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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Flesh For LuLu

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

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

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

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

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

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

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 15, 1984,
Tuesday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Addictions

"You were not meant to sit in the shade of Life."
-as heard in the HBO series
"John Adams"

Early this morning I stumbled upon a '5 Things You are Addicted To' question via the online social networking site of FACEBOOK. I surprised myself by thinking of '5 Things' very quickly.

What is an addiction after all? It is an abnormally strong craving, yes? An addiction is being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (like cigarette smoking-Yuck!). I came up with these five:

1. Investments
2. Veal Milanesa
3. Digital Photography
4. Coffee Eclairs
5. Foreign Films

I am sure I have more addictions that I neglected to mention. I used to be so addicted to bicycling. I think I should add bicycling, running and weight training to my world. I feel so ashamed that coffee eclairs was one of my initial top choices. Perhaps it's just that I fell in love with them after having one at the FINANCIER in Downtown New York.
http://www.financierpastries.com/

I am addicted to reading, blogging and writing handwritten letters. The list goes on and on...

What are your addictions?

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 13, 1984
Sunday

I quietly awoke at 7:30AM and everyone was still asleep. It looked like too good of a Sunday to waste moping around the house. I slipped into my bike outfit and got my gear together, riding to the Fruitvale BART station. I was there by 8:15AM. I was disappointed when I discovered that the BART station did not open until 9AM.

I decided to ride over to the Lake Merritt BART Station. From there I carried my bike down a couple of flights of stairs and decided to disembark at the Balboa Park Station in San Francisco. I got lost looking for Golden Gate Park. This is proof that I don’t know how to get around in ‘The City’.

I ended up riding into Daly City. All in all I was having a good workout. When I finally did find Golden Gate Park I continued on a beautiful ride. I watched a part of the amateur skate boarding championships. I love how I just stumble on these events. A thin blond fella kept eyeing me. It gave me the creeps actually. I decided to hop on my bike and split the scene.

I rode into Downtown San Francisco and enjoyed an A&W Root Beer float break. I left the busboy a .64 cents tip. It was time to return home. By 2:15PM I was on BART once again.

Mom was lounging on this relaxing Sunday when I arrived.
“I had a burst of morning energy and took BART to Golden Gate Park,” I announced proudly.
"I was wondering where you disappeared to but then I saw your bike was gone," Mom said.

PHOTO: 1984, Proud Uncle I

I was thinking it was time for a brief nap when Sherri called to say she was coming over with Ashley. Ashley was sleeping upon arrival. Ashley gets cuter with each day. Janet (Sherri’s mom) came along. I snapped a few photos, too.

PHOTO: 1984, Proud Uncle II


Once they left I decided to go out again for an evening bike ride (from 4:30-5:30). During that hour I learned that I had missed a telephone call from Suzy Miller. Oh well.

I telephoned Chris Cordellos and Barb answered .
“I don’t know where he is but he’s most likely with Jim Severn,” Barb remarked. She probably knew that would irk me.

I was watching “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” on television with mom when Michael Thoennes called me from Livermore, CA.
“I can stop by in Alameda,” Thoennes surprisingly said.
I arranged to meet him at East 14th Street and High Street out of convenience. We went to McGee’s, a local Irish bar on Park Street, for Irish coffee. He ordered a ‘Tom Collins’. Ugh!
I saw Mike Hansen and (I believe) Mike Gingrich, two old junior high/high schoolmates at McGee’s. I guess it’s a hangout for locals. Who knew? Thoennes and I left after our cocktails and took an evening walk along South Shore beach.
“I like your gray boots with the white jeans,” Michael T said.
“Thank you,” I said as Michael T went on to say that his sister, ‘Bubbles’ had asked for me.
“Bubbles is such a cutie pie,” I said.
During the walk I learned that Michael T’s birthday is on May 23rd. We discussed what each of us may do during the Memorial Day weekend.
“I might be going out with Chris Cordellos as he may drive down from Eureka,” I explained.

By the end of the evening, Michael T ended up with a kiss on the cheek as I felt a hand on my leg/knee. It could have led to more. Fortunately, he understands my predicament with the long-distance relationship with Chris.

By 10:30pm I was home again. I went to sleep after a quick sandwich and a talk with mom about the storyline of the Sunday Night movie she had just seen.

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The Long, Hot Summer

"Am I a sentimental old fool?"
-Orson Welles
in the 1958 film
"The Long, Hot Summer"

Last night I saw the 1958 film "The Long, Hot Summer" starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. The theme song was sung by Jimmie Rodgers. I liked his voice. I could not find a recording of him singing "The Long, Hot Summer" but here's an audio of him singing 'Secretly':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zub0Cx1DUY

If you haven't seen the movie I'd suggest you see it. It still holds up with the test of time. Check out this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr0IeZXtMrA
The story combines two William Faulkner stories.

It's amazing to see Paul Newman and JoAnne Woodward in the story and realize they were married for 50 years. The two worked together in this film in 1958 and were married that same year.

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 1, 1984
It rained today.

I saw a big 'rat' on the way to work. Gross! I wondered if it had any significance for my forthcoming day.

I telephoned Chris Cordellos at 12:20PM. Once again he could not say much. When I called at 2:30PM at the US Coast Guard Base he was able to talk.
"I laid it on the line with Jim. I even tried fixing him up with Leandra," Chris said. Chris implied that the 'set up' with Leandra was Jim's request.
"Leandra and Jim went to bed together and Jim couldn't get into it. Jim told me he felt bad. Leandra told me all about it, too. Can you believe it?"
"I guess I can believe it," I said.
"Yeah, I'm leaving this base and transferring to Guam for a year," Chris announced.
He was only kidding about the Guam part. I'm so gullible that I believed him.
"It was a bad day. Some officer kept giving me a bad time. I'm still a little shaky. Who knows if I will get my time off request from May 23rd to 30th now," Chris said as he continued to complain about his unknown future.

Since the rain continued after my work day I did not bother to go for a ride. I simply ate dinner, lounged and watched a taped soap-opera episode of "The Young and The Restless" with mom. It was relaxing. I was feeling a little O.W. (overweight). I don't think I look it.

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An Allergy Answer

"I believe a person can go back and change what has already happened."
-David Selby in character
as 'Quentin Collins'
Dark Shadows-episode 1133

On Tuesday I was subjected to heavy winds and the many Spring Time pollens blowing in the air. It didn't agree with me. Allergies kicked in and I had a flight to New York. It was a miserable flight of sniffling, nose blowing and restroom visiting. My right inner ear was clogged with mucus from the allergies. I was expecting my ear to "pop" from within so I could hear. This led to an uncomfortable first night in New York City.

The next day, April 16th (yesterday) I took an afternoon walk with Alan to KING's PHARMACY and discovered ZYRTEC-D. They are extended release tablets used for allergy and congestion. It really helped.

I capped off the first tablet with a most delicious vegetable soup with chicken broth at the new BOULEY Bakery in Tribeca. The nap a few hours later helped, too.

I would do a 'believe in it' testimontial for ZYRTEC-D. I can hear out of my right ear again. I am feeling better. Have empathy for those who are not feeling good.

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 17, 1984, Tuesday

I decided to get "spiffed up" today, wearing my best tie and slacks to work. I was excited about Barb and Chris taking the time to meet me in Downtown Oakland for lunch. I was especially happy because I was given AX time (Excused Absence Without Pay Time) right after lunch, too.

We ate at "Monica's" for lunch and took BART into San Francisco. Chris and I went one way and Barb was to meet us at a central point on Powell Street at 3:30PM.

Chris bought some 'soap' (what an odd purchase). I bought some black pillows (what an odd purchase). We stopped at A&W for a nibble and talked about how good we are together.
"You know, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me," Chris shared, "we are just such a plus."

Chris and I chose the MACY's furniture department displays to go lounge on. The way Chris talks it's as if his folks are very wealthy. Perhaps I am wrong. All I know is that I like Chris a lot.

