Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 102

Stuffed With Tuna

"Look! I know you're not getting enough of me but you're getting all there is!"
-"Sunday Bloody Sunday",
1971 motion-picture

Twenty-five years ago today

November 19, 1986
Wednesday

There's only one more day left of training. It's okay. I am trying to make the best of the role play exercises.

Carla and I took a walk to New Montgomery Street for yogurt.

Dale Orlando came by to see me. He gave me some medical coverage company documentation.

I was invited to mom's house for dinner. She made homemade soup along with her delicious tuna sandwiches.  It was so good!  I was starving.  All day I had eaten only a bagel and a yogurt and that's 'it'!  That's enough though, isn't it?

I did make it to the gym tonight. Mark was there (and Russ, too).  Amanda was there.  I had a fair workout, considering I was stuffed with tuna!

I returned to mom's house and watched an episode of DYNASTY with her. Then I went home, showered and fell asleep. I didn't even look over my last few role plays. I figured I'd just glance at them in the morning.

"Your new mantra is: 'Do I Need This?'"
-Confessions of a Shopaholic
2009 motion-picture

Intense Drama

"You ARE unique.
You've got to find your own way."

-The Workshop,
a 2007 film











Twenty-five years ago today

November 18, 1986
Tuesday

It was a kind of a role play day. Tomorrow will likely be the same way. Paul and Rhoda do 'okay'. Lily is not really up to par.
Lily said, "I HATE role-play!"
Lily is an introvert and NMT (Not My Type). I find her to have a personality of a doorknob. She needs to 'open up' more.

Carla and I shared time together by eating at BILL's KITCHEN. She received my retroactive paycheck. It was about seventy dollars. Every bit helps!

I didn't even go to the gym tonight. I had a couple of roast beef sandwiches at mom's house. I napped and watched "Penalty Phase", a movie starring Peter Strauss as a judge. The story involved a child molester who is discharged and it ended with a gunshot (or two), killing the defendant in a courtroom! That was quite an intense drama!

Johnny Schaefer called me and fed me some "crapola" of what Jeff had said while visiting me.
Johnny said, "Jeff told me that you were leading up to something."
It made me sound like I was trying to come on to him in a sexual sort of way. What bullshit! It's so not true.
I replied to Johnny, "That's bullshit!"

I confirmed my Los Angeles flight on December 5th. I should call Jim Koran to reconfirm.

Thank God I only have one more day of this stupid Gladys Pino training class! Sometimes I feel there is more to life than all of this. I'll just take one day at a time. The world will be good to me as I am to the world…until my final day (the day I die). I will miss a lot of people…but mom is "key".

I telephoned Suzy Miller last night and spoke to her briefly. I'd miss her too. I wish I could—at least---say 'I Love You All and Goodbye…and think of me riding my bicycle with each of you'. The cycling always makes me feel good.

The first duty of man is that of subduing fear. We must get rid of fear; we cannot act at all till then. A man's acts are slavish, not true but specious; his very thoughts are false, he thinks too as a slave and coward, till he have got fear under his feet.
-Thomas Carlyle

History

Reason may fail you.  If you are going to do anything with life, you have sometimes to move away from it, beyond all measurements.  You must follow sometimes visions and dreams.
-Bede Jarrett
Twenty-five years ago today

November 17, 1986
Monday

There are only three more days of "miserable" training conducted by Gladys Pino. Gladys is teaching a Directory Sales class and the three new hires are going to work in San Francisco, Santa Clara and Sacramento. I'm jealous. All three of these new hires currently work in other departments at Pac Bell Directory. This leads me to believe that my chances will be much brighter in seventeen months. I'd better get lucky.

I spent my lunch all by my lonesome because Carla had to go to see her daughter, Priscilla (who was feeling ill). I did share my morning break with her though.

I bumped in to Susan Luna today. She was a former coworker back in 1977 when we both worked as 411-Directory Assistant Operators in San Leandro. We had a quick 'catch-up' chat and I learned that she married some fellow "operator" and recently had a baby boy. Such is life. I remember having a mini-crush on her for a while.

I went home to change clothes. I popped over to see mom, too. She has all of this week off from the Post-Office. She was lounging (something she deserves to do).

