Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 99

Positive Response

"I require three things in a man. He must be handsome, ruthless and stupid."

-Dorothy Parker

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 19, 1986
Friday

I wore my suspenders with my new International Male Navy blue suit today. I seemed to get some positive response.

I am not sure of my plans tonight. If I don't go out with Eileen I may simply go to the gym.

After my workout at the gym I would still go to THE VORTEX in Palo Alto. On the other hand, I may just see what Mark Landreth may be up to for tonight.

I wanted Mark to accompany me to meet Eileen and her friend, Katrina, at CITY NIGHTS but some high-school girlfriend wouldn't leave his house. And so…I decided to go on my own.

Unfortunately, it was dominant Chinese and Flip (Filipino) night at CITY NIGHTS. Eileen finally showed up and we did dance quite a bit. I found Katrina to be a 'porker', so I know Mark wouldn't have liked her.

I was able to enter my office building and I took Eileen up there to check it out.

It was an okay evening.

How can we know the dancer from the dance?
-William Butler Yeats

Held Hostage

Sensual love deceives one as to the nature of heavenly love; it could not do so alone, but since it unconsciously has the element of heavenly love within it, it can do so.
-Franz Kafka

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 18, 1986
Thursday

It was a very 'wet' day today. There were a number of car accidents because of it. Luckily, I did not have to deal with any such problems. I made it to my parking lot in San Francisco by 7:45AM. I had enough time to spare to visit my Patelco Credit Union teller machine for some extra cash. The weather cleared up by mid-day.

Nikki Bovee announced, "I'm not sure which one of your is more fashionable."
Nikki was referring to Carla and me. We both laughed at her comment.
Then I said to Carla, "Well actually…I'm more fashionable."
Ha-ha.

Carla and I walked to MACY's to get the silver dress suit that she bought.
Carla now says, "I needed it."

I like Nikki.
Carla says, "Cathy told me that she knows that Nikki has the 'HOTS' for you."
I laughed and said, "Well, maybe I should ask her out to dinner."
I had a fantasy about Nikki last night. I really did.

I took a nap after work and then 'silly me' didn't even bother going to the gym.  Instead, I hit 'Berserkly' for more potential shopping.

I was home in time to see THE COLBY's and watch the news magazine show 20/20. I straightened up my pad while watching 20/20.

I tried calling Eileen again with no positive result.

Joan Rivers was on THE TONIGHT SHOW and I decided that I dislike Charlie Sheen's personality. He was going on about his new Porsche and his cigarette smoking. Yuck!

Joan had another guest named David Jacobsen who was one of the Lebanon hostages who was set free. He was held captive for seventeen months (Yikes!).  I found the story to be quite interesting.

The Lebanon hostage crisis refers to the systematic kidnapping in Lebanon of 96 foreign hostages of 21 national origins--mostly American and Western European--between 1982 and 1992.
At least 8 hostages perished in captivity: some murdered, while others died from lack of adequate medical attention to illnesses.

In June of 1985 David Jacobsen (an Administrator at the American University of Beirut Hospital) was abducted by the Islamic Jihad Organization. The suggested motivation:
"Hezbollah focused its efforts on the release of 766 mainly Lebanese Shiites transferred to Israel in conjunction with it withdrawing from Lebanon, through the abduction of mainly American citizens. This was revealed most clearly by the book written by Magnus Ranstorp called "Hizb'allah in Lebanon":
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/HizbAllah-In-Lebanon/Magnus-Ranstorp/e/9780312164911
David was released on November 2, 1986.

Christmas is getting closer. I seriously feel I have done my shopping deeds for this year. There is one possible exception. I may get Eileen Grabinsky something special if I end up attending that Christmas Eve Party in Hillsborough.
I have been listening to the songs that Johnny Schaefer taped for me. He's a kind chap. I thought it was so nice of him to create the song list.
I realize women are my forte.  I love to 'come' and stay with them. While I look forward to 'coming' with my own gender I –for the most part—want to leave it or forget it. It sometimes makes me feel dirty. Perhaps with the 'right chap' it would be different (?). No, not even with Mark—in the long run—would it work out.

"When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one."
-Leonard P Matlovich, 1988

You Never Can Tell

A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves.
-Marcel Proust

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 17, 1986
Wednesday

Today was a nice, warm day. It's strange that it actually rained yesterday. Weather is a good example of the phrase 'You Never Can Tell'.

