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Letter
written July 1, 1972 from Ralph in New York City
Dear
Alan, Gillian, Abby, Andy, Chris, Dave, Sue etc etc.
Here we are in New York, that wonderous cultural center of
the U.S. You should see the great Artistic
and
theatrical masterpieces which are located here. For example
"Live Burlesk", "Peep Show $2 a seat", "Hottest
Ball ever seen on a Screen", "This movie too hot for
Sweden", "Erotica", "Talking 16mm movies
for Adults over 21". About 2 blocks down from our motel
on 42nd there are no less than 8 peep shows + porno shops in
a row. (I just wish I was 21. Just kidding).
We leave New York (Thank God!) tomorrow at 3:00 pm.
Ralph
P.S.
I didn't really feel like writing which may account for the
length + content of the letter.
July
2 Sunday
Chris
and I went for a walk, met Sue (on a horse) and Diane, Sue
rode back to the farm and Diane, Chris and I walked back.
Barbara Westwater, a girl Candy and a two year old were there,
sat in the kitchen and talked. I spent some time up in the
room and about 3 Chris came up and we played cards. We went
downstairs and no one was home, watched TV. They came back,
except for Barb, Candy, the kid and Ross who left. About 5-6?
Chris and I went outside and took turns taking pictures of
each other [using Chris's camera], a guy and a girl came. Ate dinner while watching TV, watched
'Room 222' and 'Mod Squad'. About 9:30? the girl and guy left.
About 11 to 11:30 Sue and Paul were having a play fight, Sue
attacked Paul, then Paul carried Sue around. At 11:50 Chris
and I went to bed, played cards till 12:30.
July
3 Monday
Chris
and I still played cards till 12:30, then turned off the lights.
At 1:30 we decided not to go to sleep, so we talked in the
dark. We talked [about sex]
until 4, then we went to sleep. At about 11:20 we woke up
and I tried to take a picture of Chris but he hid behind a
pillow (I took it). At 12:30 Tommy drove Chris and I to Chris's,
Paul in the car too. Met Chris's brother Dave, 17. He, Chris
and I went in the shed and tried to get a model airplane to
work [and Dave ignited the spray
from an aerosol can]. Had lunch at 3:30, then Chris
and I sat in the Volkswagen. He took pictures. We helped Chris's
old lady do the dishes. At 6 she drove Chris and I back to
my place in Pointe Claire. Chris took more pictures. I read
out bits of my journals (do you believe that?). At 9:30 Don
came over and at 10:15 they both left.
July
4 Tuesday
Met
Chris on St John's near the church near school at 1:35
[12:35?], we walked to Fairview. Met Dave under
the clock at 1, looked in Pascal's at records and posters.
Took pictures, spent $2 on them [4
for a quarter]. Chris
gave me the ones he took. Sat on the grass by the TransCanada
for a few minutes. Got the bus at 5. nite- LESLEY phoned at
6:35, we talked till 7:15, we're friends again. Met her at
the shops at 8:10, hitchhiked and got a ride to the field
near Dave's. We went through the field to Dave's, met Maggie
for a sec. Talked in Dave's basement. Sue, Maggie and 2 guys
came down for about half and hour. The guys left but Maggie
and Sue stayed (they were drunk). Left at 11:20, got a drive
home with Lesley.
July
5 Wednesday
At
1:45 Lesley came over, went to the basement. Talked, at 2:45
Dave came, went up to my room. shot a bit of film, filmed
a bit in the hall upstairs. At 5 Lesley left. Dave and went
to the basement, talked, he stayed while I ate. At 7:10 Chris
came, at 7:40 Lesley and Judy came, Judy had 'Horse Shit Cigarette'
[a brand name, I think she got while on vacation in Mexico].
Filmed most of the night, Judy left at 10:25, Chris at 10:45
and Lesley and Dave at 11. (View film here.
Flash 6 plug-in required)
Fragment
of Dave's letter to Ralph c.July 1972 (never sent)
....at
least now I can do it without much difficulty. It was just
a matter of keeping myself busy.
So how are you guys enjoying your holiday and what have you
been doing to while away the hours?
I
spend most of my time cleaning up the house as well as cutting
our and Mr. Osborne's lawn. Hard work-plus!!! Has Simone or
Nicolette been amoung you yet or are they there now or are
they coming in the future? Whatever, give them my regards
as well as my love.
Excuse my handwriting as I am well out of practice and in
a most uncomfortable position. J'espere que vous pouvez le
lire.
Avez une bonne vacance
Dave
Listen
deSmit, don't think that 1 lousy letter from New York and
on top of that addressed to Alan, will do for the whole summer!
For Christ's sake, write one to me!!!!! (You sure know how
to insult someone. The idea-c/o Alan Rhodes Honestly!)
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