A Positive Dimension
As the poet says, ‘a thing of beauty is a joy for ever’. --Roald Dahl, in his book, GOING SOLO It’s an eventful week. First, it’s my Birthday on May 26th. And on May 25th, it is Lauren’s Santa Monica High School Prom night. Her date will be Craig Feinman of Staten Island. His mother, Joanne, is a longtime gal pal of Judy Opolinsky (who is a good friend of Lauren’s mom). That’s how Lauren met Craig.
Lauren’s mom, Susan, arranged for a make-up artist to come to her house to do Lauren’s makeup. I snapped a shot of that happening. I managed to get a few good shots of Lauren and Craig as well as of Lauren’s friend, Julie and others (including Mike Regalbuto).
Gloria sent me a postcard of Bill Clinton. Imprinted on the card:
Dear _______, Thought you’d enjoy this shot of one of my buddies who stopped by the club for 18 holes. You know him as William Jefferson Clinton, our 42nd President, but to me he will always be affectionately known as “Bill”.
PS I got his autograph for you.
That was funny. Gloria wrote:
Sunday 5/24 Hi,
I just had a jogging session with the person on the card. All is well and having fun.
Love to All,
Always,
Gloria and Jack
I received a few early Birthday Cards from Dorothy Rua and my grandmother, Mary G Lucero and Alan’s daughters (Lauren and Carrie) and Herb and Carol BRAHA.
Dorothy’s card had a nice way with words:
“It’s not where or when you arrive—it's taking the journey that counts. Wishing you a year filled with discovery.”
Grandma’s card was sweet with a record album depiction that read “YOU’RE WONDERFUL” The Admirers & “Happy Birthday to a wonderful grandson...who’s a bit hit with the whole family!”
Love, Grandma, God Bless
I loved the Birthday Cake kid card from Lauren and Carrie Freiman. It touched my 'child within':
Dear Mike,
We thought this card was very fitting since we know who eats all the Mars bars when no one’s home. This may be a little early but Happy Birthday. So, how does it feel to be 21? We hope that you have a great birthday.
You’ve always been there for us, and we really appreciate it. I guess Birthdays are the times to assure people of things like that. There’ s not much else to say except that we love you. Hope you have a great birthday and that you like your present.
We love you always,
Lauren and Carrie Freiman
Herb and Carol sent me a cool card of the Eiffel Tower and planes flying over and around it. They wrote:
It is really terrific to have a friend like you. You give us laughter, fun and good market tips!
Most of all we love your kind heart and soul.
Very Happy Birthday,
Love,
Carol and Herb
And on my actual Birthday (May 26) I received cards from ‘Gloria and Jack’, Cousin MaryAnn Gehling from Colorado Springs, my longtime friend Birda Bingham and a mix of several cards from Alan.
5/26/97
Dearest Michael,
Are you a true GEMINI? Wishing you a very happy, healthy and prosperous birthday and with that a wish that whatever it is in life you desire, your wish shall be granted. It has been our pleasure in knowing and celebrating the last 7 or 8 years with you. You have added A POSITIVE DIMENSION to our lives. Our greatest times are that we have been with you and hope it continues forever. I could go on and on with accolades for you. There are so many, but I will sum it up by saying of all the fabulous people we have met you fill the bill the best.
Love Always,
Gloria and Jack
‘Just little old me wishing you a happy birthday! Love, Mary Ann
For some reason I love this card. Sometimes I walk out I the yard, just little old me and look at the stars. I always feel insignificant when I do. Takes some of my conceit away. It makes me keep my feet on the ground when I do. It’s sort of a spiritual time.
I really do love you, Michael. Have a happy birthday. I’ll be thinking of you all day. I’ll miss you a lot on our trip. Please take care of yourself. MaryAnn
And Birda wrote me a poem on her handmade card. That really warmed my heart. Unbelievable:
It’s hard to believe
YOUR BIRTHDAY is here.
Has it really been another year?
I was just thinking
about the times we spent
talking and riding
whenever we met.
Peddling fast, Racing along,
Keeping a pace,
To our favorite songs.
