Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 35

Never Too Busy To Write

“Over the next few days, you will be very much alone with yourself and your thoughts.  Try to accustom yourself to it.  Solitude can be a very good thing.”--Hans Fallada, EVERY MAN DIES ALONE
My Aunt Lela sent a cute postcard.  I need to write to her again.  After all, one can never be too busy to write.
April 10, 1993Dear Nephew!I’m at Mona’s for EASTER until the 16th with five kiddies.  This is how her days look…like every day.  She amazes me on how calm and how she can keep everything under control so smoothly.  I totally surprised her, too.  I am having a good visit. Take Care.God Bless, Love,Aunt Lela It’s not Los Angeles without a movie.  Alan and I chose a good one this week called THIS BOY’S LIFE starring Robert DeNiro, Ellen Barkin and Leonardo DiCaprio.  It’s based on a memoir book by author Tobias Wolff; whereby, he describes his adolescence as he wanders the United States with his mother after his parents had separated when he was only five years old.   It’s a great story.  The best movies—in my opinion—are derived from a great book and/or a true story.  

I love authors who are never too busy to write.  I could write about my life as a boy---my 1st through 5th grades at St. Anthony's Catholic School years (in Oakland, CA) would be interesting.  Those years molded me to improve my penmanship which in turn made me enjoy writing.  I believe that every 'boy's life' would be interesting---just the portions they recall would be fascinating in a series of short stories.
“Waste no time on anger, regret or resentment, just get the job done.”--Ruth Bader Ginsburg in describing Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s approach to all things

Beyond My Comprehension

“We are like good seeds in a field of weeds.  If it wasn’t for the good seeds, the whole field would be nothing but weeds.  And the good seeds can spread their influence…”--Hans Fallada aka Rudolf Wilhelm Friedrich Ditzen b.1893 d.1947from his best-selling book EVERY MAN DIES ALONE
April Fools!  Alan is now 41 years young.   We celebrated, of course.  “Don’t worry, Alan.  Just think of it this way:  You’re the new ‘thirty-one’.”Alan’s the BEST.  We are planning a trip to New York City later this year.  I’m so excited for that.   It will likely be in late August or early September when I can get a reasonable amount of time off from Charles Schwab & Co. 
A couple of days later I heard from Barbara Reynolds in Berkeley, CA.  She sent a unique card from a 1986 oil painting on wood by Michael Parkes titled UNWINDING.  I liked the dreamscape look of it (even if it was beyond my comprehension).
2 April 1993Dear Michael,I got your PC’s.  Thanks…also the ‘chain’ things.  It’s beyond my comprehension at this very moment.   Alas, I’ll check it out this weekend.  I just thought I’d grab this few minutes left here while I arrived a bit early to sign a new rental agreement.
In keeping with my budget and desire to buy something to live-in…plus the fact that my landlord has ‘upped’ my rent to the limit (after seven years I will have a new address on May 1st, new phone # also).  I am moving to a studio near the GOURMET GHETTO.  The address is 1315 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Apt. 3, Berkeley, CA, 94709.  This is a moderately hilly area.  I am looking forward to more walking, so it is a good mile to work.  I’ll be ready to sit and help those customers.  And when I arrive back home I will have work, worked out…you comprehend I’m sure.
Say…I saw VENICE, VENICE a few nights ago and thought of you.  
STRICTLY BALLROOM was WONDERFUL, so did I tell you that I did finally see A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT?  It was very beautiful with such poetry.  So are you being poetic lately?  I’ve certainly had the urge.  Presently, I am just so excited about moving and now in one month.  I will be saying I am so exhausted from moving.  Hmmm…Hope you are very well.With Love,Barbara I think STRICTLY BALLROOM is my favorite movie so far this year.  I’m still listening to the soundtrack (of which I purchased the CD).  The radio is overplaying the Aladdin’s theme song, A WHOLE NEW WORLD; whereby, the STRICTLY BALLROOM tunes have rescued me.  The tracks make me want to dance, just like him, being the center of attention.  It would take hours and hours of dancing practice.  I think I could have/should have been a dancer.  I'll need to ask Paloma about that.  She and I used to dance together a lot.  It's beyond my comprehension to imagine us dancing better than the stars of Strictly Ballroom.  I'm sure Paloma would laugh at that concept, too...but with practice and choosing the master it...we could!
He knew everybody was staring but he liked being the center of attention, and he pretended it was just an ordinary thing and he was used to it.--James Lincoln Collier/Christopher Collierfrom their book MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD

Stopping Traffic

When I am less agitated I shall find a way to get away from here.  But, in the meantime, writing down what has happened helps me to organize my thoughts.  And if I am to die this diary will leave a record of the agony I suffered.--Adolfo Bioy Casares, THE INVENTION OF MOREL
There was no time for a book right now.   Alan heard me when I suggested a stage musical that I noticed in the ARTS section of the LA TIMES called JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, an Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice production.  The lead actor in the show is MICHAEL DAMIAN.  He is a recurring actor in the soap opera called THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.   There were a few people who had told me I resembled him.  I didn’t see the resemblance but I thought it would be cool to see him on-stage at THE PANTAGES THEATER in Hollywood.   Alan got tickets and we were set for 8pm on March 25th.   It was ‘okay’…kind of “hokie”. 
Photo:  Michael Damian
Reed Campbell sent me a postcard from KING’S COLLEGE in Cambridge, England:March 25, 1993Hi Michael,I am worn out from walking through all of the sights (TOWER OF LONDON, HARRODS DEPARTMENT STORE, and CAMBRIDGE, THE COLLEGE TOWN).  We are enjoying COLD weather.  It’s crisp but no rain as of yet.  I will be back in SF on the 2nd of April.  I hope all is well with you and you are getting a start on your summer tan.Best, Reed
Dorothy Rua wrote me on a cool photographic card that I love titled STOPPING TRAFFIC.   It reminds me of Paloma and I in the mid-1980’s.  We could stop traffic when we walked down a street together.
3-26-93Dear Michael,I’m sitting here at the CRAZY HORSE SALOON in the Embassy Suites, waiting for Rosemarie to appear.  We live only ten minutes from each other but haven’t seen each other since NEW YEAR’S EVE!   Obviously, we’ve allowed our busy schedules to get the best of us.  Well, it is Friday evening and the best part of the week; looking forward to seeing a good friend with a margarita to keep me company!  What more could I ask for?   …maybe that you could join us…and Alan, too, of course.I spoke with Tonee a couple of weeks ago.  She was full of news.  Have you heard from her at all?   The highlights:Your number one girl (Merced model in the tight white skirt) is still at the SRC-SMART RESOURCE CENTER; but Susan Rotella (your number two girl) has accepted a job with Pac Tel Cellular.  Tonee has given her notice and plans to pursue other interests (whatever/wherever that may be.  The last of the ‘good guys’ has escaped!I am actively working on moving into a better job situation and hope I make my personal deadline.Have you given further thought to your next “career”?  At least you enjoy the work you’re currently doing.  I hope everything else is going well and you maintain that balance I’m always talking about.I am in search of my CHI---not an easy thing to find!  Thinking of You, as always,Love,Dorothy
And…then there was the lovely handwritten letter on CAP DE LA CORNICHE business letterhead from Paloma:

le 30/03/93Dear Michael, …I hate to move even if I’m glad to go to a bigger apartment.  You can’t imagine how much work it is going to be—just thinking about Jonathan’s room or all of the clothes and shit that we’ve kept for four years I could kill myself.  I’m going to be really busy for a while because at the same time I’m going to be working here in BALARUC until they find someone to replace us.  Alexandre is already going to be in-charge of SETE.Well, let’s talk about better things.  How was San Juan and St. Kitts?  That’s in the same area as GUADELOUPE where we’ve been last year.  We loved the Caribbean.  We almost could have met there.  We will probably go again to another Caribbean island.  We don’t know which one so tell me some more.  Did you go to a hotel?  What did you like better (St. Kitts or Hawaii)?  I would like to see Hawaii.Talking about the movies you’re telling me about I’ve heard about THE CRYING GAME because of the OSCARS.  I think they said it on TV (that it might win an award).  I’ve also heard about BECOMING COLETTER.  I like the actress, Mathilda May.  I think she is very pretty—kind of cold but very pretty.  Wasn’t the moving boring though?  You’re in search of a personal trainer.  Woooh!  It seems like things are going better for you…just don’t forget my corvette!  I know one in the Bay Area that you’ve seen once.  I don’t know if you remember one evening in a bar (the one where we’ve been once with Carmela) with a big blond guy.  I think that was the evening I almost got in a fight to save your parking place.  Do you remember that?  I haven’t been really exercising.  I’m too busy in-between my job and my home I don’t have that much time left.  You’ve got nothing to do after work almost.  I’ve got to feed three people, buy food, clean clothes, etc., etc., etc.…that explains why I like vacations that much.  I just do nothing then…but I somewhere exercise within my schedule. I, of course, don’t have the shape I used to.  I could also cry about that—but that’s especially because of Jonathan and I’d rather have him than my ex-body.  Looks are just a little part of you.   You could be ugly now and I would still love you.  I agree it is better to be good-looking (and rich and healthy than the contrary).My brother, Edouard and his wife, Lori, live in Albuquerque.  We saw him last Christmas.  We are planning to go there in the future.  Here are two T-shirts from the MAURITIUS ISLAND to make you forget how nice it was in St. Kitts.   Be careful when you wash the Lacoste one (that, of course, is not the real one).   We (Jonathan and I) have the same one as the butter long-sleeves one.  Jonathan’s is green; me in gray.  It shows the Mauritius Island in the front this way we’ll look like twins.  You will also find some pictures.  Send me some, too.  If you have some, of course…..I’m sorry I didn’t write before but I’ve been really, really busy.  First, we moved and at the same time we’ve had to tell everything about the BALARUC Residence to the new people in-charge of the place now.  And after that till now we’ve been trying to put everything in place here in SETE, and believe me, that is not easy at all.  This place is huge.This place is also a Residence (we rent apartments) but it is also a hotel with a restaurant, so a lot of people work here.  Alexandre has his own office, me too and right now I have seven people under my control.   Alexandre has about fifteen (counting me).  That’s a big responsibility and a lot of work.  I have my Wednesdays and my Sundays off (the days Jonathan doesn’t go to school).  Well, at least I hope I will be able to take them…We have a pretty nice apartment with a view of the Mediterranean Sea.  We eat that the restaurant for lunch and for dinner (that’s the good part…no more cooking!).  Jonathan lost his first tooth yesterday.  He was so excited!I watched a little bit of the AWARDS yesterday.  I recorded it (it was on in the middle of the night for us).  I’ll watch it today.  I don’t know who won yet.  I thought about you.  I’m sure you watched it. I already have to go.  I’ll write again as soon as I can.  Miss you…Love,Paloma
Alan and I went to see BORN YESTERDAY a remake of the classic 1950 film starring Judy Holliday.  This 1993 version starred MELANIE GRIFFITH.  It was all fine and dandy for a comedy romance that included her husband, Don Johnson (she divorced him in 1976, but remarried him in 1989).  “Sure, why not give marriage another whirl?”The only thing that annoys me about Melanie is her ‘little girlish’ voice.  Erg…If I had to hear that voice 24-hours a day I'd get a divorce, too.
“IF you will it, it is no dream.”“A great man said that, and I believe it.  What about YOU?  Will you act your dreams, and make them real?”--Geraldine Brooks,PEOPLE OF THE BOOK

