Scoping the Scene

"Reality is NOT a French novel."

-as heard in the 1984 Argentine film, CAMILA

 

 

Diary Notes/Photos from April 22-28, 1988

I took every advantage of my mom’s babysitting time.  I wanted to join in on the fun and spend time with my nieces, too.   I had fun playing with them when my mom pooped out from their energetic ways.   I probably went a bit overboard on Friday, April 22, 1988 when I persuaded them to get on the rocking horse with me (as I set the timer to my Polaroid camera).   Well, I figured the photographic moment would last many years later.  

On Saturday, April 23, 1988 my mom came to my townhouse and I had a brainstorm idea.

“Uh oh, I haven’t taken a photo today.   Why don’t you take a picture of me on Mike’s motorcycle?”  I asked my mom.

“Okay,” mom replied in agreement.

Mike Miller had bought a motorcycle.   He didn’t ride it all the time but he seemed to get a good deal on the purchase.   I’d never ride it on the streets but I figured I could pose on it and ‘pretend’.   Mom took a good shot of me ‘looking tough’.

“Hey wait, mom…let me take a picture of you on the bike!”

“Eeeee…don’t be silly.”

And before I knew it she was complying with my request.

“Who knows when you’ll ever be on a motorcycle again?”
She laughed.   It was a cute photo.

After mom left I took a photo of myself upstairs because Paloma wanted a recent photo.   I wasn’t so sure I liked the photo.   I’ll have to dwell on it for a few days.

Later that evening 'Jim from the Gym' came by as we were planning to go out to a club or something.   Mike Miller was there and we shared a few LITE beers.   It was important to maintain our 32 inch waistlines.   That’s why we only drank LITE beer.   We had 'beer belly' fears.  The alcohol content still did the trick.   We laughed up a storm.  I managed to capture the three of us via Polaroid before the beers.

 Jim and I were excited about the forthcoming date of April 29^th.   We were going to a concert at the Shoreline Amphitheater.  It was the MUSIC FOR THE MASSES Concert.   I snapped another Polaroid of 'Mike and Jim'.  It was clear that the beer was beginning to circulate.

I don’t recall where Mike, me and Jim ended up going that night which proves the LITE beer alcohol content worked.    We always had a good time ‘scoping the scene’. 

And yes, the final photo clearly showed the effects of our beer alcohol content.  Mike's 'sunglasses at night' said it all.

The next day I took a picture of Mike Miller on his motorcycle.   He clearly looked more comfortable on the bike than I did (or my mom for that matter).   He even started the engine.   To look at the photo I wish one could hear the sound effects of the revved up engine.   Vroom.   Mike went for a short ride.   What a show-off!

It was a lazy Sunday on April 24, 1988.   I drove to San Ramon to pick-up Kelly.  

I drove back to Alameda and Jim from the Gym was due to arrive with Christine Hicks.   Mike Miller was there, too, cracking his salty jokes.   My mom even showed up and had a beer with all of us.   How cool of 'a mom' is that?   We were just laughing, having a great time.  I was just happy that I had enough MICHELOB LIGHT beers in my fridge.   I called them MICHAEL-Lobe Lights.

Kelly was leaving tomorrow to visit her brother (in San Diego), so it was nice that we all got together.

Kelly knew that Paloma wrote to me, so she made good on her word to drop me a postcard during her mini-escape.   It was not the most in-depth write-up but it’s the thought that counts.   She mailed the postcard from San Diego on April 25, 1988.

Kelly wrote:
Hey Mike,
What’s up?  The weather has been so-so.   One minute rain, the clouds move past the sun and then it’s HOT.   But I’m having a great time w/my brother, Tim.   How was your weekend?  
See ya,

Kelly

Hmmm…not even a
‘LOVE, Kelly’ or
‘I MISS YOU SO MUCH’. 
Oh well…I can’t win them all.   After all, the song of the week was WHERE DO BROKEN HEARTS GO by Whitney Houston.  I decided to be more optimistic though.  She'll be back.

A few days later on April 28, 1988 I chose to write a more in-depth letter.   I decided to write to Paloma in France.  She had previously sent me a copy of a letter from her Berkeley friend, Carmela.

