self consciousness – Page 5

Recycled Carpet & a Metal-Free Mouth (29 April-5 May)

Published on June 24, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 29/4/85

Anna is going with Prabon. It happened at the Bluelight & Megan is too embarrassed to sit with Anna while she’s with him. Anna’s feeling guilty. Had science test not too bad. Also got maths test back 20/25 Best in maths so far this year! Got form for german camp – it’s next week. I know I want to go, & Justine is but I don’t know ’bout anyone else. Jodie T. had a bottle of perfume which she shot Fi & me with at B. lunch – smelt 4 rest of the day. At home, read Dolly (May, new one) until carpet ‘witch’ aunty Hilary sent up, came & mum began laying out 4 the lounge & dining room. [Because mum didn’t earn a great deal, much of our Simon Street house was built with secondhand materials…which these days would be considered VERY cool by the Greenies. Mum had procured all the french doors, the whole kitchen, and some of the external building materials…as well as, evidently, recycling my aunt’s old carpet. I’m so proud of my resourceful mother.] Didn’t do any HW. Man came 2 fix washing machine. Is 8:50. Mum’s starting to carpet her room, now. She won’t stop!!!! [That was SO my mum. She was a real worker, never stopped. If she did, it was lights out!]

Tuesday 30/4/85

Windy & cool. Is definitely coming into winter cos’ its starting to get dark at 6:30. Mr Van Slooten wasn’t here today, thank god. Got on bus (this morning) 2nd last & there were NO SEATS LEFT. Everyone was barred or taken. Julia eventually let me sit on the one she had barred 4 Philip & Brendan (so that they wouldn’t take Anna’s again) [Ah, Hierarchies in Everything. Bus seats?] Have only just realised that my English letters, due tomorrow, I have not even thought about. It is 8:35. Can I get 2 done? Stay tuned folks…..

Wednesday 1/5/85

A Life in Words Good day today. Happy!! (most of the time) Wore white sandshoes – yes, they were white! We cleaned them last night in power clean & they’re white! [‘Power Clean’ was – and still is – one of the best products my father sold. I’m not sure what its active ingredients are, but it DOES do a great job on most things! It’s probably one of his best known and oldest in his product range.] Got science test mark – 15½/25 OH! OH! In german, doing work on adjectives an example was Elissa hat ……… schwester. [In English: “Elissa has ______ sister”] and everyone had to add adjectives – told Jules some ‘o’ the words were nice, some bad. Are doing fantasy drawings in art – have to listen to music from “War of the Worlds” to help ideas. Wish we could do our own dreams, tho. Beach was good – overcast and cold, but warmed up. Went 4 that walk – everyone had to. (Puffed) only got ½ way. Speech was good, mima talked to me! about Bluelight, Brent, kissing Brent…….. At Geoff’s for National Trust Meeting – tired!!

Thursday 2/5/85

TODAY WAS THE DAY!! I GOT MY BRACES OFF [In my original diary, this text was handwritten over three lines. Excited much?] Looks so different (my teeth are too nice for my face!!) [Hmm, there’s a glaring hint about my degree of self-love] Feels funny, like I have wax over them – they’re so smooth! Penwarden, Jenny, Petra, & Marney & Noela didn’t notice at first!!! (Dunno how they could’ve missed it) Beka found out at school in maths today I wrote it on my maths book & she saw – she knew but didn’t tell. Big Yr9 fight today. Anna cried co’s anne & agnes hate her 4 spending so much time with Praybon so she told him she wouldn’t hang ’round. How sad. Paid money for German Camp. Robbo’s (- Peta had work) came for tea left 8:45. I did get my english letters done. Bed at 10:00.

Friday 3/5/85

Today – I liked this day very much. Woke early – teeth feel like I’ve still got braces, but are covered in wax. Hardly anyone noticed my teeth, without my help in making them notice!! Fiona knew (straight away, almost) that I was lying when I wrote that I had Larangitis. [There was never any ‘pulling of wool’ over her eyes.] Double religion was boring (but Tim’s in Anglican too) think he was watching me, sometimes. English did spelling & handed in. Finished painting plate. Must do 5 articles in clay over weekend. Cross Country Run I came 23rd in age group & 2nd in age group for Trinity. [Well this is a surprise to me… I didn’t think I could run.] Went with Deyanne. Lucy was 2 far behind 4 her & Fi & Beka were too far ahead of me. Got home quite early slept! (about 1hr) Yacht Club 4 drinks then take-away pizza at our house. Watching movie – weird. Lateish nite.

