Late 1982 (No Date)

Note: This is the last entry of a red, spiralbound notebook from the early 1980s. It starts out with a scrawled, cursive entry that is mostly illegible—seemingly written by Tom (Strange) in the car, on a road trip. It then continues with several pages printed (almost legibly) by me.

West on 76 with Jimi, Andy, Randy, and me, Tommy. I can’t write, I’m watching the goddamn road. “Got front-end problems?”—Andy. “We got some play in the wheel.”—Randy. (The rest of this part is entirely illegible.)

Tom is getting sick from writing in the car. I should have known better than to trust someone as wimpy as Tom to record our historic journey. But after all, I was driving and couldn’t write, myself. I had enough trouble as it was just keeping the car on the road.

It is now 10:48 according to the digital clock in The Oval *(I think that’s what it says) a very cheap but inexpensive pizza joint on High Street, Columbus. I was the only one here until some moustache and bookbag clad OSU typical came in and ordered 3 hot dogs (for $1.39). This place brings back not so distant memories of a few months back when I, as a student, came in here often for lunch for all the pizza you could eat. I was into stuffing myself in those days, plus, it was a good place to spend an hour or two lunch and read and write. What makes it so desirable now is the all the pop you can drink deal. I need lots of fluids and especially fluids with caffeine, right now.

It all started when Tom offered to split his homefries with me—that came with his midnight Jerry’s Diner spinach and cheese omelette special. I couldn’t refuse. Then the big waitress gave me free coffee that I didn’t ask for. I was getting awake then when Tom offered to pay $15 gas if I drove to Columbus. What the hell. I love to drive.

We picked up Jimi and Andy in Akron and were on our way. Under three hours later we arrive, drink coffee in the donut shop where there are a surprising amount of people for four a.m. We decide to stay at the apartment of an acquaintance of theirs, a man that plays in a band called The Crucifucks. He is in remarkable good humor for being awakened in the middle of the night. We try to sleep but a playful puppy makes it hard. He demands to be let out, threatening to piss on me.