12/30/02

FROM: Albert Bailitz

The Christmas check was for you to buy what you want. As gift giving went yours was the hardest to decide upon. We tossed around a laptop or a bike, but both were needed to be picked out by you and what you want. The money was then settled upon. We wanted to buy you something nice, I hope you are able to do that. BTW, are you still in the market for a laptop? I can talk to Tatum & see what is available if you want. Good Luck on the house hunting. I hope you find what you want. I assume it is you Justin and Steve moving only. Bobbie will be checking on your jury duty and will call you. We called Christmas morning, no answer. I got the "grill to go" for Christmas as well as a few other things, biscuit joiner, Frank Zappa CD, Battery operated Foot and Neck massager, choc. covered cherries & some gift cards. We missed you on Christmas morn. We had Christmas Eve at our house, 30+ people. We also got about 8" of snow that night so we had a white Christmas. We are about a week ahead with work, so things are slowing a bit. Hope to work on office stuff & the like so we are better prepared come spring. I figured I'll try this longhand letter stuff. Forgot what its like, but I know you said you like to get snail mail. I do hope you do a change of address with post office or I'll have to resend this. See that’s the problem with longhand, I would have probably deleted that last sentence. I haven’t had a good chance to copy your old letters to a disk yet, maybe before I send this I will. Anyway, enjoy yourself over there and be safe. Love Dad
Hi Brian! Hope all is well with you. Have a safe and great NY eve. Love You, Bobbie

TO: Albert Bailitz

Wow. I'll tell ya, the longhand letter was probably the last thing I expected to see when I opened the envelope. There is good news from out here, we have established solid residency as Justin Steve and I have acquired a house. The rent is $850 a month, it has a backyard, a two-car garage, three bedrooms; and, it is on a sub-street, kind of like a cul-de-sac. The address is 107 SE 52nd Ave Portland OR 97...well, as of writing I don’t know the ZIP, check the return address. I'll have a new phone number and stuff too. I have been using the money well, using it to purchase mostly bike things...a rain jacket, arm warmers, headlight/tailight, gloves, and I picked out a new bike I am saving up for now, as I have to cover Steve going into the house I am dropping $1400 straight away. In the next two months I plan to re-coup most of that, and buy a new bike. It is a 2003 Cannondale "Bad Boy". A very sharp machine, starting around $800. And depending on my funds, we'll see about the upgrades (tubeless rims are enticing, but an extra $600...). So, you had the right idea. Thanks for the thought. I am looking forward to this new year to bring me some good fortune. Hopefully I will be able to find a new job soon. My previous outlooks on quitting before the New Year are no more...this new house has turned things around, now I don’t have that cushion I had previously envisioned...which is okay, because I have settled into this job and am compromising enough to understand the necessity and prevalence of work. The industry slows now out here too, so whether or not I quit things will be slow. So, I am going to have more time to look for a job while keeping this one, which works out well. I am not really looking for a computer now, Steve’s Dad sent out his old desktop setup (which really isn’t that old at all). So, when we move out we'll put that together. For summation, we are all starting to get settled out here feeling very comfortable with very little stress heading into the new year. I feel very good about this year for myself as I am meeting new people and am doing really well with making friends. We are probably going to have a house warming party (party) in January to get to know all of the people we've met better, and parties are usually fun. Hah. Astrology suggests that we run on a nine year cycle, I am heading into a "two" year, the year of relationships, so maybe something significant will happen. Peace.Love. Brian (P.S. You are also in a "two" year...the "one" year is a year of new beginnings...Portland for me, storefront for you...so, we are in sync on that cycle...)

1/26/03

FROM: Albert/Bobbie Bailitz (includes W-2's, tax stuff)

How’s it going in the new place? Here’s your W-2's from ATCS! I'm getting out of here now to go home. Albert is on the phone yakking to a customer. Hope all is well with you. Give us a call. We don’t have your phone #. Love You, Bobbie
P.S. from your Dad
Robin is getting Joe's IRS stuff squared away. She will do the same for you if you want to file. I think you should consider doing this. Be careful out there and if ya want Robin can work with you thru Internet & faxes. Love Dad

2/18/03

FROM: Albert Bailitz (in package that included: mini flashlight, 2003 calendar, small notepad, tin of altoids in heart shaped container, roll of duct tape, WIRED magazine)

How are things at the new house. By the time you get this we should be in PA at the NCSG Convention. I figured we better send your Christmas gifts before next year! Not a whole lot going on here. No snow. Work is fair. Spring is just around the corner. We will be leaving for HI and be gone from 3/5-3/19-03 for "Sweeping HI Convention." I wish you luck on the job search. Write or email soon! Love, Dad. Bobbie sez: "Happy Valentines Day Brian!"

2/20/03 (Last letter to father Draft)

TO: Albert Bailitz (not finished or sent...)

I've never really felt connected to life, as it was handed down to me. It had a glaze of sugar that made me sick and I've realized what that is--society, social programming. And, regardless of the people I've met and even my parents, I realize that in order to become completely detached I must completely severe all ties that I have kept...even if on low burner. (Go into Christmas letter and yada-da)...