Living In L.A. - Two Years

“LATER!” ---meaning exactly what I wanted it to mean for a change:  NOT just goodbye, or be off with you, but afternoon lovemaking.  I turned around and was instantly on my bike, speeding my way back downhill, smiling broadly, and almost singing if I could.--Andre Aciman, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME
It wasn’t that long ago that Sherri was here in L.A.   She needed to breathe some Southern California fresh air.   It’s not easy being a mom of four kids and dealing with a bigger kid (John) at times.  She has her act together though.  I’m confident she’ll get through this tidal wave.  I got her mind off of things when she saw the 8-page script I had to memorize.  I’ve said the beginning opener part so many times:  “Financial Planning means different things to different people.  What does it mean to you?”
I received a cute THINKING OF YOU card written by Sherri (signed THE REAL ARMIJO5):
11-21-91A WISH FOR HAPPINESS NOW AND ALWAYS, Love, Sherri, John, Ashley, Holly and Ally, ‘The Real’ Armijo5Mike,…just a short note to say THANKS for picking me up and cheering me up.  It made it easier to forget my problems even if it was only temporary.  Well, I’ll see  you next week for the Thanksgiving feast.  How’ the job going?  How much have you memorized?  I’ll have to test you when you get here.See ya later,S
After reading Sherri’s letter I was in the mood to write, so I decided to write Paloma (in response to her recent cards) and tell her more about my new job as a PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNER (especially now that I actually have a business card):
November 21, 1991Dear Paloma,Thanks for the ‘couple and the Harley Davidson’ card.  It was a very nice card.It’s funny you should mention Halloween.  Of course I thought of you!  I flash back to Halloween 1983 and realized it was “8” years ago.  WOW!   It’s funny when you realize how much time has passed.
Lately, I’ve been studying.  My latest adventure—besides doing a painting every couple of months—is IDS (Investor Diversified Services), an American Express company.  As it turns out I have been hires as a PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNER.  The only problem is that I am not officially appointed until I memorize an 8-pay script about financial planning that I would verbally say when introduced to new clients.  I also have to pass a State of California Insurance test next Tuesday (November 26th) and pass a Series 7 test which is the National Association of Securities Dealers License test.  So…I’m studying to see how far it will take me.  Here is my latest business card:
I am just nervous about the tests.  Memorizing the 8-page script is a pain.  I have the first three pages thus far but I’ve had my negative moments. 
Oh…before I forget to tell you…please correct your address and telephone number book.  My area code has now changed.  My home telephone is 310-652-2001.  My mom’s area code also changed to 510-865-2001.  They needed to split the 415 (San Francisco) and 213 (Los Angeles) area codes because the phone company was running out of numbers (too many people).  
I did see DYING YOUNG starring Julia Roberts; however, the best movie I’ve seen in a long time just came out last weekend.  It’s called CAPE FEAR and it is with Robert DeNiro, Jessica Lange and Nick Nolte.   DeNiro should win BEST ACTOR for it.  When it comes to a theater near you please go see it!   It is really great.  Here’s a newspaper ad for the movie.  As you can see, the reviews are all positive.

When I was in FRANCE in July 1990 I bought this music video (but of course it didn’t work on my VCR due to foreign regulations).  
Alan (remember him?) also bought one, so I thought I’d send the videocassettes to you since they don’t work for us.  I am not even sure what this singer sounds like.  I think you have heard of her because I noticed you put one of her songs on one of my tapes that you made for me some time ago.I thought Michelle Pfeiffer was sexy on THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS.  I liked it when she would sing.  You are right about it though.  Overall the movie didn’t have the greatest story to it.  I am sure you were mostly jealous because Jeff Bridges (your idol) was in the arms of Michelle Pfeiffer and not you. Ha-ha.
How did your new passport photo come out?  Speaking of photos here is one of me taken last month in Washington D.C.  I’m in front of the State Capitol.   The same guy (whoever he is; his name escapes me) who designed Paris is recognized in D.C. as designing the plans for the city mall alignment in Washington D.C. (PIERRE CHARLES L’ENFANT b. Aug 2, 1754 d. June 14, 1825).   It’s very similar to Paris.  D.C. is a very nice place.
I am also enclosing a brochure I found about New Orleans.  When I saw it I thought of you (a la the French Quarter).
My mom is flying here to Los Angeles this Saturday, November 23rd and then I will fly back to Oakland with her on Wednesday, November 27, 1991 for Thanksgiving.  My nieces sure are growing up, so I guess that means that Jonathan is getting up there too.
