1984 – Page 2 – A Life in Words

An Infected Ear & Dracula Spectacular (15-21 October)

Published on May 27, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 15/10/84

A Life in Words — You can’t miss me, with the photo-stain-halo (top right)

Slow day. Did simple BP test. Also started on diet & extra exercises for Justine’s party (for Mark!) [haha, nothin’ like a ‘crash diet’] Got my school photo – will buy it. Didn’t get to talk to Justine about Mark. Am too embarrassed. Late nite.

Tuesday 16/10/84

Another late nite. Left ear is infected again – really bad this time. There’s a GIGANTIC lump, the earring is tarnished and it hurts so much that I can’t even sleep on it. Really bad, huh? Did well on diet today – nana bought me a nice, fresh cream bun – I resisted!! [Probably because cream buns didn’t really do it for me. It’d’ve been more interesting to see how well-resolved I’d’ve been if she’d bought me a vanilla slice or a caramel tart.] Not much HW. House is coming along VERY slowly.

Wednesday 17/10/84

GEOFF’S BIRTHDAY TODAY. Reasonably good day today. Wore no earring to school today. Is BAD. Skipped speech – went to town & got 2 new bras & Kevin gave me a substitute earring (until I bring mine in to be swapped.) Had a small piece’o’cake. Told Justine about my ‘problem’. She doesn’t think I’m frigid …. I dunno. [Frigid was a ‘key term’ at that time – I think thanks to the movie Valley Girl – but what I was concerned about was merely my shyness – the inability to talk to boys, especially ones I liked. It certainly had nothing to do with sex because that was almost an unknown for me then. Only my mum and her boyfriend MIGHT’ve done that…]

Thursday 18/10/84

Very boring day. Went to school, came home, went to town – the Post Office, came home & played French cricket with Julia. Had a ½hr blackout. Diet is going well.

Friday 19/10/84

am: Almost missed the bus. BORINGGGG school day. At home, had a bath & rang Dunphy’s. Martin said Fi was at mima’s. Mima said Fi was at the shop. Mr D. said she’d just left for shopping. Decided not to go cos’ spent the whole arvy worrying about it; Martin had forgotten to buy me a ticket, therefore a seat! Waited for Dad to come but during tea, Fi rang so at the last moment I went to see “Dracula Spectacula” was FANTASTIC!! [Cairns State High School was renowned for their theatrical productions – this was yet another success.]

Saturday 20/10/84

Got home from Dad’s about 8:45. In town, got Amanda’s birthday prezzy. At home (after lunch) mum painted the house while Jules & I watched the movie & played cricket all arvy. Wrapped Manda’s present. Looks great! Now for the card & envelope!! Early nite 9:30

Sunday 21/10/84

Did a little HW & watched TV. Had to do vacuuming so it was 1:30 by the time I could start to get ready. [oh so I DID do some chores? I have held the impression of myself as a lazy – unhelpful – child.] Had a bath earlier in the day so just dressed & packed for dad’s. Party was OK – just like an all-girls party would be. Ate 2 choccy billabongs, 1 choccy biscuit, 1 very small piece of cake, 1 chocolate crackle & a bout a handful of lollies. [Diet’s going well!] At dad’s watched movie “Getting of Wisdom”. Been on before cos’ I recognised lots of it. Good Aussie film!

Fun in the Sun (8-14 October)

Published on May 26, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 8/10/84

The thong I wore today kept rubbing against the cuts. Not many people asked me what happened, surprisingly! Mr Howard let me in the lab, even tho’ I only had 1 leather shoe on. Religion so only 1 period of science. [Wow, I don’t remember any religion lessons at high school? Interesting that it was Science that had to take the back seat…] Chilly wind & overcast but I love it, House is coming along nicely. Louvres in bedroom & front door is on. Pretty good day at school!!!

Tuesday 9/10/84

Nothing much happened today – Pretty “straight”. Wore a non-stick pad over me cut. Is not gonna heal, I know. Got on bus early again (love doing that!) Toni & Natasha are away. Think Natatsha has Toni’s fever. Can’t wait for the Bluelight!

