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, 30 November 2014

My secret teenage diary 1974 November (ii) in which bombs kill people in Birmingham

18th
Little to say - going to doctor's tomorrow - P might too. Had to sit in detention with UIVF - poor kids - Nowt else exciting

19th
A few exciting (?) happenings. First I got a cheque for £100 - the May Thompson Bequest. Then J turned up at school in tears - there's something wrong - to do with her boyfriend. Lastly - I went to doctors to talk about verucca and pill. He said could I come back and talk to him about it - I said okay - and that was it!! He seemed reluctant.

20th (Wed)
Another 6th form meeting - next dance December 19th. Carol singing 22nd.

21st
Just got a shock. 14 people killed by bombs in Birmingham - see sheet. G phoned. I'm feeling happy, but we argued about J who hasn't been at school for ages. She has a driving test tomorrow poor Ju.
(An extra note is slipped into my diary)
"An IRA man got killed, so his funeral was in Birmingham. Birmingham council said no IRA marches would be allowed - I read that in the paper this morning. This evening I hear that 2 pubs have been blown up in Brum - 14 people killed. Oh why? Norma said she knew the pubs. She said all young people go in them. Why?"

22nd (Fri)
Busy weekend. J been off school all week. She failed her driving test - poor old Ju. She's got bad pains.  A girl got assaulted by a fella near school. Birmingham bomb blasts - IRA 6 men charged with murder.

23rd
Working at Hardcastles - I've lost my voice and got pneumonia though. Got Carol's birthday present (her party tomorrow). Went out with G.

24th (Sun)
Carol's party - very good - I didn't want to go, felt ill and yucky but we had a good time. G and Paul got on well. S was really funny - hilarious - nice night.

25th
Nothing unusual. Everyone happy after party last night. Ju ill with pains. She went to doctor after school and phoned me. Said either appendicitis or colitis or something else. She's worried.

26th (Tues)
S away from school today. Her grandma died. Getting on with panto at school. Found all sorts in cupboard at school - props, jewels and allsorts.

27th
Got a bad cough - fed up. Another committee meeting. Met R and P on bus - nice - fancy both of them a bit - it's getting silly.

28th
We've got one week and a bit to the panto and we've only practised half of it. Ah well.

29th (Fri)
Ok at school. S's gran's funeral in morning and she had an exam in afternoon, poor thing. Life goes on. G and I stayed in tonight - he's flat broke.

30th
Hardcastle's wasn't very nice. Barbara and Miss hoodless were rowing all the time. What can you do? Stupid things. I had a row with G tonight. I ended up crying. He just doesn't understand me.


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