Summer 1972 Reflections on Summer 1968 {I think}
Around a bonfire on the beach on a late summer night is a great place to pnder through your thoughts. Just as the flames blaze in the fire, so do the thuoghts of the past summer blaze in your mind. Yu can think of yuor love that is now lost, and the fire beomes like a crystal ball where you can see a vision of her in the flames. You can think of the exciting times that you and your love have had on the beach, in the ocean, on the amusement rides, and in the dancing and the flames of the fire leap joyously into the warm sea breeze. Or, you can think of the solemn occasions you had together on the strolls along the beach at night, on the wlks around the campgrounds of Lakewood, and at the beach club dancing to the soft music; and the flames of the fire burn quietly. And the fire is full of the laughter at all the funny things that happened during the summer. And just as the summer ended, so does the fire come to its end and your love is lost in the coals that are cold.
Tue Jun 30 1998, 1 of 2
After the lease on the 422 Amsterdam apartment was up in the Spring of 1972, Chuck and I moved to a beach house in OceanView on Chesterpeake Bay up near the tunnels. Man, it was a long drive back and forth to NAS Oceana. Ken moved into a house with some guys he knew. Bob found somewhere to live.
The beach house was a one room place, Chuck got the bedroom, I slept in the living room. The place had one of them old fashion baths that stood on legs, no shower, had to buy one of them handheld shower things.
Anyway, we stayed there for a year or six months, I dont remember. Chuck meet his future wife back when we were at the other place. They dated and all, one of them long distance relationships, she lived in Kentucky. They got married and found there own place back down in Virginia Beach.
Me, I started moving from place to place, finding someone to take me in whereever I could. Stayed with Frank in the trailer he rented, he had a motorcycle and was one of them long hair, for a sailor, rebelious types. We, Frank, Ken and I made a trip to my home once in my van about this time during 1973. Chuck, Ken and I had done a trip also back home the year before.
Stayed with Sam and ??????, geesh forgot his name and he owned the house we lived in, or least he was making payments on it. Sam and I became good friends too, he got me into the Stock Market dealing, that was cool.
Somewhere along the way, late 1973, that group broke up when Sam and ?????? left for a Med Cruise I guess. No, that doesn't feel right. ?????? had been staying with a group at a house in Virginia beach and got out. I took his place there, it was on a lake side in that city.
Anyway, that's where these Journal entries started again, for a short time.
Jan 2, 1974
drove from home back to VA, Christmas and New Years past again, back to struggle for my sanity. Cheated out of $160 along with $30 bounced check, have they (P, M, B) also made off with more of my stuff? No heat in the house. called home to let them know I arrived ok. sat for a few minutes trying to decide what to do. started to make bed but decide to drive to Ken's, he is home so I move in for the night.
Jan 3, 1974
get of early, checked into SandPiper motel, moved stuff from house. told mike about check, spend rest of the day rearranging packing, watched TV, had phone terminated, worried about how much phone bill will be.
Jan 4, 1974
drove up to Joel and Jackie's, spent weekend sitting around with TV and played games.
Jan 6 - 10, 1974
drove back Monday, spent week eating less, breakfast at Dennis's, bread in the evening, finished candy. sat in Van during evening, sitting in motel room and watching TV working on physics problems, prose, etc..
mental anguish over loss of money, worry about if I will be hit again, smoking a pack a day now.
drove up to J & J again, talk times, play games & watch TV.
during the week more of the same. decide to stay here for the weekend. Breakfast - TV - bread - TV - cigarettes - TV - physics study.
Jan 21 - 25, 1974
same as the week before. Somtimes a hamburger & fries in the evening after work.
Jan 25, 1974 Friday
got up about 9:30, shaved and showered, dressed in red stripped shirt and HIS jeans, drove down to Dennis's and had breadfast, sausage and eggs. Read Washington Post, drank coffee, smoked sigarette. drove back to SandPiper motel. brief stress of anguish and anger. drove to old place and check closet, not there. drove back to motel. went into recessed analysis. Did Pat, Mike, Bob take coats? did motel maid? did I miss place it?
thougth about going to Chaplin to see priest. I havent got the stomach to press for the money or coats.
pray for strength to bear my troubles, 'forgive us of our debts & trespassing as we forgive our debtors and those who trust pass agaiinst us.'
