Run After Me

"Run after me
and I will run away,
Run away
and I will run after you."
-Paloma Sanchez Guerra-Alquier

I am starting to detect early signs of Springtime here in Southern California.
It reminds me of a recent poem that I came across:

The grass may wither, but the roots die not
and when Spring comes it renews its full life;
Only grief, so long as its roots remain,
Even without Spring, is of itself reborn.
-Ch'en Shan-Min,
Sung Dynasty

Twenty-five years ago today

January 25, 1984, Wednesday

I called Paloma at 9am to invite her a 'second time' for lunch on this day.
"I have to be at school at 11:30 today," Paloma declared.
I assume this means I will be taking a rain check for some other time.

Helen was absent again from work. I tried calling her to express concern. She was still asleep. Is she really sick?

I broke down at lunchtime and enjoyed a 'hot dog'. I called mom during my lunch hour.
"What's new, mom?"
"Well, I called Cecelia and told her that I'm going to be a grandma," she said with a bit of laughter.
Abruptly I cleared my throat. "Ah, so the news is out."

I never received a call back from Bill Myers at that San Francisco Placement Center today. What gives? What a flake. It's his loss anyway.

Carol Barling, Assistant Manager at Pacific Telephone, overheard me tell Rose that I received a job offer. She kept trying to eavesdrop. What a nosey wench! I am still curious as to why Carol Barling made print copies of my personal telephone bill. That is my business. I can only wonder if I am even trusted within my own company. It pisses me off. I should question the matter. I will do something if I sense her persistence. I think she hates me or is jealous of me for some reason.

Tomorrow is our conference at the Oakland Hyatt. I can't wait to impress every one with my new business suit.

I filled my 'ARMIJO5' mustang with fuel at the MOBIL station right after work. I heard my phone ringing in the house as I drove into the garage. I missed a call from Chris Cordellos. I believe it was him because he called five minutes later.
"Yeah, I wanted to call to tell you that my back is acting up. It hurts me when I walk," he explained.
Chris has a recurring back problem due to some car accident (I think). He said he was calling from Riverside. It surprised me that he would call long-distance from there.
"I hope you feel better," I said with a touch of empathy.

Chris is a nice guy. He seems to keep to his word. He was to call me today and he actually did.
"I will call you on Friday with the latest chain of events regarding my back and the report from the hospital," Chris promised me.

I ate dinner at mom's and watched the Ronald Reagan State of the Union Address with my Dad.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQwcAxgSW7s&feature=related

When I returned to my pad I found a message on my machine from Jackie Woods, the black girl that I met at STARGAZE, a dance club in Fremont, who seems to have a crush on me. I neglected to return her call but I did call Nancy DeSilva once again. Nancy and I made a date for next Saturday, February 4th.
"I might drive by this weekend and see you bike riding, too," she said in her flirtatious way.
I thought quietly to myself, "Yeah, sure...if you're lucky."
We continued the telephone conversation on various subjects such as school, my cousin Patrick Markus, cheer leading, high school sports, Art, Chabot College, exercise, Los Angeles, and southern California beaches. Nancy seems to be a real "Rah Rah type" and a gal who is very much 'on the move'. I shall learn more during our forthcoming date.

I called Helen who explained that she had left work early on Monday because she was vomiting.
"I may not return to work until next week sometime," Helen said.
I will miss her.

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Outside the Box of Thinking

"Connecting the Dots...That's what it's all about!"
-Zahra

I met Zahra at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City about five years ago. She and her husband, Tim, remain great friends. I just received a postcard from Zahra yesterday that included a poem that I wish to document in my blog today.
. . .
. . .
. . .
Can you connect all nine dots with four straight lines without lifting your pencil?

"Have you ever wondered why some of us are unable to turn our misfortune into insight, our grief into joy? I have been pondering this question of late.

The Persian Poet Rumi says:

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the door sill.
Where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep.

"Our lives are full of dots. The door is round in opportunities to live, grow and change. My dear friend...Are you awake or do you sleep?"
-Zahra

Twenty-five years ago today:

January 21, 1984

8:30am: I took a 'back and forth' ride on my bike along the Alameda South Shore Beach until 10:30am. It was funny when some old man shook his head after I passed him by for the 8th time during my exhilarating excursion.

