Literally Dancing With Myself
There was a small clearing in the dancing crowd. Michael began to dance, hoping to lose himself in that. He felt foolish dancing alone, so he tried to dance with some of the bodies sawing and swaying around him. –as read by Christopher Bram in his novel, IN MEMORY OF ANGEL CLARE
I decided to drive from Los Angeles to Alameda for Christmas. I had my camera and I knew I’d get some great photos. I had just received a photo or two that sis-in-law, Helen, sent of my brother, Tony, watering the girls (Lauren and Leigh) on a hot day in front of their home in Castro Valley, CA.
I pulled out a couple of Polaroid photos from the previous Christmas (both included Helen). I received a few Christmas Cards before I left for the drive to Alameda:
From Mom:
Dear Mike: May the blessings of Christmas fill your home and heart all year through.From Mom…I’ll see you in a few days. Love You!
Birda sent a couple of funny ones: Reindeer trying to fly and a Parking Space available right in front of MACY’s…Ha-ha On the Miracle On 34th Street card Birda wrote: “Don’t laugh…it could be worth something."
Gloria Romero, a former Pac Bell Directory coworker sent a card, too. She wrote:
Michael, I think of you often. I hope your New Year is a beautiful one. I enjoy keeping in touch. Love your Friend, Gloria
Now I was on a quest to take more memorable photos while at home. The drive was relatively easy (only 5 ½ hours). I stopped once in Buttonwillow (a rest stop) to pee. I felt a little sad leaving Alan but we’ll have Christmas together next year (and/or maybe he will accompany me to Alameda next year, who knows?). One thing is for sure: Going to mom’s house brought all of us together.
Christmas Eve was fun. Tony, Helen and the girls arrived first. They were going to spend Christmas Day with Helen’s family. I took plenty of photos. It was a relaxed ‘family day’.
On Christmas Day I took mom to see THE PRINCE OF TIDES. I had read the book so it was a must-see. I will have to see it with Alan along with FRIED GREEN TOMATOES. I joked with mom, “How come you never made us fried green tomatoes. Ha-ha…who knew they even existed?”
I had a great time. I’m glad I went home for the Holidays. Now I was geared up for the drive home. As I was driving home the song by Billy Idol came on called DANCING WITH MYSELF. I recalled going to The Vortex nightclub in Palo Alto (when I lived in Alameda) and literally dancing with myself to the alternative music I loved so much. It made me get up, not caring what anyone thought. It was like riding my bike on my own (Riding like the wind). It made me smile.
Upon my arrival I was pleased to find a postcard from Alan:BED AND BREAKFAST INN BY THE SEA car of the Whale Watch Inn (where we stayed last year):Dec. 25, 1991Michael,MERRY CHRISTMAS! Tonight I really want to be at the WHALE WATCH INN or any other place with you. This has to be the last holiday we spend apart! Enjoy the last day at home. See you Friday and New Year’s. Your Friend, AlanI laughed at the “Your Friend” part.
The shocking card was from my old fifty-something coworker, Reed, who is MARRIED and has two grown children. He sent a picture of a naked guy via a fold-out centerfold type of card. Whatever (?) Ha-ha…it was fun to look at—but I think I’d best COVER IT UP with my NIKON camera cap.
Reed wrote:Hi Michael,Sorry to miss your open house. I hope to see you over the Holidays. Best, Reed.
And the best of all was a note from my nieces, Lauren and Ashley (making my visit worth it). They wrote:
Dear Uncle Mike,How was your drive to L.A.? I miss you a lot. I LOVE you. Thank you for the toys.Love, ASHLEY AND LAUREN
After she died and the railroad stopped runnin', the cafe shut down and everybody just scattered to the winds. It was never more'n just a little knockabout place, but now that I look back on it, when that cafe closed, the heart of the town just stopped beatin'. It's funny how a little place like this brought so many people together.--as heard while watching the 1991 film, FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
I decided to drive from Los Angeles to Alameda for Christmas. I had my camera and I knew I’d get some great photos. I had just received a photo or two that sis-in-law, Helen, sent of my brother, Tony, watering the girls (Lauren and Leigh) on a hot day in front of their home in Castro Valley, CA.
I pulled out a couple of Polaroid photos from the previous Christmas (both included Helen). I received a few Christmas Cards before I left for the drive to Alameda:
From Mom:Dear Mike: May the blessings of Christmas fill your home and heart all year through.From Mom…I’ll see you in a few days. Love You!
Birda sent a couple of funny ones: Reindeer trying to fly and a Parking Space available right in front of MACY’s…Ha-ha On the Miracle On 34th Street card Birda wrote: “Don’t laugh…it could be worth something."Gloria Romero, a former Pac Bell Directory coworker sent a card, too. She wrote:
Michael, I think of you often. I hope your New Year is a beautiful one. I enjoy keeping in touch. Love your Friend, Gloria
Now I was on a quest to take more memorable photos while at home. The drive was relatively easy (only 5 ½ hours). I stopped once in Buttonwillow (a rest stop) to pee. I felt a little sad leaving Alan but we’ll have Christmas together next year (and/or maybe he will accompany me to Alameda next year, who knows?). One thing is for sure: Going to mom’s house brought all of us together.
Christmas Eve was fun. Tony, Helen and the girls arrived first. They were going to spend Christmas Day with Helen’s family. I took plenty of photos. It was a relaxed ‘family day’.
On Christmas Day I took mom to see THE PRINCE OF TIDES. I had read the book so it was a must-see. I will have to see it with Alan along with FRIED GREEN TOMATOES. I joked with mom, “How come you never made us fried green tomatoes. Ha-ha…who knew they even existed?”
I had a great time. I’m glad I went home for the Holidays. Now I was geared up for the drive home. As I was driving home the song by Billy Idol came on called DANCING WITH MYSELF. I recalled going to The Vortex nightclub in Palo Alto (when I lived in Alameda) and literally dancing with myself to the alternative music I loved so much. It made me get up, not caring what anyone thought. It was like riding my bike on my own (Riding like the wind). It made me smile.
Upon my arrival I was pleased to find a postcard from Alan:BED AND BREAKFAST INN BY THE SEA car of the Whale Watch Inn (where we stayed last year):Dec. 25, 1991Michael,MERRY CHRISTMAS! Tonight I really want to be at the WHALE WATCH INN or any other place with you. This has to be the last holiday we spend apart! Enjoy the last day at home. See you Friday and New Year’s. Your Friend, AlanI laughed at the “Your Friend” part.
The shocking card was from my old fifty-something coworker, Reed, who is MARRIED and has two grown children. He sent a picture of a naked guy via a fold-out centerfold type of card. Whatever (?) Ha-ha…it was fun to look at—but I think I’d best COVER IT UP with my NIKON camera cap. Reed wrote:Hi Michael,Sorry to miss your open house. I hope to see you over the Holidays. Best, Reed.
And the best of all was a note from my nieces, Lauren and Ashley (making my visit worth it). They wrote:Dear Uncle Mike,How was your drive to L.A.? I miss you a lot. I LOVE you. Thank you for the toys.Love, ASHLEY AND LAUREN
After she died and the railroad stopped runnin', the cafe shut down and everybody just scattered to the winds. It was never more'n just a little knockabout place, but now that I look back on it, when that cafe closed, the heart of the town just stopped beatin'. It's funny how a little place like this brought so many people together.--as heard while watching the 1991 film, FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
No comments have been added yet.
