Here And There

Perhaps we were friends first and lovers second.  But then perhaps this is what lovers are.--CALL ME BY YOUR NAME By Andre Aciman
Wow…Birda is trucking all over the country.   She sent me the coolest durable quality hardwood postcard during a vacation break.  I had never seen such a “wood” card.  It’s from Brookings, Oregon (somewhere I’ve never heard of).  She’s always going ‘here and there’.  Birda wrote: 10-19-90Michael,I can’t believe I’m finally having a real vacation.  I went to OREGON to visit my sister.No alarm clocks…but I can’t get used to sleeping-in.  The only thing I really miss is my bike. I hope all is well.   Write again soon.Loved your picture.Love, Birda
I also received a card from the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco from Dusty Nipper.  I have never visited these gardens.  It was nice to hear from her.   She doesn’t write very often.  I was in envy over her upcoming concert. 

10-18-90Dear Michael,Have you ever been to the JAPANESE GARDENS in Golden Gate Park?    I think I may have seen it but I never actually walked through it.  You missed a WHOPPER of a Birthday Party.   Everyone had a wonderful time!Last Saturday I went to the Scottish Highland Games.  It was a lot of fun and I bought two shirts.
Tomorrow I am going to see BILLY IDOL in-concert!   I’m really excited about it.I, too, have a new job!   I am working at HOLIDAY VIDEO.   The money is no good but some money is better than none.   Maybe we can “hook up” when you come up!Thinking of You, Dusty
Alan and I met on November 20th, 1989, so when the 20th of ANY MONTH comes along we refer to it as our anniversary DAY.   He mailed me a postcard dated October 20thand I gave him a hard time about it.   The photo card depicted President and Mrs. George Bush.   On January 20th, 1989 George Bush took his Oath of Office and became the 41st President of the United States.   I wasn’t so thrilled with the card.  I said, “You have to make-up for THAT card!”Alan wrote:
10-20-90Michael,It was eleven months ago today.   There’s one more month to go.  Think MICKEY’s.George and Barbara look happy.   We saw their home.   What a house and a view.  I want it.Love, The Bushes
October 21, 1990On this special weekend we flew to San Francisco.   Alan and I stopped at my mom’s house and we stayed at a hotel in San Francisco.   I showed him around Alameda (my hometown).   I loved sitting out on the green on Harbor Bay Isle, looking at THE CITY views with him.   That was relaxing to just sit there on the green public lawn.


I drove in to San Francisco.   Alan kept saying, “This is your area, you drive.” “Oh great,” I said, “You know it’s changed since I’ve been here.   It’s almost a year since I left.”

We stumbled on a Fashion Show at MACY’s.   That was cool to see.  I photographed one of the models.  I wished I could have been dressed-up, walking with (or after) her.   Oh well…it was fun to watch.Alan said, “I could never drive here with these crazy hills.”I laughed, “I’m sure you could do it.” “No way.”


I took him to Union Street and we walked around there.   We also walked around Union Square.   Alan took a few pictures of me ‘here and there’.The next day I took him to Ocean Beach where I took some photos of him ‘here and there’.   Of course he took one of me there also.We ventured over to the HELL’S KITCHEN vicinity.  I called it HAIGHT –ASHBURY.Alan said, “You know, there’s a HELL’S KITCHEN area in New York City, too.”
“Really?”“Yep.”We walked by an East African Restaurant, “I wonder what the food is like in there.”
We never did try the place.We found another local park and Alan photographed me ‘in deep thought’.   The question is:   ‘what was I thinking’?


“The next time we come to the Bay Area we have to visit Wine Country,” I remarked.Alan was all for it, “Okay, how about next month?”I smiled.  He doesn’t like to waste any time.  I like that about him.   Why wait?
“You must feel at times that everyone has something to say and no one knows how to say it.”--BEL CANTO, a novel by Ann Patchett