Another Thing To Do

“Look, you’ve got to grow up.  And you've got to get yourself back on track."–Kazuo Ishiguro,  NEVER LET ME GO
I had forgotten this cute Polaroid photo that my sister-in-law, Sherri, had sent to me of my newest niece, Ally Elizabeth.  She is two months old here (May 23, 1990).  It looks like she has one tooth already.  What a cutie pie in her punk rock hair style…PHOTO:  Ally Elizabeth Armijo A couple of days after my Birthday I was surprised to find a typewritten floral card/letter from Pat Crowley.  She was the teacher in San Francisco that I worked for in the THINK/WRITE Program.  I inspired her 4th and 5thgraders to write.  The memories of that are all so good.  She wrote these words which inspired me:
May 27, 1990Dear Michael,Just a short note to say, “Hi.”  My students gave me your new address in L.A.  I was quite surprised to learn that you had left the Bay Area.Are you with AT&T?  I hope the earthquakes last year didn’t frighten you away from this part of California.

I have been involved with the THINK/WRITE project for the school year 1989-1990.  I was teamed with a Computer Technology writer for Bank of America.  We have had a positive collaboration, just as we did when we worked together.  Our publication is finished and the San Francisco Education Fund had a party where each team was presented to the audience and selected students from each partnership read some of the stories written during the project.  It was held at KPIX, Channel 5 studios.  It was a very nice affair.
I also have been involved with another teacher, Dr. Michael Meehan, in directing a school team ARTS Grant.  Visual Art was integrated in six teachers’ classrooms, including my own, with the core curriculum.  It has been an exciting experience.  We culminated the project with an in school exhibit.  It looks fantastic, if I do say so myself.  Everyone worked hard and learned much from the experience.
Summer vacation is almost upon me.  I cannot believe how quickly the school year has gone by.  I’m thinking about taking flying lessons this summer.  I have always wanted to do it.  It involves ten hours of class time and forty hours of flight experience. It has always been a dream of mine.  I also plan to go east the beginning of August to visit my brother and his family in D.C.  I’ll probably meet them in Sebago Lake, Maine where my sister-in-law’s family has a summer chalet on the lake.  It is a beautiful place, in a forest, facing the lake.  It’s a magnificent place, off the beaten track…great natural beauty and plenty of peace and quiet.Let me know what you are doing, if you have time to write.Fondly, Pat Crowley It was the last day of May and I took time to send mom a special, handmade postcard.  After I finished writing it I realized that I am still searching (for what...even I don not know).  I'm not sure where I'm going but I am excited about where it will lead.  I intend on giving my best efforts.
5-31-90Hi Mom,This week has been so nice, resting and painting and NOT going to the ‘rat hole’.  I may be going to visit HEARST CASTLE in San Simeon this weekend (June 1-3)…to be announced.I know this is a boring card but I have a really good one coming for you from the movie DICK TRACY which opens on June 15th I think.  I’m really excited about when you and John and the girls come to visit.  I know I keep saying that but I am.
When I return from Europe on July 23rd I’ll probably arrange a weekend trip to Alameda in August.  I guess I have to have the post-office hold my mail from July 5-23rd.   It gives me another thing to do.What else do you want to do when you come to L.A.?  Disneyland, Universal Studios…?  Let me know if I can’t think of anything.  Later.Love You, Michael

I had two large postcards that I handmade and I wanted to send them to Paloma, so today was as good a day as any.  One card was a profile of a guy wearing 501 Levi jeans.  I saw the guy as ‘me’.  I hope Paloma will detect that.  I especially liked how he looked in his jeans.  If only I looked that good in mine.  I guess I do on certain days.  It’s a cool Black and White clipping I found in a magazine.  I know how Paloma always says, “Levi 501 jeans are the best pants that were ever invented.”   And so, I’m sure she will enjoy receiving that card.   The other card was a sign in French that to “Respect the Cyclists” (Respectez Les Cyclistes), so I had to send her that one too!  I find it cool that I was able to translate that all by myself.  I’m sure Paloma will not give me much credit.  Oh well…it’s not easy to impress her.  Perhaps that’s one thing that I adore about her.
On the card with the male model with the jeans I wrote:May 31, 1990, Los Angeles, CA, 90069
Hi Paloma:There’s a new Arnold Schwarzenegger movie coming out next weekend called TOTAL RECALL.  It cost $60 million dollars to make!  Isn’t that crazy?   Oh well…it will probably make about that much—if not more—at the box office. It’s nice to hear you and Alexandre are doing pretty well.  I can’t wait to meet him and Jonathan.I saw the new Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn movie last weekend (BIRD ON A WIRE).  It was pretty good.  Goldie is pretty funny. I’m on vacation this week (my Birthday week).  I’ve just been resting.  I did some painting of which I haven’t done much of lately.  I was going to go home (to Alameda) but John, Ashley, and Holly are coming next month to visit with my mom around June 22nd—26th.  We will hit DISNEYLAND and that sort of thing.I went through a lot of the old postcards you’ve sent me of France, Montpellier and Agde, etc. to get a preview of the beauty I will be revisiting and/or seeing for the first time.I remember how you like 501 LEVI’s and I thought you’d like this picture.  I hope it doesn’t get too mangled by the time it reaches France.  See You Soon!   Love, Michael!
On the other postcard of the “Respect the Cyclists” sign I wrote the following:May 31, 1990HI Paloma, Thanks for the Birthday card.  You’re such a “sweetie”.  And, of course, I remember your birthday.  It’s January 2ndor 6th and we both know it’s too close after Christmas, so it shouldn’t be celebrated.  Ha-ha.I saw this picture and loved it.  I do believe the cyclists should be respected.  I went bike riding last Saturday (my Birthday) through several beaches.  I also ate at a really nice restaurant in L.A. called MICHAEL’S.July 4this right around the corner.  I am so excited about seeing you.  We may not hit MILAN or GENEVA and just focus on PARIS, South of France and BARCELONA.  We’ll see.  I’ll probably call you on 7-6 or 7-7.  I’m going to bring my camera and take pictures of Jonathan.  I can’t wait to see the little rascal.  Oh boy…Pain du Chocolat…one of my favorite pastries…soon!
Love, Michael
Alan and I do plan on the escape to San Simeon.  The town of Cambria is supposed to be beautiful and the history of the HEARST CASTLE is extraordinary (so I hear).  We will visit this beautiful place over the following weekend.  I’m excited.Alan secretly send a postcard to me a day or so later, using a postcard from THE ART HEART, a Gallery in Los Angeles and he forged the name of the artist, Rudi Fisher. 6-1-90Michael,Please come to my next show.  I know you’re busy this week but call me for a private showing one day this week.  I’ll be I San Simeon on June 7, 8, 9 and Seattle on July 19, 20; Hawaii August 3-5th and Northern California from July 4th-7th.   Rudi Fischer
Michael G Miller remembered my Birthday…after all: 6/3/90Michael J Armijo,Happy Birthday 1990.  Hope this one was memorable! (?)   This was probably the first Birthday you ever spent in Southern Cal…if you were in fact there.  Well, maybe I’ll see you for your Birthday next year…The second one of the 90’s.  Take care.  Best Wishes and I’ll see you on the 22nd of June.Friends Always,Michael G Miller
My mother tells me stories about animals that stray from the nest, are exposed to danger, and in the end, after many adventures, return to the security of the nest.  The theme of the safe haven and of the dangers that lurk outside still appeal to me.--Adolfo B Cesares