Talk To Me

The mind was fragile, fickle, but the human body was resilient.
-Abraham Verghese
"Cutting For Stone"

Stevie Nicks and I share common ground in that we are both born on the same day: May 26th (different year; she's eleven years older).  I thought of her while doing my blog today because her TALK TO ME song was a big hit in 1986. Here are the lyrics to TALK TO ME:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZHJxP7EsNQ

I can see we're thinkin' bout the same things
And I can see your expression when the phone rings
We both know there's something happening here
Well, there's no sense in dancing round the subject
A wound gets worse when it's treated with neglect
Don't turn around there's nothing here to fear

You can talk to me
Talk to me
You can talk to me
You can set your secrets free, baby

Dusty words lying under carpets
Seldom heard well must you keep your secrets
Locked inside hidden safe from view
Well, is it all that hard
Is it all that tough
Well, I've shown you all my cards now isn't that enough
You can hide your hurt
But, there's something you can do

You can talk to me
Talk to me... talk to me
I can set your secrets free, baby
La, la, la, la...

Though we lay face to face and cheek to cheek
Our voices stray from the common ground where they
Could meet
The walls run high, to veil a swelling tear
Oh, let the walls burn down, set your secrets free
You can break their bounds, cause you're safe with me
You can lose your doubt, cause you'll find no danger
Not here

You can talk to me
Talk to me
You can talk to me
You can set your secrets free, baby
Oh, I can see you running... I can see you running
I can see you running all the way back home
I can see your expression when the phone rings
And I can see that you're thinkin' bout the same things
Is it all that hard
Is it all that tough
Well, you've taken all there is now baby
Isn't that enough
Well, I can see you runnin'... I can see you runnin'
All the way back

Twenty-five years ago today

January 24, 1986
Friday

What can I say about another day at the office? It was my second day showing up for work with an ugly scab on my chin. There were fewer comments regarding it. I announced the winner (Tim Matthews) for the baby picture contest. I—kind of—dressed especially nice so that I'd at least look good everywhere else other than my mid-chin.

Karyn Kossoff came in to the office at around 4:30PM or so. We exchanged a few words.
"Mikee, are you going to the outing tonight?"
I knew she was referring to Ron Shelly's surprise party for Nancy.
"Probably not," I answered, acting disappointed.
I simply didn't want to go because of my facial appearance and my lack of funds.

After work I went straight to my mom's house and enjoyed dinner with her. We watched a taped episode of "The Young and The Restless". It was fun spending time with mom and seeing that she was feeling better.

I went home by 8PM. I thought about going to the gym but I didn't go because I received a depressing note in the mail about a 'returned check' to Miller's Outpost for a mere $11.75. How aggravating! I took care of it immediately. When one debt creeps up after another it is so irritating.

I napped myself to sleep at 8:30PM and was awoken to the shrill of a telephone ring. It was Chad calling me at about 10PM.
"I am going to some Birthday party that some girl invited me to," Chad announced.
"Oh, okay."
I'm pretty sure that was all I said.
"The party is near Livermore, so I'll probably just go home after."
"Okay," I replied.
We didn't talk a lot. I went to bed and was actually glad that he wasn't coming over. I hate the scab on my chin. I don't really want him to see me until I am all healed. I still can't believe I got a wart (and on my chin of all places!).

Greg Manachevitz telephoned, wanting to come over to visit.
"Greg, I'm figuring out my 1985 tax return right now and then I'm hitting the hay."
"Oh, okay."
Mike Miller telephoned while I was asleep at midnight.
"Hi,"Mike said.
"Hi, it's okay that you just woke me up."
"Oh, sorry."
"Bye."
Click.

"It is a sad thing to think of, but there is no doubt that genius lasts longer than beauty."
-Oscar Wilde
"The Picture of Dorian Gray"