fail – Page 2 – A Life in Words

Monday 23/6/86

Boring! Boring! Boring! I ate and watched TV. And that was about it. I also got my haircut and love it! All the long bits are cut off! I have a very short bob and the right side is layered short – blending into the bob [making it the true ‘asymmetrical’ style that was the 80’s]. The very first hairstyle I’ve ever been completely happy with! Jeez, I’m gonna be a Norm if I keep this up→ Watchin TV & eating Boring. [“Norm” for those who don’t know, was an animated character – representative of the ‘normal’ Aussie bloke – central to the governments’ physical activity campaign “Life. Be in it.” which ran for many years, attempting to educate the Australian public and encourage changing to healthier lifestyle habits.] M.M.MM Mark! Can’t wait to see him again!! Talked to Petra (she came over) she thinks he’s spunk too. Mrs W also came over to pick up Sharon’s bike HOW BORING!! 9:30 Gotta hava shower yet. Gord!!

Tuesday 24/6/86

Today, after a lot of phone calls, it was decided we’d go to town (some people had specific things to do) and also see “Crocodile Dundee”. Was a great day! Beka, fi, Mima, lucy & me (And Brent sometimes too) walked around and had fun. I walked down to dad and got $90 for schoolbag, jumper & 2 shirts. (But didn’t buy any thing after all cos I couldn’t find anything I particularly liked.) Croc. Dund. was fabulous (again!) for everyone except fi (& Brent I think) it was the 2nd or 3rd time!! Kept hoping Mark’d pop up from nowhere. But it remained→ a hope. Went to Lucy’s after. (mima, Fi & I) to discuss tomorrow nite. We’re staying over – Mr W shouting us to dinner→ we’re gonna sneak out to Crocodile Rock!!! [A popular nightclub in Cairns that was strangely not even located in the CBD, but in a heritage building – called the House on the Hill – in the suburb of Mooroobool.] Ragey!! Hope Mark’ll be there!! Is 9:13

Wednesday 25/6/86

Boring until nighttime!! Made a new glass bead bracelet, watched a bit of TV, visited Lucy and got excited!! Went to Lucy’s again around 5:30. Got hair fixed. Looked great but felt like straw!! [That means there was an abundance of gel used…] Then started make-up when mima, fi & Beka came. They looked so much better than me (not more grown-up just prettier – better clothed etc) Rushed round. Down at Freshy Connection [the local ‘Kuranda Scenic Rail’ station, which includes a restaurant in which you dine in 85 year old ‘retired’ train carriages] we laughed and carried on in our carriage (had wine & mim & I had Kalua & milk) Caught a taxi after (all packing it) [the phrase “packing it” means “really nervous” – similar the phrase “packing shit” which relates to being ‘scared shitless’!!] But the guy at the entrance knew we were only ‘kids’ still we filled in forms [in those days if you didn’t have any ID, you simply filled in something like a statutory declaration before entering the establishment. Too easy.] with false names and addresses [that’s exactly what everyone did, and most likely the reason why it was abandoned eventually] and let us in…. there were only 11 people in there!! Martin G

[….here I had crossed over onto the next page (Thursday’s entry) in order to continue my story. This happened a lot in the future, when I didn’t fill out my diary until some time later – usually the next day – and had so much to tell…]

Thursday 26/6/86

said most had chosen Nighthawkes that night so when we were waiting for him & his (cute) friend to finish their drinks & take us there – up comes Mr W!! God help us!! [Hahahahahaha, That was SO funny. We were MORTIFIED!] He hadn’t told any parents but had been thinking ’bout it & decided he couldn’t take the responsibility in case we were found out. [He had knowingly allowed us to go in the first place] So we had to go. SHIT. Back at Lucy’s, we brooded about it, & stayed up till Brent and Martin G came over. (Told us how packed Nighthawkes was) upset us more, then we all stayed up til 3:30, talked, walked and sat on the gutter huddled up against the cold. Then we woke at 10:45 this morning & got out of bed at 3:00 to go grocery shopping with Jane & Lucy at Coles. Stayed at Lucy’s for tea then went to mima’s. Slept there (got to sleep around 1:30) Watched rock videos Ha! Ha!

