An Officer and a Gentleman

A pity money had such power, yet of course it had.
-Patricia Highsmith
"The Boy Who Followed Ripley"

Twenty-five years ago today:


October 2, 1986
Thursday

I'm not really bummed out anymore. I have had so many let downs already with regard to my hopes of getting a transfer to Pac Bell Directory-Yellow Pages. It is clear that time will tell.

I was down and out because my check was only $549.00. This meant I was 'in the hole' again so-to-speak. I will take things slowly and realize that when I examine the whole picture I am not really as broke as I make myself out to be. I have a lot to show for my money…and then some.

Anne Alberti came over to my place. We talked. We even kissed a bit. She's leaving for Cancun on Saturday though.

I went to the gym. Much to my surprise I saw Jeannette there.
Jeannette said, "I'm leaving Sunday to head back to school in San Diego."
We had a nice talk.
She asked, "You should give me a call."
"I will," I replied, realizing that there's probably no point.
Jeannette will be so focused on her girlfriends and family that she'll always be spending time with them. I guess I was surprised when she came up behind me at the gym. She placed her hands over my eyes.
"Guess who?" Jeannette asked.
I seriously had no clue. Perhaps I should have known.

There wasn't much of anyone else at the gym to speak of. I merely did my work out.

Once home I evaluated my situation and then took a drive to my Great Western Automated Teller Machine to make a $300 deposit and $60 withdrawal.

I stopped at Johnny B Goodes on Webster Street. It was kind of a joke as I observed a lot of Naval Supply folk at the bar. I felt a lot of them to be of a 'lower life'. I just sat there and drank two Corona beers. Then I drove home.

While I was out I had phone calls on my answering machine from Nici Maurino, Jim Koran, Birda and Stephanie. I didn't return any of the calls. I will have to make it up to them somehow. I should make a list of who I need to write as well (Bill Helbush, Paloma Sanchez-Guerra).

I enjoyed the little outing I had. Maybe the going out alone to have a couple of beers is necessary at times. It was an experience.

I had a long chat with Carol McClain about Pac Bell Directory. On one note she makes it sound promising and then it all seems so downright depressing. I was actually having fantasies of quitting and joining the Air Force Officer Training School while I was at the bar. I did receive a direct mail package with regard to this sort of an opportunity not too long ago. I really need to sit and have a talk with my boss, Steph, and my career path. I know I still don't want the ASR-Account Service Representative path. Maybe I will consider the Officer Training School idea more seriously with the Navy, Marines or Army.

"Small world, isn't it?" we exclaim, every time it happens--but in fact life contains a far greater number of missed meetings, near encounters, not quite-coincidences. 
As on the day when he told her about the mark of an angel, he takes her head on his lap and traces her features with his blunt yet agile fingertips.
-Nancy Huston
The Mark of the Angel, a novel