Joy from Hideaway bar celebrated twenty-five years of life on Earth yesterday. Since I’m the resident feeder, I was tasked with providing the vittles for the party. I asked the birthday girl what she wanted to eat, and she said, “Jollibee.” The specific items requested were fried chicken, spaghetti, hamburger steaks, and tuna pies. I, of course, accommodated her birthday wishes.
Caught up in the spirit of the celebration, I rang the bell, an act that bestows a lady drink for all the girls. Josh was there too and bought drinks for the two girls rubbing on his back. It was a fun party, and I’m sure it was the best birthday Joy has had this year.
The MJ versus Joy thing and Josh visiting reminded me of something I hadn’t really thought about for years. Josh calls me by my middle name, Mark, and is one of the few people left on this planet who do so (his father, my brother, is another of them). When I was born, my dad wanted to name me John, and my mom preferred Mark. So, I became John Mark. Growing up, my dad called me John, and my mom and brothers called me Mark. At school, I was John. The kids I knew from the neighborhood called me Mark. I guess I’m lucky I didn’t experience schizophrenia as a result. However, my John persona was the more serious version of me, while Mark was the party guy pothead. Over time as I grew up and moved around the country, people all called me by my work name John, and that is who I have become. Having Josh call me Mark is still a bit surprising to hear, but it brings back fun memories.
After we departed the party at Hideaway, I took Josh up to the rooftop at BarCelona.
I also took Josh to Wet Spot so he could get a taste of what a bar with dancers was all about. The young cutie Mevelyn was looking especially enticing in her braless midriff top. I can’t remember if I bought her a drink or not. Yeah, it was a bit past my limit at this point.
I finished my evening with a nightcap at Johansson’s, where Josh is lodging. I went home, but my friend Reggie was there, and she messaged me this morning that Josh kept her up late with drinks and pool games. Yep, definitely kinfolk.
Facebook memories took me back to this day in 2017:
And in other health news, John, the restauranteur/foodie, has been hospitalized. Here’s the disturbing post from his Facebook page:
I need 4 sessions of dialysis for now, but due to HB level so low, my heart cannot take it. My survival rate would be very low. So I am asking blood donation. Doctor indicates the dialysis may or may not be permanent. Too early to say but initial treatment is a MUST
Good luck, John. Hope they can cure what ails you soon.
In a story with a happy ending, here’s the dog I always saw tied to the end of a short leash with no food or water on this date in 2019:
And here he is today:
I was pretty surprised when Gen sent me this picture of her pussy:
Had a good hike up Black Rock with the Wednesday Walkers this morning–I’ll post about that tomorrow. Gonna take Josh out for some barhopping this evening and show him the ropes. For as long as I last, anyway.
O-negative is the universal-donor blood type, so John could also receive that in theory. If I understand the situation correctly, he’s got lung problems reminiscent of pulmonary edema, and he’s got serious enough kidney problems to require dialysis. Did he live hard in his younger days? Or is this something genetic that’s catching up with him? Has anyone given him an all-around diagnosis for the constellation of ailments he’s suffering from? Inquiring minds want to know.
Happy birthday to MJ! May she find her Spider-Man.
You might enjoy this entry on John Mark, putative writer of the second gospel (which is, chronologically, the first of the four gospels). In France, for what it’s worth, Jean-Marc is a common given name.
Blood donations in this country seem to be administered in typical Filipino fashion–make it as difficult and inefficient as possible. I’m O+ but in an earlier post, John said they would only accept A- donations. In the comments, someone mentioned being rejected because of age and someone else said he was turned down because of recently ingesting alcohol. Anyway, word is out, and I’m hopeful acceptable donors have now been found. I took Josh to John’s place for dinner last night and also dropped some cash in a donation jar set up there for him.
I honestly don’t know anything about John’s life story or what may have led to his current condition. He strikes me as a very private person, and the fact that he is reaching out for help on social media tells me just how dire his situation truly is.
Thanks for the link on the Biblical history of John Mark. I’d never understood that there was a John Mark in the Gospel story.