Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 78

The Beginnings – Part 17: SANTA CRUZ, THE EXCURSION

I rediscovered that secret that I had known as a small child:
It is that of being overwhelmed with a love.
-Tony Parsons
AS IT IS

April 20, 1983

Today went smoothly with my special training at 2000 Broadway for ORTS Training (Concession and Higher Management Appeal Training). After work I came home and spent much of the evening talking to Doug Siu. He started out as Tony’s pal but he’s slowly becoming my friend, too (I guess). He’s a nice, intelligent young Asian guy.

While at lunch today I met a businesslike, attractive young lady named Victoria at the EMPORIUM-CAPWELL Department Store restaurant. She was job hunting and we had a nice talk. I asked for her telephone number.
I said, “I could give you a tour of Alameda.”
She said, “Well, I’m from Martinez.”
She never did give me her phone number.
“So I guess you’re not giving me your phone number.”
“No…thanks for asking though.”
Oh well, once again it’s her loss, right?   She had an aura of superiority.   I couldn't help but fantasize.

And so now I’m home and ready to shower and shine. After my shower I telephoned Renee Miller.
I said, “You know…you, Suzy and I should all go on a trip to New York in June.”
“That sounds like a great idea. I’ll get back to you on it.”

April 21, 1983

Nothing spectacular happened at work except for some handicapped guy in the RTOC (Residential Telephone Order Center) had his transfer accepted as an Advertising Sales Rep. It’s the job I want. I was so jealous.

I was paid today and the Alameda 24-Hour Automated Teller Machine was closed. Why are they called 24-Hour Teller Machines when they’re not always opened 24-hours? I cruised over to Berkeley and luckily, the ATM was working at the Great Western Bank there.

I have decided to refrain from calling anyone. I want to see who will call on me. It’s great to get a phone call. It means that he/she has been thinking of you. I guess I answer phone calls all day at work that I don’t feel like picking up the phone to initiate calls once I’m home.

While I was at the bank I received a phone message from Michael Miller. He invited me to some Christian-like retreat in Santa Cruz for this coming weekend.
I called him back and said, “Sounds like fun…sure, I’ll go.”
I’m looking forward to it. I like looking at Mike. He makes me laugh, too.
Suzy said, “You two could pass as brothers.”
I thought that was funny. Maybe I like to look at myself and that’s why I like to look at Mike.   I 'kind of' do see him as a younger brother.  Oh well, Mike agreed to drive, so I plan to enjoy the excursion.

“I’m very optimistic about what people can do who have the courage to try and the willingness to fail. Because without failure…there is no success.”
-David Geffen
As read in the book by Tom King: THE OPERATOR

The Beginnings – Part 16: MY FAVORITE CURRENT EVENT

“The word for you is not pretty.  It’s BEWITCHING.”
-Alice Munro
OPEN SECRETS, Short Stories: A Real Life

Twenty-five years ago today:

Sunday, July 19, 1987

Okay…the week has gone by and I have a few things to write about. The highlight was hearing from Steffani Alexander of Hawaiii. She has called me a number of times over the last week. She excites me.

PHOTO: Steffani Alexander
I went to Berkeley last Tuesday night to see Bob Guild. We had a good talk. I felt a bit uneasy. It’s over though. It happened…

Steffani is a sweetheart. The only thing is that she’s conniving and ruthless. She confessed to me about how she’s used some Korean geek’s money to live on. She is too much.
Steffani announced, “I’m going to fly over for a weekend on August 22nd this year to see you.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.”
She laughed her cute little giggle.
I asked, “Are you working on your tan?”
“No, the locals never lie out for a tan.”
“You are so white.”
“That’s me. It’s taken me a long time to get this while while living in Hawaii.”
It was my turn to laugh.
She’s pretty and pale. She’s a bull-headed Taurus who was born on April 23rd. I like her. She’s definitely a promising connection.

I took to the gym rather well last Monday. Stewart Western appeared as did Dave Pratt. They noticed my tan. I didn’t mention I’d been in Hawaii though.

Mark Landreth called me on Tuesday night while I was at Bob Guild’s apartment. I called him back on Wednesday and we caught up on a few things. Not too much is happening. He’s working and still ‘sort of seeing’ Poison Ivy.

Mike Miller came by on Thursday night. Then we got together again on Friday night. We at at Patuzco’s where we were surprised by the excellent service. I wonder if they remembered me when I walked out with my mom after we didn’t get any initial attention. Mike and I rented a couple of movies that were very good. We watched BOYS FROM BRAZIL and BLOOD SIMPLE. He left very late. It must have been 1:30AM.

