Honorable Traditions

"I admit she's not perfect, but I think I love her enough to overlook her faults."
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

At holiday time people throughout the world honor traditions, and New Mexico is no exception. One tradition many here look forward to on Christmas Eve is a steaming bowl of posole (po-SO-lay), a spicy corn stew that is known as the ceremonial dish for celebrating life's blessings.

New Mexicans have been enjoying posole for centuries. The cuisine here springs from three cultures: Native American, Mexican, and European. The Rio Grande Pueblo Indians, and their ancestors, the “Anasazi,” or "ancient ones,” relied on corn, beans, squash, and chiles for sustenance. These early crops became firmly entrenched in the culture, forming the foundation of New Mexican cuisine even before the Spanish arrived.

Corn has been and is the major food plant of the Native Americans. Red, yellow, and blue corn are cultivated in New Mexico. The corn is ground into meal and flour for use in breads and tortillas, and it is processed into posole corn.

Posole corn is prepared by soaking hard kernels of field corn (traditionally white, although blue is sometimes used now) in powdered lime and water - a method thought to mimic the ancient preservation of corn in limestone caves. After several hours, when the corn kernels have swollen, the liquid is allowed to evaporate and the kernels to dry.

Posole is different from hominy, another kind of processed corn, which tends to be softer and more bland. Compared to hominy, posole’s flavor is intense and earthy, its consistency more robust. Since posole corn can be difficult to find, hominy is often used as a substitute in posole stew.

The variations for posole are many. Some make it with chicken rather than pork; some prefer to use vegetable protein rather than meat. While posole in Southern New Mexico is always made with red chile, it is not uncommon to find Northern New Mexico posole made with green chile.

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 24, 1984
Monday

Christmas Eve. I got dressed and went to mom's and watch TV. I indulged on posole (New Mexican style). I enjoyed some of Grandma's homemade tamale's as I listened to the Eurythmics play "Here Comes The Rain Again".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-o3tMA2bb0
And yes, I had a few M&M cookies, too.

Sherri had to work (at the Pic-A-Dilly retail clothing store) and I ended up having to care for Ashley from 3:30PM to 7PM all by my lonesome because mom had to work (at the Post-Office) a short shift from 4PM to 8PM on Christmas Eve! I took some fun, festive photos of Ashley though.

Dad made his holiday stops over at his half-sister's house near Fruitvale Ave (my Aunt Julia Vigil-Casillas). I'm sure they had a few cocktails and caught up on family gossip.

Sue Miller telephoned while I was wrapping last-minute Christmas gifts. I invited her over to my mom's house because she said, "I have a gift for you." She arrived while my Dad and I were watching 'Lady Chatterly's Lover' (a juicy part). She came with her brother, Mike Miller, who was wearing a neat, mod jacket that he bought in Belgium.

I started to watch the TV movie "Lace" with them, then changed it to "The Waltons". That show is Sue's speed 'for sure'. She likes 'John-Boy', I think. Mom arrived during the start of "The Waltons" episode, so we all watched together.

By midnight (when the midnight mass was being televised from St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy) Sue was falling asleep. She and Mike left not long after that. I went home myself and opened Sue's gift. She gave me a set of neat, gray and black striped bath towels. How nice. I can use them.


"Every action has its consequences."
-Stieg Larsson
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"

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Winter Wind

Winter
by Nial Kent
from his book "The Divided Path"

The wind howls and blows
with steady fury,
driving the frightened snowflakes
horizontally before it.

Out of a white sky they come,
the snowflakes that whiten the earth.
The cruel wind cuts to the heart,
and the earth is without life or color.

In a grave of smooth ice
sleeps the river,
and the leaves are gone
from the willow trees.

When one is without love
the wind blows colder,
more barren is the earth,
and Spring seems far away.

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 23, 1984

This morning started with a bike ride. It was so cold and windy. Winter is here. The ride did not even warm me up much. I rode my bike straight to mom's house.

I was going to accompany mom for a visit to Grandma's house to deliver presents, so I said, "Okay, let me go home and change clothes first."

When I hopped back on the bike the next song I heard on my SONY headphones got me into a hyperactive mood. I couldn't resist and did a quick ride along South Shore beach. It was fun and I was going fast.

Once home I quickly changed into my white pants from International Male and my European blazer with a white leather tie, sweater and yellow shirt. I surprised mom.
"You look sharp," mom said.

I ate breakfast and we went to John and Sherri's house because we were going to take Ashley with us to Grandma's house. Sherri did not arrive until two o'clock. Mom and I had to sit around and wait with Sherri's mom (Janet Lewis). When Sherri finally appeared we saw Ashley in a red ruffled dress and black patent leather shoes. It was cute. We were off to Granny's.

