Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 92

24 Hour All Occasion

"Once you understand the linkage between observation…you begin to experiment with invisibility."

-The Men Who Stare at Goats
2009 motion-picture

Twenty-five years ago today:

February 27, 1987
Friday

I was to meet Bill Matson and Irene Keenan at the beach but I pulled a no-show. Instead, I chose to lie out in front of the Royal Hawaiian.  I met Rapallo, an Italian guy, who gave me his card. I was surprised with the imprint on his card:    
'24 Hour All Occasion'.
It sounded so mysterious to me. He let me use his almond oil to sun bathe. I enjoyed a root beer and a fruit punch shaved ice while there.  Rapallo left but I couldn't help but wonder if he wanted something more.
I left my Royal Hawaiian spot to lie out near three gals that were listening to Reggae music. I figured I'd take advantage of their tunes. I left eventually to sleep in my hotel room. I needed the darkness and the shade.

I went to HULA's early that evening and saw Bill Matson and Irene Keenan. I was destined to run into them again. They're too nice. They invited me to dinner once again. This time we ate at HAMBURGER MARY's. The music over dinner brought back memories from seventh grade (The Lion Sleeps Tonight by CAT STEVENS).

After dinner we returned to HULA's. We all seemed to get a tad on the drunken side. Bill and Irene left a and I stayed on to meet Jeff, the oriental long-haired model. Jeff introduced me to his friends (Renae, Stephan, Carla and more). I left with Jeff and Renae to THE PINK CADILLAC and THE WAVE. I was dressed Hawaiian style. I had that look of a supreme local already. I did feel out of place and abandoned for a while when Jeff and Renae went out to dance.

I am to meet Irene Keenan tomorrow for some lie out on the beach time. I was in the mood to rest and take it easy. I didn't need to go out every 'dang night'. Heck…the bar scenes give me bad vibes sometimes anyhow. It's funny how a lot of the Honolulu locals know that I'm a newcomer in town. It seems that I'm the new eye-catcher of the week. That's the impression that Jeff gave me.

"You can't compile intelligence from a single source. That's an opinion."
-actress Naomi Watts
in the 2010 film FAIR GAME

A Deja Vu Moment

"Let me enjoy my freedom and let me be a child!"

-Janet McTeer as Mary Stuart
NYC Broadway Play

Twenty-five years ago today:

February 26, 1987
Thursday

I woke up with no solid plans, so I decided to simply lie out and catch some sun rays all day. I took another walk through all of those beaches (starting from Waikiki) for a taste of the variety. This time, of course, I did the walking in solitary mode. I loved the shoreline walks. I befriended a lowly dog at one point.

I met some grody bleach haired guy. His hair actually looked orange. He was looking for seashells. I found a couple of unusual ones myself.
The orange-haired guy said, "I used to be a bartender at Hamburger Mary's."
I bumped into him again as I was walking back and he asked, "Hey, you want to smoke some pot?"
I declined by saying, "Uh…not today."

I walked on towards my hotel when I saw Bill Matson (one of the guys I met last night) with some blond gal (Irene Keenan).  I talked to them for a good while and enjoyed their company very much.
Irene said, "I may be going to Oakland in May."
Bill explained his hometown, "I live in Elk. It's near Fort Bragg...in the 707 area code."
PHOTO:  Irene Keenan, originally from New York,
great conversationalist and planning on attending a
Yoga Seminar in Oakland, CA in May 1987
  They invited me to dinner for tonight and I accepted. We were to meet and eat at a place called THE STUFFED POTATO.

I went into ESPRIT and there was a Déjà vu moment as I spotted that long-haired oriental guy working there.  What a wild coincidence.  He was the one that gave me that look last night by the door. His name is Jeff.
Jeff said, "Maybe I'll see you out later tonight."
I smiled and said, "Yeah, probably."

I ate at THE STUFFED POTATO with Irene Keenan, Bill Matson, a German lady named Suzanne. Charles (Dennis' roommate) was supposed to join us. I detected (from Irene) that Charles was Bill's so-called "fling". He apparently pulled a no show. We all had a great dinner together.
PHOTO: Self-Portrait in my new Hawaii shirt,
in the Cockroach Hotel (Surfside Waikiki-never again)

I learned that Suzanne has a twenty-nine year old daughter who happens to be schizophrenic, drugged-out and in a rest home. I mentioned a bit of my own experiences to that world.

