Switching Railroad Tracks

“I do not belong here.  I come from the future.” --Marghanita Laski, THE VICORIAN CHAISE LOUNGE 

It was nice to return home to find mail from Dorothy Rua and Barbara Reynolds: 

11-16-94 

Dear Michael, 

By now you’re in Hong Kong, discovering many of its mysteries and enjoying every moment.  Do you realize how much time we’ll need to have together when I finally make it to Southern CA, just to hear about all of your travels and go through all of your pictures?  It’ll be fun.  I am sure—just have to get my buns down there one day!  

I imagine you and Alan were glad to have your move over with before your trip to H.K.  The Riviera Pacific Palisades sounds pretty wonderful.  Sounds like you did get quite a “find”.  How many parties are yo two planning to have for the holidays?  Must share those dreamy nights and the moon with your friends...just wish I could come too.  Do think of me when your Christmas lights and the sky’s stars are twinkling on those dreamy nights.  Then ‘play me a tune’ and I’ll close my eyes and imagine.  

You’re right, you know.  It would do everyone so much good if they’d just take a little time... 

I mentioned LAUREN to Jean-Paul and he seemed a bit interested, but a little shy about it initially...especially the part about sending a picture.  When I told him, Lauren was currently dating “Frank’s’ (Joe Regalbuto’s) son he did raise his eyebrows and said, “Oh, yeah?”  I’ll let you know if he decides to take that step and jot her a note.  He has a lot of girls calling him but he’s still a bit shy with them.  (Not his mothers’ son—Ha-ha!).  I guess some guys are a little slower than girls at age 14.  Of course, he’s a neat guy and not bad looking either, of course! 

I have not read the Nicole Simpson book yet, but it sounds like one worth reading, just based on your comments.  Last book I read was SPRING MOON by Betty Bao Ford.  It was okay.  

Dorothy also wrote on a scenic LAKE TAHOE postcard: 

I liked all of your cards, especially the one in the Sunflower Garden which looked like a MONET, however, wasn’t titled.  Interesting that you bought the Val de Loire in France/Europe with its Asian Dragons and the Sun Face is definitely female and attractive with its shades of blue. 

This LAKE TAHOE card does not fit with the other that I have enclosed, but I don’t have my card supply with me, so I’m improvising.  I like the other two, hope you do too.  I haven’t been to Lake Tahoe yet this season, but I hear the snow is great already.   

I cut-off the other half of the card I enclosed that I title “SLOW MOVEMENTS ON HARDWOOD”.  The other half of the card included suggestive wording which would have made you blush.  And I didn’t want to spoil your innocence.  Ha-ha! 

Definitely looking forward to your card(s) from Hong Kong, Indonesia and wherever you find yourself—and hearing all about your trip.  Until then...Love, Dorothy 

17 Nov 1994 

Dear Mike, I got your postcard yesterday.  H.K. looks beautiful.   Joan Lyons and I both enjoyed your note.  Thanks a bunch.  There’s a full moon eclipse this evening.   It’s bedtime but just went out to peek at the moon and said, “Well, just about forty minutes until the eclipse...and how often do I get to see one?”   Besides, I can drop a line or two your way...I hear that the next two days will make me happy.  I got wool-lined boots last June.  

I got a hair trim yesterday from Amanda.  The person I entrusted myself to for the past two years.  Charles used to take his twin boys to her.  So, she is a GEMINI and very nice.  We talked movies and she say QUIZ SHOW and PULP FICTION as I did and appreciated both a lot.  You know the movie MAETY that was the question in QUIZ SHOW, the Academy Award winning movie of 1955?  So... Amanda says she rented it.  I didn’t know if I had seen it, so I stopped at the library en route home and yes, they had MARTY and I’ve been watching it (a very good movie).  Have you seen it?  

Gosh, it has been a really FULL MOON week and I feel FULL.  I am having just a little difficulty keeping my feet on the earth.  

Last week it became clear to me what my job after PACIFIC BELL will be:  Physical Therapy.  So it will be one step at a time.   It is kind of funny.  I thought very seriously about this job in 1979 but I just wasn’t ready to work for it.  Now I am motivated and feel like I’ve been chugging along at a snail pace—but now, I’m ready to JUMP. 

Oh yes, last weekend I learned a new walk—very pleasant.  Next time we get together here I will share it with you.  Part of it is a new RAILS TO TRAILS area.  It goes from Pt. Isabella to the Richmond Marina, along some recently built townhouses.  It’s very nice. 

Next note I will include the information you wish from PAPYRUS (about a franchise business), I promise. 

Welcome back.  Later,  

Love,  

Barbara  

I have not seen the 1955 Best Picture MARTY.  I better get on that. 

On our last day in Hong Kong I mailed two last postcards to mom: 

21 Nov 1994 

Mom, this card shows the typical shopping scene in CHINA.  This is Shanghai, CHINA and it looks exactly like this except add many more people bicycling to and from work on the streets.  It’s amazing and shocking at the same time.  I am having fun.  Alan and I have good photos and stores to share.  Love, Michael  

21 Nov 1994 

Dear Mom, 

You are the winner in terms of the most cards sent from Asia.  The trip is coming to a close now and I am only sorry I won’t be home for Thanksgiving. 

This is the AMIGO restaurant we ate at...inside it’s like a Colonial Spanish Mansion.  It is beautifully decorated.  It should be in SPAIN—not Hong Kong!  Ha-ha. 

Alan and I sure have learned a lot about Hong Kong and China and the people. 

WE had suits tailor made for us by a Shanghai Chinese Tailor.  I also bought a sportjacket and black slacks. 

Love you Lots! 

Always, Michael J Armijo 

It was like switching railroad tracks once we arrived back to California.  My work routine was back on-target at Charles Schwab.  As Gloria says, “Nothing changes but the date.”   My Schwab work load has not changed.   

Alan and I had movies to catch-up on.   We started with INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE (which I loved); and a cute funny one called JUNIOR with Danny deVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger and STAR TREK: GENERATIONS.    And so, that’s the latest news in-my-book. 

The real source of news was called “footpath news” meaning that it did not come openly by the main road (that is the official channels).  --Nien Cheng, LIFE AND DEATH IN SHANGHAI