Saturday 4/5/85

Woke 7:00. Lazed till 7:30. After Brekky watched TV till ’bout 10:30 when started HW. After “Air waves” [a locally produced TV music video programme], finished maths & all HW, then got clay down from “attic”. Was hard – dismayed me. Won’t get my clay work done, now. Made some more bracelets – another bead one, and a safety pin one. Countdown taped most songs. Julia left for Catherine W’s party 5:30. Watched TV. Am watching movie, now “Tim”. I reckon the ‘movie season’ has started. Good movie last nite, 2nite & “Voyage of the Damned” 2morrow nite! Yesterday I thought mima would come ’round 2 c my teeth cos’ when she waved on her bus I pointed 2 my teeth & she got really excited. But she didn’t come. Shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.

Sunday 5/5/85

Woke 6:00. Read ‘1984’ till about I don’t know when! But went to Raintrees Sunday Markets & (shame’n’shit!) guess who was there? The one & only Master R, himself. Tried to dodge him much as possible, but at the National Trust stand, I was under the impression he was trying to be seen. He’s grown one hell of a lot taller – brought up some old emotions oh! & of course Julia embarrassed me in front of him. SHAME!! Rest of the day, finished ‘1984’. Around 4:30, bathed (& shaved) ‘Nother late nite – at Dianne & Kerry’s. Watched countdown. Saw footloose on video.

Easter at Elisabeth Gorge (1-7 April)

Published on June 20, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 1/4/85

Maths was hard. Didn’t have hardly any time to learnt before skool – no one (I don’t think) got it finished in time. It was hard. In PES, took notes cos’ of the weather. Science – marking stray HW. History – understand the last part now. Almost finished it 2nite. BP – new topic. Practical, too. English – started Animal Farm essay. Continuing Yentl essay. (Hurry, Liss!) Art – made a vanilla/custard slice looks nuthin’ like it. Rainy today again. Tim – I get nervous and self conscious when he’s near. Never know just how to stand or sit or what to do with my hands. I’ve tried to control it but I can’t. Late nite.

Tuesday 2/4/85

Really worried today that I wouldn’t get my work done. I have my PES to complete tomorrow, 3 assignments due Thurs & my art clay work. Got my History & 1 English assignment done & worked out my art. PES I dunno – & Animal Farm (the otha’ english assign.) tomorrow at school & prehaps after. Today was cool. Didn’t take me jumper. DAY 5 – Science ›blech‹ BP ›blech‹ -er! German ›blech‹ -est! Maths Mr Way was absent. Maths puzzles & english worked to my capacity. ‘S’arvy finished Hist. Dunno if I’ll wear shorts on our Free Dress Day on Thurs, now.

Wednesday 3/4/85

Today was terrible. Couldn’t sleep last night – mozzies buzzing in my ears. When I did sleep my whole body was under the sheet. History is done! Double art – did theory instead of clay work will tomorrow, too. Have to work in lunch time. Maths – got test mark back Below class average. 17½/30. Class AV 18.5/30. [This would no doubt have caused Perfectionist Me undue stress for a few hours.] English – Mr V.S said we only have to hand in one english assignment whichever one we want. Great! Lunchtime – did PES testing – skint! In PES played hockey. fun but hot. BP got all work done in class, so no HW 4 Hol’s. Watching movie – “Xanadu”! Dunno wot ta wear 2morrow.

