rejection – Page 2 – A Life in Words

The Crown Jewels, a Dead Dog & a Sick Sister (27 May-2 June)

Published on June 28, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 27/5/85

Hotter today. Sunny, too. Exactly the opposite weather to what we had yesterday. Gave brooches to Sarah, Justine & Lucy. Wore my own. At aerobics, Fi, mima, polly and Carla G. came. I moved away from mima so I didn’t flash, then they all kind of snobbed me off for the rest of the night. Legs are weak & wobbly. [Good, that means I was worked hard.] Got abit of HW done, just the essential stuff. Exams start Fri 7th June, stop 4 long weekend, then go on the 11th 12th & 13th. 10 days away! I have science & BP on Fri; English & History on Tues; Art, German & Maths on Wed & nothing on Thurs.

Tuesday 28/5/85

Went to Earlville this arvy to see the Imitations of the British Crown Jewels. Gorrd!! Must be realllllllllllllllllly expensive!!!! Also got Dolly for June (is alright). and had a look at jumpers. (men’s). Found cheap diamonté earrings, too! Today, in English, was lucky that I didn’t get my go for speech. I haven’t done it, but I’ve got it started!! Periods 6 & 1 have been swapped on day 4’s & 6’s now. Walking to PES, Tim came out of graphics. We walked past with Erica. He acknowledged her with a smile & wave – and – a pang of jealousy hit me!! It can’t be!! (But it is.) I must love him (or have a crush) He doesn’t even know that I exist.

Wednesday 29/5/85

Fiona lied to me today. I rang her up this morning. She said she wasn’t coming to skool because she had a sore throat & headaches. Bullshit. She just wagged it to be with Jemima again. (Like they did last year.) At speech she tried to deny it. Also she said she wouldn’t ride but this arvy I saw her on her bike (while I was on the bus). Today went skating. Was fun but shameful!! I can’t skate anymore!! Didn’t see Tim all day, but Lucy told me she thinks he’s a snob – I’m starting to see a new light. Mini Olympics today were stooopid!! Stopped (thankfully) cos’ of rain. We’re not going to Cooktown anymore now cos’ mum’s realised how Important my exams are (for my Jnr. Certficate) Early-ish nite. Hardly any HW

Thursday 30/5/85

Today went to oval at Big Lunch to watch Anna play netball. Or did she? No, too silly to play a game. [NO idea what that is supposed to mean.] Sally, Michelle I, Michelle T & Rachel were all there too. God they’re funny! Tim was on the oval, too. Justine likes him, too & so does Sally. I think it’s true wot Lucy said – he seems like a “snob” to me, too. (in a way.) Hot today. Fiona had a temperature, but acted fine. selling my FIMO badges now [and there’s the little entrepreneur again!] (As soon as I make an opening batch) 60c ea. Natalie P, & Beka & Sarah & her mum have already ordered!! Am so tired. Want to work solidly this weekend. Mite ride 2morrow. Will ring Fi now.

Friday 31/5/85

JULIA’S BIRTHDAY. mum woke me early & I got cranky, But recovered quickly. “I” (mum) gave her a jewellery stand like mine & a note pad. She also got a white top & around $80 in cash; A record & bracelet & material doilies (yuk) from Amanda – her friend – & a little bag from Melinda. Sally B. was shamed today; Anna told us how Tim found out Sally liked him!! Good hockey game today, too. Got 7 badges made 4 sale tonite. Went 4 a long walk, too. Melinda is sleeping. Went to town. Julia bought some clothes & pr. of shoes out of some of her money. Leonie & Amanda & Janelle never came ’round after all. Want to do lots of HW this weekend if possible.

Saturday 1/6/85

Today was a waste of time for me. I woke, lazed, made 1 more FIMO brooch, bored myself – lazed – ate – mucked around with broken chains (& incidentally, made 2 necklaces!!) Bathed. Watched Countdown when Fi & mim took me to the shop. Home again – Julia vomited. She’s been off all day. (Max is dead) He was run over on Thursday. Poordog. I loved him like my own. [I have no idea to whom ‘Max’ belonged. We certainly didn’t have a dog at that stage and I can’t remember any particular neighbours’ or friends’ pets by the name of Max.] Bill, Mandy & Heath came 4 tea around 6:15. Cameron did not come (to my relief & more so to Julia’s) [My sister had a crush on him, and was painfully shy] Fancy 3 course tea. Am tired. Trying to watch this movie. Is a Repeat. “the fiendish plot of Dr Fumanchu” Got no HW done today

