My Diary – Page 21 – A Life in Words

Marshmallow Fail, Static Electricity & Conan (2-8 July)

Published on May 12, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 2/7/84

At 5:15am today it was 8.5°C. Lowest temperature recorded since ’65 (7.3°C) COOOLD!! Tho’ Hobarts max. today is expected 8°C! Our max 4 tomorrow is 23°C! Townsville 4.5°C, Irvinbank -10°C Herberton -2.5°C. Cairns coldest ever was in 1932: 6.8°C. But today, at work did Women’s Weekly Puzzeler & some book work for dad. Staying 2nite again

Tuesday 3/7/84

At home, Mima came up & we made Marshmallow – what a mess! It boiled over & under the hotplates. We had to cleaned it up (euch!) Bonza tea of meat pie. Est. temperature minimum is 10°C tonight – not as bad as last night but not as good either – course it is! I love WINTER & JULY! When Polly came over I had to try’n’sleep in an ice cold bed! BRRR!

Wednesday 4/7/84

Polly, Julia, mima & I went to town with mum & in Suzie Cue like in all shops, the carpet gave us electric shocks. I rubbed my feet & touched Julia. We nearly fell over! There was a LOUD POP & we were SHOCKED Badly! After I got my braces tightened went to Earlville & Kmart (saw Mark!♥) Then had powder & towel fights before feeding the cats. I flung the meat accidently into some bushes when the others told me to swing it round & flick the blood on each other & it broke!! On Tuesday Julia told mima I like Mark. Knew I couldn’t trust her.

Thursday 5/7/84

At mima’s worked with clay until they went out at 10:30. I had a key so, at home, watched TV till Brewers picked me up again about 2:30. Watched “Conan the Barbarian” on their video – alright, mum picked me up, I fed the cats & had a late night at home.

Friday 6/7/84

At 8:40 mima rang & asked me into town. There was a big mix-up. I couldn’t make the 9:00 bus as she had asked. She got on thinking I was down near Griffith St – it was Clare McK. So I rang Mrs B. & she picked me up on her way in. I met mima & we walked around. At 12, saw Fi & Sandy Lee (they were waiting for greyhound bus – SL was leaving. She is nice after-all. I misjudged as usual. We missed the bus cos mim a wanted to buy some books, but the Dunphys dropped us home. Watched TV Dad came. Staying at Dad’s 2nite.

Saturday 7/7/84

Lazed about at home. Mima rang in the arvy & I went up to help her & practise speech work. Ex’s were very hard. Mum picked me up, fed the cats, and had a late night at home.

Sunday 8/7/84

Read Dolly & helped Julia with her Spain project all day. Watched TV etc. Fed the cats & went to bed quite early. I’d summarize the holidays as good, fattening (did exercises only for 1 week) am fat now. Finally, me teeth are together! See, on Wednesday when I had them tightened, they became so close I almost fainted. The next morning they were shut. Looks great – UNREEEEEEAL!!!

Turning Over A New Leaf? (25 June-1 July)

Published on May 11, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 25/6/84

Mima went to movies & Sandy Lee & Co came up so I packed for Dad’s. Poor Fi – not being able to spend the hol’s with us. Not fair for her (or mima or me). Went after a tantrum to Dad’s work. I’m gonna try my best to earn my own money from today. [Hence the ‘Turn Over A New Leaf” sticker] Tough steak for tea. Early nite will »hope« sleep like a log.

Tuesday 26/6/84

Sent “Home Hints” to the Women’s Weekly (5). Went to shop to buy icing sugar for my mini pavlovas. Saw Fi with Sandy Lee. Changed a lot from the photo & didn’t seem very nice. Anyway ate all day & had a late-ish nite.

Wednesday 27/6/84

Jules, mum & I went to town. Walked around. Met Carol & Jamie B. Had lunch at “Goodings” & browsed at novelty shop “Giggles’n’Gifts”. At home, finished off the pavs (umah!) Julia stayed at Melinda’s.

Thursday 28/6/84

Jemima rang & “told” me to come up. Went to town at 3.00 for mim’s haircut. so while Julia, Melinda & Co saw “Breakdance”, Pol, mim & I ran to catch (just!) the 12:00 Bus. Spent $10 but shouted mim’s lunch $5. Took last bus home. Julia & I are now going to stay the night at their house. BYE!

