Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 108

Starman

"Your life is yours to create."
-as heard in the WAKING LIFE film,
a 2001 animated film about Philosophical Issues

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 20, 1986
Saturday

I woke up and went straight over to mom and dad's house on this relaxed Saturday morning. I chose to go for a bicycling excursion into the collegiate filled area of Berkeley. I enjoyed that.

When I returned home I decided to spend the evening at mom's house. I watched the movies AGNES OF GOD and STARMAN with mom. AGNES OF GOD was a story of a nun who gives birth and insists that the dead child was the result of a virgin conception. A psychiatrist and the mother superior of the convent clash during the resulting investigation. The title is a pun on the Latin phrase Agnus Dei (Lamb of God). The movie included some great acting by Jane Fonda, Anne Bancroft and Meg Tilly.
Photo: Jeff Bridges as STARMAN

The STARMAN film was a science-fiction fantasy story of an alien who has come to Earth in response to an invitation found on a gold phonograph record installed on the Voyager 2 space probe.  The STARMAN film inspired me with ideas for my futuristic story that I've been wanting to write.  The combination of these stories were so very different.  Once the movies concluded I just went back to my pad.

It was a lazy Saturday 'of sorts'.

I did telephone Mark Landreth to see what he was doing; however, he wasn't home.

Anne Alberti had to work from 7AM until 3:30PM. I don't believe she wanted to do anything because she was working the same shift tomorrow (on Sunday).

"You're your problem and you're also your solution!"
-as heard in the BRIDESMAIDS film,
a 2011 motion-picture

A Trap Door

"Why do I feel like I'm about to fall through a trap door into a pit of fire?"
-GLEE
Season I, Episode 7

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 19, 1986
Friday

Well, what do you know? Next Thursday Los Angeles has arranged for me to take the Directory Sales Representative test. If I pass that test that would be the open door to Pac Bell Directory. It's just a matter of passing it. Sure, I will have to move to L.A. It will only be a temporary thing anyway. I've been thinking about it all day.

After work I had to drive Margaret Lai to her home in El Sobrante because her stereo was delivered to our office building in error. I couldn't say no. I drove her and I didn't get home to my place until 7:15PM!

I ended up going to The Wherehouse to rent three movies:
1. American Flyers
2. Bolero
3. Maria's Lovers

I couldn't decide what to eat. I ordered a pizza to be delivered to me at home. It didn't get delivered to me until 10:30PM though. The good thing about that is that I got it for FREE due to the delay. That was cool.

"Deciding where to go to eat was like arbitration."
-Eric Bogosian about his former girlfriend, Astrid
in the Broadway Play TIME STANDS STILL
on October 21, 2010, CORT Theater, NYC

Happy

"You've got to be cool under pressure."
-Racing Dreams, 2010 film

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 18, 1986
Thursday

I had another test call today which went on and on until it was 11AM when I was scheduled for testing for Directory Yellow Pages. I was so stressed. In a nutshell, I didn't pass the Spanish Assessment Test but I did very well with Carol McClain, the Yellow Pages Placement Manager. She definitely likes me and is not a 'sort of friend' who is going to do everything in her power to get me in to Yellow Pages. She's really very nice.

I already know the first and last sentence of my literary epic "In the Year 2541". It will start and begin with the same line: 'The sky is a complete blue.'

Steph Bautista again said, "It just isn't meant to be, Michael."
Larry, the second line manager said, "There are other opportunities here."
I agreed with him; however, I know I want Pac Bell Directory. For now, I intend on going back to school for the English and Teaching Credentials. I will also write outlines and ideas for my book this weekend. I'm excited as many opportunities lie ahead for me. I just want to be happy. I am happy now. I'm off to a great start.

Anne Alberti telephoned. She didn't even ask about my testing which was a relief. I didn't want to talk about it anymore.
Anne said, "I'm going out with my Walnut Creek girlfriend tonight. We're going to dinner in San Francisco."
"That's great. I plan on just going to the gym."