A Brief Note

Books impressed me tremendously.  From their simply printed pages one could conjure up a world as real as that grasped by the senses.  In ordinary life, one saw many people without really knowing them, while in books one even knew what people were thinking and planning.--Jerzy Kosinski, THE PAINTED BIRD
Paloma sent a cute photograph, holding her son, Jonathan, in her arms.  I really love it.    She included a postcard from her area called SETE (La Corniche) in the South of France.  It was a brief note but it’s better than no contact at all, right?   A few words traveling a long way is a lot of words (especially when a photo is included that is worth one-thousand words). 
Michael,Here is a nicer view of the Residence.  You can go to the beach walking.  The pink building is 200 apartments but that’s no big deal (I think).  We already have 156 apartments here in Balaruc-Les-Bains.  I made an X where our apartments are supposed to be (we don’t know for sure, right now).  I’ll let you know. Love, Paloma The not-so-good movies are released in January and February; although, sometimes a good one slips through the cracks (like when SILENCE OF THE LAMBS was released on Valentine’s Day in 1991).  
This month I thought it might be fun to see Jane Fonda’s niece (Peter Fonda’s daughter), Bridget Fonda, in a crime-thriller called POINT OF NO RETURN.   Alan was agreeable and it turned out to be rather exciting.  Luc Besson (a French filmmaker was actually one of the screenwriters).  Alan and I needed a little drama in our lives, so this film did the trick.  It’s fun to discuss the film afterward.   It was better than expected.
My next escape will be in a book.
“I’m not asking you to have sex or even kiss me.  Won’t you just let me HOLD you for a few minutes?”--Christopher BramIN MEMORY OF ANGEL CLARE, a novel

Trivial Pursuit

Performers perform at least partially to forget their sadness, a trait I am well acquainted with.--Viet Thanh Nguyen,THE SYMPATHIZER, a novel
Work is going well.  I spend the day opening new accounts and it is fun to meet and greet new people.  I serviced actress June Lockhart the other day and I remember her from that TV show LOST IN SPACE.  She’s much older now…born June 25, 1925.  She is the same age as Alan’s mother.  Coincidentally, she lives right on San Vicente in Brentwood, CA (not far from Gloria’s place). 
I received a handwritten letter from Paloma some time ago and she didn’t date the letter.  I also found a couple of postcards of the Balaruc Les Bains aerial views that she had sent me a while back.  It was still fun reading them today.  I needed the entertainment: Dear Michael,Sorry I didn’t write before.  I’ve been very busy with work and my exams.  My exams are over now and I have a new diploma (that makes my family happy).  Here is a view of my new town.  Our residence is somewhere in the area where I made a circle.  I don’t know where exactly.  I don’t know if it was already built when the picture was taken.  The water—you can see—is not the sea.  It is what we call “un bessin” which is kind of like a lake (but with salt water).  The sea is really close too (about 7 kilometers) but we have a swimming pool so I haven’t been to the sea… So, how are you?  Thank you so much for the cassette.  I love it.  The song from THE CURE is one of my favorites.  How was Hawaii?   You didn’t tell me how expensive it is to go from Hawaii to San Francisco.  Do you know that French people don’t need a VISA to go to the States anymore?  Pretty funny, huh?  That’s a good thing but still I’m sure you can’t live there if you want to.  You didn’t tell me either about what happened with your flight attendant job?  What is your phone number?  I was going to call you…

In Paloma’s letter she included a cool French magazine clipping of some of the Super Models of today.   The article is titled LES PLUS BEAUX MANNEQUINS DU MONDE.   Leave it to Paloma to keep me informed ‘from Europe’.  I knew of Cindy Crawford (beautiful); but I didn’t know of Naomi Campbell, Tatjana Patitz, Linda Evangelista (amazing eyes) or Stephanie Seymour.Paloma’s undated letter…
...don’t they have an age limit?  I don’t mean to say that you are too old; Michael, but you know that, right?  I loved your shirt card.  Thank you for the pictures, too.  I will look around for dolls for your mom.  In fact, this afternoon I am going to AGDE.  I think I saw some of them but I’m not sure.  I’ll let you know.
So you might become one of the world’s most famous models.  Just remember who your agent is…right? 
The Residence Club is not that fun yet because it is just the beginning.   This week we just have about ten apartments rented (we have 104, but only 52 are ready).  As for us…it is great now.  We have less work.  We can enjoy the pool, tennis, etc.  This way we also get to know the people staying here.   Last night we had a big barbecue and we played TRIVIAL PURSUIT.  Do you like that game?   I think it’s a great idea for you to learn French.  In fact, from now on I think I’ll write you in French.  What do you think about that?  Where did you find all of these sentences?  

You’ll find some money with this letter so you can send me some jeans if y you don’t mind.  I hope it really doesn’t bother you.  I don’t know how much it’s going to cost you to send them but please let me know so I can pay you back.  If you don’t then I’ll feel I can’t as you anything again.   So here’s what I would like:1 pair of 501 LEVI’s size 31” x 34”2 pairs of 501 LEVI’s size 34” x 36”I think you told me they can cost $30, so I am sending you $100.  I hope you’ll get them!   I bought a doll for your mom yesterday.  I hope you’ll get it, too (and that it won’t break!).  I also hope it’s the right kind of doll.  They only had two.  This one might need a new hairdo because of the trip.  It’s a present for your mom to thank her because she was really nice to give me the ESTEE LAUDER perfume samples.  Tell me if it’s the right kind of doll.  Bye Bye.  Write me, Write me, Write me…
Miss You,Love,PalomaJonathan sends a big kiss to his Uncle Michael.Alexandre says ‘Hi”.
LOVE is the supreme emotion.--Barbara Frederickson

Scattered Whispers: It's Really You

“You are still young, so you think only of your own self.  You do not notice the tribulations that occur all around you, to other people.  Do not protest; it is true.  I am not condemning you.  I was as selfish as you, when I was your age.  It is the custom of the young to be selfish.  Now I am wiser.  It’s a pity we cannot put an old head on young shoulders, or you could be wise, too!  But someday you will understand that nobody passes through this world without suffering----no matter what you may think of them and their supposed good fortune.”--Elizabeth Gilbert, THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS
In my desk drawer I came across a couple of ‘un-dated’ postcards from Paloma.  I loved the images.  In postcard #1 she wrote: Dear Michael,Thank you for your cards and letter.  I’m really happy every time I get one.  Sorry I didn’t write very much lately but—as usual—I’ve been very busy.  We really have a lot of work right now with the RESIDENCE full at 80% and we are getting more and more work and responsibilities.Also, we’ve had a big problem.  Two weeks ago I’ve been very depressed for a few days.  Our car (the OPEL VECTRA) has been stolen.  We went out for dinner with Reginald, his wife, Sophie and another friend, Regis…and it was gone.
In postcard #2 she wrote: My friend, Caroline, got married.  Now her sister, Corinne, is next.  They just came to visit me and we talked about the wedding and about you.  Both of them are pregnant and they are going to have their babies almost at the same time (the second child for Caroline).  Did you get the doll?  I really hope you did by now.  I haven’t got the jeans yet but I’m glad you sent them by boat.  I can’t believe how expensive it is by airmail.  I’d better buy my jeans in France then!  I’ll send you some money as so as I can get some dollars.I’ll write again soon…
My Aunt Lela Gallegos-Armijo-Rego sent me a prayer card ‘for children’.  She wrote ‘pray this for all of your nieces and nephew’.  Love, Aunt LelaThe card had this imprint in front:  IF the years have taught me anything, it’s the importance of a lasting friendship…
Inside:Michael, It’s so good having you in my life and knowing what a good friend you are.  Not only a friend but a sweet nephew as well.Love, Aunt LelaShe also included a letter in her own handwriting dated March 4, 1993, evening:
Dearest Nephew,I’m so thrilled you answer my cards and letters.  You’ll never guess how many times I write to nieces and nephews of my family who never let me know if they’re getting mail I send.Vacations are such fun, huh?   It’s awful the first few days back to reality, ugh!  I know how you feel.Being you are not biking, walking or cooking at home have you put on a lot of weight?  How tall are you anyway?Joey has a tendency to pick up weight fast and the first place it shows is in his face (real round, chunky look)!  He’s still not together with Michelle (her choice).  He told me how every long it takes they will reconcile, no divorce in the works at all.  The pain is seeing our “hitos and hitas” so sad over not having a ‘whole’ family. I hate the word dysfunctional, so we use ‘whole’ and ‘part’.  Lil Joey is eight years old and the one noticing the absence of his Dad the most.  So you like the “flicks” too?  Uncle George and I would go to the movies twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday) but now that mom Rego is 91 ½ she’s not too keen on being alone too much, so we’re adding HBO after LENT.  The last one we saw was CHAPLIN (a good movie)!  Uncle George likes the gory, bang-em up ones, so we traded off when we went.  I’d pick one, and then it’s his turn.  My all-time favorite is GONE WITH THE WIND.  I have the Gone with the Wind poster, movie puzzles, plates, figurines, mugs, cards, etc.  Am I a fan or what?

