Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 32

DREAMS, GOALS, ETC.

He compensated for the frugality of his daily life:  listening to his radio gave him all the food he needed.  --Ramon Gomez De La Serna, from his short story KILL THE MORSE! 
Paloma wrote on a unique ATHENA postcard and included a few photos that I loved.  Jonathan is growing-up so fast.   While reading her letter I listened to music.  I can’t let go of my 80s groove.  CRASH by The Primitives is playing now.  Dear Michael,  Thank you for the jeans.  We finally got them, they arrived on October 26th and you sent them in September 5th, so it took almost 2-months like the last time.  That’s really worth waiting for.  They are so cheap in the States, I don’t understand why they are so expensive here.  Thanks again.  That’s really nice of you to bother sending them to me.  I really appreciate.   
I think that if we get along so well it’s probably because some where we are very similar, aren’t we?  We pretty much like the same things and feel the same way.  It’s really too bad we are now so far away but I’m really happy we are still friends after all of these years.  I would really miss writing to you. 
DId I tell you that my Aunt (my dad’s sister) died about 10 days ago?  She is the one who used to live in Cuernavaca (Mexico).  I’m very sad about that but we were expecting it.  She had been in the hospital for a year.  Now she’s somewhere better.  I’d rather die than stay all day long in a bed, suffering and knowing that it’s just going to get worse every day. 
Well, this card is just to let you know that I got the jeans.  
I took Jonathan to the movies to see BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (La Belle Et La Bete). That was great, we loved it.    Miss you- Love you-, Paloma 
Barbara Reynolds wrote again, also, using a artists’ image of a parrot from Santa Fe, NM.   The artist is Zefi McGrath who has traveled extensively in Europe and Africa and now makes her home in Santa Fe.  
8 Nov 93 Dear Michael, A day off today—I would like to take your path and retire from here.  Looking at the ocean, sitting in the garden on the hill above the BIG SUR INN...a couple of nights away from Berkeley.  My room has a book called DREAM TRAINS by Charlotte Vale Allen.  It’s about a woman photographer.  The part I am reading now she is in London, so I thought, yes, it is time to get a message off to Michael. Yesterday, I was visiting the Henry Miller Memorial Library and saw a new book (can’t remember the name) but I guess it is for children to teach them about writing in journals...their dreams, goals, etc. 
So, today my exercise will be walking as it is more and more needed lately.  I really LOVE walking.  Yesterday, I was at PFEIFFER BEACH and it was windy with the tide coming in.  I enjoyed climbing about all of the rocks.  Now I see a sailboat moving slowly up the coast.  I just had a delicious breakfast.  Food time...guess you survived all of the fires.  I know that’s why I hesitated writing some thoughts and feelings do overwhelm me.    
But CHANGE...now that is a word I wish I could remember more often.  Alas, time is time and we go along making those choices.  This house hunting experience has made me so aware of choice.  Yes, I’m still on the hunt...and still hopeful.  I do need to use my journal to help create that perfect place for me.  Yes, I’ll do it now that I’ve finished this note to you and dropped it here at this post-office.   What are your flight dates?  Sorry for the messy scribbling (too much coffee).  I am seeing lots of paintings here.  Would like to see yours. Love,  Barbara Reynolds  
Mom arrived today (November 8th).   We have fun plans.  Alan is leaving for Boston for a few days, so I’ll have some fun alone time with mom.  We will see the REMAINS OF THE DAY movie tonight.  I want to take her to see CARLITO’s WAY and THE PIANO before she departs back to Alameda on November 14th.  I’m sure it will be easy to squeeze the films in to our itinerary.  She’s open.  She may do a little Christmas shopping for the girls—but that’s it.  I know she misses dad a lot.  She doesn’t say it much but I can tell.  I miss him, too.  It’s been since August 1987 but it’s still so hard to believe. 
Only when I knew I would never see him again did I realize how well he had known me and how much he loved me. --Jerzy Kosinski, THE PAINTED BIRD 

