Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 57

Enjoy Every Day of Your LIFE

‘…the past is always the past, and something is always lost; just as something is always preserved; and, also, discovered.’
-An Obscure Grave Epilogue
THE DEAD DUKE HIS SECRET WIFE and the MISSING CORPSE
by Piu Marie Eatwell


Diary Notes...January 15, 1989I think I fell in love ‘at first sight’ and especially when she told me her name.   If one rewinds several years I was playing the OUIJA Board with my high-school pal, Elisa.  
Elisa asked the OUIJA Board, “What is the name of the man I will marry?”
The answer spelled out ‘H U G H’.   And sure enough, she married a man named Rick with the middle name, Hugh!  
I asked the OUIJA Board, “What is the name of the girl I will marry?”
The OUIJA mechanism spelled out ‘R H O N D A’.   I always thought that perhaps it meant I’d meet her while the Beach Boys song ‘HELP ME RHONDA’ was playing at a nightclub.

Here I am in Hawaii and I decided to go out to familiar territory:  The Hard Rock Café.   It was easy enough.   They had a spacious dance floor.   There was a bar.   I could scope the scene (and this time without Laverne).   Within a matter of half an hour I met two gals with beautiful smiles.I had my eyes on one in particular.    I said, “My name’s Michael.”
PHOTO:  Samantha Barker, me, Rhonda Rezendes I continued with a smile and asked her, “Are you a local.”
She smiled back at me with loveable eyes and said, “I’m Rhonda.   And no…I’m from California.”
My mouth opened wide and my eyes had to show an unbelievable aura.
“You won’t believe this but I’m supposed to meet a girl named Rhonda!”
“What?”
…just then another girl appeared.   It was her friend, Samantha.   She was equally beautiful, wearing one of those soft cashmere sweaters that made her breasts look outright gorgeous.   One could only wish and imagine what was inside her white cashmere top.   Luckily, I had my Polaroid camera with me for instant-gratification.   I had a nearby stranger take a picture of me stuck-in-the-middle of Samantha and Rhonda. 

 Suddenly, I was on Waikiki Beach having pleasant get-to-know-you time with Rhonda.   We simply talked and exchanged a few kisses.  Samantha was nearby at a bar near the beach.   I took a cool pic of Rhonda lying on the beach with my gray alligator pointed shoes set before her.
I set the timer of my Polaroid for a couple of dynamic duo shots of the two of us.  Rhonda wrote on one of the Polaroid photographs:  ‘The Best of Us, except when unclothed’.   A part of me wondered if I’d ever see her again.   She said she lives in the Livermore area of California and that’s just a hop, skip and a jump from me.   It’s highly likely I will see Rhonda again.   I am so excited about ‘us’.
PHOTO:  me and 'Rhonda Rezendes'
All good nights tend to end too quickly.   Rhonda had to regroup with Samantha but we enjoyed our farewell kisses.
Suddenly, I was alone again.   The night was fairly young and I walked in the Hawaiian moonlight ever-so-excited about meeting Rhonda.   I wanted to hear the Beach Boys song (HELP ME RHONDA) so badly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPnBrK6D26g 
On this same day, January 15, 1989…Paloma was writing me these words in a letter.   I never received the information about her friend, Monica, in time for my Hawaiian departure: Dear Michael…
Thank your mom.   That was very nice of her to give me the ‘WHITE LINEN’ perfume.   I’m crazy about that one.   I can’t believe what you’re telling me about the samples that accidentally slipped into your pocket.  You are nuts!   Don’t do that again.  Can you imagine how I would feel if something happened to you because of a perfume sample!   When I asked you for samples, I meant if you ever happen to run into one to think about me.   Don’t go for that though!   I’m really flattered you did that for me but it is way too risky.  About Catherine Deneuve…I can also find that sample over here at that price (lots of collectors sell samples at crazy prices now) but I don’t think it’s worth it.  Samples are supposed to be free.   There is no way I’d pay for that one.

I remember very well when that man talked to us when we walked out of SAFEWAY (to say ‘I bet you both look GREAT on the beach’).   We had just had some pizza and ice-cream and that’s when you asked me if I wanted to go to Vegas…remember that?   I’m just thinking about the night when we went out together.   I don’t remember the name of the place.  I almost got in a fight to save you a parking place…remember that one?  We use to drink lots of WHITE RUSSIANS (if that’s the right name?  What are they made of?)  We have a bar in our apartment.   We will make some WHITE RUSSIANS when you come.The night we met some guy from my gym (a huge body builder) said “On se laisse holer”.   It’s what we call in French “un jeu de mots” which means ‘a game with words’ and that means true things at the same time.  I remember very well…you can see I remember everything.  The body builder was saying “You’re letting yourself go!” and “You’re getting a tan?”   Those sentences are like jokes, very hard to translate.

Agde, France is like Alameda.   It is warm from March until November (pretty much).   I think it might be a little colder at Winter time.  I think summer is warmer over here.   We can swim in the sea!I can’t translate PAL/SECAM…but you can tell me now if you’ve been able to see the tape I sent you.  Let me know, if you can…then I’ll record good things for you.

I don’t really understand what kind of dolls your mom collects.   Could you send me a picture?   Then I’ll promise you to look around.Well, thank you for the compliments.  That sure is nice to hear (or to read!).   Don’t worry.   I won’t let it go to my head.   I don’t even think I’m that concerned to tell you the truth.   When you haven’t seen something or someone for a long time it always looks nicer (in your memory) that it really is…but again…who cares about looks?   What really counts is what’s inside, what I mean is if you ever get bald or fat or whatever…I’ll love you the same way.

I haven’t seen any of the movies you’re telling me about.   I’m sure I will.   Which one did you like?So…do you like being in front of a camera?   I did a lot of stage when I was working at CLUB MED but I hated that.   I’m no good at all for that kind of thing.   I was scared as hell.

Thank you for the picture.   No, no…you’re wrong.  You can tell about Hawaii.   I’ll be really happy to hear that some of us go the beach, get tan and stuff (while I am working all day long like a slave in the cold winter and rain).   That’s ok, Michael.   Did you have a good time?You’re right.   My Birthday was January 3rd.  I am thirty now…nothing we can do about that, right?

No, I’ve never been able to listen to your cassette.About the clippings…I saw the election of that Miss France 1989 on TV.   I was in Paris for the holidays.   I’m sure that was fake.   As soon as she fell down she got up fresh as a rose!   I saw the Eiffel Tower like that, too.   Did I tell you I spent the holidays in Paris with my family?  Well, I do every year now.   They only have one grandson.