I jogged on Saturday morning. I bombed out the rest of the day. I chose to rent a couple of movies. I loved them. I watched THE COLOR PURPLE and FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF. I watched them with mom and dad. By 11:20PM that night I was home to receive Steffani’s next phone call which was at 3AM. She’s crazy!  I do love it when she speaks German to me though.

Steffani and I spoke of marriage, London honeymoons, sex, threesomes, masturbation, just plain ‘us’, Jeff Sombat, the Korean jerk she takes money from so freely, Rachelle, Chad, Ron Leoni, her visit on August 22nd and her constant thought of me. It’s amazing the subject matter that can come through at 3AM. She is by far my favorite current event.

I wanted to bicycle or lie in the sun for some rays this weekend but I didn’t do it. I was just plain lazy. I did wash clothes (or a made a decent start).

It is getting dark later now. I find myself restless and unsure of what I should do. I have that summer feeling.

I received a postcard from Teddy Charach, the elder film producer, that I met in Los Angeles. It seems he is in Canada until July 20th.

I haven’t heard from Don Dellamonica (the guy I met near Los Gatos). It’s NBL (No Big Loss).

Carla is back for most of the week. She has been saying she likes me lately. She’s kidding around. She just loves to flirt. It’s because I’m tan and dark now. I think she may really want to f-$%k…but I don’t know.

Nikki mentioned my getting a picture of myself to her so that she could send it to her nieces.
Nikki said, “She’s a twenty year old San Diego blond beauty!”
I smiled.  It’s amazing what a Hawaiian tan will do to people.

Steffani Alexander thinks I’ve got five or six—if not more—beauties that I’m stringing along. If only her idea were true.
I said, “That’s hardly the case, my dear.”

I gave Julie Roth, my high-school connection, a phone call on Friday at her place of employment but she had left for the day. Oh well…

I am proud I have made no attempts whatsoever to reach Eileen Grabinsky. I’ve moved on.

Stacey, the so-called roommate, is still rarely here and barely ever stays the night. Since June 15th I’ve only knows of three nights that she has slept over. The rent check is still being paid though. How nice.

Mark Gebhard talked to me on Wednesday night as I was leaving the gym. He updated me on the latest.
Mark suggested, “We should watch a video at my pad one night since I live so close by.”
I was surprised by his suggestion but I said, “Okay.”

Tuesday
April 19, 1983

Today I impressed a few of my older women coworkers as I wore my black Calvin Klein jeans, black boots, one-hundred percent silk black shirt and black tie on casual day.
I overheard our main second line manager, Gail Secchia, telling her assistant managers Moe Parris and Martha Gregory, “Michael sure has a nice body.”
I thought that was a nice compliment—even though it’s clear that Gail is a lesbian.

I showed off my pictures that I had taken at the San Francisco zoo to Barbara, Pat, Joan, Juanita, Salima and Liz. They all think I’m a GREAT Photographer now. How flattering!
Juanita whispered, “I just want you to know that I’m a little jealous that you took Barbara to the zoo and not her. After all, you are my husband.”
I laughed as my phone rang and had to deal with a customer. Juanita is so much fun. She still kind of turns me on. Yum.
I spent my last break with Tony’s friend, Doug Siu, who works at the Pac Tel Service Center. He’s okay. Tony was an ass today though. He was supposed to wait for me in front of the Webster Building after work. He was all flustered and bothered because I was a few minutes late.
He shocked me when he said, “I’m going to ram my fist in your face.”
He said this in front of his fairy-like friend, Dennis Reno (who graduated from high-school with me).  Of course, I didn’t appreciate Tony’s rude comment. I chose not to dwell on it. I did consider driving on my own to work though. Believe me, it’s not the first time that this has crossed my mind. Tony can be a stubborn, bull-headed son of a bitch as his astrological sign implies (Taurus) when he wants to be. I actually prefer his quiet manner. If he isn’t critical or bull-headed, snobbish or quiet he tends to be monotone and undesirable (in my opinion). I have yet to hear a compliment from him unless it is a very subtle one.

I went for a rainy April Showers bike ride via Alameda’s SOUTH SHORE beach.

I telephoned Juanita, pretending to be a man who wanted to take a survey.
She said, “Well, I’m taking a bubble bath.”
I laughed.

Then I wrote Barbara Reynolds a card about absenteeism and gratefulness for our zoo outing and partnership on April 9th, 1983.

I also telephoned Nici Maurino while I was at home. We had a lengthy conversation about relationships, work, people we deal with at work, kids and marriage, MARINE WORLD on Saturday and the fight she had with some ex-boyfriend who gave her a black eye and fat lip. That was a revelation! She’s wild. When she removes her wire frame eyeglasses she does remind me a bit of my great high-school crush (a girl named Terri Baker).

I’m somewhat excited because I just realized that Joan Rivers is guest host for the TONIGHT SHOW tonight. That’s great!