Wednesday 10/10/84

Don’t think I’ll need a thong tomorrow. Last nite did wonders! Left the bandage off and HEY PRESTO! My foot’s almost healed! I can walk on it but from limping the last 3 days, I’m in the habit. Even the cut is now a scab! Lucy bought her dog to speech – after speech went to shop. mum saw a car crash today. An old man (78yrs) died at Aeroglen Drive T-Junction of the Highway near BBC Hardware & Food Barn.. Poor bloke. I feel so sorry…

Thursday 11/10/84

Got a shirt from a different op-shop was $4.50 whereas the one I wanted at the other shop was $1. Got my white shoes too (Like my black flatties) Breakdancing finals was tops!! xcept sometimes couldn’t see a thing cos’ people would stand up in front. Mim found Glenn – they had a good time. He kissed her on the cheek several times but that was all – it was UNREAL!! [I’m fairly sure that I’m referring to the Breakdance Comp here and not the kissing action]

Friday 12/10/84

Alright today. Got on bus early still; I had shoes on & was walking properly! Have a splitting headache cos I’m excited ’bout the Bluelight. Can’t wait!! BAD false alarm today. Got a really bad pain down near my kidneys. Thought it was my you-know-whats. [Uh-huh. Clearly had no ideas where exactly my kidneys were situated in my body…] HEART ATTACK!! Had laughing fits in History. It has been rumoured that Mr Howard was the other driver in the fatal crash which mum saw. He was at school (but officialy still on sick-leave) & was alright. Had a fire alarm. Have gone crazy over Inspector Gadget now!! SLOWEST week I have ever known! Bluelight was alright. Toni, Karen & Lucy went for 1st time but we ignored them. Remember 1st Bluelight you went to?? & Mark gave you the funny, sincere look? Well he did it again!! So I can’t wait for Justine’s!! (Party) Met Julie H. & Ngaree went (very unsuccessfully) spunk-hunting.

Saturday 13/10/84

Went to the [Fun in the Sun street] parade today. met mim & Fi, Before it. Julia’s float went past – I saw her – so did Mark & Jason. (they rode) & came back a little later. (I was thrilled to the bone!) When they had to go, Mark said “scusem wa” & I quickly moved. God I love him. John’s nice too! OH HELL!!

Sunday 14/10/84

Just did HW. Then went to see finish of Fun Run. After leaving the beer tent, went to Dianne & Kerry’s for dinner. Watched “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (My 6½th time!!!!)

Birthdays Galore & a Sprained Ankle (1-7 October)

Published on May 25, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 1/10/84

Woke early – gave mum $10 & wrote on the card “all we can afford is to give you a wish of good luck”. Mum’s eyes watered when she read it. BORING 1ST DAY BACK. While Ms Woods is overseas on holiday, we have Mrs Clayton, for english. Is alright. Had strawberries & cream after a big tea, then rich (birthday I s’pose) cake. Geoff is staying.

Tuesday 2/10/84

I have decided to turn over a new leaf: I will now be as nice as possible to mum & get stuck into my work and studies. Catherine W. (and Gina) came over. Catherine is Julia’s best friend now. Got an invitation to Natasha’s birthday party (slumber, video party) Beka, Fi & I have decided to go & play tricks all night to scare them all!

Wednesday 3/10/84

Normal school day (God these days are going slow) HEATH’S BIRTHDAY! After school took him a little patty cake with 1 candle on it!! (& a present) Played with him all afternoon. Didn’t go to speech because didn’t know what day I was s’posed to go (but it was meant to be today. Will go with Natasha & Megan tomorrow

Thursday 4/10/84

Natasha’s Birthday. Yesterday – Heath’s 2nd was Lorelle’s & the 1st was mum’s. Funny, eh? Did go with Natasha & Megan. ← she’s quite nice now. Mum went to Carol B.’s & bought home some clothes. I love the 3/4 length, royal blue pants & green & white tennis outfit and the coloured grandpa shirt & the pale blue, full skirt. But tonite went to Breakdance 3rd & final heat. Fi & Catherine W. came. Got there about 7:30 so missed most of it. Kylie S. & some other Freshy Yr7 girls But she did acrobatics stuff & the (gigantic) crowd cheered, screamed, whistled, clapped. Loved her! After, did some quick grocery shopping before coming home & having a late night. On the bus it was not Fi’s day. It was rubber band day & she got hit in the eyes 3 times.

