A Local Stranger: ALAN

It’s a dialogue…NOT a debate on some dreary set theme.   You can talk about anything and change the subject as often as you like.   In fact, what really matters is NOT what you talk about, but the being together in this particular relationship.  He can’t imagine having a dialogue of this kind with a woman, because women can only talk in terms of the personal.--Christopher Isherwood, A SINGLE MAN
It’s Wednesday in L.A. and I love to check my mailbox in hopes of getting a letter during my lonely existence in Southern California.   Today. I was surprised to get a few postcards.  One was from Denmark from Soren V Loueuschoild Langelund (from “Tarnholm”, Gl. Kongeven 144, 1850 Frederiksberg, DENMARK).   He’s the older guy (maybe late 30s or early 40s) that I met at Hamburger Mary’s in San Francisco the time I went there with Lottie Powell.   Soren operated a student exchange business.   He sent a nice postcard.    Who knew that he’d remember me?  I imagine he only wrote because I had sent him a postcard a few weeks ago.  In any case, Soren wrote and I enjoyed reading a new, foreign correspondence from a faraway land: Dear Michael,Thank you very much for you postcard.  It was lovely to hear from you again.   I’ve not forgotten you and I still look forward to meeting you again.   I’ve been on the move for a long time now but I am starting up a new meeting in New Orleans.  It will be pending for the next student exchange.  This is in Copenhagen.   Lots of Love, SOREN
I also received two postcards from two of my 4th Grade students that I used to tutor and inspire to write in San Francisco at the Redding Elementary School at 1421 Pine Street.    One was a scene of the Golden Gate Bridge and the other was an inspiring watercolor of a ‘dog and a seagull’ on a secluded beach that I really loved.
Dear Mr. Armijo,Hi!   Sorry I didn’t write to you for so long.  I was busy with my school work.   Thank you for your postcard.  Here is a postcard for you.Sincerely, Samantha DuP.S.  I am going to Junior High next year!   Merry Christmas.
Dear Mr. Armijo,This picture reminds me of Los Angeles.   This picture brings to mind a dog chasing a bird.   I would send this postcard to my grandmother.   I would send my postcard to my grandmother because she is my grandmother.   The memory that bought to me when I first saw it was it is TAIWAN.Steven SuIt was now the weekend of November 18th and 19th.  I almost had a fear of going out; however, I had a wonderful solitary ride all the way from West Hollywood to Venice Beach.   
I didn’t want to go out on a weekend night and meet transient types who are visiting from all over the metro L.A. and other San Fernando Valley areas.   I’d rather meet someone local and nearby.   Henceforth, I stayed in and decided to write letters and postcards and work on my painting (while watching a bit of television).    
I did choose to go to my mailbox at one point on Saturday evening and I found a card from Dorothy Rua that made me laugh as it pictured a couple of nuns dressed in their habits and bouncing about along an ocean shoreline.
I also wrote Paloma a postcard that I found while I was in France.   It was time to send it to her because it had that L.A. Palm Tree/Beach look.
November 16, 1989
Dear Paloma,I bought this card while I was with you in PARIS ‘way back when’.I just can’t get away from you because I went to Venice Beach last week and there’s a street called PALOMA!   There’s a song playing in SF on the Modern ROCK Station called SEX TABOO that I really love.  It’s part French.  Have you heard it?  Who’s it by?   I hear there’s one good radio station in L.A. that plays modern music but that it’s not as good as the one in San Francisco.  I guess I’ll find out soon.  Do you like the new US Dinosaur stamps?   Did you get the perfumes I sent you?  I love the palm trees on my street.   Thinking of You.  What does Alexandre say about our steady writing?  Love, Michael
Dorothy Rua wrote:I got a kick out of this one.  It proves that what may be joy to one person may not bring the same reaction to the next!   I love the look on the nuns’ faces.Am I ever going to get this card mailed?   Yes, I’ll do it today.I do hope all is well with you, Michael, and that you’re enjoying both work and class.  Have you made any decisions about staying with this job—or spending more time with graphic design and a possible job in that field?   Again, I wish you had more time to share…miss you!I bet you’re looking forward to seeing your family during the holidays!   Can’t remember when you were coming…They’re probably excited about seeing you, too!   More later…there’s ALWAYS more!Love, Dorothy
Dorothy’s written words about ‘joy to one person may not bring the same reaction to the next’ meant a lot to me.   In fact, it’s funny how a handwritten card/letter means so much to me.   It shows me that someone sat down to actually THINK OF ME.   I find that special and I find much joy in this.   I’ve decided to go out on Monday, November 20th to hopefully meet a local person.   I figure it’s a Monday, so all of the weekend visitors will be gone.  