The Eruption of my Volcano

“Once I find the formula that I’m looking for, I’ll have everything.” -The Master of the Atom, a short story by Ramon Gomez De La Serna 
I had hoped to see Birda during my holiday visit to Alameda but it looks like that’s not going to pan out this time.   We are all so busy but letters help keep us all together and connected.  
Oct. 28, 1993 Michael, It was good to hear from you.  And even better to know all is well.  I wish I was going to be here for Christmas but as usual we seem to just miss each other. We’re going to L.A. (Diamond Bar) to Bill’s parents’ house for Christmas.  I guess all we’re going to do is pass each other on the freeway.  Oh well... Someday we’ll have to make plans where we can get together for dinner or something.   I’m looking forward to your next postcard.  I can’t wait to see where your next vacation takes you.  Till then...take care. Always, Birda P.S.  BOO!   
I managed to write Paloma a pre-Halloween letter.  I always think of Paloma during Halloween because that was the spine-tingling night that we met back in San Francisco 1983.  
October 28, 1993, Wednesday Night Dear Paloma, It’s that time of year again!  Halloween.  Remember when we met 10 years ago.  Amazing! Here’s my first self-made card I’ve done for you.  Do you like?   
I hope you end up making it here over Christmas and/or in February.  There’s a terrible stormy fire disaster going on right now in the Laguna Beach area. 
I wish I were driving to MONACO, ”puff-puff”.  It’s absolutely beautiful there.  It’s a little scary driving there and peaking over those cliffs though.  You’re lucky to be in Sete itself. I will definitely be in London February 12th through February 21st.  I am looking forward to that one.  Too bad we couldn’t meet for dinner. There’s a book you must read called BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY.  It’s really good.  Have you heard of it?  They’re talking about doing a movie of it with Robert Redford as the star.   I know what you mean about vacationing and being around a bunch of people and feeling obligated to talk to them.  I’d much rather be on a nice quiet beach (as depicted on this card).    Thanks for the neat articles.  The one your dad wrote is quite impressive.  Unfortunately, since I rarely use Spanish I barely understood it but I recognized a number of words.   I don’t think I’ll be dressing-up for Halloween but I’m going to a major outdoor street party to see everyone in costume. 
Jeez - “30” hours to Australia does seem like a long time!  You’d have to go First Class...and Ha-ha...everything costs a pretty penny doesn’t it? Thanks for your cool cards.   My mom is coming to visit 11/8 to 11/14. That will be fun.  She’s a sweetie. Well, until next time. Love, Michael 
Surprise Surprise!  Alan wrote me a card.   
Oct. 30, 1993 Michael - The Scene – Any great city: LA, NY, Wash DC, Paris, London, Marina Del Rey, Alameda, Whitestone...just pick it.  As long as the two of us are together at this coffee shop it works. I love you and being with you all the time.  You’re the eruption of my volcano. Love, Alan 
And Dorothy memorialized my Halloween with a card also.  She did make me feel special.    
10-31-93 Michael, It’s already HALLOWEEN and I’m still working on getting your cards in the mail.  Can’t seem to get more than a minute or two to myself. Just picked up the poster you created just for me.  I love it...absolutely love it! It’s perfect and yes, it’s so me.  I’m on the cruise ship looking out at sea, wondering how long it will be before you get back with the two glasses of wine.  The dolphins are swimming playfully just beyond the ship’s wake and I’m so glad to feel as free as they do.  Three long weeks ahead without anything to think about buy MY pleasure—no job or other responsibilities.   A girl can dream and I’ll take every opportunity to do so.  Thank you for all the “little things” you do (and have done throughout the years) that consistently bring me pleasure.  You remain ever so special.   
A Friday Night Christmas Party...what fun!  And Rosemarie and I are invited.  You can’t even begin to know how fast my mind has been racing with the thoughts of holiday cheer in Marina Del Rey.  No two girls would have more fun than the two of us.  At this point, don’t know if we would be able to work it into everything else going on at that time.  I have a laser treatment scheduled for early December which would still have me recuperating around ‘party time’.   And I have tentative plans for a trip to Phoenix/Sedona around 12/22.  Rosemarie has her own agenda to deal with, but because we’re the type of people we are and one never knows for sure what’s possible; we made plane reservations just in case.  If we don’t make it down for your wonderful party I’ve made a commitment to myself to find a way to spend a weekend visiting with you in 1994...with Rosemarie and Alan, too, of course.  Thanks for inviting us to the party.  It means a lot!  And you’re right.  It would be fantastic! Well, you certainly have quite a bit to keep you occupied.  The holidays, then the trip to England only a few months away.  There he’ll go again Mr. Jet Set with “angel wings” of his own. Ha-ha. 
I was going to continue but realized just how log I’ve been at this, so decided to get to the post-office and write more later. Thinking of You, Always, Love,  Dorothy 
And, of course, Paloma dropped me a postcard from MONACO after all...she had Jonathan write the ‘Alex, Jonathan’ part.  That was cool to see.  
November 2, 1993 Dear Michael, Just a few words from a place I think you saw the last time you came to France.  We’re having a great time.  This morning we are going to St. Tropez.  Write me! Love, Paloma, Alex, Jonathan 
With every day, and from both sides of my intelligence, the moral and the intellectual, I thus drew steadily nearer to that truth...that man is not truly ONE, but truly TWO.  I say TWO, because the state of my own knowledge does not pass beyond that point. --Robert Louis Stevenson, THE STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE 

Change Of Pace

If you didn’t use priorities, when the music stopped you were left standing.--Robert A Heinlein, THE DOOR INTO SUMMER 
It looks like my former coworker at Charles Schwab & Co. (Brynly) who has moved to Massachusetts has begun to write me.  I wonder how long that will last?   It’s extremely nice to get her updates though.  Her style of writing is very conversational and amusing for me:  
October 21, 1993 Dear Michael,  SO, I’m lousy at picking out cards—and your preferences didn’t help I might add.  How the hell am I supposed to define “sexy or interesting”?  This is the best I could do for interesting.  I thought it seemed really busy and colorful.  So you might like it.  Anyway, I’m here in the big “B” (Boston).  My first day, actually so I am just hanging around going place to place...loitering in nice atmospheres to be honest.  It’s rainy and kind of chilly, so I’m really liking my change of pace.  I’m sure Chuck (Charles Schwab) is really missing my competent, yet, bitchy presence.  I know I sure am missing those positive attitude posters—the running horses with the title LEADERSHIP is one of my personal favorites...that or the big hand shake by the copier.  Can you tell how much I really miss L.A.?  I think I meant that rhetorically. So this is just a short note to say I’m here and so far, am liking it.  Tomorrow’s my interview so who knows what will happened with that.  Is wearing jeans and a t-shirt too dress?  Ha-ha. I can’t tell you how much ‘ve missed wearing panty hose the past few days.  I’m really looking forward to it.  I think when I’m feeling okay, my humor gets exceeding sarcastic and bitter. Anyway, take care, Amico Recordi Mi (Friend Remember Me), Address:  P.O. Box 44-1199 Somerville, MA 02144 Oh, I forgot, you have it programmed—anyway, that’s for reference. Ciao, Love, Brynly P.S.  As far as my messy writing goes this is pretty good, don’t you think? 
Brynly’s card was interesting.  It balanced out because Dorothy Rua’s latest card arrived a few days later and it was much more sexy:  10-25-93 Dear Michael, Can’t believe how quickly time is passing, days turning into weeks, then months.  Mainly because of all the hours I’m still spending at work.  More layoffs causing extra loads on the remaining employees.  Hope I can find something better by January.  During December I’ll only work about nine days, so I have that to look forward to.  Lately, I’ve found myself so tired out.  I deserve better, don’t I? 
Somehow I have managed to find a few hours now and then to meet with different friends.  One of the guys I work with (he started about 3 months ago) recently returned from a year and a half long trip through Australia/Indonesia/India.  Fascinating parts of the world, especially  Indonesia.  We’ve shared a couple MARGARITA evenings going through his pictures and listening to his adventures.  Made me think of you and how I wish I could spend time looking through your pictures of Europe, etc.  You know how I always want to be everywhere else! I got a chance to see the JOY LUCK CLUB.  I enjoyed it immensely.  It was more than touching and followed the book very closely.  Thank goodness I brought lots of tissue.  You’re right it should fall into the Academy Award category.  Photo:  THE LOVER, 1992 The other movie/video I watched (by myself) was the other one you highly recommended:  THE LOVER.  Incredibly, sensual and very well-done.  You could actually feel his tremendous need for her. How did you know I would enjoy it as much as I did?   I’ve even recommended the movie to a few friends I think will appreciate it. Thank goodness I have you scouting the theaters for me.  Let me know what other movies you enjoy out there—in the World of the Free.  Ha! 
You know what I’ve been thinking lately?  What a struggle it is to keep the real ‘other me’ alive.  So easy to drown in the land of Dodge Plymouth Vans herding the products of suburbia from one event to another.  How did I get here and who are these people in their pods?  Better question is how and when the hell am I going to get out? 
I had a Henri Matisse painting postcard and wrote to mom, inserting it in an envelope with a magazine article:  10-26-93 Mom, This article was in the most recent issue of FINANCIAL WORLD magazine.  I thought you'd be interested in reading it. I hope you’re taking better care of yourself!  Have you slowly started back on your treadmill exercise machine? I picked some new eyeglasses.  I should have them by the time you get here on November 8th.  I can’t wait until you are here!   Oh well...I wrote longer than I intended.  Enjoy the article.  I only read the beginning of it.  Later, Love You!  Michael  
My niece, Ashley, sent a National Parks card of a wolf—but the best part of the card was opening it to find a pencil drawing she did of a Halloween Witch.  Too cute!  
10-26-93 Dear Uncle Mike, How are you?  I'm fine.  How's Carrie?
Today we had a fire drill.  Boy, was it loud!  
Only ‘4’ more days till Halloween.  Guess what I’m going to be?   A WITCH!  For the costume I’m going to wear black tights, a black witch’s dress and belt.  I even have a hat and a broom!   
Ms Myovich is so much nicer than Mrs. Valterza at school.  We are reading DEAR MR. HENSHAW by Beverly Cleary.  I really miss you.  Love You Lots, XXXOOO, Ashley, XXXOOO
And through my eyes, this Ashley card makes for my Best Halloween feeling.  It’s a wonderful change of pace from my normal day.  It brings me into her day and I love that. 
The smell of the incense drifted to me, lulling me into a brief moment of peace before it too dispersed with the smoke. --Tan Twan Eng, The Garden of Evening Mists 

