ELABORATE
He spoke adoringly about his wife, whom he called la reina del mi corazon (the queen of my heart) ...when he revealed the existence of a young mistress, who he called la reina de mis pantalones (the queen of my pants). --Jeanine Cummins, AMERICAN DIRT, a novel The views from our temporary home here in Pacific Palisades are not being taken for granted. It's like being high on the hill, taking a peek down at the westside of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.
I mailed a typewritten letter (with the help of the computer for easy printing) to Paloma yesterday. I used a BICYCLE graphic on the left-hand corner of the first page. I felt a need to ELABORATE more about what is going on with me lately—but I think I could have said more. Oh well, she knows I adore her.
January 9, 1995
Dear Paloma,
Well, The New Year is upon us. I have been going to the gym regularly (let’s see how long that resolution lasts). What are your resolutions for the year? It is a rainy Sunday and I thought I would use the computer here and write a letter or two.
I’m not so sure when or where my next vacation will be. Time will tell. I will have a 5-day weekend for 4th of July and the week after Memorial Day—but then again—who knows what could happen before then.
You must see my Hong Kong and CHINA photo album. Then I can give you the ‘play by play’ scenario and narration of all that happened. On January 28, 1995, Alan is giving his mother a 70th Birthday party. She is a very vibrant, vivacious, friendly 69-year-old (going on 70). She goes to the gym every day and does aerobics and has her own private trainer. Anyway, she is a neat lady. And if you are in the Southern California region during that weekend it would be a fun party to attend. There will be around ‘75’ people attending of all walks of life, so it should be entertaining. Alan may even arrange for a male stripper to remind his mom that she’s never too old. So, can you come for that one? I know it’s short notice and a long trip for you but I can at least mention it.
I should be working on revamping my resume right now. It never hurts to venture out for other opportunities. Besides this is a time for new beginnings, right? 1995! Wow! In 5 years, it will be the year 2000! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I hope this year brings much more happiness to your life.
I’m going to end here because I’ve been invited to dinner at Her and Carol’s. They are another subject altogether. And believe me, they are original real-life characters.
Guess what? I have a new hobby that Jonathan can related to...collecting toys. I actually have a SPIDERMAN, an action figure of THE SHADOW (loved that movie by the way). I even have Tropical Barbie and Tropical Ken and a glow-in-the-dark CREATURE OF THE BLACK LAGOON and a GI Joe. Of course, they are all in their original packages because I want to preserve them for when I get older and they don’t have those toys accessible anymore. It’s kind of a fun, new hobby to go along with stamp collecting and investing in stocks and bonds. Did you know they are making a new BATMAN RETURNS movie this summer and a new SPIDERMAN movie?
Yes, I did move—but it’s probably only temporary (until July 1995). The house in Marina Del Rey has some earthquake damage and it won’t be up to snuff until July 1995. The new temporary lease we have is in a magnificent house here in Pacific Palisades (1698 Alta Mura Road). I never know there was French film of the same name: interesting. We are still relatively close to the beach but it’s a 10-minute drive away now. Alan d and I do live together and his daughters live here part-time also (they are aged 14 and 11 now).
THE LION KING is a good choice for Jonathan. I loved that movie myself and wouldn’t mind seeing it again. It was a great picture. Did Jonathan like it? I rented INDOCHINE last night starring Catherine Deneuve but I fell asleep. In fact, after I finish writing I may go finish watching it.
Speaking of the AIDS happenings...Alan and I are going to another fundraiser on January 19th. It’s fun to go to them because it’s so “HOLLYWOOD” sometimes. They are going to honor TOM HANKS because he was in that Award-winning AIDS related film, PHILADELPHIA. They will also honor ELTON JOHN. It should be exciting. We went to the one last year and the year before and we have seen some great entertainment like Barbara Streisand and Liza Minelli and Clint Black and so on. I’ll let you know how this one goes.