I spoke to Juanita Lane again until almost 11PM. We talked about work, coworkers and a possible future outing together. She’s a doll. We had a relaxing conversation.

Now it’s time for my boysenberry yogurt and Joan Rivers, my favorite comedienne. My brother, John, is home showing off his new comforter, sheets and pillow cases for his new apartment. He watched a bit of the TONIGHT SHOW with me. The guests included David Steinberg, Betty White and Susan Anton (the Dudley Moore gal).

Returning to a city where you have lived before is like coming home to an old friend.
-Joanne Harris
CHOCOLAT

The Beginnings – Part 15: BREAKING AWAY

“We have no idea who anyone is.”
-Rebecca Pidgeon (wife of David Mamet) as Susan Ricci
In the 1997 Mamet film, THE SPANISH PRISONER

April 18, 1983

I left a message on Howard and Seanne’s answering machine.

I telephoned Mark Dion and there was no answer on his line.

Salima Nasardeen is back to work after being on disability for about three months.

I had a tuna sandwich made by Pat Schaeffer for lunch. I ate with Helen Wong and Susan Espino. We are taking turns bringing lunch and I’m responsible for bringing lunch tomorrow. Yikes…peanut butter and jelly? No, I may just prepare salami and swiss cheese sandwiches.
Mom cracked me up when she said, “I have to see an orthodontist.”
After some additional fact finding I learned that she meant a dental specialist for gums.

I called Mark Dion once again and we spoke. As I suspected, he has a fidgety attitude. He’s concerned about his health. This is a priority with me as well. I don’t blame him. So again…only time will tell. We do plan to make a date for a jog.

It’s great being a Service Representative at Pacific Telephone right now. I can check the person out by looking at their telephone account. I wonder who Dorothy Felger of Pinole, CA may be. It’s one of Mark’s frequent phone calls.

I received my zoo pictures today.

I also became a member of the CBS Video Club and I received my very first motion picture feature. It’s a favorite about bicycling called BREAKING AWAY.  I love that film.

I didn’t bother bike riding tonight but that’s okay. There are other nights ahead. I’m still keeping up with my fifty daily push-ups while listening to my Eddie Money music. Eddie keeps me ‘pushing up’.

“I’ve been having an intimate relationship with my VCR.”
-Alan Cumming
In the 2000 film URBANIA

The Beginnings – Part 14: THE OMEGA MAN and GO ASK ALICE

One’s TASTE is a peculiarly Parisian preoccupation, not least because it is regarded as the ultimate proof of being a successful Parisian. Ideally, one’s taste should be multi-layered, cultivated and all-encompassing, informing every aspect of a home from bookshelf to the choice of tea-leaf.
-Alicia Drake
THE BEAUTIFUL FALL

April 17, 1983

Well, as previously noted. I did what I intended on this Sunday morning. I slept-in and went bike riding. I rode my bike to Helen’s in San Leandro. Then I realized that she and Geneva had gone skiing. So I continued my riding excursion to Chabot College and back home to Alameda. My legs were pretty tired.

I had about three glasses of orange juice and some avocado on a couple of tortillas.
I started to watch Charlton Heston in THE OMEGA MAN. It’s one of my favorite movies. I took a nap until 4:15PM after the movie.

Now I’m ready for another bike ride. It’s debatable.

Actually, I didn’t go for another bike ride. I stayed home and went on an overeating binge of more avocado and tortillas. I ate STELLA DORO cookies, yogurt, almonds and orange juice too. Oh well. I might have to starve tomorrow.

I did ride for miles and miles earlier today. I remained home to watch EMBRYO and 60 MINUTES with mom and dad. We all laughed about our continuous moves to and from the kitchen during the TV commercial breaks. We had already eaten but we still wanted to snack.

I painted mom’s toe nails as we were watching TV. It was so funny because I painted one of the corns on her toe, thinking it was a toe nail. We cracked up.
I said, “You have the strangest looking toes. I’m glad I got Dad’s toes.”
She smiled and said, “Thank a lot!”

I tried calling Nici Maurino, Howard Edelstein and Mark Dion tonight. None of them answered their phones. I went to bed around the same time as ma and pa. The last thing we watched was GO ASK ALICE, a story about a teenage girl who became addicted to drugs. I watched it with a semi-filled tummy. Yuck…not a good feeling.

“I try to be like a glass of champagne.  
I never speak of heavy things.”
-Betty Catroux, former CHANEL model and muse to YSL, Tom Ford
(as read in the Alicia Drake book, THE BEAUTIFUL FALL)

The Beginnings – Part 13: AN INTERESTING CREATURE

“Sometimes a man’s shadow is more in the room than he is.”
-as heard while watching
LOVE IS THE DEVIL, a 1998 motion picture about painter Francis Bacon

April 16, 1983

I had my car washed and had it polished and waxed at the South Shore Car Wash. I wanted the car clean for my date with Silvia Rabe.