Isn't She Lovely?

“Love…ly,” he said to her.
“Why that?” she asked with an expression of surprise.
“Because saying that word is like kissing in front of other people.”--Ramon Gomez De La Serna, EIGHT NOVELLAS, his Knock, Knock, I’m Your Liver short-story

Paloma may not write for a while, but she always has it on the back of her mind to make the time to do so.  I am that way with regard to writing to her also.  In any case, we both are leading busy lives.  I was happy to get a letter from her this week though.  Her abstract postcard was colorful and beautiful…but, of course, it was a Kandinsky image from 1910.   Leave it to her to find a classic.  Isn’t she LOVELY (just like that song by Stevie Wonder that I love from his album SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE, circa 1976)?

Le 15/Oct/1993Dear Michael, Once again sorry I’ve been such a lazy writer, but I’ve been sick.  We have along change of season.  One day it is cold and the day after sunny and warm, so everybody gets sick.We are going to close down the Residence on October 31st.  We are planning to drive along the coast until probably Monaco for a few days.  We have a bunch of friends to visit around there.  We are still thinking about going to the states.  If we do it will be for Christmas or in February (end of the month) but we are kind of worried about the weather in Albuquerque at that time of the year.  My brother says it’s freezing then. Two couples of friends are leaving next week for the Seychelles, so that makes us think again about going to some far away island in the sun.  I would like to go to the Seychelles and to Tahiti but again I really want to go to the states, too.  In fact, when we go to Tahiti, we’ll have to stop in L.A.  I am dying to see you and I want to do so many things in the states.  It would be too long to tell you.  Can you believe that I left almost nine years ago?   I really would like to see Berkeley and San Francisco again.The best would, of course, be to do one thing for Christmas and the other one for February…but that would be crazy.  Then we would be broke (especially since I had said that this year, we would save money and stay here).  Don’t we have a tough decision to make?  I am the one in-charge of this kind of decision.  Alexandre’s brother, Laurent, is still working for CLUB MED (since we left in 1986).  He is leaving the day after tomorrow for Australia.  He is going to stay there for one year.  I would love to go there but it’s almost a 30-hour flight.  You already need four days to go and come back.   For the three of us at a CLUB MED it would cost about $11,000.  I really think it’s a big waste.  I don’t like going to CLUB MED.  I thought I would on-vacation after working there but we went to Mauritius for one day and I hate being around people all of the time.  It reminds me of work when I am around people.  I feel forced to talk to them when I have nothing to say to them. Regi, Sophie, Zon Zon and Coco are planning to go to the states in August 1994.  They won a plane ticket to go to North Dakota (I think) for a Harley Davidson meeting (a famous one, I don’t remember where).  In fact, their bike won.  Lately, they’ve been winning all the best shows.  They had four pages about them in a bike magazine.  They even thought about winning in the states.  I think they’re dreaming but who knows…

Talking about magazines…I don’t think I already send you this newspaper piece talking about Alexandre and our hotel.  Since you speak Spanish so well, I’m also sending you another one written by my dad!  I’m surrounded by famous people, aren’t I?  You know now why I’m so smart! I have to go now, and I want to send this letter fast, so I have to stop.  Do you like the painting on the card?  I didn’t know this KAMINSKY artist before.  I bought two cards I liked for you and I noticed they were both art drawings by him.Write me and tell me some more about what you are doing.Miss You,
Love,
Paloma

In an effort to reply quickly to Paloma I sent a brief MALIBU postcard to acknowledge her latest letter.  I will write her a longer letter soon.
10-18-93
Sorry Paloma…while I was in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico I sent no postcards because I was exhausted from driving all over the place, seeing sights, relatives, restaurants, etc.
It’s too bad you’re not her in California.  It would be great to see you.  The air fares are dirt cheap…at least they were during a couple of days last month.   That’s why Alan and I are going to London in February 1994.  It will probably be cold, but I don’t mind because I want to go there.  I’ll be going home to Alameda for Christmas.  I am simply working hard like you are.  You seem to squeeze in some entertaining with all of your visitors.  I sure miss you.Take Care, 
Love You,
Michael J Armijo

Ah…and to close the week a sweet, brief letter from my sister-in-law, Sherri.  I like how she always updates me with the school photos of the kids.  Isn’t she lovely?
October 18, 1993Hola!
We’re back from Mexico and had a great time!
Ashley just got her pictures, so I wanted to send them with the rest.
Being that Ally isn’t in school no wallet sized of her.  I’ll send one of her later.
Tell everyone Hi!  See you soon…
Love,
Sherri

The only way a man could acquire virtue was by acquiring KNOWLEDGE.  Socrates defined the good life by saying:  “So long as I breathe and have the strength to do it, I will not cease philosophizing, exhorting you, indicting whichever of you I happen to meet, telling him in my customary way…aren’t you ashamed to care so much to make all the money you can and to advance your reputation and prestige—while for truth and wisdom and the improvement of your soul you have no care or worry?”-Sam Keen, FIRE IN THE BELLY, On Being A Man

