Inappropriate, but not Unlawful

"It's wonderful to have a friend like you..someone to depend upon and come back to."
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

I was seated outside at Monsoon Café at 2PM on Thursday, September 16th (a few days ago) in Santa Monica, California when two police officers walked by. I overheard just four words.

One officer said to the other, “Inappropriate, but not unlawful.”

After a bit of discussion on the matter (with Alan Freiman) we took it to mean that one can get away with a lot in this town without it being ‘against the law’.

My advice:
When in doubt just be GOOD!

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 22, 1984
Saturday

I’m getting my car a ‘clean through’ in terms of changing oil, filter and lube at Gomes Tire Service over in Oakland. Then I plan to head over to Great Western Savings for a loan of $5000 at a fixed-rate for one year to clear my credit card debt.
“Ugh to those damn credit cards with nineteen to seventeen percent annual percentage rates!”

I learned that Great Western does not accept personal loans, only mortgage and home equity loans. And so, it’s their loss. I will have to see Patelco Credit Union next week sometime.

Once I arrived home at 9:15AM (or so) Suzy Miller called to invite me to Ole’s Waffle Shop for breakfast. She treated me and it was quaint conversation. It seems that every time I go to Ole’s now there is someone to look at or there is someone that finds me interesting to look at. I guess that is a good thing. I must be eye-catching. Suzy is eye-catching, too.

I went bicycling after Suzy looked at some pictures that I had over at my mom’s house. Suzy didn’t feel like biking right away. She wanted to lie out and catch some sun rays for a while first.

I went cycling and I saw the blond girl from Denmark that I met when Wayne, Paul and I went to Baxter’s nightclub that night. She’s a bit OW (overweight).

I also met Alfonse who is from Colombia. He is looking for a job and a place to live. We had a good talk. I don’t know too much about this chap, so I’m playing it cool. I saw the movie SCARFACE and don’t want any Colombia drug lords in my life.
Suzy still did not end up biking with me today because she thought I wasn’t coming over. Instead, she promised a fellow apartment mate a bike ride alongside him as he jogged.
“Oh, okay,” I said after she explained that one.

Then I went home and expected Frank Vasconcellos to call me. He never did.

I decided to go to the movies with Suzy instead. At about 6:30PM when I was just walking out the door the telephone rang. It was Karen Jackson (of England) calling me from San Francisco.
“Hello. I called to see what you were up to. I thought you might want to go out tonight.
“Well, I just made plans with my friend, Frank. I will call you tomorrow about going out on Sunday night,” I replied, knowing full well I would not be able to go out for ‘short on cash’ reasons.
“Oh, well, I just returned from Santa Cruz anyway. That will be good,” Karen said.

I spent one-hundred dollars real quick:
$20 for gas
$20 for BART ticket
$20 for Oil, Lube and Filter change
$20 for Dinner and movie with Suzy
$20 for miscellaneous lunch, and photo developing

Suzy and I went to see a ‘Sneak Preview’ screening of ‘Irreconcilable Differences’ but ended up seeing ‘Windy City’ instead from 9:30pm to 11:30pm. We shared a small pizza at ‘Ye Olde Pizza Joint’. It was fun. We had a good time. There was no kiss goodnight sharing but then again I didn’t make the initiation for one. I wondered if she would have liked me to kiss her.

That kissing thought was immediately erased when Suzy said, “That flick reminded me of Don, my ex-boyfriend.” I thought that was a shitty thing to say to me. We decided against dancing over at the Black Angus.
“I feel I am a party pooper tonight,” Suzy said.

I dropped Suzy off at her apartment, went home, jerked myself a soda and started to sleep.

PHOTO: 1980s,
Paloma

I decided to telephone Paloma. She was really very happy to hear from me. We kept it brief but it was nice to hear her voice once again.

Paloma will call me tomorrow and we shall carry on with our 'catching up' conversation.

