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.

Wednesday, 28 December 2011

My secret diary 1972 December (i) Astronauts, plumbers and boys

Dec 1 (Fri)
Hello. Pretty boring day. Everyone was pretty curious about what happened to me and Ju last night. Maths test. Mock exams are on 24th Jan. Oh Lord! I might be a lab technician when I grow up. Hung new things in bedroom. Oh James Taylor, I love you.

Dec 2
In affy went to town with Ju. Hoped tape recorder would be mended but it wasn't ready. Bought a maxi underskirt (own money, borrowed 14p off Ju). Oh what can we do about Rob and Dave? They're getting too serious. Rob kept phoning while I was out. Ju reckons he's pretty keen on me. Phoned him and told him I wasn't going out until next weekend.

Dec 3rd
Ju slept over last night. We talked a lot about what we can do - no solution to problem yet. Feel depressed and yet happy. I don't want him to be that keen on me.

Dec 4th (Mon)
Normal day. Ju expecting a ring from Dave tonight. Oh hell. What can we do? I've re-arranged my posters a bit. The fridge broke down. It'll cost £21 to be mended. Dovestones dance on 16th Dec. I keep getting a pain behind my left contact lens. It's annoying me.

Dec 5th
Ju is worried that Kev and Roy might try to 'bash' Dave up. She doesn't seem to be taking it very seriously. I think we might be going to flicks on Friday.

Dec 6th
Not much to say. Been doing yoga every night. It's quite fun. I'm dreading the mocks. Rob phoned. Asked me out tomorrow night but I said no, how about Friday instead (seeing Tinkers with Shirl on Sunday). Norma phoned too. What are we going to get dad for Christmas?

Dec 7th
Friday tomorrow! I'm so fed up with school, it's such a drag. I hate Miss Hatch and Mrs Hughes. They're the only teachers I hate really, although I'm not too keen on Mr Moore*. Me and Rob are going to the pics tomorrow. Definitely going to Dovestones. Robert Redford on TV!!

Dec 8th
Oooh, I'm freezing cold so I'll have to make this short. Chemistry test this morning - don't think I did too badly. Oh Miss Hatch I hate you, you're a nasty bitch. Went to flicks with Rob, Ju and Dave. Rob is getting too serious - what can I do? Stopped him kissing me. Saw Cat Ballou and the Burglar.

Dec 9th
Another weekend nearly gone. Me and dad went to town today to buy a new fridge (the old one was a waste of money). And we did. It'll be delivered. My nails keep breaking. Spent evening at Carol's listening to records and nattering. She's nice.

Dec 10th (Sun)
Brrrr! Freezing cold. Don't make me talk too long! Shirl's got flu so we can't go to Tinkers tonight. Norma phoned - no news in particular 'cept she's got mum some perfume and talc for Xmas, and plants for dad. The water's been turned off 'cos the fella next door has got a burst. Horrible.

Dec 11th
Oh god, it's horrible without water. You can't drink, wash or even go to the loo when you want. We've got to run across the road to ask for water. Got a good mark for last week's chem test. Got a beautiful pic of Robert Redford. I hate Miss Hatch. I didn't have Russian today. What to get everyone for Christmas?

Dec 12th
Apollo 17. Today 2 astronauts were singing on the moon. Isn't that lovely? It may be the last moon flight. Good grief! In a world where men can be sent to the moon you'd think that the blasted waterboard would be able to send a couple of plumbers round to enable us to have a proper hygienic water supply! I was in a flaming temper. Also annoyed about RN trying to keep Dovestones tickets for herself and skinheads.

Dec 13th
After school went to Julie's and had a bath and washed hair. Stupid water board still not come! We went to meet Dave and Rob who took us to see 'Hello Dolly' at their school. Quite good. Thought we'd missed the last bus home but it was ok. He is too serious.

Dec 14th (Thurs)
YAHOO!! The last Russian lesson of term today! Hahahaha. We sang in the lesson. Would you believe the water has been turned on again? A miracle. Ju was away today. Had a laugh at school when Carol climbed the ladder.

Dec 15th
Mum's gone down to Birmingham to stay in a hotel with Norma for a couple of days. I hope she'll enjoy it. I think she will. The 6th form were going to give us a pantomime today and Miss crabtree stuck her oar in and said we'd be missing valuable lessons. Stupid ol' cow. We got to see it. The teachers fought for us. A nice Christmassy day. I'm dreading Mocks and Dovestones.

Dec 16th (Sat)
Oh groan. Chrissie shopping. I bought Norma the 'Hair' LP and E some odds and bobs. Had to take Rebecca. Ugh. Then Dovestones. Wore long blue maxi. Had three drinks and I was drunk! Awful. Had a fling with a lad that W matched me up with. Mmmmm.

Dec 17th
Yesterday - lad was called Neil. I hope no-one tells on us to Rob. S's boyfriend was giving everyone Xmas kisses. I wonder if they'll split up? Went to Miss Hatch's to meet Russian students. Pretty good time. They were called Andrei and Sergei. University students. Nice looking. V interesting.

Dec 18th (Mon)
everyone talking about Dovestones. I know Neil's full name now. Ju away from school today. She was dead poorly yesterday. I hope she's gone to the doctors. Done hardly any work today at school. Had loovely Christmas lunch. Put Xmas tree up - it's gigantic. Borrowed carol's American Pie LP (by Don McLean)

Dec 19th
Ju still away. Oh Diary! I'm sorry, but it's getting a drag to write you. I'll keep it up. half day at school. In affy went to visit Ju. Put loads of pressies under our tree. I listened to 'Hair' It's okay but not the original.

*Commentary
Dec 7th - Mr Moore taught physics. He didn't much care for girls. On one memorable occasion he declared that he couldn't see why girls were taught physics at all.

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