Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 107

Moonlighting

Positive ingredients make for success, happiness and a brigher outlook.
-Philosophical Statements by
Michael J Armijo

Twenty-five years ago today:


September 30, 1986
Tuesday

My usual San Francisco parking lot was blocked by two giant big rig trucks today. I had to park at my old parking lot (just another frustration to begin my day).

I am depressed sometimes. I cannot wait until my monetary configurations make me feel 'ahead of the game'. I should truly feel lucky though. In time it will level off and it can only get better. I will have my house and my Jaguar wheels. Frankly, it will all be okay. Next year I have an entire month off from work!

I received a phone call tonight from KFOG radio. They want me to listen to their station as part of a survey. And so, I am a willing participant. The station is so-so.

I spoke with Anne Alberti last night. I didn't bother going to the gym. I did add some fuel to my car and I'm glad I can afford to do that.

On KFOG radio there are some Park Merced condominiums that are being advertised For Sale. I think I may look at them. Perhaps I should wait until I have more funds and go for something on Harbor Bay Isle though.

Tomorrow is Helen's birthday. I will have to get her something tomorrow. I'm sure I can find something for her at Emporium in San Francisco.

I watched a couple of sit-coms and an episode of MOONLIGHTING (starring Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepherd). Then it was lights-out for me.

I guess Dad got his car fixed because I didn't have to drive him to work tonight.

There is still no word from Los Angeles. I spoke to Nici Maurino at Pac Bell's Installation Center today.
Nici says, "Michael, you should take the initiative and keep bugging them!"
She's probably right. I will call on them tomorrow. Besides, there is an opening in Sacramento. Maybe I'll be able to submit for that position.

I feel "FAT" lately. I need to work on myself harder and bicycle a lot more than usual. Lately, I'm a lot of 'talk and thought' and no action. My being aware of the fact is a good thing. I do want to take that time to write my book, too. I intend to work on that the first week of November because I am free from work during that time.

Dale, Dean and Laverne are requesting for part-time work. What's wrong with them? I am not going to do that. I'm remaining full-time for the money. I will make it…yet.

He found himself standing on top of a huge rock, and satisfied that he was quite isolated from humankind.  This physical situation made him smile, for it represented to him the moral situation he burned to attain.  The pure air of the high mountains spoke to his soul of serenity, even of joy.
-Stendhal
"The Red and the Black

"I Hate That Type"

We always look back on the good old days.   But back in those good old days, people looked back on an earlier time as "the good old days".   These days we're living in now will be the good old days for our grandchildren because of the simple delights remembered.   Meanwhile, we're dying in agony.  Back in those times it wasn't any easier to open our hearts to ourselves and others tha it is now.
-Philosophical Statements Book
by Michael J Armijo

Twenty-five years ago today:


September 29, 1986
Monday

Paloma sent me a postcard dated September 28, 1986 of a "Spanish Senorita". She wrote:

Marbella, SPAIN, Write me-Write me


Hello Michael,


Here is another card for your collection. I don't know if I sent you this one before. Pretty, huh? I've got a bunch just for you, the only problem is that I never find the time to write on them. I'm so tired of being here. I still have a month and a half left and then I'm going back to Paris. I can't wait, even if the weather is really nice here and awful in Paris…I think. I don't know where I'll go next yet. I might go back to Africa but I'll let you know, maybe you'll come? My boyfriend's parents are here right now. It's fun. They are really nice, just like yours. I'll write again very soon. I promise, promise. I miss you very much.


Love,
Paloma-

On this Monday morning I started to do my two-set barbell routine before my departure for work. As long as I keep it up I might see some progress.

It looks like a beautiful day today. I was supposed to go to Chinatown but it was decided that I won't be after all. I have no discretionary money to spend anyway.

I really want to buy a house though. I'm looking into it seriously (once my bills are paid off?). And one I get my $4000 check in December and the $8600 check in January. Perhaps I can think seriously at that time.

I tried calling Los Angeles again. It seems to me that someone else was chosen over me. Oh well…it just wasn't mean to be. I will live each day slowly—but surely.

While at the gym on this evening I noticed Mark and Patty there. Anne wasn't feeling well (per Patty). Mark didn't have much to say. He seems to be shying away from Patty but she obviously likes him.

I telephoned Anne when I was home.
Anne said, "I need to get better because I'm leaving on Saturday for Cancun, Mexico."
"I'm sure you'll be better by then," I offered reassuringly.