Friday 27/6/86

Woke late again today, but not like yesterday! About 9:00 this morning I think. We watched music videos this morning after fully waking up. Lucy left early then after cleaning up, mima fi & I went home, when Justine turned up SHIT!! What the hell could I do? I talked (trying to lie about what I’d done (well, not try)) [I’m amazed that I felt I had to lie. Upon reflection, I wonder if it was because I so often felt left out of things myself, that I just assumed others felt the same too, and I couldn’t bear to hurt their feelings so chose to cover it up instead? Hmmm. I’ve definitely matured in this regard] Jemima & Fi went home and I went to town with Justine – it was boring. Saw Becca G & Anne Marie → they said Brizzy trip was a rage. Saw mima (didn’t see me) so I went home around 6:00. Fi & mima rang mark today while I was talking to Justine!! Shame! But he wasn’t home. I’m also doubting a bit→ could Greg have lied about Mark?? Hope not. And what does Steven B know? About 9:00?? [this last question is unrelated to the others – I would have been trying to guesstimate the time it was]

Saturday 28/6/86

Boring Boring Boring!!!! I spent the day at home. But thank goodness I didn’t eat so much!! I lazed around – bored shitless. Got over 9½hrs sleep last night – but will take more than that to get rid of these bags under my eyes!! Geoff, mum, Fi & I went to Drive In to see Police Academy 3. Was “fair” not as good as the others. Fi & I talked on the way home. she’s not sure but thinks Mark does like me ie: Greg told the truth (there are so many factors that point to that) Also said she’d try’n’ask Steven what he knows. Is 11:03. Sleep in tomorrow (my last time!) Also went shopping this morning. Got a grey shirt!! Hoping to bleach or fade it. And also make-up kit with blush & eyeshadow Green pink purple yellow brown blue white & dark grey UNREAL!! (Haven’t done a scrap of speech HW these holidays) UMAH

Sunday 29/6/86

Well, school tomorrow. I’m a bit nervous believe it or not. Today went rather slowly… it was boring too. I didn’t eat very much but what it was, I ate a lot of. No! I mean what I ate was fattening (and sickening) Oh dear me! It was so boring today that I have nothing to say. Nana came over. Julia (who spent last night with dad) was at work today. Is 10:16 → Trail of the Pink Panther will be finished soon. I can’t watch it – it’s too boring cos Peter Sellers isn’t in it anymore. I s’pose I’m also tired & kinda nervous about tomorrow. After all I haven’t been to school (& seen Mark) for 2 weeks …..

Monday 9/6/86

Woke at 7:15 (got 9hrs sleep) did my art, hung out the washing, made my bed, finished my art, cleaned my desk then 11:30 went to see mum. She had just gone into theatre [for the ‘curette’]. Geoff took us home, mucked around with Fiona & Christopher (F) & watched TV. Went to see mum again around 2:45. Boring! [This apparent ‘coldness’ towards my mother’s situation simply borne of a lack of understanding…which most children have. I completely empathise with my niece and nephew for their sometimes ‘naughty’ behaviour during the final weeks of my mum’s life: the poor kids were dragged to hospital EVERY day, so it would have been torturous for them, even though they knew ‘Nana’ was ‘very sick’…] Sat & read magazines etc. Went home, Geoff stayed. About 15 mins later mum rang and Geoff went to get her. Had pies for tea (after mucking around with Chris & Fiona again – playing stuck in the mud etc) [Old ‘Stuck in the Mud’! I’d forgotten about that game. Great physical exercise for kids…but I couldn’t remember the rules of the game, so Googled it for a reminder: Stuck in the Mud ] Is 9:11. I’m surprised at little amount I ate. School tomorrow Hip Hip Hooray! Dad came around to see how he’d set the Hash run (they’re gonna go through our yard & down the gully.) [In the Hash House Harriers, there’s a ‘fox’ who sets the ‘cross-country chase’ each time they run.] Dad & Sharon (when she rang) both asked about mum. I told them she was having an operation on her stomach. Hated lying to dad. [I’m sure he was told/found out in good time anyway and would certainly not have held anything against me for it.]

