The Surprise Accompaniment

“Someday…someone has to say ENOUGH!”

-Perseus,
The legendary founder of Mycenae and of the Perseid dynasty of Danaans who was the first of the heroes of Greek mythology whose exploits in defeating various archaic monsters provided the founding myths of the Twelve Olympians. Perseus was the Greek hero who killed the Gorgon Medusa, and claimed Andromeda, having rescued her from a sea monster sent by Poseidon in retribution for Queen Cassiopeia, declaring herself more beautiful than the Nereid’s.

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 17, 1987
Sunday

I actually made it through the entire BAY TO BREAKERS race in San Francisco!

Mark came by to pick me up. He brought “Ivy” along with him.  I tried not to ‘let on’ my disappointment.  He’s always pulling the surprise accompaniment on these things that were planned between the two of us.  Why does he do this without informing me?  Oh well, I was cordial.  The race started precisely at 8AM.  I was home in Alameda by 11AM; whereby, I still had plenty of Sunday left over.

I went to mom and dad’s house after Mark and Ivy dropped me off at home. Mom and I went to Park Street to look at a JAGUAR that was for sale on a Used Car lot for only $8,995. I was tempted but I just don’t have the money. I only have the credit and there’s no sense in spending money that I don’t really have.

Mom and I continued our Sunday excursion to San Francisco. We planned on going to FURNISHINGS 2000 but the place wasn’t where it was supposed to be (?). We ate lunch at NEW JOE’s and walked around. It was fun to just window shop until we pooped out.

We returned to Alameda and I needed a nap. I woke up to Dad’s phone call at around 6PM.
“Hey Mike on the news now they’re showing the BAY TO BREAKERS Highlights.”
“Oh cool…I’ll turn it on. Maybe I’ll see myself on TV!”
I wasn’t visible on TV. I know I was somewhere in the crowd.

I lounged around at home until I decided to go over to mom and dad’s to watch a bit of FALCON AND THE SNOWMAN, a pretty decent movie.

After the film I went home and went to bed when I remembered something. It was Jeff Sombat’s Birthday. It just flashed in my memory, so I quickly called his apartment in Honolulu.
“Happy Birthday Jeff!”
He was happy to hear from me. Luckily for the time difference I wasn’t the last to wish him well.
Jeff exclaimed, “You know, I was just getting ready for a Birthday party here.”
“Why wasn’t I invited?”
He laughed.
We laughed.
Good night.   I just hope I’m not leading him on. It’s easy to flirt with a voice.


“In its own special way, last is the same as first.”
-John Katzenbach
THE ANALYST