February 15, 1974 (Letter from Kenny)

Sorry it's been so long since I wrote but as per usual, I've been pretty busy.  I can't seem to find your last letter but I remember distinctly being quite surprised at several things. I didn't know Mardi was married and I was even more shocked to find out that she didn't marry that guy from Minneapolis.  Also I was mildly surprised to find  out Joe and Mary are going to have another kid.  It must have been good to see them though; right now I can't even remember that last time I saw Poskanzer -- probably just before graduation.  I always thought that he was going to Florida or something -- I just don't know how he can afford to support a fairly on a salary that can't be that tremendous.  In any event I hope everything works out for them.

How's things going for you?  How's school and Pittsburgh?  When are you going to be finished?  Things in Phila are about the same -- gang killings etc.  Lauren is still going to school and will be going straight thru the summer at which time she'll be done.  She's been applying for teaching positions for next September and we're pretty optimistic.  School has been shitty as usual, I'm taking 2 Wharton courses this semester which I thought would make things easier.  1 is pretty easy but the other one is killing me because stupid me took it out of sequence and I can't drop it because of very strict credit per year requirements.  So naturally things aren't going too well on that front.

I've pretty much decided to let go of any ideas that some high class job for the summer.  I figure I'll do shit-ass research for a professor for $2.50/hr and maybe take 1 or 2 Wharton courses.  I guess things could be worse.  In a way I'm kind of looking forward to it -- I've never gone to summer school before.

Speaking of Wharton (that's funny I didn't know we were) Herbie might be going next year.  He got in and he's seriously considering it.  Imagine that, little Herbie going to graduate school.

How's your social life going?  Anything to do in Pittsburgh besides cheer for Pitt's basketball team.  I hope so for you sake because you definitely aren't getting any younger and besides someone told me it helps your skin clear up!

I'm going home next weekend for one of Lauren's friend's husband's party (a lot of possessives and I lost track).  We haven't been home since Christmas so it should be pretty good.  Oh yeah, my mother bought a condominium in Florida recently (somehow my grammatical structure leaves something to be desired).  She is going to rent it out on a permanent basis for about 4 yrs until she's ready to move down there.  She bought it now to preserve the low price for the future, which is pretty smart I must confess. So in any event in the future we'll have a place to go free in Florida.  What are your summer plans?  I figure you should be about ready to go continent -hopping now that you've covered this country.  So let me know what's going on.

Got to go now, so take it easy and write back.

December 18, 1973 (Letter from Kenny)

Well, another semester has bitten the dust, so now I have time to write to my favorite person residing in the glorious city of Pittsburgh, Pa.  Well, what's new?  Hope your semester went OK and you memorized the dewey decimal system or devised a new card catalogue or whatever things they teach you.  (Do they tell you how to walk around on your tiptoes and speak softly so as not to bother any of the assholes that are reading?)

Anyhow, school was shitty as usual and I busted my ass the last month or so, all for nothing because I blew one of my exams.  It just shows how totally absurd the whole thing is because even if you know the stuff it doesn't mean shit if you don't see an issue while pushing your balls off during an exam.  The grading system is by absolute percentages, so even if you deserve an A, if everyone else does also, most of you won't get it.  Rather than have you compete against an ideal paper, they have you competing against each other so it just perpetuates the neuroticism and everything else that is stereotyped about law school.  I haven't seen "Paper Chase" yet but I've heard it is an accurate portrayal of the little gnomes they refer to as law students.  As a matter of fact, 1 of my friends saw it and he actually got nervous during the movie when the professor was calling on people!  Anyhow, it's going to be a struggle to get through the rest, but I'm kind of locked in because I'm really not equipped to do much else.  Because I'm not graduating until 1976, this summer is shaping up like another writeoff financially.  It's incredible now the more education I get, the more difficult it gets for me to find a job.  Enough of that bullshit.  I'm really looking forward to Christmas vacation though I don't really expect to do anything out of the ordinary.  Lauren and I are going home this Friday and will be there until the 7th of January.  We've got 2 wedding to go to. Bobby Marks is getting married Christmas Eve, and he's letting us stay in his apartment for the week he's away on his honeymoon.  That's great because the biggest pain in the ass whenever we go home is living accommodations.  Lauren feels strange at my house and I feel strange at her house and naturally everybody's parents get pissed off if we don't divide time equally between the families.   That's really the only hassle about being married and otherwise I must admit it's pretty good.  Also a friend of Lauren's is getting married Jan. 6.

I haven't been doing much; I don't remember what the last movie I saw was, and I honestly have no idea how long it's been since I went to a concert.  Are there any new records out?  Is Elvis Presley still big?  Is Shelly Fabares still singing "Johnny Angel"?

Herb applied to Wharton (Business School) for next year so he might be in school with me if he gets in.  I guess he got the itch to go back to school after a couple years.  Also he is still young (16 or 17 I think).  Holy shit, fucking Herbie is going to be 232 and you're 24, this is getting ridiculous how old we've all getting.   A couple of nights ago I went for a walk around campus and ended up in the Quad where they have the undergraduate dorms.  All these kids were having toilet paper fights and spraying fire extinguishers at each other.  It really brought back memories, but freaked me out when I stopped  to think how many years it's been since we were freshmen.

Herb hasn't been doing much, he finally broke up with that girl he was seeing which was just as well because all he was doing was using her.  He's heard from Chris a couple times recently and said that Chris is really reaching out for someone.  Chris is supposed to be home over Christmas so maybe I'll even see him then.  By the way send my Christmas greeting to your family, including all the Nelson (Ozzie, Harriet, Dave and Ricky too).  What have you got planned?  I hope you get this before you go home (maybe I should send it to Warren) but even if you don't' a belated Merry Christmas.

