May 24, 1976 (Letter from Barb N.)

Hello.  How are you?

I'm trying to get a few letters off to friends and family.  I feel I should have a ditto machine.

I was told the legend of Saint Gemano (?) when I first got here.  On the way to work I pass by the spot where he was beheaded.  It goes that he was beheaded on a hill on where his head stopped rolling they built a church.  I don't know when he lived but they must have kept his blood and somehow the legend of the blood liquefying got started.  I was told the last time his blood didn't liquefy was three years ago they had a cholera epidemic.  The time before was World War II.  The blood is taken from a vault twice a y ear for a week and within that time if the blood liquefies Naples is safe.  Supposedly the worst tragedy happens when the blood does not liquefy in May.  Now for my opinion of this legend   It's hard to say yes or no to the tale.  I do believe there is a great possibility of bad tragedy for Naples judging from the bad times in Italy.   It seems in order to awaken people and get them back on their feet a shattering experience revives people to their senses.  I pray for good because I don't want to see a tragedy while I'm here.  But the course of the world isn't leading mankind through a period of joy at this moment.  Man has abused nature to the max and she is fighting back now.  I have to blame all of mankind for the sate of the world.  It's not just the leaders who have lead us stray.  What about the individuals who let it happen?  Anyone who believes we have easy times ahead is living with their head in the ground.  I don't want to look ahead with a pessimistic attitude but I've read too many signs that have come about now.  I'd like to deny it and say what I know is wrong but I don't  think so.  It could be another cycle in history but mankind is spread out to all corners of the earth.  Mankind has to live in harmony with nature!  He cannot control nature's forces.

Now someone predicted that Naples will be destroyed 29 May.  I don't know who this person is but it seems to me it would have to be some great prophet in order to predict this fate.  I will be in France that weekend but I had plans to go three for a month.  I have fears about living here now but I can't live in fear of living.

I am buying an Opel Rekord for 950.00 from a Chief.  I think I'm getting a good deal, too.  It's a 1970. The tires are good and it purrs like a cat.  He's a good person and I've known him for awhile now.  He knocked off $45.00 for me so I can check it over. I don't' feel that I'm being ripped off.

I don't regret my smoking especially when I started.  I too was ready to handle it and I don't feel that it harmed me.  I feel it opened many doors in my mind.  But now I don't need that kind of high. It's been over a month now since I've partied.  I feel so good, too.

I've been keeping to the guitar.  My fingers are starting to get raw now.  I enjoy playing teh guitar so much.

I have decided against taking anymore courses after evaluating my last class.  I feel I'm trying to do steps just to look good when it may not be my direction.  I don't like the way the educational system is set up by learning through your ass.  Maybe it's because my interest lies with the arts and children.  But sometimes I am too foolish.  I'm trying to get on a steady path.  I'm having a little trouble now.

I will end here.

February 12, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Greetings.  Things are going okay with me -- a few ups and downs but up right now especially after coming home and finding your letter.

Quite a bit has happened and I don't know where to start, so I guess I'll just start rambling and see what happens.  Christmas vacation was okay, I didn't do anything at all -- I just vegetated and didn't see hardly anybody and wasn't overly worried about it.  The realization that I would no longer be living with Carol  and that this whole part of my life was coming to an end put me into a state of shock.  I really understand what you were talking about last semester with your being here, but not the people you associate Buffalo with.

It's nice being back in the apartment, even so.  Right now I am tired of living with my parents and look forward to going away to school and eventually supporting myself.  (Right now I have Blue Oyster Cult playing -- really like the album so I had to buy it for myself.)  Classes are okay -- I'm registered for German 2145, Woman in Contemporary Society, and am still trying to get Pop Radio.  I've been attending that class, taught by Jim Santella, but haven't been recognized by SARA yet.  So I'm taking 12 credits and have an incomplete to make up (ick!).

I've been doing quite a bit of smoking -- at least twice a weekend for the last 3 weekends.  It is escapism and I am enjoying it, but I'm also having the high carry over into the next day so I should start disciplining myself.

I got back by GRE scores -- I'm not very happy, they are kind mediocre, but there is nothing I can do about it.  I received 500 on the verbal and 570 on the quantitative.  Enclosed is a list of testing centers in Pennsylvania.

Just talked to my mom on the phone -- she's going to NYC tomorrow and then she and Aunt Olga are going to Majorca (off the coast of Spain) on the 14th for an eight day adventure.  Hope she has a good time.  Dad is not very happy about it, but he will survive.

