I'm Not A Perfect Person

“Somewhere he had read that if a man could control himself completely and be entirely continent for seven years (abstain from sex), he would become a SUPERMAN.”
-Nial Kent
“The Divided Path”

Ever hear a couple of guys who are “together” have an argument? I was just reminded of this scene from “Dante’s Cove” (a show that a dear friend named Debi told me about). I loved the part when the dark haired guy, Toby (played by actor, Charlie David) says, “Stop yelling.” It’s so typical.

Here is a nine minute consolidated clip from the cable series “Dante’s Cove”. It’s quite dramatic and interesting to watch. I liked the “I’m Not a Perfect Person” tune that you hear towards the end (not sure if that is the title of the song—or not):
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=dante%27s+cove+song&qs=n&docid=1097911173460&mid=E07349A54300C5419A00E07349A54300C5419A00&FORM=VIVR4#


Twenty-five years ago today:

July 19, 1984
Thursday

Work was fun today. Barbara Reynolds and I had our photo taken with the Olympic Bird at the Galleria Center. We have good times during lunchtime.

After I arrived at the BART station this morning I met a cute nineteen year old girl that I have been noticing a lot each day. Her name is Linda ‘something-nitzke’. We had smiled at one another one too many times so I finally introduced myself and asked her name. She is sweet. I may ask her out some time. She must have gone to school with John & Sherri because she lives in Alameda.

I went bicycling tonight. I went to visit mom for a while and eventually found myself at home by 8:30PM. At around 9:10PM the telephone rang and it was ‘Bruce’! Bruce is the geek I met last Saturday at Traffic School!
“Yeah, I paid some twelve hundred dollars for some modeling course with Casablanca, a popular agency,” Bruce went on to say excitedly.
I was thinking quietly to myself, “Like give me a break man!”
He is not good looking enough to be a model. His teeth are so crooked. I used my telephone company trained ‘be nice over the phone’ technique and talked to him for a good half hour.
“Why don’t I call you on Saturday night to see about going out or somethin’?” Bruce asked.
Gulp.
How could I say no? He is strange, but a nice guy. He has a job (even if it is at ‘Topps & Trowsers’ in San Francisco). He is okay as a “pal”.

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The Model

"You have no idea what goes on inside me,
and as far as I know,
you've never even wondered."
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

In the late 1980s I met a model named Dustin Nipper. She was tall, gorgeous and reminded me very much of an actress known as Morgan Brittany.

PHOTO: Morgan Brittany

She was a lot younger than I. She was about eighteen and I was around twenty-eight at the time.
She seemed more mature than the typical eighteen year old; whereby, I thought we made an 'eau de naturale' couple when we went out.

I remember meeting Dustin's dad (who reminded me of the actor, Perry King).

PHOTO: Perry King

She lived with her mother in Pleasanton, CA as her folks were divorced. Her mother was quite nice and attractive as well but it was a little bit uncomfortable going into Dustin’s bedroom and playing “kissy kissy”. It is still an unforgettable memory for me (and probably for her). They were 'great' kisses, after all.

When I would hear that classic tune by KRAFTWERK called ‘The Model’ I would think of Dustin. I loved pedaling my bike to that tune.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=kraftwerk%2C+the+model&docid=653196460434&mid=D593C439FC79F7E58DE8D593C439FC79F7E58DE8&FORM=VIVR

I never continued to see Dustin on a regular basis because I ended up moving to Los Angeles in October 1989 for career reasons. We wrote to one another a few times and our connection simply faded with time.

Fast-forward to the Internet age and Dustin had read some of my book reviews on Amazon.com. She managed to email me and we reconnected after many years. It was fun ‘catching up’ and learning that she was still living in the Northern California Bay Area with her husband.

PHOTO: At 'IL VICOLO' Ristorante,
Paris, France

Alan and I met her and her husband, Amit, in Downtown Napa for lunch one day a year or so ago. Thanks to email and FACEBOOK we keep in touch more regularly.

