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.

December 13, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Hi sweetie.  What to say.  I'm sorry things are going to be the way they are going to be. I love you and am not looking forward to your being so far away.  There is no use discussing this further in this letter - I will wait to talk to you in person, I definitely want to see you over the Christmas vacation.

Over my vacation, from the 17th of Dec (just two finals that week) till the 13th of Jan, I plan to be in Buffalo for awhile and in New York City for while as well as at home.  The dates are not set yet so when you write me again, let me know what your plans are.

Overall things are okay.  Have started doing Christmas shopping and am deciding who to send Christmas cards to.  I haven't sent cards in two years.

This is a shorty because I don't have much time this morning.  I did want to mention some records though -- for my birthday I got Rick Wakeman's Six Wives of Henry the 8th -- wasn't sure I liked it, but now it is beginning to grow on me.  Side one is the best.  Lately I've been playing Get Off in Chicago, Can't Buy a Thrill, and Hot Rats.  Played Grover Washington for Chris and he really bored me -- sounded like he was more show than substance.

Also have started reading The Prime of Life by Simone De Beauvoir.  Am enjoying it.  Will write again as I have other rambles on to mention.

Take care of yourself.  Let me know when you are going home so I know where to write you.

November 29, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Well hello sweetie.  Thank you for sending the postcard so I know you are still alive.  I had imagined that you were busy.  I don't know what to say about us, I guess my last postcard is the most correct.  The subject is not a very good one for discussion by letter.  I hope in your next missal you will make some comments on the things I wrote -- your letter to me was a hard one to write an answer to and continuing thoughts on it have made me cover a lot of ground but if I am still important to you and your feelings haven't changed then I will be comfortable with that.  Please write a letter, though, because I miss your chatty letters discussing what you have been doing.  So no more on that until I hear from you again.

Your independent study project sounds interesting.  I have read (and will enclose it) that Rolling Stone has published a volume of select reviews and has just come our with record reviews from its early years of publication complete with a 20 page index.  As far as I can tell those are the only two aspect indexed.  I imagine you have your sources already but just in case not, Collison has written Indexes and Indexing and is somebody at least readable.

A couple of weeks ago on a Sunday I went to an antique show with my aunt.  I loved it and I think you would have enjoyed it.  It was at least 30 independent dealers showing select wares -- lots of crystal, boxes, and a few specializing in books.  One dealer was the best as far as having books, manuscripts, maps, and personal correspondence.  I could see myself getting into that whole racket -- I already collect stuff.

My car has been acting up and continues to eat gas so I've gone to the dealer where I bought my other motorcycle and have put down a deposit on a new Honda 350F.  It is the baby of the four cylinder bikes and should be smooth as glass -- no vibration like you have with twin cylinder bikes.  It will make a nice small touring bike, very comfortable, which is what I will need commuting to Albany as much as I do.  I'm looking forward to being on two wheels again.

Not much else -- I've been doing a lot of reading lately trying to get most things out of the way.  Had a nice Thanksgiving -- went to NYC for a hot minute.  My father forgot to leave the bills of lading at the terminal in Edgewater, N.J. and my granny was going down Friday to visit so Mom, Nana, and I left after dinner on Thurs and ran the errand.  Unfortunately the people I wanted to see were all busy.  Mom and I drove back on Friday.  I drove up through Manhattan and Yonkers and part way up the Taconic Parkway.  It was the most driving I have done in NYC and wasn't as bad as it looks.  Saturday I went to a party and it was like a small old home week with some long unseen faces.  Sunday was a second Thanksgiving dinner in Troy with friends.  The food was great -- everybody had contributed something -- I made the gravy.  It was good -- I like lots of people around holidays.

Will continue later.

Friday 30:Nov '73 - Good afternoon -- am sitting in the library school  library and thought I would finish writing this before doing some work.

The other day I picked up my pictures and I was really pleased the way they came out.  It was the first time using a tripod.  The longest exposure was 1 second.  I shot a roll of black and white and a roll of color.  The quality of the color pictures was really fine -- I was pleasantly surprised.  Took portrait shots of Mom, Nana, and Dad and they came out great.  So whenever I see you again, will you sit for me?

On the local AM stations they are starting to play Steely Dan's new song.  I don't know the title but it has the phrase "But I did not think that girl could be so cruel and I'm never going back to my old school."   Really fine.  Last night a bunch of us went to the Pub and they were playig some fine listening music by Aretha Franklin, Laura Nyro, and Carole King.  (I think mostly from the Fantasy album.)  Feel like dancing now again -- haven't been since I was in Pittsburgh.

Tonight Chris and I are going to see American Graffiti.  Have you seen it yet?  I've been meaning to go for at least a month and so am looking forward to it.  Still haven't gotten my records from RCA so no comments on Lookin' In.

I guess that's it for now.  I continue to try and understand you more than before and care for you very much.  Take care of yourself.

November 8, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Greetings!  I just reread your letter and I will just let my comments ramble on.  The anticipation of receiving this letter was much worse than the actual letter, but I had reached a point where I did not care what you did, but that went away last night when I was making homemade peanut butter -- I started thinking about you and your peanut butter and realized that no matter what was going to happen between us, my overriding feeling was that of fondness.

I am still confused as to what I am to you as I have not been members of your triangles, but always it seems, something separate.  You were to me first a friend because you never seemed to want a physical relationship and I decided long ago that I wanted you as a friend aside from a lover, even though I am sexually attracted to you.  So your actions when you visited me in May and when I visited you in September have me confused as to what our relationship means to you.

I have always envisioned myself with friends male and female, but having only one lover.  I have trouble handling more than one at a time.  So ideally there is the man who is my friend and lover and main person (a base), and then there are my other friends, new relationships, and other activities:  two people who co-exist and do things together, but yet are separate.  Much of our past relationship has been that.  So I don't know what else to say -- I enjoy being your friend and sleeping with you and maybe we can work something out to our mutual satisfaction.  Please continue to let me know what's happening with you as there has been far too much silence in our relationship.

Moving onto a different topic -- the peanut butter I made (from the recipe I sent you) came out okay, but a little dry, needs a little more oil.  The taste is great, and the texture is chewy, chunky - you would like it.  The biggest hassle was shelling enough peanuts.