Already her beauty was now too full-blown, too opulent.
A rose, wide open to its fullest extent, just at the moment before it begins to fade.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path:

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Colony Collapse Disorder

He adored her for what seemed to him the elegance of her diction, her apparent sophistication, and the refinement indicated by the languid manner with which she used her handkerchief to dust off her fingers after using chalk at the blackboard.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

PHOTO: Billboard Model photo
taken in Zurich, Switzerland
on
September 1, 2004

There was a screening of a documentary film in Los Angeles on July 24, 2009 that I missed out on seeing. One cannot do it ‘all’, after all.

The documentary is called ‘The Vanishing of the Bees’ and it explores the disappearance of the honeybee and its implications for humankind. It was still in production in late July 2009.

The documented story intrigued me. It seems that increasing numbers of honeybees are defying instinct and abandoning their hives, their young, and even their queen. It is a phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder.

It’s kind of a scary sort of revolt. It sounds like human-beings have historically done this before. I want to see it. I just signed up to be notified of its release at this website:
http://www.vanishingbees.com/
Join me in signing on. We may both learn something new.

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 14, 1984
Friday

At 8:50AM the telephone rang. Surprisingly, it was Chris Cordellos.
“I called you yesterday and wanted to see you to go out,” Chris said.
“Oh well, I guess you called when I decided to go out,” I replied as I suddenly heard him give me the ILY line (I Love You).
Chris followed his ILY line with, “The last thing I wanted was to hurt you.”
“It’s a little late for that,” I answered.

It seems Chris is trying to redeem himself as a good man. He has good intentions sometimes. I wish I could consistently be angry with him, but it's hard.
“Thank you so much for the LA trip,” Chris added sincerely.
“I still can’t believe we slept on the beach and in a car. I think we’ll remember that for a long time to come.”
“Yeah that was so funny...you know, I called your mom’s house and no one was there.”
“That’s odd. I was there with her but we may have been fiddling with that new label maker in the backyard when you called.”
“Oh, well, I will call you when I return to Arcata.”
I think I want (and need) to write to him. I may have a few more words to get out of my system.

I telephoned mom and invited her to go to MACY’s. I also wrote letters to Jim, Maria, Sherri and Chris.

From what mom told me, John and Sherri are splitting up. Sherri received an offer of a management position at a boutique clothing store. It is the headquarters for Pic-A-Dilly in Fremont, CA. She is planning on an apartment alone with Ashley. It’s sad. I may not see my niece as often as I’d like.

I went cycling for about forty minutes. I gurgled down a Sprite at mom’s house to hydrate.

By 6:30PM I got lucky with a call from Karen (of England), the girl from last night.
“I was ill today and would rather see a flick or simply visit a pub tonight. Is that okay with you?” Karen asked.
“Sure, sounds fine.”

I got ready real quick and ate a couple of slices of pizza at moms’ house.

Karen and I decided to see the films “All Of Me” and “The Neverending Story” at the San Francisco Regency II. We followed the movies with the Fairmont Hotel (just to use the lavatory facilities). We ended up finding ourselves upstairs having a drink in the revolving 'City View' Tower Restaurant. I enjoyed a pina colada and she ordered an orange juice with champagne. It was fun. Some lady took our picture, too. Maybe we reminded her of herself on a similar date from years ago.

Karen is twenty-one, a Leo, and was born on August 4th, I believe. She is blond, blue-eyed and has nice curves. She was born the year of the Rabbit. I wonder if that means she’s “Hopping Mad” or “Fast on the Trail”. We exchanged a joyous kiss by evenings end. I loved when she uttered these words in her classic British way:
“I better go before I change my mind.”

Believe it or not this ‘Karen Kiss’ I cannot seem to forget (even when I ponder a comparison to the Jim Koran kiss). Karen is one attractive young lady. We had a terrific time. We plan on going out again tomorrow night. It will be another dancing visit to The Oasis. Tomorrow night ought to be FUN.

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The 75th Kiss

She was a little in awe of Michael and uncertain what she should do next. She wondered how much experience he'd had. Could she hope for kisses...or more than that?
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"
PHOTO: Manly Beach
Taken Nov. 16, 2006

Did you know there is a 'Manly Beach' in Australia. Yes, I have been there (back in November 2006). I wonder how or why they came up with that name. After some online investigation I learned that Manly is an actual suburb of northern Sydney. Manly was named by Captain Arthur Phillip for the indigenous people living there, "their confidence and manly behaviour made me give the name of Manly Cove to this place". These men were of the Kay-ye-my clan (of the Guringai people). With this new insight I just remembered a rather 'manly' joke.

