The Twist

She gave him a smile he never forgot.
That smile told him what he had done;
the remembrance of it told him how much he could do for others.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

How can I not find a video of 'The Twist' and replay it over and over and over?

Listen for yourself:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the+twist%2C+chubby+checker&docid=1029122163071&mid=82A4FCEEC6FC2FF3AFF082A4FCEEC6FC2FF3AFF0&FORM=VIVR22#

'The Twist' Lyrics:

Come on baby let's do the twist
Come on baby let's do the twist
Take me by my little hand and go like this
Ee-oh twist baby baby twist
Oooh-yeah just like this
Come on little miss and do the twist

My daddy is sleepin' and mama ain't around
Yeah daddy is sleepin' and mama ain't around
We're gonna twisty twisty twisty
'Til we turn the house down
Come on and twist yeah baby twist
Oooh-yeah just like this
Come on little miss and do the twist

Yeah you should see my little Sis
You should see my my litlle Sis
She really knows how to rock
She knows how to twist
Come on and twist yeah baby twist
Oooh-yeah just like this
Come on little miss and do the twist
Yeah rock on now
Yeah twist on now
Twist


Twenty-five years ago today:

October 4, 1984
Thursday

“So, Bobbie, guess what?”
“What Michael?”
“I have a date tonight with Paloma.”
“Ooooh, Ahhhh.”
She was almost embarrassing me with her ‘ooing and ahhing’. I’m pretty sure I blushed.
“I haven’t seen her since March 15th,” I explained.
Bobbie was surprised and interested about the reconciliation.

I like a lady at work named Sue Leith. She is on-the-job training us and she is quite beautiful, well-balanced and nicely put together. I hope to become closer friends…or whatever.

Michael Miller called me after work and said, “I’m going to pick up my pictures from Belgium today. If you want I can stop by to show them to you.”

“I am expecting someone but you can still come over for a little while,” I said.
He arrived with his Belgium photos. We laughed and it was a great way for me to visit the country.

Paloma arrived while Michael was there. She was all ‘high-fashioned’ out in light army-green colors. Michael left and we went on our merry way to the Ice-Cream Dock on Harbor Bay Isle. I wonder what Michael's impressions were about her.

Paloma and I had a fantastic time catching up on good ole times like the time we met for Halloween in San Francisco. My lip was bleeding a bit on that night due to a bad razor blade while shaving. Paloma and I shared some ‘bloody good kisses’ because of it. We ate an ice-cream dessert (chocolate cookie n’ crunch), too.

We returned to my place and tried watching a little television while looking at some photographs. Paloma had one cigarette throughout the evening. I have to be content that it was only ‘one’. She departed at 10:30PM and I walked her outside to her car. We were pretty ‘lovey-dovey’, so I don’t know when and if we will make a complete turnaround.

Karyn Kossoff telephoned while Paloma was at my place. I returned her phone call, telling her that Michael Miller was here. I didn’t mention a word about Paloma.

“So, how do you like the job so far?” Karyn asked.
“Oh God, I’ve been so mentally drained every day this week, going to bed at nine-thirty every night with no bicycling!”
Karyn laughed in her Pebbles Flintstone ‘sort of way’.
“I am dressing like the 1950’s tomorrow. It’s pot luck day, so I just wanted to warn you.”
This ought to be interesting. I wonder if she’ll dance to Chubby Checker’s ‘The Twist’.

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My Guy

For the past couple of years Michael had lived mostly in letters.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path:

Gee, sometimes you hear a song from way back and you wonder why you ever liked it.

Now I know why I liked this one by Mary Wells. It’s called ‘My Guy’.

I was in good company though. Did you know The Beatles had a favorite female singer back in the 60’s? It was Mary Wells?

Check out this video of her performance way back then:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=my+guy&qpvt=my+guy&docid=991897387153&mid=0D41AAF1236DA5856C060D41AAF1236DA5856C06&FORM=VIVR4#

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 27, 1984
Thursday

I went to the Training Center and by 11AM I was (and am) officially in the actual ‘Business Office’ for good. I was now in the 'real world'. I was welcomed by quite a few coworkers, namely Diana, Rene, Linda, Elisabeth, David Vigil and many more. It’s neat feeling popular.

I took about ten ‘real life’ phone calls. Five of them were referrals to other representatives. One order was a T & F! I survived. Practice will make me perfect…I know.

After work I was all worked over, having ‘sweat it out’ with a bit of nerves throughout the day. So I just headed to moms’ house and ate a ‘Cornish hen’ with Tony and Helen. It was delicious and appetizing.

I returned home to my pad to something wonderful! I received a letter from Jim Koran of Los Angeles. He sent a card that I had once sent to Barbara Reynolds. He is a creative intellectual. What a beautiful lookin’ dude. He is going into the ranks of my newest friends. I wrote back to him for a major part of the night.

Bruce called while I was writing. What a pest. He cannot seem to get my ‘avoidance’ drift.

Then another interruption came from Frank Vasconcellos who wanted to apologize for not calling me last Saturday. He insists that he has been trying to call every since but I have not been home. We may spend time together in front of the tube (TV) on Saturday night.

I don’t think I really want to go out on Saturday night anyway. And with my going out for Happy Hour tomorrow night at Barnaby’s it is enough. It’s almost Friday night. Wow.

I am still in awe of Jim Koran’s beautiful, well-versed written card to me. He is unique and a ‘one and only’. Then again, time will reveal his true identity. He is twenty-seven years old.

Jim may think less of me now as I have included a photo of me in front of Mike’s Restaurant in Monterey in this new letter I will mail tomorrow. I wonder what his reaction will be to that particular photo.