Please Be My Pen Pal

"People who meet you now will never be able to imagine you young.  They can never go any further back than fifty.  It isn’t all bad.  It means now people will think you were always a grown-up.  They’ll take you seriously.” –Andrew Sean Greer, LESS, a novel
Alan and I really enjoy a suspenseful thriller.  We were pleasantly surprised by the film MALICE.  Malice isn’t a pretty word.  It is defined as the intention or desire to do evil.   The cast included Alec Baldwin, Nicole Kidman, Bill Pullman and Anne Bancroft.  It premiered here in Los Angeles last week and we recently managed to screen it.  Intense.  I can’t go into detail without revealing the secrets.
And on a more light-hearted non-suspenseful note I received a loving letter from my niece, Lauren, in the mail this week.   It is these heartwarming letters that make me smile from ear-to-ear.  It gives me meaningful purpose.
Oct. 10, 1993
Dear Uncle Mike,
I’m turning 8 this month. 
I can’t wait until my birthday.  I might have a birthday party.  It’s going to be an ALADDIN Birthday.  I want a sleep over. 
On my birthday I wish you could come.  I was going to ask you if you can come to my recital on November 7th.  We have lots of tickets.  I hope you can come down soon to visit.
I love you.  I miss you.
Love, Lauren
P.S.  Please be my pen pal.
Of course, I couldn’t wait to write back.  Smiles.  I love being a pen pal.  I just wish they’d write back again.
Have you ever felt like your life has had purpose, yet you’ve never cared for purposes, and so all your life you’ve been keeping away from the purpose that you’ve always felt your life had?
--Samantha Lucero, LET THE DEVIL WEAR BLACK, a novel

Above It All

She was a masterpiece of composure; nothing ever ruffled her or made her upset, and though she was not beautiful her calmness had the magnetic pull of beauty—a stillness so powerful that the molecules realigned themselves around her when she came into a room.  Like a fashion drawing come to life, she turned heads wherever she went, gliding along obliviously without appearing to notice the turbulence she created in her wake.--Donna Tartt, THE GOLDFINCH
Leave it to Gloria to find me a postcard that defines her:  Above It AllHer postcard chosen for me depicted a night view of the 101-mile long Rim of the World highway in the San Bernardino Mountains through Crestline, Rim Forest, Sky Forest, Running Springs, Big Bear Lake and Angelus Oaks with breathtaking views of San Bernardino and Southern California thousands of feet below.   I think she wrote few words simply because she really is ‘above it all’.  Ha-ha.   It’s another card to treasure.  Who knew about this scenic view anyway?   It’s clear I don’t know everything about this State of California where I was born.  There’s much more to see and learn.   Gloria wrote:

Hi,
Place is beautiful.  The drive up was so scenic and curvy but a wonderful sight to see.
See you Saturday.
Regards to Alan and Virginia.
Affectionately,
Gloria
Of course, I sent the regards to mom from Gloria.   Mom was enjoying herself as well.  My brother, Tony, took her to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.   I’m pretty sure that’s where they went.  Mom gets around, too.   I liked the group pic of mom, Tony and the girls.  
The one photo of Lauren, adjusting her ‘wedgie’ was funny, too.  Even as a young girl her natural poise automatically made her seem ‘above it all’.  Helen keeps me in the loop.  She sent me these wonderful photos. 
Meanwhile, I am busy working my daily grind at Charles Schwab and Co.   I can hear Gloria using that sentence, “Nothing changes but the date.”  There is some truth to that.
Alan and I were keeping busy with some movies.  We saw a few good ones that we really liked:  THE BRONX TALE, AGE OF INNOCENCE (I love Winona Ryder, Michelle Pfeiffer and Daniel Day Lewis), and THE GOOD SON. 

I called mom after the BRONX TALE, “Mom, you need to see this movie; it’s right up your alley.  You’ll love it.”
“Alan, to think your mom grew up in the Bronx!  I want to visit the Bronx with Gloria and see her old neighborhood…one day.”
The AGE OF INNOCENCE made me want to dance.  I loved the soundtrack.  The mood of the Elmer Bernstein instrumental tunes, PARKER HOUSE and ARCHER LEAVES, swept me away into a new realm.  I adore period films.  Sometimes I feel like ‘another me’ existed during that time.  I know I was there.
And a song called DREAMLOVER by Mariah Carey is ongoing via the airwaves.  It does nothing for me (except for the title, of course—Ha-ha).  I’d rather escape to the AGE OF INNOCENCE.  I bought the CD soundtrack.  PASSAGE OF TIME by Elmer Bernstein soothes me.  Mood music makes me think ‘about me’ and ‘about others’.
I saw interesting looking people on the street and thought about them restlessly for days, imagining their lives, making up stories about them.-Donna Tartt, 
THE GOLDFINCH

First Impressions

Be lean and clean-cut (a regular facial should assist matters). -–Lt. Col William Tanner, THE BOOK OF BOND
And so…there are people who come and go.  I will go.  You will go.  It is peculiar how strangers come into our lives and we recall those first impressions.   I recently saw an old friend, John T.  When I first met him, he was at a gay bar in West Hollywood.  I guess we both were there.  It was relatively early, and he was with a few of his friends from some God-awful sounding place somewhere in Southern California that I’d never heard of (was it Pomona or was it Montclair or both?).  In any case, he gave me goo-goo eyes and we just chatted a bit.  We exchanged addresses and this was long before I moved to L.A.   We kept in touch via postcards.  He was ‘pretty good’ at writing.  Well, he’d keep writing, then he’d stop, then he’d start again (that’s what I consider ‘pretty good’).  
John T was coming into L.A., so we arranged a meeting.  It was coffee or something.   While I was meeting John T, Alan was writing to me on a postcard.  It was a card of the New York Stock Exchange building that was photographed in 1933 (two years before my parents were even born).  Alan would sometimes tease me about John T—but we were strictly platonic pals. 
“Nothing ever happened between us,” I’d say.
Alan smirked, “Yeah sure,” but he knew he was NMT:  Not My Type.
Alan wrote: 
9-27-93
Michael,
As you talk to John T, your former friend—I wanted to remind you of your next trip to NY to see your favorite place.  I Love You.  I can’t forget the other night by the window.
Love, Alan
And a former co-worker of mine at Charles Schwab and Company was hired as a temporary worker.  She was sweet but brought along some mystery.  Her name was Bryn, speaking of first impressions.
“How on earth did you get a name like Bryn?” I asked.
“Well, it’s really Brynly.”
“Where did you grow up?”
“Oregon.”
“Oh, maybe that’s why the unique name.”
“No, I actually changed my name legally.  My full name is Brynly Rees Llyr.”
“Uh-oh,” I thought silently.  It must’ve been a rough upbringing to make the effort to change your identity.  I began to wonder if she was part of a witness protection program.  Who knows?
One time (after work) I went to Brynly’s apartment in Santa Monica.  She lived off of Ocean Park Blvd., near my 24-Hour Fitness gym.   It was a bit awkward.  I was alone with her in her apartment.  I suddenly felt like I should make a sexual move.  I think she expected it.  I think maybe she wanted me to; however, I did not.  It was all very nonchalant.   She turned me on to listening to old Doris Day songs.  I do love old Doris Day songs now.  They add some lighthearted pleasantry to the day.
In any case, she left Schwab and I wrote her a letter and she wrote back a postcard from Cambridge, Massachusetts (where she was now back to school).  The postcard was rather amusing.  A shirtless photo of Bill Clinton that was printed in Italy.

