Friday, August 31, 2012

December 5, 1973 (Letter from Barb)


It's not my arm that's not functioning, but my head--  I've begun to write about 6 times, and I enclose one of my efforts (didn't), written, like the others in between moving boxes, suitcases, furniture, sleeping, eating, and working.  I haven't yet located my writing paper but I'm sure it will turn up.

I moved.  Y es, goodbye Humboldt Street and no heat, no repairs, and no food in the refrigerator.  In between I spent a week at Rick's (hassle, hassle, hassle!), and I'm safely ensconced in my own apt.  I like it even tho I have no idea how I'll pay for it every month.  It's really homey, w' high, slanting ceilings, a big back porch, 3 rooms and a bathroom on the 3rd floor of a house -- lots of trees around a field for Harry the dog.

Fact #2:  Rick and I have broken up again -- this happens once very other week.  Many problems which will never be resolved -- we'll probably still see each other-- who knows.  (or cares??)  He and his friend, Mac have a house in Roxbury -- nice house too.

Well, Paul, where do I begin?  Have things continued to develop or is your head settled down after each new awakening experience -- I hope I didn't violate a confidence by discussing this 23/ Rick at the time you letter arrived, to get a male point of view, much different from my own, I might add!  He seems to think that your real life history is only beginning, as far as feeling goes.  He doesn't see the danger that I see, but thinks that there is a long road to come, but isn't there for everyone?  (my addition)

I was reminded forcefully of my own feelings during certain vital, truly alive times, usually associated with unfamiliar places and new people -- the sudden closeness and warmth of just being with these people, who -- when you turn your mind back to it at another time -- seems to have lost the radiance and are only faces 2/ a remembered name and place.  But the chance is irreversible and no amount of looking back will change you back into what you once were.  The similarities in the feelings aroused are so great, I wonder if it's a universal experience, but perhaps only open to those who in a certain time and place accept the possibility -- ?  It's frightening to think about before it ever happens but while it's happening -- pure exhilaration.  Of course, my experiences were as "comprehensive" as what you have described -- I mean, including so many, regardless of role, sex, or personality -- I'd way you stepped off the board and right into the deep end.  The other end would be progressing from one individual relationship to another, keeping a firm control on continuity and becoming in a slow way a more complex version of yourself.  The old RATIONAL MIND -- no question of ever losing ego control.  Now there's nothing wrong w/ this way except there's all the effort of control and rationalization and always some regret.  Now, what you've done is the opposite -- total immersion -- a realization of a possible infinite #'s of new you's -- not rationally planned.  The ego is suspected (I wish I could think of another word instead of sounding like a text book, but you know what I mean!) -- but it will come back and try to establish it's own continuity.  Brought up as we are in this world, which worships the ego, we have no choice but to follow this cycle through.  No matter what continuity you finally establish in your ind, I don't think you'll fee any regret as to what's happened.  Even if you find yourself somewhere you never thought you'd be, you won't even want to be where you had always planned on being!  Duh!  So much for your head-- what about all the people you left behind in the old sphere of things -- do you really expect you can reach back and w/ your own power, just bring them along w/ your words and explanations?   You're welcome to try, but will learn something trying.  Here comes the danger -- are you willing to line in a sphere with -- at times -- non one else in it, for an undetermined amount of time?  Do we really want this kind of freedom, I mean not just the idea of it, but the living of it, this is what they wrote all those books about when we were in school and we read and said "Right on, of course everyone wants this", but when you find that no everyone wants it at all, what do you think?  You can stand there and watch as your friends drop into one niche or another, by accommodation, by marriage (no elaboration needed on this one!), by a lot of different ways and what is your choice -- to go on alone, or to keep what you've got but stop there and continue what you were doing and where you were headed before the question ever came up?

As for me to respond to you -- of course I still am responding in the old known way -- don't think words can ever really reach that part of another person.  What a frustration to find out that you so seldom reach anybody and hardly ever with words.   More and more now (from now on up to our parent's level -- or down?) -- people have a lot to lose by changing their course -- they have a balance worked out and it wasn't easy and they're not about to give it up for someone else's vision of how things should be.   Sad, but true -- it's like asking our parents to smoke grass and get into it they simply have too much to lose at this stage of the game and there's no guarantee!  You might not win the big game -- the way they are, they're fairly wise to say no. Think of that when you feel disappointed when people won't respond to you.  I will respond as best I can, within my own time and place and without any loss of my own balance, that's all anyone can do -- at the state we're at, no one is going to leave their own hard-won perception behind for yours -- this is life in the grown-up world.  It's not what we expected it to be is it?  We always thought we'd always be totally open to anything and you turn around and see your self limiting certain spheres out of your range forever.  I've said too much already -- I probably could have summed this all up in a line or two if I had the real clarity of thought you're looking for.  I'm only another one "on the way", like you.  I'm very interested in your thoughts now, after this amount of time has gone by -- if you don't write before Christmas, I'll see you in Warren then.  I'm definitely coming home for Christmas -- trying to get a ride now but I have reservations if I don't.

I hope this will serve as the feedback you wanted-- I'm sure you've heard from other people by now and maybe this will add something to their responses -- I'm glad you decided to write the letter -- it certainly was a "moving" experience.

Take care!

I've talked to Mardi  -- I've buried all my doubts for now and am just trying to gain some support.  (She wants to go out and see Bill!  No surprise, right?  I advised her against it, biting my tongue to keep from saying a lot of things, but if she decides to chance it, she'll do it I'm sure.  Joan and Freddie are now in Meadville, Pa -- one of their strings of Penna towns -- I have no address.  My brother Tim is at home working at the State, substitute teaching at Warren High (weird!) and buying a car -- his girlfriend, Rita, has never been heard of again after going down to Texas to see the Maharishi -- and I'm in old Boston fixing up a new apt. and going nowhere new I suppose!  Warren at Christmas should be interesting!

Now I'll end this -- happy holidays!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

December 5, 1973 (Letter from Michael)



I have owed you a letter form some time now; sorry I haven't gotten around to it.  (For about two weeks after I got your second letter I carried it back and forth from work to home to have when I had the chance to write.)  So I'll give you the typical response of having no excuse and then give you excuses...I mean explanations.  Largely, almost entirely, that is, my life consists of working six days a week.  Nights and Sundays I seek amusement or, more often, fall out.  Work is OK but having little free time really gets to me.  Actually I wouldn't mind the lack of free time so much if there wasn't such a lack of money.  And that wouldn't be such a problem if my damn brother would ever open his store.  Do you believe that it's not open yet?  It's almost 4 months since the lease was signed.  But my brother does things full-assed.  His idea is to set the store up entirely, make it look beautiful, perfect, get all the stock in before opening.  That's fine if you can afford it.  But we're not quite in that position.  What he could be doing is selling stock while he's working on the interior, etc; but he doesn't believe in doing business that way.  Therefore with regard to that store money is going going out, not a bit is coming in.

Other than that, life is generally good.  Liz and I go to movies now and then, out to eat, or walk around.  We're living apart officially; essentially we're together 90% of our free time.  In some ways though it's good to have separate apartments as we can be apart when we want to.

I see Dennis 2-3 times a week.  He drops into the store to bullshit around.  He quit personnel work and is now selling insurance for John Hancock.  In fact he and Donna have really gotten into the middle class lifestyle.  They've gotten quite settled and bought all sorts of new things -- car, stereo, couch, table.  More than the accumulation of goods, which like the stereo I wouldn't mind having, though is their attitude.  I can see that they are almost on the verge of being trapped into the their mode of living.

Harvey can't stand any of us anymore because we're not acting like the hippie freaks we're supposed to be.  Up to a point I can relate to that.  But I know that I am working not because I want to but for basic survival.  In fact I have in no way compromised my ideals, beliefs, or desires for personal and social change.  But I fear most people can't live totally as they might wish.  What's critical, I think, is to make every effort to maintain one's beliefs, standards, principles, etc., even while one is forced by society to make certain apparent compromises.  (Is this making sense?  I am sort of rambling on, talking off the top of my head in between occasional customers.)  As well I constantly look for ways to help work for the changes which our society needs; although lately I have not been able to find movements or people with whom I desire to work.

Meanwhile Harvey has stopped attending classes and believe it or not is looking for work on a newspaper -- possibly with the Courier in Buffalo.

The other night some friends of mine at Boston College Law School asked me to be a witness for them in a mock trial.  I was a minister who was suing the defendant for libel -- he said I had misused church funds, smoked marijuana, and drank alcohol -- generally caroused around.  Well, it just wasn't true.  I was on the stand for almost 2 hours (I had had to memorize a bunch of stuff, make up the rest) and we won the case.  I sued for $50,000, won $10,000, but my lawyers said that it all goes to lawyers' fees.  C'est la vie.  But it was fun and interesting and I learned a bit about legal doings.

Well, that's it for now.  Please write when you get a chance.  Hope you are well, not working too hard, and more importantly hope yo might get an opportunity to come up and visit.

Monday, August 27, 2012

November 29, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)



Well hello sweetie.  Thank you for sending the postcard so I know you are still alive.  I had imagined that you were busy.  I don't know what to say about us, I guess my last postcard is the most correct.  The subject is not a very good one for discussion by letter.  I hope in your next missal you will make some comments on the things I wrote -- your letter to me was a hard one to write an answer to and continuing thoughts on it have made me cover a lot of ground but if I am still important to you and your feelings haven't changed then I will be comfortable with that.  Please write a letter, though, because I miss your chatty letters discussing what you have been doing.  So no more on that until I hear from you again.

