Spitball Army

Approximate playing time: 80 minutes.

1. J. J. Johnson  “Too Marvelous for Words”  (1955)
2. Madeleine Peyroux  “River of Tears”  (2009)
3. Wycliffe Gordon & Eric Reed  “Toast My Bread”  (2001)
4. Duke Ellington  “Tonight I Shall Sleep (With a Smile on My Face)”  (1945)
5. Guy Van Duser & Billy Novick  “Bye & Bye”  (2000)
6. Geoff Keezer  “Life on Mars”  (1999)
7. Wes Montgomery  “Tear It Down”  (1965)
8. Blossom Dearie  “I Like Myself”  (1959)
9. Billie Holiday  “A Fine Romance”  (1955)
10. The Chad Fisher Group  “My Dog”  (2006)
11. Louis Armstrong  “Moon Song (That Wasn’t Meant for Me)”  (1957)
12. Jimmy Smith  “Delon’s Blues”  (1964)
13. Oscar Peterson  “Incoherent Blues”  (1964)
14. Kenny Dorham  “Old Folks”  (1959)
15. Ella Fitzgerald  “Somebody from Somewhere”  (1959)
16. Joshua Redman  “Boogielastic”  (2002)
17. Jean-Luc Ponty  “A Taste for Passion”  (1979)
18. Diana Krall, with Geoff Keezer  “The Nearness of You”  (1997)

[audio:Fred_FM_playlist_070410.mp3]
Fred FM playlist (4 July 2010)

[Written to Alice in Frankfort, Indiana.  “Frankfort” crossed out in pencil and replaced with “Attica.”  Return addressed: Richard, Co. G, 2nd Bn., 1st Mar., c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.  Postmarked at U.S. Navy, on 7 Feb 1945, and at Frankfort, Ind. on 15 Feb 1945, 11 A.M.  Envelope stamped on front, “Passed by Naval Censor,” and initialed by the Censor.]

Feb. 6, 1945

Hello Sweetheart,

     Yesterday’s mail was very good to me.  I received 3 very nice letters, all from you.  I hope today’s mail is half as good.  I love you, Sweetheart.  Those were very nice letters.  I could stand more of them.  You feel the same way, don’t you?  I’m trying, if that helps any.  I love you with all my heart and I want to make you as happy as I possibly can.  The only way I can do that at the present is by writting.  I’ll do my best in that way, Sweetheart.  Don’t expect too much though.  I’ll write every chance I get.

     You’d better get some more yarn.  You’re going to have trouble mending 3 sox I’m afraid.  It has been quite a while since I last saw you, but you’d better not have changed that much.  Two sox are enough to wear at one time.  It sounds like you have some other troubles to help you along.  The buttoned affair is what I’m referring to.  You’d better not let me hear of you going without just cause you don’t trust a button.  Even trusting a button is better than nothing.  Also – you’d better not let me catch you without.  Who knows – what might happen!  Sweetheart, if I could only see you and be with you.  I love you so much.  It will be hard for both of us, but I’ll take care of this end of the line.  I’ll be waiting for you.  You’ll have to take care of that end.  i though I would never go to sleep last night.  I lay awake for at least 2 hours after taps just thinking and dreaming of you.  I hated to go to sleep.  We’ll be very happy when we can actually be together.  We won’t have to dream or imagine.  We’ll be together.  I hope it will be soon, but nobody knows.  Those that do know wh won’t tell so they might as well not know for all the good it is doing us.

     I had slight interruption, but he’s gone now.  Give “Pete” and Harold my congratulations and best wishes.  I’m afraid they are going to have a little trouble unless something is done about their working hours.  I know I sh wouldn’t stand for that.  I don’t think it will work with them very long either.  It’s impossible.

     About this fellow, Mundell, I may be able to see him Monday.  I’m supposed to go get some new glasses; and unless I’m mistaken, that’s where I’ll have to go.  It’s close anyway.  I’ll try to find him if I have a chance.

     I haven’t been to a show for a couple of weeks.  I’m going to go tonight, if I can.  As far as I know now, I’ll be able to.  Something may come up though.  My job as a clerk is different from the rest in the company.  The majority of the company has certain hours in the day to work and the evening is all their own.  There are a lot of times when I’m on the same schedule, but there are other times too.  I’m not over-worried by any means.  I can cite the two extremes.  These are unusual days, of course, not everyday occurance.  One day maybe I’ll actually work 15 minutes.  The rest of the day I just sit around the office and answer the telephone and maybe talk to the Top and Gunnery Sgt.  I can think of one other day when I started work at 7 in the morning and quit at mid-night.  All the time I had off was for eating.  That’s just one day however.  Last night I quit about 5:20.  Chow goes at 5:00 but I made it.  It’s all very unpredictable.  Back to the original subject – I don’t know what the name of the show is to-night.  I’ve heard that it’s pretty good – about the Marines in Australia.  Maybe I can tell you more about it in my next letter.

