Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 50

Worlds Of Love And Fondest Wishes

It is common knowledge that nobody is born with a Decalogue already formed, but that everyone builds his own either during his life or at the end, on the basis of his own experiences, or of those of others which can be assimilated to his own; so that everybody’s moral universe, suitably interpreted, comes to be identified with the sum of his former experiences, and so represents an abridged form of his biography.--Primo Levi, THE REAWAKENING
I didn’t want to part with this 1987 Black and White postcard of two cyclists in a collision.  It’s always a reminder for me to NOT allow this to happen to me.  However, I decided to write my mom today and send it to her.
May 22, 1990Mom,One of my favorite postcards and I’m sending it to YOU.  I just mailed John the LA DODGERS and CALIFORNIA ANGELS baseball schedules.  I can’t wait until you guys come to visit.During my Birthday week off from work I am going to bike extensively.  I’ll try to NOT have any accidents like this one—Haha.When you come we’ll all go to UNIVERSAL STUDIOS.  I’ve never been there since I’ve moved here.  I went once in 1983, so I’m sure it has changed in seven years.  Love and Kisses, Your Son, Michael
Dorothy found a ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ card for me.  My Birthday card ‘month’ has arrived.  I love it when people remember my birthday. Who doesn't? : 5-23-90
Dearest Michael,May your day, your year, be everything you want it to be!  Happy Birthday.  …Hope this reaches you on the 26th…hope I have the date right (?).  Wish I could join you for a glass of wine and a special birthday toast.  I have an interview on your Birthday.  Maybe your day will bring me luck!  Since my interview is in S.F. maybe I’ll stop somewhere afterwards and have a glass of wine in honor of your day….and make my toast to you then!  You will be in my thoughts… Do you have anything planned for your Birthday?  Whatever you end up doing, I’m sure it will be fun!   And I bet Alan will be around to join in the celebration!   Sounds like you’ve found a really good friend in Alan—hope I get a chance to meet him someday.   Somehow, I still see myself visiting you down in L.A. sometime.  Just hope that when that time comes I won’t need a cane to help me off the plane.  Haha…I’m still searching for the end of my rainbow.  How are you doing with yours?My wish for you on your Birthday, Michael:MAY ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE…Happy Birthday, Love, Dorothy
Alan mailed a cute postcard of ‘4’ fit gentleman jumping on the beach.  I loved it.  The photo was taken by photographer HERB RITTS in 1987 and it is titled “JUMP” (photographed at Paradise Cove).   I also like the GONE WITH THE WIND postage stamp Alan used on the card.  Alan wrote:Michael,Here is a great Pre-Birthday card.  Enjoy.  This card represents three of the four best baseball players in the majors.  I hope you agree.  You MUST stop those heave meals with Lori.  It’s NOT fair.  I’ll explain.  I hope you enjoy this weekend.  ALANP.S.  I Love Michael, Volume 2…can’t wait for Volume 6.
Dorothy sent me another bonus card (in response to one I had mailed to her): 5-24-90Hi Michael,I just received your latest creation.  It’s INTERESTING and quite different.  I keep looking at her and the “Total Look” she’s created.  She definitely wants to make a statement.  Maybe one that says she’ll remain her own person, the individual she want to be…no matter what.  I REALLY like it.  What attracted you to it?  One thing I can always count on is I never know what to expect from you!  Your cards continue to come from different directions and I continue to look forward to them…and I always enjoy your comments and news!Thought of you when I saw this old Irish bike.  You know how I dislike the limited space postcards offer, so I take it to this.   Is it my imagination or is the front wheel smaller than the one in the rear?  Actually, I’d like to ride in the basket. Haha…Question is…who the heck has enough muscles in their legs to pedal me along?  Ha!Hope you received your Birthday card on time…2th, right?  Remember an age is a state of mind!  And we’d all believe that S---T if we never had to look in the mirror!  Ha!  Seriously, hope your day was great!Knowing how much you LOVE your job…you must be really looking forward to your week of vacation.  Plan to spend most of your time at the beach?  There is more “people-watching” under the palm trees…enjoy.If the beers and the hot gods were the best part of the METS and DODGERS game I can’t imagine you were quite as INTO it as Alan was…Interesting crowd one finds at baseball games…especially the shirtless, beer belly ones!Probably head up to Murphys, California this weekend.  Good ole Mother Lode country where friends live.  The town has an annual pig roast this time of year.   It’ll be nice to see friends but I’m sure I’ll get to see some of those “beer belly” guys too.  Small towns have their own breed…believe me!Keep your spirits up and continue to celebrate every day!  Love, Dorothy
I laugh when my grandmother sends a Birthday card.  It’s always one of those cards that seem to be intended for a ‘little boy’.  I guess she still sees me that way.  Imprinted inside the card were these words:
Grandsons are a lot of fun, and you’re an extra special one---So, here’s a special wish to say, “Have lots of fun on your big day!”Happy Birthday with Love, Grandma.She wrote personally:5-24-90Dear Grandson,I hope you are fine.  I haven’t heard from you.   I am fine.  Arthur’s daughter, Renee, is graduating the 5th of June in Santa Maria so he invited me.  John and Sherri’s baby is getting big (your mother said).  I have a picture of her with black hair and blue eyes.  Well Michael…Happy Birthday.  I am sending you this card because I still remember when you were  a baby—very pretty…playing with your toys.   And now it’s different with you playing with the girls…and I bet you have a lot of girls because you are so handsome.  Take care of yourself.I Love you…excuse my writing—my hand doesn’t help. Grandma.
May 26, 1990More cards arrived: From Birda—Wish I May…Wish I Might…Be Right Where you are tonight.  Miss You.Michael,I have given up on plans and have taken up wishing.  Have a Happy Birthday!  I’ll make up for your Birthday dinner when my wish comes true.  Right now I’m not sure when that will be.  I haven’t given up on hopes and dreams yet.  See you soon (I hope).  I’ve dreamed about it.  Love Always, Birda.Mike, Happy Birthday!  I wanted to take pictures of all ‘3’ girls together but the timing was never right.  So how does it feel to be “31”?  Ashley is very excited to come and see you.  Although she would rather fly than drive.  I wish Ally and I were coming but I think it is better that we don’t.  I’m bummed because I want to see your condo and have a night on the town, etc.  That just means you’ll have to arrange another visit up here to see your youngest niece.  She’s getting so big!  Ashley looked great in the outfit you bought her.  Talk about a mini skirt!  Well, all is quiet so I better jump in the shower.  Talk to you soon.Love, Sherri, John, Ashley, Holly and AllyAlan found a MICHAEL card with these words imprinted inside: MICHAEL is a Gallic name meaning “Purveyor of fruit pies”.  It is believed to have originated in the 5th Century B.C. during a moment of mild boredom, and is generally considered to be a derivation of the Saxon names, Mikey, meaning “bean worshipper,” and Merl, meaning “He of the dipstick.”   Happy Birthday…Grrrrrr….Alan wrote: 5-26-90I won’t comment on this author’s definition of MICHAEL.  Let me just add:MICHAEL J ARMIJO is one who is both cute and handsome.   One who is both thoughtful and fun.   One who enjoys life to the fullest.  One who is Alan’s best-friend and ?...and one who in 1991 will fulfill and realize the dreams of his life.  Happy Birthday, Love, Alan
And…what?  Another card from Alan:  THE MAN WHO NEVER GREW UPAlan wrote:
5/26/90This card probably represents what many people think of Michael Armijo.  I am lucky enough to know THE REAL GUY!  For my interpretation of YOU, please CALL ME on May 26th.  It’s funny how most people never know or understand WHO WE ARE.Happy Birthday, Alan Freiman.
And a card from my former co-workers at Pac Bell Directory in San Francisco:  THE OFFICE BIRTHDAY HORROR CARD…Signed by Mitch Schwartz, Louise Long and Gloria Romero: Happy Birthday to our FAVORITE ACO SOUTH REP (CLAM, Mitch!).Have a Happy one, Mitch.
My Dearest Love,A Very Happy Birthday to You.  Love, Gloria “R”, Have Fun.
Have a very Happy Birthday.  Some lie it south some like it north…but we all like it at ACO.  Louise.
And finally, a card from mom with a crisp one-hundred dollar bill:
Dear Mike,One of the true joys of living is having the kind of son who always makes the family proud…and who’s liked by everyone, that’s why this brings you worlds of love and fondest wishes, too.   For after all, not everyone has a wonderful son like you.  Happy Birthday With Love, MomP.S.  Have Dinner on me…
My mother is quite upbeat.  ‘Take a Chance on LIFE’ is her motto’.-Charles Baxter,THERE’S SOMETHING I WANT YOU TO DO, Chapter: Loyalty

Lifetime Angels

The Dalai Lama often says that LOVE is more natural than hatred.   Since from birth to death we all need, in order to survive, to give and receive LOVE to accomplish both our own welfare and others’.  In general, he adds, we feel “GOOD” when we show kindness to others, and “BAD” when we harm others.
Alan sent me a postcard of MEL GIBSON.  He knows how much I like him.  It must be Mel’s blue eyes that capture me; however, he always struck me from his string of films that include THE ROAD WARRIOR/MAD MAX; THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY and GALLIPPOLI.   Alan wrote:May 15, 1990Michael,What a great weekend topped off by a surprise Sunday night.  About ‘9’ days to your birthday…July 4th is coming and until it does we will ENJOY every day.  Your idol’s movie opens on Friday (BIRD ON A WIRE, Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn).  Let’s see it next week.  On any day we need to go to TRUMPS for tea.  It’s good for us.  My legs are heavy (2 bike rides totaling about 65 miles…that’s good for me).  I look forward to everyday that I get to spend with you.  June is close.   ALAN
The next day I received a cool card from Dorothy Rua.  The image of the woman in white standing next to a classic car was the epitome of her.  Yes, that's where Dorothy wishes to be, feeling the warm sun on her face for those moments of leisure and exploration.May 16, 1990Dear Michael, …seems like a long time since I last wrote.  I feel the need today.  I had an interesting job interview today.  Then I returned and watched SEX, LIES AND VIDEOTAPE.  Good movie—had an impression on me.  In the past, four or five years I’ve come to believe that once in a while if we’re fortunate, during the course of our lives we are SENT AN ANGEL—maybe for an hour, a day, a month or a lifetime.  LIFETIME ANGELS become friends.  I can think of three different angels I’ve been sent at three different times in my life.  The firs, for a few months when I was 18 years old, the second, for about an hour four years ago and the third, a little over a year ago.  Each one of them, unknowingly changed the course of my thinking, which affected the way I would live my life.  In SEX, LIES AND VIDEOTAPE, Graham was an angel for the two sisters.
I’ve decided to stay away from Mortgage Banking jobs during my job search these days.  I just don’t feel like calling on the same clients and doing the same job I’ve done for years.  I’d like to be able to use my finance experience in a related field.  Or maybe try something entirely different.  When attempting to enter a different industry it’s always a little tougher—but we’ll see.   Speaking of job interviews I was in Orange, CA on an interview close to two weeks ago, May 3rd.  It was a last minute arrangement—the guy was supposed to be in Walnut Creek that day but couldn’t make it, so he flew me down!  I thought about calling you but then didn’t because I was going to be kept busy from 11AM until 4PM.  I knew you had a class that night.  Plus…looking at the map, Orange appears to be quite a distance from L.A. and West Hollywood.   To make myself feel better about it I told myself there’ll be a better and another time for us to get together.
I like your ideal bathroom especially the soccer balls in the tub!  Are you under there somewhere?  Your relaxing weekend sounded wonderful.  You’re right…I would have loved the “people watching”.  Nice to hear your brother and his family will be down soon.  You’ll have a full house.  Have fun!
Throughout the busy daily routine guess where my thoughts stray.  This shoreline picture is a clue!  Miss You, Love, Dorothy.
A couple of days later I had almost thought that Mario C. Boucieguez had forgotten me.  Apparently not as he sent me another one of his typewritten letters (after I sent him a note via post a week or so ago): 
Sarasota, FL, May 17, 1990Dear Michael:This is Tuesday afternoon, and I am sitting on the beach looking at the sunset, the boats and thinking about you.Sometimes I ask myself how would I feel when I see you again…God, it has been such a long time...Sorry, I am just talking to myself. I received your letter last week.  I am very happy to hear that you are doing well, that you are going to Europe and that you will be seeing y our friends there.I am back to working hard and it is all right.  I share a house with Lissa, read during the nights, and try to grasp the problems of my mind in a short time.Today I bought a portable disc player and a Cocker Spaniel puppy.   The disc player is small.  It fits in my pocket.  The puppy is a little bigger and it has white spots and I just love it. I named it BELLO which means cute (masculine) in Italian.  For the weekend I will climb into my car, filling the car with cigarettes, books and brandy.I will be expecting postcards from Europe if I don’t hear from you before.  Please promise me you will drink a bottle of champagne for me when you get to Paris.Now I stop.  That was emerging as a very difficult and nearly pompous sentence.  It is getting dark and I must go home.  BELLO is now waiting for me, write soon.Your Friend Always,Mario.
I’m happy I get letters.  It makes me feel good during my lonely times in the big city that I don’t know well enough (Los Angeles).  Alan makes me feel better about it but I cannot help but feel homesick for Northern California life at times.  Barbara Reynolds, my former Pac Bell coworker, sent a Birthday postcard from Yosemite.

21 May 1990Happy Birthday to You…  I’ve been meaning to write each day…alas now I have a card in my hand at the right time.  This current journey is with my English cousin, Rosemary.  I am showing here great scenes.  Yosemite tomorrow, then go to Big Sur and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  Thursday we drive to Rancho Bernardo to stay with our other cousin, Jill.  Should I pick you up when I drive home on Sunday?  Someday hope to see you, dear friend.  With Love, Barbara.
“Everybody should read something.  Otherwise we all fall down into the pit of ignorance.  Many are down there.  Some people fall in it forever.  Their lives mean nothing.  They should not exist.” –Charles Baxter, THERE’S SOMETHING I WANT YOU TO DO, Chapter:  Charity

I Was Only Ten Years Old

“Even when your world stops the world keeps moving forward…and you will too.” –Psychologist to Finch (played by actor, Michael Emerson)in the series PERSON OF INTEREST, Season 4, Episode 17
I found a Jane Fonda clipping with that had the caption, “Fonda washing away her inhibitions with Local Hookers,” from a movie scene. It made me laugh as I recalled seeing the film with my mom, so I clipped it and made it into a postcard to send to her.  I wrote:May 8, 1990
Hi MOM!Happy MOTHER’S DAY!  Since Mom’s Day is Sunday I thought I should mail this in advance to make sure you get it.  Also…expect another surprise.  You’re the BEST MOM!  I LOVE YOU!Here’s a scene from the movie OLD GRINGO.  We saw the movie in Westwood (Los Angeles), remember?Thinking of You, Love Michael
Alan is getting good at writing me postcards. I received another one today but this postcard depicted a ‘head shot’ of Rob Lowe.  Should I be jealous?  Alan wrote: Michael,Some people think he’s cute.  What do you think?  What IF?  I sent this card because he’s handsome (like ME).  He’s happy (like ME) and he enjoys (like ME).  All of this…thanks to YOU!   Sat/Sun mornings down to Redondo Beach.  We’ve got to begin a new form of entertainment.  Last ‘5’ movies…’4’ BAD and ‘1’ GOOD.  How about Sporting Events?  Baseball…Basketball?   I can’t wait until the barbeque in June with your family.See You, Alan
The following day I found a postcard from Michael Miller of ALTAMONT PASS (a Wind Energy locale between Tracy and Livermore).  I hadn’t heard from him in a while, so that was nice.  May 9, 1990 Michael J,This is Michael M from Alameda (or now, Tracy—but don’t spread the word).  Yes, I’m living alone besides a turtle I took in as a boarder for a couple of days.  That was great the way you found my address.  Now to get to the point.  I’ll be down at the Burbank Airport on June 22nd on US AIR at 7:25AM, Flight No. 2562 and I’ll leave at 8:50PM.   Make some good plans for a weekend and come down. 
Work was the usual routine.  The best part was coming home to check my mailbox.  Alan sent me another postcard.  It made me smile.  This time the card depicted Robert Redford and Paul Newman from the 1969 film, BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID.   Did that film really get released when I was only ten years old?  Wow.  Alan wrote:May 12, 1990
Michael,This is a reminder that we can’t live in the past.  The OLD movies are passé.  Most are NOT what we want now.  The future is here and what we need.  Day by Day is the answer.  Let’s enjoy more surprise short times.  The future is NOW!  There is a place for the past.  Great memories but now ENJOY and look to exciting, loving times.  May 26this 2-weeks away.  Love, ALAN
A couple of days later I created a new PARIS/LONDON card for mom.  I wrote as follows: May 14, 1990, 9:15AM1010 Palm Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069Dear Mom,Here I am again at the “rat hole”.  That means work.  Only ‘9’ more days until my vacation week, so that’s quite a relief.I missed you on Mother’s Day.  I miss you TODAY.  It doesn’t have to be a holiday.How do you like this stamp?  I guess you’ve probably seen it before, working at the post-office and all.I can’t wait until you, John and the girls appear.  Here’s a card I made showing LONDON and PARIS.  I won’t be going to LONDON but I’ll hit SPAIN AND PARIS for sure.  I can’t wait.Work is starting to roll here, so I better close for now. Thinking of You, Love, Michael
Paloma surprised me with an early postcard for my Birthday.  That was the sweetest surprise in my mailbox on this day:Balaruc, le 14 Mai, 1990Dear Michael,
Happy Birthday!  So, how does it feel?  I’m sending you this card because I thought it would be nice to participate to your European trio.  I even made the effort to send you American money.  I hope you appreciate!  In fact, that was just to remind you what to send me when you’ll be famous!  Even if you forgot to send me a card for MY birthday!  I’m sure you don’t remember when my birthday is.  When is my birthday?  I’m sure you’re glad you write everything down!  How could you forget my 18thbirthday!
Do you keep sending me cards of girls working out to make me feel bad or what?  The pool you can see on the picture is part of the Residence.  We also have a tennis court and mini-golf course (and a barbecue).  
I’ve heard about MONSIEUR HIRE and MAY FOOLS (that one has another title here but I don’t remember).  I haven’t seen them yet.  MONSIEUR HIRE won a prize at the CANNES FESTIVAL and I usually don’t like movies that win at CANNES (they are boring).  I don’t like that director, Louis Malle.  I just saw TEQUILA SUNRISE.  I didn’t like it that much…Love, Paloma
“As frustrating as it might seem some questions might never be answered.” -Finch (played by actor, Michael Emerson) in the series PERSON OF INTEREST, Season 4, Episode 17

