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.

October 9, 1972 (Letter from Herb)

Pablo, how the fuck are you?  Enough of the formalities, though.  Believe it or not, in a strange sort of way, I miss Buffalo, or maybe it's just school.  Whatever, it was good hearing from you.

My life is progressing fine.  Work is great.  I really enjoy my job.  I'm learning quite a bit, everyone is friendly, and the work just couldn't be more interesting.  Guess I really got lucky landing a job here.  The area is beautiful -- autumn never seemed so beautiful.  (Can't imagine saying that in Buffalo.)  No shit, this country is really pretty.  Pennsylvania is a nice state -- I've even got Pennsy plates on my car -- I'm a goddamn Pennsylvanian.

I've been keeping myself very busy.  Work takes up most of my time -- but I do a few other things.  I've met a few people -- but incredibly interesting -- nothing like your typical college graduate.  That's the best thing about being out of school I think, meeting people who aren't so alike.  Looking back, I can't believe how alike everyone I knew was.  Background, manners, dress, etc.  It's really a great change.  I've had a few dates and I'm trying hard to meet girls.  I want to start going out a lot.  I enjoy it, and I"m no where near ready to spend my life with one someone.

Hey, isn't it weird that Kenny and I are so close to each other.  I speak to him pretty often -- it's reassuring having a close friend nearby, it makes things all the more comfortable.   You should be hearing from him soon -- he's been busting his ass though, and hasn't had too much time to write.

My apartment is really shaping up.  It's quite a place -- luxury personified -- no where near the typical student dwelling I was used to.  I'm building a desk -- yeah old clutzy Herb.  Well, I'm gonna try.  I need a hobby so if I enjoy it, I'll be able to furnish the whole place.

Paul, you gotta get down here -- it's no Laguna but I'll do.  We got good dope, pretty girls, great countryside, refreshing beer, plenty of room, and me and Kenny.  Anytime you can -- write.  I save all the good stuff to bullshit about over a good brew.  Best of everything.

July 4, 1972 (Letter from Herb)

Happy Independence day.  Quite a bit has happened to me since I wrote lst.  I won the title of "King Beater of the Peter" yesterday -- 17 times in 1 hour -- how about that.  Yeah, things are still pretty lonely -- it's really bumming me out -- I can't meet a soul.  When I'm working I'm fine but when I come home, I talk to myself.  I can't even sit in a bar -- this fuckin state of yours is archaic when it comes to drinkin laws.

But for a change I had a good weekend.  Bob Dorin and Debbie Kuznitz got married Saturday night.  So Friday I took off for Philadelphia airport -- left my car in the lot -- (left my keys in the car) -- and got on my plane to Buffalo.  The part about locking my keys in my car is a sad truth.  I was in such a fuckin hurry that I ust locked them in.  Anyhow Friday night I stayed with Wienkowski.  Then on Saturday I got a lift with Richie Belgard (RedBeard) to Syracuse.  The wedding was great -- we got stoned 1st in our hotel room.  Then we got drunk at the wedding -- by 5 in the mornig everyone had settled down to their own beds.  It was quite an evening.  Sunday we headed back to Buffalo -- I stayed with Wienkowski again.  And Monday morning I was back in Philly.  Luckily I was able to break into my VW with a hanger.  Oh, I tried calling Tony while I was in Buffalo, but no one was home.  I got a letter from him -- things are going well -- he shold have written you by now.

Otherwise things are well -- I'm heading to NYC next weekend -- it's the weekends that are the worst here -- so I try to keep on the move.  But you can't do that forver -- something's gotta happen -- keep on writing.  I really dig your letters.  Take care.  Keep on truckin'.

June 12, 1972 (Letter from Herb)

Hey Paul -- Que pase.  That's hippie talk for -- what's cooking.  (Little play on words there.)  You'll have to excuse the sick humor -- this is letter #15 tonight.  So what's going on -- you ask.  I've got an apartment -- sheer luxury -- 1 bedroom, 1 living room, 1 dining room, 1 kitchen, 1 bathroom, 2 air-conditioners, 1 dishwasher, 1 swimming pool -- how's it sound so far.  Well, add to that some beautiful country -- and it's even better.  You gotta come see it.  Hey I got a car too - 1 '68 VW -- it's been great so far.   Work's pretty dull so far -- it's only been 2 weeks though -- the worst part is that there doesn't seem to be any cool hippie freaks (like yourself) to talk to. Dope is scarce and girls are scarcer.  But things are looking up fuckin' Kenny said he's gonna come down and visit.  Hope everything's good out here.  Sit down and write when you feel inspired.  I'd like to hear from you -- fuckin' Pennsylvania -- I'm here.

July 1, 1970 (Letter from Herb)

How you doing dum-dum!  It was really good to get your letter.  Sorry to hear that things didn't turn out better for you this summer -- cheer up though it's not over yet.  Maybe you can get your roommates off of booze and turn them on to the finer things in life.  Anyway you've always got Mardi there, right!  I'm sure things will get better.

I'm not sure where to start to tell you what's been going on here.  Well, I'll start with the short stories first.  News from Buffalo has it that one Vincent Williams has moved into our apartment with Tony.  Just one problem we can't seem to get any money out of him.  Short of lying up there we're doing everything.  Christ is going crazy.  He's pissed as all hell.  Knowing Vinnie I don't really expect to see it though.  Speaking of Chris, he's fine.  He's in love with Liz.  He's been seeing her all the time.  She's going away this weekend but he wouldn't even think of getting a date.  After all, Liz might not like it.  He's working in the pork factory again.  So I don't see him too much.