Friday 5/10/84

Another boring school day (No one’s birthday this time (today, I mean) Dad picked us up & we went to the Red Beret (fooled around) I was in a silly mood, then back at Dad’s flat, had an early-ish night.

Saturday 6/10/84

Up early doing shopping etc. Dad has decided to give mum the tiles for the bathroom in our house. At home had lunch, did a little HW then had a shower Both my tyres have punctures so I can’t ride to Natasha’s. I pumped ’em up but as soon as I got round the corner they were flat as pancakes again. The PARTY was great! Will probly get only 5hrs sleep!

Sunday 7/10/84

Bad luck at the party, tho. Toni left early in the morning with a fever, Angela’s glasses were almost smashed about 7 times. Justine (YUCH) mangled her little toe & I SPRAINED MY ANKLE. Starting jogging on wet concrete) Only one home was Nana. She came & took me to the ambulance depot. They bandaged it up & told me to soak it in icy water. At home, did this for about 30 mins, when dad came. At dad’s watched TV all day & (very carefully) played handball with Julia. Dad said I should relax it today & work muscles tomorrow. Good excuse to miss PE, huh?! Excited now cos’ it’s fun being fussed over!! (Mum was at Joss House wen it hap’ned. Nin was asleep when she got back so she didn’t find out till sometime later. She immediately rang me to find out about it.

Monopoly & a Stomach Bug (24-30 September)

Published on May 24, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 24/9/84

Woke about 7:30. Prepared to paint my white T-shirt but worried it wouldn’t turn out & wouldn’t come off . Decided to see “Streets of Fire”. Rode to mim’s (phone’s not working) She wasn’t home so rode to Fi’s. At home, tried to get dressed but got shitty cos’ I don’t have any good clothes. [Outfit-based tantrums were quite a common occurrence…] All shitty with each other. [Mum, Nana & I] Rode to Fi’s to tell her I couldn’t go. Nana was against it [my riding to Fiona’s] so doors were locked when I got back. [Yes, my grandmother locked me out!] Climbed in thru open laundry window – watched TV rest of arvy and forgot about it all.

Tuesday 25/9/84

Went to town with Fi & Mim at 11:30. After a packed day picked up Debbie & went to mim’s. Watched movies all nite. Felt sick (went to loo 5 times: 3 bogs.) Got to sleep around 4:00.

Wednesday 26/9/84

Woke around 7:00 But dozed until 8:00. Got up at 11:30, watched Mike Walsh, packed up & went home. Still feel terrible. The whole night was horrible. I must be getting a wog or something.

Thursday 27/9/84

Felt good today – no more ugly thoughts about the video party. Lazy day – read a good book, played monopoly with Jules. Went to town around 3:30 → 4:00 & got pattern for orange material. Got home & got ready for Trent’s party.

Friday 28/9/84

Early wakening again. Am ded tired!! Wish I could sleep in. OH! Only 2 days of leisure left. I hate school. Played monopoly all morning. After lunch, packed away ornaments off the chest of drawers [WHY I would’ve done this, I don’t know – I don’t think we were moving anywhere – yet] & watched TV. Geoff came started monopoly but no one wanted to play so I forced them to Scrabble!

Saturday 29/9/84

Tired last night – slept like a babe! Saw the start of the Mall to Mall race (some really weird entries!!) [I actually don’t recall what exactly that event was all about] After got a “great Australian Ice Creamery” cone YUM! & went home (I rode to shop to buy bread.) Went to house. Had lunch. Geoff went. Had a rest. Began making my orange shirt Looks Fab!!!!! Went to Blue Light in Thomae’s combie van with no roof (I mean a BIG sunroof – open!) Fi found someone she liked. He asked her ot dance but then pissed off saying “gotta get my friend”. Never came back. TEASER.

Sunday 30/9/84

Boring day. Watched TV, (Hardie 1000 Car Race) & did HW (caught up on books) Early-ish night. My cough is worse. Since mim’s video party I have’t felt 100%. Thurs. I felt better but was ‘dizzy’ & congested (mucus) Now I have a “Laragitus” (Yelling to everyone last night didn’t help.) & a hoarse cough. Am taking cough & decongestant medicines 2ce a day. Hope it helps. I always feel worst in the mornings.