I took photos and then we went to my Aunt Lillian's (my mom's sister) and hung out there for a while. Shawn West, my first cousin, was a lot of fun. He is ten years old now. His sister, Shonnette, is thirteen and she looks so grown-up. She's getting to be one heck of a 'looker'. We returned to Alameda by 4:30PM.

I went over to my mom's later to try two of my Grandma's homemade tamales. She uses authentic Santa Fe Southwestern chile and it's always so good.

By 6:30PM I was driving over to Karyn Kossoff's apartment. We went to the UC THEATER to see the Hitchcock classic "North by Northwest" and "Torn Curtain". They were both good...but quite long. I gave Karyn her Christmas gift. I didn't open the gift she gave me until I arrived home. I was so pleased! She gave me the Woody Wood Pecker T-Shirt and a scarf. She is too sweet. She knew I wanted that T-Shirt.

Dancing isn't enough, it seems to her now. This much contact is only making her impatient for something more passionate, more unrestrained, and she struggles not to let it show.
-Stefan Zweig
"The Post-Office Girl"

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Shopping

Once shame touches your being at any point, even the most distant nerve is implicated, whether you know it or not; any fleeting encounter or random thought will rake up anguish and add to it.
-Stefan Zweig
"The Post-Office Girl"

Ever hear the PET SHOP BOYS sing "Shopping". Oh, it's a classic (I like when they spell the word 'S H O P P I N G'):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR4h6yfqI-M

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 22, 1984

It's Saturday morning and there is no sign of good ole Aubrey next door. I dressed in my casual wear to meet with Erika for coffee but there was no answer at 9:45AM. And so, I stopped over at mom's and called Sue Miller, inviting her to join me at Ole's Waffle Shop on Park Street. She had plans to have breakfast at her mom's house.
Sue added, "I want to go to MACY's though. Why don't I call you when I'm done and we can go."
"Okay, that sounds great."
And so, I waited for Sue Miller to call back. I took a stroll from my mom's house to my pad. I wrote five more Christmas Cards while I was waiting. I sent them to the following:
1. Bob Umland
2. Bill Helbush
3. Michael Thoennes
4. Erika Hurst
5. Pat Shikuzawa

Once Sue called to say she'd be over shortly I received a call from Erika Hurst.
"Oh, hi Erika! I was just about to step out. Maybe we can meet this afternoon at two o'clock or so since the morning coffee didn't work out."
"Oh, okay...call me."
I never did call because Sue and I ended up shopping around at MACY's until about two o'clock. I had fun. Sue is my dear, good buddy and always will be--I trust.

I spent the rest of the afternoon at mom's wrapping Grandma's present and a last minute gift of earrings for Sherri. I munched out on M&M cookies, of course. Mom made cookies all day. It smelled so good in the house. I babysat for Ashley while 'ma and pa' went to LUCKY's for groceries.

Sherri and Anna came by to pick up Ashley.
Anna said, "I don't think I've ever met you."
I know I've met her though. I think it was when she was about fifteen or sixteen. Sherri showed off some of the cute, new pictures of Ashley, too.

I returned home at around 10:30pm after watching a string of television shows (Gimme A Break, Spencer and Finder of Lost Loves).

Sue Miller called me at 11:15pm. It was another surprise call.
"I wanted to know what you wanted for Christmas," Sue said, "Would you believe I just left from Mervyn's? It was open until eleven tonight!"
Tis the season.

It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once;
a shower is forever falling; vapor is forever rising.
-John Muir

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Abbott & Costello

"I feel like I'm sleeping in a history book tonight."
-Jason F Wright
"The Wednesday Letters"

Thank you Sue Savarese for sending this joke that made me laugh:

If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch,
'Who's on First?' might have turned out something like this:

COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: Thanks I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking
about buying a computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.

ABBOTT: Your computer?

COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software for Windows?

COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write
proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!

ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm
sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: Word in Office.

COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue 'W'.

COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue 'w' if you don't start with some
straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I
can track my money with?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.

COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?

ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

ABBOTT: One copy.

COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?

ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?

ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

(A few days later)

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?

ABBOTT: Click on 'START'.............

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 21, 1984
Friday

This morning I slept in again. I am getting used to it now.

I took a morning bike ride and stopped at mom and dad's house. I ate 'salmon patties' for lunch. I ended up staying there in 'lounge mode' until about 3:30 or 4PM.

I returned to mom and dad's a few hours later ant remained there until 9:30PM. I was feeling ill. I think the salmon patties did not agree with me--or perhaps I just ate too many.

I wanted to go out tonight to Baxter's again to see Karen, the cocktail waitress-Cybil Shepherd lookalike. Instead I went home and read my book, "The Painted Bird".