     You mentioned 2 songs on the Hit Parade.  I’m afraid I’m completely in the dark.  I’ve never heard either one of the songs.  We now have a phonograph in the company.  Right at the present it is playing that NEW song “The Music goes Round and Round.”  Oh well – that’s what happens when you push the middle valve down.  I can recall 2 other records that we have.  I think all I need to do is tell you the name.  You know the rest.  They are “Deep Purple” and “Stardust.”  They are beautiful Sweetheart.  When I hear them, I can’t think of anything but you.  I love you, Sweetheart.

     I have your answer to the letter I wrote telling my state of undress when I read your letter.  I still get a big kick out of that.  Maybe I left it out of my other letter, but I had just returned from a shower when I got your letter.  Don’t wory worry, I don’t run around all over the island in that state.  It wouldn’t make a whole lot of difference though as long as I stayed out of 1 certain area.  The only females of the human race on this island are the 4 Red Cross women.  I’m not interested in them.  I saw them once.  That was too much.

     Sweetheart, you asked me for my advice about a job.  I can give my advice but after all, you are the one that will be doing the work.  I want you to enjoy what you are doing, not just do it because you think you have to.  Try to find a job you will like.  I can think of 2 possibilities.  You may and you may not like them, but here they are.  If you remember some of the things you learned in business school, you could probably get a decent job at Purdue.  I dont’ mean at the Union.  There are plenty of office jobs there.  As to whether there are any open, I don’t know.  You ca might try though.  The offices are all over the place.  Just about every building some.  The Administration building is full of them.  Each Engineering School has their own offices and each department has its own offices.  I’m afraid I would object if you worked in a couple of them though.  Do I have to mention names?  Such as – Vallely, Sidwell, and that Bio teacher.  I don’t like the idea of you clerking in any store.  I don’t think you would like the work either.  Why don’t you ask Dr. Morrison.  Maybe some of his friends and associates would have a decent opening.  His office girl seems to have an ideal set-up.  I think that type of work would be just about the doctor’s orders.  So to speak, of course.  Well, there are my two ideas.  Now it’s up to you.

     Sorry to hear about your Dad.  Tell him to take it easy.  I have a few cigars that I want to repay him when I get back and he had better be there to receive them.  You also might tell him just to try just doing the work he has and not making work to do.

     Talking about all the marriages around there.  Here’s another one.

You probably read about it in the paper, but here is the official announcement.  This is all there was, not another word.  I sent my congratulations.  That should just about end it.  Don’t you think?  Or do you?  The folks tell me they are in California.  H’s 30 day furlough should be over by now.  I don’t know what happens with them next.  Queer, I’m not particularly interested.  That’s the least of my worries.  All I worry about is you.  I love you Sweetheart.  I’m all yours.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have a 30 day furlough?  It would be better than nothing anyway.  Even for that short time.

     Well, Sweetheart, that just about does it for now.

     Good-night Sweetheart
          I love you with all my heart.
               Pleasant Dreams
                    ‘Nite Sweetheart.

[audio:Tommy_Dorsey___The_Music_Goes_Round_and_Round.mp3]
“The Music Goes ‘Round and ‘Round” (1935) by Tommy Dorsey

[audio:Larry_Clinton___Deep_Purple.mp3]
“Deep Purple” (1938) by Larry Clinton, with Bea Wain (vocals)

[audio:Artie_Shaw___Star_Dust_1940.mp3]
“Star Dust” (1940) by Artie Shaw

“Lachrymosity”

“Caterpillar” (with babypack)

When I put the blinders on and zero in upon the task at hand, all I can think about is widening the margins.

[Written to Alice in Frankfort, Indiana.  “Frankfort” crossed out in pencil and replaced with “Attica.”  Return addressed: Richard, Co. G, 2nd Bn., 1st Mar., c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.  Postmarked at U.S. Navy, on 6 Feb 1945, and at Frankfort, Ind. on 15 Feb 1945.  Envelope stamped on front, “Passed by Naval Censor,” and initialed by the Censor.]

