Michael's Bistro

"How can a man of your intelligence only see in Black and White when there are a thousand colors around you?"
-Sigmund Freud
as heard in the Off-Broadway Play
"Freud's Last Session"

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 31, 1986
Saturday

I left the Desert Palms Inn after breakfast and I rode my bike to the Bike Rental place. As I was walking along the hot avenue Greg and Mike drove by and picked me up. I went over to the pool while they left for their own breakfast/lunch.

I met a couple of girls by the pool from Huntington Beach and Los Angeles. They weren’t really cute. In fact, they were rather young and naïve. I stayed around the pool until 5PM. Mike and Greg eventually showed up again. Greg was acting a bit on the quiet side. I think he was beginning to realize that his persona wasn’t exactly likeable. Greg was feeling uneasy. I sense his uneasiness whenever I see him chewing tobacco (a nasty habit that he has).

I readied myself for dinner and went to the Desert Palms Inn via taxicab. Ron and I went to The Springs where we had some cheese and crackers. He washed my white pants for me. I looked through some porno magazines as he showered. We moved a bed and then we had a great dinner at The Bistro (also known as MICHAEL’S BISTRO). It was so very good! Ron was such a gentleman. He taught me a bit about Italian cuisine and mannerisms (like how to drink my after dinner espresso).

We received a ride from Mona to the Desert Palms Inn. Once we reached the Inn, a guy named Michael took us to ROCKS. We sat outside at the approximate same vicinity that Ron and I first met on Tuesday night. We said our goodbyes and had a little COKE again. They drove me home (to my hotel).

Ron and I will be in touch again.
Ron said, “I will give you a wake-up call tomorrow.”
He did.

When I got home (to the hotel) Greg and Mike were outside. We went into the sauna and swimming pool. We mingled momentarily at the party next door. Then I tried to sleep in my uncomfortable, hot room. I was horny…but I slept (and sweat) anyway.

"Who can realize every dream? For some an illusion, even for a little while, is enough."
-Bette Bao Lord
"Spring Moon"

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QTC

"You know not what your actions will unleash."
THOR, 2011 motion-picture

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 30, 1986
Friday

I heard a knock on my door in the morning but I just stayed in bed. I knew it was probably Greg or Mike. Perhaps I feared it could be Billy.

On this Friday morning I chose to ride my bike to the Desert Palms Inn and a slight fiasco occurred. I was having a few drinks with Ron Leoni when I decided to put my new bathing suit on (the new red, white and blue one I had just purchased at Saks 5th Avenue). I wanted to lie out by the pool.

As I was lounging by the pool I was talking to Jeff who was from Orange County. I also spoke to Dan, an actor or something who worked for Universal Studios on-location with Magnum P.I.

And I also got to know Tim O’Brien, a guy who grew up in Palos Verdes and just graduated from USC with a Marketing degree.
Tim said, “You know, I’m moving from Corte Madera to Orinda.”

Anyway, while I was lying out by the pool none other than Paul Margolis comes along. I work with Paul!
“Well, well, well…hello, Michael,” announced Paul.
I wanted to cringe into a shell. His words made me sick. I spoke to him for a few moments just to be cordial.
Paul said, “Wait until Helen’s corner gets a hold of this.”
I said, “No, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say a word.”
I explained that I rode my bike over here to visit a friend of mine (Ron) who works here. I also said I was staying at the Best Western.
Paul answered, “Oh no…that’s why I said that. No one needs to know what another does in their own private life.”
I let Paul have some of my fresh fruit and then I left, feeling disgusted. I went to the bar where Ron was working and had two margaritas.

Then I left the bar with Tim O’Brien for a strawberry daiquiri at his parents’ home in Palm Springs. It was a nice home but not as nice as The Springs or Morningside Country Club. We swam and had some great conversation. We exchanged telephone numbers, too. Who knows? He is moving to Orinda. He seems ambitious and a real good connection in some respects.
Tim said, “I want to go into interior décor or design and construction.”
This fascinated me. He drove me back to my hotel where I grabbed a change of clothes and returned to the Desert Palms Inn.


Ron and I had dinner from the RHINO Café and ate at the bar. We were going to go out but we were tied up without a bartender to relieve him until 10:30PM. Ron and I ended up checking in to Room 209 of the Desert Palms Inn. We watched a little television and got to know one another better. He’s such a nice ‘fella’. We plan on meeting up again soon. He just needs to QTC: Quit the Coke, Cigarettes and Contamination. We slept together.

It takes years of experience to develop your intuition.
-as heard in the 2010 documentary
"Jiro Dreams of Sushi"

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Score

He asked himself: "Wht do I want to achieve?
-John Katzenbach
"The Analyst"

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 29, 1986
Thursday

I woke up and went by my pool from 9AM until 11:30AM. Mike Miller came by…and then Greg. We had breakfast at the nearby Bakery Café together. The three of us took a walk in to Downtown Palm Springs after the nourishment. I bought a few T-Shirts and a beach towel and some of that QUORUM cologne that I like. I also found a neat shirt and a bathing suit from Saks 5th Avenue.

Greg was so obnoxious. I can’t stand being around him and knew I didn’t want to be during my stay here. Mike got a haircut and I had to wait around while it was getting cut…

I made it back to my home away from home in the hotel room. I tended to be in a quiet mood while with Greg and Mike. I went to sleep for a while. When I woke up I got myself ready to see Ron again at his bar station at the Desert Palms Inn. I told Mike and Greg that I had already made plans for a bite to eat with him. I took a taxicab.

Billy showed up at the Desert Palms Inn and introduced us to an older Long Beach dyke (lesbian). Billy drove us all to ROCKS. We saw Kevin driving off but he came in with the power of persuasion. Jimmy, the bartender, remembered me.

Ron and I played poker and I won 1,000,000 on the video machine. We then went to a place called CC CONSTRUCTION and I danced. We sent to the dyke section where I met, Marnie, a cute blond body-builder type. Ron was sweet to me all night.


Ron and Billy drove me home to my hotel.
Ron actually called my hotel room later.
Then ‘to my surprise’ Bobby called me and said, “I guess I just wanted to see if I could score with you somehow.”
Give me a break!
I said, “Well, I’m tired.”
I went to sleep.

"He has had some terrible shock, and I fear it might tax his poor brain if he were to try to recall it."
-Stieg Larsson
The Girl Who Played With Fire

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By The Pool

I closed my eyes for a moment in desire at the scent of him, and when I opened them I saw his eyes dark with lust for me.
-Philippa Gregory
"The Other Boleyn Girl"

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 28, 1986
Wednesday

Palm Springs is getting better. It’s fun here. Ron and I had breakfast at RHINO’s, a café that is part of the Club/Hotel where Ron works. The name of the hotel is The Desert Palms Inn. We did lie out by the pool and that’s how I spent most of today. Ron is from Harwinton, Connecticut. His dad is a pharmacist. Through friends, Ron had somehow arranged to come to Palm Springs to work at the hotel for the summer.

I met a guy named Gary who sells men’s bikini trunks. I thought that was ‘different’. It was relaxing to be by the pool.
I thought, “These are nice folks…despite their situations.”
I like the hot weather here, too. It’s resort-like.

I stayed by the Desert Palms Inn pool for a good while and I really got some good sun. I stayed around until 11PM when Ron got relieved from his bartending duties. We went to a place called Daddy Warbucks with another friend named Billy. Billy is a fine, cheerful, bald-fellow who happens to be a friend of Ron’s.
Ron says, “Billy is a caretaker for a real estate developer of shopping centers who makes one to five million dollars a year.”
Daddy Warbucks was just ‘okay’.

