Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 31

We Rock n' Rolled

Tell me whom you admire and I will tell you what kind of person you aspire to become.--Sam Keen, FIRE IN THE BELLY, On Being A Man 

1/13 - I’m still sick but I think I’ll feel better after another day.  Alan brought in chicken noodle soup and that seems to help.  It’s so kind of him to do that.  He wants me to feel better, too. We have a planned dinner outing to GEORGIO’s, a posh-Italian restaurant where ‘everyone who is anyone’ goes (as they say in Hollywood).  The pasta is supposed to be out-of-this-world but it’s ultra-expensive.  I’m sure I’ll feel better by Saturday night. 
1/17 - And I did feel better and had a wonderful dinner at GIORGIO’s (aka GIORGIO BALDI Restaurant); however, our world was literally rocked at at 4:31AM.  There was a 6.7 Earthquake.  It woke us up.  The house shifted as if it was a cruise ship.  We rocked n’ rolled.  We quickly dressed and everyone went to Susan’s house to see that everyone was a-ok.  Lauren and Carrie were fine.   Susan had her survival kits and plenty of food. 
The tough-to-take news came later in the day when we heard that Warner Creek (the apartments that Alan owns with Art Kleinman) were in shambles from the earthquake with extreme damage.  Everyone had to evacuate.  Alan and I went to check it out.  Alan was distressed but he’s so amazing when dealing with a calamity.  He doesn’t exactly panic; instead he evaluates and examines in a serious mode as he deciphers the best remedy.  I admire his demeanor.  I was feeling stressed for him; yet, I admired him so much. 
Alan must get his fixation of optimism from his mother.  It was Gloria who said, “You know...it’s bad but it will be better than ever in a year.  You wait and see!”  
I kept on with work at Charles Schwab this week in addition to my Graphic Design class at PLATT COLLEGE near Eagle Rock.  I just have to present an actual piece of paid work via an internship and I will graduate with my Graphic Design Certification.  Alan and Art have honored me to create a brochure for their other apartment building, so I am working on that each evening.  It’s a challenge but I know they’ll like it.  
Days later, Dorothy Rua sent me a photo postcard of Paris in 1933, Backstage at the Folies Bergere.  I loved the look of it.  Brassai was the Hungarian-French photographer who was the mastermind of the photo.  Heck Michael, 
I always seem to do this.  I run out of room when I have a little bit more to say.   
I had heard a brief comment on the Friday morning news going to work about the earthquake in L.A.   The news guy didn’t say much except he’d repeat about it later.  Well, by the time I head it was 6.0, the day was half gone.  My brother had called to tell me he was on the 8th floor of the Holiday Inn and the building was really moving around!  It woke him up and scared the ‘you know what’ out of him!  He said he was glad he was leaving that day.  As you know, I called you a couple of times and still hope you weren’t hurt in any way. 
The situation made me realize I’d have a difficult time finding out if you were hurt!  So here’s really hoping all is well with you! 
Do send me a sample of your graphic art design work for Alan and his partners.  Your brochure for their apartment complex in Kent, Washington will surely be great.  How wonderful to get paid for you talent.  Don’t stop now that you’ ‘have the pilot light on’.  You’re too funny (to steal your phrase).   Again, have a marvelous time up the coast. Love, Dorothy 
After we rocked n’ rolled this week we were quite shaken.  It’s time to move on though.  In time, people will forget about the quake.  I know—having been a Californian all of my life; however, I’m thankful that our state has strict building codes.  
Basic research is no job for one man alone. --Tan Twan Eng, The Garden of Evening Mists 