Coincidentally, we learned that Dustin and her husband, Amit Bhatnagar, were planning a trip to Europe at the same time we were. We managed to arrange a dinner together in PARIS at a place called IL VICOLO (34, Rue Mazarine, 75006, Paris). The Italian wine was just what we all needed after the process of getting settled after the long flight. They had flown in from San Francisco (versus our New York), so they had a few more hours of adjustment challenge.

We ventured on to Spain while they explored Rome, Italy. I know they had as great a time as we did.

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 14, 1984
Thursday

Well, I have been falling behind with writing in my journal. It is time to play ‘catch up’. Let’s see if I can recall all the way back to Thursday (as it is Sunday now). I am lying out on the Alameda South Shore Beach right now, feeling the good sun and listening to tunes.

I know I went to work on Thursday, June 14th. I believe Helen Wong brought lunch and we ate at the cafeteria with Cedric Green.

After work I rode my bike, too, of course. I remember dropping by to give Sherri some mail that she received at the Cook Lane townhouse address. It was mail about a Baby Pageant. I guess Ashley is going to be in her first Baby Beauty Pageant. Sherri gave me some tickets to sell (at my office) for votes for Ashley (for The Baby Pageant 1984, Queen of Diablo Valley).
“I will try and sell the whole book for you,” I said excitedly.

I received a package from International Male (my black night shirt, Moroccan madras shorts and underwear arrived).

Once home I was rather bummed out. I guess with Chris away I did not really want to go out ‘on my own’. So, I turned in early on a Thursday night.

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Erotic Scenes

'In the morning there was no sun, and all day the geese flew south.'
-Bette Bao Lord

I read the above line in my current novel. It made me think of the recent, historic January 2009 story of the new American hero, 'Captain Sully':

A US Airways jumbo jet was slowly lifted out of the icy Hudson River late yesterday, three days after the A320 had made a successful "splash landing" that saved all 155 people on board.

Television footage from the scene, near Battery Park City in Lower Manhattan, showed the right side of the Airbus with the intact engine but its covering was mangled.

Work to recover the waterlogged jet was making "very good progress," Kitty Higgins of the National Transportation Safety Board told a press conference.

The recovery effort was hampered by slush surrounding the aircraft and huge chunks of ice on a day with air temperature hovered around minus eight degrees Celsius.

The aircraft was placed on a barge and will be taken to an undisclosed location in New Jersey for examination. The flight data and cockpit voice recorders, known as black boxes, remained on the plane.

The flight bound for Charlotte, North Carolina, met "big, dark-brown birds" shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport on Thursday and both engines lost power.

The flight crew decided to land on the Hudson, rather than back to LaGuardia or to the nearby smaller Teterboro Airport because the plane was flying "too low, too slow" and would have "catastrophic" consequences if things went wrong in a heavily populated area, said Kitty Higgins of the National Transportation Safety Board.

The plane landed near a vessel so as to improve recovery after landing, but the pilots were not able to turn on the "ditching switch" to automatically seal off the aircraft in water, Higgins told a press conference on Saturday evening.

The successful emergency landing and the ensuing rescue of all the 150 passengers, three flight attendants and two pilots, were described as a "miracle on the Hudson" by New York State Governor David Paterson.

Captain Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger has been hailed as a hero and received phone congratulations from US President George W. Bush and President-elect Barack Obama.

After I read my flashback (below) I was reminded of this song called, THE MODEL, by Kraftwerk, that I used to like so much.
http://search.live.com/video/results.aspx?q=kraftwerk%2C%20model&docid=443741831785&FORM=VIVP27

Twenty-five years ago today:

January 19, 1984

Today I called Suzy Miller to confirm our date for Saturday night. It should be fun. We are supposed to go to David's, then have a few drinks. This will be followed by dinner at 'A Little Italy'.
"It should be quaint," David had said a while back.

I left a message on Alexis' answering machine. Paloma was not home when I telephoned her at 2pm. I called Gilbert and we chatted about 'nothing in particular'. I called my mom, too. Elisa Berney (high school pal and former junior high girlfriend) called me about her personal telephone bill. I told Elisa the news about my brother, John. The news of his being a 'father' in May 1984, of course.

I paid a few bills (auto insurance included). I exercised a bit when Gilbert called me back. He started to try flattering me with talk of how he would love to 'make love' with me.
"I would just like you to lie naked next to me," Gilbert said.
I was shocked when I heard him utter that sentence. He is so 'open and direct' in his thoughts. I told Gilbert about a few of the erotic scenes I had seen with Paloma in the French film "Going Places".
"Yeah, there was one guy who was fucked by four other guys!" I explained as I thought I had matched his 'open and direct' statement from before.
Then Gilbert began to surprise me even more.
"I have experienced bondage," Gilbert shared, "it's enjoyable if you love that person.
"A menage a trois is not so great when you don't get the good side of the bargain," Gilbert added.
I imagine the 'good side of the bargain' meant whether you had access to your preferred partner (I guess).
"So...why don't you fix me up with one of your models," I asked Gilbert.
"I will not...and do you know why?" he asked.
"No, why?"
"I would be jealous," he replied, "but I do know one model that would just love you."
It made me wonder.
I questioned him. "Are your models ever all together at one place, at one time?"
"Yes," Gilbert replied, "I have a big party once a year."
I thought to myself (I will look forward to that party).

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Ally Elizabeth Goes To Thailand

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious."
-Albert Einstein

I was so pleased to come home and read the most wonderful letter from my niece, Ally Elizabeth Armijo. I had no idea about many of her accomplishments. It makes this uncle proud. I am doing my 'online part' to spread the word. She wrote:

I have been selected to represent the United States in an international volunteer work program this summer, along with thousands of other Participants from universities throughout North America and Europe.

I am committed to a minimum of 120 hours of volunteer work in a social community development project in Thailand.

Participants from universities across the nation will travel to their host countries and divide into smaller volunteer groups. Every volunteer project is coordinated and supervised by a host organization (governmental and non-governmental) in the country where we will be working. International Student Volunteers, Inc. coordinates this volunteer program.
www.isvonline.org

I will be working in a social community development program in Thailand. This experience will broaden my cultural awareness and allow me to invest in the lives of disadvantaged people, including children. Our team will live within the local community and gain hands-on, practical experience in areas such as teaching English, constructing homes and/or coummunity facilities and developing recreational programs fro children. We will receive a valuable education in the socio-economic challenges of those who live in developing countries.

I am seeking contributions to International Student Volunteers, Inc. to help cover the expenses of this Program for a single Participant. There are two ways to contribute:
1. By sponsoring the Participant directly with a monetary gift (not tax-deductible)
2. By sending a donation for $120 ($1.00 for every volunteer hour worked) or ANY amount to support the ISV Program (tax-deductible) within the limits of the law for sponsors who file taxes in the USA. ISV must receive donations by March 14, 2009 (75 days before my date of departure), which is 75 days prior to my departure to Thailand (May 28, 2009).

May I count on your sponsorship for this exciting and worthwhile program that changes lives? If so, please complete the coupon, sign where indicated and mail the coupon back to me along with your contribution. I look forward to hearing from you regarding your support for my ISV Program.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Ally Armijo

This Coupon Must Accompany Your Donation
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Participant's Name: ALLY ARMIJO ISV ID# 91736
Address: 328 Magnolia Drive, Alameda, CA, 94502
Phone: (510)407-7946
E-mail: Allye23@aol.com
School: Sacramento State University
Phone: (916)278-3625

Sponsor to Complete this Portion:
Sponsor's Name: __________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

E-mail: ___________________________________________________

Amount: $ ____________ Check #:______________________

Please make your check payable to INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VOLUNTEERS, Inc. (or ISV).
The participant's name must NOT appear on the check, NOT EVEN IN THE MEMO.
Please complete this coupon and sign where indicated.
MAIL donation to the Participant who will send it to the ISV USA office.
Your donation to ISV is tax-deductible within the limits of the law for those who file their taxes in the USA and is NOT refundable or transferable even if Participant is unable or chooses not to participate in the ISV Program. The ISV Cancellation policy and travel/trip cancellation insurance DOES NOT apply to tax-deductible donations. The ISV Federal Tax ID# (EIN) is 95-3805759.

Signed by: _____________________________________________

Dated: __________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ally continued with these words:

I have many years of experience working with children but to take my teaching to Thailand and help their community learn and expand would be the most rewarding experience.

I have had the privilege to work with the BOYS & GIRLS CLUB of San Francisco for the past four summers. I've contributed by providing a creative, fun and supportive outdoor experience in a safe environment for youth ages seven to fourteen. All of which who are low-income families all over the Bay Area. These children lack role models at home and the majority of the children are growing up through the foster system.

After I return from Thailand, I plan to attend another summer at Camp Mendocino where I can share what I've learned with the children helping them learn and understand how other children live in other countries.

My junior and senior year in high-school I was an assistant pre-school teacher for the Alameda Pre-School located at Alameda High. I had the responsibility of making sure the pre-school was clean and ready for activities the children could partake in. I planned the whole graduation with help from two other student helpers. We taught the children songs to sing for their families and even created a video to show their parents. We even created a booklet of every child as a gift for the parents. By the end of my senior year I was rewarded as the most outstanding senior for Careers with children.

I am also currently volunteering at Ethel Baker Elementary School. It is one of Sacramento's lowest income schools. I have been a tutor and mentor to children who are falling behind in class. I have the privilege of working with kindergartner's individually for one on one work. In the past three months I've volunteered over fifty hours while attending Sacramento State full-time where I plan on getting a teaching degree. I want to take my teaching and go further to learn about other countries and cultures. Thailand is just the start. Since this is a volunteer program I have to pay my way there. I have some money saved up and continue to save, but I am hoping to raise more than half of the costs. It would mean a lot if you would kindly donate to the ISV (International Student Volunteer) by helping me experience a whole new world. Your donations would be helping a greater cause. I will be home from school from December 15th through January 25th and am willing to do odd jobs to raise money for the trip.

Also, if you know anyone who would be willing to donate on my account please spread the word through your friends, family or even colleagues. Thank you so much for even considering donating! It would mean a lot to me but ultimately think of the people in Thailand whose lives I will be changing with the help of your donation!

Twenty-five years ago

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Paloma!

Right after my usual work day and a quick freshening up at home I drove to Leslie Fonseca's apartment. We had our planned date to see "Nosferatu" at the UC Theater in Berkeley.

As I drove I was recollecting the happenings of the day. In the morning I saw Debbie Honcik who is now working in Downtown Oakland as an Engineering Aid. She seems happy. I was surprised that Barbara Reynolds was mad at me and Salima because we were talking & laughing with one another when the workload and volume of incoming calls was quite high. Barbara had this "don't touch me" attitude and look on her face. I avoided her the rest of the day.

Salima and I ate lunch together at the greasy "HOME PLATE" joint, discussing Barbara's 'crazy way'. I also asked Salima's opinion of Juanita Lane whose attitude seemed so odd (just because I didn't get her a Christmas gift?).

Suzy Miller called me but I did not have a chance to return her call because I was out on the date with Leslie "and her baby"! Yes, she brought the baby along! The movie was 'okay' even though Leslie had to leave the theater twice because the baby started to pout. How unusual for a baby to feel fidgety while watching "Nosferatu".
Hilarious.

I do think Leslie really likes me but she seems kind of young and immature in some ways. She has a 16-month old baby girl that I am just not so sure about. I drove them home and we talked in front of her home while in my car. We smiled and talked about one another and when we might see each other again. I also played with her little girl who had a cute smile. I kissed the little girl good-night but I didn't kiss Leslie. Last night, I did kiss Leslie good-night.

Upon my arrival back to my home I called Kevin Ward, a customer that I spoke to today. He works for "Scott's Models" as a photographer and agent. He was very informative about the business. He said I had to be 5'11" to 6' and a 40R jacket size. I guess I meet those 'high-fashion' qualifications because I am 5'11" and a 40R.
"A lot of modeling has to do with timing," Kevin said.
He said he was working on a fashion show scheduled for January 15, 1984 at The Galleria in San Francisco. He wants to meet with me and said he'd call be tomorrow. If not, he said we'd see about meeting on Saturday (?). I called Helen for her opinion on Kevin Ward since she thinks it would be my cup of tea. I am a little excited about the prospect of it. I can make some extra money and actually get noticed. It could be great--or maybe not?

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