Have you heard from the Polish kid from Calif?  I hope he still is alive and well in Berkeley.  Now that I recall your last letter (which embarrassingly was months ago) I realize I never got those pictures you took at the wedding.  Don't feel bad, we haven't gotten our album yet, nor do we expect it for another month.

How else is your life?  Any romantic inclinations (besides beating off)?   How are your friends from Warren:  Mardi, Barb, Mike, etc.

Lauren's sister is a freshman at UB and she really likes it, so I guess the cycle keeps going on and on.  I would like to get up there sometime this year though with the 50 mph speeds it will take forever.

Anyhow, enough said for now.  Take care of yourself and write when you get the chance.

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.

February 26, 1973 (Letter from Kenny)

Where do I begin?  How do you tall about a roommate who loved books, and Gleason's, and sleeping and me?  Alas, poor Nelson, I knew him, Horatio.

In any event, here I am.  I know I haven't written and I know you're probably pissed as hell, witnessed by the fact that you write Herb before me and your letters are un-Nelson like short; but please forgive me, I've lost all touch with reality.  How the fuck are you?  It sounds like  you really know what you're doing in wanting to go to grad school, but your exit from the West Coast was to say the least surprising.  I probably will be speaking with you shortly, within the week, so don't be too surprised to hear from me.  How is Tony?  I haven't heard from him at all and when you write him perhaps you could give him my address to write because he always was smarter than me an could study less.

To recap my life for the past 2-3 months is not too difficult.  I have been working and worrying myself to death.  I had finals from Jan 18-22 (3 of them) and for about 2 weeks before that I couldn't eat or sleep and lost about 10 lbs and ended up weighing 179, which for me is outrageous.  They were more than words can describe yet they showed me how stupid exams are because they don't test anything.  You get an hour on a question, which is just a bunch of facts and you're supposed to pick out the issues and write about them, so often you know the stuff but don't see it and it is presumed you never knew nit, it's really fucked up.  Anyhow, my Xmas vacation of 2 1/2 weeks was spent in the library preparing for them so I have nothing to report on that score.  After exams they were nice enough to give us 6 whole days off, so I went to Buffalo and saw Lauren.  It was terrific, I never realized how nice old UB would be until you go somewhere and break you hump only to return and see kids hanging out in Norton again. You had exited some weeks previous, I saw Maddy and I guess I didn't miss Tony by a whole lot either.  I saw Chris for the 1st time in 6-7 months and I'm glad to report that some things in the world will always remain as they are; although I must admit it was good seeing him and talking to him.  Now it's back to work and more of it because the next 2 weeks are to be the worst yet because I have some legal research paper to do.  Enough about that.

What are you plans for the coming months?  Will you be here over the summer?  Perhaps Herb and I will come to Warren sometime in June or so.  Herb by the way is doing fine, I don't see him often but talk to him quite a bit.  He's seeing some local girl and he's pretty happy and no longer a virgin.  (I hate to break it to you this way, big guy.)  I saw Eric a few weeks ago and he is just as young and ridiculous as ever, worrying about how his life was washed up at 20 because he hated his job.  I told him to quit (it had never occurred to him) and he did and now is somewhat happier at a new place.

How long were you in Calif before you decided to leave?  Did you ever get to New Orleans like you wanted to?  It's funny I was going to call you tonight (Sunday) but all of a sudden I realized that not only was it late (after 12) but that it was SUNDAY NIGHT and I didn't want the phone to disturb anyone!  Anyhow, I got very nostalgic while in Buffalo and realized how happy I was there and how few things I actually had to worry about, though at the time, it seemed insurmountable; so now my motto is "this too shall pass" and I keep saying it to myself constantly.  I haven't listened to the radio in ages so I know of no new songs and a couple weeks ago I went home for the weekend and saw "Heartbreak Kid" which was the first movie I had seen since August.  It was pretty good but got me depressed thinking about getting married, which should be quite a change to say the least.  Anyhow before I start rambling on, it is now 1:00 and I have to get up early tomorrow, so let me stop here and continue when I speak to you soon.  Write and let me know what night is best to call.

November 11, 1972 (Letter from Kenny)

I know it's been a really long time since you wrote to me but honestly I haven't had any time to write.  As a matter of fact I don't have time now but I'm writing while eating breakfast.  I keep asking Lauren to get me your phone number (ti's easier for me to call) but she can't find it.  Please send me your #.  Oh yeah, just because I couldn't write, doesn't mean you had to stop writing (it was one of the few letters I've gotten).

 Well let's see.  School sucks.  I realize I overreact but this is really ridiculous.  The amount of work is unbelievable and what's worse is that I honest am not understanding much.  I get up at 9:00, get dressed, study for 1/2 hour, go to 2 classes, eat lunch, study for 1/2 hour, go to 3rd class.  Study from 2:00 to 5:00.  Eat Sinner.  Study from 6:30 to 11:00.  That's it everyday and weekends are even worse.  It has completely destroyed my life.  I've never been so miserable as I am now.  Whatever small amount of confidence I ever had has been completely taken from me.  We got our picture books of all the kids in the first yr class and there are some people with doctorates, no shit.  Some of these dudes graduated college in 1964.  (I hadn't even graduated jr high then.)

In case you haven't heard I'm engaged.  That's another thing that's been bothering me.  I honestly don't know if I'm ready to get married but next year I don't want to be as miserable as I am this year.  I don't know how it happened but somehow it did.  We had decided to wait til the following summer then all of a sudden I found myself saying, "no, let's get married this summer" which is what I had never wanted before.  The wedding (ye gods) will be this summer (probably mid-August).  I really want you to come but if you're going to be in sunny Calif. I'll understand.