I’ll stop this letter now; pretty soon I won’t be able to pay for the stamp.  Here is Monica’s address.   I don’t have her phone number (you’re pretty good at finding phone numbers aren’t you?).   She lives with her boyfriend (she just sent me a picture—he looks gorgeous):Monica Allerstorfer, 322 Aoloa St. #1403, Kailua, Hawaii 96734
Here is my phone number.   Did you look on a map to see where I live?
Write me…Love, Paloma

January 15, 1989 didn’t end for me so quickly.   After meeting Rhonda I felt emptiness.   She corrected me that she actually lives in San Diego but visits Livermore from time-to-time to see family (her father?).   I will likely be picking her up from the Oakland or San Francisco Airport in a month when she comes to Livermore.It was a comfortable warm night in Honolulu.   I went over to the THE WAVE as I like the 80s music there.   While Rhonda had left me for the evening I still felt like exploring.  I was on vacation.   It wasn’t jumping the way I wanted it to be at THE WAVE, so I left and went to HULA’s, a gay/mixed bar.   The music there is also good.   I couldn’t help myself and chose to order a White Russian cocktail.  One fellow was there who smiled at me and seemed friendly enough.   His blue eyes in the darkness of the bar caught my eye with his dark hair.  He was right next to me, so it was natural to strike up a conversation.
“Hi, I’m Michael.   Where are you from?”
“Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.”
“Oh…I’ve never been there.  I’m from California.”
“You’re not from so far,” Steven said with a smooth, different sort of accent.
“I guess not, it is easy to get here.”
“It’s loud in here.”
“Yes, the music is good though…don’t you think?”
“Yes,” Steven said, but I could tell he didn’t want to dance.
“You have the most amazing blue eyes.   I bet you hear that all of the time.”
“Oh no, I don’t.”   He said it so matter-of-factly and sincerely.
“Well…I really like your eyes.   Sometimes I wish I had light eyes to go with my dark hair.  You have this accent that is so different too.   I like it when you talk.”
He laughed, “You’re such a nice person.”
“Do you think so?”
“Yes, I can read people pretty well.”
“What do you do in Pennsylvania?” I asked.
“I feel very lucky.   I get to travel.  I work as a flight attendant for United Airlines.   I fly to Hawaii a lot because I studied Japanese and I often fly to Japan.”
"Now…that’s pretty exotic.  What’s it like in Japan?”  I asked, while simultaneously recalling that this was Paloma’s dream job.   Why did he get the job and NOT her? 
“It’s hard to hear you in here.   Do you want to take a walk to the beach?”
I took another swig of my White Russian and said, “Okay, let’s go.”
I walked with Steven.   I learned his full name to be Steven Antol.   I gave him my surname, explaining my Spanish heritage.
Steven continued about his love for Japan, “Michael, you have no idea how friendly the people of Japan are to me.   I speak a little Japanese and they are the most kindest people in the world.”
“Well, you’re pretty kind, so it probably bounces back easily,” I said with a smile.   I loved how he would articulate and enunciate each and every word.

He smiled back as we walked along the shoreline.   It was dark now and he was telling me how he was still friendly with kids that he knew from kindergarten.   I loved that and I shared with him the fact that I was still friendly with some of the kids I knew from first-grade at St. Anthony's School in Oakland, CA.

Steven is about my age, born in 1959.   I liked the fact that we were so close in age.  He thought I was younger.   I shared with him how I worked at the phone company.   We kept walking.  We reached his car.   He is often based in Honolulu so he often rents a car and keeps a PO Box in Honolulu.  “I know a great beach not far from here.   Do you want to go to see it?”
For a moment, I wasn’t sure but he seemed such a natural and honest human-being.   I asked, “You can drive me back, right?”
“Of course,” Steven said.   We drove off and he did find a very secluded beach that was only a fifteen minute drive.   There was a beautiful house above but the lights were dim.
“This is so nice, Wow!”  I exclaimed.
PHOTO:   STEVEN A ANTOL
"Aren’t the moonlight and the stars so beautiful here in Hawaii?”
“Yes, I love it,” I replied as I heard each wave passing gently with the night breeze.
We settled and sat on a secluded part of this romantic beach setting near some rocks.   He chose the spot.
“So, have you been to this spot before?”
“Maybe once...”
“Well, it’s very nice,” I remarked, wondering who he had been here with before.   It fascinated me.
“It’s hard for me to look at you.”
“Well, your blue eyes ‘make it hard’ when I look at you.”

I wasn’t sure if he got my hint…but he looked at me longer and we just went into automatic passionate kissing mode.   It was a midnight rendezvous happening right here in Honolulu.   It seemed easier to be intimate with a fellow man.  There were no strings attached.  We could simply get instant gratification and feel good about doing it.   Women made it more complicated.  Was it the potential pregnancy issue?  I had mini flashes of thoughtful questions as we kissed:  ‘Where is Laverne?’  ‘Did I also really meet Rhonda tonight as well?’  ‘How and why does this double-trouble happen to me?’  ‘I really like this guy, Steven.’ The night came to a close as Steven and I exchanged information (addresses and telephone numbers).   I wondered if I’d ever hear from him again.   I guess it’s a 50-50 chance where both Rhonda and Steven are concerned.   It seems too good to be true.

I arrived back at the hotel very late.   Laverne was sleeping.   The time in Hawaii flew by.   I remember shopping for chocolate covered macadamia nuts for friends and family.   Before I knew it I was back on the mainland (as the locals say in Hawaii).
January 18, 1989I was bored after Hawaii.   I took a few self-portrait Polaroid’s to show off my Hawaiian tan before it faded.
I wanted to take a few shots to send to Rhonda and Steven before they forgot about me.   Have they already forgotten me? 

I was home in Alameda and my work day flew by.   I still had Rhonda and Steven on my mind but they seemed so far away at this point.   I was back to riding my bike and I saw Birda brush by me.   We rode together and I wanted to share my stories with her but felt afraid for her to know about the Steven situation.

Later, I was back in my townhome.   My phone rang and it was one of my ex-boyfriends:  Chad Mark Glen.
I practically fell off of my chair after I answered the phone.   He didn’t say anything at first.   I almost hung-up, then I realized it was him when he asked, “Can you guess who this is?”I gulped in question, “Chad?”
“Yes, how are you?”
He acted as though any mishaps we may have experienced are now erased.  I do not forget easily.   In any case, he’s coming over to my place in two days.   Am I ready for this?

January 20, 1989 Chad Mark Glen arrived.   Words can’t express how uncomfortable and nervous I felt before his arrival.   When the doorbell rang I was perspiring a bit. 

In order to break the ice I pulled out my Polaroid and suggested a couple of photos of him after I served him a Diet-Coke (it was his beverage of choice).   It really does help to hide behind a camera."I’m trying to cut down on the Diet Coke.”
“I know…I see you still drink it as if it were water.”

