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