Other Breakthroughs

“As a French poet once said, some people smoke to put nicotine in their veins, others to put a cloud between them and others.  We all have ways of putting up screens to keep life at bay.  I use paper.”--Andre Aciman, FIND ME 
1994 is here and has begun.   Alan and I are excited for February and our planned adventure to London.  We will be there from February 12th-21st.  We are working on our itinerary.   
On Saturday night, January 8th, Alan drove out to Pasadena to attend a party at Perry’s house.  Perry was one of Alan’s longtime clients when he was a municipal bond trader at Kidder Peabody and Co.  I didn’t attend because I don’t know the guy.  I enjoyed my solitude.  I also had a card from Barbara Reynolds to read (and I wanted to write back to her).  The card depicted a drawing of a Boat Market, painted by Jackie Morris.  The card was printed in England:  
8 Jan 1994 Dearest Michael, Well, it doesn’t look like England but by gosh—it was printed there.  So I guess you are very excited about next month.  I know my trip will happen there again-and as usual I will have a fantastic time..as you will. 
Me...my trip this year will be Washington D.C. 
And today I saw PELICAN BRIEF with Alice.  All of the film location shots of D.C. were great.  No date yet...too much else still happening. I met a guy last week.  First “guy” in a while.  I didn’t want to stop talking but we both had other agendas so he gave me his telephone number.  I am hesitating.  He was born you year and on my mom’s birthday.  Well, isn’t life fun sometimes?  Well, yes, of course.  
Other breakthroughs for me on the psychic level is that I am finally able to talk about my dark, dreary, painfully frightening inhuman and sometimes terrifying, roots.  I guess I couldn’t clean it up with mom still around.  You know, she’d feel guilty and I just couldn’t put her through the pain.   She had already been through enough (I think).  And so, well, yes, maybe she would have wanted to understand what had happened or help me even more but she even told me she did not want to delve into the past anymore. 
I just know I need to know about my past to understand myself, so that I can be happier.  Good idea...right? This is the best January I’ve experienced in years.  How did you faire over the holidays?  I really enjoyed eating in December and I am enjoying eating LESS now...and exercise, yes!   Be Well, my friend,  Barbara 
Erg...was her “Be Well’ salutation a curse?  I ended up getting sick on January 11th.  I know I will have to take two or three days off from work to feel better again.  I need to slow down in order to reach out for other breakthroughs that turn out wonderful.   
There’s a new movie coming out mid-month called IRON WILL, starring a handsome new actor named Ethan Hawke.  I’d like to see it.  I need an iron will right now myself.  
“The way you were watching that bird just now,” he said, “I felt you were looking back to the past.”--Tan Twan Eng, THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS 

Memories of Another Time

Amazingly little real thought had been given to housework, even though it is at least fifty percent of all work in the world. -Robert A Heinlein, THE DOOR INTO SUMMER 
Alan and I managed another holiday movie on December 29th.  It was rather intense.  Daniel Day Lewis is one hell of an actor.  We saw IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER.   It was a biographical drama about a man’s coerced confession to an IRA bombing he did not commit which resulted in the imprisonment of his father as well.  The story continues as an English lawyer fights to free them.    
Alan and I needed to clean-up, do laundry after the movie entertainment.  The party is over.  The year is beginning.  We do manage to squeeze in the housework...somehow. Gloria is doing a good job ‘keeping us in the loop’.  She sent three more postcards.    Tues. 12/29 Hi... Hope all is well with you and everyone.  Today we visited Curacao.  It brought back memories of another time.  The city grew up and it was hard to recognize.  We are having fun, making friends and playing bridge.   Love and Miss you very much,  Mommy and Jack 
Wed. 12/30 Hi Michael, What a nice island (Grenada West Indies).  It is all full of spices and scents are everywhere.  We are having a great time, doing everything.  I am writing this on the tender back to the ship.  Love, Gloria and Jack Hi Alan, how’s it going?   