Friday 29/6/84

Actually slept in! (till 9) Had small brekky, got ready, smaller lunch & caught 12:00 Bus into town (AGAIN) Polly & Julia wanted to get Pol’s money but the flat was locked. [I’m assuming that mum was at work for the day, and certainly not expecting her daughters to need to come home for anything] The just got out from breaking in when the bus came! Ronnie waited for them. [Ah, the beauty of ‘community’ – knowing all the bus drivers by name!] Mrs Brewer met us at 2:30, took us to Westcourt where we saw Mark R. God what a spunk! At mim’s we packed & went home (Julia & Pol fed the cats)

Saturday 30/6/84

Yesterday mima promised to come over in the arvy after work but didn’t. Cleaned the house, went to Mulleys. Leonie wouldn’t take us to drive in to see Star Wars Trilogy so Nana took us & not Amanda & Genelle. Gina came instead. OH WELL. Was good. Back at Geoff’s we caught mum just in time & went home FREEZING. Flopped into bed!

Scrawled across the top of the page, at the start of the new month, is this:

THIS IS MY FAVOURITE month Because it HAS MY BIRTHDAY, THE SHOW & is the middle of WINTER!

Sunday 1/7/84

Going to dad’s tonite. At lunch, Penwardens came. Walked along beach [dad lived at Holloways at that time] Icy cold wind. Got an ice block at the shop, walked back & they went home. Soup for tea. Is very cold.

Exam Results & Cross Country Asthma Attack (18-24 June)

Published on May 10, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 18/6/84

NO MORE TESTS!! Science awful 50½/70 English awful 29/40, Maths good 61½/70 German ok 42/50. Mr Van hasn’t finished marking history & I didn’t have art or BP. Am quite upset about Lucy’s coffee table. Mum’s going on about paying for it etc. Bought bubble gum & ice block, rode around, talked to mum rode Petra and Lysarne home after speech. Julia had a bad migraine before.

Tuesday 19/6/84

Mim, Fi & Beka & I were gonna wag the last day of the semester but can’t cos that’s when we get our reports. Cross country tomorrow YUK. 67% History overall 32/50 Oh! BP 35½/40. (70/75 so far) Art 37/40 (9½%/10%!!) Definitely decided to wag tomorrow. Gonna ring Fi now to see if she’s allowed. Started girl drawing business again (at lunchtime). Watched TV this arv. Egg-flip for tea. Tired.

Wednesday 20/6//84

Woke early – decided to go to school cos’ Fi was. Was alright. FREEZING morning – wore gloves to bus stop! Not much work today. (I’m s’posed to go to bed now but my excuse is I’ve got filthy/cold feet. CROSS COUNTRY wasn’t bad but I now know I have asthma – Got 4/5 way back when started uncontrollable wheezing. At speech mim said we’re not going late night shopping 2morrow now.

Thursday 21/6/84

Ellis won cross country yesterday; overall. Toni told me she’s wagging it – naughty. Career Ed today can only call it BORING. Went late night shopping. Put a layby on black shoes – Julia got belts & chains etc. (She) Went to a disco last night. Mum & I walked her there Was cold.

Friday 22/6/84

Huffy with mum. I was running late she didn’t get my brekky for me so I couldn’t have any. COLD AM again Didn’t do any work at all today. AM NOT HAPPY with my report card. Science, Hist & PES are not all highs. Took a gigantic ham bone to Max. Stayed watching Heath.

Saturday 23/6/84

Rained abit at tennis. Went to our tree & after bought a yummy lunch dawdled home (at 4.30) rang mum on the way so she knew. Decided to go to Bluelight (mim & Fi sleep over after.) Am SO excited!! Can’t wait. Gonna wear pinafore, white shoes, bangles, mima’s mum’s black esprit shirt, Jules new belt, white scarf, fingerless gloves & dog chains (Y’know the silver ones) – ≡ Was Unreal! Rebecca P came & went with us. A boy she didn’t even know & she ended up dancing close to him. Thought Mark R. looked at me strangely must be my imagination. Nothing good happened to me but mim was followed around by two guys, one ‘Gavin’ from TAS & ‘Liam’ from CHS – Also a ½ mongoloid guy (Mark) from TAS like Fi & kept asking her to dance. Poor girl – god I’m mean.

Sunday 24/6/84

Played a game all morning, went to shop, ate, rode and decided to sleep at Fi’s in hammocks. Fed St Cloud’s cats – had a fag & 1st drag. Is REEEEVOLTING FOUL. Didn’t sleep in hammocks tho’ cos’ weren’t any. Stayed up late (1 fag & requested songs (3) only Fi’s – “Let’s Hear it for the Boy” was played.)

Vomit, Exams & a ‘Smashing’ Good Time (11-17 June)

Published on May 5, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 11/6/84

Woke late. Are all very tired and lazy. Slept with mim cos’ mattress on the floor was sandy: Packed up and went to the old museum – boring. Driving home, stopped at Palmer River Station 4 lunch. Boring drive home. Dropped mim off. I watched Sons & Daughters and went to bed at 9:00. AM EXHAUSTED!!

Tuesday 12/6/84

Was SICK!! Luckily missed out on my science exam (which according to Rebecca P is very hard.) Soon as I woke, felt sick. No brekky – when Toni came, chucked up my orange juice. Felt better then so went to school on bus – felt sick again. Going to ring mum at office, chucked up under a bush. Mick took me home. Spewed 4 times today.

Wednesday 13/6/84

yesterday felt better around 3:00. Talked to Lysarne & Rebecca P. Had dry toast with honey & 2 grated apples! Kept ’em down! Today felt heaps better. Poured at bus stop – english was pretty easy – maths competition was hard and science was quite easy. Came home in pouring rain, after speech, updated BP – but didn’t study – and I have maths (OH NO) Art (okay) & History (Hell!) They could all be quite hard. Tell ya later

Thursday 14/6/84

Maths and Art – a synch BUT I just know I flunked History. It was liking giving a 2 Yr old a uni-test. Besides that, I’ve just been to Freshy School viewing films of Julia’s Lizard Is. Camp. Not many shots of Julia, but the one she was in the boys made finger shadow like pinching her bum!

Friday 15/6/84

Shane was there last night. I don’t know if I like him anymore /// BP was good, german was better, but the best thing is no more exams!! Rode to shop this arvy, met Karen and walked her home. Ms Chant said I could hand in my BP book on monday instead. Thank God! Julia’s staying at Dad’s. I’m having a pretty early night considering its Friday.

Saturday 16/6/84

Rode to tennis – think I’m allowed now. Rang mum & told her I was going to town. Had ripper fun!! Got clothes 4 mima’s – had tacos for tea which was too hot 4 me to eat! Watched 3 movies. Really tired. Movies – Alligator, Class Reunion & Polyester which you can smell 2!! scratch’n’sniff card comes with it.

Sunday 17/6/84

Got to sleep ~ 2:00 worse – woke about 5:00 (3hrs sleep) Dozed til 9:45 Beka had been waiting outside for ½hr, we found out – umah! Anyhow watched Alligator again (3rd time) for Beka, cleaned up, went to Lucy’s about 11:30. Watched “Hostage” (true story) Had a ‘gala’ lunch & played a ruff-tuff game. I sat on the glass coffee table and it broke. I feel absolutely terrible (Had a smoke – they were “Drum” roll-your-own! UMAH!

Really Gross Gas & Cooktown Discovery (4-10 June)

Published on May 4, 2013 by Elissa Coxen1 Comment

Warning: some surprisingly graphic bowel-related descriptions coming up. If you are sensitive, I highly recommend you skip over Monday and Tuesday this week. Personally, my embarrassment expressed itself in the form of uncontrollable laughter.

My father frequently used to – er, and still does – refer to the “Coxen Bowel Fetish” – a phenomenon peculiar to our family (hence the name) in which uninhibited verbal discussion of anything and everything related to the Excretory System was ‘natural’. I always knew it was a joke – a long, long-standing joke – but it would seem from the following that a part of me chose to believe it was real.

