Today was Labor Day - the first day of September - the psychological end of summer. I awoke groggily after a drug-induced sleep which was wracked with dreams. It was hot & smotheringly humid today. I went to the Junction, got on the Seventh Avenue express to Atlantic Avenue & came back home on the D train. The new exact fare system on the buses is a drag, but I suppose it will reduce holdups of drivers.
Aunt Sydelle, Uncle Monty, Scott & the twins came over at about 2 PM. We really had a lot of fun at the pool, playing a sort of war, with the boys on one side & Bonnie & Alice & me on the other. Kid stuff, but fun. I can now tell the twins apart - Bonnie's taller. We had delicatessen for lunch. I really surprised myself by having a good time.
I'm now trying to relax on the eve of my third road test with a steaming glass of Keemun tea with rosefruit added. I hope the rest of the month & the rest of the fall is this good.
20080608
Thursday, August 31, 1972
It was good to enter the world once again. Last night Avis called to ask if she & Ike could come over. I felt okay, so I said sure. And after that, I got a call from Alice, who said she'd come over, too. They arrived at the same time: Alice on her trusty bike; Ike determinedly hobbling up the stairs; & Avis looking as beautiful as ever. We sat in the living room & talked; Avis & Ike told about their summer at camp.
Ike is a very amiable, open person & I can't help liking him. Alice is taking over as manager of Vanderveer for awhile. She said Renee's annulment hearing is today. Renee had asked her to testify to the fact that David had promised to buy her a house & then reneged, but Alice wouldn't do it. Everyone got on very well - a successful evening, I think.
This morning, as I returned to the campus, I found it swarming with freshmen, in for orientation. I was even mistaken for one - imagine, a man of my position! Classics was short today - tom'w is our final & I've been studying hard. I ran into Debbie with some of her hitter friends, & she said she'd call. Vito told me he'd spotted the slipcover man on campus - but when Vito approached the guy, he said he wasn't the same person. Vito is sure it was.
In SUBO, Club Fair was in progress. I helped Peggy man the Classics Club table, & I walked around to see people. Melvin said he & Timmy had a good time, but they nearly got busted in Tel Aviv for drugs. Pat, the new ACA president, was coordinating things; Skip, John & the other Gay People were serving fruit salad; Sid was getting people for Young Democrats - he caught my cold. Harry, Hesh, Ira, & George were there for APO; Bernie for Spigot; & Ronna & Maddy at the Kingsman table.
I went to LaG & chatted with the deans, then had to go to the bookstore, where I met Mikey, who'd just cycled in from Rockaway. He said that he, Josh, John & Skip had a nice farewell dinner with Allan in Chinatown. Also, he'd heard from Leon, who's okay & playing stickball in Madison. After wishing Hal a good year at Rochester, I came home to study.
Ike is a very amiable, open person & I can't help liking him. Alice is taking over as manager of Vanderveer for awhile. She said Renee's annulment hearing is today. Renee had asked her to testify to the fact that David had promised to buy her a house & then reneged, but Alice wouldn't do it. Everyone got on very well - a successful evening, I think.
This morning, as I returned to the campus, I found it swarming with freshmen, in for orientation. I was even mistaken for one - imagine, a man of my position! Classics was short today - tom'w is our final & I've been studying hard. I ran into Debbie with some of her hitter friends, & she said she'd call. Vito told me he'd spotted the slipcover man on campus - but when Vito approached the guy, he said he wasn't the same person. Vito is sure it was.
In SUBO, Club Fair was in progress. I helped Peggy man the Classics Club table, & I walked around to see people. Melvin said he & Timmy had a good time, but they nearly got busted in Tel Aviv for drugs. Pat, the new ACA president, was coordinating things; Skip, John & the other Gay People were serving fruit salad; Sid was getting people for Young Democrats - he caught my cold. Harry, Hesh, Ira, & George were there for APO; Bernie for Spigot; & Ronna & Maddy at the Kingsman table.
I went to LaG & chatted with the deans, then had to go to the bookstore, where I met Mikey, who'd just cycled in from Rockaway. He said that he, Josh, John & Skip had a nice farewell dinner with Allan in Chinatown. Also, he'd heard from Leon, who's okay & playing stickball in Madison. After wishing Hal a good year at Rochester, I came home to study.
Thursday, August 30, 1973
I didn't get to sleep until late last night, thinking about people. I decided why Leon takes people to his bosom & then suddenly drops them; it's happened with Harvey, the Klayman brothers, Corey & now Skip. He can't let people get too close to him, & when they do, he uses some excuse not to speak with them. Very sad. And while I don't see how Skip could do such a thing as literally prostitute himself, it's not really doing anyone any harm, except maybe Skip himself. Why should I judge others? Yet I find myself doing it & I detest myself for it.
I spoke to Ronna early this morning, very briefly, as she was rushing to get her brother to his psychiatrist on time. She told me she doesn't think she'll be seeing Carl anymore & then had to go before she could explain fully. I decided to meet her at Billy's doctor's office (she had said she wanted to see me later) & so I stood outside the building on Plaza St. & surprised them when they came out.
We went back to Ronna's house & she made us lunch; then she & Billy changed into their bathing suits & came to our pool. Billy really loved the water; the kid went on the raft & played ball with me & Ronna & Jonny. It was another near-100-degree day & it was impossible to sit outside without swimming.
While Mom was giving Billy something to eat, Ronna told me about me about last night. She made Carl dinner, & then, in Billy's bedroom, told him about me. He said that he was seeing a girl, too (altho Ronna didn't quite believe him) & said he wanted to take her to the movies anyway. Just before they got to Kings Plaza, Ronna felt guilty & Carl got angry - "just the way Ivan did," she said. (Apparently I get angry in a somewhat different way.) Finally they do go in to the theater. At the end of the evening, he told her, "Thanks anyway," so she doesn't think she'll be hearing from him anymore. I feel more sorry for Carl than relieved for myself. I even got the idea of fixing him up with Avis when she gets back (soon, I hope - I miss her), but that's rather absurd.
Ronna & I took her brother back to their house, along with the kissing Guarami fish that Marc gave Billy (Marc wanted to get rid of it & all Billy's fish had died). Ronna's sister came home, so Ronna & I were free to have dinner at the Charcoal Chef in Canarsie. It was a pleasant meal, & when I took her home, I came up for awhile. Harold wasn't feeling well & went home by bus; he wouldn't let Ronna's mother or me drive him home. Mrs. C seemed mystified by his behavior. I kissed Ronna goodnight - we've become very domestic since our trip to Washington.
I spoke to Ronna early this morning, very briefly, as she was rushing to get her brother to his psychiatrist on time. She told me she doesn't think she'll be seeing Carl anymore & then had to go before she could explain fully. I decided to meet her at Billy's doctor's office (she had said she wanted to see me later) & so I stood outside the building on Plaza St. & surprised them when they came out.
We went back to Ronna's house & she made us lunch; then she & Billy changed into their bathing suits & came to our pool. Billy really loved the water; the kid went on the raft & played ball with me & Ronna & Jonny. It was another near-100-degree day & it was impossible to sit outside without swimming.
While Mom was giving Billy something to eat, Ronna told me about me about last night. She made Carl dinner, & then, in Billy's bedroom, told him about me. He said that he was seeing a girl, too (altho Ronna didn't quite believe him) & said he wanted to take her to the movies anyway. Just before they got to Kings Plaza, Ronna felt guilty & Carl got angry - "just the way Ivan did," she said. (Apparently I get angry in a somewhat different way.) Finally they do go in to the theater. At the end of the evening, he told her, "Thanks anyway," so she doesn't think she'll be hearing from him anymore. I feel more sorry for Carl than relieved for myself. I even got the idea of fixing him up with Avis when she gets back (soon, I hope - I miss her), but that's rather absurd.
Ronna & I took her brother back to their house, along with the kissing Guarami fish that Marc gave Billy (Marc wanted to get rid of it & all Billy's fish had died). Ronna's sister came home, so Ronna & I were free to have dinner at the Charcoal Chef in Canarsie. It was a pleasant meal, & when I took her home, I came up for awhile. Harold wasn't feeling well & went home by bus; he wouldn't let Ronna's mother or me drive him home. Mrs. C seemed mystified by his behavior. I kissed Ronna goodnight - we've become very domestic since our trip to Washington.
Thursday, August 29, 1974
Tonight I've got my journalistic cap on. At times it's good for me to stop my self-analysis & probing & instead concentrate on being an observer of the human condition. When I was little, I always wanted to be, not the leading characters in movies or TV shows, but the supporting characters, those to whom nothing happened, the ones who merely commented on the protagonists' situations - the whole "I Am a Camera" bit.
Last night I picked up Ronna after the thunderstorm abated. She looked pretty & fresh. Her sister was going out with last year's boyfriend Harris, or Hank - she told Ronna that he's changed & he kisses better now. Ronna also told me a secret: that Felicia's brother (he of the streaking & the tattoo) propositioned her sister, who was impressed when he told her he's become a hedonist. Ronna says that her sister’s really happy having lost weight, & Ronna wants to drop some pounds too.
I drove Ronna to this house to pick up something for her mother; then we went on to the Heights, to walk along Montague St. We straightened a lot out: Ronna did say that I make it difficult for her to tell me when she's angry, which is what I figured. And she's jealous of my financial position & my lack of responsibility in that area, something I can readily understand.
We came back to my house to watch the news & chat. I mentioned seeing Howie from the window of the 42nd St. bus last week, & Ronna said that he's become very nervous. He & his girlfriend are moving in together, altho Felicia says that the girl would like to leave Howie but is afraid he'd kill himself if she did - all of which may be wishful thinking on Felicia’s part. Susan's novel is complete & I'd like to read it. I hear I'm satirized in it - shades of Lawrence & Huxley!
Ronna & I found the announcement of the birth of Dad's partner Lennie's sister's child; the sister's married to a Monticello trotters rider, & the announcement was so stupid, saying "New Foal: Jennifer Mara; Mare: Karen; Stallion: Jorge." But that whole family is crazy.
After taking Ronna home, I lay awake thinking. I had a crazy thought about Jerry's marrying Shelli & then being gay: maybe he went out with Shelli as a way of getting sexually close to me, maybe he liked me & was too repressed at the time to go to me directly - not that I was ever attracted to him, as he's not my type. Anyway, could that be a reason for his hatred of me? No, it was an off-the-wall idea.
This afternoon I was lying on the beach at Rockaway right by the water, reading Doris Lessing. Lee passed with 2 friends - he came over & shook hands (I almost made a faux pas & shook 'regular' instead of 'cool-soul-hip'; it's such a problem these days). Lee was working at a camp this summer & goes back to Hofstra Law soon. He asked if I see the Kingsman crowd, & I said, "Mostly just Ronna" - he said he sees Hal & Laura & heard from Lewis & Li. I almost didn't recognize Lee, as it's been years since I've seen him without a beard or mustache.
After Lee left, just a few minutes later, Peter came by in the opposite direction. This time I shook hands right, & he sat down. He got back this morning from the Canadian Rockies & said it was beautiful. He's been studying dance this summer with June Lewis - I nodded, having vaguely heard of the name - & he's managing the AYH (American Youth Hostel) store, a job he'll probably give up. Peter said his brother's still away in the White Mountains, & that he, Peter, is thinking of subletting the Bethune St. Village ap't of some lady dancer. He had to rush off to take his ailing dog to the vet.
Last night I picked up Ronna after the thunderstorm abated. She looked pretty & fresh. Her sister was going out with last year's boyfriend Harris, or Hank - she told Ronna that he's changed & he kisses better now. Ronna also told me a secret: that Felicia's brother (he of the streaking & the tattoo) propositioned her sister, who was impressed when he told her he's become a hedonist. Ronna says that her sister’s really happy having lost weight, & Ronna wants to drop some pounds too.
I drove Ronna to this house to pick up something for her mother; then we went on to the Heights, to walk along Montague St. We straightened a lot out: Ronna did say that I make it difficult for her to tell me when she's angry, which is what I figured. And she's jealous of my financial position & my lack of responsibility in that area, something I can readily understand.
We came back to my house to watch the news & chat. I mentioned seeing Howie from the window of the 42nd St. bus last week, & Ronna said that he's become very nervous. He & his girlfriend are moving in together, altho Felicia says that the girl would like to leave Howie but is afraid he'd kill himself if she did - all of which may be wishful thinking on Felicia’s part. Susan's novel is complete & I'd like to read it. I hear I'm satirized in it - shades of Lawrence & Huxley!
Ronna & I found the announcement of the birth of Dad's partner Lennie's sister's child; the sister's married to a Monticello trotters rider, & the announcement was so stupid, saying "New Foal: Jennifer Mara; Mare: Karen; Stallion: Jorge." But that whole family is crazy.
After taking Ronna home, I lay awake thinking. I had a crazy thought about Jerry's marrying Shelli & then being gay: maybe he went out with Shelli as a way of getting sexually close to me, maybe he liked me & was too repressed at the time to go to me directly - not that I was ever attracted to him, as he's not my type. Anyway, could that be a reason for his hatred of me? No, it was an off-the-wall idea.
This afternoon I was lying on the beach at Rockaway right by the water, reading Doris Lessing. Lee passed with 2 friends - he came over & shook hands (I almost made a faux pas & shook 'regular' instead of 'cool-soul-hip'; it's such a problem these days). Lee was working at a camp this summer & goes back to Hofstra Law soon. He asked if I see the Kingsman crowd, & I said, "Mostly just Ronna" - he said he sees Hal & Laura & heard from Lewis & Li. I almost didn't recognize Lee, as it's been years since I've seen him without a beard or mustache.
After Lee left, just a few minutes later, Peter came by in the opposite direction. This time I shook hands right, & he sat down. He got back this morning from the Canadian Rockies & said it was beautiful. He's been studying dance this summer with June Lewis - I nodded, having vaguely heard of the name - & he's managing the AYH (American Youth Hostel) store, a job he'll probably give up. Peter said his brother's still away in the White Mountains, & that he, Peter, is thinking of subletting the Bethune St. Village ap't of some lady dancer. He had to rush off to take his ailing dog to the vet.
20080607
Saturday, August 28, 1971
The hurricane swiftly & furiously passed through the city during the night. I slept through it all, but this morning there were uprooted trees & the pool was overflowing. Yet the sky was a remarkably clear powder blue. Perhaps the storm washed away the smog & pollution. I had a long night's sleep, but I felt very tired this morning.
Shelli called me & we decided I'd pick her up at noon. Wendy called Shelli last night & told her about her date with a guy she'd picked up at Wetson's. It seems Phyllis told Carol that Shelli hated her - big deal. This morning I did some reading & then went to Shelli's house. She looked more beautiful than usual as she waited for me outside.
We drove into Prospect Park & I bought her a balloon at the zoo. We went on this surrey-trolley kind of ride around the park & it really made me carsick. Shelli was dizzy too. We drove to my house, where I found a letter from Stockholm, from Jerry.
He seems blissfully happy, living in Sweden with the family of Borje - "the finest friend I have ever had." He booked passage on a boat leaving tomorrow for Britain. Borje is now seeking to avoid Allan "after a disastrous incident in Munich," which Jerry doesn't elaborate on. He also told me to "stop throwing away money on that half-wit shrink."
I called Elihu & asked him if I should tell Jerry's parents about his whereabouts: maybe he doesn't want to know about Mrs. H's condition & maybe she's improving. Elihu was unsure. He looked up in a book when Jerry's boat would be arriving. I'll call Elspeth next.
Shelli & I had a luncheon on the grass - I had gotten stuff from the deli - & then we went upstairs & had a delicious time. She was in pain when I first entered her vagina, so perhaps she's getting her period. I hope so. I couldn't take another month like last one. But we're going to Planned Parenthood this week.
We bought birthday cards for Slade & a huge polyethylene snake for him. Tonight I did my Art work & spoke to Gary, who was at the Armory on Guard duty all day.
Shelli called me & we decided I'd pick her up at noon. Wendy called Shelli last night & told her about her date with a guy she'd picked up at Wetson's. It seems Phyllis told Carol that Shelli hated her - big deal. This morning I did some reading & then went to Shelli's house. She looked more beautiful than usual as she waited for me outside.
We drove into Prospect Park & I bought her a balloon at the zoo. We went on this surrey-trolley kind of ride around the park & it really made me carsick. Shelli was dizzy too. We drove to my house, where I found a letter from Stockholm, from Jerry.
He seems blissfully happy, living in Sweden with the family of Borje - "the finest friend I have ever had." He booked passage on a boat leaving tomorrow for Britain. Borje is now seeking to avoid Allan "after a disastrous incident in Munich," which Jerry doesn't elaborate on. He also told me to "stop throwing away money on that half-wit shrink."
I called Elihu & asked him if I should tell Jerry's parents about his whereabouts: maybe he doesn't want to know about Mrs. H's condition & maybe she's improving. Elihu was unsure. He looked up in a book when Jerry's boat would be arriving. I'll call Elspeth next.
Shelli & I had a luncheon on the grass - I had gotten stuff from the deli - & then we went upstairs & had a delicious time. She was in pain when I first entered her vagina, so perhaps she's getting her period. I hope so. I couldn't take another month like last one. But we're going to Planned Parenthood this week.
We bought birthday cards for Slade & a huge polyethylene snake for him. Tonight I did my Art work & spoke to Gary, who was at the Armory on Guard duty all day.
