“Hey!  To humans, food experience is very important.” --Andy Weir, PROJECT HAIL MARY 

March 8, 2000 

I completed Ferne’s financial proposal.  I know she’ll love it—but will she implement my recommendations?  

My niece, Ashley, is too cute to send me a Show Summary of what is going on in the fictitious town of HARMONY on the soap opera called PASSIONS.  I was actually able to follow it.  Who knew there was a soapoperafan.com page?  Ashley, that’s who!  She sent me the stats on the February 24th 2000 episode:   

...tensions rippled through Harmony as secrets, jealousy, and forbidden attraction collide.  Eve remains wary of Chad’s influence around her daughters despite his growing closeness to Whiney, while Kay manipulates Charity’s fragile “premonitions’ to undermine her relationship with Miguel, escalating to hiding the bird statue that may explain Charity’s symptoms.

Meanwhile, Theresa struggles to accept Ethan’s engagement to Gwen, pressured by Ivy’s relentless romantic idealism, until she ultimately gives in to her feelings and throws her arms around Ethan, hinting at a looming confession.  At the same time, Sam admits Ivy’s return stirred sympathy but no love, as Ivy herself dismantles Ethan’s illusions about his father’s morality.  The episode crescendos with Whitney and Chad’s flirtation turning unmistakably romantic, as Chad challenges Whitney’s emotional restraint and the two finally share a kiss...setting the stage for deeper complications ahead.  

Yes, a lot can happen in one day! 

The best part was Ashley’s BEE HAPPY card.  She seriously writes like a VALLEY GIRL. 

Yo Uncle Mike, 

I’m glad you got to spend the weekend here.  I’m liking how you’re coming here so often.  

Thank you for the yummy meals that gave me a break from Top Ramen and Mac n’ Cheese.  I’d email you but I haven’t written to you in a while and moms on the computer.  Thanks for the books as well. Gosh!  I can’t wait for the next SWEET VALLEY book.  HeHe, so were you singing “U + ME = US...calculus” on the plane?  lol, you know you were!  You wouldn't believe how many “2ge+her” fans there are.  And it’s like HELLO!  They’re not real!  Anyways, I’m sure you got far in your book on the ride home.  It seems good.  Speaking of good, I hope tomorrow’s PASSIONS is!  Finally, some action.  And don’t forget if you miss an episode to go to that site I told you about. 

Holly lost her game by six points and she scored two baskets. 

Well, I’m going to go take a shower even though it’s only like 5:20, but OH WELL.   

Just remember one date—March 21st—the day NSYNC’s new CD comes out: NO STRINGS ATTACHED.  And of course, Ally’s Birthday is two days after. HeHe... 

I love you FOO (j/k), 

ASHLEY! 

Hi Uncle Mike!  HOLLY. 

It’s Ash Wednesday.  Alan and I chose that as a reason to have sushi at NAGAO in Brentwood.  Yummy. 

March 9, 2000 

The young black lady at Casa Del Mar named Tiffany treats us so nicely.  I love having breakfast there.  She has one wonderful personality.  Afterwards, we went on a beach walk, and I took a splendid photo underneath the pier.   

Once home, I wrote Paloma a card/letter: 

Dear Paloma, 

I loved your postcard from Benidorm, Costa Blanca, SPAIN.  It looks like a nice place to escape.   

I guess I’m coming to terms with my mother passing away.  Tomorrow, I’m flying to Alameda to see about selling my mom’s house.  On March 28th Alan and I are flying to New York to check on the status of the loft.  Then we are flying to Florence, Italy on April 4.  Lauren, Alan’s daughter, is studying there this semester and we promised her we’d visit.  We plan to go to MILAN from April 7—9, then fly back to New York on April 12.  We’ll return to LA on April 14.  A part of me isn’t in the mood to travel right now.  Although, a solitary trip to a gorgeous beach like Benidorm could be just what I need.  

Here’s a couple of my Photos of the Day from December 31, 1999, and January 1, 2000, just for you. 

The loft apartment in NY is supposed to be ready in early May.  They keep pushing out the ready date. I’m planning to have my nieces, Holly and Leigh (both age 12) to visit us in NY in early July.  That should be fun.   

We’ve had a spurt of business with our Money Management firm, Verona Capital Management, so that is keeping us busy.  

I hope you, Alex, and Jonathan are feeling better.  It’s too bad you were all sick at one of your favorite vacation getaways. 

Thank you for your cards.  I NEED them!  It seems I should try to work out a plan to come and see you again—maybe in 2001.  I’d like that.  

Well, have a great day! 

Love You Lots, 

Michael J Armijo 

We received our Crate n Barrel delivery.  

For dinner, Alan, Gloria and I ate at TOSCANA.  Their veal Milanese is delicious. 

March 10, 2000 

Alan and I flew to Oakland, arriving at around 12:30pm in the afternoon.  We had appointments with my mother’s doctors at Alameda Hospital.  I’m glad Alan went with me. The doctor was cold, quiet and aloof—a real asshole.  I’m glad it’s over.  Doctors should have empathy.  He demonstrated none.  I guess he sensed a malpractice suit—who knows.  I just wanted answers as to why or how it happened.  I guess I know, but I wanted to know if anything else had transpired during conversations. 

To shake it off, Alan and I went to the ORPHEUM THEATER in San Francisco to see Liza Minelli perform.  No photos were allowed, but I photographed the marquee as a memento. 

March 11, 2000 

We went to College Avenue in Berkeley and found a cool bakery called LA FARINE FRENCH BAKERY.  That was a nice, unexpected experience.   

My appointment with KANE REALTORS was scheduled for noon at mom's house on Monday. 

Alan and I ate at PALOMINO in San Francisco with my brother, Tony, and his wife, Linda.   

March 12, 2000 

The culmination photo of our Sunday was made after meandering in and around San Francisco, specifically the Marina area and it was of a lone guy seated by the bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. 

March 13, 2000 

I took care of closing my mom’s account at US BANK on Harbor Bay Isle.  Alan also tagged along and we went to First American Title as I needed a power of attorney form for my brother, John.  All these details are a “pita” (pain in the ass).   

The meeting with Dianna Wyman, the real estate agent, representing KANE REALTORS went very well.  She’s done with her chemo—and I feel good having her as my agent now (especially after reading my mom’s book, ONE TRUE THING).  Alan took a photo of us. 

At around 3pm we picked up Ashley at the Swim Center.    

March 14, 2000 

Alan and I made a quick visit to my mom and dad’s gravesite.  I needed to. 

I made calls to Schwab regarding mom’s accounts.  All in all, a lot was accomplished.  In the daily reading of HEALING AFTER LOSS today a portion went like this:  

...pay attention to the small nudges we receive--some simple thing I might enjoy doing today, some minor project that might seem worthwhile.  Anything to get the ball of activity rolling again.  This is no time to be figuring out one's Life work.  This is a time to follow up on the small urgings like calling a friend, clearing a few feet of the garden, or mailing a package, even returning a book to the library.  Anything to establish ourselves as people who take initiative. 

Alan took a photo of me in mom’s backyard.  I wonder how long it will take to sell the house.  We flew back to LA that evening.  I have a dental cleaning tomorrow morning at 11:30AM.  Time goes on.  

‘I strip to my underwear, crawl into my sleeping bag, and reward myself with a candy bar.’--Andrew X Pham, CATFISH AND MANDALA