Orange Everything (17-23 September)

Published on May 23, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 17/9/84

Boring day at home. Rang Fi last night. She went to Michalmas Cay with Lucy on Sunday (mim wasn’t allowed – hmm!) and she & mim went together to the movies today. I knew they’d be together. Ate only in the arvy but ate alot. Watched TV & played with the microscope kit all day

Tuesday 18/9/84

Read 3 books this morning. After lunch watched TV, till mum went to the blood bank & we looked for curtain material. Had an ice cream from “the Great Australian Ice Creamery”. YUMMY! Wanted (was meant to) go to Fitzroy Island with Lucy today but, when I went to feed the cats, mum said hurry so I ran & fell & grazed my foot & knee & my left arm began aching so I called it off. Really did want to go too. LATE-ISH NITE. Rang mima again (really to see if she was with Fiona) Lucy had also asked them to go to Fitzroy but they weren’t allowed. But she only spent a little time with Fi. SURPRISING HUH?

Wednesday 19/9/84

Mima, Fi & I went to town. Didn’t buy clothes or anything but had Fun! No one slept over. I wondered what’d happen tomorrow.

Thursday 20/9/84

Mim & I went to town. (Fi was getting her haircut.) Got my orange socks!! And orange dress material. Mim & Polly got tube skirt material. No one was home at home. Picked up Fi (her hair is layered & short & looks GREAT!!) Went for a swim at mima’s. I Fed the cats then went home. Got ready and went to Heat 1 of Breakdance Competition. Mima saw Glenn & that was all. Had fish & chips. Early nite. (Also bought orange fluorescent paint for clothes today)

Friday 21/9/84

Played handball with Julia then went to mima’s to work out how to use the clothes paint. Stayed the day. Fi came after lunch & we watched TV all arvy. Did the cats. Fi & mim staying here. The TV movies were OKAAAY.

Saturday 22/9/84

Woke early-ish. Went into town AGAIN (so mima could see Glenn) They had lunch at my place & we mucked around. Mulleys came & Amanda, Genelle, Fi, mim, me, Julia, & Petra talked (uncomfortably) till they left. We played King while Karen M’s uncle & his family moved in next door. (well just their furniture.) All staying At Fi’s. Lucy staying too – she rang Fi to see if she’d stay but (of course) couldn’t so invited her here. Got to sleep about 1:00.

Sunday 23/9/84

Woke 9:00. At Lucy’s watched a video had lunched & played a game all arvy. Forgot to feed cats.. Watched the movie. Am sooo tired. Hope I can sleep in.

Nostradamus, Free Dress & Strudel (10-16 September)

Published on May 22, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 10/9/84

Can’t believe it’s the last week! Shit! My Maths was (18/30) TERRIBLE. This was the 1st time in my whole life that I’ve never wanted a test mark back. Before the test I even predicted 18/30! I could become another Nostradamus, eh?! [I’d ‘loved’ Nostradamus ever since I’d watched a TV documentary on him – at some earlier point in my life. I have a ‘thing’ for the ‘intangible’ and it’s so much more appealing when scientists get involved. All I recall of his predictions now, is anticipation of World War III and the “Plague of the Twentieth Century” …which I believed to be AIDS/HIV but…??] English not bad 6½/10 Slow, boring day. Got a Mr Whippy ice-cream [aah, the soft-serve ‘pig-fat’!] & gave Mandy & Heath a tour of our house.