Sunday 2/6/85

Got hardly any sleep last nite. Julia kept waking up & vomiting I lost count how many times she was up. Worst nite’s sleep I’d had in ages. Today was a terrible day. I felt depressed & bored & a little off-colour & just…. different. Did History & science HW. No more Fimo things made. Running late 2 nite. Is already 8:00 & I haven’t bathed. Julia didn’t vomit today – was just cold, then hot etc, had a headache, sore throat & pains & numbness. I Ate quite alot, too. Fiddled around. Washed my face thoroughly when got frustrated over pimples. Am tired. Skool – oh good! I actually can’t wait!! Early nite 4 me. Julia’s staying home

Séances, Black Forest Cakes & A Retainer Brace (6-12 May)

Published on June 25, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 6/5/85

I was bored today. I think this long weekend has gone so slow. It’s cos’ I bin bored – I’m gonna keep saying to fiona (after every weekend) “what did you do on the weekend?” & when she asks me wot I did, every time I will reply “-oh, u know, the usual boring weekend I always have.” – Today I watched TV, ate, an’ even made up a new exercise plan which I will start 2morrow. The Bests came out in the arvy. We went to the park (there’s a slippery slide there 2, now!) Watched TV, went back (they’d gone by then.) Watching TV now. Have had a bath & tea. Did a poo just a few minutes ago. [Too much information? Thanks to “the Coxen Bowel Fetish”] Feel better. Am determined 2 have an early nite 2nite

Tuesday 7/5/85

Only 2 days of skool this week!! Going to the orthodontist tomorrow to get a plate – my 2 front teeth have started to ‘space’ again. I need the plate to hold them permanently – but I don’t need the late permanently!! Felt like rubbing it into Fiona about my lonely, boring week ends 2day, but couldn’t. Was hot. Sleepy, too. Art is due Fri (assignment) so German Camp kids get to hand it in on Mon. Just as well cos’ I haven’t started!! Got clay today. Made last things tonite after HW. a brandy snap, 2 doughnuts and a cream’n’strawberry tart. Is another early nite 4 me 2 nite. Exercises this morning took alot less time!

Wednesday 8/5/85

A Life in Words — My retainer brace looked similar to this
(that’s not my smile!)

Was busy today. Had to try and remember so much! German Camp health form, art money, swimming gear, art texts etc – god!! Had period 7 instead of period 1 (don’t know why) BP instead of History. Neither one any fun. Did paintings in art. My clay work’s drying slowly. Tim is a hunk! Mum picked us up after swimming (glorious day the stinger net’s gone!!) [For those who don’t know, some deadly marine stingers inhabit the coastal waters of North Queensland for many months of the year (approximately November-May) so swimming at beaches is only possible where the special stinger-net enclosures are based.] Got my ‘plate’ at orthodontist. It’s called a retainer brace – a bit fits in the roof of your mouth and wires (just one) goes round your smile! At speech mima said “Do you want to go out with Steven? He’s your height and quite spunky”. I changed the subject. Why? I just got nervous! (Jemima said (when I asked her) that she didn’t set Neville & me up. At another National Trust meeting. Have to wake early tomorrow to pack, etc. I’m gonna be soooo tired.

Thursday 9/5/85

Got everything done this morning! Even got a ‘white’ costume – I’ll be snow WHITE! Shame job at skool. I wore shorts (but that wasn’t the bad bit) Everyone musta thort we were crazy to go on a German Camp. [I don’t quite understand what’s SO ‘shameful’ about this. Unless it was considered ‘daggy’…but we were getting time off from school, so…?] But ….got Dorm. 2 again (5 of us + natalie & tania P.) Did activities like wotch slides (boring) & made paper beads (boring) While we did that, fiona’s group did skit & made Black ForestCake. Food was alright. Swam – was cold but very refreshing. Had disco 2 nite cos’ something wrong with Film. Was silly – no one danced. Have a feeling 2nite will be late.

