Dec 08 - Took a day off and drew a picture

Friday, December 8, 1972 - Page 343
LOCATION: Newport Beach

December 1972

(6:00 PM 12/9/1972)
I got up at 11:00 A.M. and called Mike for the day off. Bought tooth paste, T.V. dinners and, for my libido, bought Playboy, Oui, & Penthouse. Washed dishes. Didn't do much at all. Got to page 85 in the book. There are still ants around, but they're just homeless isolated critters who I mercifully dispatch. Chunk called about 10:00 wanting to play chess cause he din't have anything to do. Mom drove me there, and we played 4 games, and I lost 3, again. I left at 11:30 and got home by 12:30 ---

Above is just a little artistic portrait I made today: 12-9-72.

TOMORROW: Decided I am a psychological mess

Aug 15 - Four-part Soviet series, War & Peace

Tuesday, August 15, 1972 - Page 228
LOCATION: Chicago

9:15 PM
Marcus came over today too, and he's here now -- boy! this is a neat pen. I've never used it before, it's one of Ken's. It's just a bic, but it skids along nicely -----. Anyway, I got up at 10:00 A.M. as usual. Proceeded to work on Marcus and finished him at 7:30. I took a nap for a coupla hours and had to wake up for dinner. Saw the last part of War & Peace. It vus goot! Ken's working from 9 to 4 tomorrow.

Original theatrical poster for War and Peace,
a Soviet film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's novel
released in four parts during 1966 & 1967

Boy, today didn't take up much space did it? Wait a second... yeah, I checked and this is the shortest installment I've made since I've been here in Chicagoland. I don't know why, I've had duller days than this, I'm sure, yet this day, August 15, 1972 -- the day before I am to leave -- happens to be the day which gets the least written about it. Oh, by the way, I read another story in my old anthology -- by Robert Silverberg, "Ishmael In Love." About a love-struck dolphin. Poor devil. Was a good story.

There was a dolphin in the Shedd Aquarium that I was observing closely. Are they sentient? No indication that they aren't. If they are, how long before we recognize the fact and make intelligent contact? Well, I've about run out of stuff to say. This isn't the shortest installment after all. I might say something profoundly clever right now but I won't bother. Count your blessings. Finis. ---

DVD Cover released in 2005

A 20-part BBC TV series of War and Peace ran from September 30, 1972 until February 8, 1973. It starred Anthony Hopkins as the conflicted character, Pierre Bezukhov.

TOMORROW: The bus journey begins

Aug 01 - Being an artist

Tuesday, August 1, 1972 - Page 214
LOCATION: Chicago

7:00 PM
Didn't do much today, but draw. I did the lettering for "Phredee" and figured out more of the dimensions for the poster. Got a photo of Ken with his guitar. Ken & I went out to get the clothes from the cleaners, and put in my film (and Ken bought some Polaroid film & flash bulbs) -- also got poster board for the poster, and gum. It rained some today, but it stayed warm -- in the 80°s. I am now drawing Sooz's picture from one of the proofs. Met Vicki, Sue's girl friend, today.

Title screenshot of TV show
"James Garner as Nichols"

Everybody saw my drawing of Sue, and everyone was impressed. I went down to watch "Nichols." Mark & Larry came over and Ken & Sue & them stayed upstairs. So I moved my operations downstairs.

Marcus, Sue, Larry

[Side note pointing to photo] This is what they were doing upstairs -- just foolin' around. Ken caught them with the Polaroid. It shows Marcus Wunluck, Soozwol Latka and Larry.

TOMORROW: Tic tac toe

Jul 08 - Chess, Football & Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Saturday, July 8, 1972 - Page 190
LOCATION: Bethlehem, South Dakota

(4:00 PM 7/9/1972)
I woke up today at about 10:00 A.M. when Tom Shearing came in. They found me in the retreat house at 8:00, when they saw I wasn't in Abbott's. Before getting to work, I played a game of chess with Mike Mills and beat him. We worked on the walks leading from the reception center --- (TEMPORARILY STOPPED) It is now July 9, 4:30 -- to continue with last entry -- Mike and I layed about 30 feet of side walk, with Greg, Jeff, and Tom mixing, and Jim & Pearce making the forms. Tom H., Bruce, John & Clint worked at the Sheckle's again -- they'll be gone till Monday or Tuesday, so they won't work there again for awhile.

Mike & Greg mixing cement

I want to get this over quickly, so I'll go as fast as I can -- Six nuns came Saturday, so did Penny, whom I met in January. I played her a game of chess after supper (won of course). I tried to find Bruce so we could give her the psych test -- I found him in the Abbott's Cabin playing chess with Greg -- he lost several games, and things deteriorated into a philosophical/theological discussion that persisted till 11:30 P.M. (that's a period of several hours).

I gave Tom Shearing my drawing of the girl on page 153 [6/1/72],* so she's not there anymore [Side note: * See page 153 for info on that. (June 1)] -- he appreciates art so I let him have it for free tho he offered to pay. --- We played football today: Me & Bruce against Greg, Mike & John -- when Jim joined our team, we won, 21 to 7. Rah! --- Jonathan Livingston Seagull has made its appearance. I'm "in" cause I've read it.

Wikipedia: Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach, is a fable regarding a nice-guy seagull learning about life & flight, and a homily about self-perfection. First published in 1970, over a million copies were in print by the end of 1972, Reader's Digest had published a condensed version, and the book reached the top of the New York Times Best Seller list where it remained for 38 weeks.

TOMORROW: Geri from Europe Trip Arrives

Mar 10 - A visit to Harbor High*

Friday, March 10, 1972 - Page 70
LOCATION: Newport Beach, California

11:30 PM
I gottup today at 11:30 A.M., and got the mail, then quickly left for school to catch Miz Lyons. She was, however, indisposed and she suggested I discuss my career with her Monday. I did manage to give her an addition to her Lyda Archive and Wall Poster Collection (My rendering of a "2001" moonscape). I also asked about any useful information she may possess concerning possible markets. She mentioned some sources of information on the subject, and said she might ask Ray (Bradbury, that is), though he usually doesn't concern himself with such details since he has two agents to take care of all that.

Masses of students at Harbor High
The Galleon 1972

I joined the gang on the lawn. Meg was there, but I hardly noticed her -- likewise on her part. Read Shawna's latest endeavors -- irritated Mary's sense of well-being due to the fact that I had clearly stated I would no longer appear. I assured her that I was not there, and that she had a very lively imagination to suppose that I was -- warped that it is (her imagination, that is). She finally accepted my non-existence, and Timothy read my story that had been inspired by his story. He appreciated the Germanic allusions. After lunch, Tim went to the Beacon room to draw them a cartoon, and Fish came along, having no class to attend. I fooled around in there 'till the period ended, then left.