Everyone Has More Than One Side To Them

He had not changed much, perhaps he was a little gayer than before—that could also be the excitement; friendly to everyone, he had always been that, and at the same time a bit absent, he still had that about him. –Maria Dermout, THE TEN THOUSAND THINGS





My latest Paloma Letter dated June 27, 1990

June 27, 1990Dear Paloma,I understand how it must be with all of your visitors.  It’s ok that you haven’t written lately.  I, too, think about you all of the time.  I made this card for you a long time ago.  Dove is English for “Paloma”.  No kidding.  I know you know that.
And check this out:  La Paloma Collection, 131 W La Cienega Bl…..659-6364A posh women’s retail and fashion accessory place that you should own here in Los Angeles. Ha-ha.  You are the fashionable queen in my book.
July 4th is only days away and I simply can’t wait.  I’ll probably be in PARIS for a few days.  When I arrive in PARIS I’ll call you and then maybe I can visit your mom or take a picture of her for you.  Would you like that?    Does she still work at the Spanish Consulate office?   We’ll discuss it when I call you in PARIS.  My friend, Alan, and I still plant to rent a car in PARIS and then drive to Barcelona and then hit MONTPELLIER and your area.I know how it is to have visitors.  It can be tiring.  I just had my mom, brother John, sis-in-law, and the girls (Ashley age 6 and Holly age 2 and Ally age 3 months) over here last weekend.  They just left this morning and it’s a relief because Holly, the 2-year old is a TERROR!   We hit Disneyland on Monday and I played a good tour guide.  And now this weekend an ex-girlfriend (Eileen Grabinsky of Burlingame, CA) may be coming with a girlfriend (or alone) to visit on 6/30 or 7/1.   Then, Jim and his girlfriend, Chris, are going to a wedding in San Diego on 6/30 and will be coming to see me on 7/1 and 7/2.  I do have 7/3 as a day off so I can recover.  Then on 7/4 I fly to PARIS.  How exciting!Your hands sure have been busy with friends and relatives visiting (and work).   Don’t feel like you have to be a tour guide for m—but I would like to treat you out for a nice lunch at some café and/or dinner one night.   Like I mentioned…I am playing it all by ear and the main thing is for me to see you.  It will be neat to meet Jonathan (and Alexandre, too).  Oh yeah…by the way, I understand the TOUR DE FRANCE will be taking place while I am there.  Could you find out where they start and where they’ll be so I can hopefully one day take a few pictures from the side lines.  I’d love to witness a portion of the race.They opened a restaurant here in Santa Monica by the beach called I CUGINI.  They give his card along with the check.  I thought the place to be very European and modern (ahead of the times).  I though you’d like to see the card.
I made this bike card, too.  I should be in better shape for biking but I’ll have to eat good while I am in FRANCE.  So I will splurge. Tomorrow is June 28th so I guess Alison, Lisa and Michael Walsh will be knocking at your door soon.  It will be awkward to see Alison and Lisa all grown-up this time.  I’m sure you’re excited.
I’m now checking into a possible job as a Road Rep in the Fashion Industry.  I’d like to get involved with selling someone’s designer men’s fashions.  In L.A. they’re pretty fashion conscious, so we’ll see.  I also had an interview last week with a competitor Yellow Pages publisher as an outside sales rep, so that may be a possibility, too.  Time will tell.  I’ve just got to get out of PAC BELL DIRECTORY because the corporate politics are suffocating me.  And speaking of work, I am at work right now and I’m going to have to put this letter to a close soon.Then I may take a walk in this head and drop this off at the local post-office so it will reach you before I arrive.  Ha-ha.My friend, Alan, is excited about the trip, too.  He’s anxious to drive through from PARIS to SPAIN.  It’s going to be tough considering the car we are renting is a stick shift and I really don’t know how to drive one very well.  Yikes!  Alan has been to Europe before with his wife (I think), so it’s his second trip.I hope all is well with you.  I’ll see you in a week or two—give or take.All My Love,Michael J Armijo

