INTERPRETATIONS

“And what if there is nothing for me to GIVE you?”He shook his head.  “What a thing to say!   After all you have given to me.  But it is NEVER about who has given what.  That is NOT the way to think of gifts.”--Ann Patchett, BEL CANTO, a novel
Dorothy sent the cutest card of a toddler on his first beach ball.
Hi Michael,Not just creative…but clever too!  I looked at the envelope.  I had just pulled from my mailbox and asked myself, “Who do you know that hangs out at the Stanford Court Hotel?”  I couldn’t come up with an answer so I opened it and there YOU were!   You didn’t even use your usual handwriting.  Well, you really surprised me this time and what a GREAT surprise with six wonderful cards and a picture of your latest piece of art too.  You’ve outdone yourself which pleases me immensely.You had so much to say.   Where do I begin?  Wish I’d been around for your phone call.  I did end up at H’s Lordships in Berkeley for brunch on MOTHER’S DAY.  The food was good but the best part was being on the water.Your palm (THE PALM) painting is great.  It’s really good.   Even from the snapshot I can feel the depth of the ocean.   The colors are perfect.  I especially like the aqua closer to the shore and the different shades of blue the further out one looks.   The detail of your palm leaves is incredible…so real.   I also appreciate the contrast of the dark palm and the bright ocean.   I have to tell you, Michael, sometimes you do amaze me.   I look forward to the time I’ll be able to see all of your work “LIVE”.  Keep doing what you’re doing.  You’re good.
So…I’m just finding out you read TAROT CARDS!   It sounds like you were pretty accurate with Alan.  One part of me would love to have you read the TAROT for me and another part says, “I don’t know if I want to know.”   Actually, it would probably be fun.  I’ll have you bring them if I ever get a chance to go on that cruise by myself or with a fun friend.   I’ll be sure to give you the dates, place and ship.  What fun we could have!Speaking of being afraid of the unknown your INTERPRETATIONSof that card I sent are so accurate.  It’s scary.   I sometimes see myself as you described:   searching in an overwhelming sea, choosing to stay balanced rather than venture into the unknown.   It is a battle I’ve always had within myself…more so in the last couple of years.  I know some of the reasons I am where I am now.  I hope they’re the right reasons.  I’m glad you liked the cards I sent.   Don’t concern yourself about never having gone fishing when you’re literally fighting with those big guys at the end of your line.You’re right that we should each write a boot and reach each other’s first drafts.   I imagine they’d be very different from each other but then who knows.    We’ll see…It was interesting to read your comments about preferring the beach to Hollywood.   I’ve always preferred the beach to ANY OTHER PLACE but I find your comments interesting just the same.   Your comparison of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver to me was music to my ears…soul warming.  Thank you for making me feel good.  Or were they real bummers that day?   Ha-ha.   Enough about them.  How do you like this card?  All of my years on the beach I never had a beach ball.   Did you?   I want to hear more about your possible family trip to New Mexico.  Maybe next time I’ll have to send another card soon.   There’s no more room in this one.  More later.  Love, Dorothy
And Paloma wrote again and inserted a cool magazine clipping from the CANNES Film Festival 1991:
Dear Michael, Thank you for your last letter and for the picture.  You look as gorgeous as ever.   I’m sorry I’m not writing very often but I’m very busy and when I’m not I am very tired.   We have a lot of people (way more than when you visited).   Right now they are building 50 more apartments so we’re going to have 154.   
It’s funny you are telling me about LA FEMME NIKITA.  It’s just called NIKITA here in France.   And Anne Parillaud…well, of course, I know her.   She’s done lots of movies (usually lots of bad ones for teenager where she always played the cute, stupid girl).   She was then married (or maybe not—but lived with) one of France’s richest men: OLIVIER DASSAULT.   Then she had an adventure with Alain Delon.   It wasn’t ‘in bed’ but she made a movie with him.   Then we didn’t hear about her for a pretty long time.   She had the reputation of being a pretty bad actress.   She came back as Luc Besson’s wife.   They have a baby together (about Jonathan’s age).  Luc Besson is the director who made LE GRAND BLEU (THE BIG BLUE) and SUBWAY with Christophe Lambert (TARZAN) and Isabelle Adjani.  Luc Besson is very famous here.   THE BIG BLUE was a big thing.  He won all the CESARS (almost).   As for NIKITA…it only won one I think.   Anne Parillaud won the BEST ACTRESS.   She cried a lot when she got it.   It was a really big change in her career.  I haven’t seen NIKITA yet but since you say it is good I will rent it.   We pretty much have the same taste for movies.   On Tuesday evening I am going to try to see LES NUITS AVEN MON ENNEMI.  In English I think it’s SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY with Julia Roberts.  Have you seen it?The Cannes Festival is “on” right now.  We’re expecting MADONNA right now for her movie called IN BED WITH MADONNA.   Did they play it in the States?   Yesterday, they showed her hotel room.  It is pretty cool.   Too bad for all of these poor stars.   The weather is awful in Cannes right now.   Two of the three days they had to go up the stairs running with umbrellas (pretty funny with their gorgeous dresses). 
