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.

October 21, 1971 (Letter from Mike)

Sorry about the delay, things have been unbelievably hectic lately.  Glad to hear that you're digging Calif.  Thanks for trying to get a hold of Bagwell for me.  Guess I didn't really expect that you'd find her.

Sound like you might be getting carried away w/ the dope bit.  But it's your life, right?  I'm not even into alcohol anymore.  Maybe I'll tackle smoking next.  T hat's one thing I really should kick.

I won't find out about the Peace Corps until at least January, so I'm applying to a couple mining and exploration firms for a job.  Thought I'd see what I could get. Right now my major objective is to get my ass out of school, I just want to be on my own in some capacity and away from all the fuckin' hassle.  The companies are all over the States -- D. C., Minnesota, Texas, Utah, etc.  I'd really dig Utah because I'd be based in Salt Lake City.  Might be cool for a change.  More on that later.

Mrs. P will be glad to know you're going back to school.  Write her a letter if you haven't already.  I'm sure she' probably worried about you.

My love life has deteriorated almost completely.  She was starting to hang on too tightly and I got scared.  The sex bit was also getting slightly out of hand.  Anyways I wasn't pleased with the way I was acting so I got out of the mess.  When I think of how that could have ended up, I get really scared.  I'm not getting married for NOBODY!!!

Just thought I'd tell you that picture you had of me, with all the colored trees, etc?  Forget it, because the leaves just turn brown in Berea and fall off.  None of the color like the forest at home.  Hate to spoil your images, but that's the way it is.

I still weigh between 130-135 so I think I may have succeeded in beating the fat racket.  However, I'm still eating only one meal a day because that's about all I can handle anymore.

I'm taking a great seminar on psychological anthropology taught by a friend and student of Margaret Mead.  Mead is coming here this spring to take over Anthro classes for a week. Should be great.

Haven't heard from anyone since I've been back.  Dody's student teaching in Warren till December or something like that.  Mark is married in case you didn't know and are really interested.  Needless to say, I care.  No word form Tina and Rusty.  They're probably too busy screwing every chance they get.  As for Mardi well I owe her a letter so I'd better get busy and write to her.

We'll, I've gotta go.  I know this is short, but I never was too good at writing anyhow.  See you this winter.

August 27, 1971 (Letter from Mike)

I knew you weren't in Boston because Boobie was home and said you hadn't called.  But I didn't say anything to her.  To be truthful, it didn't surprise me in the least.  If that's what you need, then who am I to comment?  I hope your parents are taking it okay.  Just make sure you don't wind up a cook the rest of your life.  Do me a favor and try to get a hold of Bagwell as long as you're there.  Her father's address is:  Box 3266, Grover City, Cal.  Please do me that favor.  My application for the Peace Corps is in and the references should all be in within the next week so I should either get canned or interviewed within the next month or so.  I'll let you know.  After Sept. 22:  101 A Heritage, B-W College, 44017.  I'm hoping to hear more form you soon.  Good luck buddy.

I could use a box of California sand.

February 9, 1970 (Letter from Mike)

Sorry I haven't written sooner but I'm pretty lousy at this anymore.  You'll just have to put up with it.

I'm not counting on that job in Canada, so I'm having Bagwell check things out with her father about getting jobs.  I naturally included you in in the arrangements so I hope you don 't mind.   I could see spending the summer out in Calif.  More on that later.  I just wanted you to know that you're going it we go.  (Keith also.)

Courses are a pisser this quarter.  Several weeks ago, while collecting samples of Ordovician age rocks in Bedford, Ohio, I fell 120' into the Bedford Glens Gorge.  Actually I only initially fell.  The fest of my trip was spent speeding down the 75 degrees incline on my ass while my advisor was at the top of the gorge laughing his ass off!  That guy is warped.  I must have looked funny though, because I was waving my arms and clutching my rock hammer.  I leave Friday morning for Oxford, Ohio at 4AM.  I have a weekend field trip there.  Whoopie twang!

My grandfather died last weekend.  I couldn't go though, be cause I don't dig funerals and I didn't have the money.

I've had one letter from Mardi and it was so confusing that I just threw it out.  I wish she would write something that makes sense and is worth reading.  I did catch the fact that Bill had been out.  I wish I could have met him.

Also heard that Patty Miller was out to see you.  How is the old cunt anyway?  What was that, 7th, 8th, 9th grade?  I don't even remember anymore!

Election are February 25th, wish me luck.  Things look good, but I'll wait till after the elections to make my predictions.   It's safe that way.

Let's call it a letter.