I haven't received my records from RCA yet.  They did send me the Sounds of Love from A to Zzzz, by mistake -- I didn't play it to hear what it sounded like.  So I haven't bought any albums since what I've told you about.

Last weekend I went to Washington D.C. on a chartered bus -- with a bunch of other students from the school.  We stayed in a hotel ($10.60 for two nights) but the room was OK, maybe Robin, Nancy, and I got the best room.  Went to Library of Congress -- great architecture inside the building; Folger Shakespeare Library -- has an exhibit hall and a reproduction of the Globe Theater (not to scale); Museum of History and Technology (part of the Smithsonian).  Great -- barely saw two of the four floors in an hour and a half -- had women's costumes, large section of film with modern, silent, and a put-a-nickel-in-and-turn-the-crank variety; Department of Interior library -- interesting tour, they seemed glad to have us visit; and National Library of Medicine -- the tour guide liked his job and the library was impressive.  I really liked DC's personality and look forward to going there again -- there is so much to do and see.

Library school is okay -- I'm not as bored as you -- I've only had one test and got a B on that.  Going away the last two weekends made it nice.  The whole family may go down to NYC over Thanksgiving -- not yet definite.

That's all for now.  My birthdate is the 16th of November.  Take care of yourself.

P.S.  Re-reading your letter and thinking back to Atlantic City, there are two other things I want to ask/mention.  You mention Chris' being still upset because Judy married someone else and that you did not want this to happen to you.  What happened to you?  The risk of falling in love with someone, i.e., the fear that that person would leave you hanging?  And what is your new outlook on life and how does it concern other people -- myself in point?  Again, take care of yourself.

October 24, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Happy birthday -- season's greetings!

I got your letter today and since I was going to send the card, I thought I would write a few lines to go along with i.

First a recipe for peanut butter:  I got it from The Old Farmer's Almanac in an article entitled "Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes (and bread, too)".  So -- peanut butter:  to make 2 cups you will need 2 1/2 cups roasted (in or out of the shell), shelled peanuts.  If you shell them yourself, you will have to blanch them before use:  Blanch the nuts by placing them for a minute or so in boiling water, which will  loosen the skins for easy removal.  This step, of course, is not necessary if you use salted party peanuts, or dry roasted peanuts.  Grind the nuts to a meal in a grinder or electric blender.  If you use a blender, use grate speed first, then the "chop" speed.  Keep the cover on tightly, and do not grind more than 3/4 cups nuts at once or you will clog the blades.  Place the nut meal in a bowl and beat in 1/4 cup of water and 4-5 tablespoons peanut oil until the butter is smooth.  Salt to taste (1-2 teaspoons).  store in a closed jar in the refrigerator.

Now onto your letter.  I think the pictures on the folded blue paper are classy and have no comment on the trademark.  Thanks for the goodies on Blue Oyster Cult -- I'd love to see them again as I would appreciate them so much more now.

It does sound interesting about the para-professionals.  That's been a big point all along in librarianship -- is it really a profession?  What kind of status does it have?  What should we strive for?  Today the feeling of being an undergraduate swept over me -- that is school is bullshit and maybe I will learn something on the job.  Of course Albany's scope is supposedly theoretical so that we will have the background and will apply it to actual problems.   Yesterday I took the midterm to my Info Processing course -- ugh -- thought some of the questions were picky and how 'bout "What are two important facts about the following/"  Nobody in the two classes that have taken it are very happy.  At least there were no T/F question -- ID were brief answer questions.

Now onto records:  I bought Isley Brothers 3+3 and it's iffy -- the pressing is bad and I had to take one record back (something I hate doing) and that was annoying.  There are a few good numbers -- after "That Lady" I like "If You Were There" the best.  Also bought 3 records for 1 cent each - yeah.  I couldn't believe it.  One Ambergris has a huge chicken head in color on it and it stinks.  Another Soulful Strut by Young-Holt Unlimited is very uninspired -- at least the 1st side is -- hold on while I turn it over.  Well the other side is not much better.  The third album -- Rasputin's Stash is a nice surprise and the overall quality is better than that of the Isley's.



Tonight I went to K-mart to buy a soap container and saw 1 3/$1,00 pile and bought 4 records.  One -- Crazy World of Arthur Brown I have but bought for Mom.  Another Lacewing I've never heard of it but it reminded me a little of early Jefferson Airplane.  A likable album that will be played occasionally.  Another one by Fusion called Bordertown which I just put on which the 1st song sounded like country-rock.  So does the 2nd -- seems to move along.  Lots of slide guitar.  The other album is a group called Black Pearl -- I've seen the album before, but know nothing about it.

I've only heard LaBelle backing up Laura Nyro on It's Gonna Take a Miracle and thought they were classy.  I'm sorry your thought Blackbyrd was that bad.  Of course I heard it when I was stoned, which always colors music positive, but even so I did not think it was that bad.  The draggiest # was the 2nd song on the 1st side (I think, it's a real long song) but the rest of it had me rocking in my chair.  As for liner notes -- I haven't seen any album for quite awhile that had anything that passed for a liner note, so I'm dismissing that comment.  Anyway a difference in likes/dislikes is to be expected at least once in awhile.



I'd like to hear Pet Sounds sometimes.  The 2nd side of Fusion 2nd song, "Time of the Ostrick Head" is moving right along jazzy with a solo sax.  The last song 2nd side, "Ereous" is jazzy, too with lots of solo sax.  Will describe the other album later.

Funny about that liver.  I liked the peanut better and jelly so much on the sprouted wheat bread (love the bread) that I'm eating it quite a bit at home.  The steamed vegetables sound good.  I used to make my own spaghetti sauce in Buffalo from scratch -- it's quite easy -- and it does taste great -- everybody who makes it, makes theirs a little different than somebody else's.  Loved making a big batch and then cooking fresh spaghetti to go along with the sauce each time I ate.

Back to records for a minute -- my parastatic record preener has been acting up and instead or removing static it is making my records snap, crackle, and pop.

Well sweetie, tomorrow I'm going to Atlantic City and have to be in Albany at 6am which means 4am here so I have time to get myself together and I have to get my stuff together tonight.  I bought a pair of plaid corduroy baggies and black highheeled rubber soled clunkies to go with them. Even so they were so long, Nana had to shorten them for me.  Glad to hear the beard is doing well, I just love to run my fingers through your hair (all over your body ha ha).  Take care of yourself.