Oh, and I did submit my ad for meeting someone for lunch in the LA WEEKLY.   Let’s see if I get any feedback from that classified ad.  It will run for a month (four weekly issues).
Monday, November 20, 1989
My first day of work was an easy transition.   As a personal reward I decided to walk down to Santa Monica Boulevard at a ‘boy bar’ called MICKEY’S.   It’s not MICHAEL’S, but it’s close enough.   At approximately 5:30PM it wasn’t very busy.   It didn’t matter as I figured I could chat with the bartender for a bit.   I ordered my standard cocktail of choice: ‘The White Russian’.  
As I sat there and ordered the cocktail the bartender was friendly but not overly friendly.   It’s just as well.   I would sip my drink until I had a buzz.   As time passed it would likely get a bit busier and I’d probably have the guts to make conversation with a stranger.   After a few sips, I turned my head and a stranger sat one seat away from me.  He looked tan and was wearing a baseball cap.   I figured he must be a local.  He’s not dressed-up.  He’s in casual mode.  I glanced my way at him and he looked at me. “What’s that you’re drinking?
“Oh…It’s a White Russian.  You’ve never had one?” I asked.“No, what’s in it.”“It has Kahlua and Vodka and a little cream.  It’s really good.”“Okay,” he instructed the bartender boldly as he pointed to my drink, “I’ll have one of those.”
I felt a kind connection with this stranger in that he would want to taste what I happened to have.  We continued our conversation even though there was an empty seat between us.  I asked, “So…do you live around here?”“Yeah, Venice Beach.”“Oh really…I was just there the other day!   I rode my bike down there. I love the beach.   That’s why I moved here.  I don’t really know the beaches but I want to visit them all.”“Where are you from?”“I’m from Northern California.   I transferred here for work but I really wanted to live here because of the better weather, the palm trees and to get to know the beaches.”I was hoping he’d get the hint.   I don’t know the beaches.“I love the beach, too,” he smiled.  PHOTO:  Alan, A Local Stranger
“What kind of work do you do?”“I’m in commercial real estate.” “Oh,” I replied without knowing much about that business.  “I bet that keeps you busy.”“Yes, and you…what do you do?”“I’ve worked for the phone company but now I’m in Yellow Page Advertising.”  I didn’t feel it necessary to explain how I was in Account Collections with the hopes of moving on to Advertising Sales or something creative like Graphic Design.  He seemed easy to talk to though.  He continued to ask me a few more questions.“Do you work around here?”“Actually, I just started today.  It’s pretty easy because it’s the same job I was doing up North.  I work in the mid-Wilshire area, so it’s easy to get there because I live near here.”When I said ‘I live near here’ I was hoping he didn’t think that was a subliminal invite to my place.   I don’t think he did because he went on to say that he had a business meeting nearby in the next half-hour.  I took another sip of my drink and ordered another.  I was feeling ‘the buzz’.   I was enjoying my conversation with the local stranger.  By now I was feeling comfortable and I moved over and sat on the empty seat beside him.   “Well, maybe you can show me the beaches when you have time, by the way, my name is Michael.”“I’m Alan,” he said.  “Do you like living by the beach?”“Sure.  It’s really nice over in Newport Beach, too…in Orange County.”“Really?  I’ve never been there.   I’ve heard of it though.”
To make a short story shorter we ended up exchanging telephone numbers.   I assured him, “I’m going back to the Bay Area for Thanksgiving this Thursday, but when I get back I’ll call you.”Alan nodded and he left me there at the bar to go out to meet his associate for a commercial real estate meeting in the lobby of the Bel Age Hotel.   I plan to call him.  I loved our introductory dialogue.  After I finished my drink I was just so happy to have met a local stranger.   I felt that I succeeded in what I wanted to do.   Tomorrow was a work day, so I simply walked back up Palm Avenue to my pad to watch a bit of “21 JUMP STREET” at 8PM. 
