​May 12 Friday

Diane and I were at the point where my locker hall meets the 202 hall, and Chris came and said "Have any luck?" (in finding hash)- said no. Gym(spare)- went to the Civic Center rink with Dave, Ralph and Andy, then outside, up on the roof of the rink. History- Diane came to the door at the beginning, went running to talk to her (with ideas of joyous sex). Lunch- bought a nickel of hash, met Christine in the aud, then Dave and Lesley came. Got thrown out by [Principal] Jared. We went to the Civic Center under the trees, Andy came. Then Christine, Andy and I went to the old place in the aud. Art- same as yesterday. except Christine and I went to the library. Sat with [Derek] Piper, Reid and Colman. English- I got out early after a test, went out to the front parking lot, could see Chris in his French room. Science- Chris said: he was playing lacrosse after school and I should stay and watch. After class just as I was going down the caf steps Chris came to me and asked if it was ok if his brother came to the Pits (we aren't going, Fuck!!!!), he walked with me almost to my bus. As the buses were leaving I saw him standing with a girl by the Pierrefonds buses, we waved at each other. Gillian came over, met her on the Path. We walked towards St John's and met Lesley, Dave and Diane [I believe Dave and Diane had done LSD, possibly Lesley also] across from the [United] church [on Lakeview]. We went to the Pits !!! [I guess we'd changed our minds] On the way we got scared because Diane had 4 [hits] of acid, Dave 1/2 and I had 4 splifs, so we hid them under a branch on the hill on Maywood near the Civic Center. Lesley and Gillian went to the Civic Center to phone, so the rest of us went to go to the falls. Half way there Chris T joined us, went to the falls. Chris started a fire, Gillian and Lesley came back. Abit later Chris and I wanted to smoke so he and I went off to get 2 splifs, met Ralph, Danielle and Andy as we were leaving to get them. They were mad because they had to go to my house, then Gillian's, then to the Pits to find us. Chris and I got the splifs, Chris smoked them on the way back [at one point lying on his back in the grass], I had a couple of tokes. Went back, then Chris, Andy, Ralph, Gillian and I went just up the hill from the falls and smoked up (I got stoned) [we thought the traffic lights at St John's were the police], then we left. On the way out Chris told me he liked Gillian. Lesley, Diane, Dave and Andy went to get the stuff so Gillian, Danielle, Ralph and I went to Ralph's about 10 (Chris had to go home), sat in his room. The rest came, sat and talked. Got home at 11:15. [both Ralph and I took photos this night; I at the Pits and Ralph at his place]. (55)

 

From a notebook of Ralph's

 

12/5/72

 

Dear Ralph-

It's about the pen (pint size) and the evening that is coming to an end. If this refreshes your memory in 10 years, of this evening, I pity you.

Love

+

Peace

Gillian

Simons

(the tall one)

 

12/5/72

 

I fully agree with Gillian - Dave Essiambre whoopie

 

Same date as before-

ZAPATA LIVES!

Andy McLelland-

Free-lance subversive radical

[undated, but clearly 12/5/72] {Ralph's note]

 

Diane Bouchard

 

May 12/72

 

Hai Ralph!

How are you? Oh Fine!

What did you do last night? (Heh Heh Heh)

By the way, What did you do last night? eh?

Remember!

1. the community center (ick)

2. the pits, sunshine?

Me? Bai! Be good,

Lesley Astle

 

 

 

55. When I met Dave again in 1996, I asked him which of the years of this era was his favorite, and he answered "1972". In one way or another, I think the people who were there would agree that this year was a high point, and this night was in many ways the beginning.

 

Nineteen seventy two had a feeling all its own, which I have tried to capture on these pages. I am not sure I have succeeded.

 

Dave, Gillian, Alan and Chris

Ralph, Chris, Andy and Danielle

Lesley, Alan and Gillian