Chad laughed, "I do."
"Oh wait…you blinked on that photo, let’s take another one.
“Okay.”
Chad made himself comfortable on the corner of my couch.  I got the impression he thought we’d easily be in kissing mode.   I personally didn’t want to do that.   Too much water under the bridge had passed and I felt I’d be cheating on Rhonda (or Steven for that matter). 
The cordial meeting ended.   We hugged awkwardly.
Chad’s last words:  “Don’t be a stranger.”
“Okay…you too.”
After I shut my front door I thought, “That was weird.”
I clearly thought in my mind, "I'm glad he's gone."January 21, 1989

It seemed to be frequent visitor week.   I had forgotten that Johnny Schaefer (of Anaheim) had mentioned he’d be visiting Northern California with two of his Orange County friends (Aaron and Jeff).   They were spending the night at my pad.  None of them slept in my room.  Ha-ha.  There’s no way!I took a photo of the three of them, of course.
PHOTO:  Left to Right:  Johnny, Aaron, Jeff
I felt an obligation to show them a bit of the sights, so I drove to San Francisco and we ate at the ZUNI CAFÉ.

I recalled my House Book that Lottie had gifted me and I asked Aaron and Jeff to sign it.   They didn’t post any magazine clippings.   They simply wrote the following words:
1/21/89
Michael,
The very first “extra virgin” entry of the year.   Thanks for putting us up and for putting up with us.   Zuni’s was fun!   Remember how everything was the first one of the year?   Remember the GOOBER and GOOBERETTE sitting next to us?   And above all…remember “Figs in red wine with coffee ice-cream and walnut shortbread?”  
Thanks!   It’s been fun getting acquainted with you! 
Aaron M.I wonder if this meant that Aaron was literally ‘a virgin’?

1/21/89
Michael,
This is definitely becoming a tradition!    Staying at your house once every three years.   Can’t wait for 1992.   Next time I’ll remember to bring my own 9 or 10 clocks set at different times.   Thanks for letting us stay here.   It sure helped.
Jeff.

A few days later I arrived home from work and was excitedly thrilled to find a handwritten letter in my mailbox from none other than Steven Antol.   He didn’t forget me and he received the card I sent him.  I lost my eyeglasses and hoped he would find them in his car.   He wrote on CKS AIRPORT HOTEL Stationary from Taoyuan Taiwan.:
1/22/89, 1:15AM, Honolulu, Hawaii
Dear Michael…
Hey, Thanks for the card.   It was a nice treat to find a friendly note in my mailbox after a 5-day spree in the Orient.   My trip went well.   I visited Japan, Taiwan and The Philippines.   Didn’t get to see much of Taiwan and Manila as one plane arrived late evening and departure was kind of early in the morning.   Just time to eat and sleep and relax from a day of flying.   I was very excited for the opportunity to meet the other people from the various countries.   They smile politely and bow often.   It was very comfortable working with them although I don’t know any other languages except my limited Japanese.    Did I tell you I speak Japanese?  Oh…yes, I do remember that I told you.   You asked me about my accent.On the 29thof January I will fly to Japan for my one month stay.   I think the one month stay will do me good to calm me after a slightly turbulent relationship.   I kind of have mixed feelings about leaving but I know I will enjoy the experience while I am there.

I found out that I may have flights from Japan to Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.   When and if I make it to the West Coast during this month I’ll contact you.   I would love to get together again.You know, I would also like to tell you how nice it was to meet you here in the islands.   The short time was very special for me too.   I’m looking forward to being with you again to share more conversation and acquire a good friendship...not to mention some other beaches, maybe?
(He had drawn a smiley-face and wrote Ha-ha after that sentence)

It may be a little while before we can get together.   I’ll try my best at the first available opportunity to hook up in Oakland.   If it is soon, well, that’s even better yet.Please continue to write me at my P.O. Box in Honolulu.   I will look forward to hearing from you.   I’ll probably have a few flights back to here, so I’ll be able to get my mail.

Oh, I did get the message.   I checked my car very carefully.   Sorry, but no glasses.   Do you think maybe you left them on the beach when you visited with your friend?   I’m sorry that you may have lost them.   If so, just forget about them and order a new pair.   I did the same in Japan once (lost my glasses).   I got over it quick because there is really nothing you can do…right?   I feel for you though, pal.  I picked up a few packs of watches along the way.   I thought about you in these other countries that I visited.   This stationery is from Taipei, Taiwan.

Well buddy…until we meet again.   Please take care of yourself, work hard and enjoy every day of your LIFE.   You deserve it.   Keep writing to me.  I don’t want to lose contact.   ALOHA, StevenAnd yes…Paloma sent two postcards from Agde, France at the same date that Steven wrote his letter.   Paloma wrote:
Agde, France, 22/01/89Dear Michael,
I just got two cards from you today.   Thank you.   Thank you for the mail insert, too.   I saw it before in the American COSMO.   I almost had a heart attack.   I thought that was a coupon to get a perfume sample…but no luck.

Would you please answer my questions?   Can I send you money in a letter?  Because you think I’m going to let you stay here for free…you’ve got to be kidding.   This is the South of France, Michael!   Be serious.   It’s a very expensive place.   Everybody wants to come here!   Eh…well, since you’re a very good friend maybe we can make a deal.   If you insist you can buy me a red corvette from the early 60’s.  Hahahaha! I bet you don’t have Boulangeries like this one in California.   This one isn’t exactly built last year.   Agde, France is a very old city.   It’s got a  lot of character.  In fact, it’s not really a city.   I would say it’s a town but it’s pretty neat.   Bonnie sent me a note to tell me that Alison was on a TV show.   Did I tell you she was doing some modeling?   She looks really good.    

What do you mean by ‘ you can’t always live with women’?   You just haven’t found the right one!About the perfume samples…your mom could have used the perfume in the White Linen sample.   I don’t really care about perfumes.   I only like the little bottles.   Thanks for the last ones you sent me.   I already had the NINA RICCI one.   I almost have all the French ones.   I didn’t have the other one and I love it.

And so…it’s been quite a humdinger of a beginning of the New Year thus far.  I feel joy, love and happiness; however, I still somewhat frayed by the unknown.   Why do I feel uncomfortable about sharing my meetings with Rhonda and Steven to Paloma?   After all, Paloma is so far way now.  She's with Alexandre and has a child.   It's over...isn't it?   I am excited to write letters to Paloma, Steven and Rhonda in the next day or so.All the great words…LOVE, JOY, HAPPINESS, HOME, MOTHER, FATHER, HUSBAND, etc.
HOME was a place you lived in, LOVE was a thing you didn’t fool yourself about, JOY was a word you applied to a good Charleston, HAPPINESS was a term of hypocrisy used to bluff other people, a FATHER was an individual who enjoyed his own existence, a HUSBAND was a man you lived with and kept going in spirits.   As for SEX, the last of the great words, it was just a cocktail term for an excitement that bucked you up for a while, then left you more raggy than ever.   Frayed!
-D.H. Lawrence
Lady Chatterley's Lover
 
 

We Got Laid!

