Revival of the Fittest

He too had impulses, fantasies, and desires which ran counter to the laws that governed him, impulses which he had only gradually managed to subdue by hard effort.
-Herman Hesse, THE GLASS BEAD GAME, a novel
THE TWO POLES Chapter

PHOTO:  Jim from the Gym and Cwissy, My genius duo connection when it comes to music and more… I had to laugh at another one of the cards that Dorothy Rua sent me; however, I take it to heart.   It’s so TRUE…always ‘DRESS FOR THE JOB YOU WANT’.    She’s my inspiration as I venture forward towards my hopeful move to Southern California.  Dorothy wrote the following:

8-6-89 Dear Dear Michael,
All of this time you thought the importance was placed on your resume and cover letters…Wrong!   You have to actually let those entertainment people see you dressed the part.   Ride-in on your bike and you’ll be sure to get that ‘entry level’ messenger job!

With all of that daytime exercise, imagine what great shape you’ll be in for your evening job with those lovely $$$ ladies in Beverly Hills? Then when life gets too hectic and you need a nice break from it all you can head back to the Bay Area; call me and we’ll have a drink or two overlooking the ocean somewhere.   Keep your dreams alive!
Love, Dorothy

Paloma wrote another letter too, and she had me laughing (like she always knows how to do)...…after hours of hard labor, Alexandre also ‘kind of’ repaired your cassette tape with a piece of “tape’ (just a song would have been missing or something like that), so the next morning I wanted so much to listen to your tape.   I took it to work again and the same thing happened!   I thought this time Alexandre was going to kill me!   So now your tape is dead and I haven’t been able to listen to it.  Thank you, Michael.   I just loved it!   I’m just reading your card once more now and you’re telling me about your tape.   I think I could cry when I read “improved tape of my favorite tunes”.   I enjoyed it.   Thank you!

When I asked you about perfume sample clubs I was thinking you might be able to find one through the telephone directory…or maybe even by calling INFORMATION.   I’m glad you’re thinking about me.   That’s very nice.   I didn’t know about CHER’s perfume.   It must be beautiful.  Is it?   I’m talking about the bottle, of course. Is Marina (my bartender friend) still working at the I-BEAM?   I just got a card (today) from my friend, Monica...   She still lives in Hawaii in Kailua.   She’s asking me to go there.   I’d love to.   Instead, I’m going to PARIS for Christmas (pretty much the same, isn’t it?).

I can’t wait for you to become a world ‘most famous’ model.   I’ll be your personal secretary.   Is that ok?   I’ll just ask for a few thousand dollars a month (and a Corvette).   I’ll travel around the world to choose your clothes.  How does this sound?   Send me some pictures fast.   I’ve got to see what my future looks like! You are so funny, Michael.   Sometimes I just can’t stop laughing (that reminds me of some good times we had together).   I miss that.

Thank you for Jonathan (spelling his name correctly).   I really appreciate.  He loved the horsey…but now I’ve got two. Talking seriously, thanks for the cassette tape of music anyway.   I’m working on one for you with MY favorite tunes.   It might take some time though.   I’m very picky.  

I hope I’ll read from you soon.   Write me…Write me…Write me… What kind of postcards have you got?   Love You, Paloma

I couldn't wait, so I selected three cards to send to Paloma that I knew she'd like:   


August 6, 1989
Okay…this card is kind of gross but it’s funny, right?
Yesterday, when I received your two postcards I also got a yellow delivery slip from the post-office about a fragile package from FRANCE waiting for me to pick-up (?).   It must be the doll.  I am going to pick it up today.   I know my mom will love it because it’s from FRANCE.   She thinks that was so sweet of you.  Oh yeah…I ordered another pair of 501 jeans.   I’ll send that out soon.   Have you received the others yet?  It may take another week or so since it’s coming by boat.
I’m at work right now.   We may go ON STRIKE on August 12th.   I hope we do.   I wouldn’t mind a week or two off from work.   On August 12th I am going to take my mom for a drive along the California coast and on to L.A.   She’s never been for a drive along the California coast before!   And we’re going to be in her MONTE CARLO, so it will be a luxurious, comfortable drive.   I also have an appointment on August 13th with a real estate broker because I want to invest in a townhouse in the L.A. area.   This way I’ll always have a place to stay down there.  I’m thinking for a change of pace…we’ll see how that goes.   I’ll keep you informed.   I really want to move down there and I want to get into the modeling TV scene by acquiring an agent down there, too.   All things are easier said than done (of course)…but it’s a hopeful plan.



