The Castaway

I took time to look at the picture.

-Thich Nhat Hanh
BEING PEACE

Twenty-five years ago today

January 31, 1987
Saturday

I woke this morning and accepted mom's invitation for some French toast. The syrup container bottom burned-off, creating a syrup mess all over her stove.
"Oh no," I screeched.

I went for a bike ride at eleven o'clock and didn't return to my place until three o'clock. I ended up riding through Alameda, Oakland, San Leandro, and Castro Valley and on to San Ramon (and back to Alameda). I felt good about the ride.

When I arrived home I quickly showered and dressed in preparation to pick-up Eileen at San Francisco Airport (SFO). I also made a stop at my bank and Longs Drug Store for more Polaroid film.
Eileen arrived at 5:30PM. I drove to Hillsborough where I met Claudia, the temporary babysitter to the boys that Eileen takes care of regularly. The boys were as energetic as ever.
One of the little boys said, "Is he your boyfriend?"
I nodded.
I ended up playing basketball and volleyball with the two older boys named Blake and Brandon. Eileen and I took a few pictures too.

We left for THE CASTAWAY Restaurant. It was a good meal. Eileen liked the necklace that I gave her. It was news to me about the earrings though.Eileen announced, "Oh…I don't have pierced ears."
"Well, you can keep them for the day you do get them pierced."

I drove Eileen to her mom's house in Burlingame. The porch was nice and it reminded me of one of those homes in Berkeley. It was her mom's 50th Birthday party, so she had a number of guests. I was overwhelmed by all of the people. I had a bit of carrot cake as I meandered around, looking at all of the antiques in the house. There were some really nice pictures, too. I met Eileen's sisters (Wendy and Kara).
Eileen and I left Burlingame by midnight. I was soon in Hillsborough (which is actually very nearby). I dropped Eileen off at the house where she is nanny/babysitter to those three boys. 

I spent some time in her room and I set the timer of my Polaroid camera to capture a photo of us on this evening.   I liked how she kept the cards I had sent her on her window sill.  We departed with in-depth kisses.
I drove home and made it back to Alameda by 1:40AM. I needed to rest and meditate.

To meditate means to be aware of what is going on.
-Thich Nhat Hanh
BEING PEACE