I didn't wear the suit coat and pants much, but they were my graduation present and I wore them to the party afterwards.
losses so far: $20 bill, $60 phone bill (Frank), $183 phone bill805 Artie + $35 unclaimed calls; Handbook of Chemistry and Phsics (Science Fair); suit coat and pants; P-Coat.
Jan 31, 1974 Thursday
I've noticed recently that my ideas are being verified on television. my plans for a home for the unwanted, troubled and mislead kids was also thought of by an excon for addicts rehabit center known as Delaney Street, SF Cal.
I could not understand why car sales kept increasing, it was as if the public was being brained washed into thinking a new car wa necessary and a big care was also necessary.
Dad and I both agreed a year, two or three ago, that a time would come when the public would let it be known that they were not satisfied with their representatin in Congress. That twenty, thirty even forty years on the hill is much too long for one person to be there. perhaps this year and also in 1976 they will be a massive turn over of persons on the hill by the elections. the public will let it be know that now is the time for younger more public minded representation.
the end of big business influence will come about this year. the big business will finally realize that the public can no longer be so easily seperated from his money. they will become more responsive to the better needs for the public and overall betterment of society as a whole.
Congress will act more swiftly on legislation, benefical to the majority and not drag out over long years to get reform. They will not act on an issue soly becasue of its name, such as bussing, civil rights, law & order, but instead consider the issue in logically way, a sound decision by logical deduction from sound ethical & moral social structure.
The Judicuary & Court segments needs a major overhaul.
The oil monoply countries will learn that they do not have a monoply. the energy consumers will improve their product and finnd mroe economical sources. The oil companys will discover that they have priced themselves out of business. the public will not buy their products. the public in general will aslo become more self sufficeint.
Congress will not be lobbied by special interest. When they find that thier jobs are in jepardy they will become more concerned for their voters welfare. Instead of looking after the gas station owners and trucker, they will look after the consumer.
Feb 9, 1974 Saturday
This past week, on Monday I checked out of NAS AMD, ran around personnel, Medi Dat AMD and the same for checking in 101F. Also met Ken while he was checking in also. FRAMP is like the same when three years ago.
Sat around the room on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Ken, I and someone else went to Fire Fighting Wed - Thu - Fri. That was interesting but getting up at 5:30 is not so cool. Put out tank faires, helo - aircraft, hanger bay. The bus ride over to Norfolk. Got a chance to meet the other half of the Navy, the black shoes, snipes. It was really cold on Fri morning with rain.
Read relativity last night, the general theory - gravity and acceleration are the same.
Feb 14, 1974 Thursday
Checked out of 101 yesterday and transferrd into 84 later today. Got off work early Monday, didnt do much except lay around and sleep and watch TV. Tuesday was the same except had to stay all day. I have had supper at Dennis's this week, spagetti, liver & onions or chicken. Food is getting into my expense account. Lost interest in Relativity, it seems to me that the Field equations were stumbled up on accidentally. The Mick - Mosley experiment hypothesis seems to be wrong.
Sat around listening and talkig with Ken this morning, nothing better to do. He asked about the family Dan, Bob, Karen, Joel, Dad, Mom.
I dont know what to do about living. I am tired of moving, it is getting to be a hassle. Don't want to live on base either. I would like to go home and unload all alot of the pack rat stuff but gas seems to be hard to get. Maybe I should take some leave or something but have to remember Memorial Day leave in May. Key West time off, etc..
Mar 2, 1974 Saturday
pass couple of weeks have been about the same. Both to the drag of working, no different than when i left it. Jay is back for a while only two more weeks i think. we play a little chess and he talks about the cruise. Jay also cam back a 'new man' he picked up on the Christain view and we talk about rapture and the things to come. I've started to read some of the books of the Bible, Revelations, Daniel, and the others. They all say about the same, but I havent got it straight net. Seems like the important thing is Rapture and from the way the interperters talk it goes like this:
1) a country will be established for the Jews (Isreal).
2) a war will come between Isreal & the countries around and Isreal (Jews) will regain the Holy City of Jerusalem.
3) question of order (sequence) Rapture will occur.
4) question of sequence a Jew as the head of a country will come to power and defend a war over Isreal (as protection).
5) then Rapture at the beginning of the war.
6) Jews will be left or anti-christ.
7) the anti-christ will rule for a while then the plagues and martyr happen.
8) then Christ will come and set up his Kingodm before Judgement.
also this past week I have started to dream again. the first one of significance was about a family reunion. it was at someone's house a white wooden house with shurbery. there was a side yard and a back yard and beyond the back yard a grove of trees, pine. and at the edge of the sideyard there was a building a garage or church building with canes and small trees and bushes.
Things to be remember -- 1) another reunion where Rennie sang, 2) the funeral of the man killed by the tractor and his peach packing and the sons dividing the land.
Mar 3, 1974 Sunday
is it wrong to seclude yourself from others? go and spread your beliefs to others, the Bible says and they....
Mar 9, 1974 Saturday
Received word that we will be going to Key West. Started the packing process, should be able to make it with one seabag and handbag. Plannig on leaving Van with Chuck, hope that everything will be all right. Transport to base will be a problem.
Today I fiinally wrote the letter to Pickens Sentinel about King & Queen. I tried to slip the 10 back but never did, this is one of the underling problems.
Mar 15, 1974 Friday
The Key West 'WeekEnd'
Checked out of the motel Wednesday, ended up with quaters an dones. Took van to Chucks and visited a few hours. Got the impression of drug use -- house was in a mess, a don't care sympton, began to wonder if van would be ok, thought about leave it in parking lot or at security. Hang around the Barracks that evening watching TV. Slept without cover or sheets. Got up, carried bag over to Hanger, Truck came by and pick us up, back to Barracks then to Tower. Sat around, drank chocolate. Boarded about 7:15. PR rate looks nice -- flying around all over the place. Looked out the window -- saw Cape Hatteras, ocean, flew in north of Mimia and everglades then over the gulf. Landed about 9;30. Stood around for a while rode bus over to Hot Pad. Went out to find AMD, not in Hanger. Came back found people already working. Finally got check into BK Ok. I have not meet roommate yet -- {unreadable}. had to much stuff out of locker, buy lock. Not the people in the ? started finding my way around.
Thursday evening ate in Cafe, watch TV played a little pool. Friday worked all day on bench and couple of power supplies. Went over to Hot Pad to deliver list & pick up check. ate lunch at cafe, cashed check.
friday evening caught rie into Key West -- back of pickup. The other came from indinia has motorcycle, no key. Stopped at Shopping Center. Let me off some where around town, had to walk down to water front. Seem like all the hippies and flower kids are here for the winter. Two were panhandling - one was drifting in net they were in the bars & cafes & int the streets & some gathered at the waterfront. I sat looked, watched listen, thougth (thought about meeting Ralph here). wached the sun go down. Listen to the music & songs. watche the swimmers, drifter net & all the others. After it got dark -- started hitching back. Had to walk back past were I got off coming in. The chicks picked me up. Panel Truck. They were from Michigan, been int he Keys 2 days and in Fla 2 weeks. They didn't talk much, rode with them back up to HDay, walk around to T intersection, a pickup with ride. Army from Minnesota rode on in with him. Sat over in Cafe and listen to music.
At least people talk to me down here.
Mar 16, 1974 Saturday
Worked till about 2:30. Hung around Hot Pad some too. Ate and talked with the crowd. watch two of the people play a dice game in the ready room. ate breakfast in the chow hall. Came back to barracks, change into shorts and walked out to Marinea, laid in the sun and tried a few pictures. Rod back to Barracks with Set, talked about Bush and duty. showered and thumbed into town, watch the people.
Walked down the drag to the water front, Mallory Square, and sat around waiting for someone to ask to play chess. Saw a couple of boys in a boat cruise by. One was young, good shape. A few mintues later he was skiing nude - streaking by a lot of the crowd cheered. Theymade another pass and switched places. The crowd cheered again. The sunset was a wash out. Moved over to the stand and sat listen to singers. Started to walk back and meet the two streakers headed for Mallory Square. If you have the body for it - do it in good taste. Walked a long time. First ride was older, talked about Merchant Marine. Ate at IHOPS then caught ride with Air Force radarman. Christain also. played Pool for a while with New Jersey. Have to work on that radar tomorrow.
Mar 17, 1974 Sunday
Worked till about 2:30 again. didnt accomplish much, mostly watched the other play cards, Steve, Lynn, Sandy. Laid out in the sun between the barracks, read some of the magazines, played myself a game of chess
Mar 18, 1974 Monday
Ate breakfast and walked to work. Fixed a couple of power supplys then RT on bench. walked over to Hot Pad, ate lunch, sat around. Monday night washed clothes, spent the evening watching TV.