My dear friend, Kay Strauss, from Minnesota sent me this joke via an e-mail and it made me laugh a bit. I decided to post it here on my BLOG today. I hope you enjoy it, too.

On his 75th birthday, a man received a gift certificate from his wife. The certificate paid for a visit to a medicine man living on a nearby reservation. The medicine man was rumored to have a wonderful cure for erectile dysfunction.

After being persuaded, he drove to the reservation, handed his ticket to the medicine man, all the time wondering what was to come.

The old medicine man slowly and methodically produced a potion, which he handed to the 75 year-old.

With a grip on his shoulder, the medicine man warned, "This is powerful medicine and it must be respected. You take only a teaspoonful and then say '1-2-3'. When you do that, you will become manlier than you have ever been in your life and you will be able to perform as long as you want."

The old man was encouraged. As he walked away, he turned and asked, "How do I stop the medicine from working?"

"Your partner must say '1-2-3-4,'" the medicine man responded. "But when she does, the medicine will not work again until the next full moon."

The old man was very eager to see if the potion worked, so he went home, showered, shaved, took a spoonful of the medicine, and then invited his wife to join him in the bedroom.

When she came in, he took off his clothes and said, "1-2-3!" Immediately, he was the manliest of men. His wife was excited and began throwing off her clothes… And then she asked, "What was the 1-2-3 for?"

And that, boys and girls, is why we should never end our sentences with a preposition – or one will end up with a dangling participle!

Twenty-five years ago today:
July 25, 1984
Wednesday

Another dull training day ‘bites the dust’. I can hear the 1980 song by ‘Queen’ now.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=another+one+bites+the+dust%2C+queen&qs=n&docid=941232161367&mid=50BF09170388AC2CA6B050BF09170388AC2CA6B0&FORM=VIVR22#

I had lunch all by my lonesome once again. This time I ate at 'SAX Steaks' across the street from MACY’s. It was fun walking around The City. There’s just so many more people around compared to boring Downtown Oakland.

After work I remained in The City and went to Grodins and bought a new tie and two pairs of pants that I had noticed earlier in the day (during lunch).

My work mornings tend to drag on...but after lunch (2PM) the day goes by so fast. It’s great. I would prefer a 1PM lunch. I still wonder how vacation time will be worked out in this new office.
I thought silently, "Oh shit, Chris will most likely NOT get his leave of absence approved".
I will worry about it once my training has been completed (I guess).

I saw some tall blond chick on the BART train that I recognized from a few times before. Then I saw her again on Bay Farm Island walking. She has such ‘white’ legs, but she’s kind of cute.

I also saw Birda, the avid cyclist. Ironically, she lives right across my courtyard in the Islandia Townhomes vicinity. She is nice, but she’s divorced and has an eight year old son and a five year old daughter (both of whom she has on weekends). Give me a break!
“I’ll drop by your house tomorrow before I go biking to see if you want to go ride,” Birda said.
“Okay, that’ll be great,” I replied.
I just don’t think I want any involvement with a divorcee.

PHOTO: circa 1984-Birda
I am supposed to see Helen Wong tomorrow because we made a deal to watch ‘The Good Earth’ movie together. If she does not call me tonight to confirm I am just going to forget about it.

I need to call Karyn Kossoff now to let her down softly about not going to San Bruno this Friday night. Of course, she was not at home again. I left a message on her recorder.

I decided to telephone Chris Cordellos at that married couple’s house. As luck would have it Chris was not there. I left word for Chris to call back with the dude that answered the phone.

I decided to telephone Danny Garcia. I spoke with Mary, his roommate, for a while. Then Danny took the phone and we talked for a while.
“I just don’t feel comfortable going to gay places,” I confessed to Danny in my own homophobic way.
I could hear Danny shrug with a very negative attitude towards me. He is such a “goob”.