I did go to the gym for a good hour. I saw Mark.
Mark blurted, "I haven't seen Anne or Patty since that night we all got together."
"That's odd. I wonder what happened to them. I haven't called Anne again either."
"I'm sure they'll turn up."
"Yeah, I guess it's all history between us anyway."
Mark smiled.
I really don't think I have any intentions of pursuing Anne any further.

I watched some movie on the subject of bulimia with mom. Then I headed home and went straight to bed.

Let go the things in which you are in doubt FOR the things in which there is 'no doubt'.
-Mohammed

Being More Productive

"I'm just finishing up a little project but I'll come by later."
-DEXTER, Season I

Twenty-five years ago today

November 16, 1986
Sunday

I woke up at 8AM and should have immediately headed out on my bike for Lake Chabot to see if I'd run into Mark Landreth. However, I didn't. Instead I rolled over onto the other side of my Queen-sized bed. I did some laundry and played the role of a bum for most of the day. I was wearing my sweatshirt and sweatpants all day long.

I watched Barbara Taylor Bradford's novel based films called "A Woman of Substance" and "Hold the Dream". They were both excellent flicks. I was so 'into' them.

I did make an outing over to WALGREEN's with mom for a short while. She even made a point of reminding me of that when she signed my House Book.
Mom wrote:
Hi Mike,
…just came from WALGREEN's; going to SAFEWAY now on my way to the house.
Mom
PS-Mike, I'm not going to invite you to WALGREEN's with me anymore…that way my bill won't be so big.

I was supposed to pay a visit to Carla today. There was no answer at her phone at around 3PM. I had returned a call to her at 9:30PM but she was on the phone. When I tried calling again (10:50PM) I was finally able to speak with her.
"Oh Michael, I slept until four o'clock today!" Carla laughed.
"Well, now I don't feel so bad that I didn't come to visit!"
I ended up being more productive by just staying at home.

Johnny Schaefer called me in the afternoon and we spoke for a while about our latest goings on.
Johnny asked, "Did you get Jeff over to Concord?"
"Yeah, he ended up spending the night here on Friday. Then he made his own arrangements with Becky," I explained.
"Oh," Johnny said curiously.
"Jeff called me late Sunday night, so I guess he had a good weekend."
Johhny continued, "Well, I spent the night at my mom's house and I'm thinking of moving out from here."
When Johnny made this statement I got the impression that Johhny may feel that Jeff is trying to interfere with our friendship. I didn't feel that way. Jeff is a nice guy.

Johnny sent me a neat 911 song by Cindy Lauper with Pee Wee Herman taking over the last few words. That was great to hear. He also sent music from The Electrical Parade at DISNEYLAND and THE FIXX (to remind me of the Moody Blues concert when I went down there to visit).

I just realized that this journal book is almost 'shot'. It's time to start a new book.

I failed to speak to Mark Landreth all weekend. I wonder what he has been up to.

Love generated in the mind is doubtless more intelligent than true love, but it has only flashes of enthusiasm; it is too conscious of itself, it constantly appraises itself; far from scattering the thoughts, it is constructed by the power of thought alone.
-Stendhal
"The Red and the Black"

Fireworks and 'Foster's Freeze'

In attempts to improve your character, know what is in your power and what is beyond it.

-Francis Thompson

Twenty-five years ago today

November 15, 1986
Saturday

There goes the idea of washing my car on this Saturday morning. I probably still could have washed it but I had to drive Jeff to Becky's pad in Concord. Jeff took a Polaroid photo of me, using my camera.  I taped it to the first page of my House Book and wrote the caption: "Looking Up".

Once I was in Concord (and out of the kindness of my heart) I drove Jeff and Becky to the Walnut Creek BART Station. This transition made me feel like NOT driving back into Concord to see Chris Cordellos. I knew Chris was off to work at noon anyhow, so I drove home to Alameda.

I rode my bike for a while. It was a very good ride. It could have been a longer ride but I just chose to shorten it.

I went to Mom's house and sort of watched some movie called "A Woman Of Substance". I snapped a couple of Polaroid photos of me, mom and Ashley.

Suzy Miller called me out-of-the-blue.
Suzy said, "Did you know the Oakland Bay Bridge was fifty years old on November 12th?"
"No, I had to learn it from you."
Suzy giggled while asking, "Do you want to go and see the fireworks?"
"That sounds great!"

And so, we went to Ballena Bay to watch the fireworks extravaganza. Suzy's brother, Mike Miller, was there with a couple of his chums. After the festive event Suzy and I left to eat at FOSTER's FREEZE. They were so busy there. It took forever! The two Asian people were taking orders with only one cook.
Sue said jokingly, "I'll have ten banana splits to go."
The expression on the faces of the two Asian order takers was priceless. Sue really freaked them out.

We left to my mom and dad's house for a while. Sue left shortly after. It was a fun, spontaneous Saturday night.

Live not as if you had ten thousand years before you. Necessity is upon you. While you live, while you may, become good.
-Marcus Aurelius

Much Ado About Nothing

PHOTO: Jeff Lindfors of Orange County, CA
Friendship is constant in all other things,

Save in the office and affairs of love:
Therefore, all hearts in love use their own tongues,
Let every eye negotiate for itself,
And trust no agent.
-Claudio, in SHAKESPEARE's
Much Ado About Nothing

Twenty-five years ago today

November 14, 1986
Friday

Carla seems to think everyone in our department (and building) believes we are having a 'heavy thing' going between the two of us because we are always seen together.
I said, "Big deal…let them think what they want!"
She laughed.

Tonight I will spend time with Jeff Lindfors (and possibly Chris Cordellos).

On Saturday I want to bicycle (with the only bicycle I own). I want to do the same on Sunday. I still feel overweight though I know I really am not.

I'll be glad when this Pac Bell Training crap is over. This has been the longest week ever. I'm still looking forward to the day I make it into Directory Yellow Page Advertising Sales. It's going to happen.

Nikki Bovee called me in to her office and asked me, "Honestly, between you and I…how do you feel about the training and the instructor?"
"Well, I think Pino is a bitch," I answered.
Nikki is very easy to confer with and she cracked-up when I said those words. I think Nikki feels the same way.

I didn't bother going to the gym tonight. I waited for Jeff Lindfors to arrive. He finally arrived at 9:05PM.  He came to my house where I instructed him to write in my house book.  I took a Polaroid photo of him as he was searching for clipping to paste in the house book.

Jeff wrote:
Mike,
Thanks for picking me up at the airport.  I appreciate it.
My best ad. 
Me at work.
I've never come to someone's house and had to sit and cut out pictures –definitely unique-
maybe I'll try it out since you tried my postcard idea!
Take Care,
Jeff Lindfors

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Brithday to you,
Happy Birthday Dear Fruit of the Loom,
Happy Birthday to you.

We had a good time by ordering pizza. We started to watch THE TERMINATOR but we both fell asleep. Jeff spent the night at my place since it was getting so late.

Chris Cordellos telephoned a couple of times. He was thinking I was going to come over but I didn't end up driving to Concord until Saturday morning.

Whenever you can, hang around the LUCKY.
-Jewish proverb

Training Continues

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music that he hears, however measured or far away.

-Henry David Thoreau

Twenty-five years ago today

November 13, 1986
Thursday

I had TRW (credit reports) training this morning with additional AO contract and D1539 forms training (those are forms used for my new job at Yellow Pages).

I received my $630 paycheck but I still feel broke. I probably will feel that way until the day comes when my bills are entirely paid off. I've been saying that for so long now but I'm confident I will see a light at the end of the tunnel. I can't pussyfoot around about it anymore!

I'm to meet Carla Guzman tomorrow morning for breakfast at eight o'clock sharp.

Tonight I may be picking up Jeff Lindfors from the Oakland Airport.  

Training is such a drag with Gladys Pino!

While I had time to kill I clipped a picture of actress Cybil Shepherd for my House Book.

Sherry and Ashley returned from Oklahoma. Sherri had to buy some cough medicine for herself, so I obliged and stayed at her place (with Ashley) as she went to SAFEWAY. I don't mind staying at their house. It's so nearby.

Houses are built to live in, more than to look on; therefore, let use be preferred before uniformity, except where both may be had.
-Francis Bacon

Unexpected Visitors on a Double-Date

The secret of a good memory is attention, and attention to a subject depends upon our interest in it. We rarely forget that which has made a deep impression on our minds.

-Tyron Edwards

Twenty-five years ago today

November 12, 1986
Wednesday

It was another fun-filled day of Pac Bell Directory Training. The trainer, Gladys Pino, reminds me of Kermit the Frog for some reason. She has an unusually shaped figure. She's weird, yet funny, in some respects. I napped after work, feeling so mentally drained from the intensive training day.

