Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 51

My "Pugsley" Days

“An open mind is the sign of an empty head.”“A mind is like a parachute, it has to be open to work.”--above quotes shared with me by Joseph Fingerett

I found a cool ad in an old mag and clipped it, making it into a card for Paloma.  The ad image reminded me of ‘Paloma and I’.  Paloma is so ultra-fashionable.  The ad depicts a beautiful, fashionable woman with a guy (me), watching her in awe and interest.   I wonder if Paloma will figure out the subliminal message from the ad image (?).
3-12-90Dear Paloma,I’m glad your Xmas presents finally arrived, Ha-Ha.  It took long enough by boat, didn’t it?   Maybe there were a lot of animals on the boat like this one (I pointed to my Noah’s Ark address label).My horoscope says to FLEX THOSE MUSCLES AT THE GYM but it’s already 7:30PM.  I don’t think I’ll be going.  I’m very stressed out.  I was in a car accident on 3-1-90.  I wasn’t hurt and it wasn’t my fault but now my passenger door is all dented.  I have to wait on the insurance to get their act together.  These things happen.  And FUNDS $$$ are tight.I signed up for ‘2’ courses at UCLA:  INTRO TO SCREENWRITINGAndA SNEAK PREVIEWS Class where we watch brand new International films as well as new contemporary films before they are released to the movie theaters.   It should be fun.  My first class begins in on April 4th.I also have an interview tomorrow with J. Walter Thompson Advertising Agency.   They are one of the top Ad Agencies I the US with offices in L.A., S.F., NY and Chicago.  It’s only an entry level administrative assistant type job but I think I’d take it if offered.  This card was from an old magazine I found.  Thinking of You.All My Love, MichaelPS-Sherri should have the baby any day now.
PS#2-Thanks for the map.  I see where you are now.  Paris is a ways away isn’t it?
Alan was sneaky while we were in Cancun.  He bought a couple of postcards there and saved them to send to me.  It was nice to see the cards and re-live our escape there.  Alan was off to Seattle on a business trip with his partner to investigate some apartment building in Kent, Washington.
3/13/90, 1 o’clock AMMichael,I just came home and I am about to pack for SEATTLE as I realize how lucky I truly am.  I thank you for that Monday at MICKEY’s.  It’s made the “beginning” for me ‘truly’ great.   See You at St. Marks Place on Friday.  How many pesos?  50?  P.S.  Remember Santa Claus?  Love, AlanAnswer:  $136,000 Pesos.  Amazing!
3/15/90, Seattle, 9AMMichael,…just had a morning meeting and it’s off to KING’S PLACE and ‘8’ hours of Apartment “shit”, fax machine, bank, air-conditioning, etc.  I can’t wait to see VHS tape of IMITATION OF LIFE again.  One of the BEST movies I’ve ever seen.  Remember CANCUN?  Was it 6000, 7000 or 8000 pesos? Waiters at Meringue…How many dishes did I eat…10 or 15.Love, Alan.The walk on the beach...it was great.
My grandmother sweetly made the time to write me another handwritten letter, too. March 16, 1990
Dear Grandson,I got your card.  It made me thirsty.   We got some rain last week.   Today is very hot.I called your mother but I thing she went to the bank.I saw IMITATION OF LIFE on Wednesday at 7 o’clock.  It was two hours and forty minutes on the TNT Channel.  I have seen the movie so many times and it makes me cry.   The first time I had seen it was in 1965.  Howard took me to the theater in Oakland.  I didn’t miss it.  I think Betty taped it along with GONE WITH THE WIND.  I liked it.  It was nice of you to see it there in Los Angeles.  I miss you and hoping to see you soon.  The fortune teller told Betty it was going to be a boy.  I hope little JOE will come and be like his grandfather.God Bless You,Take Care, Love You, Grandma
To this day, IMITATION OF LIFE remains one of my all-time favorite films.   I was inspired to write my mom a postcard.  I went to the local BOOK SOUP here in West Hollywood and found a classic postcard of THE ADDAMS FAMILY.  

3-18-90Hi Mom,I saw this postcard and it reminded me of my “Pugsley” days.  Remember the sons’ name was “Pugsley”?…just a note to especially THANK YOU for being there when I need you.  I LOVE YOU SO MUCH and I miss you, too.See you on Easter Weekend.All My Love, Michael
And of course, after I mailed mom’s postcard I found a funny postcard from my former co-worker, Mitch Schwartz about the “Insufferable Coworker”.  Hilarious…
3-19-90Dear Mike,Sorry I haven’t written sooner but you know me.  ACO North (vomit)!Life at PBD is the same.  Buzz and I are going to SEATTLE in June for a week.  We’re going by train equipped with our own sleeping car.  Should be FUN!Keep the cards coming!Love, Mitch
“Remember this also, it’s always easy to look back and see what we were, yesterday, ten years ago.  It is hard to see what we are.  If you can master that trick, you’ll get along.”
--Harper Lee, GO SET A WATCHMAN

There's No Competition Out There

“Love is the supreme emotion.  When you’re alone, thinking about those you love, reflecting on past loving connections, yearning for more, or even when you’re practicing loving-kindness meditation or writing an impassioned love letter, you ARE NOT in that moment experiencing love.   They are not (yet) shared, and so they lack the critical and undeniably physical ingredient of resonance.  Physical presence is key to love.”--Barbara Frederickson, University of NC Psychologist
Alan is now ‘in tune’ to my love of receiving mail.  He sent me a couple of postcards back-to-back.  I love his humorous side.
March 5, 1990Michael,Remember!!!  Only weeks ago…This past weekend was great.  There are probably 2,000 different places to go in Southern Cal.   Let’s Go!How about a LAKERS game, Hearst Castle, Apple Pan, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Santa Barbara…In the meantime, THINK Positive and ENJOY.ALAN

March 6, 1990Michael,What does this remind you of?   2ndFloor Mall…I’ve spent the last few hours sleeping away my delayed stomach poisoning.   Tonight we’ll have an interesting discussion about Mexico.   Remember:  You’re going to WIN and get what you want.  I know it.Alan N FreimanP.S.  Can you understand my NY signature?
My fellow cyclist pal, Birda, in Alameda also wrote a handwritten letter on old-fashioned high-school binder paper.  That was pretty cute to see.  Her letter was proof that everyone has unforeseen issues at hand and sometimes beyond our control.  Things happen:
March 7, 1990Michael,It’s about time I got a flat tire.  Now I have time to write to you.  I’ve been driven crazy since Christmas…actually longer but who’s counting?  There’s good news and bad news and a lot to write about.
First, good news is that I quit smoking…finally!   I had to.  I caught that flu on Jan. 16thand I couldn’t breathe.  It was either quit or die.  Not me…I have too much to live for…like riding bikes with the best rider I know.  Yep, you guessed it: YOU!
I’ve tried riding with other people but it’s not the same.  You miss Alameda and I miss you.  There’s no competition out there. You’re the one I looked forward to seeing out there on-the-bike.  You’re the one who left when I came back.  So, when are you coming back?

All that’s out there now are Pokey’s and Gumby’s (joggers and people who couldn’t ride a bike if they were born on one).   So, I turn up the Walkman and jam on.   I’m all alone on a one-way bike line. The tire man is here.  I promise I will finish this later.
March 9, 1990OK…where was I?  Oh yeah, on a one-way bike lane, missing you.  Only it’s two days later.  I took today off.  I had to so I could finish your letter.
BIKE RIDINGI just started on a "semi-reg" basis…2-3 times a week (starting last week).  In between work, rain and the sun going down early every day, after four months of not getting my fat rear near a bike.   Let me tell you, we’re talking a pain in the fat-rear here.  Why we put ourselves through this pain I’ll never know and look forward to doing it every day is beyond my knowledge.
I received your card with the trees.  It made me want to pack a picnic basket, a blanket and a bottle of wine and dare it to rain.I’m sorry to hear you fell.  I found a picture of a person face down in a puddle with a 10-speed that you would have smiled about but it has disappeared along with my mind.   That was on January 31st, the day I pulled my shoulder unloading my truck in Eureka during a snow storm.  Needless to say I was off work for three weeks.
I bet you’re wondering why I didn’t write while I was off.   Well, on February 1st my mom came from Clearlake with my sister, the two children (Justin who thinks it’s funny kicking you in the shins AND Nicole, one-year old.  I’d keep her till she’s two) and the dog (Amanda, a Doberman, nice dog unless you want it in the house).  Have you seen the movie MADHOUSE?
My sister, the two children and the dog were without a place to live for a month.  My pops just passed away December 30th, so mom wasn’t up to the crazies of my sister.
It was a long three weeks.  I begged the doctor to send me back to work (either that OR the Caribbean).  You should have called.  I could have flown down with two bikes.  Oh well…next time, ok?  Call collect.  I’ll go…honest!

Well, I have been writing about two hours now and it’s a beautiful day outside:  sunshine, clear skies and a bit of wind.  It’s almost 10AM.  There might be about 3 or 4 joggers (Pokey’s) on the beach.  It’s time to RIDE!Take Care!  RIDE ON!  I’ll mail this when I ride past the post-office down by the beach.  Keep missing Alameda.   The bike lane is going to go all the way around to the fountain building soon.  See Ya There,BIRDAP.S.  You’ll be back!
And the following day I get a beautiful Black and White card which had an image of a boy pondering thoughts amidst nature in the town of Darjeeling (located in the INDIA State of West Bengal).   I found the photo to be so ‘me’.  
3-8-90Dear Michael,Just received your SUN WORSHIPPER card.  It’s great!  It captures total abandonment to the Sun God.  Wish I was where she is...soaking up all that warmth!Really glad to hear you weren’t hurt in the car accident.  You’re right.  Car insurance hassles can be a real pain…plus the inconvenience of being without your car while it’s being repaired.  You’re going to have to have the “chicks” pick you up!Michael, you know what I keep thinking about?   No, not this picture though it is great.  Isn’t it? 
Seriously, that article you sent me a while ago…the one about the amount of time we REALLY have to enjoy life because most of our time is given to our employers.  It’s just NOT right, is it?  We all deserve to have more “CANCUN” days.   What to do…what to do…?With the passing of time, I become more and more convinced that my book has to be written.  I’m finding more and more people going through similar feelings and asking the same questions I’m asking.  It will be a book that includes all that needs to be expressed but with tremendous humor.  For in the end, humor is what gets all of us through trying times!

