MIAMI VICE: Listen to Me
Smoking is not only unhealthy in itself and dangerous to others in the vicinity, it is a clear indication of an irrational approach to life. --Graeme Simsion, THE ROSIE PROJECT, a novel
No, I never watched that series called MIAMI VICE but here I am in Miami now and I see the attraction here. The weather is nice—though humid (the young can handle that). I’m not into humidity anymore after Alan introduced me to the love of ‘air-conditioning’, so I am re-conditioned. And the flying cockroach that jumped from the windshield of our car rental was not an enjoyable sight. Yuck.
Nevertheless, I found the NEWS CAFE on the main drag and it was fun to glance and/or buy a magazine and just people watch all of the people walk along the sidewalk. It was like watching a free fashion show as every other person really did look like a model. Amazing. I’m inspired to get more fit. I’ve been living the good MIAMI VICE life and eating much too much.
I laughed a few weeks ago as someone said I looked like the guy from MIAMI VICE. Don Johnson! Yes. I don’t see it---maybe when the lighting is very dark. Who knows?
Alan was writing me and giving me a new card each day. That was thoughtful. The first card was imprinted ‘To my main squeeze...’. Ha-ha; Alan wrote:
Michael,
After about 12 months of heaving workout and waxing I could look like th3e South Beach COD’s (Chests of Death). For right now, and the last 5.5 years, I am satisfied with you and I’m getting better. We had ‘3’ gay parties, 6 glasses of wine, 2 grouper grilled fish dinners, a bagel lady and lots of COD’s, 2-straight gay guys and great ocean time. All in all,...I Love You, ALAN.
Another card from Alan...” For now...for always.”
P.S. It started with a bad photographer (me) and ended with a lost opportunity for me. Maybe tomorrow...
Another card from Alan after a day in Key West, FL.
...imprint: I like even the things about you that we don’t have in common. Alan wrote:
Michael, this is the theme for today. Shall I repeat...Glass Bottom boat ride, T-shirt shopping, getting drunk on vacation, etc. We complement each other in all of these ways!
Key West is restful, colorful, with great yogurt and fresh fish.
I Love You. Great times before we went to sleep. Best of the day: Great drinks at the Pier House and the pier (strong girls). Love, Alan
June 1, 1995, Day 5 card from ALAN:
Michael,
We are at this House in Key West—the DUVAL HOUSE—trees, exotic tropical trees, a Peyton Place feeling, Gazebo, a hammock. As you lay on the hammock you can see the thousand points of light, through the leaves of the trees. You hear the birds chirping, the hammer going, the saw sawing. It’ is the perfect place for a rest. The day also consisted of Conch Fritters, Grilled Grouper, Tartar Sauce, Pizza, Pinot Grigio, Yellow Tail, Mahi-Mahi and bicycles that look great in front of our cottage! A conversation with a LOL (Little Old Lady) about CUBA, and of course, a ride about a Catamaran named SIMI VALLEY to watch your first official sunset (3 pictures only). An afternoon nap preceded by an afternoon delight and an hour on the Hammock of Shangri-La. La-De-La... for lunch, today?
We’re having a great rest in Key West—enough t-shirts but not enough of you. I Love You, Alan
P.S. My card is titled Blue Haze Under the Mango Tree—as in the restaurant that we at in last night!
