A Deep Thinker
“I have to be alone. I can’t let myself be distracted by anything at this time. I’m at the final dip of the dance, the forbidden stroke. If you hear me laugh suddenly with the weirdest laugh in the world, a laugh that not even I know what it might be like, don’t be alarmed...” --Ramon Gomez de la Serna, EIGHT NOVELLAS, from THE MASTER OF THE ATOM novella
Alan wrote me a series of five postcards and I loved them all. Many of them reminded me of PARIS. One was from a restaurant we loved in Paris at 41, Rue De Lille called LE TELEGRAPHE.
One was of a painted Paris Street scene that included a Patisserie/Boulangerie, of course.
'I Love Paris in the Springtime. I Love Paris with you anytime. I love Michal all the time. Let's keep finding the time to enjoy all of our great moments and make it through everything else--just thinking about how much we love each other. Love, Alan'
One was of a picturesque aerial view of the cute Paris town known as CERET. We loved it there. It’s where most of the Paris cherries come from.
'Remember true love--you told me to leave my shoes here but we did have the best chocolate croissant ever. Remember the meat: LE CHEVRE that was served for dinner: Total Cholesterol. I want to get another taste of that croissant! I Love you...next Saturday is approaching.'
Alan included a Tazza de la Luna advertisement of a Café. Alan is very much into coffee these days. I’m becoming better at tasting good coffee versus bad coffee.
Alan found a MICHAEL, MIKE postcard, for me, too. It defined my name and I found that rather fascinating:
Michael: Hebrew meaning “who can be like GOD”.
Michael is often quiet and thoughtful; concerned about his surroundings and the environment. Sometimes he can seem hard to understand, but this is simply because he is a deep thinker. He will never react rashly.
Gloria wrote to Alan from MIAMI on this postcard painting by CANALETTO:
Hi Love,
This postcard brought back so many beautiful memories. Our fun gondola rides!!!
All is well here—now besides heat and humidity we have the rain.
After my workout I went to RASCAL HOUSE and had my 3-way cereal. Mmm good.
Love and Miss You,
Mommy & Jack
Alan gave me another 7/20 Happy Anniversary card:
A few days late, I know—but I Love you. I wanted to wish you a Happy Anniversary: 68 Months. I’m mad for you. To renew 68-months. It goes like this: Lots of Happiness, Love, Sex, Good times, Travel, Restaurants, 2-houses, 2-apartments, sex, love, great kissing. I’m getting turned-on writing this card. A few fights—but it’s great making-up.
IBM is 101 ¼. MSFT is 94 ½. MU is 57 ¼. INTC is 65.
Until Friday at 8:45...
Love You,
Alan
Alan will be coming back from Seattle very soon. Meanwhile, I’m doing my usual 8AM-4PM work routine at Charles Schwab & CO. Alan wrote again:
7/21/95
Michael,
I tried to talk to you but you wanted to sleep instead. So, I'll talk to you this way.
Art and I went to dinner at a local restaurant. I ate steak and a caser salad with red wine. I was bad for the first time. We then visited Sheila’s new story which opened today. Business looked so-so.
I’m home now and thinking about next week at the same time when we’ll be reunited. It’s great to be so in love with you. You’re my true love.
Dear Paloma,
I'm doing a little nude sunbathing today because I'm home alone.
I saw an old movie that was re-released from the 1960's called BELLE DU JOUR. It was good. I didn't know Catherine Deneuve was married to Martin Scorcese (I meant Marcello Mastroianni--Haha). She's just gorgeous.
Also, I found this article yesterday about your dreamboat, Kurt Russell. I thought you might like the story.
It’s relaxing here today listening to music. I may go running later. How’s Jonathan and Alexandre and your ma and pa?
Alan’s in Seattle. He returns on 7/28. Then, on 7/29 we are going to the Annual Evening event benefitting APLA: AIDS Project Los Angeles at Universal Studios. They’ll have a silent auction and all kinds of free food in little booths from various restaurants. It’s lots of fun. Besides Alan and I—Gloria and her husband, Jack, are going with us. It should be fun. Last year, Jackie Collins was there (Joan Collins’ sister who writes all of those gossip novels).
I always recognize everyone. Two weeks ago, I saw Diane Keaton while dining with Alan, Jack an Gloria at an Italian Restaurant in West Hollywood called PANE VINO. Gloria had no fear. After I told her she’s famous for the movie LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR, Gloria went up to her and told her, “I loved you in LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR”. She also exchanged a few more friendly words and Diane was thrilled and happy to meet Gloria. I guess I better go running now.
Later, Love You, Michael
I wrote to mom, also:
July 22, 1995, Saturday 6PM
Dear Mom,
Here are some June 95 memory photos. I sent a select few to Ashley and Holly, too, from when you were all visiting.
I love you. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll always be there for you.
I’m exhausted. I went running for about an hour. I’m listening to piano music now and having a Diet Dr. Pepper to calm me down.
By the time you get this Las Vegas will be a memory. I hope you had fun. I want to hear all about it.
Love You,
Michael
Counting the days for Alan’s return for Seattle but I’m always pleased when I find a card from him. This one depicted a classic set of stairs in the Montmartre area of PARIS:
Michael,
This card is appropriate for your long run up the steps on Saturday. I’d rather be walking these steps with you in Montmartre, France. It’s great that you have enough energy to do all of that exercise. Maybe you could do it more often. That would be good for you.
It’s too bad you refused to take my call on Saturday night by disconnecting the phone. Next time, all you have to do is leave me a message saying, ‘please all me tomorrow, I want to sleep’. I’m sorry for being so jealous but after 2-weks I wonder what you’re up to.
After all, you’re 32, great looking and in great demand, so why shouldn’t I worry?
I know I’m a pain but I do care very much!
“There is no need to use brute strength. The power comes not from your arms, but from the earth, rising through your legs, up along your hips, and into your chest, into your heart. Breathe properly, use your hara, your abdomen. Pull every breath deep down into you. Feel your body expanding as you breathe: that is where we live, in the moments between each inhalation and exhalation.” --Tan Twan Eng, THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS
