Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 117

A Few Laps

[image error] "Being a part of something special makes you special."
GLEE,
Season I, Episode I

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 22, 1986
Sunday

I went bicycling this morning and I repeated a few laps along Harbor Bay Parkway.

I received a phone call from Ron Leoni. I explained the incidents of my rear convertible window, the disappearing globe onto the freeway and the outing to 'Talk of the Town'.

I spoke to Johnny Schaefer for a while also. Johnny happened to call me again.

I tried doing some muscle motion aerobics but I didn't get very far because of the Ron and Johnny phone calls. The telephone interruptions got me out of the exercise mood.

I dropped by at mom's house for a while. Mom was watching some silly Disney flick that I couldn't really get into. I simply went home and turned in early for the night.

Most of this day is kind of a blur. I don't really think anything very significant happened. It was a lazy Sunday. I was still bummed out about my car.

Jake (me) still wants his Jaguar.

"You only do as you please anyway."
-"Th Sky We Were Born Under",
2011 Brazilian motion-picture

Bummed Out

"Better NOT think too much."
-as heard in the 1974 motion-picture
ALI: FEAR EATS THE SOUL

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 21, 1986
Saturday

Well, today (or the weekend) has gotten off to a bad start.

I drove to mom and dad's house. I was picking up mom and dad to attend Sonja's wedding. Sonja's father (Ernest Lucero) is one of my mom's brothers. Anyhow, mom helped by unzipping my back window of my convertible per my request. The only problem was that she didn't lay the rear window flat and the window crushed into a million pieces after I pressed the button for the convertible top to go all the way down! I was bummed out about it. I tried to enjoy myself at the wedding anyway. My cousin, Mandy Lucero and I danced a bit. She helped in my having a good time.

When we left the wedding party I noticed my Dad was a tad tipsy from too much beer. He forgot to guard my inflatable globe (the gift from Ron Leoni) that was hanging under my rear view mirror. When Dad opened the passenger window the inflatable globe flew out and onto the freeway! I was bummed out again.
I wanted to stay home the rest of the night. I didn't. Greg Manachevitz and Mike Miller showed up and persuaded me to go to Vallejo to the new "Talk of the Town" club. I had the 'shittiest' time. There were nothing but a bunch of sleaze-type girls there. Greg and Mike were talking like the place was fabulous. The band was good but 'that's it'. I was glad to return home.


It was a FULL Moon, too. It wasn't a good FULL Moon for me as per the aforementioned incidents. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

"I'm afraid we'll have to go in soon. I heard a mosquito a minute ago, and even if they don't touch me, I'll imagine they're eating me alive, which will be just as bad."
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

Laid Back

"Words have been given to man to hide his thoughts."
--R.P. Malagrida, an Italian Jesuit who returned from thirty years as a missionary in Brazil to help the victims of the great earthquake in Lisbon in 1756, but in 1761 was burnt at the stake by the Inquistion for alleged treason.

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 20, 1986
Friday

I received a postcard from Paris from co-worker Barbara Louise Reynolds. That was nice!

The construction crew has blocked the sidewalk near my parking lot in San Francisco to dump some large amounts of dirt. The QBL (Questionably gay) construction worker is still there. I am writing in my journal now (while in my car). I think I shall depart for the office now and determine whether the QBL construction worker is more of a QBL than I thought. Ha-ha.

Work has been really laid back lately. It is because we no longer have to tally our sales results on a daily basis. It is now determined by our computer order entries. It's probably more accurate that way. Steph is going to start observing and listening-in on our client contact phone calls though. That's a drag!

I telephoned Pac Bell Directory via their employment hotline today. There is a Staff Clerk opening, so I put in for it. I hope I get it. I figure that as long as I am in the Pac Bell Directory subsidiary of PacBell I can work my way into sales from there.

Mom had the day off, so after work I went over to her house. It's always pleasant, spending time with her.

Their calm attitude restored his own tranquility.
-Stendahl
"The Red and the Black"

My Current Situation

If there was one thing that he had drummed into himself, it was always to retain the ability to walk away, without sentimentality, from a situation that felt unmanageable. That was the basic rule for survival. Don't lift a finger for a lost cause.
-Stieg Larsson
"The Girl Who Played With Fire"

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 19, 1986
Thursday

I drove in to San Francisco on this usual work day. Near my usual parking lot I noticed a very QBL (Questionably Gay) construction worker. It was an OBV (Obviously Gay) construction worker actually. When he saw me in my suit I felt like he was having a secret fantasy with me. It's weird when that happens.

My work day went by smoothly. I worked under no real stressors. I am bummed because there are still no openings for Pac Bell Directory Sales. They are only being offered to Pac Bell Directory employees at this point. I don't seem to have a chance. I plan on continuing to be patient about it.

I received a few comments today about my inflatable globe ornament in my car. It's the gift that Ron Leoni found for me.

Ron still had no idea where he was going during my last conversation with him.
He simply said, "All I know is that I have to be out of Room 109 by seven o'clock tonight!"

I had lunch with coworkers Margaret, Joshua and Neal at 'B and M Chinese'. On Sunday Margaret is having a small Barbecue at her house. I promised that I will make a brief appearance.

This Saturday will be the wedding of my cousin Sonja Lucero to Craig W Ferry.  This will be her second marriage and she is only twenty-one years old.

I had planned to bike ride after work but I took a nap instead. I didn't even go to the gym after I woke.  I ate lasagna.

Mike Miller came over to my place and we watched the movie, "THE OUTSIDERS".
Miller said, "I may go to Vallejo to some club I heard about."
"Yeah, what's it called?" I asked.
"It's the 'Talk of the Town'."
I laughed.   "Well, if it's called the 'Talk of the Town' and it really IS the 'Talk of the Town' it might be good."
"Yeah, you should go," Mike suggested.
I doubt that I will go. My funds are low.


Greg Manachevitz called. Steph Redding called.


I went to bed at 11PM. I didn't do much exercise but Friday will be make-up day.


Mom has the day off tomorrow.


I was considering the move to New York but the idea is not profitable enough in comparison to my current situation.  If I get an offer that I just can't refuse it could be another story.


I need to make time to write to Paloma. I will wait until my pictures are developed, then I can send her one.

"So, here is the game we are going to play:  You have exactly fifteen days, starting tomorrow morning at six a.m., to discover who I am."
-John Katzenbach
"The Analyst"

Energy Flowing

"If you think I want to be around a guy with his ego invested in his bank account…you really don't get me."
Wall Street, Money Never Sleeps
2010 motion-picture

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 18, 1986
Wednesday

I brought in some of the leftover lasagna (that I helped make with Ron Leoni) to the office for Margaret Lai's POT LUCK Birthday. I knew everyone would love it. They did!

Margaret really liked the picture of me on the cliffs, too. Ha-ha.

The pot luck lunch was good. There is some silent commotion going on in the office. First, it was about my brother, Tony, passing the ASR (Account Service Representative) test. Secondly, Mary McTiernan has moved to my section and she is submitting a transfer to Priority or Major Accounts. Thirdly, Margaret has decided to submit a transfer to the TAS Group.

I telephoned Ron Leoni. He finally made it to Palm Springs. He was lounging when I called (as usual).

I worked but not very hard. I telephoned Pac Bell Directory but there is nothing open for bidding right now. I intend on remaining as patient as possible.

It's fun listening to all of the songs that Ron taped for me. I especially like identifying with a lot of the tunes that I like.

I arrived home from work and took a much needed nap. I had answering machine messages from my Dad, Johnny Schaefer and Tim O'Brien. When I woke up I received phone calls from Sue Croce, Ron Leoni, Suzy Miller and Johnny Schaefer.

I finally decided to get some energy flowing and I drove out to get some gas for the car. I also dropped some film in to SAFEWAY Photo to get developed.

I made it to the gym and found Rick there. I talked to Dave outside of the gym for a while.
Dave said, "Yeah, I'm really into this company now. I sell alarm systems."
He sounded pretty good at what he did. I may drum up some business for him (somehow).

I worked out on the weight machines—but not very hard. When I returned home I warmed some lasagna.
Ron Leoni called to say, "That Nathan told me I had to be out of this Desert Palms Inn by seven o'clock tomorrow!"
"What?" I asked.
Ron was stressed.
"Why?" I asked.
Ron never gave me the full-story but he kept saying, "I'm not sure where or what I'm going to do yet."
I got the impression he wanted me to urge him to come to me; however, I held back on an offer. I am not so sure if that's too wise an option…just yet.

Johnny Schaefer called as well. He spoke a bit of his idol, Melissa Manchester. He also mentioned his Grandmother's inheritance that he is expecting.
Johnny announced, "Once I get that small inheritance I want to buy a car and probably a condo."
It sounded impressive. I knew he seemed pretty 'together'.


I ate some ice-cream and went to bed. I know I ate some fattening things tonight but I am allowed 'once in a while'. Am I not?

