Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 86

A Vegetarian Dinner

…all choice is generated from apparent self-motivation.
-Tony Parsons
AS IT IS

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 30, 1987
Thursday

Work was a breeze. It’s been very busy though.

I gave mom a call again today.
I said, “She’s still here.”
Mom laughed and said, “Raymond is having a housewarming ‘Bring Your Own Bottle’ and ‘Potluck’ party.”
“Oh, your bother Raymond…are you going?”
“Well, Raymond referred to dad as a ‘tight wad’…even if it’s true he shouldn’t say that!”
“That’s for sure. I don’t like that.”

Eileen called me after work and we set it up for me to go over for a visit on Friday night. That will be fun.

Chris didn’t arrive at my house until 8:15PM. Irene made it by 6:10PM and she made brown rice, a salad and a vegetarian dinner for the three of us. I served a slice of chocolate marble ice-cream with fresh strawberries.

We started to watch that movie that I like with Nicolas Cage and Matthew Modine called BIRDY. Then we all went to bed (not together). It was a fun night. I took a group picture of the three of us.

Irene got up at 4:30 in-the-morning and with an ink pen scratched out her face in the photo. I was pissed about that and I let her know it!

Chris was to drive Irene to her stupid Oshram place in the morning.

“We are not here to allocate blame.”
-Joanne Harris
CHOCOLAT

It's So Perpendicular

Neither one of them could ever separate their love from their need of the other. Perhaps that is why the relationship has proved so enduring.
-Alicia Drake
THE BEAUTIFUL FALL: Fashion, Genius, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 29, 1987
Wednesday

I managed to have a slice of toast, an oatmeal cookie and a small bowl of CAPTAIN CRUNCH cereal this morning.

I have an EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) meeting this morning.

Oh yes, Freddie won’t be around today and perhaps for quite a while. Who knows for how long?

For goodness sake, I was thinking of Judy’s call last night. Did she seduce me when I went to visit her? I guess it could be considered ‘a seduction’. Oh well, I’d never use that term with her. It makes me think of that movie from 1982 called THE SEDUCTION, starring Morgan Fairchild. I should watch it again.

Oh yes, Jeff Sombat called me from Hawaii. He provided me with his new telephone number.
I mentioned happily, “Oh, I received your letter! Thank you.”
“I’m thinking of flying to San Francisco for the next two days.”
“Are you really?” I asked.
“Yes, but I’m not absolutely positive about it.”
It was ‘as if’ he wanted me to encourage him to come. I didn’t bother.

Sometimes I feel obligated to show Irene around the Bay Area more; however, I know I shouldn’t feel that way. I will take it slow and ‘easy’.
Irene did say, “Don’t worry…I’ll stay out of your way.”
I guess that means I can just live my life in my usual way (with her hanging around-?).

At lunchtime today I took a walk to the HEADLINES Card and Gift store to look around. It’s one nifty shop. It’s so ‘perpendicular’.  I like that word.  That’s my new word for describing something ultra ‘fantastic’.  I heard Steve Masters say it on that cool alternative-rock station (LIVE-105).

I dialed mom’s number from work.
I said, “I think my guest may be staying a month.”
“Mmmm….forget it.”
“I know…what did I get myself into.”
We laughed.
Then I said, “Oh, she’ll probably leave soon. I’m not letting her presence get in my way of work, biking and the gym.”

I called Eileen and repeated the same conversation.
Eileen yelled, “A MONTH!”
I could tell she didn’t like that very much.
“Don’t worry…she’s just a friend. And I think Santa Cruz on May 3rd with you will be great for the entire Sunday!”
We ended on a good note.

I was home, bike riding from 5:30PM until 6:40PM. I decided to head over to the gym too. I saw the usual regulars: Dave, Stewart, Patty. I conversed with them all for a while. I also talked to Angela (the half-breed) that works there.

I watched DYNASTY when I returned home.

Bill Matson called for Irene.
“Oh, she’s not here now.  I'm sure she'll be here soon.”
I was glad that I had time alone again.

Then Chris Cordellos called to say, “I just wanted to confirm that I’m coming over tomorrow.”