Friday 10/5/85

Late nite got to sleep ’round 12:30. Others told ghost stories, so I blocked my ears & dozed. [Yes I was a scaredy-cat. And I still detest horror films. I don’t see the point of stressing myself with negative images & thoughts.] Fi & Beka on their way 2 loos ran into a snake. Wots worse, when we all called “snake” & “Mr Pudniks” [one of the teachers] no one came!! Were woken early for a walk. Long walk. Practised our concert items after brekky. We (Shane, Natalie, Tanya ‘n’ Justine ‘n’ me) had to perform Bremen Musicians on cards (I drew ’em of course.) After our skits, had free time. Swam – Had lunch then concert (u guessed it – ) on film! We won best act – got choccy! Made & ate our Black Forest Cake after another swim. Lucy, Fi & me talked about what we didn’t like about each other. After Bath’n’ tea, watched Film. Not so gut [german for ‘good’] as last year. Rushed ending. Probably ‘nother late nite 2 nite. The others want to hold a sayonce. [You guessed it – I meant séance] Wish some spunks came. Tim or someone!! !!

Saturday 11/5/85

Last nite had big joke session after unsuccessful sayonces. Then another sayonce (unsuccessful) then sleep. Too tired to look at watches. Coulda been after 12 // No walk this morning, didn’t swim 2day. This camp was good! Wade ‘courting’ Jenny (we think (cos’ we thort we overheard him torking to Ian) [not keen on this ‘cutesy’ phonetic spelling I seem to like falling into every so often. I DID know how to spell ‘talking’…] he thinks “she’s the only one who’d do anything” and “the rest are moles”.) After brekky, packed and rest of morning (Besides session of scrabble & pancake making (and eating) and lunch) was free time. Boys came to our dorm, cos’ Jenny left early. We must be 2nd best! Had a whip fight with sapling branches. Free time – till parents came. Shane is nice – still a fond friend I think! At home, (Julia bought me 3 popsicles to win a prize in this competition. We’re close to winning PANAM HOLIDAY to Disney & Hawaii, or a stereo getto blaster or computer. Then I unpacked, bathed and slept 3hrs! TIRED!! Bests are here 4 tea. I’m off 2 have some baked alaska! [I remember this! Mum’s one & only attempt at Baked Alaska. She did well, but I think the amount of work that went into it was enough to put her off trying to make it ever again.] Lateish nite I s’pose.

Sunday 12/5/85

Today had to do English Book Review talk & art assignment. Wasn’t in the mood, but struggled and got English talk done in between reading magazines, eating and lazing ’round. Had shower and we went to Dad’s new house Is nice! Pretty big too. Got ½ art assignment written – rough copy. Today was MUMS DAY gave mum only a home-made button bracelet but dad bought round a plant 4 us to give 2 her. Lateish nite

The Persistent Suitor & a Hangover Memory (25 February-3 March)

Published on June 15, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 25/2/85

BACK TO SCHOOL for another week. Yuk. Fiona has a cold. She’s bin sniffin’ all day. Lucy has left too. For good – I think. & Justine’s in her own world with Sarah H. Am tired. Nothing really happened today. End-of-unit science test on Wednesday; new PES teacher is Mrs Connors (she’s ooookaaaaay); German another bludge. double History (bigger bludge in the library); art was alright; BP yuk as always. Got the March Dolly & Wham! Magazine today. GREAT x-ept I’m a little disillusioned with the WHAM! thing. Not that excellent. Late-ish nite.

Tuesday 26/2/85

Today was supa-hot, too. More rain this arvy & thunder. Fiona’s cold is bad. I don’t (& she doesn’t) think she should’ve come to school. She had a temperature in the afternoon. Tim wasn’t here today. I didn’t see him, anyway. Mima yelled to me this arvy “Neville wants to know if you like him.” I smiled a sorrowful smile & shook my head; No. I wish he’d give up. I’ve already told (lied to) him that I’ve got a boyfriend in Brisbane. Hardly any HW tonite. Learnt a little for my science test. Nothing on except cricket (BORING!) Am so hot & bothered. Dunno if I’ll get to sleep. Bluelight is on 16th March (or so they say…)

Wednesday 27/2/85

I didn’t like today. (except that science test was easy & got a hell of a lot of work done in BP.) Fiona went home at little lunch, leaving me with Rebekah. Also lost my ruler and after speech, Fi brought up Neville again. She said he wrote, “I love Elissa” all through mima’s HW Diary. I wish he’d lay off. I don’t think I’ll go to the next Bluelight, cos’ (no doubt) he’ll be there hoping to dance & dance & dance….. And I know I’ll blow my stack. Mum went to a National trust meeting, Julia to a disco & me to Mandy & Bills. HOT again today. Got braces tightened. Dr Kadell said this was the last stage in my teeth fixing!! They come off on May 2nd!!