I did make it to the gym for one hour.

SAFEWAY received a visit from me. I felt an urge for drinking DIET-7UP. I also bought some YOPLAIT Yogurt and bananas (some of my 'after gym' favorites).

At almost 10PM I received some unexpected visitors on a Wednesday night! It was Greg Manchevitz, Mike Miller and two gals that they somehow ended up double-dating (Lisa and Chloe). I guess stopping at my place was part of the double-date adventure. It was a funny, spontaneous visit. I had Lisa and Chloe sign my House Book, of course.

Chloe wrote:
Hey Mike,
You're personally wondering 'what's happening' and who the hell are we. Well, I'm sitting with these wild and crazy guys, Mike and Greg. My cousin kind of set this night up. I don't regret it at all.
This picture…Don't worry, I'm not mentally disturbed is about the state I'm at—very lost and confused; but for some reason I feel at home. It's very cozy and for a stranger you have wonderful taste. My room is in Black and White. So I agree you have good taste. Since I may possibly never see you again…Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. Well, I guess I'll let you go. Take care and never look like this silly shit in this picture.
CHLOE
PS-Good Luck in LIFE and never change your taste.

Lisa wrote:
Hello Mike,
It was nice meeting you on a Wednesday "over the hump day", Nov. 12, 1986. How the hell are you?
Anyway, this picture represents a dream I wish I always did and that was to design dresses. I love the 40s style, shoulder pads, fitted, ha—tapered tight. If you read this days later and are wondering who is this…I came by while you were watching DYNASTY…one of my favorite shows…at least I saw the ending and previews.
Yes, I love design. Anyway I wish I didn't take up so much room but my excuse is the picture took up most of the room. But I really love to write…


I'm getting a buzz off this Carter's cement glue. I remember in sixth grade at St. Elizabeth's in Sister MaryAnn's class our whole class—while in ART class—our whole class would sniff glue and get HIGH. We were big time then (Ha).


Well, I hope I didn't bore you too much.


It was nice meeting you. You have a very nice place.


P/S: I love your art object of the child with rabbit.
Take Care,
Signed LISA

Mike Miller wrote:
Wednesday at exactly 10:00PM in the evening.


I'm writing all schlatzed out because I'm sitting on a crowded couch. Two bottles just landed over my head for a toast. Hi! POT. How are you? I'm sitting here during this earthquake with Greg, Chloe and Lisa on me…and Greg's or Greg and I's (?) first double-date. Sorry about KEN. I haven't listened to any recordings lately on your phone. Anyway, to inform you, we were asked by security guards tonight if we saw a Chinese guy. How strange. PEACE on another warm day in 1986.
Michael Miller

I also received a surprise phone call this evening from Christopher Cordellos.
Since I had company I kept it short and said to Chris, "I will call you on Friday night…after I drop Jeff over in Concord at his girlfriend's house."
Chris started to ask about Jeff and his girlfriend but I added, "I'll explain later."

Greg Manachevitz wrote:

The Double Date Night



Mike Miller over here, Gregory Manachevitz, Chloe Cruz, Lisa Martin Wednesday at 10:35PM.


You're like a pearl in an oyster ready to be picked.


I feel like a Chinese Bar Mitzvah because we are on our first double-date. Everyone's here at the Mike Armijo pad in Bay Farm Island. Gregory Manchevitz is here, Chloe Cruz, and Lisa "Devastating" Martin. The make-up routine Chloe "Enchanting". We are alcoholics because our parents just kicked us out. I love Lisa's voice. It reminds me of my dear friend Spanish Silvia Chacon of KYA, the FM DJ. We all drank a case of wine coolers from SAFEWAY on our first date. We all got high in the bird sanctuary. Keep it white. How the hell R U…Seeing you who is #1. I'm just a #. I'm a free man. Start car, Go to school….


I received a postcard from Johnny Schaeffer of John Wayne.   Johnny obviously remembered that I was born the same day as John Wayne: May 26th (different year, of course).

Jeff Lindfors sent me a postcard as well (an old vintage postcard). Jeff is a nice guy. I hope he doesn't have ulterior motives.

All our progress is an unfolding like the vegetable bud. You have first an instinct, then an opinion, then a knowledge, as the plant has root, bud and fruit. Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

My New POLAROUD

If you wish women to love you, be original. I know a man who used to wear fur hats summer and winter and women fell in love with him.