Monday 4/6/84

Tiring, hectic day. School went so slow. Didn’t get the whole dump thingo taped. Trudged home. Getting ready to go to Justine’s, did a big juicy fart & next thing I know, some watery juice drips on the floor. OH NO! – maybe getting that wog that’s going around. Listened to tape at Justine’s, did role play & had some arvy tea!!!!

Tuesday 5/6/84

Toni can’t be wagging it – she was away today again. Got another juice in undies during skool – wet’n’ooozy’n’reeevolting. Hooray! Finished taping Dump thing! Got Science test back 23½/25 Best ever in science. Had arvy tea & rode all arvy. Did HW – heaps of it. Got in a tantrum cos’ everything’s going wrong 4 me.

Wednesday 6/6/84

Woke early. New plan – “all catch-up & HW at school & all study at home.” Down-to-earth, boring day. Good seats on bus. At speech, mim & I discussed Cooktown. [She was coming with us to the Cooktown Discovery Weekend, traditionally held on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend] Lucy, Fi, mim & I went to my place. I wrote mim a list of clothes & she took 2 records to tape. All went to shop. Came home Just on dark!!!

Thursday 7/6/84

Toni actually came to school! NO!! She was sick. Criticized Martin & Shane. God they’re dickheads. Fooled around under our tree at lunchtime. After a shower, went to Westcourt mum took back the sweatskirt she bought me, then at Earlville got a ‘splendiferous’ grey box pleated sweatskirt. Late nite. Gotta do my assign. tomorrow.

Friday 8/6/84

I’ve been so confused. Thought Wed. was Thurs. & thurs. was Fri.! Guess I’m excited. Bought lunch of pizza. Woke early. Rushed my english assignment – got it done and handed in. sooo nervous about exams, too! Got off at fi’s stop & we all went to mim’s Made fudge for the trip. Both so excited and nervous! Packed enough to last me a week! Mima came an 1hr late I panicked, but am calming down now!

Saturday 9/6/84

A Life in Words — Julia & Mima leaning against indigenous watercraft outside the Sea Museum

4:45 – mum woke us. Dressed, packed extra clothes & had brekky. Finally left 5:30. Slept 1hr. Good trip – ate, ate & ate. Finally arrived (after numerous stops) at 11:30. Flat is disappointing – no fridge or TV, cramped’n’filthy dirty. After lunch Jules, mim & me went to Sea Museum. ½ way through the tour, kind man said we could come back after 3:00 (for free) as the parade had begun. After parade, lazed in flat while mum & Geoff went to RSL. After completed museum tour, studied maths 4 2½ hrs, then went to dinner. We stayed home talking until mum came home from pub – feeling sick from drinking the water. The 2 men who came with us are really weird. One is mean 2 us. [I actually have NO recollection of anyone else accompanying us on this weekend, let alone two ‘weird’ men.]

Sunday 10/6/84

Woke early to a bright, windy day & church bells. At 9:00 watched re-enactment of Cook’s landing. Then went to Grassy Hill – windy as hell! Corn 4 lunch – rested – went to Cementary studied again. Lazed – watched fireworks (spectacular – but not as good as Cairns show works) Dins at the pub – mum’n’Geoff went with those 2 men. At the flat, talked, laughed and watched a man in another hotel making tomato and apple sandwiches, when a lady in the same hotel sprung us. Tried smoking. Was fun! I heard a noise – chucked smoke down the loo. Mim worried about the smell and how she felt bloated, dirty etc. FUUUNNY!

28 May-3 June 1984

Published on May 3, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 28/5/84

Woke this morning when I banged my leg on the bar above Julia’s bed. Huh? [My sister and I were sleeping on bunk beds where we lived at that time – I had the top bunk normally, but on this particular morning I have woken up ‘downstairs’ in Julia’s bed…] I was still in my jeans – I hadn’t had dinner or a bath or cleaned my teeth. I slept from 3pm 27th to 6am 28th! 15 hrs – a record for me! When I asked mum how she carried me in here, she said, “I didn’t. Don’t you remember, you walked in here?” I must have sleep-walked! Was tired (everyone was.) Shane & Martin just noticed I have braces. Bit late, huh?! Heapsa HW. A Chinese Fortune thing told me I have all Power, when it comes to Shane – WO!!! Mr Howard’s new haircut – REE-VOLTING! Late night – UMAH!!!!