Tuesday 10/6/86

10:35. I’m not tired. Did no work today (except art.) Got test marks back. BIOLOGY I am so pleased I passed both exams – theory 80/110!! and prac – 50½/80. HOORAY! But, gulp, maths. I failed. 28½/70. My overall % was 47% still SA [‘Sound’ Achievement]. but still not good. I must do a lot more study for maths from now on. Art, I got 24/30, but sposed to add on 4 marks for something so I got 28/30. Got 20/30 for my problem – worst in the class. And 80% overall. Depressing – I could’ve got a VHA [Very High Achievement] if I’d done my problem better. Spent lunch hour in art rushing to finish my mural but alas & alack not quite → she marked it before that. I gave myself 43/50, Dunno what she gave me. But I spent rest of double period tryn’ to finish it. NOT QUITE. Went straight to mima’s this arvy. Made a cake & made masks for the dance→ mines orright not finished. MARK WAS AWAY so was Cameron McK; probly baseball.

Wednesday 11/6/86

Mark was barely there for the day. Saw him in the morning up till art. After that who knows? But he was at the dance…. Got 25½/50 for ENGLISH. I AM ECSTATIC!!! And 19/20 for my assignment!! Unreeeeal! [English turned out to be my best subject overall in senior high, which is kind of funny considering I was doing the special Art Course (CAD). Meant to be better at Art, you’d think…] Chemistry 49½/80 Pass by 9½. Pretty fair overall mark for semester was 59%. Boring day, really. After school, rushed down to Dunphy’s shop, mum got me & went into town (rang Mrs McM & skipped speech) Denim Jackets too small.. got a white small skirt from Sportique. & Mink hairspray [oh yes, the 80’s were definitely a decade of hairspray…in the same-but-different way from the 60’s..]. Rush at home wasn’t ready in time→ mum had to take me instead. OH well. At first didn’t think Mark was coming. But (my imagination of course) later on it appeared when Sharon & I went for a walk, him & greg k were following → probably cos of Sharon, not me. 12:40. Steven hit it off with Erica S (she’s not too sure…) ♥Mark♥

[I had detailed the dance in another notebook:] … Sharon & I went for a walk around the back of Croswell hall, and sat on the stairs around the other (unpopulated) side, to talk. then, Mark and Greg appeared…they’d followed us, we were certain; though I thought it was most likely for Sharon, I didn’t say. Really, I was hoping Mark was following me. When they saw we’d stopped and sat, they sort of hesitated for a moment then coolly walked past and around to the front of the hall. At another moment, they appeared to be watching again, as well. We’d decided to try and get up to request a song, so took the back stairs into the Hall. We hesitated at the top, outside, for some reason… the door was locked? And I glanced down and who should be standing below, looking up?

Thursday 12/6/86

Woe is me. Y’know about last nite→ supposed following by greg & Mark, well today Greg said (in 3rd or 4th period) “I know someone whose got the biggest crush on you.” I instantly thought of Mark. My attitude was kind of “brushed off”. “Yeh, Yeh, Yeh….” He wouldn’t tell me. And it happened – I got my hopes up only to be let down. I pestered him in last period (in Biology, before, I was sure it was mark, he sat in front, but turned round to talk to Greg next to me) and he finally said… “Cameron K”. Shit. I mean I like Cameron a real lot→ my best male friend – but I said “bullshit.” Perhaps Greg was lying. Seemed like Mark was paying abit more attention (i.e. looking at me more!) to me today. Ha! Wish 9:35. Mark you spunk Don’t you like me too? Not really cold winter weather Damn! Quite warm actually