...and then a sweet New Year postcard from Florida, from Herb and Carol Braha.  We knew Herb wrote the card after reading his selling short investment strategy.  Ha-ha 
12/31/93 Dear A & M, Having a wild time on the West Coast of Floria.  There are lots of lakes, rivers and tributaries, but no romans.  Real estate is growing at 4.5% per year. 1994—I hope you are both well and very very Happy New Year in 94.  Sell short Andrea Electronics. Love, Herb and Carol  
As written in 1923 by Gibran, a simple postcard from a friend can do the trick:  ‘Your friend is your needs answered.’ --Kahlil Gibran, THE PROPHET 
And another sweet New Year's postcard from Gloria and Jack arrived.  I really liked this card.
Thursday 12/31Hi,Sorry we can't be with you to celebrate the New Year but we want to wish you a healthy, happy New Year.  Save your list of resolutions to show me "Alan".  Happy New Year and let's have a healthy, happy, prosperous "1994".  Affectionately, Gloria and Jack
Who knows what 1994 shall bring?  We all want good health, love and happiness.  And I always have my joy of writing.   As it should be for everyone. 
‘Writing is experiencing the familiar sensations as the words snare me in their lines until I lose all awareness of time and the world beyond the page.  It is a feeling in which I have always taken pleasure.  It provides me with more than that now:  it gives me some control over what is happening to me.  But for how long this will last, I have no idea at all.'  --Tan Tan Eng, THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS 

A Great Catch

“A human-being is part of the whole called by as “universe”, a part limited in time and space.  He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness.  This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us.  Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” --Albert Einstein 
On Sunday, this past December 19th I picked-up my brother, Tony, and his wife, Helen at the shipping docks in San Pedro.  They had gone on a cruise.  They seemed to have had a pleasant time.  I had picked them up from LAX-Airport the previous Sunday.  It was a fun family feeling to just see them even if it was just a short spell. 

I am thankful.  I guess that’s the catch phrase during the holidays.  People need to spread the love and compassion.  Alan and I caught the new Tom Hanks movie called PHILADELPHIA on opening release night of December 22nd.  It was rather depressing but Hanks did a great job depicting the character being discriminated against.  I’ll need something more cheerful to see soon.  
I received a sweet Christmas card from my first cousin, Shonette West-Freestone and her new family (husband, Andrew and baby Tori Michele Freestone).  Shonette wrote: 
1993 Dear Michael, So sweetie, how are you?  I hope you are doing well.  I really wish we were able to see each other more often!  I really miss all of our little talks we used to have.  Mainly about our relatives and our present happenings!   So tell me, how’s the dating material in L.A.?  I heard it’s pretty hot.  Two girls for every guy.  Tell me, is it true?  Okay cous...I’ve been married for 2 ½ years now and I even had a baby.  Why is all this time haven’t I heard about your wedding bells or even a girlfriend?  I’m curious.  Why’s a good-looking guy like you not taken yet?   You’re ‘a great catch’.  I must say!  Well, next time you’re at your mom’s give me a jingle.  We’ll go out and do something.  I would really enjoy your company and conversation. Love ya, Shonette Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!  Andrew, Shonette and Tori Michele Freestone. 
Gloria and Jack seemed to be having fun sailing the high seas on their CRYSTAL cruise ship.  She sent two more postcards for our joyful pleasure (one addressed to Alan and the other to me):   12/23, Wednesday Hi Sweetheart (Alan), I saw the movie SINGLE WHITE FEMALE.  It was great. 
Miss you loads!  Jack sleeps, eats, reads, plays bridge and walks the deck.  He’s having a great time.  Acapulco is a paradise with beautiful beaches, mountains, sand and ocean breezes. 
The trip is great.  Everything you want is here and more.  The staterooms are big with a large window and sitting area and comfortable beds.  The furnishings, accessories, lounges, dining rooms, pool, etc. Are truly down well   The service is superb, the food TOO GOOD.  I had a massage – fabulous! Love you much, Mommie and Jack Hi Michael...wish you were here.  
12/25 Hi Michael,   Just wanted you to have a picture of the ship.  It’s a very lively ship.  Things keep going on at all hours of the night.  The movies are good.  We saw HONEYMOON IN VEGAS yesterday.   
The Christmas decorations are beautiful and everything is very festive.   Affectionately, Gloria and Jack Hi Alan, miss you but having fun.  We met very nice people.  Keeping busy.  Love, Mommy 


I did manage a pre-Christmas visit to mom's house in Alameda.  I only got a few pics but they photos say it all.  Mom and Ashley up to their usual mischief; Holly on my lap, planning her next escapade and mom, decorating the tree. 



