The Beginnings – Part 21: LOVERBOY

“I made the choice to let go of projections and simply be with my walking.”
-Tony Parsons
AS IT IS

April 25, 1983

Today was a big day in terms of sales at work. I sold $427 worth of goods (gift certificates and custom calling services).

Pat Overshoun and I had a great big laugh today. We couldn’t stop laughing about the great, BIG, lady in the order typing department. Pat is my tub mate (sits next to me at my cubicle) and she keeps the job fun. I love her personality.

I telephoned Juanita Lane during my break because she didn’t show up for work. It seems she went to Sacramento to visit her mother who was visiting from Los Angeles. I filled her in on the work day.
“Well, Juanita…we have this sales contest going for this week and we may win. Also, our entire office may be going on a San Francisco Bay Cruise together if we average $5700 in sales throughout this week.”
“Wow, keep up the good work,” Juanita whispered.
Why do people whisper over the phone? I guess she didn’t want someone to hear her. Or maybe someone was asleep.
PHOTO:  Debbie Honcik, Dec. 19, 1987
At my Christmas Party, Alameda, CA

After work I returned home and ate lasagna. I took a nap until my one and only walking partner, Debbie Honcik called me. She came over to visit, too. She met my dad and looked at the photos I took while I was in Piedmont in March. I also showed her my pictures from Mexico. I’ve known Debbie since 1977 when we were both hired at 411-Directory Assistance Operators. We’ve come a long way since then.

I telephoned Doug Siu before I went to bed and shared the news about my move to San Leandro.
Doug said, “Listen Mike, I’ll give you two free telephones when your service is reconnected at the new apartment.”

April 26, 1983

Doug Siu brought his photos from his escape to Carmel-By-The-Sea. They’re excellent. What a beautiful place.

Cathy Ainlay called me from Walnut Creek. She was in Concord and we arranged a date for this Friday night. I met her at that LOVERBOY Day on the Green Concert at the Oakland Coliseum on July 18, 1982. We also saw Foreigner, the Scorpions and Iron Maiden at that concert.  I wonder if she sees me as a LOVERBOY. Ha-ha.  I like when LOVERBOY sings that ‘Working For the Weekend’ song.

I chose to wear all black to work today. After work I went to the UC Theater in Berkeley to see BRIMSTONE and TREACLE and some other flick called RUDE BOY. I didn’t really want to sit through RUDE BOY but the BRIMSTONE flick starred STING from the rock group POLICE. It was interesting and provocative. It was different in its own way.  It was a dramatic thriller about a strange man (played by STING) who had a sinister effect on the family of a middle-aged writer.  
Apparently, Doug called while I was at the movies. I doubt that I will call him back right now. After a half hour I did call him and we actually had a good talk. He’s really a nice guy and I appreciate his sincere, friendly nature. Besides, how kind of him to give me a couple of free telephones from his AT&T Service Center. Who knows? Maybe Doug and I will go to Carmel. I’d also like to go bike riding in and around Golden Gate Park. I think the idea of going in to THE CITY of San Francisco and just taking pictures would be a fun activity. Doug wants to go visit the Danville Blackhawk homes. I’m all for that, too.

He thinks he’s the CAT’S MEOW, she thought to herself, partly amazed that he could actually think so.
-Shyam Selvadurai
CINNAMON GARDENS, a novel