I see Herb very rarelyt, usually whenever we're home for a weekend.  He's having a good time, finally getting laid and growing a mustache (a real one).  How's Chris?  I hear he's in Buffalo.  I'm sure he's been hanging around with you or trying to.  I hope to get there sometime in March but you'll probably be gone by then won't you?  Have you heard from Tony at all?  I wonder how the little Polish kid is doing?  How's your car?  How's your life?  Are you brushing your teeth regularly?  The answers to these and other questions will be greatly appreciated in one of Nelson's 70 page documentaries (otherwise known as letters.)

Take care big kid, I've got to go to the library.  I'm sorry again for not writing, don't forget to give me your phone number and when you're in.

August 13, 1972 (Letter from Kenny)

Hi asshole!  How the fuck are you?  I'm sorry I haven't written but I've had a lot on my mind until recently.  To make it short I got into Univ of Penn and I had a big decision to make between Penn and NYU.  I was going out of my mind as I'm sure you can well imagine.  I called all the big firms in MY and they said the schools now were pretty equal because NYU has come a long way.  I went to Phil to talk to the people there and all in all I still came up with a deadlock.  I talked to one guy who said he had the same decision last yr but went to Penn because they gave him more money (the reverse was true in my case).  I told him I was really caught up in the Ivy League mystique with Penn and went on for about 15 minutes about that.  He said the Ivy League really wasn't that important so I asked him where he went as an undergraduate, and naturally he said Harvard.  I decided to go to NYU at first because I knew people going there and figured I'd be comfortable.  After thinking about it though it seemed stupid because I'd be going to be with people I wasn't that crazy about and for 3 yrs I'd stagnate with the same people.  So I'm going to Penn and meet all new people and although I don't think I'll do as well as if I'd gone to NYU whatever I lack in that respect perhaps I'll make up as far as being a more well-rounded person.  I got a single in the dorms and I'm trying for one with a semi-[private bathroom.  School starts August 29th which is a real kick in the ass but what the hell.  I don't know my address there yet so you can still get a hold of me here.

I haven't gotten to Wolfe's book yet but when I do (hopefully soon) I'll write you my feelings.  I'm really glad that you seem to content with everything because that's really good.  Tony was in N.Y. yesterday and he and Harvey stopped over for awhile.  He's driving out to Calif in 8/21 and he wants to meet you at the Grand Canyon or something.  It's great to hear that he can go home now and that he and his father can get along.  It would have been a hell of a thing to go to Calif knowing you might never see your home again.  How are all the people in Warren?  I'm going to be a Pennsylvania resident now too.  Herb is pretty happy I'm going to school in Philly although at last report he's been meeting some people finally.  I saw Chris about 3 wks ago and he and Judy did break up although he seemed to be handling it pretty well.

Guess what?  Eric and Linda are engaged!?  Lauren and I went out with them last Friday to see Slaughterhouse Five and we found out rather unexpectedly.  They're getting married next summer.  This past Saturday (last night as a matter of fact) I went to a friend's engagement party and saw some friends from high school I haven't seen in 2 yrs.  It was really strange seeing kids I grew up with getting engaged.  Lauren really wants to get married next summer also so I don't know what's going to happen.  I want to in some respects but as of now I don't want to in other respects.  It's either next summer or the summer after but I don't know which, that's pretty scary too.

Slaughterhouse Five is a pretty good film and it's worth seeing if you haven't already done so.  I didn't read the book so it was confusing at first but it was well done.

I got tickets to the Stones concert for the last night of the tour (also Jagger's birthday).  They were pretty shitty though (behind the stage in God's country) so naturally I sold them and have regretted it ever since.  I'm not working anymore but just taking it easy and leading the good life.

Write soon if you can and let me know when you're hitting the east coast.  Take it easy and stay content (better word than happy).

July 13, 1972 (Letter from Kenny)

I just got to work this morning and I wanted to tell you all about the excitement in my life for the past few weeks.  Right now I'm very pissed off because I'm drenched and the last thing i"m in the mood to do is start working.  Oh well if I don't think about it maybe it will go away (I'm glad I can face adversity now that I'm a college graduate.)

First off I got your letter about 2 weeks ago and have read and re-read it several times.  I really think you've found some sort of inner happiness and I'm really glad.  The book obviously affected you deeply and undoubtedly will be a very important factor in your life in the years ahead.  I was about to read Look Homeward Angel when I got your letter but instead decided on You Can't Go Home Again.  I went to 6 bookstores including three of the biggest in the city and everyone was out of it.  I think you started something.  Finally I got a copy but haven't read very much because it is deep and I spend more time underlining and thinking than I do reading.

I haven't been doing an awful lot but Lauren is coming home tomorrow night so things will definitely get better.  I'm really looking forward to seeing her.  I get a letter every day but I definitely have missed her.  The only positive aspect of her going away has been that I have had a lot of time to call people form Wantagh and spent some time with Mindy (the girl Lauren went with) boyfriend but he left for the camp the beginning of July.  I've seen Bob Marks (Lloyd's roommates) and last Saturday we saw the Mets play the Dodgers, one of the few games the Mets have won recently.  Herb was in town this past weekend and I saw him for awhile.  He is not too pleased about his social life but likes his job a lot.  I also saw Chris for the first time since school ended.  It was not very enlightening but I figured I'd go see him.  He is upset about him and Judy (I'm sure that's improper grammar but you're the English major).  From what Linda Glickman told Herb who told me he's got a lot to worry about.  Chris doesn't know and as much as I realize I should tell him I can't bring myself to because it would crush him.  He thinks Judy is contemplating going to bed with some guy but she's actually been balling a goodly number of people and is hanging around bars looking for it.  It's a shame she had to start now after school's ended, just kidding of course.  Meanwhile I haven't gotten stoned since I'm home I think I'm witnessing withdrawals.  My hands shake a lot and my eyes turn red for no apparent reason.  A kid that works here sells quite a bit but he's been on vacation for awhile.  Now that I think of it I have smoked with him several times during lunch hour, I guess I'm not going into withdrawal after all.  I wrote another letter to Tony, my first one I mailed to 60 LeBrun instead of 75 and I doubt that he got it.  The Stones are going to be here the 24th, 25th, and 26th and to get tickets you had to send in a postcard and then a computer randomly selected cards and assigned tickets.  Naturally I didn't get picked but I know someone here that did and I'm getting two of her tickets (you're allowed 4).  Oh well people are looking at me wondering when I'm going to start work because it's 9:35 (we start at 9:00).  Take it easy and I'll write again soon.  Remember to bring out the beets and shine on the garbage or something like that.