We met Barb as planned, taking BART back to Downtown Oakland. We all gathered to my parking lot and I drove to San Leandro to the MACY's Clearance Place. I bought a jacket and a shirt. I also bought Chris a jacket that was regularly priced at $70for $17.50. I'm such a 'big spender'. He was so happy.

We went to The Red Robin at the Bay Fair Shopping Center for a 'Cookie Magic' drink. It was delicious. We continued to browse at the regular MACY's at the Center until we decided to end our day. I had to drive Chris and Barb back to their car in Downtown Oakland. We bid farewell and departed-until further notice. We had a good time but I was tired to say the least.

When I arrived home I looked through my developed pictures that arrived in the mail. There were 'ok' except for one set of pictures that belonged to 'God Knows Who'.

I am simply happy about how things have worked out and are continuing to work out. I trust it can only get better. Chris seems to think Barb is jealous because he has a friend like me.
"You're 'together' and 'good lookin' and she has no boyfriend," Chris had said.
I guess she could be envious. I think Barb likes me, but I'm all for Chris.

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Stress Management Technique

"I knew I liked boys more than I should.
I had already had a torrid,
if one-sided, affair with Montgomery Clift and several other actors
I saw on late-night movies on TV."
-John DiCarlo
"Telling Tales Out of School"

The other day I received an email from Barbara Reynolds about the latest 'stress management technique' that is being recommended in psychological journals. It supposedly really works. Personally, I think it might work best if a gentle voice is reading the suggestions:

1. Picture yourself lying on your belly on a warm rock that hangs out over a crystal clear stream.

2. Picture yourself with both your hands dangling in the cool running water.

3. Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.

4. No one knows your secret place.

5. You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called the world.

6. The soothing sound of a gentle water fall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.

7. The water is so crystal clear that you can easily make out the face of the person you are holding underwater

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 16, 1984
Monday

When I telephoned Chris at 9:30AM this morning I was pleased to hear his voice. He was overjoyed to hear from me.
"I wanted to make sure you and Barb arrived home okay."
"Yeah, when we got here we went to see Lyle. I was talking to him about you, the Billy Idol Concert and the time we've been spending together," Chris explained.
Chris continued, "And Clay says he is going to come up and spend like thirty days with us!"
I just don't like that Clay is trying to influence Chris against me. Clay has never even met me!
PHOTO: Student Stress, Cambridge, England, July 2008

Helen, Tony and I shared tuna sandwiches for lunch. The work day flew by quickly. When I arrived home I went bike riding until 6:30PM. The batteries on my SONY headphones are running low and that interferes with my bike riding musical experience.

I ate BBQ chicken and relaxed as I watched 'Entertainment Tonight' and 'Wheel Of Fortune'. I started to dwell on my earlier conversation with Chris. I almost had the impression that he couldn't really talk because Barb was in the room.
"I guess I'll see you in May," I had said.
"Okay," Chris replied nonchalantly.
Just then...my doorbell rang. To my shock and speechlessness I could not believe my eyes. It was Chris and Barb right there at my doorstep!

We fed 'James the Dog' some ALPO. Then we went to 'The Royal Pub' but the service was horrible, so we left. We eventually found ourselves at 'The Lung Kong Restaurant' for eats along with a bottle of champagne. I treated them to dinner. Afterwards we went to McGee's bar on Park Street in Alameda. This led to more talking, laughing and drinking. We hopped out and over to Croll's on Webster Street, too.
"I have to talk to you," Chris whispered.
I was bummed out. I learned through his whispers that Clay and his old friends are trying to influence him to 'later me'.
"They think we should just be friends," Chris confided.
I was confused. Just this morning he seemed to realize something totally different.

By 12:30AM we were back at my house. I showed Chris some of my family pictures. I saw tears show up in his eyes. It was because he was feeling very close to me. I felt truly touched by his sensitivity. It made me feel that Chris was my very favorite person and 'best friend'.

Barb lounged in the living room as Chris and I politely excused ourselves to the backyard area. We rapped about our happiness and held things 'close knit' and 'very together'. We have good vibes right now. Despite our small quibbles I just want to be happy. He seems to want the same.

Chris and Barb are coming to visit me tomorrow during my lunch hour.

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My Ever Changing Moods

The relationship was very real and important, yet there was about it enough of mystery and imagination to satisfy Michael's craving for romance.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

The following is on page 15 of the 'Te Matare Ramirez'
Restaurante menu in Buenos Aires, Argentina

ISN'T SHE A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN?
Yes, incredibly beautiful. Now, above all, when her instincts have started to rouse, enticed by the ardent corruptions I drizzle in her ear. My left hand feels, there on her breast, how her skin has become tense and hot. Her blood begins to boil. This is the moment she reaches her climax, or (to put it in the academic terms) that what philosophers call absolute of the alchemist transubtantiation.

The word that best applies to her body is: plentiful. Stirred by my salacious fictions, everything in her turns to curve and prominence, winding elevation, softness. That is the consistency that the expert should prefer for his lover at the time of love: tender abundance which seems just about to overflow but keeps firm, supple, resilient like ripe fruit and freshly kneaded dough, that soft texture the Italians call morbidezza, a word that even when referring to bread sounds lustful.

After the above excerpt I shall have to save 'Desserts' for tomorrow. Smiles.

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 3, 1984, Tuesday

This morning dragged on a bit with watching 'Good Morning America' and a soap-opera called 'Loving'. I went in and outside to the porch as I observed the indecisive sun. It would continually come out and then hide again behind the clouds as if to tease me.

I felt some raspiness in my throat. I was trying to kill it with coffee, knowing it is not the best antidote.

Chris telephoned us.
"I can't get out at eleven but I will be able to at one o'clock," he said happily.
Barbara and I simply hung out and sat on the porch for a while.

Chris finally arrived but 'in a bad mood'. He was telling us how he had to cut all of the lawns via tractor at the USCG Humboldt Base. I didn't dare say it aloud but I was thinking how lucky that he was able to sit on a tractor to do the laborious chore. Chris had to have a quick crash nap for about fifteen minutes. After a bit of encouragement he was able to get up and venture out to "Critters & Co.".

We went to "Critters & Co." to pick up James (the dog). It was the pet that Barbara and Chris adopted. James was getting a cleaning. He looked so cute and clean, like a completely different dog.

Barbara received her IRS Tax Refund yesterday. We accompanied her to Eureka Stereo. She wanted a new stereo. After the first look we decided to go to Sears to see what they had in terms of stereo inventory. I was having fun playing a few video games. Chris and I were contemplating a plan to 'get rid of' Barb. In the end, we didn't choose to 'ditch' her.

We all had homemade pie at Jacoby's in Arcata. I bought another greeting card. Both Chris and I were thrilled to find cool sunglasses, too.
http://www.jacobystorehouse.com/history.php

We relaxed at home for a while until it was time to dress for dinner. We decided to go for Chinese Food. Who gets dressed for Chinese Food? We do. Chris received a telephone call from his mother as we were getting ready. I felt so bad because from what I had overheard she was entering the hospital on April 13th.
"I'm sorry I couldn't fulfill everything that I wanted to for you," Chris' mother said.
It made Chris cry. I felt so bad. Words can't express how I wanted to help soothe his crying soul. I believe I did comfort him though. I gave him a few hugs that I believe helped.

While all of this was taking place Barbara and Jim Severn were attempting to install her new stereo in the living room.
"I'll meet you guys at the restaurant," Barbara said.
That gave Chris and I the go ahead to leave. Chris didn't want to talk about his mom because it made him sad. It also made me depressed to see him depressed, so we skirted the subject.

Barbara took a while to arrive for dinner. I guess there were stereo connection problems. We were all stuffed and enjoying ourselves that we forgot to take home the leftovers! We ended up at 'Burgies', a lounge, for a Brandy Alexander.

We eventually ended up at the Old Bar & Grill to watch Elvin Bishop perform. He wasn't my kind of entertainment. I thought he made noise (not music). I looked 'cool', wearing Chris' sport coat and striped 'Papillon' pants. We all agreed we looked out of place in this joint. It was like going through a time warp back in time (between 1968 and 1972)! It made for amusing fun.