Today, in the office, I really got the ‘check him out’ looks. Ugh. It really feels 'too gay' in there sometimes.

“I will guard you,” Bobbie Renbarger said.

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A Gentle Sound

They amuse me up to a point.
Coeur de mon coeur...
Heart of my Heart...
Yes, That's lovely.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

I was remembering this fantastic song from 1988 that I just loved to the max! There is something about the lead singers’ voice from ‘The Railway Children’ that electrified me. I can recall how I’d pump on the pedals of my bike and go so FAST FAST FAST to this tune.

Here are the lyrics to ‘A Gentle Sound’.

First CLICK this link and take a listen to it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmlLbriO_M8

I know a little church
standing lonely on a hillside
it's cross was bent and broken
scratched and pitted by the cruel tide
one learned man with one book
surveys the blue sky
could the sea should banish god from his town
I can hear a sound

a gentle sound
it's all around me
it takes me up and down
all around me

I know a little girl standing lonely by the quayside
her hair was long and brown
it came right down all around
all love fights hate
in her looks
and in her sighs
still this girl could banish all
but her heart.

I can hear a sound
a gentle sound
it's all around me
it takes me up and down
all around me

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 25, 1984
Tuesday

Today was a much better day as it was beginning to look like it would be my last day of training at the Mission Street location. Hurrah! At the same time it was “Boo-Hoo” because who knows what is in store for me at the actual Business Office.

I went to the Patelco Credit Union today to pick up some brochure information. I inquired about a loan but the $5000 interest rate was not worth my time to even consider. I shot the entire idea.

After work I went bicycling along the beach and I happened to see Michael Miller. I stopped and started talking to him. A guy in a white car slowed down and whistled at us! I thought that was pretty funny. Michael started to tell me about his recent trip to Belgium.
“So listen, maybe I can move into your pad,” Michael suggested.

It was surely time to escape on his own, so I told him it was a great idea. He is so indecisive though. I think he has to think things through because he has things ‘made in the shade’ money wise right now with him living at his mom’s house and all. I think he really wants to move in with me so he can have peace and quiet to study. He knows my company would be easy as well. We get along.

I telephoned Paloma while I was at work today. She was once again pleased to hear from me. I made tentative arrangements for us to get together this coming Saturday or Sunday to rekindle ourselves. I thought we’d go to the Ice-Cream Dock on Harbor Bay Isle. I guess I will have to wait to see what happens.

Paloma seems to have been weight lifting a lot at the Hilltop Mall Fitness Center in Richmond, CA. She makes it sound like she is in such tip top, good shape.
“I’ll call you tonight,” I said towards the end of our conversation.

I just may go ahead and call Paloma now because we had such a great time chatting on the telephone today.

At approximately 9PM Chris Cordellos telephoned me from the Humboldt Coast Guard Base.
“Yeah, I’m on duty,” Chris said in a not very exciting tone, “and I miss you a lot. I just can’t get into too much detail—right now---over the phone.”
“Oh, well I knew you’ve been busy at the base and all.”
Chris had the nerve to say, “I was wondering why you haven’t written.”
It gave me the perfect opportunity to battle him about how he has NEVER written me from up there! Is he illiterate? That is still in question.
“What about Grant?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I really don’t. I mean, Grant’s really into it but it’s not…I don’t know.”

This statement led me to believe that Chris was not HOH (Head Over Heels) over Grant. He surely made it sound that way. I still care a lot about Chris but I don’t know what he expects of me now. I am going to write him a few times more. I guess he still wonders about us and maybe if I do write he will see that I don’t see it as the same anymore. Perhaps I shall mail him a photograph of me and the green Ferrari. I’ll tell him it’s my car. He is so obsessed with cars. I wrote to him. I wrote some curious wonder mush, too.

When I telephoned Paloma at about 9:30PM she was on another phone call.
“I’ll call you back, okay?”
“Sure,” I said as I wondered if she would call—or not.

I remember talking to Paloma today and kidding her about being amongst all of these bodybuilder types at the gym. Maybe I am envious. I like Paloma a lot. I suggested our going out dancing again and she is all for it! I look forward to more time with her. I wonder if I should come upfront and tell her what shunned me away from her the last time. As I recall it was the new beau that she had said she had a crush on. What nerve of her to tell me this. It depressed me to the point of a drink (alcohol, of course).

Time for me to ‘hit the sack’, fondle and wait for Paloma’s call. If Paloma calls I will write about our conversation tomorrow.

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Bliss

Her flippancy and irreverence put him off completely. She called it ‘taking the wind out of the sails’, and she did it intentionally when she thought he was getting too far above ground.
-Nial Kent
“The Divided Path”

It is funny how things find you. I was at a boutique clothing store back in 2005 on La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles and noticed a set of compact discs for sale. There was a CD called “QUIET LETTERS, U.S. Edition” by Bliss. I was attracted to it. It was a spontaneous purchase.

I still write letters as I listen to this album play sometimes. I recently gave the CD as a gift to a REIKI practitioner (a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing). She incorporated it into her sessions and recently told me she felt a ‘connection’ with me as the music played. I so LOVE that!

Listen to this sample cut called “Kissing” from the “QUIET LETTERS” album by Clicking on the link below. Her voice is so beautiful.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=kissing%2C+bliss&docid=990309646373&mid=B47F77685BAFFF435E71B47F77685BAFFF435E71&FORM=VIVR2#

Twenty-five years ago today:

August 31, 1984
Friday

This was one memorable day.

Training dragged on. I can’t see how the entire training sessions will be over by next Friday. I am on vacation the following week! I thank the stars for the day when I can say training is over.

