That First Cup of Coffee

"Man's loneliness is but his fear of life." --Eugene O'Neill, Nobel laureate in Literature 

There’s a song called BACK FOR GOOD by Take That which has caught my ear.  I think I like that beginning part when it mentions ‘lipstick marks on a coffee cup’ in the lyrics.   There’s something about that first coffee cup.  If I get to my office early, I love to take that extra walk for a latte at the COFFEE BEAN, near UCLA.  It’s my boost for the morning: that first coffee cup treat.  

A CHILL OUT postcard of a new album by JOHN LEE HOOKER was used today to write to Paloma. 

4-5-95 

Hi Paloma, 

Just a note to tell you I love the postcard of LES PYRENEES, LES ANGLES and the snow.  Just beautiful.   

My mom was visiting 3/15--3/31.  I did a TV commercial for the company that I work for, Charles Schwab & Co.  They picked me.  No big deal...but now I’m a member of the SAG-Screen Actors Guild.  Maybe I’ll get a movie part now. Ha-ha. 

Michael 

Barbara Reynolds wrote me and I had to laugh at the card of the gentleman hiding behind a high stack of buttermilk pancakes: 

7 April 95 

Dear Mike, 

Thank so much for the note.  Jan Van Huysum --beautiful notecard.  Thanks.  Sounds like you are still keeping busy.  Glad to hear your mom got a visit with you.  I still think of my mom—sentiment which quickly turns to rationalization.  Hmm... 

Yes, I want to see MURIEL’S WEDDING and WILL.  Today I saw ONCE WERE WARRIORS—very powerful film, captivating therapy material.  We saw the second half of ANGELS IN AMERICA last Saturday night.  It confronts basic reality but not shockingly and almost whimsical.  Lucky us.  

I now have to mark my calendar:  May 6th...this is a TV commercial, correct?  So, if I don’t get it that day, I may have a second opportunity?  Well, what a thrill.   

Speaking of Martin Scorsese I want to see his new product, CUBA. 

Thanks for the excuse to write—I need to focus and get my mind in THE NOW.  I’ve reserved a ticket roundtrip SF to Dusseldorf May 3-17, a rendezvous with this guy I met in VA last year.  His plan is to be in Europe a year and spend 2 years there a while ago, so I truly feel I’ll be in good hands.  Now I’m getting myself in shape, very difficult to not get excited. 

Alice and I did the tour of TAO HOUSE, Eugene O’Neill’s home in Danville, CA on the edge of Las Trampas Park.  This is a hidden treasure, since the road to his home is private and the only way to get a tour is to call ahead and book it at either 10AM or 12:30PM Wednesday-Saturday and only eleven passengers allowed.  O’Neill wrote 7-plays in 7-years 1935-1942.  He left their home partly due to the gas rationing during World War II.  Needless to say, well you know...a good spot on this sweet earth.  Later, 

Love, 

Barbara  

And I wrote Paloma another postcard using a Barry D Marcus photo postcard: 

April 7, 1995 

Dear Paloma, 

I loved the photos you sent me.  They came out so nice.  Your dad and Alexandre look good.  Monique looks exactly as I remember her.  She looks great.  Oh yeah—you are ‘eye catching’ too. 

Glad you enjoyed the songs on tape.  I like Flamenco tunes, too.  I’ll see what I can do next time. 

I heard MADONNA with Patrick Hernandez (BORN TO BE ALIVE) but I don’t know who he is. 

I hadn’t heard about the French town in San Diego but I heard about the new French Library in Paris. 

How was Edouard’s visit from Albuquerque?  Looks like the DISNEYLAND PARIS trip won’t happen anytime soon.  I’m going to New York 4-13—4-17 and MIAMI from 5-27 thru 6-4 for sure. 

More Later,  

Love, 

Michael Armijo 

Another few cards received from DOROTHY RUA this week... 

4-9-95 

Dear Michael, 

During the past few months there have been some issues and situations that have exhausted my mental and emotional energy.  I’m basically a very private person, but have decided you deserve to know what’s kept me from writing lately.  The more important issues are marital, they’re issues I had thought were resolved a few years ago only to learn that I was mistaken and they still require attention.  I’ve reached a point where I’m SO tired, yet I have to decide if I have more to give—more patience, understanding, etc.  The decision is all mine and the only decision I’ve reached is that I don’t have to make a decision about anything today or tomorrow until I’m ready to decide.  The only thing I continue to believe is my marriage should be a good one.  I've worked hard at it and I deserve it to be good. 

Not all things are within our (one person’s) control and I realize this, so I hope the additional support will be there when it’s needed.  

I’m sorry I couldn’t seem to write earlier.  You have remained in my thoughts, as always, and re-reading your recent cards I’ve been carrying in my purse have helped lighten my load at moments I needed them most.  

Your trip to Palm Springs sounded wonderful.  Just what you needed, just what I need!   February...has it been that long?  I feel bad all over again about not writing. 

About that ‘MORE HAPPINESS IN 1995’ comment—I didn’t think you were implying I was unhappy.  I thought you were reading between the lines in my cards and KNEW!  Funny how I sometimes see things from different angles only because I’m coming from MY place.  Anyway, YES, let’s hope for more happiness in ‘95 and beyond. 

Do I like JAZZ?  I didn’t grow up with JAZZ but I have come to enjoy and appreciate JAZZ.  Not growing-up in New York, the music doesn’t make me feel like it’s bringing me “HOME”, but I do enjoy it.  I especially like the saxophone. 