I like shade. I have caused my trees to be pruned to give shade, and I cannot imagine that a tree is made for anything else, when unlike the useful walnut, it doesn't bring in any money.
-Stendhal
"The Red and the Black"

Moving to New York

"There comes a time when we must grow, when the old things are not amusing anymore."

-"Two For the Road"

1967 motion-picture



Twenty-five years ago today:



June 17, 1986

Tuesday



It was Ron's last day here in Northern California. He was feeling a bit down and tense. I tried to ease his mood by treating him to breakfast at Ole's Waffle Shop on Park Street. We walked along Park Street and he had a good feel for the town where I had grown-up.



We took a nice walk along Shoreline Drive and South Shore Beach. We rested on the beach, discussing the idea of our moving to New York. It sounded so tempting. I am considering it.



We returned to my house. Ron packed his suitcase. We napped.



I drove to San Francisco on this last evening of Ron's visit. Before heading to the Airport we visited 'The Oasis' and 'Hamburger Mary's'. The time had come to head out to the Airport.



I actually made it to the gym by 7:30PM in San Leandro where I had just missed Sue Croce and Mark Landreth starting the aerobics class. I worked out on the weight equipment and then I persuaded Sue and Mark to join me in the 8:30PM aerobics class given by Karen.  They did.  Wild.   



I was home by 10:20PM.





Ron telephoned at about 11:15PM or so (just as I was finished the leftover lasagna).   The meal went well with the Geyser Crystal Sparkling mineral water. He was in Riverside, waiting for a 2AM bus to take him to Palm Springs. What a bummer (as Paloma would say).

I went to bed and thought I had a restful, wonderful four-day weekend.





There are two sufferers in life. Those who suffer a lack of life and those who suffer from an over abundance of life.

-Waking Life

2001 Animated Film

A Brainstorm Idea

One gains the impression that people did not know quite how to take him, that he was perceived as a character, a wit and a thinker, that he was distinguished, but it was hard to say quite how.
-Stendhal
"The Red and the Black"

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 16, 1986
Monday

I had a brainstorm idea on this Monday morning. I decided to take Ron to breakfast at The Cliff House in San Francisco.

It was a smooth drive.  Rush hour traffic had subsided.  We walked in and around the cliffs in awe of the coastline.  We took some wild pictures with my camera, too. It was as if I was doing an underwear model photo shoot.  Ron was shooting my camera at me like crazy.  I believe I was so brave to strip to my "undies' only because no one was around.  It was quite funny.

After getting the feel for the coastline we went to Fisherman's Wharf.  Ron was being too kind. He brought nine recorded songs that he personally made on a cassette tape for me.  He gave me an inflatable globe, a MAUI  & Sons T-shirt and tons of QUORUM cologne accessories.

We went to Las Margaritas for a drink. We watched a magic show. Ron really liked the magic show. He raved occasionally about my company, too.


Ron is quite the adventurer and suggested we take a helicopter ride over The City. I wasn't so gung-ho about it but he insisted.
"Come on, it'll be fun," Ron shouted.
I was still skeptical. He couldn't believe I'd never been on a helicopter before.


We did it. We ended up going on a helicopter ride over the Golden Gate Bridge and on to the Oakland-Bay Bridge. It was $70 for the two of us. Ron insisted on paying for it. It was an experience. I will never go on a helicopter ride again!



PHOTO: Ron Leoni, June 16, 1986
Then we scouted through Lombard Street again, taking even more pictures all around The City.


Ron and I returned to Alameda. Ron had a brainstorm idea to cook a lobster/lasagna dinner! We bought two lobsters and all of the lasagna ingredients. Ron prepared the lobsters, salads and the lasagna. We ate together while watching one of my all-time favorite films: THIEF OF HEARTS. It was a great meal. Our tummies were so full.

We were so out-of-it from the wine that we both dozed off to sleep straightaway. Yawn.

"To be good is to be in harmony with oneself," he replied, touching the thin stem of his glass with his pale, fine-pointed fingers."
-Oscar Wilde
"The Picture of Dorian Gray"

My Own Orbit

"He seems to think you're a genius."
-LOVE IN THOUGHTS
2004 German film

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 15, 1986
Sunday

Ron and I woke up and I decided to give him a tour of the Berkeley vicinity. We ended up walking here and there (via University Avenue, Telegraph Avenue and around parts of the UC Berkeley Campus). We left and ended up eating at the Ice-Cream Dock in Alameda. From there I drove out to Walnut Creek to give him a taste of Contra Costa County. I chose to take the Alamo Exit and drove through San Ramon and Castro Valley to Lake Chabot where we ended up renting a boat.

