Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 87

Itching

I think this is why God made kids, so you can look at their mouths eating applesauce you are feeding to them and forget everybody else’s BS.

-Keith Banner
THE LIFE I LEAD, a novel

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 20, 1987
Monday

I was still living happily from the festive Happy Easter Sunday of yesterday. It was so nice to be all together. My brothers seemed happy with their respective wives and daughters, too. To be with the kids is to make one feel the carefree innocence.

During this ‘Blue Monday’ I was pretending that I was “itching” so that it would be apparent that I had an issue of sorts for when I call-in sick tomorrow to say, “I have poison oak!”

I saw Nici Maurino during lunchtime. I hadn’t seen her in a while.
Nici announced proudly, “Would you believe I’ve been on disability for two months!”

Eileen came in to The City as planned.  I met her after my work shift and we went to eat at HAMBURGER MARY’s on Folsom Avenue. Afterwards we went to the 24-Hour Nautilus gym near Van Ness and worked out. We had a great time.

When I had free time—usually an hour or two a day—I did my writing.
-V.S.Naipaul
A WAY IN THE WORLD

Easter Sunday

“I have a great opinion of the elegance of your pen.”
-John Adams to Thomas Jefferson
In the 2008 mini-series JOHN ADAMS

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 19, 1987
Sunday

I left Sacramento at 11AM, arriving into Alameda by 12:40PM.

I had a nice Easter Sunday dinner with mom, dad and family. We took photos and had a really great Springtime day.

I spoke to Eileen and we confirmed our outing for tomorrow night.

Johnny Schaefer (of Los Angeles) called me.
Johnny said, “Happy Easter.”
I wished him the same when he suddenly asked, “Did I ever tell you about that time I almost had a ménage trios with my friend Debbie and this thirty-five year old actor fellow who sings at my church?”
I said, “No! Tell me more!”
We laughed.

“You’re a whole different person here.”
-as heard in the 2008 romance-comedy-drama
VICKY, CRISTINA BARCELONA

Selecting Tunes

“What is the great sin of being shy?”

-IRENA’s VOW
New York City Broadway Play

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 18, 1987
Saturday

On this Saturday morning Judy and I woke up and it was so sweet for her to prepare breakfast.

After breakfast we went to RALEY’s grocery store where I bought Lauren and Ashley Easter baskets and other fun things. Judy was shopping for dinner items for the evening. We also went to BEST so that Judy could buy her son, Scott, a HEAD tennis racquet.

Judy and I had some very pleasant conversation as she was driving in and around the area of Sacramento. Some of the streets (like Sunrise Avenue) brought back memories from when I went to school there. We dropped over to the area of Old Sacramento and browsed through some shops.

We had a quaint dinner.  Judy was busy in the kitchen and I was with Scott selecting tunes to play.   I loved when he played OH L'AMOUR by Erasure from their Wonderland album.  

Scott left and returned later with Maureen as they watched the scary film THE HOWLING together. I watched it for a little while as I was waiting for Judy to get ready. Judy and I departed to get some gas and then to the Chesapeake Bay Restaurant/Dance club in Rancho Cordova.

Judy’s driving back home was better than the night before. I teased her because she had accidentally driven through a ONE-WAY street. Then she drove over a curb, thinking it was a driveway. Hilarious.

“Goes to show you…you never know who anybody is.”
-Rebecca Pidgeon
THE SPANISH PRISONER

Beds Are Burning

…her memory of those years had sweetened with time.

-John Rolfe Gardiner
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE, a novel

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 17, 1987
Friday

After work I drove home swiftly and took my usual nap. I woke up to shower and hopped into my Mustang convertible and drove toward Sacramento.

I found Judy Geniella’s house in Orangevale at around 8:10PM. She was getting ready in her bedroom as I was chatting with her seventeen year old son, Scott. We spoke about songs that we both liked. We mutually liked groups like THE SMITHS, THE CURE, THE HOODY GURUs, REM, NEW ORDER, ERASURE and more. I think he thought I was pretty cool to know the groups because his mom doesn’t have a clue. I guess she’s limited to Frank Sinatra and the Beatles.