The meal with new friends in Hawaii was great. I had a great beef stroganoff fettuccine dish.

Bill and I went to HM's (Hamburger Mary's) for a bit after the dinner.   I didn't know what hidden desires he may have had had toward me; whereby, I chose an exit plan.

I left to go to see a movie all by my lonesome. I chose the film CROCODILE DUNDEE. It was fair. There were a few fun scenes but it had a dead ending. After the movie I went straight home (to my hotel room) and slept. I felt I needed the rest after another night out on the town.

Cinema! Who needs the escapism of the moving picture when we have the wonders of reality all around us?
-William Corlett
TWO GENTLEMAN SHARING

Skin Deep

"Any new behavior or skill doesn't feel good or right when 'new' (including sexual behavior)."

-1989 Michael J Armijo notes from
HUMAN SEXUALITY class, University of San Francisco
Instructor: Dr. Steven Zlutnick

Twenty-five years ago today:

February 25, 1987
Wednesday

At 1:45AM I decided to go to that after hours arcade bar called SKIN DEEP. I saw that Jeff guy (still in search of his thirty-seven year old biker type stud). I simply ignored him and met Dennis.
"So, what do you do?" I asked.
Dennis answered honestly, "I used to work in a Psycho Ward many years ago."
"I have some experience in a psycho ward," I answered directly.
He laughed and commented, "Well, I now work on a cruise boat…they're seven-day cruises around Hawaii."
"Sounds like that could be fun."
"Sometimes…but I'm on a vacation break now."
I also met a Dennis' roommate named Charles. Dennis gave me his telephone number. We talked and hung out and then I decided to leave and take a walk until I ended up home 'at my hotel', sleeping until about 8AM.

I showered and called Dennis in the morning about having breakfast.
I suggested, "Maybe we can hit the beach for a while afterwards."
Dennis said, "Okay, sounds good…I'll meet you around nine-thirty at Hamburger Mary's."
Dennis is part German and Norwegian. I thought it to be an interesting combination.

I was feeling pretty relaxed from the tropical climate. I plan on returning those ESPRIT leather shoes in exchange for some tennis shoes. The leather moccasins were very painful.

I returned the shoes and replaced them for some plain, white tennis shoes with a red border line. They ended up being just as painful now that the moccasins had already given me a blister.

I met Dennis met at HM's (Hamburger Mary's) and we ate breakfast. I realized during broad daylight that Dennis was NMT (Not My Type). He was sort of nice though. I didn't even give him my home telephone number or address. We took a long walk amidst all of the varied beaches from gay to topless (starting from Waikiki) to a surfer haven. It was a nice walk and we did lay out, catching some rays, at around three o'clock. I headed back to my hotel and Dennis skedaddled on home by five o'clock. We did stop for some ice-cream before we went separate ways. I needed a nap. The sun exhausted me.
PHOTO: February 26, 1987
A bicycle and a Hawaiian beach shot I took
while having a converstion with my mom
at a telephone booth near Waikiki
I hit HULA's bar for a drink fairly early in the evening and I met a nice waitress with a gorgeous smile named Karen. She directed me to the Pink Cadillac bar because she sensed that I really liked her and she knew this was more of a 'boy bar'. I went to the Pink Cadillac but it was dead there. I talked to the two bartenders that were there (Scott and Michael). They were both definitive QBL's (Questionables). I had two White Russian cocktails, so I was feeling a buzz. Since it was so dead at the Pink Cadillac I walked over to HM's (Hamburger Mary's) and met an Indian sort of fellow who was from Arizona. I mentioned my surname (ARMIJO) and he claimed to have heard of it. I must say though. He was another NMT (Not My Type) but a friendly sort.

I hit the ARCADE place (SKIN DEEP) and met Bill Matson and Eric (a blond thirty-eight year old). They were both from the San Francisco area 'at one time' in their past. I talked to them for some time and I left the joint after a while. I saw Jeff (still looking for his thirty-seven year old biker type stud).
I ignored him. As I walked out a long-haired oriental guy was at the door and he eyed me suspiciously.