The next day was a breeze at work but I wasn’t thrilled with the job.  It was simply not a new challenge.   In a way this was good because the move to the new city was enough stimulation for my mind at the moment.   I wrote mom and Paloma self-made postcards.Mom’s postcard depicted a boring bowl of cottage cheese with lettuce garnished around it.
11-21-89Hi Mom,It’s TRUE.  I do miss you already.   By the time you get this card I’ll either be eating leftover Thanksgiving Dinner or starting my diet similar to that pictured on this card.I have to get used to sleeping here.  It seems like I get more rest!   It’s so laid back.   And as far as I know I will be working 8AM-4PM which is GREAT!   I saw an ad (two of them) for SALES REPS for a Health and Fitness Club.  I may try to get one of those jobs for evenings and weekends.   Well, it’s just a thought.That was sweet when you said you missed me too the other night on the telephone.   Well, I already requested vacation next year.  If I get the weeks I wanted you know I’ll probably go down there…or ‘up there’ I mean.   Well, have a great day.   I hear a lot of sirens here!Love, Mike
The postcard for Paloma depicted a couple, lounging together (like us).
11-21-89Hi Paloma,This is only my 4th official day of living here.   The weather has been HOT, too.  I work one more day and then I get Thursday and Friday off for THANKSGIVING.   And, of course, mom’s insisting I come up because Thanksgiving’s just won’t be the same without me.  Ha-Ha.   I want to go anyway.   I’m looking forward to the meal.   Last Sunday, 11-19-89, I rode my bike to Venice Beach.   I’d really like to ride more in the Beverly Hills area but I guess it’ll have to wait until the weekend after next.  How’s the Residence Club?   Is it filling up with residents?  Here’s another homemade card.   Thinking of You ALWAYS, Michael
To my surprise…I received a typewritten (not very personal if it’s not handwritten) letter from an old flame I’d met at my gym in San Leandro, CA…Chad Mark Glen.   I suppose I spurned it on when I mailed him a postcard.  One just never knows who will reply and who will not…Chad Mark Glen1372 McAllisterSan Francisco, CA 94115(415) 921-1967
Michael J Armijo1010 North Palm Ave.West Hollywood, CA 90069
21 November 1989
Dear Michael,I apologize for taking so long to answer you postcard.   I have it prominently displayed on my desk.  I found a picture that I shot of myself a while ago and have enclosed it.   Sorry, but it’s all I have.  I recognized your handwriting instantly.  You have nice handwriting; I don’t, that’s why I type.

I can’t believe that you’ve moved.  I will be moving back to my parents’ house on December 8th.   There was a conflict between one of my three roommates and myself.  The bottom line is that he’s an absolute asshole!  This is not a good time for a move, with the end of term research projects and papers due.   This has been one of the reasons that I have taken so long to answer your postcard.
My family is coming into the City tonight to see the Ice Capades.  I had a spare moment before they arrived and wanted to cash this letter off to you.  I will be at my sisters’ in San Jose for Thanksgiving.  Where will you be?  If you’re going to be around for Christmas or New Year’s, let’s try and get together.I am still seeing if I can’t work out a trip to So. Cal, either in December or January.   If you come out here I hope I’m on your list of people to visit.   Write or call soon.  I look forward to hearing from you.  You are missed a great deal!Always, CHAD
I thought of giving Chad a call while back in Alameda for Thanksgiving; however, it’s more of a family-time for me.  I miss my family.  Our ending was rather hurtful and I didn’t exactly feel an impetus to get started on that track again.  However, who knows?   Time will tell.
“The Warrior ACTS…and the fool only REACTS.”“Your feelings and reactions…are automatic and predictable; mine are NOT.   I create my life spontaneously; yours is determined by your thoughts, you emotions, your past.”“To see where something leads, it’s best to wait until you reach the end.”--Dan MillmanWAY OF THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR