A Tribute to Farrah

'Life has to end...
Love doesn't...
Memory becomes your partner.
as heard while watching the film
'The 5 People You Meet In Heaven'

It’s time to honor Farrah Fawcett on my BLOG. The famous poster of her was posted on my bedroom wall during a couple of my high-school years. Her hairstyle was the sex-symbol for millions of people in the 1970s. Women imitated her style (and some still do).

Farrah is an Arabic word that means “JOY”. She was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. She graduated in 1965 from W B. Ray High School, Texas, voted 'Best Looking'. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta organization at the University of Texas in Austin, graduating with a degree in Art. She was a natural athlete, something her father encouraged. After winning a campus Beauty Contest she was encouraged by an agent to pursue acting. She only wanted to be an actress.
In the beginning of 1970s Farrah Fawcett did TV commercials. In April of 1976 a poster company heard about this young and beautiful model and contracted with her agent (Rick Hersh). Her swimsuit poster was released when she began playing the character Jill Monroe of the Aaron Spelling TV series Charlie’s Angels. The poster made a record sale of twelve million copies.

In 1977 she became the Well Balsam shampoo girl.

What many do not know is her brilliance in challenging roles in the following films:

Nazi Hunter (The Beate Klarsfeld Story)
Poor Little Rich Girl (The Barbara Hutton Story)
Margaret Bourke-White
The Burning Bed

After a long battle with cancer she died on the same day as pop-star, Michael Jackson. They were both in California at the time, and she died at 9:28 a.m. in Santa Monica, CA, while he was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. after hours of unsuccessful resuscitation.

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 8, 1984
Monday

It is Columbus Day and there are not very many business calls coming in today. My section almost began to feel as though something was wrong. I did not sell anything on this day.

I enjoyed lunch with Pat, Bobbie and Barbara at Natoma’s. It was really good. Then we went for a peach yogurt at the usual place.
“How much?”
“Eighty-five cents,” he said, but gave me this look as if he were thinking ‘Are you asking me so you can have it FREE?’
He did give me a FREE one last week, but I only asked because I really did not know the price.

I went cycling until 7PM, wearing black shorts and a black t-shirt. I stopped at mom’s house and Sherri and Ashley were there. I watched ‘Wheel of Fortune’ with them and it seemed like an instant replay from days ago. I ate dinner and came home to watch the 49ers play against the New York Giants.

I really wanted to watch the Farrah Fawcett TV story about a battered wife, but ended up going to bed by 9PM instead.

I awoke to the ringing of the phone at 10PM. It was Paloma Guerra.
“I’ll just call you tomorrow,”
Paloma said as she could tell I was half asleep.

Click.

"You are my windfall on that inevitable rainy day."
-James Storm as
Girard Stiles,
DARK SHADOWS TV series

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The Assassination of Hajji Khiyal Akbar Afridi

“Don’t start pulling that string or the whole fabric of our world will be unraveled.”
-Lauren Bacall
as heard from the not-so-good
2007 film
‘The Walker’

ANP stands for the Awami National Party. The ANP’s mission is to establish a prosperous, peaceful and liberal society in Pakistan based on democratic pluralism, cultural diversity, social justice, non-sectarianism, and national sovereignty of the country.

I would like to do a memorial tribute blog today on a righteous, peaceful man known as Hajji Khiyal Akbar Afridi who recently lost his life on July 15, 2009. (Hajji is an Arabic term of respect for someone who has made the pilgrimage to Mecca).

Khiyal Akbar was an active worker of the ANP. He was recently visiting the USA in June and July of this year with other Afghan leaders. My cousin was honorably selected to give them a tour of his Native American pueblo while in Santa Fe, NM.

PHOTO: Afghan Leaders, Santa Fe, NM
photo provided by Daniel Moya

I remember seeing this photo of Hajji Khiyal Akbar Afridi as he was holding my God Daughter, Micaela.

I had commented, “Wow, Micaela looks so cute. And I see we have the love of ‘watermelon’ and ‘world peace’ in common.”

PHOTO: Hajji Khiyal Akbar Afridi
with Micaela, Santa Fe, NM


Khiyal Akbar Afridi, in his 60s, was playing an active role in restoration of peace to the volatile gun-manufacturing town of Darra Adamkhel as head of the Amn Committee. He was the former president of the Tehrik-i-Azad Qabail. Khiyal Akbar was an ardent Pakhtun nationalist, a disciple of Abdul Ghafar Khan and a close companion of Khan Abdul Wali Khan. He had secular ideas, but the arrival of Taliban in his town brought some changes in his ideas.

Afridi’s son said that two men riding motorcycles came to their home on Wednesday evening of July 15, 2009 and wanted to meet his father. He added that when his father came out of the house, the attackers suddenly opened fire on him. The attackers, it was learnt, also opened fire on children and women present in the house.

There seems no apparent reason for his killing. His elder son, Afzal, who had seen the attackers, says that they were Taliban. But since he had no adverse ties with the Taliban, why would they kill him? Only two things might have led to his murder. First and foremost is the internal bickering between the two factions of Taliban in Darra — one led by Commander Tariq and other by Abdul Momin — as he had some leniency towards the former.

Another reason might be his recent one-and-a-half month visit to the USA from which he returned on July 6, 2009. Whatever the cause of his killing, the fact remains that Darra lost another prominent leader, leaving very few leading personalities in the semi-tribal region.

It is sad when a country loses someone that offers much hope. God bless Hajji Khiyal Akbar Afridi. He has recently been added to the list of ANP martyrs.

As read in an article dated February 11, 2008 at Kyberwatch.com this explains the current relationship between ANP and present day Afghanistan:

After the presidential elections in Afghanistan a fresh and close relationship was established between ANP and the Hamid Karzai-led Afghan leadership. ANP’s three top leaders Asfandyar Wali Khan, Afzal Khan and Afrasiab Khattak visited Kabul several times and got fully state protocol in the Afghan Capital.

In April 2007 a high level gathering was reported in Jalalabad for the inauguration of Baacha Khan Markaz in which Asfandyar Wali Khan was the chief guest while Hamid Karzai also attended the ceremony with an official delegation. Karzai announced a state medal in the name of Baacha Khan and also a package of education and health for Pakistani based Pakhtun community.

After the ceremony Asfandyar Wali and Afrasiab Khattak left for Kabul along with Hamid Karzai where they stayed for one week and held meetings with several American and European officials. In Kabul they enjoyed a protocol of state guests.

After such relationships Taliban and other Jihadi groups seriously noticed that ANP was once again entering in Kabul. These groups wanted ANP to withdraw its support towards Karzai and Americans.

Here are some interesting TIMELINE reports found online against the ANP that have thwarted hopeful PEACE efforts for Pakistan:

Sept. 21, 2007: Former Fed Minister and Central Leader of the ANP, Mohammad Afzal Khan, suffered injuries when his car came under fire while riding with his nephew, Nazim Matta, to his village of Dreshkhela.

Dec. 9, 2007: Abdullah Qureshi was killed in a suicidal attack near the NangoLai area check post. He was passing through the area when the attacker blew himself up resulting in the killing of several other civilians. It was the day when the Labor Party Pakistan’s fourth conference was taking place in Lahore. He and other delegates from the valley could not attend because of roadblocks and military operation.

PHOTO: Abdullah Qureshi


Dec. 28, 2007: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed along with twenty-eight others by an assassin who fired shots and blew himself up after an inspiring Bhutto election campaign.

PHOTO: Benazir Bhutto, b.1953, d.2007


Feb. 6, 2008: In the Karachi area of Suhrab Goth, ANP Sindh Vice-President Fazal-ur-Rehman Kakakhel died ‘on the spot’ when assailants sprayed a volley of bullets on him.

Feb. 9, 2008: Around thirty-one ANP activists were killed in the area of Shabqadar.

Feb. 11, 2008: President of the NWA Chapter of the ANP, Hajji Anwar Shah, was among the dead when a teenage suicide bomber blew himself up amidst an ANP gathering with the tribal Lashkar. The Lashkar tribes’ people were raised by the Dawar area to evict foreign militants from their area, which according to them, provoked military operations by the Pakistani security forces and caused them multiple hardships. Among the ten killed was ANP Mirali President Bakhtiar Khan Zeraki.