Your independent study project sounds interesting.  I have read (and will enclose it) that Rolling Stone has published a volume of select reviews and has just come our with record reviews from its early years of publication complete with a 20 page index.  As far as I can tell those are the only two aspect indexed.  I imagine you have your sources already but just in case not, Collison has written Indexes and Indexing and is somebody at least readable.

A couple of weeks ago on a Sunday I went to an antique show with my aunt.  I loved it and I think you would have enjoyed it.  It was at least 30 independent dealers showing select wares -- lots of crystal, boxes, and a few specializing in books.  One dealer was the best as far as having books, manuscripts, maps, and personal correspondence.  I could see myself getting into that whole racket -- I already collect stuff.

My car has been acting up and continues to eat gas so I've gone to the dealer where I bought my other motorcycle and have put down a deposit on a new Honda 350F.  It is the baby of the four cylinder bikes and should be smooth as glass -- no vibration like you have with twin cylinder bikes.  It will make a nice small touring bike, very comfortable, which is what I will need commuting to Albany as much as I do.  I'm looking forward to being on two wheels again.

Not much else -- I've been doing a lot of reading lately trying to get most things out of the way.  Had a nice Thanksgiving -- went to NYC for a hot minute.  My father forgot to leave the bills of lading at the terminal in Edgewater, N.J. and my granny was going down Friday to visit so Mom, Nana, and I left after dinner on Thurs and ran the errand.  Unfortunately the people I wanted to see were all busy.  Mom and I drove back on Friday.  I drove up through Manhattan and Yonkers and part way up the Taconic Parkway.  It was the most driving I have done in NYC and wasn't as bad as it looks.  Saturday I went to a party and it was like a small old home week with some long unseen faces.  Sunday was a second Thanksgiving dinner in Troy with friends.  The food was great -- everybody had contributed something -- I made the gravy.  It was good -- I like lots of people around holidays.

Will continue later.

Friday 30:Nov '73 - Good afternoon -- am sitting in the library school  library and thought I would finish writing this before doing some work.

The other day I picked up my pictures and I was really pleased the way they came out.  It was the first time using a tripod.  The longest exposure was 1 second.  I shot a roll of black and white and a roll of color.  The quality of the color pictures was really fine -- I was pleasantly surprised.  Took portrait shots of Mom, Nana, and Dad and they came out great.  So whenever I see you again, will you sit for me?

On the local AM stations they are starting to play Steely Dan's new song.  I don't know the title but it has the phrase "But I did not think that girl could be so cruel and I'm never going back to my old school."   Really fine.  Last night a bunch of us went to the Pub and they were playig some fine listening music by Aretha Franklin, Laura Nyro, and Carole King.  (I think mostly from the Fantasy album.)  Feel like dancing now again -- haven't been since I was in Pittsburgh.

Tonight Chris and I are going to see American Graffiti.  Have you seen it yet?  I've been meaning to go for at least a month and so am looking forward to it.  Still haven't gotten my records from RCA so no comments on Lookin' In.

I guess that's it for now.  I continue to try and understand you more than before and care for you very much.  Take care of yourself.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

November 29, 1973 (Letter from Renee)



Thanks so much for your letter, it was delightful to hear from you once again, and I am very glad that we can still keep in touch.  I did receive a letter from you earlier in the fall, but with school starting and all the work that piled up I haven't spent much time in corresponding to anyone.

Everything is fine with us.  I am busy with my teaching and Morrey is working and he's going to finish up his associate (2 year) degree in a few weeks, of which I am very  very proud.  Aside from that we have been taking bridge lessons, but being the klutz that I am I can't seem to play bridge without my 14 pages of class notes -- which leaves room for little else at the bridge table.  We've just finished the beginning bridge course and in February we'll take the advanced course.  Our house is all settled now and my basement is completely finished with carpeting and everything.  It has become "my living room" since I spend all my time down here working at my desk.  Once school started in the fall I had to give up all my grandiose plans for decorating until next summer when I'll have time to burn.

I love teaching and I really feel comfortable in my job now.  I've begun to explore different methods and new lessons to work on since I can't stand to do the same old thing in the same old way year after year.  I have a heavy load of 6 classes with 169 students and it takes me forever to grade any kind of composition work even though I fell that this is an area that needs a great deal of work at the 8th grade level.  The longer I teach the more things I seem to take on and find to do -- but I guess that's what really keeps me going and keeps my mind working.  I am just about ready to decide to go back to grad school this summer to see if I can't pick up some new ideas and materials.  One thing about teaching is that it is never boring and there never seems to be enough hours in the day to complete all the tasks I assign myself.  I am very lucky though Paul, because Morrey and I have very little time together during the week and we really cherish the weekends when we can get reacquainted.  We have a good number of friends here in Columbus now but Morrey and I prefer to be close friends with a very select few and we're not the big party types at all anymore.  I guess I could safely say that I'm very happy with my life as it is right now.  I'm the kind of person that has to set goals for myself and have something to look forward to no matter how small the occasion or how large.  Without the future to look forward to I am lost.  That sounds kind of dumb, but that's the way I am.

We went to Chicago last week to my brother's for Thanksgiving and my parents went with us.  It really bothers me Paul cause I see my parents getting older, and now that my dad is retired I really worry about them, not financially, but I worry cause they seem to me to be kind of "beaten" down by their circumstances.  With my grandfather living with them they have very little social life and they are quite bored -- yet there aren't many choices or options open to them.  They can't just pack up and go exploring places they've always wanted to see because they have a strong obligation to take care of my grandfather.  My parents literally live for the times when they can see us -- yet I can't hep thinking that there has got to be more to life and living than just that itself.  I guess I can't solve the problem for them, but I can really see the effects of all the years with my grandfather working on them, and I really get depressed.

We haven't formalized any plans yet for Xmas vacation.  Morrey will have a long 4 day weekend over Xmas but with the gas shortage and all that I'm not sure whether we'll make the trip to PA.  Aside from being able to see my friends for a little visit at Xmas time there isn't much that Warren has to offer for us, and Morrey and I aren't too anxious to spend 4 days sitting around on our asses with nothing to do but twiddle our thumbs.  So, at this time I'm not too sure about any plans that we'll be making.  Pittsburgh is only a 3 hr ride from Columbus Paul, do you think you could come here for a short while over winter break?  We have an extra, unused bedroom which you'd be welcome to use, and we'd love to have you as our guest.

Well, I'd love to write some more but I've loads of papers sitting in front of me which I've had for 2 weeks and haven't graded yet, so I'm afraid I'll have to close for now.

Be well and take care Paul.  Write soon when you have a chance.  Let's continue to keep in touch.  "Old" friends are the best friends.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

November 28, 1973 (Letter from Barb Nelson)



Hi!  Well I made it to Orlando at 9:10 on Friday.  A bus picked all the waves at the airport, and fifty screaming girls rode twenty miles to the base.  We got our barracks and I finally made it to bed by 12:00, I was dead.  Saturday we arose at 3:00 in the morning and then I really knew I was in the Navy.

Now that I have been in for six days I can say that it's hard work, but I will make it through basics.  Everything we do has to be precise.  The reason behind this is to see how well we follow instructions. But at 0600 it is hard to think let alone follow orders.

There are fifty girls in our company with ten cubicles and five-eight girls in a cube.  We get along fairly good, but you always have bad days, like today.  We couldn't march worth shit.  Can you see me marching to classes, mess, everywhere?  I even went to church on Sunday.  It was unbelievable.  Everybody clapped, put their arms around each other, and cheered.  But it was a religious ceremony.  I enjoyed myself and plan to attend church every Sunday.

We had our shots and my arms were sore, the food is fair and I am an ice cream freak now, also the girls in my company are fantastic.  We get along tremendously.

Sure we get screamed at, we have to stand at attention, do a lot of petty shit that wouldn't apply to ordinary life; but I'm looking ahead to the final outcome.  I hope to travel all over!!  I know that I can apply myself and I will, but right now I have to work as a company.  I'm trying to keep out of trouble.  I'll have to learn to discipline myself for now.  I'll be out in nine weeks.

I won't be home for Xmas and right now I don't plan on coming home after graduation.  I want to go to my school right away.  I would like to save my vacation for some other time.

By the way, I graduate Feb 1, so I have awhile to go.

I'm getting along, I'm fine, and I'm glad I'm out of Warren.  The only reason I want to go back to Warren is to see Mom and Dad.  But everytime I say that and I do go back we don't talk about anything important.  So maybe it I go out in the world and get on my own, and then after an extended period of time came back to re-establish a firm relationship with Mom and Dad.  I can say I miss my family, but I'm not homesick.

Write back soon.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

November 8, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)



Greetings!  I just reread your letter and I will just let my comments ramble on.  The anticipation of receiving this letter was much worse than the actual letter, but I had reached a point where I did not care what you did, but that went away last night when I was making homemade peanut butter -- I started thinking about you and your peanut butter and realized that no matter what was going to happen between us, my overriding feeling was that of fondness.

I am still confused as to what I am to you as I have not been members of your triangles, but always it seems, something separate.  You were to me first a friend because you never seemed to want a physical relationship and I decided long ago that I wanted you as a friend aside from a lover, even though I am sexually attracted to you.  So your actions when you visited me in May and when I visited you in September have me confused as to what our relationship means to you.

