Passion and Momentum

In LIFE everybody gets labeled.
People try to tell us who we’re meant to be.
-as heard while watching
KYLE-XY, Season 2

On June 28, 2009 Alan and I accompanied dear friends, A.T. Nguyen and Amy Margolis, to Jacob’s Pillow Dance in Becket, Massachusetts. I have to give an honorable mention for the talented Spanish dancers that I saw on this day. The show was Mujeres: Belen Maya & Rocio Molina.
Here is a brief glimpse of the show (that someone managed to scoop via YouTube):
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=rocio+molina&docid=647588020989&mid=27AB7D023E6BB1C0A91727AB7D023E6BB1C0A917&FORM=VIVR31
After the show the two words that rang through my mind were 'Passion and Momentum'. Boy, they really felt the rhythm. I did, too. It must be in my Spanish blood.
Belen Maya is the daughter of two great flamenco artists (Carmen Mora and Mario Maya). Maya studied at the School of the Spanish National Ballet and later relocated to Seville in order to focus on flamenco. She was invited by Carols Saura to represent the new generation of flamenco in the 1995 film, FLAMENCO. She is one of the best.

Rocio Molina is considered the most important bailaora coming out of Malaga, Spain in decades. She was born in Malaga in 1984 and she started dancing at the age of three. Her drive and passion is so apparent when she takes on the floor ‘solo’. She is one remarkable dancer!

I feel lucky to have spent a little over an hour watching these two Spanish dancers ‘go at it’.

Twenty-five years ago today:

July 9, 1984
Monday

I decided to wear the blue-gray sport jacket that Chris bought for me from the Arcata Thrift Shop to my first day at work in San Francisco. It was a great day but a lot of those guys at the BSC (Business Service Center) give me the creeps. The “vibes” are unreal (if you know what I mean: too gay). There were a few cute gals, too. It seems like a fun business environment. The youthful vibes and the friendliness of my new coworkers make it that way.

I know I don’t want to get into any of their openly gay ways. I don’t even want to ever visit a gay bar or whatever in the Bay Area now. Who knows who I could run into! I don’t know but I’m really not into their scene. Dennis Reno, a cohort from Alameda High School, was there and he was very nice.

Our training is delayed until possibly July 23rd, so I get to observe and ‘pretty much’ have a sort of vacation time for the next couple of weeks (even if I do have to show up for work). I do have AX (Absent without pay) time on Friday. Horrah! I plan to go out with mom since she’s on vacation. Then I plan to go on a good bike ride all day long (until 8:30PM). Then I’ll probably crash for a good nights’ sleep.

I had a good time at work. I spent a lot of time sitting in and observing Rene Narducci and Karen, Bob and Kevin (all very nice people).

After work I went cycling until 7:30PM to release any anxieties I might have taken in after my new day. Mom came by to fold clothes. I accompanied her to Safeway. Dad came along and he took forever. I really think he likes to ‘hang out’ at the grocery store. I ate hot dogs at mom and dad’s and then I returned home to my pad.

I telephoned Danny Garcia from work today (during break time). He was at work but I spoke to Mary, his roommate, for a short while and ‘that was that’. I really think I only want to be Danny’s pal. I miss CMC (Christopher M. Cordellos) especially after yesterday.

I definitely have the last week in December (before Christmas) and those four days in October free from work. However, the last week in August is “iffy” now. The first week in September will be just as good a time to be off from work anyway.

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Mystery Walks In New York City

"Old photographs...
that was where Michael got his passion
for clinging to people who were gone
and events that were past."
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

That is part of the 'wonder' of New York City. Yesterday, after the stock market closed at 4PM a walk was decidedly taken into SOHO. Alan and I found ourselves at a small gallery at 28 Wooster Street in SOHO. An artist from Kentucky (Theo Edmonds) was having an exhibit from 6pm to 10pm tonight. We were randomly invited by a kind French woman, so we told the her that we'd drop by later.

I took a Mixed Media Paintings catalog of Theo Edmonds' work. There was a brochure of his 'WORDS' that intrigued me. As I walked home I loved this story that he wrote about how 'rebels embrace mystery':

Mystery novels are consistently some of the best selling books. Why is this? I think that one reason we love mystery is because it is...mysterious. A mystery is not to be feared. A mystery has freedom unlike any other type of story. Mystery is magnificent.