-Anton Chekhov

Twenty-five years ago today

November 11, 1986
Tuesday

I made another attempt in calling Lenny Greco in New York City for my black leather jacket.
It didn't do a lot of good. He's still not back and now his roommate says, "I'll look for the jacket IF I have time!"
Give me a break. Shit!

Carla and I went for a spin in her rented Red Camaro at lunch time for some chicken sandwiches and yogurt. She really steps on the gas. Vroooom!

I kind of attacked Carla in the elevator with a lunge at her neck with a vivacious kiss.
She screeched, "Oh Michael!"
Carla acted like she got the chills from my actions. I'm not sure whether she was kidding of if she was on the 'up and up'.

I thought it was free parking today because of the Veterans Day holiday. I ended up getting a $10 parking ticket. What a bummer!

I stopped at mom's house after work, knowing she had the day off.  She made me a Cornish hen and veggies.

I got my new POLAROID Spectra System camera. I took my first photo with mom by setting the electronic timer. It was fun having the instant gratification of a photo. Mom accompanied me to buy film for it. I also took three self-portraits of me at my house.

I said to mom, "I hate it because I have so many bills and I just want to pay them off and get them out of the way."
"You will," Mom said, reassuringly.
"I know I will as soon as I get those checks that I have coming to me. I should only owe about $4000 after I get those checks, so that'll be good."

I am having $200 automatically transferred into my CITICORP Focus Account soon. I need to save.

My training class is exactly the same that is given to Directory Sales Reps, so that is a good thing. I will be that much more ahead of the game seventeen months from now. It's actually sixteen months because I intend to take five weeks of vacation between now and then. I want to take that time 'all at once'. I think October or November 1987 would be a good stretch of time to have for vacation.

During my Pac Bell Directory Training Paul Margolis made a snide remark in regards to a Palm Springs Yellow Page BOLD listing. I ignored him. What a creep! I know he said it as a reminder of his seeing me there. I don't owe him an explanation of any sort. I won't lower myself to giving him one either. I feel ahead of the game in training class. That's another plus for me.

Every biographer should write on the first page of his manuscript:
Thou shall not judge. Moral judgment may be hinted at; but as soon as it is formulated, the reader is recalled to the sphere of ethics and the sphere of esthetics is lost to him.
-Andre Maurois

Extra Thought

Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.  Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them—every day begin the task anew.

-Saint Francis de Sales

Twenty-five years ago today

November 10, 1986
Monday

It was my first day of training. It wasn't so bad. It does require some extra thought though. Ms. Pino is somewhat of a bitch who feels she knows everything there is to know about Pac Bell Directory. Alas, I will stick it out and try to make the best of it.

I enjoyed lunch at the Pac Bell Directory cafeteria all by my lonesome. Oh well, I did eat with coworkers Rhoda and Paul for a minimal amount of time.

I was soon home and received a phone call from Carla.
"Why didn't you come up to say good bye?"
I laughed.

Danny Garcia (long lost Danny), the hairdresser from Alamo, called me.
"Hey Mike," Danny said, "You've got to come over sometime."
"Yeah, I know," I replied, "I've been so busy."
I was surprised to hear from him.

I did about a half-hour of aerobics at home, and then went to the gym for a bit more of good torture. Mark and the little gal, Renee, were there. She's the one I met on Halloween.

It's VETERAN's Day tomorrow, so I hope I don't get a ticket at my usual parking place. It is a holiday and I still plan on parking on the street.

I reviewed my CITICORP FOCUS Account and it was a depressing $141.00. I'll bring that balance up (watch and see). It will happen all in due time. I have $5000 coming in December along with $8000 in January and another $6000 in December 1987. I like lump sums. Who knows what else will come along in the near future? I ought to sell myself…Ha-ha…for a very large sum, of course.

I have handled a couple of stressors rather well. The dent I caused from a parked car on the right side and the loss of my stolen SCHWINN bicycle from my very own garage. Those were great mishaps (not to mention my lack of funds). In essence I am doing well. Perhaps it is because I forecast a lot of good versus a lot of bad.

The real world is not easy to live in. It is rough; it is slippery. Without the most clear-eyed adjustments we fall and get crushed. A man must stay sober: not always, but most of the time.
-Clarence Day