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"

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A Tough Class

"I'm going to run away one day--you'll see and I'll never come back."
-Brazil: The Sky We Were Born Under
2011 Brazilian motion-picture

Twenty-five years ago today:

August 27, 1986
Wednesday

My driving-in to work as early as 7AM is allowing me only to write short “briefings” in my journal.

I had my second ‘test call’ in a row today. It’s ridiculous. I put in for a new Service Representative position in the San Ramon area. I want out of this San Francisco Business Office.

I made it to Anne Alberti’s aerobic class tonight—after a good nap. It was a tough class. Patty and Mark were there. We discussed the idea of a foursome dinner together. We’ve tentatively set September 6th.

I happened to mention my weekend trip to L.A. for this coming weekend.
While standing next to Anne and Patty Mark said, “You have to look up a friend of mine.”
I knew he was referring to Annabelle Montero (the beautiful gal we both found at The Oasis).

I bought some ‘much needed’ groceries after my aerobic workout. I drove home and watched RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARC. It was time to go to bed. Yawn.

"We learn good and bad--a lot has to do with our parents."
-Steven Zlutnick
HUMAN SEXUALITY Graduate Class Notes
January 26, 1989

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My Lonesome Self



Hitchin' A Ride

"You have to understand our past because you are our future."
-REIGN OF FIRE,
2002 motion-picture

Twenty-five years ago today:

August 26, 1986
Tuesday

Steph, my boss, gave me an ‘okay’ on my leaving early on Friday for my trip to Los Angeles. Hurrah!

I didn’t bother going to the gym tonight.
Birda called, “Hey, are you going biking tonight?”
I took a rain check. It was my first time with my lonesome self for a while.  I liked the quiet time.  I simply remained at home, evaluating bills and watched a video.

Mike Miller came by unexpectedly. He was with some gal from his Chabot College Tennis Class. I thought she was cute but she had these sleazy tie-up front pair of pants. Ironically, she knew Rachelle Davies. Yuck!

Greg Manachevitz called me, too.

Ron Leoni called me COLLECT from Kings City, California.
“Mike, you won’t believe it. I got two tickets at thirty-five dollars a snap for hitchhiking!”
“You’re kidding me!”
“No, that’s California for ya.”
I hated when he calls me collect.  I won’t hear from him too often anymore though.  After he hung up I thought of that song from the 1960's called "Hitchin' A Ride" by Vanity Fare.

I wonder if I was missed at the gym while I was away. I have to go to Anne’s aerobics class at 8:30PM tomorrow night.

I wish I had more cash.

"You can crawl from the rubble and slowly rebuild becaue after disaster strikes the important thing is that you MOVE ON...and, if you're like me you just keep chasing the storm."
-Veronica Mars,
2004 TV-show

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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

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A Wanted Man

PHOTO: The 'young' Karl Lagerfeld

"Plastic just complicates your life."
-John Katzenbach
"The Analyst"

Twenty-five years ago today:

August 24, 1986
Sunday

Once Ron and I arrived at San Francisco International Airport I was happy to see Margaret Lai there, waiting for us. We all went to the Taiwan Restaurant in Berkeley for a bite to eat. Sweet Margaret insisted on treating us. Margaret and her son, Lance, took us back to their home in El Sobrante where my car was waiting for me.

I decided to just feel comfortable about the fact that Ron Leoni was still here with me in Alameda. We didn’t say much to each other. There’s definitely a communication barrier of some kind. I went through all of my personal mail. I had to report my Security National Bank MasterCard stolen.
Later, Ron finally opened his mouth and said, “I can’t rent a car unless I have a major credit card.”
Now I am beginning to suspect that he took mine. I can’t wait until he leaves. Believe me—it’s doubtful that he will reenter my life in any real significance any time soon.

As I think back I was rather appalled by some of his New York friends. I mean…drug dealers, etc.! It’s not too promising. One gal, Cathy and her friend, Nancy (who worked at Merrill Lynch) seemed really nice though; however, both of them were still too much into “cocaine”.

While I was gone I received voice mail messages on my recorder from Suzy Miller, Nici Maurino, Steph Redding and Johnny Schaefer.
Johnny shouted excitedly, “I have tickets to the Moody Blues with BACKSTAGE Passes on Saturday!”
And so, I am thinking I may fly down to Southern California for the fun of it. I know the Moody Blues are famous for the NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN song.

I went to mom’s house on this Saturday night and we had a NATIONS Burger together. I shared tidbits of my trip. When I returned to my pad Ron was still asleep (in snoring mode). I unpacked and was feeling total happiness when I discovered my silver chain and little bike necklace that had been missing since October 1984 (when I went to visit Jim Koran in Los Angeles). I found it! It was almost two years ago now. The good luck charm is back in my life. I hope it won’t be that long until I see my black leather jacket again.

