Hello, welcome to my blog

Mostly you will find, here, transcribed entries from the secret diary that I used to keep as a teenager between 1970 and 1975. I try to be honest with my transcriptions, but, just occasionally I do edit, to protect myself or others from embarrassment or some other emotion.
Also, though, I like to do a brief review of the books I have been reading, so these are interspersed throughout. I reserve the right to write blog entries, also, about other random things.
Why do I keep this blog? I don't know. I am an academic and one of my research interests is around how people construct their own identities. The diary transcriptions, and what I write about my books, are very much about revealing something of my identity.

Sunday, 27 November 2011

My secret diary 1972 November (ii) - being scared of the Russian teacher and lusting after Macbeth

Nov 10 (Fri)
Hurray for Fridays!! Had to be at school for 10am. No Chem, geog normal, Russian horrible as usual. Music pretty grotty. Me, Ju, C and R have arranged to meet near the Oldham Hotel on Sunday for the Tinkers. Auntie Emma came, so did Norma.

Nov 11
Seemed to be a completely useless day, in which I achieved nowt. Went into town, to library, looked for new handbag, saw some I liked, but none in black, so I'm going back on Monday. Took Auntie Emma home, Rebecca came too. It was dead dark over the moors - frightening. Done no work hardly.

Nov 12
Another nothing day. Weather's gone absolutely freezing and it's been pouring down for the last few days. Done homework. Read a bit of 'Ice Station Zebra' by Alistair McLean. Went to Tinkers with Ju and RH. Pretty good.

Nov 13 (Mon)
Hello silly ol' diary - I don't know why the hell I'm feeling so happy and carefree - I've got lots of homework piling up on me and me mum's got a bad earache. I hope she'll go t'doctor's tomorrer. I think she's a wee bit frightened. Bought me new handbag - black leather. Nice. Been pouring with rain. Floods all over England.

Nov 14
Gave E her birthday pressie - she was really chuffed I think. Gosh it seems like years ago! Went to dentist - he didn't do owt. A man (ho ho) gave me a lift back - his daughter sees Mr Aron. V interesting. Russian was awful as usual. Hate Tuesdays. Like Mondays best. Saw a mouse in the kitchen - eek! Homework!!

Nov 15
Oh rats - horrid day. Russian was nasty. She asked me a question, it made me look a fool. In maths I got 14/20 in  test. In biology we had a test. Physics - I don't like anyway - yuek! Didn;t have much homework so learnt some Russian vocabulary.

Nov 16
Very cold Brrrr. There are times when one doesn't feel like writing one's diary - especially in winter. Supposed to be seeing Macbath on Saturday, but Miss Turner fell off a train and broke her wrist, so don't know if she's coming. Russ - not too bad, but Ju was upset though. I hate SP and KB more than anyone else!

Nov 17 (Fri)
Oh, I'm frozed. Macbeth and Hockey and E and J for dinner tomorrow - it's all happening - a bit annoyed because E told Ju something - didn't confide in me. She might be breaking up with Dave. Mum's ear is still bad - pretty bad. She's been to doctor's. Got some capsules. Russ okay*.

Nov 18
Ho ho. Hockey in morning. I didn't play. Against Chaddy Grammar - we lost 2-0. I made 2 gallons of soup for everyone. E and Ju came for dinner - mum still poorly. Oh, I wish she's get batter, poor mum. Macbeth in affy in Leeds*. V good play. Macbeth was gorgeous!! Some stupid little 10 year olds sat behind us giggling and talking. Ohhhh - Macbeth, dead masterful.

Nov 19 (Sun)
Sunday gone too quickly. Slept in late. SG came to see me -pleased. Going to town with her tomorrow (Queen's Silver Wedding). Went to see Tinkers. Larry wasn't there. Other singers were on. Q good.

Nov 20
Queen's wedding anniversary (25th). Been nothing else on telly. Funny - she's the patron of the RSPCA but she was wearing mink today. How horrible. Went into town with SG today. Pretty boring, mainly 'cos I didn't buy much. Only a ball of purple wool. I've got my eyes on the Spar lad. Done loads of homework.

Nov 21
It's wrong you know. It's all bloody wrong! Why am I sat here crying? Only because of the pressures of a world that I've had no say in. What right has Miss Hatch to frighten me and give us so much work? Oh why? What part am I playing in this stupid world?

Nov 22 (Wed)
Funny how life looks different now. Don't really know why I was crying last night. Horrid Russ. Going to a dance on Friday. Dead nervous - won't know anyone there except Ju and David Hewitt. Hope I don't feel odd man out.

*Commentary
Nov 17 - As I transcribe my diary I have come to realise how terrorised I was by our Russian teacher. It's actually quite appalling that she was allowed to scare us so much. No-one should have that much power over schoolchildren. Would it happen now?
Nov 18 - the ticket stub is still in my diary. It cost £1.00

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