October 10, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Hi sweetie.  It's an exciting afternoon at the old corral.  Actually I have been rummaging through some of the junk in the media lab.  I played a couple of film strips and their respective records:  Decade in America -- 1920's #2 The Jazz Age and the Renaissance in Italy (Dewey Decimal number: 945).

The Jazz Age was interesting -- there was the music of the times along with the filmstrip which showed the "new" women, college men "sheiks", the dances, the frivolity and in the end Prohibition and the gangsters.  Also some of the college vocab at the time -- jalopy, blind date, keiser, goofy, spiffy, lousy, swell, and sex appeal.  "Campus hijinx gave the 20's much of its verve and zing:  college became a pace-setter.  Varsity boys called themselves sheiks, after dashing movie idol Rudolf Valentino.  Raccoon coats, slicked back hair, ukeleles were the sheik's domain.  His harm?  Filled with shebas, vamps, flappers.  Permissive flirts portrayed dancing on table tops, then passing out beneath them from bad liquor."

The Renaissance in Italy was also interesting -- I think it is one of my favorite historical times because of the paintings, architecture and sculpture.  The objectives as stated in the booklet with the filmstrip:  1) to portray attitudes in Italy which led to the Renaissance, 2) to acquaint viewers with the three key cities of the Italian Renaissance, 3) to introduce some of the foremost Renaissance writers and artists and their patrons.  The cities:  Florence, Venice, and Rome.  Most of the pictures were actually slides and were pretty good.  I am all set to go to Italy.

I also looked at pictures of Greece and am willing to go at any time.  I think I would go banans taking pictures of the ruins, would also go broke.

Also watched a 50's social education film -- Beginning to Date.  Will write on nit later.  Am going to do some xeorxing and then assign some Dewey Decimal numbers.


Monday 15 -- Hello -- was glad to hear form you today.  Yes my library charges fines and you will be held accountable until you can pay them off in person.

Reading your letter reminded me of a whole lot of things so Beginning to Date will be put off again.

First of all I've been playing Caravanserai again after a long rest.  Chris and I heard it in the Pub Saturday night and I said -- wow, what a great album that is, you'll have to hear it.  So I will be playing it a little later on -- right now I'm listening to BOC since you mentioned them in your letter.  Will be playing both BOC albums tonight.  Going back to Ziggy Stardust is also a very Nice homey feeling.

Friday Chris and I went to a place near me called Allen's.  It looks really classy inside and is comfortable even though it is a large place.  The dance floor is sunken and a half way decent size.  Plus there is an upstairs area for couples only.  Think you would like it so whenever you come to this area....

This weekend I really felt like driving to Buffalo to see Big John and Pat, but seeing as how I will be going to Atlantic City and Washington, I can't afford it.  Next weekend is even more tempting, but I must stop spending money like it was water.

Two of the grad assistants are leaving.  One of them, Pat is trying to find a job in Rochester as his wife will be starting a job there in November.  The other, Roberta, is going back to Boston to try and find a job.  I just keep thinking that classes can't be an indication of what's ahead.  Also the assistantship and living at home make it quite easy for me so I shall be staying.  My other friends, Robin said that if it wasn't for the assistantship, maybe she wouldn't be here either.

In the middle stall in the bathroom a pretty decent collection of graffiti has been started.  I make sure I visit often enough to keep up on the new development.  It all started with somebody wanting to know where the spirit was in school.  Like with you there is a group of us that are friendly and we keep each other's spirits up.  It seems this dissatisfaction is very common with 1st semester grad students.  Oh, well.  Maybe I'll adds my two cents at the door.

Be back in a minute -- time to put on Tyranny and Mutation.

I have a short paper due this week and a midterm in Info Processing next week.  Ugh.  I'm going to write my paper on Jefferson's classification system, which he took from Francis Bacon.  So tonight I am reading Bacon and making notes.  At the moment I don't feel like doing much of anything except riding around the countryside visiting all of my favorite people.

The new ruling says that grad assistant don't have to work during holidays when classes are suspended.  Yay!  My Thanksgiving is from Wednesday the 21st at noon until Sunday the 25th.  If you want to think about making any plans for then.

Fran, the mechanic down the road, worked on my car Sunday so now I should get about 3 more miles to the gallon putting the Dodge at 16-17 mpg which is better than 14.  He is going to pick up an ignition kit (consists of two springs) which will allow him to set the timing even father ahead and give me a few more miles/gallon.  The other thing he said was that my car had AC plugs and Chrysler products run better with Champions -- so I will get new plugs this weekend.

A little humor -- since I noticed you put the full address on the letter, our mailman gave it to my aunt who lives around the bend on Dubois Lane.  She brought it to my house tonight.

I'm signing off time to do some work.

Tuesday 16:October -- Good morning.  Bright and early.  This morning I overslept by 20 minutes so that coming to school I was in the mainstream of traffic -- ugh.  The cars start lining up about half a mile before the exit I get off.  Aside form that it is beautiful in the morning with the sun coming up and the mist evaporating.  The fall colors are very cheering to the soul.

In reference to Thanksgiving, maybe Christmas is better as it is a longer time.  I don't know, it is good whenever I see you.

Wednesday night 17 -- True to form I have let several things ride so that I have two papers to write.  One of on Thomas Jefferson's classification, which is based on Bacon, so I have been reading Bacon trying to make a chart of his classification of knowledge.  Strange but interesting reading -- trying to keep track of his terms is problem -- am enjoying it on the whole and want to read more of the "originals".  The other paper is a critique on the 500's or 600's of the Dewey Decimal System.  I am comparing edition 11 (1922) with edition 18 (1971), specifically the 680's.  Typical.  It is really not that bad, but I am lazy therefore more of a talker than a writer so motivation to sit down and write rarely arrives.

Just called Roberta on the phone -- will see her probably when the bunch of us go to Washington to see the Library of Congress.  Ah -- it's very tempting to have a large phone bill.

It's been cold and windy the last couple of days -- ugh.  This morning it rained and then stopped and the sun came out.  The contrast between the sun, the wet and bright fall colors and the gray sky was startling.

Next week I have an actual test -- Atlantic City will be a break from midterms.

