Leaving on a Jet Plane

When people are alive, the love.  When they die, they keep loving.  If love ends when a person dies, that is not real love. --Lisa See, PEONY IN LOVE
Alan had a slight freak accident while opening an old attache briefcase.  Something flicked into his eye.  He had to go to the doctor.  They were able to remove the foreign object but now he has a patch.  Luckily, he can take it off before we depart on our escape to Europe.  
Only a few more days of work at Charles Schwab and Alan and I can start packing.  We depart on Saturday, January 12th for London.   Long flights always knock me off with sleep.  I can’t sleep on an airplane very well.   
Alan’s excited to leave on the jet plane.  How does that song go?  It’s by Peter, Paul and Mary, called Leaving on a Jet Plane.  Yeah, I love the lyrics to that one...all my bags are packed...don’t know when I’ll be back again; however, in this case I know we will be back on February 21st.  Oh well...all good things come to an end at some point.  
LONDON 
We’re here!   I love the UNDERGROUND Journey Planner map.   We are familiarizing ourselves with The City.  It’s cold but that’s how London is most-of-the-time (unless you come in August).   
We have tickets to a show at the Adelphi Theater to see SUNSET BOULEVARD don Valentine’s Day.   It starred Patti Lupone as Norma Desmond.  When she sang “AS IF WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE” it was quite chillingly beautiful.  PHOTO:  Patti Lupone, as Norma Desmond, 1994

Feb. 12, 1994
Dear Mom,
I'm writing postcards on the plane.  We left LA and I'm on my way to Minnesota.  I just looked out the window and you should see all of the snow capped mountains.  Don't even mention that movie!  I'll mail this to you from the Minneapolis Airport (where we have a brief stop before flying-on to London).   I love you.  I have more cards to write, so...Later.
Love You,
Happy Happy Valentine's Day!
Michael
P.S.  The snow view into Minnesota from the plane is so BEAUTIFUL. 

I managed to take some time in-between reading and the sights to write Paloma a letter:  February 19, 1994 
Dear Paloma, 
Here I am.  I made it to London, England.  I like the English accents.  I’m tempted to visit you.  I am so close, aren’t I?  I know I’ve been bad with my letter writing.  The LA earthquake was scary.  Only a lamp broke; no real damage to my home or business to speak of...  I know you were worried, considering all of the letters you wrote and the phone calls you made.  
When I went home for the Christmas holidays I drove by CHEZ PANISSE in Berkeley.  I would love to eat there the next time.  I heard President Clinton ate there when he was in San Francisco.  Does that gal still work as a chef there?   
I still can’t get over Coco’s little girl.  She looks just like Coco—except a blond.  Maybe Jonathan will end up with her someday.  Well, if he likes American girls I Have five attractive nieces.  Ha-ha.  I guess one never know what will happen. 
It is a bit cold and sometimes rainy here in London but I like the atmosphere just the same.  I like that feeling of history; although, Paris and elsewhere in France sure does have a lot of that! 
I am traveling with Alan and we are scoping a number of pubs here.  I liked the TATE ART GALLERY, seeing Buckingham Palace (from the outside).   
We will probably see a show tonight and we might go to a good French Restaurant that we’ve heard about.  French Restaurants and French wine are the BEST.  And, the best-looking people are from SPAIN! Later, Love, Michael On the night of February 19th 1994 we ended up at the GLOBE THEATER on Shaftesbury Avenue to see AN ABSOLUTE TURKEY, a witty, funny, dramatic farce.   I wasn’t too familiar with the English cast but they sure know how to act and deliver the dialogue.  I loved it.  
Alan and I went to Madame Toussad’s Wax Museum.  We took a fun pic with the French actor, Girard Depardieu; my favorite was the photo of me chatting with Albert Einstein about the theory of relativity.  
There are endless things to do in London.  It’s like Paris, New York or Los Angeles.   I love exploring different places.   I managed to mail mom a couple of cards, too: 

February 1994
Dear Mom,
LONDON is fantastic.  It seemed like it took forever to get here but it was worth it when we did.  Everything is so green and there's so much activity.  Everyone has that cool, proper English accent.
The 'grandest' department store is HARROD's.  So cool! 
I'll show you a scrap book for the trip come March when I see you.  Castles galore!
Buckingham Palace...Wow!  Queen Elizabeth lives there.  I wish I was a Prince. Ha-ha.
I'll call you....
P.S.  Ann-Margret is coming out with a new book; an Autobiography.  
Love, Michael 

These days men had to find talent in unusual places. 
--Lisa See, PEONY IN LOVE