Earlier in the day (by the pool) I also met Marcel and Kevin. They are two waiters at some posh restaurant. Marcel gave me a tour through the desert. Then he drove me home where I took a nap. I got up and took a taxicab back to see Ron again. That was when Billy, Ron and I headed out to Daddy Warbucks.

Ron is so nice. He wants to give me a tour of New York City and so forth. I’m glad I met him.

I’ve finally found some time to do some intense writing as well as back-tracking in terms of what’s happened during my stay here in Palm Springs.

Marcel was nice. He urged me to meet him and/or possibly pick me up at my hotel to go to a place called CUDDLES tonight. Since he didn’t pick me up and I liked Ron’s company so much I never ended up at CUDDLES. Ron has a very hoarse voice. I’m not sure if it’s from his smoking, cocaine or drinking habit. He’s level-headed enough to know his limits. I favor Ron a lot.

Ron, Billy and I saw some female impersonators perform at Daddy Warbucks. I don’t care for that sort of show very much. We went to Billy’s pad after the show. It was a beautiful, posh house at the Morningside Country Club (next door to the Gerald Ford residence). It was nice. We went for a dip in the pool and even spent some time in the Jacuzzi. It was 2:30AM or so and we left in the Red Ferrari that Billy drove. Billy drove me home with Ron squeezed in the back seat. It was funny. When they dropped me off I freaked-out when I heard my name being yelled out.


It was Mike Miller and Greg Manachevitz! The red Ferrari took off and I’m sure they were amazed that I came out of that car. I was suddenly left with Mike and Greg. What a switch! I was kind of happy to see familiar faces. We went for a dip in the pool and then we ate a bite of late-night breakfast at CARROW’s. I was sleeping by 4AM.

"You can't afford to dream this morning, you know, there's too much to be done."
-Daphne du Maurier
"Rebecca"

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Palm Springs

I am an evolving pattern, and I can influence the course of the evolution of my pattern.
-Ray Kurzweil
"The Singularity Is Near"

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 27, 1986
Tuesday

My brother, John, came over to my house at 6AM and drove me to the Oakland Airport. I was in Los Angeles by 9:30AM and arrived in Palm Springs by 11:30AM. I took a taxicab to my hotel. I ended up renting a bike.

The front tire had a low leak, so I had to replace the bike. They were nice enough about it. I went to get my hair cut by and old guy named “Hugh”. He was nice. He invited me to dinner.
I didn’t know anyone and so I said, “Okay.”

This town is crazy though. The taxicab driver that drove me to the bike shop even touched my leg. Hugh came over around 7PM to pick me up. His house was huge. It was four-thousand square feet. It was beautiful but it could have used some better interior decorating if you ask me. It’s up for sale for $800,000.
Hugh said, “I bought it twenty years ago for forty-two thousand dollars.”
“What I deal,” I exclaimed.
Hugh smiled about his accomplishment.
I had a couple of Hugh’s homemade grapefruit vodkas while at his house. Then we ate at a place called The Carriage Coach. I ordered roast duck. It was so good! Then Hugh took me home (to my hotel). Hugh suggested we go elsewhere for an after-dinner drink.
I said, “No, I’m tired.”
I didn’t want to give Hugh any wrong impressions.

I was home (in my hotel room) and suddenly felt restless. I hopped on my rental bike and rode to Cathedral City and went to ROCKS, a gay-friendly bar. I met a few people but spend most of my time talking to Ron Leoni. He is from the East Coast. In fact, Ron was so nice that he helped me get my bike into a taxicab. Ron went with me to my hotel. He’s nice. He stayed over. Yes.

...allow the possibilty of presence. This is where spontaneous aliveness resides, and where we can openly welcome the unknown.
Presence is available in any situation, or put another way, freedom is continuously available.
-Tony Parsons
"As It Is"

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Shadow Cliffs

Sometimes we see someone we like very much, even if we don't know why.-Thich Nhat Hanh
"Being Peace"

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 26, 1986
Monday

I woke up with Sue Croce in my bed this morning. She really is nice…but I don’t know.

It was embarrassing this morning. Mom called me and left a message on my answering machine. Thinking I wasn’t home she chose to come by to help clean-up after the party. Mom saw Sue and what else could I do at that embarrassing moment but introduce her. I know both mom and Sue were a bit uneasy but we managed. Sue and I had already cleaned up a lot of the mess. Mom took care of the food.

Sue and I went for to the store for some Ziploc storage bags. When we returned Helen and Tony came over to raid the leftovers. I left them there while Sue and I left the scene to visit Mark.

We had made spontaneous plans to go to Shadow Cliffs in the Livermore-Pleasanton area. I persuaded Sue and Mark into going. Mark actually called Chad, suggesting he accompany us, too. Yikes!
Mark had previously mentioned, “Chad is a bit of a mystery man.”
Mark always calls him Mark while Sue and I refer to him as Chad. Mark knew him when he used the named Chad in his younger years.

I drove Sue to her house in Fremont so that she could freshen-up and change clothes. Then we drove to Shadow Cliffs. It was hot and there were lots of people at this Regional Park. It was neat how I maneuvered my way through and cut a lot of people off. We had beer and we found Julie, Colleen and her friends. We did lie out beside them. I brought some of my leftover snacks. It was nice.


Soon we were tired as the end of the day approached. I drove Mark home (San Lorenzo) and then I drove Sue home (Fremont).


I drove directly to mom’s house and we talked about the party and the people. It really was a success despite those who did not show up. I can never rely on those people…now, for sure.


I took a nap, of course. I telephoned Mark when I woke up.
I said, “Listen, I’ll call you on Thursday night to discuss the possibility of you coming to Palm Springs for the weekend.”
He laughed.
I recalled during the party last night that Mike Miller had said, “I may drive down to Palm Springs tomorrow, too.”

He whispered to himself: "What I was, isn't what I am.
And what I am, isn't yet what I can be."
-John Katzenback
"The Analyst"

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An Erotic Turn-On

"No greatness without goodness."
-Yann Martel
The Life of Pi

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 25, 1986
Sunday

Today is the big day. It is my party day. I went and got everything ready.

Mark called and asked, “How are you doing?”
“As well as can be expected,” I moaned. “That was one heck of a night!”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No, just show up. Have you heard from Annabelle?”
“No, have you?” Mark asked eagerly.
“No, I’d be surprised if they show up tonight. They were with their parents at some hotel in San Francisco.”
It was clear that we both had the “hots” for her.

I got everything ready for the party. Mom helped a lot. Sherri helped prepare a few things—as did Helen. The food spread was looking really good. Before I knew it I was making my spiked Power Punch brew.

Mike Miller and Greg Manechevitz were the first two who arrived. Then Sherri, John and Ashley (mom was already there). Tony, Helen and my dad walked-in, then Natalie and Shari and Rick and on and on. At least forty to fifty people came. I was just shocked that Chris Cordellos, Denise Vinsonhaler and both Stephanie’s did not show up.

I started drinking my Power Punch brew at 5PM. It was actually great punch! I forgot that some of the people would be bringing me Birthday gifts.

Steve Green bought me an Answering Machine Recorder (as did Tony and Helen). Mark Landreth gave me a muscular girl image on a coffee mug and a half-T-shirt of the SUNKIST logo like the one he wears to the gym (that I always envy). That meant a lot to me. Laverne Butler (from work) gave me a 1986 memo/journal book that I will surely use. Neal (another co-worker) gifted me a shaver and brush kit. Winnie got me a toothbrush and shaver kit. Margaret Lai gave me a clown on a bike figurine. Birda brought me a delicious lemon pie with a bike on it and ‘a picture of a bike’. Ric Green got me a bike, too (with a little flag). These people were too kind to me.