Thursday 4/4/85

I thought Tim’s family would be comfortable financially cos’ he wears Tab shorts to school but today he wore daggy black jeans like Shane S. used to wear…. Still I don’t look at his clothes – just his spunky face. Wore my red’n’white Sportsgirl shirt, sweatshirt & sanshoes. Took my Sportsgirl bag. All of us were allowed in the science lab, today (only 2 boys had correct leathers on.) German had competitions. Natalie P. won. Art, watched boring video. Didn’t get clay done. Eng. & Hist finished up essays’n’mucked around. Maths – won an egg! packed this arvy. Haircut just a trim. Saving up for perm! [OMG, yes. It happened a number of times in my youth…] Lateish nite

Friday 5/4/85 (Good Friday)

Woke 5:30 today. Didn’t do exercises. Finished packing and went to work. When eski was packed at work, we came home cos’ we forgot somethings then left on our 3hr journey. Tried to sleep while travelling. Sick tablet helped me stay awake. [We often took travel sickness tablets as a precaution. My sister had – and still has – a weak stomach for travelling. She was invariably always the one we stopped for.] Got to Chillagoe 11-11:30. Drove to the Walsh River, saw Karen M & the Holletts ‘n’ everyone. Didn’t see the Strikes. Was too crowded there. Drove on, looking for Elisabeth Gorge. All those who gave us instructs were wrong. Finally went to the “Bellvue” Station Homestead. A real ‘bloody’ Aussie gave us directions. And we cross-countried all over the property, 4wd country alright!! Had to look for certain things e.g.: windmills, dams etc. Like a treasure hunt. When we finally made it (6:30) was already people here! Still, camped a bit away. River’s alriiiight. No trees where we camped. Don’t really like it. Feel homesick already. Jules bedded early. The rest of us went down for a bath/swim. Bed at 9:30

Saturday 6/5/85

Woke quite early 6:30. After brekky cleaned up & set things up totally. Then went for a dip. All of us got Aussie [my stepmother-to-be’s German Shepherd] in & she began enjoying the water. Then went firewood hunting. Got heaps, but dad wanted this giant log – trying to get it, we staked it. The back right wheel punctured BADLY. After changing it & getting back, we all drifted down to the creek & spent most of the arvy in it. Everyone else but me got burnt badly – or visibly bad. Withered the arvy away. After tea I had a half’n’half enamel mug of range & reisling. Anthony the dickhead [stepbro-to-be] was trying to convince me I was drunk. Dad was the only 1 (I think) who knew I wasn’t. Late nite.

Sunday 7/5/85 (Easter Day)

Dad came in at 7:00 singing “Peter Cottontail”. [He pretty much rolled this one out every Easter, since his first performance on a camping trip a few years earlier had delighted all of us kids. You know the way Dad’s do, once they think they’ve hit a ‘winning formula’.] Julia ended up eating all her eggs today. [That was usually MY trick] Hot X Buns for brekky. Lazy, swim about morning. Went walking up the gorge & found a beeauutiful hole. All swam & fossicked until around 1:30 – 2:00. After lunch, lazed ’round – swimming, photographing, playing games. After the last swim/bath, had tea and sat by fire. Am tired. Talked & quizzed each other. I had more wine 2 nite & didn’t get ‘pithed’. Am going to sleep out 2 nite – hope it’s cold.

A Mandatory Stay with Dad (11-17 March)

Published on June 17, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 11/3/85

Today was a boring Monday except that Sons & Daughters is on (or started) again – tonight. & also – in place of New Price is Right – the “Perfect Match”. Is weird show. Want to ring mima soon – it’s about 8, 8:15. Going to say sorry bout how I acted at speech last Wed. (was moody about carnival) Beka also got her hair cut to level bottom of her ears. Looks REVOLTING. Doesn’t suit her at all. About mum going to Brisbane:- co’s’ we’ll have to stay with Dad, we’ll hafta catch the Holloway Bch Bus. That is something I DEFINITELY will NOT DO

Tuesday 12/3/85

Today was my last day at home. Mum is leaving early tomorrow morning. We are at dad’s tonight. He’s going to drop us at our bus stop tomorrow. I’ll get on the bus again in the arvy, for speech & he’ll pick me up after. BAD day. Watched a movie in English “The Voyage of the Damned”. Is good, but boring so far & uncomfy. Double maths was boring: so was science – Fi was going (faking) on about how she had inconstinence or something. “leakage of the bowel”. I almost believed her. [I have on occasion been considered gullible. Admittedly, it is still possible to pull the wool over my eyes…] LATE NITE 10:30

Wednesday 13/3/85

Today was better than yesterday. Felt better. When rang mim yesterday, after school said sorry & asked about speech HW, then told her about Bluelight. She offered for me to stay the weekend. But dad said no. [All attempts to get out of going to Port Douglas for the weekend were failing.] We are leaving Fri night & coming home monday morning. Science was boring. PES was embarrassing, Ger was stupid, History was dull, Art was fun & BP complicated. Watched finish of movie today, lunch-time. Happy ending! Today I got on the bus before the 1st stop. Got off at Fi’s dis arvy Jules & me. After speech, went home to get more gear then at dad’s flat; I had another late night 11:00

Thursday 14/3/85

Missed catching the bus at Stratty shops, but caught it at Petra’s corner. Harry said we couldn’t catch this bus after all, without paying, saying that as long as we were out at Holloways, we had to catch that bus. But I told him it was only temporary & the whole thing was ‘forgot’! Maths, stupid. PES shame & I put my (left side) back out, Science, boring, Bought juice at L.Lunch, History was dull, BP (the light is dawning ie, I know how to do Bank Reconciliation, now) Big Lunch boring English slow & Art treadly fun. Got off bus & went home. Looks dull & lonely. Hate even being there. Dad picked us up at 5:00 (after we’d had showers ‘n’ gotten things we needed. Late nite – couldn’t find a backpack, nor diamontés. Big shopping load. At flat another late nite 11:00. Am bugared!

Friday 15/3/85

Today woke late-ish. Had to pack things that we’re taking to Port D. & everything else. Have decided now to get on the bus at Fairweather’s (like we did today) cos’ we never know whether the bus has gone past at Stratty shops, or not (like we did today!) School was boring-er!! than ever. After, at home, ate what we could (not much) & did HW, while watching TV. After dad’s run, we went to the Freshy Hotel for drinks, then drove to Port Douglas. Pizza for tea. Late nite 11:30.

Saturday 16/3/85

Today was boring. Got around 8hrs sleep last night. When woke, had to help in cleaning the house & pool. Before 12 sometime went with Jenny (Jules & me) to the Port Nursery and picked out about 20 plants! After a quick lunch the Mulleys arrived during the matinee movie then the others came. Wasn’t a bad party but I was bored. WISH I could have gone to the BLUELIGHT. Just read my book tonight, not hanging round Jackie & her hoony friends nor Amanda & Co cos they were too childish. Am scared. I hate Port D.

Sunday 17/3/85

Last night something was going to happen. In Jackie’s room, the hoony friends, Jackie & Anthony were going to do something to me. Whether it was force me to smoke or get drunk; I don’t know but that’s what I’m scared about. [I’m not sure if I actually knew ‘something was going to happen’ for a fact or whether I was uncomfortable & paranoid, and therefore ‘expecting’ something. My feeling is the latter. I can have paranoid tendencies – most probably borne of an inherent lack of self-belief – but thankfully they have lessened over the years.] I’ll never come here again. Hurry & come home, mum….. Today was just as boring. I want this weekend to hurry & finish. Got about 6hrs sleep last night. Woke around 8:00. Swam all day & mucked around. Read book when everyone had left & watched TV tonite. Want an early night. Want to ring Fiona & talk about Bluelite.

Lots of Boredom & A Misunderstanding (4-10 March)

Published on June 16, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 4/3/85

Was hot – is still! Boring day. Didn’t hand in english essay cos’ watched “Yentl” in double period. Did more work in Science, Maths & started German Unification in History. German was boring. (as usual) I think Tim knows I like him. Julia embarrassed me in front of him today. He walked past and Julia wiggled her eyebrows at me & pointed (with her head) in his direction. SHAME!! Fiona didn’t (after all the begging I’d done) take me to the [interschool swimming] carnival, so I went with Justine & Beka. Saw Sean. Think he knows I like him. Lots of others do. On a worser note; Neville was there & pestering but I Love S.M.

