Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 82

Waiting Around In The Wings

People tend to complicate their own lives, as if living weren't complicated enough. -Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Shadow of the Wind, a novel

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 9, 1987
Tuesday

It was just another drab day at work. It was rather sad since I only had two dollars and couldn’t get any money withdrawn from my Patelco Automated Teller Machine. Freddie did treat me to lunch though. That was sweet of her. We ate chicken and fish.

Once I arrived home I splashed water on my face and went over to see dad. He let me borrow fifty-dollars.

I hit the gym and wasn’t really very motivated. Scott wasn’t there. I worked out for about an hour and then went to the CENTURY THEATERS to buy my brother, John, gift certificates for the movies.

When I stopped by John’s to deliver his Birthday gift I was greeted by Ashley. She was so thrilled about seeing me. It was such a nice feeling. She wanted me to read to her, so I did. I read WINNIE THE POOH and SLEEPING BEAUTY.

I came home to take a soothing shower. Then I munched on potato chips and a drank a Diet Dr. Pepper.

Jeff Sombat called me from Hawaii and said, “I may be going to New York for four days.”
“That’s great!”
What else could I say? He had to hang up the phone for work but I called him back.
“Yes, I’m going to New York,” Jeff continued, “I’ll be going from June 17th until June 21st. I’ll let you know if I stop in San Francisco once I get my flight info.”

Johnny called from L.A. also.
“I sent you a tape with the songs TIME TO CRY and THE SWEATER SONG and another one called MICHAEL.”
I said, “Oh wow…sounds like they’ll be worth hearing.”

Chris telephoned and we got into an in-depth conversation.
I disclosed information about my relationship with Eileen.
I said, “It’s funny. You and Eileen have something in common. She wants to date around with other people.”
“Oh…yeah?” Chris asked.
“Yeah, I just explained that I wouldn’t be waiting around in the wings.”
Silence.

If you really want to possess a woman (or man), you must think like her (or him), and the first thing to do is win over her (his) soul. The rest...is a bonus.
-Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Shadow of the Wind, a novel

The Hell With It

Everyone feels alone.
Loneliness is a problem as old as time.
Loneliness is and always has been the central problem of human existence.
Loneliness is a given.
-Michael J Armijo
PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENTS

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 8, 1987
Monday

I had an ‘okay’ day at work. I am so proficient at contending with my many follow-ups.

Carla and I had lunch at the PLAZA DELI. I told her all about my latest episodes with Eileen and she gave me her wise advice.
Carla advised, “Do NOT call that girl again! You’ve been too nice to her and it’s time to shrug her off.”
“You’re right.”
And so, I’m not calling her.

When I arrived home I found another message on my answering machine from Eileen in which she stated, “I need to talk to you. Please give me a call when you get a chance.”
I sent her that one letter. She has yet to respond to it. So ‘the hell with it’…I won’t call her back. I’m taking Carla’s advice.

Chris Cordellos did come over. We went to see THE UNTOUCHABLES. It was really good with some intense scenes…especially with the baby buggy falling down the City Hall steps in slow motion.

Chris ended up taking a lot of my clothes that I didn’t want anymore. He spent the night and I left at my usual 6:45AM time for my express bus to The City. I knew he’d be leaving in a couple of hours for Concord to his hair salon. I didn’t feel worried that I left him alone at my place. I was glad he was taking some of those clothes off my hands. It’s one less thing to do.

"Some things can only be seen in the shadows."
-Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Shadow of the Wind, a novel

Being A Nuisance

“What is the basic truth of conspiracy?”
“If it can be imagined, then someone’s already tried it.”
-Olen Steinhauer
THE NEAREST EXIT

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 7, 1987
Sunday

I woke up and did my complete jog along the beach this time. Scott wasn’t around to slow me down. I did run into Birda who was riding along on her bike. She slowed her bike pace to ride along with me as I was jogging. She’s so cool. I really like her. I was wearing my Italian Campagnolo bike racing hat that she gifted me for my Birthday, too.
I asked, “When is your Birthday?”
“August 6th.”
“Oh Wow…that’s two days before my Dad’s.”
As we continued a long I could tell something was bothering her.
“What is it?” I asked.
She finally said, “Oh…My ex is being a nuisance.”
“Oh, well I guess that can be a pain. I’ve got a new roommate named Stacy that my sister in law connected me with…and she’s being a nuisance, too. She hasn’t even moved-in yet.”
Birda laughed.