Mark Landreth was at the gym with his brother, Phil, when I arrived. Phil has a black guy friend who seems rather cool, too. I had a fair workout and came home.

Johnny Schaefer telephoned but we didn't have a lot to talk about.

Steve Green was at the gym tonight. He introduced me to some guy with the surname Chavez. The Chavez dude was short and 'so-so'. It was time to go and I didn't bother talking to them for very long.

Payday was today. I certainly feel broke to the tilt—but the check did help.

"Put aside logic. Do what feels right."
-Star Trek, 2009 film

Mismo

Q: "What are you interested in?"
A: "Honey, if I had the answer to that I'd bore the both of us in less than half an hour."
-as heard while watching the 2008 film
'REVOLUTIONARY ROAD'

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 17, 1986
Wednesday

Well, it looks like I may not be going to Los Angeles any time soon. L.A. will be Air-Expressing the written bilingual test here to me in San Francisco. I will take that test tomorrow. I will work on to the next step after that point. I am anxious to take the test. I need to determine my next choice that I may—or may not—have.

I shared lunch with Margaret Lai today. I explained to her about my Spanish Yellow Pages predicament.
"I will be meeting with Carol McClaine at eleven o'clock. I've been listening to this Spanish-San Jose radio station called KBRG. I am studying my Spanish-English dictionary like there is no tomorrow."

I thought of FOUR titles for book ideas that I would like to work on:
1. In the Year 2541
2. The Employees
3. Slit-Skirt
4. Apology Not Accepted
It's exciting to begin with a concept.

I went to the gym for Anne Alberti's aerobics class at 8:30PM. It was a good work out (as usual). Russ was there.
Russ asked me, "Hey, did you ever find a roommate?"
"No, there's no rush," I answered, making me wonder if he was interested.

I need to study my Spanish if I want to pass this assessment test for SYP (Spanish Yellow Pages) tomorrow. I will just do my best. That's all I can do. The more I think of that nasty note sent to me by the General Manager in Sacramento the more I feel I will pass this test. Who knows? Quien sabe?

Anne's a sweetheart. Time will tell. There's an expression in Spanish that is only one word: "Mismo". This means 'It's all the same to me'.

My next step is to take the time to write my books and simply 'go back to school'.

I telephoned mom several times during the day to practice my Spanish with her.  She made me laugh. She's starting to build my ego. If I don't pass this written test I don't believe that the Spanish language will ever be a part of my past.  It's always with me.

"You look a little frayed at the edges."
-Quentin Crisp
AN ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK, 2009 film

The Potential Opportunity

Yves was homosexual and yet, as he himself said, "I'd like to sleep with everyone I like." And you could feel that very desire in him; he had a relentless sensuality so that there was an erotic charge of possibility in the way he looked at you and the way he touched your skin.
-about Yves St. Laurent in the book
The Beautiful Fall: Fashion, Genius,
and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris
by Alicia Drake

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 16, 1986
Tuesday

I guess one of the major events of the day was learning that there are two regular Directory Telephone Sales Representative job openings in Los Angeles. There is also one Premise Sales and one Telephone Sales openings in Spanish Yellow Pages of which I am supposedly being considered for both. It may be an opportunity I just cannot pass up. Next week is the testing. I will have to study all weekend on my Spanish. I think I have decided I want to go for the challenge.

I joined Al Martinez for lunch at B and M Chinese on Second Street.

I was a little pissed-off about a note that the General Manager from Directory Sales (in Sacramento) sent to me. It was about my qualifications and being non-competitive to folks that are available on the streets with commission sales experience. What an asshole.

I have to talk to Steph Bautista, my boss. It won't hurt to take the testing; otherwise I'll never know. I've been thinking about the SYP (Spanish Yellow Pages) since three o'clock today. I am in a predicament but I'd be a fool not to jump on a job offer whether it is in Los Angeles or not. Suddenly, I am simply excited about the potential opportunity. Once again—taking the test doesn't necessarily mean that I will be accepting the job.