Feb. 4, 1945

Hello Sweetheart,

     I love you.  The regularity of my letters doesn’t show it very much I know, But it does give you a good indication of the scarcity of my spare time.  We’ve been pretty busy lately but I’m afraid the worst is yet to come.  The first of the month always brings me some extra work in the form of the payroll.  You see, we usually get paid around the 5th of the month.  Talking about money, Sweetheart, I want to ask you a question.  I think I’ll be able to send $150 home next month.  Where should I send it?  Do you need it or should I send it to the folks?  $150 would pay off our debt to them and we would be square with everybody.  What do you say?  Shall we put ourselves in the clear or do you need the money?  Don’t hesitate to tell me if you need it.  I’d like to get that little affair off my mind, but there will be plenty of time later.  What do you think?  Be sure and tell me.  I’ll draw the money next pay day but I won’t do anything with it till I get your answer.

     My hands are rather sore tonight.  I’ve been scrubbing clothes off-and-on all day.  I did a pretty good sized washing, as far as the larger pieces are concerned.  I washed 6 pair of trousers, 4 shirts, 1 undershirt, 2 towels, 2 pair of socks sox, and 2 hankerchiefs.  I still have 2 things that are dirty: – a mattress cover and the pair of shorts I was wearing to-day.

     I just noticed something.  This cigar I’m smoking was made in Frankfort, Ind.  Did you ever hear of the place?  I have a faint recollection of the place.  I think I should refresh my menory a little bit.  The most important thing in the world is there.  I don’t mean to refer to you as a “thing” but I sure would like to see you.

     I received another package from you or your Dad or somebody there.  Can’t understand it, the guys in the tent don’t like to walk on nut shells.  They like to eat the nuts though.  I hope there aren’t any more cigars in the mail.  I have 2 boxes now.  I smoke about one a day and 2 boxes in 1½ weeks are more than I can smoke.  Now I’m having trouble finding someplace to keep them.  But Please don’t overdo the thing.  Tell you what, I’ll let you know when I start on the second box, then you can send me another.  O.K.?  That should time it about right.

     About the afghan, Sweetheart, you know I like blue.  You haven’t given me much to go on as to the shade of blue.  The only thing I can say is that I don’t like too much of the light shade of blue.  It makes the article look washed-out.  The pattern sounds pretty nice.  I think I’d like it Sweetheart.  I’ll have to see the finished product before I can pass final judgement.  I’m not worried though.  I’m sure I’ll like it if you make it.  I don’t know whether I’d like knitted anklets or not.  I’ll try anything once.  It won’t hurt me anyway, I think.

     Well, Sweetheart, it’s almost time for taps.  I was doing pretty good on this letter till the guys came back from the show.  Since they got back, I haven’t even been able to think.  They have been raising too much – noisy, aren’t they?  I give up Sweetheart.

     Good night Sweetheart
          I love you with all my heart.
               Pleasant Dreams
                    ‘Nite

My boss asks to borrow the book. Months pass. I ask for it; she denies having it. Leaving work, I spy it in her car’s back seat.

The book was Janet Malcolm’s Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession.
She was a psychology grad student in a clinical internship.

Postcard is untitled on the front.

Printed on back of postcard:

C1501
Bad Water – 279.6 ft. below sea level
Lowest point in Western Hemisphere
Death Valley National Monument
Death Valley, California

Publishing information: Color Card, Kodachrome Reproduction by Mike Roberts Studios, Berkeley 2, California.

The marker in the photograph reads: BAD WATER, 279.6 feet below sea level, lowest point in the Western Hemisphere.  There is a directional sign below the marker with arrows pointing to destinations (but I can not make out what it reads).

Today’s playlist is a quick journey through the New Wave sounds as I heard them back on the cusp between the ’70s and ’80s. That is all. Now, please excuse me while I go find my skinny, shiny, turquoise vinyl tie.

Approximate playing time: 79 minutes.  I have been asked to warn you that track #4 (“The Boiler”) is somewhat harrowing…so, now, you have been warned.