Not much else to say -- I would just be rambling on -- The Isley Brothers 3+3 is on sale for 2.99 so I think I will gamble on the strength of "That Lady".

Take care of yourself -- I wish you weren't so far way.

October 5, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Hiya honey.  Have been feeling very contented and happy all week.  The trees are turning here and it is very beautiful in the morning-- don't mind driving to Albany.

I picked up the pictures today, they came out pretty good.  So I took them to school to show my friends and my family as very happy to see what you looked like.  Whenever I see you again it will be different as your beard should be looking glorious by then.  General consensus from those tho viewed picture -- you look pretty good.

Am listening to Tyranny and Mutation right now (Blue Oyster Cult) and my favorite song is coming up -- a great dance tune, got that driving base beat.  Time out while I bounce around.

Want to tell you about this strange article I read for one of my courses but I don't feel like it right now so I will continue this later.

Monday 8:October '73 -- Good morning.  The class I am sitting in has a definite soporific effect on me -- gold ole Lib 601.  We have just spent an hour and a half talking about intellectual freedom, two assumptions that librarians hold (info is available, reading can make a difference), and characteristics of a profession.

Hello again -- just as I wrote that, break time was over and then there was stuff to take notes on so I'm finally getting back to this at home.  Brian Auger is taking a spin on the turntable.

Want to tell you about my weekend.  Chris and I went out Friday night -- she had the heebie-jeebies and I was just up for going out and shooting the bull.  We went to Allen's, a place near me that has a band, but there were people lined up outside to get in so we left and went to the Pub over on rte. 7.  Had a fine time and I was introduced to a new drink -- Tequila Sunrise, which is tequila, orange juice, and grenadine.  Mmm delicious and sneaks up on you.Saturday and I went to Albany to pick up my new friend Robin and brought her back so she could see a farm which happened also to be home.  IT was a gorgeous day and we trucked around the back 40 and I shot another roll of film.  I now have 3 rolls (32 from New York City) to be developed.  The guy from school has been busy so I'm going to take them to Universal tomorrow -- am tired of waiting -- I want to see what kind of pictures I took.

Sunday I lazed around all day -- dance to some music for exercise and then decide3d to re-arrange my room.  Now I have lots more room and have my speakers about 8 feet apart -- sounds better.  That evening my friend Bernie, home for the weekend from Syracuse, came over so we smoked and listened to music and had a good time shooting the breeze.  He brought over Blackbyrd by Donald Byrd for me to listen to.  Really fine album -- nice to move around to -=- just quietly cooks along at a low simmer.  Some of it reminded me of Grover Washington Jr.

Coming home today I caught Meet That Lady and instead of cutting off the end they just let it play out and it goes for at least a minute after the vocal ends.  The lead guitar just continues to howl and I just ride along with it.  It reminds me of Dark Side of the Moon on the first side at the end when the singers voice just takes off and I'd love to be able to sing like that.

Did you go to Warren to pick up your records?  If it was like it was here, it was beautiful driving weather.  Future Games is turning now.  Haven't played it in a long time.

Today I got to play the projectionist -- I showed 3 movies for Miss Cole's class.  Not hitches but I was nervous at first, because I had never shown movies before even though I know how to run the machine. Of course the class was impressed by my speed and skill at running the movie projector and rewinding it.  Nothing to it, I said modestly.

I am going to end this now as I have work to do.  Enclosed is a copy of the letter the media lab has been sending out to various film distributors.  Whoohoo.  Take care of yourself.

October 2, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Hi sweetie.  Greetings on a cool but nice Tuesday morning.  Today is my early day (have to be here at 8am) so was up to see a beautiful sunrise.  Ah, glad to be alive.

Not being a veteran airplane traveler, I missed the 8:40 plan by asking about checking my bag instead of running like hell to the gate.  Called home and said I would be catching the next plane, which I did with no trouble and even sat by a window.  I think I sat on the wrong side of the plane to see Pittsburgh, though.  It was a clear night for flying and the lights below were sparkling like jewels.  The plane flew to Philadelphia, where I made a connection to go to Albany.  On that plane I sat on the right so I would see New York City.  All the way form Philly to New York it's lit up -- large colonies of light looking like giant nerve [?] joined by the roads connecting them.  The lights of the New York metropolitan area were visible for at least half of my flight, then the lights petered out up through the Catskills and along the Hudson.  Albany looked quite small compared to the Big Apple.  I got home about 12:45.

Yesterday the media lab got the word to toe the line no more slacking off.  Of course there is not that much to do and there are sometimes three people in there at the same time, but let's not look like we are having a good time and pleased keep the noise level down.   This whole idea of a media lab is running by ear so stumbling is to be expected.  This morning I have been putzing around and now writing to you.              Surprise, surprise, we just had a fire drill.  A bell is used instead of the obnoxious buzz/rings used at U.B.

This afternoon I'm going to take the roll of film to be developed.  Hope the pictures come out sharp and clear.  That was one of the things Mom wanted to know -- did you take any pictures?  You know you can't see him in the ones you have.

Will continue later, time to go to the library school library to put in 4 hrs.  (10-2).

Hello -- I'm home now.  Have listened to 1st side of Steely Dan, 1st side of Down Home and now 2nd side of Down Home -- will have to buy at least one more Seals and Crofts.  I just love spending money on records.

I forgot to ask you if you or anybody from your school is going to the ALA convention in Atlantic City.  I will be going with at least 3 others (Robin, Nicki, and Nancy) in the Torino for Thursday and Friday.  Not enough wanted to go to hire a bus.  We are also going on a trip to Washington, D. C. to see the Library of Congress and other famous libraries.  Am looking forward to it seeing as how I've never been to Washington.

I took the film and will probably pick it up on Friday.

Needless to say I had a fine time and could get used to being around you very easily.  My mother said I must have had a fine time since I looked happy when I arrived at the airport and my cheeks were rosy -- can't figure out why they would have looked so rosy.

I am going to sign off -- will write again shortly.  Take care of yourself.  Write to me.

P.S.  I found this in the media lab throw-away pile -- didn't know if it would interest you or not.

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.