I washed my car on this very Sunday morning. I left for mom’s house and had a quick breakfast there. When I returned to my place Ron was—once again—still sleeping; however, he was just waking-up. I chose to lie on the downstairs sofa while watching the TIME TUNNEL. I was reading my book (EXTRAORDINARY INVESTMENTS FOR ORDINARY INVESTORS) during the TV commercials. Ron came down and watched a bit of television as well. I decided to take a nap and when I woke up went off for a bike ride.

When I returned to my pad I learned—from Ron—that Sherri and Ashley had stopped by.

Margaret Lai called me, too.
“Guess what, Michael?” Margaret asked.
“What now?” I asked back.
“I bought a new BMW!”
“Oh—congratulations,” I said.
I went to John and Sherri’s house to deliver the book I purchased for Ashley from the MUSEUM OF MODERN ART in New York City. Ashley wasn’t in a very friendly mood, so I left. She wouldn’t kiss me good bye. As I was leaving she did say, “Bye.”

Ron made some pasta. I ate some of it. He kept smoking out in the patio.
Ron finally said, “I think I may leave tomorrow—Monday—but the car rental idea is out of the question.”
“I wish I could help you there but my credit cards were at their limits,” I said.
I believe he understood. He had to forget that possibility.

I thought the worst any friend could do is steal from me. Why do I think he took my MasterCard? I may be wrong but I can’t help but not feeling like I trust him. I am crazy to leave him alone in my house. I figured it helped when I said, “Just to let you know…my Dad might drop in while I’m at work tomorrow.”

Judy Geniella, my coworker, telephoned to say, “Michael, there’s a pot-luck for Mary and Margaret on Monday.”
I replied, “Oh, okay…I’ll bring something.”
I decided I would not bring anything though. Everyone always brings more than enough.

Mark Landreth telephoned as well.
“Hey Mike, I got your postcard.”
“Oh great, what’s new?”
“Well, I no longer work at TEXAS INSTRUMENTS and I have this week off.”
“That’s great…when do you start the new job.”
“I start working at SIERRA SEMICONDUCTOR on September 2nd.”
I realized that I had missed Mark. Maybe he called me because on the postcard I specifically remember writing “To my best-buddy” or “How’s my best-buddy?” I learned that he’s been windsurfing in Alameda all week.
Mark added, “I only went to the gym once this week.”
I thought to myself, “I almost wish I wasn’t going to L.A. this weekend because dinner with Mark and perhaps Anne and Patty might have been a nice outing instead.”

I was pleasantly surprised on Saturday to find the black vase and flowers that were left for me on my doorstep. They were from Birda, my ‘sometimes’ bike-riding partner. That was too sweet of her. It looks like I am 'a wanted man’ by Judy, Birda (perhaps), Anne (perhaps) and then some…then again, maybe NOT.

"At least make it a challenge for me."
-as heard while watching the
2011 film "THOR"

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Stay That Way!

Now they seem cast in a play they cannot stop.
-Ian McEwan
"Enduring Love"

Twenty-five years ago today:

August 23, 1986
Saturday

Ron and I were successful in catching our first flight out of New York but it didn’t get into the air until 10:10AM! And now we are set to arrive in Denver at 11:50AM which means we’ll barely make our connection flight to San Francisco. Hopefully our luggage will make it in time, too.

Ron and I had separate seat assignments on the airplane to Denver. This was a good thing because I needed my space away from him. I hope he decides to leave for Los Angeles today (Saturday) versus tomorrow (Sunday). This way I can really feel relaxed tomorrow. I hope I have no luggage problems.

In-flight there were two guys that sat next to me. They were QBL’s (Questionables) but totally NMT (Not My Types). The fellow seated closest to me was from Paris, France and on his way to Boulder, Colorado to attend school for a year. That sounded like fun for him. His English speaking skills weren’t at the very best. He was nice though. I was telling him that I stayed in Glaciere while I was in France. He seemed to know the area.

The flight from New York City was—in fact—delayed, so we caught an alternate flight in Denver. This means we will not land in San Francisco until 2:25PM. I tried to call Margaret but she’d left for the day. I left a message on her recorder. I so hope she’ll wait and/or learn of what had happened.

I truly feel that Mr. Ronald Leoni is a drug addict. I continue to believe that the friendships we choose is the foundation of our progress. Ron will no longer be a recurring friend in my life as far as I’m concerned. His association with drugs, etc. is too overwhelming for me to handle. I don’t need that “slop”.