We enjoy the journey through a mystery story because we fell confident that at the end of the story, when all is said and done, everything will be revealed. The mystery, however, is never revealed until we are at the end of the book.

Without knowing what tomorrow might hold, be confident that you can enter tomorrow like turning a page. Only when that page gets turned will you get closer to everything being resolved. Do not fear the mystery of your LIFE. Turn the page. Enter tomorrow. Follow the mystery of life knowing that everything will be okay in the end. And, the more pages you turn, the closer you will be to solving the mystery.

Later came and we attended the gallery happenings. The LIVE band was a bit too loud, but the artist, Theo Edmonds, shared a few words with us. He's definitely from Kentucky and now has an artist studio in the Harlem area. His mixed media works have interesting titles and seem to tell varied stories. They're like excerpts of his life.

Here is a link to the website of THEO EDMONDS:
http://www.longitudeart.com/Theo_Edmonds_Work_YYWE.html


Twenty-five years ago today:

April 24, 1984
Tuesday

This morning I couldn't take it anymore. I had to call Chris to get the latest "scoop". Barb answered the telephone (of course).
"Oh Hi Michael, Chris is at the base," she said as she took a sip of some unknown beverage, "he's on light duty."
Light duty meant that he is doing "nothing".
I did not have the chance to talk to Chris but it was nice to chat with Barb for a while. Her comfort level improved while speaking to me. She started by confirming receipt of the picture postcards I had sent. It thrilled her to no end.
"Yeah, Chris and I had a really big fight last Saturday, but now things are all squared away. I have to tell you how sorry I am about the way I snapped at you last Tuesday."
I was in awe at how sweet and apologetic she sounded.
"Well, tell Chris I called and that I hope his lower back feels better," I said in closing our conversation.

At 1pm today there was 'one hell of a jolt'. It was the first earthquake I had ever felt that shook me up. It must be the effects of being on the fourth floor of a Downtown Oakland building. I actually crawled underneath my desk.

The bad news of the day was the receipt of a letter from 'Bank of America' about my Auto Insurance. My car loan was not acceptable because my collision deductible is not $250 (it is $500). I wrote them a nasty letter. I may simply pay off my auto loan sooner than I had planned.

Michael Thoennes telephoned to share his good time experiences during his visit to Oregon.
He expressed the idea of an invitation to me.
"I may go to that nude beach I told you about in a couple of weekends. I'll invite you when I definitely decide to go, okay?" Michael asked nonchalantly.
"Yeah, let me know," I replied happily, knowing that he could not see me biting my nails over the idea.

I telephoned Gray Wallace tonight about the bike ride outing this Saturday. He was not at home.

Luckily, I was home at 8:15pm to remind my Dad that he has to be at his Traffic School from 7pm to 10pm tonight, Wednesday and Thursday. He had to get ready in a hurry, knowing he was going to be late on his first night. He can always say he drove slowly for fear of getting a speeding ticket. Maybe the "earthquake" really did shake every one up after all.

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Suspicious Love

"Do you regret our love? I must know."
"Why do they ask? she thought. Do they ask the sun if it regrets the light?
"No, I do not," she answered tenderly. "I only regret that we must part today."
"Must it be today?"
"Today is easier than tomorrow," she replied.
He did not deny the truth.
-Bette Bao Lord
in her book,
"Spring Moon"

A song by Camouflage comes to mind today. They are a German synthpop and dance music trio. They performed this tune in 1993 that I really love. Listen!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=djlrWtIRxXs

'Suspicious Love' Lyrics

Try to tell me something,
Try to tell me how it feels,
Build it up to beat it down again,
All the things you're hiding,
All the games you play with me,
Build it up to beat it down again.
Suspicious love,
Froze my natural laugh,
And I need to change,
But something keeps me here.
I feel I know,
I won't let it grow,
And I need to change,
But something keeps me here,
I refuse to crawl.
Got to tell you something,
Got to tell you how it feels,
Once built up and beaten down again.
Promises once spoken,
All the warmth you gave to me
Leave me always somehow inbetween...
I'd like to see you crawling.

