She Knows How To Play The Game

Shortly after the Germans took over France, several pamphlets had been written by Frenchmen on how to deal with the occupiers.  Maintain dignity and distance, do not talk to them, and above all avoid eye contact.  In the animal world, direct eye contact was a challenge and a form of aggression.--Charles Belfoure, THE PARIS ARCHITECT, a novel
I received a lovely letter from my niece, Ashley.  It sparkles my day to see how her writing is improving.  She wrote:

Dear Uncle Mike,Thank you for everything.  I like those VALENTINE’s.   Holly can write her name now.Look on the back, Holly signed her name.The candy was great.Thank you for the dollar.HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY.Thank you, I miss you.AshleyP.S. I love you.
And a couple of days later I received consecutive Black and White postcards from Dorothy Rua.  I loved the gentleman card, looking out on a veranda.  It’s so me.  Dorothy filled me in on her job/working prospects.  I suppose with any new job one has to maintain dignity and distance to feel out the entire situation.
Dorothy wrote on Postcard I: I transferred to another job within the company…not so much because of effectiveness but she knows how to play “THE GAME”.  I had always worked directly with Mike and his boss, Larry. Thank goodness because both of these guys are great.  I was never fond of the female boss negativity.I didn’t get anywhere with the job I mentioned that I was interested in as written in my last letter.  I called before sending my resume and found out it was filled by the time the ad hit the paper.  Recently, there was another job of interest with DEL MONTE CORPORATION in San Francisco.   I wouldn’t have minded the commute if the money was right.  I may have even enjoyed the change of scenery…but that one ended up being filled by someone within the company.  We’ll see….Now, how are things with you?  I’m really curious.  I know you have an extremely tight schedule and I told myself it’d be unrealistic to expect to hear from you much while you are working and taking classes all day and night…but I have to admit I miss you cards and calls.  I knew I would.  I had no idea how much I would miss hearing from you!   I’ll just have to look forward to the time your schedule loosens up.   Perhaps next Spring, Ha-ha.  Well, it can’t be helped, so just know you’re in my thoughts.  Keep working at your dram.  It is all coming together.
Postcard II:
Let me know when you are in town and ready to get out for some fun!   When that time comes you’d better not say, “So what”.  Ha-ha. I had an appointment at UC Medical Center in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago.  I was really taken by surprise when I discovered the panoramic views from their location.  I’d never been up in that area before.  I found the view so breathtaking.  I felt like throwing my arms out and literally embracing The City.  It was so gorgeous.I’m so glad its Friday!  It’s 6PM and I just left the office but need this time to myself before I begin the chores, errands, etc. that the next 24-hours will require.  My good thoughts are that my son’s team made it through the playoffs and is playing the final game for the Little League Championship tomorrow.  It will be exciting. I hope the weather is great!  Then I have the arrival of my brother tomorrow also.  I’m really looking forward to his visit.  I just hope he can stay a little while.  Last week was really busy.Love, Dorothy
I laughed at the sexy naked man card that my former Pac Bell Directory (in San Francisco) coworker sent me.  He is married and he loves to surprise me with his naughty cards.  What would his wife say?  I was surprised.  Reed wrote:

Dear Michael,This reminded me of YOU in some way!It made me think that it has been too long since I’ve really seen you.Thanks for the postcards and letters.I have a few trips planned for this year (1992):  A Cruise ship from Vancouver to San Francisco; a tour of New York City and Washington DC later.Best.Always, Reed Campbell
She sat down at her desk:  Study was supposed to ease pain, everyone said that.--Joan Juliet Buck, The Only Place To Be