Hey buddy…you’d better be thinking about getting serious pretty soon, huh?  You’ll be celebrating your wedding at a senior citizen’s center. Ha-ha.  Just “funning” with you!  Better to wait and know it’s a lifelong commitment, right (till death do us part)?Sometimes I think maybe my kids should have waited, then I think of all of the joy and love our grandchildren have given us through the years and I know they did the right thing.Mona seems to be handling her five kids really well.  I miss her and Donna so much.  And the seven sweeties I have up there in Washington.  I’m going to visit for EASTER, leaving out of San Jose on the 9th of April, returning the 16th…just a week but I’ll be there for EASTER and two birthdays.  Donna’s baby, Veronica, is our youngest at 9-months.    Our oldest will be 21 years in June.  Can you believe we have ‘18’ of these great lovely dividends?  I love it (Sweet, sweet revenge).  Spoil them awful, and then send them to Mom and Dad to contend.Can you believe I misplaced this letter and just found it the morning of Saturday, March 6th?  Boy…when you get as old as I am the mind is the first thing to go, then gravity sets in the body and everything drops…Varrroooom!  My butt is getting closer to my knees and my boobs are nearing the navel, etc.  But we live with the same frame-of-mind as when we were in high-school, so it is a real eye-opener when we look in the mirror and see this stranger…an old lady!  “Me…this is me!  No, there must be someone else who has overtaken this body!   That old person in the mirror is not me.  No, never!”What a shock when you stand there and stare and the mirror reflection stares back and you know IT’S REALLY YOU!  Oh well, we are not alone because look at all of you kids who are getting older, too.  Joey told me the other day, “Now that I’m thirty and you being nineteen years older than me doesn’t seem like so many years apart.”Yeah, when you slowly start reaching middle-age we “old folks” don’t look that old, huh?   Can you believe I’ll be “50” in June?“Oh no, not me!  I don’t look a day over 48 ½!”Well, I will close for now.  Love, Hugs, Kisses and God Blessing Always,Your Young-At-Heart,Aunt Lela
And I can count on Reed to drop a postcard my way every now and then during his ongoing cruise.  This time he wrote from San Juan, Puerto Rico:
Hi Michael,Only a few more stops and then back to San Francisco on 3/2/93.  The ship is great and ‘lots of food’, etc.  Senior citizens galore…but we are enjoying it all.  Only one cloudy day and I am getting tan a bit at a time.  I’m going into St. Thomas this morning to shop, then on to Nassau. Drop me a line at home.Best, Reed March 7throlled right along.  It was a Malibu Bat Mitzvah for Lauren Freiman.   Mom arrived and I took a photo of her here at our house in Marina Del Rey before we left for the party.  Alan was taking mom in his car.
I had to go and pick up my coworker and date, Kim Dykstra, who I invited to accompany.  Why I invited her I am not sure?  Perhaps because Alan is not totally “OUT” to his family but I believe the gossip will be spread in scattered whisperstoday.  I am sure of it.
I caught a cute photo of Alan dancing with my mom.  We all had such a great time.  I can’t believe Lauren is becoming a young lady already.   She’s a smart cookie.  It will be interesting to see what path she takes in life.
She turned on the radio:  It was playing LA TRAVIATA.Quickly, she changed the channels to a rock station.  The car, the mountains, the last of the sun and an infinite Los Angeles, a loud love song on the radio and the car going fast beneath her (around her).  It doesn’t take much to be HAPPY, she thought.--Joan Juliet Buck, THE ONLY PLACE TO BE

The Sparkle in Your Eye

The only problem with not talking to oneself was that oneself was the most fascinating conversational partner one could imagine.  Nobody had more patience in listening to one than oneself, and while nobody knew one better than oneself, nobody misunderstood one more than oneself.--Viet Thanh Nguyen, THE SYMPATHIZER, a novel
All plans are geared-up for Lauren’s BAT MITZVAH next month.  She will be ‘13’ in early March.   Time flies.  I love this group pic Alan took with the girls in Hawaii not-so-long-ago. 
Paloma sent me some photos and identified each on two of her HOTEL RESIDENCE DE SETE postcards:
An amazing view in REUNION ISLAND.  The beaches there are not very nice but they have gorgeous mountains.  REUNION ISLAND—as you know—belongs to France.

    A Tomoul Temple on REUNION ISLAND.  I am with Jonathan (of course) and Jean-Louis (Alexandre’s cousin) lives there.  We stayed at his house.
    The Deer Island is a gorgeous little island in Mauritius where nobody lives.  Right next to the hotel here (The Touess Rock Hotel) is where Stephanie of Monaco stays when she goes there (they say ‘very often’).   There is an amazing beach.  I’ve never seen one like that before where you can walk for at least 500 meters with water going only to your ankles.  Too bad we took the picture when it was cloudy (the day before the cyclone).  We had two cyclones while we were there.     The happy family.     The helicopter ride.  I wish we could do it more often.  That was fun.  How great it must be to have one!     CLUB MED in Mauritius from upstairs (nice pool, isn’t it?).  It just costs about $2500 dollars for one week.  Did I tell you we went there a couple of times because we met a guy who worked with us in the Marbella CLUB MED.?  It’s a small world after all!   We lived a 10-minute drive from this CLUB MED.     I wonder who that gorgeous pin up model is, posing in the Maurilia Hotel…another very nice hotel.     The beach where we used to go.  It is very rare to have waves there (that was because of the cyclone).     I could just stay there forever.     Please!  I want to go back.     The water was so warm.           No way to take a picture.1   Without Jonathan…Wow!     The summer collection…the end.     EURO DISNEY with Uncle Louis; different weather, huh?  It was warmer in Disneyland.
I wrote back to Paloma on some cool stationery that I was saving:
February 27, 1993, Saturday, 5:30PM
Dear Paloma,Thank you for the great shirts and the pictures!  Wow!  It looked fantastic on the REUNION ISLAND (and on Mauritius Isle, too).  Aren’t you lucky?Thanks for rubbing-it-in that my vacation in now over, too!
Alan may be going on a family tour thing in July with his daughters, mom, step-dad, and ex-wife, ex-dad in law and mom in law to ISRAEL.  If he goes I may meet him later in London.  It is too early to say ‘for sure’ right now.I also plan on another 4-day or 5-day weekend to New York City in April or May.
That’s great that you went to EURO DISNEY.  I am sure it must have been fun.  I wish I could’ve gone.  You sure looked good to me in those photos for someone who’s had a little boy and doesn’t work out much!  You must be eating all of your vegetables.  Wow!
Ok—I’ll send you some photos once they get developed.  I hope you don’t cringe with fight when you see me.  Do you believe the last time we saw each other was July 1990!  Almost two years already!

I’ve been working, sleeping, eating and going to movies a lot lately.   A great movie to see is SCENT OF A WOMAN with Al Pacino by the way.  BECOMING COLETTE was slow in parts but I didn’t find it boring.  I enjoyed the change because it was a different time period with interesting dialogue.  The movie DAMAGE was pretty good too (with Jeremy Irons).
Here is a groovy scenic postcard for you of ‘Late Summer snow under Mount Williamson, in the southern Sierras of California’:
Oh yeah, you looked GREAT in that blue color coming out of the helicopter!
Your new BALARUC-LES-BAINS brochure looks good.  I’d love to be there.  I am sure you’d love to be in California right now, too, right?  Huh?  Ha-ha…we are never satisfied.
I love the fact that we keep in touch so often.  You are one of my closest friends to me.  I hope you know!  I sure do miss your smile, laugh and the sparkle in your eye!  Oh well, it’s time for dinner.Love You,Michael*My best regards to Alexandre and Jonathan.
Reed Campbell found a couple of elephants for me on a San Francisco Zoo postcard.  He’s a dirty old man:

Hi Michael,Remember these cards from the game? I kept this one because of the long trunk out front.  It reminded me of you and I don’t mean the nose.Best, Reed
Dorothy found a Black and White postcard of the famous silent screen comedic star named MABEL NORMAND, taking a joy ride for a Mack Sennet film.   I’ve never seen a ‘MABEL’ or ‘Mack Sennet’ film.  I could be missing out because I love the carefree look Mabel depicts in the postcard:
Michael,Can you tell I am in a bit of a mood today?  It has been quite a while since I have sent such a suggestive card primarily because my job has had me so exhausted.  I haven’t been able to find the FUN side of myself for nearly a year.I can feel that lighter side resurfacing tough and I hope to keep it more visible.  I wouldn’t mind being on the back end of this car, too…headed for things named ADVENTURE.  Oh…to be so carefree!
I’m on a break from a computer class I’m taking today.  The class is in the PacTel Building in Walnut Creek but I’m next door in the atrium lobby of the Embassy Suites.  Much more pleasant place to relax and wrote to you with all the greenery and water fountains.Any Irish in you on this forthcoming St. Patty’s Day?  Enjoy some beer anyway.Love,Dorothy
“Remember!  You’re NOT half-of-anything,” my mother said, “You’re TWICE OF EVERYTHING!”--Viet Thanh Nguyen, THE SYMPATHIZER, a novel

A Wonderful Lift

Physically, he had the frame of a gym rat.  She had the odd thought that his skin might taste of sugar, his smile was so kind.  Kindness had always attracted her.  It made her weak in the knees.--Charles Baxter, THERE’S SOMETHING I WANT YOU TO DO
It’s back to reality time.  Work is required to pay the bills.  One thing that is forthcoming is Alan’s daughter, Lauren, will be having her coming-of-age event in Malibu next month.  It’s her BAT MITZVAH.  My mom will be flying in for the event.  And I invited Kim Dykstra (a coworker) to accompany me as ‘my date’ since not everyone really knows about my relationship with Alan yet.  It’s slowly coming out here and there.
Paloma sent a sweet postcard of PARIS this week:
Le 19/02/93Dear Michael,I got this card for you when I was in PARIS but I didn’t stay long enough to write on it.  
We arrived on Friday evening (from Reunion Island) and we left Monday morning.  In between we just had enough time to see my mom, my dad and my brother…and to go to EURO DISNEY.  So I am sending it now.Yes, my vacation getaway (as you say) is over.  I am really sad about that.  Aren’t you mean?  Can y you imagine how cruel It is when you are coming back from two months of vacations (especially one great month in the Mauritius Island) only to find a card telling you that Mister Michael is now in the Caribbean Islands…
Alan left a postcard on the dining room table for me to find when I arrived home this week.  Perhaps it was also like a belated Valentine after our Valentine vacation escape.
2/20/93Michael,Today—in case you forgot—is our Anniversary:  39 months and going…We have to begin looking something like these CALIFORNIA BOYS and eating less.  If you got home early you probably didn’t go looking for this type.  I hope so…Love,Alan
Dorothy Rua also wrote to me this week using a card depicting an image of LAVENDER BIKE, a Fine Art piece by Paul Williams from Weston, CT, 1989.   I had forgotten that I had written to Dorothy about my secret yearning to become a schoolteacher.
2-23-93Dear Michael,After all I’ve been through in recent months I was given A WONDERUL LIFT when I received all those cards from your trip.  I enjoyed them all and find myself wanting to dine at BUTTERFIELD’s with you—just one more place to share when I finally get to visit you one day.  If there are additional cards I will get them later this week when I am able to get out and about.  I missed hearing from you even more than I realized.  Your cards always life my spirits and make me smile.
Glad we had a chance to talk the other day.  It is so much easier to catch upon the details that never seem to get into our cards.  Let me know if you do any more exploring into your ‘next’ career.  What a change teaching would be compared to what you’re currently doing!  How wonderful to have the freedom to follow through with your choices and dreams.   As always, whatever path you follow my positive thoughts will be with you.
Well, Jean-Paul celebrated his birthday yesterday and he is so glad to be classified as a teenager now.  And Nicole is all excited about Driver’s Education class.  All of her friends are at least ‘16’ and drive already.  She’s young for her grade and won’t be ‘16’ until late October when she will also be a junior in High-School.  At least I have more time to get use to this.  Of course this is all confusing to me because in my mind I am still around ‘28’ years old!  I guess it doesn’t matter as long as I believe what you’ve told me. I am FOREVER YOUNG.  I am…I am.
Another area I need to spend more time on is my friends.  I haven’t gotten together with any of them in two months…much too long.  March will be the month I meet with at least three of them.  Interesting how many people we all know and spend time with but I can honestly say only a handful are people I call FRIENDS.   I have a very clear definition of FRIEND and truly appreciate those few people.  You, Michael, are a friend and more.  You’re also my angel…which I can elaborate on another time.