Mar 19, 1974 Tuesday
The Man gave me ride to Mallory
Bought tennis shoes at SearsTown Caliagry
Meet The Red Van down on the Square tonight. Watched the three drink. Had a colorado myslef. Had to piss so walked over to Resturant - Not open to Public. Walked back to Van sat around. Had several visitors. The Man is really friendly. Walked back to Courtyard and old building, pissed in the corner. Walked cback to watch the sunset. This time the streakers, 4 boys & 3 girls were on a boat (sail boat). Rode with Will and the others down to Lous then on to Airport. picked up two freaks. They were relly flipped about how the three acted. We talked about gitting them food, where they were 'crashing'. Let them out at the T intersection, Drove on to SC. Watched Barbara dance -- she was decent. The happening didnt' seem wrong at all. The other was definitely bad news. Walked back to Intersection and across bridge. Two Christians in Volks picked me up. They talked.
Mar 20, 1974 Wednesday
Rode in to Stuck Island, then rode in jeep with Fesco. Then a ride with a kid with a compsited car. Walked on down to Square. Sat around, people asked for cigarettes. Offer of M the King. played a game with Fred, from canada. He won. It was a good game. Walked up to Lou's talked about chess. Bully - ? - Bob's Secret. He said he would be there tomorrow. Walked pass the 1 mile sign on the way back. A ride to just short of SearsTown. Then to the base with Air Force boys, time for watches, Days to go.
Mar 21, 1974 Thursday
Rode in with Red all the way to Square. Played with him - lost again. Sat in sun shirtless, shoeless, people stopped and looked. play the winner. Red was eveenly matched. The second was a talkative player - I'll move my knight here, I'll take this pawn, guard your Queen. He was really goo. Genius type. The third match was a relly hip freak down from Boston. Been in jail, lottering. Offered cocain on a cigarette. Space dout on way down from Mamai. He gave up the fight - might as well go out in style. we sate and talked after the game. he won by a mistake. Another long walk back. The Man with the ? picked me up a the mile and 1/2 mark. Will stopped by for a short time. Saw him later as they were walking down to Lous.
Mar 22, 1974 Friday
Got the part finally. The bench works now. Spent a lot of time around Hot Pad. A chief asked where I worked, he thought I was not part of VF84. Then Lt Terraras was not impressed. Showered and sat in TV lounge and caught up on log.
Mar 23, 1974 Saturday
Rode in with an old lady to SearsTown. Caught a ride with John and Frined, they were from Mass. and were working on a shrip boat. They were nice and friendly. Talked about going up to VaBeach. Followed one of the train tours - it had tow chicks on the back. 'Hey talk a little louder, we can't hear you.' Stopped and got an icecream. parked down at the Square and walked up road. Hung around a store listen to the Moog Switched On Bach. Saw some old Rolling Stone Mags. Meet Fred while walking down to the Sq. played a game with him, Fred won both games.
Meet the Red Van down on the Sq. Rode around with them the rest of the night. Boss got picked up and Steve also. Went over to the jai to get them out. The Chief showed up -- too soon -- how did they get the word so fast. Sat in a bar and watched the Old Man play pool with a younger shark. Stopped at MacDonalds Bora chicks ont the wayb ack. Rode the rest of the way in with someone else.
Mar 31, 1974 Sunday
Monday evening I spent working. Had to go back to the shopa nd fix a broken wire for Trutt. Then I walked over to the HotPad and helped them with the problem there.
Tuesday I rode into town. About the usual happen. Thumbed back by Eaditor and caught a ride back in a junk car. It made all kinds of noises. I think the three were in the Army. Someone cam by with thier horn going and so the driver took off after them. We raced along for a while then we ran out of gas. Coasted on into the gate parking, got into another car and drove onto the Base {Security did allow him to drive the other car on Base}. Went over to the ex and had a sandwich.
Wednesday I spent at H P watch a game of volley ball and played a game of chess with Don.
Thursday will probably be my last night in town. I had to walk four miles back, no one would stop and pick me up. Ate supper at IHOPs had bacon and eggs and pancakes - -it was a smaller meal.
Friday i worked till 8:30 on computer platter.
Saturday I lad around - TV and Sun --> spenat the evening playing Volley Ball and Chess at Hot Pad.
Sunday the same.