Barbara Reynolds and I ate at the Chinese food joint at the Galleria. The guy who served our food was extremely friendly. I complemented his polite serving tactics.
“I used to be a chef,” he said.
I was then a little bit surprised when he asked, “Do you have plans for the weekend?”
“Oh, I may be going to the Monterey, Carmel area,” I answered back.
“I am going up near Auburn in Sacramento,” he said.

Bobbie left our training classes early to pick up a friend at the airport who was visiting from Texas for the weekend. She sort of invited me to drive up to Russian River. I was tempted. Too bad she could not come for a drink with me after work. I enjoy her conversation.

I decided on a Happy Hour drink anyway. It was Friday and I went to Barnaby’s and had three beers during the first hour and two Long Island Iced-Teas thereafter. That was more than enough!

OW (Overweight) Elizabeth from the Business Office was there.
She said, “You dress so GQ.”
“I'll take that as a complement. Thanks, Liz.”

Karyn Kossoff was also there at Barnaby’s with Tom, Elizabeth, Eileen and myself. Karyn came to an understanding about our relationship: we are friends. I confused her more when I kissed her. She got all tense and wouldn’t allow any more kisses. She’s at a ‘fast pace’ and I guess I am taking things real slow…too slow for her. She wants sex ‘right off’. I know!

Eileen met and introduced us to two guys named Wayne and Paul Adamson who were vacationing from England. They were really nice tourist types. At least Paul was. He was twenty-three, born July 25, 1961 and said he owned his own construction business. Paul has three sisters, including one who is only twenty-one, that he believed I would be interested in dating.
“I’ve always wanted to go to England,” I said as I began to find his accent too cool.
“I’ll put you up in England when you go there,” Paul said.
So I made it definite.
“Okay, I will go next year, for sure.”
I also invited Paul to go with me tomorrow to Carmel and Monterey because I want to go and Chris has not called. Chris is being his usual irresponsible self. It reminds me of a time when my former friend, George Jones, faltered. I found others to occupy my time.

I was talking to Barbara Reynolds today at lunchtime about seriously setting up a people file with pictures and profiles on each. It could be just like the movie “The Year of Living Dangerously”. I never thought too seriously about it—but now---I can review my journal and it would be great to have files on the people I have met over time. I may as well start it now. I need to format a ‘General Characteristics” & “Information Form”. I am excited about the notion of this new 'private people' file idea.

Karyn and I took BART from The City together.
“One day I will seduce you,” Karyn said.
I am leery about her now. It seems like she is starting to sound like Nici Maurino. Karyn hinted about coming with me tonight but I made no specific invitation.

I went to moms’ to pick up a package. I ordered a geometric patterned sweater from the Bachrach Men’s catalog. It had arrived.

When I was finally home I hit the sack just before midnight.

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No Matter What

There was no inviting the hurt
he knew would only be inevitable.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

Have you ever heard of “Boy Zone”?
No, it’s not a place where only boys hang out in cyberspace. It is the name of a boy band from IRELAND that had popular mainstream success in the 1990’s. They were most successful in The Republic of Ireland, Australia, Asia and the UK. The band has released six #1 UK hit singles and four #1 albums, with sales approaching 20 million records as of 2008.

There was a song that they released in August 1998 that I heard about from my mother. It is called “No Matter What”. I don’t know if I introduced her to the song or if my niece, Ashley, did (she was very into ‘Boy Bands’ at this time).

When my mother passed away in January 2000 the tune was played at her memorial service. It has a lot of sentimental value for me. It is also a wonderful song. It is time to share it here on my BLOG.

PHOTO: Virginia Marie Armijo, 1956

Here are the lyrics to the 'NO MATTER WHAT' song (and a video LINK of them performing the tune if you care to listen):
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=no+matter+what%2C+boyzone&first=61&docid=1043954401641&mid=70379610B4B9891660DF70379610B4B9891660DF&FORM=VIVR36#

Chorus:
No matter what they tell us
No matter what they do
No matter what they teach us
What we believe is true
---------------------------------
No matter what they call us
However they attack
No matter where they take us
We'll find our own way back

I can't deny what I believe
I can't be what I'm not
I know I'll love forever
I know, no matter what

If only tears were laughter
If only night was day
If only prayers were answered
Then we would hear God say

Chorus

And I will keep you safe and strong
And shelter from the storm
No matter where it's barren
A dream is being born
No matter who they follow
No matter where they lead
No matter how they judge us
I'll be everyone you need
No matter if the sun don't shine
Or if the skies are blue
No matter what the end is
My life began with you

I can't deny what I believe
I can't be what I'm not
I know, I know
I know this love's forever
That's all that matters now
No matter what

Twenty-five years ago today:

August 21, 1984
Tuesday

Training seemed to be another ‘wasted day’. Most of us had to wait around for our individual reviews for our role plays.

At lunchtime Barbara Reynolds and enjoyed Chinese food at the Galleria. We bumped into Teri Milham, a real ‘wench’ of an Assistant Manager that we used to know from Downtown Oakland. She was always so unpleasant towards me.

After work I came home and Chris was not there. He did telephone with his reasons.
“I’ll be right over after my Dad comes over. He wants to show me his new car, a 1971 red SAAB,” said Chris.

I happened to be talking to the geek (Bruce) when Chris rang the doorbell. Chris and I were happy to see one another after so long. He took me for a ride in his neat, classic looking car. It only cost him $800. It does have a look (very ‘77 Sunset Strip’).

We had a drink at Croll’s for old times’ sake. Chris started to talk all about this new guy he had met named Grant.
“I’m just not sure what to do with you hanging over my mind all of the time,” Chris said matter-of-factly.
He was being open about it all at least.
“Do whatever feels right and don’t worry,” I said directly.