Tuesday, August 27, 1975
5 PM on an absolutely magnificent day: warm temperatures, lots of sunshine & low humidities (so that my stuffed-up head of yesterday has finally cleared up). Reading Maslow's book is exciting for me, because I find that I have a lot in common with his self-actualizing subjects. I understand what he means by "peak experiences" because I have had them: last year at the BC graduation & Phi Beta Kappa installation & my birthday in June, & then again in November on the day I drove to Hempstead Lake Park (the day inspired my story "The Smile in the Closet"); early Xmas morning, after Hoops' dismal get-together; & last June, after Libby's party.
But I've felt it - the almost unbearable feelings of unity, wholeness & goodness - to a lesser degree on other occasions: after dates with Ronna; after teaching a good lesson at LIU; & after writing something I consider to be worthwhile. Never, six years ago, did I ever think there could be moments like those; and those moments, as brief & fleeting as they are, make life worth living. I have a completely different attitude toward life when I feel like that: there is zest & joy & delight & very little fear or anxiety. Life just seems to be getting richer & richer.
I spoke to Ronna last night, & she told me about the wedding on Sunday & how nice it was; I'm sure she made a beautiful bridesmaid. She said she felt somewhat let down afterwards, which is understandable. Ronna was also saying goodbye, for she & her family were leaving for a week on Cape Cod today. She was intending to take a bus back next Saturday because she had promised Susan weeks ago that she'd go with her to see "Daisy Miller" & the film would be coming to the Carnegie Hall Cinema this weekend (for one day only); of course Susan was holding Ronna to her promise.
Ronna was kind of upset about it, & her mother thought she was being stupid to come back. I couldn't help putting my two cents in & I told Ronna, "Of course, you know I'd advise selfishness..." No one but Ronna would interrupt a lovely vacation to see a movie (a bad one, no less) with Susan. I think my words had some effect on her - I told her to imagine how she would feel on that bus trip back - for she said was going to call Susan & try to get out of it.
I like being Ronna's friend, & I told her that when she gets back to the city, we should get together one day. I felt so good after our conversation.
Dad called Aunt Sydelle last evening (he's been putting it off because he dreaded it so) & there was bad news: the doctors aren't sure Uncle Monty will get out of the hospital this time. They've been trying to treat the pneumonia, but he's been running a high fever for 10 days & he's just deteriorating. Monty knows the nature of his illness, but still he harbors hope for a recovery - that's human nature. But his nephew the doctor told Sydelle that nothing can be done except to make him as comfortable as possible. At least he's not in much pain.
I ran into Mark & his family this afternoon: all 3 and 1/2 of them, for Consuelo looked slightly bigger & she informed me that Miguel will have a brother or sister next January. Mark has been laid off for 7 months & hasn't been able to find a job, so he figured he might as well return to Brooklyn College & get his B.A. finally; he'll be taking a couple of evening courses in the fall.
It's so strange how things work out in time. Mark told Miguel, "This is Richie, but not the Richie you're used to." He meant Richie C, of course. There was some news: Shelli's parents have moved; & Don is in San Francisco, where he passed the California bar exam; & Mark & Consuelo have become friendly with Ken & his wife. Consuelo is hoping to get a job as a Bilingual teacher soon, & they both look well. It was good to see them & I hope to keep in touch with them.
I saw Melvin & Mavis on the quadrangle grass, & also Harry & his wife & Elayne were around, & so were Deans McGee & Jones. So summer is over and another school year at BC - my sixth - is beginning.
But I've felt it - the almost unbearable feelings of unity, wholeness & goodness - to a lesser degree on other occasions: after dates with Ronna; after teaching a good lesson at LIU; & after writing something I consider to be worthwhile. Never, six years ago, did I ever think there could be moments like those; and those moments, as brief & fleeting as they are, make life worth living. I have a completely different attitude toward life when I feel like that: there is zest & joy & delight & very little fear or anxiety. Life just seems to be getting richer & richer.
I spoke to Ronna last night, & she told me about the wedding on Sunday & how nice it was; I'm sure she made a beautiful bridesmaid. She said she felt somewhat let down afterwards, which is understandable. Ronna was also saying goodbye, for she & her family were leaving for a week on Cape Cod today. She was intending to take a bus back next Saturday because she had promised Susan weeks ago that she'd go with her to see "Daisy Miller" & the film would be coming to the Carnegie Hall Cinema this weekend (for one day only); of course Susan was holding Ronna to her promise.
Ronna was kind of upset about it, & her mother thought she was being stupid to come back. I couldn't help putting my two cents in & I told Ronna, "Of course, you know I'd advise selfishness..." No one but Ronna would interrupt a lovely vacation to see a movie (a bad one, no less) with Susan. I think my words had some effect on her - I told her to imagine how she would feel on that bus trip back - for she said was going to call Susan & try to get out of it.
I like being Ronna's friend, & I told her that when she gets back to the city, we should get together one day. I felt so good after our conversation.
Dad called Aunt Sydelle last evening (he's been putting it off because he dreaded it so) & there was bad news: the doctors aren't sure Uncle Monty will get out of the hospital this time. They've been trying to treat the pneumonia, but he's been running a high fever for 10 days & he's just deteriorating. Monty knows the nature of his illness, but still he harbors hope for a recovery - that's human nature. But his nephew the doctor told Sydelle that nothing can be done except to make him as comfortable as possible. At least he's not in much pain.
I ran into Mark & his family this afternoon: all 3 and 1/2 of them, for Consuelo looked slightly bigger & she informed me that Miguel will have a brother or sister next January. Mark has been laid off for 7 months & hasn't been able to find a job, so he figured he might as well return to Brooklyn College & get his B.A. finally; he'll be taking a couple of evening courses in the fall.
It's so strange how things work out in time. Mark told Miguel, "This is Richie, but not the Richie you're used to." He meant Richie C, of course. There was some news: Shelli's parents have moved; & Don is in San Francisco, where he passed the California bar exam; & Mark & Consuelo have become friendly with Ken & his wife. Consuelo is hoping to get a job as a Bilingual teacher soon, & they both look well. It was good to see them & I hope to keep in touch with them.
I saw Melvin & Mavis on the quadrangle grass, & also Harry & his wife & Elayne were around, & so were Deans McGee & Jones. So summer is over and another school year at BC - my sixth - is beginning.
Wednesday, August 26, 1970
A bright-hot Women's Liberation Day. I went to City Hall & there were over 1,000 people for a rally before the march. I posed as a press photographer & took photos of Betty Friedan, Ellie Guggenheimer & Bella Abzug. Miss Friedan, a leader in Women's Lib, talked to dozens of reporters. The press had a field day.
Their demands are reasonable - day-care centers, ending job discrimination, free abortions - but some of the far-out girls turn me off. The "male chauvinists" in the crowd seemed to be more amused than outraged. I like girls to be feminine, but perhaps because of my own hangups I view them first as people, only second as women.
Dad took the day off, & he & Mom went to Kings Plaza, which is going great guns & should be ready to open soon. Gisele came in to do the housework for today. The Bernsteins came over this afternoon & asked me to get a jacket their son left at the Feingolds' house. Mrs. F said she was against today's "nonsense" & so were Mom & Mrs. B.
Uncle Marty went with his friend Pogo Joe Caldwell to a basketball clinic upstate, & Dad's quite annoyed with him for taking so many days off. He's not even attending to his own Slack Bar business, & Grandpa Herb has to work every day since Marty's on vacation. Ben came over tonight while the family was out to bring a $2000 check to Dad.
Gary's mother called & said I could come with them to the airport Saturday night. George Cincotta's running for boro president - he's a sad little man. We called Las Vegas - Dr. H is having complications & won't be able to leave the hospital as soon as planned.
Their demands are reasonable - day-care centers, ending job discrimination, free abortions - but some of the far-out girls turn me off. The "male chauvinists" in the crowd seemed to be more amused than outraged. I like girls to be feminine, but perhaps because of my own hangups I view them first as people, only second as women.
Dad took the day off, & he & Mom went to Kings Plaza, which is going great guns & should be ready to open soon. Gisele came in to do the housework for today. The Bernsteins came over this afternoon & asked me to get a jacket their son left at the Feingolds' house. Mrs. F said she was against today's "nonsense" & so were Mom & Mrs. B.
Uncle Marty went with his friend Pogo Joe Caldwell to a basketball clinic upstate, & Dad's quite annoyed with him for taking so many days off. He's not even attending to his own Slack Bar business, & Grandpa Herb has to work every day since Marty's on vacation. Ben came over tonight while the family was out to bring a $2000 check to Dad.
Gary's mother called & said I could come with them to the airport Saturday night. George Cincotta's running for boro president - he's a sad little man. We called Las Vegas - Dr. H is having complications & won't be able to leave the hospital as soon as planned.
Friday, August 25, 1972
I didn't get to sleep until very early in the morning. I was thinking about things - Allan's moving to Fla. is bound to change things at school. Leon is gone, & so are Charles & Elayne, & Gary will leave shortly. And then, so will I - no more LaGuardia lobby to hang around in. Well, that’s life.
I like Skip, but I don't think he likes me very much altho he's nice to me. But it was okay just to sit in his funny, dirty ap't with those cats, playing scrabble with him & Allan, who had been to the Kinks concert with Fat Ronnie, who’s a good friend of Ray Davies. Allan said he'd bumped into Elspeth there & couldn't get over how well she'd looked: "pretty," Allan said.
I awoke much too late to catch my class - I got on campus at noon & met Vito & Nina, who had just come from OTB to bet on some horse race. Vito & I drove over to Veronica's house in Sunset Park, as he had need of one of her stories to use in a speech to entertain. Driving over, Vito told me that this morning he was in his grandmother's house & a good-looking young man came to deliver slipcovers. They talked & the slipcover man kissed Vito.
Veronica's parents were so nice: her father shook my hand & then said to his wife, "Handsome boy, that Richie." (I later learned he does that with everyone.) We got rid of Veronica's twin sister & her boyfriend Junior, who were just getting out of bed - together, apparently - & then Veronica & Vito & I sat around the kitchen talking. Her stories are kind of Donald Barthelme-ish, weird but very cute. Veronica's a very clever person, one of those people who have absolutely no interest in sex or material possessions.
We left, & after I dropped Vito off on Coney Island Ave., I came home to find, incredibly, that the pool had collapsed. What a fucking mess.
I got a letter from Vogue Magazine - Elihu's handwriting - & one from Avis. She wrote, "I love you very much, I miss you very much...I'm looking forward to our long talks over Coke & French fries at Campus Corner." She asks if I could pick her & Libby up at Port Authority on Monday. Of course I'll do it. Avis said that even if I want to get involved with Stacy, she'll still be my friend. What a good friend Avis is. Those words - "I love you very much" - meant more to me than any words I've received in a letter in years. I love you too, Avis.
I like Skip, but I don't think he likes me very much altho he's nice to me. But it was okay just to sit in his funny, dirty ap't with those cats, playing scrabble with him & Allan, who had been to the Kinks concert with Fat Ronnie, who’s a good friend of Ray Davies. Allan said he'd bumped into Elspeth there & couldn't get over how well she'd looked: "pretty," Allan said.
I awoke much too late to catch my class - I got on campus at noon & met Vito & Nina, who had just come from OTB to bet on some horse race. Vito & I drove over to Veronica's house in Sunset Park, as he had need of one of her stories to use in a speech to entertain. Driving over, Vito told me that this morning he was in his grandmother's house & a good-looking young man came to deliver slipcovers. They talked & the slipcover man kissed Vito.
Veronica's parents were so nice: her father shook my hand & then said to his wife, "Handsome boy, that Richie." (I later learned he does that with everyone.) We got rid of Veronica's twin sister & her boyfriend Junior, who were just getting out of bed - together, apparently - & then Veronica & Vito & I sat around the kitchen talking. Her stories are kind of Donald Barthelme-ish, weird but very cute. Veronica's a very clever person, one of those people who have absolutely no interest in sex or material possessions.
We left, & after I dropped Vito off on Coney Island Ave., I came home to find, incredibly, that the pool had collapsed. What a fucking mess.
I got a letter from Vogue Magazine - Elihu's handwriting - & one from Avis. She wrote, "I love you very much, I miss you very much...I'm looking forward to our long talks over Coke & French fries at Campus Corner." She asks if I could pick her & Libby up at Port Authority on Monday. Of course I'll do it. Avis said that even if I want to get involved with Stacy, she'll still be my friend. What a good friend Avis is. Those words - "I love you very much" - meant more to me than any words I've received in a letter in years. I love you too, Avis.
Sunday, August 24, 1969
The night was not so terrible after all. I had a dream that Tony, the guy down the block, was having an asthma attack on Ave. T. Naturally I saved the day. I spoke to Grandma Sylvia this morning, & everything seems fine.
Uncle Marty & Aunt Arlyne & the kids came over, along with Grandma Ethel & Grandpa Herb. Wendy looks very good but fat.
I got a call from Brad this afternoon. He called me a half-hour after he'd arrived home. He volunteered for first aid during hurricane Camille in Mississippi. He's leaving for Boston Tuesday for a friend's beachhouse & wants me to make some "wild, wacky plans" for next week. I think I've fallen in love with him, at least as much as I can fall in love with anybody.
I also called Gene, who is back from camp - he had a good time there. Maybe we'll get together sometime towards the middle of the week. Gary called too.
From Baldwin's "Another Country": "The trouble with a secret life is that it's very frequently a secret from the person who lives it & not at all for the people he encounters."
Uncle Marty & Aunt Arlyne & the kids came over, along with Grandma Ethel & Grandpa Herb. Wendy looks very good but fat.