Brynly Rees Llyr
4 Arlington #9
Cambridge, MA 02140
Dearest Michael,
I hear Bill Clinton has been doing aerobics for two weeks now and he’s addicted.  I got your gift today.  It totally made my day!  You should hear it…Dreamy.
How are things back in L.A.?  Any new disasters?  (just kidding, God, I hope not!)
I don’t quite know how this will fit in with your collection of postcards.  I liked it—had I know he had such a hot bod I might have tried to cast two votes.  So, I’m going to IVY to write a more lengthy letter soon to bring you up to speed.  Boston’s cool and all, well, actually it’s getting warmer.  Almost like L.A., just about 20 degrees colder. 
Anyway, my time is shot now.  I’m going to try to pass this God Damn “test” by Friday, which gives me “4” days.  In case you’re wondering, no, I am not prepared.  Oh well, Dare to Dream…visit? 
Until Later, My Friend,
Be well and smile.
Love,
Brynly
I just happened to save a short story from a hotel visit called FIRST IMPRESSIONS by Henri Mouhot from his Travels in Siam, Cambodia and Laos.  Here goes:
What strikes the observer with not less admiration that the grandeur, regularity, beauty of these majestic buildings, is the immense size and prodigious number of the blocks of stone of which they are constructed.  In this temple alone are as many as 1532 columns.  What means of transport, what a multitude of workmen, must this have required, seeing that the mountain out of which the stone was hewn is thirty miles distant!  In each block are to be seen holes 2 ½ centimeters in diameter and 3 in depth, the number varying with the size of the blocks; but the columns and the sculptured portions of the building bear no traces of them.  According to a Cambodian legend, these are the prints of the fingers of a giant, who, after kneading an enormous quantity of clay, had cut it into blocks and carved it, turning it into a hard and, at the same time, light stone by pouring over it some marvelous liquid.

All the moldings, sculptures, and bas-reliefs appear to have been executed after the erection of the building.  The stones are everywhere fitted together in so perfect a manner that you can scarcely see where are the joinings, there is neither sign of mortar nor mark of the chisel, the surface being as polished as marble.  Was this incomparable edifice the work of a single genius, who conceived the idea, and watched over the execution of it?  One is tempted to thing so for no part of it is deficient, faulty, or consistent.  To what epoch does it owe its origin?  As before remarked, neither tradition nor written inscriptions furnish any certain information upon this point; or rather, I should say, these later are as a sealed book for want of an interpreter; and they may, perchance, throw light on the subject when some European savant shall succeed in deciphering them.
Sad fragility of human things!  How many centuries and thousands of generations have passed away, of which history, probably, will never tell us anything:  what riches and treasures of art will remain forever buried beneath these ruins; how many distinguished men – artists, sovereigns, and warriors – whose names were worthy of immortality, are now forgotten, laid to rest under the thick dust which covers these tombs?
“I don’t like to be turned away from!” -Daniel Day Lewis in the film PHANTOM THREAD

Mr. Jet-Set

“…I go back through the past too, only looking for signs, you know?  Things I should have picked up on, but missed?” –Donna Tartt, THE GOLDFINCH
I received a beautiful postcard from the beautiful Birda who was recently driving through the Grand Canyon—but this time on a “real vacation”.  She’s a “trucker girl” (but not a scary looking “trucker girl” one would imagine.  She’s really is beautiful.  I wonder what it would be like to drive here, there and everywhere.  Most people think of “truckers” as being men, but I have to hand it to her.  She thinks outside of the box.  She certainly sees more than most:
Michael
It was so good to hear from you.  I’ve been wondering how you’ve been but haven’t had time until now to write. 

Aren’t vacations GRAND? 
Please keep in touch.  
Still trucking but stuck local.  Always, Birda
I wrote mom using a Henri Matisse postcard (as I’d been wanting to send her the photos I took in NM).  I love these colorful works he does.
Saturday, 9-18-93
Dear Mom,
Here are the Black and White negatives.  Just take them in to make one print for each negative at LONGS or WALGREENS PHOTO.  There are also a few photos of me in New York, wearing my New Mexico T-Shirts.  I thought you might like to have them.
It sure is quiet today with Alan gone.  And Lauren and Carrie are not here yet. 
I finished my NM scrapbook from our trip.  I guess I can add to it if I ever get pictures from you and Ashley.
See you sooner than later…I hope.
Love Always, Michael
And then I thought Barbara Reynolds was in Switzerland.   She sent a postcard from the TRINITY ALPS.  I noticed it was postmarked OAKLAND; whereby, I came to learn that the Trinity Alps are actually a mountain range in Northern California, a subrange of the Klamath Mountains.   There is so much of my state that still needs to be explored.  Who knew? 
19 Sept 1993

Time is marching along.  It’s hard to believe more than a week past since I was driving within these peaks.  Very exciting and peaceful.  I could count the other vehicles on the single lane twisting road.  Clear air, so refreshing…
Today was OPEN HOUSE DAY.  I’m still looking for my new home.  Interesting project—also shopped for a bike helmet.  Definite need now.  The traffic has picked up with school back.  Too much competition for the asphalt.  Just me pedaling.  I bought a neat light-flasher…will pick between GYRO and BELL HELMET.  Bye now.  Barbara
And finally, this week in my mailbox, Dorothy Rua, graced me with a soft-focus sensually looking Hallmark card.  I have to say I do like the new nickname she gave me.  It’s not totally true but it’s something to strive for (Mr. Jet-Set). 
9-21-93Dear Michael,
Not an easy thing, keeping up with Mr. “Jet-Set”.   Had no idea you were headed to NY, but what a wonderful surprise to get your cards postmarked NY, NY!  Along with the much-appreciated stamp.  You always seem to add that special touch.
I really like the EDOUARD MANET.  It seems like a peaceful family day at the park.  Why aren’t they smiling?  One can only speculate.  The Taos Mountains look beautiful, sounds like you had a good time.  Thanks for sharing. 