June 25, 1972 (Letter from Kenny)

Well how the hell are you?  (That's my Joe Poskanzer opening.)  I'm sorry I haven't written but I really haven't done enough to write a paragraph about.  The biggest news around here has been the weather (as ridiculous as it sounds.)  It had rained for 14 straight days until yesterday, then today it poured enough to make up for the slip yesterday.  The flooding all along the coast has been amazing.  Olean and Salamanca (remember them, near Buffalo) were almost wiped out.  Henry Marcotte was on the news in New York with a report from old Western N.Y.  I hope you swim well because the water might not be gone by September.  Lauren is in Rome now and she should be coming back July 14th.  I'm really sorry I didn't go to Europe this summer because I haven't done shit so far and work sucks a whale's dick.

I've talked to Herb a couple of times, most recently last Tuesday.  He's been going crazy there.  Last weekend he stayed in West Chester and he doesn't know anybody so he didn't talk to anybody for the entire weekend.  By Monday when he got to work he was crazy so he spent 3 hrs talking to anyone in the office.  (Pause.)   As a matter of fact I just finished talking to Herb.  This weekend wasn't a whole lot better for him.  He bought Crime and Punishment to read and said he's staying away from books with sex in them because it will make him horny.  Herb is in very bad shape.

I haven't been doing a whole hell of a lot on weekends either.  I've been seeing a couple of my friends from Wantagh and watching a lot of TV.  I read Our Gang and it's a piss.  During the week when I get home from work I'm too tired to do anything anyhow so I don't feel too bad.  I take a lot of cold showers to ward off the horns but it's really rough when I see all the girls walking around the city.

Last Sunday I went to Ivan's wedding (he's a kid from school).  It was nice but hysterical.  His wife was shivering she was so scared and he was laughing through the whole thing.  All the people there were whispering as the couple came down the aisle just like everyone does at weddings.  All of the sudden the Rabbit screams "everyone keep quiet,  this is a religious ceremony" with that all the kids (hippies from Buffalo) cracked up until everyone was roaring.  It's not very funny now so you can understand how incredibly bored I am.

How's everything going with you?  How's the job and all?

I talked to Chris for about five minutes on Friday.  That was the firs time I talked to him in about 3 weeks.  I wasn't overly excited to speak with him but it seems he's been trying to get a hold of me.  I couldn't imagine why but then he told me I owed him $12 so then I knew.  By now he's probably written you and told you how much you owe.

My mother is in Copenhagen right now and isn't due back till next Sunday.  She's been gone since the 15th, so on top of being bored I have to make dinner and do washes and all kinds of shit.

I'm thinking when I quit work at the beginning of August, of going down to Florida (I can stay at my uncle's apartment) and then stopping off in Atlanta (to see Barbara and Lloyd) on the way back.

Oh well, enough unsaid.  Write when you get a chance.  Take it easy.

Oh yeah, Herb said he got your letter.

June 6, 1972 (Letter from Kenny)

Well big guy if by chance you are reading this letter you must have made it to old sunny California again.  H ow are you doing?  How are the trip out?  I'm at work n ow and you can't possibly imagine how shitty it is.  All I'm doing is filing huge piles of letters day after day, sitting in a little corner by myself.  It's really getting to me and to think that I've only been working a week now.  Fuck.

Tony was in New York over Memorial Day and he and Harvey came over to my house one night.  Chris and Herb came over also and we all went to a bar and just shot the shit.  Tony is working in a crisis center in Gowanda 3 days a week and he owns 1/2 of a car (he split the cost with a friend of his).  I guess he is really looking forward to going to Berkeley.  Harvey is going to Boston which isn't bad either.

This past Saturday I drove to Paoli, Pa with Herb and helped him move into his apartment.  It's really nice, in a little suburbia.  He pays 165/mo for a 3-room apartment with air conditioning, dishwasher, garbage disposal, etc plus they have a pool he can use.  If you have to live in an apartment that's the way to do it.  From there we drove to Philadelphia, about 40 minutes, and walked around the Univ. of Penn.  It's a really nice looking school and it doesn't seem to be in a part part of the city.  I might go there but they' have to give me some money for me to be able to.  As of now I'm going to NYU.  Herb started work yesterday and he's supposed to be home this weekend for his sister's wedding.  Oh yeah, he bought Lloyd's car (VW) for $1000 the day before Lloyd's wedding.  Lloyd's wedding was last Thurs and it was really nice.  The place was beautiful and the food great.  I was really drunk on champagne and tom collins before they gave daiquiris to everyone, then at my table we started passing around joints, holy shit, did that do me in.  Barbara's father was dancing around with a joint in his mouth!

Lauren is in Europe and will be there until the end of July so I haven't been doing a whole lot.  She seems to be having a good time. Jackie (remember her) called from Buffalo last week and said she's coming to New York during June, just when my mother will be in Europe so we'll see what happens.

Chris fell into a lucky break.  He happened to get a job as trainee for asst-mgr at Steak and Brew Restaurants (like Scotch and Sirloin) and he's making $10,400/yr! for 50 hrs per week (6 days).  He works hard or says he does although I haven't spoken to him recently.

I better get going so write if you can. Take it easy and have fun(?)

September 25, 1971 (Letter from Kenny)

Sorry I haven't written but with coming back to school and getting everything set up I really haven't have had a shitload of time, as a matter of fact all I've been doing lately has been working.

I hope you're doing ok in old sunny Laguna Beach.  Just remember the old tropical Buffalo where the temperature is expected to drop to below 50 tonite and frost.  How's the restaurant business?  I got your letter a long time ago (sorry, again) and it sounds like you really had an incredible trip out there.  

I got up to school on the nite of the 7th.  My room was a fuckin' mess but I was too tired to clean up at all.  Naturally I was almost ruined trying to sleep on my $30 mattress for 2 nites.  I came across a 3/4 bed for $30 (3/4 of a double).  It's a real good one for the price and gives me a shitload more room.  Anyhow classes started on the 9th and all of the courses I originally registered for I eventually dropped and picked up new ones.  I'm taking 3 business courses and a Soc Sci College course (Law and Repression).  I have 0 classes on Friday which is pretty good but all my courses are double periods.  I originally registered for a course in Health Phys Ed and Recreation dept called Basketball Coach with old Len Sufristini.  It was really great, 2 credits, 1 nite a week for an hour and a half.  Then the second week the fuckheads said an undergrad couldn't get credit for it because it was a grad course.  All of the people in the class (8) were phys ed teachers in Buffalo schools. Shit, you should have seen the way they looked at me when I walked in the first week.

Chris is working a few nights at Sizzle Steak.  You should see him, really funny.  He's trying to be a freak, wearing overalls and letting his hair grow into a semi-Afro.  He's a real schmuck.  Herb is working about 4 nites at the computer center and sending out applications for grad schools.  Tony is working a lot at Sunshine House, taking 4 credits of Indep Study (really killing himself, sleeping till 3PM) he's got a Polak girlfriend, Chris, who's really nice.

I'm taking the Law Boards Oct 17 and I'm shitting in my pants already.  Something tells me I'm not going to go where I want because of that asshole test.

The fuckin Dodgers are sinking slowly but I guess you hear all about that in sunny Calif., but at least Aaron is having a good year.

Tony wrote a letter to Columbia Records telling them that you moved and left no forwarding address.  I told them that you were convicted to rape and are serving 20-life in SingSing and that all future correspondence be sent to you there.

Tony had put all of your records and stuff into the basement.  I decided they'd warp down there (I'm so nice) so I brought them upstairs and have most of them in my room.  (I hope you don't mind.)  I wrote your name on all of them, (some are in Tony's room) so none should get lost.  I haven't even had a chance to play them because my stereo is very temperamental and has decided not to work.

What happened with your stereo and the insurance company?  I hope you got money for it.  Do you need any of your stuff sent to you out there?  What else is going on?  Let me know.

Oh well, enough bullshit for now, write soon and let me know what the hell you're doing.

August 28, 1971 (Letter from Kenny)

Well to begin with I can't actually believe that you're not coming back to Buffalo but all power to you.  It must be really great in Cal.  Are you a chef or a short-order cook?  How much are you making?  You must be really tan by now I guess.  I really can't believe you're out there for good.  What did you tell your parents?  They must be pretty upset that you're not finishing school.  You should you schmuck.  Whether you finish at Buffalo but at least take courses at UCLA or something.  You are going to eventually come back to Buff I only to visit aren't you.  How was it hitching that far?  You made pretty good time though.  Enough bullshit for now write me and let me know what th ehell you're doing.  Now the business shit.

This will come as an unpleasant shock but Chris called Herb yesterday to tell him that our apartment was broken into at nite and yes you guess it, they stole your stereo plus some of Dennis' records.  I talked to Chris last nite and told him to call the police and tell them is was discovered SAT morning so you can collect insurance.  You have to either phone or telegram your parents to have them report it RIGHT AWAY.  If you want me to call them, let me know.  I'm really sorry.  It seems it happened between midnite and 3:30.  Chris went to sleep at 12 and Mike came in at 3:30.  They think it was some kid from Snyder, N.Y. you knew so let me know who it is.  Chris heard someone walking around but thought it was Mike.  Take care of this right away shithead.

What's the story with Tony, have you heard anything from him?  I hope he moves in because if not Mausner might and I hate his guts.  I'm going to have to call him to find out but please write back and let me know what you told him and what he told you.  If everything dies (because I refuse to live with Mausner) you might have to cover part of Sept's rent that whoever moves in will not.  It's a remote chance but I'm just preparing you if it comes to that.  Another thing Brenner or Christ or somebody said, you owe $7 for the month's bills so I guess you'll have to write a check but it the money's tight let me know and I"ll cover it for you.

This is important stuff so please let me know what's going on.  You really screwed me up when you left because now I have to face Christ alone but it's really great that you're having good clean American fun(?).  Take care of yourself and let me know what's up.  Sorry this couldn't carry better news but I guess the next letter will.

July 19, 1971 (Letter from Kenny)

 Well it's finally happened, all those hot nights at Gleason's and the Galaxie have finally shown their effects on your poor down-trodden brain.  It took me about ten minute to realize the old pogo Nelson meant A.M. (meaning morning) when he wrote ayem and a quick check showed that Buffalo must be the same place as Buphalo.  Oh well it's all right just drink lots of warm milk and have the Polish kid tell you lots of stories.

The bit with Pattie and Merry and their apartment is about over with Mr. Mann decided they could stay as long as he is invited to their nursing school orgies.  I talked to Chris last week for the second time this summer and he is as wonderful and loving as ever.  HE said he'll be going to Buffalo around Aug 20th which means he'll change his mind at least four more times before he finally goes.  Seems he wants to work for a week there, maybe even in your little haven, the lovely, enchanting Blue Galaxie.  Somehow I think big chef Lauer is going to end up being the head waiter at McDonald's.

I heard from Herbie for the second time finally after more than a month and I"m happy to report that he's isn't lying dead in Baghdad with his Sammy jacket on.  He says he likes his job and he's having a really good time. He said he was going to ask some German girl to go to a German movie with him, imagine that, our little 17 yr old Herbie.  I also got a card from Jane and was quite shocked, I don't even remember when the last time was that I saw her lovely face (sigh!).  As you most probably know the Mets are playing some fine baseball and me and some of my friends challenged them, but they only wanted to play underhand pitching.  Some shmucks from Pennsylvania are leading the league.

Speaking of leagues (were we, I didn't know that) I'm in a baseball league in Wantagh on Friday nights.  It's really well organized; under the lights, referees, uniforms, even a few slutty cheerleaders.  Last Friday was the first tame and with 2 1/2 minutes left we were up by 9 but in true Tuchman fashion we lot by 2.  I'm really beginning to think I'm a jinx.

The past weekend I went bicycle riding on a bicycle built for two, it was great, I thought I was going to kill  myself.

How is Tony tell him to write me sometime, I haven't read anything Polish since Dostoyevski (holy shit I can't believe I said that, I think you're rubbing off on me.)

Bruno is in the process of buying a car, what kind he's not sure of.  Lauren't family just got a new Duster for $2575, not bad, she's supposed to get the car a year from September.

They've had a bunch of concerts in New York recently but I haven't gone to any.  Oh well enough said tomorrow work when I hopefully will mail this.  Write soon and don't forget to brush your teeth after every meal.

June 15, 1971 (Letter from Kenny)

Hi shithead!  Sorry I haven't written sooner but I've been pretty busy.  I've just finished mailing out 41 letters to law schools asking for applications and 21 to business schools.  Besides that I've had so much to do at my job it's beginning to remind me of school.  The job is in the same investment survey firm that I worked for last year except that I'm adjusting clients accounts this year.  The place is so disorganized and has so many mistakes that there's always plenty to do.  It almost reminds me of the cartoon with he army guy getting this huge pile of work to do in the morning and gradually lowering the pile by the end of the day.

Outside of work things are OK.  Lauren's fine.  We've seen two Met games so far.  I saw the Braves in May (Hank Aaron hit a home run) and last Wednesday Lauren's father got us tickets to see San Diego.  They aren't too exciting but we had seats 2 rows behind the Mets dugout.  Last Friday I saw Elton John at Carnegie Hall. It was strange.  I had never been in the place and had $5.50 seats which were pretty cheap for that concert.  The place is so high that you really can't see the stage from where we were.  Anyhow, he came out and sat at the piano at the beginning and didn't say a word outside of announcing the names of the songs.  He fist played "Your Song" and followed with everything else.  It was really good, he sounded exactly like the record but you felt like you were sitting in on a recording session.  He played for a little over an hour then intermission.  Second half he came back with a drummer (Nigel Olsson) and bass and tore the place apart.  He sang "Friends", "Country Comfort", etc. along with Honky Tony Woman and Mercedes-Benz (Janis Joplin's).  He was dancing on top of the piano and jumping in the air while playing.  Despite the showing off it was really amazing how well he can play.  He really overcame the lack of closeness of the hall.

The Mets right now are losing 2-0 to the Dodgers.  Guess what?  Herbie's in Germany.  I really can't believe it.  I saw him the day he left and he was really scared.  Oh well I'm sure he'll do OK.  How's the job and everything?  Do you see Tony at all?  Sorry I can't write longer but I've got to get some sleep.  Take care and write back.

August 25, 1970 (Letter from Kenny)

This letter will be in duplicate with one sent to Warren and one sent to Minnesota just in case I miss you at one.

I am doing all right and have been having (?) a pretty good time.  I saw the Guess Who last Friday.  The concert started 3 hours late but they were pretty good.  The new Moody Blues album still isn't in the stores here but I've heard parts of it on the radio and it's really good.  The new "Band" albums is good and I'll probably get it within the next week or so, that has been in the stores for awhile now.  Led Zeppelin came out with a new album but I haven't heard anything about it yet.

I'm probably going to go up to school Sept 8 or 9 with Chris.  I'm getting tickets to see the Bway show "Company" on Thursday Sept 3.  But the big news is that this Friday on my last day of work when I should be happy and bubbling I won't be.  I have to have 4 wisdom teeth extracted that afternoon (I'm leaving work early) by an oral surgeon with intravenous to put me to sleep and everything.  I know a lot of people how have had it done recently and the pain has been long and hard.  I expect to be OK I hope by Wednesday.  Which leaves us a problem about you calling me.  Try to make it Aug 31 or Sept 1 to make sure hopefully that I'll be able to talk by then, seriously.  I haven't heard from Tony in awhile so I don't know if he found an apartment.  I seriously doubt it, even doubting whether he looked.  I know two people so far who have recently gone up there and found apts with people looking for roommates.  You are welcome to stay with me as long as you like but, although he hasn't said anything, if it becomes awhile Christ will probably get all pissed off.  You really should contact Tony and find out what the story is. If you do go to Buffalo rather than NYC you can still come here Thanksgiving so don't worry, New York will still be waiting for you.  I hope you find something to live in you Polak.  Try to call if you can either from Buffalo or Warren.  Take it easy and write.

P.S.  Tomorrow is Women's Lib Day so I'm not going to wear a bra!  (ha!ha!)  Some women in the park are supposed to burn theirs.

August 11, 1970 (Letter from Kenny)

Hi there shithead.  What's new?  I am sitting at my desk at work with about ten minutes to kill before I have to go and get some more mail so I figured I'd get the letter off to you I've been wanting to write for some time now.

Yesterday "Sam Goody" a big record store started their annual inventory sale, the prices aren't great (2.94, 3.44) but adequate.  The best thing is that absolutely everything is on sale not just a few.  I bought Bridge Over Trouble Water, Bread, Creedence's new one, and Live at Leeds (Who) and they're all great.  Bread is really the kind of record that grows on you and will probably be one of my favorites before the end of the summer.  Lauren got the Woodstock album and it's really good.  I"ll probably be getting a few more before long.

How is everything there?  Not much is doing here, I got wrecked Saturday night and my mother will be coming home Thursday (89/13) so not much more dope.  I might go see the Guess Who in Central Park in a couple of weeks.  Also will see the Met-Braves game on Aug 26.  This weekend I'm either going to see "Getting Straight" "Joe' or "Woodstock".

Before I forget you Polak you have my Buffalo Springfield album because the one I have is your corroded one with the bad track.

The main thing I want to talk to you about is when you are coming down.  I have a reservation for Sept 9 but hope to get a ride back instead.  If Herbie doesn't go with Chris I probably will although I'd prefer not to because I know he wouldn't be able to take enough of my stuff (mainly my stereo).  So here's my plan.  If you can come down as early as possible in September that would be best, say be the third so that we'll have about a week to screw around unless you don't want to spend that long in "the big city".  What would be really good is if you could drive your little Mustang here.  You would first off save money as opposed to planes and we could both drive back to Buffalo together and I could get my stereo up there.  It's all hypothetical so let me know what you think and nayu suggestions as soon as you can because I'm going to have to make some kind of plan.  I know the trip down here is long, so it's up to you.

I'm home now and have just about run out of things to say, oh yeah I told Tony to get us all tickets for the Jet-Bills game, I'm sure you will want to go but if not we can get rid of it.

That's about it for now big kid, take it easy and regards to Mardi.  Write as soon as you learn how.

July 25, 1970 (Letter from Kenny)

How has it been going?  Sorry I didn't write sooner but with my mother leaving for Europe things were pretty hectic.  She left Thursday night on a 747 and it left a half-hour late which is pretty amazing.

I don't remember whether I told you about the Sly concert (7/11) but it was very good but not great.  Rare Earth was also there but they were only pretty good.  The next week was Simon & Garfunkel and naturally it was what you would expect from S&G.  The only problem was that they were alone and played for 2 hours which is a lot but the concert seemed short.  When they finished "Bridge Over Troubled Water" the house came down and were given a 5 minute standing ovation after that one number.

Now that my mother isn't here I have the car all the time which really doesn't excite me overwhelmingly.  Yesterday I bought my new stereo, the same on as you except that instead of "50" speakers I got "50A" which are the same size but the new model.  They had a sale and for the same price I paid ($180 with tax) I could have gotten these huge, great speakers.  They were the same height but twice as wide as the "50A" and sounded really great.  I couldn't figure where the hell I'd put them so I didn't get them.  It's just as well.  Last night after I set up the stereo I got stoned and listened to most of my records.  I haven't gotten many new ones only Melanie and Let It Be.

I've tried to call Michael a few times but he's never been home.  I still have his check.  I see Herb and Chris pretty often and I've seen Eric a couple of times.

So when are you going to come to the "Big City"?  Let me know so I can contact and mayor and maybe he'll give you a key to the city.  On Aug 5 outside concert in Manhattan will have Chicago and Guess Who and I'm thinking of going even though I saw Chicago last month.

Oh yeah, a while ago we went to the track and in one race a horse name Fort Nelson was running so I bet on him for win (1st) and show (3rd)  Herb bet him to win and Chris to place (2nd).

The whole race we were all screaming "come on Paul" and everybody around us thought we knew the jockey or something.  You did pretty good, a photo finish but came in second, so remind me to hit you when I see you.  Well that's about all for now.  Take it easy and write when you can.

P.S.  I read Catch-22 also, and the Godfather which was great.

June 29, 1970 (Letter from Kenny)

Well shithead like I always said Minnesota and California are just like twins.  Sorry I haven't written sooner but I have been working.  I got a job as a mailroom clerk and other things in the biggest investment survey house in the world.  It's really interesting, especially to me so I was really lucky.  I've been working 2 wks. (9-5 35 hrs/week) 2.50 an hour and I usually work about 38 hours instead of 35.  Glad to hear that you got a job.  Hope you're having a good time.  I haven't gotten in touch with Mike yet because I lost his number and can't get it from the operator.

Saturday night I saw Chicago.  It was the greatest concern I have ever seen.  Blodwyn Pig was also there and they are pretty good.  Some other group the Jerry Hahn Brotherhood was also there and they weren't bad.  The concert was at Fillmore East the late show which was supposed to start at 11:30 but started a little after 12.  It lasted until a quarter to four.  They started with "25 or 6 to 4" and sang all sides 2 and 3 except "Fancy Colors" plus "In the Country" and another one from the second album.  Also side 1 and I'm a Man from the first.  Also a couple of new ones.  It just built and built and their last bit was the entire side "Make Me Smile" which tore the place apart.  Their traditional encore was I'm a Man which everyone was standing and clapping.  Then they came back again and improvised and then they even turned the amps off but had to come back again because everyone was standing and screaming.  They did over an hour in encores.

Hey listen about you coming down, great.  My mother will be gone from July 25 for 3 weeks but I'll be working but you can come then if you want.  Otherwise how about Sept. 45 or so because I'll be finished with work and will be going to school about the 10th or 11th.

Oh yeah, don't do anything stupid like marrying Mardi this summer huh.  Regards to all and write if you can.

August 21, 1969 (Letter from Kenny)

How the fuck are you?  Guess what?  School's going to start soon.  I figured you'd be excited.  So how's work?  I quit last Friday and I'm just screwing around, buying stuff for school.  Did you get a car?  I hope so because I failed my road test and a driver's licence is nowhere in sight.

I'm going up to Sept 2 on a 2:40 flight arriving about 3:45 so why don't you meet me.  If you can't find anyone to drive you, call Bucelli, he's at Englewood now.  I have a better idea if you have a car.  Take the last week in August off, drive down here, my mother is going away for labor day weekend so there's plenty of room.  Then we can drive up the 2nd, that is also the only way my stereo will get there so think about it, and drop me a line soon either way.

Jack Fishner called a couple days ago and asked if he could live with us.  I couldn't say no to him over the phone and Rosen is willing if we all agree, but he doesn't want Jack in his room and I don't want him in ours.  So when Jack calls you (he will) tell him that unless he rooms with  Rosen he can't live with us, because I couldn't take him for a while year.

I'm going to be a student sponsor helping freshman so that's why I have to be there early.

That's about it for now.  Write and let me know what's happening and what you are going to do.

P.S.  We are #4 in the new Playboy campus edition!!!

July 31, 1969 (Letter from Kenny)

Sorry I haven't written but I just haven't had time.  Not that I've been doing anything great.  A lot of things have happened.  My mother went to Europe on July 21 until Aug 12.  The 26th I had a party.  It was supposed to be dated but not many guys came with dates and I was only able to get 2 single girls.  First of all the week before that me, Eric, Chris tripled.  He and Eric doubled he had a 15 yr old blind date and I went out with the 16 yr old I told  you about while Chris went out with one of his many 15 yr old girl friends.  It was a piss.  She said she was depressed.  I was in a great mood and me and Eric had a pisser.  We met Herbie and Barbara at John's (ice cream parlor, they probably don't have then in Warren.)  I can't possibly write all the funny things me and Eric were saying but you can imagine.  Chris has gone hippie, horn-rimmed glasses, uni-sex shirts open to the navel to show his hair.  A long thick mustache.  Guess what?  I got bell-bottoms.  3 pairs already!  I don't think they look too bad.

Getting back to my party, I had a great time.  Hal, Billy, Rosen, Nick (Hal's friend from UB), Eric, Vignola, Jack all came stag.  Gary and Patty, Herb and Barb, Chris and Karen (after BS&T concert), and a few couples from Wantagh.  A lot more from the concert never made it.  Eric had a bad time but it was because he didn't have a date.  I didn't have a date but I got drunk and really had a good time.  Hal, Nick, and Rosen smoked and got wrecked and at 4 AM left for upstate to visit Howie's camp.  I almost went.  Herbie's having his troubles with Barbara, but I'm sure they'll work out, just minor.

The Mets got ridiculous again yesterday, 16-3, 11-5.  Today my mother called from Madrid.  It was great getting a transatlantic phone call.

Oh well, that's about it.  Regards to everyone.

P.S.  Taking my road test Aug 7 here's hoping.

June 28, 1969 (Letter from Kenny Tuchman)

My dearest Everett, (I never wrote that before)

It was splendiferous hearing from your.  The summer is going too fast, almost 1/3 is over already and is it shiity.  How is summer school?  Hope you don't flunk out.  Guess what?  I pulled a 3.3 last semester groovy, huh?  I got another C in economics, how I don't know, otherwise I would have had a 3.5.

Many jobs have fallen thru but I'm finally settled now.  The Wall Street job fell thru then my cousin got me in as an apprentice carpenter at $125 for 35 hrs a week but then there was a strike and the boss couldn't hire me.  Then I was going to work in a diamond and jewelry place really cool though.  You have to wear a badge and doors open automatically and there was a lot of kids (20's) working there full-time and the guy really liked me and gave me a summer job, the only one, the salary wasn't good but I figured I'd have a good time.  You have to take a lie detector test before you work to see if you're an addict (?) or alcoholic and would steal stuff because it's all real valuable.  So I took a day off from where I was working for the test knowing the job was mine and the machine was broken and would take 2-3 weeks to fix.  So I'm working in a tag factory that my cousin got me into.  They make all kinds of tags for everything.  I work real hard though lifting heavy stuff and running errands all over the city.  I get 2.25 an hour which isn't bad and have to get up at 6:30 AM which is terrible.

My social life is awful, even worse than that.  Last nite I went out for the first time in two months.  Herbie and me doubled he set me up with a really cute girl Barbara knew.  Her name was Bobbi.  She was really nice 5'5" thin light brown hair with a flip at the shoulders.  I don't think we went over too big.  What's new?  We saw "Finian's Rainbow" which was pretty good.  Bobbi has a sense of humor exactly like mine.  She was ranking the hell out of everything and anything and was really funny.  She had the same fake voices and facial expressions as I usually do when I'm out with a bunch of guys.  I was quiet in a way but pulled off a couple of goodies.  Fuckin' Herbie was zapping everyone he destroyed me.  If I would have been on form I would have killed him, but I was trying to impress Bobbi and wasn't myself which was bad.  I wasn't aggressive enough I guess because I didn't even kiss her goodnight don't ask me why.  I was waiting for her to move towards me and she was waiting for me to move toward her which was the right way.  Anyhow it was a standoff.  Oh well.

I talked to Eric about a week ago and we were bullshitting about our many blind dates.  Me and him are gonna double on a blind date and rank the shit out the girls.

I'm going to see Rosen tomorrow (Sunday).  HE's been pretty low, too. I think I'm going to go to a monastery and forget girls.  I can't wait for my mother to leave because I've got big plans for the parties, July 21-August 12, come on down.

The Mets are returning to reality they even lost to the Pirates.

Take it easy and write soon, call me sometime if you want (212) 847-9718.  Don't call collect because I won't accept the charges and will laugh my ass off.

P.S.  I saw Peppermint Patty and she's gorgeous. Jerk off once for me too.
eaVE BECAUSE i'VE GOT BIG PLANS FOR THE PARTIES, jUL