Tuesday 29/5/84

An Un-Special day. Just got my english assignment done & handed in! Woe is me! I think Shane loves Jenny & she loves him & they’re going together. My luck!! Mrs Caswell asked me to bring my YR8 Home Ec articles for a display. Science Test (last no’) was so HARD!! Julia went to tennis. Rebecca P has a racer – she came down & asked me to teach her how to change gears etc.

Wednesday 30/5/84

Woke early. Resolved to earn as much money as possible ($300 perhaps) At speech, Jemima didn’t even say hello. I still think she doesn’t like me, in fact I know it. On the way home, heard a rattling – my pedal reflector is coming off. “Any Which Way You Can” was the movie. Was good.

Thursday 31/5/84 [my sister’s birthday]

Woke early – Jules got “the Beat ’84”, “Footloose”, “Throbbin’ ’84”, “Colour by Numbers” (Culture Club), Alan Parsons Project, pink & green & white dress, pyjamas, cardigan, sweatshirt & skirt, cute pens, rubbers etc (from me!) & extra $30. Lucky dick!! Gave Julia Rebecca P’s punches. BIG dinner! Feel sick! Chips, cake chicken & pumpkin pie (Yuk) At 9pm mandy & Bill returned from their camping holiday in Tassy.

Friday 1/6/84

In english, didn’t have to hand in our “Dump Site’ project because Leanne wasn’t here 4 us to record it (have till Mon)!!! Mr Roff came to our german class yesterday & told all those in 9.7 art to go to the art room after school – 2 stanley knives disappeared. Roffy said if he didn’t get them back, we would only do theory until he got them. Not fair!! Ate like a hog, this arvy, then rode with Julia. Talked to Rebecca P, Adrienne M, Ross and Nat. Watched Barbra Streisand movie “the main event”. OKAY.

Saturday 2/6/84

Am riding to tennis again (can’t believe I’m allowed!!) Tennis was pretty good – my serving is great! Rode into town. Rang mum from phone booth with an excuse. Out till 3:00. Was great!! Mim acts better now, as if the “would-be” fight never happened. Time of my life – late nite – am buggared!!!

Sunday 3/6/84

Little HW, when Fi rang & all painted her house (pretty good!!!) About 1:30, got our $2 ea, spent it at shop, then went to mima’s where we played game (cos’ parents were out.) Mim owned a restaurant & I (a man) asked Fiona out to dinner. Made us lunch. “Wine?” she asked. “Yes” we answered. We took a sip and stared at each other. “Mima” I said, “have you altered this juice in anyway?” “A little” “Reisling?” “Something like that” she answered. We had 3 more glasses, each time the wine becoming stronger. Then we all tried some rum. Stewart came down (he almost vomited) Then gin & tonic. WHAT NEXT?! The B’s came home later & we all went home. Watched “James Bond” in “the Spy Who Loved Me”.

21-27 May 1984

Published on May 2, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 21/5/84

Late morning. I have a horse cough, now (y’know a deep, hoarse wintry cough) Was cold & windy today. Love it!!! Haven’t got Fi’s present yet – UMAH! Mucked around at lunchtime. Quite boring really. Came home and cried. Don’t know why – just got angry & cried. [brilliant example of inexplicable teen angst, due to raging hormones?] Dad rang and tried to calm me down. He has his own flat now. Jodie S.’s birthday

Tuesday 22/5/84

I GOT MY PINAFORE!! It’s grey but still great! Gave Fi a postcard & I will every day of the week (until Saturday – the surprise party.) Heaps of HW today (Angela’s birthday, too, today) AM worried I won’t get it done. GUESS WHAT?!! Shane is going to the Blue Light with Jenny H. He doesn’t know she smokes. Poor boy – another broken heart!!!! [ah, the naivety of youth…hilarious]

Wednesday 23/5/84

Fiona didn’t get on the bus today. She & Jemima wagged it, together – they told me. That’s quite upsetting. I told Mrs Dunphy about the surprise party & she’s agreed to let Fi go. One problem – Jemima knows. Stuart blurted it out. I’ve got no choice but to lie to her. Hope she doesn’t find out. At the movies this morning were gonna see Footloose as well as Raiders of the Lost Ark, but the shitty teachers made them turn the projectors off. Couldn’t go to tennis – no buses left. Got into Toni’s group for Round Robin. FUN! On the way home from speech someone at the school whistled & whistled & whistled. I think at me! Sounded like it!

