A Fancy Experience

‘If you feel crappy, it’s because your brain is telling you that there’s a problem...negative emotions are a call to action.  When you feel them, it’s because you’re supposed to DO SOMETHING.  Happiness requires struggle.  What are you willing to struggle for?’--Mark Manson, in his book THE SUBTLE ART OF NOT GIVING A FUCK 

My niece, Ashley, is still in 7th heaven from the NSYNC concert we attended at the Universal Studios Ampitheater on Friday, January 8, 1999.  That was a cool surprise how Britney Spears was the opening the act as she seems to be growing more fans now.   I informed Ashley of a summer UCLA program for high school students and encouraged her to do it. Sometimes you take a certain path, and it could change your life.  I hope she decides to do it.  

Gloria (Alan’s mom) continues to be involved with the Museum of Tolerance as a docent.  She got us into see a Polish documentary in February.  I like to go there.  Actor Gregory Peck was in the audience the day we saw that documentary.  That was a fantastic A-rated celebrity sighting who is, of course, famous for his portrayal as the attorney, Atticus Finch, in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962).  He won the Best Actor Oscar for it in 1963. 

Our Aruba escape from February 24th through March 3rd was unforgettable (makes me think of the Nat King Cole song (released in 1951).  And let’s not forget the duet version from 1991 with Nat and his daughter, Natalie (a favorite of mine).  We need to do more Caribbean Island trips.  I had no idea what I was missing.  After Aruba we flew to New York City for a few nights and back to LA on March 7th.   It’s great to reflect.  

I’m also proud of Alan and myself for doing the L.A. Marathon on Sunday March 14th.  That was one unforgettable achievement. 

Now that Alan is in business with me, he had to take the Series 65 test on March 25th in Glendale, CA and he passed with flying colors. 

A week ago, Alan and I saw a film called A WALK ON THE MOON, starring Diane Lane and Viggo Mortensen.   It was a great drama-romance (just my kind of movie—besides psychological thrillers, of course, Ha-ha).   

Given my flexible calendar now that I don’t have to report to the Charles Schwab & Co. Office from 8AM to 4PM I’m able to travel at the drop of a hat.  Alan pulled another rabbit out of the hat with a plan to go to New York again from April 3rd thru April 10th.   

Former coworker, Gloria Romero, send a PARIS postcard postmarked April 6th.  I was envious, of course. 

Hi! Michael, 

Well, I’m in PARIS.  It’s beautiful, enjoying the historical sights and you can go everywhere on the METRO.  Our apartment overlooks a cobblestone street.  Food is great, also visiting Florence, Italy next week. 

Love, 

Gloria 

Ashley sent me a fun-reading email.  It looks like she won’t participate in the UCLA High School Students summer session 1999.  That’s okay.  I’m sure new opportunities will come her way.  Here’s her email.   I like how she spoke of the NSYNC songs: 

While in NYC, Gloria and Jack, were with us and she wrote me this postcard from where we stayed (Plaza Athenee).  I had sent the same postcard to my mom, so it was nice to receive one of my very own:  

9:15AM, 4/10/99 

Dearest Michael, 

At breakfast, we were just critiquing DEATH OF A SALESMAN, the play (seen on April 8th).  It has been a pleasure starting each day with you.  From horse and carriage rides in Central Park to train rides on the subway it has been exciting sharing time with you.  You have made my trip to NY “fab” and I look forward to many mor in many faraway lands! 

Love Always, 

Gloria 

We saw a couple of matinees.  We saw the play called CLOSER (on Saturday April 3rd) at the Music Box Theater on Broadway.  It was cool to see the actors Rupert Graves and Natasha Richardson on-stage.  They’re both so very good at what they do.  We also saw MARLENE (on Sunday April 4th at 2pm) at the CORT THEATER.  It centered on Marlene Dietrich looking back on her life and glamourous image before giving a concert in Paris in 1969.  The actress Sian Phillips played Marlene Dietrich.  I had never heard of her before.  I loved when she sang, I WISH YOU LOVE. I like getting a little dressed-up to go to the theater.  It makes it more of a fancy experience. 

In New York at all of the restaurants (near the restrooms) they have these postcards that you can take for free.  I love it.  I got my fair stash. I wrote to mom using these seven postcards: 

And a postcard to Paloma, too, of course:

4-11-99

Dear Paloma,

Received your card from Le Chateau Feodal at Les Beaux de Provence. It sure is beautiful. It makes me want to go. Alan and I have 3 free nights at the PRINCE DE GALLES in Paris, but we have to use them by 12-31-1999, so we are trying to work out a trip which will include your area.

For my "30th" Birthday we are going to JAMAICA for a week 5/23--5/29, then to New York until 6/4.

Our Investment Management Firm (VERONA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT) is doing very well.

Please send my best regards to Alexandre and Jonathan.

Much Love,

Michael J Armijo

4-11-99 

Hi Mom, 

I’m back from New York as you already know.  I would’ve sent you a card from NY (like I usually do) but I decided to wait until I got home to L.A. because I had these 2 magnets that I got for you while in NY.   One magnet is from the Blue Water Grill, a restaurant I ate at.  And of course, an NSYNC magnet.  I thought that would be a real attention getter to one of your granddaughters. 

We really had a great time.  We took the subway all over the city.  Gloria went with us a few times.  Jack did too—until he pooped out and ha to take a taxi back to rest.  I have to admit I got a little tired, too.  We went to a few Broadway Shows.  

The shows were CLOSER with Natasha Richardson about relationships; MARLENE about Marlene Dietrich, the German-born US Film Star. THE FABULOUS STORY EVER TOLD a gay-themed story about Adam and Steve (not Adam and Eve...Ha-ha) and Jane and Mabel (not Cain and Abel...Ha-ha), so you can imagine how funny it was. 

All of these postcards I picked up in NY at various places—mostly restaurants.  We really had a good time.  The weather was good 95% of the time. The best part of the trip was how well the stock market did!  We had a great week.  The only thing that was missing while we were in NY was YOU!  You’ll have to come with us.  If all goes well with the condo you may be visiting NY more often anyway. 

I just got through opening all of my mail and jeez...was there a lot.  I’m pretty much caught up now.  Alan and I are thinking we might go see a movie called EDTV.  Lauren Freiman saw it and told us that we have to see it.   

Oh, I forgot to mention that we also saw NOT ABOUT NIGHTINGALES, a Tennessee Williams play about prison life in the late 1930s.  It was violent and very dramatic.  We also saw a revival classic of DEATH OF A SALESMAN, starring Brian Dennehey which was a slice of American life in the late 1940s.  He was fantastic.  These two shows were quite good. 

I guess we will be seeing you on April 30 for your visit here to L.A.  Mark your calendar for Monday morning, May 17th when Alan and I fly in to go to the Schwab Annual Shareholders Meeting in San Francisco.  Ok, talk to you soon. 

Lots of Love, 

Michael 

We saw EDTV on Sunday, April 11th.  It was quite different.  To put it simply it was about a video store clerk named Ed (played by actor Matthe McConaughey) who agrees to have his life filmed by a camera crew for a television show.  It looks like REALITY TV is coming to our future.   

‘As psychologists are well aware, there is nothing so provocative of fancy manners as fancy attire.  Fancy attire stimulated fancy manners.’--Lucius Beebe, SNOOT IF YOU MUST