I've been playing a lot of basketball -- I'm not a starter, but that is a fact of life.  I only got upset once at not playing in a game at all last Saturday and have since re-arranged my head so that will not happen again (my being upset).  February is basketball month and most of my evenings have been busy and three Saturdays in a row have B.B.  Every once in awhile it h its me that this is my last season andn that soon I will be a college graduate.

I wrote down a whole list of movies that I have seen that I wanted to mention to you -- so here they are by title with no comments:  Child's Play, Jules and Jim, Gimme Shelter, Diary of a Mad Housewife, Five Easy Pieces, The Virgin and the Gypsy, The Best of Everything.

In regards to library science I am applying to 4 schools -- none of them have everything at this time.  The schools are Rutgers University in New Brunswick, Simmons College, University of Denver, and Albany State.  Wish I had a secretary.

I'm going to end now -- there's all kinds of little things but I can't remember them all.  Plus I should be getting some sleep.  I went to find you a happy Valentine's day card tonight but was not successful.  I guess the day will be past when you get this letter, but I have thought of you and hope you have a very good day.  I am very glad to hear from you and I look forward to seeing you again.  Do you wanna dance?  Take care of yourself -- good luck on your job.

P.S.  Wow this letter is a skeleton compared to all of the things that have been happening, but it is a start.  I'm sorry California didn't work out the way you had planned but things have a away of working themselves out -- hopefully always for the good.

Also enclosed is a smile for you from me -- please take care!

June 15, 1972 (Letter from Chris)

I have an hour to write before I have to leave for work.  It has been a very hectic month since I've been home. I started work immediately at Ronnie's Steak House, and only got a raise to $3.00/hr.  Then I had a lot of trouble getting a day off which I needed.  They said no -- I said "fuck you".  They tried to punish me by taking me off the schedule for two day.s  I tried to tell them that I wasn't playing games, that this was now my permanent job, at lest for awhile.  They didn't take me seriously so I went to look for another job.  And now -- get this -- I am the 2nd Assistant Manager of Steak and Brew in Merrick, L. I.  $10,400/a year start -- 1 week vacation after 6 months -- 2 weeks after 1 year.  It's an interesting job -- nice people -- but long hours. I haven't seen Judy except to go to Herb's sister's wedding *which was OK -- no big deal -- stranger people there.)

Since I am no longer a lonely blue collar worker, I've had to start building up a collection of clothes -- so I go to all the cheapie sales -- shirts $2.99, suits $29.99.  Real fancy!  Huh?

I met a really nice young lady last week.  She was a waitress at the first Steak and Brew where I trained for two weeks.  The relationship started really fast - she was very aggressive.  For three days it built and grew -- and a day later she just went dead -- I mean -- nothing.  It was the strangest fucking thing that's ever happened to me and any girl.  But I should have expected it, because she was (is) very mixed up.  She tried to commit suicide last year -- she's all fucked up with her parents and boyfriend.  So now I haven't talked to her for a while, and I'm becoming more and more aggravated by what happened.  I'm not hurt - I'm just confused and would like to be able to understand her.

So what else is new -- nothing.  No dope here that is exceptional.  I have some really good grass -- never tires you out -- but I paid $25 for a rather small ounce.

Tony was down here visiting Harvey, and Herb, Kenny and I went out to a sleazy  bar with them.  Kenny hates his job -- Herb hasn't got much to say about his yet.

I'm still waiting for the last bills to come from Buffalo.  I got the rent deposit back -- $40 short for various reasons.  (Such as garbage removal, late rent, bad checks, etc etc.)  So it is likely that everyone will owe me some money in the end -- $5 or $7 or so.  I'll let you know later on.

I just sent away for tickets to the Stones concert in July.  I'll never be able to get them -- but at least I'm making the effort.

It's really a drag being out of school, and I get sick every time I think of what I'm missing.  However, I'm going to try to get up to Buffalo once or twice next year.

Boy, it's strange, but I thought I was going to have so much to tell you.  I really miss sitting around the living room like slobs and getting high every night.  Actually I don't miss getting high -- I just miss getting together with people.

Well, I'll try to write something better next time.  I hope you have a fucking great time -- and don't forget to drop a line once in awhile.

Be good!

March 20, 1970 (Letter from Barb Lucia)

Well, it's another afternoon at work, this time it's a different place, different, city, but the same old shit -- work, eat, sleep, go out... there is nothing to do in the winter but be a dud, no matter where you are of what the hell you're doing!

It'll be two weeks tomorrow I've been here-- the first week was an absolute hell -- after running around w/ everybody, I still got to walk around and get lost 3 thousand times in Boston -- you should have seen me -- taking subways, buses, walking and walking and walking -- I'm there, Hey! Neat!  Of course, none of my interviews worked out so here I am working in an office again.  I didn't want this job but the guy kept calling me up and I didn't know what to say, so I took it.  For a grand total of $85 a week, I'll never get rich.