Tuesday 5/3/85

Fiona looked guilty at the carnival last night. I’d catch her looking at me – & she’d quickly look away. Also talked alot to Angela, Karen M & Sharon M. Today, didn’t talk to Fiona much as possible. I know she’ll tell Jemima, then they’ll both be in a shit with me for at least a month. Otherwise, was a boring day. Karen has changed since our group split up. She’s more ‘shy’ (or quiet) than before & also, less immature – in fact, she’s quite grown-up! I want the Bluelight to come fast. I want to see Sean again. I’m tired. Don’t feel like doing any HW. Wanna watch TV but the stupid cricket’s still on….

Wednesday 6/3/85

Fiona & I started off badly, then it went good until big lunch, but it was her who was doing the isolating act. Then at speech, Jemima was trying to be friendly, but something was different; was wrong. Will ‘write’ notes to Fiona tomorrow. Tired & slow day, ran late. In PES, wet my hair, odourised myself, washed my feet’n’face! Might have a shower off, next time. Walked Lucy to music again always giving (or she’s so hungry) her food. Don’t think Jemima & Fiona like me anymore but I always say that, then change my mind, huh? Also Jemima knows who Sean is now. I think (I’m scared) she’ll say something.

Thursday 7/3/85

Today Fiona was the one in (no, not in a shit, just distant or vacant.) Not really quite there. I think; I know something is wrong. I will ask tomorrow. Didn’t like today – (then again) I don’t like any day of school. Really must stop feeling sorry for myself . I must look so selfish. Had a test in German which I didn’t learn for – just a little one. At Big Lunch, hung mainly around Anna, Megan & Melissa. Teased this girl (Monica) & her friends. Monica burnt her stomach so has to wear dresses & wears the gawkiest ones out (ever since Tues. I think) No HW – not in the mood.

Friday 8/3/85

Today we made up. It was all a misunderstanding. Fiona thought that I didn’t want to talk to her, so she didn’t talk to me…. etc, etc, etc. History was the period in which we made up & art was fun. Hungry at little lunch. Maths boring & English worse. Big lunch was okay – walked around. PES was okay, too. After, wet my hair again, like I did on Wed. & BP (Fiona U. & I were late) was loaded with work. Went to yacht club tonite. Then had very late & filling dinner at that pizza place again. Am tired! Night-night!

Saturday 9/3/85

Today was……boring, really. Woke early-ish (compared to the time I went to bed last night). Had brekky & moped around wondering what to do. Did a little housework, then mucked around with make up, ‘barbies’, watched TV. Went to Petra’s with Jules after lunch. Bored there, too. At home again got songs off Countdown & watched TV. Movie has finished. Am bursting to go to the loo. Am also hot & tired. Malissa & Jodie (Julia’s friends) also came over this morning, asking Jules to nick some smokes off mum for them!! Jules said no, of course!!

Sunday 10/3/85

Today was even boring-er!!! Woke and felt grumpy. Decided to cut out yellow pictures from magazines. Did well up untill lunch time. Then made some patty cakes. After feeling bored, I began my HW. Got quite a lot done! Diane & Kerry came for tea. Got some more songs off Countdown. Had a shower (shaved, washed & conditioned my hair) then tea. Is now 8:30 (I think) and am bored & tired. Did I tell you I have “Batch #2”? I mean, my periods again. I also might have to miss out on the Blue light next weekend, cos’ mum might go to Brissy, leaving us at dad’s & dad wants to go to Port D. cos’ Jenny’s holding a party (& everyone’ll be there – Mulleys – all the hash guys.) I’ll PROTEST tho’! [A fat lot of good that would do me. I might ‘get around’ my mum, but hardly ever my dad.]

Sunburn, Countdown & the First Shower (18-24 February)

Published on June 14, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 18/2/85

Today was BAD [in the original diary this word was written LARGE; taking up two lines] It was hot & I was burnt (very sore). Fi is quite burnt too, but my face is like a beetroot. Rained later in the arvy. Blackouts just the same 1hr off, ½hr on. Everyone asked us what we did on the weekend (Fi & me) Sunday was fun!! Don’t like Lucy. She thumped me on my (very sore) shoulder. Boring day. Julia found out about the bird. [Gone. Escaped from its damaged cage the day before – see previous entry] Took it well.