June 2, 1995, Day 6
Nice running into you...Michael, that’s what would have happened to you last night if I didn’t save you. Someone would have run into you. I told you not to drink all of that liquor. And Cuban cigars!!! Please LISTEN TO ME from now on. I love You and will always take care of you. The rest of the day wasn’t so bad...bike riding, a great romantic lunch at BLUE HEAVEN, etc. I really have a hard time writing a lot when I’m so upset about last night. I guess the new Southern MARYANN and GINGER were the consolation prizes. Remember to LISTEN TO ME in the future. I know about you. Then, we can enjoy the purpose of this card! Love, Alan
To summarize night #6 in Key West FL it was quite an experience. We were at a local bar and there were two women seated next to us named MaryAnn and Ginger. Actually. those were seriously not their real names. We just named them Mary Ann and Ginger because we felt like we were stranded on a tropical island (as in Gilligan's island). Who remembers their names at this point? Anyway, they were so friendly that we got to talking to them and we loved their southern accents. We walked with them after our cocktails to see the sunset over a pier and while we were at the pier, they invited us back to their nearby hotel room to smoke a joint. And then we returned to the pier and I don't know why but we ordered another cocktail. And suddenly one of the women pulled out a Cuban cigar. I had never tried a Cuban cigar. I was so excited about it. I took a few puffs and it made me cough, of course. Suddenly something hit me the wrong way it must have been the combination of the pot, the cocktails and the Cuban cigar. I had to vomit next to the table but I turned my head and did it at the side of the table, trying to be inconspicuous. Suddenly I was like totally drunk. Something hit me in a wrong nauseous sort of way. I'll never have a Cuban cigar again! I was walking around as if I was a local drunk. I wouldn't even say I was walking I was sort of dragging my feet. Alan had to hold me up and guide me back to the DUVAL HOUSE. The following day I didn't even remember what happened as I sort of blacked out. Henceforth, Alan has lectured me and said to me many times: “LISTEN TO ME, LISTEN TO ME, FROM NOW ON...LISTEN TO ME”. And so, I am listening. Although I’m having strange food cravings after that cigar!
Next card from Alan, June 3, 1995 “So, you can’t life a phone?”
You don’t call me anymore. You used to call me and leave me great messages, romantic ones. But now all I get are stock quotes. I do have an answering machine at 454-8403 or at work, so...
As to the day in Key West, the morning after your bad behavior it started with you wanting Pepe Jeans and Kentucky Fried Chicken. It ended with a 2:45AM movie. Strange guy.... you are! But you’re great in bed and have a BOS (body of steel).
The two movies satisfied my movie need until CONGO. The movie (as opposed to the book) which we read in the morning (and the book gave the INTEL stock tip). Good deal! The Hotel is a good deal---really is, so I hope we really enjoy it today.
I like our new CD’s (three of them). I am definitely going back to my diet next week. Only R&B, potatoes and juices, etc.
Today is the last day in South Beach. I hope you find your vacation dreams but if you don’t the thought was half of it. Until Day #8... Your Lover (COD is coming soon), Alan.
“Wanna know the secret of scoring? ...keep your eye on the tight end".
Happy Birthday.
Michael,
I want to wish you a Happy 36th Birthday trip, etc. I hope you had a Birthday to remember. It is always fun thinking of ways to give you a memorable birthday. Today was restful—beach in the morning, BRAVEHEART, Miami Subs, followed by a great dinner on the Western part of Lincoln Mall. We walked down the runways of South Beach.
Love, Alan
Oh...one last card from ALAN:
I couldn’t resist this card. It reminded me of BRAVEHEART (the movie), today. I also know how you have nice legs, great stomach and a COD. This card lacks face—0but is an example of what 8-hours a day will do. I’m sort of depressed as you are lying on the bed, writing your card. I’m not like the guys of South Beach. I need love and positive reinforcement. Love, Alan
Dear Mike,
Hope you had a super Birthday. I woke up to a dream about you early this AM. So, it was really about me, of course. Anyway, it got me to thinking about taking you to breakfast at the new and improved BRICK HUT. So, when will that be?
Did you say that you do have internet? I’m finding so many friends with it...I think I should find myself that way. Do you do your writing in a modem or still on paper? I remember you talking about input of all of your writings, etc.
Yesterday, our office adopted four new people including one familiar face. It’s a small PacBell world. I do think I need to re-locate sometime in the next 18-months. Are you there now? Come to any conclusions lately? On job, etc.? Isn’t this postcard a nice view? Later, Barbara
Rage is a powerful communication. “Choosing a lover is a lot like choosing a therapist. We need to ask ourselves, is this someone who will be honest with me, listen to criticism, admit making mistakes, and not promise the impossible?”---Alex Michaelides, THE SILENT PATIENT