July 27, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Hi sweetie.  Am sitting here in my room playing the stereo with Coryell's "Foreplay" turning on the upstairs of the house.  Right now I'm feeling good for lots of reasons.  1) This week I heard from you, Carol, and Roberta, 2) I pre-registered on Monday and turned in my loan application and the bank called today to check something with me so they have gotten it back from the school.  3) Pat and Linda are coming in tonight and we are all going to New York tomorrow to visit with John and Roberta.  I think this will be the only weekend I will be away, no other plans right now -- I eagerly await your visit.  More on that later.  4) My right bottom wisdom tooth became infected and has been hurting for the last week quite nicely.  Thurs I went to my grandmother's dentist and he said it has to come out but first the infection must be taken care of.  So I've been walking around with an herb poultice called Poloris in between my cheek and gum.  Last night I didn't sleep well despite smoking as a celebration to finishing my bed (next point) but after dinner the infection came to a head and I was able to get pus out of it so it is on the mend -- no more pain!!!  Yeah!  5) I've been working on a bed frame -- I built it all by myself with screws and bolts -- no nails.  I'm really proud of it.  Last night I painted it after putting the last touches on it (more supports at the bottom) and decided to smoke to celebrate.  Had a nice time re-reading your letter and looking at the Farmer's Almanac, boy what a riot!!  You have to look at it -- the advertising is great and all kinds of bits of information on all sorts of things.  6) Having my stereo again after having it out of the room for three days while I was working and moving things around.  7) My parents bought a Ford Torino Sport and we will pick it up Monday evening.  New cars are always fun.  It is a metallic beige with a darker vinyl roof and tan interior, black wall tires with white raised lettering and to top it off a reflectorized "laser stripe" running from one end to the other on both sides.

Close enough.


Monday 30:July -- Greetings!  As I was writing that last sentence, Pat and Linda arrived and although I had good intentions (the letter traveled with me) I did not get a chance to finish it until now.  I got your postcard -- so your car must be doing okay.  Very good and happy for you.

Had a fine time -- played Coryell and Get Off in Chicago for Pat and Linda -- they liked both. Talked and they went to bed.  They got up around 9 and ate breakfast and then I took them for a short ride around the area. We didn't leave for New York until 12:30 pm.  Made a stop in Peekskill to see their friend Settie, but she wasn't home.  So onto Youkers to John's.  We had to try out Pat's bong and the hash I brought and then it was dinnertime so we bought pizza and wedges. Proceeded from that point on to Manhattan to pick up Roberta and look off her terrace -- she lives on the 27th floor, what a trip!  Went to a coffee house to listen to John's friend -- was okay, sang lots of songs from Jacques Brel and back to Yonkers (Roberta came back with us).   Sunday was gorgeous so we went to the Palisades -- it was a hike to go where John's favorite spots were, but it was easy and very enjoyable.  I went out near the edge and then sat down or crawled on my stomach to look over the edge 500 ft. straight down.  It was beautiful, impressive, peaceful, and quiet.  A fine place to come just to sit and think, read, or maybe write a letter or in a journal.  I took pictures but don't know if they will catch the emotions.  Maybe you will be able to see it -- I would enjoy experiencing it with you.  Went back to Yonkers for dinner, took Roberta back home and then Pat, Linda, and I packed up and left.  Stopped in Peekskill and this time Settie was home.  We didn't 'get to my house until about 2am.  Pat and Linda didn't stay -- just had a cup of coffee and left.

I think I am going to Buffalo this coming weekend with my friend Marc -- he called after Pat and Linda had arrived.  He is going to U.B. Law School and wants to look for an apartment.  Aside from that again I say I should be home, so whenever you come it is okay with me.  I'm glad you have company going to Kenny's wedding -- I would have been glad to go with you -- I hop you enjoy the city.

Did I ever mention to you that the last song on the first side of "Offering" sounds much like Mahavishnu Orchestra?  At that time McLaughlin and Coryell were very close -- had the same guru -- they and their wives spent a lot of time together.  There is an article on Coryell in an old issue of Downbeat.  I have almost all of the issues from the time my subscription started so feel free to poke through them all.

I think I will end this for now.  Take care of yourself.  (Smile!)

June 30, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Greetings dear friend!  This week has been really busy.  Dad and I couldn't finish the taping in time for the whole room to be finished so Mom said okay, no more, we will finish it when Robin goes.  So we painted the floor and moved the furniture back in.  Mom painted the woodwork (it's a mint green that looks good enough to eat and the walls will be the same color) and put u the summer curtains so it looks all of a piece and really nice in spite of the unfinished walls.

Robin and Barbara arrived Wednesday night about 2am.  What can I say, it's really nice seeing him and having him around for awhile.  It has been almost three years since Rob and I have been in the house at the same time.  Barb is great and has been and is really good for Rob because he looks fine, happy, and peaceful.  We were all prepared to like her and now we know how great she is.

Surprise, surprise -- Rob and Barb have asked me to come back to California with them and the family says I can go!  Wow, I'm going to California!  I will ride out with them in Rob's car and fly home probably sometime in August.  I plan to buy film for my camera on Monday and do all my necessary errands such as having a physical to send to Albany so I can register.  More on this later.

Last night Blood Sweat the Tears was at Saratoga with Curtis Mayfield.  I had wanted to see it, but didn't have tickets, so I didn't go.  It was pouring rain as it has everyday and night since Rob and Barb got here and therefore it was no advantageous to sitting on the lawn.  This morning there was a review and I'm glad I didn't go.  BS&T had trouble with the sound system and so that messed them up cause nobody could understand the singer plus they were rather lackluster so said the reviewer.  Curtis Mayfield didn't show at all -- his plane was delayed along the line, but his band was there and went on without him.  For another concert he was late so it sounds as if he is trying for a reputation of reliability.

Thursday I went to the movies with Marc, Bernie, and Doug to see the newest James Bond flick "Live and Let Die".  Title song by Paul and Linda McCartney.  I found parts of the film really funny and enjoyed the chase scenes, but it did have serious flaws that one should realize.  The main flaw was that it was racist and used stereotypes to depict the blacks.  The plot has to do with a new heroin supply and its distribution.  The black "dude" stereotype is used quite a bit and distributing night clubs are called "Fillet of Soul".  There are also some scenes on the island where the poppies being grown showing voodoo ceremonies.  Of course the movie was chauvinist and Bond always get his women.  Some of the gimmicks were incredible such as Bond's watch that could produce a powerful magnetic field that would deflect bullets but the worst was when one of the villains was blown up like a balloon with a compressed air pellet and burst.  It was the first time I had seen a James Bond film in the movies.  Roger Moore played Bond instead of Sean Connery.