Chad showed up—much to my surprise. He gave me a card—is all. I saw him talking to Mark for a while

It was a great party. By 2AM I was accompanied by Sue Croce (from the gym). She ended up spending the night with me. We did it. I was a little of out it but I managed—even though I didn’t actually ejaculate (or did I?). She would suck and lick my nipples and it was an erotic turn-on for me because I didn’t expect it—at all. She’s got great, thick, blond hair. She’s a bit flat and has lots of freckles. There’s always a fault or two in everyone. She is fun.


Mark had left. Then Rick (who arrived with Sue) left. And last but not least, Greg and Mike were the last to leave.

He felt, smelled, tasted, saw and heard Spring. All his senses were Spring, and he felt as if the broad sunbeam which shone over the house was streaming into his heart with tremulous vibrations, bringing clarity and strength.
-Thomas Mann, Six Early Stories
Fallen, 1894

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Annabelle Montero

"Go into the innermost chamber of your soul and shut the door."
-May Sarton
At Eighty-Two, A Journal

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 24, 1986
Saturday

I woke up this morning and went to work. Mom came over and she helped me rearrange furniture in order to get things ready for the party.

Mark Landreth called me and I think he wanted to go to Santa Cruz. I was glad that he called. I hadn’t spoken to him since Wednesday (the last time I went to the gym).
I said, “I’ll call you later…after I take care of some more party preparation.”

I realized that there were not a lot of things I could do until the actual day of the party.
So I thought, “The hell with it.”

I telephoned Mark and I ended up going over to his house. He was working on replacing a post on his fence in his backyard (with his shirt off). We did lie out to catch some sun while in his backyard for about half an hour.

I tried calling Suzy so that we could hopefully visit her but she wasn’t home. I stayed at Mark’s house for a while when we decided to go to San Francisco to THE OASIS (the place with the glass top over the swimming pool which is used as a dance floor).
Before I left I asked Mark, “Why don’t you call me around six or seven?”
He obliged by saying, “Okay.”

I returned home and mom was gone. She’d gone shopping. Helen, Dennis (Helen’s brother), Lauren and my dad were all at my house. I hung out with them and then went to mom’s house. I think I took a short nap.

I telephoned Mark and said, “Come over around quarter after eight so we can avoid the seven-dollar Cover Charge.”
He arrived late!

We had a great time anyway. I parked in a lot near THE EAGLE (a gay leather bar). We went to THE OASIS and it was funny to see Mark’s shirt light up to show all of the lint on it.
“Why didn’t you warn me about the fluorescent lights?”
“I forgot.”

We both saw a blond we thought was attractive. We compared notes. Our tastes are similar. In fact, I crossed paths with a gal named Annabelle from Downey (a Los Angeles suburb) and her brother, Mike Montero. I asked Annabelle to dance and I lost Mark during the shuffle as the club began to get very crowded.

When I found Mark again he was in a full-throttle excitement mode.
“You won’t believe the girl I just danced with!”
I said, “You should have seen who I was dancing with!”
Yes, we both discovered Annabelle separately. Before long I was talking to Annabelle’s brother, Mike, for a good while. Before I knew it…it was me, Mark, Annabelle and her brother cuddled in a corner of the club. We all left at around 2AM and went for breakfast at The Church Street Station.

As we walked to the car Mark was going to go in to THE STUD or THE EAGLE.
Mark said, “I’ll only go in with Annabelle at my side.”
I laughed and said, “Don’t worry—they’re both closed now anyway.”


The Church Street Station gal who seated us was a transsexual (I think). It was wild. All four of us pretended to be from ‘Fresno’ just for fun. We started singing aloud. We ordered breakfast and just plain had a good time. I really liked Annabelle. She had a bit of a Rita Hayworth glamorous sort of look. We went for a walk and we passed a Jerk-Off Members Only club.
I said, “How disgusting.”
It was fun. Both Annabelle and her brother, Mike, said they’d come to my party the next night. They were nice.


I was home by 5AM. The next day, Mark told me he was getting home as the sun just started to come up. I was so ‘White-Russianed’ out. I took two aspirin and went to bed.

A new life was not easily or quickly accomplished when secrets must be kept.
-Bette Bao Lord
"Spring Moon"

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Somewhere In Time

"It's like this feeling when somebody says something about you and you can't defend yourself.
It's totally unfair."
-Sophie
IN TREATMENT, TV series

Twenty-five years ago today

May 23, 1986
Friday

It is Friday and it was nice to leave the office at 1PM. It’s my last day for a good week.  I need the break.

At 1PM I left The City and went to mom and dad’s house. I took my two year old niece, Ashley, with me to the Ice-Cream Dock. I met Steve Green there while he was on his lunch break from TRANSBOX (his workplace is on Doolittle Drive, near the Oakland Airport). Steve was feeling a little down and out about territorial sales and his current job. He had a vanilla shake and left the scene. Ashley and I remained at the Ice-Cream Dock as we enjoyed eating cookies n’ cream ice-cream.

I took Ashley to my pad and we blew balloons together for my Birthday Party. I never get tired of hearing Ashley say, “Bahh-Woon.”

Ashley and I went for a walk in the courtyard. It was fun running around and playing with her. She’s a sweetie. Her mom (Sherri) came over a little after five o’clock to pick her up. Steve Green had returned to my place after work but he was upstairs (in my bedroom) taking a nap.

When Sherri left I went upstairs and woke Steve from his nap. We decided to go over to Ric Green’s house to barbecue some shrimp or prawns. We stopped at SAFEWAY to buy all of the ingredients.

The other Rick (from the gym) telephoned.
“Hey Mike, I feel like going out tonight.”
I jotted down on a notepad for Steve about Rick’s wishes.
Steve nudged me and wrote ‘Invite him to Ric’s house’.
“Well, my friend Steve and I are going to a barbecue. Do you want to meet us there?”
“Sure!”

While at Ric’s place I was playing with his computer. I typed this page:

My name is Michael J Armijo and I am here tonight at Ric Green’s house.  I have been here before but I didn’t get to see CALIGULA the last time I was here.  I don’t really have to see it tonight but from what I’ve heard about the flick--its one movie that one cannot miss.  Steve Green (not Ric’s brother by any means) is always over rating the movie.  So, I’ll just have to judge for myself.  I think this word processor is pretty nifty.  I can write everything I want right away.  Ric is observing me at the moment but just think what I can write when he’s not around!  Ah shucks—there’s not really a whole lot that I could write that I wouldn’t mind Ric reading.  I don’t have much to hide; however, I could tell a few stories or two.  I wonder what Steve Green is up to?  He’s so “rush rush rush” at times.  It gets me going at times.  I still don’t think that was very nice of him to pop a number of my balloons today—Not to mention the fact that he yelled “don’t pull your pants down” while I was on the telephone with Mike Miller (a good friend of mine since I was about 14 years old).  I wonder what Mike Miller may have thought when he heard Steve say that.  Uh oh…something just happened…Ric is inserting the “CALIGULA” videocassette.  I wonder if that means I should be getting excited since it is an X-rated movie.  Ric’s a nice fellow.  I’m glad I met him.  Oh, I shouldn’t have written that.  Now if he reads this he’ll know I find him nice but he should know that already anyway.  The CALIGULA movie is on now.  I see Malcolm McDowell lying next to an almost naked girl in the wilderness.  It looks good so far.  They’re chasing each other here and there through the greenery and about the trees.  It’s getting a bit sensual as they hug each other and kiss passionately.  I can see her ass.  Oh, it’s only the beginning…CALIGULA has begun a narration stating that he is God which brings to mind the definition of my name-Michael: He who is like a God.  That is what it says in the Webster’s Unabashed…look it up if you don’t believe me.  The movie is on and I want to get into it.  So I will watch it now.  The couple is now rolling around a bed of sheets in a Roman-like setting.  I just saw a number of naked men working out in some field.  I’m glad this movie has some sort of plot and not just sex sex sex…