Every young man has his own café, and each is subtly different.   In a café you could adopt an attitude of melancholic separation.
-Edmund de Waal
THE HARE WITH THE AMBER EYES

On January 12, 1989 I arrived on the island of OAHU with Laverne Butler.   It was a flight filled with exciting anticipation by both of us.   We needed an escape from our PAC BELL San Francisco environment. 
The hotel was simple and convenient via a taxicab.   We were centralized in Honolulu and only a stone’s throw walk from Waikiki Beach.   Upon our arrival we traded taking photos of one another on the balcony of our hotel room.   In the photo that Laverne took of me I was wearing the METRO Card designed short-sleeved shirt that I bought while in Paris, France when I went to see Paloma back in 1985.   I love this shirt.PHOTO:  Laverne Butler Laverne laughed at me when I looked at the Polaroid photos of us on the balcony because I said, "Well, at least we can tell everyone that we got laid as soon as we arrived here."   We were both wearing the lei's that the welcoming folks gave us when we walked off of the airplane.
We took a walk to get familiar with our local surroundings.   The ABC Store was convenient for incidental items.   I bought some postcards (as did Laverne).   I snapped a photo of Laverne writing to her daughter, Ariel.    

We decided to go out to the HARD ROCK CAFÉ on our first night, so we got ready.   Laverne makes me laugh.   She had her curlers on and I couldn’t resist taking a photo of her in that manner.  

“You don’t understand, Laverne, this is a side of you that I never get to see at the office.”Laverne simply laughed aloud.

Laverne was able to get her own revenge as she captured me shaving in our tiny bathroom that we had to share.“Michael, you don’t understand.   I never see this side of you…shaving at the office!”

It was my turn to laugh loudly.
Everything was nearby and we didn’t’ have to take a taxi to our destination.   It was easy to walk; people watch and simply see the shops and tourist-like places all over the place.   When we arrived at the HARD ROCK CAFÉ I managed to take a photo of the bar.   I loved how they had this old-style station wagon car hanging over the bar.   Who thinks up this sort of décor?


We had cool Pina coladas in the HARD ROCK designer glasses that we were able to take home with us.   We snacked lightly.  We danced to 'Jail House Rock' by Elvis Presley.  
January 14, 1989
…the next day was simply ‘hang-out’ at the beach day.
“We need to get tans right away so we look like locals,” I said to Laverne excitedly. I took a photo of our beach gear sprawled on the bed before we left for the beach.   "We have to document the things to time capsule our day," I implored to Laverne as she simply rolled her eyes at my sense of humor.I chose to lie on the beach for a good while.   It was fun to just watch everyone wearing almost nothing.   Laverne would lay out with me for a while.   She went shopping after a couple of hours and I was having fun with during this solitary time of relaxation.   We’re on our own tomorrow.   I’m going out to a club.   I’m not sure what Laverne will do.   She’s adventurous.   I’m not worried about her.   She’s a big girl.   Who knows how things will go with me tomorrow.   I’ll probably just have a white Russian cocktail and browse the scene of the bar of my choosing.   I’ll be quiet and smile based on the eyes that capture me.   Who knows what may follow?"He was quiet and handsome…the perfect combination,” said Alan Turing to his psychologist about a young Norwegian man he’d met in the 1950s.
-CODEBREAKER,
a 2014 Documentary film

 
 

Don't Dream It's Over

In the world of arts and letters he had developed numerous friendships with people who succumbed quite naturally to the charm and certainty of his manner, the elevation of his spirit and the gentleness of his heart.
-Edmund de Waal
THE HARE WITH THE AMBER EYES

January 4, 2015Notes written by ‘me’ in January 1989…

I came across an old postcard/letter from Johnny that he wrote me in 1987 of the Santa Ana/Anaheim area.   I love the postcard because it epitomizes the image of ‘me’ and my bike (or how I wish it to be on a beach somewhere in Southern California or Hawaii).   Johnny will be visiting Northern California later this month with a couple of his friends.   I’m sure to see him.   On this card titled COOL DOWN is a photo of a bicyclist on the beach.   Johnny wrote:
March 9, 1987 Hi Mike—

Is this how you COOL DOWN after a long bike ride?   Looks like bike riding weather is almost here, eh?   We had two days in the 80’s this week.   I’m going to learn to surf this year, so I plan to have a fun summer.  
I have been recording THE SWEATER SONG.   It is almost done.   And TIME TO TRY and BE YOU will be finished in about three weeks.   I’ll send a tape.  
I bought this card in a great restaurant in L.A. that I’ll have to take you to…hope that can be soon.   Until then…stay happy and all that.  Always, Johnny

In a week I will be in Hawaii.   I am happy that my coworker, Laverne, is going with me.   She’s an attractive African-American woman.  I wonder if when people see me with her they think that we’re fucking.   I know…that’s a heavy-duty thought but sometimes when I see a couple together I am quick to assume that they are literally together.   I know it’s not necessarily so.   I just wonder why people tend to jump to conclusions.   Two people who are laughing and carrying-on shows comradery of a special kind and it doesn’t necessarily mean they are sleeping together.
The nice thing about Laverne is that she will go her separate way ‘at times’ while in Hawaii.   I will do my own thing as well.   It’ll be nice.   We don’t have to be together every minute.   I wonder if I will meet anyone new.   I’m sure I will.   I always seem to meet new people in Hawaii.   I’ll know next week.  The New Year (1989) has begun and it will be as exciting as I choose to make it.
My elder coworker, Reed Campbell, cracks me up all of the time while at work.   He cracks ‘dirty jokes’ to me and it’s almost as if he’s flirting with me at times.   He married for the first time at age fifty-three and I sometimes wonder about his past during his twenties, thirties and forties.   He used to live in Los Angeles and worked at a Hotel and recalled parties by some major celebrities like Peter Lawford, etc.   He has plenty of stories.   What a character.   I received a cool postcard from Reed from Copenhagen.   His wife is a travel agent (and former Pacific Telephone employee).   He sent me a photo postcard of ‘The Little Mermaid’ statue.  He wrote these words and I received it at the office:
Hi Michael, …sending this to 101 Spear at Rincon Center in San Francisco since I don’t have your new address.

