From this month I am changing the way I share my diary. Instead of almost totally honest detailed transcribing of every day, I am going to choose edited highlights to share, which I think others would find interesting. I am doing this because
a) I think a lot of it is repetitive and boring now, 40 years on
b) There are some personal bits which I've decided not to share
c) now I work part-time, I have less time than I used to! (How did that happen?)
So this is an experiment and I'm wondering what it will be like.
Here I am in March 1974. I'm 17 years old and in a relationship with Geoff. I'm in sixth form.
Hey - I've broken my record! I've been going out with Geoff longer than I went out with Rob! Geoff is 21 next month. Did I tell you that dad's done wardrobe and shelves?
3rd - 8th
- no entries
9th (Sat)
Agonising over whether I love Geoff or not.
12th
Been depressed recently. Very down. Worried that Ju and I are drifting apart. Took shoes back to Ravel in Manchester. Getting money back.
13th (Wed)
Feeling brighter. S back at school. She had an accident with the door of a telephone kiosk! Lady from Calderstones came to give a talk. Nearly made me cry. Julie grumpy. Miss Hatch was nice to us! Yes - nice! V cold weather.
14th
Weather a little warmer. Julie trimmed hair for me at school. Q good. Nice day. Geoff phoned and said he's got the sack. He was upset. How can I finish with him now?
16th (Sat)
Worked at Hardcastles. Miss A sent me out to buy some nail varnish for her. I hate that woman! We've got Monday off school (Oxford scholarship something)
17th (Sun)
Been very depressed all day (well half the day, I didn't get up till 12.30, we turned the clocks forward, you see). Phoned Ju. She said I've been depressed all week. Nearly cried.
18th (Mon)
Manchester in the morning to get money from Ravel, then bought silvery grey beads from Lewis's to make a necklace. Went up town with Ju in the afternoon looking for new shoes. Went to IVS (volunteers) meeting in evening.
19th (Tue)
Miserable. Made necklace. Saw film Midnight Cowboy at school. V good. Made us cry. Dustin Hoffman.
20th
ok day at school. Bought new shoes. I love mum. Found Snoopy cards at Spencers. Planning holiday in Gipsy caravan with Ju, S and C.
22nd
Do I love Geoff?
24th (Sun)
I think I've got pneumonia, sniff, sniff. I do love Geoff. Mum and dad spent all day over at Auntie Emma's. I stayed home and did homework.
25th (Mon)
still sniffing and sneezing. Ju not in school. Going to Manchester University tomorrow, for open day. Mother's Day yesterday. Got mum big card, flowers and chocs. Love her.
26th
Went to UMIST to look round. Had computer lecture, lunch, talk from student union fellas and looked at biochemistry department. Impressed with university. Wish I were there.
27th
L has a penfriend in school. I've been sticking photos in an album. Mum's getting glasses. Been invited to 2 parties, but I'm anti-social.
28th (Thur)
Geoff has been offered his job back, but don't know if he'll take it. Been looking at materials for 6th form summer dresses. Nice. Nice biology lesson. Mrs Hughes going on about ecology. Ju back again.
29th
Some of us had big row about choosing school dress material. Out with Geoff in evening.
30th (Sat)
Working in shop. Miss Hoodless, Mrs Owen and Mrs Frost all away! So v busy. Barbara and I got on really well. Mum away in Weymouth with Audrey. Norma's home. Out with G.
31st
No homewrok done. Talked to Norma, mucked about, went for walk in Werneth Park. Nice weather.
a) I think a lot of it is repetitive and boring now, 40 years on
b) There are some personal bits which I've decided not to share
c) now I work part-time, I have less time than I used to! (How did that happen?)
So this is an experiment and I'm wondering what it will be like.
Here I am in March 1974. I'm 17 years old and in a relationship with Geoff. I'm in sixth form.
March
2ndHey - I've broken my record! I've been going out with Geoff longer than I went out with Rob! Geoff is 21 next month. Did I tell you that dad's done wardrobe and shelves?
3rd - 8th
- no entries
9th (Sat)
Agonising over whether I love Geoff or not.
12th
Been depressed recently. Very down. Worried that Ju and I are drifting apart. Took shoes back to Ravel in Manchester. Getting money back.
13th (Wed)
Feeling brighter. S back at school. She had an accident with the door of a telephone kiosk! Lady from Calderstones came to give a talk. Nearly made me cry. Julie grumpy. Miss Hatch was nice to us! Yes - nice! V cold weather.
14th
Weather a little warmer. Julie trimmed hair for me at school. Q good. Nice day. Geoff phoned and said he's got the sack. He was upset. How can I finish with him now?
16th (Sat)
Worked at Hardcastles. Miss A sent me out to buy some nail varnish for her. I hate that woman! We've got Monday off school (Oxford scholarship something)
17th (Sun)
Been very depressed all day (well half the day, I didn't get up till 12.30, we turned the clocks forward, you see). Phoned Ju. She said I've been depressed all week. Nearly cried.
18th (Mon)
Manchester in the morning to get money from Ravel, then bought silvery grey beads from Lewis's to make a necklace. Went up town with Ju in the afternoon looking for new shoes. Went to IVS (volunteers) meeting in evening.
19th (Tue)
Miserable. Made necklace. Saw film Midnight Cowboy at school. V good. Made us cry. Dustin Hoffman.
20th
ok day at school. Bought new shoes. I love mum. Found Snoopy cards at Spencers. Planning holiday in Gipsy caravan with Ju, S and C.
22nd
Do I love Geoff?
24th (Sun)
I think I've got pneumonia, sniff, sniff. I do love Geoff. Mum and dad spent all day over at Auntie Emma's. I stayed home and did homework.
25th (Mon)
still sniffing and sneezing. Ju not in school. Going to Manchester University tomorrow, for open day. Mother's Day yesterday. Got mum big card, flowers and chocs. Love her.
26th
Went to UMIST to look round. Had computer lecture, lunch, talk from student union fellas and looked at biochemistry department. Impressed with university. Wish I were there.
27th
L has a penfriend in school. I've been sticking photos in an album. Mum's getting glasses. Been invited to 2 parties, but I'm anti-social.
28th (Thur)
Geoff has been offered his job back, but don't know if he'll take it. Been looking at materials for 6th form summer dresses. Nice. Nice biology lesson. Mrs Hughes going on about ecology. Ju back again.
29th
Some of us had big row about choosing school dress material. Out with Geoff in evening.
30th (Sat)
Working in shop. Miss Hoodless, Mrs Owen and Mrs Frost all away! So v busy. Barbara and I got on really well. Mum away in Weymouth with Audrey. Norma's home. Out with G.
31st
No homewrok done. Talked to Norma, mucked about, went for walk in Werneth Park. Nice weather.
