Hello 1986, it’s HOT! (1-5 January)

Wednesday 1/1/86

Well Hi There ’86!! You’re gonna be a great year for me. My Resolution Is to Improve Myself – health, confidence, attitudes, personality etc. We went to 2 parties – the first for a very short time – Bonds next. Less people there!! Had Westcoast toast to the New Year!! [My father, while normally a pretty strict disciplinarian, would have allowed this alcoholic treat because it was a special occasion, and I was 15] Went to sleep about 2:30 after swimming, talking, eating (& having a shower) Woke at 9:00. Dad & Jenny went at 4:00. We had swims & brekky & left with Roger (& Nelly & Amanda) about 1:30. Watched TV & read magazines at dad’s & Roger (& the girls) took us home [to mum] around 4:45. (After a quick trip to Kewarra) Watched TV. Rang Fi – had HEAPS to say to each other. She had a grate [I can’t tell for sure but it looks like I tried to correct that spelling error here] time! Watched movie. another late nite (is 10:34 now)

Thursday 2/1/86

A Life in Words
While this is the region that Fi visited, and how the Gold Coast is usually identified, I have made my home on the much less built-up southern end of the city

Well today I woke quite late (8:30!) And I lazed around till 10:00, when I got dressed & waited for Fi to come (she arrived at 11:30 after all!) She gave me a writing set & a pen really cute!! Told me all about her holiday – sounded like unreeeal fun!! She stayed until about 3:30 & left as we put up our letterbox. We watched TV (Julia & I) the rest of the night. Is only 9:40. Having a pretty early night. Had heaps to talk about – the things, places, people & occurrences she (& sandy lee) experienced were unreal!! I’d love a holiday down there!! [Holiday indeed. The Gold Coast became a place of abode during Uni holidays some years later. Then from 2002 it actually became my Home.] Someday…! was HOT

Friday 3/1/86

GORD it’s Hot!! Today I woke around 7:30, then received a letter from Mima (in sydney) at 9:00. After doing some housework, I wrote back at 9:30. She had sent up some of the photos she took at our form (Justine’s) party. After that I messed around until we went out – GOT OUR WALKMANS!! [These weren’t literally Sony Walkmans. They were a cheaper version – probably Sanyo or the like. But, they did the job.] Also had a prang (that’s all mum needs – she’s really cranky lately. I think it’s cos of the financial problems & hidden influences from Geoff & how she has ‘no’ or little friends.) Also visited Nana. At home watched TV. Just watched the movie was good! Is 10:26 & I’m HOT!!!!

Saturday 4/1/86A Life in Words

I’m HOT! Summer – Ouch!! Wrote “thank you” notes today to friends & family for the Xmas prezzies, before Fi rang and asked me to the movies. Mrs D took us in to the shop & we walked to the Cinema Capri. “St. Elmo’s Fire” I thought was fantastic. I loved it! Saw Harry (in his car) He whistled & yelled “sexy” to get our attention. [That usually hasn’t worked for most of my life. I usually don’t look for whistlers because I don’t expect them to be targeting me. When I was younger (this age) I also believed it was extremely arrogant to think you would be the object of that kind of attention. Says a bit about my self worth, you think?]  Except at the movies, I’ve had my earphones (and the radio/cassette) in use all day! I listened to 2 cassettes + the rest radio. I find if I vary the stations, I pick up good songs often (more wham!). I  love their new song – I’m crazy over it: “I’m your Man”. Is 9:35

Sunday 5/5/86

Today I wrote out all my last “thank you” letters, including a 6 page one to Jodie & Mike. Otherwise I watched test cricket [ew, REALLY?] or other TV shows or listened to my walkman (radio) again. (tuning between stations to pick up good songs.) The one I really want to hear non-stop is “I’m Your Man”. I AM FLIPPED over that song. I LOVE IT! Petra came over with her friend Karen. Karen (nearly) always comes over with Petra now. I think she’s taking Petra from Jules. [Ah, the stealing of friends as if they were possessions. It’s amazing how long it can take in a lifetime to learn you won’t and can’t ever ‘own’ people.] And it’ll be hard for her to stop Karen because she & Petra are both at CHS. Poor Julia Was sticky today. Is 10:05 now

If you fancy, here’s the link to the original music video clip on YouTube. What a trip: I’m Your Man – Wham!

Show Hype & the ‘Oz for Africa’ Concert (8-14 July)

Monday 8/7/85A Life in Words

Lucy’s a little upset about Steven – she’s restless. There’s something bothering her. Ate a Mars Bar this arvy – great way to start a diet, huh? BUT…. played ‘get the frisbee off Julia’ which REALLY wore me out. Then I went to aerobics. Now I’m pretty well ded!!! Haven’t done any HW (great start to the new semester, huh?) or packed my school bag. It’s 9:00. Might stay up or wake early in the morning (← impossible!!!) Am weak!!! Everyone else has grown over the hol’s so I don’t stand out too much anymore!