I arrived early (two o’clock) instead of the intended four or five o’clock. I knew it would be fine with her. We looked for possible apartments for myself in the Contra Costa vicinity. We ate at SOUPERB SALAD at the WILLOWS SHOPPING CENTER. After that we went to see THE LOCAL HERO at the Festival Cinemas.

We returned to Silvia’s apartment again. I met her roommate, Brenda and Laurie (a friend of Brenda’s). We had spiked and veggie salted popcorn with orange juice. We talked and I was invited to go to Napa-Calistoga this coming Sunday.
I told Silvia, “Well, how about if I take a rain check on that because I need to sleep in and go on my long-distance bike ride.”
I left after giving Silvia a few of my voluptuous kisses. I wish she could walk normally and not have to use those Canadian crutches.
I told Silvia’s roommate Brenda, “You’re an interesting creature.”
She laughed at that description.
I later said to Silvia, “I hope she wasn’t insulted.”
“I think she’ll get over it.”
“I didn’t mean for it to be an insult. I picked up the line from that soap-opera called THE EDGE OF NIGHT. The character Ian had a chess partner and he called Raven, his love interest, an interestingly beautiful creature.”

When I left Silvia’s apartment I cruised over to THE HUB bar again in Walnut Creek. The bartender, Dave, remembered me. I think it’s because I left him a tip the night before. The only person I met of any interest was a former real estate chap and jogger from Albany. He gave me his telephone number. I don’t want to seem overly anxious about his invitation to jog together. After all, I’m a biker and not a jogger. Then again, I could hack the running trend. I’ve got good legs. I have him a ride in my car and then we simply parted ways with a polite good night. He was an interesting creature, too.

“But what LIFE is without its regrets?”
-Shyam Selvadurai
CINNAMON GARDENS, a novel

The Beginnings – Part 12: HAIRDRESSER ON FIRE

“You have the gift of making complexities simplistic.”
-Martin Booth
THE INDUSTRY OF SOULS, a novel

April 15, 1983

Today is a wonderful Spring Day. I am wearing my aqua Calvin Klein jeans and a purple thermal shirt from Hawaii. Jackie Woods gave me the idea for the outfit.  I also wore my REVIEW button I received from STAR GAZE.

I took a nap after work. Dad wouldn’t let me watch the taped version of EDGE OF NIGHT that mom left for me. And so, I woke up and felt like a drive to anywhere but there.

I cruised in my car over to Walnut Creek to a bar called THE HUB. I was propositioned by some guy who worked at AMTRAK. I call him the Railroad nerd. I left after a couple of burgundy wine coolers.

As I was leaving I met some twenty year old guy named Steve. He’s a hairdresser, of course.
Steve remarked, “I’d love to body wave your hair.”
I gave him my telephone number.
“I like the pizzazz of your car,” Steve added.
When his boss came by he gave me a very outgoing ‘goodbye’.   I could feel him undressing me with his eyes.

I had to get THE HUB experience out of my system, so I stopped at the BLACK ANGUS in Walnut Creek. I used the bathroom there and listened to the live band for a while. No one looked very enticing, so I left.

When I returned home I watched some talk show with dad. The subject was LONELINESS. They talked about how to cope with it. As I ate some leftover chicken and a roll I listened to the advice.

The authority on loneliness said, “One must avoid television and singles bars but organize time for other social activities with friends. Friends in your apartment, church gatherings, school or class outings or even concerts are good. You’ll be more apt to meet people that way that have some of your same interests.”

I thought, “I guess that’s why I like bike riding—but I don’t meet many people that way with the exception of a wave or ‘hi’ and bye as I cruise past them.”

However, I did meet Paige while on my bike in Sacramento. Interesting.

As they held each other’s hands, there passed between them the understanding of their history together, of the life that had been theirs. It settled on them like fine dust.
-Shyam Selvadurai
CINNAMON GARDENS, a novel

The Beginnings – Part 11: TWO TICKETS TO PARADISE

…intuition can sometimes get things wrong.
…intuition is what people use in life to make decisions.
But LOGIC can help you work out the right answer.
-Mark Haddon
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT TIME

April 12, 1983

Today was a good sales day.

I drove to work and I love my new car.

Out of the blue I chose to telephone Juanita Lane tonight. We had a fairly good conversation about each other, our workplace, coworkers, relationships and ‘just plain having fun in life’. I made a point of telling her how I found her to be a very good conversationalist.
“You’re a very good conversationalist, too, Michael,” said Juanita.
We ended our talk because she was going out with her cousin to Jack London Square.

I tried calling Howard and Seanne today. There was no answer at their number.