While speaking to Danny I had a ‘call waiting’ interrupt from Karyn Kossoff. I ended up talking with Karyn until way passed 11PM. I decided to go to the little party in San Bruno after all. Karyn is sweet and I do have such fun with her.
“Oh you know what…I heard on the radio or somewhere that some lady kept a list of every man she kissed and number 75 was the one she married,” Karyn said.
We laughed.
I wondered what number I would be if/when I kiss Karyn.

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A Late Night Visitor

“She found herself continually speculating about him, wondering what he was thinking when she was with him and what he was doing when she was not.”
-Nial Kent,
“A Divided Path”

I happened to recall a flashback song from 1984 called 'Out Of Touch' by Hall & Oates. I thought I'd seek out the lyrics and the music video for the memory of it.
And you (whoever is reading this today) will be lucky enough to experience it, too.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=out+of+touch%2c+hall+%26+oates&docid=805388026123&mid=62F0EB9CB6C590B908B562F0EB9CB6C590B908B5&FORM=VIVR14#

Shake it up is all that we know
Using the bodies up as we go
Waking up to fantasy
The shades all around aren't the colors we used to see
Broken ice still melts in the sun
And times that are broken can often be one again
We're soul alone
And soul really matters to me
Take a look around

You're out of touch
I'm out of time
But I'm out of my head when you're not around

Reaching out for something to hold
Looking for a love where the climate is cold
Manic moves and drowsy dreams
Or living in the middle between the two extremes
Smoking guns hot to the touch
Would cool down if we didn't use them so much
We're soul alone
And soul really matters to me
Too much

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 20, 1984
Friday
PHOTO: Scene from SCARFACE

Barbara Reynolds and I ate at the ‘Health Food Store’ in The City today. She saw an old friend of hers named Danny. He is an accountant in The City. He seemed nice enough.

I tactfully asked Karyn Kossoff out to RAGGS, a new restaurant. She was born on August 7th, the same day as my former co-worker in Oakland, Pat Overschoun. I love Karyn’s smile. I just plain enjoy her company (despite her being slightly overweight).

After the work day, Barbara Reynolds, David Vigil and I went over to the Embarcadero Center to mingle through the ‘Happy Hour’ parties galore. I treated them both to a drink at some cocktail place that was providing free popcorn. We left relatively early.

I telephoned mom and made arrangements to rent two movies (SCARFACE and VALLEY GIRL). They were both good. It was fun watching them with mom.

PHOTO: Scene from VALLEY GIRL

I was at my pad by 12:45PM and was sleeping well when my doorbell rang at 2:30AM!

“Who in the hell could that be?” I questioned myself as I rubbed my eyes and scratched my head on my way downstairs.
I thought it might be Chris Cordellos. Lo and behold, it was Nici Maurino!

Nici ended up spending the night at my place. We just held each other and went to sleep. She had been drinking at Gallaghers in Downtown Oakland. Ironically, she was talking to my brother, John, who bar tends there. I guess she felt like stopping by to see me.

“I wonder if she’s a nymphomaniac.” I asked myself during my own silly private mindful thinking. I got ‘hard’ a couple of times during the night and I supposed I could have easily taken advantage. I noticed she did not have very good female hygiene. That was a slight turn off.

Anyway, by 7:30AM I felt her kiss my cheek. Then she left. It was as simple as that.

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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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My First Love: Diane Laschatz

He had given her a peck of a kiss.
"Now you must never tell anyone about this, Michael," she cautioned, solemnly.
"This makes us married."
And breathlessly he promised never to reveal it.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"
PHOTO: by Shelly Burke

In a previously written blog that I wrote (dated February 27, 2009) I briefly touched on the subject of Diane Laschatz. She was my 'first love'. When I read the above line in "The Divided Path" book I thought of her once again as the excerpt brought back a brief incident from the corners of my childhood mind at our elementary school (St. Anthony's School in Oakland, California).