Carmela wrote:
Paloma,
Yet another bit of news before I send this letter.  I just joined a new GOLD’s GYM in Albany.   They evaluate you and give you a computerized workout.    Every four weeks they evaluate you and give you a new workout.   I think my arms are getting much better.   Guess who I met there?  Mike, that blond bodybuilder you went out with.   His mom teaches aerobics and family fitness.   He is the manager at GOLD’s.   I also saw Rodney.  He works out there now.  He’s bigger, not as slender.  He works out really HARD now!   They both say “HI”.   Mike was saying what a great body you have! 
Jimmy just got a new Polaroid camera.   I want to take a picture of me flexed and cut.   I’ll send you some soon.
Love, Carmela
(Maria says “HI” too from the I-BEAM).

Paloma added a NOTE to me at the bottom of Carmela’s letter:

MIKE SOUTHWICK, remember?   The Baxter’s Champion Bodybuilder.  I told you I went out with him, right?   Ooops…maybe I forgot (LOL!).

Was I jealous?  Yes.   I knew she went out with that MIKE Bodybuilder dude!    Grr….I'll show her.   She gives me the incentive to try harder with my workouts.  She knows it, too.

I was overdue on a reply to Paloma after she’d send that cool card with the high-heel on the bike pedal.

PHOTO:  Paloma in Marbella, SPAIN (1986)

April 28, 1988,

Dear Paloma,
I love the card with the pump on the bicycle pedal.   It’s great.  You definitely know my taste.

My Nastassia Kinski has always been over my bed.   But that’s okay…we (unfortunately) did NOT spend a whole lot of time under it…if you catch my drift.

Well, next trip to France I’ll have to see Jonathan, Alexandre, your neighbor downstairs and your perfume collection.   That ought to keep me busy for a few days.  

I watched the Academy Awards, too.   I watched it the night I received the card from you in which you were mentioning CHER (ironically and coincidentally enough).   And to think she was the BEST ACTRESS for 1j987.   She deserved it.   I thought Glenn Close was going to win.   Did you see her in FATAL ATTRACTION?   She was really good.

Tomorrow I am going to a concert in Mountain View with Kelly, Mike Miller, Jim from the Gym and Chris Hicks (Kelly’s girlfriend).   Cathy (Kelly’s sister) and Cara (Cathy’s roommate) and Mike (Cara’s boyfriend) will also be attending.   We are going to see DEPECHE MODE and OMD (Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark).   I can’t wait for that.  It will be fun.   They play modern music in case you haven’t heard of them.   It’s very NOUVEAU…as they say….

I should be biking right NOW but I figured ‘what the hell’.  Why should I?   I decided I should write you a few lines instead.

I have a picture to send you but the duplicate I had made isn’t quite ready yet.   So you will have to hold out until next time.

There was a Yellow Pages Directory Sales job opening in Sacramento.   I applied for it just so I could take the test and be ready for the next hopeful opening in San Francisco, Oakland or Santa Clara.   Now people are saying I should take it because it is possible for me to commute to Sacramento!   That is a one and a half hour commute!   I certainly don’t want to be on that road for three hours or more going to and from work every day.   No way.  Forget it!   I think writing it down just now made me decide against it.

I miss your smile and laughter.   Don’t dye your hair black…then you WILL look like CHER!   BE PALOMA!   By the way, there’s a new restaurant on University Avenue in Berkeley called PALOMA’s.   Do you believe it?   I guess the whole town of Berkeley noticed you were gone and decided to establish a restaurant in honor of you!

"Your eyes will suffice to give tired men hope."
-India guy to actress, Natalie Portman,
as heard in the 2008 film, I LOVE YOU, NEW YORK

 

 

Read More

If Looks Could Kill

How do you know when something has gone wrong with someone whom you like with all your heart?  Let me count the ways. –Elizabeth Savage, THE LAST NIGHT AT THE RITZ

Diary Notes/Photos April 14-21, 1988

I received another bit of correspondence from Paloma.   There was no artful card this time.  It was ‘just’ a letter but as interesting as always.  She paints pictures with her words:

AGDE, France

14, AVRIL, 1988, Dear Michael,

Thanks for your card.   I like to get mail, especially from you.   Today was a really good day for that.   I got a bunch of good news and some samples from a friend in ITALY and from my Dad from SPAIN.   Too bad you didn’t get to see my collection of perfume bottles when you came to PARIS.   It’s pretty amazing.   I started it more than ten years ago.   You’ll just have to come back!

You’d like to come if you could see my downstairs neighbor.   Guys find her very attractive.   I think she’s “just all right” because I don’t like her.   She has a black belt in Karate.   You would not believe it.  She is blond and really thin.   She lives with her gorgeous boyfriend.   He works a lot (most evenings and obviously she is NOT faithful).   We’ve caught her many times with a friend of ours who is a real heartbreaker.   She is a bad girl.   This is the latest news from 10, Rue Jean Roger.   I know she’d like you.   I don’t know if I’d like you to go out with her though.  I can’t stand her.