Oct. 2, 2008: The residence of ANP leader Mr. Isfandyar Wali Khan of the Charsada district of Pakistan was involved in a suicide bomb attack. Five people were killed: Mr. Walikhan’s security guard, two policemen, a Bank Manager of the National Bank of Pakistan and a local ANP leader named Shamsuzaman Khan.

Dec. 2008: The TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) insurgency captured the Swat valley area and is now considered dangerous for tourism.

Dec. 31, 2008: Three persons including a local ANP leader and army personnel were killed by unidentified armed men in different incidents in the Swat valley area of Pakistan.

Jan. 22, 2009: Violent riots broke out in several dominated areas of the Karachi metropolis after the killing of a local ANP leader, Ashraf Agha, age 35. He was shot dead over some old rivalry.

Feb. 11, 2009: Alam Zeb Khan died of excessive injuries when a powerful bomb went off near his car. The ANP became a major target of the outlawed TTP (Taliban) after its PEACE deal with the Maulana Fazlullah collapsed in Swat, Pakistan (a valley and an administrative district in the Northwest province of Pakistan). After the PEACE deal collapse a military operation began to target the TTP (Taliban).

Feb. 13, 2009: TTP (Taliban) senior commander, Hakeemullah Mehsud, said in phone calls to the media, “We carried out this attack and will continue attacks on ANP leaders in the future.” This was in reference to the Feb. 11th killing of Alam Zeb Khan.

Late May 2009: The Pakistani Government began a military offensive to regain control of the Swat valley region.

July 15, 2009: Hajji Khiyal Akbar Afridi, a prominent tribal ANP leader of Darra Adamkhel town was killed by two motorcyclists who called him out of his house near the Zangali Canal. It was a clear case of ‘target killing’.
In Karachi, a spokesman for the ANP has said that killings of ANP workers continue in the city. The government has failed to stop the target killings.

July 26, 2009: Senior ANP leader, Lateef Afridi, said “The Pakistani leaders were in fact protecting the TTP (Taliban) militants.”

Aug. 5, 2009: A former President of the ANP, Shehnshah Khan, 32 and his bodyguard, Hakeen Kahn, 40, were killed by armed snipers at a SHELL petrol station. Shehnshah’s wife was miraculously unharmed amidst the spraying of the bullets.
For more of the latest news, please visit the Awami National Party website about their continued quest for PEACE, DEMOCRACY and DEVELOPMENT:
http://www.awaminationalparty.org/news/


Twenty-five years ago today:

September 2, 1984
Sunday

Wayne, Paul and I ate breakfast at Ole’s Waffle Shop in Alameda on Park Street. We saw a cute blond in line behind us. Wayne started to get all excited.

After the Ole’s breakfast we strolled along Park Street and over to Alameda’s South Shore Beach. There weren’t too many people out.

Then I continued to play ‘Bay Area’ tour guide, taking them to Berkeley as we looked through a lot of the shops there. I wanted to buy things but I kept my cool about it.

I took the Englanders to meet mom and she was babysitting Ashley at the time. It was just as well. My mom got a kick out of hearing their English way of speaking.

I ate dinner at the Lung Kong Chinese Restaurant in Alameda. I suddenly realized I was beginning to get tired of the ‘Paul and Wayne’ snappiness and their overtly outspoken ways.

I decided to go out with the English duo and chose Baxter’s that evening because I was in no mood to go back to The City. We met Theresa and Lorna. Lorna told me she’d call me before 10AM on Monday, Labor Day to see about spending time with us. (She never did). Nope, Lorna Kerr did not call as promised. Oh well…

We also met some girls from Denmark (of all places)! They were okay. It was my first time drinking beer through a straw during this entire night. I was downright ‘wasted’.

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Heartbreak Alley

"I shall be better for having known you."
-from the British film
Daniel Deronda

I am in the mood to do a tribute sort of blog today. I want to share two sorrowful stories that began as pleasure excursions. It gives us all a wake up call as to how a random mishap can turn our lives around.

The first one involved two NFL football players and two of their good friends. They sailed into the Gulf of Mexico on a fishing trip on February 28, 2009 when the boat overturned in the choppy waters. I read a few online articles and found them confusing as to 'who was who' in terms of these players. I decided to 'cut to the chase' by writing this condensed tribute story while clarifying 'who is who' through these photographs.