As you know, I don’t keep a journal because I don’t want anyone finding it and reading what I consider private thoughts.  In a sense, I sometimes feel you give me the opportunity to share a thought or two that I might ordinarily keep to myself.   Again…thanks for being my friend.I’ll let you know if I ever get this book started.  Then you can write the screenplay!  Maybe even play your own role!  I think it’s wonderful that you’re signing up for classes.   Think of the exciting people you may meet!So, what’s this about closing up shop (INNOVATIONS IN POSTCARDS), huh?   You may be sending me even better cards?   Well, sounds great, but I’ve no complaints about the ones I’ve been sent!  I always look forward to your next surprise!

I do have bits of news to share some time when we get a chance to talk.  Nothing unusually thrilling…just “stuff”…you know what I mean.   Not all things are easily described in cards.  I also want to hear that story about Joan Collins!  And of course, more details of Cancun!

Wondering about this card?  The “THINKING LAD” brought you to mind   (contemplating figure job opportunities, vacations, etc.).  The sensuous picture above (of the man kissing her neck) came on another card that immediately made me think of ‘Michael the Romantic’, so I bought it!  However, the words were extremely suggestive and would have had you asking questions like, “Dorothy, what the -----is going on?”  Ha-ha!  I do like that picture, don’t you?Returning to reality after a fun-filled vacation can sometimes be a real drag, so I thought I’d send a little (no pun intended—Ha!) humor your way.  Keep your eyes open.  I’ll mail it today or tomorrow.Love, Dorothy
“I like to think of my clothes as sensual.  Sensuality is as important as eating good food, or drinking a good wine, something that perhaps we are taking for granted and we aren’t enjoying as much as we should.”-John Galliano, Fashion Designer

Stand By Me

Life is to be lived.  If you have to support yourself, you had bloody well better find some way that is going to be interesting.  And you don't do that by sitting around.--Katharine Hepburn, American actress
March 1990 It is already early March and I was quite surprised to receive a letter from my former hot and heavy ‘flame’, Steven Antol, the United Airlines flight-attendant that I had met in Hawaii.   He wrote me from the Sheraton Auckland Hotel and Towers and he used an address label that I had sent him of the secluded beach (that looks similar to a Hawaiian beach we were both enjoying together at one time).  Frankly, I almost forgot that I sent him those address labels.  So much has happened since…
I’m frankly surprised he wrote to me, although I shouldn’t be too surprised as he is the one who tells me he is still in communication with his friends from Kindergarten.  I am in communication with many of my Elementary School pals from St. Anthony’s (so it was one thing we found amazingly similar about each other).  It’s a rare thing.   He did send me that Snoopy PEANUTS Valentine last month, too.   This is what Steven wrote:
March 01, 1990Dear Michael,Hi buddy…I hope this finds you well.  Boy, it sure has been a while since I wrote you.   Haven’t talked with you in ages and haven’t seen you in over a year!   I’m sure that you’re doing well.  You must be well-adjusted to the big L.A. Lifestyle and all…I could have done this more than a few months ago but I apologize for the delay.  Thank you Mr. Michael for the lovely address labels…  I can’t tell you how excited I was to receive them.  One month prior to receiving them in the mail I saw my friends’ catalog of the exact stickers and commented on how great they looked.   I had a few gifts this past Christmas and this was one of my favorites.   Thank you.  MAHALO!   ARIGATO…  That was very sweet of you and I appreciate your thoughtfulness, my friend.I have been flying lots these past months (Japan and New Zealand exclusively…with the exception of one Denver trip).  I haven’t seen LAX or SFO for quite a long time.   I have your new address and phone number, so I’ll ring you when I drop in town.   Maybe we can have dinner together.  I’d love to visit with you.  I may even call you sooner if I don’t get a trip there soon.So how’s life treating you?  I often think of you and the fun times I had with you in SFO.  You’re really a nice guy, Michael.   I’m always wishing you well.I’m off to dreamland real soon.  Have a great day.  It was nice chatting with you.   Aloha, Steven
P.S.  I talked with Tammy Wynette.   She was on the DENVER-HONOLULU flight I had.   Do you know her?  She was very nice.   Hint:  STAND BY YOUR MAN was her Country/Western HIT.   Goodnight.
Well, now I understood his letter.  He certainly didn’t STAND BY ME when we were together.  It’s funny as I feel like Alan would STAND BY ME ‘no matter what’ for some reason.  He’s extra special (thus far, minus the Cancun BLT mayo sandwiches and loud shouting at me at the Blue Bayou Restaurant). 
Dorothy wrote me on a postcard that depicted a photo of Katharine Hepburn that I found quite remarkable.  It was photographed in 1934 by fashion photographer, George Hoyningen-Huene.   I feel I truly have a keen eye for photos and cards.   I had confided in Dorothy about my wanting to start a sort of unique greeting card business.   I would need a lot of capital to get it started.  Perhaps I could own a café for artsy people to visit and buy a card, have a coffee and write to a secret someone.   That’s what I’d love to do.   I could even supply postage stamps and have a mail drop to make it easy.  Dorothy wrote:
3-3-90Dear Michael,Your CANCUN card was perfect!   You know how I love crystal clear, emerald green water.   The water and the white sand remind me so much of GUAM.  The beaches of HAWAII (with their brown sand) don’t compare. No apology needed for the missing “MEXICO” postmark.  You’re sweet for asking.  It just confirms you were having a great time which brings a smile to my face.   I’m so glad it was fun.  I hate to go on a trip like that and not enjoy every minute!   I wish I could see your pictures.  Maybe someday we’ll be able to get-together and you can give me the story behind each one.  It must have been hard to come back home!
So, what’s this news about Laverne and the new Tel Sales job and still being with PAC BELL?  I’m jealous that she’ll be there in a few weeks.   What fun you two will have.  I’ll be thinking of you guys and wishing I were there, too! 
I just missed getting a job I wanted last week.  The Vice-President I talked to said it was a tough decision between me and this other guy.  It was because he had 10 years more experience than I did.   Mortgage Banking is one of those industries where everyone knows everyone else’s reputation, so I’m wondering how long it will take for them to discover the skeletons in this guys’ closet!  That job was a plus as I saw that I’d fly to Orange County once a month.  Oh well…on to whatever else is out there!PHOTO:  Katharine Hepburn, 1934
What do you think of this card?  I loved it the minute I saw it.  It made me think of ME…then I realized it is Katherine Hepburn!   Love, Dorothy
Alan introduced me to a new artist.   I didn’t meet the artist.  I simply took an immediate liking to her work.   It seems Alan had her father as a client when he was selling municipal bonds at Kidder-Peabody.  The clients’ name is Perry Preusch who lives in the Pasadena area.   His daughter (the artist) is named Lori Preusch.   Perry had given Alan a number of her greeting cards and Alan gave me one of her original masterpiece photo cards.  It depicted a young girl, playing dress-up in an attic.   I loved it as it reminded me of my nieces, Ashley Armijo or Lauren Armijo (playing dress-up).   I had to send it to my mom:

March 4, 1990, 7:45PM SundayDear Mom:Alan is friends with the lady (Lori Preusch) who does the artwork for these cards.  He had an extra one or two of her latest works.  He gave them to me because he knows I write a lot.   I was going to send this one to Ashley or Lauren but I figured if I sent it to you…both of them would see it.  It’s kind of a neat card.

Enclosed are some photos of CANCUN and my latest home décor photo prints.   What do you think?   Please return the CANCUN pics for my album.  I have some other CANCUN pics in which I am getting copies made.  I forgot to tell you that I saw Santa Claus in CANCUN.  Ha-ha.  He has a year round store in CANCUN.  I was able to get a picture with him.  I’ll send it to you.  I’m getting copies made for the girls. You really made me laugh when I read your written words in your last letter:  “PUFF PUFF”.I miss you and our weekend outings, too.   Don’t worry…I’ll be over soon.  I was going to come this month but due to my car situation we will have to wait and see.   You really make me feel better when you tell me not to worry regarding my work, etc.   I thought the San Francisco office was bad but the one here in Los Angeles is really screwed-up.   There are so many people who don’t even know how to do the job and think they do.   Oh well…I don’t want to talk about it.

It’s funny when you call and then forget to tell me something.  I forget to tell you something too, so we call each other back when we remember.   Yeah, it was fun seeing that actor guy from THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.  Alan says, “Sooner or later you run into everybody.”So that’ll be interesting when it starts happening and I recognize others. 

I wish you could fly here once a month to clean my place and do my laundry.  Ha-ha.   Well, I can dream, can’t I?The books I bought the girls are good. I even read them.   When they get them have them bring them over to you so you can read the books to them.Oh well, I guess I don’t have all that much to write.  I’ve exhausted everything since we talked on the phone last.We will have to catch up on the latest during our next phone call.   That was good dirt about Nellie and Armando.  Funny.Miss You,  Love “Uncle Mike”

Mom’s mom (my grandmother) actually wrote me a letter.  It was sweet:

Oakland, CAMar. 6, 1990Dear Grandson,I received your card from Mexico…hope you had a good time for not knowing Spanish.  You really spelled the Spanish right, of course.   They talk different than we do in Mexico but it’s always good to know both languages if you go there.  We had some good rain on Saturday and Sunday.   John and Sherri went to LAKE TAHOE.   Ashley liked the snow (and Holly).   They had a good time.   Well, dear grandson, I am getting ready to go to my classes (Senior Citizens) to cut paper dolls, bunnies and Valentines.Take Care, Your Grandma.God Bless You.  Hasta la Vista.  I love you.