I went for a slice of pizza and Eric appeared again. He wanted to kiss me. It caught me off-guard. The kiss never happened. I left and went back to my hotel room in fear that I'd see another cockroach. I slept in the middle of the bed and miraculously fell asleep.
"Some people fuck up all the time."
-as heard while watching
SHAME, 2011 motion-picture

I Couldn't Sleep

The assumption appeared to be that the world could be sufficiently understood through fictions, histories, and biographies.

-Ian McEwan
ENDURING LOVE

Twenty-five years ago today:

February 24, 1987
Tuesday

I bought thirty-five postcards and went to the beach, writing them all out from 8AM until 9:30AM.  I attempted to lie out and catch some rays but the sun fooled me. It felt so good and then it started to rain! It was a soft sprinkle and then a sudden, harsh, hard rain! Everyone on the beach scrambled and made a run for it.  It was rather funny.

I went and bought three T-shirts and a pair of shoes (at ESPRIT).  I browsed in a bookstore for a while. I couldn't believe the weather now.  It was suddenly nice, so I decided to go try the lay out in the sun scene again. Of course, it rained again.  I found an abandoned lounge chair and I did lie out near the beach anyway.

I bought lunch at a local spot and had my first real meal. It was three o'clock and I went to my hotel to sleep. It was dark and I couldn't believe it but I slept until 1:30AM (in the morning). I must've been tired. How unreal is that? I knew I couldn't stay awake at this hour, so I forced myself to try and sleep because the whole idea behind a good vacation is to 'rest'.  Of course, I couldn't sleep…

What takes a minute to describe took two seconds to experience.
-Ian McEwan
ENDURING LOVE

I'm Available

Travelers appreciated the comfort of a daily cup of tea during a long journey; and, particularly in its early history, with scholars and monks. Because drinking tea soothes the mind but kept one alert and awake.
-Laura C Martin
TEA, THE DRINK THAT CHANGED THE WORLD

Twenty-five years ago today

February 23, 1987
Monday

I woke up during the night and then forced myself out of bed at 6:15AM. I walked in a dream daze to the corner bus stop. I was thinking about what Eileen said over the phone last night.
Eileen was speaking of my trip to Hawaii and said, "Be sure you look for a nice scenic print with something on the sand. And don't forget your camera!"
I assured her, "I won't forget my camera."
"I want a HOT picture of you on the beach."
I laughed.

The AC Transit bus arrived and once I arrived in The City I had a large cup of coffee in the company café. It kept me buzzed all day.

I couldn't wait for the day to end. I had planned on calling Mary McTiernan to take me to SFO (San Francisco Airport) because she lives in that vicinity. Then I recalled that Dale Orlando now lives in San Bruno.
"Dale, do you think you could take me to the airport?"
"Are you kidding me? Of course I will!"

Margaret Lai and I ate at B and M Chinese like our good old days.
Margaret said, "My neighbor that I told you about is old news."
"Oh…did he stop pressuring you?"
"We made it together and had a shitty date on Valentine's Day in San Jose. So…now I'm available," Margaret chuckled.
I laughed, realizing that it may be a signal for me. Of course, I am not interested in her 'in that way'. I love her as a friend.

Carla wished me well on my Hawaii escape.

Dale finally showed up at my building and we ate at CARL'S JR. We talked of people like Rick Clark, Cedric Green, Dee (his wife), Ryan Hargrave, me and him. It was nice. He's okay.

I arrived at SFO and went to the bathroom. As I washed my hands I looked in the mirror and saw a couple of zits on my face that depressed me. I didn't know I had them.

On the airplane I sat next to Heather Tellesen, a cute blond. She's really nice.
"Where are you from?" I asked.
"Sacramento."
"Are you going on vacation?"
"No, I'm moving to Hawaii."

After a couple of hours I learned that she was apparently running away from her husband. I didn't get all of the details. I assumed she may not have wanted to share it with me. I didn't want to pry. We both said 'no' to viewing PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED in-flight.
"Do you already have a place to stay?" I asked.
Heather said, "No, I'll be visiting friends and then I'm all by my lonesome."
I thought, "How brave."

