The World Lost John Lennon

We've got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can't just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it's going to get on by itself. You've got to keep watering it. You've got to really look after it and nurture it.--John Lennon
Alan and I were on a roll with going ‘to the movies’.   This time we were entranced by Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer in THE RUSSIA HOUSE, an American spy film based on a book by John le Carre.   We like films that are thrillers with a suspenseful edge.   Alan and I always seem to find something NEW to look forward to…we keep the thrill going.   It’s our secret.
Barbara Reynolds offers suggestions from her movie-going in Berkeley sometimes.   She wrote recently, sending me a cool, snow scene of the infamous DAKOTA Building in New York City (where John Lennon, the singer/songwriter who co-founded THE BEATLES, was fatally killed on December 8, 1980).  Imagine.
14 Dec, 1990Dear Michael,I’m finally able to party with this card…now “10” years since the world lost JOHN LENNON. 
You’ve been so on top of it all.   Thanks…I just seem to get dizzy with these changes.The Small Business Office split-up as of today, some moved to Walnut Creek and some to 2150 Webster Street in Oakland while others stayed at 370 Third Street in San Francisco.  I will miss Jennifer Peterson A LOT.   We had lunch together yesterday at this yummy ‘newish’ restaurant next to work.
Tomorrow I make my second trip to the KPFA Crafts Fair on campus with Alice Cofield.   Also, I will get to finally meet Sierra (born 16, September 1990).  She was adopted by my friends Howard and Nancy.
In a few days I’ll move my desk to a quite spot near the window and with the New Year we will have a new second level manager: Sherry Davis.
What will you be up to for Christmas?
I think about walking to a movie. 
I have a few gifts to wrap and several cards to send.  I gave Bobbie Renbarger your address and telephone number.  She is going to Walnut Creek.  I hope you are well.With Love, Barbara Alan and I went to see MERMAIDS in Santa Monica.  It was a cute comedy starring CHER with two daughters played by Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci.   I liked how the film was narrated by a teenage girl (Winona) living in Oklahoma, telling the story of her very eccentric mother who she referred to as Mrs. Flax.
I loved the funny Christmas cards I receive.   This time it was from the very funny, Mitch Schwartz, my former co-worker at PAC BELL in San Francisco.  He sent chummy Santa scenes and included a caricature clipping of MADONNA that I loved.  Mitch loves MADONNA (and dancing to her music).  The other clipping is what made me laugh: “One more fuckin’ message and I’ll SCREAM.”   
If one ever worked at PAC BELL you’d understand that one.  You can be receiving call after call and then other reps come over to your desk, giving you messages from customers that you need to call back.   Grrr!!!  This made me realize that things are still ‘more of the same’ back at PAC BELL in San Francisco.   Luckily, Mitch has a very good sense of humor.
A few days later I was updated with more gossip about my former office in San Francisco from another former coworker, Reed Campbell.  He took the time to type a one-page letter using stationary from THE GRAND HOTEL in Washington D.C. where he had vacationed recently.   Reed wrote:
Dear Michael,…just a few lines to say HELLO and to wish you a very Merry Christmas.  I know you received my card already and I yours.   Thank you very much.   This has been a very busy season as I have been working at MACY’s again this Xmas since before Thanksgiving.  Christmas Eve will be my last day.  I am looking forward to it.  The shoppers have been on the frantic side and management is quite different from last year.   A young lady (about 23 years old) has taken over the MEN’s Accessories (where I work) and is a hyper type, so full of whim and vigor it tires me out just to talk to her.   I guess I want too much of management, having been in that position a number of times. 
I did stop by the old PAC BELL-ACO office and saw Mitch and a few others.  I took in some fudge to pave the way.  I stopped in to see Nicki Bovee but she was out ill with a bad back.   She should be back by now as Bob Cunningham took the candy I brought for her.   I will try to stop in one day this week and say the holiday greetings to all.  I got to see Glenda Novello in TEL SALES at Marathon Plaza.   She likes it a lot and is making money.   Janice is there also, still loud and “talky” as ever. 

We have my in-laws arriving the 20th for 10 days and it looks very busy during that time.   Deanna has all sorts of plans and I only hope that the weather stays nice so that she can do what she wants. Do you plan to be in the BAY AREA over the Holidays?  I’d like to get together for a drink or lunch if you are here and have the time.  My phone number is 415-386-6996, so if you can manage it give me a jingle.  I can imagine that I you get here you will be swamped with family though.   I will understand if you can’t get free.  Well, I have to get ready to go to work.  The evening shift from 2:30PM to 11PM is mine (but only four days a week).   It’s enough.   Take care of yourself and stay the same nice guy you are.Best Always,ReedP.S. Everyone loved the BART SIMPSON fax you sent. 
And besides my busy times at INTER/MEDIA and Graphic Design School I was happy to have my entertaining time of movies and dinners with Alan.   I also enjoy finding a card in my mailbox to make me smile.  I just received another from Dorothy Rua who didn’t seem to get the memo that I’d be staying in Los Angeles over the holidays.  Dorothy wrote:
12-17-90Happy Holidays MICHAEL JOE ARMIJO!Warm Wishes to a COOL GUY from a HOT CHICK on a cold day, Merry Christmas.
I LOVE the card you sent me!  It’s PERFECT…and I see myself in the brunette singer…fish net stockings and all!   I just got off of the phone with you and detected a bit of unhappiness in your voice.  Am I wrong?  I hope it’s just the job and nothing more.  I’ll have to think of something to cheer you up!
Though I’ve never met ALAN, it must be great to have his options…house searching in Malibu…it’s beyond me.   Doesn’t it make you nuts sometimes?   On the other hand, it can be fun to be around a person with a different (or should I say, a different level) of choices.  Maybe one day I’ll get to meet him.  I hope so!  Better yet, maybe one day I’ll get to see MICHAEL JOE ARMIJO again!   1990 didn’t allow for a trip to West Hollywood… maybe 1991 will bring me your way.  I never say NEVER.

Being home with your family should be fun at Christmas.  Do have a super time!  And find some great action for New Year’s Eve.  I don’t need to know her name. Ha-ha.  Thinking of you…Love, Dorothy …and only HAPPINESS for the New Year!
Imagine all the people living life in peace.  You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one. -John Lennon