Girls' Fun - Part Eleven
[I'm transcribing edited highlights of a diary I kept when I was 15 / 16 years old, in 1985. Index here.]
[For previous entry, see here]
Mon 4th Mar, 1985 (Clare is 15 years old)
HAVE NOW BEEN KEEPING DIARY 10 WEEKS! A RECORD!
This evening I went to Rachel’s after singing lesson, armed with rubber bands and we put all my hair into little plaits. 27 of 'em! Had to leave 'em in to make hair frizzy, and had to cycle home in em! Got some queer looks. Will leave 'em in overnight.
Saw Philip. He wasn’t that friendly. Was with his horrible friends. I couldn’t possibly ever go out with him cos I can’t stand his friends, and when he’s with them he’s pretty awful too.
Some twittish kids tried to stage a walk out in protest against teacher’s strike in afternoon, but as soon as a teacher appeared and told em to go to lessons, they all ran away like a bunch of flies.
Tue 5th Mar, 1985
Took plaits out this morning and had an eppy! My head was literally TWICE as wide! But all the same, with a ribbon in it looked really nice. Usual snide comments at school but most people liked it, and we’ve decided I’ll wear it like that for disco on Friday. Mum’s hired a taxi to bring me home!
Rachel called for me this morning to get preview of hair, so for once I got to school on time! Andrew Beck v. friendly in Biology. Got awful feeling he fancies me. Eddie seemed a bit miffed, but I probably imagined it.
Philip walked home with me and Rachel! He hardly ever does that! He actually complimented me on my hair and was v. friendly! Spent all evening thinking of him and experimenting with make-up 4 Friday. Plaited my hair again before bed.
Wed 6th Mar, 1985
Hair stuck out even more this morning after last night’s plaits.
In English had to go next door to fetch poetry book and Paul Bartlett, my dead enemy was there and tried to shut me in cupboard, but I got out, amid loud nasty calls about my hair.
Went and sat outside pavillion and talked about sex with Debbie Trueman. Told Rachel I was thinking of asking someone out. Lied and said it was Omar. Philip came up and talked to us but was shooed away by Rachel.
Went out at dinnertime; got changed into jeans for old people this aft.
Old people not quite so boring as usual.
Me and Rachel walked home together. Kept looking for someone. Rachel guessed it was Philip and also guessed it was him I was asking out. I denied it.
Dreamed Philip kissed me last night. Wonderful!
Thurs 7th Mar, 1985
Washed hair this morning. Had forgotten how awful it looked without the frizz. Everyone at school commented on how it looked better yesterday.
Told Alison about wanting to ask Philip out today. She is sworn to secrecy.
Was thinking about Philip this aft and then suddenly saw him. We talked about CND, and then John appeared and I told him about packing Stephen, and Philip told me how John’s always telling him my most intimate details.
WILL ASK PHILIP OUT SOON.
Fri 8th Mar, 1985
Apparently Bee and Joanna have arranged YTY [Youth Theatre Yorkshire] party for 1st April. Tickets £1 and bring yer own booze and invite friends (eg Philip?)
Kirsty was being bitchy about me going to disco. Francette told me last bus to Elvington was at 4pm so decided not to go. Kirsty was mad at me and tried to dissuade me but couldn’t have got there anyway.
Went into library and told John I wanted to ask his advice about something v. important and said I’d ring him. Rang him and asked whether he thought Philip wd go out with me. He said Philip liked me but he didn’t think he’d want to go out with me.
Mum just told me we’re going to Oxford tomorrow for christening! I won’t be able to babysit or see Philip or do any of my Geog Project or ring Sally or anything! Help!
Sat 9th Mar, 1985
I am now in a cute little boarding house in Oxford. It has a wardrobe, full-length mirror, basin, it’s really warm and it’s miles away from my parents room and I’ve got my own key to it! One problem: it’s right next to the loo and it’s now 1am in the morning but people are still going to the loo non-stop! I think someone must have diorrheoa.
Piano teacher LOVED my hair (freshly frizzed). I am now playing some Debussy.
Met Rachel in town, but knew Chris was in town somewhere and spotted him while in Woolworths. Rushed out to say Hello and was totally ignored by Stephen and Richard, who were also there. Rachel insisted on saying hello too but I was still ignored. Went into Acropolis* and Stephen and Chris and Rich were there. I was ignored AGAIN. (By Stephen)
I WON’T let this continue. I’ll have to have a word with Chris about it.
Sun 10th Mar, 1985
Woke up this morning in my lovely room, got dressed all posh and undid me plaits. (Me hair looked great!)
Walked to Mary’s, cos it really was a LOVELY day. Went to christening, which was combined with mass. Hated mass: made me feel really guilty, going along and singing hymns when I was an agnostic.
Went back to Mary’s after for lunch: 16 kids! I got attacked and me tights were ruined. Grandma kept going on about how modern I was. Was worn out by 3. Slept most of the way home in car.
*The Acropolis was a cafe (a proper one, with booths and benches). I grew up in York, not Greece.
[For previous entry, see here]
Mon 4th Mar, 1985 (Clare is 15 years old)
HAVE NOW BEEN KEEPING DIARY 10 WEEKS! A RECORD!
This evening I went to Rachel’s after singing lesson, armed with rubber bands and we put all my hair into little plaits. 27 of 'em! Had to leave 'em in to make hair frizzy, and had to cycle home in em! Got some queer looks. Will leave 'em in overnight.