Tuesday 19/2/85

Today was hot. Had my bath this morning, covered in olive oil. (Remembered last time I was burnt mum told me to oil myself over before having a shower/bath.) Makes me feel like I won’t peel, but doesn’t help the sting! OUCH! [I had forgotten about this Old Wives Remedy mum had passed on to us. I don’t think it actually worked.] More fun in german. In English, had to start drawing up charts for our class (we have to read 6 novels per semester & we must record them on this chart) Anyhow, I started drawing it up today but found I’ll probably need another sheet (I’ve already got 2) to do 25 people! Saw a WHAM! magazine at Stratty the other day. Want to get it $3.50. Hand in text book scheme money tomorrow. [I can’t really remember well, but I think the ‘scheme’ was basically a hire-purchase arrangement. You paid an amount for your set texts at the start of the year & received most of it back if you chose to return them at the end of the year. Anyone from Smithfield recall exactly?]

Wednesday 20/2/85

Got in another shit this morning when I couldn’t find the hair combs again, ..So mum bought me some from Woolies today. Just cheapies – but that’s all I want. Periods are still going: 7 days now. Double art was good. I think Tina really does like me. She’s so nice to me. I think Adrienne hates me – I just have a feeling, like Erica & the feeling I had that Fran hated me (which (I don’t think) she does anymore) Ms Bowles’s (PES Teacher’s) last day today. We all signed a card for her. 7th period was spent getting a new timetable (cos’ 5 teachers including Ms Bowles have been transferred) Jules is now in 8E – she also knows who Tim is now (the guy who looks like Sean.) Speech was or’right. Mima was in a good mood. After, went to Bankses to watch videod “Countdown” (old one). [For those who aren’t old enough or Australian enough to know, Countdown was THE music show of the 70’s & 80’s, the star of which was our iconic music journo, Molly Meldrum.] Late-ish nite → !!

A Life in Words — the (eventually) successful lino block print

Thursday 21/1/85

Bad day for me today, but good for everyone (as a whole) in QLD. The blackouts are over! Well, not quite. A few restrictions & some 1hr long blackouts may still occur, but nothing as bad as it was!! For me, I felt cranky & ugly & unhappy. In art, my lino prints all bugared up – too much paint; to little etc. Didn’t do any HW tonight – just not in the mood. Huffy during dinner & after. Bugs in my bath. Runny, itchy nose. Fi also told me what Beka said about me. She was on her way to German & Beka said, “I’ll bet you had fun on the weekend” “yup” said Fi. “But elissa would’ve wrecked it.” “What do you mean?” “Ohh.. you know how she is” Nice huh? Late-ish nite again. Am soooo tired.

Friday 22/2/85

HOT today. Boring, too. Got the rest of our proper timetable. Is exactly the same, but a few room changes. Walking down to bus line, this arvy, Tim walked behind me on the left side. I think he’s sooo cute – no, spunky. He’s just nice!! Mima dropped in this arvy, We went to her place for a swim (Pol, Fi, Me, Mim & Nyree) after, just hung around Grossetti’s riding bikes, talking & shooting ballls! Mim told me Neville still likes me – YUK Lateish nite…

Saturday 23/2/85

Jim Clarke started tiling our bathroom, loo & laundry on Thursday & mum bought a new shower curtain yesterday TERRIFFIC!! Looks neat!! Dude-ish [there’s that word again…] So, tonite I was the first to have a shower in our bathroom (using the new curtain) Boring day today. Lazed around. Ate almost ½ a bun loaf. That’s disgusting. Listened to records & looked through “Better Homes” mags. Began peeling yesterday. Yes, I’m gonna go white, again. Mum & I had take-away pizza for tea & ice cream. Geoff has changed. Both mum & I agree – she thinks he has another girl….watching movie tonite. [I don’t ever recall talking to mum about her relationship. This was a surprise to me.]