I returned home after the good jog.  My legs felt tight.

I continued my productivity by clearing out my closets of clothes that I no longer wanted or needed. I did a pretty good job. Mom dropped over and she helped me clean.

I took a break with mom and we went over to her house to have breakfast with dad. I guess he missed us.

We returned to my place and did more work around the house until I finally fell asleep of exhaustion. I probably should have gone for a bike ride but I didn’t have the energy. I figured I’d make up for it sometime during the week.

I wonder if Chris Cordellos forgot about THE UNTOUCHABLES movie for Monday night. I guess I will find out tomorrow.

When I woke from my nap I returned to mom and dad’s house. No one was home. Then mom, dad and Ashley appeared after a visit to the grocery store and McDonald’s. I ate with them until John and Sherri returned from their dinner together. John and Sherri had gone out as a prelude Birthday dinner for John. John’s Birthday is on June 9th. I stayed there a bit longer but I didn’t feel up to watching Part I of an 18 week mini-series on Masterpiece Theater, so I left for my pad.

Once I arrived home I made phone calls to Bonni Jayne Ludovicy, Eileen Grabinsky, Mark Landreth and Sue Miller. None of them were at home. It was clearly time for me to sleep. Yawn.

He had nearly expected failure, but since any good Tourist’s travel plans are often thrown awry, failure didn’t concern him.
-Olen Steinhauer
THE NEAREST EXIT

When You Find The Time

“Don’t HOPE. Plan, then ACT!”

-Michael J Armijo
PHILOSOPHICAL STATMENTS

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 6, 1987
Saturday

I woke Scott and persuaded him to go jogging with me to the end of the beach. Surprisingly, he couldn’t make it all the way.
Scott explained, “Dang…I know it’s because I’ve never run in these size eight shoes before!”
“It’s cool,” I reassured him, “We can walk the rest of the way back.”

I telephoned mom and change our ‘come over and clean my house together’ date for Sunday. I figured Scott was here and we could hang out together. We ate breakfast at OLE’s WAFFLE SHOP on Park Street. I explained how the waffle place is a landmark in Alameda. He loved it.

After breakfast we drove in to San Francisco where we cruised along South of Market Street, Lombard Street, COIT TOWER, Market Street, St. Francis Residential, Ocean Beach, The Castro vicinity, Van Ness Avenue, Polk Street and on through Geary. I gave him a reasonably good tour of The City.

We continued back to Alameda and lounged at my house for a while and played a game of chess. I lost.

I tried to nap while Scott waited to accept a Collect Call from OHIO.
Once he received the call I drove Scott back to the Naval Base.
Scott said, “I’m hungry again!”
“You are?”
“Yeah!”
“Well, I’m not.”
Needless to say, I just dropped him off and guided myself to a local bookstore. I left after some browsing and drove over to mom and dad’s house. I briefed mom on my day. I showed her the ‘EVERY INCH A LADY” greeting card of a very obese woman clad in a tiny bikini. Mom laughed.
I said, “Scott bought the same card for a friend of his in Ohio. I don’t know who I’m going to send this to…yet.”

I returned home to a phone call from Johnny on my answering recorder. He wasn’t at home, so I left him a message.

I also called Eileen because she was also on my recorder.
In her message she said, “Call me when you find the time.”
I found the time but, of course, she wasn’t home. Yawn.

In deep relationships there has to be a mutual valuing of the other person.
The two people have to want to play an important part in each other’s lives.
-Michael J Armijo
PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENTS

The Untouchables

I chose the specialty of surgery because of Matron, that steady presence during my boyhood and adolescence. “What is the hardest thing you can possibly do? She said when I went to her for advice on the darkest day of the first half of my life.

“Why settle for ‘Three Blind Mice’ when you can play the ‘GLORIA’?”
“…Your ‘GLORIA’ lives within you. The greatest sin is not finding it, ignoring what God made possible in you.”
-Abraham Verghese
CUTTING FOR STONE

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 5, 1987
Friday

Chris Cordellos called me and we talked about meeting-up next Monday to see the new movie THE UNTOUCHABLES.

Carla and I ate at Don Miguel’s. After lunch I made a quick visit to my old SDC (Sales Development Center) office at Pacific Bell to see Laverne. The SDC now looks like a maze. The desks are all enclosed now. It does seem more private for the representatives though.