I have always envisioned myself with friends male and female, but having only one lover.  I have trouble handling more than one at a time.  So ideally there is the man who is my friend and lover and main person (a base), and then there are my other friends, new relationships, and other activities:  two people who co-exist and do things together, but yet are separate.  Much of our past relationship has been that.  So I don't know what else to say -- I enjoy being your friend and sleeping with you and maybe we can work something out to our mutual satisfaction.  Please continue to let me know what's happening with you as there has been far too much silence in our relationship.

Moving onto a different topic -- the peanut butter I made (from the recipe I sent you) came out okay, but a little dry, needs a little more oil.  The taste is great, and the texture is chewy, chunky - you would like it.  The biggest hassle was shelling enough peanuts.

I haven't received my records from RCA yet.  They did send me the Sounds of Love from A to Zzzz, by mistake -- I didn't play it to hear what it sounded like.  So I haven't bought any albums since what I've told you about.

Last weekend I went to Washington D.C. on a chartered bus -- with a bunch of other students from the school.  We stayed in a hotel ($10.60 for two nights) but the room was OK, maybe Robin, Nancy, and I got the best room.  Went to Library of Congress -- great architecture inside the building; Folger Shakespeare Library -- has an exhibit hall and a reproduction of the Globe Theater (not to scale); Museum of History and Technology (part of the Smithsonian).  Great -- barely saw two of the four floors in an hour and a half -- had women's costumes, large section of film with modern, silent, and a put-a-nickel-in-and-turn-the-crank variety; Department of Interior library -- interesting tour, they seemed glad to have us visit; and National Library of Medicine -- the tour guide liked his job and the library was impressive.  I really liked DC's personality and look forward to going there again -- there is so much to do and see.

Library school is okay -- I'm not as bored as you -- I've only had one test and got a B on that.  Going away the last two weekends made it nice.  The whole family may go down to NYC over Thanksgiving -- not yet definite.

That's all for now.  My birthdate is the 16th of November.  Take care of yourself.

P.S.  Re-reading your letter and thinking back to Atlantic City, there are two other things I want to ask/mention.  You mention Chris' being still upset because Judy married someone else and that you did not want this to happen to you.  What happened to you?  The risk of falling in love with someone, i.e., the fear that that person would leave you hanging?  And what is your new outlook on life and how does it concern other people -- myself in point?  Again, take care of yourself.

Monday, August 20, 2012

October 29, 1973 (Letter from Tony)



Thank you my friend, for the birthday card and the thought.  And naturally I return the thought.

It's good to hear that you are active.  It's strange, I had just begun to look for a job in order to keep myself moving.  My momentum in my classes has begun to slow, I hope to raise my excitement level by doing something more immediately gratifying than studying law.

I've been studying less of late and playing more.  My tennis game is improving slowly, my frisbee throwing was worked on today, and I've even been getting cultured.  I saw the Cleveland Quarter (artists in Residence at SUNY at Buffalo) a couple of weeks ago.  And then I saw a mechanical music concert that featured early 20th century music instruments, music boxes, calliopes, player pianos, and a piano player accompanying the film The Great Train Robbery.  It was really enjoyable. 

And then Friday I went in S. F. to get my papers served in my small claims action against the charter flight company that screwed up my Christmas flight home last year.  I guess I picked a real winner because when I gave the sheriff the papers he was to serve, he started laughing.  I thought it was over my cleverly worded statement of the case, but in reality he was laughing because the guy I'm suing is notorious.  A lot of people have been suing him and even if they win in court, there has to be some way to get the money from the guy.  And they maintain 8 bank accounts and you have to know which one your check goes into.  that's pretty discouraging, I guess I won't get my money.  Small claims court probably was a good idea when it was first set up, but today it's such a hassle to get a claim started and then get your money that most people don't even bother and these merchants, landlord, etc can get away with taking hundreds of dollars.  It's really a crummy set-up. 

Have you heard of the American Film Theater series?  It's a series of 8 plays films in N.Y. with really fine actors and actresses and then shown in theaters all over the country for 2 nights.  I'm going to see the first in the series, The Iceman Cometh.



Someday soon I'm going to start school work again.  I have a couple of papers I could be working on, but there won't be anythng urgent for awhile.  I can't wait until I'm dealing with people in real-life situations, rather than with hypotheticals.

Have you heard from Ralph?  I'm goign to try to write to him c/o Cornell Hotel Mangement School and see if I get any reply.

Well, I'm about trhough for tonight.  What are you doing over Christmas vacation?  When do you ahve yours.  I'jm flying to NYC Dec 15 and coming back Jan 5.  I'll be in Colden most of that time.

Yes, Paul, we both have been through a lot this past year.  It's like I'm riding on a roller coaster and I have some control over where and how fast I'm going.  Sometimes I'm moving along very slow.  And then I may speed up to the point that I'm just barely in control, things happen quickly and my life is on the brink of breaking down into chaos.  And then there are times, like last year, when after I've decided I can take the ride down the big drop, I go out of control, just sort of thrown back, finding it hard to breathe, and just riding it out until I hit the bottom and go around that inevitable curve that slows it down slowly so I am still in control.  If the hill isn't too big, I can take the gamble, go over and maintain myself through the excitement.  But every now and then I take a chance and end up out of control.  I feel that now I'm picking up speed after the slowdown which followed last year's precipitous delcline.  I'm eager to test where the brink is.

Good night, hang tough. 

Sunday, August 19, 2012

October 29, 1973 (Letter from Mrs. Peroski)



Thanks Paul for your lovely ho-maid letter.  I really enjoyed hearing from you and sorry to hear that your classes are boring you.  I always appreciate hearing from Mardi's friends.

Wonder how Mike is doing with his classes and I hope his car isn't giving him too much trouble.  As yet, I have not received a letter from him, but I am sure when he gets good and ready he will write.

Guess what, Libby and Ellie are right here on the rug beside me.  Lately they have been staying in the house at night.  They are really good "poopies".  Libby seems much bigger.  When you come home for Xmas you will see.  Although, by then maybe they will be with Mardi and Marti on East Street.  They will be moving by the 15t6h of Nov.  I have been up to their home 3 times now painting and they sure have come quite away since the beginning -- two rooms and the hall upstairs has been painted and papered and tonite the man is papering the downstairs living room and sitting room.  Of course the whole downstairs was done from scratch, new wiring, new installation of new plaster boards and papering.  Now the new ceiling and light fixtures.  Then the kitchen completely new.  It will really be nice when it's all done.  They still have a lot to do yet; but the worst is all done.

Paul, I am telling you all this and you probably didn't even know that they had boughten a home.  I'm sure Mardi will tell you all about it when she writes you.  The home is on 407 East Street between 3rd and 4th Ave.

Well Paul we all have been real busy lately and with the holidays coming more so.

I'm hoping to see Mr. S the end of Nov or Dec.  He wanted to know how yo and Mike ere and what you both were doing now.

Think I'll put the dogs downstairs in the basement and go to bed, tomorrow is another.  I hope it doesn't rain.  It's rained all day yesterday and today.  Miserable weather!

Well be thinking of you and take good care of yourself and eat well.

P.S.  Don't let the goblins get you.  "Happy Halloween."

October 26, 1973 (Birthday card from Mardi)



Glad to get your address so I could get a card off to you.  Glad to see you haven't lost your artistic ability.  We are in an utter state of confusion here.  The man is wallpapering tonite though, so it's coming along.  Still 101 finishing touches.  We will be moving Tues and Wed.  Help!  Our bedroom and bath should be done and we can eat at Yolanda's.  Marti's little ass hasn't stopped once.  He'll never want to fix anything again.

Have a good day, wish we could have gotten together for yummy cake and ice cream.  Take care.  I'll drop a line later.  No time now!

Friday, August 17, 2012

October 24, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)



Happy birthday -- season's greetings!

I got your letter today and since I was going to send the card, I thought I would write a few lines to go along with i.

First a recipe for peanut butter:  I got it from The Old Farmer's Almanac in an article entitled "Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes (and bread, too)".  So -- peanut butter:  to make 2 cups you will need 2 1/2 cups roasted (in or out of the shell), shelled peanuts.  If you shell them yourself, you will have to blanch them before use:  Blanch the nuts by placing them for a minute or so in boiling water, which will  loosen the skins for easy removal.  This step, of course, is not necessary if you use salted party peanuts, or dry roasted peanuts.  Grind the nuts to a meal in a grinder or electric blender.  If you use a blender, use grate speed first, then the "chop" speed.  Keep the cover on tightly, and do not grind more than 3/4 cups nuts at once or you will clog the blades.  Place the nut meal in a bowl and beat in 1/4 cup of water and 4-5 tablespoons peanut oil until the butter is smooth.  Salt to taste (1-2 teaspoons).  store in a closed jar in the refrigerator.

Now onto your letter.  I think the pictures on the folded blue paper are classy and have no comment on the trademark.  Thanks for the goodies on Blue Oyster Cult -- I'd love to see them again as I would appreciate them so much more now.

It does sound interesting about the para-professionals.  That's been a big point all along in librarianship -- is it really a profession?  What kind of status does it have?  What should we strive for?  Today the feeling of being an undergraduate swept over me -- that is school is bullshit and maybe I will learn something on the job.  Of course Albany's scope is supposedly theoretical so that we will have the background and will apply it to actual problems.   Yesterday I took the midterm to my Info Processing course -- ugh -- thought some of the questions were picky and how 'bout "What are two important facts about the following/"  Nobody in the two classes that have taken it are very happy.  At least there were no T/F question -- ID were brief answer questions.