Alan and I went ahead with a Post-Christmas Day double-feature.  We saw GRUMPY OLD MEN.  I still adore Ann-Margret so I had to see it; however, it was just so-so.  The other movie we saw was just extraordinary.  A story called WHAT’S EATING GILBERT GRAPE.   It starred Johnny Depp but the standout was a young actor named Leonardo DiCaprio.  He was quite amazing.  I’m sure he’ll get some nominations as he played a mentally disabled young lad.  I really loved it.  I imagined the character, Arnie Grape, played by Leonardo, and what his inner mind must feel.  It must be a private genius. 
“We all live in our own reality.” --as heard while watching the 2019 Netflix film EARTHQUAKE BIRD 

In The Mood To Travel

Whomever you become, whatever you make yourself into, THAT is who you always were.  It was always IN you. --Tara Westover, EDUCATED, a memoir 
Gloria and Jack travel so much.  I’m envious.  She sent me a postcard from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, this week.  It seems they are on another cruise.  A cruise is fine and dandy but I prefer land trips.  Cruise stops are 'teasers'.  I imagine the traveler gets a little taste of a place but sometimes I bet one wishes to stay longer.  Monday, 12/21 Hi, 1st stop and it’s a very busy place—but beautiful scenery.  The ship is magnificent with every luxury.  Affectionately, Gloria and Jack Hi Alan! 
The Christmas Cards were few and far between because I haven’t been sending out the mass of cards that I usually do.  It’s not easy between work and home.   Herb Braha and wife, Carol sent a sweet card though.  I loved how Carol wrote these words.  They were not imprinted on the card.  They were her handwritten words.  I was never quite sure if she acquired these words elsewhere or if they were in her own words.  I’d like to think they were ‘her words’: 
1993 Alan and Michael,  Friends who grow together  Often compromises are made. Remembering all occasions Evergreens and Everglades. Sincerity is your shadow It reflects you guys in every way. Tis the season to reminisce Especially on a holiday. All Our Love, Carol and Herb 
And then there was another Christmas Card from Reed Campbell but this was not as naughty as the last one.  It was a group of Santa Dude caricatures.  Reed wrote: 
Have a cool yule! Hi Michael,  Hope to be able to send postcards soon from our Panama Canal/Carribbean Cruise (17 days in February). Ms. Statendam New Holland America ship—then in March 10 days in China and Hong Kong.  I will keep in touch.  Hope your job is going your way.  Would love to see you, so if you get a up this way give me a call. Best Reed...and a Great 1993. 
I’m in the mood to travel.  I like how travel works a different part of one’s brain (Alan often says this).  While traveling I learn something new about myself (at least I try to do that).  I am happy for my weekends though.  And the holiday period makes it so that November and December vanish quickly.  It’s time to plan for the forthcoming year.    I really liked seeing THE PELICAN BRIEF (starring Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington) movie with Alan.  It was based on the John Grisham book.   It’s funny because I noticed more pelicans flying around after seeing the film.   There are a few other good films coming next week that we plan to see.   Now when I see a pelican flying freely I imagine myself as the pelican.  Flying freely, without fear is how we should live our lives. What would you do if you knew you could NOT fail?  It’s another question to ask to help you find your purpose. --A.C. Ping, “BE” 