Irene finally arrived home around the ending of DYNASTY. She made me laugh.
“You won’t believe it. I had to take three buses to get to San Pablo and Stanford Street in Oakland today!”
“You’re kidding.”
“Yes, the buses got progressively worse. On the third bus there was some black guy asking me ‘Where Are You From?’.”
“He probably never saw anyone like you before.”
“Yeah, he said, ‘you look like someone famous’.”
Ha-ha.
“Sounds like you had quite an adventure.”
“And then, a woman and her son drove me back here. They were planning on sleeping in their car!”
I thought her escapade was too funny.
I explained, “There really are no buses that come to Bay Farm Island after 6:40PM.”
“Well, I’m thinking of moving to the Oshram or in that nearby vicinity.”
“Maybe that’s a good idea.”
Irene will meet me for lunch in The City tomorrow.“I’d really like to cook dinner for you and Chris tomorrow,” Irene announced.“That’s nice…maybe something vegetarian?”
When I spoke to my mom earlier today I told her that I’d introduced Irene to John and Sherri.Mom said, “Ashley is here and she keeps saying ‘I want to go to Uncle Mike’s’.”
I spoke to Ashley over the phone and asked, “Why didn’t you kiss me yesterday?”
She was silent.
“Don’t you like me anymore?”
Ashley said, “No!”
Her “No!” actually meant that she loved me still (I think). It was so cute. Ashley’s a doll. My niece, Lauren Michael is a doll too…and a beauty ‘at that’.
Eileen has to babysit on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.I assured her, “I can probably come by on Thursday.”I will now have to ‘scratch that’ since Chris is making a house-call to cut my hair.
All my life I’d been swearing that one day I would just disappear. And one day I did.
-Junot Diaz
THE BRIEF WONDROUS LIFE OF OSCAR WAO,
Pulitzer Prize winning novel

Have You Ever 'Had' Anything?

“He always feels guilty and I think when he screams at people it is not that he is furious with people, but rather he’s furious with himself.”
-Didier Grumbach,
about Pierre Berge, the manager and partner of Yves St. Laurent

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 28, 1987
Tuesday

I made sure I walked into the office at precisely one or two minutes before 8AM (just to keep them on their toes, wondering if I would show up for work today). Steve, Lily and Vivian simultaneously shouted “Yay!” when I walked-in.
I thought that was nice. I was obviously missed.

I was busy, catching up on a lot of work today. The day went by at a rapid pace.

I had lunch with Freddie at DON MIGUEL’s. I ran into Dale, Kelly and Erika too. I was surprised to see Dale since he transferred to Walnut Creek but he knows how to venture out ‘in the field’ (as they say) and make it work-related.

Freddie and I talked about the “ugliness” (to use Freddie’s term) of our management team (Steve Adams, Paul Margolis and Nikki Bovee). Freddie was suggesting the idea of her next disability time-off period. It was too funny. I wondered about taking time-off for disability. It would be my first; however, I feel it would be ‘bad luck’ to do such a thing falsely.

PHOTO:  Irene Keenan
I was home by 5:01PM. Irene Keenan was at my place, relaxing as she was listening to her meditative ‘guru’ tapes. Whatever. She is really into her yoga. I do envy the idea of ‘silencing the mind’.

I didn’t allow Irene to interrupt my routine. I hopped on my Italian BIANCHI bike while Irene walked with me to my brother’s house around the corner. I thought it would be fun to introduce Irene to my brother, John, and sister-in-law, Sherri.

Irene continued to walk with me to SAFEWAY. She went shopping while I continued on my bike ride. I kept the ride short and brief.

I intended on going to the gym but I decided to escort Irene to Berkeley instead. We ate at THE GOOD EARTH Restaurant. I was craving their Yogurt Cream Pie that I love so much. We ate and ‘jib-jabbed’ about living in the Bay Area and other random topics. Irene really is so very nice.

We returned to my place and watched one of my favorite films by Alfred Hitchcock: NORTH BY NORTHWEST.

While watching the film I received a phone call from Freddie.
“Hi Michael, I just wanted to tell you that I’m calling in sick tomorrow. I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to make it continue on to a disability.”
“You know, Freddie, you have to do what is right for you.”
“Yeah, I know. I think I’ll possibly look elsewhere for employment, too. I may not be returning to Pac Bell.”
“I have to applaud you. That takes guts and I know you’ll be successful no matter where you go.”

Judy Geniella also called me.
“Michael, I just want to ask you something.”
“Yeah, go ahead.”
“Well, have you ever ‘had’ anything?”
I was puzzled.
Then she went on to explain in whisper mode, “I have a mosquito bite or a bug bite in my crotch area.”
I laughed and practically screamed, “No!”
“I’m so embarrassed to ask you.”
That was a funny one. Alas, I didn’t let it phase me.
I ended our phone call by stating, “Well, call me if it does turn out to be a communicable disease.”
Ha-ha.

