August 27, 1974 (Letter from Leslie)

Am sitting here listening to WRPI and the music they are playing is wiping me out.  "Countdown to Ecstasy" continues to fascinate me with Joni Mitchell's "Court and Spark"  carrying on at a parallel level.  Good musicianship is soothing to my ear.  I think you are one of the possible few who have the same feelings about music that I do and I really miss listening to it with you.  I missed having your presence in touch with me and I am glad to begin again.

Today classes started again, strange to be in school again and yet the feel of fall approaching and classes starting is quite ingrained especially scenes from Buffalo.  At fall old memories are recalled with clarity and passion.

By the end of the month I had to have my car inspected so I called yesterday and made arrangements to have it don today.  I got to the garage at twenty of nine and left it about 12:10.  The man said I needed 3 new tires and he went to price some tire for me.   I was not surprised -- I had noticed thin spots and had hoped they would go away.  Also the power steering was beginning to leak very bad so I had them repair that and I bought 5 new tires for the Dart.  Had changed the oil on Sunday so now I feel like I have a new car.  Of course, I paid for it cheerfully with my Amoco charge card.

Last Sunday was Women's Day celebration in Washington Park and it was an incredibly beautiful and satisfying day.  The sun was beaming and I just soaked it up for hours.  The first time I went with Carol and Rob and we walked around for a couple hours and then we went back for lunch and then Carol and I went bike riding (have some great houses to show you) and ended up watching a women's softball game in the park.  It was just one of those days that felt like there should be no work tomorrow only another day in the sun.  After that we rode back and the three of us had dinner together with Carol doing the cooking.

Yesterday I made banana bread using Carol's roommate's recipe.  I had forgotten that my mother had given me 7 bananas so they became very ripe, too ripe to eat as a banana.  I did not want to throw them out so thought about making banana bread.  Haven't baked in a long time and it felt good to be setting out my ingredients and pre-heating the oven.  It came out delicious and the batter made three good size loaves.  Put one in the freezer box -- excuse me a minute WRPI is playing this incredible song "Nixon's the one he is the only one we believe in Nixon N I X O N Nixon's the only one", all with a chorus and orchestration and a marching band at the end.  Whew can't believe that.  Back to the bread, one in the freezer one is being eaten and I'm giving the other one to Robin and Carol.  Next time I bake I will send you a sample as I will then have your address.

Soda is curled and purring in my lap.  I wish you were in my lap.

"Itchycoo Park" by Small Faces.  Have heard it before but didn't know who did it.  Also "I Can't Explains" by David Bowie -- didn't know he did that.  Well will pick up the pen later.

(9-30-74) -- I keep putting off writing to you -- there are a lot of things I want to say and I guess it doesn't matter what order they come in.  Obviously things have changed since I wrote the first part of the letter.

The day your letter arrived I knew it was coming, but I was not prepared for what you had to say.  I can't say if I was really surprised or not though I know I can't say I'm glad it's over.  I just feel very sad that we were never together when we should have been.  For over a year and a half we have seen each other very briefly and it's just made our relationship an impossibility.  Even before that I did not see you on a very regular basis so it is no wonder that you have not fallen in love with me. 

What the hell did you want with me?  Why was there so much ambiguity on your part?  When you did not write by the end of May I thought that it was over, but then you called and then later I saw you in New York City.  I really thought that you wanted to try again and now I get your letter.  I feel sad and I feel frustrated as hell.

I feel very upset -- seeing you again was like coming home.  I forgot how many of the same things we enjoyed and how nice it was to be held and to make love with you.  I would have come to you in Montana after I had graduated.   I'm glad you didn't wait until I came out to visit you in November to tell me this.  At the present time there is not much use in my coming to visit you.

I don't want to be friends and occasionally lovers.  I wanted to be lovers first and then friends.  I still do but if you have finally made up your mind, then you have made up your mind.  I'm not happy but I do not want to break off all contact with you yet, I am expecting you to write back and perhaps explain yourself a little better.

That's all I have to say right now -- I don't  feel like chatting about music.  Please note, I have moved -- maybe I will explain at a later day why.  My new address is:  14 Kent St. Albany, N.Y. 12206.  I'm not living with Robin and Nancy -- Carol lives downstairss.

September 3, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

August 28, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Greetings!  Found this card in a card shop in the mall where Korvettes is located.  Liked the owl on the front and thought the inside words were quite strange so I bought it and am now sending it to you.

This week I am working five nights at Korvettes.  Last night was incredibly busy.  I had close to $400 in my register when I closed out.  For awhile it was just one long rush of people.  It is my second and last week though because I am now a grad assistant at SUNY at Albany starting next week!

On Friday I asked my advisor (who is also associate dean) if I should keep 15 credits or not since I now had a part time job and a loan.  She said try it for a couple weeks.  Later that day she called back and wanted to know if I wanted a full assistantship -- someone had turned one down.  Of course I said yes!  So now I will be working 20hrs/wk:  10 in the library school library and 10 in the media library (will learn how to run all the equipment) and will be paid every two weeks -- $2800 for the academic year.  I can only take 9 hrs a semester so I will be at Albany for two years -- but I am free during the summer.

Just an incredible turn of events.  My car needs a rear wheel bearing so our mechanic friend down the road will fix it for me this weekend.  He test drove it with me and said the transmission is perfect (automatic) and the engine is fine.  The bearing is in bad shape because it can be heard, so I'm not driving it until it is fixed -- am going to go out and start up the engine and let is run a little bit.  The car and insurance are totally paid for and I'm eager to be in it.  May buy a tape deck for it after I've had it awhile.  My license plate number is 99 SRH -- easy to remember.

Yesterday I went shopping in an Indian (India) gift shop and bought two shirt tops and one dress.  I also need to buy a five piece suit for this winter.  I haven't done clothes shopping in a long time so I am enjoying it.

Recently I bought 4 records:  Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon", David Bowie's "Aladdin Sane", Grover Washington's Jr.'s "All the King's Horses", and "Supersax Plays Bird".  Bowie is great!  My favorite song is "Aladdin Sane".  Good rock and roll and I'm really getting into Bowie's voice.  Grover Washington Jr. is also good -- mellow nice to coast along with, lots of back-up so it sounds very rich.  Supersax is the only one I am not totally happy with.  It's old sax solos by Charlie Parker and a couple really swing but the rest sound old.  A very smooth, well done album, though.

Enclosed is a picture of me sitting in my room looking very serious.  The color of the walls is quite accurate.  I need to put up some shelves so I can have some books out and a place to tack up things.

That's all for now.  Take care.