Aug 13 - A fun-filled family dinner party***

Sunday, August 13, 1972 - Page 226
LOCATION: Chicago

Mark, Sue, Grady and Peggy with family pet, Brandy

(1:30 PM 8/15/1972)
I finished drawing Peggy from her proof, and started Marcus. (Sue had to give me back the pictures of her that she stole from me before I started -- there were three of them, and I had to fight her for them). Anyway, I started him but didn't get too far. Mrs. Latka (her relations call her "Stevie" for Stephanie) made a turkey so we had Aunt Helen, Uncle Al and Marcus over for dinner. It was fun -- they took polaroid pictures and I did strange things (like setting a wine glass on Sue's head while the picture was taken, and letting Brandy lick the wine bottle as the camera clicked -- that's it on this page). Peggy suggested I should save the wine label -- so here it is. It was the same brand they bought in Italy.

Photo of Mark, Sue with Brandy, and Grady

Photo (back) with notes by Sue

Peggy called Clark in Maryland -- he was supposed to be here today and she was mad. He was going to fly in his private plane. He had a good excuse -- he's been in the hospital for the past three days. I was planning to leave Monday, but I reconsidered because Stevie would miss one installment of "War & Peace," which is being broadcast in four parts. The first was Saturday, the second was Sunday, the third was Mon, and the fourth is tonight (Tues) -- so I'll be leaving Wednesday, the 16th.

Mark, Ken, wine & Grady

TOMORROW: Tornado warning

May 23 - The quick brown fox

Tuesday, May 23, 1972 - Page 144
LOCATION: Newport Beach, California

(3:30 PM 5/24/1972)
I went out paddling, sunning my bod for two or three hours. Tide got up extremely high so I checked out a few inlets, exploring tentatively. Got back atta bout 5:30. Mom and I made a turkey, after playing 4 games of Chess (she won three games). I think I'll make me a sandwich.

Boy, this is sloppy. I'm writing pretty fast -- you may think this is sloppy as I get, but I don't think so. I'm gonna try an experiment -- I'm gonna write as fast as I can, and see how messy I get. On my mark; get set; go --
(This results in a big illegible scrawl)
rats -- I just can't hold a thought. Lemme try that again:
The quick brown fox leaped
over the lazy dog's bark
one more time --
The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog's back.
wow -- that really takes concentration, to write that fast. Okay! You try it! if you don't believe me. ----

[Historical note from 2013: I used a variation of the phrase "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" which has been utilized as a writing exercise since 1885 because it employs all the letters of the alphabet. You can see the interesting Wikipedia facts here: The quick brown fox ]

Apr 03 - My new Polaroid Square Shooter 2

Monday, April 3, 1972 - Page 94
LOCATION: Newport Beach, California

11:37:20 PM
Last night mom needed a big roasting pan to cook a turkey, so I drove to Chunk's to get it from Winnie. I got to sleep at around 1:30 A.M. and got up at 11:00 A.M. Mom came with the car at noon, I took it and drove to Mariner's to withdraw $90. Then went to Centinella to deposit 55 for mom's account. Took the remainder to Penny's and gave them the old swinger and bought the Polaroid Square Shooter 2 at $14.88 -- their price was 19.88, and the suggested list price is $24.95. Bought two packs of film at 2.99 each -- total came to $21.90. So I had $17.00 left (including about $4 of my own money), and I gave mom $5 before she went to bridge t'night. I'd put in the turkey at 1:30, finished at quarter to 6. Ate some of it.

Mom left, and I watched the tube (R&M's Laughin, Monday Night movie: A Howling in the Woods) during which I did the dishes and poured about ten pans full of boiling water down the bathroom sink -- it unclogged it I think. My bedroom's a real unorganized mess -- I've gotta organize the mess some time. I've been doing about 15 pull ups and 50 pushups every day (at least) for the past month or so. I'm going to start following the routine a little more faithfully from now on.

"In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back."

11:48:07 P.M. -- Fini