10:30am: I had breakfast at Mom's house (356 Magnolia Drive). The chocolate milkshake I made was delicious.
"You careered!" said my brother, John, after he tasted the orange juice, vanilla ice-cream milkshake I prepared for him.

I called Sue Miller to verify the dinner itinerary. I couldn't stay still and had to go bike riding again until about 2pm.

Once I returned to my pad and fueled up on some water and yogurt I decided to nap until 4:30pm.

My mom stopped by to bring the keys I had left at her house. She started to 'pick up after' the household mess that John and I had left in the surrounding areas. I couldn't resist commenting.
"Let us live our bachelor lives in peace," I said jokingly.

By 5pm I was readying myself for 'A Little Italy' outing. I was at Sue's apartment by 6pm. Her brother, Michael Miller, was there and we talked for a while until Sue was finally ready to leave. I required Sue to listen to the taped music I had created. I think she was amused by it.

We met Rene (Dave's cousin), his girlfriend, Tala, and Stevei (Dave's girlfriend). We sipped white wine together until it was time to follow them to Castro & Noe to eat. The reservation was a half hour wait, so we had a drink at some Pub located down the street. Dinner was good. Rene was loud. Stevei looked familiar. Tala was good lookin' in her own right. Only Sue and I ate the coffee chip and coffee crunch ice-cream for dessert.

Before long we were en route back to the East Bay in Alameda but we decided to stop at The Rusty Pelican to dance a few. Sue said some 'fat broad' was giving her dirty looks, acting selfish and jealous. We decided to leave the scene. I had some iced-tea at Sue's apartment and we talked about the interesting and semi-eventful evening.

Tomorrow...Paloma and 'The Super Bowl' I suppose.

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A New Year In Australia

"Imagination rules the world"
-inside a fortune cookie

My daughter, Arianna, and her boyfriend, Nick, flew out of Los Angeles in late October 2008. They are on a 6 month to 1 year adventure of working and living abroad in Australia. They keep me informed via an imaginative and occasional email. I don't think they'll be too upset if I post this most recent one received on December 23, 2008. I loved the imagination and the cleverness of it:

As I am very far away, in an Australian summer... I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you!
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Love Always~
Ari

P.S. Nick and I wrote you a holiday greeting:


'Twas the night before Christmas and all 'cross the shore,
Not a noise could be heard 'cept for the surf's roar.
The swimsuits were hung from the roof rack with care,
In hopes they'd soon dry in the warm salty air.
The wombats were nestled all snug in their lair,
While Ari and Nick washed the sand from their hair.
All ready for bed and clean from the tap,
We climbed in the tent for a midsummer's nap.
When out on the beach there rose such a clatter,
We zipped out the tent to see what was the matter.
Away to the ocean, we ran in a flash,
Losing our shoes, down the dunes in our dash.
The moon on the crest of each new wave,
An image of wondrous beauty, it gave.
But what to our wandering eyes should appear,
But eight kangaroo and a sleigh drawing near.
With a little old rider, so sun burnt and tan,
We knew in a moment it must be the jolly swagman.
More rapid than seagulls, his kangas they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
"Now Bounder, Now Hopper, Now Jumper and Bouncin',
On Joey, On Skippy, On Springer and Pouncin'."
To the top of the dune they followed his call,
Now bound away, bound away, bound away all.
Like sea foam blown from the cyclone's eye,
When it crashes ashore and blasts to the sky,
Right up on the car the kangas, they hop,
With a sleigh full of toys and Santa on top.
And then with a scraping, we heard from their paws,
Ripping and scratching the paint with their claws.
So with a leap and a bound, Santa jumped off the car,
Down to the ground, which was not very far.
He was dressed in his best red bathing costume,
So tight that his figure, one needn't assume.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a bushman just opening his sack.
His eyes how they twinkle, his dimples how merry,
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.
With a smile so big it lit up the land,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the sand.
Like any good Aussie, he smelled strongly of beer,
Which helped to explain all his good cheer.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That was clearly the result of far too much telly.
He was chubby and plump, not your average surf man,
And we found ourselves laughing at his farmer's tan.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave us to know, we had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word but went straight to work,
Filled the boot full of presents, then turned with a jerk,
To the meat pies, which he ate, even licking the plate,
And grabbing the roof rack, he hoisted his weight.
Flopping into his sleigh, in the most elegant way,
He called out to the 'roos, to start hopping away,
And we heard him exclaim 'ere they bounced out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all and may all eat vegemite!"