I went to Anne Alberti's pad tonight. She made me pasta and M and M Cookies (for dessert).  It's nice to be with her. I explained my predicament and my wish to work in Yellow Page Sales. I could tell she was leaning towards my staying in the Bay Area (versus Los Angeles).

I telephoned Johnny Schaefer and I explained my predicament and my wish to work in Yellow Page Sales. I could tell he was leaning towards my moving down South (to Los Angeles).

It has been raining all day yesterday and today!
Johnny had said, "It's been sunny all day here in L.A."

No matter how much was known about behavior and emotions, and no matter how confident one was in diagnosis and in the course of action that neurosis and psychosis created, ultimately, one could never predict with total certainty how any one individual would react.
-John Katzenbach
"The Analyst"

Passionate Loves

One must admit, dearest love, that passionate loves are a contingency of life, but a contingency met with only by superior souls...
-Stendhal
"The Red and The Black"

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 15, 1986
Monday

I do want to work on my teaching credentials for the single subject of English. I trust in myself that things will work out in my favor.

I telephoned the Southern California Jobs Hotline today. The recording advised that there were two available Directory Sales Representative positions.
When I heard that recorded message I thought, "This is just poppycock!"
I knew they were errors as there should only be one position in Spanish Telephone Sales and one position in Spanish Premise Sales.
I thought, "If I pass that Spanish Assessment then it is meant to be—for me. We'll see."

I received a message on my answering machine from Jane Horan. She was returning my call from the New York CITICORP Offices.

I made it to the gym just as Anne Alberti was leaving. I noticed she was with Jeff (her ex-boyfriend and fellow aerobics instructor). She was going to give Jeff a ride home—I guess. I didn't like what I saw.
Anne asked me, "Why don't you come over to my house tomorrow night?"
"Sure," I said, making me unsure as to what to think.

This coming Wednesday I was invited to a Pac Tel function in Danville, CA. This means I may not go to the aerobics class on Wednesday night.

I did my work out and spoke briefly to Anne as she walked out. I also hap brief chats with Mark Landreth, Stu Western, Kathy Ortega and Tina Titus (who says she works at Hair Changers on Foothill Boulevard).
Tina suggested, "You should make your next appointment for a hair cut with me."
I just might do that.  She may be able to create a new hair trend for me.

If I had to take a daytime class at a University I honestly believe that my office would work around my schedule for me. They're so good about continuing education of employees. I like that.

The only resource left to a human being fallen into the last abyss of wretchedness is courage.
-Stendhal
"The Red and The Black"

Sexy Looking

"Sometimes the untraditonal way is the right way."
-The Secrets
2007 film, starring Fanny Ardant

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 14, 1986
Sunday

I enjoyed another breakfast at my folks' house. I went to buy the eggs and bacon.

I went bicycling, thinking I may see Mark Landreth in windsurfing gear. At around 1PM I went by the Harbor Bay Isle Club and caught Anne Alberti leaving. She saw me in my bike bib-shorts that I bought via direct mail from a bike shop in Marina Del Rey, CA.
Anne said, "Why don't you ever wear those to the gym?"
I laughed, knowing they were too sexy looking to wear at the gym.
I said, "Well, maybe I'll have to wear them now...maybe on Wednesday."
We talked for a short while and then she split the scene.

I went to mom's house and watched the movie JAGGED EDGE with her and Helen. After that I went home to my place for a nap.

Anne Alberti telephoned me.
"I like sweet peas. And I'm going to go buy some now."
She obviously received my photo card with the sweet peas.
I telephoned Anne again a little bit later. Patty was there.
I asked, "What are you two doing?"
Anne replied, "Well, we rented a couple of movies."

I telephoned Mark Landreth and filled him in on the latest of this weekend's events.
When Mark answered the phone I asked, "Is Ray Stingray there?"
He replied back, "Uh yeah, is this Jake the jack-off?"
I laughed his comment off and said, "Aren't you funny?"
I wonder about him sometimes. How did he know?

