Letter written September 20, 1973 from Andy to Gillian
Dear Jillian (one L? two?)
How do you like my letter so far? Save it-in twenty years it will be worth a lot of money. How's Bishops? Working hard? (I know that your probably working your ass off but I got to put something besides drawings on the paper, haven't I?). I already know a bit about the school from Dave Hampson. Have you seen him yet? Would you recognize him if you did? NEXT QUESTION-What are your rooms like? Even more important-what's your room-mate like?
Sue's fine. Leslie isn't though, she had a cold on Tuesday and hasn't been to school Wednesday and for today. No wonder, too, it's been pretty rainy here. On wet school days Alan (Rhodes that is) retires to the warm, dry comfort of his car with a few people. I just generally bum around, borrowing cigarettes from kindly souls and maybe smoking a little dope. My four hard classes (Functions, Physics, English and, last but Definately not least, French) I have in the first four periods of the morning. I've got two very easy courses in the afternoon, so I hold on till lunch rolls around and relax for the rest of the day. (I do believe this is getting to be the longest God damn letter I've ever written). There's alot of new people in John Rennie, many of them freaks. There's also some very good Afghan going around, and some very shitty yellow sunshine and some so-so purple dome (or mirco-dot, I don't know). Rumour has it that maybe some windowpane (!!) and maybe some clearlight (!!) is coming. Doobie Bros. on the radio. I bet your thrilled. I realize that I'm not saying anything particularly interesting, but what do you expect? Time to draw a picture...[ ]...Now the Band is on the radio (I think). Do you like this guy? [in the drawing] His name is cousin Itt. He used to be in the Addams family on T.V. So you have a Television?
Andy
Dave is into the same trips as last year-very friendly, always meeting new people. Ralph really isn't into anything, except maybe looking for action (which means women, wine and weed). It's really weird-I usually see Alan and Dave and Ralph on the weekends but I don't really hang around with them (excuse, please, the phrase "hang around", I did not realize it looked so stupid on paper) except for maybe good old Ralph, who I see almost every afternoon and night.
Did you know that I'm buying a second-hand stereo for three hundred dollars? Dual turntable, Noresco amp, and 2 15-watt Noresco speakers (I think the amp can take 20-watt speakers). Not really super spectacular but considering my financial situation it's a major investment (took me a while to figure that one out).
Well, there's not much else I can say, except I hope you enjoy your year at Bishops and meet alot of people.
Love, (well, its customary to say that isn't it??)
(it's also much better that 'yours truly' or 'I hope your bunyons on your feet go away')
Andy
Graham Nash on the radio!
On October 8, 1994, Andy gave me a copy of his famous journal which covered the period September 21, 1973 to May 25, 1974. It is a source with a wealth of detail and this journal would not have been complete without it...
In December 1995, Andy asked how much of his journal I had used. When I said all, he was shocked, thinking I would only use it for reference of names and dates. Too many drug references, he thought...