I Need A Hideaway

The Chinese believed it was beneficial to live on a mountain overlooking water, for it is there that lives THE DRAGON, and both DRAGON and WATER mean wealth.--Paul Huljich,BETRAYAL of Love and Freedom, a novel
Alan lives near the water and he is born in the Year of the Dragon.  This must be a good thing.  I do love the sea air.  I feel a cleansing when I run by the shoreline.
Dorothy sent a card that I truly loved that depicted a bit of the sea.  She knew I would love this card.  There was a waiter, looking out at the sea from some posh resort known as the REID’s HOTEL on the island of Madeira, Portugal where Winston Churchill was known to retreat and hideaway.   I need a hideaway.   Dorothy wrote:
1-22-1991Hi Michael! There’s no question about the picture on this card.  This card has the name MICHAEL J ARMIJO written all over it!   The palm trees, ocean and the contemporary gentleman looking out beyond the horizon for the answers to his future.   The second I saw this you came to mind.  It even looks like this guy keeps up with his aerobics!I was surprised when you told me you’d quit your job but now I fully understand after hearing the circumstances.  It’s amazing how few ‘professional’ people there are out there, isn’t it?  Some things are truly impossible to tolerate.  You sounded so much better, more relaxed during the last time we spoke.   The change will probably do you a world of good.  And as I said, your class studies may lead you to the place you want to be!
I ran into Tonee Owens the other day.  Every time I talk to her she has MORE ugly stories to tell about the SRC (SMART Resource Center) and it is all management related.   It doesn’t sound like their union has done much for them.  Laura (Barbie) is still floating around as one of the jokes of the office with her side kick (Ron Quinn).   They have some silly nickname for him, too.  Remember “Bill”, the red-headed trainer?  Well, he blew into town one day and stopped by the SRC to say hit to all.  I’m making myself sick just writing this stuff, so I’ll move on…
Did you get a chance to lunch with Laverne?  I hope all is well with her.
The latest news at PacTel Business Services is that Northern Telecom may be buying them (PTBS) in the springtime and a lot of people will probably be laid off.  The positive side is that everyone has at least been given a warning.
I’m already looking forward to the longer Spring/Summer days.  I know it’s only January but I feel like I work all day just to go home to eat and sleep.  I’ve been working late evening hours and I haven’t been exercising so I guess that’s part of my problem.   I also need to make more time somehow for fun time out with friends!  Where’s that BALANCE I’m always talking about?  Have you found your BALANCE in your life?  And have you been motivated to paint lately?  Have you seen much of your friend, Alan, these days?  Let me know what that horse feels when you get to Malibu!  I hope to hear from you.Love, Dorothy And the next day I received another letter (this time handwritten) from another former coworker from San Francisco.   She has frizzy hair and reminds me a bit of the Rosanna Danna character that Gilda Radner developed so well on SNL-Saturday Night Live.  Her name is Bobbie Renbarger.  I recalled that Barbara Reynolds (another coworker) had given her my address.   Bobbie wrote:
January 23, 1991Dear Michael,A HAPPY NEW YEAR to you, although with this crazy war I wonder just how good a year it will be!
It’s certainly started off with a bang…if you’ll excuse the pun!
I’ve been thinking of you and decided I just HAVE to write!  I wonder how you like living in Southern California and I wonder who you are working for…?  Who are you living with?  …if you are happy…if you visit the beautiful San Francisco on occasions…and if we’ll ever meet up again.It’s been a long time!

I heard you finally left PACIFIC BELL.  I assume and hope for greener pastures!
I’ve been out of the office for the past seven months driving a company car all around Contra Costa, training customers on the use of the CENTREX and COMMSTAR II.   For the first time with Ma Bell I actually love what I am doing.  I’m sure it’s because of the freedom and the challenge!Anyway, please write me or call.  I’d love to hear from you. Love, BobbieBobbie Renbarger206 NoeSan Francisco, CA 94114415-864-2526 I wasn’t one for wasting time.  I immediately called her.   We had such a great phone call.  I updated her on where I was working (along with my Graphic Art classes).   She has no idea if/when she’ll ever be in Los Angeles.   We shared some good lunches and breaks when we worked together.   We had a lot in common.  One of the main commonalities was our hatred of our jobs at the time, so I’m happy she is content now.   Who knows when we will see or speak again though?   The conversation was great but it was like a dead end in-a-way.   It helped the both of us to share our latest goals though.  
It’s an insightful, inspiring way to focus on being happy by focusing on exercise, helping others, being grateful, having small goals (that lead to big goals) and sharing your triumphs.--Shawn Achor, THE ORANGE FROG