Thursday 28/2/85

Fi was away today. Boring. Hot. Told Beka about Neville (about the “Neville wants to know if you like him” & the “I love Elissa”.) She tried to hid her dissapointment. I told her I wasn’t going to go to the Bluelight, but later in PES (when she’d recovered) she told me I must come & be mean to him. I don’t know why she wants to do that. Rang Fi tonite. Told her about it she says she doesn’t want to go either – she’ll tell me ’bout it tomorrow. [Unfortunately if she did tell me about it, I didn’t enter it into my diary. So we’ll never know why.] Jodie (Julia’s friend) embarrassed me today… Tim (spunky) has bandages on his nose. He walked past & she said aloud “look at his nose”. (he’s broken it, doris!) He turned around How embarrassing!! [SO easily embarrassed?] Mandy came and looked at the tiles. Practised handstands I’m gettin’ betta! Can’t wait till Fi gets back!

Friday 1/3/85

Today was Hot. Again. Yes, again. Fi was here today. School was boring. God Tim’s a spunk. He’s got bandages on his nose. Wonder why?…. (BROKEN, dick!!) Got off at Fi’s stop, cos’ mim told (signalled) me to. We had arvy tea then read books. Then we all went home. Then we got ready to go to the movies. Then the Brewers picked us up & Mim, Fi & I went. Julia was there too, with Petra. Beka SHIT was there too, with Justine. “16 Candles” was a top movie. “Hard to Hold” (before it) was THE pits.

Saturday 2/3/85

Today was plain. (I thought) Woke around 7:30 & lazed & dozed until 8:30. Didn’t start getting ready to go to work till around 10. Dad came an hour late. up till then. I just tried to do my english essay but couldn’t & walked around tidying up stray things. [Textbook Procrastination – a defining trait.] At work, I didn’t feel at all like doing washing drums cause at his new place, there’s no drains (You can’t do it outside in case the grass dies from chemicals) [It amazes me now that no one put two & two together back then: so it’s ok to drain the residual chemicals into our waterways, but not kill the grass outside the premises? How did it take – and unfortunately still is taking – so long for Humans to realise that we’re in a ‘closed circuit environment’?] So I cleaned 4 drums & did 2½hrs labelling – ($11) altogether. Lunch was filling. At home, mucked around watched TV. Had bath. Watched TV. No tea Just snacks. Late-ish nite. Not so hot, now. Fi rang today. She Didn’t ring back.

Sunday 3/3/85

Gutsy today. Ate so much. Woke around 7:30, wanted not to go to Pt Douglas with mum & Geoff, or to Dad’s, but to Fi’s. Rang her, but she rang back 5 mins later, crying, saying I wasn’t allowed. So went to Dad’s. Jenny had a bad hangover. She spent most of the day in bed! Jules & I got words for songs then I spent most of day doing nothing or watching TV, while trying to write my english essay, But I did get it started (finally) and am now almost finished. Is late & movie is stupid. Am full. Jenny left after walk on the beach, then Penwardens came for drinkies! Australia lost to India. Are definitely out of the finals now. [This day was forever etched in my stepmother’s memory. Or should I say branded, with a scorching hot poker? Julia & I played, stopped, rewound & played the song “One Night in Bangkok” by Murray Head on one of our mixed tapes on Dad’s stereo, over & over until we’d transcribed the lyrics, unbeknownst to us permanently instilling in Jenny a hatred for the song. She was sick as a dog and just wanted it to stop – but didn’t say anything at the time. It’s a running joke now.]

In case you can’t recall the tune, here’s a link to a YouTube music video: One Night in Bangkok

Year 10 Begins (28 January-3 February)

Published on June 11, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 28/1/85

Boring day today. Wasn’t hot. A little rain. Poured last night. Woke 7:00. Watched cricket (day match) after playing records. Wrote out my thank-you notes. Didn’t eat too much. Will have a late night. Julia is gonna be rushed tomorrow because she’s staying at dad’s tonight. Experimented with make-up & also went over exercise plan for school days. School. What a depressing word. In Jodie’s letter I asked if she got Andrew’s or George’s (or both of their) autograph’s & if she did, she wouldn’t mind sending me Andrew’s? [My cousin must have seen Wham! in concert. Living in Sydney she had a lot more opportunity to see international acts. Cairns didn’t – and still doesn’t – manage to score many of those.] Haircut tomorrow. Last day Tomorrow. Why???