Speaking of communicable diseases…I saw that red head guy from the PAC BELL San Francisco AIC (Account Inquiry Center) at the Patelco Credit Union Automated teller today. His hair is falling out and he’s skinnier than ever. He has blue and black blotches on his face. I feel bad for him.
I thought, “What a lonely existence he must be feeling at this point of his AIDS experience.”

I called Eileen Grabinsky at 11PM but there was ‘no answer’. What else is new? I actually received a card from her in my mailbox today. She mentioned the idea of going to Santa Cruz this coming Sunday. It sounds like a good idea. Perhaps Mark Landreth and Irene Keenan can come along with us. It would be ‘me’ with three blondes. The last time that happened was with Mark, Amy and Cindy. Now it might just be Mark, Irene and Eileen. We shall see. That would be fun if it works out for all of us on Sunday.

“You have taste…that’s not half the battle. That’s the whole war!”
-as heard while watching
The 2009 film, AN EDUCATION

Randomness: I WANT TO LIVE

The wine became satisfying, plain and clean, like the café.
-Matthew Stadler
ALLAN STEIN, a novel

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 27, 1987
Monday

Irene and I woke up and I decided to take her for a drive to Contra-Costa County where the weather is a bit more on the sunny-side. We were suddenly at Sun Valley Mall and I thought it would be fun to pop-in on Chris Cordellos at his hair salon, HEIDI’s. We stopped in and I snapped a photo of Chris, doing his style tactics.

Irene and I departed from Concord and on to Napa to the BERINGER WINERY in St. Helena. We had lunch at CINNABAR in Calistoga. It was a beautiful, sunny day. I enjoyed the escape. 

Bill Matson met us for lunch and we went to check out his surroundings at The Napa Inn.  It was a cozy little place. I know Irene appreciated the randomness of our day.

We were home in Alameda by 8PM. We joined together to make a salad and sort of watch a Lindsay Wagner TV-movie that was a remake from the Susan Hayward classic called “I WANT TO LIVE”. The Susan Hayward version is much better.   She won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance of a woman convicted of murder and facing execution.   I remember my mom always loved this movie and 'Susan Hayward' in general.

I really had fun while in Napa Valley with Irene Keenan.  I love that place.  I regret having to return to work tomorrow. Ugh! I figured Irene would have a peaceful, solitary time while I was back at work.

Irene wrote in my HOUSE BOOK:

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA
Mike,
I can't believe how sweet, kind and generous you are (you are so patient, too).  You are such a great being - you are in such a great state.  I am learning a lot about life from you.   Thank you!  
Irene
PS-Napa Valley was a pisser.

“…I have a feeling about this place. I could at least mark it for future work.”
-Tucker Malarkey
AN OBVIOUS ENCHANTMENT

Colorful Energy

I can only tell what I remember, and what I remember is ‘growing up’.

-Matthew Stadler
ALLAN STEIN, a novel

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 26, 1987
Sunday

I enjoyed a good bicycle ride this morning. I dropped by mom and dad’s house for a quick bite and then headed back home to my pad for a nap.

I recalled my phone call from yesterday.   It was Bill Matson who was calling from Napa.
Bill said, “Hey Mike, you know Irene is arriving on Sunday night at around 9:15PM.”
I knew that I was going to have a visitor tonight.

I napped sufficiently when my mom telephoned.
“Why don’t you bring over the Easter pictures to show Helen?”
I agreed and said, “That’s right, she’s back from her one month trip to Louisiana.”

I spoke to Johnny Shaefer shortly after.

I confided in Johnny by saying, “I could care less about Eileen now because she was supposed to call me yesterday. We talked about going to Santa Cruz and I know she had the day off!”
Johnny listened and seemed to agree.

Well, Eileen ended up calling me later. We shared a few good words.
“I miss you.”
I couldn’t help myself, “I miss you, too!”
I made an attempt to call Rachelle Davies to try and change our Monday night date for a Sunday lunch (today).
Rachelle listened and said, “Well, today’s not good because I’m going shopping with my mom.”
“Well, I can’t make it on Monday because my friend, Irene, is visiting from New York.”
“Okay, fine.” She hung up abruptly.
She’s the same old Rachelle.