PHOTO: These are the players pictured here respectively (Corey Smith, William Bleakley, Victor Marquis Cooper and Nick Schuyler):


Corey smith was a free agent defensive lineman.

William Bleakley was a former University of South Florida football player.

Victor Marquis Cooper owned the boat and was an Oakland Raiders linebacker.


Nick Schulyer was a former twenty-four year old former University of South Florida football player.

Nick was the sole survivor in this unfortunate tragedy. Nick Schuyler said that he and Bleakley were the last two survivors. Bleakley encouraged Nick to stay upbeat as they hung on to the boat and talked to each other through the last night in the dark terrifying waters.
"It's the longest thing possible you can imagine. We just kept saying that we weren't going to go out like this," Nick Schuyler said.

PHOTO: 2007-Nick with his girlfriend, Paula Olivera.

Nick was found clinging to the hull of the twenty-one foot Everglades boat on Monday afternoon,March 2, 2009. The search for the remaining three athletes was called off on Tuesday, March 3, 2009.

PHOTO: William Bleakley during a game

"He saved my life. I'll never ever forget Will. I'm only here today because of what Will did," Nick Schuyler told reporters.

The second story involves actress, Natasha Richardson. She was born in England on May 11, 1963. She ventured out on a Montreal ski vacation with her husband, Liam Neeson, and her two sons (Michael and Daniel Neeson).

She died of injuries from a blunt impact to the head after falling on a Canadian ski slope. She passed away two days later at Lenox Hill hospital in New York City on March 18, 2009 (yesterday).

I now wish I had seen her On-Broadway in 'A Streetcar Named Desire' in 2005 when I had the opportunity. She was such a talent and will be greatly missed by many.
She had been scheduled to perform in a revival of Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music" this year, after a January benefit performance of the show. We can still see her 'forever' in her many films.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001670/

Twenty-five years ago today:

March 19, 1984, Tuesday

During my lunch hour I went to Brooks Camera. To my own embarrassment the problem with my camera was that it just needed new batteries. That minor problem had not even dawned on me.

I drove to Berkeley, CA after work and bought a camera at Denevi's. I'm glad I bought it, too. It was on sale for $49.95. Yes, I charged it on my Preferred VISA. I used it again.

The weather today was so very Springtime. I was about to go bike riding when Chris Cordellos called to interrupt my escape. We got to talking about the Billy Idol concert on Friday night. We also discussed my possible visit to Arcata on the April 1st weekend.
"I'm worried about you being down there in Alameda all alone," Chris said.
To put it plainly his concern is that I may get 'picked up' by someone else. This was flattering to hear. It boosted my morale but I assured him that it was hardly likely.

I did call Nadine tonight though. She wasn't home. I was surprised when she called me but her call was only to say that she received a third notice from Pacific Bell without being referred to an outside collection agency.
"What is this?" I asked myself silently. I'm not even 'at work' now!
I tried to console her worries. She didn't seem to listen to my reasoning. I was actually willing to drive over to visit her but she was going to dinner with her visiting Arkansas girlfriends.
"I'll call you back tonight," Nadine said, making me believe that she really enjoys my conversation.

Chris and I wanted to remain on the telephone all night long. I have a good time talking with him. He's my "VBF" (Very Best Friend) right now. I remember when 'others' were my very best friends. Chris seems extra special now.

I continued taping ninety minutes of select KQAK music. I wanted to create a tape of great music for Chris because I felt guilty that I didn't really give him anything for his 21st Birthday. I am taking him to see Billy Idol and I did treat him to dinner. I guess it will balance itself out. I just feel this tape of selected music is a touch more personal. He will be one that appreciates the time and effort it took to create.

When I went to eat salad and a pork chop with my Dad I looked in the mirror. I was surprised to see some color in my face. It must be from the bike riding. It's good that I take in the sun gradually. Chris said he was 'lobster red' from his visit to the beach. I am envious. I want more free beach time, too.

I called Chris after 11 o'clock when the long-distance rates were 60% off. He was tired, so we didn't talk as long as usual.

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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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Life Is A Cabaret Ole Chum

Cabaret: noun-a spot that is open late at night and that provides entertainment (as singers or dancers) as well as dancing and food and drink

Oh...what a night! I saw Liza's At The Palace starring Liza Minnelli on-Broadway last night, December 9th. Ron Lewis, the director and choreographer was in the first row. We had unbelievable center orchestra seats. Candice Bergen was seated behind me. Denise Rich was one row to the side. Our friend, Ron de Salvo, was there with his ole chum, Tommy Tune (the recipient of 9 Tony Awards, more than anyone else). Who knows who else was there that I did not recognize. I saw the actors Jane Krakowski and Don Amendolia.

Liza was in top form as she aligned her music with a tribute to Kay Thompson, her Godmother, mentor and well-known MGM creative consultant and performer. She cracked a few jokes about how she used to sing a lot of songs about falling in love but now sings about falling 'out of love' which led to her singing "If You Hadn't, But You Did".

I liked when she sang CABARET. I felt a tad guilty since I have yet to see that 1972 film where she won an Academy Award for her legendary performance. I did see CABARET on Broadway twice (once with Alan Cumming starring and once with Brooke Shields starring), so that accounts for something.

When Liza sang the Al Jolson classic "Mammy" every audience member could visualize her mother, Judy Garland, looking down with happiness. It was especially touching when Liza told of a story about her Godmother, Kay Thompson. Kay had introduced her to three closet doors and asked Liza to open each one. The first door had wallpaper surrounded with views of Rio de Janiero, Brazil, a beautiful, awe-inspiring sight to be seen. The second door had an amazing view of the Champs-Elysees leading to the Eiffel Tower, one of Liza's most favorite places on earth.
"Okay, now look at the last door that is my most favorite on earth," Kay said.
Liza opened closet door number three and there was a mirror. For the first time, Liza disclosed that she saw the wonder of herself.

After the show our friend, Ron de Salvo, arranged a late night supper at the popular Hell's Kitchen restaurant ORSO at 322 W. 46th Street. The supper group included me, Alan Freiman, Ron de Salvo, Tommy Tune, Don Amendolia and Todd Anthony. As we walked into the restaurant Tommy was greeted by Lauren Bacall (known as Bette to her dearest friends). She was seated at the next table. Would it ever end? What a wild theater outing. It was perfect for Alan and I since we would be leaving NYC in two days. It was an ideal way to close our chapter on this electric city (until we return in March 2009).

During supper we talked more about the fabulous energy of Liza. She was on-stage, sober, older and pleasantly full of pizzaz. I just joined the Official Tommy Tune fan club, too (www.tommytune.com). Tommy shared some scoop about his Broadway Theater production (1982-1984) "NINE" that is being directed by Rob Marshall into a feature film next year (2009) with an extraordinary cast. Javier Bardem was tapped and set for the lead role. After he won his Supporting Actor Oscar things had changed; whereby, Daniel Day Lewis got the part. The cast seems unbelievable and I will be first in line to see this one:
www.imdb.com/title/tt0875034/
The comaraderie continued outside the restaurant when we bumped into one of the sidekick Andy Williams' brothers, Jim Caruso, who was one of the dancer, singer performers on-stage with Liza. Jim was on his way to Bar Centrale to meet a friend. We gave Jim is well-deserved "kudos". We all bid farewell at the corner of 8th Avenue and 46th Street.

During the subway ride home I recalled these words from Liza while on-stage,
"You are my family."
I could still faintly hear Liza singing in my mind...
"New York New York"...

Start spreading the news,
I'm leaving today.
I want to be a part of it, New York, New York.
These vagabond shoes,
Are longing to stray,
And make a brand new start of it
New York, New York
I want to wake up in the city that doesn't sleep,
To find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap.
These little town blues,
Are melting away.
I'll make a brand new start of it,
In old New York.
If I can make it there,
I'll make it anywhere,
It's up to you, New York, New York.

New York, New York.
I want to wake up, in the city that doesn't sleep
To find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap
Creme of the crop and the top of the heap.
My little town blues
Are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it,
In old New York.
If I can make it there,
I'll make it anywhere,
Come on, Come though, New York, New York.

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