We returned to my pad and ‘reunited and such’. It is clear to me that Chris seems to feel we both want to go out with other people. Linda Nannizzi is proof of the pudding (on my part). Now that he is on vacation his promiscuous talk kind of worries me. I must be very wary of that fact.
“Call me around six o’clock tomorrow,” Chris said before he left.

I really don’t think I can call right at that exact time. I will call him when I get home. I refuse to be the aggressor ‘on his tail’. He may call me as much as he wants. It will inform me as to exactly how much time he really wants to spend with me (on his vacation). It is funny. I am on the last page of this journal book. Now that I am coming to the last page it is also like closure of a key relationship.

I must remember what Chris did say.
“We are ‘and know’ we will always be friends,” Chris had said.
I enjoyed being with him tonight but then again something grosses me out about him—in a way. I don’t like the looks of it.

I telephoned Karyn Kossoff to make sure she was watching ’79 Park Avenue’. She is such a nice gal. I respect and love her companionship.

Chris is overly anxious to go out. And “shit”, he said he planned to go to that bar, “The Hub”, in Walnut Creek. I refused to say a word when he told me of his plans to go there. His ‘open, gay attitude’ is making me like him less and less in terms of anything more than friends.

Linda Nannizzi is definitely marriage material but I do need to get to know her ‘deep down’ a lot better. She has not opened up enough to me about her actual self, her likes, dislikes, thoughts and feelings. I want to know her better. As far as marriage goes…I am not even sure if I really want to go there yet (now or ever for that matter).

All I know is that I forecast Chris and I coming to a close; however, we will remain good chums. I, at least, want to be. I guess it’s a matter of him wanting to make time for me and vice-versa. I know he wants to explore. He said it ‘point blank’. If this is the case I intend to close his chapter very soon! I do intend on keeping tabs with him. Tomorrow he is arranging a portfolio shooting with his mom’s friend who used to own an agency of some kind.

I love Leslie Ann Warren as I watched her in ’79 Park Avenue’ again. I want a beautiful relationship and possibly a family one day. I believe the idea of that will always be in the back of my mind. I do know that ‘no matter what’…I am and ‘always will be’ a Happy Man.

Bobbie Renbarger is one really nice lady at work. She is in her late thirties. I know she has never been married. She’s a lot of fun though. I am glad she is my friend. I wrote her a thoughtful letter today. She wrote me a poetic letter that I shall treasure as well.

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In The Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening

Michael was torn between ecstasy and torment, delight and frustration.
He had never had so much, and he had never wanted more so badly.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

Do you sometimes wonder where you have been when you miss things as life goes by? I have been listening to a cool CD (What a Girl Needs) and there is a song by Rosemary Clooney called “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening”.

I did some soul searching for more of Rosemary Clooney and never realized what a “Babe” she was in her heyday. I loved this video montage of her singing ’50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=rosemary+clooney+videos&qs=AS&docid=977720901745&mid=54FFEBC5352D2885991254FFEBC5352D28859912&FORM=VIVR18#

My new mission this month is to listen to more of Rosemary. If I ever meet George Clooney we’ll have a lot of tunes to talk about.

Twenty-five years ago today:

August 11, 1984,
Saturday

At 10:15AM Suzy Miller called and we went on our typical breakfast outing to Ole’s Waffle Shop on Park Street. Sue was sweet enough to treat me, too. Hurrah! We saw an overweight former high school classmate who was always known as a jock-type (Bob McLaughlin). Sue exchanged a brief hello and chatter with him but I did not know him very well.
After seeing his weight gain status I thought to myself, “You better keep doing those jump ropes, Michael!”

After breakfast, Sue told me that Michael (her brother) had sprained his foot playing volleyball.

We went to the Alameda Sporting Goods shop and then stopped by her mom’s house on Alameda Avenue. Michael Miller was there and he showed me pictures from Renee’s wedding. He showed me a nice picture he took of me and Chris Cordellos in my convertible, too. I laughed because it made me think of that stupid show from the late 1950’s that is on reruns now (77 Sunset Strip).

I was supposed to go to that party with Bruce (with all of the good-looking models prancing around) but I had not been home. Michael Miller was feeling kind of ‘down’ from his sprained foot, so I decided I would spend the day with him.

Michael and I went to Longs Drug Store for film and then to my mom’s to take 3-month old pictures of Ashley Marie Armijo. Michael is a really good with his camera. We stayed at moms’ for quite a while. Michael Miller and my Dad were having a good conversation.

PHOTO: August 11, 1984-Michael Miller on crutches with
some unknown SF woman who had crutches, too.

We left by 3:30PM or so and decided to go to The City and take pictures. It’s too bad Michael was on crutches. We had a good time anyway. We met Andrea and some other ‘interior design’ chick from Michigan who thought she was ‘hot shit’. All in all it was an eventful day of experience in the City by the Bay. If I wasn’t with Mike I would have missed a lot. He sees things I do not see when I have my camera. I will have good photographs to remember today.

Michael and I got back to Alameda at 10:30PM or so and looked at more photos and watched “Creature Features”.

I persuaded Michael into spending the night at my pad. He slept with me in my bed and it was overwhelmingly tempting and ‘frustrating’. I made no real moves beyond touching his arm and such. I know he has ‘questionable’ thoughts now.

PHOTO: August 11, 1984, A photograph of me (Michael J Armijo)
taken by Michael G Miller at Embracadero Center, San Francisco

I wonder if we will ever be in that same predicament again. He slept with his clothes on and claims to have seen it as though we were ‘camping out’.

He woke up early and went downstairs to watch cartoons while I rolled over and remained in bed. I wondered how horny he was after the White Russian cocktail I talked him into at the Scott’s Carriage House in San Francisco. Maybe I am the only one that gets that way with White Russians.

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Back in the Saddle Again

"A man's LIFE is his image."
-as heard in the 1998 film
VELVET GOLDMINE

Last Friday night I saw the new 2009 GI JOE movie. Moscow was saved from destruction by a nanomite infested missle by a GI JOE American in the film. This reminded me of a recent photo I had seen last week of the former Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in the local Los Angeles Times.

Vladimir Putin's career is rooted in the Russia's KGB. He looks so 'secret agent' in this B&W portrait. He will be fifty-seven on October 1, 2009.

Due to constitutionally mandated term limits, Putin was ineligible to run for a third consecutive Presidential term. After the victory of his successor, Dmitry Medvedev, in the 2008 presidential elections, he was then nominated by Medvedev to be Russia's Prime Minister. Putin took the post on May 8, 2008. I don't believe Putin wants to relinquish his power any time soon.

Photographs of Putin were published on August 4, 2009 all over Russia, showing him shirtless and riding a horse on a brief holiday in Siberia. This image in itself displays a rugged sort of look that he must like depicted. He would not have allowed the media release otherwise, right?

Tony Halpin from TIMES ONLINE, in Moscow wrote:

The photos will inevitably trigger mass swooning by women all over Russia — as well as unfavourable comparisons of their husbands to Mr Putin’s manly physique. They will also confirm the Russian Prime Minister’s status as a gay icon.

Every hear that Gene Autry tune called 'Back in the Saddle Again'? I bet Vladimir Putin likes this one. CLICK here and sing-a-long as you imagine Vladimir would while on his vacation in the Siberian mountains:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=back+in+the+saddle+again&docid=1052522578092&mid=1EECB8A074CF5ACEF02D1EECB8A074CF5ACEF02D&FORM=VIVR10#





Twenty-five years ago today:

Thursday,
August 9, 1984

I managed to catch the 7:25AM BART train ‘on purpose’ this morning just so I could see Linda Nannizzi but she was not there. Oh well, I can’t win ‘em all.
I went to Carl’s Junior for a breakfast nibble and Anthony Ramirez happened to be there, so I joined him at his table.
“Yeah, my ballet dancer boyfriend is moving out,” Anthony revealed. I guess that confirmed that fact that he is gay.
"They come and go and usually live with me for about a year," Anthony continued.
“You sound kind of depressed about it,” I said.
He sighed a breath of fresh air after my statement.
“Why don’t you move to The City?” he asked me as I wondered if he was searching for a new roommate.

I thought, "Not me…that’s for sure!" Anthony is a nice guy but his “choice of words” is curious to say the least. He used the phrase “lust of me”. It kind of surprised me.

For lunch I ate at the Galleria and it was fun to just plain be all by my lonesome.
I had a fun day of training. Even though Peggy gets on my case I know she likes me. Maybe I can join Stan and Peggy for lunch one day.

The day went by fast. I caught the 5:04PM BART train. I believe Linda Nannizzi saw me get on the train. She disembarked from the train at the Fruitvale Station. I had a feeling she had eyes behind her head and knew I was looking at her, walking behind her. I just called out.
“Linda!”
She turned her head and gave me a polite, “Oh, Hi.”
I mentioned getting stood up for lunch but she claims to have apparently left before I had arrived for the lunch date. Oh well. She still seems interested. We talked near my car in the BART parking lot. She proceeded to give me her business card and telephone number. I did the same. I love her smile. She is beautiful.
“Do you think you might want to go out on Friday,” I asked.
“Well, I’m going with my sister…camping,” she honestly replied.
“What about tonight?”
“I’m riding my bike to Montclair with my sister.”
It was time to move on.

When I arrived home I went riding on my bike. Coincidentally, I saw Linda Nannizzi fly by on her Bianchi bike. She wore black bike shorts and a gray half top and looked ‘oh so fine’. I turned around and caught up to her near Bayview and High Street. She stopped and we were such an eye-catching team.
“I’m on my way to a friends’ house,” Linda said. I would later learn that she was on her way to a male friends’ house named Marty Esparza.

Linda was born on May 13th and she definitely enjoys talking to me. She stated more than once that she’d see me on Monday. We also decided that Carl’s Jr. was the half-way point for lunch. So maybe a lunch outing together will work out next week.

I continued to ride my bike alongside her en route to her friends’ house. Then I proceeded to bike the beach alone to collect my thoughts. These people crossed my mind: Karyn Kossoff, Ron Shelly and Ryan Hargrave, Chris Cordellos, Bill Helbush and Linda Nannizzi!

I had a bite to eat at moms’ house. She had homemade tortillas and avocado. Yummy!

I tried calling Karyn Kossoff last night and again tonight. Both times her line was busy. Who is she gabbing away with lately? I finally succeeded in getting a hold of her. She reminded me of how we set off the Barnaby’s alarm by opening their bottom floor entrance. That was hilarious.
“Oh, and I heard from Ryan and Ron and their sweet ‘ever-so-forgive-me’ apology about the fact that their answering machine went on. They had apparently fallen asleep,” Karyn said.
While I was talking to Karyn my call waiting interrupted, so I got off the phone.