How did the evening at the MALIBU BLUES with the BIONIC WOMAN turn out?  What was Lindsay Wagner like?   

Have you become a Big Brother of LA yet?  How fun and rewarding that will be for you—and how fortunate the boy/girl will be to have you to share time, activities, etc. with.  I remember what a positive influence you had on the students at that school you spent time at before moving to Southern California. 

I want you to know how much I appreciated the photo of your NORMAN ROCKWELL painting.  Do I like it!  I think it’s GREAT!  Maybe because I can relate to those two-women enjoying a break.  The scene is so real, but then all of his paintings are and that’s why we all love them so. 

I also like the card of JOHN LEE HOOKER, CHILLING OUT, too-too cool! 

A Favorite custom is so sensual and natural.  I’d love to have that relaxing custom as a part of my life.  

The job is okay.  I have to be honest, best part is that it includes an income, benefits and an 8-minute commute.   If I decide to put anything personal up around me I have a cubicle wall.  I can put your cards on this wall.  Only the really HOT ones since the Japanese are so very conservative!  Ha-ha.  They would just die if I put up MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL.  And, of course, I’d have to be let go—the fallen woman that I would appear to be! 

Haven't’ done much lately, but I did see JUST CAUSE some time ago and I enjoyed it.  Familiar theme but Sean Connery is always wonderful.  Also, back in February (?) Rosemarie won free tickets to TOMMY T’s, so a group of us friends went to see Kevin Hughes.  Provided me with much needed laughter, great sexual jokes, of course! 

So, are you off to NYC, Boston, Palm Springs or Paris?  No matter, surprise me with a card and have lots of fun.  I appreciate and LOVE YOU, too!  

Dorothy 

Her comments about my unpredicted travels made me smile given that NYC is in the cards soon and the MIAMI escape in late May has me excited.  How did she know?   I feel a need to get in-shape.  It’s an effort that never stops but it’s important to be ahead of the game.  It’s necessary to be strong versus weak. 

It was Sunday and I decided to type Paloma a letter.  She’s on my mind this week and I felt guilty that I only wrote brief postcards, so I had better write more or she might get on my case about it. 

April 9, 1995, Sunday Evening 

Dear Paloma, 

How goes it?  I was in the mood to use the MacIntosh computer for a quick letter and decided to drop you a few more lines—not that I’ve been dropping very many lines lately.  Alas, time does fly when one is working, enjoying life (or at least trying to). 

I’m listening to music as I write.  It’s windy outside, yet the sun is out.  I may be going to see a movie later.  Today was chore day.  Speaking of movies, if you haven’t seen MURIEL’S WEDDING yet—Go see it!  It’s full of fun and surprises.  It takes place in Australia and I hear fi you visit there today it’s like the 1970s.  

PHOTO:  MURIEL'S WEDDING

I have some good Hollywood-related gossip.  As I think I’ve told you before, I’ve taken a walk in this Pacific Palisades neighborhood and have run into Whoopi Goldberg and her husband and Sydney Pollack (he directed movies like THE FIRM and TOOTSIE).  

Anyway, last night when I was returning home a street was blocked off with many police around.  I learned from on officer that the President (Yes, BILL CLINTON) had a just arrived for a Democratic Fundraising Dinner ($50,000 per plate).  Yes, it was a bit of a surprise but I was even more surprised when I learned whose house where the benefit was taking place—none other than the likes of another famous film Director.  Yes!  Steven Spielberg is my neighbor!  Needless to say, I will be taking more walks and maybe I’ll actually run into him.  

Oh...I’m beyond being star-struck having lived in LA for the last 5 years.  I saw Goldie Hawn driving home to her house (also here in Pacific Palisades) just two days ago.  After a while it seems like you've run into so many celebs that you realize that they are just like any other normal person and they wish they could go places and not be so noticed.  

As far as vacations go—I mentioned in a recent postcard that I will be in NYC from April 12-17 and that will be a great escape.  I always make the best of my trips to NYC.  My birthday is on Friday (May 26th) and I am not wasting anytime because I will be flying to Miami, FL on 5/27 and return to LA on 6/4. 

Work is the same.  It’s become somewhat routine.  I can’t believe I’ve been there for 3 years.  Can you?  Time sure does fly. 

I wish I could do a painting.  It’s in the back of my mind but something always seems to come up.  Oh yeah, on May 10th I am going to an AIDS PROJECT LA fundraiser that should be absolutely FUN-TASTIC because it’s a Fashion Show put on by the famous designer Gianfranco Ferre.  Have you heard of him?  I’m sure you have.  Anyway, he’ll be there along with who knows who else.  And the best part—the appetizers, desserts that should be mouth wateringly scrumptious.  I guess I’ll need a major aerobics class for the next month after the event. 

My mom came to visit for about 10 days (the end of March).  It was great to see her.  She fills me in on what’s going on up there a lot of the time.  She has a good time coming to visit here. I try to make sure of that.  

I love cashews.  Keep them away from me. 

Do you have news for me?  How’s the family? 

I think I’ll cut this one a little short.  Just want you to know that you are often in my thoughts!  Later. 

Love, 

Michael J Armijo 

He liked to go hiking through the canyons; he enjoyed it the way some people enjoy boot camp or a marathon.  he liked the strain it put on his muscles and his mind: he grew stronger and smarter. --Jeanine Cummins, AMERICAN DIRT