I asked Doug Siu's sister, Donna, if she might want to move-in with me as a roommate. Doug Siu works at AT&T.

I also asked the geek from New Jersey that works at my gym who is named Stuart. He's not the cool, construction guy Stuart, of course. The fact that I asked the New Jersey fellow may be a mistake.
Anne said, "He's weird!"
Now I'm wondering if he'll take me up on my offer.
"Why is he weird?" I asked Anne.
"He's just weird. He acts like he knows-it-all. I hate that type."

I drove my Dad to work at 11PM because his car wouldn't start. He was working graveyard shift at Del Monte for this fall season.

Mom made me a potato salad for the pot luck that is planned at my office tomorrow. She saved the day again.

I am flustered. We were asked if we were interested in part-time work.
I answered, "No."
Here I want a job in Directory Sales and I know it will happen. The question is 'when'.

I watched a flick last night about missing children. I am really lucky when I think about it. I am 'on my own'. I only have myself to worry about. I can fend for myself. I am actually making plans to hopefully buy a house. Things are not so bad.  Like a butterfly, I'm relatively free.

He had a reputation for being very cautious, which some found a virtue and others a fault.
-Edward Rutherford
"London", the novel

Nostalgic and Comforting

I put a white candle on the table to clear bad influences, and its scent is nostalgic, comforting.
-Joanne Harris
"Chocolat"

Twenty-five years ago today:


September 28, 1986
Sunday

I went to ma and pa's house for breakfast.  I watched most of the San Francisco 49er vs. Miami Dolphins football game while I was there.

Once I was back at my pad I lounged, JO'd, slept, watched a little TV and did some reading.

Johnny called from Los Angeles. I felt free to tell him of my "L.A. Predicament" and whether I was up to moving down to Southern California or not. I also explained my 'no knowledge' of everything at this time.  There's not even a job offer yet.

Mom and Dad called me a bit later, inviting me to eat with them. They were going to The Sizzler, so I decided to tag-a-long.  I had planned on a bike ride after the meal but I couldn't find a certain pair of bike shorts, so I passed on the idea of the 'after dinner' bike ride.

I did more reading.  I watched "60 MINUTES" on TV and then I followed that up with a movie called INTIMATE ENCOUNTERS, starring Donna Mills and James Brolin. It was pretty good. It was about a woman (Donna Mills) who is married to her high-school sweetheart (James Brolin) for fifteen years and decides to go back to college.  While in college she begins to have 'love affairs'. I was out-of-it though. I kept dozing off in parts.

Every woman has to have something which singles her out, which catches the eye, which makes her the center of attention.
-Philippa Gregory
"The Other Boleyn Girl"

A Real Pointdexter

Every human being was given a virtue:   the ability to choose.   Anyone who fails to use this virtue transforms it into a curse, and others will choose for them.
-Paulo Coelho
"Like The Flowing River"

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 27, 1986
Saturday

Birda telephoned me on this day.
"So what's the scoop? Are you moving-off to L.A. or not?" Birda asked.
I sighed. "I wish I knew myself. It's too early to say."

I invited mom for a drive to Palo Alto to the Stanford Shopping Center. We ate lunch at the Neiman-Marcus Department Store. I really enjoyed the drive down there.

I gave mom a photo I'd taken of her and Ashley earlier this month. She liked it.

When we returned to Alameda at 3PM or so I chose to go on a one-hour bike ride. After the ride I went to mom's house to see Helen, Tony and Lauren. Helen gave me a cute wallet-sized photo of Lauren.

We watched a movie together called AMERICAN FLYERS. I took a nap in my old room after the movie. When I woke up Tony, Helen and Lauren had left.
"When did they leave?" I asked mom.
"Around nine o'clock."