Now…about “Michael, The Archangel” card.  Doesn’t it say, “The Fallen Angel”?  Very interesting that you chose to include this particular card.  Some time ago I saw this bit of “spice” and considered sending it to you, but then thought you might find it too suggestive.  Guess I was wrong!   You manage to keep me from being disappointed.  Just when I begin to wonder if the “Pod People” will ever have an influence on you, you find some way to reassure me you’re still a free and romantic spirit.  Thank God!
Enjoyed this article on the THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY.  Wonder if the movie will be as good.  You know I’ll be waiting in line to see it.  Will you?  Wouldn’t you love to spend a few days driving through that countryside?  What wonderful memories and secrets Robert and Francesca shared!
So, what’s this about another trip to Europe?  Jeez…too wonderful!  You’ll love England, I know you will.  It was one of my favorite places along with Florence, Italy and Nice, France.  You know how much I enjoy your freedom to do all you want to do—continue to share with your cards along the way and you’ll bring me a degree of happiness too!
Spent several days in Carmel this month.  You know how I love the white sand beach there.  I walked along the coast at 6:30AM each morning because I couldn’t bear to wait.  So peaceful even with the fog.  I always walked barefoot and into the cold (but not freezing) water.  Very few people are out at that time of the morning.  I enjoyed being by myself.  A surprise run in with you would have been welcome though.  What a surprise that would’ve been!
Discovered a wonderful Italian Restaurant this time…wonderful pasta dishes loaded with seafood.  Reminds me of Florence.
One of the highlights of my stay in Carmel was my visit to the Rosamond Gallery.  I stop in e3verytime I’m there and this time I actually met Rosamond!  We even carried on a five-minute conversation.  Seems like a fun type of person (like the rest of YOU artists).  I really like her work.  Her recent paintings are different from her earlier ones.  I think I still favor her earlier work.  Anyway, she put me on her list for her future exhibits.  Maybe someday I’ll even get to buy one of her pieces.
Speaking of art, do you find time to paint t all these days?  I continue to look forward to the time I’ll get to visit and view your “creations” especially ‘Another Door Opens’.
Heard the movie THE LOVER is in video but it’s never in when I’m looking to rent it.  I watched SCENT OF A WOMAN recently and absolutely loved it.  Love characters/people with the strength Al Pacino portrayed.  Have you seen anything good lately?
You still wear pins occasionally?  Saw the enclosed item and as always was thinking of you, so decided to get it.  As you know you remain in my thoughts always.

Love, Dorothy
“I’d be perfectly happy if I could sit looking at the same half dozen paintings for the rest of my life.  I can’t think of a better way to go insane.” –Donna Tartt, THE GOLDFINCH

I Don't Change, I Improve

I don’t exist, not the way I did before.  I’m a different me.---Samantha Lucero, LET THE DEIVL WEAR BLACK, a novel

Strangely enough, a postcard that Alan mailed to me from ISREAL was lost in transit for a while and I just received it.  It depicted Tiberias, a general view from the south.  Alan labeled LAKE KINNERET and a KIBBUTZ location.  Alan wrote:
7/5/1993 
9:15AMI’m writing you from the KIBBUTZ (on left or top of this postcard).  The lake is beautiful.  The stars are out.  The moon is visible and clear.  It’s waiting for you to be here with me.  It’s not the same without you. I’m within minutes of SYRIA.  We’ll be in the Golan Heights with the Army tomorrow.  I lost another pound today.Love, A
I’m still in envy when I think of ISRAEL.  It’s a place I want to visit one day.  Sometimes when I visit a different place I sense a new feeling.  My brain is reactivated and I feel a small part of me becomes new.  I change with time.  I change with every person I meet.  I change with every new book I read.  I shouldn’t say I change.  I don’t change…I improve.
I had chosen some cards from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC that I sent to Paloma at her home in the South of France (while in New York last week, I wonder if she’s received them yet):
9-1-93 Dear Paloma,
Here in NYC again.  I had a lot of fun in New Mexico.  We were in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos.  Does your brother still live in the Albuquerque area?   We went to the Albuquerque Museum of Natural History.  It’s definitely worth going there…especially for Jonathan—if you decide to go.  It was HOT, but nice.  I’m in progress of putting a scrapbook together of that recent NM trip.  Someday I’ll share it with you (I hope). 

Well, it is time for a nap.  I’ll fill you in more on the happenings in NYC later.Love, Michael

9-4-93Dear Paloma,
I’ve seen a couple of plays already and two films (one French Film called UN COUER DE HIVER (A Heart In Winter).  It was ok; not great.  The young actress (Emmanuelle Beart) was gorgeous.  I loved the violin playing.  It soothes me. 

How is Residence Cap de la Corniche?  The photos you sent before sure are beautiful but it looks like such a large place to manage.Alan’s showering.  Then we will go for a famous slice of New York style pizza and probably see another play.  There are so many tourists here (and a lot of SOPAIN residents stay here at the NY Hilton where I am.  I know because I always hear them in the elevator.

On Wednesday, September 7th it’s back to work.  My mom’s 58th Birthday is tomorrow, September 6th, so I have to find her something.
Regards to Alexandrea and Jonathan.Love You Always,
Michael J Armijo

Coincidentally, as I was writing her in New York she was writing me.  I just received her latest letter:

le 6/09/93Hello Michael,

As usual I haven’t been able to write much lately.   Summers are very busy with our job and with the visits.  I think the last visitors I told you about were Unmi and Duane (the Chef and the painter/artist from San Francisco).  Then, my dad came again as he was coming back from Madrid.  Then Coco arrived with her mom and her two children for ten days.  And ZonZon came to visit them for a weekend.  Then a surprise visit from my brother Edouard (from Albuquerque).  He had enough mileage to get a free ticket (or almost free, I think), so my mom came from Benidorm to see him.  Then, about two days later, everybody left.  Sophie (Regi’s wife) called me.  They came to visit with her two boys for a week.
Now we are expecting my brother, Louis, tomorrow.  And I’m not even talking about Alexandre’s parents and his sister, husband and kids who were staying at the house for most of the summer (and who, of course, come to visit us pretty often). 
I am really happy to see all of them, but I am really exhausted.  After all the work we have we should rest.  It’s kind of hard to do when you have people over.  They are on holidays and they want to party!  It’s been nice for Jonathan to have company for almost all of the summer.  I’ve had some nice presents.
Right now, we are planning to close the hotel at the end of October (the 31st).  We would still work but with no customers around.  This place is so big that it is very expensive to heat.  It’s not worth having just a few customers.  We would just open it if we have a group larger than one-hundred people.