I made an attempt to call Eileen but there was no answer.

There are a lot of new movies being released in theaters this weekend.

Bonni Jayne called me.
"Hi Mike. I wanted to get your address because I'm doing Christmas cards."
I thought quietly as I gave her my address, "Oh shoot…I actually wrote a Christmas card for her yesterday and I left it at home. I guess I still have time to mail it."

Carla and I ate at MAX's. It was so expensive! It was $21 for two cheeseburgers and two vanilla shakes! To tell you the truth I find it so outrageous!

My sis-in-law, Helen, called me yesterday.
Helen asked, "Do you think I can get into your department?"
"I don't see why not."
"I called earlier and I asked Paul, your coworker, about how to transfer there."
I didn't get to talk to her earlier since I was with a customer. I guess Paul filled her in on the steps to take.
I saw a few "lookers" in the gym on this evening. Patty (Anne's friend) came by and we talked for a while.
Patty said, "Anne is taking a week off."

I noticed Mark was all dressed in white today.
I asked him, "Are you getting ready for a White Christmas?"
"No," Mark replied, "I'm prejudice."
I really think he is QBL (Questionable) after seeing him in his white 'gym outfit'.

I feel like ALVIN of THE CHIPMUNKS on his Christmas show.
Alvin says, "I need money, money, money!"

I watched DYNASTY. It was all right. It's funny how Sammy Jo (played by Heather Locklear) wasn't pregnant after all.

I JO'd a couple of times (three to be exact…or four) while watching Joan Rivers and her guests. Then I fell asleep.

I am looking forward to the Christmas Eve Party in Hillsborough.

Tomorrow night is the Lingerie Fashion Show night at CASA CARLITA's (per Stuart Western's invitation from yesterday). I doubt if I will go. I'd rather go to the gym and 'work on me'.

Never spend your money before you have earned it.
-Thomas Jefferson

A Lingerie Show

Give us this day our daily taste. Restore to us soups that spoons will not sink in and sauces which are never the same twice. Raise up among us stews with more gravy than we have bread to blot it with. Give us pasta with a hundred fillings.
-Robert Farrar Capon

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 16, 1986
Tuesday

Last night I explained my career goal of becoming a Yellow Page Advertising Sales Rep. to Eileen.
She said, "Sounds like a good plan."
"I think so."
Time will tell.

I feel like I have heartburn this morning. It may be due to the fact that I didn't go to the gym last night. I usually go to the gym on Monday evenings.

Nikki Bovee and Sandy Maggiore are flying to Los Angeles tomorrow on business. I am jealous. I wish I could go to L.A. on business.

Carla keeps saying, "I'll introduce you to Dennis Mulkey."
Mr. Mulkey is the Vice-President of Pac Bell Directory and he may be able to pull strings to get me in to Sales. I'll believe it when I see it. I do (and would) like to meet him. It wouldn't hurt to get on his good side.

Carla and I ate the "Lasagna Special" at The Pizza Boat. Carla shared the fact that she had gone to Los Angeles this past weekend to see Mario. He is the so-called wealthy one that Carla's mom adores.

I came home and slept after work. I was awoken by a phone call from Eileen Grabinsky.
"Hi Michael Joe…I received your Christmas card! I had to call and 'Thank you'."
"Oh…I'm so glad you liked it."
"You know…I may not have to work on Thursday or Friday."
"Friday is better for me."

Her phone call inspired me to get up and make my way to the gym. Stuart Western was working out when I arrived.
Stuart asked, "Hey…do you want to go to Casa Carlita's this Thursday night for a lingerie show?"
"That sounds good to me," I said, smiling from ear to ear.
I may go. Why not?

Mark Landreth was at the gym, too. We didn't say much to one another. Stuart and Mark don't really know one another.
Mark did finally ask, "Did you get my message yesterday?"
"You mean about the gorgeous redhead, Kathy Ortega?"
We both laughed.

While I was on the Life Cycle I noticed a cute blond who was riding with me---or next to me. She seemed rather nice.

I am trying to decide whether I should buy more Christmas gifts for my family.
I thought, "No, I think I have bought enough. I'd rather buy myself an onyx ring, a Bianchi Italian bike, a house and a Jaguar convertible!"

The gym felt good for me tonight. I think I have been eating too much lately. So what! It is the Holiday Season!