Judy and I went out to a place called MACE’s and then to CRAUDAD’s. Both places were pretty nice. We had a fun time and returned to her house for crème liqueur and walnuts. I thought it was an odd combination but it sure tasted so good. It was fun to crack open the walnuts as it reminded me of an activity I would do with my Dad as a kid. I was watching her goldfish in the aquarium in her living room.
Then Judy decided aloud, “Well, let’s take a bath!”
Judy would giggle with sudden bouts of laughter  and make me feel a little uncomfortable. I was a bit shocked and nervous. I thought she was just kidding. In fact, I didn’t like the idea at first; however, we did it…with suds and all. After the bathtub experience together we went into her bedroom and one thing led to another. It made me wonder if her son, Scott, knew the song ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER by The Fixx. .

As one thing did lead to another it almost felt like a scene from THE GRADUATE. We got into bed naked and ‘one thing led to another’. I felt awkward. She was a coworker and she has a seventeen year old son. It felt strange, considering we’d only been friends and coworkers all along.
“What if Scott comes home?” I asked.
“Oh he won’t be home until tomorrow…don’t worry.”
Of course Eileen was in the back of my mind as well. Will she ever find out?
PHOTO: 'me' with Judy Geniella/Freeman/Westoby

In the middle of the night while Judy and I were in bed together her son, Scott, came home. He knocked on his mother’s bedroom window! I thought I saw him trying to get a peek at us. I guess he didn’t have his key and his sleepover outing didn’t pan out. I really felt awkward (and scared) at that moment. All I could think of was that new single by Midnight Oil called “BEDS ARE BURNING” and I ‘just knew’ that Judy’s son, Scott, knew the song. After Scott obviously got a sneak peek at us I kept hearing that part of the tune 'in my mind' that goes ‘How do we sleep’? I couldn’t fall asleep for a long while.

This was the calm after the storm, the heart’s true note after so much wailing and roaring.
-Jules Verne
PARIS IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY,
The Lost Novel

Reconciled Our Differences

“…because it’s ART you have to just keep staring at it.”

-Batteries Not Included
1987 motion-picture

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 16, 1987
Thursday

His note read:  I Love you still…Call me

Work was okay. Freddie and I ate at MAX’s. She kind of ‘grosses me out’ when she eats. She eats with her mouth open sometimes and food tends to come out from her lips. She is black and her lips are huge. I don’t know…maybe ‘it’s just me’ but it looks gross.

I telephoned Eileen to confirm our outing for tonight. It ought to be an adventure.

The day went quickly and once home I took my routine nap. I’ve been doing 'the nap' a lot this week. Soon enough I was getting ready for my outing with Eileen.

When I arrived in Hillsborough the smallest boy that she is nanny for named Kevin asked me, “Why did you leave when you and Eileen were supposed to go out?”
I thought, “Oh great…this is off to a good start.”
That was an embarrassing question from a little boy who was yelling when he asked it. In addition, his parents were there in the next room.
Eileen and I went to DOUBLE RAINBOW for mocha espresso. It seems we have reconciled our differences. We both acted as if everything was going smoothly. This outing really went over well. I did miss her and I do love her.

I returned a call to Johnny Schaefer when I returned home.
I surprised myself when I announced to him, “Yes, I probably will come down to L.A. next weekend. Eileen may accompany me.”
I could almost detect a sigh of sadness by Johnny over the phone after I mentioned Eileen.

Eileen had said earlier, “My sister, Erin, and I are going to Rio de Janeiro.”
I asked, “Really…Erin?
“Yes, Erin feels she’s too young and is having second thoughts about getting married now.”
The idea of Rio appeals to me.
Eileen and I have another date next Monday.