It was Danny Garcia calling.
“Do you have my shirt? Have you gotten your hair cut? I was just wondering if you were still alive,” Danny questioned me with these words all rolled into one.
I listened and I guess after he heard my voice he knew already that I was alive and breathing just fine.
“Were you talking to Chris the other night?”
“Yes,” I replied even if it was probably Karyn that I was speaking with.
“I thought so because you sounded all excited. Mary and I went to the I-BEAM and Trocadero and some drag queen was making love to her ice-cream cone. It was funny because the drag queen was mad at Mary because she had nicer legs!”
I laughed and barely remember how we ended our conversation. I was just happy to get off of the phone.

Tomorrow I get my bicycle pendant back from Ron Shelly at the jewelry store, his place of employment. I might get to go for one drink at five o’clock. It’s a possibility.

It wasn’t until Sunday, August 12, 1984 that I would learn from Helen Wong that her sister, Geneva Wong, gave birth to a baby girl named Nicole on this night of August 9th. While Geneva was in labor I was on the telephone with Karyn Kossoff, having a lengthy chat. We confirmed our meeting for a drink at Barnaby’s tomorrow. Then, I slept soundly.

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Intoxicating Moments

We're quiet people.
As a general rule extraordinary things do not happen to us,
and we are not the type to go looking for them.
-Morag Joss
"Half Broken Things"

On the night of May 28, 2009, I remember being a bit ‘tipsy’ from the luscious wine after a wonderful dinner in San Sebastian, Spain at a most fantastic restaurant called AKELARE. I will write more about AKELARE in tomorrows’ blog.

Today, I just want to concentrate on the silly tune I heard while in the taxicab back to our Hotel Maria Cristina. I had never heard it before and it just made me laugh. It’s called “Cincinnati Dancing Pig”.

Imagine being a tad drunk and hearing this tune. It was like I was transported to a farm and hearing authentic pig sounds. It was quite funny to me at the time. I love the song even more now because it takes me back to that lovely night and the taxicab back to the beach side Hotel in Spain. Have you ever heard it before? It’s from 1950 by some chap named Red Foley but I believe Tennessee Ernie Ford has done his own rendition of it:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=cincinatti+dancing+pig&docid=1136696820254&mid=EF6EFC3D0994AB7AFEE6EF6EFC3D0994AB7AFEE6&FORM=VIVR16#

Sing-A-Long…here are the lyrics to 'Cincinatti Dancing Pig':

Cincinnati dancing pig
He's the barnyard mister big
Cincinnati dancing pig
with his riggedy, jiggedy, jiggedy, jiggedy jig-a-jig-jig!

Children yell and clap and sing
When he does his buck and wing,
Cincinnati dancing pig
with his riggedy, jiggedy, jiggedy, jiggedy jig-a-jig-jig!

Dancing bears and kangaroos
have a lot on the ball,
but until you dig that remarkable pig
You ain't seen nothin' at all!

From Duluth to Birmingham
He's the pork chop Dapper Dan,
He's the keenest ham what am,
Cincinnati dancing pig
with his riggedy jiggedy jig-jig-jig!


Twenty-five years ago today:

August 3, 1984
Friday

I surprisingly received complements galore about my simple white shirt and tie with gray and black colors today. I accompanied Bobbie Renbarger to Emporium when some strange guy came up to me and said, “Hey, I like your tie, where did you get it?”
At first I thought he was just openly ‘coming on to me’. I couldn’t be sure.

Bobbie finished up with her cosmetic purchase and we left. We ate our lunch outside on this beautiful San Francisco day.

I met Karyn Kossoff after work at Third & Folsom. We decided to skedaddle over to “The Cadillac Bar” for two vodka gimlets. Time passed and we had about three White Russians at a place called “Raggs”. We finally figured out (by the third White Russian) that our waitress must be a transsexual (or transvestite). We kept on with our ‘Pebbles and Bamm Bamm’ laughter, getting to know one another better. It was so much fun.

PHOTO: A transvestite sighting I
saw in NYC on May 19, 2009
They've come a long way...
Karyn and I moved on to a place called “Barnaby’s” where our co-worker, Ryan Hargrave, happened to be. Ryan was nice enough to buy our first round of drinks. He is way too cool. I like him (despite his sexual preference). Besides, if I were drunk enough...Ryan and I could...?

It was a surprise to see Helen (not Helen Wong—another Helen) with Carol (at the bar).
“I want to be sure and dance with you,” said Helen, looking straight at me.
I smiled as she fought to not slur her words.

Instead, Karyn and I went out on the dance floor (after we were half-way through our Long Island Iced-Teas). Eventually, we went outside to ‘cool off’. When we went back inside both Ryan and Helen had vanished. Oh well…such is life.

It was clear that both Karyn and I were somewhat “wasted” by the end of the night. We ended up getting lost until we finally found the BART station. Karyn is quite touchy feely (and I quite like it).
“I notice how sometimes you pull away,” Karyn remarked.
Well, she is right. She is too touchy! I like it—then again, I don’t because I am not sure that she is ‘the one’.

I got the impression that she was proposing the idea of coming with me via BART to my Fruitvale Station stop, etcetera. Perhaps it is my imagination. Does she just want to f—-k with me? I cannot do it with her even if I did go with the flow. It does not feel like the right time for it...yet. Shit. Oh well, she was as drunk as I was…and as I am writing this at this very moment.

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Persepolis

“Men all think their ‘thing’ is irresistible.”
-as heard while watching
the 2007 film,
Persepolis

Have you seen the movie “Persepolis”? Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire during the Achaemenid dynasty. The Achaemenid empire was forged by Cyrus the Great, and spanned three continents, including territories of Afghanistan , Pakistan, parts of Central Asia, Asia Minor, Thrace, much of the Black Sea coastal regions, Iraq, northern Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and all significant population centers of ancient Egypt as far west as Libya.
Persepolis is noted in western history as the foe of the Greek city states in the Greco-Persian Wars, for freeing the Jews from their Babylonian captivity, and for instituting Aramaic as the empire's official language. It fell during the Wars of Alexander the Great in 330 BC.

Persepolis is a 2007 movie that is a poignant coming-of-age story of a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl that begins during the Islamic Revolution. It came highly recommended and it gave me a new look into the trials and tribulations of IRAN. It’s an animated film but it kept my interest all the way through. It’s a ‘must see’.

It’s a great film that explores the qualities of being honest and morally upright. The dilemma of Iran’s unusual culture is still an ongoing mess as you may have read after the recent elections. I watched it in French with English subtitles, but if you have time you can hit this link and watch the entire film in ENGLISH:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=perseopolis%2C+english&qs=n&docid=988816539910&mid=B3B4B5FFBBC0087C0BACB3B4B5FFBBC0087C0BAC&FORM=VIVR22#

Twenty-five years ago today:

July 23, 1984
Monday

I did not see Linda this morning at the Fruitvale BART station. I shall quit seeking her out. I have a feeling she’ll appear one day when I am not looking for her. Could that be risky?

My first day of training was a breeze. Some guy named Stan Burke is the lead instructor. He is very laid back. The training has been a real ‘cinch’ so far.

For lunch, Barbara Reynolds, Bobbie Renbarger, Joe and I went to eat at Vicky’s Restaurant. We followed lunch with dessert at Bud’s Ice-Cream.

I went to Mom’s and my $86.18 check from the Sacramento State of CA arrived. I rode my bicycle to the bank to deposit it. That song called “Free Nelson Mandela” got me going on a speedy ride. I love to RIDE LIKE THE WIND with this tune...
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=free+nelson+mandela&qs=n&docid=942965784910&mid=DDFC3CC50B2856E02D20DDFC3CC50B2856E02D20&FORM=VIVR24#

Tonight, I met Birda, the gal that I always see riding around on her bike quite often. She lives on Tonga Lane (just around the corner). She graduated from high-school in 1973 which makes her approximately twenty-nine years old. She mentioned a step-son that graduated in 1980, so I don’t know if she’s married or what. Oh well, we rode home together on our bicycles. She has beautiful teeth and a striking smile.

I went to eat at Mom’s and came home and left a quick message on Karyn Kossoff’s recorder.
“I give up. You’re never home,” I said after the beep.

I also gave Sue Miller a call and invited her over but she was ‘pooped out’ from her work day.

Now I am ‘jumping rope’ to QUAKE radio tunes “The 80’s”.

I decided to order a brass tricycle paper weight that caught my fancy from the TAPESTRY direct mail catalog I received in the mail the other day.

Karyn Kossoff responded to my message by calling back at around 9:30PM. It was a surprise phone call because we talked until about 15 minutes after midnight! I had a few call waiting interruptions from the geek (Bruce). Bruce wanted to invite me to see “Cheech and Chong”. I kind of shunned the idea.
“Listen, I’ll call you back,” I said.
“…but I’m calling from a public telephone,” Bruce said.
He’s weird!

I received a postcard from Bill Helbush who was in Reno, Nevada at some cowboy rodeo. I sent him a postcard, hinting about the idea of a dinner outing. We shall see if he replies to that one.

Karyn and I continued to talk.
“There was all of this hissing, oooing and ahhing about our hanging out together at the picnic,” Karyn said.
“…so let them wonder, “I said followed by a chuckle.
“Would you like to come with me to a party with my section this Friday in San Bruno?” she asked.
“Okay, why not,” I replied without thinking.
Now I am debating on whether I should go or not.

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Somewhere

He stopped to look at the bright colors of magazine covers in a drugstore window.
Anything to postpone the inevitable a little longer.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

I was on a flight from New York to London on May 20, 2009 and I found myself listening to easy tunes by a singer named RHYDIAN. He was the runner-up in the 2007 X-Factor (a British show that is similar to America's AMERICAN IDOL). I liked his singing of 'The Bridge Over Troubled Water', 'Somewhere' and 'Not a Dry Eye in the House'.

I decided to feature the song SOMEWHERE in today's blog because I never realized it was a song from WEST SIDE STORY until recently. Here is a video of RHYDIAN, singing SOMEWHERE during the X-Factor show:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=rhydian&docid=1004139380943&mid=F67A4F4D40E2FE1993D2F67A4F4D40E2FE1993D2&FORM=VIVR3

SOMEWHERE (lyrics)

There's a place for us,
Somewhere a place for us.
Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us
Somewhere.

There's a time for us,
Some day a time for us,
Time together with time spare,
Time to learn, time to care,
Some day!

Somewhere.
We'll find a new way of living,
We'll find a way of forgiving
Somewhere . . .

There's a place for us,
A time and place for us.
Hold my hand and we're halfway there.
Hold my hand and I'll take you there
Somehow,
Some day,
Somewhere!

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 26, 1984
Tuesday

I managed to get out of work early today (3PM). I went to moms for my clothes that she sweetly ironed for me. I had a good bike ride up until 5:15PM or so.

I decided at about 7PM that I’d drive to Walnut Creek for a haircut by Danny (at Supercuts).
PHOTO: Actor, Michael Damian
a 'Danny' lookalike

Michael Thoennes telephoned.
“I just called to say goodbye because I’m moving to Oregon on Sunday,” Michael T said.

