Chatter, Comparing Notes

Everywhere you went there was someone who wanted to draguer you, a word that literally means to chat up, but a word that in France denotes a fine art conducted with teasing glances, nuance and candid desire. Sexual freedom was another new post-1968 reality: it had long been practised by the higher strata of French society behind the smokescreen of marriage, but now it was available to all, with or without the alibi of a spouse.
-Alicia Drake
"The Beautiful Fall: Fashion, Genius, and Glorious Excess in 1970's Paris"

Twenty-five years ago today:

August 28, 1986
Thursday

I would have received my third ‘test call’ today because I answered my line and it was Arlene (the test caller) again. She asked my name and decided to call back, realizing she had tested me twice already. When she called back she got Margaret Lai. Ha-ha…Cest la vie.

I really had to use the bathroom at 11:30AM today. I think it’s because I had two bananas, chocolate milk and a yogurt all before 8AM. Oh yes, I also had a chocolate bar donut filled with custard with a glass of milk at around 10AM. That explains it.

I telephoned Mark Landreth while he was rummaging through paperwork at home.
I reassured him by saying, “I hope you find a check that you forgot to cash.”
He laughed and added, “Oh you know that girl, Cindy Ostegren, is having a birthday party.”
“Oh yeah?” I asked.
“Yes, she may call and invite you.”
“Sounds good to me,” I said, realizing that would be next weekend.
Mark and I continued to chatter, comparing notes about Anne Alberti and Patty and other small talk. Mark is ‘by far’ my best-friend these days.

Steph, my boss, was nice enough to come by my desk and rub my shoulders at around 5PM (while I was speaking to one of Judy Geniella’s semi-irate customers).

I went bicycling after work. It felt so good to spin the wheels. I dropped by mom’s house and granted myself with chocolate chip cookies that were made by Helen. How sweet!

I received a bike card from Stephen Green. He wrote:
Howdy!
Hope you had a great time in New York. My party was a hit. About 60 people showed up! I had a great time. Give me a ring. I want to hear about your trip.
Friends,
Stephen G.

Greg Manechevitz and Mike Miller called me again.

Johnny Schaefer called me too. We confirmed that he will be picking me up tomorrow at LAX-Los Angeles Airport. We’re going out to Westwood on Friday night. Then we will go to the beach on Saturday. The concert will be on Saturday night, of course. Disneyland is scheduled for Sunday. It all sounds good to me. He’s a pal.

I made a tentative arrangement for a reservation on September 21st at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. I may cancel it and save it for another day. Money, money, money…don’t we all wish we had more of it?

How blinded we are by money.
-Yann Martel
"The Life of Pi"