MEMORY LANE

‘You can slow down aging by eating foods that contain lots of antioxidants.’--Michael Greger, M.D. FACLM, HOW NOT TO DIE 

My niece, Holly Armijo, sent me an artistic Birthday card that she created herself. I love it. 

I found a bit of memorabilia correspondence from Carrie (Alan’s youngest daughter) from when she was at summer camp a few years ago (1993). It’s fun to read back on those memories. It’s like walking back on memory lane. The more memories we have the more we have aged. I think we need to do something about this aging process (diet, exercise and a little bit of sunlight).  

Dear Mike, 

WTZ Camp is GREAT. How are you? Thanks for the letter. See...I went swimming today. It was fun. My counselors brought us pizza at 11:27 at night. Luv, Carrie 

I have learned wind surf, tennis, sailing and water skiing. My counselor is really mean. The kids here are nice. The weather is very HOT. What is our zip code? Love, Carrie 

I am great and happy. A great thing happened when I water skied. I got up the first time. My counselors are ok and strict. Please pick me up. I miss you a lot. Love, Carrie 

Another memory lane moment was a letter that Paloma sent me when she was in Las Vegas, Nevada at the end of January this year (1996). She wrote on the EXCALIBUR HOTEL CASINO stationery just before I saw her (and Alex) a few months ago (February 1996) at our house in Marina Del Rey. 

Dear Michael, 

Just a few words from the EXCALIBUR where we are having a great time. This place is just unbelievable. Las Vegas is just like a huge Disneyland for adults!  

Today, we are moving to the MIRAGE HOTEL. 

Sorry I didn’t writ you before but I’m sure you know how it is when you travel (always busy). We want to see everything. 

I called you.  

We will be at the HOWARD JOHNSON by the airport on Thursday evening and Friday. I will call you then. 

Hope to see you. 

Love, Paloma 

It seems Reed Campbell cannot get enough of that HOLLAND AMERICA CruiseShip. When I see a HOLLAND AMERICA LINE postcard, I immediately know it’s from him. I am sure he has a memory lane list that goes on for days. He mailed this one on May 24, 1996: 

Hi Michael, 

This is the ship to sail on. Hope you get my letter/card before you get this. We had a good time but too much going on.

Best,

as always, Reed. 

On May 2nd, Alan and I wore vests for an exciting Fashion Show APLA fundraiser that is to honor designer Todd Oldham. It was organized by the California Fashion Industry Friends of AIDS Project Los Angeles. I took a photo of the two of us before we departed home. It was fun to mingle and see who was there. Yes, plenty of celebrities. Now when I see a celebrity it’s not a big deal. They all go to the bathroom just like everyone else.

The night went briskly and we had a lot of fun. It was the making of another memory lane.

I whispered to Alan, "Just act like we're film producers, that always works."

Of course, Alan said, "We are producers."

And we still are. The event was held at the Bergamont Studios in Santa Monica--not far from our home. Some of the celebrities there included Cameron Diaz, Paula Abdul, Fran Drescher, Annabeth Gish, Naomi Campbell, Sela Ward, Sandra Bernhard, Ali McGraw, Brendan Fraser, etc. I have to say it was nice to see Brendan Fraser. I saw him at a movie screening a year or so ago and he was ultra-nice. 

If you want to dream of someone you love, it is good to lie alone for lengthy periods—no noise, no other people, in a bright, high0ceilinged room with treetops rustling outside. --Stefan Zweig, A STORY TOLD IN TWILIGHT