Very funny…no, I am not IN LOVE with anyone right now.  I can’t afford to be IN LOVE right now.  I can only afford my own living, entertainment and expenses.  I am happy with ‘just me’.  Yesterday was my two year anniversary of LIVING IN L.A.  I am supposed to move back to the Bay Area (my plan was Berkeley) now).  However, I do like it here in L.A. now.   I am really not sure what will happen.  I kind of want to wait and see where this new job will take me (or where I WILL TAKE IT).I hate to sell my condo here in L.A. because the real estate market in Southern California is in a downswing period.  It’s a buyers’ market (good time to buy).  It’s a bad time to sell.  If and when I do sell I want a hefty profit in my pocket, so  I may stick around here for a while longer.  I don’t know yet.
I should be studying my 8-page script right now but I am not-in-the-mood.  I’d rather write to you.
I am in Santa Monica at the beach right now.  I’m at Alan’s condo.  He is at work and has allowed me to come over here at any time.  It’s convenient for when I’m in the mood to bike ride or take a walk on the beach.  I admit that it might be more fun to enjoy walks on the beach with someone as pretty as Paloma—but time will tell.  I’m in no rush.
I am looking forward to THANKSGIVING next week.  I really like spending time with my nieces when they’re all together.   Two hours ‘of them’ is quite enough.  Ha-ha.   When Jonathan is old enough to write we sill set him up with one of my nieces as pen pals.  That’ll be fun.Here are a couple of promotional postcards for you that I picked up last night.  I’ve never been to either dance place.  In fact, I haven’t been out dancing in a long, long time.  I guess the last time was in September when I was in New York.  Whatever…I thought you’d be entertained by these two postcards.
I guess I will take a walk to the post-office now so you will receive this in a timely fashion.I’m sorry I have not written lately but as I sais I’ve been studying for this new job; whereas, I would get appointed in January or February 1992 as an “official” PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNER if all goes well.  I’ll keep you posted.   Have a great Thanksgiving.Till the next time…Love Always,Michael J Armijo Mom arrived on November 23rd.  I took her out to see a new film called FOR THE BOYS starring Bette Midler.  We both loved it.  The music was very fun and it made me want to dance to that 1940’s Swing sort of stuff.  I especially liked the song STUFF LIKE THAT THERE by Bette Midler. I said, “You know, Mom, when I hear that music from the twenties, thirties and forties I feel like I lived during that period.  It connects with me.”“I like it too,” Mom said.“I have to take Alan to see it.  I know he’ll like it.”A couple of days later I selected the restaurant that Alan and I love at 606 N. La Brea Avenue called LOUIS XIV.  It’s French and the steak frites are divine.   As I was driving up Santa Monica Boulevard and glanced over at mom on the passenger seat.   She was crying.I was astonished.Mom, what’s the matter?” I asked.She sobbed as she wiped tears with a tissue, “It’s nothing…it’s just that you’re the only one that takes me out.” “Oh…mom, don’t cry.  It’s okay.”
Her words touched me.  I will never forget it.  I made her laugh by the time we reached the next stop light.  Our dinner was fantastic.  She loved it.  The place has candles and dim lighting.
“Doesn’t this place remind you of DARK SHADOWS?” I asked.“Yes, it does…especially that chandelier.”“Yeah, if it wasn’t a restaurant people could easily have a séance here.”She laughed.“You know, mom.  I can’t believe I have been living in L.A. for two years already.  It’s really not so bad.  It’s like anywhere.  One has to clear out the people who are the phony ones.  Human beings are really the same everywhere but one has to find the ones where a connection really clicks.”
Paloma found the coolest MADONNA postcard and I received it yesterday.  Her mental telepathy knew a letter was overdue from me.  I swear she is very clairvoyant (as I just mailed her letter the other day).  I showed the artsy postcard to mom.“Isn’t this the coolest card that Paloma sent me?” I asked mom.“Yep!”
23/11/91Dear Michael,So…it seems like I haven’t been the lazy one lately!  That’s OK.  I know what the problem is.   Well, I hope you’re OK.We are not going to the states anymore.  My brother is supposed to move back to California at the end of December, so no Disneyworld for Jonathan now.  We will have a Disneyland right next to Paris in April 1992.  We are going to the CARRIBEAN to Guadeloupe from the 8thto the 22nd of January.  I’m pretty excited about that.  I can’t wait to swim in a blue, warm sea and get a gorgeous suntan on a beautiful beach with white sand and palm trees.   And I’m not even talking about eating lobster and tropical fruits all day long!   How does it sound?I might be a little bit mean but I kind of remember someone telling me about his trips, too.Love, Paloma
“We all share the same human nature, feel the same emotions of joy and sadness, benevolence or anger, and are all trying to avoid suffering.  Thus as human beings we are basically the same.”--The Dalai Lama