I’ve been taking the bus to work. I am beginning to like this mode of commuting. It requires less brain power and I can concentrate on other things.

During my walk home from the bus stop I ran into Sherri and Ashley who were on a bike ride together.

I made it to the gym and spoke to my old high-school classmate, Dennis Darby, about our forthcoming high-school reunion.
Dennis said, “Yeah, I’m going.”
“Yeah, it should be pretty mind-boggling.”
“Maybe so, but I haven’t changed much…except for gaining a little weight,” Dennis said.
I thought that odd because he wasn’t bald ten years ago.
“At least we’re at the gym,” I agreed.
Dennis added, “I lost about twenty pounds in the last two or three weeks.”

There’s a guy from Alameda High’s Class of 1978 (a year younger than me) that I also recognized at my gym. His name is Cliff Farina. He gained weight, too. He was always tall and slender. Of course, the fact that he is tall helps him. The weight gain isn’t as apparent. I am feeling good about how I am coming along. I just have to continue to maintain my waistline.

Much to my surprise Rachelle Davies appeared at the gym tonight. She looked good when I saw her in the sauna with her bathing suit.
“Why don’t you take the aerobics class tonight?” Rachelle asked.
“Oh, I don’t know…I already worked out.”
“Oh come on,” she persisted.
“I’ll think about it.”
I didn’t take the class.

Scott Lauer (of OHIO) was around. We talked a bit. In fact, we left the gym together and ended up eating at THE WINE RACK in Alameda. We shared a bottle of wine and ate spaghetti and tortellini. It was filling—but good. It was a Friday night, so we ended up going to San Francisco to WOLFGANG’s, a nightclub. Steve Masters, the radio DJ for QUAKE radio, was there.
I asked Steve, “Could you play FREE NELSON MANDELLA” or “TOUR DE FRANCE”?

I met a couple of Scott’s navy pals who were also on the USS ENTERPRISE. Their names were Craig and Rob.

Scott and I took a peak at the FREAK EXECUTIVES band that was playing. We both agreed that they were ‘too loud’ and ‘not so great’.
Craig said, “There’s a LARGE MARGE hanging-out over there.”
I laughed because I never heard that term before (LARGE MARGE).

Scott and I left WOLFGANG’s for another place called THE PALLADIUM. It was a mistake. We blew $7 a piece because we didn’t know it was SOUL NIGHT. It was a disappointment but we stayed for about ten minutes. We decided to head over to North Beach and the BROADWAY area where we started to walk around. We ended up running into Craig and Rob again. Some girl randomly gave me a card to a party at the MARRIOT INN on Columbus.

Scott and I ended up persuading two eighteen year old girls to give us a ride to the hotel.
After Scott mentioned that he was in the Navy, one of the girls said, “My dad is a Sergeant with the San Francisco Police.”
I replied, “Oh, then we’re in good hands.”

They dropped us off at the MARRIOT INN on Columbus and the party was blown off. There was no party! Or if there was a party it had suddenly dissolved by the Hotel Management. We left and cruised around The City until we settled over near the Fisherman’s Wharf area. I saw three little mice run about and it freaked me out! We parked to use the bathroom at PIER 39 and cruised around in the car for a while longer until we decided to split-the-scene.

Scott ended up staying the night at my pad. I didn’t dare ‘make a move’ on him.  He's straight.  He's untouchable.  He slept in the spare guest room where I have all of my postcards posted on the walls.

Every gesture made by a human being is sacred and full of consequences, and that makes me think even more about what I’m doing.
-Paulo Coelho
LIKE THE FLOWING RIVER

BIG HUNK

“You’re going to find a better LOVE next time; someone WILL BE (is) waiting!”

-Michael J Armijo
PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENTS

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 4, 1987
Thursday



I think Freddie Perrilliat, my black muscle-disoriented coworker, has a crush on me. She’s married but she flirts with me a bit. She’s nice…but I don’t see ‘it’.

Carla and I were going to go to Don Miguel’s for old time’s sake but that didn’t pan out. She teased me about Freddie. I ended up going with Rhoda to ‘B and M Chinese’. We reminisced about the good candy bars that were available when we were younger like LOOK and BIG HUNK. That was funny.

I rode my bike after my work day.