Sunday 24//2/85

Today was HOT again. Woke around 8:00. “Picnic at Hanging Rock” was good, but spooky. Did HW all day today, except in the morning, while looking through “Better Homes” magazines. Got lotsa HW done. Still; have done my english essay. [Methinks I meant to say I “have NOT done my english essay”] Didn’t eat much at all. Got more songs from Countdown [This was one of our rituals. Somehow we were lucky enough where we lived to be able to tune into ABC TV on the FM bandwidth, so we could record the songs as they aired on Countdown. The sound was superior to everyone else’s AM radio recorded compilation tapes. My sister & I had three or four cassettes that we circulated over time, re-recording over the top of older songs as newer music was released.] Wham!’s “Everything She Wants” is No°7 & “Last Xmas” is No°3! Great, huh?! ‘Tucky Fried for tea. Thought mima & fi would call me today; didn’t. Quite boring. Saw Shane S. HOORAY! (who gives a shit?)

Resolutions & A Brand New Home (1-6 January)

Published on June 7, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

This piece of handiwork actually appears in the final pages of my 1984 diary but I decided it would be a fitting introduction to this post.

Tuesday 1/1/85

Well, hello ’85! I’m afraid to admit I made a bad start to the year, but I intend to correct myself. Today, after writing yesterday’s diary, got ready to go to bed (it was about 12.30) when Peta & Marney came. They had been at someone’s house & were late cause their car was pranged. We walked down the road (all of us, parents too) & swam at these people’s pool. Got to sleep 4:30. At about 10.30 got to Barbra’s for brunch. Boring day. Made tea tonight. Am tired.

Wednesday 2/1/85

I had no room yesterday to mention my Resolutions. So here they are –

Fit and healthy (exercise & healthy diet)
Gain Confidence (rid of my shyness) and in smaller print: (mainly towards boys)
Be Nice to Everyone (helpful & kind to mum & everyone)

Today woke up worrying about mum’s red, black & white bikinis. I lent them to Peta when we went to those people’s place. I rang dad (cause Robbo’s have left for New Z.) He said he’d drop in to those people’s place & get them for me. Today packed my clothes into my chest of drawers. We are moving about Saturday! Early nite; so tired.

Thursday 3/1/85

Yesterday in cricket, Aussies won the 5^th Test against Windies! They broke the West Indies record of wins in 27 tests! Aussies strike again! We mustn’t be that bad a team after all! But today, got positive news about the house. Water is running & we will start moving out tomorrow. Tomorrow night will (unless there are sudden problems) be our last nite in the flat. This morning rang fi to ask her to come down & open her xmas prezzy. Said she’d ring back – she didn’t. Petra came over at lunch. House was a big mess while we tried to sort out bits’n’pieces.

Friday 4/1/85

I think I’ll tell you now – I love this day-to-a-page diary. It beats squeezing in the day’s happenings into a calendar planner!! Today was the hottest day ever!! I woke up & got brekky then felt wet under my arms. But, I didn’t feel it much later. I spent most of the day cleaning out & packing up things in Nana’s room (the coolest room), then when Petra came up after lunch, we went to tidy up the house. We swept it all up (the dust & dirt) & took out all the sawhorses, wood , & tools etc. Came home & had shower. Am now ready to go to Diane & Kerry’s for tea.

Saturday 5/1/85

Late night last night. I think I might have only gotten 8hrs at the most!! Was alright (the BBQ tea). Diane’s (& Geoff’s) sister, her husband & her son were there. I used her son (13) as practice on my confidence. I did well, I thought, but I was still not talking. We had to play doubles in a tennis game. I should have talked then. Today was hot. Last nite was not our last night in this flat. The electricity hasn’t been turned on so we can’t of course, move in. We think tomorrow night will be the last night. Today we just shifted 9/10 of our belongings & furniture up – was tired out. Diane & Kerry came for a drink (& everyone else) HOT!

Sunday 6/1/85

Gosh, this flat looks empty now. You can even hear an echo in the rooms when you speak. I’ve been thinking about Fiona & Jemima a lot lately, wondering if they like me at all. They must have enough patience to put up with me all this time. I wonder if they’re always deliberately trying to hurt me. I don’t think they like me at all. Why me?? What’s wrong with me that I can’t get them as best friends? It’s not fair. Nobody likes me. It’s around 7.45 now. I rang Fi to ask her again if she was going to collect her Xmas presents She hasn’t rung back yet. Today was boring. Just unpacked. The water pipe has a leak. Think tonite is our last night here.

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

Published on May 27, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 15/10/84

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!