The Little Mermaid is just waiting for you to come and take her off the rocks and out of the cold.
Take Care, Reed. 
Of course my week is always more complete when I receive correspondence from Paloma.    Paloma loves to send me magazine clippings in her letters sometimes.  I love it because she learns of things about the USA  ‘in France’ that I never hear about while I’m here in the USA.   She made me laugh with a magazine clipping of a list of the TOP 20 eligible “wealthy” females in the world.  
Paloma wrote, “Not too bad, huh?   This is the list where you should find your future wife.”  She circled Alicia Kaplowitz (age 39) of Madrid, Spain as a likely potential for me.  She looks very attractive but I bit older than me.   I suppose she might like a younger man…who knows?   There’s another photo she included with Esther Koplowitz (age 41) who is also in Madrid, Spain.   Esther and Alicia are both wearing long white formal gowns.   I wish I was at that party.
Here are portions of what Paloma also wrote:…that movie from 1984 called AGAINST ALL ODDS…I haven’t seen it in a long time.   I think that’s the movie that makes me think the most about YOU.   I love the main song of that movie and the actor (Jeff Bridges).

My life is boring right now compared to yours.  You can tell me about new loves or jobs…nothing new in mine.   I’m not complaining.   It’s just that I have less interesting things to tell you.   I’m wondering what you are doing, so write me.  
I don’t think I know Natalie Cole.   Of course I would like another cassette tape of songs that you like.   I’ve got to make you one, too.
We don’t exactly know yet what we are going to do for our next vacation.   We kind of still are planning to go to New Orleans but also to some other places like Disneyland (for Jonathan)…maybe Houston (since it’s close to New Orleans) as I’d like to go to Texas to buy some boots.   Maybe on our way we’ll also stop for a night or two in New York.   I really don’t know yet.  In fact, everything ‘right now’ depends on my brother.   The last time my mom talked to him on the phone he talked about moving, so we still might have to change our plans.   I don’t know if we’ll go to California or not but I’ll let you know, of course.   I’m excited about going to the States again.  You can imagine that means something special for me….three years of my life (and pretty good ones).   Since I was sixteen--my only single years--(except in the States) I’ve pretty much always lived with a man.   I hope we won’t have to change our plans.  
I’ve just heard a song I like by Paul Young called “DON’T DREAM IT’S OVER”.   Do you know it? 
I’m trying to write but believe me it’s hard.  Jonathan is playing with a little friend and they come to talk to me all of the time.   Jonathan just came to ask me to go to his room to see the surprise for my birthday.   Don’t worry this time you didn’t forget it! (My Birthday is January the 3rd!)    They’ve been singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY for me and everything.   They are so funny.
The residence is quiet now.   Things are going better…one two months of work left and then we’re going to start our vacations.
Every time I see a soap-opera on TV I think about you.   I wonder how all these guys have been able to make it.   I can really picture you playing in one of these shows.    I guess it’s just a question of chance (luck)?    My English is really getting terrible.   I hope you can still understand me.   I’ll try to write again really soon…but WRITE ME!   I love your long letters.   When you tell me your feelings and what you do, who you see…everything.   I miss you. I love you, Paloma

And so…I have to ponder my feelings and keep track of what I do in Hawaii next week.   I know Paloma will want to know many of the details.
It was not desire, not that.   It was the cruel sense of unfinished aloneness that needed a silent woman folded in his arms.  Perhaps he could find her.   Perhaps he could even call her out to him:  or find some way in to her.   For the need was imperious.-D.H. Lawrence
Lady Chatterley’s Lover

Influential Creativity

The average man overflows with confidential talk when he is with a woman whose frigidity or sophistication sets his mind at rest. 
-The Pure and the Impure by COLETTE

Paloma did it again by finding an impressive printed in France postcard of a girl lying on the beach.   It could have easily been a photo of her.   I continue to be impressed by your postcard selections.   It must be a combination of French influential creativity and Paloma’s keen Spanish ‘Sanchez-Guerra’ green eyes.   She also sent a card of her seaside town of SETE. She wrote:
Le 31/12/88
Dear Michael,
Here is a picture of me last summer on the beach (I’m sure you recognize me)!   So…please keep your diets for you…some Christmas present!   No, I’m just kidding.   That’s really interesting.   Does it really work?   The problem is I don’t like grapefruit.   We don’t have peanut butter here and I hate cottage cheese.   We don’t have chicken or turkey hot dogs and I don’t know what ‘beets’ are.   Pretty difficult, huh?  

I liked those articles about FRANCE you are sending me.   I didn’t know about that restaurant either.    We did pass by that place many times in 1985.   In fact, I was in Paris until yesterday.   They are still working on the Arc de Triumph.   It’s covered with a huge white, blue and red material.   ….on the SETE postcard she wrote:Dear Michael,
There is a Brazilian kind of music and dance with a very famous song here in France that they play on T.V. all of the time (especially last summer).   It’s been number “1” and in the ‘Top 50’ for many months.   I like that song.   I’m just a little tired of it now.   It’s funny that you’re talking about it because I was going to send it to you.   I was wondering if you had it in the States.   It only takes us a while to get to L.A. and it seems like you drive pretty fast!   I got an $80 ticket coming back from L.A. because I was going too fast!   So what did you do for Halloween?  

I started writing this card a few days ago but I got another one yesterday (…of you going to work—Ha-ha) and another one today (my future house).   So do you have the Lambada dance and music in the States? The year of 1988 comes to an end.   Who knows what 1989 has in store for me?  I have secret wishes of moving to Hawaii or Los Angeles.   I need warmer weather.   I’m excited about my forthcoming trip to Hawaii.   I will be arriving on January 12, 1989.   Maybe I’ll meet someone new.   I’ll be patient.   Whatever will be…will be?

“When you’re stuck in quicksand, the worst thing you can do is struggle.”--Garth Stein, THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN, a novel
 

Lunettes Noires

A child of either sex…has urges to penetrate, devour, and possess, to be cherished, dominated and contained.
--THE PURE AND THE IMPURE
by Colette

December 21, 1988 I wrote Paloma a response card/letter to her last one today.   I found a cool Parisian card of a woman, holding a giant magnet toward the Eiffel Tower.  The magnet made the Eiffel Tower lean towards her in a whimsical, magical way.

I wrote:

Dear Paloma,Sorry about the last tape I sent ‘story’.   I am now listening to the cassette tape of songs you sent me.   I hadn’t listened to it in a while.  I just hear TAI NANA on the radio as I was coming home from the post-office, so I was inspired to play it again.   I like it.   Lunettes Noires (Dark Sunglasses) by Helena Noguerra is a ‘catchy’ one that I really love, too.  Great tunes!