Yesterday, I thought about you.   I watched TV the best parts of the Academy Awards.   I saw one of the movies with CHER that I was telling you about (MOONSTRUCK).   I think that’s the English Title.  In France it is called “ECLAIRE DE LUNE”.   Isn’t that funny how it won most of the Awards?   I really like CHER.   The Academy Awards are such a show just to watch CHER.   I also like Daryl Hannah, Jack Nicholson and Michael Douglas.   Aren’t you happy to know who I like or NOT?   I’m just wishing for Michael Armijo to win an Oscar.   You can just say something simple like, “I just want to thank my best-friend, Paloma” or anything like that!

Oh well…another interesting letter from you…

Have you seen “MOONSTRUCK”?   Did you like it?   I want to see it.   I am thinking about changing the color of my hair to black like CHER.   I have done it before and it looked pretty good.   I don’t know.

So…is it a girl or a boy?   I am talking about Sherri’s baby, of course.

If you come over here you won’t believe French TV.   There are lots of naked people.   You’d never see that in the States.  

Every time I see GEORGE MICHAEL I think about you.   It’s true.  YOU look like him a little bit.

Well, Michael, I hope to read you soon.

Love, Paloma

A big hug from Jonathan.

*One last thing about perfume samples.   I don’t collect little tubes like this.   They’re all the same.   I collect the little bottles that have the shape of the big ones.  Here are two samples you can only find in the States:

“OBSESSION” by Calvin Klein

“CATHERINE DENEUVE” …this French actress has made a perfume but it doesn’t exist over here.   I don’t know why!  Too bad I forgot about my collection while I was living in Berkeley.  I just came back with one.  

I don’t know why I’m writing you tonight.   I just felt like it.  I guess I miss you.  I wish we could have those long phone conversations.

Write me…CIAO.

SUNDAY, April 17, 1988

Mom was babysitting Lauren and she dropped by for a while.  I managed to pull off a Polaroid shot of us.

Earlier in the morning I caught Mike Miller in the kitchen next to a box of Entenmann’s pastries.   He was holding a sheet of paper about HIGHWAY NAVIGATION.   I liked his blue shirt.  It’s true.  Blue is my favorite color.  The sky is the limit.

PHOTO:  Michael G Miller

I was happy that Mike had plans because Kelly was coming over to hang out with me.   We watched a movie on the VCR and just lounged comfortably at my pad.  

I took a couple of Polaroid shots of ‘us’.   I thought about sending one to Paloma as she was curious as to what Kelly looked like.   I may send her one.  Or maybe not…should I? 

We went for a drive to Harbor Bay Landing to the Ice-Cream Dock.   That song that they keep playing by Billy Ocean keeps playing.   It’s called “GET OUTTA MY DREAMS, GET INTO MY CAR”.   The tune played as we drove back to my house.   Did it have a hidden meaning for us?    She did get into my car.  However, why would I want her out of my dreams? 

On Tuesday, April 19, 1988, I had the day off.   Mom had the day off as well, so we took a drive to visit my grandmother (mom’s mom).  

Ashley accompanied us.   I loved the photo I took of them before we embarked on the mini-adventure.   It's one of my favorite photographs of the two of them together.  My convertible top was down and the wind was blowing.   Mom didn’t look at the camera but Ashley had that look.   If looks could kill…  I’m sure Ashley had just about had it with me and my camera.  Ha-ha.

“The gentleness IS in the strength.”

-as heard in the 2009 film THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS

 

 

 

 

Read More

'Mighty Mike' Effects

“The world thinks through its eyes.”
-as heard in 2009 during the
On-Broadway Dramatic Play MARY STUART

Diary Notes/Photos

April 8-10, 1988

PHOTO:  Holly Alyssa Armijo

There was a sweet get-together on April 8, 1988 at my mom’s house as Holly was able to come home from the hospital.   John and Sherri (accompanied with Ashley) came to mom’s house to show off the newborn, Holly.   She was so cute.   I took a few pics of Ashley, adoring her baby sister; of Holly’s proud parents; one of me with Holly and a couple of solo shots of Holly, looking like a true baby doll. 