We were kind of planning to go to New Mexico and to California at the end of October or the beginning of November.  I don’t think it will be possible with Jonathan’s holidays.  They start too early (around the 20th of October).  He only has two weeks and he can’t miss school anymore.  It’s getting serious now.  This year he is going to learn to write and read.  So, we don’t know yet what we will do.  Maybe we’ll go for Christmas or in February.I hope I get to see you. 
How was your trip to Albuquerque?  What happened?  How come I didn’t get a card?  I’m sure New York is very nice in September (probably not too cold yet).  That’s what bothers me about going to NM for Christmas or February.  It’s going to be freezing.  Oh well…we’ll see!
Miss You.  Love,
Paloma

And this week has me back on the work bandwagon at Charles Schwab and Co. at the Westwood Branch.  I have all of these existing customers who only want to work with me now.  I’m their savior so-to-speak.  It must be my charm.  I really like helping people.  So many do not have a clue about how to invest their money.  And the ones that think they do make some horrible mistakes.  Never buy a stock under five dollars  a share unless you have some firsthand insight about the business.   I don’t even like a stock that doesn’t pay a dividend (with a few exceptions, of course).    I enjoy it when I leave work.  A get-together with Alan and I do a good job at erasing my busy day.  It’s not like New York City though.  We go to a Café here in Los Angeles and the staff do not recognize us even if we were visiting a day or two before.  At a New York City Café they remember us.  What gives?
He liked to get to know a street, and a café, and a restaurant, and be called by name by the waiters, and owners, and coat-check girl, so that when he left, he could think of it fondly as another home.-Andrew Sean Greet, LESS, a novel

Somewhere Different

“I’ll never say that art doesn’t imitate life again.”

--Woody Allen as Larry Lipton in the comedy film, Manhattan Murder Mystery
It’s New York City week.  Alan and I leave tonight.  I wrote mom a card as I was excited from anticipation of getting to know NYC better.  We have a sketchy itinerary, but we will be spontaneous, too.  I know I was to go up to the top of the Empire State Building.  I’ve done it once—but never with Alan. 
September 1, 1993
Dear Mom,
Do these “red pepper” vines look familiar?  I bought this card in Taos, NM at the little shopping square.  I really had a good time in New Mexico with you and Ashley.  I’m so glad we finally did it.  It really is ironic that you waited ‘35’ years to go visit again.  Maybe we can go again next summer and/or somewhere different.  We’ll have to think about it.
It’s 1:45PM on a Wednesday afternoon and I am up here lounging on the roof.  It was nice to get off early from work today.  And tonight, I will be heading for New York City for fun, rest and relaxation.
I miss you since you’ve been gone.   We must plan for your next trip here!  Ashley’s ‘Thank You’ card to Alan arrived today.
I can’t wait to start up on my New Mexico scrapbook.  I hope you finished the film in your camera!  Get those photos developed.  It will be fun to see the photos we took.  Too bad I didn’t take a picture of you and Alice or “Chata” (was that her name?).  You sure are a “beauty queen” compared to them!

Well, this is my ‘Thank You’ for experiencing La Posada de Albuquerque, The Hotel Santa Fe, The Hacienda del Sol and The Inn at the Alameda with me.  It was a great adventure.  Shall we shoot for New York City, Washington DC, Spain…or how about Hawaii the next time?  Think about it…where would you like to go?
Oh well, I’m going to take a little nap now.  Regards to your granddaughters and grandson.  Kisses and Hugs to you and the rest.
All My Love,
Michael J Armijo
Alan and I arrived in NYC.  It was swift and uncomplicated.  I brought along my new T-shirts that I bought in New Mexico to wear in and around the city.   We checked-in to the New York Hilton and Towers.  We had a connection to stay in the Towers section of the hotel because Alan’s stepfather, Jack “Israel” Cohen is a regular hotel guest for his jewelry/findings business.  They treated us like royalty when we checked-in at the Towers reservation desk (not the regular ground floor check-in).  And, of course, the staff in the Towers all knew Jack and Gloria.   