Well, as you probably noticed…your little violin TABU sable arrived.   Here it is.   I hope it didn’t break.  I wrapped it in toilet paper for fear that it may break.   Don’t worry…the toilet paper was un-used. Thanks for the clown postcard.   I loved the other one with the red rose, showing a woman with a teardrop.   I want to draw those when I force myself to make the time.  You send the BEST cards!   And guess what?   I found a telephone number in the yellow pages under COSMETICS-RETAIL, a club known as Collectors Treasures Continental Club.   Don’t get your hopes up because I called them and the telephone number is disconnected, so I’m not sure the perfume sample bottle collection business is thriving.   I am still checking around for you.   In the meantime I will see what I can send you now and then.  


I want to send you the new CHER perfume UNINHIBITED.  I got a sample envelope/advertisement for it.   I threw it away instead of mailing it to you.   Don’t you hate me for that? 

So…how do you like this card?   It’s pretty magnetic isn’t it?   It catches your eye, doesn’t it?   It caught my eye.   I thought of our excursion up there.   You sure were a great tour guide while I was in Paris.   I bet the South of France is A+.   Okay, I am envious.   Don’t you take it for granted because many in the USA are dying to make a mere visit to Southern France. I’ll be in-touch.   This might reach you after you turn ‘30’, so how does it feel?   Ha-ha.   Keep smiling.   Much love to Jonathan!  Best-regards to Alexandre.  Love, Michael J Armijo

December 23, 1988 Mom, my brother (Tony) and his daughter, Leigh, and I all went to my Grandmother’s house to deliver Christmas presents.   It’s that holiday cheer time.   I took a group photo of us, using my Polaroid timer.

December 24, 1988I spent the night at mom’s house for Christmas Eve because mom was babysitting Lauren and Leigh.   I like being around kids for the holidays.   It makes the holiday more fun and festive.   Mom did a major bobby pin routine on Lauren.   It was fun to watch and I managed to get a photo during the process and afterward.
My Polaroid shots at mom’s house tell the activities of Christmas Day.   It was the usual opening of gifts, eating a major meal at lunch and watching a video.   After the video it was desert and more leftovers.   I had my fill and all I could think of was riding my bike all week to get back in-shape again.

December 27, 1988

I received a cool SUNSET at MALIBU BEACH Postcard from John Tuzziano.    When I receive postcards from elsewhere it makes me envious.    John wrote:
MICHAEL,  How are you doing?   Well, I hope if you have some spare time over the holidays…I would like to see you.   Call me and we’ll talk about it.   LOVE, JOHN
I wish to visit and escape to Malibu someday soon.   I am planning to go to Hawaii in January.   It wasn’t easy to find someone to travel with.  I believe I have my dear friend and co-worker, Laverne Butler-Brewer, to accompany me.   She is divorced and has started dating her husband again but she has agreed to fly to Hawaii.   That’ll be fun.   She’ll do her thing and I’ll do my thing—but we’ll go out and hang out here and there sometimes.
By changing my mood, my energy, I allowed her to regard one differently.   And while I cannot say that I am a master of my own destiny, I can say that I have experienced a glimpse of mastery, and I know what I have to work toward.
-Garth Stein,
THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN, a novel

Divine

“Making music together is the best way for two people to become friends.” 
-THE GLASS BEAD GAME,
a novel by Hermann Hesse

December 14, 1988 I received my usual Christmas Card from my Grandma (Mary Genevieve Leyba-Lucero).   She’s so cute the way she includes a twenty-dollar bill.   I’m beginning to feel the holiday season.  Mom is making those holiday M&M cookies that I love so much.

December 18, 1988There were other things going on this month that provided a sweet ‘holiday feel’.   My niece, Ashley, was preparing for her dance recital and she looked so cute in that red “too too” ballet outfit or whatever it’s called.


I took some unforgettable photos of Holly and Ashley in front of mom’s Christmas tree.    I found a funny hat and managed to get Holly and mom to wear it.   I was so happy snapping away with my instantaneous Polaroid camera.   My collection of photos was growing.It was crispy cool outside and mom and I went out with Holly.  I had mom take a photo of me with Holly on my shoulders in central Alameda.   I could hear Holly giggle as she was on top of the world (even if it was only on top of my shoulders).

Mom loves decorating for Christmas.   It was fun in the evening to see her turn on the festive lights.   It made the ‘holiday feeling’ all that much more real for me.   I was simply happy that I was having a divine holiday month.
I received a letter from Paloma a few days later, she included a fantastic 'fashionable' postcard that I really love, too.  She wrote:
Le 20 Decembre, 1988Dear Michael,
I just got your card and your surprise today (at the same time).   That is so great!   I don’t know how to THANK YOU.   I already have some of them.   I have about 800 perfume samples so it’s hard to find samples that I don’t have.   You sent me two new ones (the LIZ CLAIBORNE and the ESTEE LAUDER).   I am so happy I can’t tell you.   Please…if you have the boxes send them, too.   I also collect them.   Thank you for the little silver box.   It’s really pretty.   I put all of my diamonds in it!  
We just got a new cassette recorder.   Once in a while we’re recording videos for you (French ones); this way you’ll see who sings.   We’re going to PARIS on Saturday.   I’ll look around for cards of your favorite kinds of movies.  
On our VCR I saw THREE MEN AND A BABY.  You’ve seen it right?  Do you know it’s a remake of a French movie called TROIS HOMMES ET UN COUFFIN?   And for once—believe it or not—the French one was better.Do you know that some of us also dream of going to California and Hawaii?
PHOTO:  Postcard of "DIVINE", American actor, singer, drag queen (aka Harris Gleen Milstead)
b. Oct. 19, 1945 d. March 7, 1988 

Thank you for the test of the two postcards.   One of these days I’ll send you one, too.   Alexandre did it too.   He said the right one was DIVINE.   I’m asking for a divorce.

I’m not 30 yet, sweetheart…but don’t worry you’ll know how it feels in May.  Ha!
Lisa is writing me all the time now.   She’s had some problems and she might come to visit next summer but I don’t really believe her.
Wait for the 501’s.   I’ll let you know Alexandre’s size pretty soon.   First let me know if you think I can send you money in a letter.   
Who did you celebrate Christmas with?   Too bad Jonathan can’t play with all of your nieces.
Do you know what the MINITEL is?   With this machine we can call someone in New York (if that someone has a computer) for about twenty-cents a minute.   Pretty interesting…isn’t it?   I just read that yesterday in the French COSMO magazine.  I don’t know yet if it would work with California.  Well, write soon.  Happy New Year to you and your family.Love, Paloma

I also sent another Christmas Card to Paloma.   I wrote:
December 1988,  Hi Paloma,
Yes!  It's another Xmas card from your dearest/closest USA friend.

I've enclosed three snaps of acrylic paintings I've done by looking at postcards you've sent me.   It wouldn't have been possible without you!   Do they look familiar?

