Dark Glasses

“Everything can be interpreted one way and then again interpreted in the opposite sense.  The whole of world history can be explained as development and progress and can also be seen as nothing but decadence and meaninglessness.   Isn’t there any truth?”
“There is truth…but the doctrine you desire, absolute, perfect dogma that provides wisdom, does NOT exist.   Rather, you should long for the perfection of yourself.  The deity is within you, not in ideas and books.  Truth is lived, not taught.   BE prepared for conflicts.”
THE CALL
by Herman Hesse, THE GLASS BEAD GAME

Diary Notes from January 1987 and a Postcard from late 1986

I’m excited about my Hawaiian departure at the end of this month (January 1988).  I was looking at a postcard that Anne, the gorgeous aerobics instructor, sent me while she was in Hawaii.  She sent it right after I had come back from my first trip to New York City in August 1986 with Ron Leoni.

PHOTO Postcard from Anne Alberti, dated August 19, 1986:

She wrote: 
Dear Mike,

Here’s a Hawaiian postcard to welcome you back from New York.  That’s me on front.  My hair grew quite a bit over here.   The weather’s been good.  Can’t wait to hear about your trip.   See ya soon.

Anne

P.S. How’d I do with your name? 
It was addressed Mr. Mike AMILJO (instead of ARMIJO)

I loved Anne's card but Paloma still sends the best cards.   She also writes regularly. Here are some excerpts from some of her correspondence I received in 1986 and 1988 which provides a feel for the times...

PHOTO Postcard from PALOMA:  Lauren Bacall

Dear Michael, 

Thank you for the picture.   That was great, fantastic.   It reminds me of when I went to pick you up and we were all dressed up in summer clothes when it was freezing!   Funny…that day you showed me that picture of PARIS and that was the last time I saw you.   Three days after I was in the middle of the picture (in Paris)!    Could you please send me a picture of San Francisco?   You never know. 

Michael, I think you just love me as a friend.   You’re not jealous or anything.  You’re not even afraid of losing me.   That’s the feeling I have always had.   Sorry, just a little tired.

PHOTO Postcard from PALOMA:  BLEDINE Jacquemaire

…In fact, I think I’m doing some in-depth talking in my letters.   What do you mean by being in Paris is getting a little better?   Let’s put it this way…I’m not in Ethiopia and I’ve lived here about 23 years.  I’m still alive and I don’t really have time to be down.   So the weather is really nice.  I am now almost darker (tan) than in California.  

Right now in Paris the temperature is probably around 100 degrees.   Summers here are warmer than San Francisco.   Well, I feel like telling you lots of things but I’ve got to stop writing and you’re not telling me enough.  How is your girlfriend doing?   Say hello for me to Dale Orlando and wife and baby.   Hope to read you soon.  

Love, Paloma

PHOTO Postcard:  Jacques Alexandre “Symphonie In Blue”

This card (I believe) was written by Paloma before I went to visit Paris in 1986:

…So I was just kind of like a guide with people who I didn’t know at all.  I didn’t know what they wanted to do.   At THE LOUVRE I took them to see “The Joconde” and they had no idea what the painting of MONA LISA was.   I had a great time.   The whole time I was thinking about when I showed you this.  It really isn’t that exciting, so maybe I could just show you around for a few days.   Then we could go on vacation somewhere else.   I’m going to need some vacation time.   I can get some time and we could go to the South of France (We don’t need my brother.  There is a place for us to stay there).   The problem is my car.   I don’t know if I’m going to be able to use it to go there.   What would be just fantastic is to go to GREECE, but of course, it would also be more expensive.  I don’t think it would be that expensive in September though.   Well, just tell me what you think about all of this…

PHOTO Postcard:  Mad Max, Mel Gibson

Another one written by PALOMA before my first visit to Paris in 1986…

…Tell me for sure if you’re coming or not.   And when?   I’ve got to ask my boss for some vacation.   If I wait till the last minute he won’t give me anything.  He is a real jerk.   He is just about five years older than us.   If you come and I’m working you won’t see much.   I just have an hour and a half for lunch and I’m just off on Sunday.   I work six days a week.   Well, you could also come to visit me any time since I’m in a store but it gets really boring fast there.   In the evening I just think about going to bed.   I loved your last card.  It’s pretty amazing the cards you can find.   I just found this one at my store.   Guess who it reminded me of?   Someone who wore “shorts” that night?   Pretty good memory…I wish…

Continued on PHOTO Postcard:  “ONCE UPON A TIME” by Jaques Alexandre

I wish I could travel in time and get back in your blanket.   Well, I’ve got to finish this letter.   I’ve been writing it for about two weeks.  You must be mad at me.   You’ve got to answer me really fast.   I need to know what you want to do.   You should be here in four weeks.   I hope to see you really soon.   I miss you very much.  You don’t know how much.
Love You, Paloma

PHOTO Postcard:  Mantelpiece by Charles Roff (1979)

Written while PALOMA was pregnant…

…I think he never feels what is happening inside me, except Jonathan kicks many times.   That is so weird to feel something (I can’t yet say someone) move in your tummy.   Well, now you know when your wife is pregnant a little bit about the way she feels.   Jonathan could have been your son.   I think I told you at that time that I thought I couldn’t have babies. 

Talking about perfumes…I would like the GLORIA VANDERBILT one, CALVIN KLEIN and all the American ones (LIZ TAYLOR, CATHERINE DENEUVE).   She is French but her perfume isn’t sold her.   I’ve got a bunch of French, Italian and Spanish ones to trade if you need a list.   I’ll send you a perfume bottle.   Did you try to find out if there is a Club or something like that…

And a two-page letter from Paloma (not dated):

…my mother is in SPAIN right now with her “boyfriend”.   She met him about two years ago, a man she almost lived with.   I see my family once in a while, at summertime, and they come pretty often and I go to Paris at least twice a year.   What about your family?   What are your brothers doing?   How is your mom?   Do you still get to babysit?  Wish you were here!

I just got a letter from Bonnie yesterday with two beautiful ‘model’ pictures of Alison.   I think I gave them some good ideas about trying to make a model out of Alison, taking her to French school.   She now speaks French.   I’m trying to follow the same rules with Jonathan but it’s hard where I live.   I’m still calling an agency in Paris to see if we can do something.   Talking about Jonathan I want to ask you something.  Could you please tell me if LEVI’s 501 jeans exist that are two years old and how much they cost?    And where you’ve seen them (if you do).   Thank you.

I’m sending you a French cassette tape of songs with this letter but I didn’t record it.   Alexandre did it for you.   I mention it because I thought that was nice.   So that’s not exactly what I would have done…eve I f I like a lot of the songs.  My favorite one is LUNETTES NOIRES which means DARK GLASSES.   It’s the first song on SIDE A.   I don’t know which side but I’m sure you’ll recognize another song by a gorgeous girl called LNA (Helena in French).   She sings it.

I’m glad you’re happy to move into your new house.   I liked your house.  What photo did you take it from?  

What are you going to be for Halloween?   Are you planning to do something?   Are you going to the KABUKI?   I remember very well when we met too.   Remember when you tried to find out my phone number?   That was funny!   I’m glad I gave it to you.   Good friends are really rare.

I started this letter yesterday.  I’ve been thinking about that restaurant you saw called PALOMA.  That’s really amazing.  Have you ever men someone else called PALOMA?   I’d really like to know why they called the restaurant PALOMA.

Well, Jonathan is just waking up.   I’ve got to stop writing to send this letter fast.
Hope to read you soon.
Love, Paloma

PHOTO Poscard from CHICAGO:

…And a postcard from a mysterious G.J. in CHICAGO that I met in the Bay Area back in 1987.  

01-05-87

Hey Mike,

WOW…First a letter, now a card.  What next?  Classes have started…Oh JOY-ish!   I’d much rather be an up and coming businessman like you.   Life’s rough.  I’m weird.   Sorry. 

I’m the only one I know who can totally trip without the use of drugs or any other foreign substance.   But mail is fun to get, even trippy mail, right?   Guess I’d make a good party lizard.   I’m sitting here listening to some ALPHAVILLE and some ULTRAVOX music.   Heard of them?   No one here has.   And I thought I was  a product of the dark ages.   Two more classes and then it’s off to work.   I’m Joe Bank Teller, a real thrill I assure you.   Well, I’m sure this will really make your day.  Ha!   Be good.  I know you are!  Bye Bye, G.J. in CHICAGO

“I thrive on differences and on complication.”

–Erik Bruhn told  a reporter in the Spring of 1966
(3 October 1928 – 1 April 1986)  Erik was a Danish dancer, choreographer, artistic director, actor, and author.   The above line was a quote I noted in the Rudolf Nureyev book:
NUREYEV:  His Life by Diane Solway