill you, Ramirez!" It comes from playful arguments the owner would have with a friend who was a sort of Casanova, and this was a threat the friend often heard from the husbands whose wives he was carrying on affairs with.

When Alan and I dined here alone one evening in February 2008 we were quite taken by the red velvet darkness and sensual aura of the establishment. I was so in awe of the menu that the 'sweet talking' with the hostess paid off. She allowed me to take a menu home as a souvenir. I found the menu yesterday after some careful desk reorganization.

I will focus my next few blogs on the words within the menu by Isabel Allende, Franz Von Bayros, Pablo Picasso, Utagawa Kuniyasu, Salome. I will also share the delightful descriptions of their salads, starters, main courses and desserts. It's worthwhile reading.

If you should ever find yourself in Buenos Aires this is the place you must NOT miss.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/buenosaires/D55886.html

First page of the menu at "Te Matare Ramirez":

The most intense carnal pleasure,
slowly revealed in a messy clandestine bed,
a perfect mixture of caresses,
laughter and mind games, has the taste of a baguette, of prosciutto,
of French cheese and wine of the Rhine.
I cannot dissociate food from eroticism and I see no reason to do it.
Far from it, I do intend to keep on enjoying them for as long as I have enough joy and energy to do so.
-Isabel Allende

Twenty-five years ago today:

Tuesday, March 27, 1984

I accompanied Helen to her new apartment on 7th Avenue in Oakland. She needed to accept her keys. It is an okay pad. The area is safe near the Grand Lake Theater.

I did my usual bike ride after work. I had to drop by Dad's house because I locked myself out of the house (not remembering to tie my house key to my shoelace). Mom and Dad held the spare keys at their house.

I took a drive into San Leandro later that evening. I stopped at Nadine's but she wasn't at home (again).

I did it. I went to the skating rink. Some lesbian named Maureen treated me to a beer. That's a 'first'. I saw Ned (Frank Vasconcellos' friend).
"Where have you been?" Ned asked.
"Around," I replied.
I browsed the foolish skaters as they went round and round. I recognized Jim, Don, Toni and George Jones' cousin (his name escapes me), Kevin (the one who recognized me in Alameda last Sunday), and Eddie. They all said 'hi' or 'greeted' me in some way. I consider a nod as a greeting, too.

George Jones (who I also noticed) avoided me like the plague. He ignored me. I chose to let it pass, realizing it is his loss. I am kind of glad he did not talk to me. It would be an awkward moment.

PHOTO: 1983-George Jones on the hood of my car

While at the skating rink on this night I met someone new. His name is Michael Thoennes. He was accompanied by a black girlfriend. The black girlfriend is the one who approached me.
"He thinks you are gorgeous," the black girlfriend said to me as I sipped my beer.
I smiled at Michael Thoennes, thinking he resembled George Jones in a slight way. This wasn't exactly a good thing. We started to exchange introductory words. He is a Gemini like myself, born on May 23. He is 23 years old.
"I thought for sure you were about nineteen," Thoennes said in disbelief.
I had to prove my age with my drivers license. I was twenty-four and soon-to-be a quarter of a century on May 26, 1984.

Thoennes treated me to another beer. I knocked him on his smoking habit. He agreed that it was bad, leading me to believe he might quit one day. I handed him my card. I persisted negatively about his smoking habit. I sensed that he felt disapproval of me for continuing to knock his inhaling of the poisonous smoke.
"I just hate it," I continued in reference to the smell of the smoke.

Subjects changed. Michael Thoennes suggested we visit a nude beach that he knew further south of Santa Cruz sometime in the near future.
"Sounds interesting." I said with a bit of hidden fear and curiosity over the idea.
"Maybe I can go around April 7th after my Arcata excursion," I thought silently to myself. How naughty am I?

Thoennes handed my business card back to me after I made one additional snide remark to his smoking habit. He couldn't take one more degrading remark about the disgusting smoke. I accepted my card back and shrugged nonchalantly. Before Michael Thoennes left for the evening he approached me again.
"I want that card back," he said with an apologetic shyness.
I gave it back to him hesitantly.

"I'll give you Michael Thoennes' telephone number before the night is over," Don had said earlier. I left before he gave it to me. I figured Thoennes had more than enough chances to give me his telephone number. I did not intend to stand around the rink (alone), waiting for him to come around.

I went to bed on this night wondering what turn of events will occur in my near future.