Tuesday 11/9/84

S(hane) has the paper run now. Shithead. Oh well, I have St Cloud’s job AGAIN – OMYGOD. Another $40! Boring day minus the catastrophe – NANA CAME BACK. God I’m mean. [The Love-Hate relationship I had with my grandmother was mostly due to the Generation Gap; as any teenager would, I rebelled against her ‘out-dated’ beliefs & standards] Free dress day on Friday. Got nothing to wear… [It has just struck me how ‘lucky’ Australians are, that – because uniforms are enforced during our ‘formative’ years – we are not pushed as quickly into the consumerism that is Fashion. I had only one day to stress about “what I’d wear”…can you imagine how ‘imperative’ it would be to shop regularly to maintain a wardrobe for EVERY school day, as in the US? Feed the Machine…]

Wednesday 12/9/84

I said to mum yesterday “I’ll just have to wear my black skirt” & she said “I’ll buy you anything but don’t wear that skirt”. so I’m gonna get an orange top & socks! [I actually don’t believe this was deliberate ‘cunning’ but my, how kids can ‘persuade’ their parents at times.] Did badly in english listening & viewing tests. Had heaps of potato salad, brattwurst, sausages & buns + apple strudel to eat at the german BBQ. I felt sick! Just played games at speech today. Had a late night.

Thursday 13/9/84

Went late night shopping & got a cherry lane, orange cotton shirt (midriff, box shoe, very big) & a black rubber belt. Also a sportsgirl orange bangle. No shop had any orange socks at all left. [The early 80’s witnessed the return – from the 60’s – of Fluorescence in fashion. My fluoro colour of choice was orange.] BP test was easy, but I only just got it finished. Otherwise – boring skool day. Early nite.

Friday 14/9/84

Great day today! Wore all my new gear with mum’s white skirt, black shoes, black lace in hair & additional bangles. BLUDGE DAY! Played cricket in PES. In BP she marked tests, so we bludged. In History watched “Creepshow” in library. [I’ve no idea HOW I watched that movie when I detested the Horror genre (and still do). I can only assume it was for ‘appearances’ sake: to disguise my fear by following the crowd.] In double science did a simple test & an unreal prac experiment. Normal artwork & german was games & puzzles. At home, lazed around till Dad came then worried about what to wear to Jill & Barry’s. (sorted it out) [I often ‘worried’ about outfits; a legacy of Perfectionism. My love of fashion, but lack of ample wardrobe content, combined with body-image issues often resulted in tantrums. “Fat Days” seemed to greatly outnumber the rest, and I have to admit that I still have them, 29 years on. Thankfully ‘reactive tantrums’ have been phased out.] Mulleys went too but Penwardens didn’t. Was a Rage! Talked till the late movie (a comedy) then watched Hoges. Hafta stay the night. Had bad hay fever. (Dad’s too pissed to drive home. So’s R.)

Saturday 15/9/84

Got only 5 hrs sleep cos woke at 8:00. Left at 9:00 & went straight to work. Dad mixed some chemical while Julia & I dressed & STARVED. Went straight to Raintrees – Did shopping & got a custard strudel (for brekky?!) At home, had proper brunch. Lazed around then went to Little Mulgrave to inspect the finishing site of the Hash 200th Run (or something). [Dad was a highly active member of the Cairns Hash House Harriers (a very socially-oriented running club) for many years – virtually since our arrival in the city in 1975 – and many of our family friendships were born of that particular social circle.] Came home, got ready & went to Mulleys. Came home early.

Sunday 16/9/84

After 10hrs sleep I’m still drowsy. Lazed around this morning. Went to beach – sunbaked with cream on but still got burnt! After lunch, worked, watched TV & Penwardens came. Lyn took us to feed the cats with the new sprinklers there, Jule & I finally worked them out but found the ‘jets’ wouldn’t work. Hafta get dad up 1 day to help me or the plants’ll die & I won’t get me money. After that we drove back to the San Remo where Dad & Neill already were. Home early from the pub. Watched movie FLASH GORDON was Ripper! Late night.

Jigsaw Puzzle Panic (3-9 September)

Published on May 21, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 3/9/84

Toni didn’t pick me up today thank god. She got ‘the message’. Karen is upset about our thinking they’re immature so now she gets on at our stop, before me, and gets the seats closest to the back (cos’ she knows I like to sit there)

Tuesday 4/9/84

Haven’t fought once with Julia since Friday! Good, huh?! Mum is going strong on the nicorettes. Am VERY PROUD of her! It took a lot of willpower & she’s done it, alright! [Hmmm, it’s only been a week Lissy…!] Am still very tired. Worked on the jigsaw puzzles again. Did no HW. Got a terrible headache – worse – I got a few more during the rest of the day.