Now onto records:  I bought Isley Brothers 3+3 and it's iffy -- the pressing is bad and I had to take one record back (something I hate doing) and that was annoying.  There are a few good numbers -- after "That Lady" I like "If You Were There" the best.  Also bought 3 records for 1 cent each - yeah.  I couldn't believe it.  One Ambergris has a huge chicken head in color on it and it stinks.  Another Soulful Strut by Young-Holt Unlimited is very uninspired -- at least the 1st side is -- hold on while I turn it over.  Well the other side is not much better.  The third album -- Rasputin's Stash is a nice surprise and the overall quality is better than that of the Isley's.



Tonight I went to K-mart to buy a soap container and saw 1 3/$1,00 pile and bought 4 records.  One -- Crazy World of Arthur Brown I have but bought for Mom.  Another Lacewing I've never heard of it but it reminded me a little of early Jefferson Airplane.  A likable album that will be played occasionally.  Another one by Fusion called Bordertown which I just put on which the 1st song sounded like country-rock.  So does the 2nd -- seems to move along.  Lots of slide guitar.  The other album is a group called Black Pearl -- I've seen the album before, but know nothing about it.

I've only heard LaBelle backing up Laura Nyro on It's Gonna Take a Miracle and thought they were classy.  I'm sorry your thought Blackbyrd was that bad.  Of course I heard it when I was stoned, which always colors music positive, but even so I did not think it was that bad.  The draggiest # was the 2nd song on the 1st side (I think, it's a real long song) but the rest of it had me rocking in my chair.  As for liner notes -- I haven't seen any album for quite awhile that had anything that passed for a liner note, so I'm dismissing that comment.  Anyway a difference in likes/dislikes is to be expected at least once in awhile.



I'd like to hear Pet Sounds sometimes.  The 2nd side of Fusion 2nd song, "Time of the Ostrick Head" is moving right along jazzy with a solo sax.  The last song 2nd side, "Ereous" is jazzy, too with lots of solo sax.  Will describe the other album later.

Funny about that liver.  I liked the peanut better and jelly so much on the sprouted wheat bread (love the bread) that I'm eating it quite a bit at home.  The steamed vegetables sound good.  I used to make my own spaghetti sauce in Buffalo from scratch -- it's quite easy -- and it does taste great -- everybody who makes it, makes theirs a little different than somebody else's.  Loved making a big batch and then cooking fresh spaghetti to go along with the sauce each time I ate.

Back to records for a minute -- my parastatic record preener has been acting up and instead or removing static it is making my records snap, crackle, and pop.

Well sweetie, tomorrow I'm going to Atlantic City and have to be in Albany at 6am which means 4am here so I have time to get myself together and I have to get my stuff together tonight.  I bought a pair of plaid corduroy baggies and black highheeled rubber soled clunkies to go with them. Even so they were so long, Nana had to shorten them for me.  Glad to hear the beard is doing well, I just love to run my fingers through your hair (all over your body ha ha).  Take care of yourself.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

October 11, 1973 (Letter from Kathy and Gary)


Sorry you couldn't get to Idaho.  We were really looking forward to your visit.  Hope you can make it sometime.  Plans are getting deeper for Gary's business here and with only 7 months left in the service, plans are very definite to stay here.  Reading your letter brought back a longing to see friends again but then we've made some really valuable friend here too.

Rick and Linda did come for 10 days.  They may have mentioned something at the reunion.  We visited Yellowstone and Sun Valley plus little things.  We enjoyed ourselves a lot in spite of the fact that they are difficult guests because they're very fussy eaters.

Gary's out working on the van's body.  He had hoped to finally get it painted this fall (the summer was so busy with camping and bike riding-- trials style) that he never found that time to do the finishing touches needed.  Now it turns out the engine is throwing out so he figures it's time to get his money out of it instead of struggling through the cold weather for a new engine.  He would like to pick up a second hand car for me to drive to work.  I ride my bike in the summer but winter really requires a vehicle.  Shame -- it would be really nice only to need on vehicle.

I'm happier in my job than ever.  Working 3 1/2 days for 2 dentists.  Takes the humdrum out of work when there's two offices -- lose fulltime benefits though. Both my dentists went elk hunting this week so I've been on vacation.  We were hoping to visit an aunt in Canada (B.C.) or Disneyland but finances won't allow that.  Gary just took a trip to Texas with his forthcoming partner to see the Suzuki '74 models.  We'll be watching pennies closely for this business adventure.  So glad we don't have a family to support although our golden retriever is having a litter Nov 9th or thereabouts!!  We're going to take one dog to my sister's neighbor in Colorado Springs when we go down for Christmas.  My sister came here last year so we're planning on the holiday there this year.

Is you social life getting complicated in wonderful Pittsburgh?

Had really good yields from my garden this year -- too much lettuce.  This was the first year-- next year I'll know the right way.

Have been helping with the Brownie Girl Scouts this year and enjoying that.  It has been taking 2 or more nights a week lately, but with Gary on a 4 to midnight schedule this month it's not too bad.

Fall has definitely set in.  We won't have the tree splendor like there but the trees will lose their leaves with little ceremony.

Well, need to get us some lunch before we starve!  Take care.




Wednesday, August 15, 2012

October 10, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)



Hi sweetie.  It's an exciting afternoon at the old corral.  Actually I have been rummaging through some of the junk in the media lab.  I played a couple of film strips and their respective records:  Decade in America -- 1920's #2 The Jazz Age and the Renaissance in Italy (Dewey Decimal number: 945).

The Jazz Age was interesting -- there was the music of the times along with the filmstrip which showed the "new" women, college men "sheiks", the dances, the frivolity and in the end Prohibition and the gangsters.  Also some of the college vocab at the time -- jalopy, blind date, keiser, goofy, spiffy, lousy, swell, and sex appeal.  "Campus hijinx gave the 20's much of its verve and zing:  college became a pace-setter.  Varsity boys called themselves sheiks, after dashing movie idol Rudolf Valentino.  Raccoon coats, slicked back hair, ukeleles were the sheik's domain.  His harm?  Filled with shebas, vamps, flappers.  Permissive flirts portrayed dancing on table tops, then passing out beneath them from bad liquor."

The Renaissance in Italy was also interesting -- I think it is one of my favorite historical times because of the paintings, architecture and sculpture.  The objectives as stated in the booklet with the filmstrip:  1) to portray attitudes in Italy which led to the Renaissance, 2) to acquaint viewers with the three key cities of the Italian Renaissance, 3) to introduce some of the foremost Renaissance writers and artists and their patrons.  The cities:  Florence, Venice, and Rome.  Most of the pictures were actually slides and were pretty good.  I am all set to go to Italy.

I also looked at pictures of Greece and am willing to go at any time.  I think I would go banans taking pictures of the ruins, would also go broke.

Also watched a 50's social education film -- Beginning to Date.  Will write on nit later.  Am going to do some xeorxing and then assign some Dewey Decimal numbers.


Monday 15 -- Hello -- was glad to hear form you today.  Yes my library charges fines and you will be held accountable until you can pay them off in person.

Reading your letter reminded me of a whole lot of things so Beginning to Date will be put off again.

First of all I've been playing Caravanserai again after a long rest.  Chris and I heard it in the Pub Saturday night and I said -- wow, what a great album that is, you'll have to hear it.  So I will be playing it a little later on -- right now I'm listening to BOC since you mentioned them in your letter.  Will be playing both BOC albums tonight.  Going back to Ziggy Stardust is also a very Nice homey feeling.

Friday Chris and I went to a place near me called Allen's.  It looks really classy inside and is comfortable even though it is a large place.  The dance floor is sunken and a half way decent size.  Plus there is an upstairs area for couples only.  Think you would like it so whenever you come to this area....

This weekend I really felt like driving to Buffalo to see Big John and Pat, but seeing as how I will be going to Atlantic City and Washington, I can't afford it.  Next weekend is even more tempting, but I must stop spending money like it was water.

Two of the grad assistants are leaving.  One of them, Pat is trying to find a job in Rochester as his wife will be starting a job there in November.  The other, Roberta, is going back to Boston to try and find a job.  I just keep thinking that classes can't be an indication of what's ahead.  Also the assistantship and living at home make it quite easy for me so I shall be staying.  My other friends, Robin said that if it wasn't for the assistantship, maybe she wouldn't be here either.

In the middle stall in the bathroom a pretty decent collection of graffiti has been started.  I make sure I visit often enough to keep up on the new development.  It all started with somebody wanting to know where the spirit was in school.  Like with you there is a group of us that are friendly and we keep each other's spirits up.  It seems this dissatisfaction is very common with 1st semester grad students.  Oh, well.  Maybe I'll adds my two cents at the door.

Be back in a minute -- time to put on Tyranny and Mutation.

I have a short paper due this week and a midterm in Info Processing next week.  Ugh.  I'm going to write my paper on Jefferson's classification system, which he took from Francis Bacon.  So tonight I am reading Bacon and making notes.  At the moment I don't feel like doing much of anything except riding around the countryside visiting all of my favorite people.

The new ruling says that grad assistant don't have to work during holidays when classes are suspended.  Yay!  My Thanksgiving is from Wednesday the 21st at noon until Sunday the 25th.  If you want to think about making any plans for then.

Fran, the mechanic down the road, worked on my car Sunday so now I should get about 3 more miles to the gallon putting the Dodge at 16-17 mpg which is better than 14.  He is going to pick up an ignition kit (consists of two springs) which will allow him to set the timing even father ahead and give me a few more miles/gallon.  The other thing he said was that my car had AC plugs and Chrysler products run better with Champions -- so I will get new plugs this weekend.

A little humor -- since I noticed you put the full address on the letter, our mailman gave it to my aunt who lives around the bend on Dubois Lane.  She brought it to my house tonight.