So, do you want to share your thoughts on this card?  When I first saw it a long time ago I saw myself in it…but I also thought of you and how you’d appreciate not just the scene but also the colors.  I think it’s really special and was pleasantly surprised to learn the artist lives in Connecticut.  As always, thinking of you.Love,Dorothy
Dorothy wrote such kind words this time.  I’m lucky to have her as a friend.  Her card depicted a painting but her words paint such a picture.  It is amazing how words or music can make one emotional. 
IF he didn’t have his rifle to hold in front of him he would have embarrassed himself every time her singing brought about such a raging, aching passion that his penis stiffened before she had finished her first line, growing harder and harder as the song progressed until he was lost in a confusion of pleasure and terrible pain, the stock of his rifle brushing imperceptibly up and down, leading him towards relief.  He leaned back against the wall, dizzy and electrified.  They were for her, these furious erections.  Every boy there dreamed of crawling on top of her, filling her mouth with their tongues as they pushed themselves inside her.  They loved her, and in these fantasies that came to them waking and sleeping, she loved them in return.  But for him it was more than that.  He knows he was hard for the music.  As if music was a separate thing you could drive yourself into, make love to, fuck.--Ann Patchett in her novel, BEL CANTO

Like Angels Do

I felt as though I were falling down a deep well with smooth, moist walls coated with spongy moss.   At the bottom of the well, instead of water, there was my warm, secure bed where I could safely sleep and forget about everything.--Jerzy Kosinski, THE PAINTED BIRD
I found a most awesome, colorful postcard for Paloma on the St. Kitts Caribbean Island.
2-10-93Dear Paloma,It sure is HOT here on this British-owned Island.  It is known for their abundance of SUGAR CANE.  The waves crash every minute and the roosters crow every morning.I miss you!Send regards to Alexandre and Hugs and Kisses to Jonathan.Love,Michael J Armijo
Alan and I tasted fresh sugar cane.  We sucked it right from the cane right after it was torn from the branches.  The fish in St. Kitts has to be the MOST FRESH fish I’ve ever had in my life. 
One of my most favorite moments was being on a local bus en route to Downtown St. Kitts and hearing a song by the Mighty Sparrow called SOL FISH.  That was the peak highlight of relaxation for me.   I know that when I hear that song…I will always go back to that moment. 

I took a few photos while in St. Kitts (including a partial of a wild pig).  I managed a sunset photo and several photos of Alan and me.  Alan took one of me, reading my latest book.  There was even a photo I shot of a local man taking a break amidst the sugar cane fields.  


I love the Caribbean islands!  There’s so much more to explore.  Alan and I had a divine time here and we can’t wait to return.  We still have Puerto Rico to feel out.
Alan and I remained in San Juan, Puerto Rico for a couple of nights (before heading back to Los Angeles).  We ate at the PALM Restaurant in San Juan.  That was delicious.  We also went horseback riding on the beach.  That was an unforgettable adventure.  I petted the nape of my horse’s neck and that got him to like me.  He was gentle.   My father was thrown off of a horse when he was 13-years old and required stitches on his leg.  I still recall seeing his scar from that incident.  The last thing I wanted was for history to repeat.  Needless to say, my horse liked me and I was not thrown off.  Riding a horse along a shoreline is a dream that everyone ought to experience ‘at least once’.
Upon our arrival back to L.A. I had a cool postcard from Lottie and two Valentine’s Cards.
2-11-93Hi! We hare having a great time here at JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL MONUMENT PARK.  I hope you enjoyed Miami.  It was wonderful to see you and thank you and Alan for letting us stay at your home.Heading to Arizona in a few days…Always,Lottie, Michael and Reida