Tuesday 9/7/85

Nana’s BIRTHDAY. Mum went to a clairvoyant yesterday (a friend of Duffy’s) It’s frightening how accurate she was!! (She taped what she told mum) Anyhow, she said that things are gonna pick up in every aspect – socially, health, fitness, finance!! Yo!!! The house will be finished..!! [Hmm, I don’t recall any huge changes in fortune, health etc…] Dad went & she said about Julia would have a job related to animals & I would be a nurse “or something more”. & would have many letters to my name (degree??!) [Well, as a Fitness Therapist, I do kind of fit that bill: in the health & wellness industry I care for people. And the letters after my name? Well so far I can claim “Elissa Coxen BA Dip. Fit” Does that qualify?] But I don’t wanna be a nurse or doctor or whatever…I want something to do with clothes. [No great surprise there. It’s fascinating that interests & passions can change so greatly in life.] Went to Nin’s for tea. Julia was shitty. No prezzy’s yet. Hilary said there’s a postal delay → walked near Tim today. Felt stiff Just kept walking fast – no smile on face

Wednesday 10/7/85

MY BIRTHDAY!!! Wot’d I get? So far, $90 in cash and 1 present from mima & fi, but it was a beauuuty. A mug with a ballon, a sticker, two biros, two mini butterfly clips, a toy tug boat & a rubber & filled to the top with boiled lollies YUM!! Ate so much today – disgusting. Generally a good day!! (can’t believe it cos’ I was at skool!) Robbo’s came over after tea. We talked & laughed!! Found out, too, that Steven B’s a Cancerian. A Life in WordsWas born on the 8th July!!! Julia told Fiona about Tim today. Tried to tell her I don’t like him anymore – somehow, I don’t think she believed me. Did a big runny shit. Now my anus is sore. [Hmm, brings to mind Johnny Cash’s “Burning Ring of Fire”. This WAS a private diary, remember. I highly doubt I ever expected anyone to read this in my lifetime… My how things Change!]

Thursday 11/7/85

I don’t believe it!!! Jemima came to visit me!! On her own!! AND Fiona isn’t going with her, Brent, Steven & Anna after all [to the Cairns Show] (she must have presumed she was.) So I’ll ask her (mima said I should. She wanted to invite us, but thought it’d be boring for us etc) Also, am gonna “make a list” of all the people who’re going on Thursday night so we know who we’ll see!! [I’m not sure why, but I always had a fascination with how many & which people I would see at the Show. When I was younger I remember actually taking a tiny little notebook & pen with me and recording who I saw. To what end? I have no idea. Perhaps something to do with an un-expressed social drive?] Christian band performed at lunchtime. Man! I see God, freek me out!! Nah! Kidding!! Happy day today!! Believe it or not. COLD, too. Steven B. is a hunk!!!

Friday 12/7/85

Fiona’s happy she’s coming to the show with me – she told me how confused she was, not knowing whether she was going with mima or not, but now is excited and determined to stay away from Lucy, if possible. Lucy pesters me all the time saying “when’ll we go?” I feel sorry for her – but I just can’t stand her. Went late-nite tonight. Got a treadly pair of jeans $50 & a grandpa shirt $20 (couldn’t get red – so got white) love ’em! Also got 3 prs earrings for $5. Red & white & 2 prs black & white. [Red & white] are the best. Have $30 left. Wanna buy some shoes & nail polish, yet. can’t afford it! Am not in any events 4 carnival. I got out of it!! * I hope Tim goes to the show on Thursday & we run into him!!!

Saturday 13/7/85

Woke early (shit!). Dad came at 9:00. I worked for 4½ hours (cause there was not enough work for more money.) On the way home, got a Sly Cone & stopped at Megan Close house. Looked around – is filthy dirty & terrible colour schemes. WRECKED!! Came home and …. I dunno! Watch’d a bitta TV, ate. Now watching OZ AID concert. Goes from 9:00pm 13th to 1:00pm 14th July. A Life in WordsWant to watch it all!! Going out around 10:00 tomorrow. This is HISTORY, man!! And I’m gonna watch it!! [This was one of a number of musical ‘Aid’ events held worldwide to stimulate fund-raising for famine relief in African nations such as Ethiopia. The marathon concerts were held in a number of cities ‘simultaneously’. For information about the Sydney show, including a brief outline & schedule of performers/performances, take a look at this webpage: liveaid.free.fr/pages/ozforafrika-uk.html or Wiki-search “Oz for Africa”] Got $18 of money today, but Dad gave me $10. So now I want $3 ($2 to make $30 & $1 for entrance fee [this is all about the Show – spending money.]

Sunday 14/7/85

Went to bed at 12:00 last night. We couldn’t keep our eyes open! Decided that most of the good acts like Wham! Go West etc would be on in the daytime when more people would see them. Was wrong. Only just saw Wham! (one song), saw Madonna! but tears 4 fears & Go West weren’t even there. At 11:00 mum & Geoff went to lunch at people’s place. Nana looked after us. Around 1:00 petra came – went to park – talked ’bout show. Dianne & Kerry came around 4:00. Rang mum & Geoff they got here 4:30. Rest of arvy watched TV & scribbled in mags. Chook for tea. Played their Trivial Pursuit, shit it’s hard!