I was feeling 'fat' on the flight. Was it the food? I requested some tea to soothe my mind.

There was an Australian fellow on the other side of me. He was a nice chap, too.
The Aussie guy said, "I'm from Sydney."

Heather felt a need to spill more revelations and said, "My mom is forty-seven and has cancer. She's disowned all of her family except her husband."
It didn't make sense to me.   Friends and family are what make us 'who we are' and they help to make us 'live'. I sincerely believe that. I was wondering if that could be why she contracted cancer.

I was beginning to like this gal, Heather. It was kind of strange though. The part about her leaving her 'hubbie' and all was rather shocking (whatever). She gave me the telephone number in Honolulu where she would be staying: 808-621-5082. I doubt I will be calling. After all…I'm only on a visit to Hawaii.

I took a shuttle from the Oahu Airport that took me directly to my hotel. The cockroaches were ready to greet me as soon as I turned the light on in the bathroom. It was disgustingly 'yucky'. All I kept thinking of was the shower I wanted to take. I turned all of the lights on and I took it anyway (despite the uninvited guests).

I went out to a club called HAMBURGER MARY's and hung out there for a while. I walked to HULA's and then followed Jeff into the afterhours SKIN DEEP place (I think that is what it was called). I rapped with a few people there and had a pineapple vodka cocktail. Jeff was from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and had a striking resemblance to Chad Mark Glen.
Jeff said, "I'm going to school and studying to be an architect."
He seemed like a bit of an imbecile though. I was skeptical.
I don't think he was interested in me because he said, "I'm looking for a thirty-seven year old biker type."
I caught his drift and ditched him.   I was clearly not his type.

I ended up meeting some attorney guy from New York. He was rather hyperactive and much too rambunctious for words. He was staying at The Reef Hotel. We had a fairly good time. It is the tropics…after all.

By 7:30AM I was on my way to my hotel and 'geez'…I paid for my first night and I didn't even really use the place.

He would wake up tense, with his penis like an iron rod between his legs.
-Isabel Allende
THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS,
The Three Marias

Feeling So Carefree

"Don't you behave differently with different people?"
-Candice Bergen to Art Garfunkel
At a college mixer in the 1971 film
CARNAL KNOWLEDGE

Twenty-five years ago today

February 22, 1987
Sunday

It was going to be a nice day. I could easily tell from the light that came through my bedroom window. I got dressed in complete bike gear and hopped on my bike with the intention of riding out to San Ramon; however, I only went as far as Castro Valley.

I rode over to my Aunt Lillian's house but she (and her family) was not at home. I returned to Alameda and slept at mom and dad's house for a while. I needed the nap. My niece, Ashley was there and I saw her cute Valentine pose. She was playing with Valentine cards.
I asked, "Do I get one?"
Ashley nodded and said, "If you want."

My Dad and Ashley took a walk to Godfrey Park. I rode my bike there and hung out for a while. It was fun to see Ashley feeling so carefree as I pushed her on the swing.

I took another nap at mom and dad's house after the park outing. Helen, Tony and Lauren arrived. I stayed there and hung out. It was a family sort of Sunday. You know how it is.

I felt lazy and I slept more when I finally returned to my pad. What a bum.

Sue Miller called me and asked, "Do you know what happened to Bonni?"
And so, I told her about my visit to Bonni at the hospital and gave her the 'schpeel'.

I ordered a pizza to be delivered at my place for dinner. I ate most of it.

I went to mom and dad's house again. I just wasn't in the mood for much of anything. I have a lot on my mind. Actually, one of the top things I am dwelling on is the sandy seashore of Hawaii.

It was time to get prepared. I packed my bags.

You can exist without your soul…you'll have no sense of self anymore, no memory, no…anything. You'll just exist…as an empty shell.
-J.K. Rowling, HARRY POTTER and the Prisoner of Azkaban

A Red Rose

"Broaden your minds…and allow your eyes to see past the mundane!"