Bill Matson arrived at my place at around 8PM and we took off in his smooth BMW 318i to San Francisco Airport to pick-up Irene. Irene arrived on schedule and I was amazed to see Mrs. Sally Gallagher, my tenth grade Algebra teacher. She was on the same flight as Irene. Irene was full of happy, colorful energy. I loved that.

She knew the subtle influence of colors, how gray can subdue a man’s spirit, how blue uplifts it and sends it wandering, how red, the wine red, holds it to the earth.
-Pearl S Buck
PEONY

A Hot, Sunny Day

“He was always looking for different ways to do things.”

-Sister of John Forbes Nash Jr.
A BEAUTIFUL MIND by Sylvia Nasar

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 25, 1987
Saturday

I rode my bike for a good while this morning all around Alameda.

Mom dropped over at my pad and she ironed my shirts while I cleaned-up the house and stuff. I needed a nap after the domestic chores.

When I woke up I left for Concord to Chris Cordellos’ hair salon called HEIDI’s. We left for his mom’s house and changed into shorts because it was such a hot, sunny day.

We went to a BBQ at Amy’s apartment. It was fun. I met Linda and Keith and a few others. I had a good time eating BBQ chicken, potato salad, fruit salad and carrot cake.

The day began to feel like a super, hot summer day. I felt like I shouldn’t be enjoying myself so much because I’m supposed to be recovering from poison oak. Chris laughed ‘his distinct laugh’ about that fact. I found shade and tried to avoid the sun. The last thing I need is to return to work on Monday with a beautiful tan!

We all fell asleep to a boring film called BRAZIL. I left, dropping Chris home. I was home in Alameda by 2:35AM.
Yawn.

“He and I—we’re a pair. One day he has the best of me and the next day I have the best of him.”
-Pearl S Buck
PEONY

Could Be Serious

“How can you live your life for one person and have nothing else in your life?”

-Suzanne Finstad
NATASHA: The Biography of Natalie Wood

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 24, 1987
Friday

I called in sick for one more day to make it a full-week today. I didn’t bother to do any bicycling. I went to mom’s house for breakfast. In fact, I remained there all day. Ashley and I went to the park again (per her request).

A young high-school girl was at the park, babysitting a little boy. Ashley was annoying when she didn’t want to leave the park to go back to her Grandmother’s house. She became even more annoying when she wouldn’t get out of the car while we were parked in front of Grandma’s house. She didn’t want to go back into the house. She started bawling uncontrollably. Finally, she fell asleep only after my mom had to run after her down the block.

When Ashley woke up she cried again because my mom had left for work. Ha-ha. Ashley just couldn’t be pleased today. When Sherri (her mom) arrived I was able to persuade Ashley to go to the ICE-CREAM DOCK with me for a bite to eat. After that I took her home.

I drove over to San Mateo with the intention of seeing Tom Hlebakos; however, he postponed our dinner at the last minute.
Tom said, “I don’t really feel like going to VISIONS in San Jose and staying out late.”
I agreed to the postponement and considered it a finale

Since I was in San Mateo I decided to phone Eileen. Unfortunately there was no answer. And so, I drove all the way back to Alameda and called Mark Landreth from my house. It was a Friday night and I felt the urge to do something.

Mark and I planned to check out HOTS and maybe another place called SHAKERS. There’s always the BLACK ANGUS. Who knows? Maybe we’ll go to CASA CARLITAS?

In the end we went to SHAKERS but it seemed dead inside this place, so we left and hit BLACK ANGUS in San Lorenzo. While we were there we realized how we both hated this night club outing scene. And so, we left.

As we walked through the parking lot Mark bumped into Tina Titus. We talked to her for a good while. Her last name makes me think of “Tight Ass” versus Titus.
Mark laughed when I mentioned that and said, "That's what they said in high-school".
During our conversations I learned that Tina had thought that Mark was engaged to marry Ivy.

While in the car with Mark I said, “This thing with you and Ivy could be serious!”
Mark sighed, “Well, Ivy and I are planning on a camp out to Yosemite for Memorial Day Weekend.”
I was sure he happened to say this only because I had mentioned to him earlier, “Hey, you know…we should go camping.”
Mark suggested, “You know…you should ask Eileen to go and we could make it a foursome.”
I thought that sounded daring.
“I can check with her,” I said, realizing that Eileen had mentioned plans to go to Lake Berryessa over that weekend.

Oh well…I left Mark’s house after munching on some STONED WHEAT THIN CRACKERS. Frustration.