At 10PM Erika Hurst telephoned me. I was surprised.
"Maybe we can get together for coffee or hot chocolate tomorrow morning," Erika suggested.
"Okay, I'm hoping I'll feel better in the morning."
Erika is sweet. The sixty-four year old thing sure does gab a lot though.

Nothing would delight him more than to spend the morning reading.
-Bette Bao Lord
"Spring Moon"

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Playing More Games

"Stop memorizing all possible moves from books; play more games."
-Bette Bao Lord
"Spring Moon"

There are a lot of stories that slip through the cracks. And when they turn up again (accidentally) you find a bit of a connection.

It was back on May 9, 2003 when there was an article posted on www.people.com (The PEOPLE Magazine website) by Stephen M Silverman:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demi Moore Sued for Sexual Harassment

The former manager of Demi Moore's Idaho ranch is suing the star for more than $200,000 in damages, accusing her of sexual harassment and discrimination amid claims that she fired him after he turned down her advances.

According to New York's Daily News, the ex-employee, Lawrence Bass, 43, claims Moore, 40, hit on him in the same manner she used to approach Michael Douglas in the 1994 movie "Disclosure."

Bass, a former butler for Hugh Hefner, reportedly has filed a complaint with federal authorities and the Idaho Human Rights Commission.

Moore's attorney, Martin Singer, tells the Daily News he is considering counter suing, given that Bass spoke to the Star tabloid about the alleged incident.

"This guy signed a confidentiality agreement," said Singer, terming Bass a "disgruntled ex-employee" and calling his legal action against Moore "ridiculous" and with "no merit."

Wade Hyder, an attorney for Bass, declined comment to the Daily News.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above article has a link to my '25 Years Ago' segment. Will wonders ever cease?

Feel free to listen to 'The Spinners' sing GAMES PEOPLE PLAY now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfak36F7v58&feature=PlayList&p=2C71D481D19D885B&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=24

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 20, 1984
Thursday

The other Barbara (Barbra Reynolds) called me this morning.
"Hello! I went to visit our old office in Oakland today. It was so wonderful."
She inspired me to do the same. I drove over to 2150 Webster Street in Downtown Oakland to see former co-workers and spread some holiday cheer. I did not stay too long. It was not all that exciting either.

I followed that visit with breakfast at mom's. I watched a little television and played with my niece, Ashley, for a short while.

By 3pm I decided to go ahead and take Carl's old bike for a spin. I had to raise the seat. It's okay now.

I went to South Shore Shopping Center and bought myself two new sets of TAROT Cards. They're so much fun.

By 9PM I became tired of writing the TAROT meanings, so I went to Baxter's in Concord for a few drinks and possible dancing.

I met two Iranian guys who were really friendly. They gave me their telephone numbers in hopes that we'd all go out together again sometime. I also met Eva Cyrus but she was a tall, blond, smoking-wench. I "latered" her and had my eyes on my cocktail waitress (Karen) for the remainder of the evening. She looked like actress, Cybil Shepherd (the one I fell in love with during the 'Heartbreak Kid' movie). Karen was so sweet that she even took care of my twenty-dollar tab. This gave me the impression that she really liked me. I asked, "Are you working tomorrow?"
Karen replied, "It'll be wild here tomorrow."
And so, I may return tomorrow night.

I also met Wade Franklin Hyder who is from Idaho! What's with the Idaho people in the Bay Area lately? He lives in the Oakland Hills and works at Pacific Fresh in Concord.
"I live in Alameda."
I had a few drinks and Wade was sitting at the bar. I had no problem talking to him. I can only describe him as a fit, blond, hunk-type. I wonder if it was my eye contact. Things began to develop with the two of us.

I couldn't believe what happened next as the night was coming to a close. This was a 'straight club' after all. Wade and I seemed to go our separate ways only to meet up again on the freeway.

Wade and I caravaned (traveled together in single file) and he followed me to my pad! It was like a daring and adventurous 'James Bond' sort of thing (only it wasn't with Karen, the cocktail waitress or Pussy Galore from GOLDFINGER--but with Wade of Idaho). Wade could have easily passed as an agent of the British Secret Intelligence Service. To my dismay or fantasy fascination, Wade spent the night with me. I learned more about him. He attends UC Berkeley. Who knows whether our paths will ever cross again. We played games. It was a one-night stand, a clandestine operation.
http://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/wade-franklin-hyder-162272

They didn't talk a great deal;
it was just so good to be together.
They walked, and they too pictures.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

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The Wake-Up Call

All this time I have been becoming the person I am.
I have always been heading this way.
-Morag Joss
"Half Broken Things"

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 19, 1984
Wednesday

When I awoke Bob Umland was in a rush. He had to be at work by 9:45AM. I left at the same time he left. I decided to head over to the Castro area to see if they still had my Chilly Willy T-shirt at that one particular shop. I was determined to buy it this time. To my dismay, the store was closed. I stuck around until 10AM but it still never opened! And so, I decided to just leave.