Paloma Sanchez-Guerra has not called me.

Nadine DeShera hasn't contacted me about this Saturdays' BBQ that we had tentatively planned.

Chris Cordellos is in Arcata, CA, stuck in the US Coast Guard for who knows how long.

And now Michael Thoennes of Milpitas, CA has entered the picture.
"That damn smoking," I thought.
I slept with intentions of riding my bike to work the next day. I was so "beered out" that I doubted I could wake up easily in the morning.

I still yearn to fly out of SFO Airport this Friday night. It will be fun to get away out in this unknown Northern California country setting until next Wednesday. Five days and four nights of escape and pleasures are ahead of me.

Read More

One Less Bell To Answer

"His practice was to write two books at once, turning to the second when he struck a snag on the first, and back to the first when he struck a snag on the second."
-Ira Levin
Rosemary's Baby

I liked the above line in the Ira Levin book that I finished reading last night. I tend to read two books at once, turning to the second when I strike a snag on the first. I'm in the middle of 'Six Early Stories' by the German novelist, Thomas Mann.

The other day Alan and I were laughing. I think it started with me saying that it was 'one less thing to do'. We remembered this song and tried singing the words 'off & on' throughout the day. We couldn't remember the name of the song or who had sung it. Thanks to Alan's I-PHONE we found the answer. I had to relive the experience and know all of the lyrics once more. Here they are:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2z0KmhK95Q
One Less Bell To Answer lyrics
by The Fifth Dimension

One less bell to answer
One less egg to fry
One less man to pick up after
I should be happy
But all I do is cry
(Cry, cry, no more laughter) I should be happy
(Oh, why did he go)
Since he left my life's so empty
Though I try to forget it just can't be done
Each time the doorbell rings I still run
I don't know how in the world
To stop thinking of him
'Cause I still love him so
I spend each day the way I start out
Crying my heart out
One less man to pick up after
No more laughter, no more love
Since he went away (he went away)
(One less bell to answer) Why did he leave me
(Why, why, why did he leave)
(One less bell to answer) Now I've got one less egg to fry
One less egg to fry
(Why, why, why did he leave) And all I do is cry
(One less bell to answer) Because a man told me goodbye
(Why, why, why did he leave)
(One less bell to answer) Somebody tell me please
Where did he go, why did he go
(Why, why, why did he leave) How could he leave me

Twenty-five years ago today:

Sunday, March 18, 1984

I was pissed-off to say the least. I took an early nonsense drive into San Lorenzo and Hayward after just washing my car. It was pointless to begin the day so early because Denevi Camera and Emporium Capwell were not open until noon. I ended up driving all the way back to mom's for breakfast. I had the convertible top down and the cool breeze made for a nice drive (the only consolation).

At Noon I rode my bicycle until 3:30PM along the South Shore beach in Alameda and surrounding areas. I laid out along different sections of the beach to view the scenery for 'Sunday' rest and relaxation.

I am considering a white Samoan husky dog as a pet. I will hold off on it. It's hard enough taking care of myself these days. The husky I saw at Lake Chabot yesterday was adorable.

The biking tired me out. I came home after a brief visit at Mom's. We had a few good laughs over some old family photographs.

I laughed at mom's story of the day. She said she touched Tony's car today and the alarm went off for the entire neighborhood.
She freaked out, realizing she had no idea how to turn it off.
"I didn't know what to do," she laughed.
I laughed.

Mom showed me the baby shower guest list for Sherri. She plans on inviting Suzy Miller and Helen Wong. I agreed that it was a great idea to invite them.

I went home to nap until 7:30PM. It was time for a movie. I chose "Absence of Malice".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SGe-IywHXg
After a shower I decided to go back to mom & dad's and watch the movie there. Besides, there is more to 'munch on' in their fridge.

Read More

Eavesdropping

"How come you turned out sane
when the rest of your family is nutty?"
-Ira Levin
in his book
"Rosemary's Baby"

It's interesting how we learn about things. Yesterday, I was at the Los Angeles Airport, minding my own business. I was trying to concentrate on my latest book experience. I am reading 'Rosemary's Baby' by Ira Levin. There was a man a couple of seats away on his cellular phone. You know how people tend to speak louder on their cell phones, right? Well, he was obnoxious. I kept re-reading my last paragraph and finally decided to close my book.

I listened to the stranger talking on his cell phone and wondered if I would hear anything profound. I'll close my eyes and be an eavesdropper.