It was funny at that After Hours Club called TORY’s in New York City. There was some elder fat lady that came and sat next to me while we were there.
She said, “Your friends are being selfish and greedy.”
She made this comment directly to me because they weren’t sharing their ‘coke’ with me.
I replied, “Oh, it’s all right. I can live without it.”
I wish I had photographed the look on her face. She was so shocked by my statement. She was actually pleased to hear me say that.
I think she responded by saying, “Stay that way!”
I smiled.
She continued, “I was born in San Jose, California and I’ve been addicted since I was twenty years old. Seriously, stay away from coke.”
“Don’t worry,” I replied.
It was actually nice to hear her say these wise words.
She also said, “That drug will ruin your life. I’m living proof. It’s ruined my life.”
It was amazing to hear her.

Suddenly, I am almost about to land in San Francisco. I am bummed out because I left my black leather jacket in Lenny’s New York City apartment closet. I wonder if I’ll ever see it again. I will get his telephone number and bug him until I get it back. Wait…what is Lenny’s telephone number? I’m not sure. I know where he lives. I better get my jacket back.

Michael had followed the crowd. His excitement had subsided.
-Jules Verne
"Paris in the Twentieth Century"

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After Hours

"It's not that I don't trust--it's your private thoughts that give me qualms!" -Kathy Bates
"The Family That Preys" film

Twenty-five years ago today:

August 22, 1986
Friday

We arrived in New York City by midnight. We changed our clothes with intentions of going to THE PALLADIUM for a night out on the town. First, we made a brief visit to Cathy and Nancy Gallagher. Cathy has huge dogs!

THE PALLADIUM was huge. I found it pretty fun, too. We met up with Bob.  Bob is the “cocaine connection”.  I had some (just a little).  We left and went to the BB (Boy’s Bar). The BB was really “punk”. I kind of enjoyed that though. It was really fun. I met some guy named Dan Andersen who was nice. I danced and was wasted. Who wouldn’t be between the cocktails and the ‘coke’?

Before I knew it the time was 6 o’clock in-the-morning. So, of course this meant that Ron, Bob and I were going to the ‘AFTER HOURS’ Club called TORY’s. I felt OOP (Out Of Place) there for some reason. We were somehow able to get in to the VIP section. Bob kind of liked me (I think). We went to his place before TORY’s. He has a PC (Personal Computer). Bob’s apartment wasn’t all that bad looking either. He entered my name on to his computer.
I thought, “That could be dangerous—given that he deals in cocaine—but life is too short to NOT have some excitement in one’s life.” Ha-ha.

TORY’s was a weird and very dark bar. While we were in the VIP section there were a few that caught my eye. I sensed that I caught their eye, too.  Richard and some other guy (who gave us a free drink at THE PALLADIUM) were there with us for most of the night.  By nine o’clock in the morning we decided to go together to see the Statue of Liberty. Mind you…I didn’t sleep ALL NIGHT!

The blond guy from THE PALLADIUM decided to NOT go with us at the last minute. It was simply me, Richard and Ron.

While waiting for the Circle Line Ferry boat I took a photo of Richard, resting on a park bench.  I also browsed the US Vietnam Veterans Memorial and found an ARMIJO from New Mexico listed name Ermilo T Armijo.  It made me wonder about him.   On May 4, 1985, Mayor Edward I. Koch dedicated The Vietnam Veterans Plaza in honor of the 250,000 men and women of New York City who served in the United States armed forces from 1964 to 1975, especially those 1,741 who died fighting the Vietnam War.

We took the Circle Line and found ourselves in the middle of a lot of tourists. It was fun. We took the subway back uptown after the tour. We ‘sort of’ fell asleep on the subway (which—believe me—is dirty and a sight for sore eyes). Yucky!

Ron went home and slept. I still felt a boost of energy and went to the Museum of Modern Art. I bought some T-shirts and some gold earrings for mom. Then it was time for me to go to bed. It was three o’clock in the afternoon but I knew I needed to snooze. I woke up at 7PM.

Ron and I went to dinner at a French Restaurant. We had Beaujolais Villages red wine. I remembered that Paloma had ordered some of that when I was in Paris. It was good with the meal. Ron and I walked along and I saw more of the Rockefeller Plaza area. There were sheik shops (luckily they were not opened). We stumbled over at the HARD ROCK Café and ate some Italian ice. Yummy…I love the cherry-pineapple. It was 11PM and we agreed that it was time to ‘hit the hay’. I fell asleep quickly while some silly movie was playing. Yawn.

The most real of all splendors are not in outward things, they are within us.  A single secret of science is a realm of wonders to the man of learning.
-Honroe de Balzac
"Seraphita"

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