I want a personal computer now. They’re so darn convenient! We watched CALIGULA. Steve got all hyper and left the room.
Steve shouted, “You’re an ASSHOLE!”
He shouted this because I wasn’t being all ‘touchy’ with him during the movie. He doesn’t understand that I don’t feel comfortable showing affection with other folk around. Steve simply left the room and didn’t return until the end of the second film (SOMEWHERE IN TIME). Rick, Ric and I were watching that one. It’s such a classic.


When SOMEWHERE IN TIME ended I decided to go home. I could swear I heard the melody of that tune during my drive home.

"I find the world very confusing and chaotic."
-MARY AND MAX,
2009 Australian film

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My 'True' Friends

"I shall see you again even if you forbid it."
-The Ghost and Mrs Muir,
1947 film

Twenty-five years ago today

May 22, 1986
Thursday

I was all set to have a discreet chat with Judy Greniella about asking me questions at the office only to turn around and ask someone else to verify my answers. On this morning she was decorating my desk for my birthday so I decided to let bygones be bygones. Why hold a grudge?

Steph Bautista bought me a house plant with red flowers. That was sweet of her. We had a sort of ‘pot luck’ Birthday of snacks and appetizers for my Birthday with my Section. The only thing is that it was a joint Birthday celebration because it was Pearl’s actual birthday today, May 22nd.

I ate lunch with Mary McTiernan at The Pizza Boat. I shared with Mary about some of the people that would be attending my Birthday Party.
Mary had the audacity to say, “I’m going to have to decide whether to go to the country this weekend or go to your party.”
That told me where her priorities are and where I stand with her. It will be interesting to see who comes to my party.

Salima had her baby on May 16th. Elisa had her baby on May 14th.

I telephoned them both to see how they were doing.
Just because they both had babies they said, “I can’t come to your party.”
That’s no excuse. They’re both very much on my black list now.

Bill Helbush has a horse show to attend in Forestville.
Bill said, “You know…I may have a party this summer and I’d love to have your company.”
I thought that was nice.

At least I know of a number of folk that are coming.
Michelle DeBartoli of the Pac Bell Oakland Residence Telephone Order Center said, “I’m coming!”
That was nice.

I went home and rummaged through my mail, washed a load of clothes (or two) and then went to Sherri and John’s townhouse.
Sherri said, “You know…you can borrow some of my party platters.”
“That will be great!”
Ashley was her usual two year old nuisance self. I love her anyway.

I went home and finished washing clothes. I managed to do half of my aerobics videotape workout. I watched a bit of that movie, CLASS OF 44. Then I went to bed.

While I was lying in bed I realized that Steve had not called me because it was his MacArthur Park dinner outing with Peter, the Professor. So he was likely drinking. The previous night he was drinking at Ric’s house.
I thought, “I’m glad I don’t drink that much! Only on occasions…like this Sunday.”

I’m getting more and more excited about my party. I hope there’s a good show of people. I mean, my mom, dad, Sherri, John, Tony and Helen are a houseful in and of itself, so it’ll be pretty wild.

Mr. Reju, owner of the Stratford Hotel asked me to pay a visit to electronic store on Friday for a SONY Walkman gift for my constant efforts in setting up his new Business telephone service on Mission. I was quite proud that I was able to complete his requests with a one-day installation due date. That’s nice of him but I will believe it when the gift is actually in my hands.


If Leonard Perillo doesn’t’ make an appearance to my Birthday party I will be pissed-off, considering I gave him a Birthday gift. And come to think of it there were a lot of the loopholes I pulled for his telephone service. Cest la vie. I will learn of my ‘true’ friends this Sunday.


Tomorrow is T-shirt day at work. I am released from the office at 1PM tomorrow, too.  I plan to wear my new BIKE REI  T-shirt.   The Bike graphic is so ‘keen on’.


You must take life the way it comes at you...and make the BEST of it.
-Yann Martel
"The Life of Pi"

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I Have To Warm-Up First

He had a lump in his throat the size of an ostrich egg.
He couldn't let the unhappiness show in his face.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

Twenty-five years ago today

May 21, 1986
Wednesday

I may have done a wrong thing by calling Mark Landreth today at his work number for ‘no real apparent reason’ other than to ask, “Are you going to the gym tonight?”
I know he suspects. Then again there has been no real crime committed (so-to-speak).

I received a letter from Stewart Title Company of Sacramento requesting my promissory note and Deed of Trust with The Ahern’s. The Ahern’s are the family that bought my house at 10209 Countryside Way in Sacramento, CA. I guess they’re selling the house or something. Maybe I’ll get my $ 8618.23 in funds sooner versus later.

I went to the gym and I saw Phil (The bear: the one with the hairy back) in the locker room. I gave him a copy of the invitation to my Birthday Party. Then I saw Sue walk in to the gym and Phil was talking to Mark, so I quickly gave Sue directions to my party as well.
Sue pointedly said, “Okay but I may not be coming with Phil. I mean…Phil and I are not even an item.”
I smiled and thought quietly to myself, “She’s telling me this because she may like me. This is a good sign because I like her, too. We’ll see.”
I said, “Well, that’s okay. I hope you can come!”

Now there’s the Julie in Santa Cruz predicament…and now there’s Sue.


Judy Geniella pissed me off while at work today.
Judy asked, “Do we handle Vallejo?”
I shouted, “No, we don’t!”
So she went behind my back and asked someone else. If she doesn’t believe my answers then why ask me? Shit!


I went to work out at the gym and saw Mark walk-in.
I said, “Hey, let’s work on our stomachs.”
Mark replied, “I have to warm-up first.”
“Okay,” I said as I did some warm-up exercises on my own.
While I was warming up I glanced over at him. He looked my way as well. He didn’t come over to me about abdominal workouts, so I just left the gym.


I watched the end of DYNASTY while at home when Steve Green telephoned (from Rick Green’s house, of course).
Steve asked, “So why didn’t you come over here to watch DYNASTY?”
“Oh, I have all of this paperwork to deal with,” I replied, realizing it was no lie.
I had to dig for that Sacramento Escrow file. Steve and I had an ‘okay’ talk. Once I got off the phone I planned on going to bed right after DYNASTY.


Steve came over to my pad later and we went to bed after…. He’s too nice. I like Steve Green.


Helen telephoned to inquire about helping me for the party.
“Just put thirty-dollars aside for Chow Mein and thirty-dollars for chicken,” I advised.
Helen asked, “I can get a sheet cake servable for up to eighty people for thirty dollars.”
“Really….that’s great, let’s do it!”
“Okay but I’m buying the cake for you.”
“What a sweetie! Thanks so much, Helen!”