Fascination For The Future

How many chapters does LIFE have?  It has many chapters and you’ll notice that when the passenger train you’re on is headed in the wrong direction, it’s often moving so fast that you can’t get off it without hurting yourself.  I threw myself off the particular train I was on and was seriously injured for years. …Sometimes you run away to leave something behind, and sometimes you run away to get somewhere.  I did both.  At least I didn’t kill myself.  At least I didn’t murder anyone.  –Charles Baxter, THERE’S SOMETHING I WANT YOU TO DO, Chapter 2: Loyalty
April 30, 1990I submitted an outline of my MICHAEL and JENNIFER screenplay the other day and my UCLA instructor returned some not-so-thrilling comments; however, I got his drift.  Here is an excerpt of what my instructor, Jeff Melvoin, wrote:
“Seems you’ve found a new direction for your story; suddenly toasters and freezers are yielding telephones with exotic assignments.   Unless I misread the last two scenes, our little romantic comedy has now become an international spy thriller.  What’s going on?  Did you have a change of heart?There are some nice touches in the opening scenes but…before I can comment much further I need to know what your present hope is for this story.  Hang in there.  It’s not easy, this business of writing, and you’re getting a first-hand introduction to why this is so.”
(JEFF MELVOIN wins the Morgan Cox Award at the Writer’s Guild Awards in 2015:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uc99yNp9OA)
May 1, 1990
I had fun during my frequent visits to Alan at his apartment at SEA COLONY in Santa Monica, California.  I captured him on his rotary phone (probably talking to his mother or his business partner, Arthur).
I received another letter from Paloma.  Here’s a bit of what she wrote:
…if you do decide to come this is the best time:  the end of June, the very beginning of July, the end of August or the beginning of September.  You have to come at summertime.
I didn’t write much lately because the year is really starting in a terrible way for me.  Jonathan’s been really sick for a week.  I had to take him to the hospital.  He was throwing-up all the time and he didn’t want to eat anything.  That was awful.  They had to feed him with a needle (I don’t know how you call that in English).  That was a real nightmare when they are little like him.  They can’t put that needle in the arm so they put it in the head and they tie him down so he can’t take it off.  I just couldn’t stand it.  I’ve been crying all day…but THANK GOD he is OK now.  He only stayed 24-hours at the hospital.  We took him away as soon as we could.   I don’t know if you’ve ever had that kind of problem with one of your nieces.  It’s hell.  He’s only 19-months old and he can’t tell us where it hurts.  He doesn’t understand why people do mean things to him.  He doesn’t know that it is to make him feel better.  I’m really happy it’s over now.  
Could you please record the NEWS on the radio for me?  It’s for my ENGLISH Class.  Thank you.  I’m sending you a video cassette.  I hope you can watch it.  I’ll write again soon.  Write me.  Love, Paloma
I certainly cannot relate to the stress Paloma had to deal with regarding her son.  I’ve been too busy horseback riding with Carrie (Alan’s youngest daughter).
Alan makes me laugh.  He speaks to his eldest daughter like an adult and spoils her to some extent.  I try not to get involved.  She’s a smart cookie.  Alan is very smart too as he uses his psychology know-how to persuade her.  It’s cute to observe.
A few days later I received a cool Black and White photo postcard from Alan.  It was photographed by Bruce Weber in Santa Barbara, 1982 of three guys in an old-fashioned car.  I love the photo.  Alan wrote:
May 1990Michael,Does this look familiar?  How about the faces?  The guy’s interest is lost.  You see---there’s only room for two comfortably in any car.  That’s why I have a 2-seater.  FUNNY FACE, SUSHI and THE GRILL for BLT’s and MORT’s.  What did you think of the pictures of Paris?  Looks good, huh?  See you Friday at 5:25.  You’re quite AMAZING.  Are you sure this picture doesn’t look familiar?
Alan makes me laugh.  He’s very quick witted.  I am getting to know his daughters better, too.  We had fun in Newport Beach, munching on pizza.  They’re very cute. I have this fascination for the future.  Robots and science-fiction ideas surround my head.  I was thumbing through a magazine and found a cool image.  It made me think of that song by KRAFTWERK (the German electronic music band) called THE ROBOTS or Die Roboter from 1978.  They are so ahead of their time (like me).   I wrote to mom:
May 7, 1990Dear Mom,  I was at CROWN Book Store on my lunch hour last Friday.  They were giving these free bookmarks.  I thought you’d like one.  I guess you could use this “Robot” card as a bookmark, too.
On Saturday, 5-5-90, I rode my bike from Santa Monica Beach to Manhattan Beach.  I got a little color (a tan).  It was a sun-filled weekend.  Now it is Monday morning and I am at my desk (ugh).  While riding my bike in Venice Beach I noticed a street called VIRGINIA COURT.  Guess how I thought of at that moment?  When you come to visit in June I know a few places we can go:  Disneyland, Universal Studios, Fisherman’s Village in Marina Del Rey and a few restaurants here and there.  I miss you.  I would’ve liked some of that honey-glazed ham dinner you had yesterday. Ha…Love You, Michael
“Love is more natural than hatred.” –Dalai LamaSince from birth to death we all need, in order to survive, to give and receive love to accomplish both our own welfare and others’.  In general, he adds, we feel “GOOD” when we show kindness to others, and “BAD” when we harm others. –Matthiew Ricard, ALTRUISM

Every Day That Passes...It Gets Better

The true altruist is one who “never hopes for a reward.  He responds to the needs of others out of his natural compassion.  Cause and effect are unfailing, so his actions to benefit others are sure to bear fruit---but he never counts on it."–Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Tibetan Master
I created a postcard of a dude looking fashionable with his pants down and sent it to mom.  I wrote: 4-26-90Hi Mom,This is the latest Fashion Trend in L.A.  Ha-ha.  Only Kidding…
This is just a note to tell you I miss you and to especially THANK YOU for the S.F Giants Jersey and the gray shorts you bought for me during my April visit home. 
Let’s see…I was there in December.  You came here in February…and I was there in April.  We seem to skip a month in-between seeing each other.  Does that mean I won’t see you for May?  We’ll see.
Eileen Grabinsky wrote me yesterday from Burlingame.  She’s going to cosmetology school (hairstyling).  PHOTO: Film Clip, TWIN PEAKS series
I hope this card breaks up your usual day. How is the new show, TWIN PEAKS?Later, LOVE YOU, Michael
Alan wrote me a couple of postcards.  One was a scene of the La Jolla coast and the other was of a map of The San Juan Islands in Washington. He wrote:
4/30/90Hi Michael,We have been enjoying CALIFORNIA for four months.  From Santa Monica to San Diego and in-between.  From beaches to the “Center of the Universe”.  At least twenty-five different restaurants, movies and the rest.Remember breakfasts (smile a lot!):  
The Bel Air Hotel, a muffin on Balboa Island, coffee and baked goods at the CAMINO REAL, Cancun; FigTree in Venice; La Jolla; Laguna Beach and muffins on Sunset Boulevard; HUGO’s…but BEST OF ALL…cereal at the Armijo pad or Sea Colony.  NOT going out is what I like…that way I can look at you all I want.  July 4, 1990 is coming soon.See You, ALAN 4/30/90Michael…November 89, December 89, January 90, February 90, March 90, April 90…are all IN THE PAST.  They went quickly and were 6-great months.  What about the next six?  Or 1…2…3.  How about May 90…let’s begin right.
By the way, as for The San Juan Islands in August/September…I’ll trade you Seattle for Northern California in the Fall.  Every day that passes it gets better.  Do I talk too much?  Well, you’re stuck with me.  Please no more Saturday Morning SHOCKERS!  See you in Barcelona.  ALAN

The following day wasn’t as exciting as far as postal delivery.  I received a simple, non-personal college announcement from Chad Mark Glen about his forthcoming Commencement Exercises on Saturday afternoon, May 26th, from San Francisco State University for his Master of Arts in Broadcast Journalism.    That’s my Birthday!  Does he expect a gift?  Or is it simply an informative ‘wanted to let you know’.   Whatever…I’ll ignore it…for now.  It’s time for sounds of silence…
“…subjects who had practiced meditation felt more love, involvement in their daily activities, serenity, joy, and other beneficial emotions.”--Matthieu Ricard, ALTRUISM, The Power of Compassion to Change Yourself and the World

I Really Have An Itch...

He was born a wanderer.  He was like a small panther when confined with the same people and surroundings for any length of time.--Harper Lee, GO SET A WATCHMAN
My UCLA screenplay teacher, Jeff Melvoin, commented on my first draft of ideas for my MICHAEL AND JENNIFER screenplay ideas.  It wasn’t too harsh but not the most uplifting either.  He gave me more ideas to explore.  He wrote:
A nice start.  I would keep collecting anecdotal ideas for Michael and Jennifer.  The description of the meetings each undergoes with other dates makes me want to know more about these encounters.
The structure may have to wait on a bit more of this type of exploration.What puts this story in motion, what keeps it in motion?  What’s the premise, the “what would happen if”?