Wednesday 5/9/84

In speech, we asked Mrs McI. if Fi could come to class (we weren’t doing work cos’ exams had finished) so Luc & I got Fi worked up – she was worried all day – thinking it was something bad! Had fun! In Double Science, we swapped rooms with 9B. We had B1 & they went to F1². PES mucked around Got some more headaches today.

Thursday 6/9/84

Woke ‘automatically’ early (6:00). Slow day. Started gymnastics puzzle & finished it this arvy. Fooling around, I bruised my arm – the bone. I was using my right arm for support on the floor, when Julia pushed me, I fell on it & so did she. I panicked – thinking at first it was broken but (un)fortunately it wasn’t. [I’d fractured my right wrist when I was about 10 years old – landing on it after a failed high jump attempt – so I knew the pain of a broken bone. UNfortunately meaning, time off school and/or the excuse that I’d be unable to write…] Early to bed – but I can’t sleep.

Friday 7/9/84

Woke again ‘automatically’ around 6:00. Didn’t learn for maths & I think I’ve failed (or close to it) but – german was a SYNCH. Took $5 to school – $2.20 for German BBQ on Wednesday & 50c for pizza lunch. Watched movie “Can’t Stop the Music” & it’s now the 4th or 5th time I’ve seen it.

Saturday 8/9/84

Did go to tennis finals cos’ didn’t know where it was held/or what time etc. When I rang Fi she said she wasn’t going either cos’ she didn’t know enough about it either. Lazed around. Got words for songs, while listening to a tape. ATE UMAH After yummy salad sammy, went to help mum paint house but Jules & I ended up playing hopscotch, catchey & water fights. At flat – washed my bike for the 1st time EVER! BOY was it DIRTY! After tea watched the movies. Late one “No Sex Please, We’re British” was HILARIOUS!!

Sunday 9/9/84

Woke at 8:30. Had pancakes for brekky. Got dressed, sat down & did HW. Dad came at 10:00 and at his place (took him 2 GIANT pancakes) went to beach & did HW till Jill & Barry came. Looked over their house, then went for drinks to the ‘San Remo Hotel’ Pub. Watched movie and am pooped!

Exam Anxiety on Fathers Day (27 August-2 September)

Published on May 20, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 27/8/84

Can’t believe Shane’s ear is pierced!! He looks a real punce! It soo stupid! Good, fast day. (but got a lot of HW) Got essay done just in time! Wrote a quick, crappy conclusion. Toni picked me up again as usual. Forgot to tell her I don’t want her to anymore. Don’t know why. Got the bath for the house! Is GROOVY!

Tuesday 28/8/84

Today I was tired & forgetful Here I was picking flowers for a science experiment in double science & I forgot to bring my leather shoes! So Melissa C. & Wanda & I stayed outside for the 1¹⁄3hrs. Had to write lines. [I am fairly sure that was possibly the onlly time in my life I ever had to write lines. I was such a Good Girl.] Mum bought a stupid present for mim, so went to change for nail polish and lip balm.

Wednesday 29/8/84

Gave mim her prezzy at speech ←didn’t do a thing so I hafta go tomorrow for 20mins. Panicked cos’ I thort I had ta do my english artistic speaking, but mine’s on Monday. Am peeling from sunburn. soo tired – don’t seem to be getting enough sleep. Got a seat on the bus.

Thursday 30/8/84

Did I tell you Nana left for Brisbane on Fri. & I hafta start her car every day? [In case you haven’t read previous entries, this responsibility was entrusted to me by my grandmother whenever she left town. I don’t actually recall ever being remunerated for the task, but then unpaid chores were part-and-parcel of being a kid in those days.] Well cos’ o’ skool, I haven’t had time – done it once this week. Horrible, slow boring day. Nothing happened. Xept stayed longer at Mrs McI.’s than had planned to. Didn’t do any HW. Late night.

Friday 31/8/84

Slow, boring day. Mum’s got niccotine chewies – hasn’t started them yet, tho. Worried ’bout speech exam. Late nite.

Saturday 1/9/84

Didn’t go to tennis. Lazed around at home. Studied for speech & helped mum paint Julia’s bed white. Early night. Boring day. Mum finished her fags & started the “Nicorettes” – said they taste horrible. [Mum’s smoking habit spanned about 25 years in the end, and I lost count of the number of times she tried to give up. By the time she passed away, she had been off the fags for approximately a decade. This particular attempt was therefore not one of her successes and the gum’s flavour might just have been one of the reasons, you think?] Worried about wot to wear to my speech exam.

Sunday 2/9/84

FATHER’S DAY. Shitting myself this morning – wore grey pinafore, black & red checked shirt, black shoes, red stockings & black belt. I did terrible!! Only my poem “Mushrooms” turned out good. After, (didn’t see Dad start or finish the Coral Coast Triathlon) we met mim at the triathlon finish, then went to little Di’s after lunch. Saw Kim N. (lives just across the road) Had a fun game of baseball. After, picked up uniform & gave dad his prezzy, then went to Ian B.’s for tea. Home late. little HW done – NOT much at all.

Clique Bitchiness & a Haircut Tanty (20-26 August)

Published on May 19, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 20/8/84

Boring day. Didn’t do any HW previously. Am in trouble with Ger. Fi & me have left the group (but Beka, Justine & Natasha have come.) We don’t want Natasha (we’d rather have Angela) Stayed up till 9:30. Late-ish. Went to Kevin Shorey. He didn’t repierce my ear, just pushed the earring through, so he’s broken the skin at the back. Also, Nana got bronchial asthma. She could die any moment. Please, god NO. [My grandmother was quite a heavy smoker. Stands to reason?]

Tuesday 21/8/84

Today she is feeling better (that’s good) I haven’t told you much about the house lately, have I? Well the frame is up, the roof beams, a few interior walls & electrical sockets & wires. Now that we’ve moved away from the group, (Angela is with us now instead of Tashy) there is an ALL-OUT WAR! We didn’t want one – but – ! On the way home, they talked about us out loud deliberately. Also when I got on the bus, Karen took 1 seat & put her bag on the one in front of that, because there were no other seats left & no one was minding it. Natasha said to Lucy “Sorry but elissa took our seat.” “I did not take anything of yours at all,” I said. “Orrr, not half,” she slurred. BITCH.

Wednesday 22/8/84

The fight is now over. Toni & them made up. Natasha & Rebecca are leaving & so are Fi & I. Today was quite boring. My english assignment, due tomorrow & I haven’t started yet. OH WOE IS ME. Watched the end of ON GOLDEN POND (Watched most of it on Monday in double period.) – Saw last bit today. Am miserable → have itchy eyes & nose & sneezing.

Thursday 23/8/84

THIS IS A FUCKIN’ STUPID HAIRCUT & I HATE THE BAG WHO CUT IT she is a shit. She couldn’t follow some simple instructions & now I look like a freak. Boring school day. Went to town to get a new haircut & the stupid bitch (a new girl) couldn’t cut my hair the way I asked, let alone cut it in a straight line. [Needless to say, the caps and bold type represent extreme anger, which appeared in the diary as rather messy, very heavy-handed scrawl!]

Friday 24/8/84 [Sports Day]

Fixed my hair with mousse this morning – cut it myself just a bit so that it’s spiky. Was GUT! Knew Trinity would win & we did But it was close between us & Clifton. Kewarra got 3rd & Ellis last!! Badly sunburnt. Had a water fight with Melinda S. & Julia at the park. Had the roof-wetting party at the house & I have some type of allergy – I’m sneezing & have itchy eyes & nose. Mum’s gonna take me to the doctor’s for an allergy test sometime. [Sinus issues plagued me as a child. I grew up on skim milk because of the continual flow of phlegm down the back of my throat (a condition known as ‘catarrh’) which was noticeably worse when I consumed whole milk. I ended up seeing an Ear Nose & Throat Specialist at some point in the future, amongst others.]