He was telling someone about 'In The Rooms':
http://www.intherooms.com/
He described it as a FaceBook online social community for people 'in recovery' that has become increasingly popular. I thought this was helpful to know. If you know someone in recovery or in need of comprehensive healing for alcoholism, stress or whatever ails you it might be a good place to surf. I know a fabulous acupuncturist (Lauren Freiman) who must register her services via a profile presence there.

PHOTO: Lauren Freiman

The stranger went on and on...
"I don't like people who try to have an 'in' through any avenue they can find," he said.
"My cousins' boyfriend shows up from Albany, New York with a VIP pass," he explained as his example.
"How'd you get that? I asked him and he said 'I used your name'," the stranger said to his cell phone confidant.
At this point, it was time to board the plane. Hoorah!

Twenty-five years ago today:

Saturday, March 17, 1984

What a fun-filled St. Patrick's Day. It started as early as 3AM when Chris called me from Arcata. We talked on the telephone until 5:30AM! I confronted him with what I learned on his so-called telephone account.
"It wasn't working telephone service," Chris said.
He went on to try to explain his requirement to stay in the Arcata area to serve his time for ten months. He is in the US Coast Guard! I felt sorry for him because I know he just wants out of the service as soon as possible. It took him a while to share all of his feelings.
"I'm afraid I'll be jailed if I go AWOL," he said. I felt good that I knew that AWOL was 'Absent Without Leave'. How did I know that?

Chris went on to share secret facts from his past.
"When I was fifteen years old I was sexually abused by a member of my family," he confessed. That was a heavy one. I wasn't sure how to react. I only knew I cared for Chris deeply and that he was an A-1 friend.

I woke up at 8:30AM and went to H&R Block. I am getting a tax refund of about $80. By 10:05AM U was at Great Western Savings opening my Individual Retirement Account for 1983. This visit took another hour from my day.

By 11:05AM I was at The Bay Area Sperm Bank in North Oakland. I was slightly late but it didn't seem to matter. I have one last appointment on Wednesday. It will be my last donor sample. Then I will learn whether or not I am acceptable as an official donor. I will have a physical exam and then the process will begin (whatever that really means). I believe it's all about contracts and my willingness to reveal my identity when the child turns eighteen. I do want to respond 'Yes' on that. Shoot. I'm willing to meet the mother beforehand if she'd allow it. Why not?

I arrived home by 12:30PM and telephoned Debbie Honcik. We met at the foot of the Bay Farm Island Bridge where we headed on out for a fun-filled excursion to Lake Chabot in Castro Valley. It was great to spend time with Debbie again. We experienced such a rewarding bicycle ride, too. The hills were a challenge for her but she managed fine. I loved it.
"I can't believe how fast you got up those hills," Debbie managed to say as she was breathing hard.
Yes, 'Oh What A Feeling' (like that song). We hung out at the Lake Chabot park area. I had forgotten how much I love the serenity of that park. Maybe I will venture there on my own next Saturday.

When I arrived home at 5:30PM I called mom to beg for dinner. There was no chance of that. It was her day off and wasn't in the mood for preparing a big meal.
"Helen called," mom said.
I returned Helen's call and she was invited to a a dinner/surprise Birthday party at the Alameda South Shore Beach & Tennis Club. I couldn't resist the idea of going. The dinner was excellent. They served tortellini pasta, chicken, ham with pineapple, tossed salad, rice. The bike ride today really worked up my appetite.

While at the party I met a guy named Drew. He is the head of personnel at Blue Cross. The guy who invited Helen to this party is the head of personnel at Kaiser Hospital. Helen and I had a great time. We left by 10PM and went to The Black Angus in San Lorenzo where we danced. I was searching for Nadine (who was supposed to be there) but I never saw her.

I was home by 12:30PM. I called Nadine and we talked for a couple of hours. We had one of our usual great conversations. I told her I drove a black mustang. Why do women care about the type of car a man drives? We spoke of the regular phrases we use. We spoke of bicycling, rose tattoos, a future date, my resemblance to Donny Osmond on certain days and my favorite actors (Natalie Wood, Joan Rivers, Ann-Margret,Robert Redford, Mel Gibson). We continued on several topics. We talked about my highlighted blond hair streaks, Hard Rock n' Roll, Paloma, Dan (an ex-boyfriend with two kids), Leslie Fonseca and probably more.

Read More