I telephoned Chris and Barbara answered the phone. It wasn’t a surprise that she answered.
“I have to ask you a question. Is Chris bisexual?” Barb asked.
Now that was a surprise! I was dumbfounded.
“I can’t figure it out because he was acting peculiar and wouldn’t discuss the problem with me,” Barb continued.
“The real problem, according to Chris, is your nagging,” I explained.
“Well, a girlfriend had stopped by the house and saw Chris on the porch with some guy. Chris was ‘more than’ buddy-buddy with this guy, so the girl split the scene, totally freaked,” Barb said, hoping I would offer some insight.
“I don’t know. I promise I won’t say a word,” I said after she pleaded that I not tell Chris about any of this information.

I decided to go and see Danny (in Walnut Creek) after this conversation. Danny cut my hair and we arranged to meet at the Lyon’s Restaurant. I had four white Russians before the meeting. He arrived with his roommate of the week (Mary) and her sister (Dawn). We all ate together and talked about mushrooms, pictures, haircuts, roller skating and Danny’s regional championship event in Bakersfield on Saturday (my traffic school date). Danny is a champion skater.

I ended up spending the night at Danny’s apartment. Mary went to bed before us. I learned that Mary’s husband (Dan) had died in a car accident less than six months ago. Danny and I barely slept a wink. We slept in his very untidy room. We started to kiss and fool around but never went very far. I needed to vent my frustrations as I told him about being “together” with Chris. I explained our long-distance romance and his being in the Coast Guard in the Eureka area.
“I understand,” Danny said as he kept staring at me like he was in total love.

Danny’s surname is Garcia and he believes we have an uncanny resemblance to one another. I don't see it as clearly. I thought he looked more like Danny Romalotti (aka Michael Damien), a character on "The Young & The Restless".

Danny Garcia is a Libra and I find him to be a very nice guy. Danny had hair cuttings to deal with in San Jose the next day. Then he had skating rehearsals. My plan was to drive to work in Downtown Oakland from his Alamo, California apartment.

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When You're Gone

PHOTO: A film clip image
I found in Puymirol, France

He stroked her with both hands-a long relishing stroke that began at her bound wrists, slid down over her arms, breasts, and loins, and became a voluptuous tickling between her legs. He repeated the exciting stroke again and again, his hands hot and sharp-nailed, and then, when ready-ready-more-than-ready, he slipped a hand under her buttocks, raised them, lodges his hardness against her, and pushed it powerfully in.
-Ira Levin (b. Aug 27 1929, d. Nov 12 2007)
in his book "Rosemary's Baby"

When I am on vacation I have my fascination for taking pictures. I also try to search for new things like 'a new song' or 'a new book'. While in Europe last month I discovered a few new songs and here is one of them that I am featuring on the blog today. It was heard on the EUROPA FM channel. It is called 'When You're Gone' by Avril Lavigne. I adore her talent.

PHOTO: Avril Lavigne
It is quite an amazing song (maybe you already know of it). I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Before you CLICK the link to watch and listen to the music video, please read the lyrics:

"When You're Gone"

I always needed time on my own
I never thought I'd need you there when I cry
And the days feel like years when I'm alone
And the bed where you lie is made up on your side

When you walk away I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now
[Chorus]
When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you're gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day and make it ok
I miss you

I've never felt this way before
Everything that I do reminds me of you
And the clothes you left, they lie on the floor
And they smell just like you, I love the things that you do

When you walk away I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now
[Chorus]
We were made for each other
Out here forever
I know we were, yeah
All I ever wanted was for you to know
Everything I'd do, I'd give my heart and soul
I can hardly breathe I need to feel you here with me, yeah

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=when%20you're%20gone%2C%20avril%20lavigne&docid=812840845422&mid=C14426C0291CD4AF83FDC14426C0291CD4AF83FD&FORM=VIVR23

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 13, 1984,
Wednesday

It hadn't dawned on me until just this evening but Chris Cordellos got caught in his own lie. I telephoned him at the Coast Guard Base to tell him the amount of his new telephone bill. He was actually 'at the Base'. Yes, I just realized. It was strange.
"Did you call the house?" Chris asked.
"No," I replied, acting dumb at the time. (I was actually dumb.)
"Good that you didn't because Barb is there and I know you'll both gossip about me," Chris said.

Oh well. I am understanding. Chris is probably low on funds and that is why he didn't want to come down to visit. He could have (should have) explained. What the heck. He does not need to give me an excuse for every decision he makes.

I went to the Sperm Bank and talked to Carol, the girl who works there who is from back East (Massachusetts, I think). She is really nice and kind of cute. I like her. I sort of asked her out for dinner but she gave some flimsy excuse of having to work late for some seminar deal. I didn't push it. Some guys meet girls in school or a bar. I meet them at a Sperm Bank. Hilarious.

PHOTO: Ashley M Armijo, 1984

I did not even bike ride today. I retrieved my mail that had accumulated at the Solomon Lane townhouse where John and Sherri were still living. When I got to mom and dad's I 'porked out' on mom's BBQ chicken. I ordered some clothes at fifty-percent off from the latest International Male catalog. I read some of my ESQUIRE and BICYCLING magazines. Then I just lounged about with the television for company.

I have not called on Frank Vasconcellos about the "Streets of Fire" movie (starring Michael Pare, Diane Lane and Willem Dafoe). It's just as well. He has not telephoned me either.

The interesting article this month was found in ESQUIRE magazine. It was titled "Carnal College" and went on to explain the challenge for college students to ultimately write a paper for themselves (not for the teacher, a course or a grade). The article suggested a student write their own 'sexual autobiography'. I laughed as my journal is an A plus (and then some) in that respect.

I showed my office coworkers the photographs of my niece, Ashley. They loved them.

My brother, John, is a baseball card fanatic. He is an avid collector now.

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