Lauren was there, too.   I captured a solo one of her like I did of Ashley the other day near mom’s fig plant.
PHOTO:  Lauren Armijo

Paloma wrote to me on April 9, 1988.   I loved it because it was a quick response to my last letter to her.  She finds the most unique cards in France.   I especially loved this one of the high heel on the bike pedal.  Exceptional!

April 9, 1988 - Dear Michael,
I remember your Nastassia Kinski picture very well, but it wasn’t over your bet then.   It was downstairs.  
Am I right or not?

Congratulations for your new niece.  I bet your mom is very happy with all of these girls after three boys.  Maybe she’d like to have a grandson now?   Doesn’t Sherri know what she is going to have?   I couldn’t wait, I knew as soon as I could.

We are all fine.   Thank you.   Jonathan is growing up really fast.  He is soon going to be one-year old.   He almost walks, but I’m sure you know how it works with all of those nieces.   He is still very cute with blond hair and blue eyes.   People talk to him in the street all of the time.  He is very sociable and smiles a lot.  He is really funny.  I hope you’ll meet him sometime before he is a grandfather.   Alexandre is fine, too.   I don’t see him very much right now.   He works a lot from 9AM till midnight.  He just comes home for a little while at lunch time and we have dinner together.

Tell me some more about Kelly.   Where did you meet?   How old is she?  What does she look like and stuff…if you want, of course.

I do remember the TV-movie, LACE.   That blond is named ARIELLE DOMBASALE.   She is French.  She makes a lot of TV commercials over here, TV shows and other stuff like that.  

What about news of your classes to become an actor?

Celine is also a French brand.   It is even my step-mother’s favorite store.   She just thinks everything they have is fantastic.   The main store in PARIS is right next to the Arc de Triumph.

I went once for a brunch at the Hyatt Regency, San Francisco.   I loved it.

You ask how long it takes for a movie to get over here.  I can’t tell you.   It depends on the movie.   Some of them come really fast and some other NEVER do…   Also, the problem is they change titles, they might not change the one you’re telling me about though.  It’s a pretty International one….

On Sunday, April 10, 1988, I woke early and went on a great ride over to Central Alameda and along Shoreline Drive.   I passed Birda on her bike and we tried a bit of racing.   She’s so fast—but I managed to pass her by with a bit of added ‘Mighty Mike’ effects.  

Birda has the most superb smile.   It’s so ‘feel good’.   I love a person who has such an enticing smile that you can’t help but smile right back.  That’s Birda!
PHOTO:  My Mom with 1-year old, DANIELLE

Mom was invited to a Birthday Party for my first cousin (Donna Armijo) whose baby girl named DANIELLE was turning one year old on April 12th.   ARMIJO’s are very fertile, aren’t they?   

The baby birthday party was held in Fremont.   So, of course, mom wanted me to drive and she was taking my nieces, Ashley and Lauren along.   I figured it would be fun for some random candid photography.   I was excited to attend and hopefully see some of my cousins that I don’t see as often as I would like to.

I took a great portrait photo of my first cousin, Donna Armijo.   Her hair is so long now.   She is so pretty.   It’s no wonder she got pregnant last year.  The guy couldn’t help himself.
PHOTO:  Donna Lynn Armijo

Donna’s sister, Mona, was there, too.  I like to refer to her as the ‘MONA LISA’ but Donna likes to correct me by saying that her name on her birth certificate is RAMONA…not MONA.  

I said to myself, “So what…I like MONA LISA.” 

 

PHOTO:  My Pregnant Cousin, MONA LISA, with her nephew JOE ELIJAH ARMIJO

I was happy I attended Danielle’s 1^st Birthday Party.   My Aunt Dolores and Aunt Lela and first-cousins (Joey, Mona, Donna) were there.  

I think I had only met Joey’s wife, Michelle Hammon, once before.   She seemed a bit preoccupied during the party.   It was as if something was on her mind and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.   It was almost like she was there…but wasn’t.  It probably wasn’t noticed by anyone as the kids were all running around, having a great time.  I was having fun as well.

PHOTO:  Michelle Hammon, Aunt Dee, etc.

I managed a great shot of Mona’s eldest kids (JOHN and JESSICA EBELING) on a stationary bike with Little JOE ELIJAH ARMIJO, wishing he was on the bike.   John was born in 1984, like my niece, Ashley.   Jessica was born in 1986. 