The shoe didn't come out very clear because the flash reflected off the glass.   I also have a surprise coming for you.   Clue:  they smell good.   I'm still working on the Catherine Deneuve and Gloria Vanderbilt perfume samples.   Much love at Christmastime to you, Jonathan and Alexandre.
Always,
Michael J Armijo


The BEST poems were ones in which the poet’s temperament, his capacity for love, his sincerity, humanitarianism, and deep respectability, found expression.
Our days are precious but we gladly see them going
If in their place we find a thing more precious growing;
A rare, exotic plant, our gardener’s heart delighting;
A child whom we are teaching, a booklet we are writing.
-THE GLASS BEAD GAME,
a novel by Hermann Hesse

 
 

Beauty Sleep

He has a curious habit of looking one straight in the face, as if trying to read one’s thoughts.
-Bram Stoker, DRACULA

December 9, 1988Helen (my sister in law) looked so lovely today.   She was at mom’s house and I didn’t feel I needed to take another photo today because I was so happy with the portraiture of Helen in that silk lavender.

Handwritten letters are special.   One took the time away to therapeutically pick up a pen and ‘think’ about words to write.   I received a letter from LOTTIE recently.   I also received another cool postcard from Paloma and a postcard from Michael G Miller.   Their words remind me of what is going on in their world.  Words formulated depict one’s personality and sheds new light.  I sometimes like reading people from their expressions and body mannerisms; however, words tell me a lot as well.   I had sent Lottie a cassette tape of songs (like I did Paloma).   Something told me she could use some music in her life right now.
Lottie wrote: December 8, 1988

Dearest Michael, I am so thrilled with my tape!   The selections you recorded are absolutely wonderful.   I have it playing this very moment.  You are such a thoughtful person.   Being so together and prepared for Christmas has to be a good feeling.   I tend to be very good at procrastinating.  Oh well!

What are your plans for Christmas?   My family has been putting together some sort of bash.   I will know when the final plans are complete (I guess).   Boo and I are going to cut a Christmas tree this weekend.   I have never got by myself before…a new experience.   I know Boo will love it.   Somehow I will put all things in order and enjoy this season yet.
What do you have planned for the week of January 23-27?   If your schedule is NOT booked, reserve at least one evening of that week to go to dinner with me.   I will be in San Francisco that week for training.   I am not sure exactly where I will be staying yet.   I will definitely keep you posted of all developments.   If this somehow works out where we will actually be able to visit face-to-face…I will either be speechless or start jabbering like a jay bird!   One way or the other you wouldn’t believe how excited I am about it.   I truly hope it works out.   What do you think?
It is my bedtime.  I just wrote you my most important news.   I hope you are excited about it also.   I need all the beauty sleep possible.   Take care of yourself.  Love, Lottie
Paloma wrote a BONNE ANNEE postcard:Agde le 10/12/88: 
JOYEUX NOEL ET BONNE ANNEE 1989

Dear Michael, Thank you for your tape.   I was so happy to get it but you’re never going to believe what happened.   The first day I took it to work.  I tried to listen to it in the car.  After two minutes it broke and just fucked-up our cassette player (I don’t exactly know the name for that machine).    The thing is the tape got stacked inside!   Pretty fun…huh?   Thank you so much, Michael.  Next time just send me a COKE with poison, a bomb or something like that!  Still…I’ve got to tell you the rest of the story.   Alexandre took the machine at home and fixed it after two hours.

REMEMBER…You’re going to be ‘30’…5 months left!
Michael G Miller’s postcard depicted the ALL NEW AUDI 1990 and was simply a welcomed Holiday greeting.   Michael simply wrote: Merry Christmas 1988.  Welcome to the nineties!
It’s the season to be jolly, so be merry this Christmas and take care along the way to ’89.   I hope you enjoy the holidays. 
Peace Michael.   Happy New Year 1989 also.
“Your problem is the need to believe in someone or something!”-actress Deborah Kerr (as Hanna Jelkes) to Actor Richard Burton
in the 1964 film, THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA

 

It's Difficult Not Knowing

“Don’t you ever get the feeling that all your LIFE is going by and you’re NOT taking advantage of it?”
-Chapter 2 of THE SUN ALSO RISES
by Ernest Hemingway

November 29, 1988

I’m still ‘marching on’ with the ELITE MODELING classes in San Francisco after my regular Pacific Bell workday.   A splash of water on one’s face helps to erase the 8:30-5pm stretch at Pac Bell.   I found a few photos that I’d taken of myself for potential modeling consideration which actually got me accepted at the ELITE MODEL CENTER.   I laughed at my choices versus the professional shots that were recently done.   Who is to say which a better photo is?   I wonder.

I received another classic postcard dated November 26, 1988 from Paloma.    I loved the postcard.   It depicted a woman who was happy, perhaps scorned and feeling empty.   The red lips, red colored fingernails and red rose made the image pop—but the tear running down one of her eyes could not be ignored.  Paloma wrote:

le 26/11/88
Hello Michael,
It is YOUR TURN to write me!  I’m not writing this card with no reason—I need your help, see I read the American Cosmo and I found this coupon, and I guess you understand I want it.   This sample is a very rare one over here.  I WANT IT!  I’m sure they won’t send it to France, so that’s why I need you.   Could you please fill in the coupon with your name and address, send it and then just send me the sample once you get it.   THANK YOU – THANK YOU.

I’m sending you some money for the dollar they’re asking of you but I want to send this letter really fast and I don’t have American money, banks are closed today (Saturday).   So here is some French money, I hope you can change it, if no…I’ll send you some American money later.   This way we’ll also find out if you get the money. There is something else I want to ask you.   This offer is limited to one per customer.  Do you think if I get another coupon you could also do it with another home (like have it sent at your mom’s address or anywhere else)?   I’m not sure I’ll be able to get another one though.   This was in the October Cosmo.   We’ll see…

Besides that, how are you?   I am waiting for your letter!   That’s why I’m sending you this card.   It’s just the way I feel. Pretty soon you won’t believe your eyes.   Remember I told you I’m working again.   Well, in fact, I’m back in school (a special school) where they pay me.   That’s why I call it work.   I’m learning about office automation (I think that’s the right way to say it in English).   Pretty soon you won’t even be able to tell if I’m French.  I hope you didn’t think it was going to take years.   It’s fun.   Well, I’ll write again soon.   I want to send this letter really fast.   So I hope to read you soon.

Thank you for the perfume sample.  Love, Paloma And so…I laughed at her line “It’s just the way I feel.”   Somehow I can’t believe she’s shedding a tear because she hasn’t received a recent letter from me.   I took care of that today using a cool card of a Merry-Go-Round horse that made me think of our Santa Cruz amusement park day:

November 29, 1988
Dear Paloma,
Your tastes in postcards are provocative (as usual)!   If I had my way you’d be a major designer of some sort.   It’s a shame our talents go so un-noticed…but one day…who knows?