Thursday 24/5/84

Got my BRACES!! They’re not big chunky ones at all (like Lucy’s) They’re good! Stayed home. Watched TV & did History. Went to Toni’s (when she got home form school). Drew up the man for “Pin the dick on the Spunk” game at the party. Went home. Late-ish night.

Friday 25/5/84

Ran late because my teeth were aching & I couldn’t eat quick enough! Wasn’t worried – no one teased me. Parade this morning. Have some new assignments. Talked about party at lunch, while Fi was at Library & Angela at a debating meeting. Ate 3 bowls of ice-cream this arvy, but did a lot of riding after!! Mima came around, asking about the surprise party. I told the truth except that “Karen, Rebecca P. & Natasha” organised it. She was very upset. Riding to tennis tomorrow. (I’m actually allowed to ride!) Fi & mima were planning to go to the Bluelight. I feel I’ve hurt Jemima badly by telling her she couldn’t come. It seems she hates me for it.

Saturday 26/5/84

Rode to tennis. Jemima didn’t talk to me once at all. Fiona filled in mima’s team; I filled in Beka’s. Had a great day, despite Jemima’s sourness. Beek & I talked about it. She rode me home. (the other two went to the Esplanade). I dressed and went to Dad’s. Found out Peta & Marney both smoke! At home, paced nervously until time to go. Got calls from Lucy. Got Fiona but was trapped. Jemima came back down the hill. They explained about how they found out the truth & said sorry. I cried. Took Fi’s gear up then collected Fi.

Sunday 27/5/84

Was great! We ate & played with water bombs, got beds ready, sat & ate dinner, watched “Porky’s” (was UNREEAL!) Played pin the cock on the man, then Boarding Schools. Watched “Clas of 1984”, then talked & talked & talked. Slept on & off – I got around ½hrs sleep! Angela & Natasha didn’t sleep at all. Some had a swim in the morning – COLD!! Had pancakes the size of piklets for brekky. Mucked around. Came home at 2pm. Slept ½hr. Want to sleep again. I’ll have an early nite!

14-20 May 1984

Published on May 1, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 14/5/84

Didn’t want to go to school. Long boring morning. Rebecca P. sprained her ankle in PES. Lunchtime was lively – pushed each other around. Was fun. Long, boring (noisy) german lesson. Got home 3:45. Rebecca used our phone to call her mum to pick her up. She was out so her dad’s apprentice came instead. Mum showed me the plans. A few changes & I love it now! Also the new $1 coin was released today. It’s GRAND!! 92% Cu, 6% Al & 2% Nickel!

Tuesday 15/5/84

I got a new $1 coin (for Thursday’s pocket money) Neat! Lucy was away, getting her braces put on. Yep! Luc!! Boring day. Got another english assignment, this time on our set reader. Lunchtime went to art room. Mucked up!! Mum bought a whole new outfit.

Wednesday 16/5/84

Hectic day. Toni, Rebecca & Lucy were away. Got to bus stop – was empty!! Thought I’d missed the bus until Karen came down 3mins later. Late to tennis. All wingeing about cost 45 mins for $1.50. Rip-off!!!! Bus was strangely empty. Rode to speech. Mim & elisia were all dressed up. Was good! Late night!

Thursday 17/5/84

NO!! Miss Woods extended it until Monday, now!!! Everyone who was away yesterday are here today (Lucy, braces’n’all.) She says they hurt. Went late night. Bought tracksuits and gloves & beanies for Irvinbank. Nice’n’warm’n’cosy!! Froze in the airconditioning at Earlville!! Had tea there. Battered fish & scallops – GREASY!! Must write a list of things to take tomorrow at school.