Well, enough of this money-minded materials, straight-city talk -- other than that, things are great.  I'm still living with Carol in her apartment, sleeping on her couch -- there are 4 of us there and it's a little crowded -- I must get my ass moving and find a place -- I am so helpless when it comes to this stuff.  I went down to Harvard Square last nite and got a "Boston After Dark" and looked -- I'm there Duh!  I got lost trying to come home on the subway -- geez, that's the first time that happened -- perverts to the left, perverts to the right -- I'll never be Ratso Rizzo.

What are you doing besides school (blah) -- working? (blah).  When's your spring break?  You really should go somewhere this year.  Bermuda?  Florida?  The Bahamas?  Warren?  Everybody's always talking about what they're doing th is summer -- help!  I don't even know what I'm doing now!

I wrote a letter to Mardi at Bill's in Mpls.  I imagine that's where she is!  I know she's not working yet -- when will we all see each other again?  Renee's wedding is only a few weeks off and I'm almost sure I won't be able to make it.  Not to mention that I didn't get an invitation, but I will try to send her a present anyway; it's not every day you get married!

Do you realize it's almost summer?  Today is beautiful -- of course it might have changed since I went out at noon - - we don't even have windows here-- now hear this -- I have successfully wasted an entire year and will probably do so again -- Paul, when you're rich and famous, will you still talk to me?  I'll probably be carhopping down on the Bowery -- Mardi will be an airline stewardess, Joan will have 6 kids, oh, I can't stand it....

You better write me a line or two soon, at least before your vacation -- I get lonely sometimes her e-- I fell like I'm running a one-man show and I am such a ding-a-ling anyway.  Take care.  How's Kenny.  Heave you been visiting the music room lately?  Last nite Carol and I got out the pipe, but it didn't do a thing for me -- maybe I should go find a music room.

December 3, 1969 (Letter from Patty)

I'm sitting in my new chair that I just bought at the rescue mission, waiting for the paint on my window to dry so I thought I'd write you a letter.  How are you?  It certainly has been a long time since I've written.  I kept waiting for a chance to tell you that I was coming to see you, but I never seem to have the time.  I've gotten in to a lot of new things this year and there just isn't the time to do everything I want to do.  I'm into grass now for one thing.  Surprised?  I've also really been trying to go a lot of places.  I went to Washington for the peace march.  One weekend 2 of my friends and I hitched to Binghamton -- we got picked up twice by the cops.

I wasn't doing too well in my art work at the beginning of the semester.  I was like really dried up in the imagination dept, I think my exciting summer in front of a typewriter had a lot to do with it.  Anyhow, I'm like getting back into my work now finally.

I'm going to finish painting my Christmas peace sign in the window now.  I'll get back to you later.  Don't be impatient.

It's now 4:30 AM and after finishing my stained glass window, listening to records for about 2 hrs., doing my laundry, working on a painting, and drawing eight optical illusions, I've finally gotten back to this letter.  I figured if I didn't finish this one I'd never write to you seeing how I've already started about 3 letters to you that I never finished.

I must say this year certainly seems ma lot different from last.  I guess it's because the novelty has worn off.

How has everything been going for you?  Have you heard anything from anybody in Warren?  Are you still working?

I start work Friday at the Veterans' Day Care Center.  I volunteered for it.  T hey need people in art to help the veterans keep busy.  It should really be interesting.

I'm also going to start working on an underground newspaper this month.  Doing art work.  Some friends of mine started it; they've only put out one issue so far.  It has a long way to go, but some really good people are working on it.  You won't believe the name -- Public Hair!  What can I say?

Thanksgiving vacation was really a bore.  Four days at home with my parents was really bad.  I don't know what I'm going to do over Christmas, but I'm not staying home for two weeks.  The only thing that could have been good over vacation was that Country Joe and the Fish were in Albany Wed night, but being the ass that I usually am, I missed the early bus to Albany and got in too late to see them.

I guess that's about it for now.  I hope you don't take as long answering this as I did in finally writing.

July 16, 1969 (Letter from Patty)

I'm working right now, but everyone has gone to lunch before some big meeting and I won't have anything to do for the rest of the afternoon, so I decided to write you a letter since I owe you one from quite awhile ago.  I'm typing it so that everyone will think I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing.

I wasn't shocked by your last letter.  In fact I had a feeling that you were up to something like that.  A lot of my friends at school take drugs, and if they and you want to that's your business. I don't' care.  It's just that I don't personally want to get involved with them. Still, that doesn't mean that we're any less friends.  I hope you feel that way too.

