October 11, 1973 (Letter from Kathy and Gary)

Sorry you couldn't get to Idaho.  We were really looking forward to your visit.  Hope you can make it sometime.  Plans are getting deeper for Gary's business here and with only 7 months left in the service, plans are very definite to stay here.  Reading your letter brought back a longing to see friends again but then we've made some really valuable friend here too.

Rick and Linda did come for 10 days.  They may have mentioned something at the reunion.  We visited Yellowstone and Sun Valley plus little things.  We enjoyed ourselves a lot in spite of the fact that they are difficult guests because they're very fussy eaters.

Gary's out working on the van's body.  He had hoped to finally get it painted this fall (the summer was so busy with camping and bike riding-- trials style) that he never found that time to do the finishing touches needed.  Now it turns out the engine is throwing out so he figures it's time to get his money out of it instead of struggling through the cold weather for a new engine.  He would like to pick up a second hand car for me to drive to work.  I ride my bike in the summer but winter really requires a vehicle.  Shame -- it would be really nice only to need on vehicle.

I'm happier in my job than ever.  Working 3 1/2 days for 2 dentists.  Takes the humdrum out of work when there's two offices -- lose fulltime benefits though. Both my dentists went elk hunting this week so I've been on vacation.  We were hoping to visit an aunt in Canada (B.C.) or Disneyland but finances won't allow that.  Gary just took a trip to Texas with his forthcoming partner to see the Suzuki '74 models.  We'll be watching pennies closely for this business adventure.  So glad we don't have a family to support although our golden retriever is having a litter Nov 9th or thereabouts!!  We're going to take one dog to my sister's neighbor in Colorado Springs when we go down for Christmas.  My sister came here last year so we're planning on the holiday there this year.

Is you social life getting complicated in wonderful Pittsburgh?

Had really good yields from my garden this year -- too much lettuce.  This was the first year-- next year I'll know the right way.

Have been helping with the Brownie Girl Scouts this year and enjoying that.  It has been taking 2 or more nights a week lately, but with Gary on a 4 to midnight schedule this month it's not too bad.

Fall has definitely set in.  We won't have the tree splendor like there but the trees will lose their leaves with little ceremony.

Well, need to get us some lunch before we starve!  Take care.

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 10, 1973 (Letter from Tony)

Yes, here I am at last, the wayward Western wanderer finally writing.  Thank you for your letter for I usually do need a small push to help over come my inertia.

It certainly is a shame that education at college-level and higher cannot be somewhat more stimulating than it is.  I can rationalize some of the drudgery as a means to the end of developing discipline and bringing my expectations of my life down to manageable goals, but it does seem that they go a bit overboard in laying on the tedium.  Certainly my last year here at Boalt was not an enjoyable one, but it was also far from unproductive.

Since I had a lot of time  this past summer to re-think on what had gone on, I was able to prepare myself much better for this year and also for what lies ahead in my life.

You ask if I noticed a moodiness on your part.  I had to laugh, for I felt that many hours of this past summer, which were part of my re-evaluation, found me to be almost anti-social, or at least far from talkative or friendly.  During our trip to Spread Eagle this mood of mine was quite strong.  I realized that my quietness had a somewhat deleterious effect on the social situation I was in, but I was in no "mood" to adjust my behavior.

Well, anyway, my 1st year of law school is now history, and with the wisdom gleaned from that year I have vowed never to allow myself to drop into such a depressed mental state again.  Those attributes you are working to maintain, a sense of humor being the chief one, were lost by me for lengthy periods of time and were not firmly established again until the end of the semester.

So far this school year has been very enjoyable.  I've been doing things, such as backpacking in Yosemite, visiting the ocean, walking around a redwood grave, spending a day out in the country, etc.  And I've been reading non-law books, such as Jung and my art books, several of which I bought out here at a used book store.

I'm living with 2 non-law students and that is working out quite well.  Neither of them is going to school, they both work.

My courses are 75% good.  I have one dud course, but Bob Padia and I alternate attending class and I only have to face that once a week.  My 3 other classes are really fine, the material is interesting and the teachers are all eminently knowledgeable and quite effective as teachers.  It was one of these courses, Psychoanalytical Jurisprudence, that was the motivating factor that got me started in Jung. (see earlier comment on inertia)  I have a fairly light credit load and I'm staying away from such traditional law courses as Tax and Estates and Trusts.  My interests certainly do not lie in those areas and what little help they would be to me is outweighed by the dullness of the material and the effort required to maintain in the classes.

I just got back from a performance of the Cleveland Quartet, a group that succeeded the Budapest Quartet as artists in residence at SUNY at Buffalo in 1971.  Have you ever heard of them?  I didn't until just recently.  The performance was excellent, they did some traditional pieces by Haydn and Beethoven and also some more unusual compositions by Ives and Slonimsky.

Cal has an excellent selection of musical events on campus which I took advantage of last year and will do so again this year.

I got food stamps this week that along with a $600 grant, a $1,500 loan and my California residency should allow me to manage the experience this year.  However, I appear almost certain that I must find a job for next summer.

I'll close now; write. soon.

October 8, 1973 (Letter from Kenny)

Kenny and Lauren's wedding

Clockwise from lower right

Herb Kleinberger, Tony Szczygiel, Eric Barr, Paul Nelson, Kenny Tuchman

I don't have much time, but I wanted to get a note off to you.  I'm really glad to hear that things are going so well for you in "the Burg" (as I'm told Pittsburgh is referred to).

It was really great seeing you and Tony at the wedding and it's too bad you couldn't have come in a couple of days earlier so I could have talked to you both.  Anyhow, things are going pretty well here for the Tuchmans in Philadelphia.  School sucks of course for me and even Lauren doesn't like her school but elsewise (strange word "elsewise") it's OK.  I'm not as pressured this year because I just don't give a shit.  All of these firms are coming down to interview for summer jobs and it is unquestionably the biggest pain in the ass.  I hate having to act so phony with them and also I don't graduate till '76 so they're not interested in me until next yr and they pretty much come out and tell me so in the interview.  The salaries they offer are outrageous ($300/wk for summer, $18,000/yr full time) but I'm fairly certain I'll be working for $3/hr somewhere licking stamps or something equally exciting.  Sorry if I sound cynical but these interviews really get me down.  It looks as though Lauren will be going to school thru the summer so I'm looking primarily in Philly although if I get a job in NY and nowhere else I'll take it.

I guess Herb must have told you about Chris calling him.  It was really weird.  When Herb told me that Chris asked about my wedding, I really felt bad.  I wanted to invite him for old times sake (and all that shit) and all he had to do was make an effort to call or anything.  Anyhow, Chris must have mentioned that he was thinking of getting married.  Maybe that's why he contacted Herb after such a long time.  What do you think?  Have you communicated with Chris?

How's the little Polish kid out in sunny Calif?  Send me his address.  My aunt just moved to California from Wantagh and several other people I know are contemplating the move.  I really want to get out there one of these days and be just like you -- a man of ALL places (at least in this country). 

Oh yeah, Puerto Rico was really nice and Lauren and I had a great time.  We didnt' do much sightseeing although we did go to St. Thomas for a day.  We flew back from St. Thomas to San Juan on a 10 passenger plane -- I almost shit in my pants.  We got about $100 worth of liquor for $30 and cigarettes only $1.50/carton!! Beyond that however, nothing was a great bargain.

Oh well I'd better go for now.  Write soon and send me your phone #.  Also I would really like a copy of those pictures you took of you, me, Herb, and Tony at the wedding.

Enough said, take care of yourself and remember your Dewey Decimals.

October 6, 1973 (Letter from Mike)

Just a short note to let you know what's up.  I got an assistantship and am handling the statistical lab for the dept.  They're paying my tuition and giving me $2,500 for 3 quarters which isn't too bad.  I wound up buying a '68 Kharmann Ghia in case I haven't told you and I really like it.  (It was the tan one next to the red bud I was looking at.)  At any rate, things have settled down to a dull roar and I'm stuck in the middle.  Have to start my thesis this week and I'm not in the mood.  (Bishop is playing this shitty organ music and I'm about to strangle him; all I can think of is Captain Nemo and the Nautilus!)

How's the burgh?  And school, and all the rest of the things that you should tell me?  Hope all is well and that you've settled yourself into a rut.

I really have nothing new to report other than I'll be here until June and after that ... well, who the hell knows?  Gotta head out now.  Here are the vitals:

P.S. Bishop said to say hi.

October 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.