Thanks for warning me about NATURAL BORN KILLERS. I was going to see it but I’ve decided to hold off on that one. One of my coworkers, Scott Gray, is married to a gal named Karey and she was one of the film editors for that film. She just finished doing the film editing and special visual effects for Star Trek GENERATIONS and is now working on the new BATMAN RETURNS which is coming out this Summer 1995.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention the latest movies I’ve seen and my feelings about them:
NOBODY’S FOOL (Paul Newman): Pretty good: B
THE LAST SEDUCTION: Quite an eye-opener, a definite woman of the 90s. This one deserves an A. The main actress won BEST ACTRESS from the NY Film Critics' Awards recently.
L
LEGENDS OF THE FALL: Good; Anthony Hopkings is always excellent and this was a great part for Brad Pitt who is definitely being molded into the next male sex symbol in Hollywood. B+
STREETFIGHTER: A Saturday matinee--if it's raining only type of movie. This is mediocre at best and only if you're a Jean-Claude Van Damme fan should you even go to see it. C-
LITTLE WOMEN: A piece of great literature on film. It takes you to Old New York which is a treat going to the early 20th Century.
NELL: Jodie Foster was A+. She is amazing. The movie overall is probably a B+.
That’s all I’ve seen lately. On video, do rent DREAM LOVER with James Spader! This is an undiscovered good one. A+
I want to see MRS. PARKER and a few others which will have to be announced later. I can’t believe how fast I am typing. I’m getting good at this. Ha-ha.
Till next time,
LOVE,
Michael J Armijo
Ashley replied to my last letter on some girly stationary. I liked it.
January 11, 1995
Dear Uncle Mike,
Well, to tell you the truth. I don’t have any resolutions. It’s been raining here too but today it was sunny.
So, you finally took my advice to call in sick. It’s about time Mr.! Today, I had D.A.R.E. My last D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) ...and a dog was in class. We also had G.A.T.E. I started a report on Illinois.
I love the movie SPEED, especially the part when his head came off or when the baby was actually cans.
I love CUTTING EDGE and I want to see RITCHIE RICH. I’ll write to you later, ok?
Love, Ashley
P.S. Does this sound long an ELABORATE? I love you and miss you.
And the latest card from Dorothy Rua with a light pastel beach scene with these words imprinted on it:
MANY HAVE TOUCHED THE EDGES OF MY LIFE...COMING AND GOING, SCARECELY LEAVING AN IMPRESSION. BUT YOU ARE AN UNCOMMON PERSON, SOMEONE WHO HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE. SO, IT’S NOT SURORISING THAT I FIND MYSELF REMEMBERING HOW SPECIAL YOU ARE, AND WANTING US ALWAYS TO REMAIN CLOSE. --Cheryl Hawkinson
January 13, 1995, Friday
Dear Michael,
Sitting here at the window, drinking herbal t3ea with honey and watching the rain fall. I haven't’ been doing much more that this for the past several days, maybe a week. I love a hard rainfall. When it’s accompanied by thunder it takes me back to carefree days of childhood. Days of running and playing in the warm, tropical rain, barefoot and breaking off “elephant” leaves big enough to shelter three children at once.
I’ve been thinking about a lot of things lately. I’ve been thinking a lot about you. You’re very important to me and I’ve been telling myself if I do nothing else I must write and let you know just how much your Christmas gifts meant to me!
I love the scarf from CHINA with the beautiful colors you chose. I find it so curious how you always seem o know just what will give me pleasure. There were only two things I could think of to put on a Santa List if I had been asked to make one up, and one of those was a scarf—cross-my-heart! Yours was the only scarf I received. This is almost eerie. Especially since I rarely used scarves until only about a month ago, maybe two months. I wear yours with several different outfits, think of you with a smile each tie I wear it and will treasure it always.
