Before I leave the meditative tranquility of Death Valley, let me think of all the people who crossed in and out of this great land as they trekked west to find their dreams. They are the real survivors and my thanks go to them. Sometimes when you are sitting in the middle of a giant desert wash, you realize that the path not taken does not exist. Every direction is the same, out. Even in the sky, the lines are drawn.

Years of my childhood spent in Europe taught me not only to appreciate but also to thrive amongst a diversity of people, arts, and culture. Actually, my parents and all the people I met and conversed with along the way taught me that. Europe was just a marvelous environment for it; hopping across borders, staring at the oil paintings gushing along museum and castle walls, wandering amongst ancient ruins and the metropolitan bustle of modern capital city traffic.

This is so different. Transported at the feet’s pace across a rural landscape without diversity, art, people, or walls, you ponder opportunity and all things sweet. Let me stop to write a letter:

Dear AL & J,

How are the two of you? I miss you. After two weeks here, I am beginning to meet local people and settle in to the Newport Beach area. I have acquired a white convertible and have put a deposit on a nice apartment with a 'California view' that I can move into at the end of the month. Newport Beach is a culture shock from Boston and very different from Los Angeles. Here there is warmth, sun, good jogging, and beautiful weather; on the other hand, it lacks the dynamo of New York and I am yet to find the intellectual stimulation that is so easy to come across in Boston.

Last Tuesday afternoon, I visited the Bank office where I would be working and met about a dozen more people in the department. In addition, they also gave me a stack of reading about 5 inches thick that I could go through before officially starting. It was information I had politely asked for a few weeks ago but they never got around to sending me. Also, I was surprised to find out that they have casual dress every day. Practically all the clothing that I brought with me in suitcases for my first month of work is suits, ties, and dress shirts.

Mostly, I know that I have to go through a long process of building and meeting friends and acquaintances. I miss you and my NY and Boston friends that I could just hang out with, catch dinner or a movie with, be in the same time zone with, etc. Oh well, in time. I spent Saturday evening trying restaurants and bars in the fun places of Laguna and Corona Del Mar, just south of here - we went restaurant and bar hopping.

I feel ready and eager for work. My first day, today, was very nice - a lot of reading and training is planned for the first week. Too bad you cannot just drive on over and visit, it would be great to see you.

Cannot believe how conflicts around the world escalate. Meanwhile, pundits believe the economy is on track, but Buffet says that stocks will go nowhere and possibly another terrorist attack in the US could unseat much of the supposed recovery.

What do you think?

Warmest regards,

Michael

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