These questions will help focus the raw materials and should suggest how to being putting it together.
We should also talk about overall length.  For a first project, it may make sense to conceive of this as a short or television movies rather than a full-length screenplay.  I say this because writing full-length romance is a tough chore for anyone, especially the first time out.
We’ll talk about it.
I decided to vent my feelings with Paloma in a card/letter during a break at work:4-17-90, Tuesday, 10:10AM Dear Paloma,Great NIKE tennis shoes postcard…And what a neat picture of you and Jonathan!  Is that swimming pool part of the Residence Club?  It looks nice.  I like.   So…when may I come to visit?  I’m jealous that Alison and Lisa are coming to visit.  I want to go too!  I miss you lots.
I have enrolled in this course at UCLE on Wednesday nights.  We watch films (foreign and contemporary American films).   The first four films are foreign.  I’ve already seen two of them.  Both were French.   One was called MONSIEUR HIRE and the other was called MAY FOOLS (by Louise Malle, he is married to actress Candice Bergen).  Have you heard of either of these movies?   They were pretty good.  MONSIEUR HIRE was a little strange and depressing.  MAY FOOLS was funny.American movies I recommend for you include THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS and SEX LIES AND VIDEOTAPE.  I’ll have to think about other possibilities.PHOTO:  Sex Lies And Videotape
I’m working on a screenplay now tentatively titled MICHAEL AND JENNIFER.  It’s about a man in search of the “right” woman and a woman in search of the “right” man in California in the 90’s, encompassing romantic introductions at gas stations, supermarkets, singles bars, movie theaters, etc.   Finally, the two main characters meet in a special and unique way.  The story continues with the growth of their relationship and whether or not the relationship will continue to grow.  Various arguments will be covered, allowing the audience to relate and enjoy the couple.   What do you think?   I have nine other story ideas but first things first.  I just hope the studios will like them well enough to want to buy them from me.  Time will tell.  

I went home for EASTER Weekend.  I had a good time.  The visit seemed so short.  I just got home to L.A. last night.  
I took a few photos while in Alameda.  I liked the solo pic of mom and of Ashley.  There was also a good one of Holly and Ashley.  I nabbed a touching one of Sherri and the new baby, Ally, too. 
The following day I sent my mom a postcard of THE BABY DANCE play that Alan and I went to see at the Pasadena Playhouse because I’d heard the news of an earthquake in the Bay Area.
4-18-90Hi Mom,WOW!  A 5.4 earthquake for you this morning…I hear.   I guess the best place to be during an earthquake is in bed (or in the bathtub all ducked and covered).  I guess you were in the right place.Here’s a look at the play I saw last night.  It was really good.It’s true.  Now that I am here I want to be there.  I really have an itch to visit NEW YORK again because there’s so much there.  I only got an itty bitty taste of it the last time I visited.  I also want to visit Paloma in France.  She is in the South of France now—not Paris.  It’s nicer where she lives now as it is near the beach and the weather is warm.  Oh well…we shall see. Until next time.   Love You!  Michael

I had more pleasure time and I decided to send Paloma a few cards (especially made by me):

Dear Paloma,  It’s 4-18-90 at 7:45AM.  I went to see this play last night.  It was very good.  There really is a lot to do in and around L.A. if you take advantage of it all. 

The California Lottery was 50 Million last week.  I played but I didn’t win.  If I won I would have bought you a corvette.  I’ll remember that.  I really like the convertible Jaguar.  It’s just a little crazy driving in and around L.A.  There are so many cars.  I live in West Hollywood, so I rarely get on a freeway unless I’m going to Newport Beach, Santa Monica or Venice Beach.
That’s OK that you’ve slacked off on your writing.  I figured you were involved with work and Jonathan and all.  It was great to hear from you.  I always remember you once said something like this:  “Do you have to wait until you receive mail from me before you write back to me?”  And I realized I don’t have to wait, so Ii like to drop a card every now and again.

Wow!   Allison is already ten years old!  Oh well…Ashley will be six on 5/8/90.   They grow up so fast.  Did that outfit I sent to Jonathan ever fit him or has he grown out of it? 
Here’s Kim Basinger.

That picture that you sent of you and Jonathan is a good one.  It looks like Alexandre took a great picture this time.
No…Sherri’s not working.  She just plays the housewife role for now.  It must be nice, huh?   I think John and Sherri wanted a boy but they are brave to have a third one.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried for a boy in one to four years because I mentioned it in passing and they didn’t object to the idea (so who knows?).   I must have all of the male offspring sperm cells.   Now all I need is a gorgeous woman (the “right” woman).  Do you know any gorgeous French felines with great personalities who know a little English?  John and Sherri named their third girl “ALLY ELIZABETH”.

I vaguely remember Caroline but it’s hard to picture Coco with a baby.  Enzo, huh?  That’s different.   What ever happened to those two other guys I met?  The dark-haired guy and his friend (I forgot their names).  How is your brother, Luis?  What’s new with him?  Do you ever hear from Bernadette?  And how is your dad and stepmom (who is born the same day as me…Ha)?   And your mom, too?   How’s she doing?   I bet she wishes she could see her grandson more often. 

Paris is a distance from you but I think (or hear) that it’s much nicer where you now live.This girl that I work with (Laurie) lives in West L.A. and came by my pad.  She looked through some of my photo albums. 

She said, “You improve with age…and look better today than in your younger day photos.”I thought that was a nice compliment.

How do you like this card?  I think it’s so cool.  Yet again…another homemade version card.  I have an eye for what makes a good card.   That’s why I thought I’d be useful at an advertising agency (for copy, layout and design).  Oh well…time will tell. 

I should move to France and get a job there for a couple of years.  I could learn French.   Wouldn’t that be an escape?  It would also be very daring and adventurous.    And if I did it we’d probably end up having an affair (Ha-ha).  I hope that made your eyes widen.I should be working by now but I’m not.   It’s so “cushiony” here.  I can get away with a lot of things (including very little work in one day).  You know me I’m a natural hard-worker.  I always tend to get things done.
I have a doctor appointment (physical exam) tomorrow, April 19th.  I have a dentist appointment April 23rdand an eye doctor appointment on April 24th.  I am going to try and get my doctor to recommend a psychiatrist.   Then I hope the psychiatrist will write-up an excuse slip for three months off due to short-term mental stress on the job.

It was so funny about what you wrote regarding Jonathan and his cousins getting together and how it was like an earthquake.  That made me laugh because I sure do know what you mean…with five nieces now…can you imagine in another few years with all of them screaming and running!Christmastime is going to be a MAD HOUSE.  I told my mom about what you said about all of the kids being all together (like an Earthquake) and she laughed.  She just had Lauren (age 4) and Leigh (age 2) for a week while Tony and Helen left for a Caribbean Cruise.   My mom was so relieved when Tony and Helen returned.
Oh…here’s another card I really like.  I figured you would like the scenery (if you know what I mean, the tennis player).  I don’t know if this is ROME, Italy or where…but I love the look of the building and I’d love to be sitting on those steps on a hot day in my lounging summer wear, reading a good book or having a picnic lunch with you.

Do you think that if I come to visit you this year (or next) we could go on a picnic lunch in the park (or somewhere nice)?    That would be fun.  My current US PASSPORT expires in 1993.  I have to visit you soon since I have the ease and capability now.  I should really just arrange my flight plans to go.   When is a good time for me to visit?  I think I’ll call you in a week.  Is your telephone number 67-48-73-21?  Well, I will soon find out.  How does Alexandre feel about our friendship?  Is he cool?  Would he mind if I come to visit?  Tell him I’m a nice guy, ok?This is a photo from somewhere in Canada (I believe).  I thought it was unusual.
Oh yeah!  The new ROB LOWE movie called BAD INFLUENCE is pretty good.  You’ll really like PRETTY WOMAN with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.  I know you like Richard Gere.  PRETTY WOMAN is really good.  I have some interesting gossip about Richard Gere.  It’s kind of gross though.  Apparently there has been a trend of men being hospitalized to have a “gerbil” removed from their asshole.  A “gerbil” is a little gray mouse.  It’s gross but this lady I met who is married to a doctor told me that Richard Gere was checked-in to CEDARS SINAI Hospital in Beverly Hills to have a “gerbil” removed.  I guess they put the “gerbil” in a plastic or rubber type of contraption while it’s alive and the sensation of it moving around is stimulating while fucking.  This is “hush-hush” inside gossip that you will not read in the National Enquirer.  Isn’t that gross though?  Sorry to spoil your sweet image of the AMERICAN GIGOLO. Ha-ha.  Who knows if it’s true?

It is now 8:45AM.  I guess I better get back to work here.I just want you to know I think of you often.  I really do miss you!  I am “SO SO” glad we’ve remained in touch over the years.  Who would have ever thought “a baby” and “a cave girl” would ever be attached for so long after meeting at a Halloween Party in San Francisco.

