Uncle Vito

Those pointless equations, to which no solution exists, are called absurdities. (a + b)(a - b) = a2 - b2 + 1
-Stieg Larsson
"The Girl Who Played With Fire"

Twenty-five years ago today:

June 9, 1986
Monday

I telephoned Ron Leoni and wished him a ‘Happy Birthday’. He’s so funny. I just hate the idea of his coke, drinking and smoking habits so much. Ron cheers me up though. That’s for sure.

I went to McDonald’s all by my lonesome today. I felt drab all day. I guess I am feeling depressed about not getting in to Pac Bell Directory as soon as I would like. Ryan Hargrave just got a demotion acceptance into Pac Bell Directory as a staff clerk. He was once a Telephone Sales Rep. there and foolishly left the department. Now he’s trying to find a back door entrance back in to the commission sales team. I am not so sure that his move was an admirable one. I will have to keep my eyes and ears open. If that “one” opportunity arises I cannot pass it up.

Bicycling after work today lasted for about an hour. I settled home with a Diet-Coke after the ride.

I did go to the gym this evening. I caught Sue Croce as she was coming out of the gym. We exchanged a few words.
“I’ll call you tonight,” I said as my parting words.
I ended up doing Sharon’s aerobic class per Mark Landreth’s persuasive suggestion. I worked-up a good sweat from the class. I showered quickly and returned home.

I had an answering machine message from Steve Green.

I chose to call Sue Croce first. We talked for about an hour about stocks, her moving-out, her possible new Management Position with Granny Goose Foods and our going to dinner together sometime soon.
After our conversation I returned Steve Green’s phone call.
Steve asked, “How was your weekend?”
“It was okay,” I replied as I began to realize that we had not seen each other since I’ve been back on June 1st.

Tomorrow is June 10th.
I hinted to Steve, “I’m sure there’s someone new that has captured your attention.”
“No way,” Steve answered.
I know better though.
I asked, “Well, what are you up to this Friday night?”
He said he was free, so we may do something. I don’t know. I kind of wanted to ask Sue Croce out but I failed to do that.
I said to Sue, “I’m playing tour guide this weekend for my friend Ron who is coming from Southern Cal.”
PHOTO: Golden Gate Bridge, June 16, 1986
via Helicopter View

Ron telephoned while I was speaking to Steve, so I hung up from Steve immediately.
Ron suggested, “I think we should go in to San Francisco when I come.”
“We will. It’s in the schedule.”
“Great.”
I liked ending with these words, “I will see you on Saturday!”
He’s a cool cat. He really makes me laugh. We are the same age.
Ron says, “I’m crazy about you.”
Feeling flattered I said, “I guess I could say the same about you.”
He’s a great friend number one at this time. It’s true. He does have an Uncle Vito and another Italian Uncle who are deep in the syndicate in New York (so he says). They have oil and wine import/export business that covers as a front for importing and exporting everything else you can imagine.
Ron said, “I never got into it. It’s scary to me if I got involved. What happens is once you’re “in” you live by their rules so-to-speak because you know too much.”
Yikes. It all sounded so exciting though. Anyway, Ron and I talked until one o’clock in the morning about what we may do this weekend.
“I’m so glad I have Monday and Tuesday off from work.”
Ron said, “Yeah, we’re going to have fun!”

Old (Italian syndicate) bosses used to be listened to out of respect, even when they proposed outdated ideas or gave ineffective orders; their decisions counted precisely because of their age.
-Rovert Saviano
"Gommorah"