Saturday, February 1, 1992
1:30 AM

I have to write! It's been just over 24 hours since I left Detroit and already my life has changed so much! I met this guy, Dave, on the flight to Málaga. I was supposed to sit by this woman, but Dave agreed to change seats so she could sit by her husband. I found out he was a tour manager. He's worked with Ozzy Osborne, Duran Duran, Wham, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Dave Edmunds, Jeff Beck, Adam Ant, Level 42 and Frank Zappa! He was coming back from seeing Frank in California after an aborted tour with Yngwie Malmsteen. Anyway, we were talking on the plane about my decision to move to Málaga. He was very supportive. Said he knew I would do well, etc. It was so nice to hear that. He said he truly believed in fate and that he was meant to sit by me to encourage me! Maude! I told him about "my" Maude and the movie "Harold and Maude." He said the only other time he switched seats on a plane was to save a guy's life. The drummer on the Wham tour in China was possessed and stabbed himself on the plane to Beijing, but Dave pulled the knife out! Anyway, he asked if I was staying in Málaga and I said I think so. He talked about how smarmy it can be and was thinking (I think) about having me stay in Torreblanca with him and his Norwegian girlfriend, Gitta. But he didn't - yet. Near landing he told me to take a good look out the window because I was embarking on a great adventure in my life. Hell yes, I was! I asked him for his address so we could keep in touch and he said he could find me a place in Torreblanca for $60 a week. Was I interested? I, of course, accepted! Gitta, Dave, their dog, Minka and I drove back down the Costa del Sol highway and stopped at a German pub in Fuengirola. Had a couple of drinks and went back to their place. While Gitta prepared "dinner" - open-faced sandwiches - Dave and I went to get some champagne from their bar. Did I mention they own a bar?!? It's a tiny place overlooking the Mediterranean. I was so stunned. It was incredible. Just perfect! So we had a beer and talked and talked. He showed me his Frank Zappa and Level 42 pictures. Gitta eventually had to came up to get us. We went back to their apartment and had some food and wine. It was so nice! I still can't believe it all happened! Then they took me up to their friend's place (he's in Saudi Arabia.) $60/week. This place is paradise! I hope the future stacks up to the present!

Monday, February 3, 1992
8:30 PM

I figured out a new budget. I can live on what I have until the end of April. Three months. Then I'll have to find work or get out of here. Why am I thinking about this already? Can't I just enjoy what I have right now? Why the concern for the future? Things will happen as they happen. Doris Day sang it best. "Que será, será." I might even get tired of this after three months. I'm already antsy. No TV, no newspapers, few friends, no dog. I'm glad Minka and Lady (the dogs) are part of the group here. But really, at times I'm just restless. I don't feel like reading - it's too cold in here anyway. I must get the heater fixed. I do like listening to the Canal Sur Uno radio station. Good mix of British, American and Spanish pop and new music. I probably should read the "Teaching English" book that I have. There I go again. Trying to work when I should just be experiencing this "neutral zone." I miss my friends! Yow. Only gone 4 days.

Friday, February 7, 1992
7:00 PM

So this is weird. I went for a walk to sit in the sun and read. Just 1/4 mile up the road from here is a gorgeous spot to watch the sun set over the mountains. It's incredible. As I was sitting there, reading, along comes this lone horse up the lane, panting. He stopped by, I petted him and then he was on his way. Very peculiar. Very different. This place is definitely that.

I found an English-language radio station. Music's not as good as Canal Sur Uno, but at least I can understand the news. I miss being informed! I went to the market in Arroyo de la Miel today. I bought a ton of onions, potatoes, garlic and oranges. Haven't figured out kilograms, yet. I asked for four kilos of potatoes. I'll be eating them for weeks.

I've been looking at ads for apartments to rent and even to buy. Perhaps some day. I'm really antsy. So many thoughts are going through my head. Should I buy video equipment, a Macintosh and try to set up a business (albeit illegal)? Should I pursue teaching English? Working at Expo '92? The Olympics don't appeal to me right now. I'd rather stay in the south rather than go to Barcelona. I'm only supposed to stay in Spain for 6 months of each year, but hell, they didn't even stamp my passport. I'm not even officially here! They did take my landing card, though. It'd be a drag to get things rolling and then get thrown out of the country! Ah, but Mike, let fate take control. It'll happen. It'll work out. Believe!!

Saturday, February 8, 1992
10:45 PM

I'm in Spain! Listening to Billy Bragg! Life is good. I just wish my friends could be here to experience this. I just called Alyssa. I want to share the excitement! I've been really up this evening. I know things will continue to be great. I like this "New England" that I've found. One of the reasons I chose the Costa del Sol was because of it's high English population. I have the experience of living in England without the dreary weather! God, it makes sense, doesn't it? Choose the best of all worlds! Follow your bliss! I can't think of anywhere else I should be right now than in Torreblanca del Sol, Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean, listening to Billy Bragg - and recording it for posterity. My apartment is over "the club" in the community and they're being pretty noisy tonight! It's the "real" bar in the pueblo. They have a TV, pool tables, etc. But Dave and Gitta's place, "La Posada," has character. It's about 60' x 20 ' - a small rectangle really. Six stools around the bar and two inside and two outside tables. An Anglo-Spanish "Cheers."