I sent mom a ‘ROCK AROUND THE MOUSE’ postcard.  I miss Alameda sometimes:

3-6-90Hi Mom,During my lunch hour I bought ‘3’ postcards.  One of DINO (sent to Ashley and Holly) and one of Fred Flintstone (sent to Lauren and Leigh).  I had this one left over and thought I’d send it to you. I miss you.I can’t wait to hear what the new ARMIJO baby for the 90’s name is going to be…Have a great day (or night…if the mail comes late). Ha-ha.Kisses and Hugs,Michael

Alan has mentioned me to his mother, Gloria.  She knows about me but he hasn’t introduced me to her yet.   I guess he’ll know when the time is right.  We may go out to dinner at some point.  Frankly, I’m a bit nervous to meet her.  I think Alan isn’t in much of a hurry to share me yet either.  I know I will meet his young daughters soon.  I'll be introduced as a friend. 

I wanted to keep him to myself, and, as I knew all too well, once a new friend was admitted to our jolly family group he entered the public domain and was no longer exclusive property. --Emily HahnNO HURRY TO GET HOME (Chapter: “Raymond”)

Cancun Continues: Underpants vs. Underwear

“I use everything I find in my brain—experiences, impressions, memories, reading matter by other writers---everything, including the people who surround me and impinge on my awareness.”--Emily Hahn, CHINA TO ME
Alan and I still had a few more days in Cancun, Mexico and we made the best of the time that we had there.  Alan saw me in happy mode as I was dancing around the hotel room in my bright goldenrod yellow-colored underpants (as he called them).“Why do you call them underpants?”“Because that’s what they are.”“That’s weird.  I’ve always called them underwear, period!” He proceeded to photograph me on the balcony in my “underpants”.  Foolishly, I allowed it but I knew it was a sole Polaroid that no one would ever see (?). There are little things that happened in Cancun that seem too small to mention but I actually educated Alan on grooming.  He had never used mousse for his hair before.  I groomed his hair with it and took a photo of him holding the can of mousse as if a commercial TV print ad.The beach was so white sandy.  I loved the feel of it in my toes.  I took a photo of my feet next to my Reebok tennis shoes.

February 20, 1990
We finally found a cozy beach bar and enjoyed our Pina Colada cocktails that I was craving ever-so-much.   I liked how they served them in a pineapple and garnished it with a pineapple wedge.  How’s that for tropical in-feeling?
We both agreed that we have that type of skin that gets tan fast.   So we were noticing us becoming more bronze each day.   It seemed to show more at night when we went out for dinner.   It also felt good to shower and remove any sandy remnants in the nooks and crannies of our bodies.

During dinner we reminisced about the deliciousness of the Pina Colada drinks today.   “That’s such a great spot on the beach…with that bar,” I said.
Just before dinner on this night we discovered a Year-Round Christmas Store.  I thought it funny because there was a Santa Claus there, too.   He was quite friendly and had a ‘real’ beard.   Alan photographed me with Santa, holding maracas (those rumba shakers that rattle and are sometimes used as musical instruments). 
The visit to the Year-Round Christmas Store wouldn’t be complete without a photo of Alan with Santa, so I was sure to capture this moment as well.
This day (February 20th) was a celebration sort of day for us as we had met 3-months before (November 20, 1989).  It was our 3-month anniversary.   We commemorated it earlier in the day with individual photos on the beach.  I imprinted my name in the sand:  ARMIJO.   Alan took the photo.
Of course, Alan wrote his surname in the sand (FREIMAN) and I shot him on the beach as well.   “We could frame those in a twin frame,” I said with laughter.“We should,” Alan replied.
That night we took a walk at night.  It felt so good.   It was so tropical and warm at night.   We came across these cool straw rocking chairs and took the opportunity to rest and rock in them.   That was fun.
I couldn’t get over the blue water in Cancun.  It was reminiscent of Hawaii—but it’s so much closer to California.   I laughed when Alan wanted a photo of his feet next to his tennis shoes after I’d taken mine the other day.  He felt ‘left out’, so I obliged and it looked pretty good (even if I do prefer my Reebok tennis shoes).   I captured Alan by a colorful sailboat and we took a photo of us together on the Camino Real hotel balcony.   I also liked to photograph ‘our stuff’ as memorabilia.   It included the two books that I was enjoying.  One by Jonathan Kellerman called OVER THE EDGE.   The other was about a news anchor that I loved named Jessica Savitch who died at the age of thirty-six in 1983.   I loved this book by Gwenda Blair titled ALMOST GOLDEN:  Jessica Savitch and the Selling of Television News.  It made me admire and love her even more.  Alan was reading a book called LIARS POKER by Michael Lewis (about the rising through the wreckage on Wall Street). 
I love the terry cloth robes that the hotel provides.  It makes me feel so cozy.  Alan doesn’t like to wear them—for some reason.  The adventure in Cancun continues...

February 24, 1990

The tropical Mexico days were coming to a close and I was getting more and more tan.  Alan and I found ourselves sitting out on our last night, breathing-in the ocean air.  It was wonderful.

We read our books and continued to joke a bit about the BLT sandwiches and the Blue Bayou Restaurant.  It was still a ‘soft spot’ with me and I didn’t like to bring it up, so we changed the subject as soon as I made it clear that it made me unhappy.  My face showed my unhappiness.  I didn’t have to say anything and Alan knew how to read my face (surprisingly after only three months of being together).
We enjoyed our last breakfast at the Camino Real Hotel.   The breakfast was good the first couple of days but it was getting old by the time we were about to leave, so I was happy it was the last breakfast.
I spotted Alan shaving and took a picture of him in action.  He seemed taken by surprise but I know he likes when I take his picture.However, the photo I took of him on the night of February 21st is probably my favorite.  He looked so handsome—as if he were a movie producer.  I love that picture.


My MIGHTY MOUSE beach towel came in handy.  I took so many Polaroids on this trip, too.   It was fun getting that instant gratification with the photos.   We were both so eager to see them develop right before our eyes.
We still had time before we had to head to the airport so I bought a few postcards that I liked.  I figured I’d mail them from Los Angeles.  I didn’t have time to find a Cancun post-office.   I imagine it would take weeks to mail a postcard from Mexico and reach my choice destinations.
Upon my arrival back to my condo in West Hollywood I found a letter from Chad Mark Glen in my mailbox.   He seemed like ancient history after this recent trip with Alan.  I had almost forgotten that I had written him a couple of weeks ago, sending him a photo of me as he had requested.  Chad wrote the following:

19 February 1990Dear Michael:Thanks for the picture, it did make my day.  You look good as always.   From what I could see of your place, it looks good also.  I most definitely do remember the card you sent.   Every time I see it in a store I instantly think of you.  I don’t believe you sent it.  Thanks!
I hope you had a nice Valentine’s Day.  I was supposed to go skiing but my ankle was still too sore.  Your description of your friend, Violet, sounds like a few of the women I’ve dated.  Why us?   Any new “flames”?

My graduate committee has assigned a research project that is due after Spring Break, so it doesn’t look hopeful for me to visit as I had hoped.  Perhaps this summer.  I really do want to see you, Michael.

I look forward to hearing from you.  Your letters are always the bright spot in my day when I receive them.  Be happy and take care of yourself.Always, Chad

I also found a Valentine Card sent to me from my sis-in-law, Sherri.  Sherri wrote her latest update:
February 14, 1990
Dear Mike,
Hi!  We all received your postcards on Saturday.  What a nice surprise!  I love the one you picked for John.  Holly took my card over.  She has a thing for babies these days.  Ashley also reminded us that she has the most cards from YOU.  Life around here is just about the same.  John is working.  Ashley is going to school.  And me...I'm the lady in waiting.  So do you have any romantic plans for V-Day?  John and I will probably order a heart-shaped pizza from La Vals!  Holly is getting so big.  She has a few new words added to her vocabulary and "NO" is one of them.  Talk to you soon.  Love, The Armijo 4+

February 25, 1990

I had my Cancun Postcards to mail.  I sent the same card to both my mom and Paloma.   It was a beautiful beach scene that I loved.  To mom I wrote:2-25-90Mom,Better a late postcard…than NO postcard.  I bought you a T-Shirt from Cancun.   I miss you.  I will be seeing you this month (MARCH) sometime I’m sure.Love You,  Michael
To Paloma I wrote:Paloma,I cruised through the CLUB MED here in Cancun but I didn’t stay there.   The food’s not too great there.  I am thinking of you—as always.  I needed a quick tropical getaway.  My friend, Alan, and I took a non-stop flight for a week.  It was cool.  I’m tan again.  See ya…Love, Michael

A couple of days later I received a new card from Dorothy Rua.  It depicted a large woman called “MAJA” in a nude pose from 1980.  I thought, “OH MY”, when I saw it. Dorothy wrote the following that made me laugh part of the way:

2-25-90Michael,She heard you were headed for CANCUN, so she rushed out and purchased the cutest bikini she could fit into and the sexiest negligee available.  She could barely contain her excitement on her way to pick up her plane ticket only to discover all flights were booked, with waiting lists!  As you can tell by her picture, she is totally devastated!  Her biggest disappointment comes from wondering why you didn’t let her know you were going in the first place.   She’s beginning to feel you don’t care as much anymore!  She can be reached at 1-800-848-8000!