I had to be honest about my forthcoming plans. I told her about the note that Rachelle left me on my car last week. I also told her that Irene Keenan (who I met in Hawaii) was coming to visit from New York, making it clear that she’s ‘just a friend’. I also mentioned my weekend in Sacramento with my former coworker, Judy. Eileen was very understanding. I’m glad that she understood. It’s all very platonic…isn’t it?

I failed to mention the note that Chris left for me.

“Well, smiles lie.”
-Velvet Goldmine
1998 motion-picture

Secret Life

"You live in a country that is designed to relieve you of certain pressures by stimulating your senses and comforting you with material goodies, but you are smart enough to know that life is about more than that."

-Tucker Malarkey
AN OBVIOUS ENCHANTMENT

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 12, 1987
Sunday

I broke down and decided to telephone Eileen. I couldn't wait until Monday. Luckily, she wasn't home.

I had a light breakfast at mom's house and then I set out for San Ramon on my bike. It was a good, extensive ride. I met an extremely buff gentleman on a his bike who seemed younger than me (early twenties) and he directed me to the best bike path to ride through.

It wasn't too exciting in the San Ramon area but at least the roads were free with no passers-by to get in my way. When I ride along Alameda's South Shore beach I find it a problem when people get in my way. It disrupts my pace.

I also met a guy named Tom Hlebakos (or something like that) who happens to be an aerobics instructor at the 24-Hour Nautilus gym in San Mateo. What are the chances of that? Of course, he made me think of Eileen since she lives in that area.
PHOTO: Bonni Jayne (b. 1958 d. 2012)

I slept well once I returned home. Bonni Jayne, my longtime pal since sixth-grade and high-school, called me.
Bonni said, "I don't think I'm going to our ten year reunion."
"Why not?"
"I just don't feel comfortable and I don't think there's anyone I want to see."
"You'll see me!"  I added, "And you can see Sue and I know there are others who would love to see you!"
I tried to persuade her into attending. Did it work? I don't know.




PHOTO: Kate Capshaw
I watched a movie called HER SECRET LIFE, starring Kate Capshaw. It was an action film about a spy turned housewife who meets an old lover when she sneaks into CUBA to free an old friend. The title made me think of Bonni Jayne in a way. I've been in awe of actress Kate Capshaw ever since that 1982 romantic-comedy called A LITTLE SEX. After the movie I went to bed, sleeping soundly. Yawn.

The compensation of a very early success is a conviction that life is a romantic matter.
-F. Scott Fitzgerald

Obsessive Love

If creative work protects a man from mental illness, it is small wonder that he pursues it with avidity. Creative activity is a particularly apt way to express himself—the activity is solitary—but the ability to create and the productions which result from such ability are generally regarded as possessing value by our society.
-Sylvia Nasar
A BEAUTIFUL MIND

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 11, 1987
Saturday

Suzy Miller called me but I wasn't home. When I returned her call at 10AM or so she wasn't home, so I left a message on her answering machine.

Johnny Schaefer called from L.A.
I said, "I may go down there the end of this month when I have my pretend poison oak illness."
He laughed.
Now that I am writing my thoughts I don't think I will go. I doubt it.

I was reading that letter I received from Irene Keenan who wrote me from New York and she is flying-in to the Bay Area on April 26th.  I feel I should show her around. I am certainly not obligated to do so, so I may not. I do need that time off for myself. I need some solitary time. I just may take the time off sooner.
I attempted a bike ride but got an unexpected flat tire. I guess flat tires are never expected. I coaxed my fair, beautiful and caring mother into driving over to pick me up after calling her from a telephone booth. I walked with my bike up to Doolittle Drive where she picked me up in Dad's truck and drove me to the bike shop.

I made it over to ISLAND BICYCLES where my flat tire was repaired. I happened to bump into Ron, the buff ex-windsurfer, and we talked for a while. I tried 'biking it' again and made the mistake of deciding to put more air in my back tire. I needed a special adaptor to do that in my BIANCHI Italian wheels; whereby, I lost most of the air in the back tire and had to walk my bike to KINGS BIKE SHOP on Webster Street to get it pumped correctly. It wasn't meant for me to ride today.