Robert, the weirdo computer dude, who called me at a late hour recently called again.
"Why don't you come over?" Robert asked.
I didn't have anything else to do, so I acted on his invitation. I had to drive out to Concord. I met him at a posh restaurant called STRAW HAT Pizza (if you can believe that). I had a beer or two. He was a real "pointdexter" kind-of geek. He wore hard-rimmed glasses and a goofy plaid shirt. He was nice enough and totally harmless, so I didn't think there was any reason to not go to his place.
Robert showed and demonstrated his latest electronic memorabilia. It was all rather boring but 'interesting' in some regard. He'd make a great character in my "In the Year 2541" storyline. I yawned a bit and made it clear that I had to go home. So, I left and that was that.
"I have the gift of Specialism," he answered, "Specialism is an inward sight which can penetrate all things."
-Honroe de Balzac
"Seraphita"

A Kind Exit

He took her hand and pressed it to his crotch.   She could feel his genitals through the dark gabardine trousers.   "If you're nice to me, I'll be nice to you."
-Stieg Larsson
"The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"

Twenty-five years ago today:


September 26, 1986
Friday

It's frustrating. I learned that I passed the Directory Sales Written test. The only thing now is that I am in a "limbo" state. I'm in a so-called waiting period as to whether they'll inform me if I will be eligible to take a role play test. If someone with a higher Net Credited Service date with the company comes along I will be bypassed due to this qualification.

I tried making a few phone calls but they didn't provide any new, concrete information for me at the Los Angeles Pac Bell Directory Placement Center.

The day rolled along and it was soon 5PM.

Anne Alberti came over to my place. We ordered pizza for home delivery. We decided to watch tonight's episode of DALLAS on TV. Then we watched a fuzzy version of THE HITCHER. For some reason the videotape didn't show a clear picture which was annoying.

Anne and I cuddled and stuff.
Eventually she made a kind exit by saying, "I have to go because I have to teach a class early tomorrow morning."
"Okay," I said, thinking that it wasn't really that cool.
Give me a break.

I went to bed right after Anne left for the evening.  Yawn.

Sexual adventure can be exhausting, especially if you have a full-time job.
-Christopher Bram
"Mapping The Territory, Selected Non-Fiction"

Financially Free

"Once the decision has been made dedication is paramount."
-Saint Ralph, 2004 film

Twenty-five years ago today:


September 25, 1986
Thursday

I took my Directory Sales test as planned. Carol was right. It was relatively easy. I may have missed one or two of the fifty questions (and that's it). I know I passed with flying colors.

Steph Redding telephoned me on this night.
"I got a call from a man in L.A., asking about my employment with Cardigans Inc."
"You did?"
"Yes, I made you sound so good."
This is a good sign that my references are being checked-out. I wonder if they'll 'job offer' me.

I telephoned Anne a few times while I was at work today. She is going to come over to my place on Friday night. We're going to watch a couple of movies together (plus). How cozy.

I have a new book titled "Financially Free". It's about real estate. It's interesting to the point where I may want to take all of my funds (roughly $30,000) and invest in real estate. I could paint the home black and white 'beautiful' and resell, make a profit, buy another and so forth. I may do it, too! A single family home would be my first choice, then an easy-to-manage apartment building.

I remained at home tonight.

Johnny Schaefer called me.
"I hope you come to L.A."
I said, "We'll see, but I have to tell you about this sex-crazed maniac that Anne bumped into."
"What?" Johnny asked.
I proceeded to share the details.
Johnny laughed about the incident just as Anne's mother did.

I'm all excited now about liquidating all of my assets to purchase a house. Then again, I have current obligations. It may be difficult. I shall have to wait and see.

There's a new catch phrase in the household used constantly: 'too expensive'.
-Stefan Zweig
"The Post-Office Girl"

Fondling Himself

"I enjoy provoking discussion."
-Freud's Last Session
An Off-Broadway Play,
NYC April 30, 2011

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 24, 1986
Wednesday

I have to call Mila Carerras who will give me the latest scoop on the Directory Sales positions in the next year. She's my secret contact. It ought to be interesting to hear what she says.


That Mila Carerras "bitch" couldn't talk to me because the President of Pac Bell Directory gave her a brand new project to deal with. Give me a break. She could have taken a few minutes of her precious time to talk to me. I won't be calling her again. There goes my secret contact. She would have to call me back first. What a "wench".

Steph gave me three hours of freedom time to study my Directory Sales Workbook. I did study. I think I have it all down. The test is simple (per Carol McClain in Human Resources). I am sure it won't be a problem. I certainly hope not. The next step will be the job offer.

Dale Orlando was being his usual busy body self.
Dale stuttered when he asked, "Michael, why are you excused from incoming calls for so long a period of time?"
"It's personal," I replied, giving him a line that he would normally use on me.

I received Graduate Admissions applications from the School of Education at Stanford University. I glanced at them. I should just force myself to make my own time to write my own novels that I want to write. Could it be that simple? My goal is for six-hundred pages for the "In the Year 2541" story.