Twenty-five years ago today:

January 1, 1984

I am waking up early regularly these days. I hopped on my bicycle after a nutritious breakfast at mom's house. My bike is my 'best friend'. The QUAKE FM-99 tunes help me collect my thoughts as I ride like the wind. Yes, 'Ride Like the Wind' is a favorite song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt9wULOlc6o

By 2pm I was home again. Leslie Fonseca, the CARROWS restaurant hostess surprisingly called me! She is sweet. I thought I heard a baby crying in the background as I spoke to her. I asked if she was babysitting.
"No, it's her daughter," she said.
That sure was not thrilling news. I guess I tried to pretend I had not heard that fact. I'm not prepared for the IFP (Immediate Family Plan).
"I am from Nicaragua," Leslie added after I asked where she was from because of her strong, sexy accent.
"Would you like to go out for lunch tomorrow?" I asked excitedly.
"Yes," she quickly replied with a giggle.
I knew I had promised to call Bill Helbush to see what we might do together but it's just as well. I really think I'd rather see Leslie and get to know someone new.

That evening as I was getting ready for dinner at Salima's house in Concord, CA I decided to call Bill Helbush.
"I went over to the Moscone Center in San Francisco today and I saw Tammy Duhr there with that guy, Sean," Bill said.
"Oh really? Frank had told me he was going there, too. I'm glad I didn't go," I told Bill as I explained how I would not have enjoyed the "vibes".
"I loved being there. I can see that is the fine line where we are different," he said.
"Yeah, whatever," I replied.
"Do you think Tammy is a transvestite?" Bill asked.
I couldn't believe he asked such a question. What a creep. I just can't believe how he blurts out rude things behind ones back.

Before I knew it I was ringing the doorbell to Salima's apartment. Her son answered the door and the little young boy looked half-white. He was quite the nice little chap. Salima's husband, Michael, was there. I was surprised to also find Salima's sister, Saeeda, there. We all had a cordial, pleasant time. We ate chile, shrimp, coleslaw, cornbread, rice followed by apple pie and ice-cream.

We watched a double-feature. They were two repeats for me but still enjoyable the second time around.
FRANCES
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G01a5y84oDc
and PORKY's
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xh-qBa4-bQ

I left Concord and arrived home by 1:30am. So far it's a Happy New Year...No credit card usage and no sex.

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What Matters In Life

Yesterday, I received a phone call after lunch at the Auberge du Soleil resort in Napa Valley from my cousin, Lawrence Vigil. He was sharing the sad news about his mother passing away. His mother was Julia Vigil-Casillas, my Aunt (sister to my father). Julia was a vivacious and talkative soul. In her heyday she was said to be quite the beauty. She was a widow since 1995 when her last husband, Armando Casillas passed away. She always had a chihuahua in the house. She'd fatten it up...and when one chihuahua would die she'd replace it with another. As a young boy I would love visiting her home because she would always have a large glass jar filled with colorful Chiclets gum. She always knew how to make a child smile with candy, cookies or some such goodies. I had not stopped by to see her for several years but always sent her my annual Christmas Card. This morning I was thinking of my dear Aunt Julia (born June 19, 1920 in Ledoux, Mora County, New Mexico) and remembered this poem I wrote a month or so after my mother had passed away. I figured it was a good time to read it again.