If I didn't tell you before, I'm working in my father's office this summer.  I'm really not that crazy about doing nothing but pecking a typewriter all summer, but money is money and $75 a week is pretty good pay.

Over July 4th weekend I went to Boston with some of my friends from school.  I'd never been there before and it was just great.  We went to Harvard, a great restaurant called Boston 1800, Nantasket Beach, Haymarket Square, and quite a few other places.  I really think Boston is a great city.

Is it HOT here today.  It seems as if every office in this building has air conditioning but mine.  I suppose I can't complain though, it'll be even hotter at home tonight.  We kinda live in the country (suburb country) but it always seems h otter there than in the city.  Can't figure it out.

How's the job going?  Are you having a good time this summer.  I hope so.  It always seems that my summers are dull, either because we've just moved or because I don't know anyone my own age cause I don't go to school here.

Have you heard from anyone in Warren lately.  The only person who's really still around there and writes to me is Monica.  I suppose Jinny's at school at this time -- what a hell of a time to be going to school.  I never hear from Mike anymore.  I have a feeling he doesn't consider me good enough to write to.  He always could really piss me off.  (The reason I'm using such good language is that I haven't had much of a chance to use it all summer and it's been building up so that now that I have the chance it just comes pouring out -- sorry about that.)

I'll really be glad when school starts again, this being super good and super staying is really getting to me.  Last night I had so much to do that my father and me (i) fixed the stereo!

If the typing in this letter was an example of my work (or is) it looks as if I should be getting fired any time now.  Oh well!

What do you think?  Should i make my i's, when i'm speaking about me, capital or lower case?  The more i think about it the more it seems to me that by making them capitals i'm being snotty.  Don't you agree that I should be humble, and make them lower case from now on?

As you can see, I'm really cracking up.  Anyhow, I guess I've rambled on long enough so i think i'll go do something construction now -- like the crossword puzzle in the paper.  Write soon.  PLEASE!!! yor nuti friend,

June 27, 1969 (Letter from Renee)

Believe it or not I'm actually writing you a letter.  I have been so very busy with classes and papers to write that I haven't had much time to think or do much of anything else.  We're all settled in our apartment and are very pleased and thrilled with our new experiences in apartment living.  I'm beginning to experiment cooking and so far neither of my two roommates have died from food poisoning yet.  Remember -- I said  -- not YET!

I got my hours all straightened out and I now have 87 hrs left til I graduate -- which means I'll graduate in June 1971.  It seems millions of years away right now -- but I suppose it'll be creeping up on my before I know it and I'll have to go out in to the cold harsh world to earn my bread.

Poor Morrey stayed up half the night last night helping me write a paper.  He's really unbelievably good at writing a bunch of junk that sounds pretty darn intelligent even though it doesn't say anything.

I really don't know what to say about your experience with grass, Paul.  I certainly don't condemn you for it, or think any less of you because of it.  It's your life, Paul, and your own perogative.  I have plenty of confidence in you to know that you can handle yourself as a mature person -- and I know you aren't about to fly off the handle and do anything foolish or harmful.  I've never smoked the stuff myself -- and don't have any real desire to.  I have a philosophy that any new or untried experience can be beneficial -- if it's used in moderation and serves its purpose.  To each his own and do you own thing is what I have to say.  OK?

Anyway Paul, one nice thing we've always had about our relationship is that we've felt free and uninhibited in discussing anything that comes up in the course of a conversation.  I hope it will always stay that way, cause I really value your friendship -- and I hope you know that I respect your opinions and judgments.

Well, Paul, I'd better sign off now cause I've got to catch up on some reading.  Please write again when you have time.  I always enjoy your letters and like to hear from you on a regular basis.

April 9, 1969 (Letter from Mark)

Well, I just got back.  Don't really know if I'm glad or not.  Guess I am.  I'm not really content when I go back to Warren.

It was really great though seeing Mardi and everybody.  I guess Mike and I got along all right, but Mike can really bother me.  Just something about him that makes me feel as though he has to dominate the whole place.  As though we're there cause of him and I really don't like him for it.  Maybe I just imagine it.

I really had a good time Saturday and Friday.  Surf Club is really a lot better than it was last summer.

Before I was even unpacked some kids were here and wanted to know if I wanted some grass, but to me it's only something for the weekends and I'm not about to get hooked on it on the week nights.

You'll have to come up April 25.  There is really a lot going on at school and I think you'd have a good time.  So if you want to come just write cause I'd really like you to come up.

Not too much else has happened since I got back so I guess I"ll go.  Write soon.