Oh…UB40 (Red Red Wine) are performing in Los Angeles next month.  Maybe I should try to get tickets just for our sake.Have a GREAT day!  You have such style!
I hope you like these multiple cards.
ALL MY LOVE, Michael
Paloma sent me a postcard of an aerial view of the BALARUC-LES-BAINS area where she currently lives.   She wrote:
Le 23 Avril, 1990Dear Michael, I just got your cards today.  Thank you for the little PACIFIC BELL “book” (I don’t know the word for that).  Just like you American people like French things, we French people like American things.That was fun to hear your voice the other day.  I was so surprised that I really didn’t know what to say. 

Here is a picture of BALARUC LES BAINS which is really a very tiny town.  We’ve got pretty big cities close by, the one I was telling you about on the phone (MONTPELLIER) is where the closes airport is.   It’s just about a twenty minute drive from here.  I don’t think you’ll find a flight from L.A. to MONTPELLIER.  Maybe from New York…but you want to go to Paris first, right?  I can’t meet you in Paris.  July is the busiest time here.
A few days later I found a cute sketch of a kitty cat with blue eyes pictured on a card and bought it for Paloma.  I wrote the following:
April 23, 1990Dear Paloma, It was nice talking to you on the phone on Saturday.  Jonathan sounds so cute.  And since he is fifty-percent Paloma he’s got to be cute anyway.  Your English was fine.  You sounded great!  You haven’t lost it and never will.  Besides, you can read my cards and letters can’t you?  I write in a conversational tone, so that helps.Anyway, here’s how it happened…My friend, Alan and I, were walking along Venice Boulevard and there’s a street called PALOMA STREET.  I told him about you.  We discussed the idea of skipping town and “zooming” over to Europe.  And so…we are going to! 
Alan is separated from his wife, Susan (she’s really nice).  He has two daughters, Lauren (age 10) and Carrie (age 7).  I met him at LE DOME, a bar/restaurant around the corner from me.   We go out to clubs and check out the scene every now and again.  He’s shown me around a lot of the good spots in L.A.  Our tentative plan for Europe is as follows:
We fly out of L.A. on 7/4/90 and arrive in PARIS on 7/5/90 where we will immediately rent a car and drive from 7-5 thru 7-9 through the white wine Chateau Countryside towards Barcelona, SPAIN.  We will stay in SPAIN for a while.  Then, we will head toward MONTPELLIER and BALARUC-LES-BAINS sometime between 7-11 and 7-18.  I will call you when we get close.  We’d like to stick around your area for a few days, then head on by car through the French Riviera.  
By 7/19, 7/20 or 7/21 we plan to drive through MILAN, ITALY and GENEVA, SWITZERLAND and return to PARIS by 7/23.  So…it will be a lot of “by car” traveling.  This way we will see more and it should be fun.  We plan on being flexible.  We may extend our stay in certain places.  The 7-11 thru 7-18 is the key time that we will be in your area.  I hope we can crash in one of your units and/or on your living room floor.  I can’t wait to see you   I’ll keep you posted on the latest.
Oh guess what…Are you wondering how I’m going to get all of this time off?  Well, I’m going to say my Grandfather died in Barcelona, SPAIN on 7/30/90 and off I go…until I get back on 7/23.  Both of my grandfathers died in 1954 and 1978, so I know they both would have wanted me to visit my heritage country (SPAIN), so the trip really IS for my grandfathers and grandmothers before me.  See You Soon, Love, MICHAEL P.S.  I thought Jonathan might like the KITTY CAT, so I made a couple of copies for him to color or tear apart. 
It’s so HOT and I’ve been wandering around here naked at times, luxuriating in my own sensuality and having all sorts of fantasies about you. –Colin Channer, WAITING IN VAIN, a novel

MICHAEL AND JENNIFER, the unfinished screenplay

“Energy is a vital thing in LIFE—you have only so much of it because the amount nature gave you is fixed.  Throw it away and you get to the point where you haven’t got any more.”--Calder Willingham, END AS A MAN
On April 10th I received another card from former coworker/staff clerk, Gloria Romero:
240 Byrne St., Daly City, CA 94014
Hi Michael,Another postcard…though I have not eaten here.  It’s just across the street.  It’s a pretty card.  I don’t know about the food.  Do hope you will be able to visit soon.  It will be nice.I got a stencil sheet for printing up my place cards.  I miss your handwriting but I can manage with this gold printing sample on the side of this card.  How about that?Love, Gloria
4-13-90, FRIDAY “MICHAEL AND JENNIFER” NOTES
Jeff Melvoin, my Intro to Screenwriting Instructor, called me before noon today to discuss my three story ideas.  It made me feel good to hear him say all ideas were interesting and had potential!  It’s funny when I think about it.   It’s funny how a story can turn into a major mess if it isn’t well thought out.  I remember that book by Stephen King called THE SHINING and how great I thought the book was…and then, the screening of the film was such a disappointment for me.  I hope my story, turned screenplay, doesn’t get mangle into a different story.
Well, Jeff Melvoin, recommended I go with my tentative title: MICHAEL AND JENNIFER.  I like that idea.  It certainly interests me.  There are three songs that I recently purchased and discovered from a European modern alternative rock group named THE LIGHTNING SEEDS.  The songs are called JOY, CONTROL THE FLAME and FRENZY.  Maybe I could focus ACT I with relations to the CONTROL THE FLAME lyrics; then ACT II with relation to the FRENZY song and ACT III with the JOY song.  I especially like JOY and CONTROL THE FLAME.  I think I’ll listen closely to the tunes and write the lyrics down.  All three are on the same compact disc.
MICHAEL AND JENNIFER are two of the post popular given names in America.  Perhaps that is why I tentatively titled my screenplay idea that way.  I certainly cannot hide the fact that my name is also Michael and the character will have some of my own thoughts and feelings.  He will have to in order to make the story flow and connect to my liking.
On Tuesday night I am going to see a play in Pasadena.  Stephanie Zimbalist and Linda Purl are in the play called BABY DANCE.   When I think of Michael in search of the “right” woman I imagine Stephanie Zimbalist or Linda Purl as possible candidates for the women in the film.
I would really like to work in a nice complex that had a mysterious aura while I refine the story/screenplay.  ACT I would be mysterious.  ACT II would be slightly complicated. And ACT III would have an element of surprise (a twist of sorts).  Of course, all ACTS would be dramatic with some comical influence here and there.  I need to focus-in on my plan.
I am leaving for the BAY AREA tonight for the EASTER weekend.  I started and finished the Journal section of SPIKE LEE’s “DO THE RIGHT THING”.  It was enjoyable.  Spike seems to keep things simplified and then “wham bam zamm”.  I believe I fall more into the organized and good planning type of category for my story (with more creativity).  There’s no reason I couldn’t do  a TOP-NOTCH screenplay.   Perhaps I am hesitant because my father is not MARTIN SHEEN.  I was born the same day as JOHN WAYNE.  I did date JOHN WAYNE’s granddaughter, Laura Munoz (that’s another story).  I could work that feline into the MICHAEL AND JENNIFER story as an experience of being in-search of the right girl.

Here I am at the Airport in Burbank waiting to board my flight.  I overheard a couple who have just now met.  I can tell their age immediately.  The guy is talking about how he likes L.A.  I think he’s going to school (seems a college type). 
Then she says, “I went to my five year reunion and no one showed up.  They had to cancel it.”Give me a break.  Now they’re both two typical ‘man and woman’ in search of the right one.  It is funny seeing and hearing it happen right before your eyes…a romantic introduction at the airport.
I wonder if I could have MICHAEL AND JENNIFER introduced in the screenplay as children.  I would love to establish a closer knit feeling with the audience about the two main characters.  I think that would work if the script included  a scene during each of their childhood “first love” experiences.  It would relate so much to being in search of the right one.
Alan sent me a Mexico Postcard and mailed it from Seattle…  Alan keeps his writing simple and to the point.  It’s just like his personality.  He’s very direct and doesn’t beat around the bush: APR 13, 1990I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOUI LOVE YOUGet the message…It’s raining but I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, and I LOVE YOU.ALAN.

4-14-90, SATURDAY “MICHAEL AND JENNIFER” NOTES
Michael’s First Love Introduction Scene Ideas:  First Grade, classroom setting, 1965.  Michael has a crewcut.  The teacher is a nun: Sister Agnes Marie.  Diane is the first love.  She is a fellow classmate with very long blond hair…the longest in the class.  She stands out.
At recess:Diane: “Here, Michael, I brought you something.”Michael: “What is it?”Diane: “It’s a ring.  I got it from my older sister, Karen.  She’s not going steady anymore so she won’t need it.”Michael: “Oh…okay.”Diane:  “Yes, so you can put this ring on my finger and it means we are going steady now.”(He puts it on her little finger.  They depart with a quick ‘press on the lips’ kiss.  He immediately takes a drink from the nearby water fountain as he wipes his brow from the nervousness of it all.
Meanwhile, as I am amidst 'brainstorming' ideas for the MICHAEL AND JENNIFER screenplay I get another motivating card from Dorothy:
4-13-90Hi Michael,It seems strange writing to you in L.A. when you’re boarding a plane for the BAY AREA today.  You may even be in Alameda already.  Oh well…sometimes it is nice to have a card waiting in the mailbox when you return home, right?
Strange (again)—I received your BRIEFCASE FULL OF SCREENPLAY IDEAS (postmarked 4-9) this past Wednesday and I got the BEAUTIFUL “LOVERS” card (postmarked 4-8) in the mail today!   Interesting….So, what type of screenplays are we talking about in that briefcase?  The MILLER beer makes me wonder!   Probably adds to the writers’’ creativeness!  Now…your creation of the gorgeous guy and the mystical girl is wonderful.  TOPS!  Not only do their expressions share something with you, the color is also GREAT…really subtle and adds to the romance.  She’s wondering what he’s thinking at that moment and so is anyone else looking at him, including myself.  He has beautiful eyes and luscious lips!  Where did you find this picture?  I say it’s one of your BEST!   Thanks for sharing it with me…
I talked to Dick (advertising) about possible advertising contacts in Southern CA.  He doesn’t have any yet….but will let me know when he develops some.  I’ll keep you posted. Jean-Paul has been on Easter break this week.  Nicole…next week, so I’ve been keeping fairly busy doing fun things.  I took him in to THE CITY one day.  Another day we went to see THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER.  WE both like anything Sean Connery is in and I had read the book several months ago, so it was fun to see how the “screenwriters” developed it into a movie.I also went on another interview this week.  “OKAY” job and I could use my past experience but I don’t know how I’d handle my “inside” job!  Oh well, we’ll see if anything develops.  They won’t be deciding for two more weeks anyway.  Maybe something I really want (and qualify for) will suddenly appear one day soon!  Must think POSITIVE!
About this card…thought I’d send something totally “OFF THE WALL” today!  I say, “Get the damn apron off lady, and head to where there’s music and laughter to soothe your nerves!  And don’t forget to look back with humor!
I do hope you visit was just what you needed.  Now you’ll be ready to work on that “killer” screenplay!Love, Dorothy
4-15-90, SUNDAY “MICHAEL AND JENNIFER” NOTESJennifer’s First Love Intro Scene Ideas:  It’s 1965 and she is at recess in a public kindergarten playground setting.  Jennifer is chasing two boys named Cory and Johnny.  Once she catches each boy she kisses them on the cheek.Cory:  “Oh YUCK!” (wiping it off)Johnny:  “OH No…coooooties!”
4-16-90, MONDAY “MICHAEL AND JENNIFER” NOTESOnce Michael and Jennifer are introduced as children in 1965, playing their ‘first love’ romantic elementary school game encounters I will cut to their 1990 scenario…
Michael is now 30 years old.  He will meet three or four different women that are very much “NHT” (Not His Type).Examples:1.    Vicki, age 24, (singles bar): “Want to go to a party?”  She is the one-night stand type.
2.    Leslie, age 22 (at the car wash): A date is made via small talk and nonchalant eye contact.  When Michael picks her up at her place Leslie says, “This is my daughter and I’m sorry but I couldn’t get a sitter so she has to go with us or…”Cut to the movie theater scene with Michael and Leslie and the 3-year old daughter.  It’s not what Michael imagined:  The “IFP”, Immediate Family Plan.
3   Judy, age 38, (a coworker and friend).  While Michael is at Judy’s place she catches Michael off-guard while sipping Bailey’s Irish Cream.  Judy suddenly says, “Hey, I have an idea.  Let’s take a bath.”4.    Stephanie, age 19 (while at an amusement park).  True love is felt.  It’s all a very big question mark.
Jennifer is 29 years old.  She will meet three or four very different men that are very much “NHT” (Not Her Type):Examples:
1.    Buford, age 22, a football jock type (they meet at a shopping mall).  He’s a hulk like guy with a very shy demeanor with only one thing on this mind (putting his finger in her belly button a la Gomer Pyle).2.    Wade, age 29, a non-conversationalist who constantly stares.  They meet at the gym.  He always talks of himself:  “I am…I know…I’ve been…My car is a…”3.    Mohammed, age 38, is a Persian type that refuses to accept NO for an answer.  They meet at a supermarket.  He follows her down the grocery aisle and is very blunt with his questions.  He asks at first glance, “Will you marry me?”   He uses a heavy accent and continues with his unusual verbiage by saying, “You are so devastating!”4.    Kevin, age 32, is met while Jennifer and he are pumping gas.  There is heavy duty mutual eye to eye contact.  Something seemed to be there…but it wasn’t.
MICHAEL AND JENNIFER will meet each other after they’ve met the above contacts.  They’ll meet in a special and unique way.  Michael and Jennifer will feel that their previous partners have potential as likely sweethearts until things ultimately do NOT connect.Michael will need a best-friend to discuss these women that have fallen onto his lap.
Jennifer will have an older happily married sister that always makes every topic an amusing one.  She should have a very distinct voice (someone like Julie Kavner who plays the voice of Marge in THE SIMPSONS).  She would be a great older sister for Jennifer.  Her voice is so loudly present and persuasive.
Let’s see how should Michael and Jennifer meet?   Yes, how about a car accident?   I remember an old friend of mine named Brian Haux met his wife via an auto accident.  The car accident could be the destiny event.  They could hate and despise each other initially.Maybe I should extend their childhood scenes at varied places:Michael:  1.    In the classroom scene with the nun in the old-fashioned habit uniform the way they wore them in 1965.2.    The recess scene near the water fountain3.    A first grade birthday party home scene
Jennifer:1.    Kindergarten chase scene2.    Dress up at home with a girlfriend as they have “boy talk”3.    Slumber party scene with more hair-raising “boy talk”

1990 Sequence:   Michael’s best-friend could be named Alan.  Michael is an advertising salesman and Alan is a stockbroker.  Alan and Michael go on lengthy bicycle rides every Saturday or Sunday mornings where they discuss various topics including their personal lives.  Alan could be married to Jennifer’s older sister (Julie Kavner idea).  Alan wants Michael to meet his wife’s sister who he refers to as “J.T.” (Jennifer Therese).  The car accident Michael and Jennifer will be set up as a blind date.Michael will ring the doorbell to Alan’s house and his seventeen year old daughter (who looks 24), named Ashley, will open the door.  She’ll pretend to be J.T.  Michael will believe she is J.T.  The audience will believe she is J.T. because we know full well that the audience will have predicted that Jennifer in the car accident will be J.T. 
I take a break from all of the 'brainstorm' writing ideas and write to Paloma:
April 17, 1990So, Paloma,How are things between you and Alexandre?  Give me all of the “dirt”.  Ha-ha…so you looked for me during the Oscars, huh?  Very funny.  I was outside of SPAGO, watching the stars party afterward.  It was fun.  It was exciting sometimes.  I get a lot of double-takes when I’m driving around town.  I guess they think I’m a hot celebrity—or something?  Tonight, April 17th, I am going to a play and LINDA PURL and STEPHANIE ZIMBALIST are in it.  I don’t know if you’re familiar with those actresses.  Here’s a CLIP of the show.

I haven’t seen CAMILLE CLAUDEL.  I wanted to see it but now that you’ve told me it’s boring….Thanks, I won’t go.I could’ve told you TANGO AND CASH was stupid.   The ad looked pretty dumb.  I can understand if you have the HOTS for Kurt Russel.  Did you see TEQUILA SUNRISE?  I really like Michelle Pfeiffer.My car is like NEW again.  It’s all painted, etc.  It all worked out and the insurance paid for it all.
Oh, J.WALTER THOMPSON, the ad agency, said they’d be interviewing in April, so I don’t know.  I gave up on them.  All of my energy is on my screenwriting class now.  I’ll be in-touch.  Miss you.This body on this card reminds me of YOU.Love, Michael

People may judge each other extremely well individually, but no man knows what a woman is, and no woman what a man is; they cannot see the wood for trees.
--Isak Dineson, SEVEN GOTHIC TALES, The Supper at Elsinore

No Place Like Home

I thought I had made this discovery:  that there are unexpected, constant repetitions in our behavior.  The right combination of circumstances had enabled me to observe them.  One seldom has the chance to be clandestine witness of several talks between the same people.  But scenes are repeated in life, just as they are in the theater.--Adolfo Bioy Casares, THE INVENSTION OF MOREL
I received a cute postcard and letter from Paloma dated April 1st.  She wrote:

Dear Michael,I was looking for you during the OSCAR’s.  I didn’t see you…maybe next year?  We’ve had interviews and shows about that occasion with producers, actors, agencies and stuff that made me think about you.  French people were hoping Isabelle Adjani would WIN but she didn’t.  CAMILLE CLAUDEL is really one of the most boring movies.   I just saw another really bad one, TANGO and CASH.  I went to see it because I love Kurt Russel. 

I’m sorry to hear you had a car accident but the important thing is that you were not hurt.  Alexandre’s brother still works for CLUB MED (and his girlfriend, too).  Right now they are in Chamonix, France but they’re coming back in March.   After that they’re going to Cancun (for about six months).  Isn’t that strange?  CLUB MED owns over a hundred places all over the world and you’re just going to that one.  Too bad you’re going there too early.  You could have met them.  They are really fun. Young (age 22 and 23) but fun. 

When you get this letter you’ll be back from Cancun.   So how did you like CLUB MED?  I guess you’ve seen people doing what I used to do on the Ivory Coast and in Marbella.  How do you call people working there?  In France (and Europe we call them G.O. which means “gentils organisateurs”.   And people coming for their vacations are G.M which means “gentils membres”.  If I hadn’t stopped because I was pregnant I was supposed to go to Mexico to Playa Blanca (between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo) for about six months.  I miss that but it was an awful job.  You’re a real slave.

