The Swing
Sleep is constantly modifying the information architecture of the brain at night. Even daytime naps as short as 20-minutes can offer a memory consolidation advantage, so long as they contain enough NREM (deep) sleep. --Matthew Walker, PhD, WHY WE SLEEP The day came for Bradley. Who’s Bradley? Well, Alan’s partner, Art, has a son named Bradley. It was his Bar Mitzvah celebration.
It was ideally located at the Charthouse Restaurant in Marina Del Rey, so it was a hop skip and a jump for us. We live right around the corner.
I had fun snapping photos here and there. I had a few favorite pics (the one with Alan and the girls; and the one of Lauren with her pals: Bradley’s sister, Stephanie, and Jamie. A good time was had by all...there was actual dancing.
Gloria and Jack seemed like they were ready to do ‘The Swing’. I love their energy. That reminds me of a 1993 movie I loved called SWING KIDS. I especially love the soundtrack to that film. Great music! It entices me to dance when I hear it. Sometimes I wonder if I was reincarnated from that period of time when they danced 'The Swing'. I truly feel a connection with it.
And another letter from Ashley. In fact, my other niece, Lauren was hanging out with her, and she wrote me, too. I had a daily double. I made their list! Hurrah!
ASHLEY:
Sept 1st, 1996
Dear Uncle Mike,
Thanks a bunch for the stamps! Now I can actually write a postcard and don’t worry—I'll use them wisely.
Lauren and Leigh are spending the night. Uncle Tony and Aunty Helen got a new ‘ruby red’ Toyota Camry. It’s their fourth car!
I liked THE BRADY BUNCH, but it was gross how Greg and Marcia liked each other! Grody! I mean, even if they aren’t blood related. I mean, that’s like ‘ew’! I didn't really get the ending (?). I mean, I dream of Jeannie’s genie was Mike Brady’s wife...but I still liked it very much.
And what do you mean I’ll be a BIG BAD 7th grader? I mean, I have some 6th grade friends—even a cousin. And I even have one 5th Grade friend. I’m not that mean! I mane, to pick some 6th graders. I’m sure you didn’t, right?
Uncle Mike, you’ve been listening to the BEACH BOYS way too long! I mean, four days straight? You must be catching a lot of sun!
I found out my schedule. Here it is:
1-Math with Ms. Phillipson
2-Computers with Mr. Silk
3-Science with Ms. Beck
4-P.E. with Ms. Green
5-Core with Ms. Fine
6-Core with Ms. Fine
7-Core with Ms. Fine
You probably wouldn’t know them because they are pretty young and haven’t been teaching as long as Ms. Kaake!
I miss you and love you lots. I hope to see you soon. Lauren and I were reading your yearbook. This one girl wrote, “I’m sorry what people have been saying about your girlfriends. You can’t help it if you attract girls.”
The only boy who wrote in your yearbook wrote: “How do you get so many girls?”
LAUREN:
Dear Uncle Mike,
How are you? I’m spending the night at Ashley’s. She has a really neat room.
We got a new car, and it is a ruby red Toyota Camry. We just got it yesterday. I’m going to get my own room soon and I'm getting a phone that’s gray with a clock and a radio. I also get a CD-ROM in my room!
I’m collecting BARBIEs like you are. I only have one. The one that says ten-thousand things.
Ashley told me you don’t know what SAILOR MOON is. I told her to give you a tape of it. Ha-ha
What do oyu mean that Ashlye’s going to be a BIG BAD 7th, Grader? Why aren’t I a BIG BAD 6th Grader? I mean, she’s not bad. She’s nice, pretty and SMART! (She told me to write that.) Ha-ha
I’m going to Redwood Christian School. I didn’t want to, but I guess it’s ok. Now, I was going to go to CANYON SCHOOL, but my mom and dad wanted me to go to a Private School...and I am—but the bad thing is at the school they spank you if you are bad.
I love glow-in-the-dark stuff in my room.
Did you know that Ashley is moving to a new house? It’s a blue house. Now they’re really going to be even closer to Grandma’s house.
I got new shoes. Thye are black and white. They have high heels, too. Ashley got black and white shoes, too, but not high heels.
When I went over to Ashley’s house, I saw all of her keychains. There are so many.
Maybe I should write more to you. It’s fun. Please write me. See you soon, I hope.
I sure hope I have a party. I’ve been writing down my dreams. My last dream was with this fish with a pointy nose that poked me on my hand like seven times.
I hope I get to see you soon.
Do you like scary movies? I don’t. I just can’t wait till my Birthday. I’ll see you. May I have some stamps?
Love,
Lauren
P.S. I cut my hair Ashley’s length. Leigh, too.
And, to receive these letters from Ashley and Lauren brought back fresh memories of our Washington DC escape trip. It makes me miss them more. Coincidentally, I opened my mouth and got a nice refund for Lauren’s lost luggage and from mom, too. I wrote mom:
Mom,
Here’s your share of the NORTHWEST AIRLINES refund check. Miss you! Get well soon (your tooth!). See you on the 16th.
Love Always,
Michael
Alan and I took to escape to Laguna Beach with Jack and Gloria. We had high tea at the RITZ CARLTON there. I love that. Those miniature cucumber sandwiches and the scones with the clotted cream are so worth it. I'd love to take Ashley and Lauren for high tea (maybe someday). It was another fun escape with photos to go with it. We also trekked further for a visit to the San Diego Zoo. What else can I say? It was a busy week. I would have liked to see Jack and Gloria do a few more dance moves to 'The Swing' though. Ha-ha.I’m sleeping very well.
The 2000 film GLADIATOR, shows us in two hours how simple LIFE can be if we answer three questions: What is my purpose? What do I believe in? How can I transcend the self? --A.C. PING in his book, “BE”