Ironically, during my drive home that old song by CHEAP TRICK was playing on the radio: “I Want You to Want Me”.

He was looking for something exotic and disconnected, but within quick reach.
-Thomas Mann
DEATH IN VENICE

My White Pants

“We’re all afraid of something, dear. Never fear the truth. It’s the only real passport you have to reach new levels of understanding. You may find it corny, but the truth can set you free.”
-The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer
MY LIFE AT ROSE RED

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 23, 1987
Thursday

It was another freebie, relaxed day for me. I suddenly feel weight coming on. I need to hit the gym. I still feel good though.

Rachelle called me and we changed our date to meet until next Monday night. It’s just as well.

Tom Hlebakos called me to confirm our dinner outing. I agreed but I certainly won’t be bringing my toothbrush along. There won’t be a sleepover.

I did leave my white pants at Judy Geniella’s house in Sacramento. What a drag! I called her to double-check.
Judy answered, “Yes, they’re here.”

I remained home all evening watching THE BOLD and THE BEAUTIFUL and DYNASTY. At 10PM I went to bed. I’ve had a good rest during these extra days off.

I haven’t made it to the gym but I will go tomorrow morning.

I wish I could live my life by just going to the gym in the morning and then going to the library to write my books, letters, screenplays or whatever words come to my mind. That would be fun.

Mom is so sweet. It’s nice to see her daily, too—before she heads off for her swing shift job at the post-office. I am able to see more of my niece, Ashley, now, too.

Helen, my sister-in-law, returns this Friday night. Perhaps I should have a BBQ here at my house on Sunday. It’s a thought.
The ‘vibes’ between Eileen Grabinsky and I don’t feel very smooth right now.
I especially didn’t like it when Kevin said, “Eileen and David went out together the other night.”
It may have just been a little boy being mischievous; however, Eileen didn’t contradict little Kevin’s story. I can only assume it may be true.

“It seems our worst fears are always more than justified.”
-Newton Arvin
THE SCARLET PROFESSOR by Barry Werth

Meeting Up

“I used to believe that everyone made his or her own destiny. Now I just believe in fate.”

-Mary Morris
ACTS OF GOD, a novel

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 22, 1987
Wednesday

It’s so great to have these extra days off from work. I am appreciating my time at home and really getting a feel for the area in which I live.

I have slept a lot. I feel rested. While I have slacked off from going to the gym I still feel refreshed.

I phoned Rachelle Davies. We made arrangements for ‘meeting up’ in front of the RED ROBIN Restaurant at Bay Fair Shopping Mall in San Leandro at 7:30PM tomorrow evening.

Tom Hlebakos, the Greek aerobics instructor, called from San Mateo.
“Hey Mike, maybe we can do dinner this Friday night.”
“I think that’s possible,” I replied.
Let’s see how that goes.

I did phone Chris Cordellos and Danny Garcia (the hairdressers). They both returned my calls. Chris and I talked about meeting up. Danny and I talked about meeting up. Talking is not doing.

I drove out to San Francisco and saw VARSITY ‘something or other’. It was cold in The City. I drove back to Alameda after a detour via Emeryville. I was happy to be back in Alameda where I felt safe. Yawn.

Did you sleep deeply?
‘A man who can never undress has no sense of himself. He loses his identity if he cannot, just once in a while, survey his naked body and be familiar with it.’
-Martin Booth
THE INDUSTRY OF SOULS, a novel

Up In The Air

A lie was something you told because you were mean or a coward. A story was something you made up out of something that might have happened. Only you didn’t tell it like it was; you told it like you thought it should have been.

-Betty Smith
A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 21, 1987
Tuesday

I did it.  I called in sick with my phony Poison Oak excuse.

I took care of my auto maintenance by going to OIL CHANGERS for oil, filter and lube job. I also went to the Department of Motor Vehicles to renew my Driver’s License.

By midday I was with my niece, Ashley. I took her to the park. It was relaxing. I slept for a part of the afternoon and I actually went on a great bike ride.

Eileen and I talked on the phone for about an hour. We’re still hot on the idea of driving to Los Angeles for a weekend. The details are all ‘up in the air’ though. Who knows if it will happen at all?

I had a tall mountain to climb, with many treacherous glaciers still to cross, but finally, at last, I had obtained a stamped and signed entry visa to the paradise that lay beyond.
-C.D. Payne
YOUTH IN REVOLT