Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Saturday, June 9, 1984
Song of the day: The Weapon - Rush
Not much happened today. Boy, it was hot!
I finally got some good shoes for work. I felt 100% better in them. Next week I work Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 3-10 each day.
I met [cute girl from party] while I was working. We talked for a while. Jeremy said that he, his girlfriend and [cute girl from party] were going to the movies on June 22, and I was invited (if I had the car). I said sure but I hope I'm not working! I think she likes me. She's pretty nice.
[Classmate] (from French, I can't spell her last name) works at the Bucket, too.
- The Barbarian
Sunday, June 10, 1984
Song of day: Afterimage - Rush
Another sticky day, fellah. Mom slept in so we didn't go to church. I mowed the lawn and nearly sweated to death!
I did my homework and then waited till 9 for the Rush special on WAAF. I taped over the Sabbath concert I taped last year. It went over so I also used the BASF that I taped (badly) some Who albums on. The special was great!
Nighty-night.
- The Barbarian
Monday, June 11, 1984
Song of the day: The Original Sin - INXS
Another hot one.
Took French quiz, I think I did good. I got a 73 on the How to Study quiz! Yah!
Mom let me take the car to work. Got my punch card, name tag today. Went to Dairy Queen for dinner. Got stuck there till 10:30. Sheesh!
Toodaloo.
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, June 12, 1984
Song of the day: Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen
Top 5 at Five
1. Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions
2. Life Sucks, Then You Die - The Fools
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. Legs - ZZ Top
5. Wouldn't It Be Good - Nik Kershaw
Today wasn't that great. [Teacher] moved me to the front because I dropped my pencil (You explain it!). I bombed the Algebra quiz. I just choked!
I had the day off so I took a nap. Wow.
- The (almost senior) Barbarian
Wednesday, June 13, 1984
Song of the day: State of Shock - The Jacksons (with Mick Jagger)
Today was so-so. I slept through Civics, goofed off through Geometry, and stumbled through the rest of the day. I got a 35 on that Alg. quiz. She didn't count it and we have a retake tomorrow.
I have to pick up my first paycheck tomorrow.
3 tests tomorrow.
Ugh, my feet hurt.
- The Barbarian
Thursday, June 14, 1984
Song of the day: High on Emotion - Chris Deburgh
Top 5 at Five
1. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
2. Life Sucks, Then You Die - The Fools
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. The Reflex - Duran Duran
5. The Ghost in You - Psychedelic Furs
Hmm. In Civics, we were videotaped. It was wild! We were throwing stuff, yelling, running around, it was great! We get to see it next week.
The Geometry final was weird. I did good on the Bi Sci test, and alright on the Algebra thing.
I got my paycheck today. It was for $49.44. They only paid me for 17 hours, instead of 20. [Supervisor] said he'd add it on to next week's check. Great!
Tomorrow's the last actual work day of this school year! Yah!
- The Barbarian
Friday, June 15, 1984
Song of the day: Tell Me - Fastway
Weird day. I aced the Civics final. 101 out of 105. Awesome. I also did the Geometry final. I got an 88 on the Bi Sci test and a 36 (no lie) on the retake in Algebra. Luckily, she's dropping the grade! I got notes at lunch and I completed the How to Study quiz (all except 2 questions). And my French report went pretty good.
Last day of school work! Yah!
Went to work. What a day! I spent half the day cleaning up messes and sweeping the floors. Sheesh.
After work, at 11 (store now closes at 10), [buddy] said he was going to Friendly's and asked me if I wanted to go. I said sure, but he had to drop someone off first. I followed them to Atkinson and then turned around so I wouldn't get lost. I went to Friendly's to meet 'em there but they never showed! I didn't have any money. [Classmate] was working. I bugged her. [Another buddy] was there with a couple of friends. [Two other classmates] showed up. I bummed a buck off one of them and bought a drink. [The other guy] was telling me how he got laid 3 times tonight. Great. I left about 11:50. Got home at midnight. Not bad.
I gotta cash my check.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: The school year is winding down, while the work schedule is ramping up. I forgot that for those 3-10 shifts, we never got a dinner break. I was eating a crap fast food dinner at 10 or 11. Can't even imagine doing that now. Also, gotta love that hefty first paycheck! I was getting paid minimum wage, which in 1984 was a robust $3.35/hour. How the hell did people live on that? I guess things cost a lot less back then, but still...
Man, I would love to see that Civics video with us in it. I don't remember what the point was; I think it was to show a worst-case classroom scenario so we were encouraged to act like idiots. Not sure. Still, would be interesting to see that now.
In that situation where I was following a buddy and then got lost, nowadays it'd be easy to just call or text the person to say I'd meet them at Friendly's. Back then, you had no way to reach somebody except via payphone or landline. Cracks me up that I went to this restaurant with absolutely no money in my wallet. Man.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query through the past dorkily. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query through the past dorkily. Sort by date Show all posts
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Friday, March 01, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: Eat It
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Saturday, February 25, 1984
Song of the day: She's So Cold - The Rolling Stones
I was rudely awakened at 11:30 by Mom. That started the day off on the wrong foot. It was nice out, in the 60s and sunny. But I was inside cleaning the house all day. We had JP's friends, their parents and [friend of my dad's] over for dinner.
Ozzy was on Solid Gold, doing "Bark at the Moon." Then I watched Sharky's Machine. Good movie. I watched Saturday Night Live while wiping the dishes. Edwin Newman was the host. He's pretty cool.
I heard that there might be a snowstorm on Wednesday. I sure hope not!
- The (weary) Barbarian
Sunday, February 26, 1984
Song of the day: Top Jimmy - Van Halen
Drove to the dump and then practiced parking at the plaza. I didn't do too good, so I practiced some more at home. I should do okay at the test, but I heard that there could be a foot of snow by Wednesday!
That's about all I did today. Oh yeah, I moved my TV and stereo around. Now the stereo is on my dresser with the speakers on each side. The TV is on the desk that the stereo used to be on. Looks pretty decent.
I'm listening to the King Biscuit Flower Hour. They've got Dokken and Girlschool live. Good stuff.
- The Barbarian
Monday, February 27, 1984
Song of the day: Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
Top 5 at Five
1. Runner - Manfred Mann
2. Looks That Kill - Motley Crue
3. Heaven - Bryan Adams
4. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
5. You Might Think - The Cars
BORING!
Caesar woke me up at 7:30. The stupid mutt kept on whining! Then I just did some homework while listening to "Defenders of the Faith" by Judas Priest and Zep's "Physical Graffiti."
Talked to Jeremy on the phone. He said he's going to Methuen Mall on Friday and wanted to know if I'd go with him. I said sure.
It doesn't look good, weather-wise, for Wednesday!
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, February 28, 1984
Song of the day: Balls to the Wall - Accept
Top 5 at Five
1. Heaven - Bryan Adams
2. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
3. Footloose - Kenny Loggins
4. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
5. Eat It - Weird Al Yankovic
Not much happened today. I listened to "Blackout" by the Scorps, "Exit Stage Left" by Rush and "Power and the Glory" by Saxon.
That loser Michael Jackson won something like 8 Grammys tonight. That sucks!
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, February 29, 1984 (LEAP YEAR, Y'KNOW)
Song of the day: Hammer to Fall - Queen
Top 5 at Five
1. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
2. I'll Wait - Van Halen
3. Eat It - Weird Al
4. Heaven - Bryan Adams
5. I Want a New Drug - Huey Lewis and the News
I GOT IT! I finally got my driver's license! Thankfully, the weather was alright. The guy only took me for 10 minutes! All I did was drive down the road, turn a lot and came back! That's it!
Watch out, pedestrians!
- The Barbarian is comin'! YAHOO!!
Postscript: I still remember that driver's test well. About as easy as I could have hoped for. And weirdly on February 29.
Vacations were pretty much non-events at this time.
Saturday, February 25, 1984
Song of the day: She's So Cold - The Rolling Stones
I was rudely awakened at 11:30 by Mom. That started the day off on the wrong foot. It was nice out, in the 60s and sunny. But I was inside cleaning the house all day. We had JP's friends, their parents and [friend of my dad's] over for dinner.
Ozzy was on Solid Gold, doing "Bark at the Moon." Then I watched Sharky's Machine. Good movie. I watched Saturday Night Live while wiping the dishes. Edwin Newman was the host. He's pretty cool.
I heard that there might be a snowstorm on Wednesday. I sure hope not!
- The (weary) Barbarian
Sunday, February 26, 1984
Song of the day: Top Jimmy - Van Halen
Drove to the dump and then practiced parking at the plaza. I didn't do too good, so I practiced some more at home. I should do okay at the test, but I heard that there could be a foot of snow by Wednesday!
That's about all I did today. Oh yeah, I moved my TV and stereo around. Now the stereo is on my dresser with the speakers on each side. The TV is on the desk that the stereo used to be on. Looks pretty decent.
I'm listening to the King Biscuit Flower Hour. They've got Dokken and Girlschool live. Good stuff.
- The Barbarian
Monday, February 27, 1984
Song of the day: Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
Top 5 at Five
1. Runner - Manfred Mann
2. Looks That Kill - Motley Crue
3. Heaven - Bryan Adams
4. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
5. You Might Think - The Cars
BORING!
Caesar woke me up at 7:30. The stupid mutt kept on whining! Then I just did some homework while listening to "Defenders of the Faith" by Judas Priest and Zep's "Physical Graffiti."
Talked to Jeremy on the phone. He said he's going to Methuen Mall on Friday and wanted to know if I'd go with him. I said sure.
It doesn't look good, weather-wise, for Wednesday!
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, February 28, 1984
Song of the day: Balls to the Wall - Accept
Top 5 at Five
1. Heaven - Bryan Adams
2. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
3. Footloose - Kenny Loggins
4. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
5. Eat It - Weird Al Yankovic
Not much happened today. I listened to "Blackout" by the Scorps, "Exit Stage Left" by Rush and "Power and the Glory" by Saxon.
That loser Michael Jackson won something like 8 Grammys tonight. That sucks!
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, February 29, 1984 (LEAP YEAR, Y'KNOW)
Song of the day: Hammer to Fall - Queen
Top 5 at Five
1. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
2. I'll Wait - Van Halen
3. Eat It - Weird Al
4. Heaven - Bryan Adams
5. I Want a New Drug - Huey Lewis and the News
I GOT IT! I finally got my driver's license! Thankfully, the weather was alright. The guy only took me for 10 minutes! All I did was drive down the road, turn a lot and came back! That's it!
Watch out, pedestrians!
- The Barbarian is comin'! YAHOO!!
Postscript: I still remember that driver's test well. About as easy as I could have hoped for. And weirdly on February 29.
Vacations were pretty much non-events at this time.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: Some Like It Hot
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Thursday, March 15, 1984
Song of the day: Little Guitars - Van Halen
Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. The Reflex - Duran Duran
3. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
4. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
5. Drive - The Cars
Not a good. Just a day. I had a credit check first period. After this year, I'll have 19 credits! You need 20 to graduate! Yaah!
I got an A on that Civics report. Took the Algebra test and I either did real good or real bad. I'm hoping it's real good!
Jeremy's on cloud nine. He's telling everyone about [girlfriend] and showing 'em her picture. That dude is gone!
Later.
- The Barbarian
Friday, March 16, 1984
Song of the day: Everybody Wants Some! - Van Halen
Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
3. Runaway - Bon Jovi
4. Rock You Like a Hurricane - The Scorpions
5. Magic - The Cars
Well, the day started off great. I got off the bus this morning and promptly fell on my ass! I slipped on a patch of ice and scraped my hand up. I hadda get a bandage from the nurse.
We had a Civics quiz and I only got 1 wrong. We got a new girl in our Geometry class. Her name's [redacted] and she's a wicked short sophomore. I got a 90 on that Algebra test! Actually I got 80 but she scaled it up 10 points.
I lost my "Piece of Mind" pin! Shit! I still think [a buddy] stole it in Bi-Sci, but he denied it! I hope it turns up on Monday. Dang it!
I also lost my allowance for 3 weeks! We were all watching TV and Dad, Mom and the Jerk were on the couch. I said, "3 fatsos on the couch" and Dad got pissed. I took me an hour to get my foot out of my mouth.
STRANGE DEPT.: [Female friend] told me this morning that I should ask [another girl] to the prom. Seriously, she said. Right.
- The Barbarian
Monday, March 19, 1984
Song of the day: Some Like It Hot - Coney Hatch
Top 5 at Five
1. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
2. Panama - Van Halen
3. Rock You Like a Hurricane - The Scorpions
4. The Runner - Manfred Mann
5. When the Lady Smiles - Golden Earring
Not a totally bad day. The weather was miserable, but hey. I slept through Civics because she was talking about Youth in Gov. all period. In Geometry, [teacher] yelled at me for being a wiseass. He usually doesn't; something musta been buggin' him today. Who cares!
In Algebra, I was talking to [cute girl I like] a lot (hubba hubba). Man! She's great!
[Different teacher] wasn't here today. Yaah!
When I got home, the plumbers were still working. After they left, they forgot to turn the hot water back on. Dorks!
Later.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: More winter drudgery. Not too different than the current winter drudgery we're going through.
I remember losing that Piece of Mind pin. I ended up losing a couple of pins. Wonder if they were lost or stolen...not that I ever saw anybody else wearing them.
Too funny about losing my allowance. I don't remember that at all. I don't doubt that I said it...although I was usually pretty careful about insulting my dad. His sense of humor was inconsistent, to say the least. I think my allowance was something like $5 a week, so it wasn't a huge loss. Although I didn't have any other revenue streams, so maybe it was.
Coney Hatch was a Canadian hard rock act I got into a few years earlier when I was living in Washington state and found their debut album, which was produced by Max Webster's Kim Mitchell. Just serviceable hard rock that I dug, although bassist Andy Curran had an interesting voice and wrote songs that were at least a little different, like the one below. The band's first two albums were decent, but after that, they tried to become Foreigner and bored me. They split up in the mid-80s and Curran went on to make a solo album or two.
Thursday, March 15, 1984
Song of the day: Little Guitars - Van Halen
Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. The Reflex - Duran Duran
3. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
4. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
5. Drive - The Cars
Not a good. Just a day. I had a credit check first period. After this year, I'll have 19 credits! You need 20 to graduate! Yaah!
I got an A on that Civics report. Took the Algebra test and I either did real good or real bad. I'm hoping it's real good!
Jeremy's on cloud nine. He's telling everyone about [girlfriend] and showing 'em her picture. That dude is gone!