I ate lunch with Helen and Pat Schaeffer. I don’t know what I’d have done without Helen’s bologna sandwich and banana nut bread. It was so yummy. She’s such a great cook. She even makes a bologna sandwich somewhat special.

April 13, 1983

Today began with breakfast at the Pacific Telephone cafeteria. I joined the RTOC (Residential Telephone Order Center) breakfast group which included Jeep, Michael, Susan, Libby and a few others.

I went to a Sales Training that was conducted by Georgia Castleberry. I played her assistant, too. It was a freebie kind of day.

I spent lunch with the coworkers in my section: Joan Lyons, Barbara Reynolds, Randy Evans, Pat Overshoun, Jan Detar, and Cindy Rodriguez. We all went to GALLAGHERS in Jack London Square. I was awarded a twenty-dollar gift certificate for MACYS from my supervisor, Otha McCain, for have the top sales figure ($1298) for the month of March 1983. Hurrah! I foolishly left the certificate in Joan’s car (but she’ll give it to me tomorrow). It was an enjoyable lunch.
One thing that stuck in my mind was when Pat said, “There have been Service Reps who have suddenly disappeared and have become District Managers.”
I intend and hope and strive to be one of those reps that will disappear. My letter to R.E. Sherman, the V.P. of Marketing at PT&T is only the beginning. I want to compose an excellent Marketing Plan report on behalf of PT&T. It has to make me look good. It will make the company shine. I will definitely have to spend some quality time to research, study and write our company problems and determine some valuable solutions. This may work for me. It has to be impressive to the reader.

I have some definite ideas for advertising in the television medium. Of course a terrific full-page color ad or an award-winning commercial may entice the customer to look into our products and services. Many customers don’t even know about them. The problem is getting them to pick up the phone and getting them to request our products. Our reps need to be polite, energetic and efficient sales people. It’s something that does not currently apply to all of our reps.

When I arrived home tonight (after walking to the wrong parking lot) it was four-thirty. I did my usual bike ride along the beach, returning home by six o’clock.  My legs feel stronger.  I hopped into my car and met my brother, John, and his friend Geoff Rookard at THE RUSTLER. I saw a cute blond named Katie. I want to ask her out sometime soon. She gave me the ‘eye’ and I felt a connection.

I did call Silvia Rabe in Martinez. We made a date for this coming Saturday. I kind of feel sorry for her because I recently learned that she has multiple sclerosis and now walks on Canadian crutches. I will overlook that. We will have a good time ‘no matter what’.

I received a new cassette tape called SIGNALS by RUSH today from RCA. It’s okay. I guess one would define it as a bit too Rock n’ Rollish.

April 14, 1983

Barbara took the day off (ill). I had a dream about her and she was crying because she couldn’t take another day off until the end of the summer.
I kept telling her, “I told you not to use all of your days. I told you so!”

When I returned home from work I had a fifteen minute talk with Doug. It was a phone call that was intended for my brother, Tony. Doug Siu works at the Pacific Telephone Service Center. I was surprised to learn that Doug is only eighteen years old. I should have know because his face was broken out with a few more zits than usual.

That same evening I went to the STAR GAZE in Fremont. There weren’t too many people out on this night. I had a burgundy wine cooler. I left right after I finished drinking it. The BLACK ANGUS in Fremont was worse in terms of quantity of people. After a quick whiz in the bathroom I left. I drove down Mission Boulevard in Hayward and decided to stop at some in-between bar for two cups of coffee. I left for home after a proposition by some nerd from Fremont. There was another guy, wearing jeans near the pool table who kept giving me ‘the eye’ as well. He left after I turned my back.

I am getting into EDDIE MONEY music right now. I guess it’s because his songs give me a drive. Every morning I get more pumped up about doing my morning push-ups because of his singing voice. I especially like TWO TICKETS TO PARADISE and THINK I’M IN LOVE.

Once my own affair started…There was no bleakness or triviality about it, only ruthlessness and clarity of desire, and sparkling deception.
-Alice Munro
OPEN SECRETS, Short Stories: The Albanian Virgin

The Beginnings - Part 10: ARE YOU FOR REAL?

Order came naturally from chaos.
-Janet Frame
An Autobiography

April 10, 1983

I woke up at 7:30AM to a KMEL Radio Talk Show on drugs. I’m so glad I’m not addicted to any pills or booze. I never have an urge or feeling that I must have liquor or drugs of any kind. I don’t need that to have fun.

I telephoned Debbie Honcik and D.A.

I watched Saturday Night Live with guest hostess Joan Rivers. I watched it on Sunday morning because I had taped it. I was eating by delicious and crunchy corny Corn Chex cereal as I watched it.