"Some people control words, and other control things. You have to figure out who controls THINGS, while pretending to believe the ones who control the words. But inside you always have to know the truth. You only really command if you command THINGS."
-Robert Saviano
"Gommorah"

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Dream Journal

"Our experience makes us who we are."
-Hanna,
2010 motion-picture

Twenty-five years ago today

May 20, 1986
Tuesday

I don’t believe this! After work today I decided to drive all the way up to Benicia and Denise Vinsonhaler wasn’t even there! Kim was there and she was very hospitable but I was shaking my head at the fact that I drove there. I stayed for a good while reading Kim’s ‘Dream Journal’ that she is doing for school. Kim is nice but too “OW” (OverWeight) for me.
I thought, "Maybe I should keep a separate journal with only my dreams...at least the ones I recall."

Today was an all right day at work. I enjoyed lunch at B&M with Al Martinez and Margaret Lai. I took walks around the building during my break time. I like the fresh air outside of the office.

After returning from Benicia I decided to go to the gym when Shari and Natalie (of San Jose) called me.
Shari said, “Hi Mike, I was just calling to confirm directions to your party.”
It seems they are definitely coming to my party on Sunday.
I lied to Natalie by saying, “Mark is all excited that you’re coming.”
Shari said, “Somehow I can’t picture him being all excited.”
I laughed at that because it is true that his expressive emotions are rather absent.
I simply said, “Well, Mark said ‘GREAT’”.

I drove all the way to the gym in San Leandro and I forgot my gym shorts! I took care of that by going to MACY’s and buying some new maroon ‘color of wine’ ones. It’s the same color as Steve Green’s car that he bought. I arrived at the gym by 9PM. Mark was there and we worked out our stomachs together for a good while. Mark left for the night and I did a cool down on the Life Cycle. I spoke to Russ for a while. I invited Russ to my Birthday party, so he may come too.

All human beings are intrinsically bisexual.
-Sigmund Freud
NYC Off-Broadway Play,
Freud's Last Session

I was home by 10:20PM when Steve happened to telephone.
Steve asked, “So how was your evening? How did you day go?”
“Everything was pretty good.”
“My sister that lives in Fairfield is in labor and should have the baby very soon.”
“Wow, that’s BIG news!”
“Yeah, I’m excited about being an uncle.”
“It’s not bigee until the baby’s about two years old. That’s when she will start to say UNCLE. My niece just started to say MIKE. It’s a neat feeling.”

I’m afraid my party will be a fiasco. Then again I am quite excited about it.

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I Was Invisible

"Always try to improve yourself."
-as heard while watching the 2011 documentary
"Jiro Dreams of Sushi"

Twenty-five years ago today

May 19, 1986
Monday

This week is going to go fast. Thank God! I hope I see Joyce at the gym so I can invite her to my party.

I didn’t see Joyce at the gym.

I arrived at the gym early today (6:30PM). I had a good workout, too. Rick appeared first. Then Janette arrived…then Mark Landreth, then his brother, Phil and then Steve Green. After my workout I went outside and saw Julie and we talked for a while. Julie accompanied me to Alpha-Beta. Some big body-building jerk, David, came out and started to talk to Julie. It was as if I was invisible.
David says, “You ought to come to that party on Friday night.”
This body-builder guy probably thought I’d get scared and run-off at the sight of him. I remained natural without uttering a word. Julie eventually left with me over to Alpha-Beta. We had a nice talk together. It sounds like she’s ‘for sure’ coming to my Birthday party with about three of her girlfriends. That’ll be fun. I’m scared and excited at the same time.

Steve telephoned just as I was falling asleep.

I called Denise and she invited me to dinner tomorrow night.

I called Amy and we had a nice talk…I guess. She’s coming to my party.
Amy asked, “Is it okay if I bring some other people?”
I replied, “Sure…the more the merrier!”

Today I had lunch alone at Carl’s Jr. Margaret had an appointment with Metro Life Insurance.

There are still no openings at Pacific Bell Directory that are worth looking into. Time will tell…I guess.

I am thinking of Paloma in Paris. I wish she could come to my Birthday party. I miss her. Let’s see…who’s going to be at my party? Rachelle, Julie, Amy, Paige, Nici, Suzy, Bonni…Yikes!

"You've been acting out a soap-opera for months."
-as heard while watching the 2004 film
"Facing Windows"

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The Finish Line

"At least make it a challenge for me."
-THOR, 2011 motion-picture

Twenty-five years ago today

May 18, 1986
Sunday

I woke up at 6:45AM by a phone call from Mark Landreth.
“I’ll be over in twenty minutes.”
I said, “Okay.”
I was scratching my head, thinking that was a surprise. Then I remembered that it was Bay-To-Breakers run day. I was getting dressed and ready when he arrived with his eighteen year old brother, Phil. I really didn't expect his brother to come along. Oh well…he’s pretty nice. Phil has brown hair versus blond (like Mark).

I drove in my car to San Francisco and happened to find a free parking space. It was Bay-To-Breakers Day. I saw David Vigil (from my office) dressed only in Calvin Klein underwear for this fun-filled run. Everyone gets all dressed up foolishly (except for the three of us).

The three of us (Mark, Phil and I) successfully ran the Bay-To-Breakers run. Phil and I made the finish line in an hour. Phil and I were at the finish line at about 9 o’clock or 9:05AM. Mark stopped to use the restroom, so he came through a bit later. It was fun hearing Huey Lewis and the News’ “The Power of Love” via someone’s ghetto blaster speakers as we ran.

The water squirt bottle helped and we squirted other runners as we were running. The three of us took the bus back to the starting line. The bus seemed to take longer than the running of the 7.5 miles.


We returned to Harbor Bay where we munched out at the Deli on Bay Farm. Then we went to my house and watched a little wrestling on TV. Mark and Phil eventually left.
I gave a cordial farewell by saying, “Well, I guess I’ll see you guys at the gym tomorrow.”
They laughed. We were all so tired and a bit uneasy (leg-wise) from the run.


I slept after they left. When I woke up I went to mom’s house and hung out there for a good while. I slept again. I played with my niece, Ashley. I picked her up over my shoulders so she could peek over the neighbor’s fence to see the ferocious dogs that we heard barking.


I ate a hamburger with some juice and munched on cookies and milk before I returned to my pad. I was exhausted. I napped again.


Steve Green telephoned at 8:30PM. I persuaded him to come over to my place. Steve arrived at 10PM while I was watching a movie called “Brotherhood of Justice”. It was about high-school kids who formed a sort of vigilante group to relinquish drug dealers. The group idea didn’t work out too well. It was a dumb ending.
Steve said, “You know…I called David. He got all that he wanted on his car. It’s done.”
“Oh, that’s great,” I said, but not really caring.
Steve started to call Ric Green when he suddenly began to ‘get on my case’. He wasn’t even at my place for five minutes and he calls Ric to yap away.
I asked seriously, “I mean—can’t you tell me what you were going to talk to him about?”
Steve was smug, “I don’t have anything to say.”
I thought that was ironic as I’d just heard him tell Ric that he had a lot to talk about and that he’d call him back later.
I thought, “Oh boy, Ric’s friend, Rick, was right. They’re like two women gossip columnists or something…whatever.”

Before we went to bed Steve studied some of his Biology. I was restless all night long. My legs were sore—or not sore—but tingling over my great accomplishment of the Bay-To-Breakers run.


Oh yes…I telephoned my coworker, Dave Vigil, to tell him that I’d seen him.
“I yelled out to you…but you didn’t hear me with all of the commotion.”
David bragged, “I finished the race at about forty minute’s time.”
It took me sixty minutes to the finish line.