I'm signing off time to do some work.

Tuesday 16:October -- Good morning.  Bright and early.  This morning I overslept by 20 minutes so that coming to school I was in the mainstream of traffic -- ugh.  The cars start lining up about half a mile before the exit I get off.  Aside form that it is beautiful in the morning with the sun coming up and the mist evaporating.  The fall colors are very cheering to the soul.

In reference to Thanksgiving, maybe Christmas is better as it is a longer time.  I don't know, it is good whenever I see you.

Wednesday night 17 -- True to form I have let several things ride so that I have two papers to write.  One of on Thomas Jefferson's classification, which is based on Bacon, so I have been reading Bacon trying to make a chart of his classification of knowledge.  Strange but interesting reading -- trying to keep track of his terms is problem -- am enjoying it on the whole and want to read more of the "originals".  The other paper is a critique on the 500's or 600's of the Dewey Decimal System.  I am comparing edition 11 (1922) with edition 18 (1971), specifically the 680's.  Typical.  It is really not that bad, but I am lazy therefore more of a talker than a writer so motivation to sit down and write rarely arrives.

Just called Roberta on the phone -- will see her probably when the bunch of us go to Washington to see the Library of Congress.  Ah -- it's very tempting to have a large phone bill.

It's been cold and windy the last couple of days -- ugh.  This morning it rained and then stopped and the sun came out.  The contrast between the sun, the wet and bright fall colors and the gray sky was startling.

Next week I have an actual test -- Atlantic City will be a break from midterms.

Not much else to say -- I would just be rambling on -- The Isley Brothers 3+3 is on sale for 2.99 so I think I will gamble on the strength of "That Lady".

Take care of yourself -- I wish you weren't so far way.




Tuesday, August 14, 2012

October 10, 1973 (Letter from Tony)



Yes, here I am at last, the wayward Western wanderer finally writing.  Thank you for your letter for I usually do need a small push to help over come my inertia.

It certainly is a shame that education at college-level and higher cannot be somewhat more stimulating than it is.  I can rationalize some of the drudgery as a means to the end of developing discipline and bringing my expectations of my life down to manageable goals, but it does seem that they go a bit overboard in laying on the tedium.  Certainly my last year here at Boalt was not an enjoyable one, but it was also far from unproductive.

Since I had a lot of time  this past summer to re-think on what had gone on, I was able to prepare myself much better for this year and also for what lies ahead in my life.

You ask if I noticed a moodiness on your part.  I had to laugh, for I felt that many hours of this past summer, which were part of my re-evaluation, found me to be almost anti-social, or at least far from talkative or friendly.  During our trip to Spread Eagle this mood of mine was quite strong.  I realized that my quietness had a somewhat deleterious effect on the social situation I was in, but I was in no "mood" to adjust my behavior.

Well, anyway, my 1st year of law school is now history, and with the wisdom gleaned from that year I have vowed never to allow myself to drop into such a depressed mental state again.  Those attributes you are working to maintain, a sense of humor being the chief one, were lost by me for lengthy periods of time and were not firmly established again until the end of the semester.

So far this school year has been very enjoyable.  I've been doing things, such as backpacking in Yosemite, visiting the ocean, walking around a redwood grave, spending a day out in the country, etc.  And I've been reading non-law books, such as Jung and my art books, several of which I bought out here at a used book store.

I'm living with 2 non-law students and that is working out quite well.  Neither of them is going to school, they both work.

My courses are 75% good.  I have one dud course, but Bob Padia and I alternate attending class and I only have to face that once a week.  My 3 other classes are really fine, the material is interesting and the teachers are all eminently knowledgeable and quite effective as teachers.  It was one of these courses, Psychoanalytical Jurisprudence, that was the motivating factor that got me started in Jung. (see earlier comment on inertia)  I have a fairly light credit load and I'm staying away from such traditional law courses as Tax and Estates and Trusts.  My interests certainly do not lie in those areas and what little help they would be to me is outweighed by the dullness of the material and the effort required to maintain in the classes.

I just got back from a performance of the Cleveland Quartet, a group that succeeded the Budapest Quartet as artists in residence at SUNY at Buffalo in 1971.  Have you ever heard of them?  I didn't until just recently.  The performance was excellent, they did some traditional pieces by Haydn and Beethoven and also some more unusual compositions by Ives and Slonimsky.

Cal has an excellent selection of musical events on campus which I took advantage of last year and will do so again this year.

I got food stamps this week that along with a $600 grant, a $1,500 loan and my California residency should allow me to manage the experience this year.  However, I appear almost certain that I must find a job for next summer.

I'll close now; write. soon.

Monday, August 13, 2012

October 8, 1973 (Letter from Kenny)


Kenny and Lauren's wedding
Clockwise from lower right
Herb Kleinberger, Tony Szczygiel, Eric Barr, Paul Nelson, Kenny Tuchman

I don't have much time, but I wanted to get a note off to you.  I'm really glad to hear that things are going so well for you in "the Burg" (as I'm told Pittsburgh is referred to).

It was really great seeing you and Tony at the wedding and it's too bad you couldn't have come in a couple of days earlier so I could have talked to you both.  Anyhow, things are going pretty well here for the Tuchmans in Philadelphia.  School sucks of course for me and even Lauren doesn't like her school but elsewise (strange word "elsewise") it's OK.  I'm not as pressured this year because I just don't give a shit.  All of these firms are coming down to interview for summer jobs and it is unquestionably the biggest pain in the ass.  I hate having to act so phony with them and also I don't graduate till '76 so they're not interested in me until next yr and they pretty much come out and tell me so in the interview.  The salaries they offer are outrageous ($300/wk for summer, $18,000/yr full time) but I'm fairly certain I'll be working for $3/hr somewhere licking stamps or something equally exciting.  Sorry if I sound cynical but these interviews really get me down.  It looks as though Lauren will be going to school thru the summer so I'm looking primarily in Philly although if I get a job in NY and nowhere else I'll take it.

I guess Herb must have told you about Chris calling him.  It was really weird.  When Herb told me that Chris asked about my wedding, I really felt bad.  I wanted to invite him for old times sake (and all that shit) and all he had to do was make an effort to call or anything.  Anyhow, Chris must have mentioned that he was thinking of getting married.  Maybe that's why he contacted Herb after such a long time.  What do you think?  Have you communicated with Chris?

How's the little Polish kid out in sunny Calif?  Send me his address.  My aunt just moved to California from Wantagh and several other people I know are contemplating the move.  I really want to get out there one of these days and be just like you -- a man of ALL places (at least in this country). 

Oh yeah, Puerto Rico was really nice and Lauren and I had a great time.  We didnt' do much sightseeing although we did go to St. Thomas for a day.  We flew back from St. Thomas to San Juan on a 10 passenger plane -- I almost shit in my pants.  We got about $100 worth of liquor for $30 and cigarettes only $1.50/carton!! Beyond that however, nothing was a great bargain.

Oh well I'd better go for now.  Write soon and send me your phone #.  Also I would really like a copy of those pictures you took of you, me, Herb, and Tony at the wedding.

Enough said, take care of yourself and remember your Dewey Decimals.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

October 6, 1973 (Letter from Mike)



Just a short note to let you know what's up.  I got an assistantship and am handling the statistical lab for the dept.  They're paying my tuition and giving me $2,500 for 3 quarters which isn't too bad.  I wound up buying a '68 Kharmann Ghia in case I haven't told you and I really like it.  (It was the tan one next to the red bud I was looking at.)  At any rate, things have settled down to a dull roar and I'm stuck in the middle.  Have to start my thesis this week and I'm not in the mood.  (Bishop is playing this shitty organ music and I'm about to strangle him; all I can think of is Captain Nemo and the Nautilus!)

How's the burgh?  And school, and all the rest of the things that you should tell me?  Hope all is well and that you've settled yourself into a rut.

I really have nothing new to report other than I'll be here until June and after that ... well, who the hell knows?  Gotta head out now.  Here are the vitals:

P.S. Bishop said to say hi.

Friday, August 10, 2012

October 5, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)



Hiya honey.  Have been feeling very contented and happy all week.  The trees are turning here and it is very beautiful in the morning-- don't mind driving to Albany.

I picked up the pictures today, they came out pretty good.  So I took them to school to show my friends and my family as very happy to see what you looked like.  Whenever I see you again it will be different as your beard should be looking glorious by then.  General consensus from those tho viewed picture -- you look pretty good.

Am listening to Tyranny and Mutation right now (Blue Oyster Cult) and my favorite song is coming up -- a great dance tune, got that driving base beat.  Time out while I bounce around.

Want to tell you about this strange article I read for one of my courses but I don't feel like it right now so I will continue this later.

Monday 8:October '73 -- Good morning.  The class I am sitting in has a definite soporific effect on me -- gold ole Lib 601.  We have just spent an hour and a half talking about intellectual freedom, two assumptions that librarians hold (info is available, reading can make a difference), and characteristics of a profession.

Hello again -- just as I wrote that, break time was over and then there was stuff to take notes on so I'm finally getting back to this at home.  Brian Auger is taking a spin on the turntable.

Want to tell you about my weekend.  Chris and I went out Friday night -- she had the heebie-jeebies and I was just up for going out and shooting the bull.  We went to Allen's, a place near me that has a band, but there were people lined up outside to get in so we left and went to the Pub over on rte. 7.  Had a fine time and I was introduced to a new drink -- Tequila Sunrise, which is tequila, orange juice, and grenadine.  Mmm delicious and sneaks up on you.Saturday and I went to Albany to pick up my new friend Robin and brought her back so she could see a farm which happened also to be home.  IT was a gorgeous day and we trucked around the back 40 and I shot another roll of film.  I now have 3 rolls (32 from New York City) to be developed.  The guy from school has been busy so I'm going to take them to Universal tomorrow -- am tired of waiting -- I want to see what kind of pictures I took.