I received your “CASTLE” card and “MAN AND WOMAN with WHITE SKIRT OPEN” cards on the 17th.  I like them both—totally different from each other!   The “CASTLE” surrounded by cool, damp weather makes me wonder who lived there throughout the past centuries.   What unforgivable things went on that no one even knows about now?  Ahhh….if the walls could talk!

The camera caught the couple on your other card, during a very private moment.  A moment that communicates so much MORE than words can. 
A moment many people long to experience at some time but not everyone will.

I also enjoy your latest creation:  THE CONTEMPLATING MAN.  He even has some of your features!   The alcoholic fruit drink definitely looks like a CANCUN concoction!

Speaking of CANCUN, hope the vacation is everything you hoped it would be and that you didn’t have time to read those books you bought!   Though they all sound good…you can read them when you get back home!  Do let me know all about the CLUB MED scene and if you were lucky enough to meet any special people.

I should have answered your first two cards earlier but I don’t’ like to write you unless I’m in an upbeat kind of mood.   This past week it’s been a little difficult to manage.   I’ve had a lot on my mind.   Today I decided I needed to be totally alone and remain somewhat relaxed.  So, I’m sitting in my car on a Lafayette hill, overlooking Highway 24, with one bare foot out of the window and the other on the dashboard, eating chocolate covered M and M’s (and listening to KKIS 92.1) while writing this card!   The sun is shining bright and there’s a cool breeze blowing.  What more could a girl as for?  Just don’t let some pervert walk up to my car and expose himself!

Since you’ve asked twice…the family is fine.  Jean-Paul celebrated his 10th Birthday on Feb. 22ndand he is quite happy to finally be in the double-digits.  It won’t be long for Little League games to be start.  Nicole needed a good heart to heart talk recently and it seems to be working.   After going through a phase I wasn’t too thrilled with, the daughter I’ve always enjoyed seems to be returning.

I bought tickets to the soccer exhibition game between the USA and RUSSIA, played at the STANFORD Stadium.   We watched it yesterday.  I was expecting to watch a better game with some great plays but the USA just wasn’t up for the challenge.   They were easy to forgive because the teams from the rest of the world have all those years of experience we don’t have.  Being there was fun though and I’m glad I went.

I had a couple of job interviews this past week.   We’ll see.  I haven’t had a minute of time for the advertising work I want to do for Dick…maybe this week (?).  I feel bad but I told him when we first talked about this business.  I would have very little time to give.  Still…I’d like to do what I can as soon as I can afford some time.

So far I don’t have any definite plans for a Hawaiian trip but you can bet the thought is ever present in my mind!  It’ll happen…not sure when, but it will!!!
As always, I look forward to hearing from you and the thoroughly enjoyable card creations and writing.   Until later…Love, DorothyP.S.  Is it the ink or my hand that doesn’t want to work right today?  Oh well…

Speaking of my card creations I saw a simple photo of a telephone booth that I clipped and made into a postcard for mom to include with her CANCUN T-shirt.  I wrote one white-lie about my MICHAEL ring.  I didn’t buy it, Alan bought it for me.  I wasn’t quite ready to reveal my relationship with Alan to mom:

2-27-90Hi Mom:Here’s the T-shirt I bought for you in Cancun.  I’m at work right now.  It’s 8:05AM.  I forgot to tell you that I bought a ring in CANCUN.   It’s sterling silver and the name MICHAEL is molded on it.  It looks neat.  It’s a one-of-a-kind.  You’ll see it next month.Well, funds are tight but I still want to fly over one weekend next month.  I still have to do my taxes.  Yuck!   Hopefully, I’ll get some money back.I bet Sherri’s going to have the baby any day now.  Did you get my Cancun postcard?  You really did made me feel better yesterday.  I hate it here…(at work).   A guy named Frank (at my gym) who works at the gym on Mondays as a trainer says, “I have a business.   Since you’re into MARKETING I’m going to call you  in a couple of days.”  “Who knows?  His phone call could lead to something.  He mentioned it as a way of making extra money.  So, I don’t really know.I’ll be in touch.I miss and love you.  Always, MICHAEL

I was missing Alan about now.  He went with his kids on a snow trip to an area called BIG BEAR LAKE.   I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my mailbox as I’d forgotten to check it earlier.   Alan actually sent me a postcard from BIG BEAR LAKE.   He didn’t write much.  He says  A LOT more in-person.  He wrote:  MICHAEL, I LOVE YOU.  ALAN.How could I not smile?

Real life was no longer a mere transition from one story world to another.  I looked at and saw flesh-and-blood people of whom I’d never before been aware.--Emily HahnNO HURRY TO GET HOME (“The Escape” Chapter)

Surprise Valentines

“I can only see my limitations.  That’s just who I am.”--Alan Rickman, English actor
February 14, 1990
It was Valentine’s Day and I was surprised by the ‘3’ Surprise Valentines I found in my mailbox.   I sent one to my mom and simply wrote inside:  “Thinking of You, Love Always, Michael  I can never say I LOVE YOU ENOUGH.  You’re more than my mom…you’re my FRIEND.”The cover of the card depicted a watercolor of a simple rose in a vase and had these words imprinted on it:Mom, I want you to know how much I love you… 
The surprise Valentine #1 was from Dorothy Rua in Walnut Creek, CA:  Thinking of you always makes my heart HAPPY!Inside the card Dorothy wrote: 
“Michael, Is this card a bit “cutsie” or what?  It’s the thought that counts—and this is a special time to remember special people!  So, HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY to one of my special people!  Love, Dorothy
The surprise Valentine #2 was from Dustin Nipper in Pleasanton, CA.   Imprinted inside was written:  A token of my love—especially for you.  Happy Valentine’s Day.Dustin kept it simple and wrote:

“Michael, Hope you have a LOVE filled day!  Happy 14th!  Love, Dustin!   P.S. Hope I get Roses (hint-hint)!”
The surprise Valentine #3 was from Steven Antol in Honolulu, Hawaii.Imprinted inside was IT’S VALENTINE’S DAY AND I COULDN’T FORGET TO WISH YOU YOUR NICEST AND BRIGHTEST ONE YET!  HAVE A FUN DAY.    Steven wrote:   “Hi Michael, Just a chance to say HELLO and tell you that I’m thinking of you.  Have a Happy Valentine’s Day.  Steven" (with a HEART drawn by his own hand).
Separately, I created a postcard from a scene from the film THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS for my mom that I mailed today.  I loved this movie and loved and adored the musical soundtrack.   I loved it when Michelle Pfeiffer sang “MAKIN’ WHOOPEE”. I wrote the following to mom:2-14-90Hi Mom, Some non-profit organization sent me these address labels today.  That’s a pretty nice freebie.  It’s VALENTINE’S DAY and guess who called and left me a message on my answering machine to wish me a HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY…  I haven’t decided whether I’ll call yet or just send a Cancun postcard to her.  (Violet Levi)
Do you remember this movie?   Well, the Academy Award nominations were announced in Beverly Hills this morning.  Michelle Pfeiffer WAS nominated for BEST ACTRESS.  I hope she wins.  I made this postcard from the compact disc soundtrack that I bought at Tower Records while you were here.  I planned to send this to you for quite a while but just now made the time to do so.  Love You, Michael.
February 16, 1990
It’s nice to come home from work and find something personal in my mailbox.   This time it was another ‘Bike Card’ from Dorothy Rua.   When I see a BIKE I just want to go ride.  It inspires me to Ride like the Wind.  Dorothy wrote:
2-15-90Jeez Michael!!!You wanted to surprise me and boy…did you!    I almost missed your card.  I pulled out the media information I had requested from several sources and didn’t see your latest creation until I was ready to close the mailbox.  It was a wonderful surprise!  Risqué…YES…risqué.  Initially, you tend to assume what has been or will be taking place.  But, after looking at the picture several different times you begin to wonder…Yes, he’s nude (with great buns!)…but she’s not and they know they’re not alone.  Maybe they were having a conversation and he wanted to be comfortable?  Ha!  Right, huh?   I rarely blush.  Why am I blushing?  I’d better not try to imagine what the rest of your inventory contains!  I’m going to have to keep this one out-of-sight if I don’t want more trouble than I already have!  I do love the card and enjoy your comments.  Thanks for the smile it brought, and the uplift!
Isn’t this the month you’re “INNOVATIVE POSTCARDS” listing appears in the Beverly Hills Yellow Pages?  Let me know if you get any inquiries.  Oh…better yet, any orders!   Little do they know what you have in store for them!
No wonder you love Michelle Pfeiffer.  She IS great.  Jeff Bridges wasn’t bad either in THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS.  I thoroughly enjoyed that movie and especially liked the scene during and after the New Year’s Eve performance.   With all the chemistry going on between those two it was about time they enjoyed each other!
My sister called again from Hawaii.   She had me laughing so hard I would have fallen over if I wasn’t sitting on the floor!  I had her laughing pretty hard, too.   Remind me to share a few of the things she said, if we ever get together.  Some stuff isn’t conveyed as well in a card.   She did make one comment that made an impact on me.She said, “Dot (she’s the only person allowed to call me Dot), our trouble is we had SO MUCH FUN growing up that it’s real hard for us to accept an adult life that currently contains so little of it.”Too bad Catherine and I don’t live closer to each other!
Well, Michael, hope you’re in CANCUN by the time this card gets to VILLA 69.  Remember, I want to hear all about it and the crazy people you meet.  Love, Dorothy
I was leaving for CANCUN soon, so I created another postcard for mom.   This time it was a before/after pic of Jane Russel.  My dad always said mom looked like Jane, so I had to send this one to her specifically.I wrote: 2-16-90Hi Mom,I saw this in an L.A. book and cut it out for you.  A little voice from heaven said to me, “Cut it out and send it to mom…it looks just like her!”I sure know what Dad meant now.   There is an uncanny resemblance here.   Someone just told me there’s a $59 round-trip airfare from Burbank to Oakland.  I’ll look into it and just may surprise you one weekend soon.   Take care and look for my CANCUN postcard.Love You, Michael.