"All new things will turn old one day."-as heard while watching
"Detective Dee & the Mystery of the Phantom Flame"
2010, epic mystery film

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Harmless

"You must be all eyes, all attention, for it may be that such a chance of learning will never come your way again."
-Honroe de Balzac
"The Unknown Masterpiece"

Twenty-five years ago today

May 17, 1986
Saturday

Ric made Steve and I breakfast. The ‘Richard’ that followed us last night had left before we woke up (such is life). I bet he freaked-out when he saw Ric’s hidden fat and hairy back…or whatever.

I stayed there at the house in Hayward for a while. Then it was time to venture out; whereby, I went to my mom and dad’s house for a while. I called Mark Landreth while I was there but there was no answer. I tried again later and his line was busy. I learned he was calling me at the time!

I ended up making a deal for Mark to come over to my place in Alameda at five or six o’clock.
I suggested, “We could jog in preparation for the Bay-To-Breakers.”
Mark replied pleasantly, “Okay.”

I washed my car. Mom accompanied me to buy some alcohol and other goods for my Birthday Party next Sunday. I’m getting kind of excited about it. Mom and I bought four garbage cans at PAYLESS too.

I went bicycling by 2:30PM. I relaxed and did a lay out under the sun rays at South Shore Beach until 3:30PM. I was supposed to meet Bonni Jayne but she pulled a ‘no show’. So I just left the beach scene.

I returned to mom’s house and then back to my pad where I learned that Dad had repaired my screen door.

I spent some time playing in the Islandia Homes Courtyard with my niece, Ashley. It’s cute when she calls me “Uncle”. I gave her a balloon and it excited her. My ‘Rupert the Clown’ excited her, too. I could tell she remembered him.

I waited for Mark to arrive. I was expecting him at 6:30PM but he came at 7:40PM. While I was waiting Cedric Green called to invite me over for a video.
“Thanks Cedric—but I’m just too tired.”
Yes, I gave him another flimsy excuse. 

Mark and I drove to South Shore and then jogged along the beach all the way through to Webster Street. We did pretty well. We actually met three girls from San Lorenzo High School who pulled over.
They asked, “Can we feel your muscles?”
I said to Mark, “Give me a break…they’re always so brave when they’re in a car and can drive off.”
Then I asked the girls, “My muscles?”
I knew my muscles weren’t as conspicuous as Mark’s.
Mark started to get into the flirting routine, too. I asked them to come to my house to see a movie.
“Have you ever seen THIEF OF HEARTS?” I asked.
“No,” one of them said. They seemed to realize we were harmless so the three girls actually did come to my house. It was a bit “uncomfy” during the explicit love scenes but we managed okay. They left by 11PM.
I asked Mark, “Why don’t you just stay the night?”
“Ah…well I want to get some running gear in the morning and…”
“Okay, if you feel awake enough.”
Mark left. I went to bed.

So little time, when so many morsels remain to be tasted...
-Joanne Harris
"CHOCOLAT"

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A Great Head of Hair

"Everyone's lives are like a very long sidewalk.  Your sidewalk is like mine but hopefully not as many cracks."
-as heard while watching the 2009
Austrailian film
"MARY AND MAX"

Twenty-five years ago today

May 16, 1986
Friday

All right it’s the end of another week. Work was okay…or at least what I can remember of it.

I telephoned Ric Green at his work number just to surprise him. I found his work telephone number on his credit information via his residential telephone account.

I went cycling and ran into Birda Briggs who happened to be riding at the same time.
“I just got back from Pismo Beach,” Birda said as she was a little out of breath.
“Oh wow…I’ve never been there.”
Birda went on to share more about the Central coastal area of California. Her job with Sanchez Trucking takes her on all sorts of road trips here, there and everywhere. I was reminded of the many places I have yet to visit.
PHOTO: Birda Briggs

I quit bike riding at 7:45PM and was wondering if Ric had tried to call me as we were planning to meet Steve Green and his Doctor Peter ‘friend’ at MacArthur Park in Palo Alto. Just when I arrived home Ric telephoned.
“Okay Ric…I’ll be at your house by eight-thirty.”

I was there as I had confirmed and we arrived in Palo Alto by nine o’clock.

Steve’s professor friend (Peter) is fifty-two years old. He is white-haired and was a pretty nice guy. He was NMT (Not My Type) in terms of anything else though. I expected some words of wisdom but was rather disappointed.
The Professor complimented me by saying, “You have a great head of hair!”
That was nice (I guess).

We had a few drinks there. Tim, the waiter, was also a friend of Steve’s. He was pretty nice, too. Tim bought us a round of drinks.

We left by a quarter past ten o’clock and went to a club in San Mateo called B STREET. It was okay. I met two guys named Doug and Rick who happen to be the current roommates to George Jones. They weren’t the same two guys that I thought I knew.
A drunken woman named Maria said to me, “You look like Ted Danson in CHEERS…only better looking.”
Wow…last week I got Remington Steele and this week I get Ted Danson (too funny).


I saw a new guy that works in my office. His name is Paul Lim.
Paul came up to me and said, “Hi Michael.”
I said, “Hi!”
That was the extent of our conversation. I’ll ignore and keep away from that one at the office as if he were the plague. It would have been neat to see George Jones but he had another engagement on this very night (per his roommates). I did see Rick from my gym there which was also a bit of a surprise. Then again…it wasn’t too surprising.


We all left and some guy named Richard followed us to Ric’s house in Hayward. I guess he perked an interest in Ric.


Steve and I “hot-tubbed” for a while and then went to bed.

"You yourself said I should go about in the world, that means taking risks."
-Lucy Muir
"The Ghost and Mrs. Muir", 1947 motion-picture

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Apology Accepted

We are becoming cyborgs. Soon we'll routinely put computers inside our bodies and brains.
By the 2030's we'll become more non-biological than biological.
-Ray Kurzweil
"The Singularity Is Near"

Twenty-five years ago today

May 15, 1986
Thursday

Well…Steve Green telephoned me at work today to apologize. Oh well…
“Apology accepted,” I said.
I realize he was pretty rude to me last night after I politely suggested he relax. I have to let bygones be gone.

I telephoned Mark Landreth at around 4:45PM (while at work) and confirmed that he’d be at the gym at around 7:30PM. Unfortunately, he wasn’t there at that time. Oh well…

I saw David (Mark’s old time schoolmate). I also saw Joyce.
Joyce said, “Hi, how are you?”
“Good and you?”
“Well, summer is coming so I have to work out.”
Joyce even said, “Goodbye” after her workout while I was riding the Lifecycle.
I thought, “Uh 0h…I want to invite her to my Birthday party.”

After the gym I went to Alpha Beta and I ran into Julie. I recognized her from the gym.
Julie said, “Hi…how are you?”
“Good and you?”
“Well, I’m moving to Santa Cruz in a month.”
“I’m having a Birthday party…you should come.”
“Thanks for the invite…I may likely come,” Julie said.
“I’m glad,” I said with a smile.

Work as ‘so-so’ today. Margaret and I ate at McDonald’s.

Laverne gave Margaret her 1PM time slot for lunch on the condition that I wear my golden leather shirt. I laughed at that one. So I plan on wearing it to work tomorrow.

I purchased a new shampoo while at Alpha Beta. Julie ended up buying the same brand. I still haven’t got my haircut yet. Chris Cordellos was supposed to cut it last night.

I bought drinks and other things for my party while at Alpha Beta. It will be a night to remember. I’m getting more and more excited about it.

