The Moody Blues

We can only live for as long as we care about ourselves.
-Ray Kurzweil
"The Singularity Is Near"

Twenty-five years ago today:

August 30, 1986
Saturday

Johnny and I 'slept in'. I went to use the potty in the early morning and I met one of Johnny's roommates who happened to be munching on a bowl of CHEERIOS.  His name is Troy.  I was only wearing my underwear.

A little later I showered and was ready to experience more of L.A.

It was time for breakfast and Johnny, his other roommate, Jeff and enjoyed some French Toast.  We sat around the dining table discussing music, art, movies, last night, Jeff's friend Becky.  Becky never arrived at LAX.  She was supposed to arrive from Guatemala.

After breakfast, Jeff drove us to Newport Beach.  Jeff grew up in the Tustin area—not far from Laurie Robertson apparently.  Laurie was the one I met in the early 1980s.  Jeff didn't seem to recognize her name.

Newport Beach was very nice.  We were lucky to find such a great parking space.  We bought shaved ice cones.  I chose a cherry-pineapple flavored one (like a missile pop).  We decided to lie out on the beach for a strong part of the day (3PM-5PM).  By 5PM we went for pizza at a place called PERRY's.

We headed home and that's where we showered to get ready for the MOODY BLUES Concert outing.
I thought THE FIXX was very good.  I love their song "STAND OR FALL".  The concert was relaxing. John's music teacher, Wendy, did look like a go-go dancer on stage.  In my opinion it was a 'let down' for her professionalism.  She's making big bucks to do it…so what the hell.
John kept giving me compliments about my 'great looks'.  He was being serious.  The flattery was nice but I kept hearing the lyrics to "STAND OR FALL" in my head:

Crying parents tell their children
If you survive don't do as we did
A son exclaims there'll be nothing to do to
Her daughter says she'll be dead with you
While foreign affairs are screwing us rotten
Line morale has hit rock bottom
Dying embers stand forgotten
Talks of peace were being trodden

Stand or fall state your peace tonight
Stand or fall state your peace tonight

Is this the value of our existence
Should we proclaim with such persistence
Our destiny relies on conscience
Red or blue what's the difference

Stand or fall state your peace tonight
Stand or fall state your peace tonight

An empty face reflects extinction
Ugly scars divide the nation
Desecrate the population
There will be no exaltation
Its the euro theatre
Its the euro theatre
Its the euro theatre

Stand or fall state your peace tonight
Stand or fall state your peace tonight
Its the euro theatre
Its the euro theatre
Its the euro theatre
Its the euro theatre

It was fun to go back stage.  I enjoyed some hor dourves and met Wendy.  Johnny exchanged a few words with Justin Hayward.  Justin Hayward was born in 1946 and I hadn't realized he was from Swindon, Wiltshire, England.  So he's an English musician who is one of the main singers, songwriters and guitarists for the rock band THE MOODY BLUES.  We left right after that.

Johnny and I turned in rather early—at midnight or so.  I was tired.  His persistence was unavoidable 'if one may catch my drift'.  I had to state my peace tonight.  It's just that it's a ONE WAY Street.  His feelings certainly override mine.  He is a friend (period).  How appropriate to see "The Moody Blues" tonight.

Day after day people mistakenly said that the heat wave had reaches its zenith and tomorrow must subside.
-Bette Bao Lord
"Spring Moon"