Sunday I lazed around all day -- dance to some music for exercise and then decide3d to re-arrange my room.  Now I have lots more room and have my speakers about 8 feet apart -- sounds better.  That evening my friend Bernie, home for the weekend from Syracuse, came over so we smoked and listened to music and had a good time shooting the breeze.  He brought over Blackbyrd by Donald Byrd for me to listen to.  Really fine album -- nice to move around to -=- just quietly cooks along at a low simmer.  Some of it reminded me of Grover Washington Jr.

Coming home today I caught Meet That Lady and instead of cutting off the end they just let it play out and it goes for at least a minute after the vocal ends.  The lead guitar just continues to howl and I just ride along with it.  It reminds me of Dark Side of the Moon on the first side at the end when the singers voice just takes off and I'd love to be able to sing like that.

Did you go to Warren to pick up your records?  If it was like it was here, it was beautiful driving weather.  Future Games is turning now.  Haven't played it in a long time.

Today I got to play the projectionist -- I showed 3 movies for Miss Cole's class.  Not hitches but I was nervous at first, because I had never shown movies before even though I know how to run the machine. Of course the class was impressed by my speed and skill at running the movie projector and rewinding it.  Nothing to it, I said modestly.

I am going to end this now as I have work to do.  Enclosed is a copy of the letter the media lab has been sending out to various film distributors.  Whoohoo.  Take care of yourself.



Thursday, August 9, 2012

October 2, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)



Hi sweetie.  Greetings on a cool but nice Tuesday morning.  Today is my early day (have to be here at 8am) so was up to see a beautiful sunrise.  Ah, glad to be alive.

Not being a veteran airplane traveler, I missed the 8:40 plan by asking about checking my bag instead of running like hell to the gate.  Called home and said I would be catching the next plane, which I did with no trouble and even sat by a window.  I think I sat on the wrong side of the plane to see Pittsburgh, though.  It was a clear night for flying and the lights below were sparkling like jewels.  The plane flew to Philadelphia, where I made a connection to go to Albany.  On that plane I sat on the right so I would see New York City.  All the way form Philly to New York it's lit up -- large colonies of light looking like giant nerve [?] joined by the roads connecting them.  The lights of the New York metropolitan area were visible for at least half of my flight, then the lights petered out up through the Catskills and along the Hudson.  Albany looked quite small compared to the Big Apple.  I got home about 12:45.

Yesterday the media lab got the word to toe the line no more slacking off.  Of course there is not that much to do and there are sometimes three people in there at the same time, but let's not look like we are having a good time and pleased keep the noise level down.   This whole idea of a media lab is running by ear so stumbling is to be expected.  This morning I have been putzing around and now writing to you.              Surprise, surprise, we just had a fire drill.  A bell is used instead of the obnoxious buzz/rings used at U.B.

This afternoon I'm going to take the roll of film to be developed.  Hope the pictures come out sharp and clear.  That was one of the things Mom wanted to know -- did you take any pictures?  You know you can't see him in the ones you have.

Will continue later, time to go to the library school library to put in 4 hrs.  (10-2).

Hello -- I'm home now.  Have listened to 1st side of Steely Dan, 1st side of Down Home and now 2nd side of Down Home -- will have to buy at least one more Seals and Crofts.  I just love spending money on records.

I forgot to ask you if you or anybody from your school is going to the ALA convention in Atlantic City.  I will be going with at least 3 others (Robin, Nicki, and Nancy) in the Torino for Thursday and Friday.  Not enough wanted to go to hire a bus.  We are also going on a trip to Washington, D. C. to see the Library of Congress and other famous libraries.  Am looking forward to it seeing as how I've never been to Washington.

I took the film and will probably pick it up on Friday.

Needless to say I had a fine time and could get used to being around you very easily.  My mother said I must have had a fine time since I looked happy when I arrived at the airport and my cheeks were rosy -- can't figure out why they would have looked so rosy.

I am going to sign off -- will write again shortly.  Take care of yourself.  Write to me.

P.S.  I found this in the media lab throw-away pile -- didn't know if it would interest you or not.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

October 1, 1973 (Letter from Larry)


Enclosed in an article from Prevention which I hope will help you.

In reply to your 2nd letter:

I watch very few sci-fi stuff on the boob toob.

I've never had an idol, but there's actually a kind of fear about meeting anybody for the first time.

I'm not looking for an easy, guiltless way to reject Jesus.  I started rejecting Jesus in my early years of high school.  (If used to pay "in Jesus name" but I quit that cause it didn't make any sense to me.)

You say you can't attribute the voice of guidance in yourself to Christ or anybody else's philosophy.  Either am I.  That's why I stoned praying to God and started praying to myself after high school and I was on my own and really thought a lot.

I'm surely not replacing Daniken for Christ, that would be just another idol, which I couldn't have.

I agree with your completely "to worship an image or idol is to deny the self".

I guess I have a spaceship mind like Daniken cause I think man came to earth via spaceship.


I'm listening to golden-oldie night on WRRN.  It's good.

Monday, August 6, 2012

October 1, 1973 (Letter from Herb)



Man am I jealous.  It sounds like you're really set at school -- and lovin it.  I really wanna go back to school.  I've got to get my applications out this week.  In case you don't remember, I decided to go for an MBA.  However my boards turned out to be pretty disgraceful -- 508 -- so I don't k now where the hell I'm gonna get in.  I think I'm applying to NYU, U of P, and Columbia.  Any suggestions?

I've been keeping myself pretty busy since Kenny's wedding -- it was really good to see you and Tony -- real shame it couldn't have been any longer.  I've been doing my normal stuff.  Seeing Sandy, bowling, studying karate and of course working.  Things are getting out of hand with Sandy. We've grown very close -- but I know I want to go out with other people -- it's gonna be very difficult to tell her that though.  I went to N.Y. this weekend -- my folks were buggin' me -- it was the Jewish New Year and all.  Anyhow it turned into a pretty good weekend.  I saw good old Barbara Silverman again.  You remember Barbara don't you.  Well it was just a very friendly chat nothing there anymore except old times.  I hadn't seen her in about a year though -- so we had some catching up to do.

Oh -- remember that girl Elyse at Kenny's wedding -- well, I found out she was gonna be home for the weekend too so I gave her a call -- and we went out Saturday night.  I had a really nice time too -- don't know what's gonna happen there -- but not too much can without Sandy being at lest in on it first -- on how I don't look forward to that.

One other weirdo thing happened since I saw you -- two weeks ago I got a call from Chris -- Lauer up in Buffalo -- Man did he ever freak me out.  I haven't heard or seen him for about 1 1/2 years now.  He sounded sorta mellowed, apologetic almost.  It felt good to speak with him.  He said he's been living with a girl named Sherry and that he's thinking seriously about marriage.  Man, it was weird speaking to him.  I suppose that the realities of marriage might have brought him a little closer to heart -- he almost sounded like the old Chris.  Said he'd write and explain all -- but I'm still waiting for his letter.  I'll keep you posted.

Other than that -- I hope all is well with you.  Maybe you can arrange a visit here sometime or vice versa.  Oh I saw Kenny yesterday -- he got a letter from you too -- he's in the process of replying -- give him some time -- he's fuckin married these days.

Keep in touch - All my best.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

September 28, 1973 (Letter from Michael)


Sorry I didn't write sooner, but I've been terribly busy.  For one thing, Elizabeth moved into her new apartment and I helped her set up.  Then, of course, I've been working full time -- six days a week -- in the store and there has been quite a lot to do.  Finally I am in the process of moving also -- on Oct first.  I never seem to have any free time and I just keep working, running around, and then falling out.

It was very good to receive your letter.  I must admit I have never gotten a letter in which the writer sounded so happy.  You sound real good; everything seems to be workout out well for you.  I hope that continues.

As I said I've been working all the time.  In some ways it is quite satisfying.  I pretty much have control of the store -- I do all the ordering and make the decision as to what items we carry, how the store should be organized, etc.  Obviously a lot of customers are pains in the ass but a lot also are really friendly, talkative, and especially pleased with what we offer them.  I feel a sense of accomplishment whenever someone comes in and says that since they spoke with me and tried my suggestions they have felt much better.  People come in all the time and say they have never had so much energy or that a specific ailment they've had for the longest time finally cleared up.  It's those times when I can forget that I am hardly getting paid, that my brother has fucked-up for over two years, and finally that we're not making money.

As it is, if my brother would ever get finished setting up the new store and stop taking money from this one, I could possibly start taking a $100 or $150 weekly salary, not to mention the food I take.  Business has picked up considerably since August two-three hundred a week.  I can't take full credit for it as September always proves to be an increased over the summer, yet I know that my efforts have helped quite a bit.

I got my Saab and I've been driving that all over the place.  I have 1900 miles on it after 5 1/2 weeks.  I like it.  I still have the wagon.  I can't seem to get rid of it and lately my brother's been using it for the new store and whenever he's had trouble with his car.  So now I've got two cars, two stores, and essentially two apartments; bills to pay off -- The American Dream in other words.

Sunday I plan to set up my apt.  I am kind of excited about that as actually it is the first apartment I will have had on my own (although I do have to get a roommate).  Basically, though it will just be nice to be able to settle down a little, relax, have people over to my own place, and so forth.