I think I will call Linda Wanczyck today. I will make a suggestion of a bike ride together. I recall how Laurie Robertson used to think of the word ‘lithe’ when she thought of my body. I hope Linda will feel that way. If not, it’s her loss.
Linda said, “Well, I’m going to San Francisco with my folks.”
“Oh, well how about another time?” I asked.
“Well, I’m seeing someone…but I do love bike riding. I would like to rid with you sometime.”
“Okay,” I said and hung-up.
The question is ‘when’.

I sent Paige a card with a bicycle pictured on the front of it. It reminded me of our old bike riding days in Sacramento on La Riviera Drive, Goethe Park and other areas of Sacramento. I tried calling her for her mailing address but she wasn’t home. Her mother gratefully gave me the address. That was sweet.

Mom and I went to see John’s model condominium at Park Webster that he plans to rent with Marty Rivas. It is very nice.

After dropping off a videotape at MAGIC VIDEO, getting some chicken for dinner, mailing my film from the zoo for developing and mailing my car payment I went home.

I took a nap later and was awoken by a phone call from Paige. We had a good talk.
Paige said, “You know, Michael, I just want to thank you for that dinner we had at the SAUSAGE FACTORY earlier this week.”
“Oh don’t think twice about it.”
“And Leslie and I are trying to hold back on our VALLEY GIRL talk in your presence.”
I laughed and asked, “LIKE…for sure, LIKE…are you for real?”

All kidding aside I told her that they did a good job of holding back. We also talked about porno movies. That was an odd subject as we both agreed that watching such movies can be quite boring. However, now that I think twice about it…once in a long while, a porno flick isn’t so bad. It was really funny to talk about porno flicks with Paige.
Paige added, “I also bought you a card. I chose it especially for you.”
“I can’t wait to get it!”
Paige makes me feel good. I love her hair and I do like her a lot. Who knows what the future holds where she and I are concerned.

Well, I watched the film LIPSTICK tonight that was starring the sisters Margaux Hemingway and Mariel Hemingway. I also watched THIS IS ELVIS which I found to be a pretty good documentary. I started to watch TRAPPER JOHN M.D. and decided I should go to sleep soon. I was thinking about Elvis and his younger days. I also thought of Paige and the guy at the zoo who was wearing that turquoise-colored shirt.

On the TRAPPER JOHN M.D. show there was some seventeen year old boy who was having a problem. He was a junior in high school and had not reached puberty yet. He kept going into fits of rage because of this fact. I thought it quite interesting, yet strange.

April 11, 1983

It was just another work day. I accompanied my coworker, Susan Espino, to her bank during lunch time. She is such an astute woman. Her posture is so impressive as well. It makes her seem to be much more sophisticated. I believe one’s posture is a sincere plus in representing one’s self.

The Academy Awards were a disappointment. GHANDI swept away with most of the awards. I was happy that Jessica Lange won for TOOTSIE at least. She was recognized for FRANCES and I thought she should have won for that performance. Meryl Streep certainly deserved her BEST ACTRESS win for SOPHIES CHOICE though. That was well-deserved. I loved seeing Nastassia Kinski present an Academy Award. I still love her in the films TESS and CAT PEOPLE.

My brother, Tony, returned from Las Vegas tonight. Details on his so-called business trip are still a mystery.

Once you’ve been moved, you want to be moved again, and more deeply for love and beauty. You’re always left wanting a little more.
-Christopher Bram
SURPRISING MYSELF, a novel

The Beginnings - Part 9: NEVER ASSUME or ART OF KISSING

When I was a child, I was always excited by the adventures of a FIRST TIME, and eager to share it with others.
-Janet Frame
An Autobiography

PHOTOS OF THE DAY: July 12, 1987
Some Photos in Alameda after my recent return from Hawaii

Twenty-five years ago today:
Sunday, July 12, 1987

Now that I take the bus each morning to San Francisco, writing in my journal on a daily basis has become much more difficult. I’ve decided to use Sunday as my writing time; whereby, a weekly entry is better than none at all.

Since last Friday…I parked my car at home after work and saw mom as she was still on vacation.

I left a message for my brother, John, at GALLAGHERS (where he works). I didn’t want him to forget to be at the house at 7AM to take me to the San Francisco Airport.

John was prompt and on time after I called him again in the morning. The flight was five hours with RADIO DAYS and CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD as the movies in-flight. I had a non-smoking window seat with no one seated beside me. That was great. It only meant more room for me.

Stefan and Jeff were both at the Honolulu Airport to greet me. They each had a fresh floral lei for me as a typical Hawaii welcome. I loved that.

The first day I arrived I went to Waikiki Beach with Jeff. I met Ashley, Ted and some other blond girl while at the beach. I wasn’t very impressed with any of them.
Ted said, “I’m a porno star. No, I really am.”
Ashley looked like one of those ‘fuck me, you’re cute’ kind of girls. She looked used.

