Shifting Gears

A man can gloom away his whole life.
-Jules Verne
"Paris in the Twentieth Century"

Twenty-five years ago today:

August 25, 1986
Monday

All right—it’s time for shifting gears as I am back to work again. I know this week will fly by. I only wish Ron Leoni would fly sooner versus later. I’m sure he will. I will call him today from my office and settle things (I hope). I plan to tell him that I am going to Sacramento this weekend.

It was a trying day. Ron called me at my office before I could call him.
Ron asked, “Could you give me directions on how to get to San Francisco?”
I explained. He chose to take the bus in to The City. I arranged for him to meet me at 2nd Street and Folsom. We drove home to Alameda together when I was released from work.

I read some of my Stock Investment and Reinvestment issues about CITICORP. I think I shall invest. I will try to go for $250 monthly (if that’s possible). I have to start somewhere.

Mary McTiernan’s last day was today. She is moving on to the PRIORITY ACCOUNTS desk. Margaret Lai is the next one to depart (on Friday). Oh well…

Ron is leaving tomorrow morning (Tuesday).
“What are your plans?” I asked.
“Oh, I’ll just hitchhike,” Ron answered proudly.
I frowned. Then I thought quietly, “It’s just as well.”

I am flying Air Cal on Friday and intend to arrive in Los Angeles at 6:11PM on Friday. Johnny Schaefer and I are going to have a fun weekend. The backstage passes to see The Moody Blues and The FIXX will be really fun.

Sherri and Ashley dropped by.  Sherri dropped off a blank videocassette in hopes that I would tape more cartoons for Ashley.

I am planning to work overtime tomorrow. I need the cash.

I saw Mark Landreth at the gym on this evening. He persuaded me into taking Jim’s cardio class at 7:30PM. And so…I did it.

Another Mark (the 4-eyed one with the eyeglasses) inquired with me, “Hey, let me know when you go to the San Francisco 24-Hour Nautilus. I’ll meet you there one day.”
I thought that was rather brave of him.
I simply answered, “Okay, sounds good.”

I was considering a Hawaii trip in November but money is of serious value to me right now. I may scratch that idea for now.

I finally reached Birda yesterday to thank her for the vase and flowers. That was truly sweet of her. How can I repay that thoughtfulness? +$%#x! her? Well, I couldn’t---she’s not even interested…or is she? I don’t know if I want to spark something when there may not be any real flame.
I left a message for Lenny Greco in New York City.
“Hey Lenny, I think I left my black leather jacket in your closet.”
I had to say that on his answering recorder because he wasn’t home. I will try calling him again next week. After all it is my two-hundred dollar jacket!

"Objects are safer than people."
-Freud's Last Session
Off-Broadway Play, April 30, 2011