What Matters In Life

Feeling the fresh wind swoosh across my face
Walking in a brisk, non-swift pace
Hearing birds chirp and wildly flutter
Touching textures smooth, soft as butter
Reading a story of hope, laughter or joy
Watching a child riding a scooter--his toy
Sensing the smell of baked goods with coffee
Listening to leaves rustle atop the oak tree
Seeing a foreign tourist in couture style
Speaking a new accent for a short while
Waking up each morning to see the sun shine
Sharing a humorous joke to see a face line
Remembering a moment with someone gone 'bye'
Running on the beach, squinting an eye
Musing to music for words to live by
Giving a gift that makes another cry
Living for happiness at every moment in time
Wining, dining and hearing bells chime
Feeling the kiss & embrace from your love
Realizing the simple beauty of a white dove.

I had forgotten about my period of writing poems. I should write more. For a while I was writing a WORD OF THE MONTH and creating a poem from that word. If you'd like to browse at some of my poems (from way back when)...I managed to post some of them here at this poetry website:
www.poetry.com/dotnet/P2450444/Michael/Armijo/PoetProfile.aspx

Twenty-five years ago

It is starting to sink in now (in my mind) about my being an uncle in mid-May 2004. Now that I have shared the news with a few friends and co-workers. In fact it is rather exciting and thrilling.

I discussed spending New Years Eve with Helen Wong, her sister, Geneva and her boyfriend, Derek, over a dinner and dancing plan. Where to do this is still in question.

I received word today (effective January 3, 1983) that I can pay monthly parking in Downtown Oakland for $35 at the usual parking lot I use daily. Good news! Hoorah!

I went to I. MAGNIN during my lunch hour and met Linda. She is a new management hire in the sportswear department. We bumped into one another in the mezzanine hallway due to an exchange in smiles. I gave her my card and she said she'd be working there. So...who knows where that might lead?

Helen invited me for dinner tonight. I drove over to her house and I decided to get my hair cut. We ate salad, chicken, macaroni and vanilla cream pie. It was a delicious homemade meal. We lounged a bit. It seems I tend to do a lot of lounging these days. I exercise too, so I believe it evens out in the long run. Helen and I decided on HORATIO'S in Berkeley, CA as the New Years Eve location. And then we may hit the Hilton for drinks and dancing. It should be fun.

I arrived home around 10:30pm. My brother, John, and his friend, Geoffrey Rookard, were watching my favorite "bike" movie, BREAKING AWAY.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8diYzvCMVQ
I definitely need to get my bicycle 'flat tire' repaired!

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THE READER Is One Worthwhile Book

"If looking at someone with desire was as bad as satisfying that desire, if having an active fantasy was as bad as the act you were fantasizing then why not the satisfaction and the act itself? As the days went on, I discovered that I couldn't stop thinking sinful thoughts. In which case I also wanted the sin itself."
--excerpt from THE READER
by Bernhard Schlink

I had bought this book around 2001 knowing that it was a National Best-Seller. It remained on a bookcase until recently. I learned that a film was being released this month based on THE READER and it encouraged me to read it immediately. I was engrossed in the story during my flight from New York City to Santa Fe, NM.

THE READER is about finding love and happiness. It is a love story. It has mystery, intrigue and courtroom drama. It's a story about one searching for answers throughout life. It's about revisiting a scene of a past tragedy. It blends philosophy, psychology and dilemma. It's about defending the not-so-innocent. It's a realization of loneliness and secrets. The story includes a dramatic trial that comes to grips with a Nazi past. It's about dealing with guilt silently. It's about a youth who has an affair. It's about a woman in the middle of a treacherous work environment who seeks innocence and love. It's about reading.

I loved the book so much that I so look forward to seeing the movie version now.
The Golden Globes has already blessed it with a BEST PICTURE nomination.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lZideRK0Vo
My blog is devoted to you 'reading' this book. It is simply brilliant. It was one of those page-turner stories that almost had me in tears at one point.

"When we open ourselves
you yourself to me and
I myself to you
When we submerge
you into me and I into you
When we vanish
into me you and into you I
Then
am I me
and you are you."
--a poem excerpt from THE READER
by Bernhard Schlink

(The photo above is simply a picture of my niece, Holly Armijo, reading.)

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