PHOTO:  John Ebeling, Jessica Ebeling and Joe E Armijo

Mona was quite pregnant and looked like she’d be having her third child any day now.   I’ve heard if you’ve had two already the third one should be a breeze in the delivery room.   I almost said that to Mona but decided to refrain.
PHOTO:  John Ebeling

The kids were so active.   I don’t know how John Ebeling managed to climb that tree.   I was exhausted just watching all of the activity.

My nieces, Ashley and Lauren, were in seventh heaven with all of the diverse toys sprawled about the lawn. 

I had to yell aloud to get the photo I wanted, “Ashley!”
She glanced over as I snapped and then she went on with her latest toy discovery.

PHOTO:  Ashley and Lauren ARMIJO amidst the toys

With all of these kids around I was a tad jealous.   I knew my little girl was out there ‘somewhere’.   She would be about three years old (around the same age as my niece, Lauren Armijo).  I wished I could see her.   I guess time will tell.    And who knows what could happen in the next few years?  

As always, my life was defined by one thing.   That was to simply focus on being HAPPY.   It's the 'Mighty Mike' Effect.

"With your mind power, your determination, your instinct, and the experience as well, you can fly very high.” –Ayrton Senna

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read More

My Favorite Winter Coat

I am a person who believes not only that you can change the future but, to some extent, the past.   If you elect to wipe out what has happened, pay it no mind, give it no room in your consciousness—why then, it didn’t happen.   I had decided to wipe that…OUT.
-Elizabeth Savage, THE LAST NIGHT AT THE RITZ

Diary Notes for early April 1988….

April 3, 1988
It is Easter Sunday and I will be experiencing a bit of EASTER fun at mom’s house.   A bit later I will be getting-together with Kelly for the evening.  

I walked over to visit my brother and Ashley was yelling for me in the bathroom.   She was in the tub with her little rubber duck.   Luckily, I had my Polaroid to capture the moment.  She was so happy and carefree (as most children are at that age).

John took Ashley to mom’s house.   Mom had hidden Easter baskets for Ashley and Lauren.   It was a festive, relaxed Sunday.   Sherri was still at KAISER Hospital and will likely be leaving with her newest baby soon.  They wanted to keep Holly under observation a bit longer.   That sounded 'spooky' but from the sound of it there is nothing to be concerned about.   Thank God.

I don’t know how my mom is so good at organizing these things while working full-time.   Somehow she does it.   I guess she’s just so comfortable with her job she finds a way.  
“I’m retiring soon,” Mom says.
“I can’t wait for that day.”

Ashley and Lauren found splendid entertainment while digging into their respective Easter baskets.

I asked mom, "Did you used to buy me Easter Baskets when I was a kid?"

"Of course I did."
"How come you stopped doing it?"

Mom laughed.

I took an opportunity to take a Polaroid moment of me in CONGRATULATIONS mode with my brother, John, after the birth of his new little girl (HOLLY) who was born yesterday.    I still cannot believe that both of my brother have two kids.   I know that I'm having 'my own' somewhere...any day now.   There's no point in bringing it up but I'm making a family very happy.   A woman is impregnated and that is all I know...for now.

Mom was having a good time.   I think we all were having fun.   It was one of those happy Sunday times.  Ashley and Lauren were growing up and beginning to be 'little people' who could talk.   I was excited to get to know the two newbies, Leigh and Holly.   Would their personalities be different?  

Ashley made me laugh because she was having a bit of a chocolate party.  

“Save the chocolate for another day, Ashley.   You don’t want to eat it all at once or you’ll feel sick in your tummy.”

Tony arrived with his new baby, LEIGH.  

“Wow, Lauren, that’s your little sister.  You better be extra nice to her,”  I whispered.

Lauren smiled shyly.

 

Kelly arrived at my place a bit later.   It was a cool night and I allowed her to wear the leather jacket I bought in Paris in 1985.    I still recall trying it on while Paloma looked on. 

Paloma said, “It’s gorgeous.”

And so, I bought it on the spot.   It’s really my ‘Paloma Jacket’.   She loved it, so I had to have it.   More importantly, she loved it as I was wearing it.   I doubt Paloma would be too thrilled that Kelly was wearing it tonight.   Oh well…what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.  

I took Kelly to a place on Harbor Isle that I call SKYLARK 24.   It has a breathtaking view of San Francisco.   It was chilly but I managed to warm her up.  