What a wonderful surprise when I unwrapped the SIRENS movie soundtrack CD. I couldn’t even recall the music from SIRENS; yet, you found it and thought of me. I have to confess I don't’ have a CD player; however, a friend does (and Jean-Paul plans to add one to his stereo system soon). I absolutely love the music, every piece. Of course, each piece brought me back to difference scenes in the movie again, leaving me with a mixture of feelings. Did I ever tell you how cheated I felt with the scene where she finds him that night and they finally get together? I was outraged that the producer/director did not ELABORATE and allow us (the audience) to share the details of what I was sure was a wonderful night of delicious intimacy. Especially after all the buildup, leading to that encounter. No wonder one of the feelings I was left with after the movie was a feeling of longing! Otherwise, as you know, I loved the movie and it will remain one of my all-time favorites. And because of you I now have the music which I consider “forever” music like the classical must I listen to because it is timeless and I will enjoy it always.
Michael, I want to say THANK YOU for the gifts and so much more, but the words THANK YOU hardly seem adequate enough to express how special you are and how special you make me feel. Is it enough that you know how much I appreciate you?
I will write you more very soon. I just can’t seem to get it all down today (or lately for that matter). One point I will mention is I very recently asked FORTIS to prepare my exit papers and I am no longer working for them. Lots of details which I will have to share with you in my next card. You will love the next Black and White card I will be sending...it is SO YOU.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family and that your New Year holiday was fun. Let’s hope the New Year brings wonderful things-like Ed McMahon knocking on your door, or mine with the Publishers Clearing House win! Or one of us getting lucky with the LOTTO numbers...
Thinking of you ALWAYS,
Love, Dorothy
P.S. You once suggested I keep a journal. Why? When I have you to write to? No, I don’t put most of my thoughts in writing—not yet, anyway. This is a different sort of card than I usually send; however, you came to mind when I first read it, so...
And my NEW YEAR (1995) letter from Barbara Reynolds. I invited her to Gloria’s 70th Birthday Party.
15 January 1995
Dear Michael,
Wow! It sounds like a great party. I wish I could be there. What is Mrs. Cohen’s first name? I wonder if it is an older name...That Saturday Alice and I will be attending a show at The Geary Theater: ANGELS IN AMERICA, otherwise I’d love to make the trip...very special.
I am waiting to make vacation plans. I had last Monday off and had a pleasant day but not as planned, of course. The ‘95 Flood’ steered me away from my Marin Trip. I love all of this rain...more rain, less worry.
My phone was out a couple of days and I got drenched yesterday. I was not prepared. I dried out in the sauna and the YWCA, then we saw Jodie Fosters’ movie, NELL. I think I need her in my life, certainly need to remember her. Yes, J.F. is excellent!
I have to agree with you about LITTLE WOMEN and THE LAST SEDUCTION. I want to see LEGENDS OF THE FALL and VANYA ON 42nd STREET.
I resolve to be less petty and more gently; less serious and more honest; less compulsive and to procrastinate less.
Alice and I began a Felder Krais class last Thursday evening (8 weeks and more if I continue to like this). I was impressed. This Wednesday I shall begin a pre-Algebra class from 6:30-8pm. It will meet Mondays and Wednesdays at Vista College one block from my office. I wonder if everyone in this class will be new to me.
Muddle...house...moving...Alice helped me move a piece of furniture which is good since this will help me to get even more comfortable here, right? Be HERE NOW...just a wee bit of anxiety about buying my own place. I have a deposit on the place but there are some legalities that need to be worked out with the previous owner—plus the current tenants are crying. They feel the stairs are too weak for their actual move. It’s pretty interesting an experience for me. In the meantime, staying busy.
Oh yes, I messaged Tony Armijo a couple of weeks back to get your work number to get your advice. Calling didn’t work out so just let me ask you. If I decide to sell a bit of my PHONE stocks, I would keep the Pac Bell Airtouch and AT&T but let go of the other RBOC stocks, since I don’t have hundreds. What do you think? My next day off I may visit Charles Schwab in S.F. or do you know of a good place in Berkeley?
Oh...eating...chew more, eat less...just a wee bit important. Oh, my state-of-mind I see now I really need to resume my nights of good sleep. Good Night, Love, Barbara
There is no obstacle that you cannot overcome if you have the will and love for what you do. --Marina Abramovic, WALK THROUGH WALLS, a memoir