-J.K. Rowling
HARRY POTTER and the PRISONER of AZKABAN

Twenty-five years ago today

February 21, 1987
Saturday

Needless to say I slept in a few hours on this morning. I was planning on a bike ride after my haircut from Rory over at the Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center; however, I didn't go because it started to rain!

I decided to call Bonni Jayne again. I learned from her dad, Al, that she was in the hospital, getting an operation for infected intestines. And so, I drove to Highland Hospital after purchasing her a red rose, a PLAYGIRL magazine (yes, I thumbed through it first), a LIFE magazine and two comic books.

I saw Bonni in her hospital room and was surprised to see a grody, fat-faced guy there with a bloodshot eye. He's the guy she's been dating and he looked like an alcoholic. He left the scene and I was glad to be alone with her.
She had an infection along her rectum, causing pain in her intestines.
I asked her, "Have you been having rear entry sex?"
She denied it…at first.
Then I said, "Come on, you can be honest with me."
She nodded. She did! That was it! I left soon after and attempted a bike ride because the sun started to peek through the clouds.

It started to rain again, so I decided to forfeit the bike plan.

Danny Garcia called and said, "I was at VISIONS last night but we arrived late."
I didn't believe him.
Danny asked, "Why don't you come over to Walnut Creek tonight?"
I took a rain check. I didn't feel up to the drive after my L.A. drive last weekend, the San Mateo drive/movie on Thursday night and the San Jose fiasco of last night.

I went to a local bookstore in town and then stopped for a bite to eat at Jack-In-The-Box. I went over to mom's house and watched parts of "TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT", a TV-movie that I'd seen a couple of weeks ago. It was a comedy that took place in a blues bar. The hot magic of the rhythm and blues music made this shy man throw away his fears and participate in the erotic feeling of the night. Only this time I had ma and pa as company to watch it. Nice.

"The universe has other plans for me."
-MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS
2009 motion-picture

Visions and Directions

…The little festive atmosphere of strangeness, of excitement, that only a holiday bedroom brings. This is ours for the moment, but no more. While we are in it we bring it life. When we have gone it no longer exists, it fades into anonymity.

-Daphne Du Maurier
British author and playwright, b. 1907 d. 1989

Twenty-five years ago today

February 20, 1987
Friday

I am thinking that I will write a 'short story' of sorts while in Hawaii. I can do it after I write-up all of my postcards on the beach. I could write the story in my journal. Of course, I write this idea easily now. My eyes will likely drift at what 'catches my eye' while on the beach.

At the end of last night's MANNEQUIN movie I gave Eileen Grabinsky a luscious kiss goodnight. She and her pal, Katrina, drove off. Then I drove myself back home to Alameda.

My prioritized commitments were completed at my office desk today. I had a lonesome lunch once again because Carla went with her cohort secretary, Tom (a gay geek). She is training him on 'this and that'.

I took a good walk during my lunch hour to the NOSHERIA Café. Yes, I did. I simply sat alone in a corner and the service workers were (once again) very nice to me. They recognized me from my last lunch visit.

When I arrived home I napped. I was going to go to the gym but I decided against it. I talked to Eileen over the phone. She was leaving for Lake Tahoe (skiing) with her sister and sister's fiancé.

Frank Evans, the Stanford University freshman, called me.
"Hey Mike, do you want to go to THE VORTEX tonight?"
I played like I was in a fit of exhaustion and got out of it.

I thought of Danny Garcia as I was making my Hawaii postcard list, so I decided to give him a phone call. He is living in Walnut Creek now and was planning on going out to a place in San Jose called VISIONS. He persuaded me to go and meet him there with a couple of his girlfriends.

I drove south to VISIONS. I liked the name of the place. It sounds inspirational. I left my house at 9:45PM and the long drive seemed endless. I arrived at 11PM but Danny and his gal pals were NOT there. The cool, trim waist, biceps-to-notice bartender served me two pineapple vodkas and two glasses of water. I stood around like a wall flower, checking out the scene. I walked around and looked for Danny.  I waited.   Eventually I met a guy named Ryan Spencer near the bar.
I remembered my pen pal at 16 Intervale Place in Greenwich, Connecticut, so I asked Ryan, "Have you ever been to Connecticut?"
Ryan raised an eyebrow and answered, "Yeah, I used to live there!"
I explained about my pen pal, Diane, who also had the surname of Spencer.He said, "You know…there was a girl who lived across the street from me named Diane Spencer who was born the same year as me…1956."