Friday 18/5/84

Pretty rushed day. Panicked when got home (cause I forgot to write a list). Can’t wait to get there. Am pretty stisfied with what I’ve packed – am still worried about pastimes. Bought lunch today. PES – played another basketball/netball game. Mrs Connors says I’m good (Ha! Ha!) We’re about to go now – bye!!

Saturday 19/5/84

Last night was cold – breathing vapour! Woke 6:30. Had big brekky, did some HW, then went for a walk to the old Vulcan mine. Was so deep! After some fossicking, had lunch, then went to the School of the Arts, where began a tour of the town & new mine. At camp, had shower. Read until went to dance. SLACK!! All country’n’western music. Girls about my age were smoking, hanging around men. Bed at 11:00.

Sunday 20/5/84

Woke 7:30 & read, until went (in 4WD’s) on the outer town tour. Went to the cementry, then Ghost Town (Ghost town alright – no buildings left at all!!) Fossiked & looked around the remains of the old tin smelter. Had lunch at the School of the Arts. After, packed up & left around 3pm. At Herberton, I was ready to chuck up, but after a long stop at the Joss House, gained strength & made it to Yungaburra Hotel where ate chips’n’nuts galore. Slept on the way home. Missed out on the movie “Superman”. Was too tired.

7-13 May 1984

Published on April 30, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 7/5/84

Went to Fi’s at 9:00. Went to mim’s at 10. Still asleep. Came back 9:30. [what the?!] Polly said she woke a minute after we left! Went to beach with Brewers. Rough & strong rip. Visited the beachside shop now & then. At home, hurriedly dressed to see Julia off on her Lizard Island Camp. Shane was going, too. I think he tried to make me notice him. Got an ice block on the way home. Fought over the house plans. Mum wants it her way; always her way. Did essay. Wrote about when I came back from Outward Bound Camp & Julia told me mum was leaving (Gr6). [Well THAT’s a surprise to me. It proves how irrelevant Time is to your consciousness, in the long run. Memories blur into each other. I ‘d could’ve sworn I wrote that essay in Grade 7 (1982), as I have said previously. Also, I know my father & mother’s relationship disintegration spanned some time but I’d never have guessed it was 2 years (1981-1983). How terribly painful for them both] After, cause of fatigue, got shitty when something got in my eye & still won’t come out. Tried everything. I’ll just go to bed & hope it’s gone tomorrow.

Tuesday 8/5/84

Speck is still there, but I’m used to it. Wrote out essay neatly before school. Ants got into my lunch – starved in PES. I was also whacked in the jaw – PAIN! Fi & me stayed in at art at Big Lunch. Got my haircut. Short with a scungy ratstail. It’s too small – looks silly. Watched Last part of “Return to Eden”. Was good.

Wednesday 9/5/84

Woke late, feel tired. Wore Julia’s peach & white striped Tshirt in PES! Got a bad graze & bruise on my leg, when at little lunch a boy pushed his mate into us & as he fell, stood on my leg, [we were sitting on the ground] pinching it to the ground. Stayed in art again, before leaving for tennis – “I’ma gettin’ betta!” Lenny couldn’t start the bus this arvy – fooling around with a spanner when the problem was the handbrake was still on! Got home 3:55 LATE! Wore mainly Julia’s clothes to speech – UMAH! Was fun. After, Lucy, me, fi & mim rode playing “follow the leader”. Geoff staying for tea.

Thursday 10/5/84

Yesterday, I accidentally walked back into Kel M. – he put his arm around me & said “Orr, Sorry Darling!” I ignored him – a bit!! Slow day until Jules came back from camp. Slept 3hrs & was delirious saying things like, “Is dad home?” “I don’t wanna go back”, “everyone hated it”, “no water”, “salty baths”, “dry island” [which it is – there is no fresh water source on Lizard Island. I’m no doctor, but it sounds to me like she was pretty dehydrated]. DISCO was great but I was wierdest dressed. Michelle S. & Sandra E. & Shaun H. laughed at my shoes. Didn’t get BP updated UMAH!!