June 29, 1990Dear Mom,I had a great time while you were here.  Before I blink an eye it will be July 4th and “Shazaam”…you know what.  It’s getting exciting.I just mailed Ashley a card that is colorfully similar to this one. And WOW…September 1st-3rd you will be here in Los Angeles again.  I will take you to Santa Monica again and we will venture into some other unexplored territory.Send my regards to Tony, John, Helen, Sherri, Grandma and “all of the girls” (and any other family members you get in touch with).Miss You, LOVE, Michael Joe Armijo
I had written to Lottie, telling her of my plans to go to New York (forgot to mention the Europe part—but I shall surprise her via a postcard).  She wrote me back quickly and included a photograph with one of her unique expressions.
Alan took a photo of me with my CLARK KENT eyeglasses while I was at his place in Santa Monica.
July 1, 1990Michael,New York!  It must be marvelous!  We are not in SANTA LAND.  Our mailing address is North Pole, Alaska!   And I (we) will be here until August, and then back to the lower ‘48’.   The address in Yreka is still valid.  Just in case you want to address a card to AK, the following is current:  P.O. Box 56608, North Pole, Alaska 99705-1608.
Alaska is so different…17 ½ hours of daylight takes getting used to (not to mention a moose at my front door…which can be frightening).Michael plans to move to JOSHUA TREE for the winter.   We plan to visit you in L.A. this winter.  Are you ready?Reida is such a doll.  I have film being developed with pictures to follow for you. I think of you often and hope to hear from you soon.  Say hello to Michael Thoennes….all of you MICHAEL’s!  Always, Lottie
P.S. Notice this card…Alaska Golf card theme. 
I was flabbergasted with excitement when I checked my mailbox and found this card from Dorothy Rua.  She sent me this image of a French bike rider with his son in the back and fresh baguettes.  Unbeknownst to her I have a framed poster of the same image.  She knows me.  Wow!  Dorothy wrote:
7-1-90Hi Michael!What wonderful cards you sent.  The yawning football player is SO appropriate.  It’s life at a collections desk.   The art sculpture is interesting.  I wonder what they pay those guys.  It probably takes so long to get the job done.   The position is handed down from generation to generation.  How nice of you to think of me at I CUGINI Restaurant in Santa Monica.  The sketch on the card is great (a lot of detail).  I look forward to the time I will get to share all of these wonderful places with you.  I wonder if I will ever have enough time to see everything and every place you tell me about!  I especially want to feel the sand between my toes on that private Malibu beach you told me you run on during Tuesday evenings!
Sounds like you wish you had a couple of two year olds hanging around your place on a regular basis.  Ha-ha.  You’re right...  I am lucky my kids are older.  I remember the “terrible twos” like they were yesterday.  Kids start resembling humans when they’re about 4 years old.  Thank goodness most continue to improve with age…like good wine!
By the time you get this car you should be alone with all of your house guests gone and your suitcase packed!  I can’t blame you for being excited about your trip.  It’s so wonderful to just think about.  And in no time you’ll be on that plane.  You know and I know that you’re going to have an absolutely GREAT time, so treasure each moment…even the planning.  I’ll look forward to those super cards!
I’m still at PAC TEL.  You’re right.  One can develop atrophy of the brain at that collections job (especially if you don’t make sure you have other things in your life to keep you stimulated).  About a week after I started there, PAC TEL had a company picnic at HEATH FARMS in Walnut Creek (walking distance to my home) and everyone seemed surprised that I didn’t go.  It was a reaction that surprised me since I am a temporary employee and not anxious to get into the thick of things.  Then a few days later there was a ‘going away’ bash for a sales guy named Harry (at the new CHILE’S in Walnut Creek).   Once again I was asked why I didn’t show up.  I’d never even met Harry!   Actually, the office atmosphere is pretty nice and everyone is friendly and helpful, so yesterday I broke down and joined a group from the office for an evening (until 1:30AM) at TR’s in Concord (ugh—Concord!).  We went to listen to a fellow temp from PacTel sing and play guitar with his 6-piece band.  They turned out to be GREAT (Rock and Roll music with a sax, too).   There was a little bit of jazz mixed in.  And Henry, the temp, had some “interesting words” to some of his songs   I was very surprised to see the department manager, Mike, show up.  He seems so straight but I guess everyone has more than one side to them…
Anyway, I’ll let you know where I am at when you get back.  Who knows?  I may still be “vegged out” in PAC TEL Collections!
I do wish you a happy BON VOYAGE and think this bicycle card down a French country road says it all! Love, DorothyImprinted inside the card were these words:  WHEN TRAVELING ALWAYS REMEMBER TO TAKE A LITTLE EXTRA BREAD.
Those written words about how “everyone has more than one side to them” struck me.  I could so identify.  I haven’t mentioned my man-to-man relationship with Alan to Dorothy.  She thinks we are just friends.  Could she possibly suspect there is something more?   I wouldn’t have a problem sharing the news with her ‘in due time’. 
Alan photographed me again wearing his pink shorts while on his balcony at SEA COLONY in Santa Monica, CA.  We were very excited about our forthcoming European vacation. 
The meeting with Alan’s mother, Gloria, turned out very cordial.  She has a very distinct voice that reminded me of one of my grandmother’s sisters (Pina Leyba).  Gloria was very inquisitive.  She asked about where I grew up in Northern California.  Gloria made me laugh when she said, “You’re a pleasure seeker.”I laughed because I could tell she was the same way. Alan and I ate with her at the CHEESECAKE FACTORY in Marina Del Rey.  It was just as good as any.  The food was good.   A few days later I was happy to receive this card from her as she knew we were leaving for Europe soon.
7/3/90Hi Guys,Have a wonderful time!  Do everything you want to.  Happy globe-trotting!  Don’t have any regrets after the trip is over.  Miss you…please write at least one card.With Love Always,MOMMIE
LOVE had to be sipped slowly, cautiously. -Jose Luis De Vilallonga, 
THE PLEASURE SEEKER