Saturday 25/8/84

Our ‘blue’ team lost tennis semi-finals Drove home – mim & Fi stayed for Pizza lunch. They went & I started ironing before speech. Diane & Kerry were home; had a look at the house. We met Melinda & Brendan S. He & SHANE have their EARS PIERCED (their mother took them to Kevin Shorey’s, paid for that & even wants to pay for their earrings.) COULDJAWANNA??!!?! [Yeah, the 80’s…Gender-bending! At some stage, the unwritten rule about males with pierced ears was; if it was in the right ear you were gay, if the left you were cool.] After Di & Kerry left, I got ready for the Bluelight. Was good TAS boys (& the girls) were there but nothing happened unfortunately. Mima had a good time with Glenn. I got sore legs again.

Sunday 26/8/84

Ate & ate & ate today – lazed around. Tried to do my english opinionative essay. Got started. ½ done. I’ll hafta wake up early & finish it. Am sooo tired. Late night

Growing Pains at the Cairns High Fete (13-19 August)

Published on May 18, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 13/8/84

Practically asleep on my feet today. Not a good day – slow & boring. Mick came late, so we were the 5th bus to leave, instead of 3rd. Got a book out of the library called Manx Mouse – haven’t started reading it yet. At home, rode to shop & bought a ‘Cool Shark’ for arvy tea – there is NOTHING & I mean nothing to eat in our house. [I tried to find a picture of the old ‘Cool Shark’ ice blocks but to no avail. They were literally blue in colour and the thought of that toxic colouring now sends shivers down my spine]

Tuesday 14/8/84

Asleep on my feet again! Am SO TIRED lately! Slow day. Shamed Sharon M. today. She likes John C. & when he walks past our stop in the mornings, well today we yelled out things like “Sharon loves John” etc. Still haven’t started “Manxmouse” yet. At last year’s speech concert, I had to wear a black cotton dress. Today I cut it into a tube. Just belt it at the top & it makes a great skirt!! [My mum didn’t think so. “I wish you wouldn’t cut everything up” became words I got too used to hearing. But I was a budding fashion designer…what did she expect?]

Wednesday 15/8/84

ANOTHER slow day! Went to the dentist: he said I’m his no°1 toothbrusher (with) braces) & I’ll have to have these shitty braces on for 18 months. Stayed in at art in Big Lunch. After speech went to shop & our tree. Ate & got home on dusk! Supposed to get my ear repierced (the right one – the one I couldn’t get an earring into) Pat said it was too small so I’ll hafta go back & get him to do something.

Thursday 16/8/84

Didn’t go to Kevin Shorey today – just forgot! STUART d. has sugar DIABETES. [Type 1, unlike the majority of children these days, sadly] Fi said he went into hospital today [I have omitted a potentially sensitive statement here] she’s really upset – cries & everything. Mim & I wanted to go & see him but couldn’t. Today was boring – watched high jumps again. Phillip & Matthew were around asking Julia to go for a walk. Kept bugging us but was fun!

Friday 17/8/84

Dunphys may be buying the Sheridan St Newsagency!! And Fi said I could do the paper run but Nana is against it. UP HER ARSE!! Today was also .. Boring. In Double Science ½ of 9B had to come into our class because their teacher was absent (& there were no relieving teachers) but Fi went into 9C. Went to High Jumps AGAIN. Watched the movie “the Big Bus”. Was meant to be funny, but wasn’t that good. In fact, it was pathetic.

Saturday 18/8/84

Am bugared. Mrs H. drove us to & from tennis. Got home, showered & had lunch. Made my black skirt, dressed & met Karen to go to the Freshy fete. Stayed for ½hr – wasn’t great. Rushed home, changed, picked up Lucy & went. The Cairns High (CHS) fete was fantastic & great. The Disco was unreal (or at least the breakdancers were) Got growing pains [aching legs] therefore I was tired & bored. Mima was with Glenn C. most of the night (y’know his sister Lynette – the one with all the fashionable clothes.) He is spunky!! (and year 8) Am sooo tired now.

Sunday 19/8/84

Woke up 8:30. Left for dad’s. Stayed at a park while dad had a trial run for triathlon. [It was his debut – and maiden – entry in the major local event , the “Coral Coast Triahtlon”. I am quite certain he was a part of a team, since I don’t recall him ever owning a bike. He was a (fun) runner.] Went to little Di’s place for lunch after & stayed till 7:30. Back at dad’s had soup for tea, got into bed at 8:50 & I hoped to be asleep before 9:30.