Compassion Is The KEY Word

“It makes you wonder…all the BRILLIANT things we might have done with our lives if only we suspected we knew how.”--Ann Patchett, BEL CANTO, a novel
The 90069 zip code is outrageously expensive for Auto Insurance.   I had to have a plan b…so I am using my mom’s address in Alameda for my Auto Insurance through 20thCentury Auto Insurance.   What a dramatic reduction!   I wrote mom a postcard once she sent me my new insurance card.   
I included a note with the postcard that depicted a photographic image of THE FLATIRON BUILDING in New York which is located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.   The photo is by Edward Steichen, an American who was born in Luxembourg in 1897.  He died in 1973.  I love the photo very much.
May 1, 1991Mom,  You forgot to include a “yellow stick ‘em” note with my 20thCentury Auto Insurance documents.   Gee whiz!  I did not even see the Business Reply envelope included either.  I used a stamp with my own envelope after I had sent the application to 20thCentury Insurance.  I know you will get a better Insurance rate from them (versus Allstate) also.   It’s worth it, too.
Here are three photographs of me taken while in New York.  In one photograph I am holding the MACY’s Flower day bag that I got from you.  I know you like those shopping bags.   The photograph of the 1010 Fifth Avenue address is where I would live in Manhattan IF I could afford it.  It’s right across the street from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  It is such a nice, clean and ritzy area.  The last photograph was taken on Easter Sunday, 1991.  I was watching Bugs Bunny.I received a registered parcel note today.  I think it’s the postage stamps I ordered.
May 8th is right around the corner.  I better find and mail Ashley a birthday gift.Miss You, Love, Michael
The following day I mailed a NYC postcard of THE COMING STORM, oil on canvas, 1859 by Martin Johnson Heade, b.1819 d.1904 to Paloma:
May 2, 1991Paloma,Hi…just a note to let you know I got your letter and magazine clips.  I’ve been on the job hunt but I’m very picky.   Time will tell.  I just saw a GREAT film called LA FEMME NIKITA.  It was in French with English subtitles.  I just read in this magazine yesterday that the actress won a CESAR AWARD for it.  Did you see it?  She was great.  I love that movie.  I didn’t want it to end. It’s Friday and I am going to the Beverly Hills Library to find a book on Federal Exams.  On Tuesday, May 7th I will be takin a written test for an entry-level management job with the Federal Government.  The Graphics Art ordeal is slow.  I lack computer graphics experience and that costs more money for school, so I am in search of a decent, secure job right now that will pay well.  Keep me posted.I miss you.  Love, Michael
Barbara Reynolds sent me a card from the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco:
3rd of May, 1991, 7:30AMI’m in a propeller plane en route from MIAMI to TAMPA.  I had a quick switch of flight.  This is better.  Now is better than later.  I guess I’m drifting.  I could use some sleep on the plane all night.  I walked yesterday.   Alice and I saw this exhibit SACRED ART OF TIBET:  Wisdom and Compassion.   Compassion is the KEY Word.  I learned last year in retreat in France…always good to be reminded. Don’s last day in SF is May 15th.  We had a fun walk through the set for BASIC INSTINCTS (Michael Douglas movie).  I’m looking forward to seeing my friend, Myra Abhati and her husband, Al.  He was born on my Birthday and teaches High School PHYSICS but will go back to school this year to work towards a PhD.  Ah…youth.  Is your course complete?  And are you loving life?  Great photos, great pix.  I know which one I like but I don’t know the number.  Love, Barbara. A miraculous thing happened today, May 3rd.  I saw a brilliant film that I absolutely adore.   It’s called TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY.  It was about a fantastic romance (with great dialogue) that ended with one dying.  Once upon a time there were two people IN LOVE and their names were Nina and Jamie. They were even happy enough to be able to live happily ever after, (not often the case) and then Jamie died. Nina is left with a house full of anxiety, a job teaching foreigners English and an ache that fills the night sky.  I highly recommend this one.  This film put actor ALAN RICKMAN ‘on the map’ for me.  He was amazing.
It seems Dorothy has the competitive edge with her latest in Black and White postcards that she recently sent me.