Mom left me a blank videocassette to tape some 3-hour TV movie starring Sophia Loren that she wants to see. I did that successfully. She'll be happy.

I went to the gym tonight and I peeked in on Anne Alberti's aerobics 6PM class. Then I proceeded to do my work out. Mark Landreth came in and we exchanged a few words. He was so focused on his work out tonight and he went ahead and took the 7:30PM aerobics class.

Last Monday I took my niece, Ashley, for a walk through Harbor Bay Business Park. It was a slight problem when Ashley didn't want to go back home. She wanted to remain at the park.
I pleaded, "Come on…that way we can watch WINNIE THE POOH!"
What a liar I was.  And now (ever since last Monday) she has been asking me about watching the movie, WINNIE THE POOH. I feel bad because mom told me she accidentally erased the WINNIE THE POOH show on her videotape. Oh well, I hope I am not being a contributor to Ashley's tantrums. I might find another copy of WINNIE THE POOH eventually.

I keep thinking I may get job offered to Los Angeles. I won't dwell on it, considering all of the other let downs I have experienced. I've made many moves on new ventures from this office. Something will turn up.

Anne Alberti reminded me about an incident I experienced when I was 7-years old. I was on my way to my friend's house (Greg Gonsalves) and a man in his late twenties was in a car, fondling himself with his pants down to his shoes.
He was parked in front of a church (only a block away from my house) and he asked me, "Hey, do you know where Timmy is?"
I went to his car window and noticed his 'you know what'.
My eyes popped in shock and I just said, "No, I don't know."
I immediately made a run for it to my friend's house.

Well, Anne was telling me that she left the spa last night and she had a similar experience.  Some guy was asking for directions to Lewelling Boulevard while in his car.  At the same time he was asking her this question he was fondling himself while in the driver's seat.
Anne shrieked, "He had no pants on!"
I could just imagine Anne's eyes widening in surprise.
"What did you do?"
"I just got in my car and left!" Anne exclaimed.
I laughed.
I thought, "Poor thing."
Then I said, "Well, at least you'll have something to tell the girls at work tomorrow."
Anne laughed.
I continued, "The girls will probably want to know where it happened so they can avoid the area."
Anne countered that, "No, they'll probably want to know the location to come looking for him."
Now I was laughing. Ha-ha.

I watched an episode of DYNASTY and THE COLBYS. One has to admire good old Blake Carrington. I went to bed after the shows.

I failed to study much of my Directory Sales Workbook because I believe I have a fairly good overview of it all.  My boss, Steph, had mentioned my test to Pearl (in my section). God knows who else she has spilled the beans to. I hate that because there's no telling what's going to take place just yet. Geez!

If I do move to Los Angeles I think I will ask Mark to help me move there. I know he will help me with the move. I'm pretty sure he would anyway.

I had a good work out tonight. After three days in a row of working out I feel the results. I have this continuous jerking-off problem though. I wish I'd leave it alone for a while…but it's 'hard'.
Now I know I'll study before my test at 9:30AM tomorrow morning.

Whenever he tried to busy himself with some serious business, his thoughts would drop away, and he would come to his senses a quarter of an hour later, his heart beating, his head confused, dreaming on this theme: Can it be that she loves me?
-Stendhal
"The Red and the Black"

The Sky Is Crying

"Mothers don't need to know everything...only makes them worry."
-Regular Guys, a 1996 film

Twenty-five years ago today:


September 23, 1986
Tuesday

Today was my 'Blue Monday'. It was a hectic one…at that.

I read my Directory Telephone Sales Candidate Workbook.
Steph said, "I'll give you three hours of close time to study tomorrow."
 Close time enables me to be 'off the hook from incoming phone calls'. That's so nice of her. I do hope I get this job. So what if it's in L.A. I'm a big boy and I can handle an entirely new environment.

I left a cute message on Anne Alberti's answering recorder. She called me when I arrived home.
Anne said, "I can go shopping with you on Friday night. I have to get a few necessities."
"Okay, that sounds great!"

I left for Alpha-Beta because of my newfound FIFTY Dollar bill. I love it when I save them in secret hiding places and they turn up out of the blue.

I went home and read my new Mel Gibson Pictorial book that my friend, Johnny Schaefer, sent me. He knows I'm such a big fan of Mel (mainly for the films TIM, THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY, GALLIPOLI, MAD MAX and THE ROAD WARRIOR).
Photo:  Mel Gibson, 'The Year of Living Dangerously'
I did also scan through some of my Directory Telephone Sales Workbook.

It was time to go to bed when the phone rang. It was Johnny Schaefer calling at 10:30PM.
"You know, Johnny, if I get this job offer in L.A. I will let you know."
"Oh, I hope you get it," Johnny said excitedly.
"Me too!"
"How is your writing going?"
"Oh, I need to make more time to outline my four book ideas. I want to get them started so badly. Right now I'm just keeping up with my daily journal."
"Well, that's good," Johnny stated reassuringly.
"Yeah, I…at least…have the ideas floating."

It rained during the night. I love being in bed when that happens. I hate getting out of bed when it's still raining. The sky is crying.

"Things are 'not simple' only when we choose not to examine them."
-Freud's Last Session
An Off-Broadway Play, April 30, 2011, New York City

Good for One's Psyche

"Other people often do what they don't want to do at all."
-Glenda Jackson
in the 1971 film "Sunday Bloody Sunday"

Twenty-five years ago today:


September 22, 1986
Monday

It was another lazy 'do nothing' kind of day. Of course these kinds of days are good for one's psyche every so often.

Mark Landreth telephoned me last night (Sunday). He explained how he went off with his windsurfer entourage of buddies. I couldn't help but feel a tad jealous.
Mark did say, "I would have invited you…but it was spur of the moment."
"It's okay," I replied nonchalantly.
It was still nice of him to call me.

I went to mom's house for French toast again and then I returned home. Mom was kind enough to iron a few of my dress shirts. She does such an exceptional job with that.

I ended up sleeping from two o'clock until five o'clock. I was being lazy.

Anne Alberti telephoned at around five thirty. We talked a bit.
"I'm teaching an aerobics class at six thirty."
I wondered if that was an enticement to come to the class. I ignored it and realized that I had not told her (yet) about the Directory Sales test that I plan to take on Thursday for the hopeful job in Los Angeles.
I went to the gym early; whereby, I left by 7:30PM. That's the time that I usually arrive, so it was nice to leave at that time for a change.

I had more time on this evening to review my bill paying. I'm in debt up to my balls. All in due time and things shall improve. I do get that $4000 in December and another $8000 in January and another $6000 next December 1987. I don't plan on using all of that money to pay bills. I want to use some of those funds to 'work for me' via savings, etc. The new CITICORP Focus Asset Account will be grooming itself nicely.

I did leave a note on Anne Alberti's car when I left the gym. The note had an impact because she telephoned me at around 9:30PM. We talked for a good while. I was reading my new ESQUIRE Magazine at the time she called. There happened to be an article on 'How to Write a Novel' that I found interesting. It's as if the article was written expressly for me.

I went to bed by 10PM and slept a good long while. I JO'd much too much this past weekend. Smiles…Oh well.

The imperitive need to be amused is so powerful.
-Stendhal
"The Red and the Black"

In My Cage

"I don't think I have achieved perfection."
-Jiro Dreams of Sushi, 2011 Documentary

Twenty-five years ago today:


September 21, 1986
Sunday

I enjoyed the French toast I made for myself at mom's house on this Sunday morning. After the meal I returned to my pad to lounge.

Mom and I would later rent three more movies: Young Sherlock Holmes, Birdy and The Hitcher. My brother, Tony, and Lauren came by for dinner. I guess Helen had plans elsewhere. Tony watched The Hitcher with us (Mom and I). It was a scary thriller about a young guy who picks up this hitchhiking man who turned out to be a maniac.

I ended up watching Birdy and Young Sherlock Holmes with ma and pa. We both enjoyed them. I think Dad really liked the Birdy story (as did I).
PHOTO:  "Birdy"
The film Birdy was about two guys, Birdy (Mathew Modine) and Al (Nicolas Cage) who become friends at school and serve in Vietnam together. Birdy already has a disturbing fixation with birds and his Vietnam experiences push him over the edge: when he returns from the war, he is sent to a mental hospital for assessment and his friend Al stays with him to try to reach him before it's too late and he'll be separated from Birdy, leaving him alone and lost inside his mind. The film contains many flashback scenes of their life together as teenagers in 1960s America and their developing friendship and views of life.

"I'm in my cage and I can't get out now."
-Yves St. Laurent
Fashion Designer