I Was Only Ten Years Old

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