'The roller coaster of life is when the car reached bottom, the next curve was up.'--Thomas Thompson, from his book, BLOOD AND MONEY

Life's weeks are threads, and sometimes they fray, sometimes they shine.  This week unfolded like a tapestry of contrasts—letters from afar, deep family wishes, cinematic escapes, and moments of raw reality.

A Letter from France and a Thriller with Mom:  

The week began with a letter dated October 26th from my dear friend Paloma, who was writing from Balaruc-Les-Bains, France.  Her flowing handwriting stretched across pages of hotel stationery, a tangible connection bridging the distance between us.  She wrote about the French government taxing foie gras, a humorous nod to her recent travels, and even shared her new email address at the end—proof of how the digital world was just beginning to intertwine with our lives.

Reading her words transported me to her corner of France, with mentions of coastal villages, film recommendations, and even musings on Johnny Depp’s partner Vanessa Paradis. Letters like hers have a way of reminding me how friendships can remain vibrant across oceans and time zones.

That evening, my mom was still visiting after our recent Europe trip, and we went to see Double Jeopardy, starring Ashley Judd and Tommy Lee Jones. It was a heart-pounding thriller with clever dialogue. Two lines stayed with me:

“The thing about running is you never know if you’re chasing or being chased.”

“You can’t kill your husband twice…unless you’re really lucky.”

The second line was particularly fitting for a film built around deception and revenge.

October 27, 1999, Larry Ellison Speaks: 

At 1:30 PM, I listened to Larry Ellison, the enigmatic CEO of Oracle, speak about the future of his company. Ellison was known for his bold statements, and that day he emphasized Oracle’s push toward the internet, declaring that Oracle would “completely rewrite its software to run natively on the web.”

This was a pivotal moment, signaling the dawn of the cloud-driven world we take for granted today.  He spoke of how Oracle’s databases would power e-commerce and reshape industries.  Looking back, it was like watching someone sketch the blueprint of the future in real time.  This is my business; therefore, I have to keep abreast of some of these companies--even the ones I don't like much.

October 28,  A Call from LuLu

The next day, I received a surprising phone call from Lulu, who interviewed me for potential inclusion in a Who’s Who book of people in the finance industry. It felt both flattering and slightly surreal to imagine my name printed among the notable figures of my field.

And Barbara Reynolds sent a funny postcard that I simply laughed out loud.  She wrote:

28, Oct. 1999

Mike, 

43 years ago today my first niece was born.  

I am exploring San Francisco more now and very happy to be working her enow.  I feel more energy, and I am given more work to do (a huge project of adjustment).  This afternoon I began one adjustment to a client for $5476 of which I was told I am only able to adjust one-fifth of it, and I expect I won't complete it until Monday.  The word is tedious.  One worker says she falls asleep doing the tedious work.  I wish I could, so Ia m trying to us meditation techniques.  I just don't know why I think I should try to work faster. Hmmm...well, tomorrow I will wear my Velveteen Rabit suit to wear for Halloween spirit.  I think it will be a nice office party, and I will be comfy.

Barbara 

October 29, 1999:  Martie's Three Wishes and a Double-Feature Friday

My cousin Martie Seper (formally Cecelia Martha Chavez-Seper) was in San Jose, far from her home in Van Nuys, visiting her sister, Dora. On her way to church, Martie called and shared three heartfelt wishes that revealed her heavy burdens:

“I wish someone else would drive us to the hospital in San Francisco.”

“I wish someone would put my nephew, Johnny, out of his cancerous misery.”

“I wish I could sell my house in Van Nuys.”

Her words reminded me of an eternal truth: you never truly know the struggles another person is carrying.

Later that evening, Alan and I went to the Westside Pavilion for Double-Feature Friday. We saw The Limey and Red Corner back-to-back.

From The Limey, one quote resonated deeply:

“Tell me. Tell me about Jenny. Tell me what happened to my little girl.”

A raw reflection of grief and the relentless pursuit of truth.

From Red Corner, starring Richard Gere, came a haunting reminder of power and corruption:

“In China, you're guilty until proven innocent.”

A stark contrast to the freedoms we often take for granted.

October 30, 1999:  A Wish Fulfilled and a Day of Reflection

In the early hours of October 30th, one of Martie’s wishes came true, though tragically. Her nephew Johnny Vigil passed away at 4:00 AM after a long battle with cancer that had ravaged his stomach, liver, and kidneys. He was only 52 years old. Johnny was Dora’s beloved son.

The weight of his passing hung heavy over the day--even if I had never met him in my life.  He was still family.

Later, I immersed myself in a thorough Verona Capital client portfolio review, grounding myself in work amid the emotional whirlwind.

That evening, Alan and I returned to the Westside Pavilion, this time with Gloria and Jack, to see Dreaming of Joseph Lees. It was a quieter, more introspective film. One line stood out:

“Sometimes dreams are the only way to survive reality.”

Back home, we ended the night by revisiting Sliding Doors on VHS, newly available at Blockbuster Video. Watching it again, with its themes of fate and alternate realities, felt especially poignant given the events of the day.

October 31, 1999, Halloween in Palm Springs

Halloween took us to Palm Springs, where we redeemed a complimentary stay we had won at a recent OutFest silent auction. The place was called CHESTNUTZ, and while clothing was optional by the pool, Alan and I kept our bathing suits firmly on.

The experience? Let’s just say… Jeepers Creepers! We would never stay at that dive again. It was a Halloween horror of a different kind.

November 1, Class and Elegance Restored

The next night, balance was restored. We checked into the Ritz Carlton in Rancho Mirage, a world apart from the previous night’s chaos. A beautiful Jaguar parked outside caught my eye—a symbol of the refinement I craved after the Palm Springs misadventure.

As the week closed, I reflected on the threads of life—family wishes, the sting of loss, the escapism of cinema, and the small luxuries that bring joy. Tomorrow, November 2nd, my nephew Dylan turns seven years old, a reminder that even as some chapters close, others are just beginning.

Films of the WeekDouble Jeopardy – Clever twists and thrilling suspense.The Limey – A powerful meditation on revenge and grief.Red Corner – A haunting depiction of justice gone wrong. Dreaming of Joseph Lees – Gentle and poetic, exploring dreams versus reality.Sliding Doors – A timeless reminder of fate’s delicate intersections.Closing Thought:“You never know what burdens someone carries, or what dreams they cling to. Be kind. Always.”

This week, from Paloma’s handwritten letter to Martie’s spoken wishes, I was reminded that life is both fragile and wondrous. We move forward, one moment at a time, never knowing which thread will hold and which will fray.

'Every end is a beginning.'--Zoran Drvenkar, in his book "YOU"