February 17, 1990
I had just experienced the most wonderful conversation with my mom that I had to quickly send her out another postcard.  I sent her a book and wrote the following:

Feb. 17, 1990Dear Mom,Here’s the book I bought for you.   Enjoy.You made me feel good today on the phone when you said, “I miss you.  And you know you always have a place here.”That was sweet.   I’m still fed up with work…but maybe something will come up.   Alan’s brother just got a new Executive position with FOX-TV (the Channel 2 station), so maybe that could be a future connection…who knows?I’m doing laundry now.  I have to write to Dorothy Rua and Eileen Grabinsky, and then go buy my “WINNING” Lotto ticket.  I miss you.Have a good time with the book.  I laughed when I read the first sentence on the first page about ‘Tony and his momma’.   Love You, Michael
February 18, 1990
It was the departure day for CANCUN with Alan.   I spent the night at his place in Sea Colony as it’s easier to get to LAX Airport from Santa Monica versus my pad in West Hollywood.   The flight was easy.  We took a taxi from the airport to the CAMINO REAL Hotel which is situated right on the beach.  One of my first photos was of Alan on the balcony of our room.   He looked like a film star in his dark sunglasses.   The view of the beach and the old-fashioned hut umbrellas was so cool to see.  I wanted to go down and lay out there with a Pina colada.
That night I knew Alan really liked me because he confessed that he never takes anything out of the mini-bar when he stays at a hotel.  It costs a small fortune; however, we both created White Russian cocktails using the miniature bottles of Kahlua and Smirnoff Vodka.   We got a little smashed but we had to make those drinks because it was from this exact cocktail that we happened to meet on November 20, 1989 at the MICKEY’s bar.   After each sip we had to say something we didn’t know about one another.   That was fun.   Some things are best not written out. 
The next afternoon we went to the HARD ROCK CAFÉ in Cancun.  I was feeling a bit moody after we both ordered BLT sandwiches.  Alan said, “No mayo on mine, please,” to the waiter.“I like mayo,” I said to the waiter.  Lo and behold, both BLT sandwiches arrived without mayonnaise.   This irked me and I blamed him.“You know if you hadn’t said that about ‘no mayo’ mine wouldn’t have gotten screwed up!”   I was livid.  Alan knew it, too.  Alan wanted to have them fix my BLT and I said, “No, forget it.  It’s done.” A few hours later we made-up and I set my Polaroid self-timer on and took a photo of us.  I see this as the photo with Alan laughing over the BLT mayo mix-up.
That evening was compounded by another test in our relationship.  The nearby HYATT had a restaurant that was recommended called the BLUE BAYOU: http://www.mexicancaribbean.com/cancun/restaurants/blue-bayou/ We decided to dine there and we started to go on again about the BLT situation.  Alan started to raise his voice at me in this crowded restaurant and it made me feel very uncomfortable.   He has a loud New Yorker voice to begin with so just imagine when it is accentuated!  I got angry and ‘walked out’ during the argument.   Amazingly, he followed me to the beach.   We didn’t even pay the bill and no one came after us.   Alan was apologetic and I sat there on the beach, listening to the soft waves trickle in.   I felt tears coming down my eyes.  I was hurt and he kept arguing with me at the restaurant.   He somehow resurrected everything.  He made me feel better in the end.  I still don’t recall whether we ever went back to pay the bill.   “Well, we’re never going back to the Blue Bayou,” I said.“That’s for sure,” Alan agreed.  We laughed the next day and it was perfect timing for another photo of us on our first vacation outside the USA. The expansive view from down below our Camino Real CANCUN Hotel room was so beautiful.   I took another photo for good memorable measure.
February 19, 1990
Our last evening was at a Mexican Restaurant known as LA PRIMAVERA.   It was okay but not as great as the reviews had given it.   The company was good and Alan and I had a wonderful time.   While we had wonderful memories on this trip it was a good test of our actual living together.  I’d say we passed.   Who knows what the future holds?  All I know is that I really like him and his company.   He’s like the BEST-est friend I should have known since I was a kid.


“I never responded well to entrenched negative thinking.”
--David Bowie, English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, arranger, painter and actor.

A Man And His Passion

Our leisure time had to be spent in the open air.  This was the era of the sleeping porch, or, if you couldn’t have that, of the window gaping wide all the winter night…--Emily Hahn, No Hurry to Get Home (The Escape)
It was a hump day (middle of the week) and I liked it when Alan decided to come over to my pad.  I had taken a few sick days given that my mom was coming for a visit (from Feb 5-9th), so it was nice to have the free time with Alan after my mom had left.   We lounged at my pad and we enjoyed an outing for dinner in my neighborhood.   
I was so proud of my newly painted French Doors that I had Alan take a photo of me in front of them using my Polaroid camera.   I also took a shot of Alan on my sofa.  The PREMIERE magazines on my glass mirrored coffee table were evident with Joan Collins aka Alexis Carrington from DYNASTY on the cover of one of them.
February 9, 1990Two days later it was Friday and I loved that it was the weekend.   Alan had a plan for us to go to Newport Beach again.  He jointly owns the Newport Beach house with his wife along with his real estate partner and his wife, so the likelihood of it being sold could happen sooner versus later; whereby, we may as well enjoy the ease of visiting this place while we can.  
It’s amazing how it is February and it feels like a summer day when at Newport Beach.   We took turns taking picture of one another at the beach.  It is often said that Every Man Has His Passion' and I believe the beach, shoreline scene is where Alan and I truly connect.  We don't have to be 'in' the water.  A simply stroll along the shoreline is quite enough.  As the rolling waves repeat...such is life, ah yes, 'A Man And His Passion'.
While I was at the beach house I sat outside and looked at the ocean.  I felt a bit of a breeze and saw a butterfly land on the chair next to me.  It was a surreal moment and I wondered if it was some sort of message from some higher power. I snapped a photo of it--to always remember it--and thought of the phrase “Butterflies Are Free”.   Somehow I felt FREE and HAPPY as well.  It was a nice feeling to be out in the open air. Butterflies are free and so are we...as I recalled an old movie starring Goldie Hawn and Edward Albert Jr:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHHbSsdc0gk
Alan and I ventured over to Balboa Island.  I adore this neighborhood.  The houses are so quaint and the area is so clean and beautiful.   We continued taking photos of each other near the boats and waterside.
Before long the beach escape time had ended,   Sometimes it can be the simple drive back to Santa Monica that is the ultimate joy as Alan and I chat up about how much we enjoy being together.  We both agreed how our time passes so quickly when we are together.  I was soon back at my condo.  In my mailbox I found a postcard from Lottie.   
Lottie was at JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL MONUMENT (wherever that may be).  Lottie wrote:
February 9, 1990Hi Michael!!!I am very much alive!  I met the most wonderful man six months ago and here we are.  I will write more later.  Miss you! 
Lottie and Boo
I was happy to learn that Lottie had found someone she felt so strongly about.  She left the postcard open, so I didn’t get much information about her new relationship.  I guess I’ll have to wait to hear from her for the latest update.
It was Sunday evening and I decided to write Paloma a couple of postcards. One of the cards was an EPIPHANY Watercolor abstract design.  I wrote:
2-11-90Dearest Paloma:I took off sick from work this week 2-5 thru 2-9.   My mom came to visit and I arranged it with the Producer of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL for my mom and I to go and watch them tape the soap-opera for one day.  It was fun.  My mom had a good time.  One day you’ll come to L.A. with Alexander and Jonathan and we’ll go to DISNEYLAND and see some of the L.A. sites.  I also want to visit France again…maybe this summer?   My friend, Alan, and I are going on a singles CLUB MED vacation to CANCUN on February 18ththru February 25th.  I’ll send you a postcard or two.  I miss your smiling face. All My Love, Michael.
I realized I had forgotten to mention VALENTINE’S DAY, so I found another one of my precious postcards of a BROADWAY, NYC Billboard with a photographic image taken in 1985.   I wrote:
2-11-90Dear Paloma:HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY.  How’s this card for sexiness and being provocative?  
I loved the knife of Laguiole postcard.   Thanks for sharing.   
Are you far from Cannes or Monaco?   Those two areas seem to be well-liked and spoken of here in L.A. and Beverly Hills.  I want to go and visit France again.  Most importantly, I want to see you.  
Did you ever get your Xmas presents that I sent on 12-26-89?  L.A. is pretty cool.  I like it so far and I haven’t turned into a snob like some people in the Bay Area were afraid of…Ha…Love you and Happy Valentine’s, MICHAEL.
On Tuesday, I received an early Valentine Postcard from Gloria Romero, my former staff clerk pal/coworker at PAC BELL in San Francisco.  Gloria wrote:
2-11-90Hi Michael:...Enjoy your VALENTINE’s DAY.  Thinking of you.Friday is TEAM AWARD time and I’m anxious to see what we get.  We sure work hard for it.  Do keep in contact.  I hope you will be up this way soon. Love Always, Your Friend, Gloria
On Valentine’s Day, February 14th I found a cool card in my mailbox from Dorothy Rua.  It was a Black and White photo image of BROOKLYN, NY in 1965 by Bruce Davidson.   I really liked it.  Dorothy wrote:
2-12-90,  Hi Michael!I was going to be good and send you one of those conservative cards I have for you but I’m not in the mood today.  I’m really tired of being Ms. “NICE”!   Does this one remind you of those old high-school days?  It’s nice to reminisce about fun, carefree days gone by when my big worry was about what to wear to the next party and whether or not I would dance (and with whom) or maybe kiss my latest heartthrob at the party.
I was so glad you were home when I called this past week.  It’s always great to catch up on things that are hard to cover in a card.  Hope you get to transfer out of that job you’re doing or maybe find something entirely different and more enjoyable.  Keep me posted.   So…CANCUN may be next, huh?  I’m filled with envy!
As the sand sifts between your toes and the sun warms your tanning body you must think of your friend who is beginning to think that a “fun getaway” would even be Salinas, California!  Ha!   I’ll want all the details (well, maybe not ALL, if you get lucky)…and a card or two.  I’m glad you have a friend to share your fun!
I’m still with Liberty Federal but I continue to look for another company that’s worth working for.  Did you have a pretty good day last Friday?  
I was calling on a mortgage broker I’ve known for about 4 or 5 years when he said, with surprise, “Dorothy, I’ve just noticed…you’re married!”“Yes, I am, Ed…have been all of these years,” I answered.He then says, “You’ve never seemed married.   The married reps that come in here are so staid.  You’re not.”I threw back my head and laughed.   What a wonderful thing to hear, especially for a person such as myself!  Through these layers of suburban influence, the real Dorothy manages to survive!   The BODY SNATCHERS have yet to put me in one of their pods!
I’ve allowed the cold, dark weather to keep me from my regular walks, so I bought a calisthenics video to keep myself somewhat active.  I haven’t been happy with the results.  The video assured me by buns would soon be “firm peaches” (really) in no time but the reality is that they’ve remained mushy melons!  Actually, the workout I really want to get involved in is LAMBADA lessons!   Really!  Have you seen it?  Have you tried it?  The original DIRTY DANCING from Bahia, Brazil…what a great way to get one’s exercise!
I like the card you recently sent:  A MAN AND HIS PASSION.  Are we talking cologne here, or what?  You’ve got me to wonder….The address label you used is quite the beach scene.  Maybe my next choice when I run out of my wonderful rainbows!I always enjoy your creations and love hearing from you, too!   Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!Love, Dorothy
“Honey, it’s very complicated.  You have to find the right cross-cutting relationships, the right exposure.  If it were EASY, we’d already have this figured out.”--Kirstin Valdez Quade, NIGHT AT THE FIESTAS (Mojave Rats)

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

Everything I write has a precedent in truth. -Ian Fleming,
Author of the James Bond 007 novels
February 1, 1990
I had to laugh when I checked my mailbox.   There was a simple note from Mitch Schwartz dated 2/1/90.  Mitch wrote: 
“You haven’t learned your lesson YET have you?”   MITCHAnd then he circled my office notes.   It was so funny to see this at home versus at the office. I laughed hysterically and immediately called him by phone.  Mitch had included a printout from our Pac Bell Directory-Account Collection Office about payment arrangements that I had written on Dec. 18, 1989 (all in our ACO code):121889  ACO  CT 1208 $4026.66/PLZ RVW & TRT WHOLE ACCT.  RVW AGAIN 4 AA#’s (CANT ACCESS DAP NOW); ACO-NORTH ADVSD SERVERAL MOS. AGO 4 ACO-SOUTH 2 TRTMitch made me laugh.  That phone call made me miss San Francisco and the team there.  His antics and humor is THE BEST.
February 2, 1990
I had mentioned to Alan that one of my favorite desserts (besides lemon meringue pie) is ‘Baked Alaska’.   Well, he planned a date night on Friday, February 2nd that started with cocktails at TRADER VICS in Beverly Hills.  That was cool because they served our drinks with those little umbrellas which made it feel like I was on vacation.   We followed the cocktails with a drive to La Brea Avenue at our favorite French Restaurant, LOUIS XIV.   The pepper steak is delicious.   

We refrained from dessert and Alan drove to an area of mid-Wilshire in Los Angeles at a place called THE WINDSOR.   The entrance had red velvet curtains which seemed quite posh.   This was all a surprise.  As it turned out, Alan did all of this research to find a place that actually made ‘Baked Alaska’.   We were at this place simply for the dessert.    This capped off the evening nicely.  What a surprise.  Of course I probably gained five pounds easily that night.  Uh-Oh. 
February 3, 1990 Mom arrived on Saturday morning, February 3rd.   I picked her up at LAX Airport.   I gave her a good tour of my area now that I knew it better.  I also took her to the beach.  We had dinner at the DAILY GRILL near the Beverly Center.   I took her for breakfast on Sunday at the Old World Restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard.  It was nearby and we could easily walk there. 
"Aren't you excited?" I asked."Why?" Mom asked back."We're going to the set of your soap-opera tomorrow!""Oh, yeah."  Somehow I didn't see too much excitement.  Maybe she'd feel it more on Monday.  We still had a great weekend jump-start.  I know she loved being in L.A.  It's so different from the suburbia of Harbor Bay Isle.
PHOTO:  Lee Phillip Bell The big day came on Monday, February 5th, as Lee Phillip Bell had confirmed our meeting to come to CBS-TV City as they would be taping one of the shows (The Young and the Restless and/or The Bold and the Beautiful).   Lee was as kind and gracious as could be.  I could tell there was some friction on the set of "The Bold and the Beautiful" so she took us to "The Young and the Restless" set.  She had mentioned nonchalantly about one of the actors, so maybe I would have been a threat for his role.  Of course, I thought that in my mind but it may not have been the case.
We had to be quiet as they were taping Paul in a ‘thinking to himself’ scene.  After the take of this scene we met Mrs. Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper) and Jill Foster (Jess James).   The actor who played Mrs. Chancellor and Jill Foster’s love interest was there and I got a photo of him with mom also.  Mom was delighted to meet them.   It was a fun day. 
That evening I made a reservation at my favorite restaurant that Alan and I would go to:  LOUIS XIV.   It was just mom and I this time.   That evening as I was driving down Santa Monica Boulevard mom started to cry.  I exclaimed in a worried tone, “What’s wrong?”“Nothing,” mom replied as she wiped her tears.“What is it?”
“It’s just that you’re the only one who takes me out now.”I laughed.   I knew she was mourning for dad.  I consoled her and she maintained her composure.   She settled down and we had a fantastic dinner evening out.   It was so much fun.    “You have to come here on weekends a lot,” I said.“I will,” she replied.“Okay, so we have to plan the next time you are coming.”She laughed.
During dinner I said, “You know, it was fun going to CBS but it’s really ‘us’ who are THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.   Don’t you think?”“You’re right.”  Mom smiled.She had a great time.  I had made arrangements to have a dentist appointment the next day so that I could take her to the airport.  I was able to get to work late and not miss a day.  “What do I look like then? Michael asked, amused.She frowned and looked as if she was thinking, “An adventurer, maybe.”Everything that happens at night is important.   She ought to have known that, living as she did by the night’s magic.
--Jose Luis De Villallonga, THE PLEASURE SEEKER

A Couple Of Days Later

His poems are full of danger, ‘all art is a result of one’s having been in danger, of having gone through an experience all the way to the end, where no one can go any further’.  This is what it is like to be an artist, he says, breath-catchingly.  You are unsteady on the edge of life, like a swan, before an ‘anxious launching of himself—on the floods where he is gently caught’. --Edmund de Waal, THE HARE WITH THE AMBER EYES
Paloma sent me a postcard that was postmarked from Laguiole, France.  It was a snowy scene from the LES MONTS D’AUBRAC.Paloma wrote: Dear Michael,Just a few words from a pretty little town under the snow…the knife of Laguiole is famous all over France.  I think I already told you.  We’re going back to Balaruc tomorrow.  So, how’s your new life in L.A. now?Write me.  Miss you.  Paloma

I was saving this cool BIKE card since 1986 when I bought it in Berkeley, CA.   The title of the card is CYCLISTS-NICE TRIATHALON.   I thought of sending it to Birda but I hadn’t heard from her in a while, so I decided to write to Paloma.   She knows how much I love THE BIKE.   I wrote her some of the latest happenings with a few white lies (including the fact that I didn’t disclose how I met Violet via a classified ad that I posted in LA WEEKLY):

Jan. 24, 1990Dear Paloma:I think this photo was taken in France because there’s a sign in the background that says “Jean-Pierre”.Did you receive your Xmas gifts yet?  I mailed them on 12-27-89 and I sent them by boat again, so it’ll probably be forever by the time you get them.
I really love the bike shorts and the tapes you sent me.   The bike shorts are HOT, too!  I love ‘em.I am here at work right now, pretending I’m working.I went to Newport Beach and La Jolla (near San Diego) last weekend with my friend, Alan.   He lives in Santa Monica and has two daughters (Lauren, age 9 and Carrie, age 6).  He is separated from his wife, Susan, right now.  I’m re-educating him on going out and the single life, I guess.   He’s a cool guy.
I met this bitch named Violet who is 36 (and looks younger) but she’s totally not my type.  I met her through a friend of a friend.   Anyway, she’s at the age in her life where she wants to settle down and she has the HOTS for me.  I can’t take her…she’s so knit-picky and she always talks about who she knows and who she’s gone out with, etc., etc.…Who cares?    She’s a total fake.  I’m slowly trying to get her off of my back but she keeps calling.  Oh well…whatever.
I don’t care too much for the people I work with.  I’m still here at PAC BELL Yellow Pages; they give good vacation time, so it’s hard to leave.   I’m still searching a little bit for a better deal though. 
As far as the model/actor idea…it’s not as much of an issue with me anymore.  Perhaps I’ll regain that drive for that again one day.  Right now it’s not as big a deal for me.  I just want to be HAPPY, first and foremost.  I am happy here now with the beaches and palm trees.  I just feel like I’ve been on a major vacation since I’ve been here.   Don’t give up.   Well, not yet.
How’s Jonathan?   The picture you sent recently was great.  You look as gorgeous as ever. 
So, you have a friend that lives in West Hollywood, huh?   What does he do here?There are so many restaurants here.  It’s great.  Many places have eating places outside and it reminds me a little bit of PARIS. 
I also met some Parisians at a club a month ago who live here and are in the garment industry.Thinking of You, Lots of Love, Michael

I also saved a postcard from when I was in Laguna Beach that was rather cute/funny.  I decided to write on it today and mail it to my mother:
Ironically, my mother would pass away exactly ten years later from the day I wrote this postcard (on Jan. 24, 2000).
MJA 1010 N. Palm #304West Hollywood, CA 90069
Jan. 24, 1990
Dear Mom,I thought you’d get a kick out of this one.   I found it at a Laguna Beach card shop.  I miss you.  I also miss your magic ironing tactics. Ha-ha.I can’t wait to confirm our BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL outing (even though I haven’t seen the show since I was at 356 Magnolia).I’m sending Ashley a card, too.Love You Lots, ME
A couple of days later I checked my mailbox and found a lovely, handwritten letter from my grandmother (mom’s mom), Mary Genevieve Leyba-Lucero.  She wrote:
Oakland, CAJanuary 26, 1990Dear Michael,
I got the pretty card for New Year’s and also the one you sent me of Sophia Loren.  You are getting to be like “Granny”, making your own cards.The wedding of Tanya Lucero was very pretty.   She had a beautiful dress.  There were about 150 people.  I wanted to go with your mother but she was sick.  She feels much better.  Thank God.Everybody in the club has been sick with the flu.  It has been so cold (especially at night).   Arthur went to Pennsylvania for a meeting for his job.   Michael Fritz (Sandra’s husband) went to Kentucky and Alabama on business with another guy from his work.Well dear grandson, I hope to see you soon.God bless and take care.  Love, Grandma
A couple of days later I received another handwritten letter from the old boyfriend, Chad.  He wrote:
1/28/90Dear Michael:Thank you for the custom postcard.  How was Joan Rivers?   And just who is VIOLET?  How’s the job-hunting going?
This should be my last semester.  I’m working on my MASTER’s thesis and oral exams.  It’s so much hard work!   I worked out in San Leandro and saw Mark Landreth there but I didn’t speak to him.  Do you keep in touch?   I hurt my right foot last Sunday while jogging around Coyote Hills and have had to stay off of it.  Do you work out any place?   Hey!  How about somehow sending me some pics of you and your new place?  I’d love it.
Spring Break is April 7th-15th.  If you’re up to company then, let me know.  That seems like a lifetime away.  Write when you can.  Your letters/postcards make my day.Always, CHAD
Well, needless to say, I didn’t want to mention to Alan that an old beau of mine was hinting about coming to stay with me in a few months.  I frowned and simply shelved his letter for now.  It goes into the abeyance pile.
A couple of days later I received a ‘Seagulls in Surf’ card from Dorothy Rua.   She wrote:
Jan. 30, 1990Michael,Great article you sent…and so TRUE!   The simple math really opens your eyes to what’s truly going on.   The reality of it is incredibly depressing.  The only way around it is to work at something you love and pray you can earn enough (to eat), shelter yourself, and enjoy the other things life has to offer.  But why is Michael J Armijo concerned?   Sounds like life in L.A. isn’t too bad!   Guess we can ALL use more time away from work, huh?I wish I was born with enough $ to cover the basic necessities for my entire life and only needed to work if I wanted extras.  That would allow me the luxury of exploring the jobs I found interesting.  I’d only work part-time, six months of the year.  I’d travel with (or to) friends!  What do you think?I enjoyed the MS. CAREER WOMAN creation you sent a while back.  I liked the neat sunset label on it, too!  So what are the details of those two trips you took?  Palm Springs?  San Diego?  It doesn’t sound like trips you’d take alone?  I bet you had an absolutely wonderful time with all of that sunshine, palm trees, etc.   Also, how did the interview go with the Interior Design Company?I had an interview the same day but nothing really came out of it.  The company wasn’t willing to pay my price but wanted all of my business contacts to expand their production.  Typical!Last week my friend, Dick (Advertising and Public Relations) and I met his friend, Don, for that meeting I told you about.  It was interesting and I picked up some valuable information…enough to ask myself, “What the heck am I doing here?”   The entire time we were sitting there eating breakfast at the Claremont in Berkeley I was wondering if Don (a high-powered owner of a successful Ad Agency in San Francisco) was wondering what he was doing across the table from two amateurs at 7AM?  It made me want to chuckle but I didn’t; however, I couldn’t keep that little smile off of my face!
Say…did you get the card I sent earlier this month?  It had a picture of the New Guinea Mud Men tribe doing their dance.  I hope it reached you.  Maybe I’m strange at times but I got a kick out of it.   How do you like this one?  I was in Berkeley a couple of weeks ago with my friend, Kathy, when I saw these colors.  It made me think of you, the purple and the ocean and the freedom of the birds.  I found a few others that are YOU also.  They’ll be sent eventually.When I received your article in the mail today I had just finished reading another in the paper here.   We must be on similar wave lengths.  What do you think?  True enough, huh?Oh, I also now have two (actually three) mailing addresses.  In addition to my P.O. Box and my home I get some of my mail at:1685 Locust Street #220Walnut Creek, CA 94596It’s actually just a mailbox.I’ve acquired this one form the ADVERTISING AGENCY I’m doing part-time for Dick.  I’m the only one with a key.I hope everything is back on course with you and Violet.  I’m still working on things on the home front.  I’m sure it will work out well!Love, Dorothy
Yes, it’s true.  I shared a bit of my dating and chat time news with Violet to Dorothy.   While I liked Violet I didn’t know where it was going and like she was more of a big sister to me.  She liked me but it was as if she was a real party girl.  It was the things she said.  Was it to impress me?  I wasn't impressed by her name dropping.  It must be an L.A. 'thing'.   She’d been around the block.  In fact, I think she’d been around a number of blocks.  I felt much more ‘at ease’ with Alan.  We both seemed to have such similar feelings about many things. 

A couple of days later while Alan was at his pad in Santa Monica and I was at my pad in West Hollywood I found myself looking forward to our phone calls.   One day he was meeting a business associate in Santa Monica at a place called the 17th Street Café.  He shunned a meeting with me to see this former Kidder-Peabody associate named Steve Goddard.   I knew where he’d be, so I drove to Santa Monica and decided to spy on him.  I was undercover.  I ate by myself in a corner and Alan spotted me.  He tried not to look at me.  I simply wanted to be sure he was meeting a business associate.  It was an older chap (not a good-looking young chap), so that made me feel better.   In the end, Alan loved that I came out to spy on him.
The strategy was in place, and the only unknown element was that of chance.  He nervously squeezed his pen in his left hand as he reached for the phone.  It was time to set the first phase in motion.--Paul Huljich, BETRAYAL of Love and Freedom

What Might Have Been

He couldn’t stop himself from wondering what might have been if…--Paul Huljich, Betrayal of Love and Freedom

Last week I sent Paloma a postcard and wrote a little 'white lie'.  I told her that I went to see Joan Rivers with Violet Levi (instead of with Alan).  I guess I was feeling homophobic and had fear tendencies that she would disown me as a friend (like Kelly did when she read my diary from yesteryear).   The rest of the postcard was perfectly honest though.  I wrote:

Jan. 9, 1990
Dearest Paloma,
I got the fabulous bike shorts and cassettes yesterday!  Thanks so much. They fit great and I'm going to be eye-catching in them...believe me.  You're a sweetheart.  I love the tunes, too.

No, believe it or not, I haven't see the movie BLACK RAIN or WHEN HARRY MET SALLY yet.


I'm going to a small supper club tonight to see Joan Rivers.  It will be nice. I'm going with a gal I met named Violet Levi.   She's 36 and looks 26 but she is trouble.  I'm skeptical about her.   She's mysterious in a way.  I'll write again later.  Miss you.  My presents to you are coming by boat.
MJA
I found a great card of a stairwell that I decided to send to mom.   It reminded me of the foyer from the late 1960’s TV series DARK SHADOWS (a series I’ve loved since I was a kid). 
January 18, 1990Dear Mom, Remember this card?  I had it framed but I took it down and replaced it with a neat palm tree photo card that Dorothy Rua sent me.  By the way, Dorothy wrote me a few weeks ago and her husband was jealous of my writing to her because he told her that he wrote to me and told me to address my letters “MRS. DOROTHY RUA”…but he never sent me any such note (?).   Anyway, Dorothy didn’t talk to him for five days because of the fact that she believed him and was thinking I wasn’t writing to her anymore because of it.   Give me a break!  ME…affecting a marriage in Walnut Creek…...”Oh Brother!”This card reminds me of DARK SHADOWS.Here are some photos of my place.   Do you see the French Doors?   What a difference from those old sliding doors, right?   I showed them to my boss and she wants to move there and me move into her ‘rinky dinky’ house somewhere (Ha-ha).  I’m looking forward to my Newport Beach San Diego (La Jolla) weekend; however, come Monday it is “Laundry Night”.  I have to do laundry or go buy more socks and underwear (Ha-ha).I really miss you.  I can’t wait for you to come and we go to visit the set of BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL at CBS-TV City.  That will be fun.  I guess I’ll continue to call you to keep you informed.  I got the telephone number for that Travel Agency called CHEAP TICKETS already, so we will get a good deal for your flight.I just wrote to Jim and Christine and also to Grandma.   I sent Grandma a self-made postcard of Sophia Loren, Marlon Brando and Spencer Tracy.  
I called Christine Hicks and she thought I was mad at her because I hadn’t written lately.  I just ran out of postcard stamps.  Do you have any extra?Thanks again for doing the SEARS ‘refrigerator’ contract thing.  God Bless you for that.  Funds are tight...but I am managing okay.  I’m not starving at all.  Ha…Miss You, See You Soon,Love Always, MICHAEL
A couple of days later I received a handwritten letter on two pages of binder paper from Dustin Nipper.   Wow?  Does she still think of me?  I was flattered.  I sometimes wonder what may have happened had I remained in the Bay Area.   Who knows what might have been (with Dustin and/or Paloma for that matter) and what still ‘could be’.   Dustin  wrote: January 21, 1990Dear Michael,Well, I know that it is probably about time that I wrote, so here goes.  I guess I could say that I have been extremely busy and haven’t had the time to write and I suppose that would be partly true but it’s not a very good excuse for rudeness.   Besides that, I noticed that I wasn’t receiving any postcards anymore and I figured that you probably gave up on me.    So I’ll fill you in on the latest.I am no longer employed at EMPORIUM.  They laid off all of the Christmas staff (the day after Christmas).  Oh well, now I am working at MERLE NORMAN.  We do makeovers, sell make-up and skincare products.  It’s very close.  It’s in the mall.  It doesn’t pay as well as EMPORIUM but $5 per hour plus commission isn’t bad.  I’ve also begun driving again and I will hopefully get my license soon.  I really want to get a car.   I really like the new PROBE.  They’re about $13,000.  That’s really a big investment but if I ever win the LOTTO…yeah!  I guess I’ll keep dreaming. So, how is L.A.?  Are you making a lot of friends?  I hope so!   I know how difficult it is to meet people when you came from someplace else.  I’ve dated a few people these last few months but nothing serious.  I’m really trying to focus on more serious things.  Maybe that makes me dull?   Last week, I was terribly ill.  Now I’m super behind on everything.  In fact, I’m trying to write a stupid ENGLISH paper and I’m totally stumped.  I guess I’ll just try to do my best on it.  Anyhow, I have many things left to do for now.  I promise I’ll write you again.  Hopefully, you’ll write to me.Sincerely,DustinP.S. If anything in this letter is confusing it is because I’m about to fall asleep.  Sorry!
And finally, the Staff Clerk, Gloria Romero, sent me a short note card with a graphic of some green trees and pink hearts.   She wrote out some simple ‘small talk’.  I think she was just being kind enough to respond to a postcard that I had sent her.   She wrote the following, I guess it is the mere thought that counts.  I would have preferred some wisdom on living life but it’s just as well. 1-21-90Dearest Michael,Enclosed is a dinner invitation.  Just fill in the day and I’ll put together a nice dinner for you to enjoy.I will give you directions on how to get to my place later, ok?  It is easy.I do hope all is well with you.   Both George and I are fine.  It’s cold here though…some rain, too.  We are relaxing this Sunday, and so I thought I would write you.   I did some ironing which I find relaxing.   I’m getting things ready for the start of the work week.Have a nice week and I know you must be enjoying your new home in Southern California.  Take care.  Love, Your Friend, Gloria
“Use whatever knowledge you have but see its limitations.  Knowledge alone does not suffice; it has no heart.  No amount of knowledge will nourish or sustain your spirit; it can never bring you ultimate happiness or peace.  Life requires more than knowledge; it requires intense feeling and constant energy.  Life demands right action if knowledge is to come alive.”
–Dan Millman, WAY OF THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR

Hanky-Panky

“The trouble with having an OPEN MIND, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.”--Terry Pratchett, novelist
January 9, 1990Alan bought tickets for us to see JOAN RIVERS do some of her stand-up comedy at a small nightclub here in Los Angeles.  It was so much fun.  She makes me laugh.  I’m glad she didn’t pick on me (or Alan) though.  That could’ve been scary.  What would she have asked?
January 10, 1990I found a BOLD and the BEAUTIFUL advertisement for the big wedding of Ridge Forrester and Caroline Spencer on January 19, 1990.   I clipped it and made it into a giant postcard for mom.   It was a perfect day to send with the upcoming episode.  I wrote to mom:
January 19, 1990Dear Mom:Last night I saw Joan Rivers.  I was about five feet away from her.   She was funny, of course.   She used some good four-letter word language on top of her usual.  She said, “I had Lucie Arnaz on my show recently.”She was referring to the TONIGHT SHOW and it should be on the air in about a week.  Check your TV Guide and see when she’s on.   Tape it on your VCR because she said it was one of her best shows.  Lucie Arnaz talked frankly about her mom and dad (good dirt).   Anyway, I had a good time.I got my US Entertainment Magazine today and saw this advertisement.  There was a picture of Brooke, Thorne and Steph (from Bold and the Beautiful) also but I figured you’d like this shot of Ridge and Caroline better.  I was thinking of calling Lee Bell again to follow-up and see if we can arrange our visit to the B&B set.   I’d like you to go with me.   Would you like to fly here for a 3-4 day weekend?  On that Monday or Tuesday we could go to the B&B set.  I know you’d like to do that.  It can happen you know.   I’m especially excited since Lee P Bell sent that reply letter and wrote that I could come to visit.   So, what do you say?And so, how is ALL at the home front?This Friday, January 12, 1990 I’ll be picking up Ron Leoni at LAX and then head out to Palm Springs on Saturday morning.   It should be fun.  I’ll return Sunday day.
The French Doors look so cool.  It makes the place look richer.  I just need to vacuum.  Yuck!   I sure do miss you.  I’m going to surprise you one weekend and just appear.   That’ll be a surprise.   Won’t it?Call me as soon as the new ARMIJO addition is born, ok?Love You, Michael
Alan was not very pleased that I was going to Palm Springs with Ron Leoni.  I explained that he was an old friend/flame and that I have no interest in him now.  He still seemed a bit forlorn about the idea.   He was jealous but I explained clearly that he had no reason to be.
January 12, 1990, Friday
After work I relaxed and drove out to LAX to pick up Ron at around 6PM.   I drove from there to Palm Springs.  Ron has a friend who owns a hotel, so we had a free place to stay once we go there.   The drive seemed to take forever but it worked out fine.   We ended up at the bar having drinks.  I was too exhausted and it was easy to fall asleep.   I got the impression that Ron wanted to ‘play’…but I didn’t feel comfortable about it.   Dreamland was the place for me.The next day, January 13th, I did my stint by the pool and relaxed.   The sun gave me a quick tan.   Ron made a friend at the bar.   Ron loves to drink.  It seems Ron invited him to stay with us.   We had double beds, so I didn’t mind.   That night, the guy slept with Ron and they were doing hanky-panky while I was in the room.  Did they not think I could hear them?   It was utterly outrageous.  I just pretended to be asleep until I actually fell asleep amidst their laughing and ‘what not’.  The following day I said to Ron, “You know, I think I’m going to leave today because I have to be at work early on Monday.”Ron was hopeful for a job at the hotel, so he remained there. 
I left Palm Springs and drove to Santa Monica on Sunday, the 14th.  I needed to see Alan.  He was right.   I shouldn’t have gone to Palm Springs.   Alan was home and was happy to see me.  I was happy to find him home ‘alone’ and not doing ‘hanky panky’ with someone else.   I suppose it was my own personal test.  Alan passed.   I explained to Alan about Ron (how we met in Palm Springs a few years back) and how he was from Harwinton, Connecticut.   I also shared about Ron’s rudeness to be doing that hanky-panky business with me in the next bed.   Alan agreed that it was rude but added, “They probably wanted you to join them.”
“Yeah, right,” I replied.  “Well, that wasn’t happening!”
Alan had an idea.  I love his impromptu ideas.  He suggested we drive up to Newport Beach.   What a way to make a sorry weekend into a supreme one.   I had to work the following day but I figured I could easily call in sick on Monday and Tuesday.   Why not?  Maybe we could have some hanky-panky.
And so…we made it to Newport Beach and it was splendid.  I took a few Polaroids upon arrival.   Alan looked so relaxed on the sofa.  I could tell he was happy that I ended up agreeing to his idea.   Newport has a unique feeling compared to Los Angeles.  It’s almost like a true resort vacation kind-of-place.   The beach is beautiful.  There's a tranquil feeling in this section of Orange County. I certainly feel a special bond with the area.  I owe that to Alan for introducing me to the area.
The following day (Monday, January 15th) we went to Laguna Beach.  We had dinner at a cool little vintage-like place with an Art Deco aura on Pacific Coast Highway called DIZZ’s AS IS.   On Tuesday the party was over.   We drove back to Santa Monica and I hung out with Alan for as long as possible.   Then I drove to West Hollywood that evening, realizing I had to go back to work on Wednesday morning.   Alan was going to meet me for lunch at the little seafood place, so that gave me something more to look forward to.  Once home I took some photos of the new French Doors.  I simply need to paint the middle of the doors to accentuate the trim of the design that is there.   I wanted to show mom how it looked. 
I also photographed my bedroom.  It looked funny with my Pee Wee Herman doll and my stuffed toy of ELROY (from THE JETSONS).

I took a photo of the dining area as well.   The chrome seagulls on the wall were my own idea for giving the beach feeling.  I love the beach. 
I wish I was closer to where Alan lives; however, Alan does continue to say, “You live at the Center-of-the-Universe.”   This is because I’m right across the street from TOWER RECORDS, SPAGO Restaurant and the infamous Sunset Boulevard.   It’s funny.  It may be the center of things but sometimes I feel fearful of going out into it all by myself.   The Center-of-the-Universe is meant to be shared with someone you love.
So, you’re waiting, even if you don’t quite know it, waiting for the moment when you realize that you really are different to them, that there are people out there…who don’t hate you or wish you any harm, but who nevertheless shudder at the very thought of you—of how you were brought into the world and why—and who dread the idea of your hand brushing against theirs.  The first time you glimpse yourself through the eyes of a person like that, it’s a cold moment.   It’s like walking past a mirror you’ve walked past every day of your life, and suddenly it shows you something else, something troubling and strange.--Kazuo Ishiguro, NEVER LET ME GO, a novel