One Autumn Day in second grade, Diane Laschatz approached me at recess near the water fountain. She had older sisters who were going steady. I had no idea what that meant. After all, I was a very inexperienced Casanova during second grade.
"Michael, this is a very special ring. You have to put it on my finger and it means we are going steady," Diane said, as I looked at the big sparkling gem stones with wide smiling eyes.
"If you don't put it on then we have to break-up," she continued.
I took the ring and placed it on her finger. I believe a quick peck of a kiss was exchanged near that water fountain. No one seemed to notice our 'smooch' with all of the fellow classmates running and playing around. I was 'so in love'. It seemed so significant at the time. We went our separate ways in the playground as I sighed in awe of her long, flowing, thick blond hair.

PHOTO: Michael Joe Armijo
3rd Grade, St. Anthony's School

In the book, "More Die of Heartbreak" by Saul Bellow I read the following line a number of years ago and found it again:
I didn't think I'd ever figure it out--the charm of childhood sweethearts.

I wrote the following words in January 2004 on my Microsoft CyberSpot in response to the aforementioned Saul Bellow words. I found it via an internet search today:

My first grade girlfriend named Diane Laschatz will always have a hold over me. I can never figure it out either. The charm stood still all the way through fourth grade. I get an e-mail from her now and again but I haven't seen her since the mid 1960s. I still wonder about her.

I know Diane E Laschatz became Diane Laschatz-Baca. She lived in the Citrus Heights area of Sacramento and the Reno, Nevada area. I believe she is a registered nurse. In October 2005 she sent an electronic mail via www.classmates.com about a field trip photo of 'us' from the late 1960's taken at Fairyland-Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA. She was going to send a copy of the photo but I never did receive it. Bummer! I believe she resides somewhere in the Tumwater, Washington area now. I still wonder if we might reconnect again one day. Perhaps this blog will help make it happen 'sooner versus later'. I know plenty of our St. Anthony's classmates who want to reunite as well. She is not an easy one to locate.

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 12, 1984
Saturday

I woke up, dressed and drove my car and bike to “Joe’s Bike Shop” to have my flat tire repaired. When I returned home for breakfast I learned that I had just missed a telephone call from Chris Cordellos.

At 9:45AM Chris telephoned once again. We rekindled the mishap and ended up having a good talk.
“My folks bought me a house in Walnut Creek,” Chris announced.
“That’s great,” I said, wondering when he plans to move in.
“I was so pissed yesterday, then I mellowed out. I’m sorry,” Chris said apologetically.
“I apologize, too,” I blurted impulsively.
Two “I’m sorrys” make for one good make-up jabber session.

According to Chris, Jim Severn has apparently defended my position. Jim has become Chris’ better buddy now. Leandra knows of the situation and has accepted it well. Jim just wasn’t “into” her. And who knows if Jim likes boys. Chris seems to think so.
“I’m still coming on May twenty-third and we’re celebrating!” Chris said happily.
I still dwell on the words Barb shared the other day about how Jim was taking a morning bath at their house. I can't help visualizing 'things'.

I went to Bay Fair Shopping Center to have a poster print framed. I cruised along with my convertible top down on this pleasant Spring day. I caught some people turning their heads at me with ‘cool looks’. I treated myself to an army green colored shirt and a yellow sweatshirt.

My bike was ready and I felt alive again when I went biking. Mom was kind and sweet enough to drive me to “Joe’s Bike Shop”. I bought mom a print about Healthy Foods for her kitchen.

I had a nice nap. I washed my car and went bike riding again.

I remained at home the rest of the night watching boring sit-coms. I wondered what a good time Chris might be having tonight. I told him of my outing at Stargaze the previous night. He had disclosed his plans for tonight with Jim and Jeff to every club in Eureka (of which there is only one…or maybe two). There's no way it could be all that fun.

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Delightful Tickling

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."
-Sally Berger

The following is on page 8 of the 'Te Matare Ramirez'
Restaurante menu in Buenos Aires, Argentina

She has always been like that. Innately fun loving, just like me, or perhaps, even more than me. Justiniana is never wrong concerning matters of pleasure. It is what I like most about her, even more than her voluptuous hips or her silky pubic hair, so delightfully tickling to the palate: her swift fantasy and accurate instinct to recognize, within the confusion of this world, the sources of amusement and pleasure.