October 18, 1969 (Letter from Mike)

Sorry I haven't written but you know me.  I just hate to write letters anymore.

I'm sending you a card that one of my fraternity bros had the foresight to print up.  T hey come in quite handy and you feel better about losing a parking space if you can put one of these on the windshield.

Classes are going along quite well and the fraternity has kepi me really busy lately.  I was homecoming float chairman and that's all I did this past week -- work on the float.

Tina was here for homecoming -- (you missed Blood Sweat and Tears -- sorry) this weekend.  I think she had a good time.  BS&T were tremendous!  The agent said if they like the audience, they'll play for an hour.  They went for 1 hr and 45 min.  Everybody was going out of their minds.  If you haven't seen them in concert, make sure you catch them sometime.

I'm not going to be able to go to Boston.  No money!!  By the way, you owe me some money from vacation.  I'll take it anytime you can afford it.  I think I'll bring Flanagan with me for Thanksgiving.  Wish you could come home so we could goof around.

Must go now.  Sorry this is short, but I'm all talked out.  Sagars says hello.  Write and tell me what's up.

May 14, 1969 (Letter from Mike)

Sorry I haven't written.  But as you can guess, I've been busy.  Thanks for the letters.

Glad to hear that you've found an apartment.  I may be stuck without a job, so you just might have a roommate, okay?  I really don't want to live at home unless it would be more profitable to.  I could conceivably wind up on the midnight to seven shift at Deluxe.  That doesn't make me too happy.

I can't type today!!

School is a BITCH this quarter.  I got a C on my history midterm.  Actually that was a good grade.  She flunked most of the class.  I've got to start cracking.  How have your grades been this semester?

I'm thinking of transferring to the Art Center School of Design in Los Angeles.  It all depends on whether I can get a scholarship from them.  I'd like to major in photography or graphic design.  Well anyway, it's up in the air, and you can imagine what my parents will think of it when they hear my idea.  I just can't see spending all this money for what I'm getting.  I hope they understand.

I haven't heard from Mardi lately, and she owes me a letter.  I'll be damned if I'm going to write her again, until she writes me.  I just cannot type today, I'm going spastic!

That's all for now.  Sorry this is so short, but I have to go to class now.  Write soon and tell me if I can live with you if I have to.

March 3, 1969 (Letter from Mike)

I was glad to get your letter.  I realize that I've owed you one all quarter, but I haven't written to anyone at all.

I decided to pledge so I pledged Phi Kappa Tau.  It's great and I really like the guys.  I thought I might not like the whole idea, but there is so much more to do in a fraternity.  We have parties every weekend and somebody's always going somewhere, so it's not bad at all.  They don't have IKT at UB, do they?  I'm pretty sure they don't, unless they just got their charter.

Sounds like UB is overreacting to the situation.  Actually I wish I were there.  But don't get mixed up in the riots you bell-bottomed asshole. Oh God!  I almost forgot to tell you.  I nearly bought the most beautiful pair of leather bell-bottoms, but I decided they were too expensive, so I didn't.

I'll be going home in less than 3 weeks for spring break -- until the 29th then I come back for 4 days, and then I have 4 days off for Easter.  I don't know if I'll come home or not.  Maybe I can get somebody to come out and get me.  Hint Hint!!!

Classes are going quite well.  I could conceivably pull a 3.0, but that's a little remote.  I never give up!  Well I must go now.  Write and tell me what you're going to do over break.  We'll have to go somewhere -- I won't be working!!!!!

October 14, 1968 (Letter from Mike)

Got your letter yesterday -- sound like you're quite busy demonstrating and dating.  I don't know about you!

I haven't had any real time for a date, or the opportunity, since the upperclassmen swoop down on frosh girls.  I think they put salt-peter in our shitty food.

Saturday night a bunch of us went down to Rieds, (a local bar frequented by B-W students).  I was working on this girl who said she never drank.  It all seemed quite senseless, so Warren Hickey (a friend -- from Mt. Lebanon) and I left.  He wasn't doing too well either.  Besides that, we were getting some grief from a kid in Lambda Chi.  We went to the union to see how the dance was.  It was terrible, so we went back to Rieds.  The girl was stoned -- on only 3 beers and 3.2 yet.  She wouldn't shut up.  I was cracking up.  Well, I bought her a couple beers.  She was so drunk I decided not to trying anything.  It's just no fun when a girl doesn't know what she's doing.  So I left and went home.  About an hour later, Warren dragged my roommate in -- he was completely potted and totally incoherant.  We finally got his clothes off and he dashed out of the room towards the shower.  He blew lunch all the way to the showers!  It smelled so bad that Warren almost threw up!  I had to clean it up.  Then I went to see how he was.  He puked twice in the shower.  What a mess.  It was his first time!  Really funny.  I drew a picture of him throwing up in the hall and it's hanging in the room.  Really looks great.

I had a terrible German test today.  I'm praying for a good grade.  Wish me luck.  I don't want to take this course over again.

I'm probably going to have one of my friends home for Thanksgiving -- Paul Alberts.  Why don't you take one of your roommates home with you?  We'd have a riot.  I can't wait to see everyone.

We had a pop quiz in art on Friday.  I got 4 right out of 10 and got a C.  It was hilarious.  Everyone else was missing 8 and 9.  I thought -6 was bad.

Well, I must go.  Take it easy and don't get too involved with whatever her name is.

(pt2)  Sorry I didn't answer your letter sooner, but I've been quite busy to say the least.

That was nice of you to tell Patty I'd write to her.  I mean it's been about a year since I last wrote to her.  Oh well, I mailed the letter and I'll just have to wait and see how things come out.  I didn't make any excuses for no t writing, as a matter of fact, I didn't even mention it.

Last night I went out with Paul Alberts and Steve Alvarez and got totally potted.  On 3.2 no less.  The stuff isn't as bad as I thought it would be.  I had to drink so damn much of the stuff though.  And you know how beer and I get along.  I got out of the bar and pissed right in the parking lot.  They only have about two millions lights in the parking lot.  Do you think that would stop me?  Not on your life.  So we drove back to the dorm where there just happened to be a large party going on.  Did the three of us try to gross everyone out?  Not everyone, but we tried.  Well, we retreated upstairs and Steve and I decided to throw Paul down the stairs without his pants.  Naturally he declined the invitation and I have a knee the size of a basketball to prove it.  It got smashed on the floor of the shower room.  What can I say?

Mardi has been hinting that she would like to come to Cleveland for Thanksgiving.  She wants to fly stand-by.  I'd love to see her but my parents want me to come home.  Maybe she could fly in and take a bus home with me.  Either that or have my parents come out and get us.  Don't mention that I said anything because I can't tell if she's kidding or not and I don't want her to think I'm a total ass or something.

This dorm is unbelievable.  I couldn't describe the jerks that live on the second floor of Ernsthausen NW.  It would be just too damn difficult.

Paul cut my hair today and you should see it.  He did a great job.  But I had him cut it short.  Like I've never had it this short ever!  And do you know what else?  I'm going bald!  No shit Nelson, I really am.  You should see the back of my head.  I still don't believe it.

Mark wrote to Mardi and told her he's lost 15 pounds!!!!!!!!  The poor kid must look like a stick.  I think he's maladjusted or something.  If he loses any more, he'll be invisible.

My social life is picking up, but it's still pretty poor, mainly because I have to study so much.  I have met some really nice girls though, and I plan to remedy the situation soon, believe me!

We're having the Stone Poneys and the Lemon Pipers on Nov 1 for homecoming.  It should be a riot.

I've got to go, I have several more letters to write and lots of studying to do.  Watch the drinking and don't drink any Sloe Gin because it will make you sterile.

(pt3)  Thought I'd write some more, because it's a waste of stamps just to write on page.  That happens to be something I don't have much of.

I called my parents last night, collect of course, which was a waste of money.  I really didn't have anything to say to them.  It's funny how little you have in common when you're never around them.  You can't tell them all the neat things you do, because they'll get mad!

I feel really shitty now.  You know what bad moods I get him.  There's just no way to get out of them until they're ready to leave.

I wrote to Renee over a week ago and I haven't gotten an answer.  She's probably mad because I didn't call her and I said I would.  Why do I open my mouth at all?

I wonder how Jamestown is doing without our business?  I can't wait to see that place and get some decent hard stuff!

It's 10:30 and my roommate is in bed already.  He's too much.  He can't breathe through his nose very well, so he breathes through his mouth and it gets dried out so he makes this shitty slurping sound in his sleep.  It's driving me out of my mind!

By the way -- nobody, and I mean nobody smokes Larks around here.  It's terrific!  I haven't seen a Lark pack in so long!  It's really great.  I hope you've wised up and switched to Marlboros now.

Well, I'm afraid I'll have to close for now.  I'm going to find something to do.  Help!

September 27, 1968 (Letter from Mike)

I finally made it.  It's hard to believe, but I did.

Hey, it's really terrific here.  I can't tell you how much I love it.  I have to wear a beanie, and whenever an upperclassman says, "Frosh-dink!", I have to lift my hat, bow, and say, "Thank you, may I do it again?"  Of course they say yes, and it can go on forever!  But it's all in fun, and that's the way you get to know the uppers.  They're all really nice.

My roommate is nice, and I think we'll get along okay.  He used to live in Cleveland, so he knows his way around.  I think that will be a big help.

I took a German placement test today.  You have to show proficiency at the 104 level.  Well, I placed at 103, so I only have one quarter of German.  That makes he happy.

[Wed. nite]  I registered today.  I've never seen such confusion.  It was unbelievable.  I've got Psych, German, speech, and art.  On MWF, my classes start at 10:10, on TTH, they don't start until 1:00.  Do you believe it?  I'm done every day at three.  Not bad at all.

I've met some terrific guys here.  You won't believe this, but one of my friends is names Paul Albert - and (are you ready) he's a minister's son.  A music major, and he's got a mustache.  Really a great guy.

Hey look, I gotta go now.  Lots to do.  Classes start tomorrow.  See you later -- about the end of November.

September 20, 1968 (Letter from Mike)

This is my 8th letter tonite so if it looks like shit - tough.  I'm so tired and I have so much to do.  (Oh god is this letter going to be short.)

Got a letter from Mardi today and she really seems to like it.  I must go down and see Mrs. P tomorrow.  I sure am going to miss that house.

I spent the evening with Tina and we had a nice time.  We listened to records and she sewed nametags on all of her things.  A really brutal evening.

Hey, I know this is short, but I'm dead.  I'll write Sun. night or Monday and fill you in!

September 16, 1968 (Letter from Mike)

I just got back from the airport.  Mardi was really happy and I think half of the class of 1968 was there.  It was a thoroughly brutal experience to say the least.  I hated to see her go.  For some odd reason I've grown attached to that girl.  The old group has really been fucked up now.

I'm finally done with work an am I ever glad.  I'm in the process of thinking about packing.  But at the moment that's all.  I'm not too anxious to start tearing my room apart so I'll let it go till some other day, like about Saturday.  Then I'll leave my parents in a uproar so things won't be dull around here.  I still have lots of goodies to get and things to do.  (By the way, why don't you drop Mrs. Peroski a note?  I'm sure she'd like to hear from you and it might cheer her up.)

I've got one hell of a cold and I'm trying to get rid of it before I go to school.  But you know what I think of staying home, so I doubt it if I'll be able to shake it.  Why do these assy things always happen to me!  I've probably got lung cancer of something like that.

Well Nellie, I'm going back to bed.  Only 4 1/2 hours of sleep last night and I need my beauty sleep you know.  Write before I leave and then I'll write from school.  (I got a letter from Sigma Phi Epsilon...sounds like a dirty rush to me.  I'll find out when I get there and tell all about it.  It might be interesting.)

September 11, 1968 (Letter from Mike)

Well, I didn't go to Boston, and if you could have seen the station wagon, you'd know why.  That car was riding so low in the back that I really don't think it will ever make it without scraping bottom all the way along the thruway.

By the way, I'm taking Mardi to the Jamestown airport.  She's flying to Cleveland.  Sorry, we're not coming to Buffalo.   I'd really like to see you, but...I

Got my roommate and address...

Make sure you use that exact address or else it will never get to me.  My roommate's name is David Rinkoski.  A Pollak no less!  No, I haven't even met him yet.  Some of my best friends are Polish!  He's from around Pittsburgh so he can't be all bad.  I'm in Ernsthausen Hall.  It's really beautiful.  I can't wait.

I gotta go.  Write me again soon.  Sorry I can't write longer but I gotta go to work blah, blah, blah..!

September 7, 1968 (Letter from Mike)

Judging from your letter, I think I can safely say that your major is sloppy writing, right?  Was your room on fire or something like that?  My God Nelson!

Well, it sounds like you're having fun anyway.  I still haven't found out who my roommate is.  I probably don't even have a room. I'm really getting mad about it too.

Well, you failed to mention anything about your roommate(s).  I hope he likes collages.  Because we sent three up with Reen.  I just hope she remembers them.  After all the time we spent working on them, they better be up on your wall.  I've got another one for you if I ever get around to mailing it.

As usual, nothing new to report from Warren.  I can't understand why everything got so dull around here...all of a sudden!  Oh shit, is that a joke or what?  Well, I've only got two more weeks of it left so I think I just might survive, but don't count on it.

I'm taking Mardi and her mother to the airport on the 16th I think.  That ride home is going to be murder with her mother crying the whole way back to Warren and then some.  I don't think I'll be able to stand it myself!  (I think I need more practice typing, don't you?)