Friday 13/6/86

I felt sick when I left for school this morning. Had a feeling it’d be a bad day. But it wasn’t so much that → more “spectacular”. I felt very uncomfortable around Cameron (Mark came very late & I only saw him for a very little while all day) went to hall watched choral music practise (Mark played volleyball) then went to civic centre (got in free (lucky) fi didn’t) CHS got one 1st & a 2nd. Then back at school Sharon Monique & I watched volleyball (Mark must’ve gone→didn’t see him at all after that) sharon dragged Greg over to the trampolines (I’d told her my “prob.” on way back from Civic Centre) And she squeezed the truth out of him. Took me (& Monique) outside. “MARK HAS LIKED YOU EVER SINCE YOU CAME TO CAIRNS HIGH!!” I AM ELATED! He was too shy to ask me to dance at the dance in case I’d say no & too shy to talk in case I’d ignore him MARK LIKES ME!!!!! Said he couldn’t wait till Angie’s party to talk to me!! LOVE! Rang Beka this arvy too. Went to go to Croc. Dundee. Spent about 2hrs in town but movies were booked out – Julia & Cherie got in tho. also went to Coles but couldn’t see Mark anywhere. Also poor mima got shocked today. At civic centre Brent & Cameron wrote notes to each other mima read one & went hysterical, cried & left school caught town bus home. [I have no idea now what that was all about…]

Saturday 14/6/86

Well this morning I didn’t do much.. Jules & I had a lip sync competition [we loved our music!], then I attempted to wax myself. At first it didn’t work (too much bloody wax) then (I got cranky) it did (but not completely) I also sunbaked when mima rang. Then I packed and went to her place. Watched the end of a really “hacked” [hmmm, don’t recall using that descriptive much, so can only guess at it meaning something like “not good”!] movie (on video) then “mucked around”. Got ready for the movies (Hoped Mark’d go…) Saw Youngblood and it was excellent. After walked to “Sly Cones”, where we waited (well we kinda went for a walk) till the B’s (Mr & Mrs) came.. After an ice cream, Polly, Monique, mima & I went back to Brewers. (Are all – mima monique & I) gonna sleep in one double bed – Ha!!) Laughed a lot before going to sleep/ mima’s made up with Brent (kind of… still unsure) And I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT MARK!!

Sunday 15/6/86

That was the worst night’s sleep I’ve had in ages!! Barely any room at all!! Had to wake early for the door knock appeal – got in there early. First area was Manunda. Not too good. Mooroobool was a bit better but Bayview Heights was the same as Manunda. Went had so many encounters with dogs.. it was unbelievable!! [A great example of how they are great thief deterrents] Also heaps of people who pretended they weren’t home – when the house was open & unlocked etc. [I recall us doing that once or twice with mum but hiding from bible-bashers rather than charity door knockers] But overall, our team (car – Mr B., Polly, anna, fi, jay, brent, me, monique, mima, sharon) raised $450 overall. Not bad but not the best either. Oh well! After, we wanted to get back & have a shower before the BBQ but Mr & Mrs B were gonna stay so we got [a different] Mrs B to drop us back. Got ready & mum & Mrs W dropped us all back in (to a house in Richardson St) near kind of to mark’s street McManus. That was so bloody boring. Went home really early. Mr & Mrs B stopped at Banks’s for coffee so we took the house key and walked back. There (anna polly sharon monique mima & I) listened and mimiced sings on Take 40 Aust. Another late nite!! in the bloody double bed again

Tag: fail

Eyeshadow, Music Videos & the Clubbing Fail (23-29 June)

Stuck in the Mud & Love in the Air (9-15 June)