Birda created her own VALENTINE which means ALL THE MORE to me.  She’s so creative.  She wrote:
You’re still the only one Cupid can’t even catch me.Happy V. Day.Always, BirdaP.S. Sorry if this is a little late.  I’ve been working overtime. I hope all is well.  Letter to follow soon.LOVE, me
Reed made me laugh.  The front of his Valentine card had this imprint:
I’m sending you this Valentine’s Day card to remind you to send me one.The inside of the card:NOW DON’T FUCK UP.Reed
Ha-ha…Reed followed that with a postcard from his Holland America Cruise line ship.  He sure gets around.  I want to be able to travel more too.  If only I could fly (like angels do).
Feb. 15, 1993Hi Michael, Day 3 of 17 through the panama Canal…stops in L.A., Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Curaco, La Guaira/Caracas, St. Thomas, Nassau and Miami-Ft. Lauderdale.  Everything so far—involving the weather—is great.  I hope you liked my VALENTINE. …get back on 3/2 and leave for London on 3/22 for two weeks.  I will try to send more cards. This is the inaugural cruise for this ship.Best Always,Reed
I think it’s time to escape to the movies.  It's another way to fly away (like angels do).

And, of course, I kept mom abreast of my recent travels with the following postcards:

Feb 5, 1993
No Mom...i haven't arrived into MIAMI, FL yet.  I'm on the plane right now and this card gives you an idea of the view. Ha-ha.
I just wrote a few cards to the people I felt I owed a card to (Paloma, Barbara, Lela, Ashley, Dorothy...).   I hope all is well with you 'The Retirement Queen'.
I can't wait until our Santa Fe, NM trip! 
Love, 
Michael Joe Armijo


2-8-93
Mom,
We're leaving MIAMI now.  In fact, I'm on a plane headed for San Juan, Puerto Rico and we will switch planes to to go the Island of St. Kitts.  This island is owned by England.  Princess Diana has been there as well as other celebrities who like to 'hide out'.
Later,
Love, 
Michael J Armijo



2-10-93
Dear Mom,
This is a beautiful island.  Most of the native population of about 40,000 are black and very friendly.  We hear the crashing waves every minute from our room.  We hear roosters crowing in the AM.
This island has crops and crops of sugar cane.

The weather is unbelievably 'warm to hot'.  Great palm trees, too!
I Love You!
Michael J Armijo

Feb 15, 1993, 7:45PM
Dear Mom,
Like I told you on the phone...it's nice to be back to the USA.  I'll tell you more about my experiences in-person (or over the phone).

The best moments in San Juan, Puerto Rico, were horseback riding on the beach.  I read one and a half books and rested and relaxed a lot.  I took a lot of great naps, too.


I guess you got your February SCHWAB statements.  I hope you are pleased.  I look forward to our visit to Santa Fe.
Miss You...
Love,
Michael

“It’s amazing how our lives are dictated by accident.”“I like to take him to the cinema.  You know, watching him smile and laugh at the screen gives me a lot more satisfaction than watching the film.”--Charles Belfoure, THE PARIS ARCHITECT

The Golden Lemon

The best method for teaching reading was for the pupils to read aloud.  This was done in order to teach correct pronunciation of the languages.--Fabiola Cabeza de Baca, WE FED THEM CACTUS
My dear friend, Lottie, was on a road trip with her husband Mike (the firefighter—he has dreadlocks…interesting) and their little girl, Reida.  They spent the night at our house and it was fun to have them.  I saw Lottie in a new light.  She only had one glass of our divine Russian River Ranches white wine and she lost control.  Wow…she got quite a buzz.   They only stayed one night as they were headed to the desert.
Leave it to Reed Campbell to find the most boring postcard in San Francisco (a generic one).  His sense of humor is pretty good though.  He makes me laugh sometimes.  The back of the postcard had a list of his choices and he chose ALL OF THE ABOVE:

In addition, in his own handwriting, Reed wrote:…just got back from a week in Virginia Beach, VA and one week in Minneapolis, Minnesota (a great place).  You would love it and vice-versa.Best,Reed
I think I shall start reading my letters (and books) out loud.  It has more impact.
On February 5th, Alan and I departed on a new adventure ourselves.  Our final destination was St. Kitts at THE GOLDEN LEMON Hotel.  We would be there for ten days.  How divine is that.   We will fly from Los Angeles to Miami, then to St. Kitts and on to San Juan, Puerto Rico. 
I found a postcard for Paloma while in MIAMI.  I mailed her a card that I had from CHINA and chose to mail it to her from Miami and the other Florida postcard was mailed from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
PHOTO:  Postcard of ‘Riders beneath giant sand dune, Pamir Range, CHINA’ Feb. 5, 1993Ok Paloma,It’s my turn now…I received your wonderful cards from MADRID and L’ILE MAURICE, etc.  I’m in MIAMI, FLORIDA where I will stay for a few days, and then go to the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean Islands (and we plan to stay in San Juan, Puerto Rico).  I’ll send you a card from there.By the way, those JUAN CARLOS, ESPANA stamps were COOL!   Well, time for some orange juice!Miss You,Love,  Michael
2-8-93Dear Paloma,My traveling buddy (ALAN, you met him) and I are now leaving Miami…but this one postcard sure looks like YOU!  
We are in-flight and should be on the British Island of St. Kitts in a few hours.  I love the sun.  I can’t wait for more sun and a little gambling in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Miss You.Love,Michael
Suddenly, he was able to think beyond the immediate present.  It wasn’t at all the way he thought it would be.--Christopher Bram, HOLD TIGHT