I found a Financial Times dated Wednesday September 1, 1993 in the Towers lounge area and kept it as a souvenir to recall the financial/business news of the day.   I browsed through it and I liked the headline about HSBC doubles to 1.2Billion pounds.   The view from our hotel room, looking down, was intense. I had to take a picture of that perspective.
Heck, I even took a photo of our Hotel Card Key and the Hotel stationery. 
I laughed at the hair salon across the street named MIKE AND ME SALON.
Alan and I walked along Avenue of the Americas and Fifth Avenue.  I had Alan pose with the crowd (but NOT looking at the camera so he could blend in as just another New Yorker). 
“I don’t like when you pose,” I uttered to Alan, “it looks too posed, so it’s better if you just act like you are part of the scenery.” 
I love taking candid photographs of random people.   That was my modus operandi.  
I kept looking at the MANHATTAN street map because I really wanted to understand the differences from Uptown, East Side, West Side, Downtown, Battery Park City, Midtown, etc. 
9-2-93
Hi Mom,
I’m in New York City, Manhattan District.  It’s great being here on a regular workday, seeing everyone hustle and bustle to work. 
Look at these color photos I got.  These were taken in Indianapolis, Indiana back in March 1992 when I was in-training for my job at Charles Schwab & Co.  I just got them developed!
April Stosur is in the photos.  She was in my training group with me.  She ended up quitting Schwab.  I think she decided to have a baby and her husband is an executive at Barnes and Noble bookstores.  Doesn’t Indianapolis look nice?  I loved the homes.
The Black and White photo is a photo of ‘me’ that my mother took at La Chirpada Winery in Dixon, New Mexico.  Thanks-A-Lot.
See You,
Love,
Michael
“I have to fulfill my craving for an egg and bacon on a roll, Alan.”
“Don’t worry, I know the best place.” 
We ended up in the Upper West Side at ZABAR’s.  This place is apparently quite famous, and everything is quite yummy here.   Alan wore his Jurassic Park t-shirt today and we walked all over the place.  There’s so much to do and see in New York City. 
“How can we do it all?” I asked.
“Don’t worry, we’ll do a lot,” Alan replied.
I snapped photos of random people on Madison Avenue, in the Upper East side and in Central Park.  Everywhere I looked I saw a potential photo.  It was endless. 
We had fun in Times Square and Alan got tickets for us to see THE SISTERS ROSEZWEIG.  I couldn’t believe I’d be seeing Michael Learned (famous for THE WALTONS TV-series), Linda Lavin (famous for the ALICE TV-series) and Hal Linden (famous for the BARNIE MILLER TV-series) all on the same stage for this show.  The show started at 8pm at the Barrymore Theater on West 47th Street.   Alan miraculously managed to get Row A in the orchestra seating, so we were so close-up for everything.
We did the Empire State Building.  Waiting in that line was annoying but worth it.  I captured a solo photo of Alan at Rockefeller Center.  I loved the city views from The Empire State building.
Bette Midler was the topic as she was going to be playing at Radio City Music Hall.   We never saw her in-person but we did see her on the cover of the well distributed NYC WHERE magazine. Ha-ha.
We ate at the Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant on East 48thStreet.  What a great restaurant.  We also went to the METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART.  Our legs were getting quite the workout from all the walking.   There was an article about VAN GOGH’s “FIELD” in the newspaper.  I’m glad I saw that painting.  I loved browsing in the gift shop and choosing the postcards that caught my eye.
I saw a poster plastered here and there about a TOYOTA COMEDY FESTIVAL on Wednesday, June 9th.  The poster depicted a bizarre MAMA’s BOY image. 
I joked to Alan, “We’re both mama’s boys.”
“It’s true, we are,” confirmed Alan.

We shopped a bit at BLOOMINGDALE’s but didn’t buy too much.  We popped into a CHARLES SCHWAB office to check a few stock quotes.  We walked by St. Patrick’s Cathedral and peeked in for a bit.  I dipped my hand in the holy water on the way out.
We popped over to the KING COLE BAR for a drink at the infamous St. Regis Hotel.  I got a postcard there for mom:
Mom,
Here are some more photos.  I don’t know what’s left in the camera, hopefully, some good ones.
Please have Ashley develop hers and send me the copies.   That goes for whatever is in your camera, too!   I’m loving New York now.
Love You,
Michael
Our NYC excursion continued.   We ate at the infamous 2nd Avenue Deli.  Yummy!
On the night of September 3rd, we saw another Broadway show.  This time it was OLEANNA, written by the famous playwright, David Mamet.   This one was starring some unknown actors by the names of Jim Frangione and Mary McCann (only two characters for this show); however, if they’re On-Broadway now I’m sure they’ll have a lot of acting credits ahead of them.   The OLEANNA story was a bit strange, but we enjoyed it—just the same.  I guess this playwright, David Mamet, is known for being a bit ‘out there’.   It was about the power struggle between a University Professor and one of his female students who accuses him of sexual exploitation and, by doing so, spoils his chances of being accorded tenure.  It made me wonder if David Mamet was inspired by a personal experience with himself and a female student.  
I loved taking photos in and around the city.  I kept taking shots and picking up postcards at gift shops.  I like to capture a scene that feels like somewhere different.   I loved doing a 'Find Waldo-like' photo.  For instance, we saw a long red limousine in front of the Plaza Hotel.  I had Alan stand amidst the scene.  You'd have to examine the pic and 'Find Alan'.  Ha-ha
We saw another movie.  It’s called MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY.  It was a fabulous Woody Allen comedy film.  His dialogue is always the best.  It so fitting to see a Woody Allen film while in NYC.  It adds to the luster.   Woody starred in the story as did Diane Keaton.  In a nutshell it’s about a middle-aged New York couple who suspect foul play when their neighbor's wife suddenly drops dead.
Alan arranged a dining outing with real-life New Yorker’s:  Sam and Miriam Hirsch.   Sam is Alan’s ex-wife’s father.  He is a Holocaust survivor.  They’re a trip to go out with.  I enjoyed my time with them and this place we went is supposedly a legend.  It’s called the RUSSIAN TEA ROOM.   It was initially opened in 1927 by former members of the Russian Imperial Ballet as a gathering place for Russian expatriates (and then became famous as a gathering place for those in the entertainment industry). I got a kick out of the Russian Tea Room menu and seeing all of these unfamiliar dishes.  It was so red velvety in the place.

We’re on a roll.  For the third day in a row we saw another Broadway Show.  This time it was a musical that has won 7 TONY AWARDS: “Kiss of The Spider Woman”.   Boy oh boy…was it great!  It starred CHITA RIVERA, BRENT CARVER and ANTHONY CRIVELLO.
What else did we manage to do in NYC?  I had scrambled notes, but it was endless.   We went to the MOMA-Museum of Modern of Art where they had this exhibit of LATIN AMERICAN ARTISTS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.  It was quite fabulous.
We ate at CAFÉ LA FORTUNA where we experienced an unbelievable Veal Parmigiana plate.  Delicious!
You can’t win them all though.   We saw another movie called BOXING HELENA. I love that actor, Julian Sands but this film missed.  It also starred Sherilyn Fenn.  The movie got all kinds of hype because Kim Basinger and Madonna had legal battles regarding the film and they both ended up backing out of the lead role of Helena.  I suppose that was a good thing.   The story was rather peculiar.   Talk about escaping somewhere different.  Who knows if it will turn into a cult-classic someday?
I can’t get enough of Central Park.
I liked this ad in Times Square for the UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON brand.
We ended our New York City journey with a wonderful meal at the Stanhope Hotel. 
Alan reassured me, “We’ll be back.  You’ll see.”
Mom’s birthday was coming up (September 6th), so we each sent her cards.  I also sent mom a turquoise colored scarf.
Happy Birthday Virginia!

Love,
Alan
P.S. Your present is waiting in LA at Marina Del Rey.  See You soon.
Dear Mom,
Thanks for being my friend.
I Love You Very Much.
Here’s a little something for your birthday…I thought (and have always thought) this color was great against your hair.
Always,
Love,
Michael
“You have to look at what you are, and what you feel, and how you act.  And, finally, you have to look at how you act…and say:  If that’s what I DID, that must be how I see myself.” --Jim Frangione (as John) in the David Mamet play, OLEANNA