Jeff and I went to eat at a fast food place called the Isuzuki Café. He had to work at 10:30 at THE WAVE. I sort of fended for myself during that time.

I met Don Coggs of Los Angeles. He was a Marco Polo, pony-tailed kind-of-guy with a good sense of humor to match. Don had a sister named Tiffany. She was a real beauty. She is twenty-one and an aspiring lawyer.

Karen, the waitress at HULA’s, remembered me.
She said, “Yeah, I’m finally quitting this place on July 27th to travel to Europe.”
I thought, “Well, la dee dah, big whoopee doo!”

I ventured over to a book store to browse.  I was happy to be ‘on vacation’.

Jeff and I saw Michael J Fox in THE SECRET TO MY SUCCESS at the KUHIO Theater. It was really good. We enjoyed it. I thought I saw Jane of Burlingame. I worked with her at Pacific Bell in the SDC Department. I forgot her last name. It was definitely her. She waved my way while Jeff and I ate dinner at a Japanese Restaurant.  Jeff and I ate Korean food another night.  A lot of people know and recognize Jeff Sombat. He’s a true Honolulu local. His long hair and stylish form of dress adds to his prominence. The fact that he’s a good tipper and that he’s lived in Honolulu for most of his life is part of it, too. I hope my writing towards him doesn’t seem rude.

I also met Tony Bolger (Yes, Ray Bolger’s third cousin). Ray Bolger is best-known for playing the SCARECROW in the Wizard of Oz. Tony is a fat fellow and a write. He claimed to be a frequent jogger. I found that hard to believe with that beer belly gut.

I met Curtis, a worker at the ROYAL HAWAIIAN HOTEL for breakfast and lunch. It was brief. I doubt I’ll ever see that chap again.

I accompanied Jeff and his pal, Stephanie (who attends UCLA). We went on a tour of Hanama Bay and other beaches. We had a fun time. We all met again at THE WAVE and HULA’s. Those were the best two places in my opinion.

I did meet Leslie Abadon at SCRUPLES. She’s from Australia. We danced and danced. That was really fun. I also saw this blond body builder guy who happens to go to my gym in San Leandro. What a small world it can be. Leslie and I took a pedicab to THE WAVE. The pedicab was playing Julio Iglesias music. Leslie is a LIBRA. We shared a nice evening. We took a cab to her place. I stayed there until five o’clock in the morning. We got to the point of complete undress but there was no full intimate completion so-to-speak. We both felt guilty about the whole situation because we had both met on this first night. The attraction was there though. Leslie kept going ‘on and on’ about my kisses. She really enjoyed my kissing.
Leslie made a point of saying, “Australians just don’t KISS that way!”
I laughed. Perhaps I ought to teach an ‘Art of Kissing’ class.

I met Mary, a black girl from Germany of whom I’ll probably never see again.

Stefan was an obnoxious sort. I put up with his egotistical ways only because I had no choice. We ate dinner at SUZY WONG’s once and at MARY’s (Hamburger Mary’s) another night.

I re-met Leslie at Waikiki Beach the next afternoon. I managed to take a couple of photos. She is coming to California next week. She says she will call me. We shall see.

Jeff got the message (that I had no intimate interest for him) on the second or third night that I was in Hawaii. I got the impression that after my fifth or sixth night he couldn’t wait for me to leave back to the mainland. He tried not to show it but I know he felt that way.

I gave my business card to Steffani Alexander, the girl who had a crush on Jeff. I doubt if I’ll ever hear from her again.  I met her at THE WAVE.   She's very pretty.

I also gave my card to Daryl, the lead singer of that Canadian Band that was playing at THE WAVE. I wonder if he’ll ever contact me. I recommended that he play in some clubs in the San Francisco Bay Area. His band is quite good.

I met Joan Hurley at THE WAVE. She’s into the symphony. She’s originally from Boston. She had a conspicuous mole on her face. I loved her green kaleidoscope eyes though.

I met a fat fellow named Michael. I respected him and spoke to him in a nice way because I was fat once. Besides, I thought he was really very nice.

I love Shaved Ice. My combination pineapple cherry shaved ice reminded me of those missile popsicles. It was tremendously refreshing.

I really had a pretty good time in Hawaii.

I only sunbathed for three or four long periods and managed to capture a great tan.

Stefan and I went to get salt water to refill his aquarium. That was a different sort of adventure for me.

My rent-a-car came in handy for our ride to the North Shore of Hawaii, the Ala Moana Shopping Center and the Honolulu Airport.

I left Hawaii feeling a bit distraught about Jeff. Alas I should have been used to the episode given the same sort of situation with Johnny.

Julie Roth (from my high-school reunion) crosses my mind. I may call her when I return home.