Later.
- The Barbarian
Friday, March 16, 1984
Song of the day: Everybody Wants Some! - Van Halen
Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
3. Runaway - Bon Jovi
4. Rock You Like a Hurricane - The Scorpions
5. Magic - The Cars
Well, the day started off great. I got off the bus this morning and promptly fell on my ass! I slipped on a patch of ice and scraped my hand up. I hadda get a bandage from the nurse.
We had a Civics quiz and I only got 1 wrong. We got a new girl in our Geometry class. Her name's [redacted] and she's a wicked short sophomore. I got a 90 on that Algebra test! Actually I got 80 but she scaled it up 10 points.
I lost my "Piece of Mind" pin! Shit! I still think [a buddy] stole it in Bi-Sci, but he denied it! I hope it turns up on Monday. Dang it!
I also lost my allowance for 3 weeks! We were all watching TV and Dad, Mom and the Jerk were on the couch. I said, "3 fatsos on the couch" and Dad got pissed. I took me an hour to get my foot out of my mouth.
STRANGE DEPT.: [Female friend] told me this morning that I should ask [another girl] to the prom. Seriously, she said. Right.
- The Barbarian
Monday, March 19, 1984
Song of the day: Some Like It Hot - Coney Hatch
Top 5 at Five
1. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
2. Panama - Van Halen
3. Rock You Like a Hurricane - The Scorpions
4. The Runner - Manfred Mann
5. When the Lady Smiles - Golden Earring
Not a totally bad day. The weather was miserable, but hey. I slept through Civics because she was talking about Youth in Gov. all period. In Geometry, [teacher] yelled at me for being a wiseass. He usually doesn't; something musta been buggin' him today. Who cares!
In Algebra, I was talking to [cute girl I like] a lot (hubba hubba). Man! She's great!
[Different teacher] wasn't here today. Yaah!
When I got home, the plumbers were still working. After they left, they forgot to turn the hot water back on. Dorks!
Later.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: More winter drudgery. Not too different than the current winter drudgery we're going through.
I remember losing that Piece of Mind pin. I ended up losing a couple of pins. Wonder if they were lost or stolen...not that I ever saw anybody else wearing them.
Too funny about losing my allowance. I don't remember that at all. I don't doubt that I said it...although I was usually pretty careful about insulting my dad. His sense of humor was inconsistent, to say the least. I think my allowance was something like $5 a week, so it wasn't a huge loss. Although I didn't have any other revenue streams, so maybe it was.
Coney Hatch was a Canadian hard rock act I got into a few years earlier when I was living in Washington state and found their debut album, which was produced by Max Webster's Kim Mitchell. Just serviceable hard rock that I dug, although bassist Andy Curran had an interesting voice and wrote songs that were at least a little different, like the one below. The band's first two albums were decent, but after that, they tried to become Foreigner and bored me. They split up in the mid-80s and Curran went on to make a solo album or two.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: Top of the Rock
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Saturday, March 10, 1984
Song of the day: You Can't Kill Rock 'n Roll - Ozzy Osbourne
Good deal. Today before I went to the party, I was phoning WHEB's T-shirt Trivia. I almost won, but not quite.
The party was pretty good. Jeremy's uncle was pretty wild. He drives like a friggin' lunatic! Me, Jeremy, [a buddy], [his cousin and her friends were there]. [Her friend] is built! Wow! Their hot tub was awesome! It was 102 degrees, but it felt alright. We had Chinese food just before we left. Me and [buddy] both left at 11, Jeremy's uncle drove us home.
Later, man.
- The (Hot Tub) Barbarian
Sunday, March 11, 1984
Song of the day: Top of the Rock - HSAS
Pretty boring day. I drove Mom to the dump and back, did my homework, and vegged for the the rest of the day.
Heard the new song from Neal Schon and Sammy Hagar. Kicks butt!
- The Barbarian
Monday, March 12, 1984
Song of the day: Heartbreaker - Led Zeppelin
Top 5 at Five
1. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
2. Panama - Van Halen
3. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
4. Rock You Like a Hurricane - The Scorpions
5. Runaway - Bon Jovi
I got moved again in Civics. Hosebag moved me to the front of the room (right in front of her!). Tomorrow I'm gonna sit in my old seat and see if she kicks me out.
I got a 75 on that Geometry test. I took the Algebra re-quiz, I think I should get something in the 80s. We get a chapter test in there tomorrow!
Remember that girl from Jeremy's party? Well, he says he might be going with her now. Last I talked to him (6:30 p.m.), he was waiting for her to call him with an answer. Hmm.
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, March 13, 1984
[CUTE GIRL I LIKE]'S BIRTHDAY
Song of the day: Lay It On the Line - Triumph
Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
3. Runaway - Bon Jovi
4. Footloose - Kenny Loggins
5. Murder - David Gilmour
Yeah, you read it right! Today is [cute girl I like]'s birthday (she's 16). I wished her a happy birthday and told her I would've given her a card if I knew about it. Happy birthday, babe.
Shoot! Jeremy's already going with [girl he likes], and he said he's gonna give her his class ring today! Man, that dude moves fast!
It's been snowing since 8 this morning and it's still going! I hope it stops so I can go to school tomorrow!
It's almost midnight so I better get to sleep! Pronto!
Hey, [cute girl I like], you're awesome!
- The (birthday) Barbarian
Wednesday, March 14, 1984
Song of the day: Where Eagles Dare - Iron Maiden
Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
3. New Moon on Monday - Duran Duran
4. Runaway - Bon Jovi
5. Rock You Like a Hurricane - The Scorpions
We got almost 2 feet of snow! Needless to say, school was cancelled today. After shoveling out the walkway at 9 a.m., I took an hour nap, and then started reading The Sword of Shannara, which I started on Sunday. I read up to page 680. Other than that I busted the lock on the back screen door and that was it.
Later,
The Barbarian
Postscript: Guess that girl I thought I was over wasn't totally out of my system. At least not yet, anyway. At least I wasn't making a complete fool of myself anymore.
Man, it's amazing how fast you can read without distractions. 680 pages in a couple of days? Damn. Now I struggle to read 50 pages in a week.
As for The Sword of Shannara, I was big into the fantasy stuff back then. I had already read all the Lord of the Rings stuff and this was along those same lines. You know, elves and dwarves and swords and shit. Between those books and comics, I was definitely into alternate realities.
Hagar Schon Aaronson and Shrieve. Jesus:
Saturday, March 10, 1984
Song of the day: You Can't Kill Rock 'n Roll - Ozzy Osbourne
Good deal. Today before I went to the party, I was phoning WHEB's T-shirt Trivia. I almost won, but not quite.
The party was pretty good. Jeremy's uncle was pretty wild. He drives like a friggin' lunatic! Me, Jeremy, [a buddy], [his cousin and her friends were there]. [Her friend] is built! Wow! Their hot tub was awesome! It was 102 degrees, but it felt alright. We had Chinese food just before we left. Me and [buddy] both left at 11, Jeremy's uncle drove us home.
Later, man.
- The (Hot Tub) Barbarian
Sunday, March 11, 1984
Song of the day: Top of the Rock - HSAS
Pretty boring day. I drove Mom to the dump and back, did my homework, and vegged for the the rest of the day.
Heard the new song from Neal Schon and Sammy Hagar. Kicks butt!
- The Barbarian
Monday, March 12, 1984
Song of the day: Heartbreaker - Led Zeppelin
Top 5 at Five
1. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
2. Panama - Van Halen
3. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
4. Rock You Like a Hurricane - The Scorpions
5. Runaway - Bon Jovi
I got moved again in Civics. Hosebag moved me to the front of the room (right in front of her!). Tomorrow I'm gonna sit in my old seat and see if she kicks me out.
I got a 75 on that Geometry test. I took the Algebra re-quiz, I think I should get something in the 80s. We get a chapter test in there tomorrow!
Remember that girl from Jeremy's party? Well, he says he might be going with her now. Last I talked to him (6:30 p.m.), he was waiting for her to call him with an answer. Hmm.
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, March 13, 1984
[CUTE GIRL I LIKE]'S BIRTHDAY
Song of the day: Lay It On the Line - Triumph
Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
3. Runaway - Bon Jovi
4. Footloose - Kenny Loggins
5. Murder - David Gilmour
Yeah, you read it right! Today is [cute girl I like]'s birthday (she's 16). I wished her a happy birthday and told her I would've given her a card if I knew about it. Happy birthday, babe.
Shoot! Jeremy's already going with [girl he likes], and he said he's gonna give her his class ring today! Man, that dude moves fast!
It's been snowing since 8 this morning and it's still going! I hope it stops so I can go to school tomorrow!
It's almost midnight so I better get to sleep! Pronto!
Hey, [cute girl I like], you're awesome!
- The (birthday) Barbarian
Wednesday, March 14, 1984
Song of the day: Where Eagles Dare - Iron Maiden
Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
3. New Moon on Monday - Duran Duran
4. Runaway - Bon Jovi
5. Rock You Like a Hurricane - The Scorpions
We got almost 2 feet of snow! Needless to say, school was cancelled today. After shoveling out the walkway at 9 a.m., I took an hour nap, and then started reading The Sword of Shannara, which I started on Sunday. I read up to page 680. Other than that I busted the lock on the back screen door and that was it.
Later,
The Barbarian
Postscript: Guess that girl I thought I was over wasn't totally out of my system. At least not yet, anyway. At least I wasn't making a complete fool of myself anymore.
Man, it's amazing how fast you can read without distractions. 680 pages in a couple of days? Damn. Now I struggle to read 50 pages in a week.
As for The Sword of Shannara, I was big into the fantasy stuff back then. I had already read all the Lord of the Rings stuff and this was along those same lines. You know, elves and dwarves and swords and shit. Between those books and comics, I was definitely into alternate realities.
Hagar Schon Aaronson and Shrieve. Jesus:
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: Aces High
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Saturday, September 8, 1984
Song of the day: We Got the Night - Coney Hatch
I got up at 2:30 because Mom kept bugging me. I went at 3:30 to check my hours. They are Tues 6-9, Thurs 3-9 and Friday crew. I told [supervisor] I wanted only weekends yesterday. Dork. I'll have to call him about that 3-9.
I met [girl I like] there. She was pretty happy to see me. I think I'll just be good friends with her. I hardly ever see her anyways. I'm gonna concentrate on Sanborn women.
The "party" was boring. [Mom's friend's] husband, a teacher, looked at that letter from Yale and freaked out! He said it was invitation to apply to Yale and that I should go for it! Yale, wow!
SNL rerun was the Billy Crystal show. Wicked funny.
- The Barbarian
Sunday, September 9, 1984
Song of the day: Rime of the Ancient Mariner - Iron Maiden
I got up at 9. We went to church, first time since June, I think. Mom wants us to join the youth group there. Great.
I finally got my hair cut today. Looks good, too.
I wrote an article about going back to school. I'm gonna do my Advanced Math homework first period.
I got this new station WHJY in Providence, 94. It fades in and out. It's good.
- The Barbarian
Monday, September 10, 1984
Song of the day: The Morning After - Ratt
Good day. We won our game over Pelham, 4-0! We kicked butt! Before the game, [buddy] slipped and cut his arm and had to go to the hospital to get 5 stitches. Too bad. Next we kill Timberlane!
[Buddy] couldn't give me a ride home, so I got one from [hot chick from school]! What a babe! I called her after I got home and we talked for 20 minutes. She is awesome!
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, September 11, 1984
Song of the day: Love Poison - Coney Hatch
Top 5 at Five
1. Pride (In the Name of Love) - U2
2. Tears - John Waite
3. Cage of Freedom - Jon Anderson
4. The Last in Line - Dio
5. Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen
Today wasn't that hot. In fact, it kinda sucked. I couldn't get a ride and I had to take the bus (ugh)! That sucked.
Then I hadda go to work. I got Thursday off because I couldn't get the car. Thank goodness!
I got home at 10:30. Wow.
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, September 12, 1984
Song of the day: The Analog Kid - Rush
Definitely an interesting day. Third period, the guidance office announced the rankings of the senior class. When I got to fourth, I found out that I was ranked first! First! I couldn't believe it! If I finish the year first, I'll be the Valedictorian! Mutha! [Buddies of mine] were 2nd and 3rd.
My story is gonna be in the Kingstonian next week.
Now for the bad news: we lost to Timberlane 2-0. We played so terrible. We came in overconfident and we played lousy. I'm pissed because I didn't get into the game once! Now that sucks. I was wicked pissed when I got home so I called [hot chick] and we talked for half an hour. I felt a lot better afterwards.
First in my class? Wow, man.
- The Barbarian
Thursday, September 13, 1984
Song of the day: The Body Electric - Rush
I went to the guidance office and transferred out of Data Processing B and into Data Processing A. I couldn't take that class any more. Too many retards for my taste! Now I have it 7th period with [teacher]. I have second free. I also had to move into Floor Hockey 3rd term first period.
I got my check, $92 and change.
- The Barbarian
Friday, September 14, 1984
Song of the day: YYZ - Rush
Another weird day. I got 90 on that Adv Math quiz. That's it.
At 3 I went to see [optometrist]. He said I could take 'em out every 5 to 7 days.
We lost to Exeter, 4-0. We played about even with them but we couldn't score. I played a couple of minutes in the 2nd quarter.
At 8:30 I went to work. We were done by 2:30. I got home at 7.
- The Barbarian
Saturday, September 15, 1984
Song of the day: Boogie in Your Butt - Eddie Murphy
I got up at 5. I went to check my hours. They had me down for 7-7 Sun and Fri NC. I can't work either of them. I haveta call in sick tomorrow.
- The Barbarian
Sunday, September 16, 1984
Song of the day: Into the Fire - Dokken
I got up at 9 and called in sick. [Supervisor] sounded pretty pissed. Who cares.
Those people from Boston came over at 1:30. Me and JP went to Methuen Mall at 2:30. They didn't have any turtles there. JP got me "Powerslave," Maiden's new JP and I bought MSG's "Built to Destroy." I forgot to get some blank tapes while I was there.
I stopped at Plaistow Aquarium but they didn't have any turtles either. Drat!
I didn't get an article done. I'll have to write one tomorrow.
- The Barbarian
Monday, September 17, 1984
Song of the day: Powerslave - Iron Maiden
Wild day. I was hyper all day, man. I did an article on cable TV during 2nd period. We didn't have soccer practice after school, but I was stuck there anyways. I stayed and watched the field hockey game. They lost 2-1. [A buddy] gave me a ride home.
I listened to Powerslave again. That album is excellent! It kicks total butt! Awesome!
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, September 18, 1984
Song of the day: Aces High - Iron Maiden
Hiawatha! [Lab partner] couldn't get the fish so we both mice. I named mine Captain Howdy. Big test tomorrow in Psych. I wrote my first program in Computers.
Powerslave debuted on the WAAF album countdown at no. 12. Good deal!
Detroit Tigers clinched the AL East today. Nice try, Toronto.
Canada beat Sweden again and won the Canada Cup, 2-0! Alright!
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, September 19, 1984
Song of the day: Back in the Village - Iron Maiden
Another weird day. I lost these 2 stories I was checking; one by [classmate] and one by [classmate]. I don't know where I lost 'em or how, but I'm gonna have to lose points on my grade. How stupid!
The paper looked pretty good today. My story was short but sweet.
[Ex-gf] asked me if I wanted to go to a party at her house on Sat., Oct. 20. I said sure. What the hey!
[Lab partner] has his birthday on Friday, too.
College Fair tomorrow.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: Being ranked first in my class came as a surprise, especially given how much I'd screwed off in the last year or so. Too bad I messed it up and ended up finishing second by a couple of points. It was a C in that computer programming class that did me in; the teacher left three-quarters of the way through the semester and the new guy buried us. Oh, well. In the long run, it didn't matter one bit.
Our journalism class was getting articles published in the local weekly newspaper, so my first taste of journalism came long before I ever thought it would be my profession. I only took the class because it looked interesting, not because I thought it was a viable career option.
Boogie in your butt:
Saturday, September 8, 1984
Song of the day: We Got the Night - Coney Hatch
I got up at 2:30 because Mom kept bugging me. I went at 3:30 to check my hours. They are Tues 6-9, Thurs 3-9 and Friday crew. I told [supervisor] I wanted only weekends yesterday. Dork. I'll have to call him about that 3-9.
I met [girl I like] there. She was pretty happy to see me. I think I'll just be good friends with her. I hardly ever see her anyways. I'm gonna concentrate on Sanborn women.
The "party" was boring. [Mom's friend's] husband, a teacher, looked at that letter from Yale and freaked out! He said it was invitation to apply to Yale and that I should go for it! Yale, wow!
SNL rerun was the Billy Crystal show. Wicked funny.
- The Barbarian
Sunday, September 9, 1984
Song of the day: Rime of the Ancient Mariner - Iron Maiden
I got up at 9. We went to church, first time since June, I think. Mom wants us to join the youth group there. Great.
I finally got my hair cut today. Looks good, too.
I wrote an article about going back to school. I'm gonna do my Advanced Math homework first period.
I got this new station WHJY in Providence, 94. It fades in and out. It's good.
- The Barbarian
Monday, September 10, 1984
Song of the day: The Morning After - Ratt
Good day. We won our game over Pelham, 4-0! We kicked butt! Before the game, [buddy] slipped and cut his arm and had to go to the hospital to get 5 stitches. Too bad. Next we kill Timberlane!
[Buddy] couldn't give me a ride home, so I got one from [hot chick from school]! What a babe! I called her after I got home and we talked for 20 minutes. She is awesome!
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, September 11, 1984
Song of the day: Love Poison - Coney Hatch
Top 5 at Five
1. Pride (In the Name of Love) - U2
2. Tears - John Waite
3. Cage of Freedom - Jon Anderson
4. The Last in Line - Dio
5. Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen
Today wasn't that hot. In fact, it kinda sucked. I couldn't get a ride and I had to take the bus (ugh)! That sucked.
Then I hadda go to work. I got Thursday off because I couldn't get the car. Thank goodness!
I got home at 10:30. Wow.
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, September 12, 1984
Song of the day: The Analog Kid - Rush
Definitely an interesting day. Third period, the guidance office announced the rankings of the senior class. When I got to fourth, I found out that I was ranked first! First! I couldn't believe it! If I finish the year first, I'll be the Valedictorian! Mutha! [Buddies of mine] were 2nd and 3rd.
My story is gonna be in the Kingstonian next week.
Now for the bad news: we lost to Timberlane 2-0. We played so terrible. We came in overconfident and we played lousy. I'm pissed because I didn't get into the game once! Now that sucks. I was wicked pissed when I got home so I called [hot chick] and we talked for half an hour. I felt a lot better afterwards.
First in my class? Wow, man.
- The Barbarian
Thursday, September 13, 1984
Song of the day: The Body Electric - Rush
I went to the guidance office and transferred out of Data Processing B and into Data Processing A. I couldn't take that class any more. Too many retards for my taste! Now I have it 7th period with [teacher]. I have second free. I also had to move into Floor Hockey 3rd term first period.
I got my check, $92 and change.
- The Barbarian
Friday, September 14, 1984
Song of the day: YYZ - Rush
Another weird day. I got 90 on that Adv Math quiz. That's it.
At 3 I went to see [optometrist]. He said I could take 'em out every 5 to 7 days.
We lost to Exeter, 4-0. We played about even with them but we couldn't score. I played a couple of minutes in the 2nd quarter.
At 8:30 I went to work. We were done by 2:30. I got home at 7.
- The Barbarian
Saturday, September 15, 1984
Song of the day: Boogie in Your Butt - Eddie Murphy
I got up at 5. I went to check my hours. They had me down for 7-7 Sun and Fri NC. I can't work either of them. I haveta call in sick tomorrow.
- The Barbarian
Sunday, September 16, 1984
Song of the day: Into the Fire - Dokken
I got up at 9 and called in sick. [Supervisor] sounded pretty pissed. Who cares.
Those people from Boston came over at 1:30. Me and JP went to Methuen Mall at 2:30. They didn't have any turtles there. JP got me "Powerslave," Maiden's new JP and I bought MSG's "Built to Destroy." I forgot to get some blank tapes while I was there.
I stopped at Plaistow Aquarium but they didn't have any turtles either. Drat!
I didn't get an article done. I'll have to write one tomorrow.
- The Barbarian
Monday, September 17, 1984
Song of the day: Powerslave - Iron Maiden
Wild day. I was hyper all day, man. I did an article on cable TV during 2nd period. We didn't have soccer practice after school, but I was stuck there anyways. I stayed and watched the field hockey game. They lost 2-1. [A buddy] gave me a ride home.
I listened to Powerslave again. That album is excellent! It kicks total butt! Awesome!
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, September 18, 1984
Song of the day: Aces High - Iron Maiden
Hiawatha! [Lab partner] couldn't get the fish so we both mice. I named mine Captain Howdy. Big test tomorrow in Psych. I wrote my first program in Computers.
Powerslave debuted on the WAAF album countdown at no. 12. Good deal!
Detroit Tigers clinched the AL East today. Nice try, Toronto.
Canada beat Sweden again and won the Canada Cup, 2-0! Alright!
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, September 19, 1984
Song of the day: Back in the Village - Iron Maiden
Another weird day. I lost these 2 stories I was checking; one by [classmate] and one by [classmate]. I don't know where I lost 'em or how, but I'm gonna have to lose points on my grade. How stupid!
The paper looked pretty good today. My story was short but sweet.
[Ex-gf] asked me if I wanted to go to a party at her house on Sat., Oct. 20. I said sure. What the hey!
[Lab partner] has his birthday on Friday, too.
College Fair tomorrow.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: Being ranked first in my class came as a surprise, especially given how much I'd screwed off in the last year or so. Too bad I messed it up and ended up finishing second by a couple of points. It was a C in that computer programming class that did me in; the teacher left three-quarters of the way through the semester and the new guy buried us. Oh, well. In the long run, it didn't matter one bit.
Our journalism class was getting articles published in the local weekly newspaper, so my first taste of journalism came long before I ever thought it would be my profession. I only took the class because it looked interesting, not because I thought it was a viable career option.
Boogie in your butt:
Saturday, September 07, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: Girl Gone Bad
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Sunday, September 2, 1984
Song of the day: Slide It In - Whitesnake
I got up at 2:30. Didn't do much of anything today.
- The Barbarian
Monday, September 3, 1984
Song of the day: Pride (In the Name of Love) - U2
I got up. I went to work at 12. Worked all day. Came home at 10.
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, September 4, 1984
Song of the day: Mystery - Dio
Top 5 at Five
1. Pride (In the Name of Love) - U2
2. On the Dark Side - John Cafferty and Beaver Brown
3. New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite
4. Midnight Maniac - Krokus
5. Tears - John Waite
Strange day. I got up at 11:30. All I did was bum around the house all day. I didn't go outside until 11 p.m. when I took the dog out.
Phone call of the day: [Cute girl I like] called me up. She asked me if I wanted to go to the second Summer Jam (Stompers, Beaver Brown) on Saturday with her. Unfortunately, I had to say no because I'm working Friday night crew. She also said she was going to see Rush on Oct. 2. She said she'd give me and [drummer dude] a ride to the show if we wanted. I said I'd talk to him.
She kept asking me if I was mad at her for not keeping in touch. She said she was real busy with relatives and stuff. I said no. She sounded pretty interested.
Hmm. Double hmm.
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, September 5, 1984
Song of the day: All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
Weird day. I got up at 8 and took Mom to work. [Buddy] and Jeremy came by and we rode around in [buddy's] car. When I got back, Sammy pissed on my bed! Right thru the covers! Damn dog!
I went to work at 3. I didn't get out till 11:10.
- The Barbarian
Thursday, September 6, 1984
Song of the day: Stand Up - Coney Hatch
First day of school. [Buddy] picked me up at 7. At school we stood around for a while in the freezin gair and then went in the gym, then to our homerooms. I'm in 27, the quiet study hall. I copied my schedule down wrong and went to the wrong classes 5th and 6th period, but I straightened it out.
[A buddy of mine] grew a mustache. [Girl I dated] bleached the front of her hair.
This year should be pretty good.
We played the Sanborn alumni and lost, 5-1.
I got my check and only got $58. [Store manager's] gonna run my check thru the computer tomorrow.
- The (back to school) Barbarian
Friday, September 7, 1984
Song of the day: Girl Gone Bad - Van Halen
School went pretty good today. In Field Biology, me and [another guy] decided to get sea horses for pets. I have some homework in Adv Math and Journalism. Journalism is cool. I became one of the readers who check stories for errors, etc. I have to write a story this weekend.
Hot new babe dept.: There's this girl who sits with us in 1st period free. I think her name is [redacted] (not spelled that way. That's what I think people have called her). What a babe!
Another babe is in my Journalism class. I think her name is [redacted]. Nice bod.
We got a different jukebox. It sucks. It's even worse than last year's one. It's got disco songs, country songs and assorted garbage. Great. Some chick put on some queer disco song. I almost died.
After school, me and [a buddy] drove around for awhile. Practice was 3 hours long. I got home just past 6. At 9, I went to work. I found out that [some dude] quit. Too bad. Crew sucked! Too much work. As it turned out, I was up for 25 hours straight! Sheesh!
Postscript: Not sure why we started school so late this year. I forgot about getting that call from the girl I'd been pursuing all summer. I wasn't a fan of the Stompers or Beaver Brown, anyway.
Free periods were pretty fun. We hung out in the cafeteria, could buy candy and junk from the little store there, and could crank tunes on the jukebox. I remember, despite the "queer disco," playing a lot of U2 and Van Halen on that thing. Somebody figured out how to screw with the volume and really blast it, and then they turned it off for a while, I think.
Journalism class! At this point, I had no clue that journalism would be my chosen profession. It was just something that looked interesting and not too difficult. We didn't have a school paper, but our class had a page in the local newspaper that we contributed stories to, so that was cool.
Sunday, September 2, 1984
Song of the day: Slide It In - Whitesnake
I got up at 2:30. Didn't do much of anything today.
- The Barbarian
Monday, September 3, 1984
Song of the day: Pride (In the Name of Love) - U2
I got up. I went to work at 12. Worked all day. Came home at 10.
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, September 4, 1984
Song of the day: Mystery - Dio
Top 5 at Five
1. Pride (In the Name of Love) - U2
2. On the Dark Side - John Cafferty and Beaver Brown
3. New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite
4. Midnight Maniac - Krokus
5. Tears - John Waite
Strange day. I got up at 11:30. All I did was bum around the house all day. I didn't go outside until 11 p.m. when I took the dog out.
Phone call of the day: [Cute girl I like] called me up. She asked me if I wanted to go to the second Summer Jam (Stompers, Beaver Brown) on Saturday with her. Unfortunately, I had to say no because I'm working Friday night crew. She also said she was going to see Rush on Oct. 2. She said she'd give me and [drummer dude] a ride to the show if we wanted. I said I'd talk to him.
She kept asking me if I was mad at her for not keeping in touch. She said she was real busy with relatives and stuff. I said no. She sounded pretty interested.
Hmm. Double hmm.
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, September 5, 1984
Song of the day: All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
Weird day. I got up at 8 and took Mom to work. [Buddy] and Jeremy came by and we rode around in [buddy's] car. When I got back, Sammy pissed on my bed! Right thru the covers! Damn dog!
I went to work at 3. I didn't get out till 11:10.
- The Barbarian
Thursday, September 6, 1984
Song of the day: Stand Up - Coney Hatch
First day of school. [Buddy] picked me up at 7. At school we stood around for a while in the freezin gair and then went in the gym, then to our homerooms. I'm in 27, the quiet study hall. I copied my schedule down wrong and went to the wrong classes 5th and 6th period, but I straightened it out.
[A buddy of mine] grew a mustache. [Girl I dated] bleached the front of her hair.
This year should be pretty good.
We played the Sanborn alumni and lost, 5-1.
I got my check and only got $58. [Store manager's] gonna run my check thru the computer tomorrow.
- The (back to school) Barbarian
Friday, September 7, 1984
Song of the day: Girl Gone Bad - Van Halen
School went pretty good today. In Field Biology, me and [another guy] decided to get sea horses for pets. I have some homework in Adv Math and Journalism. Journalism is cool. I became one of the readers who check stories for errors, etc. I have to write a story this weekend.
Hot new babe dept.: There's this girl who sits with us in 1st period free. I think her name is [redacted] (not spelled that way. That's what I think people have called her). What a babe!
Another babe is in my Journalism class. I think her name is [redacted]. Nice bod.
We got a different jukebox. It sucks. It's even worse than last year's one. It's got disco songs, country songs and assorted garbage. Great. Some chick put on some queer disco song. I almost died.
After school, me and [a buddy] drove around for awhile. Practice was 3 hours long. I got home just past 6. At 9, I went to work. I found out that [some dude] quit. Too bad. Crew sucked! Too much work. As it turned out, I was up for 25 hours straight! Sheesh!
Postscript: Not sure why we started school so late this year. I forgot about getting that call from the girl I'd been pursuing all summer. I wasn't a fan of the Stompers or Beaver Brown, anyway.
Free periods were pretty fun. We hung out in the cafeteria, could buy candy and junk from the little store there, and could crank tunes on the jukebox. I remember, despite the "queer disco," playing a lot of U2 and Van Halen on that thing. Somebody figured out how to screw with the volume and really blast it, and then they turned it off for a while, I think.
Journalism class! At this point, I had no clue that journalism would be my chosen profession. It was just something that looked interesting and not too difficult. We didn't have a school paper, but our class had a page in the local newspaper that we contributed stories to, so that was cool.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: Rockin' Every Night
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Sunday, January 15, 1984
This was the day boredom is made of. Got up at around 10, had breakfast and did homework. After lunch, we decided to go to the Methuen Mall. I bought 3 magazines and a Judas Priest pin. I lost my Rush pin last week. Came home, did more homework, went to bed.
What a day!
- The Barbarian
Postscript: A few words about the Methuen Mall, which no longer exists. Back in the early '80s, we used to go there fairly often because it was the closest real mall (i.e., non-strip mall) to our podunk town. My favorite spot there was Midland Records, a great little record shop. While my mother would go to Sears or wherever, I would hunker down at Midland and browse through the vinyl from A to Z. They had a great import section. I was mostly interested in hard rock and metal, so I would pick up things like Gary Moore's Rockin' Every Night, a live album only released in Japan (this was during his post-Thin Lizzy, pre-blues, hard rockin' phase). The store also was a Ticketron outlet; I once got tickets for U2 on the Joshua Tree tour in 1987 by getting to Midland after hearing tickets were going on sale that day and getting a wristband. For hot shows like that, it was tough to get tickets. You could never get through on the phone (I failed miserably a few years later trying to get tickets for the Achtung Baby tour), so if you could get a decent spot in line at a ticket outlet, you had a chance. Even then, my seats were behind the mixing board at the Boston Garden, which weren't awful, but were still pretty far from the stage. Anyway, the Methuen Mall also holds less fun memories; my dad ended up working at the Sears there after he lost his job at the nuke plant. Those were not good times.
Sunday, January 15, 1984
This was the day boredom is made of. Got up at around 10, had breakfast and did homework. After lunch, we decided to go to the Methuen Mall. I bought 3 magazines and a Judas Priest pin. I lost my Rush pin last week. Came home, did more homework, went to bed.
What a day!
- The Barbarian
Postscript: A few words about the Methuen Mall, which no longer exists. Back in the early '80s, we used to go there fairly often because it was the closest real mall (i.e., non-strip mall) to our podunk town. My favorite spot there was Midland Records, a great little record shop. While my mother would go to Sears or wherever, I would hunker down at Midland and browse through the vinyl from A to Z. They had a great import section. I was mostly interested in hard rock and metal, so I would pick up things like Gary Moore's Rockin' Every Night, a live album only released in Japan (this was during his post-Thin Lizzy, pre-blues, hard rockin' phase). The store also was a Ticketron outlet; I once got tickets for U2 on the Joshua Tree tour in 1987 by getting to Midland after hearing tickets were going on sale that day and getting a wristband. For hot shows like that, it was tough to get tickets. You could never get through on the phone (I failed miserably a few years later trying to get tickets for the Achtung Baby tour), so if you could get a decent spot in line at a ticket outlet, you had a chance. Even then, my seats were behind the mixing board at the Boston Garden, which weren't awful, but were still pretty far from the stage. Anyway, the Methuen Mall also holds less fun memories; my dad ended up working at the Sears there after he lost his job at the nuke plant. Those were not good times.
Friday, February 08, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: Tied Up in Love
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Tuesday, February 7, 1984
WAAF Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
3. Looks That Kill - Motley Crue
4. Send Me an Angel - Real Life
5. Tied Up in Love - Ted Nugent
They did it! Canada beat the US, 4-2, in the first hockey game of the Olympics! I saw it, sort of, because ABC edited the game so that only parts where goals were scored were shown. Well, at least Canada kicked butt! Go for it!
In Geometry, [dude] convinced [teacher] to let him sit in his regular seat. Thank goodness! All in all, a pretty uneventful day. Tomorrow's an early release day. We miss 1st and 2nd periods.
The U.S. pulled its troops out of Lebanon and onto the ships for now. I don't know if they'll be coming home, though.
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, February 8, 1984
WAAF Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
3. New Moon on Monday - Duran Duran
4. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
5. Don't Say Goodnight - Jon Butcher Axis
The Leafs beat Boston 6-4! Talk about yer Miracle on Ice! Ricky Vaive got 2 goals (42 all together), plus Benning, Daoust, Derlago and Frycer scored. Allan Bester played awesome in goal! Yahoo!
I got 100 on yesterday's Geometry quiz. I had a test in Bi Sci and in French today, and I have one in Algebra tomorrow.
[Cute girl I like] wasn't at school today because she went skiing. Despite that, the day was alright. I did get put at a table in College Prep with [kid I apparently didn't like]. Ugh. Gimme a break. Well, at least [cute girl] sits with us, too.
Still waiting to get my papers back for my license.
- The (triumphant) Barbarian
Postscript: This was the first Winter Olympics since the U.S. shockingly won the gold in 1980, so I guess it was a big deal that Canada beat them. This was still the time when amateurs played, so Canada's best players were in the NHL. Also, I was still only a few years removed from living in Toronto, so I rooted for Canada big time. And the Leafs, although they didn't give me too much to cheer for in the '80s. Hmm, sounds familiar. Unlike now, when I can see every Leafs game thanks to the satellite package I have, back then I could only see Toronto play against the Bruins. I followed the highlights on ESPN and read the Globe sports section every day to get the latest info. I think there was a national game of the week on USA Network or ESPN back then that I occasionally watched, too.
I had forgotten about that Nugent song. Typical '80s hard rock wankery, although the video's funny in that only the Nuge gets any screen time. Not even the dude who sang the song is shown.
Tuesday, February 7, 1984
WAAF Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
3. Looks That Kill - Motley Crue
4. Send Me an Angel - Real Life
5. Tied Up in Love - Ted Nugent
They did it! Canada beat the US, 4-2, in the first hockey game of the Olympics! I saw it, sort of, because ABC edited the game so that only parts where goals were scored were shown. Well, at least Canada kicked butt! Go for it!
In Geometry, [dude] convinced [teacher] to let him sit in his regular seat. Thank goodness! All in all, a pretty uneventful day. Tomorrow's an early release day. We miss 1st and 2nd periods.
The U.S. pulled its troops out of Lebanon and onto the ships for now. I don't know if they'll be coming home, though.
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, February 8, 1984
WAAF Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
3. New Moon on Monday - Duran Duran
4. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
5. Don't Say Goodnight - Jon Butcher Axis
The Leafs beat Boston 6-4! Talk about yer Miracle on Ice! Ricky Vaive got 2 goals (42 all together), plus Benning, Daoust, Derlago and Frycer scored. Allan Bester played awesome in goal! Yahoo!
I got 100 on yesterday's Geometry quiz. I had a test in Bi Sci and in French today, and I have one in Algebra tomorrow.
[Cute girl I like] wasn't at school today because she went skiing. Despite that, the day was alright. I did get put at a table in College Prep with [kid I apparently didn't like]. Ugh. Gimme a break. Well, at least [cute girl] sits with us, too.
Still waiting to get my papers back for my license.
- The (triumphant) Barbarian
Postscript: This was the first Winter Olympics since the U.S. shockingly won the gold in 1980, so I guess it was a big deal that Canada beat them. This was still the time when amateurs played, so Canada's best players were in the NHL. Also, I was still only a few years removed from living in Toronto, so I rooted for Canada big time. And the Leafs, although they didn't give me too much to cheer for in the '80s. Hmm, sounds familiar. Unlike now, when I can see every Leafs game thanks to the satellite package I have, back then I could only see Toronto play against the Bruins. I followed the highlights on ESPN and read the Globe sports section every day to get the latest info. I think there was a national game of the week on USA Network or ESPN back then that I occasionally watched, too.
I had forgotten about that Nugent song. Typical '80s hard rock wankery, although the video's funny in that only the Nuge gets any screen time. Not even the dude who sang the song is shown.
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: All Lovers Are Deranged
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Thursday, March 1, 1984
ROGER DALTREY'S BIRTHDAY
Song of the day: Free Me - Roger Daltrey
Top 5 at Five
1. I'll Wait - Van Halen
2. Eat It - Weird Al
3. All Lovers Are Deranged - David Gilmour
4. Heaven - Bryan Adams
5. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
Not much doing today. Mom and JP went to the Methuen Mall with some friends today but I stayed home. I re-taped "Blizzard of Ozz" by Ozzy and "Number of the Beast" by Maiden. The Maiden one went okay, but the Ozzy one got all screwed up. I still don't know what happened!
Mom bought me a jacket. It's beige. I don't know, Ma...
I was watching Live on 4 and Joe Piscopo was on. He said he probably would not be back on SNL next year. Plus last week was Eddie Murphy's last show! Bummer!
I saw a commercial for a new movie, Splash. It's got John Candy and Eugene Levy in it. And it's PG. I gotta see it!
Jeremy called and said he could take me to Methuen tomorrow. Good deal.
- The (bored) Barbarian
Friday, March 2, 1984
Song of the day: Two Hearts Beat as One - U2
Top 5 at Five
1. Heaven - Bryan Adams
2. I'll Wait - Van Halen
3. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
4. Leave It - Yes
5. Tear It Up - Queen
Went to Methuen today. Before going to the mall, Jeremy's mom stopped at the junkyard. I met Jeremy's cousin. Not a bad looking chick (she's 15). She said she might have a jacuzzi party next week, and Jeremy said he'd invite me [and cute girls from school], among others. Can't wait!
At the mall, I bought "Shout at the Devil" by the Crue and two magazines. When I got home, I found that I got a postcard from [aforementioned cute girls, who were in Florida for the week]. Wow, man. Plus I got the new Guitar magazine. Then I went and got a haircut. Sandy, my hairdresser, wasn't there so someone else did my hair. Did a good job, too.
I'm thinking of going skating tomorrow. It's wicked cold out there!
- The Barbarian
Saturday, March 3, 1984
Song of the day: When the Lady Smiles - Golden Earring
Didn't do too much today. Just went to the dump, and then the Carriage Towne Plaza, where I saw the luscious [girl from school]. Then I came home and went skating on the pond for a couple of hours. I listened to my new Motley album. That's it, man.
- The Barbarian
Sunday, March 4, 1984
Song of the day: Hot for Teacher - Van Halen
Today I reached new heights in boredom. The only thing I did all day watch the Bruins-Whalers game on TV. Hartford won 6-4.
Hopefully tomorrow won't be boring.
- The Barbarian
Monday, March 5, 1984
Song of the day: Run Like Hell - Pink Floyd
Top 5 at Five
1. Heaven - Bryan Adams
2. Jump - Van Halen
3. Eat It - Weird Al
4. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
5. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
Just yer typical Monday. Wore that blasted beige jacket and I got ragged on by [a couple of buddies of mine]. Stupid homos. You can bet I'm never wearing it again!
I went for my detention in Bi Sci after school. [Teacher] let me go after 10 minutes. I looked out the window and saw the bus leaving! Then I had to wait 2 hours for the damn late bus. To make things worse, the bus got re-routed because of an accident and I got home at 5.
Jeremy invited me to his jacuzzi party on Saturday. [Another buddy] is going, too. [Cute girl] isn't going because she has a cheering tournament or something. Damn!
Dad phoned at 5:30 and said he'd be working late. Well, it's 11 right now, and he still isn't home! Mom's working evenings. I'm gonna call his work number. Seeya later.
I called Dad. He was still working and came home at midnite.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: Had to laugh at the beige jacket debacle. That's why you shouldn't let your mom buy you clothes when you're in high school, kids. Not to mention the fact that it was a Members Only-type of jacket, whereas I usually wore a scruffy ski vest.
I was still in the nascent stages of my home taping, not having discovered the joy of a real tape deck and Dolby sound. You can read about the gazillion mix tapes I made in later years with my Mixology series of posts, which started here. My recording technique in 1984 basically involved putting a boombox in front of my speakers. I bought everything on vinyl at this point, anyway.
Watched Splash again a few months ago and it still holds up for the most part. I was a huge SCTV fan from my days living in Toronto, so Candy and Levy were the big draws, but I also knew young Tom Hanks from his early '80s sitcom Bosom Buddies, which I enjoyed. I was also a major SNL fan and of course had a big appreciation for the talent of Eddie Murphy (and yes, Joe Piscopo).
David Gilmour's solo album, About Face, came out around this time and even though it's fairly forgotten now, it was pretty good. I particularly enjoyed the first single on rock radio:
Thursday, March 1, 1984
ROGER DALTREY'S BIRTHDAY
Song of the day: Free Me - Roger Daltrey
Top 5 at Five
1. I'll Wait - Van Halen
2. Eat It - Weird Al
3. All Lovers Are Deranged - David Gilmour
4. Heaven - Bryan Adams
5. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
Not much doing today. Mom and JP went to the Methuen Mall with some friends today but I stayed home. I re-taped "Blizzard of Ozz" by Ozzy and "Number of the Beast" by Maiden. The Maiden one went okay, but the Ozzy one got all screwed up. I still don't know what happened!
Mom bought me a jacket. It's beige. I don't know, Ma...
I was watching Live on 4 and Joe Piscopo was on. He said he probably would not be back on SNL next year. Plus last week was Eddie Murphy's last show! Bummer!
I saw a commercial for a new movie, Splash. It's got John Candy and Eugene Levy in it. And it's PG. I gotta see it!
Jeremy called and said he could take me to Methuen tomorrow. Good deal.
- The (bored) Barbarian
Friday, March 2, 1984
Song of the day: Two Hearts Beat as One - U2
Top 5 at Five
1. Heaven - Bryan Adams
2. I'll Wait - Van Halen
3. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
4. Leave It - Yes
5. Tear It Up - Queen
Went to Methuen today. Before going to the mall, Jeremy's mom stopped at the junkyard. I met Jeremy's cousin. Not a bad looking chick (she's 15). She said she might have a jacuzzi party next week, and Jeremy said he'd invite me [and cute girls from school], among others. Can't wait!