I love to wear lingerie. The problem is that men always rip it off too quickly. When women are dolled up in lingerie they feel sexy. So let us wear it for five minutes.
-Karen McDougal

'20 Questions'

"The American's conversation is much like his courtship. He gives an inkling and watches for a reaction; if the weather looks fair, he inkles a little more."
-Donald Lloyd

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 15, 1986
Monday

I find myself thinking of Timothy Lewis, the Wilkes-SPORT sales clerk that was so kind and persuasive. He was so willing to sort out clothes that he thought would look good on me. I am thinking I will send him a Christmas card because of his hospitality.

It rained today. Carla and I decided to remain in the building.

By five o'clock the traffic looked "yucky". It was likely because of the rain. And so, I persuaded Carla to go shopping. Of course, she had to go home to change clothes first. Then we had to go to SAFEWAY to get her check cashed. Before long we finally made it to the MACY's Parking Garage. Carla had to look at clothes for herself, trying on GUESS jeans. She finally realized she was meant to be Christmas shopping and looked at possible clothes for her mom. We browsed the kid's wear, too. I found my nieces (Ashley and Lauren) an outfit each. It was nine o'clock before I finally drove Carla home.

I didn't get to my place until 10:20PM because I got lost by taking the wrong exit. It was nice that there was no traffic around though.

When I finally did walk in to my pad I heard messages from Debbie Hogan of Stewart Title Company (who actually reached me at work), mom and Mark. Mom just wanted to remind me to tape some movie for her.
Mark said, "I just wanted you to know that your presence was missed at the gym."
I smiled at Mark's message.
Mark continued, "Oh…and Kathy Ortega…yuck…was asking for you!"

I ate a strawberry yogurt and went to turn on the tube for the latest from Joan Rivers on THE TONIGHT SHOW. I suddenly received a surprise phone call. It was Eileen, calling at 11:20PM.
"Oh Michael, I want to apologize for waking you."
She was extremely apologetic.
"Oh, it's okay," I said, considering I wasn't really asleep.
I had a feeling it was her way of getting back at me for waking her up on Sunday morning (yesterday). We had a nice (almost one-hour) conversation.
Eileen asked, "So how long have any of your previous relationships lasted?"
I think I said, "Not more than a year—but it's not like I've had many serious ones."
She asked, "Do you have any plans for marriage?"
I laughed and thought she was 'gutsy'.
"I guess I'd like to…eventually."
She went on and on beyond the '20 Questions'.
I pointed out, "The present and future is what really matters."
"I agree," Eileen exclaimed.
"So what are you doing on Friday night?"
Eileen couldn't really answer me.
I continued, "I was hoping for a 'light dinner' and a 'heavy movie'."
She loved that line. I wonder if she believed it was the first time I had said it. It actually was the first time.
"You know…I keep a daily journal where I write things that I'm thinking."
"You do?"
"Yeah, I really do."
"I want to read it…or I'd love for you to read me what you wrote about Friday night."
I laughed loudly.
I said, "Don't worry, it was all GOOD."
"I bet it was."
"You know…I bought you some clove gum that I saw in San Francisco."
She laughed.
"Well, I remembered that you said you used to smoke clove cigarettes."
I recalled Paige LaBris in Sacramento. She smoked clove cigs also.
"You know…Michael J…I can't believe your age!"
"Why?"
"Well, you look so young."
"I guess that's a good thing for when I get old."
"Yeah…you know, I may get braces."
"That might be tough for kissing."
She laughed and said, "Your teeth are perfect!"
She's a sweetie. Only time will tell.

Life has taught us that love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction.
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Impatience

"When someone is impatient and says, "I haven't got all day," I always wonder, How can that be? How can you not have all day?"
-George Carlin

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 14, 1986
Sunday

I lost track of time and didn't get back to my place until 1:30AM last night. I just liked 'hanging out' and lounging with mom and dad.

I woke up at 9:45AM only to call Eileen Grabinsky to share my pleasant mood.
Eileen answered, "I feel dead, I'll talk to you later!"
I thought, "How rude!"

I decided to call Suzy Miller and asked happily, "Do you want to go to Ole's Waffle Shop for breakfast?"
"I'm just waking-up."
"Yeah, so you don't want to go?"
"Well, I want to attend church first…and then maybe go."
"Oh."
"Why don't I call you at quarter after twelve?"
"Okay."
I was really wished I'd said, "I haven't got all day!"