You’re asking me about CANNES and MONACO, that’s why I’m sending you a map of France.  You can see for yourself.  It’s not very far from here.  I’ve heard on the news you’ve had big pollution problems in the Ocean (in L.A.?).  Is it getting better now? 

Do you know we’re going to have a EURO-Disneyland right next to Paris?  They’re building it right now.  It should be ready in 1992.  That’s right in time for Jonathan.  I would love to go to Mexico.  I will someday.  I have to go now.  Write me about your vacation in Cancun.Miss You, Love, PalomaThanks again for the presents!
Sherri sent the cutest card of a couple of endangered species.  She wrote:

4-3-90Dear Uncle Mike,Hi!  Just a short note to send you a couple of pictures.  Holly won’t sit still to have any taken.  Hopefully soon a miracle will happen.  I’ll have more pictures to show you when you get there.  I’ve borrowed your mom’s camera and we’ve gone crazy!  Hope you are doing well.  I’m sure you are.  We can’t wait till you’re here.  Are you flying into OAKLAND?  Talk to you soon.  The girls (all 3 of them) send hugs and kisses.Love, Sherri and Family
April 4, 1990,  I was in the mood to write mom:

4-4-90, 6:00PM

Dear Mom,So…you don’t write me that often but you call me often (and that is really special to me). Tonight is my first class at UCLA.Wednesday is the SNEAK PREVIEW class where I will watch films at night.  Thursday is the Screenwriting Class with instructor, Jeff Melvoin.  He was a producer/writer for HILL STREET BLUES and REMINGTON STEELE.  I’m excited.  I would like to write a great screenplay.  Hopefully someone producer will want to make a film out of it and be willing to pay me $100,000 for it.  (You never know). 

I just wrote Grandma a postcard and told her about my two classes.  She’s so sweet.  I got a letter from her the other day.Remember our RENT-A-MOVIE nights while eating a MARS BAR?  Ha…that’s why I made this card for you.  

I can’t wait to see you next weekend.  I remember how neat it was to see you when you got out of the plane at LAX in February.Later
…Love Always, Michael

Dorothy sent a photo of herself taken on March 29, 1990.   On the back of the photo she wrote:

Michael,I didn’t have my picture smile ready when the camera clicked and I haven’t turned this WHITE in such a short time; however, thought you might enjoy a shot on Union Street, San Francisco.  Notice the store behind me?  SUTRO BATHS?
Photo:  Dorothy Rua
It was a glorious, sunny S.F. day!Love, Dorothy

The card she included with the photo depicted a bike parked beside a group of hydrangea flowers. Inside the card she wrote the following:


4-5-90Hi Michael,This was the last card (of this bicycle) on the rack.  It looks like it’s been around since the invention of the wheel!  I liked the colors and it made me think of you and your car that’s in for repairs.  Have you been riding your bike to work?  Knowing you…you are pedaling around town but it’s always nice to know you have a car available too.

I just received your BAYER Aspirin Black and White card.  It’s great!  Simple…yet says so much.  The post-office did their best to try mutilating the card but it survived and was taped and placed in a plastic envelope and sent on to me.  I, too, wish I was at a Union Street Café right now.  I’ve spent a good amount of time these past several days trying to deal with an IRS letter we received recently.  They claim we own taxes for 1987!  Hell, why wait years later to hit me with this?  Because they wanted time to pass so they could add the penalties!  Anyway, apparently an employer sent them two separate W2’s and mailed us only one.  I’ll get it resolved but what a hassle and a drain on mental energy!
Reality can be the pits sometimes, can’t it?  What I wouldn’t give to hop on a plane to L.A. and walk that private beach at MALIBU COLONY with you.  How beautiful and peaceful it sounds.  How perfect for a little ‘rest and relaxation’.  Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever get down for a visit—guess I have to work on making it happen.  Currently, I have more obstacles than you’ll ever know but it’s also something I really want to do sometimes.  If and/or when I get there will you take me for a ride in your car with the top down and the sea breeze blowing though my wig? Ha!  I can almost smell the ocean!  And the sun warming my soul…
How did your appointment with the Sales Placement Service in Beverly Hills go?   Think they’ll be able to land a hand in your search for career satisfaction?  Definitely can’t hurt!   The more people you have working for you the better your odds…but then, you already know that!  Good luck!Hope something decent materializes for me soon…being without a job can drive you nuts too (unless you’re rich).  I know I could keep busy and be happy with enough money!

You must be looking forward to EASTER and spending time with your family especially with the new niece!  Sometimes there really is “no place like home”.  They’re probably looking forward to see you, too.Love, DorothyP.S.  You don’t mind that the bicycle on this card is not a male bike, do you?  Who cares, right?  Ha!
I was thrilled to find a card from Alan.  He wrote:APRIL 8, 1990Michael—This weekend was another GREAT one!  Mar Vista, a Friday Night Concert with your past, Aaron and Jeff?   Frangelico, THE PRODUCERS (you hated it); Saturday work…work…Mike sleeps till 10AM.Saturday night…it’s wait for the latest flight attendant while Alan goes out with Gloria and Jack.…then PRETTY WOMAN with Richard Gere…a great Garry Marshall movie. Sunday Omelette Parlor with Michael and Gloria and a great day of various mall shopping including APPLE PAN Dinner with a Banana Cream pie. And a late afternoon nap (finally!).Of course, your freak accident…remember you’re ok.  Our short-lived basketball game… I Love You and will miss you all weekend long while I’m in Seattle. Love, ALANThe picture on this card represents one of your nieces (Ashley) or one of my 2 daughters with their new dress.  The dog is Sami (he’s still alive)…and look at all those girlie belongings.   After a day of mall shopping with you this card is definitely appropriate.P.S. I hope you like my choice in postage stamps.

And more work…screenwriting class work.  Ugh!  I had to write three outlines of three potential stories.  Here is what I came up with:

April 9, 1990Intro. To ScreenwritingWriting Assignment, Week One

1.    MICHAEL AND JENNIFER – A story about a man in search of the “right” woman and a woman in search of the “right” man in California in the 1990’s, encompassing romantic introductions at gas stations, supermarkets, singles bars, movie theaters, etc. until the two main characters finally meet in a special and unique way.  The story continues with the growth of their relationship until it matures and declines as questions over the communication between the two as to whether or not the relationship will continue to grow.  Various arguments are covered, allowing the audience to relate to and enjoy the couple.


2.    FOREVER YOUNG – A story about a man from boyhood to old age who maintains his youth by surrounding himself by friends, family and acquaintances of all ages, realizing joy in each generation, knowing he can be forever young no matter which stage and/or with whom he finds himself.

3.    UPPER HAPPY VALLEY ROAD – A story about four children who live in the same small town.  They relived themselves through troubled times by bicycling to a special road where they experience fantasy adventures.  They also find answers to their real life problems in a new light, allowing the audience to explore a child’s imagination.

I   I wonder which one I will ultimately select to expand upon.
The earlier years…they tend to blur into each other as a kind of golden time, and when I think about them at all, even the not-so-great things, I can’t help feeling a sort of glow.--Kazuo Ishiguro, NEVER LET ME GO

My Real Joy

We talked on the telephone—not long, chatty conversations.   These brief colloquies might have seemed abrupt, even curt, but they were an integral part of our normal and affectionate discourse, rather like those of two people reading their morning papers over a breakfast table and looking up for an instant to make a comment or ask a question. –Sheila McGrath(about her dear friend, Emily Hahn aka Mickey) as found in the Foreword section of the book NO HURRY TO GET HOME by Emily Hahn
I was living life as normally as I could.  I would drive each day to mid-Wilshire in Los Angeles to the ACO (Account Collections Office) with Pac Bell Directory.   My real joy was when Alan would make it a point to come around and meet me for lunch one or two days a week at that seafood place.  I love the fish and chips.  On March 30thI found a couple of fun cards in my mailbox.  One was a postcard from Dorothy Rua.  The other was from my sister-in-law, Sherri.   I laughed at Sherri’s card.  The LION depicted on the card made me imagine her screaming like that as she gave birth to Ally.  Sherri wrote:
3-29-90“We weren’t LION” when we said, “We have three girls!”Dear Mike,Hi!  It’s been one week and I finally had a chance to sit down and write.   We all received your cards.  You’re right.  I do like that bedroom.   We all are excited for your homecoming for EASTER.  Did you know that Friday is the 13th?  Ally is such a good baby.  The girls are really good with her.  Holly gets a little carried away sometimes but all-in-all she just loves her little sister!  Ashley’s favorite show is THE SIMPSON’s too!   We all watch it every Sunday night.  It’s a family affair. 
Our kitchen is getting closer to getting done.  I have almost everything.  I’ve taken the BEFORE pictures.  I just can’t wait to take the AFTER pictures. I can’t believe you didn’t take your camera to STAR gaze.  I thought for sure we’d get to see some stars.  The girls have gotten so big.  You’ll be so surprised.Well, I’m going on and on, so I guess I’ll close for now.  We’ll see you soon!We miss you.  Love from all…ARMIJO 5.
And Dorothy’s postcard depicted a photo by Herb Ritts, taken in 1987 at Paradise Cove.  Dorothy wrote:
3-29-90Dear Michael,…sitting here at a Café on Union Street in SF, having a slice of pie, drinking a Café Latte and thinking of you.  It was great talking to you this morning.  There’s always so much to catch up on.I feel bad that you’re not feeling to “up” these days.  Wish I was there to help perk you up and give you a friendly hug.   There are times when we can all use a little positive support.   As I said on the phone…you’re always busy trying to make your life the way you want it to be and it WILL call come together for you.  I just know it.  You have a lot going for you.  Continue to believe in yourself.I think your upcoming classes sound great.  Who knows you may meet someone who may be a “contact”!My sister, Catherine, and I are cruising the streets and enjoying the sunshine.  I’ll write more later.  I just wanted to send you a few words of encouragement! Love, Dorothy
And then a day later my mailbox was filled with more joy.  It was a handwritten letter from my Grandmother, Mary Genevieve Leyba-Lucero and yet one more postcard from Dorothy Rua.Grandma wrote:
Oakland, CA
March 30, 1990