The Power of Persuasion

‘I was now resolved to do everything in my power to defeat the system.’--Oskar Schindler 
Ah...Gloria sent a sweet, beautiful and colorful Chanukah card our way:   Monday, 12/6/93, Happy Chanukah!! Hi, Just wanted to wish you both the best ever for Chanukah.  Very Happy Jack and I can spend it with you!  The very best present you have given us is what you give us every time we see you.  You’re TLC (Tender Loving Care), you’re love, and best of all just being there for us.  We count our blessings having you as part and whole of our lives. Our Love Always and Forever, Mommy and Jack 
And Alan and I went to the initial release of a new Steven Spielberg directed film called SCHINDLER’S LIST on December 15th.  It was very emotional.  The movie had a unique cinematic Black and White effect.  I still see the image of that little girl when the film showed her in a red jacket—the one piece of color shown in the film.  What brilliant cinematography!   Actor, Liam Neeson, was remarkable as Oskar Schindler.   The story takes place in German-occupied Poland during WWII.  Schindler becomes concerned for his workforce in his factory after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.  The musical theme song by Itzhak Perlman (and the Boston Symphony Orchestra) was so intense that the tune was enough to make one cry.   It worked on me.  In Los Angeles, everyone is talking about it being one of the greatest films ever.  I am confident it will win Best Picture of the Year.  

And of course, Reed Campbell, knew he'd get a chuckle out of me when he sent me this Christmas card:  "Briefly Speaking, Merry Christmas!" Reed wrote:  Hope yours is a Merry Christmas, Reed. It was the image of the guy in the briefs that was the stand out.  Hilarious.  
Alan and I saw another fantastic film this week.  It was called SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION.   I primarily wanted to see it because I’m a fan of Stockard Channing (especially after seeing her performance in that 1973 film called THE GIRL MOST LIKELY TO...in which Joan Rivers wrote the teleplay); however, Will Smith, really surprised me with his performance.  The story centered around an affluent New York City couple who find their lives touched, intruded upon, and compelled by a mysterious young black man who is never quite who he says he is.  The power of persuasion can be quite compelling.  Be wary of those who attempt to persuade you. 
“I read somewhere that everybody on this planet is separated by only six other people. Six degrees of separation between us and everyone else on this planet. The President of the United States, a gondolier in Venice, just fill in the names. I find it extremely comforting that we're so close. I also find it like Chinese water torture, that we're so close because you have to find the right six people to make the right connection... I am bound, you are bound, to everyone on this planet by a trail of six people.” --Stockard Channing, as Ouisa in the 1993 film, Six Degrees of Separation 