I hope you can get up here again, sometime.  You sound awfully busy yourself.  Perhaps some vacation you'll have some spare time.  Besides after you've gotten some training you'll be able to help me find some books I've been looking for in the library.  It's back to work for me.  Have fun, and take care my friend.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

September 21, 1973 (Letter from Chris)



Receiving your letter this morning was almost frighteningly coincidental.  Only last night I saw Paul Rosen while at work.  He was in the Sign of the Steer for a salad and stayed long enough to watch the Riggs-King tennis match.  I only had a few minutes to talk to him since I was working upstairs, and he was at the bar downstairs.  He told me he was living on Long Island and looking for a job.  I mentioned that I hadn't seen you and was wondering what you were doing.  He asked about Tony and I couldn't offer any information.  Then we spoke of Kenny and Lauren, briefly.

It is funny you should feel the same way about Kenny and Lauren as I do.  They are both good people -- but I guess I don't see them as a married couple.  I am surprised that I feel the way I do -- that is, being hurt that I wasn't invited to the wedding.  Tony, you, Herb, Eric, Linda -- and I'm sure Liz and all of Lauren's girlfriends from State.  Not that I could have gone -- but it would have been a nice gesture of him to invite me.  The more I think of it -- the more ashamed I am of myself for feeling this way - -but I do feel it.

On top of this thought is the thought just relayed to me when I called home today -- that Judi Haberman just got married to an old friend of mine.  I know they were going to, but just hearing of it and about how swanky the whole thing was makes me sick.  (Perhaps it's jealousy -- and that's what really scares me.)  For some reason I think of Judi often and though I've had several girlfriends and lived with a handful of women since her -- I can't seem to forget her like I have the rest.  Hell -- I can't even remember what Liz looks like.  Yes -- those 3 years at 4028 Bailey Avenue were real fairy tale years -- my whole 4 years at UB were like that.  And now here I am -- in real life -- a worthless piece of shit -- stagnating in a job with little intellectual satisfaction.  All the people I ever knew and were close to are doing something -- (even if it's getting married -- at least they're happy -- or think they are.)  I know I'm not happy. 

And often the thought comes to me of how I've gone and lost some good friends.  Herb is foremost in my mind -- but even you and Kenny were close to me and at one point I felt I knew all of you.  Now I wonder if either of them would even know me if they passed me on the street.  As far as Eric and Linda go -- all I can say (when I'm not laughing) is that they deserve each other.  What more can one say about two people who you know will be absolutely the same when they are 80 years old and living in Miami.

I don't know if you are aware of what I'm doing now -- but it's the same thing I've been doing since I finished school.  I am the assistant manager of Sign of the Steer Restaurant on Main St. down from UB.  I am also the Head Bartender which can be taken either one of two ways.  I've been here since last Oct 4 when I returned to Buffalo to live with Judi and found out that she didn't want it that way anymore.  So that makes it almost a year now that I've been here and maybe soon I'll need a vacation.  Toward the end of June I decided I couldn't take Buffalo any longer, so I gave notice.  So -- I packed up and split cross-country with a girl I had been seeing. UCLA so I decided she was a good excuse to move to L.A. see some of the good old USA.  It was a big mistake -- the trip was nice -- and there is some beautiful country here -- but the big towns are all the same, and people don't change.  L.A. was really a drag, and when I couldn't find a job and had to pay $240/month for an unfurnished 2 BR apt. -- I decided that it just wasn't the right time to be there.  So I came back to Buffalo and got my job back.  I stayed with a girl I had been seeing before I left and we went to find an apartment together.  So now here we are, Cheri and myself in a real nice, cozy (small) place on Lisbon right off of Bailey (across from Mueller's Delicatessen).

I sure hope you can get down here some time.  We could sit and reminisce, in case you are interested we do have a phone (unlisted) 716-833-9661.

Now that we are writing -- let's try to keep it up.

I'd write more now -- but it's time for me to get to work and I want to get this off to you today.  Take care and keep your head together.

Friday, August 3, 2012

September 19, 1973 (Letter from Larry)


Your opinion of the book "Chariots of the Gods" and Daniken doesn't alter my opinion of him and his book(s) one bit.  You suggest to me that I should read it again.  I suggest to you that you read his other book "Return of the Gods".  Daniken may not be a writer, but he's just trying to get across his ideas as best as he can.  Some of his points might be hard to grasp to people who fear or are narrow minded.

I'll go into my ideas based on this man's finding.  First, I don't believe in the Bible, as most people do.  It's just a history book which has been greatly misunderstood.  I have no "fear of God", a God that isn't even real.  My God is my conscience and everything around me (earth, sun, stars).   Jesus Christ was just a human.  With so many religions and false gods it's easy for me to feel this way.  To give some example about the Bible (I could never understand the Bible when I was young).

For instance.  Can you imagine people blowing horns and having the walls of Jericko (sp) fall down.  Scientists have developed a sound-vibration machine that could crumble a whole building.  Doesn't it seem more logical the other intelligences were on Earth with a similar device and crumbled the walls of Jericho that way.  But it got written in the Bible as people blowing the wall down with their horns!

A couple of weeks ago on TV there was an hour program called "In Search of the Ancient Astronauts" based on Daniken ideas.  It had evidence, movie pictures of of many things around the world that support his ideas.



I can only believe that Earth has been visited by other intelligences and we are most likely descended of beings form outer space.  It's so much more logical than the Adam and Eve bullshit story.  If you look at the Bible from a different perspective things can become much more logical.  I could go on and on but I'd just be quoting Daniken.

Even before reading Daniken books I was searching for an alternative to present day religion.

A very moving thought came from a Navajo Indian I went to school with.  He said "We have no Jesus Christ, our God is the earth, people, animals, everything."  And "Why should we worry about how we got here or what we came from, we have enough to worry about with the present and the future."

It was after talking with him that I knew I couldn't believe in Jesus Christ anymore or fear God.  I believe nobody should fear anything.  When I was young I couldn't understand how we could fear and love somebody at the same time.  It just didn't make sense.

The main thing to get through life is faith.  People need to have faith in something so they have faith in God, Jesus Christ and the Bible, but to me this is blind faith.  All the faith should be in yourself.

A few more ideas from my head.  Astrology was taught to us by intelligences from outer space.

Every invention every thought up has been thought of before by other intelligences.  I think that their knowledge has been passed on in the brain since they first interbred with us.

I think I could explain myself better in person.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

September 15, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)



Hi sweetie.  Got your letter this morning -- very nice surprise, nice lift to the day.  Lots of little things to tell you.  Right now I am at school to do some work.  Will have about 2 1/2 hrs as the library closes at 5.  Am sitting in the lounge with a "cup a soup" and will go down the hall to the lib when I am finished.  Cup a coups are great because there is always hot water in the lounge so now I have 3 boxes in my locker -- beef noodle, onion, and chicken noodle.  Very convenient. 

Getting back to the end of the 1st page.  (missing)  I met Chris and she said that she decided not to move out because she really couldn't afford it.  Was a little disappointed not to move out but in truth I can't afford it that much either.  So yesterday on my day off from school Mom and I were going to play golf but it started raining while I was visiting my friend Ardene at Universal Photo.  We went from there to Montgomery Ward's to look at tripods and discovered they were having a sale on Mamiya/Sekor 35mm.  So I asked Mom if I might buy one (she is the best as far as financial advice goes) and she said okay since I would be staying at home.  I didn't buy one there, I first went to check out Consumer's Reports and decided on either a Canon FTD or a Canon TLD.  Ended up buying a Canon TLD for $214 and the guy quoted me last year's price and didn't realize it until he had rung up the sale and had gone to check something so he said, Wow -- this is the wrong price but I quoted it to you so you have it at this price but the store doesn't make anything on it.  The new price should have been around $260.  I can't believe the way things happen to me.  I was suffering from a psychological reaction to the whole thing for a couple of hours after.  So now I am the proud owner of a Canon TLD 35mm, a single lens reflex -- the type of camera that has been my dream for at least 3 years.  I'm excited have taken 6 pictures with it.

On my way home from school, I am going to go by Albany airport and get information on flying to Pittsburgh.  I decided it would be too wasteful to go by bus.  How bout me flying in Friday late afternoon or night and leaving Sunday?  I'm thinking of the weekend after this coming one.  All is okay with family, Mom said what you do is your business, which I knew but feel obligated to ask about since I am living at home.

Will write more later otherwise I will continue with the rest of the little stuff and will not get my work done while the library is open.

Hello again -- I'm home and have Seals and Crofts on.  Thursday morning I had my last wisdom tooth out -- yeah.  I was in a real vicious mood that morning because I had to go to the dentist so I was cursing joyfully at all the bad drivers and had visions of hitting them (if only my car didn't get wrecked).

Also finished shooting my first roll of 35mm film.  Can't wait to have it developed and see what things look like -- took pictures of all the family.  Already thinking of other lens I would like to buy because I want to specialize in available light pictures -- I dont' like flash pictures.  For example it is dark out tonight, but the moon is big and bright and near the horizon and what I would like to do is put "Cannon" (correct spelling is Canon) on a tripod and set it for a long exposure.  I usually call  things she but I think Cannon will be a he, it just seems to fit better.

Chris came mover last night and was in a strange mood.  We smoked and listened to records -- she likes to listen to records but wouldn't buy them -- so I'm exposing her to all my good music and it's interesting to hear what she does and does not like.