I went to the Alameda South Shore Beach and did my lay out routine from noon until 4PM.  I got a great tan but I was sun burnt on my face a bit.   It’s turning into a tan now.   I laid out while listening to your FRENCH tunes and other tapes of mine.   Your FRENCH tunes made it feel much more exotic.   People probably thought I was a foreigner.  Ha-ha. I have a dentist appointment today.   The six-month cleaning job is overdue.   I get off of work early for it.  Hooray!   I plan on an extensive bike ride tonight.   Thanks for saying you found more BIKE cards for me.   I LOVE THEM!   You’re a sweetie.   I have your most recent cards posted here at my desk.   I love it when you send new ones so I can change the décor at my desk. I will give you a phone call soon.   I just have to time it right because when I get home from work you’re I bed asleep…I think.   It’ll be great to hear your voice. Oh…I know the movie “D.O.A”.   I am familiar with DENNIS QUAID and MEG RYAN.   I’m not sure about CHARLOTTE RAMPLING…I’d probably recognize her if I saw her though.   I’ve heard of NADINE but haven’t seen that movie yet.   I saw INDIANA JONES, LICENS TO KILL (JAMES BOND 007), BATMAN, LETHAL WEAPON 2 in the last couple of months.   LETHAL WEAPON 2 was great.   BATMAN was ‘ok’.   Jack Nicholson played THE JOKER was the best.   Jerri Hall (Mick Jagger’s wife) and Kim Basinger are also in BATMAN.   Oh well…to be continued.
Love You, Michael

On August 8, 1989 I sent Paloma a cute card.  I loved the kids that were pictured on it.Dearest Paloma,Today would have been my Dad's 54th Birthday.  This month is a difficult month because today is his birthday and he died on 8-29-1987.   I miss him a lot.   As I live through my daily life I forget sometimes...but I always have my moments.   I feel fortunate that I did have the close relationship with my dad for '27' years of my life.   A lot of guys don't have that...I received your two gorgeous postcards today (of Cap D'Adge, the Vue de nuit depuis Balaruc' is very pretty.   It's dreamlike!   I hope you're not taking that for granted.   I want to come visit.  Boo-hoo. 
I decided to select a few of my postcards (out of my collection) for you.  I hope you like them.  This one is kind of cute.  If I was a kid again I'd probably be the boy in the middle here with all of the little gals focusing on me.  Ha. 
And speaking of postcards…Paloma sent me one of my all-time favorite EVIAN WATER, REVIVAL OF THE FITTEST advertisement postcards.   I only wish I was one of the models posing in the ad.   It’s an inspiring photo.  It makes me want to work out and pour a bottle of EVIAN water over my head.   On this postcard Paloma wrote:
Le 11 Aout 89 Dear Michael,

You’re asking me about my body, so I’m sending you a couple of pictures.   They’re not that great but they were taken a couple of days ago, so you can judge by yourself. 
Unfortunately, I don’t have time to exercise right now but I’m planning to next winter if I can find a gym I like.   And that big boy with me is Jonathan…ready for school (in September!). The night arrived for the August 11th double-date.   It was me, Blake Bell and Jim and Cwissy.   Jim and Cwissy would meet Blake finally.    We decided on the HARD ROCK HOTEL in San Francisco. 

There was a big cow there that reminded me of that John Travolta Urban Cowboy movie from several years ago.  I found the cow to be a perfect prop for photos.  I, of course, brought my instant gratification Polaroid camera.   The big cow came in handy for group photos, too.   Blake seemed to be having a good time.  How could we not after a few cocktail extremes. 

I’m not so sure about the idea of a double-date.   It made me wonder if others swing in-between Urban Cowboy dancing and switch partners.  Who would switch with whom…though?   There’s a soft rock classic from that movie I love called KISS YOU ALL OVER by Exile.   I wish I could have played it while we were all in the car leaving San Francisco.
All I can say now is that I can chalk up another memorable night.   We all had fun.I need more nights like this.   I need more music in my life.

“Like every experience that marks us for a lifetime, I found myself turned inside out, drawn and quartered.”--Andre Aciman,
CALL ME BY YOUR NAME