PHOTO: Actor Simon MacCorkindale, (b. 1952 d. 2010)

I went to mom's house later and played with my niece, Lauren. I slept and had a nice 'din din' with ma and pa. I went to SAFEWAY for a variety of desserts and returned to mom and dad's pad to watch that movie called OBSESSIVE LOVE.  

The OBSESSIVE LOVE movie was about Yvette Mimieux as a plain, mousy travel agent who is dominated by her mother. Her favorite TV show is some soap opera where she has this fascination with her favorite character named 'Michael', played by actor Simon MacCorkindale who was in the TV-series FALCON CREST.   Yvette resists socializing with people, preferring to fantasize about 'Michael'. After telling her mother she is engaged she takes a trip to Los Angeles and reinvents herself with a new wardrobe and sexy, new look as she sets out to meet 'Michael'. She succeeds and Michael's life begins to unravel.

Thus on the scroll for the spring:
The peach flowers bloom upon the trees,
Not knowing whether the frost will kill them.


The summer scroll:
The hot sun burns, the thunder drums the sky.
The cicadas sing endlessly, unheeding.


The autumn scroll:
The red leaves fall, and all the court is still.
I tread the leaves and under my feet they die.


The winter scroll:
Snow covers the living and the dead,
The green pine tree, the perished flowers.


These four poems reached to the bottom of her heart and made her want to cry.
Compel her mind as she might, she could not remember her own mother's face or her father's voice.
-Pearl S Buck
PEONY

A Wake-Up Call

"There's nothing worse than bitterness and revenge."
-PERSEOPOLIS
2007 French/American animated film based on the novel by
Marjane Satrapi who grew up in Tehran, IRAN

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 10, 1987
Friday

At 6AM the phone rang. It was Jeff Sombat calling from Hawaii.
"Hi, I thought I'd give you a wake-up call."
He's too much!

There is still no word from Eileen. The hell with her! I just wonder how I will get my camera back that I left at her place.
I recalled saying to my mom, "If I don't hear from her within thirty days I'll just go over there and get it!"
I will have to wait and see what happens.

I caused an uproar of shock in the office yesterday.
I said, "I'm on a diet."
I guess everyone thinks I don't need to be on one.

I take back those words about waiting thirty days. That period of time would be too long and I have decided to call Eileen on Monday night to discuss my camera.
I plan to ask Eileen: "Don't you think it's time we talked?"
Then I will let her in on my planned trip to Sacramento and how I want and need my camera. I must have my camera!
PHOTO: Yvette Mimieux
Friday night was all right. I telephoned Frank and he 'faced' me for the night.
He said, "I have to clean and can't make it tonight."
I thought, "Hogwash! If he thinks I'll commit to another day he'd better think twice."

I ended up going to mom and dad's and watched a movie starring Yvette Mimieux and Sam MacCorkindale called OBSESSIVE LOVE….or was that on Saturday night? Yes, it was…On Friday night I 'hit the hay' early. I did some reading, took a shower and simply slept soundly.

"Singing about your heartache could be very therapeutic."
-KYLE-XY, Season II

Too Involved

I'd really like to know you're out there if I need you.

-Mary Morris
ACTS OF GOD

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 9, 1987
Thursday

Carla is doing well on her diet idea. I blew it by starting off with a donut this morning (during our Personal Best office meeting).

Freddie and I went to Rainbow Records during lunch time. It was fun browsing. I happened to see Karen Caster (Amy Platt's good friend) there. We exchanged a nice greeting. I asked for Amy.
"She's doing great," Karen replied.
I wondered if I'd ever see Amy again.

I had a nice bike ride after work. I did see Birda and her friend, Nina, who were both in a car. They were just 'hanging out', waiting for me to ride by as they'd seen me in the distance. I stopped and chatted with them briefly.

I went to ma and pa's house after the ride but they were too involved in their tax return preparation, so I left for my place.

While at home I did some jump rope repetitions and watched the ABC NEWS. I fell asleep from 8:30 until 10:30PM. I woke up with an apple juice craving.

I watched a portion of Joan Rivers on the Tonight Show and returned to dreamland. Yawn.

We live in a state of dreaming.
-Tony Parsons
AS IT IS

Move It

She always got as mad as she could be, never just a little mad.

-Joanna Scott
MAKE BELIEVE

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 8, 1987
Wednesday

Carla Guzman and I will begin a 3-day diet plan that will enable the both of us to lose ten pounds. It's her idea and I'm all for it. It's worth a try.

Today Carla and I ate lunch at ELSIE's. I happened to see Elena Drury, a San Francisco Pac Bell Directory Yellow Pages Sales Manager. Carla was wearing a grubby outfit but that didn't stop me from being with her. She's too fun and is normally dressed so professionally. The only thing about Carla is that she is quite unreliable at times.

I received a phone call from Eileen while at work.
"Oh Mike, I can't come to San Francisco after all."
"I knew it!" I said in a disappointed tone.
"Can't you come to Hillsborough tonight?"
"Oh…I don't know."
"Oh come on, please."
How could I say no?
"All right."
"Great…but could you park a block away that way the Mrs. won't know that I didn't have school tonight."
I sighed without realizing what she meant.

PHOTO: Michael and Eileen, April 4, 1987
As my work day came to a close I drove to South San Francisco. As I drew near to Hillsborough I didn't feel like parking a block away, so I parked in the driveway. I figured I had driven all the way from The City after a hard day and there was no reason to park and walk a long block.
Eileen came outside and commanded me sternly, "Move it right now."
I didn't want to and said, "No way."
She didn't come outside after that, so I just left!
I had to fight tons of traffic over the San Mateo Bridge and it felt as though I was driving for hours.

I arrived at to my mom's house in Alameda after six o'clock. Mom had the day off and she made some of her delicious tuna sandwiches. I was happy. I shared my frustration with mom and dad about Eileen's immature attitude.
I explained, "After she didn't come out I just left the scene."
I also mentioned how Rachelle Davies happened to make contact.  Mom tried to tie the two incidents together; however, I kept on about how there was no bearing between the one incident with Eileen and the return of Rachelle (or was there?).

I didn't bother to bike or go to the gym. I read about the benefits of jump-roping. I did some jump ropes in my backyard, and then I did about ten minutes of my aerobics videotape.

Jeff Sombat called me from Hawaii. Stefan was there, too. I spoke to Stefan briefly. He was friendly but he was on his way to work.
Jeff asked, "When are you leaving the mainland?"
I advised Jeff, "I will probably fly to Hawaii again in June."
I do want to visit London though. I'm hoping I can make it there in November.

I heard on the radio that ERASURE was going to perform in San Francisco at the I-BEAM on May 24, 1987. I was thinking of buying two tickets; however, I may just buy one ticket now. I could use the musical escape for my own personal enjoyment.

Eileen never did call me back on this night.

I telephoned Birda and asked, "So tell me, have you been biking lately?"
"Yes, I haven't seen you."
"Well, I haven't seen you."
It looks like I may see her tomorrow during my bike routine after work somewhere along Island Drive or Shoreline Drive.
Birda added, "I'm outta here…I'm going with my friend tonight to San Francisco to the KEY STONE."
I thought, "What a rocker."

I telephoned Judy Geniella. We had such a nice talk that I've decided to spend next weekend (Friday and Saturday) at her place in Sacramento. I think she lives in Orangevale which is in Sacramento County. It will be fun.

Let's see. This Friday night is Frank. This Saturday night is "?".  And this Sunday night is Rachelle.

It is better to travel alone than with a bad companion.
-Senegalese Proverb