the journals of alan rhodes

October 18 Monday Holiday
I took the acid(23) at 10:00 am [for the first time, on my 15th birthday.] then went to the shops to met Lesley. She took her's there. We walked to St Thomas H. S., we met Judy. Then she went to class, we walked around. Judy came back during her lunch, sat on the hill at back, I was laughing for nothing [and a passing plane was Fairview coming to us. Lesley crawled on hands and knees in front of Judy's class]. Judy got out at 2, we walked to Fairview, I got a little hookah [one picture booth photo survives]. Got the bus home. When I got home the big hookah [I'd ordered] was here [broken].

October 19 Tuesday
Judy was here [J.R.] for about 5 minutes. Math- Christine gave me Oriental poppy seeds. Lunch- went with Brad to the Civic Centre with the hookah.

[from Wikipedia (2006): The station would change its call sign to CHOM-FM (from CKGM-FM) ... on October 19, 1971].

A little late, but Happy B.day anyway! How are you?...My darling elderly boyfriend? I just wrote to Liz and told her that I better not come down while I'm still 13 or you'll act as if I'm a grandchild. Did you think I was awfully stupid for thinking you were going with Leslie Asshole? Probably, huh? I'm sorry!! I'm so glad you still love me! I sure love you. I wish I could come down but things keep happening that stop me from coming! What have you been up to? If you're like me you've done absolutely nothing. I've lived here, in a Nova Scotia dream town for 11 months. What a rip-off. I hate Toronto. So I take it that Laine is up here now, huh? No wonder the pollution count went up on Saturday. If he visits me I'll probably manage to forget how horrible he is just to talk to someone from the great place! Not Nova Scotia, you fool, Pointe Claire! How are things in the group? Am I still in? I mean its not my fault that I can't pop down every 5 minutes. I would if I could, believe me! As you will notice I haven't put a group picture in this letter because I don't know if I have to right to involve myself! Oh well! I've got to go to bed now so good night, please phone & please write. I miss you horribly. Melody, Judy & Danny & a whole bunch of delirious Torontonians wish you a happy birthday too. So do Mary-Lou & Carol-Ann Bellefontaine. I love you!

October 21 Thursday
Gym(spare)- went to the shops, saw Don working. History- Lesley and Brenda were outside in the hall and I went out to talk to them. Lunch- went outside then to the library to do English homework. A girl in the caf dumped water in a lemonade carton on me. English- I duked it (first time this year). Lesley, Sandi and I went to the fountain. nite- met Don at the shops, went upstairs to the locker room at Steinberg's. Went to Lesley's. Mike came, waited outside for Lesley. Went to the Mapes, Judy and Sandi were there. Got 5 dexs (50 ¢). Went to Stuart Hall library(24). (P.S.- Mike's 'Flying Piano' started) [which was just what it sounds like, a flying piano that dive bombed. "da da da da Da Da DA DA DA DA Da Da"] took one dex on the way to the library. Got hands copied on the copying machine. Went to the coffee shop and talked. Went outside, talked about Don, Lesley, Judy and I running away from home [which scared me, my home life wasn't that bad]. Went back to Lesley's house, Judy and Sandi went home. In Lesley's house a few minutes, then Don and I went to the end of Lesley's street near the 2&20 and he talked about detention homes [and other criminal activities]. Cut through someone's backyard on the way home. [something I would done once and awhile, go home completely though other people's yards]

23. Drugs and this journal. Their use, good or bad, were an integral part of our lives. Each drug coloured the events, and a full understanding of those events can't be obtained without them. I don't for a minute though suggest that you partake (drug use is a very personal choice..also these journals are not that important), but the use of certain drugs may explain the character of that entry....

24. Stuart Hall was a former mansion donated to the city as a library. It stood on land next to the lake, on Lakeshore Road a bit east of St John's.