Next story concerns Kenny and me frantically looking for jobs.  Neither of us had been very successful as of the first week in June.  So being very upset, I decided to try my ace in the hold.  The parking lot I worked in last year.   Kenny came with me.  I was surprised when I got there and found out they not only remembered me but offered me my old shift back.  Naturally I was in no position to argue, 9-6 everyday Tues and Wed off.  Now comes the good part.  Kenny got offered a job too.  After some coaxing he accepted.  Imagine Tuchman parking cars all day.  His shift wasn't as good, 12-9 every day Wed and Thurs off, but he took it anyway.  Okay I started on a Thursday and everything going pretty well.  Kenny started that Saturday.  He was looking for a new job on Sunday.  You see I sorta lied and told the boss that Kenny could drive a standard (hoping he could learn fast).   Well, everything was going fine Sat.  I left at 6:00.   Later that night I spoke to Kenny and found out he did a nice job denting a car (it was a standard).  Kenny said uh-uh.  Kenny was out of work a few hours later.

But it turned out alright.  He found a job the next week with an investment company.  It even turns out that he's working across the street from Lauren.  La di da.  He's been seeing her pretty often -- he says not because he really wants to but just because there's no one else.

So everything is going pretty well with me too.  Except that I have no weekends because of my job.  But Tues and Wed aren't too bad.  I've been seeing Barbara a lot.  She's fine.  But I've been sprouting out and seeing others too.  All in all it shouldn't be too bad a summer.  Keep in touch -- Kenny says he'll write you soon (you should live so long).  Have fun -- say hello to Mardi for me.

July 23, 1969 (Letter from Herb)

You are now the proud owner of yet another letter from me.  It's hard to believe the summer is more than half over.  Maybe you want it to go fast but I sure don't.  Barbara is fine.  We've been seeing quite a bit of each other, as you can imagine.  Since I wrote to you we went to two more concerts -- Blood Sweat and Tears and Led Zeppelin.  They were both terrific.

Guess what happened last weekend.  Chris set Eric set up and Kenny, Chris, and Eric all went out.  Picture it.  Kenny and Eric the two playboys out with girls at the same time.  To say the night was a disaster would be an understatement.  Anyhow I'm sure you'll hear about it from Kenny.

Kenny's mother went to Europe on Monday.  So Kenny's planning this really wild party for Sat night.  Barbara and I are going.  Chris and Karen are coming.  A lot of Kenny's friends from Wantagh.  Even some of his fraternity bros are going to be there.  I know he invited Garry and Patti.  Just think Patti in Kenny's apartment.  I hope he'll be able to control himself.  Oh, Rosen's supposed to be coming to it should be pretty good.

That's about all the exciting news I have to tell you.  My job is still coming along fine, and it seems I'm still as far in debt as I was when the summer began.  But that's life.  Say have you heard from Tony at all?  Sometimes I wonder how he's doing in his toy factory.  Hope things are fine with you.  It'll be sooner than you think that we'll be back to sheer up things.  Sept is only a month away.  Take care.

June 25, 1969 (Letter from Herb Kleinberger)

Sorry it's taken this long for me to write -- but it's been pretty hectic around here.  I've got a job.  I started 3 weeks ago.  I work in the city as a parking lot attendant.  It's really wild all I do is park cars all day.  I drove some really beautiful cars, even a Rolls Royce.  The money is fantastic.  I gross $102.50 for a 50 hour week plus tips which comes to $6 a day.  So it comes out real good.  Believe me I'm so deep in debt I'm gonna have to work ten years to pay it off.  The only bad part of the job is that I have to work Sat and Sundays.  I've got Tues and Wed off though.  Sometimes it's good, but most of the time it's horrible.

My car's been running well since I've come home.  I just hope it lasts. Hey -- I got the last phone bill -- last week -- you don't owe me any money though -- remember -- you paid.

Otherwise things have been fine around here.  I've been seeing a lot of Barbarra (not the right parts).  I bought tickets for some concerts.   Jose Feliciano, Flip Wilson, Blood Sweat and Tears, Led Zeppelin, B. B. King.  They're all coming up soon -- it should be great.

I spoke to Kenny last night.  He's kinda upset cause his social life isn't exactly the way he'd like it to be.  So I told him Barbara could set him up.  She did -- we're doubling Friday night to see Finian's Rainbow -- I think it's gonna be Kenny's first date since before he hurt his leg.  I hope he remembers what a girl looks like.  Anyhow it should be pretty funny.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

Everything else is par.  Chris is his same normal obnoxious self and I've spoken to Eric a couple of times -- he's fine too.  I think he and Kenny call each other every once in awhile and just cry to each other.  They're both in pretty bad shape.

So how's things in Buffalo.  I was listening to KBW last night.  They said the weather was dismal.  I'm sure glad I'm not there.  How's the apartment holding up -- How's mine -- is Big Ralph taking care of it.  Keep an eye on it for me.

Oh by the way I got my transcript -- I got a 3.0, straight B's. Surprising isn't it.  How'd you do.  I also got a letter from the computer science dept.  You know that program I applied to.  Well, I got accepted.  Pretty good!

Write soon and let me know how things are socially up there and what's been happening with your job?  Take care -- see you in September.