At the mall, I bought "Shout at the Devil" by the Crue and two magazines. When I got home, I found that I got a postcard from [aforementioned cute girls, who were in Florida for the week]. Wow, man. Plus I got the new Guitar magazine. Then I went and got a haircut. Sandy, my hairdresser, wasn't there so someone else did my hair. Did a good job, too.
I'm thinking of going skating tomorrow. It's wicked cold out there!
- The Barbarian
Saturday, March 3, 1984
Song of the day: When the Lady Smiles - Golden Earring
Didn't do too much today. Just went to the dump, and then the Carriage Towne Plaza, where I saw the luscious [girl from school]. Then I came home and went skating on the pond for a couple of hours. I listened to my new Motley album. That's it, man.
- The Barbarian
Sunday, March 4, 1984
Song of the day: Hot for Teacher - Van Halen
Today I reached new heights in boredom. The only thing I did all day watch the Bruins-Whalers game on TV. Hartford won 6-4.
Hopefully tomorrow won't be boring.
- The Barbarian
Monday, March 5, 1984
Song of the day: Run Like Hell - Pink Floyd
Top 5 at Five
1. Heaven - Bryan Adams
2. Jump - Van Halen
3. Eat It - Weird Al
4. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
5. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
Just yer typical Monday. Wore that blasted beige jacket and I got ragged on by [a couple of buddies of mine]. Stupid homos. You can bet I'm never wearing it again!
I went for my detention in Bi Sci after school. [Teacher] let me go after 10 minutes. I looked out the window and saw the bus leaving! Then I had to wait 2 hours for the damn late bus. To make things worse, the bus got re-routed because of an accident and I got home at 5.
Jeremy invited me to his jacuzzi party on Saturday. [Another buddy] is going, too. [Cute girl] isn't going because she has a cheering tournament or something. Damn!
Dad phoned at 5:30 and said he'd be working late. Well, it's 11 right now, and he still isn't home! Mom's working evenings. I'm gonna call his work number. Seeya later.
I called Dad. He was still working and came home at midnite.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: Had to laugh at the beige jacket debacle. That's why you shouldn't let your mom buy you clothes when you're in high school, kids. Not to mention the fact that it was a Members Only-type of jacket, whereas I usually wore a scruffy ski vest.
I was still in the nascent stages of my home taping, not having discovered the joy of a real tape deck and Dolby sound. You can read about the gazillion mix tapes I made in later years with my Mixology series of posts, which started here. My recording technique in 1984 basically involved putting a boombox in front of my speakers. I bought everything on vinyl at this point, anyway.
Watched Splash again a few months ago and it still holds up for the most part. I was a huge SCTV fan from my days living in Toronto, so Candy and Levy were the big draws, but I also knew young Tom Hanks from his early '80s sitcom Bosom Buddies, which I enjoyed. I was also a major SNL fan and of course had a big appreciation for the talent of Eddie Murphy (and yes, Joe Piscopo).
David Gilmour's solo album, About Face, came out around this time and even though it's fairly forgotten now, it was pretty good. I particularly enjoyed the first single on rock radio:
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: Bringin' On the Heartbreak
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Thursday, May 10, 1984
Song of the day: Infatuation - Rod Stewart (Jeff Beck on guitar)
Top 5 at Five
1. Run Runaway - Slade
2. Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
3. This Fall - Bob and Zip
4. Round and Round - Ratt
5. The Pros and Cons of Hitch-hiking - Roger Waters
One more day! WOW! [Prom date] wasn't at school today. She slept in. Boy, was school boring today! A bunch of people were gone for one reason or another. I talked [teacher] into giving us the Algebra test on Monday instead of tomorrow. That leaves 4 tests or quizzes. Sheesh!
Mom's wicked sick. She can hardly stand up! I hope she gets better soon.
I'm feeling better. I can breathe normally, but I'm still coughing a bit. Hopefully it'll be cleared up by tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be really nice tomorrow. Excellent!
I'm wicked psyched! After school I have to pick up the corsage, take a shower, get my hair done, and who knows what else! The school day will drag on, no doubt. But I don't care. The prom will be awesome!
- The (anxious) Barbarian
Friday, May 11, 1984
Song of the day: Don't Forget to Dance - The Kinks
Well, it's here and gone. The day dragged on painfully, but it's over finally.
When I got home, Mom had already bought the corsage. I called [hairdresser] and she said she could take me at 3, so I went there and got back around 3:45. At 5, I went to pick up [prom date]. She looked so beautiful in that dress! Wow! We got to the Ashworth at 6:15. Valet parking, ha! I parked myself and we went in. We had to wait half an hour to get our pictures taken. We get 'em on June 1. We had to wait till 7:30 to eat and even then we didn't have much. The band came out around 8. They were alright, but I think they could've played more slow songs. They only played 3! [Prom date] had a headache for a while. All in all, not so hot. we took [another couple] to [friend's] house with us. [Buddy] got us going a different way that took longer. We got to the house and I parked on the street. The cops came and said to park in the driveway! I almost died! After a while, I took [prom date] home. I gave her a goodnight kiss and she said, "Still friends?" I go, "Yeah, I guess."
Still friends. Hmm.
- The (un-psyched) Barbarian
Saturday, May 12, 1984
Song of the day: Bringin' on the Heartbreak - Def Leppard
I was awakened this morning at 11 with some bad news: Caesar got hit by a car. He was gone since 6:30 Friday evening. We found him across the street at the side of the road. Caesar was dead. He was just lying there. I think he bled internally to death. Poor boy. If the jerk who hit him had told us then, maybe we could've saved him! I felt so lousy seeing him just lying there with his eyes closed, knowing he'd never get up again. We took him to the vet. They'll bury him somewhere in Mass. Poor Caesar.
Caesar, may you rest in peace.
- The Barbarian
Sunday, May 13, 1984
Song of the day: Touch and Go - The Cars
Not much happened today. It was sunny. I took the garbage to the dump. I did my homework. I cleaned up the spare room. I moped around all day.
I decided that I'm not going to call [prom date] anymore. I'm not going to tell her to call me. I'll still hang around with her at school and everything. If she calls me on her own, fine. I want to see what she does. It's starting to look hopeless for me...
Boy, is my life messed up.
- The Barbarian
P.S. I miss Caesar. A lot.
Monday, May 14, 1984
Song of the day: Red Lenses - Rush
Top 5 at Five
1. The Pros and Cons of Hitch-hiking - Roger Waters
2. Blue Light - David Gilmour
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. A Whiter Shade of Pale - HSAS
5. Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
Weird day. We had a sub in Civics because [teacher] (and Jeremy) is in DC. Yay! I forget her name. She was nice, but the way she read the lesson was like we were second graders!
We took a Geometry quiz, hope I did alright. I got a friggin' 48 on a Bi Sci test! Out of 100. 48! I have to get As on everything in there from now on. Damn!
Took an Algebra test, hope I did good on it.
I scrapped that plan I came up with about not calling [prom date]. I like her too much not to call her! She called me after school (after I told her to).
Today would have been Caesar's first birthday.
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, May 15, 1984
Song of the day: Out of My Hands - Face to Face
Top 5 at Five
1. My Oh My - Slade
2. Round and Round - Ratt
3. A Whiter Shade of Pale - HSAS
4. Drive - The Cars
5. Leave It - Yes
So-so day. Bus was late because we had some other driver who kept pulling over to let cars go by! Sheesh!
I got an 83 on that Geometry quiz, 74 on the Algebra test. Not so hot. We got a Geometry chapter test tomorrow. I think I'll do better on that!
I got 95 on the outlining quiz in Prep for College and 42% on the "How to Study" quiz. Well, it beats 5%!
[Prom date] taught me how to play UNO on the phone yesterday and I played my first game today. Wow. Alert the media!
Okay, here's the game plan about [prom date]: I figured it all out. I play it cool till school's out. Just friends, she said. Well, she's got it! No more compliments, reduced phone calls. It's back to Kumar the Barbarian for me! No more wallowing in self-pity! No more feeling sorry for myself! I'm gonna get out there and kick some butt! And I'm gonna have fun doing it! So there!
Like the song says, "It's out of my hands." Like wow, man.
- The (rejuvenated, for real, this time) Barbarian
Wednesday, May 16, 1984
Song of the day: Lunatic Fringe - Red Rider
Top 5 at Five
1. Legs - ZZ Top
2. My Oh My - Slade
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
5. Deeper and Deeper - The Fixx
Wednesdays suck! At least for me they do! Remember all that rejuvenated bullcrap yesterday? Forget it. It doesn't work.
After break, when I was walking her to French, [prom date] told me not to walk her there anymore. I was messed up after that.
I stumbled through the rest of the day and made it home alive but depressed.
After dinner, I called her up. I asked her straight out if we had a chance of going together. She said no. I asked her why not. She gave me some bullshit answer that made no sense. I asked howcum alluva sudden she just wanted to be friends. She couldn't tell me. Can you believe that? Boy, did she really do a number on me! Well, it's over. Finito. Kaput. I can't believe it. I still like her a lot, but I can't hang around her anymore. I'm staying away. I can't believe I fell for her like I did. That's partly her fault, too. It's gonna be tough, but I'm gonna have to get up, brush myself off and move on.
- The (naive) Barbarian...naive ain't the word!
Postscript: Jesus, that was rough. The weird thing was I should've seen the whole breakup thing coming, but I somehow stupidly thought the prom would be great. It was miserable. I remember during one of the slow dances, she literally held me at arm's length. It was like one of those instructional videos from the '50s. And then to get home and have my dog die overnight was just the icing on the shit cake. Brutal.
At least the girl situation didn't drag on too long after the prom. I suppose I should be thankful for that. I'm glad I asked her if it was going to happen, instead of just hoping against hope. Made it easier (sort of) to make a clean break. And besides, things were about to get interesting.
Thursday, May 10, 1984
Song of the day: Infatuation - Rod Stewart (Jeff Beck on guitar)
Top 5 at Five
1. Run Runaway - Slade
2. Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
3. This Fall - Bob and Zip
4. Round and Round - Ratt
5. The Pros and Cons of Hitch-hiking - Roger Waters
One more day! WOW! [Prom date] wasn't at school today. She slept in. Boy, was school boring today! A bunch of people were gone for one reason or another. I talked [teacher] into giving us the Algebra test on Monday instead of tomorrow. That leaves 4 tests or quizzes. Sheesh!
Mom's wicked sick. She can hardly stand up! I hope she gets better soon.
I'm feeling better. I can breathe normally, but I'm still coughing a bit. Hopefully it'll be cleared up by tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be really nice tomorrow. Excellent!
I'm wicked psyched! After school I have to pick up the corsage, take a shower, get my hair done, and who knows what else! The school day will drag on, no doubt. But I don't care. The prom will be awesome!
- The (anxious) Barbarian
Friday, May 11, 1984
Song of the day: Don't Forget to Dance - The Kinks
Well, it's here and gone. The day dragged on painfully, but it's over finally.
When I got home, Mom had already bought the corsage. I called [hairdresser] and she said she could take me at 3, so I went there and got back around 3:45. At 5, I went to pick up [prom date]. She looked so beautiful in that dress! Wow! We got to the Ashworth at 6:15. Valet parking, ha! I parked myself and we went in. We had to wait half an hour to get our pictures taken. We get 'em on June 1. We had to wait till 7:30 to eat and even then we didn't have much. The band came out around 8. They were alright, but I think they could've played more slow songs. They only played 3! [Prom date] had a headache for a while. All in all, not so hot. we took [another couple] to [friend's] house with us. [Buddy] got us going a different way that took longer. We got to the house and I parked on the street. The cops came and said to park in the driveway! I almost died! After a while, I took [prom date] home. I gave her a goodnight kiss and she said, "Still friends?" I go, "Yeah, I guess."
Still friends. Hmm.
- The (un-psyched) Barbarian
Saturday, May 12, 1984
Song of the day: Bringin' on the Heartbreak - Def Leppard
I was awakened this morning at 11 with some bad news: Caesar got hit by a car. He was gone since 6:30 Friday evening. We found him across the street at the side of the road. Caesar was dead. He was just lying there. I think he bled internally to death. Poor boy. If the jerk who hit him had told us then, maybe we could've saved him! I felt so lousy seeing him just lying there with his eyes closed, knowing he'd never get up again. We took him to the vet. They'll bury him somewhere in Mass. Poor Caesar.
Caesar, may you rest in peace.
- The Barbarian
Sunday, May 13, 1984
Song of the day: Touch and Go - The Cars
Not much happened today. It was sunny. I took the garbage to the dump. I did my homework. I cleaned up the spare room. I moped around all day.
I decided that I'm not going to call [prom date] anymore. I'm not going to tell her to call me. I'll still hang around with her at school and everything. If she calls me on her own, fine. I want to see what she does. It's starting to look hopeless for me...
Boy, is my life messed up.
- The Barbarian
P.S. I miss Caesar. A lot.
Monday, May 14, 1984
Song of the day: Red Lenses - Rush
Top 5 at Five
1. The Pros and Cons of Hitch-hiking - Roger Waters
2. Blue Light - David Gilmour
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. A Whiter Shade of Pale - HSAS
5. Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
Weird day. We had a sub in Civics because [teacher] (and Jeremy) is in DC. Yay! I forget her name. She was nice, but the way she read the lesson was like we were second graders!
We took a Geometry quiz, hope I did alright. I got a friggin' 48 on a Bi Sci test! Out of 100. 48! I have to get As on everything in there from now on. Damn!
Took an Algebra test, hope I did good on it.
I scrapped that plan I came up with about not calling [prom date]. I like her too much not to call her! She called me after school (after I told her to).
Today would have been Caesar's first birthday.
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, May 15, 1984
Song of the day: Out of My Hands - Face to Face
Top 5 at Five
1. My Oh My - Slade
2. Round and Round - Ratt
3. A Whiter Shade of Pale - HSAS
4. Drive - The Cars
5. Leave It - Yes
So-so day. Bus was late because we had some other driver who kept pulling over to let cars go by! Sheesh!
I got an 83 on that Geometry quiz, 74 on the Algebra test. Not so hot. We got a Geometry chapter test tomorrow. I think I'll do better on that!
I got 95 on the outlining quiz in Prep for College and 42% on the "How to Study" quiz. Well, it beats 5%!
[Prom date] taught me how to play UNO on the phone yesterday and I played my first game today. Wow. Alert the media!
Okay, here's the game plan about [prom date]: I figured it all out. I play it cool till school's out. Just friends, she said. Well, she's got it! No more compliments, reduced phone calls. It's back to Kumar the Barbarian for me! No more wallowing in self-pity! No more feeling sorry for myself! I'm gonna get out there and kick some butt! And I'm gonna have fun doing it! So there!
Like the song says, "It's out of my hands." Like wow, man.
- The (rejuvenated, for real, this time) Barbarian
Wednesday, May 16, 1984
Song of the day: Lunatic Fringe - Red Rider
Top 5 at Five
1. Legs - ZZ Top
2. My Oh My - Slade
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
5. Deeper and Deeper - The Fixx
Wednesdays suck! At least for me they do! Remember all that rejuvenated bullcrap yesterday? Forget it. It doesn't work.
After break, when I was walking her to French, [prom date] told me not to walk her there anymore. I was messed up after that.
I stumbled through the rest of the day and made it home alive but depressed.
After dinner, I called her up. I asked her straight out if we had a chance of going together. She said no. I asked her why not. She gave me some bullshit answer that made no sense. I asked howcum alluva sudden she just wanted to be friends. She couldn't tell me. Can you believe that? Boy, did she really do a number on me! Well, it's over. Finito. Kaput. I can't believe it. I still like her a lot, but I can't hang around her anymore. I'm staying away. I can't believe I fell for her like I did. That's partly her fault, too. It's gonna be tough, but I'm gonna have to get up, brush myself off and move on.
- The (naive) Barbarian...naive ain't the word!
Postscript: Jesus, that was rough. The weird thing was I should've seen the whole breakup thing coming, but I somehow stupidly thought the prom would be great. It was miserable. I remember during one of the slow dances, she literally held me at arm's length. It was like one of those instructional videos from the '50s. And then to get home and have my dog die overnight was just the icing on the shit cake. Brutal.
At least the girl situation didn't drag on too long after the prom. I suppose I should be thankful for that. I'm glad I asked her if it was going to happen, instead of just hoping against hope. Made it easier (sort of) to make a clean break. And besides, things were about to get interesting.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: Flick of the Switch
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Sunday, January 29, 1984
Today was just yer basic boring day, part II. Drove today from the hardware store in Kingston to Ames in Plaistow. I saw [cute girl] at the plaza (hardware store). Yumm.
Came home, had lunch, played some hockey with JP for a couple of hours. Came in, had dinner, listened to new AC/DC album (Flick of the Switch) that I got from Columbia yesterday. Good record. Then I listened to Heavy Metal From Hell. Tony Beradini said that Saxon might be the opening act for Judas Priest in March. I saw a new Saxon 12" single at Midland Records yesterday called "Sailing to America." It's from a new album called Crusaders. Haven't seen that yet.
Well, seeya later.
- The (bored, again) Barbarian
Postscript: The "Columbia" I refer to above is, of course, the Columbia House Record Club, which was how I built up my music collection. Pretty sure I signed up for one of those 11 records for a penny deals when we lived out in Washington state. Of course, it was a scam because you didn't pay squat for the first bunch of albums but then they charged through the nose for the subsequent ones that came every month; you had to be on the ball and return the form saying you didn't want that particular selection. After a while, they started having sales that at least made some things worth buying, like box sets. I joined RCA's club, too. Of course, they skimped on the packaging, too, so you often didn't get the lyric sheets that would normally come with an album because they were mass-producing records on the cheap. Amazingly, Columbia House somehow survived until 2011 before finally shutting down.
Listening to "Flick of the Switch" below just now, I was struck at how it was almost identical to "Have a Drink on Me" from Back in Black. Totally forgot that they often just rewrote songs. Still pretty kickass, though.
Sunday, January 29, 1984
Today was just yer basic boring day, part II. Drove today from the hardware store in Kingston to Ames in Plaistow. I saw [cute girl] at the plaza (hardware store). Yumm.
Came home, had lunch, played some hockey with JP for a couple of hours. Came in, had dinner, listened to new AC/DC album (Flick of the Switch) that I got from Columbia yesterday. Good record. Then I listened to Heavy Metal From Hell. Tony Beradini said that Saxon might be the opening act for Judas Priest in March. I saw a new Saxon 12" single at Midland Records yesterday called "Sailing to America." It's from a new album called Crusaders. Haven't seen that yet.
Well, seeya later.
- The (bored, again) Barbarian
Postscript: The "Columbia" I refer to above is, of course, the Columbia House Record Club, which was how I built up my music collection. Pretty sure I signed up for one of those 11 records for a penny deals when we lived out in Washington state. Of course, it was a scam because you didn't pay squat for the first bunch of albums but then they charged through the nose for the subsequent ones that came every month; you had to be on the ball and return the form saying you didn't want that particular selection. After a while, they started having sales that at least made some things worth buying, like box sets. I joined RCA's club, too. Of course, they skimped on the packaging, too, so you often didn't get the lyric sheets that would normally come with an album because they were mass-producing records on the cheap. Amazingly, Columbia House somehow survived until 2011 before finally shutting down.
Listening to "Flick of the Switch" below just now, I was struck at how it was almost identical to "Have a Drink on Me" from Back in Black. Totally forgot that they often just rewrote songs. Still pretty kickass, though.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: Shout at the Devil
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Thursday, February 9, 1984
WAAF Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
3. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
4. Sign of Fire - The Fixx
5. Don't Say Goodnight - Jon Butcher Axis
They did it again! The Leafs beat Boston, 6-3, in Boston. Allan Bester kept them in the game with excellent goaltending! The dude is simply awesome! The Leaf goals were 2 by Anderson (28 and 29), 2 by Derlago (23 and 24) and 2 by Ihnacak (8 and 9). Way to go, Leafs!!
School was alright today. The Algebra test was easy. I got a Geometry test tomorrow.
Canada beat Austria 8-1 in the Olympics. They're 2-0. The U.S. lost again.
- The (victorious) Barbarian
Friday, February 10, 1984
WAAF Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
3. Leave It - Yes
4. Looks That Kill - Motley Crue
5. Send Me an Angel - Real Life
We didn't have to take that Geometry test after all. We get it on Monday.
I got my appointment finally! It's on Feb. 27 at 10 a.m.! Alright!
I got an 85 on the Algebra test, an 80 (+ 10 francs) in French and 83 in Bi Sci.
Got a letter and some pictures from (old buddy from Richland, Wash.) today. It was pretty cool.
The Metal Shop has been extended to an hour! But it's on from 12 to 1 on Friday nights.
Later.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: The appointment I'm all fired up about was my driving test. There are few things more important to a teenage boy than his driver's license, and I was oh-so-close. Of course, I didn't have a car, but at least I could borrow one of my parents' cars from time to time.
Funny thing about Leafs goalie Allan Bester. He really wasn't THAT awesome, but he was decent on a lot of fairly underwhelming '80s Leafs teams. On one of my trips to Toronto circa 1991, I picked up posters of Bester and Fred McGriff of the Jays. Within months, both were traded. Not sure what that means, but it was weird. Anyway, Bester was an underrated goalie but far from awesome.
The Metal Shop was the heavy metal show on WAAF, hosted by a Brit named Andy Wolf. I used to listen to it faithfully, as I did WBCN's Heavy Metal from Hell on Sunday nights. There was a fair amount of hair metal played during regular hours as you can see by the Top 5 at Five countdowns, but these shows played deeper, heavier stuff like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest and lesser known acts like Y&T and Metallica (at the time, they were lesser known) that I was into.
Speaking of metal, the success of Motley Crue was based on a faux-Satanism schtick they were pulling. I was a good Christian boy but I loved my metal and could see that these guys were just playing at the Satanic stuff, unlike, say, Venom or Slayer. So I didn't have a problem with "Shout at the Devil," because they were, like, shouting AT him, not WITH him. Right? (And besides, this song was a total ripoff of Maiden's "Number of the Beast," in theme if not riff).
Thursday, February 9, 1984
WAAF Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil - Motley Crue
3. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
4. Sign of Fire - The Fixx
5. Don't Say Goodnight - Jon Butcher Axis
They did it again! The Leafs beat Boston, 6-3, in Boston. Allan Bester kept them in the game with excellent goaltending! The dude is simply awesome! The Leaf goals were 2 by Anderson (28 and 29), 2 by Derlago (23 and 24) and 2 by Ihnacak (8 and 9). Way to go, Leafs!!
School was alright today. The Algebra test was easy. I got a Geometry test tomorrow.
Canada beat Austria 8-1 in the Olympics. They're 2-0. The U.S. lost again.
- The (victorious) Barbarian
Friday, February 10, 1984
WAAF Top 5 at Five
1. Jump - Van Halen
2. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
3. Leave It - Yes
4. Looks That Kill - Motley Crue
5. Send Me an Angel - Real Life
We didn't have to take that Geometry test after all. We get it on Monday.
I got my appointment finally! It's on Feb. 27 at 10 a.m.! Alright!
I got an 85 on the Algebra test, an 80 (+ 10 francs) in French and 83 in Bi Sci.
Got a letter and some pictures from (old buddy from Richland, Wash.) today. It was pretty cool.
The Metal Shop has been extended to an hour! But it's on from 12 to 1 on Friday nights.
Later.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: The appointment I'm all fired up about was my driving test. There are few things more important to a teenage boy than his driver's license, and I was oh-so-close. Of course, I didn't have a car, but at least I could borrow one of my parents' cars from time to time.
Funny thing about Leafs goalie Allan Bester. He really wasn't THAT awesome, but he was decent on a lot of fairly underwhelming '80s Leafs teams. On one of my trips to Toronto circa 1991, I picked up posters of Bester and Fred McGriff of the Jays. Within months, both were traded. Not sure what that means, but it was weird. Anyway, Bester was an underrated goalie but far from awesome.
The Metal Shop was the heavy metal show on WAAF, hosted by a Brit named Andy Wolf. I used to listen to it faithfully, as I did WBCN's Heavy Metal from Hell on Sunday nights. There was a fair amount of hair metal played during regular hours as you can see by the Top 5 at Five countdowns, but these shows played deeper, heavier stuff like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest and lesser known acts like Y&T and Metallica (at the time, they were lesser known) that I was into.
Speaking of metal, the success of Motley Crue was based on a faux-Satanism schtick they were pulling. I was a good Christian boy but I loved my metal and could see that these guys were just playing at the Satanic stuff, unlike, say, Venom or Slayer. So I didn't have a problem with "Shout at the Devil," because they were, like, shouting AT him, not WITH him. Right? (And besides, this song was a total ripoff of Maiden's "Number of the Beast," in theme if not riff).
Saturday, June 08, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: Working Man
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Sunday, June 3, 1984
Song of the day: Working Man - Rush
Well, I don't know what to do for an oral report in Civics. I'm dead.
We went to Methuen Mall where I got a blue blazer and 2 ties. That took till around 4. Then I had to mow the lawn. Fun.
Hey! It was a beautiful day, sunny and in the '70s. This week is supposed to be wicked nice!
At the mall, I saw that girl from the party last night. She's the one we pretended to gang-bang! Now you remember, eh? Seriously, though, she's pretty nice.
Tomorrow's my first day at work. I hope everything goes alright.
- The Barbarian
Monday, June 4, 1984
Song of the day: No Surrender - Bruce Springsteen
Everybody cracked up at my Hawaiian shirt and etc. I got an 82 on Bi Sci test, 96 on Algebra test, 78 on my Vocab project, and a 95 on a French test.
Work went all right. My shoes suck, though. They're too dressy and uncomfortable. I work 3-7 tomorrow and Wednesday (damn) and 5-10 Saturday. Hope [cute girl]'s working tomorrow. I need a ride!
Today was wicked nice! Sun!
I watched the Toronto-Detroit game til midnight. Detroit won 6-3 in 10 innings. Stupid umpires!
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, June 5, 1984
Song of the day: She's Mine - Steve Perry
Man, I'm tired! I went to bed at 12:30 last night and got up at 5:30 to take a shower.
The school day went by pretty uneventfully. Everybody's psyched about tomorrow, including me!
Our driveway was paved today. It kicks!
[Cute girl] gave me a ride to work today. What a babe!
I'm taking [cute girl], Jeremy and [buddy] to the beach tomorrow. [Another buddy]'s getting a ride from [another guy]. Man, it's gonna be great.
The weather's supposed to be awesome!
I finally got those 2 issues of Guitar magazine I've been waiting for. One has Eddie VH on the cover and the other Randy Rhoads. Next month has Alex Lifeson!
I worked till close today. My dinner was 3 candy bars and a root beer. I got home at 10. Whew!
- The (tired) Barbarian
Wednesday, June 6, 1984
Song of the day: Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n Roll - Ian Dury and the Blockheads
What a day!
I left for Jeremy's at 9:45. Then we picked up [buddy]. Backing out of his drive, I almost had a heart attack when I hit this massive rock! Fortunately it only nicked the plastic fender part. Phew.
Then we picked up [cute girl] and went through Salisbury to the beach. We got there just before 11. It was packed! We parked in a motel parking lot for $2. I almost hit a car while parking. It took me 5 minutes to park it right.
When we got on the beach, it was beautiful. And the weather wasn't bad either! Man! Girls everywhere! There were Sanborn people everywhere! I think the whole school skipped (except two dorks). Wow! [Several attractive girls] and more. Thank God for mirrored sunglasses! It started getting cloudy around 12:30, though. We went to McDonald's and met [two hot classmates]. Gaga! Better boobs can't be found!! Incredible. It started getting chilly and we left around 1. That sucked. I wanted to stay till 2. Me, Jeremy and [buddy] left. [Cute chick] stayed and got a ride from [another classmate]. As it turns out, I got home at 2. I worked from 3-7 today. Ironic: [Dude possibly dating ex-gf] works at the Bucket, too. He's cool.
- The (beach) Barbarian
Thursday, June 7, 1984
Song of the day: The Mask - Roger Glover
Steamy day. In the 90s.
Believe it or not, I got a B on my oral report in Civics. It sucked! I would have given it a D! Well, I"m not complaining.
I was pretty tired today.
About half the school ( 250 or so) skipped yesterday! Awesome turnout!
I got home and collapsed on my bed for about 3 hours!
Later,
The Barbarian
Friday, June 8, 1984
Song of the day: We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
Top 5 at Five
1. Life Sucks, Then You Die - The Fools
2. My Oh My - Slade
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
5. Little Lady - Duke Jupiter
Today was even hotter than yesterday. This weather leaves me kind of sluggish.
We made the paper! The Haverhill Gazette had a front page story about our skip day. I cracked up!
We got our prom pictures today. In one of them, I have my damn eyes closed. That sucks. The other one's alright, though.
Next week is finals. Ugh.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: Getting used to working at the Bucket. It was definitely a transition. I was going from a day that went from 6 a.m. to about 3 p.m. and extending that by another seven or eight hours on my feet doing manual labor. It was good, though. Got some cash in my pocket, made some friends and definitely got a little more of a work ethic.
This first few months of driving definitely had some close calls like me driving into that stupid rock, but fortunately nothing remotely close to an accident. And this was before we had cell phones and other shit to distract us. It was just our own stupidity, as it was meant to be.
Sunday, June 3, 1984
Song of the day: Working Man - Rush
Well, I don't know what to do for an oral report in Civics. I'm dead.
We went to Methuen Mall where I got a blue blazer and 2 ties. That took till around 4. Then I had to mow the lawn. Fun.
Hey! It was a beautiful day, sunny and in the '70s. This week is supposed to be wicked nice!
At the mall, I saw that girl from the party last night. She's the one we pretended to gang-bang! Now you remember, eh? Seriously, though, she's pretty nice.
Tomorrow's my first day at work. I hope everything goes alright.
- The Barbarian
Monday, June 4, 1984
Song of the day: No Surrender - Bruce Springsteen
Everybody cracked up at my Hawaiian shirt and etc. I got an 82 on Bi Sci test, 96 on Algebra test, 78 on my Vocab project, and a 95 on a French test.
Work went all right. My shoes suck, though. They're too dressy and uncomfortable. I work 3-7 tomorrow and Wednesday (damn) and 5-10 Saturday. Hope [cute girl]'s working tomorrow. I need a ride!
Today was wicked nice! Sun!
I watched the Toronto-Detroit game til midnight. Detroit won 6-3 in 10 innings. Stupid umpires!
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, June 5, 1984
Song of the day: She's Mine - Steve Perry
Man, I'm tired! I went to bed at 12:30 last night and got up at 5:30 to take a shower.
The school day went by pretty uneventfully. Everybody's psyched about tomorrow, including me!
Our driveway was paved today. It kicks!
[Cute girl] gave me a ride to work today. What a babe!
I'm taking [cute girl], Jeremy and [buddy] to the beach tomorrow. [Another buddy]'s getting a ride from [another guy]. Man, it's gonna be great.
The weather's supposed to be awesome!
I finally got those 2 issues of Guitar magazine I've been waiting for. One has Eddie VH on the cover and the other Randy Rhoads. Next month has Alex Lifeson!
I worked till close today. My dinner was 3 candy bars and a root beer. I got home at 10. Whew!
- The (tired) Barbarian
Wednesday, June 6, 1984
Song of the day: Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n Roll - Ian Dury and the Blockheads
What a day!
I left for Jeremy's at 9:45. Then we picked up [buddy]. Backing out of his drive, I almost had a heart attack when I hit this massive rock! Fortunately it only nicked the plastic fender part. Phew.
Then we picked up [cute girl] and went through Salisbury to the beach. We got there just before 11. It was packed! We parked in a motel parking lot for $2. I almost hit a car while parking. It took me 5 minutes to park it right.
When we got on the beach, it was beautiful. And the weather wasn't bad either! Man! Girls everywhere! There were Sanborn people everywhere! I think the whole school skipped (except two dorks). Wow! [Several attractive girls] and more. Thank God for mirrored sunglasses! It started getting cloudy around 12:30, though. We went to McDonald's and met [two hot classmates]. Gaga! Better boobs can't be found!! Incredible. It started getting chilly and we left around 1. That sucked. I wanted to stay till 2. Me, Jeremy and [buddy] left. [Cute chick] stayed and got a ride from [another classmate]. As it turns out, I got home at 2. I worked from 3-7 today. Ironic: [Dude possibly dating ex-gf] works at the Bucket, too. He's cool.
- The (beach) Barbarian
Thursday, June 7, 1984
Song of the day: The Mask - Roger Glover
Steamy day. In the 90s.
Believe it or not, I got a B on my oral report in Civics. It sucked! I would have given it a D! Well, I"m not complaining.
I was pretty tired today.
About half the school ( 250 or so) skipped yesterday! Awesome turnout!
I got home and collapsed on my bed for about 3 hours!
Later,
The Barbarian
Friday, June 8, 1984
Song of the day: We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
Top 5 at Five
1. Life Sucks, Then You Die - The Fools
2. My Oh My - Slade
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
5. Little Lady - Duke Jupiter
Today was even hotter than yesterday. This weather leaves me kind of sluggish.
We made the paper! The Haverhill Gazette had a front page story about our skip day. I cracked up!
We got our prom pictures today. In one of them, I have my damn eyes closed. That sucks. The other one's alright, though.
Next week is finals. Ugh.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: Getting used to working at the Bucket. It was definitely a transition. I was going from a day that went from 6 a.m. to about 3 p.m. and extending that by another seven or eight hours on my feet doing manual labor. It was good, though. Got some cash in my pocket, made some friends and definitely got a little more of a work ethic.
This first few months of driving definitely had some close calls like me driving into that stupid rock, but fortunately nothing remotely close to an accident. And this was before we had cell phones and other shit to distract us. It was just our own stupidity, as it was meant to be.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: Life Sucks, Then You Die
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Thursday, May 17, 1984
Song of the day: Life Sucks, Then You Die - The Fools
Top 5 at Five
1. My Oh My - Slade
2. Blue Light - David Gilmour
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. Legs - ZZ Top
5. Eyes Without a Face - Billy Idol
Today was somewhat better, but not much. I didn't even speak to [ex-gf] till after 5th period. I told her there were no hard feelings and I even had lunch with her. Oh well.
I was looser today. In 3rd period, me and some buddies were doing Eddie Murphy material all class. It was wild! Surprisingly, [teacher] didn't do anything.
I think I'm finally better from that stupid cold. I hope.
Edmonton was winning 6-2 at this time (11:20 p.m.) over the Isles in the 3rd period. If they win, it'll be 3-1! Go Oilers1
I better get some sleep. I need it.
Remember, "Life sucks, then you die."
I'm a survivor.
- The (lonely once again) Barbarian
Friday, May 18, 1984
Song of the day: Hey, Hey, What Can I Do? - Led Zeppelin
Top 5 at Five
1. My Oh My - Slade
2. Round and Round - Ratt
3. Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
4. Drive - The Cars
5. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
Man, what a lousy week.
Today was alright. I got a 94 on that Geometry test. I think I did good on today's Bi Sci test.
I don't know what to do now. My life is a mess. Who knows when I'll find another girl. I'm trying to be optimistic, but it's hard for a guy like me, being "brown" and all. Dammit, [ex-gf] was perfect for me! Why'd she change her mind? Why?
Guys like me and [a recently dumped buddy], we seem to get the bum rap all the time. It just ain't fair.
- The (lonely) Barbarian
Saturday, May 19, 1984
PETE TOWNSHEND'S BIRTHDAY
Song of the day: A World of Fantasy - Triumph
They did it! Edmonton won the Stanley Cup! They beat the Isles, 5-2. Gretzky got 2 goals! Yaah! Way to go!
Otherwise, today was pretty boring. I got up at 10. We went to the Mall of New Hampshire for 2 hours. I didn't get anything. It was boring. We got home at 5 and then I got bored some more!
I am lonely. I guess I'm just strung out over [ex-gf]. I still think about her all the time. I just have lousy luck.
- The (bored and lonely) Barbarian
Sunday, May 20, 1984
Song of the day: Can't Stand Losing You - The Police
Today we went to the Methuen. First we went to Caldor, where I got 2 short sleeve shirts. Then we went to the mall, where I got that "No Bozos" jersey I've been wanting to get. Plus I picked up the new Guitar World with KK and Glenn from Judas Priest on the cover. Good deal.
That about sums it up.
- The Barbarian
Monday, May 21, 1984
Song of the day: You've Got Another Thing Comin' - Judas Priest
Top 5 at Five
1. Run Runaway - Slade
2. Strung Out - Steve Perry
Missed the rest
For a Monday, today was pretty good. I got a positive reaction to my "No Bozos" shirt at school. [Ex-gf] wasn't at school today. They're thinking of having Soph skip day on May 31st. No word on Junior skip day. I'm skipping on both days. I got an 88 on the Bi Sci test. Jeremy got back today from Washington (actually Sat.). After school, we decided to go job-hunting. I got the car and we went to a lumber place first. We were too young, so we went to Market Basket. Interviews are on Wednesday from 2-4! Kick! We went to Ames and filled out applications, and then we went to D'Angelo's but that job was post-11 p.m. We also checked out Pizza Hut before going home. Not bad. Hopefully we can both get jobs at the Bucket. That'd be great.
- The (job-hunting) Barbarian
Postscript: The post-breakup malaise continues. Jesus, what a puss. Thankfully, the moping will end soon.
The concept of "skip days" was a new one to me. Apparently, each class (except freshmen) would pick a date in the spring and then most of the kids would just not go to school, and nobody would get in trouble. Not sure why I thought I could go on both days, since I was a junior. Don't remember if there were any consequences, but I guess we'll find out in a few weeks.
Ah, the search for my first job. I had briefly done a paper route when I was in Washington state, but this would be my first real paying job. It's not revealing any secrets to anyone who's read this blog to say I was successful, but I'll hold off on where I landed the lucrative gig until it comes up.
Slade had themselves quite the little resurgence in '84, although they weren't able to parlay it into much more. But I'm sure they enjoyed the royalties from Quiet Riot covering "Cum On Feel the Noize" and later "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" (good spellers they weren't).
As for the Fools, they were a local novelty band that scored some FM radio hits in this area with a parody of the Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer" called "Psycho Chicken" and this little ditty, which fit my mood perfectly at the time:
Thursday, May 17, 1984
Song of the day: Life Sucks, Then You Die - The Fools
Top 5 at Five
1. My Oh My - Slade
2. Blue Light - David Gilmour
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. Legs - ZZ Top
5. Eyes Without a Face - Billy Idol
Today was somewhat better, but not much. I didn't even speak to [ex-gf] till after 5th period. I told her there were no hard feelings and I even had lunch with her. Oh well.
I was looser today. In 3rd period, me and some buddies were doing Eddie Murphy material all class. It was wild! Surprisingly, [teacher] didn't do anything.
I think I'm finally better from that stupid cold. I hope.
Edmonton was winning 6-2 at this time (11:20 p.m.) over the Isles in the 3rd period. If they win, it'll be 3-1! Go Oilers1
I better get some sleep. I need it.
Remember, "Life sucks, then you die."
I'm a survivor.
- The (lonely once again) Barbarian
Friday, May 18, 1984
Song of the day: Hey, Hey, What Can I Do? - Led Zeppelin
Top 5 at Five
1. My Oh My - Slade
2. Round and Round - Ratt
3. Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
4. Drive - The Cars
5. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
Man, what a lousy week.
Today was alright. I got a 94 on that Geometry test. I think I did good on today's Bi Sci test.
I don't know what to do now. My life is a mess. Who knows when I'll find another girl. I'm trying to be optimistic, but it's hard for a guy like me, being "brown" and all. Dammit, [ex-gf] was perfect for me! Why'd she change her mind? Why?
Guys like me and [a recently dumped buddy], we seem to get the bum rap all the time. It just ain't fair.
- The (lonely) Barbarian
Saturday, May 19, 1984
PETE TOWNSHEND'S BIRTHDAY
Song of the day: A World of Fantasy - Triumph
They did it! Edmonton won the Stanley Cup! They beat the Isles, 5-2. Gretzky got 2 goals! Yaah! Way to go!
Otherwise, today was pretty boring. I got up at 10. We went to the Mall of New Hampshire for 2 hours. I didn't get anything. It was boring. We got home at 5 and then I got bored some more!
I am lonely. I guess I'm just strung out over [ex-gf]. I still think about her all the time. I just have lousy luck.
- The (bored and lonely) Barbarian
Sunday, May 20, 1984
Song of the day: Can't Stand Losing You - The Police
Today we went to the Methuen. First we went to Caldor, where I got 2 short sleeve shirts. Then we went to the mall, where I got that "No Bozos" jersey I've been wanting to get. Plus I picked up the new Guitar World with KK and Glenn from Judas Priest on the cover. Good deal.
That about sums it up.
- The Barbarian
Monday, May 21, 1984
Song of the day: You've Got Another Thing Comin' - Judas Priest
Top 5 at Five
1. Run Runaway - Slade
2. Strung Out - Steve Perry
Missed the rest
For a Monday, today was pretty good. I got a positive reaction to my "No Bozos" shirt at school. [Ex-gf] wasn't at school today. They're thinking of having Soph skip day on May 31st. No word on Junior skip day. I'm skipping on both days. I got an 88 on the Bi Sci test. Jeremy got back today from Washington (actually Sat.). After school, we decided to go job-hunting. I got the car and we went to a lumber place first. We were too young, so we went to Market Basket. Interviews are on Wednesday from 2-4! Kick! We went to Ames and filled out applications, and then we went to D'Angelo's but that job was post-11 p.m. We also checked out Pizza Hut before going home. Not bad. Hopefully we can both get jobs at the Bucket. That'd be great.
- The (job-hunting) Barbarian
Postscript: The post-breakup malaise continues. Jesus, what a puss. Thankfully, the moping will end soon.
The concept of "skip days" was a new one to me. Apparently, each class (except freshmen) would pick a date in the spring and then most of the kids would just not go to school, and nobody would get in trouble. Not sure why I thought I could go on both days, since I was a junior. Don't remember if there were any consequences, but I guess we'll find out in a few weeks.
Ah, the search for my first job. I had briefly done a paper route when I was in Washington state, but this would be my first real paying job. It's not revealing any secrets to anyone who's read this blog to say I was successful, but I'll hold off on where I landed the lucrative gig until it comes up.
Slade had themselves quite the little resurgence in '84, although they weren't able to parlay it into much more. But I'm sure they enjoyed the royalties from Quiet Riot covering "Cum On Feel the Noize" and later "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" (good spellers they weren't).
As for the Fools, they were a local novelty band that scored some FM radio hits in this area with a parody of the Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer" called "Psycho Chicken" and this little ditty, which fit my mood perfectly at the time:
Friday, June 21, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: School's Out
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Saturday, June 16, 1984
Song of the day: I've Got the Six - ZZ Top
Cashed my check today. Then we went to the Methuen Mall. I bought Ratt's "Out of the Cellar" and some shorts for Father's Day. Went to work at 3. Got out at 10:30.