Her small mouth of red lips will kiss my foot and will suck each one of my toes as lime and lemon are sucked during the feverish summertime afternoons. We will soon be intertwined, frolicking in the sibilant silk of the blue blanket, absorbed in the sheer bliss from where life springs. The forest will hear us sigh as we swoon and, all of a sudden cry as if fatally wounded. A second later we will be heard laughing and kidding. And still entangled, we will doze off in a peaceful dream.

Twenty-five years ago today:

Saturday, March 31, 1984

It was raining during this Arcata, California morning. I didn't let it depress me. Chris didn't mind it. Barbara didn't mind the rain either. We drove together to the Samoa Cookhouse. I treated them to breakfast. It was delicious home cooking. I had scrambled eggs, french toast and sausage.

We continued on to the Old Town of Eureka. I bought a few 'future journals' for myself. I also found a 'Baby Book' that Sherri might like for little 'Shane' or 'Ashley'. I bout a tie for $6.99. Chris found a fashionable jacket to match for $22 at the Vintage shop in town. It was great fun browsing the boutiques.

We continued on for miles to a small town known as Ferndale. We looked through shop after shop. I bought a few postcards and actual greeting cards from Mom and Barbara Reynolds. I found a cool 'bike pin' and a 'bike charm' that I now use on my silver chain that Helen gifted me.

After the exploring of Ferndale, California we were a bit tired and enjoyed some ice-cream at Bon Boniere in Old Town Eureka. We had to return to 'Chris & Barbara's' home to lounge now. I took some pictures and we listened to tunes.

Barbara was sweet to make a home-cooked meal for the three of us. The main course was chicken and snow peas.

Jim Severn and some other Coast Guard fellow named Dan stopped by. We drank wine and 'wine coolers' and got ready to go to "Mojo's". This is a big place with a live group called 'A Band Of Desperate Men'. Chris and I heckled about the name of the band.

A blond chick, visiting from Los Angeles asked me to dance. She was actually from Coronado.
"You dance like you're from L.A.," she said while we were dancing.
I couldn't help but take that as a complement.

We left the Mojo's joint. It was fun doing a little slam dancin' with Chris and Barbara.

The most eventful part of the evening was our non-stop cracking up while at Denny's. The waitress looked like a "poodle". We tried to walk out without paying for our meal just to see what would happen. It was an embarrassment that we would not quickly forget. We weaseled our way out of it by saying we were 'out of it'. It sounded like a good explanation and I am a smooth talker. Chris tried to foolishly run. I remained calm. During the drive home we talked and talked and talked about the foolish motive. We all regretted it.

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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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Bill Gates' Passion

"The poorer you are, the worse the impact is."
-Bill Gates

Happy Chinese New Year! It is today, January 26, 2009.

Today is also the day that Bill Gates published his first annual letter on behalf of his goals and accomplishments for The Gates Foundation.
www.gatesfoundation.org/annual-letter/Pages/2009-annual-letter-introduction.aspx

Bill Gates' twin passions are:
1. Health and Development in the poorest nations
and
2. Education in America

Page 9 of his 2009 Annual Letter gives his views of the current economic crisis:
www.gatesfoundation.org/annual-letter/Pages/2009-economic-crisis.aspx
I love that the GATES FOUNDATION provides jobs for those who want to help. I honor and believe in their cause.

Twenty-five years ago today:

January 26, 1984
I was so slicked up in my new blue suit. I looked rather dashing (if I do say so myself). When I arrived at the Hyatt for the conference I wanted to sit next to Barbara Reynolds. However, Don ‘the dork’ Starkey took over and gave my hopeful seat to “Cookie”. What the hell! I sat next to Dana Mitchell and Linda Leyman (the ex-nun!). It was a fun filled day despite all of the formalities.
I was appointed team captain for my group. Most everyone applauded and loved my presentation. I am glad. I thought I got a bit ‘shaky’—for some reason. It had been a while since I was up in front of a live audience. One tends to feel that stage fright. Then when you’re in action and it all seems to be working out it makes you feel confident and more relaxed.
During the entire conference I felt good vibes about Pacific Bell. It seems I will get recognized for management eventually. I did share a few ambitious words with Nancy Guzman, so who knows. I do plan on submitting some future ideas for the company. I feel I am truly getting noticed this time. I have to devise a great strategy. I know it.
I went up and had a drink or two up at The Toppers Bar at the Hyatt afterwards. It was fun.
When I arrived home I changed into something comfortable and called Paloma at 6pm.
“So, do you still feel like the I-BEAM,” I asked Paloma per the telephone.
“Yes, of course,” she said with a tone of surprise.
“Great. I’ll be over there by 8:30 to pick you up,” I said excitedly.