We bought cheese, fruit and a few non-alcoholic beverages to take with us on the row boat. It was quite relaxing. We had supreme weather on the Lake.

We returned to my house and got ready for an outing in to The City. We were both full from the cheese, so dinner was not a concern. I drove in to San Francisco and in through Geary Street. We had a few too many cocktails at the Mad Hatter bar. The bartender, Dave, was pretty cool. He gave us a free drink. He liked our personalities.

We went to the CORONET THEATER and saw a film called SPACE CAMP, starring Kate Capshaw. It was about these space-trained attendees of a space camp who find themselves in space for real when their space shuttle is accidentally launched into orbit. I was so drunk watching the flick that I was in my own orbit. I had four vodka cranberries and I drank them much too quickly.

I had some coffee and Danish before I went home. Ron was nervous about my condition. I think I was staggering a little bit.
I liked when Ron said, "We need to get you some coffee and Danish."


We made it home and 'conked out'.

"I just lost my planet.
I am emotionally compromised."
STAR TREK,
2009 motion-picture

Accomplishments

"Everybody remembers fairy tales in their own way."
-Facing Windows,
2004 motion-picture

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 14, 1986
Saturday

Mom and I cleaned my pad today. Then we went to OLE's Waffle Shop for breakfast to celebrate our accomplishments. It was nice. I gave her a special Anniversary Card.
"Make sure you show it to Dad," I said.
She smiled.
Mom and Dad were married twenty-nine years ago (tomorrow) on June 15, 1957 at the Cathedral of Saint Francis de Sales in Oakland.  The church was built in 1893.

I went bicycling and had apparently caused an accident. There was some gal who was going much too fast and hit a brick wall at the end of Shoreline Drive. It was a combination of this gal seeing me and being startled by me. She was going much too fast.

I was in a hurry. I got ready and drove out to get Ron Leoni at the San Francisco Airport. It was an easy arrangement. I ended up giving Ron a quick drive-by tour in to San Francisco via Lombard Street, Coit Tower, Fisherman's Wharf, The Castro District and Market Street. It was a good, fun-filled drive thru.

Then I drove over the Golden Gate Bridge in to the area of Novato where we had dinner at a place called VALENTINO's (perfectly Italian). Our waitress was named Julie. It was a good meal. Ron was his usual pleasant, appreciative self.

After dinner I drove back into The City and dropped by Café San Marcos for a brief drink. The next stop was my house in Alameda.

Then there were sighs, the deeper for suppression
And stolen glances, the sweeter for the theft,
And burning blushes, though for no transgression…
-Don Juan, Canto I, Stanza 74
From Lord Byron's comical, satiric and romantic epic (1819-1824)

Such a Slut !

"What we do not make conscious emerges later as fate."
-Carl Jung

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 13, 1986
Friday

It's Friday The 13th and another day of 'working misery'. I shouldn't look at it that way. I have a four-day weekend coming up!

I will pick-up Ron Leoni tomorrow night at the San Francisco Airport. It's going to be fun. I will show him a good time. I'm sure. He's never been to the Bay Area before.

I dressed a little spiffier than usual today. When I tell Steph, my boss, to remove me from the ASR Testing list I want to look presentable and knowledgeable.

I want money, money, money. Who doesn't?
I am influenced by that 1979 song by The Flying Lizards, 'Money, That's What I Want':

I would use money to invest in the stock market, buy my Jake JAGUAR wheels, a new home here and there and maybe even a posh retail business called MICHAEL J Of….

I didn't tell Steph I wanted "out" of the ASR. Could it be I want "out" because I know my brother is going to be there? Ah no, that doesn't matter. I just don't revel over that position. It's more of the same.

Work flew by. I telephoned Mark Landreth and he is going to meet me at my home at 8PM 'sharp'. It will be interesting to see Tammy Duhr and friends at 'The Oasis' tonight.


Mark and I went to 'The Oasis' but Tammy never showed up. I met some MADONNA-looking girl. Mark and I had to drive her home. She wanted me to stay the night!


I couldn't believe it when she said, "Oh don't be a wimp."
Well, she shouldn't be such a slut!


Mark and I left for Alameda after dropping her off. Mark dropped me off at my house. We chalked up another fair, memorable adventure.

Someone once said that to understand a woman, you need to know her father.
-Margaret Hawkins
"How We Got Barb Back"