My brother Edward is in Paris with his wife right now.  He is going to stay in Europe until the 4thof July.  I talked to him on the phone.  He told me about New Orleans (where he lives now).  It sounds pretty interesting.  He said he has a gorgeous, huge house there.  He said rent is pretty low there, so maybe next winter that’s where we will go.  He told me he very often goes to gorgeous beaches in Florida which is only a four-hour drive.  I’d like to go to Florida.   Maybe if we could find some kind of cheap pass we could go see you.  I also would like to go to Hawaii to see Monica.  I don’t know.  We will see how things go.  I want to do so many things.  I also want to go to Mexcio or to LA GUADALOUPE.  I don’t know how you call those islands in English.
Alexandre wants to go to CLUB MED, so I’ve been looking at the MEXICO and THE BAHAMAS for the two of us (without Jonathan).   It wouldn’t be very fare for two weeks it would cost around 30,000 Francs I guess that’s about $5,500 US dollars (at least the IXTAPA, for example).   Well, I will stop this letter for now.  I will write again tomorrow.I’ve lost the zip code that makes the letters arrive faster.Love, Paloma
I used several of my self-created cards and wrote Paloma a letter to keep her updated with the latest in groove with me.  Here goes:
May 21, 1991, 6PMDear Paloma,THANKS for remembering me on my birthday.  I really like the O’Neill container for my eyeglasses.  It will come in handy during my bike rides because I never seem to have a pocket when I want to take my shades (sunglasses) off.   I’ve been riding my bike a lot more lately.  I ride through a number of beach towns from Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes and then back to Santa Monica.  It takes me a good two hours and forty-five minutes.

One day I did it twice which made for five and a half hours of riding!   I guess that’s pretty good since I have been lazy for a while there.  I’ve also been going to the gym more often.  Have you been working out?
When your card said ANNIVERSAIRE I was confused.  I though you meant Happy Anniversary but I guess that’s French for HAPPY BIRTHDAY, right?   I’m so smart.
It’ll try not to forget your Birthday ever again.   January 2nd, right?
Wow…COCO had a baby girl this time.  How cute.  I remember her, Regi and ZonZon.  I forgot that ZonZon is the father.   That’s pretty neat.   We went to that wedding together near Vaucresson (I think) but I don’t remember going to Coco and ZonZon’s house.
I understand that you’re very busy with LES HAUTS DEL BALARUC RESIDENCE CLUB.   It’s hard to find good writing time, isn’t it?   It’s ok…as long as you don’t go for MONTHS of not writing.   There’s no excuse for that.  It sounds like you have your hands full with 154 more units.   Wow!
That’s cool!   I knew you’d know about ANNE PARILLAUD.   That was good dirt about her that I did not know.   I didn’t know about her relationship with Olivier Daussault and that she was married to Luc Besson.   From what you say it seems she finds the men with the best bank accounts.  I never saw THE BIG BLUE but I always wanted to see it.  Maybe I’ll rent that next chance I get.  Yes, you must see LA FEMME NIKITA.  It’s not on video here.  It’s still at the movie theaters.  I hope they do a sequel.

Yes, I also saw Julia Roberts in the film SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY.  I guess it was ‘okay’ but it seemed more like a TV-movie.  Has SILENCE OF THE LAMBS starring Jodie Foster been released there yet?   That’s a great thriller that you’ve got to see.  I also saw the new MADONNA movie called TRUTH OR DARE.  It’s the last movie I’ve seen.  It was good.  I enjoyed it.  It’s just a behind the scenes look at things which gives more insight on what she is like as a person in real-life.   They showed pictures and news highlights of the CANNES Film Festival.   She was such a rave of interest there.   That’s funny about the bad weather.  I didn’t know that scoop.   It was nice when I was there in July 1990.
Wow…Edward and his wife are in Paris now, huh?   Sounds nice…aren’t they going to have any kids?  
A house here in the West Coast for $100,000 would give twice as much property in sections of the east or middle of America (like Louisiana).  I’ve never been to New Orleans.  I hear it’s really fun during the Mardi Gras Festival.  I’m sure Edward’s house is huge but I’d never want to live there.   California IS the place.  Louisiana (New Orleans), Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi are very populated by a lot of black people (not that it’s always a bad thing)…there are better areas within each of those states.  It takes some searching.

You sure have the right idea and right plans for the ideal vacation:  Florida, Hawaii, California, Mexico, Club Med Ixtapa or Bahamas.    I think you should go to Hawaii.  If you do you could see Monica and maybe I could synchronize a four or five day escape there also.   I could meet you and Alexandre for a Luau dinner or something.   Then again, the Bahamas is a good choice, too.   They do say some of the best beaches are in Florida.  It’s a tough decision, isn’t it?
I may go see a movie tonight called JOURNEY OF HOPE.  I don’t know what it’s about but it won the BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE film during the Academy Awards.  I’ve never seen it.Your last letter was of a decent length.   The latest news with me is that I’m still unemployed but I did take a Federal Management Exam and got 95% across the board.  I am now in their available list to work in LA County, Orange County, SF-Bay Area, Santa Cruz-San Jose, Hawaii and New York City areas.   Who knows what could happen next?   I am also close to a deal as a Financial Planner with IDS-Investor Diversified Services.
I shared the dirt with Alan about “NIKITA” (Anne Parillaud).   He says, “HI”.  He still talks about how great that restaurant was that you took us to and the Saint-Emilion wine.    I wish I was there NOW…just you and me.  
My brother, Tony, his wife, Helen and their daughters (Lauren and Leigh) are coming to visit me.   Then they will hit DISNEYLAND for a full-day which is about a 45-minute drive from me.   When will the French DISNEYLAND-PARIS be ready?Oh well…until next time.  Always…Love You, Michael
A note from Dorothy:
5-23-1991Happy Day, Michael:I don’t know what’s planned for the 26th but I’m sure you’ll find your way to the beach sometime during this long weekend.  Your bike must be leaning against one of the Palm trees nearby…What did you do with that rich widow?  You have her struggling with those big waves way out in the distance.  Ha-ha.I do hope you have a GREAT time on your Birthday…make sure you do.   I’ll be thinking of you.  Until Later…Love, Dorothy
And some cool postcards from Paloma:
le 24 Mai 1991Hi Michael,
I just feel like writing right now because I’m feeling good.  I had a good day.   First, I saw a funny movie, a French one called LE FETE DE PERES (that means FATHER’S DAY).   I don’t think they’ll play it in the States but I’m sure someday they’ll make an American remake (like they did with THREE MEN AND A BABY).  I think that was the name which was a remake of a French movie called TROIS HOMMES ET UN COUFFIN.   French movies are good but I agree it’s pretty rare.  It’s the story of two men who are living together (gay), a really FUN couple, and one of them is an actor I really like called THIERRY LHERMITTE.  In real-life Thierry is marries to the sister of my friend who had a gym in Paris.   I don’t know if you remember I used to go there when I came back to France.
I still love the color turquoise.  I’m sure I always will.  What do you think about this card?  I like it.  It doesn’t matter if you don’t.  Ha-ha.  Doesn’t this remind you of something?  Aren’t we mean?   The Laguiole knives are famous because they are beautiful.  It’s just like something fancy to own…like a MONT BLANC pen.   Do you know those with a white star on top?   Every time I see a pen in a movie or a TV commercial that’s the one you see.   The Laguiole knives are pretty expensive (you can have your name engraved on it and stuff like that; you would love that wouldn’t you?).   The MONT BLANC pens are also very expensive.
And from Barbara Reynolds: 25 May 1991Dear Michael,Tomorrow is your Birthday…32nd?   I’ve received all of your great cards and notes.   Thank you.  Apologies for my sluggish greeting and I always think of many excuses…so now I listen to a tape by Paul Winter called WOLF EYES, a retrospective as I relax on my bed ruing the last hour of the day’s light, remembering the reading of your note regarding arranging multitudes of postcards on your wall.   I would like to have a space for that.  I’d actually like to gut this place and start over somewhere else…alas there is always some place better…and there are worse places.   I’m at home for a few hours but then I’ll go up to Alice’s house (in Montclair).   She is in Chicago.  I am house sitting and feeding fish and Cooper, her cat.  I love the trees there.This card is special to me in that I knew Emil White, the artist.  He lived to be 83 years old in Big Sur, originally born in Austria but ran away from home at age sixteen.  He was friends with Henry Miller.   So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Michael.  I hope this year is full of rewards for you.With Love, Barbara
And so…the Happy 32nd Birthday Cards begin…I loved this one from Ashley, my niece:
“Happy Birthday to My Better Half”.   I could almost write a book about how much you mean to me….tap, tap, tap…UNCLE MIKE.   But then, why so many words when all I need are three!  I LOVE YOU.Love, Ashley
And a cute selective coloring cards of a boy and a girl (from Dorothy Rua):

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL,My wish for you?   Happiness and all things wonderful, always…included would be a ticket to travel to all areas of the world that interest you, traveling by plane, ship and train for variety.Cards from each wonderful place could be sent to DJR, therefore, a journal of sorts.  Later, maybe a book about all of those places and people.