I exercised a good while when Bill Helbush called ‘out of the blue’. We seemed to be chatting about ‘nothing’.
“So why haven’t you called me?” Bill finally questioned his real reason for his call.
“I’ve just been busy with work and all. Have you been to the skating rink lately?” I asked.
“Yeah, I just happened to talk to George Jones last week and the week before. We were talking about you,” he blurted, knowing I would find this interesting.
My voice was gruff, as if I had just dined on pretzel sticks. “You were?”
“Yeah, we talked about you and your hang-ups, problems and what have you,” Bill said.
“Oh really…tell me the details,” I urged.
Laughter came from his voice. “It’s something we’d have to discuss face-to-face,” he retorted.

Should I have been appalled? No. I refused to weaken. I just wonder what George may have said.
“Okay Bill, I’ll call you on Sunday Day and maybe we can get together to talk more about it,” I replied.
Besides I have Bill’s shirt to return.

Frank Vasconcellos called soon afterwards to report of his love for some girl named Laura.
“We should have a threesome,” he suggested.
Now that’s an idea with the right third party I thought.
“Tammy is still going out a lot lately,” Frank said loudly as if he was sharing a secret.
“Oh yeah,” I replied as if I were interested.
“That Bill guy tried to proposition me last Tuesday at the rink,” Frank added, “he seems overly sleazy.”
I listened with interest.
“I wonder about him. I’m afraid I might catch something from him,” Frank continued.
“It’s a possibility…I’ll say,” I laughed.

It was time to leave for Paloma when the telephone rang once more. This time it was Chris Cordellos, calling from Riverside. He called to tell me he was being admitted to USC Medical Center tomorrow. He mentioned a possible disc and splinter problems with his back. It sounded painful. I hope he gets better.

Soon I found myself driving into ‘The City’ with Paloma. The traffic congestion was frightening even though Paloma’s gasps and reactions were even more frightful. We finally reached the I-BEAM Dance club.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-Beam_(nightclub)

Paloma and I danced non-stop. I can feel that we dance and ‘move’ well together. A few guys were giving Paloma the eye and it made me jealous. Then again I noticed some guys giving me the eye, too. Strange place…let me tell you! It had great music and such neat videos.

I felt like I was driving forever. My back was killing me, so it’s no wonder that Chris’ back is out of whack after driving from Concord to Riverside! I finally arrived in Berkeley to drop Paloma off at home only to learn that Paloma was locked out of the house! The night was over after her finale kiss.

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Maybe You'll Remember...

Alan and I drove down to Palm Desert on Friday to visit with dear friends. Alan kindly did all of the driving as I read a few articles aloud and my book (Spring Moon by Bette Bao Lord). While we were in the car we heard some music on CDs that we had made a while ago. I heard a song that got me going. I just loved hearing the tune called 'Remember' by The Underdog Project. It's a Spanglish song (with lyrics in English and Spanish). I just love it and we kept playing it over and over.
http://search.live.com/video/results.aspx?q=remember%2C+the+underdog+project&docid=547778002958&FORM=VIVP

When we had phone reception and I had a voice mail message from Chris Cordellos. Yes, I located him via a google search. It seems he's a hair colorist & stylist 'extraodinaire' in Lafayette, CA. We still have to talk and catch up on lost time. I saw him in the mid-1990s when he was working at a hair salon called POSH STUDIO in Walnut Creek but we haven't spoken since. It will be interesting to catch up on lost time.

Twenty-five years ago:

January 17, 1984

I had to stay at work only until 2pm today because of my dentist appointment.

It feels good to listen to my car stereo once again. It brings about such emotion and inner feelings of excitement when the "right" song is playing.