I browsed at some greeting cards at another nearby store. The best cards I have seen--as of late--were at the Hallmark Shop at the Alamo Plaza (near Danville) yesterday.

I arrived at mom's house at 11am just in the nick of time for the theme song to "The Young & The Restless" (also known as Nadia's Theme). I love the piano melody.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1_xDytEB1Q
I watched the show along with "Days Of Our Lives". It seems as though nothing ever changes in the story lines of these soap operas--or maybe they just move to slowly for me.

Mike Miller called me at about 3PM or so, "Hey Mike, do you want to go shopping for Christmas?"
I took him up on it. Mike volunteered to drive over to the Fremont Hub, so that was nice escape. We spent time at a book store and i bought things for Suzy Miller and Helen Wong. We stopped to eat at a Burrito Shop and Orange Julius and then on to Loard's Ice-Cream for dessert. It was good.

We returned to my pad by 8:30PM when I decided to call on Karyn Kossoff. She was coming to watch DYNASTY with me tonight. I confirmed the visit when she told me she had to pick up Dennis Reno at the San Francisco Airport.
"Oh, okay, well I can go with you," I said.
Karyn met Mike Miller, too.

Karyn is so much fun. It was even fun walking around the San Francisco Airport with her. I had a fun time watching DYNASTY with her, too.

Later, we had to pick-up Dennis again in Central Alameda and drive him to the Oakland Airport. Thereafter, Karyn dropped me off at my pad. By then it was half past midnight. I hit the hay.

...Then, much to my surprise, at 2AM or so 'Mr. Christopher Cordellos' telephoned!
"I'm at Barbara's. You won't believe this but I just finished telling her the whole story about us."
"Unbelievable," I said as I rubbed my eyes, feeling as though this was a dream (or maybe even a nightmare).
"Yeah...I lost twenty pounds and I feel like I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown."
"Chris! You have to start eating right!"
"Jim Severn and Jim Sullivan both bent and took advantage. Crazy!"
"Well, you know...Danny and Mary both said they saw you at 'The Hub'."
Chris began to shout in an overbearing way, trying to be defensive about his visit to 'The Hub'. He handed the phone over to Barbara.

"Hi Michael, I miss you. I promise to write to you," Barbara pleaded, "I'm going to Indiana in February and Chris gets out on January 2nd."

What a wake up call! Chris continued with stories about how his family life is not too well either. His new nephew (per his brother, Nick) is tiny and gets blisters when touched. The doctor says he will be lucky to live longer than three months!

Either way, I was glad to hear from Chris.
"I thought of you A LOT," Chris expressed in his shy, roundabout way.
I briefly mentioned my experiences with Jim Koran, Jeffrey Burr and 'sort of' about Bob Umland (but not really much about Bob).

He could understand now, better than ever before, that Greeks knew what they were doing when they put lovers side by side in battle. No one worth his salt would dare to show fatigue or cowardice before his lover.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

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Two Fragments

It's one thing to read your story, and quite another to hear you tell it!
And yet another, sir,
to have experienced it.
-Franz Kafka
"A Report to an Academy: Two Fragments"

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 18, 1984
Tuesday

I took a drive from Fremont to Danville and arrived in Alamo for my haircut appointment with Danny Garcia. I was at the shop before Danny arrived. I waited patiently.

Danny did a clean cut job with my hair. I was pleased. I treated him to lunch next door. We had a nice chat. He has some especially "BIG news". He is "HOH" (Head Over Heels) over someone from Idaho. It's funny because the guy named Ken that I met last night who lives in Fremont is originally from Idaho. It would have been funny if it was the same guy--but it was not.

Danny and I were tentatively planning on getting together later tonight for a drink or two at Cafe St. Marcos in San Francisco. I left Alamo and arrived in Alameda at approximately 1:30PM.

I slept at mom's. A nap was needed. Then I went on a good bike ride from 2:30 to 3:30PM. I simply rode up and down the Central Avenue bike lane. I tried to relax at home when I got the urge to call Bob Umland at around 6PM. He was at Wilkes-Bashford.
"Hey Bob, I'm going in to the City in a couple of hours."
"Oh that's great! Why don't you come on over."

I ended up joining Tim (Bob's cousin) and Bob to some ski shop at around 8:30PM. The shop was just about to close. Bob wanted to buy a ski rack for his BMW. After that we went back to their apartment. Tim left for the night (who knows where). Bob and I wrapped Christmas gifts. Then I massaged Bob's back a bit. We went to bed after munching on some popcorn.

The trees had thrown out low branches, making an impediment to progress.
-Daphne du Maurier
"Rebecca"

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