Monday 2:July '73 -- Hello again.  A friend of my brother's gave him the biggest piece of hash I have ever seen so he and I smoked some last night.  Barb doesn't smoke because she falls asleep.  It was nice -- very cheerful stuff, but I don't think it was that strong -- I don't know, haven't smoke hash in a long time.

The picnic was fun once we finally left the house and got under the way.  The sun did come out and it was really hot.  I went swimming a couple of times.  There was lots of food, but I didn't eat too much -- trying not to be a pig.  I just love riding on the water in a boat, really relaxing.  There's quite a few sailboats and a couple of canoes, both of which I have never ridden in, and both of which I would like to.  Canoeing looks like such a peaceful way to travel and quiet.  I definitely have to go canoeing sometime.

On the radio I am listening to WGY with Ellen.  It is an enjoyable program.  Oh yes -- you wanted to know if the station was like that all of the time or if it was special program -- well it's a special program on Monday-Friday or Saturday from midnight to 5am.  The rest of the programming is much, much more conservative.

Rob tuned up my motorcycle and adjusted the clutch so she was running really sweet.  So I called my friend Chris and asked her if she wanted to go for a ride.  It was/is a really pleasant night for riding -- not cold, slightly humid, and not windy.  The air felt very soft.  We rode about an hour and a half around various local roads -- I felt like Easy Rider just cruising along.

Today I went to Albany to fill out an application to work part-time in the fall -- I hope I will be able to.  Walking to the library I became excited looking at the people and thinking of the new people I would meet and how it is a new environment to go to school in.  I talked to my advisor and made out a tentative schedule. Pre-registration is July 23-27 and I don't know if I will be back from California for that or not.  Otherwise I register on August 24 and am in the second to last group and get what I can take. I don't' know when I'm coming back from Cal.  And I don't know what is the best to do.

Whew -- I just keep yawning so I'm signing off for now.  Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite.

Tuesday 3:July '73 -- Hello -- I've been doing some more thinking on California -- the decision to go was easy but my decision not to go was/is hard.  I've told all kinds of people that I was going but anyway why am I not?  Well one of the reasons is/will be going by myself with Rob and Barb.  They will be working during the day so I will be on my own which would be okay for a few days but then I like to have company when I go to see things.  Plus their apartment is small so not much privacy for them or me.  Other big reason is money -- I just don't have the money to spend freely because of no job and my parents are not able to provide at this time and that would be in my mind so with heavy heart, but also with the optimism which says I will get out there sometime, I have decided not to go.

I plan to pre-register on the 23rd, the first day in the morning.  When I talked with my advisor and had made up one schedule but I want to switch it around so that I have no  classes on Monday and Friday -- want to talk to my advisor about how it is having two classes on one day, twice a week.  Class meets only once a week.  More on this later.

Oh -- I forgot to mention that I sold my motorcycle for $750 today!  Wow I thought I would be stuck with it.  This morning I paid my insurance premium and had it inspected and this afternoon this woman who is a friend of one of my mother's friends came by with Rick (my brother's friend) and bought it and took it home.  So I quick called to cancel the insurance and have to turn in my plates.

Will continue later.

Friday 6:July '73 -- Greetings.  I'm going to mail this today so I'm going to finish up.   Yesterday I bought Get Off in Chicago for $1.99 an am very happy to have it in my possession.  Today I want to buy Jack Bruce Songs for a Tailor also $1.99 and Larry Coryell's Offering at the usual price.  I got Gary Burton Quartet Duster out of my library because I saw Coryell's name.  Haven't listened to it yet.  Will discuss in more detail later.  Take care of yourself.

June 16, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Greetings!  Things keep happening that I want to tell you, so I'm going to start writing so they don't get out of hand.  (Right now I'm listening to Ziggy Stardust -- Moonage Daydream).  I'm been playing Tyranny and Mutation by Blue Oyster Cult a lot lately along with Brian Auger's Second Wind.  Will try and get the Coryell album soon so I can hear the sex, but  right at the moment I still have no job and money is not floating around.

I have gone to a couple of concerts.  Last Friday I saw Seals and Crofts at Saratoga.  They were fantastic and played a variety of materials that I wasn't expecting.  They played a jazzy piece with Seals on sax and Crofts on electric piano that was out of this world.  At the end they played hootenanny country & western with Seals playing the fiddle.  Quite a few of the songs from Summer Breeze album were played.  A thoroughly enjoyable concert.

I also saw Pink Floyd on Sunday.  Incredible, I don't' know how to describe it.  The visual effects were fantastic with lot of lights and dry ice -- a gong with a ring of fire around it and one of those multi-faced balls that sparkle when light shines on them and they are turning and just sends out many rays like a giant eye when not turning.  They played the whole first side of Dark Side of the Moon plus other material that I was familiar with, but don't know off which albums or the title.  The sound system was quadraphonic and we were lucky to get seats in the amphitheater.  Not all of what they played was music, but it was all incredible to watch to shut your eyes and be overwhelmed by the sounds.

I just put on the other side of Ziggy Stardust which reminds me, I had a dream in which I was in a huge record library and I was trying to remember all of the records you have mentioned to me so that I could take them out and listen.  The first and only one I picked up was Rio Grande Mud -- the dream ended but I don't remember how.

This Friday I am going to see Allman Bros. with my friend Chris.  I'm really looking forward to it.  Other good people are coming that I would like to see:  America, Beach Boys, Blood Sweat and Tears and some more that I can't remember right now.

The radio station you heard with the woman disc jockey was WGY 810 and the show is Ellen at midnight and she is on from midnight to 5 am all week.  Since you mentioned it and another friend mentioned it, I've been listening and enjoying.  Last Sunday WGY played really nice jazz in the afternoon.  On the whole, though, radio has been very repetitive.  There is a relatively new station WGFM -- rock 99 (affiliated with WGY) which started out very promising but is now playing the same stuff over and over again such as Hocus Pocus and You Can't Always Get What You Want (Rolling Stones).  It gets very tiring to hear the same stuff even if you like it.



Of the jazz people you mentioned the only one I am at all familiar with is Cal Tjader -- Mon has some records with him playing which I haven't heard in awhile, so when I get time I will dig them out, listen, adn make some comments.  Freddy Hubbard is another familiar name, but I have no music to go to the name -- I'm sorry but I don't remember the song you were referring to by him.  I'll try and look up the other names in my old issues of Downbeat to see what I can find.

I'm going to stop for the moment -- more later.



Hi ya.  I'm catching the end of the "American Top 40".  Actually catching isn't the right verb because I've been listening to it from the beginning.  #4 was Billy Preston's "Will it go 'Round in Circles", one of my favorite songs.  Really like dancing to it.

I went to the Allman Bros quite fucked up but it was fun.  Chris and I have been friends since high school -- she's a Scorpio, too.  They were incredible!  (I think that maybe that is the only adjective I know?)  The first band the Marshall Tucker (or Trucker) was really nice -- very pleasant and what a lead in because they played the same type of music.



Allman Bros. just played and played.  People were yelling out requests and the lead guitarists said not to bother because they were going to play everything.  They just about did, it was so good!  All of the songs were long and some were at least 20 minutes.  From the Live at Fillmore East album they played "You Don't Love Me", "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed", and "Whipping Post".  They played a lot from Eat a Peach but I don't know the titles, plus they played a new song.  They played for a good hour, took a regulation set break and were back for at least an hour and a half.  The concert didn't end until about 12:30 am and there were 25,000 people.

In the second half the lead guitarist played straight for three songs, just coming down to a plateau and then taking off again.  Watching the drummers was a real trip because there were two different styles of drumming, but they really played together and just kept everything cooking.

The work on the house continues.  Dad and I are going the taping -- he knows more than me, but we are both amateurs.  Mom painted the woodwork and the room is starting to pick up.  My aunt called and she is in Joliet, Ill and said that Bob called and they had trouble so they probably couldn't' get to Joliet until Monday night, so they won't get here until Wednesday or Thursday.  I'm really getting excited!  That will give us more time to get the house together.

There is some discussion of sleeping arrangements because they are not married but are living together.  I think it will all work out -- the easiest is for them to stay in Nana's room because she has two beds, but anyway....

Last night my friends called and said they were trying to think of something to do, so they would come and pick me up.  This time the total group came to seven (Marc, Dave, Bernie, Laurie, Garry, Doug, and me).  We ended up going to the Super 50 Drive-In so named because it is on rte. 50.  Both pictures were shit but one was better than the other and we all had fun mocking them out.  Perhaps you have seen the titles in the newspaper:  "Bummer" and "The Hitchhikers".

"Bummer" was a bummer.  The story was about groupies and what could happen to them.  The second flick "The Hitchhikers" was better but it had no plot.  It was about a hippy gang (several girls and the male leader) who stuck up people who picked up girls hitching.  A lot of it was funny because of the cliches used.  For instance they wreck the truck one night while having a "wild" party where everybody was really messed up.  Oh yeah after they mugged the victims they left a sign which said Have a nice day.  Oh well so much for an evening of enlightenment.

Monday 25:June '72 -- Yay!  Guess who I got a letter from today!?!  I was hoping I would hear from you soon.  Last night I had a dream about you -- you had come to visit me -- the locale was a conglomeration of here, Buffalo and other places.

I really enjoyed your letter.  I can tell that you feel about the country the same way I do.  I really love it here because the land is beautiful and there are lots of birds singing.  Lately I've been seeing lots of broken eggs -- the only one I can identify is the speckled light blue of a robin's egg.  (I think of my brother Robin everytime I see one.)  We also have squirrels or at least one squirrel living here now plus some pigeons that must be from the city (Schenectady) who liked the country and went back and brought their friends.  I love cities but the country is my home.

I still haven't travelled much, though there is so much that I haven't seen yet.  I really want to see all of the country that the U.S. has.  I really flip out when I think of going overseas and seeing Greece, Rome, the pyramids, Stonehenge, plus the Incan cities in the Andes.  (I hope I got that right -- I always mix then all up.)

I agree with your discussion on drugs.  I don't regret my experiences -- they have brought me a lot and have helped me to overcome some of my inhibitions quicker than I probably would have at a normal state.  In this respect drugs are similar to dreams -- with both my feelings are very intense but I am becoming more able to feel intensely at my normal state.  I also agree with sharpness.  If I first lieten to something new when I'm stoned, I have to listen to it straight to see if I really liked it or not.  I don't think I will stop all drinking and smoking because both are something that I like to do with people I'm close with but the enjoyment, not as a compulsion.  I feel fortunate that for almost all of the things I have experienced I have no regrets.

Earlier this evening my friend Chris came over to visit.  It ws really nice -- I played records for her -- Blue Oyster Cult's Tyranny and Mutation, Beach Boys' Holland, 1st side of Brian Auger's Second Wind, and 1st side of Frank Zappa's Hot Rats.  Now I have on Yes' Fragile.  A lot of her friends are married so she really enjoyed just sitting, listening, and shooting the shit.  You were the first person I had met who really enjoyed that.

Do you know how you are going to live in Pittsburgh?  Are y ou going to be in an apartment or the dorms?  I'm nervous and excited at the same time and I want to do well.  Tomorrow I'm going to Albany to fill out an application to work part time in the fall in the university's library system.  Did I tell you that I also applied at the Saratoga County Library?  I'm closer to the Schenectady library, but I am a resident of Saratoga County so I couldn't work there.  (Tried to apply about 5 years ago at the Schenectady library.)  Also my friend Marc is going to introduce me to a friend of his who is in Albany's school.  I will be able to buy his textbooks if the same ones are used plus a lot of the work is independently interviewing people and Mike (Marc's friend) works in the state library and he know good people to interview.  This is an unexpected lucky break.  I also have to have a physical and send to to SUNYA to finish up my last admission requirement.

Tomorrow I'm going to meet my friend Evelyn for lunch.  She is a friend but also acts like a mother because she has a daughter my age.  I met her two summers ago when I worked in the Schenectady branch of the New York State Employment Service.  She has finally gotten her wish to be transferred from Schenectady to Amsterdam, where she lives.

Did I tell you I got a B in German?  What a nice surprise.  Glad to be finished with that.

Well it is getting late so I'm going to end now and put this in an envelope.  Take care of yourself and write back as soon as you can.

Enclosed is a picture of me taken last summer when I was in Yonkers visiting Vicki.  I'm such a toughie.

June 12, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Greetings -- I got your letter today -- I didn't expect to hear from you as soon although I must admit that last night I got these good vibes telling me that I would get a letter form you tomorrow.

This afternoon I've been writing thank-you notes and so have been playing some tunes at the same time: Hot Rates, Blue Oyster Cult (II), Ziggy Stardust, and Brian Auger, and now Fleetwood Mac. Have some money in my pocket but am trying to stay out of record stores.

Did I tell you that Rob (my brother) and Barb are coming east?  Well they are in a couple of weeks or less so as of this writing we have decided to tear the house apart.  A piece of the living room ceiling fell down a couple of days ago so the ceiling and walls are going to be knocked down (the plaster that is), with plasterboard put back for the walls and ceiling tile on the ceiling.  Plus we bought tile red paint for the floors.

I am also working on my room upstairs -- am painting the walls a pretty deep blue and the ceiling gray and the door red -- haven't decided about the rest of the trim.  Right now i have my stereo stet up on a shelf about a half a foot off the floor.

The weather has been amazing today -- hot as hell this morning (as was yesterday) and then a long violent thunder storm -- at one time mothballs were coming from the sky.  Then it stopped and started again and it is raining and lightning now.  A little while ago, lightning struck near the house and the following thunder shook the whole house.

The past weekend I went to Westfield, Mass with my friend Marc to visit friends Kevin and Judy. The weather was really nice for driving.  Bummed around most of the time we were there. Introduced Keven and Marc to Blue Oyster Club.  Heard some new old albums while I was there. The main one I liked was "Elementary, Doctor Watson".  Also heard some of "Birds of Fire". Kevin has also seen Leo Kottke and really likes him.

This coming weekend is going to be a busy one at Saratoga -- I would like to go all three nights, but don't know if that will happen.  Friday is Seals & Crofts, Saturday is Chuck Mangione, and Sunday is Pink Floyd.

Can't think of anything else at this moment.  If you ever get the chance, come to Rexford and I'll show you the sights (plus some that I haven't seen).  The ticket for admission is some of the records you have been talking about that I haven't heard yet.  Oh -- I ate some of the greatest yogurt today -- made with whole milk -- incredibly delicious and cream -- peach melba -- the name was Colombo.  I also bought their honey and wheat germ -- will see how it tastes tomorrow, am also going to buy more peach melba.

That's about it for now -- take care of yourself -- I love you, too and I want to see you again.

June 6, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Greetings.  I'm at home now -- it's strange to be home -- will take a little while for the family and me to adjust to each other.  I'm in my room -- have set up the stereo and that helps a lot.  Are you angry because I came by your house?  Chip and I had been to see Kinzua Dam (after visiting Allegheny Park) and were going to go through Warren to get to Jamestown.  I wasn't sure how you would react if I did come by or if I didn't, so I went by and you weren't home.

I'm listening to Hot Rats by Frank Zappa -- I bought it with graduation money -- really like it, especially "Peaches en Regalia" on the first side.  I also now have a copy of the new Blue Oyster Club album (after playing Pat's every day while in Buffalo).  Really love it -- several good dance numbers and great musicianship through the whole album.  The songs have strange words -- I'm going to send away for the lyrics.  Last night I hard an album my Grover Washington, Jr. - my first exposure and I loved it.  Have to listen to the whole album again but the indications are that you would like it too.  Am listening to Brian Auger's "Second Wind", I bought it for Mom as a Christmas present -- still like it very much.

So far there is no such creature called a summer job available.  The state of New York has eliminated their summer job program this year and that was what I was counting on.  Garbage in the papers, so I'm diddling around the house, running errands, and playing golf with my mother. Yesterday we went out and I got sunburned on my shoulders and back for the first time in my life. It's Buffalo's fault -- every year I got paler than I was the year before. It is still sore today and I don't like it at all.

I still haven't heard from Rutgers, but I have made my decision and I am going to Albany (S.U.N.Y.A.) in the fall.  I have to hand in a health form and they have to receive my transcript to make it official  The main reason is financial -- I can't buy a car and go away to school and I need the car so I will be at home for a couple of years.  I put an ad in the local news paper for tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday for the motorcycle.  I hope I can sell it quickly.

Last night I went to see 2001 with my friends Marc and Bernie.  Really enjoyed it even though it was my third time.  I love the part of the movie dealing with Hal.  The different scales from one spaceship to another really amazes me -- I'd love to see the set where they filmed the movie and the areas they used landscape throughout the picture.

A couple of nights ago I was watching TV and saw a couple of oldies, "The World of Suzy Wong" and "The FBI Story".  It was the first time I had seen Suzy Wong.

Nothing else to say right now so I shall end.  Take care of yourself.

May 10, 1973 (Letter from Leslie)

Greetings.  I started this yesterday and decided to finish it while listening to Stephen Stills Manassas.  (I think that is the right spelling -- I'm too lazy to go and look at the album cover.)  I borrowed it from my housemate Pat.  I think I told you about him.  He and Steve moved in when Carol and George moved out last semester.  I got him hooked on Blue Oyster Cult, and then on Fleetwood Mac.  He ended up buying his own copy of Future Games.  I went to the music room, they didn't have Batdorf and Rodney's Off the Shelf.  Would you bring that when you come?



Hello again.  Took time off to watch the Knicks vs. the Lakers.  What a good game.  Did you see the Dunwich Horror Monday night?  I didn't watch it on Monday, but I had seen it before.  What a good horror story -- based on a story by H. P. Lovecraft.  Yesterday I went to see "Man with the X-Ray Eyes" starring Ray Milland.  The dialogue was really bad but the plot line is okay.  In the end his eyes each become a solid black pupil and they receive so much light (are sensitive to it) that Milland no longer knows darkness.  He ends up wandering to a church revival group and the preacher tells him -- if thin eye offend thee, pluck it out -- which he does and that is the end of the movie.  Tomorrow I'm going to see Deliverance, finally.  Hope I enjoy it.  It is getting late so I am going to end here.  I'm really sorry that you could not come this weekend but I will be very glad to see you whenever you can come.  Take care of yourself . Hope work goes okay.