How's that for a coincidence? I learned that Ryan grew up in the San Jose area. He had kind of long hair and we talked for a good while. He seemed to be an 'okay' guy.
"Do you want to go for coffee at my house?"
I laughed in my mind at his question. It seemed like a question one would ask a girl before dropping her off at home just to 'get inside her panties'.
I replied, "Sure."

So, I went for coffee at his house. He lives with four roommates. I just drank my coffee and made up some excuse about having to get home. I didn't want to lead him on in any further directions. We exchanged telephone numbers. When I left I got lost.  I felt like I had lost my mind.

It was a horrible feeling to be lost on the streets of San Jose. I didn't know where to go. I had to call Ryan for help at a phone booth. Even after I spoke to him it wasn't until I stopped at a gas station for further directions that I successfully found my way onto the freeway. I couldn't believe it was 3:50AM when I got home. The ironic thing is that Danny Garcia and his friends never even showed up. What a crazy night. Yawn.

For some ill-defined reason, lovers have a particular penchant for traveling, perhaps in the hope that by exchanging backdrops for that of the unknown, those fleeting dreams will be retained a little longer.
-Carole Chester, b. 1937
English writer

Risk Leads To Opportunity

"The jewels did not make the Queen."
-Mary Stuart
Broadway Show, NYC

Twenty-five years ago today

February 19, 1987
Thursday

Today wasn't so bad. I left the office early (1PM) for my dentist appointment. Gail O'Connell, an old classmate of my brother, John, was the dental assistant. Dr. Hinkle re-did a composite bonding on my front tooth at no charge.

Carla had the day off and didn't bother to inform me. She was supposed to treat me to breakfast. Oh well…I didn't even take a break in the morning. I got some necessary work done. I was feeling productive.

I keep hearing Michael Dawkins tell me, "You should sell jewelry."
It makes me want to quit and get into a whole new line of work.

While I was at Warehouse Records in San Bruno tonight I saw Otha McCain, my old boss, from my RASC (Residence Account Service Center) in Oakland, CA. What a geek. I pretended not to notice him.

Now…you may be wondering. What was I doing in San Bruno? Well, I went to the Hillsdale Cinemas after a brief workout at the gym to see the movie MANNEQUIN with Eileen and her girlfriend, Katrina. It was a fun, imaginary film with a free-spirited actress named Kim Catrall.
It cracked me up when Katrina said seriously, "She's such a good actress."
Granted, she has potential but I wouldn't have made that statement from that one movie.

I can't wait to get into sales. Then what? After I get there I will never be satisfied. There will always be something else to strive for and/or experience. I believe we all yearn for improvements and new ways to experience life.

I went to mom's house after the dentist and she said, "Oh Michael, there's a new soap-opera called THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL that's starting in March. I saw the preview and it looks so good!"
I perked up and said, "Hey, maybe I should focus on the fantasy of trying to get an audition to be on that show. It might be worth it."
Oh, I don't know. I just blurt things out that come to mind. Life is filled with 'what to do' feelings. I must keep telling myself that 'Risk Leads to Opportunity'.

I slept from 3:30 this afternoon until 6:30. It was a beautiful day but the dental experience and Novocain made me want to rest. I probably should have hopped on my BIANCHI bike. Alas, vacation is next week, so hell with it.

As we all know, over time, wine becomes something different and more precious. The hard tannins mellow into smoothness; the flavors mature and ripen.
-Tilar Mazzeo
THE WIDOW CLICQUOT

Last Chance Postcard

Not a postcard or a phone call in five years, and I'm still here waiting for him to walk in the door and say, "Hi, Hon…sorry I took so long getting the cigarettes."
-James Kirkwood
Good Times Bad Times, a novel

Twenty-five years ago today

February 18, 1987
Wednesday

I am beginning to get over my yearning to move down to L.A. However, if I do get a Directory Sales job offer I won't hesitate to move down for one second.

