Pleasure With Friends

One had the right to judge of a man by the effect he has over his friends.
-Oscar Wilde
"The Picture of Dorian Gray"

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 14, 1985
Saturday

I slept-in as my usual ‘on vacation’ self is supposed to do. I only slept-in until ten-thirty this morning at least. I decided against calling Loic again (mainly because he had said he may be busy this Saturday and may not be able to get-together). I simply decided not to call him. I may not even write to him. I’ll give him a chance to write me first—perhaps. I’ve decided to spend the day with Paloma.

I went to her store. The store is called “Les Failletes”. Once again we had a great time. It made me feel good when she sold something in the store.

For lunch we met with Bernadette and ate at the Italian Restaurant that we’d eaten at before. I kind of hate it when they both talk only in French.
Paloma explained, “It doesn’t translate because it’s way over your head.”
That was really nice. I don’t think she realizes that it wasn’t a nice thing to say though.

After lunch, Anne came by the store. I gave her an American dollar bill mainly because she gave me her bike chain bracelet. I loved her giving gesture based on the fact that I liked it so much. Anne was dressed like Nina Hagen (I suppose) with black eye-shadow and black lipstick today. It was funny. I took her photograph, too.

PHOTO: Anne

Later on this same Saturday afternoon Zon-Zon, CoCo and Reggie came by the store. They started choosing items throughout the store. They ended up buying ‘one’ item at twenty-percent off (a complimentary gesture by Paloma). I guess Paloma doesn’t feel too great when they come by and think they can get things for free. However, they did get quite a bit for free when all was said and done. They are very special friends to her. I do like them, too.

I took photos together with them. I am going to miss them. I know I will miss the other friends and relatives that Paloma has introduced me to as well. I liked them all so very much.

After closing the store, Paloma and I took the train (RER) with Bernadette to meet for dinner. An ex-boyfriend of Paloma’s was going to dinner with us. His name is Didi. Didi’s wife and Paloma’s brother, Luis, were going to be joining us for dinner, too.

We no longer had access to a car. Paloma’s car broke down that morning amidst heavy traffic. Too bad for her (tee-hee). At Paloma’s brother’s place we ended up having some straight whisky before going out to dinner.

Didi (Paloma’s ex- from way back when) looked pale. She lived with him for six years. He kind of reminded me of the actor, Matt Dillon. 

Photo: actor, Matt Dillon

 
Paloma said, “Didi told me two days after he had heard that I was coming to France that he and this Asian woman were getting married.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, and even though she has a baby that wasn’t his own.”
I thought that was pretty juicy information.
They all seemed to like my new leather jacket. I guess they should, considering it was about 3,700 French Francs! It looks nice, too, so that explains it best.

Didi said to Paloma in French, “He looks like Robert.”
Paloma had previously told me I looked like someone named Robert; however, Paloma said, “But you’re much better looking.”
I heard that this Robert guy is into heroin and everything else, so I would hope I’m a little bit better looking. Geez. I came to understand that Didi is an ex-heroin addict. He is now addicted to codeine pills, taking them daily. This reminds me of Sharon Quinn, the drug-addict (it always seemed). I worked with Sharon when I was a Computer Operator at Pacific Telephone in Downtown Oakland. She was always popping a pill of some sort.

We finally found a nice place to eat. I had canard (roasted duck). It was so good. There were two gay guys at the next table, kissing. One of them kept giving me the eye. He got up to go to the bathroom and made me aware of it. I know it was an invitation but I didn’t go.

I had wine with dinner and after dinner (along with dessert and an after dinner drink of Cognac). I’ve never eaten so much in ‘one meal’s time’ as I have in the meals I’ve had in Paris. It’s always so filling and I always feel kind of ‘wasted’ afterward.

The Asian lady (Didi’s wife) got on the wrong foot with me when she referred to me as a “gringo” after I said the word ‘hospital’ in Spanish.  I don’t like that 'gringo' term.  Gringo is a slang Spanish or Portuguese word used in Spanish-speaking countries to denote foreigners (often from the USA). And so, I chose not to speak to her very much.

As a matter-of-fact, I only spoke to Paloma for most of the time throughout my whole trip here in France. It’s a good thing she can translate everything for me.

After dinner we went to Luis’ place once again to talk and stuff. Bernadette gave me a gift to give to my mom (a set of gold silverware). I thought that was extremely nice of her. 


Photo: Bernadette and Paloma

Paloma and I went to the little apartment together. Paloma spent the night but we pretty much only slept. We started to ‘you know what’…but we didn’t. I’m nervous now, wondering if she may or may not be pregnant from the last two times. Oh well, if she is…it’ll be her choice as to have it or not. I know she will, too.

He: "I have never searched for happiness. Who wants happiness? I have searched for pleasure."
She: "I am searching for PEACE," she said, "and if I don't go and dress, I shall have none this evening."
-Oscar Wilde
"The Picture of Dorian Gray"