1. Mick Farren  “Let’s Loot the Supermarket Again Like We Did Last Summer”  (1977)
2. Madness  “One Step Beyond”  (1979)
3. The Beat [later, The English Beat]  “Tears of a Clown”  (1979)
4. The Special AKA with Rhoda  “The Boiler”  (1982)
5. The Clash  “The Guns of Brixton”  (1979)
6. Pearl Harbor & the Explosions  “Drivin'”  (1980)
7. The Motels  “Danger”  (1980)
8. Graham Parker  “Love Gets You Twisted”  (1979)
9. Robin Lane & the Chartbusters  “Don’t Cry”  (1980)
10. Martha & the Muffins  “Echo Beach”  (1980)
11. Elvis Costello  “You Belong to Me”  (1978)
12. The Ramones  “We’re a Happy Family”  (1977)
13. Blondie  “Will Anything Happen?”  (1978)
14. Talking Heads  “New Feeling”  (1977)
15. Grace Jones  “Nightclubbing”  (1981)
16. The Cars  “Since I Held You”  (1979)
17. Nervous Eaters  “Loretta”  (1980)
18. Ultravox  “Vienna”  (1981)
19. The Jam  “Start!”  (1980)
20. The Go-Betweens  “Cattle and Cane”  (1983)
21. U2  “Stories for Boys”  (1980)
22. Echo & the Bunnymen  “The Cutter”  (1983)
23. The Church  “The Unguarded Moment”  (1982)

[audio:Fred_FM_playlist_062710.mp3]
Fred FM playlist (27 June 2010)

I had really wanted to include something from one of the albums by The Cretones, but came up dry in my search.  If you happen to know of a source for their music, most especially the 1980 album Thin Red Line, please fill me in.  Thanks!  […and K. Cortez comes through in a split-second pinch.  Thanks, man.]

[Written to Alice in Frankfort, Indiana.  Return addressed: Richard, Co. G, 2nd Bn., 1st Mar., c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.  Postmarked at U.S. Navy, on 2 Feb 1945.  Envelope stamped on front, “Passed by Naval Censor,” and initialed by the Censor.]

Feb. 2, 1945

Hello Sweetheart,

     I don’t feel so good tonight Sweetheart.  I’m tired and I have a splitting headache.  The headache is from my eyes and that I hope will be taken care of in another week.  One week from Monday I’m supposed to go get a new pair of glasses.  These lenses aren’t strong enough now and I’ve been having some headaches from them.  I hope I get the new glasses.  I’ve been pretty busy lately.  That hasn’t helped my eyes a bit.  Of course, this candle I’m writting by doesn’t help much either.  Don’t worry though, Sweetheart, I’ll write you ever chance I get.  I think about you all the time.  I love you so much, Sweetheart.  I tell you and I know you can’t hear me and I write it when I write.  But it just isn’t often enough, is it?  The letters may be few and far between, Sweetheart, but I’m thinking of you and I write when I have a chance.  I love you, Sweetheart.

     What’s the matter with that little camera and all those films I had in Diego?  Aren’t they any good?

     As for my hair, it hasn’t changed a bit.  As far as I know, it is still the same color and just as short as ever.  As for the rest of me, physically I’m O.K.  I have a few odds and ends to break up the monotony though.  They are: fungus, heat rash, athlete’s foot, crud, and a general breaking out all over.  There is a little itch thrown in for good measure.  Is that enough?  It’s enough for me.  I don’t want any or any more.  Let’s see, now for a little location.  The fungus is around the top of my shoes; the heat rash is under my arms and on my stomach; the athlete’s foot is where it should be; the crud or acne, or what ever it is, is on my back and sholders; and the breaking out is general.  The breaking out is supposed to be from our blood and the food.  The blood gets thin and impure, and there are too many starches and fried foods.  The itch is between my legs.  All in all, I’m in good health.  That stuff just mars the surface.  There isn’t anything wrong with me that can’t be cured by a cooler climate and a change of food.  That will be taken care of one of these days.  I’ll be with you one of these days, Sweetheart.  Then everything will be O.K., won’t it?

     We were issed issued (that, in this case, means they let us buy) 14 cans of beer this week.  I sold all of mine to the carpenter for cost and some of his services.  He fixed me a tray for my locker-box.  I hope I’ll be able to take this box back to the States with me.  It’s a good box.  I probably won’t be able to, but I can try anyway.

     I’m sorry Sweetheart, my head is splitting.  Sleep is the only thing that will help and so I’m going to hit the sack.  I love you Sweetheart.  I miss you night and day.  You don’t ever have to worry about me getting tired of being with you all the time.  I don’t care if I never see anyone else.  Just so I’m with you.

     Goodnight Sweetheart
          I love you with all my heart
               Pleasant Dreams
                    ‘Nite Sweetheart

Edited by Chris Rule completely from Mary Poppins footage.