Patio Romance

When in doubt, what to do?  How do we know what’s right for us?  Every shrink, every career counselor, every Disney Princess knows the answer: “Be yourself.”  “Follow your heart.” --THE GOLDFINCH, Donna Tartt 
The season has begun.  I received two Christmas Cards this week.  A JOYEUX NOEL card from Paloma and A MERRY WHAT? Sketch of what looked like a complexed orgy Christmas Tree (leave it to Reed Campbell to find the humorous cards).   It’s time to mail my Christmas Cards out, too.  
On December 3rd a new movie came out and I persuaded Alan to see it.  It’s called A DANGEROUS WOMAN which stars Debra Winger but one of my favorite actresses is also in it:  BARBARA HERSHEY!  I’d have a patio romance with her.  I think I first noticed her way back in the film THE NATURAL.  Oh and probably BEACHES...oh and that obscure one that no one seemed to see with Keanu Reeves called TUNE IN TOMORROW!  Dorothy Rua found a PATIO ROMANCE card depiction, a photo card taken by photographer Frederic Rolland.   It’s a cute, romantic scene.  Dorothy wrote: 10:30AM At The Top of the Hill Sunday, 12-5-93 Dear Michael, You never cease to amaze me.  Renoir’s DANCE AT BOUGIVAL and the SUGAR DADDY were wonderful surprise cards.  I couldn’t imagine what you had wrapped for me and I laughed for some time once I opened the “gift”.  It was the laugh I’ve been needing for quite some time.  And, of course I’ll take a sugar daddy any way I can get one!   Little did you know sugar daddy candy has always been one of my favorites to suck on, lasts a long time, too.   I have three favorite RENOIR paintings and one of them is DANCE AT BOUGIVAL.  I have the other two cards in my cubicle at work but never seemed to find this one, the 3rd.   You’ve completed my trio and I will now get to enjoy it every day.  Thank you for the little things that mean so much to me.   Now that you get off of work at 3pm how are you filling those afternoon hours of freedom?   Sunning on the rooftop with a chilled glass of wine?  Watch out, you may run into Santa on his way to your chimney!  If you do see him, be sure to tell him what I want for Christmas.  I’ve been ever-so-good... By the way, are the stickers on your envelope supposed to be symbolic?  What anniversary is being celebrated?  Give me the details.  And what the heck is this BEGIN DIET (shit)?  Jeez...it’s not hard enough catching a glimpse of one’s body in the mirror, the bunny rabbit has to remind me, to!  Besides, bad time of year for diets. So, are you still in TIP TOP shape?  I still have those 3 FAT BATHING BEAUTIES helping each other out of the pool.  Card was on your fridge in Alameda but you sent it to me when you moved to L.A.  It’s in my cubicle at work now but I’ll loan it to you if you need it.  Ha-ha! On a more serious note, I received your party invitation and liked your graphics.  What I’d like even more is to come and join the festivities.  I know it’ll be lots of fun, the type of fun Dorothy could really enjoy.  Still does not look like 'a go' from this end for the same reasons mentioned in my previous cards.  But I’m not one to give up hoping, so I haven’t cancelled my plane reservations, yet!  I would love to pleasantly surprise you—no matter what a part of me will be there with you. As Always, Love, Dorothy 

Well, every gentleman loves to be pleasantly surprised.  James Bond and I definitely have that in common. 
It’s clear in general that James Bond is one of those progressives who are quite prepared to accept the present and even allow the future to happen. --Kingsley Amis, THE JAMES BOND DOSSIER 

Zap Myself

“Doesn’t your head get covered with dust when they shake out the rugs in the morning?” “I don’t go out in the morning...I go out when LIFE has already been dusted.” --Ramon Gomez De La Serna, The Trials and Tribulations of the Hater of Hats, EIGHT NOVELLAS 
Well, Mrs. Doubtfire opened on the 24th and Alan and I went on the release date adventure and just loved it.  It was the right time to go out.  It was hysterical.  Robin Williams dressed as Mrs. Doubtfire really cracked us up.  It’s worth watching it again. It's the perfect Thanksgiving movie with great, thoughtful messages.  
November 25th was Thanksgiving.  I didn’t go to Alameda this year but that’s okay.  I can’t always work it out.   I actually have to work the day after Thanksgiving.  That’s ridiculous.  It will be so slow—but we may be able to leave early.   My niece, Lauren, updated me with a letter: 


11/27/93,  Dear Michael, I missed you at my first ballet recital.  Grandma and Great-Grandma came.  Sharon and Bobbie, my friends, gave me some flowers.  They smelled so good.  I missed you on Thanksgiving, too!   I liked the eggnog, turkey, corn, mashed potatoes and salad.  Yum!  I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.  I hope your cooking was good.  Did you have turkey and ham? I can hardly wait to see you at Christmastime.  Hope you will stay a long time.  Perhaps you will visit my ballet class on Saturday. Mom and Dad are going on a cruise, so Grandma Virginia will stay here with Leigh and me for a week.  It will be fun. Love, Lauren  Of course, her letter made me miss everyone.  It would be nice to zap myself from one place to another like Elizabeth Montgomery did on BEWITCHED.   I always imagined what it would be like to zap myself to other parts of the world.  Maybe if I think really hard it can happen.Samantha: Darrin is a marvelous human being. Endora:  Oh, that’s a terrible thing to say about anyone! --Samantha Stevens (Elizabeth Montgomery), BEWITCHED, Season I, Be It Ever So Mortgaged 