I flew back and Chris Cordellos was the one to pick me up. I gave him a Hawaiian mug souvenir. It was just a token gesture.

I went to mom’s house briefly and then drove down to San Jose. I ran into Dan Dellamonica of Los Gatos. He’s a nice chap of only twenty-one. Of course, he’s also a student at Stanford University. His folks live in Malibu, California (give me a break!). He drives the same type of car as me. It was fun meeting him.

I spent today (July 12, 1987) at mom and dad’s house. We watched two films the EXTREMITIES (starring Farrah Fawcett) and CRIMES OF THE HEART. I took a few photos of my nieces and my sister-in-laws. I’m still tan. When will it wear off?

I got a message from Carla but her phone was not working. I may have the wrong number.

I received a letter from Eileen Grabinsky. She’s old news as far as I’m concerned. Paloma wrote, too. Her son Jonathan was born on June 4th. I must write to her again.

April 9, 1983

Barbara and I kept our ‘Zoo Date’. The San Francisco zoo wasn’t as big as I thought it might be. I saw some guy in a turquoise shirt with a little boy. It made me think of inviting two of my first-cousins who are much younger than I (Shawn and Shonette West) to the zoo one day.

I took some great animal pictures. I loved the one of the gorilla. I can’t wait to see them once they are developed.
After the zoo, Barbara and I went to eat at GOOD EATS in the El Portal area of The City. It seemed like a nice, relaxed community around there.

On the way home (with the convertible top down) I saw Linda Wanczyck (522-0076) on her bike.

I fell asleep at home while mom and dad went out for dinner at THE RUSTLER. When they returned I watched AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN again. This time I watched it with mom. While watching it I was eating these Spanish peanuts that I won as a prize from the local MOBIL Service Station. Those peanuts went well with the ice-cold can of Sprite, too.

Mom and I decided to go to bed when we saw how stupid the CREATURES FEATURES movie was called THE SEVERED ARM.

I really liked the point the comedian Benny Hill made before that stupid horror flick though.
Benny said, “Never ASSUME…because then, you make an ASS out of U and ME.”
Mom liked that line too. It made us laugh.

The process of writing may be set down as simply as laying a main trunk railway line from THEN to NOW, with branch excursions into the outlying wilderness, but the real shape, the first shape, is always a circle formed only to be broken and reformed, again and again.
-Janet Frame
An Autobiography

The Beginnings - Part 8: GEOGRAPHICALLY UNDESIRABLE

To ‘learn’ something was the dream of our lives.
-Janet Frame
An Autobiography

PHOTOS OF THE DAY: July 11, 1987, Honolulu, Hawaii
Meeting Leslie Abadon of Australia on Waikiki Beach

April 8, 1983
Friday

Well, I woke up this morning with mom clanging on her bathroom door. Apparently, dad fell on the bathroom floor this morning!

Interestingly enough I recalled a funny thing last night. After my excursion to The City to meet Paige I came home and was speaking to Barbara Reynolds on the phone. I realized my dad had gone out for a couple of beers.

Barbara asked, “Is your dad happy with his life?”
I said, “Yeah, sure. I think so.”
“Oh, I only ask because it seemed like he really wanted to talk to me when I met him once before.”
I replied, “Well, my dad is a friendly sort and likes to talk to people.”
“Ah, and I also know that LEO’s like and need kids around because they love them so much.”
I thought that was sweet of her to say.

As I walked to work the smell of the pine tree on Jackson Avenue in Oakland was so strong. I loved it. It made me take another deep breath.

I looked through my Reverse Street Address Guide Directory at work and found Linda Wanczyck’s telephone number: 522-0076. Now I just need to find the moment and urge to call the blond bicyclist.

Of course, there’s Paige LaBris in Sacramento. And there’s Maria in Guadalajara—or Nayarit, Mexico to be exact. They are both “G.U.” (Geographically Undesirable).

I brought my Mexico and Piedmont pictures to work to pass around. I was complimented on my knack for picture taking.

Juanita saw my car today and now she isn’t so reluctant about going out with me now. I thought that was hilarious (and silly at the same time). It’s NOT what you drive…but who’s behind the wheel!

I watched three movies with my Dad tonight. We watched MISSING and VICTOR, VICTORIA and AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN. That was fun. I recalled how after I finished college I was invited to attend Officer Training School. I thought about it for a split-second. I never did it—but the movie, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN makes me wonder what would have happened if I had done it. My life would be different now, of course.

Tony, my brother, is on vacation for all of next week. I will have to drive to work on my own. He is leaving for Las Vegas early in the morning.
Tony says, “It’s strictly business.”
Whatever that means?

I could erase myself completely and live only through the feelings of others.
-Janet Frame
An Autobiography