Saw Philip. He wasn’t that friendly. Was with his horrible friends. I couldn’t possibly ever go out with him cos I can’t stand his friends, and when he’s with them he’s pretty awful too.
Some twittish kids tried to stage a walk out in protest against teacher’s strike in afternoon, but as soon as a teacher appeared and told em to go to lessons, they all ran away like a bunch of flies.
Tue 5th Mar, 1985
Took plaits out this morning and had an eppy! My head was literally TWICE as wide! But all the same, with a ribbon in it looked really nice. Usual snide comments at school but most people liked it, and we’ve decided I’ll wear it like that for disco on Friday. Mum’s hired a taxi to bring me home!
Rachel called for me this morning to get preview of hair, so for once I got to school on time! Andrew Beck v. friendly in Biology. Got awful feeling he fancies me. Eddie seemed a bit miffed, but I probably imagined it.
Philip walked home with me and Rachel! He hardly ever does that! He actually complimented me on my hair and was v. friendly! Spent all evening thinking of him and experimenting with make-up 4 Friday. Plaited my hair again before bed.
Wed 6th Mar, 1985
Hair stuck out even more this morning after last night’s plaits.
In English had to go next door to fetch poetry book and Paul Bartlett, my dead enemy was there and tried to shut me in cupboard, but I got out, amid loud nasty calls about my hair.
Went and sat outside pavillion and talked about sex with Debbie Trueman. Told Rachel I was thinking of asking someone out. Lied and said it was Omar. Philip came up and talked to us but was shooed away by Rachel.
Went out at dinnertime; got changed into jeans for old people this aft.
Old people not quite so boring as usual.
Me and Rachel walked home together. Kept looking for someone. Rachel guessed it was Philip and also guessed it was him I was asking out. I denied it.
Dreamed Philip kissed me last night. Wonderful!
Thurs 7th Mar, 1985
Washed hair this morning. Had forgotten how awful it looked without the frizz. Everyone at school commented on how it looked better yesterday.
Told Alison about wanting to ask Philip out today. She is sworn to secrecy.
Was thinking about Philip this aft and then suddenly saw him. We talked about CND, and then John appeared and I told him about packing Stephen, and Philip told me how John’s always telling him my most intimate details.
WILL ASK PHILIP OUT SOON.
Fri 8th Mar, 1985
Apparently Bee and Joanna have arranged YTY [Youth Theatre Yorkshire] party for 1st April. Tickets £1 and bring yer own booze and invite friends (eg Philip?)
Kirsty was being bitchy about me going to disco. Francette told me last bus to Elvington was at 4pm so decided not to go. Kirsty was mad at me and tried to dissuade me but couldn’t have got there anyway.
Went into library and told John I wanted to ask his advice about something v. important and said I’d ring him. Rang him and asked whether he thought Philip wd go out with me. He said Philip liked me but he didn’t think he’d want to go out with me.
Mum just told me we’re going to Oxford tomorrow for christening! I won’t be able to babysit or see Philip or do any of my Geog Project or ring Sally or anything! Help!
Sat 9th Mar, 1985
I am now in a cute little boarding house in Oxford. It has a wardrobe, full-length mirror, basin, it’s really warm and it’s miles away from my parents room and I’ve got my own key to it! One problem: it’s right next to the loo and it’s now 1am in the morning but people are still going to the loo non-stop! I think someone must have diorrheoa.
Piano teacher LOVED my hair (freshly frizzed). I am now playing some Debussy.
Met Rachel in town, but knew Chris was in town somewhere and spotted him while in Woolworths. Rushed out to say Hello and was totally ignored by Stephen and Richard, who were also there. Rachel insisted on saying hello too but I was still ignored. Went into Acropolis* and Stephen and Chris and Rich were there. I was ignored AGAIN. (By Stephen)
I WON’T let this continue. I’ll have to have a word with Chris about it.
Sun 10th Mar, 1985
Woke up this morning in my lovely room, got dressed all posh and undid me plaits. (Me hair looked great!)
Walked to Mary’s, cos it really was a LOVELY day. Went to christening, which was combined with mass. Hated mass: made me feel really guilty, going along and singing hymns when I was an agnostic.
Went back to Mary’s after for lunch: 16 kids! I got attacked and me tights were ruined. Grandma kept going on about how modern I was. Was worn out by 3. Slept most of the way home in car.
*The Acropolis was a cafe (a proper one, with booths and benches). I grew up in York, not Greece.
Labels: Girls' Fun
4 Comments:
The Acropolis was horrible!!
I'll start transcribing my journal...so you can get an idea for what my 13 year old self was like.
margaret, go for it! Tis fascinating, and often funny.
a nonny moose... ooh, a fellow Yorkie! How exciting. Do I know you?
I confess I don't remember much about the Acropolis, but although in some senses it may have been scuzzy, it really does depend on your point of view. I rather like proper basic greasy unpretentious caffs, and it certainly did the job for 15-yr-olds. Were you a teenager when you experienced its delights, or older / younger?
Hello Clare, yes I am/was a fellow yorkie (for a time at least), but I don't know you, no. I knew of the acropolis when I was a similar kind of age, but I was an unusual teenager and preferred overpriced bettys! Although I didn't tend to go there and sometimes met my friends in a cafe above a shop opposite M&S. I can't remember it's name though. It was less memorable than the acropolis!
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