I went to the gym and had a surprise reunion with Jeanette Melcher.
“I’m still attending San Diego State,” she said.
“Wow, you’re hair is so much longer. It looks really good.”
She smiled from ear to ear.
I asked, “Well, now that you’re back…do you think you might want to go out sometime?”
Jeanette said, “Yes, sure.”
We didn’t make an actual date though.
Stewart Western appeared. I gave him a quick brief on how to use the rowing machine (or the LIFE-Rower). He did okay, considering it was his first time. I was surprised he didn’t do better because he has a much more impressive upper body than I do (at least I think so).  Stewart is a BIG HUNK.

There was no sign of Scott Lauer today.

I went home and fell asleep. I did stop at SAFEWAY for a few things (COCOA PEBBLES, yogurt, chips, etc).

“It’s not material things that count; it’s the GIFT of LOVE.”
-Michael J Armijo
PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENTS

Awesome: Children of a Lesser God

Make a life commitment. Commit a little every day.

Yes, I will be there.
Yes, I will do it.
Yes, you can forget it.
Yes, I’ll have it.
Yes, I’ll take care of it.
Yes, I will meet you.
Yes, I will darn well do it…everyday.
Then, you will be ready for the big challenge.
Discipline yourself.
-Michael J Armijo
PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENTS

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 3, 1987
Wednesday

The bus ride to and from San Francisco went smoothly.

The latest scoop on AIDS is that things look promising because thousands of the best scientists are working their tails off on an anecdote. This is great news because that disease involves everyone now. It’s a scary one.

Carla and I ate out at Don Miguel’s. We had a good time. I hadn’t had lunch with her in sometime. We were overdue.

Work is a drag sometimes. Then again, it’s really not that bad. I do very well in what I am doing.

I was soon home and bicycling by six o’clock. I took a nice one-hour ride and it felt so good. I felt fat before the ride. I felt so much better after that hour of pedaling. I came home and just lounged on the couch.

An old man knocked on my door, claiming to be the father of the ex-owner of this townhouse.
He asked, “I was wondering if you might have the escrow papers for the sale of this house for my son’s information. He needs help as he’s getting a divorce and can’t get to the papers as he’s off-limits to his wife’s place.”
It sounded ‘touchy’ and ‘strange’.
I explained that my parents own the townhouse and gave him their telephone number. That was all. My folks can choose to ignore the call if he calls them.

Mary, a gal studying to be a psychologist at Sacramento State, called me to see if I wanted to join the Sac State Alumni.
I said, “It sounds good…but what’s in it for me?”
She went on by saying, “Your donation will help to improve the Sac State image, making your degree worth more for your future.”
“Oh well, go ahead and send me the information.”
She said, “I will send you a pledge card. If you pledge one-hundred and twenty-five dollars every three months it is tax-deductible and that entitles you to use the Job Placement facilities at any time.”
“It’s something to think about,” I said, thinking that I couldn’t really do this at this time.

I was reading the newspaper when my brother John called and asked, “Hey Mike, I have this movie called CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD that’s awesome…do you want to see it?”
“Okay, can you drop it over here?”
“Okay.”
I finished my Diet Dr. Pepper, thinking how nice it was of John to think of me. I am now about to watch the movie.

“If you want it…you got it.”
-Michael J Armijo
PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENTS

In The Nick of Time

Ideas are ‘new combinations’ of old elements.

-Michael J Armijo
PHILOSOPHICAL STATMENTS

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 2, 1987
Tuesday

The express bus ride to San Francisco was great. The return ride didn’t get me home until 5:30PM…but that was okay.

Yesterday I had lunch with Freddie at the Plaza Deli. Today, Freddie and I went to Don Miguel’s.

There’s a Directory Sales job opening in Santa Ana but I can’t even submit for any new job until April 1988.

Once I arrived home I put oil in my car (after I went for a spin on my bike). I got the quart of oil at mom and dad’s garage. Dad always keeps a few extra in his garage. Once I added the oil and made sure my radiator was full I did a test drive to Doolittle Drive, near the San Leandro Estuary. It was at this point that my car reached the HOT status on the temperature gauge once again! And so, I quickly turned my car around and just make it home in the nick of time.

I was feeling depressed again about my car because I had intended on going to the gym. I remained home when my phone rang at 8:30PM. It was Sherri.
“Michael, could you watch Ashley while I go to Gina’s to help her move some furniture? Ashley’s already sleeping but I just want someone here while I’m gone.”
“Okay, no problem.”
I nibbled on some salami, crackers, cheese, cookies and milk while I watched TV while Ashley slept soundly. Sherri returned and that was when Ashley woke up. I decided to ‘hang out’ until the end of the TV show, MOONLIGHTING.
Sherri said, “You know, I think Stacy might come by this weekend to bring a few things.”
“That’s fine with me.”
I returned home and went to sleep. Yawn.

“Don’t do ANYTHING unless it is right for you!”
-Michael J Armijo
PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENTS

Getting HOT Again

Let the music help take you there…
-Michael J Armijo
PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENTS

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 1, 1987
Monday

It was a drab ‘back to work’ day. I keep dwelling on retirement and switching careers to teach English or become an actor or a practicing psychologist. Oh heck! I don’t know. I want to be in Yellow Page Sales at some point. I’ll stick to my current drive for now.

Work really was all right today. I was startled during my drive home when my car started to heat up! Why? I have no idea. There was steam coming from under the hood of the car. It didn’t feel too good to see that. I took the next possible exit which happened to be on Broadway in Alameda. I drove to GRAND AUTO in Alameda where I bought some Prestone anti-coolant. I added water to the overheated radiator. It got me home; whereby, I added the anti-coolant to the radiator because the temperature gauge was getting HOT again.

I was tensed-up because I knew Stacy was coming over. She’s Sherri’s friend and my potential new roommate.

Stacy, Sherri and Ashley dropped by for a visit. I ended up giving Stacy a tour as well as my house key. She’s definitely going to move-in with me. She’s pretty cute actually. I like her. How she feels about me I simply do not know. I am simply glad that she plans to move-in. She’ll be paying me $300 per month.

My car seemed rested now.

Once Ashley, Sherri and Stacy left I drove to the gym but by the time I reached East 14th Street and Hesperian Way my temperature gauge was HOT again. My car even died on me. I managed to get it started-up again and made it to my gym parking lot. I went ahead with my work out to relieve my anxiety. I noticed Scott Lauer leaving and didn’t get a chance to mix words with him.

I added more water to my car radiator before I started it up again; however, my temperature gauge went to HOT again while I was driving home. The car almost died at the end of Harbor Bay Parkway. It kept going until it died again at the corner of Holly Street and Oleander.

I decided to leave my car parked there. I walked home and returned to my car to add more water to cool down the radiator. I managed to get my car parked safely into the garage. Home sweet home.

Tomorrow will be a ‘get to work by express bus’ kind of day. I was depressed.

Johnny Schaefer called to say, “I just wanted to remind you that we met a year ago on June 1st.”
He’s a good friend even if Mike Thoennes says, “He’s strange.”
Mike Thoennes is strange at times too. In fact, most people have a little strangeness. It’s a good thing otherwise everyone would have a dull way about them. What if we were all the same?

I returned Jeff Sombat’s phone call in Honolulu.
Jeff shouted excitedly, “Hey Mike, the group “X” is performing at THE WAVE!”
“I could use some gentle sounding music right now.”
He also mentioned something about a friend who was visiting from Texas. Everyone seems to have their own thing going on.

“If it is to be, it is up to me.”
-Michael J Armijo
PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENTS

Now or Never

He was suddenly aware of how tired he was;

The nervousness that had raged through him the entire night had exhausted his ass.
The longer they went without speaking the more morose he became.
-Junot Diaz
THE BRIEF WONDROUS LIFE OF OSCAR WAO

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 31, 1987
Sunday

I slept until 10:30AM on this restful Sunday.
The telephone rang. It was mom.
“Do you want to come over for breakfast?” Mom asked.
“I’ll be right over!”

I felt rather lazy today. I ate breakfast with ma and pa and then returned to my pad to lounge and read a book.

Ashley was brought over and we went to the beach. I followed that with a visit to the ICE CREAM Dock.
Ashley remembered when she ordered the boysenberry ice-cream with me the last time.
Ashley said, “I don’t like the purple ice-cream.”
I laughed as it was the company of an innocent child that I needed today.

I watched a couple of videotaped movies later: CRACKED UP and INFIDILITY.

While home I decided to write Eileen one last ‘Now or Never’ card. Then I went to bed. Yawn.

“You won’t die, will you?”
I like to think…we start again. In a new body that isn’t old or sick. Or in a bird or a tree…but no one really knows.
-Joanne Harris
CHOCOLAT