Twenty-five years ago today:

March 15, 1984, Thursday

First of all, Paloma had intended on having lunch with me and she "faced" me once again! Why? She had to work.
"Could we go out tonight instead of on Friday night because I have something to do?" Paloma asked.
Who knows what she has to do? Perhaps she made another date!
"Sure," I said, feeling quite curious, "I'll call you this evening."

Paloma called me as soon as I arrived home from work. To my amazement I heard the most odd story from her. Then again, I did implore her to tell me because it was clear she had something on her mind. And so she did.
"I am too passionate in feelings," she began with her cute French/English accent.
I listened intently.
"I am starting to love another guy very much that I met at a party in Berkeley."
Believe me, I was hurt during this process. I didn't hide my feelings and I let her know it. What nerve of her to tell me this.

I thought we were on the brink of something special. Apparently we were not.
"I am looking for real love," she said.
I guess I am too--but love is something that grows over time. This is what I believe.

She is a done for 'wench' as far as I'm concerned!
"I am going to my exercise class now and I will call you at 8:45," Paloma continued, "so I can talk to you some more."
She pointed out clearly how she really wished to talk more.

I, of course, had to go off into the sunset on my bicycle for exhilarating relief while she was off to her exercise class in the City. It was funny because I almost thought she referred to this "guy" as a "she". I thought she was going to spill her guts out about being bisexual (which--in turn--one could say is my very own inner truth).

That evening I drove to my Dad's for a bite to eat. I think there were other reasons I wanted to be away. I didn't want to be home for Paloma's telephone call. I needed time. I decided to drive into the City myself. I went to visit some bar called 'The Stud' that I had heard about. I went to 'The Stud' and arrived early, so it was boring. There were hardly any people there. I did have three vodka gimlets at $1.05 each. Some 'tub of lard' from San Mateo started talking to me. Another fellow who worked at the establishment gave me a handful of "hellos". I seemed to get my fair share of looks as the time ticked on. I couldn't take the vibes there anymore. I left for Alameda. I took a shower when I got home and slept on my 'frustrations'.

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Is It the Right Job For You ?

"With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity."
-Keshavan Nair

I was browsing through an old issue of Businessweek (May 2007) this morning. There is a Jack and Suzy Welch column that I happened to notice. For those of you who don't know, Jack Welch was the Chairman and CEO of General Electric from 1981-2001.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Welch
An anonymous person in Luxembourg wrote in about a dilemma of having two job offers. Both jobs paid the same but one opportunity was with a respected company, unpleasant co-workers and the passion for the work was very high. The other opportunity was with a so-so company with very pleasant and wonderful co-workers but the passion for the work was mediocre.

In the Businessweek column Jack and Suzy Welch shared five key questions that the person needed to ponder:

1. Will the new job be filled with co-workers who share my sensibilities, or will I have to zone out or fake it to get along?

2. Will the new job stretch my mind and build my skills, and otherwise take me out of my comfort zone, or am I entering at the top of my game?

3. Will the new job open or close doors for me should I ever leave?

4. Will the new job turn my crank, touch my soul, and give me meaning?

5. Who am I making happy by taking this job, and am I OKAY with that bargain?

Fast forward to today and I wonder who is fortunate enough to have two job offers. There seems to be no wrong choice in the example above--just your own ability to understand.

Twenty-five years ago today:

Sunday, February 5, 1984

I ate breakfast at mom's today. After fueling my stomach I went for a lengthy bicycle ride that started at 11am and ended at 4pm (give or take). I believe I earned my breakfast. It was a sorrowful moment when my bicycle started to squeak during each rotation. I will have to look into this on Saturday. I may have to take it in to Joe's Bike Shop. I hate a "squeaky wheel".

I called Chris Cordellos, my new Greek friend. His mother answered the phone.
"Oh, Hi, could you just tell Chris that Michael Armijo called?" I asked politely.
Chris hasn't called me since January 30th (last Monday). I was beginning to wonder about his back problem and the possible surgery he had to endure. His mother didn't mention any major issues, so I assumed all was okay. If Chris did call me he neglected to leave a message on my answering machine. I don't know what to make of it.

Mom was a little 'pissed off' because I didn't help her by washing her car today. I was so "biked out" that I promised to make up for it. I went home to nap. Mom called later and we had a good chat.

John and Sherri arrived and I watched the 1981 film, "On Golden Pond", with them.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvHTLc02XUY
I was happy my brother and potential future sister-in-law came over when they did. I wanted some company.