But wait…I’d want to go, too!   Birthday wishes…birthday dreams; life could be ever so interesting.Make my wishes for you, your dreams for yourself, come true.  Plan that next trip!   And share…Happy Birthday To You. With Love and Special Thoughts, Dorothy
Dorothy also sent a second card with these words:
Dear Michael, Wishing you an enchanting birthday and a wonderful year.   With hopes that all of your wishes come true… Nothing is more wonderful than having an angel for a friend (WHO  IS MORE THAN A FRIEND).Happy Birthday.  Thinking of You.  
With Love, Dorothy
And the annual Birthday card from my maternal grandmother, Mary Genevieve Leyba-Lucero, with that crisp $20 dollar bill:
WARMEST BIRTHDAY WISHES ESPECIALLY FOR YOU.
Live each day as if your LIFE had just begun.  –GOETHE
5-26-91All the joy and happiness That life can bring your way,Good friends,Good healthy, Good fortune, Throughout each future day—All the things you’re planningAnd hoping will come trueAre in these Birthday wishesEspecially for you.  HAPPY BIRTHDAYDear Grandson,I Love You.  God Bless.   Granny.
OH and, of course, from MOM:
May 26, 1991Dear Mike, My Son:
“One of the true joys of living is having the kind of son who always makes the family proud and who’s liked by everyone.   That’s why this brings you worlds of LOVE and fondest wishes, too.   For after all, not everyone has a wonderful son like you.  Happy Birthday with Love, Mom.P.S.  Mike, Have a dinner or buy yourself something.  I will take you out for dinner when I go over there.  I just finished talking to you on the phone so I don’t have anything to say.  It’s twenty minutes to nine and it’s time to put a videocassette in to tape my movie.  Love you, Mom (she included a $100 dollar bill).
And the GRAND FINALE Birthday card from Paloma of a ‘cool bike’:
Dear Michael, Not only did you get one—but two—birthday cards.  How do you feel now?  I don’t know why I have the feeling you won’t forget my birthday next year!  Just kidding.It’s just when I saw this card I had to send it to you, just like all the other BICYCLE related cards.  Isn’t it funny to find a birthday card with a BIKE on it?   I went to see SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY.   I liked it.  I find Julia Roberts very attractive.  I love her hair.I’m reading Elizabeth Glaser’s book, IN THE ABSENCE OF ANGELS about the death of her daughter, Ariel, and about AIDS.   It’s pretty sad.Oh…my mom is here now.  She’s not working anymore.  I’m happy about that.  Jonathan is really enjoying playing with her.  I haven’t had the chance to do it with my grandparents.Gilad Janklowicz does his Aerobics Class now at Paradise Cove.  If you go to Hawaii again you can go see him.  He seems to be really fun.  I guess he also works in a gym called BODIES IN MOTION.You’re right.  You can marry a 25-year old bombshell when you are 45 but you’d just better be rich then!   25-year old bombshells hardly fall in love for the beauty of a 45 year old guy but you could also be famous.  I remember when I was 16 and I went out with a guy who was about 30.  I used to think that I was really doing him a favor.   For me…then…that was really an old man.  Funny for me now to think that I’m older than he was.   And I am so YOUNG!   Jonathan and I are send you a big kiss and hug (and Alexandre his regards).I wish I could have a friend like you around—that would be great.Write me what you’ve done for your Birthday.  Did you have a good time?   Well, just one more thing:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY.  Love, Paloma
Oh…and Alan left with his daughters to the snow.  He did mail me a postcard though: 5/27/91MIKE-HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY.I missed 11:58pm last night.  It is 10:45 and I want to talk to you.  It was nice seeing  you and your family.   Let’s go bike riding at Lake Arrowhead this summer.  When?   ALAN
Positive emotions like joy, contentment, gratitude, wonder, enthusiasm, inspiration, and love have an additional dimension that is NOT reducible to neutrality of mind:   They are a source of profound satisfaction.   This implies that in order to flourish in life one must foster the blossoming of positive emotions.
--Matthieu Ricard, ALTRUISM