I’m so happy,
We keep in touch,
Each postcard I’ve gotten,
Means so much.
Have a great day.
Know that I care.
Even if you can’t see me,
Know that I’m there.
Happy Birthday!
Always, Birda
Alan created 4-sets of card-giving moments for me throughout the day. First, there was the set of 7-postcards; then 2 postcards, a solo card and then, another solo card. He hid them in different spots and handed me the last one.
The first set of 7 cards included 2 from a show we love called CENTRAL PARK WEST that is actually like a nighttime soap opera. He also gave me one of and ABSOLUTE VODKA ad in the heart of Venice, Italy; an ad postcard for a new Body Shop fragrance called NO DEBATE of three naked guys jumping (very funny) and a Normal Rockwell Museum card he saved from when we visited there; and an artsy one from the Paris LOUVRE gift shop that he bought of a man lost in thought by Hippolyte Flandrin and a beautiful postcard of a place we stayed in Gualala, CA called THE WHALE WATCH INN. Alan wrote:
5/26/97 Michael,
Happy Birthday. We've spent time enjoying CENTRAL PARK WEST, NY. I Love you and spending time with you is what it’s all about. No secrets and lies! I’m sorry I’m so busy and preoccupied but I know you know that all I really want is you.
Alan
Michael,
How about a Romantic trip to Venice? I’d love to take you to Italy. Don’t you like my surprises and plans? I know that I try to tell you what we should do but remember I always put you FIRST.
Do what you want.
I Love You.
Happy Birthday,
Alan.
Which of the three is me? Do I sexually satisfy you? Truth. No Secrets and Lies. I’m not satisfied. Why? Because I would love to have you all day long in bed—nothing else. Alan
Then, I discovered that you’re very talented and have many loves:
Rockwell Paintings, stocks, Family Trees, What next? You like me. I like you. I know that. It’s great...
So, we took trips to PARIS, SPAIN, ITALY, SWITZERLAND, NY, NY, NY, NY, London, London, Paris, Hong Kong, China: Beijing, Shanghai, Cancun, Mr. Leeman St. Kitts, Puerto Rico, Miami, Las Vegas and more...
But I always think of you with no clothes on—you look best in my arms except...
That you get preoccupied with other things like this (Central Park West series) and don’t spend enough time with your clothes off and in my arms. That has to change in year 8. In fact, my favorite times with you have been...
In Romantic spots like this (Whale Watch Inn, Gualala, CA) when you cannot do anything else but be with me...because I Love You. So, Health and Alan & Michael are all we need. We got it!!!
And then, his other duo cards were sweet, simple and surprising:
5/26/97
Michael,
Happy Birthday!
You’ve made my life very PERFECT.
You are a pick-me-up, not a pick-up.
Love,
Alan
So, I went home, started reading and playing and imagining how it would be without you. But I figured you were too young—the blond hair, you know. I then was depressed until you called. We met and went to LOUIS XIV and then it started: “Is there a future in a man-to-man relationship?’ I thought so. I wanted you.
The Artsy Card
Happy Birthday,
We have traveled so far to get to this day. Over 2500 Days and counting. One thought—I hope you’re happy with me. I’m certainly happy I met you. Please enjoy your Birthday Year. Oh No... I promise to be nice and do what you want.
Love, Alan
May 26, 1997, To Celebrate Michael Armijo’s 38th Birthday. Please enjoy the wine from France which has been bottled since 1988 and is fit to drink. Enjoy. Love, Alan
PS – Let's enjoy your bottle in 1997. You will just be better then. I love you so much. Happy Hannukah.
On May 28 Alan and I saw a most touching film called MY LIFE IN PINK (or MA VIE EN ROSE). It was just fantastic French film, about an innocent 7-year old child who provokes horrors in his community when he dresses in girls clothes and insists he's a girl. Both Alan and I were truly touched by the story.
‘There’s but one place for me,
Near you.
It’s like heaven to be
Near you.’
--as read in the novel by Leonard Cohen, THE FAVORITE GAME but taken from the song, NEAR YOU, recorded by Francis Craig and His Orchestra in 1947 with lyrics by Kermit Goell