I got a call from Brad this afternoon. He called me a half-hour after he'd arrived home. He volunteered for first aid during hurricane Camille in Mississippi. He's leaving for Boston Tuesday for a friend's beachhouse & wants me to make some "wild, wacky plans" for next week. I think I've fallen in love with him, at least as much as I can fall in love with anybody.
I also called Gene, who is back from camp - he had a good time there. Maybe we'll get together sometime towards the middle of the week. Gary called too.
From Baldwin's "Another Country": "The trouble with a secret life is that it's very frequently a secret from the person who lives it & not at all for the people he encounters."
Thursday, August 23, 1973
10 PM. Ronna's in the shower & I'm lying on top of our double bed in our hotel room in Washington, D.C. I'm really thrilled: today was a long day but very rewarding. I woke up early, did my last-minute chores & then went to Ronna's house to pick her up. I was nervous about driving down the whole way, but I never had a bad panicky anxiety attack. We stopped after about 2 hours of driving - it was about noon - at a Howard Johnson's on the Jersey side of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Ronna was so good to be with on the drive down: she amused me & kept my mind occupied.
We drove thru Delaware & Maryland - I got a bit tired after we passed Baltimore, so we stopped again & I had a coke & Ronna finished reading the letters she got from Felicia & Susan. We were in Washington by 3 PM, but it took us a long time to find the Gralyn Hotel, where we had reservations (as Mr. & Mrs. Grayson) - Washington traffic is confusing, but we finally got to it.
The hotel's near DuPont Circle (I'd read about it in Washington on $10 a Day), on an old-fashioned street. It's a small, cheap place but it's quite pleasant; it was once the Persian Embassy & you can still imagine the luxuriousness of its past. The young man who owns it or whatever (there's an old lady at the desk) took our bags to our room, which is simple. We even got a private bath at no extra cost. We rested for awhile. I think Ronna's a little worried because we've never shared a bed before, but I told her, "I didn't come to D.C. just to get laid."
We went out for dinner at the Hot Shoppes Cafeteria on Connecticut Avenue, where I had Thanksgiving dinner with my family two years ago. Then we drove over to Arlington & saw the Iwo Jima statue. From there we went to the Jefferson Memorial. It's always been my favorite spot in the city, & Ronna is a Thomas Jefferson freak (they share the same birthday). That statue of him, the simple beauty of the monument, the fantastic view of the city all get to me.
The US Naval Band was to give a concert & people sat on the steps. Ronna & I stayed there from sundown to darkness, staring out over Tidal Basin. It was so wonderful - we'd talked about going to Washington 6 months ago & we finally got here. Then we went to see the Lincoln Memorial - that statue is very awesome. I found my way back to the hotel with no difficulty. Cat Stevens was singing "It's a Wild World" on the radio as we passed Embassy Row.
We drove thru Delaware & Maryland - I got a bit tired after we passed Baltimore, so we stopped again & I had a coke & Ronna finished reading the letters she got from Felicia & Susan. We were in Washington by 3 PM, but it took us a long time to find the Gralyn Hotel, where we had reservations (as Mr. & Mrs. Grayson) - Washington traffic is confusing, but we finally got to it.
The hotel's near DuPont Circle (I'd read about it in Washington on $10 a Day), on an old-fashioned street. It's a small, cheap place but it's quite pleasant; it was once the Persian Embassy & you can still imagine the luxuriousness of its past. The young man who owns it or whatever (there's an old lady at the desk) took our bags to our room, which is simple. We even got a private bath at no extra cost. We rested for awhile. I think Ronna's a little worried because we've never shared a bed before, but I told her, "I didn't come to D.C. just to get laid."
We went out for dinner at the Hot Shoppes Cafeteria on Connecticut Avenue, where I had Thanksgiving dinner with my family two years ago. Then we drove over to Arlington & saw the Iwo Jima statue. From there we went to the Jefferson Memorial. It's always been my favorite spot in the city, & Ronna is a Thomas Jefferson freak (they share the same birthday). That statue of him, the simple beauty of the monument, the fantastic view of the city all get to me.
The US Naval Band was to give a concert & people sat on the steps. Ronna & I stayed there from sundown to darkness, staring out over Tidal Basin. It was so wonderful - we'd talked about going to Washington 6 months ago & we finally got here. Then we went to see the Lincoln Memorial - that statue is very awesome. I found my way back to the hotel with no difficulty. Cat Stevens was singing "It's a Wild World" on the radio as we passed Embassy Row.
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