The rain mixed with the drinking made me feel like I was having strep throat symptoms. I didn't feel to hot. We all did get up and dance to a song called "Go With The Flow". We made the night fun. We took our wine glasses home as souvenirs. They allowed us to do that. It wasn't like the naughty behavior at Denny's.

We finally left the dang joint. And when we were almost home we realized that we left Chris' car parked in Eureka! How foolish is that? The alcohol stirred our brains. We drove back and I had to drive Chris' car because he wasn't in high grade condition to do so.

When we were home we continued to party in the living room with the new stereo.
We danced to a song by Style Council called "My Ever Changing Moods". It's such a good song. It described our feelings and moods at this late hour completely.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJeP3mipHQY

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Deep Discussions

"He had to let off steam, otherwise we would never hear the end of it."
Thomas Mann
in his short story
FALLEN, 1894

It's time to honor a favorite author. I have only read his famed novella DEATH IN VENICE from 1918. I have a new appreciation for him as I am currently reading 'Six Early Stories' that were never before published in the United States by the great German novelist until 1997.

Born on June 6, 1875, Thomas Mann lived in Munich from 1893, emigrating to Switzerland in 1933 and to the USA in 1939, returning to Zurich at the end of his life. He died August 12, 1955.

Mann's writing reveals many of the great artistic forces behind late 19th and early 20th century Europe. His earliest works, including the novel "Buddenbrooks" (1901) and "Tonio Kroger" (1902), combine the European social novelw with the most regional model of German literature. The clash between 'a member of the middle class' and 'artist', between the stolid philistine (a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits) and the sensitive aesthete (one who professes great sensitivity to the beauty of art and nature), is repeated in 'Death In Venice' and in his great novel 'The Magic Mountain' (1924).

Thomas Mann works explore the role of art and the individual in a working world, which has little patience or understanding of the aesthetics.

I will be reading his other significant books (Joseph and His Brothers, Lotte in Wimar, Doctor Faustus, The Holy Sinner and Felix Krull) in the near future. Mann was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929.

Twenty-five years ago today:

March 23, 1984, Friday

I made the mistake of calling Chris Cordellos at his moms' house in Concord at around 2PM.
"He's not here," Mrs. Cordellos said.
"Oh, well I was just wondering because we're going to a concert and I wanted to discuss details," I said.

I would later learn from Chris that he had told his mom that he was going to the concert with his friends, Elliot and Lyle. I guess I blew his cover.
"I don't really care because I'm twenty-one and I can do and see whomever I please," Chris said proudly.
He's got a point there. He is twenty-one now.

Chris arrived at my house around 7:15PM. I gave him his handmade tape of KQAK tunes and a TAMSTAR telephone. He was overjoyed. We had a grand time at the concert, too. 'The Uptones', a group from Berkeley, were a pretty cool opening act.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYG-LTM_byU

While at the concert some 'chick' pinched my ass. I took it as a flattering gesture. Let me tell you. After the concert we returned to my place and listened to every song on the tape I had made for him.

Chris started to feel a little 'down and out' because of his US Coast Guard troubles. He knew he was supposed to be at the base the next morning but figured he'd find a way to get excused from that. He was also worried about our relationship. He confessed about being nervous. His primary concern was my 'goings on' while he was at the base in Arcata, CA and me being down here in Alameda, CA. He was worried about what may or may not happen while we are away from one another. Chris seems to be overly jealous whenever I mention someone more than once. He should know by now how much I care for him. He's such a 'best friend' to me.

Chris went on to talk about his fellow Coast Guard pal, Jim Severn.
"He has such a good physique and sometimes I think he may be coming on to me," Chris said.

I was starting to realize that he may be more worried about what he may do while he is away. He assured me that nothing has happened between him and Jim Severn.

We ended up upstairs. We were both satisfied. Chris left at approximately 2:30AM on this 'Billy Idol' REBEL YELL night.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HuXl05QWos

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