Good news -- I can still use my youth fare card so it will cost me $35 instead of $42 to fly round trip to Pittsburgh.  The weekend I'm thinking of is the 29th and 30th.  Classes are suspended the 27th (Thurs) and 28th (Fri) so I could catch a flight Friday morning and leave Sunday.  How does that sound?

My heartiest congratulations on becoming a grad assistant!!!  Working in the library is a good experience.  I've been doing some of the same things you have except checking the accuracy of bibliographic source material.  Working by oneself is nice -- but I usually have somebody with me in both libraries.  I enjoy it, though, waiting on people sometimes sassing them and learning how and showing others the equipment in the media lab.

I must say that "Meet That Lady" caught my attention immediately and when you mentioned it in your last letter, all I could think of was the refrain, "Who's that lady?!?"  And I knew it was the same song.  Ah, it will be nice to get on the dance floor with you again -- it's been too long.

I have an oz. I bought at the end of the summer, but I haven't been smoking much -- more by myself and going out walking breathing the air and being with the country but I don't like the incoherence that I sometimes fall into.

A lot of the readings I've had to do are really bad -- the literature definitely needs some pepping up.  Have your read from a book by Jack Mills Modern Outline of Classification?  Ugh.  It is printed in single space type and the whole page is filled.  The format stinks and your eyes just go bananas.  (Interjection -- Steely Dan is now on with Brooklyn.)

Haven't done any cataloging, but I have an assignment to assign author #s using the cutter system and the L.C. System.

I'm feeling very much at home now especially since I know people to say hi to and developing ones to talk to.

Thursday I forgot my pills so Mom brought them to me and showed her around the academic podium and the library school.  It was nice introducing her to people I knew.  The campus is strange but I don't feel so overwhelmed and am beginning to like the architecture.  Am going to take Cannon over some Sunday and take pictures when there are few people.  There are some good shots just waiting.

Well I gotta go -- it's getting late and I want to do some reading.  Tomorrow Dad and I are going with my aunt to the Eastern States Exposition.  Am looking forward to it.  Dad and I were going to go to the State Fair in Syracuse but I had to work so I said I would go with him to this one.  We get along pretty good -- especially when I try harder than usual.

I noticed the stamp you used -- was it intentional?  Thank you either way.  Take care of yourself.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

September 3, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)



Greetings.  I've been sitting reading The Passions of the Mind by Irving Stone, which I started months ago and put down.  Picked it up again because I had nothing else to read and felt like reading.  I am where Freud is learning more about neuroses and their often sexual basis -- very interesting -- lots of cases discussed.  I like the way and the details of Stone's writing.

Classes have started for me and tonight I am going to the library to do some reading for my Information Processing course.  Will learn how to classify and do subject analysis.

Last week was a depressing one for me -- I was just getting to know people at Korvettes and enjoying being a cashier.  I felt at home and not so lonely.  Most of my home friends, after staying in this area, are going away for grad school.  Also I don't know the Albany campus or hardly anybody there so am still alienated.  At Korvettes the people were friendly and some prospects for friends were there.  I think that is the main source of the depressed feeling.  I'm hoping that I will know more people at the school through working at the library.

My friend Chris and I were talking of sharing an apartment and now it is definitely in the realm of possibility.  That is another thing I miss -- the companionship I had in Buffalo.

Saturday was my last night at work and all of the people I liked said to make sure to come back and visit and Mrs. Willis, the woman who hired me, said that there would be no trouble in re-hiring me if there was a job and I wanted one.  They all made me feel very good and my mood has lifted quite a bit. I was surprised, though, I never expected to enjoy working as a cashier as much as I did.  I am keeping my I.D. badge as a souvenir of a most worthwhile experience.  On top of that I have wanted to know what it was like to be a cashier for a long time.

Well dinner is ready and I am quite hungry so I shall head downstairs and partake and continue later.

Thursday 6:Sept '73 - Good morning leaning towards afternoon.  I'm sitting in the lounge before going to my noon class.  Had one more reading to do for the class today, but didn't have time and there isn't any now so I thought I'd write instead.

Got my car fixed so today's the second day I've been using it.  Yay!  Just bought a parking permit for it today.  I still have to fix, possibly just buy a new bulb for the light over the license plate which is out.

My mood is fine -- I've been meeting people as I go along and here are good possibilities for friends.  As a whole there is a feeling of community developing more as new students get to know everybody else.  Both libraries are okay -- media lab isn't as busy as the school's -- Tuesday when I worked 10-2 I was busy the whole time especially with reserve materials going in and out.  Still have a lot to learn as far as running things in the media lab goes.

Chris and I are definitely going to look for an apartment -- she works in Albany not too far from SUNY, so we will try to find something close to this area or maybe about 10 minutes away or so -- not like the half hour it is now.

This afternoon there was a wine and cheese party for the new students, old students, and faculty to get together.  It was real nice-- had a good time talking -- but I had to leave to go to work in the library so I didn't talk to as many people as I wanted to.  The wine turned out to be a wine, ginger ale, and vodka concoction which more than hit the spot.

Tonight I had to work 4-10 in the library -- ugh.  Was glad to leave -- not a whole lot to do so I looked at books during the slow times.  Today I went in the bookstore -- looks kinda nice, will have to make a close inspection.  Don't think they have a music room, though, in the student center.

What's happening with you?!?  Are you in Pittsburgh?  I'm dying to see you -- seeing you for a short weekend and then not for months is rough on the system.  Would love to talk with you.  Would love to...

Time to switch the topic.  Tomorrow I have to work to make up for the hours missed on Monday (school holiday), so I'm going really early to see if I can get on line early at the Bursars to get my bill straightened out.  What a pain.  But the day will have a nice ending as I am going to have dinner with Chris (who is also a Scorpio) and who you will most definitely meet if you come to visit.

I am going to turn off the light now -- will continue later.

Good morning it is now 10:05 and I am sitting at the Bursars waiting for #73 to be called.  At least with the take-a-check you don't have to worry about losing your place in line so you can go do something else or get something else to read.  I went and got something to read "Concept of Social Organization".  Ugh.  Skimmed it (it was an additional reading) and copied the nice outline at the end showing the framework of bonds of organization.  Ugh.  Have been sitting here for an hour because I didn't arrive early enough (it was about 8:55 -- five minutes before opening) and am 15th in line but they are around #70 so it shouldn't be too much longer.

This morning was a glorious morning with the sun shining, dew on the ground and the air crisp and cool.  What a delight to sleep with all the windows open and using a blanket as compared to all the windows open -- no air stirring and sweating all night long.  They are on #71 and I am #73 so will continue later.

Saturday 8 -- Hello again.  I am sitting in my room and just finished listening to Brian Auger's Second Wind so now will put on Future Games and make some comments then re-read your letter (savor) and make more comments, nice ones, of course.

Friday was one of those days that everything just goes well and ends without a let-down, but a hope and looking forward to the days ahead.  I paid my student fee and activity fee and that took care of my bill because of the tuition waiver.  (I sent a letter to Warren telling all so you should get it soon or maybe already have.)  Today I finally received my scholarship incentive and that removes all doubt from my bill.  Then I went to Korvettes and received my 2nd and final check, unless I work during Christmas or something like that.  Then I made it to the State Office Building to visit family friend Muriel Griffin, who wrote a very nice, glowing report of my character for my file.  Then "work" in the media lab from 12-4, which resulted in reading one required article and talking to Ken, Jim, and Julie. Then on to Wolf Rd. to meet Chris as she came out form work.  She has been staying at her friend's apt while they are away.  Went there and she cooked a delicious spaghetti dinner -- with salad, wine (Liebfraumilch), and bread.  Mmmm sumptious.  I also called home from there and found out that I had gotten a letter from you (had a feeling it had come).  We talked about our likes and dislikes and other sundry things and then decided to go drinking.  Had to go by the house so I could read your letter (put such a fine touch to the evening) and played Grover Washington Jr. for Chris.  Off to Jonathan's (oh yeah -- I drove for a change since I now have my own wheels) to drink and listen to the folk singer who was very pleasant to listen to and was very competent on the 12-string guitar.  Last stop after that was Denny's for nourishment and then drop Chris at the apt.  What a fine day!

Now comments as I re-read your letter.  I am sorry also that you did not make it here, but I understand because the same happened to me and that's how I spent 8 days in N.Y. earlier in the summer.  My family and friends were looking forward to meeting the mystery man and I wasn't going to let you leave without going dancing.  Just no way -- I had plans for us to go out with Dick and Chris and have a good time -- but it will come.  Maybe I can come to Pittsburgh for a weekend in the near future -- what do you think?   Let me know.  Oh yeah, flash back to when I first met you and danced with you at Maddy's party -- I was never the same after that.

This week I saw "Paper Moon" and really enjoyed it.  Tatum O'Neal was just incredible plus I appreciated Ryan for the 1st time.  The girl who played Norma Jean (my mom's first name and my middle one) was excellent.  Trixie Delight was hysterical but tragic underneath.  It was such a well done film -- I think I could see it again (especially since I missed the first minutes of the film.)

Since you talked so much about your story, I'm dying to know more and would love to read it.  I'm really happy for you -- I din't know you wrote anything except your journals.

Think tonight after dinner I will head over to Korvettes and check out the record dept and say hello to some people while it is the slow time.

Earlier today I drove to Amsterdam to visit my friend Evelyn -- I had a feeling she wouldn't be home and she wasn't so I left a note telling her briefly what's been happening.  I just wanted to go out -- it's been so beautiful -- fall is my favorite time of year.

That's about it for now -- take care of yourself.  I love you.