No one called me. Not even __________ or ___________. Neutral feelings I guess. I kind of wish Nancy would call...but I say, "It's your loss, honey."

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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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My Passion for Photography

"It's A Long Way Home, Dear..."

My dear friend and fellow photographer, Brenda, who resides in Florida purchased a mounted print of my photo illustrated here. Brenda asked me when I first realized my passion for photography. I hesitated. Then I thought long and hard and realized it happened during my Alameda Summers of 1972-1973. I had one of those little Instamatic point and shoot cameras. I saved up money and bought a Bell & Howell movie camera, too. I loved taking candid shots of mom, dad and my brothers. They didn't always appreciated it but I loved capturing 'real life' candid moments. The photographic masterpieces--in my humble opinion--are those where the human subject has no clue a camera is there. It creates an image of pure reality.


The photo illustrated above ("It's A Long Way Home, Dear...") was randomly taken while I was walking over the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. He had no clue. It is a typical candid that tells a story. Photographs leave a lasting "mark" in life. www.redbubble.com/products/configure/4373349"

During the summer of 1973 I had a girlfriend named Bonni Jayne. She came over to visit at my home. I had a brainstorm idea to photo shoot her, using my backyard as the setting. I know I still own those photos in some old photo albums. I should go back and dig them up. "Whatever Happened to Bonni Jayne" sounds a bit like that Bette Davis classic movie, "Whatever Happened to Babe Jane". www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ck-Uo52MOg

A year or so after our high school graduation in June 1977, Bonni Jayne moved to New York. She had a brief stint as a stripper in a night club. She was a bit on the wildside. She had rampant hormones. She taught me how to kiss. While in New York she met an Italian chap with the "Ludovicy" surname. She got pregnant and had Crystal Joy Ludovicy. I'm 99% positive that was her name because I recall teasing Bonni about how it sounded like a new dishwashing liquid or detergent (Crystal Joy).
The marriage did not last long and Bonni moved back to California. She told me how horrible she felt because Mr. Ludovicy and his parents would not allow her to take her baby. She always felt that her Crystal would think she didn't love her when it was far from the truth. The last I heard Bonni had married again and had two or three children and was living somewhere in the Redding, CA area.

In the early 1980's my passion turned to writing in journals. On November 1, 1999 I saw the CEO of Amazon.com (Jeff Bezos) in a guest appearance of the Oprah Winfrey Show. I was in an auto service waiting area in Palm Desert, CA. Mr. Bezos had recently had a baby girl and thought up the idea of a photo-a-day from the day she was born to document his life. He photographed Oprah on that show as a sort of photo journal. The concept of how a picture is worth one-thousand words meant more to me after watching this show. I began taking a photo-a-day on that exact date. I still take a minimum of one photo per day. My passion is still there as I continue to enhance my photographic works with new photo editing techniques. I sometimes upload photos at this site for a daily sort of chronology (if you click here and then click on the ARCHIVES tab you can see a month at a glance of daily photos): www.fotolog.com/michaelarm

Twenty-five years ago

December 23, 1983
I worked until 4 o'clock but it was really a freebie sort of work day. Salima loved the earrings I gifted her. Barbara Reynolds loved me for thinking of her during this festive time with the 'imported bath oil' gift. I kissed Salima and Barbara with Merry Christmas wishes at the end of the day.

While driving home on the freeway I thought I heard a rattling noise from my car. I chose to think nothing of it. Later...after a short holiday nap at mom and dad's house I noticed I had a flat tire. This unfortunate incident blew the date plans for the evening of dancing with Tammy Duhr. She was not thrilled to hear the news...but it was just as well.

My brother, Tony, introduced me to his friend, Ramona. She was very nice.

I walked to my house on Soloman Lane and decided to call Frank Vasconcellos. I invited him over but he had no form of transportation (just like Tammy). It was just as well. I stayed home and watched '79 Park Avenue', a made for TV movie starring Lesley Ann Warren as a high class call girl in New York City in the role of 'Marja' Morgan. She won a Golden Globe in 1977 for her part in this film based on the Harold Robbins best-seller. www.imdb.com/title/tt0075515/

December 24, 1983

I watched the ending of '79 Park Avenue' in the morning. My dad stopped over to pick me up and we went to Mervyn's at South Shore Shopping Center. I bought my brother, John, another gift (a beach towel). My dad and I picked up mom and drove out to Grandma's house for a Christmas Eve visit. I played with my little cousins, Shawn & Shonette West and Jason Lucero for a while. Mom and Dad did some holiday chitchat with Grandma and we left soon afterward.

I read a few articles in my ESQUIRE Magazine. I watched 'An Uncommon Love' and 'Looker' on television with mom and dad.

My brother, John, arrived from work at Noon. My brother, Tony arrived at 12:30pm and we proceeded to open our Christmas presents in the living room. We shared a lot of cutlery this year. I got a new bike shirt from John. A VCR case from mom and 'drinking glasses and placemats' from Tony. All in all I was happy with my gifts. I love the sense of family. We had a great Christmas Eve evening together even if I still had an unrepaired 'flat tire'. Tomorrow is Christmas Day.

December 25, 1983

John and I woke up and got semi-dressed up for the holiday occasion. We went over to our parents' house. We ate. We slept. We watched television. It was an all-around lounging kind of Christmas Day. I felt like I ate all day and evening. Christmas Day is meant to be a lazy sort of day, isn't it? It was fun. The evening dinner brought about the real shocker of the day. John announced that Sherri Lewis was 4 1/2 months along in her pregnancy. He said that I was going to be an uncle before my 25th Birthday. Now that really was one heck of a shocker. I should say so.

I returned to my pad later that night...thinking, dreaming and wondering. Will I ever reach or feel that fatherhood stage in my life?

Oh yes, Suzy Miller came by for Christmas Eve and gave me the coolest gift of a colorful scarf.

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Martini Techno-Theater Night

It is funny how a few degrees of separation can lead to new friends and laughter. If you had read my previous blog from a few days ago (Have You Had Your DNA Tested?) you would have read how my ancestral "DNA cousin" John Earl Spencer entered my life this year.

John resides in San Francisco, CA and he cyber-introduced (Is that a new word for wikipedia?) me to Jay Kuo who has become a mutual friend. Jay Kuo and I have been exchanging electronic mail messages over the last couple of months. Jay was a former commercial litigation attorney who chose to follow his passion into musical theater arts. He is a talented and accomplished composer, lyricist and producer with three finished musicals: Insignificant Others, Homeland, and Upwardly Mobile. He is currently working on two new projects that he plans to workshop and release in New York City or wherever the theater path will lead him. It is exciting to know that Jay plans to move to New York City in March 2009.

Jay has been in New York City over the last week and made a point to come by to meet myself and Alan. We arranged a cocktail meeting at our apartment in Tribeca last night. Jay brought along two of his good friends and business associates who were ever-so-friendly. We met Gregory Rae, a former software engineer with Google.com, and Lorenzo Thione, an entrepreneur, of which both have a passion for martini's and theater.

Gregory Rae grew up in Napa, California, so we touched up on our love of the Napa Valley. Gregory has been living in the Chelsea area of New York City for five years now and was a joy to get to know. Lorenzo Thione grew up in Milan, Italy. He speaks fluent Italian and one wouldn't know it. He must have been an A student in his English classes. Lorenzo was educated in Computer Engineering at the University of Texas in Austin. He was Founder and Product Architect of Powerset, Inc. a Natural Language Search company that was committed to delivering the next breakthrough revolution in web search. His company was recently sold to Microsoft for a decent amount of bucks.

Alan mixed his delicious apple martini's using the Russian vodka we received last July 2008 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The original Berentzen Apfel Korn schnapps liqueur from Germany was the magic elixir. These boys know how to drink us under the table. We couldn't join them for musical fun at SPLASH because we had an early morning meeting but we delighted in our martini techno-theater conversation.

We chatted up a storm about theater shows from West Side Story, Memphis, Billy Elliot, Gypsy and more to techno-talk on Google, Microsoft, Yahoo. We are delighted to join them again for the closing night gala of INSIGNIFICANT OTHERS on December 27, 2008 in San Francisco, CA.

It really is a joy to be random and spontaneous every now and then. Now I am hoping Lorenzo was not kidding with regard to his cooking skills. I want that home cooked 'cotoletta alla milanese' (heck...even his Italian-style pasta will do). Yummy!

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