I went to mom and dad's house and watched another thrilling movie with mom and dad called EYE OF THE NEEDLE. I left and went to bed after the flick, thinking about Stanford University and my current desire to simply be a 'teacher'.

While I lay in bed I also had an idea for a suggestion for the Pacific Telesis Group. I believe the Directory Sales Agents should 'always' recommend 800 WATS line service and RCF in their promotional to their business clients.

I also thought how I had wanted to go to CLUB 412, a new After Hours Club in San Francisco at 412 Broadway on Saturday night; but Mark wasn't home when I tried to call him about it last night.  Oh well---next time, maybe.

As for a spoiled life, no life is spoiled but one whose growth is arrested. If you want to mar nature, you have to merely reform it.
-Oscar Wilde
"The Picture of Dorian Gray"

A Cheap Saturday Night

"There are other versions of us."
-Nicole Kidman
"RABBIT HOLE", 2010 Dramatic film

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 13, 1986
Saturday

I went over to mom's house for a good breakfast. Then I went bicycling to San Leandro to visit Suzy Miller. She lives in a maze of a modern apartment complex now. I fell on my back and scraped my left knee. Ouch. Suzy wasn't even at home when I finally found her apartment. I was so craving a thirst quenching drink at that point, too. I hopped on my bike and headed back to Alameda when I miraculously saw Suzy 'on her bike' on Washington Avenue!

I returned to Suzy's abode and we went ahead and decided to lay out by her swimming pool until 3:30PM. I looked at her pictures that she wanted to share with me. We tried calling Bonni Jayne but she wasn't home.

I returned to mom's house for a while.

Once I was back at my place I received a phone call from Nici Maurino.
"Do you think you could take me to pick up my car?" Nici asked, in her irresistible voice.
"I wish I could but I've already made plans, but I can take you on Sunday morning."
I had actually made plans to go out with Sue and Bonni tonight.

Sue called me but we were still unable to get a hold of Bonni.
"Well then, I'm just going to stay home and let my knee recuperate," I said to Sue when we spoke again on the phone.
I ended up going to mom's house once again and watched a bit of television.

When I was back at my pad I started watching the MISS America Beauty pageant but I fell asleep by eleven o'clock.  The winner was Susan Akin from Meridien, Mississippi.

It was a cheap Saturday night. I like that every once in a while.

I learned that Mark Landreth had gone to a party last night (Friday) and went out on-the-town tonight with a few of his frequenting windsurfing peers. Too bad I don't know how to windsurf.

"We can't let our emotional state dictate our lives."
-The Secrets, starring Fanny Ardant
2007 motion-picture

Patty's Massage

"It's always better to have someone do it for you."
-Tallulah Bankhead

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 12, 1986
Friday

Kathleen Macy (from the PAC BELL Placement Center) in Los Angeles telephoned me today.
Kathleen confirmed, "Michael, I wanted you to know that I'm aware that you sent your cover letter and resume to several managers."
I assumed that they were all forwarded to her.
I said, "Yes, my boss has sent my GA405 which was mailed yesterday. And you should receive my transfer requests by Monday."
The GA405 is a 'ready now' management form that was sent on my behalf. And so, I hope I get this Premise Sale Position. If I do not pass the Spanish Assessment I guess it wasn't meant to be. If I don't get the job I'm going to say, "The heck with it!"

If a new job doesn't pan out I will look into Stanford University for their STEP Program (Stanford Teachers Education Program) that seemed promising per the materials I'd received. I can quit my job at PAC BELL and teach. I'd prefer to teach English or Literature. On my spare time I can concentrate on writing short stories, novels or screenplays.
PHOTO: Me, Three years later (1989),
Teaching, San Francisco, CA

At 6PM I made it to the Harbor Bay Isle Club for Anne Alberti's aerobics class. It was only a one-hour class. It was much easier than the one she does at 24 Hour Nautilus because it was a motion class versus an impact class. After the workout, Anne came to my place to see my postcard collection that I've posted all over my walls in the spare bedroom. We called her friend, Patty.
"I made some lasagna—why don't you guys come over?" Patty asked.

Patty gave me a massage. I had to strip to my underwear. I felt funny—but it was okay. The massage was fine. We even had a bit of strawberry milkshake. Both Anne and Patty were attending weddings the very next day, so I called it a night.

I was home by 11:30PM. I tried calling Mark Landreth but he wasn't home.

"Speak your mind. What is necessary is never unwise."
-STAR TREK,
2009 motion-picture

Spanish Yellow Pages and Gay Cowboys

"You need a lot more than inspiration to play violin.  You need method."
-The Red Violin,
1998 motion-picture

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 11, 1986
Thursday

I received a phone call from Jerry Karnell, General Manager of Directory Sales and Support.
Jerry asked, "Are you bilingual?"
"As a matter of fact, yes," I answered in a white-lie sort-of-way.
"I can start you on a job on Monday in Spanish Yellow Pages, Premise Sales!"
It sounded too good to be true, but I will believe it when it actually happens. I know I'd do well in the position because I want it so bad.
Jerry said, "I'll have Carlos Mejia give you a call."
I have not heard from Carlos yet.
I advised my boss Steph, "You won't believe it. I got a call from Yellow Pages."
I went on to explain the details and Steph simply said, "Let me know what happens."
I need to find out more. It's a decision I will have to make. If I get job offered I will swoop on it. That's for sure! I can always transfer as an Advertising Sales Rep. in the Oakland office in the future.

At lunchtime I met with Carol McClain, the Personnel Manager at Pac Bell Directory. She sounded nice and informative.
Carol said, "It wouldn't hurt to try and get in to SYP (Spanish Yellow Pages)."
And so, I will make an attempt and see.

I didn't bother going to the gym tonight. I evaluated my bills. I received my Great Western VISA bill which was $913.00. I paid it off 'in full'.

Anne Alberti received the card I mailed to her. I am to attend her 6PM aerobics class at the Harbor Bay Clubhouse tomorrow night. If I do end up moving to Los Angeles I will miss Anne, Mark, and my family. I may easily return in a couple of years. Time will tell.

Look at me—as if I will be transferring for sure. I really don't know what is to happen.

Paul Dean telephoned me yesterday morning. He's the aspiring actor I met on Fire Island.
"I got the card you sent me. Thanks a lot," Paul said happily.
He will be (and has been) a good chum. I can tell---unless he fails in keeping in touch. I know I don't plan to be calling the New York area on a frequent basis.

Tomorrow is our building evacuation drill. I am a chosen stairwell monitor. I guess I shall manage (quietly and calmly).

I received a letter from Bill Helbush. I had not heard from him in a while. He is living in Beverly Hills now. He wrote that he is very serious about the gay Rodeo scene. He has been judging and attending many Rodeo events. He finally wrote that he was off to Dallas, Texas soon for another Rodeo. It seems like an entirely 'other life'.   What is it about gay cowboys and rodeos?

I have discussed the SYP (Spanish Yellow Pages) with mom, Steph Redding, my boss and Margaret. It's the topic of the moment. I've discussed it with no one else.

Clara Chan, my stock broker, gave me a call about some stock that I might consider investing. It's a growth and income oil and gas company. I'm sure she called me because I know she got word that I inquired about more information on investing in Dean Witter Mutual Funds. She's trying to keep me as a client. I think I will still move on with Jane Horan of New York at CITICORP for the opening of my Capital Asset Account though.

This coming December I will be allowed to retrieve some intra-company savings that I have built-up of about four-thousand dollars. That will certainly help me out.

Steph Redding called.
Steph asked, "Why don't you go to Marine World with me?"
"It's an idea, I'll have to see."
I may just stay home and NOT spend any money. I want to buy more money (invest). As time goes by I will be able to do things more freely.

"Sudden changes are not in my line."
-Joann Woodward
"The Long, Hot Summer"
1958 motion-picture