PHOTO:  'me' and Kelly (wearing My Favorite Winter Coat)

As I drove back to my place I turned on the radio and the HOT song of the month was playing:   MAN IN THE MIRROR by Michael Jackson.   The beginning of the song is inspiring to me.   He sings about ‘making a change’.   When I hear that word ‘change’ I always try to think of it as an ‘improvement’.   I’m Gonna Make an IMPROVEMENT…  The song is a sure fire hit, so I find myself dwelling on it.   I like how he mentions the turning up the collar on my favorite winter coat.   My favorite winter coat is the leather one I bought in Paris.  One of these days I’m going to look at myself in the mirror and listen to the entire song at the same time. 

Here are the lyrics to MAN IN THE MIRROR:

I'm Gonna Make a Change,
For Once in My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference, Gonna Make It Right . . .

As I, Turn Up the Collar on My Favorite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind, I See the Kids in the Street,
With Not Enough To Eat, Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See Their Needs
A Summer's Disregard, A Broken Bottle Top
And A One Man's Soul, They Follow Each Other On
The Wind Ya' Know 'Cause They Got Nowhere
To Go That's Why I Want You To Know

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror

I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change
Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change
Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na, Na Nah

I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish Kind Of Love

It's Time That I Realize That There Are Some With No
Home, Not A Nickel To Loan Could It Be Really Me,
Pretending That They're Not Alone?
A Widow Deeply Scarred, Somebody's Broken Heart
And A Washed-Out Dream (Washed-Out Dream)
They Follow The Pattern Of The Wind, Ya' See
Cause They Got No Place To Be
That's Why I'm Starting With Me (Starting With Me!)

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror

(Ooh!) I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways (Ooh!)
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change)

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror (Ooh!)

I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways (Change His Ways-Ooh!)
And No Message Could've Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make That . . . (Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make That . . .Change!)

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror, (Man In The Mirror-Oh Yeah!)

I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways (Better Change!)
No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer (If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
(Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make The Change)
(You Gotta Get It Right, While You Got The Time ‘Cause When You Close Your Heart)
You Can't Close Your . . .Your Mind! (Then You Close Your . . .Mind!)
That Man, That Man, That Man, That Man
With That Man In The Mirror (Man In The Mirror, Oh Yeah!)
That Man, That Man, That Man I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
(Better Change!)
You Know . . .That Man No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place (If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change (Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,Na Nah
(Oh Yeah!) Gonna Feel Real Good Now! Yeah Yeah! Yeah Yeah!
Yeah Yeah! Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na, Na Nah (Ooooh . . .)
Oh No, No No . . .I'm Gonna Make A Change It’s Gonna Feel Real Good!
Come On! Change . . .
Just Lift Yourself You Know You've Got To Stop It.  Yourself!
(Yeah!-Make That Change!) I've Got To Make That Change, Today!
Hoo! (Man In The Mirror) You Got To You Got To Not Let Yourself . . .
Brother . . .Hoo! (Yeah!-Make That Change!)
You Know-I've Got To Get That Man, That Man . . .
(Man In The Mirror)
You've Got To You've Got To Move! Come On! Come On!
You Got To . . .Stand Up! Stand Up! Stand Up! (Yeah-Make That Change)
Stand Up And Lift Yourself, Now! (Man In The Mirror)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Aaow! (Yeah-Make That Change)
Gonna Make That Change . . .Come On!
(Man In The Mirror) You Know It! You Know It! You Know It!
You Know . . .(Change . . .) Make That Change.

April 11, 1988

It was Academy Award night and the chatter was exciting because it was being held at the SHRINE AUDITORIUM.   It was the first time the Academy Awards would be held here.   Chevy Chase of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE fame was the host.

It was amazing to me that THE LAST EMPEROR won all nine Oscars that it was nominated for.   It was an epic sort of film.  It deserved it.   Michael Douglas won for BEST ACTOR in WALL STREET.   He was a ruthless character and also deserved it.  

 

I was happy for CHER who won for BEST ACTRESS in MOONSTRUCK, she was likeable in that role.

 

The best part of the night was in the beginning when my hero, 007-James Bond won.   Yes, Sean Connery won BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR for his part in THE UNTOUCHABLES.    In my book it was a classic moment, long overdue.

“I’ve Had The Time of My Life” from DIRTY DANCING won.   That was a pretty cool moment.  I have a feeling it will be a remembered tune for a long time.   After all, we ALL yearn to have the time of our lives.

He had known where he was heading from the age of eighteen, he just hadn’t been quite sure how he was going to get there, or how long it would take.

-BETRAYAL Of Love and Freedom
by Paul Huljich, a novel (based on a little truth)

 

Read More