Everybody Hurts

I had taken a partner once before—but, damnation, no matter how many times you get your fingers burned, you have to trust people.  Otherwise you are a hermit in a cave, sleeping with one eye open. -Robert A Heinlein, THE DOOR INTO SUMMER 


It’s been ‘4’ years since I met Alan on November 20, 1989.  I remember when we first met, exchanging phone numbers at MICKEY’s in West Hollywood.   Our first dinner outing together I felt quite leery, unsure if I wanted to go through another short-term romance.   
I think one of the best characteristics of our relationship is that we are always conversing about some interesting subject or another.  We make life interesting.  My work days seem long but my time with Alan goes by so quickly.   
It’s amazing how these four years have flown by.  When I’m at work the evenings are full and our weekends are creatively planned.  There’s so much to do.   And to think it seems we’ve barely touched the surface.  Alan wrote the sweetest words in our Anniversary Card: 













November 20, 1993 Dearest Michael, Words cannot express how I truly feel about you.  You have added so much happiness and joy to my life.  I think I have changed for the better due to your influence.  My list is to continue to enjoy and enrich my life with yours and to find a lifetime of fulfillment with you:  a friend, a lover, a stock picker, flamboyant, hunky, 10+ in every respect.  What can I say? Happy Anniversary. Love Always, Alan  
We peppered in the weekend with a movie:  ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES.  It was great for a few laughs.  I think I liked Christina Ricci as Wednesday the best.  She had some funny lines: 
Morticia Addams:  Wednesday’s at that very special age when a girl has only one thing on her mind. 
Ellen Buckman:  Boys?
Wednesday Addams:  Homicide 
It’s not always easy.  Sometimes everything is wrong.  I think that song by R.E.M. sums it up well.  It’s called EVERYBODY HURTS.  Listen to the lyrics immediately! It’s all about getting past the hurt and finding the soothing remedy.  Sometimes the remedy is a simply invigorating workout at the gym, a song, or a new story in a book.    The most powerful resource we have for transforming ourselves is honest conversation. --Sam Keen, FIRE IN THE BELLY, On Being A Man 

Let's Do It

I do not remember what we talked about.  I think we were very open-hearted, and that I told her, what I could not have mentioned to anybody else. --THE OLD CHEVALIER, from SEVEN GOTHIC TALES by Isak Dinesen 
Alan sweetly sent a postcard from Boston.  The card depicted Springtime Magnolias and it made me think of the street I grew up on in Alameda: Magnolia Drive.  I showed mom the magnolias, too. 
Alan was attending a Birthday Bash for his friend, Andy O'Connell.  They were business associates in the bond trading business.  Andy worked for First Boston while Alan worked for Kidder-Peabody.
Alan's step-dad, Jack 'Israel' Cohen, was also on business in Boston, so Alan was meeting him for dinner at some posh seafood restaurant. I asked, "Does that mean you get Boston Clam Chowder or New England Clam Chowder and I don't?"  
11/12/93 Can you imagine one week in New England?  Boston, Providence, Cape Cod, New Hampshire, Vermont...it’s different, but let’s do it.  There are so many things I want to show you and share with you. See You Soon, Love,  Alan  
They keep playing this song called "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" by MEATLOAF.   Everyone's loving it.
Mom and I did enjoy Carlito’s Way and Remains of the Day; however, I think we liked THE PIANO most because of the period piece and the music.   “I have to buy that CD for the music.  I love that piano music, don’t you?” I asked mom. “Yes, I do too.” “I like to sleep to piano music.” 
The time passed too quickly during mom’s visit.  She accompanied me to LAX to pick-up Alan at the airport.  Even that errand was fun to do with her.   “Don’t worry mom, I’ll be in Alameda before you know it.” I look forward to Thanksgiving at her house later this month. 
Writing HELPS me to control myself.   I was especially careful to keep my spirit free from worries. --Adolfo Bioy Casares, THE INVENTION OF MOREL