I told Russ (at my gym) about my great time in L.A.
Russ gave his two cents by saying, "Yeah, it's okay to visit but to live there is debatable."

I ran into Pearl Lowell and Al Martinez from my old SDC office during lunch time.
I asked, "So what's the scoop at the SDC?"
Pearl announced, "Well, Dale has his last week this week. He's going to Pac Tel Info Systems to sell equipment."
"Good for him. He'll rake in the bucks and get commission, too."
Al said, "I heard from Elizabeth Center. She VIP'd and DIP'd to Los Angeles and works for some firm called Writer's Associates or something that deals with 976 telephone services."
"She moved to L.A.?"
"Yeah, she's an Operations Manager…of sorts."

Believe me.  As I heard these stories from Pearl and Al it made me yearn for a new job placement myself.

Carla had lunch with some friend she knows named Caesar. I ate alone at NOSHERIA. The employees there are really nice to me. I guess they recognized me from the last visit.

Rumor has it that Pac Bell Directory will make its new Headquarters somewhere near the Embarcadero or the Pier area. How exciting! Time is really going by so fast. I can stick it out here at this job for a while longer. There are always so many changes.

I telephoned mom and she said, "You got your new LEVI jeans from SPIEGEL."
I asked her to open the package.
"Yep, you got three 501 jeans…white, gray and bleached blue."
"What size?"
"Let's see…they're all 31 waist and 34 long."
"Oh…good. They got it right!"

I did my aerobics for a while and then I hit the gym. I need to maintain the thirty-one inch waistline (laughter).

I did telephone Michael Amadeo. I stood him up. He invited me to his house in the Berkeley Hills. I'm just not interested. I made up something with a postponement and took a rain check on his idea.

I felt like I had a reasonable work out. I'm feeling better about my physique and well-being. It's a good thing since Waikiki is only days away. I want to look somewhat presentable on that beach.

Carla is driving me to the airport. We are having breakfast tomorrow morning (supposedly).

I wrote Paul Flores a card last night (the guy from THE RAGE). I asked him to send 'HELLO's' to Catherine Moore, Gene and DeLana. I wonder if that means anything that all of Paul's friends were black. Whatever…I liked them all.

I also wrote to Nerine Kidd again. This is my second posting to her.

Now I'll send them one 'last chance postcard' from Hawaii and see who responds (if any).

Sometimes I feel there's more to LIFE than Pacific Bell. Maybe I will retire (if I can) in ten years and try something else in another industry. I wish. Maybe retirement from Pac Bell will come in twenty years…or less 'if something comes up'. But…what? I know I have to make things come up and not just hope for them. Be realistic Michael Joe Armijo!

It's funny how personalities clash. I dislike my new boss, Steve Adams and Paul Margolis at times. Rhoda dislikes Paul and Freddie. Freddie dislikes Rhoda and Lily. It's common of most office scenarios (I guess). I try to like everyone and not get on anyone's bad side. I especially try not to let the ones know that I don't like them—but they can probably tell at times.

The half-breed girl at my gym was to have me buy some OBSESSION Cologne but she didn't catch me when I left the gym tonight.

Mark never did tell me the Debra Tucker story. All I know is that she called him and he was going to tell me 'the rest' later. Hmmm? I didn't tell anyone at the gym of my forthcoming Hawaii trip. I'm getting excited about it.

I'm glad I have a dentist appointment tomorrow. It means only a half-day of the PBD Account Collection Office 'crapola'.

I spoke to Frank Evans, the nineteen year old Stanford University student. He's just too young. I remember when I was in his dorm and his roommate, Brad, walked-in. Frank got so paranoid and couldn't even talk to me. He's too much. I won't be calling Frank anymore. I believe just from that one incident I see where I lie on his priority list.
Frank said, "I plan on going to London for the summer."
I thought, "So what…I may go, too."

…Best he liked the love letter that ended:
"Believe me when I say you are the one person other than my mother who is genuinely real and close in my heart, of all the people I have known in this embodiment—You are more to me than a friend, more than a lover could be—You are an unending inspiration."
Very Fervently,


____________
That love letter he carried with him, and he often looked at it.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path