I meant to get some Polaroid film because I wanted to snap shots of ‘3’ paintings I’ve done—that I know you’ll recognize.  Next time… …for now, I want to send this new and improved tape (compared to the last one I sent) of my favorite tunes.  I think you’ll love many of them.   They are all very, very much my favorite tunes.   Enjoy.

It’s difficult NOT knowing my biological daughter who is out there somewhere…but alas my four nieces must be somewhat comparable.  They’re dolls.   And besides…one day I’ll probably have my own…maybe in the 90s?   It’s not easy finding and/or running into the “one” you want to spend the rest of your days with and have kids.   We’ll see. I asked a perfume sales girl at I. MAGNIN in San Francisco about samples you mentioned but she knew of no clubs.   I won’t give up.  Have you heard about CHER’s new perfume called UNINHIBITED?   She was at MACY’s in San Francisco on 11-25-88 to promote the perfume.   I’ll check around next time I run around that department.   I’ll probably be around there with Christmas around the corner.   Time sure does fly.   And yes…on 10-31-88 I thought of you.   I went to the I-BEAM with my friend ‘Jim from the Gym’ and his girlfriend, Chris, to see MINISTRY (the group that sings EVERY NIGHT IS HALLOWEEN.   All of their other songs were horrible.   I didn’t have a very good time…but seeing costumes was fun.   I didn’t even dress up because Jim and Jena didn’t.   OH CORRECTION…Chris didn’t go with us.  Jena, this girl Jim knows from Denver was visiting and she went with us.   She wasn’t my type though.  Yuck…and Jim thought I’d like her.   She is a reformed alcoholic, long blond hair (bleached probably)…to much make-up used to hide her zits.  Okay body…but she was ‘just ok’, I guess.

I am still taking classes at ELITE MODEL CENTER.   I took my B&W headshots and I had a color shoot last Saturday.   I wore my brown leather jacket I bought in Paris (remember that?).   I’ve kept it in good condition.   Next Saturday, December 3rd, will be my tenth week at ELITE MODEL CENTER.   I will then be on the Centers’ Placement list and may go out to test for actual work and begin a portfolio ‘as they call it’.   ELITE CENTER is NOT an agency but they provide placement service for the models.   Once a year (usually August) a major event occurs where agents come from LA, NY, PARIS, MILAN, TOKYO, etc. to check-out everybody.   So in August 1989 of next year I will be there for this grand fashion show and possibly be selected by an agent or two (if all goes well).   Then I’ll be off to PARIS.  Ha-ha…nice try.   I haven’t got any photos yet but I do plan to order some.   I will send you some. I’m sick of my day job, so I won’t discuss it.   I’ve been at it for two years now and while there have been many changes I am sick of the whole PAC BELL organization.  Again, upon ten years (12-8-89) I may decide to dump them.   There’s more to life than stretching 30 or 40 years in once company.   I don’t want to be included in that statistic.

…Let’s see…what else is going on.   I met a gal named Christine last Wednesday night.   She goes to UC DAVIS though.  She’s part German, Irish and Chinese…interesting combo!   I met her at CITY NIGHTS, the old ECHO BEACH club in San Francisco.   Oh well…show Jonathan the Merry-Go-Round horse.   I thought he’d like it. Later Love,  Michael J Armijo

“LIFE is not always what we think it will be.”“It’s NOT over.”-as heard while watching the 2009 film starring Jared Leto called MR. NOBODY
 
 

Attentive and Watchful

Memory is time folding back on itself.   To remember is to disengage from the present.
-The Art of Racing in the Rain,
a novel by Garth Stein

November 23, 1988

That autumn feeling with Thanksgiving around the corner is a relaxed time.  Ashley is the ultimate dancing queen these days, so I’m having fun shooting her in her leg warmers and diverse dancing gear.   I actually allowed her to use my camera to take a stellar portrait photo of me on this day.  I think she did rather well.PHOTO:  Portrait of ‘Michael J Armijo’
taken by 4-year old Ashley Armijo

Mom was babysitting Leigh on this afternoon, so I was able to observe her gorgeous eyes.  She’s very ‘into’ her Cabbage Patch babies.  Leigh doesn’t say much right now but she is very attentive and watchful.  She’s always looking and listening.
Sometimes I wonder what she is actually thinking.

 Thanksgiving Day 1988 As usual, it was a festive gathering at Mom’s house today.  This would be our second Thanksgiving without my Dad being there.  The holiday is special for mom.   We all get together and mom loves to do Thanksgiving lunch versus dinner, so we can have leftovers for dinner and she doesn’t have tons of kitchen dishwashing and cleaning to do after dinnertime.   It all works out nicely.   It’s fun to watch the MACY’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York, too.   I look for the floats that catch my eye like CHIP N’ DALE, the fun DISNEY characters or that element of surprise.

I took a few Polaroid shots throughout the day, including my brother, John, sneaking in some bites before we were all seated at the table.   I can’t blame him.   We were all hyped-up to eat, stomachs growling. I also took my traditional Group Photo for Thanksgiving.   I took a number of them. Including a few where I wasn’t fast enough to be included in the photo.   Oh well…I managed to get into two of the photos of which ‘one of those’ will be the ultimate Group Photo for Thanksgiving 1988.

At dinner I shared my excitement about seeing two new films next month:  TEQUILA SUNRISE starring Mel Gibson and Michelle Pfeiffer and TWINS starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. The very act of writing something down, or putting it on a screen, can help us work out what it is we’re trying to say.   Authors sometimes make hundreds of drafts before they’re happy that what they’ve written is what they want to say.  This especially happens in literature.  One of the reasons is that words don’t just express meanings; they express feelings too. --David Crystal, A LITTLE BOOK OF LANGUAGE
(a book I randomly found on a ledge of a building on a quiet street in Paris, France)

   
   

Chemistry: Ann-Margret

“Ever since I was four years old I loved making people smile, making them think, making them feel good, feel some kind of emotion.”
-Ann-Margret

November 21, 1988What is it about the Swedish-American actress, Ann-Margret, which has always captured me?  
I think I know.   As a kid I saw her and Elvis Presley in the 1964 film VIVA LAS VEGAS.  The chemistry from the two of them was electrifying to me.   I just loved it.  The simple scene of Elvis singing the song THE LADY LOVES ME intrigued me:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5RndvsoXGY

In any case I’ve seen her on-stage back in 1983.  Here I am going to see her again in 1988 in San Francisco.   She’s still got it.   Her legs are amazing.  She can really dance.  I adore her red hair.  I love her style.

“I’ve always tried to do my very BEST, and I want to be the very best age, no matter what age I am.” -Ann-Margret