Postcard 1: VACANCES, 1987, by Edouard Boubat
5-5-91Hi Michael,It seems like a while since I’ve written you.  What’s new in your life?  I called and left a couple of messages on Friday.  You must be busy…a good sign, right?   I’ve been thinking about you lately, so I figured it must be time to communicate.Some things in my life seem a little better at times and other tings continue to remain the same.There are a few more changes on the job at Pac Tel Business Systems (PTBS).  My immediate manager, Mino, left for a position with BUSINESSLAND (they’re having financial problems so I don’t know why he made the switch unless they made him an offer he couldn’t refuse).   Larry (the Director) is still around and I’d like to see him here as long as I’m around.  One of those rare people that has the know how to manage people.   However, I think there still is more to come.
Postcard 2: PERILOUS RIDE DOWN CAPITOL BUILDING STEPS, Washington D.C., 1910Photographer is unidentified.
I didn’t get a chance to hear about your latest in the career front.  Between you envious job search and painting you may not have had time to inform me.I can’t decide whether or not to get my hair cut.   Sometimes I feel like leaving it a bit long and other times I know the length should be shorter to convey that “professional” look.   Too bad I am not involved in the ARTS, and then I’d feel more comfortable with the current length.  Oh well, of all the things on my mind HAIR is not at the top of the list!   Are you still growing yours?The new owners of PTBS are holding a meeting at one of the hotels in Oakland tomorrow.  It is supposed to include food and drinks.   Larry suggested I attend to hear what they have to say.  I may go just because it’s being held from 2pm to 5pm and I will still get paid for the time.  Anything to get out of my cubicle.
Postcard 3: WOMAN IN SEA, Hawaii, 1988, Photographed by Herb Ritts

I am still busy as every with all of the responsibilities of everyday life.  This past week had to be one of the longest ever.  I worked late most days.  I fit in a couple of baseball (Jean-Paul) games, school conferences to make sure both Nicole and Jean-Paul will have the choices they worked toward for this next school year.  I attended an important Homeowners meeting (I usually don’t attend them).  It ended this past Thursday night at 11pm and then I was homeward bound to bake a chocolate cake for work the next day!  Needless to say I dropped into bed at half past midnight.Yesterday was a full day…but I’m going strong today.   By myself (by choice) I am writing you while I watch the water hit the wall through the window at SKATES Restaurant.   There are only three other people in the area right now…so peaceful.  Wonderful!I still have to work on taking a trip to see you.  I wish I knew when you would be able to manage it---some days I wonder if I can manage anything.  Love, Dorothy
And finally I received a pleasant letter from my former Alameda roommate, Michael Miller (who I’ve known since he was a kid).  He’s like a brother to me.   I loved it.   He writes just like his personality.   I could practically hear him speak these words:
5/5/91Today is SUNDAY, May 5th, 1991, Cinco de Mayo CelebrationMichael, Hello from ‘me’ in Alameda.  I hope everything is going well down there in the land of the Palms.Don’t think I forgot about you.  I’m writing now but this is just a short letter.  I will write you again soon.  Thanks for the card from New York.  I appreciate that.This has been a pretty good weekend.  I had party on Friday and it was great.  Jim Ubl didn’t show up, however, but he told me he couldn’t make it.  I met these two people in San Francisco (Louis and Lisa), and they made it to the party.   They are pretty good people.  I’m ‘29’ now.  It feels sort of like ‘19’.  One year left…but it will be gone in a flash.I’ve been working in San Francisco.  That’s how I met those people.I’m going to try to make it to EUROPE this summer; although, I don’t have reservations yet.  I do know approximately when I want to go.  That will be between the middle of June and the end of July.  I’m going to go to the South of France.Are you working?  Or are you a famous artist now?  You’ll do it.  I have confidence in you.I’m thinking about eating something but I’ll probably ride on over to the post-office first and mail this letter along with two others.  Your letter will have company as far down as Santa Barbara (never mind).Hope to see you soon.  Take care.Peace,Michael (10:49am and sunny)
“Of course…your ART will reveal your inner selves!  THAT’S IT, isn’t it?  Because your ART will display your souls!”
--Kazuo Ishiguro, NEVER LET ME GO