Dear Grandson,I received your letter and was glad to hear from you.   That picture you sent reminds me of my neighbor!  She’s that fat.Well, John and his wife were disappointed it was a girl.  Now your mother has five granddaughters.  She wanted a girl.  And I have eleven great grandchildren (five boys and six girls).  I have ‘18’ grandchildren.  I could have ‘31’ with Arthur’s two children that died.  Well, it’s very nice to have a big family.  Maybe you will get married and bring us twin boys.  It runs in the family but nobody has them yet.   My mother had twins twice—but they died when they were very small.  One died when he was four years old.  He was near a horse and the horse kicked him, so his spine was broken.Tony and Helen are going on a cruise.  Virginia is going to babysit.I guess this is all for now.  Excuse my writing.  My hand bothers me very much.  Take care.Love, Grandma
I liked the artsy statue and bike postcard that Dorothy found for me:
3-30-90Hi Michael,Another “thinking of you” card. 
This bicycle is saying, “I’m tired of the same old scenery!  I need a change…take me to places unseen, people unknown!  I have so many miles left; I want to ride to all that’s new and exciting!”Remind you of someone?

…sitting here at SKATES, having a hot crab and cheese sandwich on sourdough and enjoying my day with Catherine.  We just left Telegraph Avenue by University where we saw some very interesting “gadgets” in some of the shops.  I’d never seen some of these…um…mmmm…”things” before.  Interesting.  Found this card today so I decided to send it to you.   I found another one for you, too.  I may send it next week.  I can’t seem to get from Black and Whites.Love Dorothy
“I actually think that humans are intrinsically good.  You always have to see the good, the beautiful, in a person, never deny, always look for the greatness of people, without any distinction of religion, caste, or way of thinking.”  
--Father Pierre Ceyrac (1914-2012), a French Jesuit priest who worked for 75 years outside his home country. He was celebrated for his work in both France and India, earning the French Légion d'honneur in 2005.

Moments of Madness

“All living things contain a measure of madness that moves them in strange, sometimes inexplicable ways. This madness can be saving; it is part and parcel of the ability to adapt. Without it, no species would survive.” ― Yann Martel, Life of Pi

Mitch Schwartz, my former coworker and friend in San Francisco, replied back to a card/letter I sent him.  As usual he made me laugh.  He chose a cool card depicting a TIGER, looking tame and fierce.   Inside the card was the amusing part.  He took the time to cut and paste an image of a strong gorilla and a few headline phrases with his own remarks on the side:     
“Bored Wives Flock to Africa for Sex Safaris” - Greeted at Airport by ex-Phone Co. mistress, Joanne Early. “King Kong IS Alive!” - and LIVING in the ACO North and South!“Bathing Beauty Baked Alive at Beach” - Miss Nikki Bovee, of course.“Doctors remove dead fetus after 10 years" - and employees at Pac Bell Directory.Where on earth does he find these things?
He added, “Hearing from you is the greatest.  Take Care, Mitch”
March 21, 1990 My old pal, Chris Cordellos was in Los Angeles to celebrate his birthday.  I accompanied him to Boys’ Town in West Hollywood (just down the street from me).   He ditched me after he likely met someone.  Whatever.  It’s typical of him.   He’ll call back in a week or month and act all surprised, wondering what happened to me when it was he who disappeared.   Such is life.  All people have their moments of madness.

My sister-in-law, Sherri, wrote me again with the latest.  I love her updates.   Sometimes my mom misses telling me certain things.  Sherri wrote:
3-22-90
Just a short note to say HI!   Ashley and Holly got their books.   Ashley took her two MISS NELSON books today to school for her ‘show and tell’.  The teacher read them to the class.
No, I haven’t had your niece OR nephew yet.   The doctor said it could be any day (of course, she said that last week).  Maybe today will be my lucky day…or tomorrow or the next!   Any day…PLEASE!
John is spending his day off as usual being productive by crashing on the couch.
I heard you got ditched last night at a club.   And you trust that guy to cut your hair?
You are not going to believe how big Holly as gotten.  The girls sure miss you a lot…but they LOVE getting your postcards.  Holly especially loves your picture with SANTA. Don’t forget Holly’s Birthday is soon.   We’ll celebrate when you come home for Easter.   We can’t wait.  Oh, by the way…for Holly size 5 (just in case).   Ashley is size 7.   See, I told you they were getting big!I better go.   Ashley is bugging me to go to the mail box.Talk to you soon.Love, Sherri and Family (soon to be ARMIJO 5).
It’s funny because the day after Sherri wrote this letter she had the baby.  It’s a GIRL:  Ally Elizabeth Armijo, born March 23, 1990.

March 23, 1990

I found a photo in a magazine of a guy with a leg cramp.  I could identify from extensive cycling.  I clipped it and created a card out of it to send off to Paloma today.

3-23-90
Dear Paloma:
I miss you  I miss your cards, too.  What's the scoop?  Is Jonathan keeping your hands full?  My sis-in-law, Sherri, is due to have her new baby on March 26th.  That's Academy Award Night!  She could have it any minute. We hope it's a boy.  By the time you get this card we'll know.  

I'm getting this itch to go to the 'South of France' to visit.  Maybe I should wait until my honeymoon.  Ha...  I did meet this hot 21-year old gal named Shawn Diedrich last Wednesday night.  We exchanged telephone numbers and may go out.  It's too early to tell.  I like her a lot.

Tonight I'm going to meet Rose Simkins for a drink at the El Torito Grill in Beverly Hills.  Rose is '40'.  I think she has the hots for me (that's just between you and me).  She's a nice lady and she looks mid-30s.  She's intelligent, so it'll be interesting conversation.  She's a receptionist at an Entertainment Law Firm.  

This card reminds me of me two weeks ago when my calf was sore because I did that calf exercise you taught me at the gym.  Hello to J and A.
Love, Michael
P.S.  She had the baby!  A Girl again!
March 24, 1990 Alan and I went to Santa Barbara.  It was nice of him to drive and show me this area.  I only wished I could be playing volleyball but it was fun to get my first feeling for this area.   We had a nice lunch in Montecito, a ritzy kind of town.  Alan’s such a cool guy.  I really enjoy spending time with him.  He’s smart and adds much to my life here in Southern California.   I don’t know what will happen if and/or when it ends.   I guess I should hope for the best.  He really likes spending time with me, too.  He knows so much about me already.  He studied a lot of Psychology in college, so I sometimes wonder what he thinks of me and my inner psyche.
On March 25thI had a long chat with mom on the phone.  We watched THE SIMPSONS together while we were both on the phone.   That was a first.  We laughed.
March 26, 1990 The Academy Awards were on tonight.  Alan came to my place to watch and we went across to SPAGO to be ‘looky loo’ fans to see who would come to the infamous Swifty Lazar party.   
We witnessed Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman arrive and get out of a limousine.  Tom was nominated for BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY.  We also saw when Diana Ross arrived.  I also saw a few others as fans screamed but I wasn’t sure who they were.  
I know that Raquel Welch, Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O’Neal and Martin Scorsese were there.  Also, Sarah Jessica Parker was there with her date, Robert Downey Jr.   
Morgan Freeman was there, too, as he was nominated for the movie I saw with mom:  DRIVING MISS DAISY.  Morgan and Tom lost to Daniel Day Lewis for MY LEFT FOOT (a very good film).  Denzel Washington won Best Supporting Actor for GLORY.   Alan and I had a good time watching the show. 

A few days later I used a Santa Barbara postcard from a Home Furnishings Store to send to mom.  I wrote the following:
March 27, 1990Hi Mom!So how does it feel to have ‘3’ sons and ‘5’ granddaughters?I really had fun last night, star gazing in front of SPAGO.   We saw a few stars. I really miss you.   That was fun last Sunday watching THE SIMPSONS with you.  It’s a great show. Margaret Lai called me the other day.  I revealed the secret, “I’m coming to the Bay Area for Easter Weekend.”I also told “Jim and Chris” but I’ll only have time for family (so let’s not answer the phone, Ha-ha).  And I want to visit Grandma.I hate this damned workplace so much.I have to devise a plan to get the H--- out of here.  It’s literally like prison.Oh…I picked this card up at some shop in Santa Barbara last weekend.  Until the next phone conversation.Love You, Michael
“Artists tend to be very controlling—you can’t create without control.  And they carry this need into everyday life.”
--Colin Channer, WAITING IN VAIN, a novel