Hawaii After All...

"Messieur Valenod, a tall and strongly built young man, with rubicund complexion and great black side-whiskers, was one of those boorish fellows, loud and full of confidence, who in the provinces they call a fine man."

-Stendhal
THE RED AND THE BLACK

Twenty-five years ago today:

January 28, 1987
Wednesday

I have a meeting this morning with Steve Flanders of Max Cline Law Offices. I also have an intercompany meeting with Cathy Plottell. It is Cathy's last day in the PBD-Account Collection Office. She will accompany me at the meeting with Steve Flanders. Cathy has been on-contract with Pac Bell Directory; however, her time has expired and she's being 'chopped' so-to-speak. She's a nice lady from Cupertino (and a good friend of Sandy Maggiore, a PBD Sales Manager).

Steve Flanders turned out to be a really nice fellow. I have another meeting scheduled with him for next Wednesday. I get to take over the clearing up of all of his statewide White Page listings as well as some of his Yellow Page BOLD listings. It's almost the same sort of thing a Sales Rep would do. I'll do okay. He seems to really like that I am handling it.

Carla has the day off tomorrow (once again). Today we munched out in the cafeteria.

An old high-school classmate of mine named Nicolette Kapellas telephoned me last night. I've known her since sixth grade at Lincoln School in Alameda, CA.
Nici said, "Hi Michael…our ten year high-school reunion is on July 18th."
"Is it that time already?"
She laughed, "I will send you all of the information."
I gave her my current address. It should be fun. I also gave her Bonni Jayne-Ludovicy's address.

After work I went to the gym. Of course, I bumped into Patty (Anne's friend), Mark Landreth and Dave P. (the regulars). I have been a sort of irregular lately.

I am going to Hawaii after all. I confirmed it with Lynne from Trompeter Travel (that pal of Rhoda's). It should be a fun escape.

I telephoned my ex-boss, Stephanie Bautista but she wasn't working today. I called her at home because I know she wanted to speak with me.
Stephanie exclaimed, "Oh Hi Michael…we are having a post-Christmas, pre-Valentine's Game Party at two o'clock on February 7th at my house in San Bruno. I hope you can come."
"I wouldn't miss it. How fun that'll be!"
"And if you have any favorite games…please bring them."
I think I'll bring my PASS OUT Game where everyone goes around a game board and takes a drink until one person passes out. Ha-ha.

To my pleasant surprise…while I was in bed tonight (and right after jerkin' off) Eileen Grabinsky called me from Oregon. I also received her letter and postcard today. She's a super sweetie. She has impeccable timing.
"I miss you," I said truly.
"You do?" Eileen asked teasingly with a giggle.
"Yes, absence makes the heart grow fonder."
She's great. I am looking forward to picking her up at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on Saturday. It will be fun to meet her sisters and mom before we go out to Bobby McGee's in Burlingame, too.

I was recalling that my ex-boss Stephanie had said, "You know, Michael, Joe Sandford has AIDS."
I thought that was pretty scary. He was in my section and resembled that actor from My Favorite Martian, Ray Walston. Somehow it's not surprising though. It's kind of scary for me though—because who knows—I could flare up with it. I don't want to but if I do…that's life. I should say that's the end of my life. My memory will live. The thought of it should not be dwelled upon. I mean, a San Francisco earthquake could equally spoil things in the same manner and in a more instantaneous way.

Johnny Schaefer telephoned today. We had a good talk. He's really a super, nice guy.
Johnny asked, "You know Gregg…my friend in Chicago?"
"Yeah, I remember…what about him?"
"Well, he's a nuisance because he likes to pretend that the Johnny and Jeff incidents didn't happen."
"Interesting…"
"Yeah, and he always talks of marriage and having kids. He's troubled."
I didn't bother telling Johnny that Gregg has written me or that he seems like a sensible fellow from his writings. In fact, I wrote Gregg a letter tonight. I felt I should reply back to his letter. I really enjoy his roundabout word usage that exudes such confidence.

"True enlightenment is the highest capacity to understand and love."
-Thich Nhat Hanh
BEING PEACE