Tuesday 29/1/85

Well, this was it. My LAST DAY of Bliss!! I woke quite early & completed the (my) new exercise plan – an extract from an old Women’s Weekly. “Victoria Principal’s Lifetime Plan for keeping fit.” [Victoria Principal took over from Jane Fonda in the celebs-as-fitness-professionals game. She was best known for her role in the TV serial “Dallas” – which I wasn’t allowed to watch by the way] I started it yesterday & felt a little ill after it again, today. Julia came home, but was gone 10 mins later. She’s in 8b!! I woz in that in Year 8!! She has lots of friends with her – Katherine W, Melissa B, Brendan S, Andrew F & Yuri K. Today, I accompanied mother to town. Got my dolly & the Wham! poster!!!! Lazed in the arvy. Am a little worried about tomorrow

Wednesday 30/1/85

Wasn’t bad at all! No rush or panic or over-excitement when getting ready. I am in Form 10J with Fiona, Rebekah & Justine. Know why? All the above-average kids (or most of them) are in a our form. Yes, that’s Angela R, Natasha W & Rebecca P, too. I hate it in a way – we might get our “goody-goody” label back. [I don’t know whether ‘we’ actually were considered “goody-goodies” (geeks) by others, but this was my self perception, and I held this belief for most of my time at Smithfield High.] Also, I think Sean has left. wasn’t here & I didn’t hear his name called out (I don’t think) in the forms. Got Mr Van Slooten for form, english & history. Today was boring. Just talking (Mr VS) all day. Got home & relaxed. Early-ish night. early tea. Will ask Sharon M if Sean has gone.

Thursday 31/1/85

Today was hot. More boringness – ¾hr parade in the sun. Couldn’t see Sean. I think I do still like him, cause I miss seeing him around. Got Mr Howard for science again this year (in a way I’m glad) Ms Bowelles for PES. Mrs Anderson again for art (good.) Mr “Way” for maths. He’s funny. Ms Stevenson for BP – she can’t control our class. Mrs Westerwald for German again. Today Shelley D came up to me (us) & began talking (at first about my hair) I think she likes us or pitys us for being in a “special” form. Very early night cos’ nothing on TV. Wanna get a new bag, mine’s too big. Chaotic today – all grades were back.

Friday 1/2/85

Did ask Sharon today. She said she thinks Sean’s still on holidays. But she sounded positive!! Extra hot today. Am boiled right now! Will have to get all my books this weekend, as most of my teachers wanted to begin work today. In PES, started gymnastics – rolls! Forward, straddle, back rolls & I didn’t wear any bummies!! SHAME!! FLASHES!! [In case you missed my previous description, ‘bummies’ were a piece of athletic clothing for girls that actually looked similar to Bridget Jones’ giant undies, but not flesh-coloured. They were worn over underpants, but under your sports skirt – unless you were a true athlete in which case you wore them alone.] with nothing In period 5, had sports team meetings for swimming carnival. (Jules is also in Trinity!) I’m not in anything. I hate exposing my figure! When got home this arvy, mum wasn’t home. That got me cranky’n’since Jules has her periods, she’s hostile too, so we fought all arvy – really bad.

Saturday 2/2/85

BLUELIGHT TONIGHT!! Hope I see Sean! What will I wear? Ended up wearing (borrowing) Fi’s black’n’white striped jacket. With that, wore my black skirt & belt, white shoes & lime T-shirt. Lace in one pocket & lots of things cluttering my wrists (like Madonna.) Today read, before going shopping to get school books & other stuff. At home, covered my books & watched TV until went up to Fi’s to get her shirt. Got home & prepared for Bluelight. HATED this Bluelight, tho’ I saw Sean quite alot. (Thank God) Well poor Justine & I had to dance with these hoony guys which scared the bog outa me, then this guy Neville hangs around; likes me. I don’t like him – Beka does. I ended up lying, saying I had a boyfriend in Brisbane etc etc & that Beka liked him ALOT so he danced with her the rest of the night. Fi has a new boyfriend. Greg K. he’s nice, suits her! & Liam & Adam G. were almost bashed up!.. I didn’t like it at all.

Sunday 3/2/85

Today woke early-ish, set out to do HW & book covering, but found I kept thinking too much about last night (which made me sick) so I read all day, to keep me occupied. I hate it – I always attract the wrong guys. Ate quite little today, surprisingly. Is rainy & cool. Want to do my homework now, but also want to have an early night. I can’t wait for school, now. Want to see Sean & forget last night. SEAN!