Steve called me from Ric Green’s house. I promised Steve I would leave tomorrow night open. I just may go to MacArthur Park for a change of scenery. Ric seems a bit two-faced. He will tell me one thing and agree with me and then talk to Steve and agree with him. In other words, he won’t take one side over the other. It’s sort of like Mary McTiernan. This leads me to believe that Ric is a pretty nice person. He wants to be neutral. Well, he is a Libra like two of my ‘best-est’ friends (Helen Wong-Armijo and Suzy Miller).


I went to bed by 10:30PM. Steve Green telephoned me at around midnight. I was out of it but we talked for a bit.


My party is going to be FUN!

"A real friend has been one of my three goals in life."
-as heard while watching the 2009
Austrailian film "MARY AND MAX"

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Into A Tizzy

"It was a weird evening, everyone was trying to out-shock everyone else."
-Alicia Drake
"The Beautiful Fall:
Fashion, Genius, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris"

Twenty-five years ago today

May 14, 1986
Wednesday

What a freebie day! I met Jane Webster in Walnut Creek this time. We did our 8AM meeting and there were some raunchy, old dudes that argues with us about how the receive orders from the Business Office that don’t make things clear. We handled it. Then we went to Sun Valley Mall and had breakfast. We also drove over to Downtown Walnut Creek for a while and talked. Jane’s really nice. I like her. She’ll probably come to my Birthday party.

By 12:30 (after our Noon meeting) we departed. The noon meeting was a breeze. I went to Chris Cordellos’ house but he forgot his haircutting scissors, so he couldn’t cut my hair. I stayed at his place for a while and then drove over to my mom’s house in Alameda.

Mom made me a sandwich and by 3PM I was at home for nap time. I was on my bike at 4:30PM. I rode by TRANSBOX, the place where Steve Green works. I didn’t see his car anywhere around the parking lot though. I continued my bike ride along the South Shore beach. I stopped by at John, Sherri and Ashley’s house. Ash cutely lured me in to her bedroom and made me sit down and have tea with her. It was cute. She kept pointing out that all of her stuffed animals were hers.
She kept saying, “Mine!”

I left for the gym and I saw Jeanette Melcher. We exchanged a few words.

Suddenly, Mark Landreth walked in wearing his red sweatpants and a gold half t-shirt. We worked on our stomachs together for a while. I left the gym by 8:45PM with Ric.
Mark said, “Later.”
I replied, “G’Bye…later.”

I drove over to Ric Green’s place to see DYNASTY. I was thinking this would be the last episode of DYNASTY for the season. I had some champagne and apple juice. Ric’s friend Rick and some other guy named Rob were there. Steve Green got into a tizzy after calling David.
Then Steve snapped at me after I said, “Try and relax, Steve.”
I ignored him after his rudeness. Later, Steve, Ric…and later Rob…went into the kitchen to counsel each other about stress in relationships. Rick and I remained in the media room and watched THE HUNGER, a movie about vampirism that starred Catherine Deaneuve, Susan Sarandon and David Bowie.


I left Ric’s place at 11:30PM.
Before I departed Steve apologized to me and said, “I may come over tonight.”
He didn’t. I fell asleep. I may go to MacArthur Park in Palo Alto on Friday night with Steve Green. He still wants me to go with him to meet his old professor friend who is fifty-two years old. I may go out with Mark though. I don’t know yet.

The bait was in the water.  Now he had to sharpen the hook.
-John Katzenbach
"The Analyst"

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Huffy and Puffy

"Who can realize every dream? For some an illusion, even for a little while, is enough."
-Bette Bao Lord
"Spring Moon"

Twenty-five years ago today

May 13, 1986
Tuesday

I woke up in the middle of the night with Steve pointing out my ‘sexual frustrations’ because of the way I unconsciously moved. I was thinking he was being humorous; and then I began to wonder if what he was saying was actually true. I slept soundly after I jerked-off (while he was in a dream state).

Jane Webster arrived at my house at around 7:20AM. We headed for the Walnut Creek technician station. We had an 8AM appointment there where we gave our “turfing” speech. Jane and I then went to Main Street in Walnut Creek where we ate breakfast. I got so wired from the strong coffee. We returned to The City by 11AM or so.

Margaret and I ate at The Pizza Boat. Cedric has been talking to me less since our last talk on Saturday. It is fine with me.

After work I went bicycling since I was able to leave the office at 4:30PM. I went to the gym as well. As I was leaving the gym I saw Mark Landreth just entering.
I almost wanted to say, “I know you detest my feelings for you!”
I refrained from doing so and he is still nice and friendly to me, so I’ll leave well enough alone.

 

I made myself a salami and cheese sandwich when I arrived home. I swallowed down two cans of Diet 7-UP, too. I decided to turn in for the night when Steve Green called me.


We argued some more about the holes in his underwear. How can a man wear underwear with holes in them?
I also shouted, “And you know it’s a bad idea to have one or two beers every night!”
I accused him of wrongdoings with his holey underwear and excess beer drinking.  He got all huffy and puffy.  We ended our phone call in NOT the best of usual terms.

All living things contain a level of 'madness'.  Something within their territory has 'frightened' them.
-Yann Martel
"The Life of Pi"

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The Sauna

"Do you know what gives our relationship its most original and delicate charm for me? It is the close intimacy of our minds."
-Thomas Mann
AVENGED, 1899

Twenty-five years ago today

May 12, 1986
Monday

It went by fast (work).

Margaret, Dale and I ate together at B&M Chinese during lunch time. Dale made me specifically write down that Rick Clark was cordially invited to my Birthday Party. I wonder if he will actually come to the party.

I was invited for Brunch on Friday with Chris Roger and Rick Clark but I’m supposed to run the Bay-To-Breakers, so I took a rain check.

I went to the gym where I saw Mark Landreth working out with his old schoolmate, David. Mark and I ended up working out fairly well.

Steve Green came in to the gym a bit later. I had decided to leave around that time because I was feeling tired.
Steve asked, “Why don’t you stay and go in the sauna with me for a while?”
“Sounds good…but I’m really tired,” I replied.
I didn’t really want to go in to the sauna as he suggested, so I went home.

Steve called me from Ron Waggoner’s San Leandro house.
Steve was assertive.
“Listen,” Steve said, “I’ll be at your house in twenty minutes.”

Steve ended up staying the night.
Steve says, “You’re making gyration hip motions.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I answered.
Steve made a call to John Hudson, his so-called good-looking friend and his close confidant. He wanted to get his opinion. Meanwhile, I am sitting there as I pretend to be watching television. He quickly gets off of the phone and begins to study his Biology.
I thought, “Oh well…I think he means well.”

As time passed the scholar came to accept the new circumstances with grace.
-Bette Bao Lord
"Spring Moon"

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A Brief Piano Lesson

"Perseus, you're not just part man, part GOD--you're the best of both!"
-as heard in the 2010 motion-picture
CLASH OF THE TITANS

Twenty-five years ago today

May 11, 1986
Sunday

I awoke at 9:30AM to my phone ringing. It was Bonni Jayne.
“Hey Mike it’s me, Bonni.”
“I know it’s you…I know your voice by now,” I laughed.
“I have some news.”
“What now?”
“I got a new job as a Computer Terminal Operator at the Oakland Tribune!”
“Really--now that is great!”
I was very glad to hear this news. She received my Birthday Party invitation on her birthday (May 7th).
“Are you coming?”
“Yes, I’ll come…is there something I can bring to the party?”
That was too sweet.
“No, just bring yourself.”