Of course, by the time Suzy called I had decided to go with my mom and Sherri to MERVYN's. We also grabbed a bite at McDonald's. It was quaint and easy. Ashley was at her other Grandma's house.

I spent part of the day writing out Christmas Cards. I find that relaxing.

I watched an episode (or two) of the soap-opera 'The Young and The Restless' with Mom and Sherri. We were waiting for my brother, Tony, and his wife, Helen, to appear. They didn't, so I left.

I napped at my place and woke up at precisely 5:20PM. It was dark and I alarmed myself, thinking it was already Monday morning. I got up from bed and went to mom's house.

Mom was wrapping her Christmas gifts. I ate too many pieces of SEE'S CANDIES. I also watched the CBS show "60 MINUTES". There was a news story about a schizophrenic woman who shot down several people at random at a Massachusetts Shopping Center on October 30, 1985.

Mom and I then watched a HALLMARK Hall of Fame movie called "PROMISE", starring James Garner and James Woods. When his mother dies, estranged son Bob (James Garner) inherits her estate, and, surprisingly, custody of his younger brother D.J. (James Woods), who suffers from schizophrenia and epilepsy. Bob is initially reluctant at his new responsibility, but remembers that he had promised his mother to look after his brother. It reminded me of my ordeal in November 1980 – April 1981. What a harrowing experience. I left after the movie and went home to bed.

I did speak to Suzy Miller briefly.

I didn't bother to return Eileen Grabinsky's phone call. She called me at around 11:15AM. Hell…I was still pissed-off at her for putting me off this morning.

I saw a black onyx ring on sale at Crescent Jewelers that I really like (and want). It reminds me of Barnabas Collins ring in DARK SHADOWS.

"A promise made should be a promise kept."
-Steve Forbes

Enough Shopping for One Day

On the one hand, shopping is dependable: You can do it alone, if you lose your heart to something that is wrong for you, you can return it; it's instant gratification and yet something you buy may well last for years.

-Judith Krantz

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 13, 1986
Saturday

Mom and I decided to 'hit the road' for San Francisco. Our first stop was PIER 39. We eventually found our way to The Wholesale Toy Store on Mission, MACY's, SAKS Fifth Avenue and Gucci. That was more than enough shopping for one day. We had a good time. There were droves and droves of shoppers.  It was massive. I was tired to-say-the-least.

I brought my portion of the gifts to mom and dad's house and finished wrapping them there. I stayed there a good while. I even started to watch Nastassja Kinski in a film called MARIA's LOVERS. It seemed pretty good.

I left for my place and telephoned Mark Landreth. We had a lengthy man-to-man discussion about women, one-night stands and the gym. I also returned a phone call to Stuart Western.
Stuart announced, "You just caught me leaving. I made a date to go in to San Francisco."
"Oh, well have a good time. I guess I'll see you at the gym."
"Okay, catch you later."

I decided to NOT do anything except return to my mom and dad's house. I watched the remainder of MARIA's LOVERS with them. There was a gross rat scene. I hoped I wouldn't have a nightmare from it.

My biggest nightmare is I'm driving home and get sick and go to hospital. I say: 'Please help me.' And the people say: 'Hey, you look like...' And I'm dying while they're wondering whether I'm Barbra Streisand.
-Barbra Streisand

The Cost of Cocktails

As far as a cocktail, I do like good wines, basically with meals, and good champagnes.
-Bobby Sherman

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 12, 1986
Friday

I just got word this afternoon—from mom—that Sherri Armijo, my sister-in-law, had a miscarriage. Her pregnancy was going to be announced at Christmastime. It is very sad. She is young. There will be other chances. Perhaps it was meant to be.

At noon (or lunchtime) I went to Wilkes SPORT, a new subsidiary men's store of Wilkes-Bashford. A gent named Timothy Lewis helped me out while I was in the store. He was really nice. I saw a pair of sweats that I liked---but for ninety-five dollars! Give me a break!

After work (or just before quitting time) Nikki Bovee came in to our office. She was as cheerful as ever.
I asked, "When are we going to get-together for a Christmas cocktail?"
I know I asked it 'just like that' or something to that effect.
Nikki answered, "Maybe next week."
So, we'll see.

I went home and napped. By eight o'clock I was in my car, driving to Hillsborough. I was expected by Eileen at nine o'clock. I arrived early and Eileen was still in the shower. I met Barry and Anne (the husband and wife) who own the stately manor. They were pretty nice.