The dentist took good care of everything. I don't have to return for another check-up until June 27, 1984. I was out of his office by 3:20pm. I missed mom by only minutes as she usually leaves the house by 3:15pm for her work at the Oakland Main post-office.

I decided to go to my place and get on my bicycle again. I just love that machine. I bet my bike can't wait until it has another bicycle companion. It probably wishes it could rest. I do want to buy another foreign bicycle.

Today I met Sheila and Liz on the beach as I rode by. Sheila's a cute blond. They were both freshman in high school though. How embarassing. What a drag. Though I sometimes wonder... Who knows? I told them I'd see them on Saturday as we exchanged a few words with one another.
"Maybe I'll see you on Saturday as I usually ride along here," I told them.

I just remembered that the El Taco gal, Nancy, has never called me. Oh well.

I haven't called Leslie Fonseca either. Perhaps that is no great loss. It's just an added attraction (her child). There were some familiar favorites seen as I continued to ride my bike along the shoreline in Alameda. There were some new prospects of both gender. It was quite interesting.

My brother, John, took Sherri out to dinner to "H's Lordships" in Berkeley, for her birthday. I chose to eat alone at the 'Sizzler'. The waitress, Katie, flirted--or so it seemed. I believe we both shared in the flirting. She was very nice but seemed to be that way with all of the guests.
"You look a lot like that actress, Jessica Lange, who was in that movie 'Frances'," I said as I realized the girl had no idea who I was speaking about.

Shit! Why do I have 'call waiting' when my phone doesn't even ring. I decided to break down and call Paloma myself. I was so glad that I called her. We had such a good talk about the subject of depression and 'why' and 'how' people should not be burdened and find a balance in life. Paloma and I may go dancing together tomorrow night at I-Beam in San Francisco. She even said she might come to visit on Sunday to watch the Mel Gibson movie "The Road Warrior" after we watch the SUPER BOWL.
"I promise I will give you a tour of Stinson Beach one day," she added.

I am getting to a high point of really liking Paloma once again. Where? And how far it will lead is undetermined.
"Well, Thank you for calling me and making me feel better over my depressed mood," Paloma said.
"Oh...you just need something that will brighten up your spirits," I assured her, "it could be as simple as buying a new scarf, a new friend, a new place, an old memory, an old story, a poem or a good old-fashioned movie."
I was so happy to know that I lifted her spirits. She did the same with mine.

January 18, 1984

I dressed a bit more exceptional for work today, wearing my brown tweed sport jacket. I received more than one or two 'double-takes', too.

I called Paloma more than a couple of times on this day. It was settled that I would come by to pick her up at 6:30pm. She wore a gray dress with black stripes. Coincidentally, I wore black with my gray "Bebe" brand jacket. We seemed to 'match' as the ideal couple.

We just did a random outing to Round Table Pizza (nothing fancy). It was funny when we were both 'carded'. We both proved our respective 'twenty-four' year old ages. After the pizza we went to the UC THEATER on University Avenue to see "Spetters", a film from Holland, directed by Paul Verhoeven
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nyTX_BguFg
and a 1974 French comedy drama film called "Going Places" (Les Valseuses).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going_Places_(1974_film)
They were entertaining films. I was a little surprised to learn of the explicit sex scenes. I was a little embarassed to look over at Paloma during those parts. I will never forget those movies as being entertaining and shocking. Both films proved 'There Is No Such Thing As Simple Love'.

I enjoyed our date. I kissed and hugged Paloma at her doorstep. She confirmed the date for SUPER BOWL Sunday (along with 'The Road Warrior' movie).
"I'm thinking of going back to France for good," she confessed.
I think she wanted to see or hear my reaction.
"Oh...ahh, no!" I exclaimed. I am wondering if she may be looking for a commitment with or from me? Am I reading too much into it?
I was impressed when she said she used to work for Paco Rabonne, the fashion designer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paco_Rabanne

Once I returned home I found John and Sherri on the couch, watching 'Joan Rivers' guest hosting on 'The Tonight Show'.
"Oh, Gilbert called...as did Alexis Budabin," John said.

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