I went to mom’s house and gave her an Estee Lauder gift, wishing her a Happy Mother’s Day. I didn’t stay too long and returned home.

I telephoned Steve Green and then Ric Green called and we discussed getting together at his place at around one o’clock today.

I went to mom’s house again because Helen brought a Mother’s Day cake for mom. I had to have a piece and join in the celebration again.

I feel guilty for not bicycling all this weekend. Oh well…I’ll make up for it during the week. I also need to touch base with Chris Cordellos about another hair cut.

I went to Ric Green’s house and arrived a few minutes before Steve Green. Ric’s a good liar.
I asked Ric, “Did Steve tell you about his underwear?”
“No,” Ric replied when Steve had already told me that he told Ric about tearing off his underwear because of all of the holes in it.

Steve handed me a funny Birthday card about underwear. Whatever—it made me laugh. We ate BBQ hamburgers and shish kabob and lounged around the backyard. I left at about 4:30PM. Steve was falling asleep. Ric gave me a brief piano lesson.

I went home and took a nap only to wake up to broad daylight. I made something to eat and watched some television. There was a DISNEY movie about some forty year old guy who wished to be seventeen years old again.
“What a bad wish,” I thought.
Then I ate some JUST RIGHT cereal.

Cedric Green telephoned me Saturday night (yesterday) and wanted to get together or meet up. He kept pressuring me for a response.
Cedric said, “I’ve been thinking A LOT…in fact, TOO MUCH about you and I need to know if it’s wise to continue to LUST.”
I said, “No.”
I didn’t think it was wise for him to lust over me. I knew we could only be friends. He’s the one that sent the two anonymous ‘secret admirer’ cards.

I telephoned Rachelle Davies Saturday morning (yesterday).
Rachelle said, “Of course I will come to your Birthday party.”

I went to bed on this Sunday night when Steve Green telephoned. I expected him to come over but he ended up staying the night at Ric’s.
“I’m just going to watch a movie here and catch up on my studying,” Steve announced.
“Okay.”
“Yeah, I have a nine-thirty appointment tomorrow in Hayward, so it’s pointless for me to come by.”
“I know.”
I JO’d and slept.

"You see a droplet and imagine a flood."
-Bette Bao Lord
"Spring Moon"

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A Real Space Case

Making a lie seem real is tricky work, he thought to himself.  It takes planning.
-John Katzenbach
"The Analyst"

Twenty-five years ago today

May 10, 1986
Saturday

Mike Miller telephoned today.
Mike asked, “Do you think I could spend the night at your house for a few days?”
“Well, not tonight…but sure you can.”
“Okay…because I moved out from my mom’s house and I’m living at Sue’s right now.”
I knew something was up. Mike must have had some disagreements with his mom. Their mom can be difficult to live with. I didn’t say he couldn’t stay over…so I don’t know.

Steve Green and I woke up on this Saturday morning and went off to the gym.

I washed up and laid out for some sun rays in mom’s backyard for a little while. I grabbed a bite in mom and dad’s refrigerator and went to Ashley’s Birthday Party that was beginning at one-thirty this afternoon. It was pretty fun.

My own Birthday Party is going to be pretty interesting. I know it. I can’t even imagine how it will turn out with the variety of people who could be attending.

I telephoned Steve Green later but I had previously been in touch with Mark Landreth; whereby, Mark and I decided to go out to Fat Fanny’s in Fremont. We decided we’d follow-up with a drop by at Bobby McGee’s in Newark after the Fat Fanny’s visit, too.

I explained to Steve, “I have plans with Mark tonight.”
I’m not sure how he really felt about that but he said, “Okay.”

Steph Redding telephoned as well.
“I’m going out, Stephanie.”
“Michael, you are Mr. Most Eligible Bachelor of the Year!”
I laughed at my new title.

Greg Manachevitz called with some surprising news.
“Hey Mike, I called Amy—your friend---and told her to go to Fat Fanny’s tonight.”
That kind of pissed me off that he called her but I let it go and asked, “What did she say?”
Greg answered, “She said she would but I hope you’ll be going too.”
“Oh no…I have other plans but I won’t rule out the possibility of my dropping by entirely.”
I get the impression that Greg is trying to swoop in on Amy but that’s his choice and her prerogative. I do think she’s pretty lonely here in the West Coast. As far as I’m concerned Greg would be the last in terms of selection of top notch ‘want to be around friends’.


I drove over to Mark Landreth’s house in San Lorenzo. He was lounging in his shorts when I arrived. I know he can tell that I “feel” for him. How could he not? We talked and I learned he had the wrong telephone number for me. He was dialing 552 instead of 522. We cracked a few jokes. He had an ugly rash on his leg.
Mark said, “I think it’s from the heater in your car.”
I laughed and said, “Whatever...it'll go away.”


Mark and I found the Fremont ‘Fat Fanny’s’ establishment quite dead. We moved on to Bobby McGee’s which had a long line outside. Once we got inside we realized it wasn’t so hot in there either. Some ugly oriental gal danced with Mark. She was grody. Some weird gal came around and kept touching my gold and leather shirt (that cost me one-hundred and seventy-six dollars but had a value of $250).
The weird gal said, “You should put your driver’s license plate on the back of your shirt…then girls would call you from everywhere.”
She was a real space case.


Mark and I were not having a really great time, so we left. I drove Mark home. As we sat in the car before he got out of my car I gave him THE EYE but it didn’t penetrate through to him.
I simply drove off after saying these last few words, “I’ll see you Monday at the gym.”


Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. I fell asleep by 1:30AM. Yawn.

"Even if sometimes I don't know who you are...I love you."
-as heard while watching the motion-picture
I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS (2009)

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You Don't Own Me!

Our business model is to stay in the background and never be seen.
-Stieg Larsson
"The Girl Who Played With Fire"

Twenty-five years ago today

May 9, 1986
Friday

Work was okay today.

I spoke to Helen last night and she said, “You know my second line manager, Teri Milham, is being a real bitch!”
“Oh, I never could stand her!”
“Yeah, there’s a rumor that she may transfer to San Francisco!”
“Oh no, I hope NOT to my office!”
Helen also said, “You know, Michael…Derek is being pressured to hire people ‘off the street’.”
When Helen said that about Derek I figured that opportunity for me was out of the question.

Margaret Lai and I had lunch at B&M. During my last break I ditched Margaret, Cedric and Mary and went to my Patelco Credit Union teller machine. Margaret was all burned up because I left without her.
I ignored her bitchy-ness and thought, “Grow Up! You don’t own me.”

I kept thinking about Margaret making me feel guilty, so I called her during the evening to let her know that I received one and a half dollars from the U.S. Treasury.

Cedric Green had written me a note and left it at my desk.
He wrote the question: ‘Are you busy tonight?’
I answered him later, “I am busy.”
Of course, I wasn’t busy and I ended up staying home. I took a nap.

Steve Green called, waking me from my nap. He ended up coming over at around nine-thirty or so. He was reading the newspaper in search of a car to buy. Then we went jogging around Harbor Bay Isle. It was fun. He tore off his underwear and I was kidding him about the holes in his “undies”.

We returned to my place after visiting Skylark 23 (it’s what I call that lookout post in that little park at the other end of Harbor Bay).

We watched most of the movie THIEF OF HEARTS and then turned in for the night.

I believe that the way to truly understand, to get to the bottom of things, is to smell the hot breath of reality, to touch the nitty-gritty.
I'm not convinced it's necessary to be there, to observe in order to know things, but being there is absolutely essential for things to know you.
-Robert Saviano
"Gommorah"

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