Anne was wrapping a bunch of gifts for Christmas. The gift-wrap looked ultra expensive.  They have three sons. I know two are named Brandon and Blake.  I guess they'll have fun ripping apart those presents on Christmas morning.

Eileen and I went to THE VORTEX. I only had seven dollars. She contributed a dollar to our entrance fee. I, of course, ended up charging multiple drinks (Pine Voks-pineapple vodkas; Corona beer; White Russians, Bartyles and James Wine Coolers) that came to a total of $31. If I include the tip it actually came to $35. What a rip!  We danced up a storm.

Eileen and I did go to Jack-in-the-Box afterwards. That was fun. We both felt a need to satisfy our 'munchies'. She was getting kind of wild. It was late. I had to pee. Before I knew it I was home at four o'clock in the morning. Yawn.

How did it happen that their lips came together? How does it happen that birds sing, that snow melts, that the rose unfolds, that the dawn whitens behind the stark shapes of trees on the quivering summit of the hill? A kiss, and all was said.
-Victor Hugo

Ambitious Nature

'Tis a common proof,

That lowliness is young ambition's ladder,
Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;
But when he once attains the upmost round,
He then unto the ladder turns his back,
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees
By which he did ascend.
-Julius Caesar

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 11, 1986
Thursday

I submitted my easy-to-read 'Terms and Conditions' of our Yellow Page Advertising Sales Contract to my boss, Steve Adams, as an aid to our handling customer.
Steve remarked, "I'll look it over."
I thought to myself, "Oh well, we'll see what happens."

I have been thinking of asking Nikki Bovee to dinner but I don't know yet. It may be too soon.

Suzy Miller telephoned about going out for Chinese food tonight.
"Sure," I said.
We both ended up meeting Suzy's mom at the Chinese food place. We returned to her mom's house after the meal. We hung out to simply 'shoot the breeze'.
Suzy's brother, Mike, was there.
Mike announced, "Oh…you know, I saw that Chad guy at school. I was telling him that we were just talking about him."
I nodded and said something like, "Whatever."

I telephoned Carla Guzman when I arrived home. She slept until two o'clock this afternoon. I laughed. It figures.
I liked the fortune in my Fortune Cookie at the Chinese food place. It read: YOU HAVE AN AMBITIOUS NATURE AND MAY MAKE A NAME FOR YOURSELF.

I am closing my Super Checking Account with Great Western Bank. It's going to be Patelco Credit Union 'all the way' as soon as I receive that royalty check from Sacramento.

Lottie telephoned. I returned her call.
"Mike, I may make a trip over there on Sunday."
"Oh, that would be great," I said.
I really don't know if I will be in the mood for her bubbly-ness. Who knows?

I do have that date with Eileen Grabinsky set for Friday. It was fun when I called her on Wednesday night while I was eating Cocoa Pebbles. She got a 'kick out of the fact' that I was munching on cereal. She and Johnny Schaefer both like Cocoa Crispies.

A bachelor's life is a fine breakfast, a flat lunch, and a miserable dinner.
-Francis Bacon

The Gift of Giving

"Enjoying the joys of others, and suffering with them…these are the best guides for man."
-Albert Einstein

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 10, 1986
Wednesday

It was a semi-swamped day but not as bad as yesterday.

Carla is off from work on Thursday and Friday (lucky her).

Laverne Butler called.
"Hi Mike, How are you?"
"Good," I replied, feeling a tad surprised that she'd call me from my former office.
"I was wondering if you might come to my fifteen year lunch anniversary. It will be tomorrow at The Waterfront."
I was so pleased by her invitation and made it clear by saying, "How fun! I'd love to come!"

I did make it to the gym on this evening. I screwed up my routine because I didn't go when I was supposed to go.

I received a Christmas gift from John Schaefer. I opened it early. I couldn't wait. Shame on me! I received a 'pigs humping' t-shirt, a bike 'sketch' t-shirt, a nice 'blue and white' striped sweater, some candy goods and a 1987 BIKE Calendar. He is too much and too kind! I hope he likes the GRAMMY AWARD bookends that I found for him.

I couldn't sleep very well on this night. I telephoned my mom at two o'clock in the morning. I knew she'd be arriving home from work at around that time.

Cheerful givers do not count the cost of what they give.  Their hearts are set on pleasing and cheering the person to whom the gift is given.
-Julian of Norwich