Friday 11/5/84

BP book was almost complete when handed in. Busy little lunch – ate ½ lunch, changed shoes, changed into blouse & handed in my maths folder! Big lunch, all sat under our tree & talked. Finished “stained glass window” in art. Looks TERRIFIC!! Lotsa stupid jokes in German got Miss Schmieman mad. This arvy rang mim 10 times & Fi 2. neither were home. I knew they were together. Upset that they didn’t get me. However, I cried…..(but what’s new?) Watched the movie “Smoky & the Bandit. TRIFF!!

Saturday 12/5/84

Tennis was okay. 1/3 games. I’m getting better. Went to mim’s after. Had a swim, all played a game. Was great! Now are all going to camp out in Mim’s Nanny’s Yard. Am so nervous – don’t know what to take! Will it be cold? Will we be alright? Hope mim’s nanny doesn’t mind.

Sunday 13/5/84

Was great! Mima & Fi wre uncomfortable so slept in the house – Beka & I didn’t. Packed up, went back to mim’s where had brekky and played games all day. Beka left around lunchtime. After, we had a swim, then made patty cakes for our mums. Was dark & all kept hearing things, like someone calling “mima!” Scared to death! When got home, mum got uptight about me being away all day on MOTHER’S DAY. Feel so guilty. Mum worked all day – on mothers day.

1-6 May 1984

Published on April 29, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Tuesday 1/5/84

GUESS WHAT?!! Mum rang Dad & he said I’d definitely have my bike by Thursday!! UNREEEAL!! Last night, I woke, sitting up chocking on my saliva. I coughed & sucked back mucus till my throat got sore. It has been sore all day, now. Very drowsy day. Bought lunch – A mince roll. YUMMY!! [Interestingly enough, I clearly recall this little moment in my life: how good – soothing – that warm mince felt against my inflamed oesophagus.] MY THROAT IS KILLING ME. Tonight, whilst doing my HW an accident (involving Kim H.) occurred across the road. A dog was run over. I know nothing more.

Wednesday 2/5/84

I GOT MY BIKE!! It’s not a Galaxy II because it has a racing seat (hard on the bum), 12 speed & more expensive. Got it after speech. Lucy, Fi, Mima & I went for a test ride. The throat lozenges for my sore throat changed my taste bud’s senses and made me feel sick. I’m getting better at Tennis! Bought my disco ticket & got a new History assignment. Hard to talk today ’cause of my throat. Think I might get Larangitus.

Thursday 3/5/84

Feeling heaps better. Lotsa HW – Hell! Chucked a tantrum in front of Toni this morning over terrible blocked ears. Feud at the bus stops this morning. We saw Shane & them coming, so we walked to the corner of Sharon M’s house and got on there but the boys kept walking. After all, about 30 got on the 1st stop, 4 on the 2nd and 5 or so at the 3rd. Went late night. Bought gloves & dog chains for disco. Got good seats on bus today.

Friday 4/5/84

Cold must be cured! Feel so good! Didn’t go to tennis at the courts because mima was going out & “didn’t feel up to it” anyway. So Fi & I went for a ride to the shop. Met Lucy. Bought the “supplies” & played the ‘Lolly stop’ Game. Fun! Lucy asked me to Go to to Fitzroy Is. for the weekend with her but I don’t know cause I’ve got tennis Saturday & lotsa HW.

Saturday 5/5/84

Decided not to go. Rained at tennis, Luckily it was mum’s turn on the roster, so she drove us back to mim’s. Played ‘The Ungame’. It helps you discover yourself & others. Had a swim, rode to Beka’s & got the “Thriller” tape. At mim’s watched it twice, went to the shop, then went home. Did very little HW. Big 3 course dinner!

Sunday 6/5/84

The movie last night was called “40 Carats” & it was stupid. Did HW in AM (English Essay has got me stuck. Dunno what to write) Went to Fi’s. She was still in bed reading. Finished her book, mucked about then had salad sammy 4 lunch. Rode to mim’s but Mr B. said she was still asleep, to come back in 1 hr. Went to shop, tennis courts, then mims again. We all went for a swim, then shop, then Pony Club. Talked to Justine & Erica. Went home. Mum is still at Tinnaburra. AHHH! I turned the light on!! Movie – Jazz Singer. I might watch it. Yes, I think I will.