I'm tired.
Working tomorrow 12-6.
- The Barbarian
Sunday, June 17, 1984
Song of the day: Mama Weer All Crazee Now - Quiet Riot
Got up at 9:30. Took the garbage to the dump and went to work. We were there til 7:30! That sucks.
I'm working Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3-10. Saturday I'm working 7-4. That means we can go to the movies that night. Good deal. Can't wait!
A girl called for me while I was at work. She didn't leave her name or a message so I have no idea who it was. I wonder who it was?
[Buddy] said he'd teach me how to play rhythm guitar because he needs a rhythm player for his band. I said sure. What the heck!
Don't know how I'm getting to work tomorrow. Geez.
- The Barbarian
Monday, June 18, 1984
Song of the day: I'm Leaving You - Scorpions
I had to take the bus to arena scheduling. I was the only high school kid on the bus. When I got there, nobody was there, almost. [A friend] were there. He's working at McDonald's at Hampton Beach. Lucky fart!
When I got in, I just got my P.E. (floor hockey) and got out. My schedule is awesome! I have first period free all year, 2nd period free for the second semester and 7th period free for the 1st, 3rd and 4th terms. The most classes I have at one time is 6, in 2nd term. [Two cute female friends] have 1st period free all year too. Me, [and two other cute girls] are in the same Adv. Math class. It'll be great!
[Cute girl] gave me and Jeremy a ride home around 10. I slept for a while and then [different cute girl] gave me a ride to work. Mom brought the car to the Bucket. I didn't get out till 11. Finally, tomorrow I get a day off!
- The (tired) Barbarian
Tuesday, June 19, 1984
Song of the day: Mama Weer All Crazee Now - Mama's Boys
Top 5 at Five
1. Life Sucks, Then You Die - The Fools
2. Round and Round - Ratt
3. Missing You - John Waite
4. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
5. Voices - Russ Ballard
Class day today. I got a 91 for the 4th term and an 88 for the semester in Civics. I also found out that I only had 4 3/4 credits on my schedule. [Vice principal] said to call back in August and they'll get me in a half-year class. Too good to be true, I guess.
I waited in line (and cut in front of 50 people) and I still didn't get a yearbook. They ran out of extras right before I got to the front. There's supposed to be more tomorrow.
I got home at 12 and got some rest. I'm gonna need it.
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, June 20, 1984
Song of the day: Even the Losers - Tom Petty
Today was the last full day of school. I spent most of it signing yearbooks. I couldn't get one myself because they had no more extras. Oh well.
In Civics we saw the videotape from last week. It was hilarious!
In Geometry, I got 87 for the term. In Bi Sci I got an 80. In Prep for College I got a 77 and in French I got an 81. That sucks! I hope I got an A in Algebra.
They put a picture of me on the sophomore page of the yearbook. Dorks!
[Buddy] got himself a Mr. Happy sleeping bag for Saturday. Looks like he's gonna go for it!
Tomorrow I have to pick up my paycheck and then get my senior portrait taken. I hope it turns out good.
- The Barbarian
Thursday, June 21, 1984
Song of the day: School's Out - Alice Cooper
Top 5 at Five
1. Life Sucks, Then You Die - The Fools
2. Round and Round - Ratt
3. Slow an' Easy - Whitesnake
4. Back Where I Started - Box of Frogs
5. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
Boy, what a day. I started it off by dropping my shades in the driveway, breaking them. Damn! Then, at school, I got bagged for wearing shorts and I had to sit in the office for 2 hours. Not fun.
Then I went for my senior portrait. I passed by the place and had to turn around in the next town. I finally found it and had to wait half an hour to get the photos taken.
I then had to pick Mom up from work.
Oh yeah, I got my paycheck. $78.30. Well, it was $92.96 but taxes ate it up. I put $50 in the bank.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: School was over, but I was working a ton. And for someone who wasn't used to being on his feet for seven or eight hours straight, it was pretty tiring. But had to make some cash. It was amazing what I could get by on back then, but of course I didn't have to pay for room and board.
That whole thing with the shorts was pretty stupid. I had no idea you couldn't wear shorts to school, and I couldn't understand why on the last day of school it was such a big deal. Not to mention the fact that girls could wear mini-skirts that were way shorter than my shorts.
I was hoping to find my senior portrait to scan in, but no such luck.
Kinda funny that Slade's "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" was covered by two different bands in consecutive years:
Saturday, June 16, 1984
Song of the day: I've Got the Six - ZZ Top
Cashed my check today. Then we went to the Methuen Mall. I bought Ratt's "Out of the Cellar" and some shorts for Father's Day. Went to work at 3. Got out at 10:30.
I'm tired.
Working tomorrow 12-6.
- The Barbarian
Sunday, June 17, 1984
Song of the day: Mama Weer All Crazee Now - Quiet Riot
Got up at 9:30. Took the garbage to the dump and went to work. We were there til 7:30! That sucks.
I'm working Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3-10. Saturday I'm working 7-4. That means we can go to the movies that night. Good deal. Can't wait!
A girl called for me while I was at work. She didn't leave her name or a message so I have no idea who it was. I wonder who it was?
[Buddy] said he'd teach me how to play rhythm guitar because he needs a rhythm player for his band. I said sure. What the heck!
Don't know how I'm getting to work tomorrow. Geez.
- The Barbarian
Monday, June 18, 1984
Song of the day: I'm Leaving You - Scorpions
I had to take the bus to arena scheduling. I was the only high school kid on the bus. When I got there, nobody was there, almost. [A friend] were there. He's working at McDonald's at Hampton Beach. Lucky fart!
When I got in, I just got my P.E. (floor hockey) and got out. My schedule is awesome! I have first period free all year, 2nd period free for the second semester and 7th period free for the 1st, 3rd and 4th terms. The most classes I have at one time is 6, in 2nd term. [Two cute female friends] have 1st period free all year too. Me, [and two other cute girls] are in the same Adv. Math class. It'll be great!
[Cute girl] gave me and Jeremy a ride home around 10. I slept for a while and then [different cute girl] gave me a ride to work. Mom brought the car to the Bucket. I didn't get out till 11. Finally, tomorrow I get a day off!
- The (tired) Barbarian
Tuesday, June 19, 1984
Song of the day: Mama Weer All Crazee Now - Mama's Boys
Top 5 at Five
1. Life Sucks, Then You Die - The Fools
2. Round and Round - Ratt
3. Missing You - John Waite
4. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
5. Voices - Russ Ballard
Class day today. I got a 91 for the 4th term and an 88 for the semester in Civics. I also found out that I only had 4 3/4 credits on my schedule. [Vice principal] said to call back in August and they'll get me in a half-year class. Too good to be true, I guess.
I waited in line (and cut in front of 50 people) and I still didn't get a yearbook. They ran out of extras right before I got to the front. There's supposed to be more tomorrow.
I got home at 12 and got some rest. I'm gonna need it.
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, June 20, 1984
Song of the day: Even the Losers - Tom Petty
Today was the last full day of school. I spent most of it signing yearbooks. I couldn't get one myself because they had no more extras. Oh well.
In Civics we saw the videotape from last week. It was hilarious!
In Geometry, I got 87 for the term. In Bi Sci I got an 80. In Prep for College I got a 77 and in French I got an 81. That sucks! I hope I got an A in Algebra.
They put a picture of me on the sophomore page of the yearbook. Dorks!
[Buddy] got himself a Mr. Happy sleeping bag for Saturday. Looks like he's gonna go for it!
Tomorrow I have to pick up my paycheck and then get my senior portrait taken. I hope it turns out good.
- The Barbarian
Thursday, June 21, 1984
Song of the day: School's Out - Alice Cooper
Top 5 at Five
1. Life Sucks, Then You Die - The Fools
2. Round and Round - Ratt
3. Slow an' Easy - Whitesnake
4. Back Where I Started - Box of Frogs
5. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
Boy, what a day. I started it off by dropping my shades in the driveway, breaking them. Damn! Then, at school, I got bagged for wearing shorts and I had to sit in the office for 2 hours. Not fun.
Then I went for my senior portrait. I passed by the place and had to turn around in the next town. I finally found it and had to wait half an hour to get the photos taken.
I then had to pick Mom up from work.
Oh yeah, I got my paycheck. $78.30. Well, it was $92.96 but taxes ate it up. I put $50 in the bank.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: School was over, but I was working a ton. And for someone who wasn't used to being on his feet for seven or eight hours straight, it was pretty tiring. But had to make some cash. It was amazing what I could get by on back then, but of course I didn't have to pay for room and board.
That whole thing with the shorts was pretty stupid. I had no idea you couldn't wear shorts to school, and I couldn't understand why on the last day of school it was such a big deal. Not to mention the fact that girls could wear mini-skirts that were way shorter than my shorts.
I was hoping to find my senior portrait to scan in, but no such luck.
Kinda funny that Slade's "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" was covered by two different bands in consecutive years:
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: We're an American Band
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.
Tuesday, July 17, 1984
Song of the day: Cold Shot - Stevie Ray Vaughan
Top 5 at Five
1. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
2. Back Where I Started - Box of Frogs
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. Still Loving You - Scorpions
5. The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking - Roger Waters
Wow! What a day! It was great! Me and Jeremy went to the beach at 9:30. The weather was perfect! First we were sitting near the water, but then we met [two attractive female classmates], so we sat with them. They were looking good. We all left just before 2. But it was just a beautiful beach day.
- The (beachcomber) Barbarian
Wednesday, July 18, 1984
Song of the day: Two Sides of Love - Sammy Hagar
I was awakened by the phone at 12. It was [guitar-playing buddy]. He asked me if I could come over and jam. I said sure. He gave me directions to Custeau's, but I called Jeremy and got different directions. These screwed me up totally. I asked Jeff at the Gulf station and I finally got there at 2, an hour late. We went to [his friend the drummer]'s house and started jamming. I learned some of the rhythm part for an original song called "Black Corvette" and for "Lick It Up" by KISS. It was great. We also watched MTV. Videos by Ratt, Priest (Heading Out to the Highway), Stevie Ray (Cold Shot), Quiet Riot (Mama), Scorps (Still Loving You), Twisted Sister (We're Not Gonna Take It), Jon Butcher Axis (Life Takes a Life) were on. Then we went to the Bucket to go shopping. We zipped through in 10 minutes. After that, I dropped [drummer dude] off at his mom's house and I took [guitar dude] home. I was gonna stay awhile, but his mom was bitching at him so I left. Got home around 7. I'm in a band! Yah!
- The (rhythm) Barbarian
Thursday, July 19, 1984
Song of the day: Institutionalized - Suicidal Tendencies
Top 5 at Five
1. Round and Round - Ratt
2. Hello Again - The Cars
3. Still Loving You - Scorpions
4. Missing You - John Waite
5. Missed it
Good day. I got up at 10. At 11, I picked Jeremy up and went to get my check. Unfortunately, they didn't have 'em in yet. So I had to take $20 out of the bank (which I will put back in when I get the check). Then we went to Water Country. It was great. We spent the whole day going down the slides and checking out the girls. It was great.
We left at 4. I then picked up my check ($65.10), dropped Jeremy off and went home.
Tomorrow, we're going to the beach at 8. This means I'll have to skip my appointment at Mark Lawrence. Oh well.
- The Barbarian
Friday, July 20, 1984
Song of the day: Rock You - Helix
Top 5 at Five
1. Missing You - John Waite
2. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
3. The Warrior - Scandal
4. Round and Round - Ratt
5. New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite
What a day! I got up at 7. We got to Hampton Beach at 8:30. There was hardly anyone there. We saw [classmate] picking up trash. She was the only one we saw there that we knew. But there were plenty of nice looking females! We watched 'em all day. We left at 3. The weather was even better than Tuesday!
At 6, we went to the movies. But guess what: [cute chick] couldn't go. Geez! She never gets out of the house! This sucks. She did say we could come over tomorrow. I have to mow the law before I go over.
We saw Best Defense and The Karate Kid. Best Defense was alright. Eddie Murphy should've been featured more. The Karate Kid was awesome! It totally kicked butt!
- The (beach) Barbarian
Saturday, July 21, 1984
Song of the day: Condition Critical - Quiet Riot
Today was pretty boring. But I guess, after 4 good days in a row, I was due for a bad one. First I got up and mowed the lawn. Then later on I went to [cute chick's] house for a few hours. BORING! We couldn't really do anything because her dumb sister kept bugging us. This is going nowhere. I don't know.
Dad, Mom and JP got home at 6:30 p.m. They brought me a hat and a couple of shirts. JP got me an Iron Maiden pin and Mom got me some candy.
I'm working Monday, Thursday and Saturday, 3-10. I met [guitar dude] at the Bucket. He said he'd call me Tuesday or Wednesday to see if we can get together on Wednesday.
- The Barbarian
Sunday, July 22, 1984
Song of the day: Don't Stop Running - Y&T
Didn't do a heckuva lot today. Slept in, took garbage. Went to the Bucket with Mom. Washed clothes. That's all, folks.
- The Barbarian
Monday, July 23, 1984
Song of the day: Lack of Communication - Ratt
Boring day. I went to work at 3. That was real fun.
I got my hair cut this morning. It looks pretty good.
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, July 24, 1984
Song of the day: Panama - Van Halen
Top 5 at Five
1. Still Loving You - Scorpions
2. The Warrior - Scandal
3. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
4. Bobbie Jean - Bruce Springsteen
5. Missing You - John Waite
You thought yesterday was boring: Sheesh! I was totally listless all day. I didn't do a thing.
My bed arrived today. I had to push it against the wall so I don't fall off it at night.
Mom decided to order some pictures after all. I haveta go to Mark Lawrence at 11:15 tomorrow.
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, July 25, 1984
Song of the day: Sign of the Times - Quiet Riot
I took Mom to work, then I put $30 in the bank, giving me $190 total. I picked up Dad's pictures, none of which developed. Then I went to Mark Lawrence and settled that business. I get the pictures in a month. When I got home, I found out that [guitar dude] had called. I called him back and he said we could practice today. I went over around 11:45. We went to [drummer dude]'s house, where we wasted an hour because he was arguing with some burnout in the john! Then he had to get a haircut. While he was gone, [guitar dude] taught me the riff of "Rock You Like a Hurricane." We were working on a new song but we didn't get much done.
JP called around 5 for me to pick up Mom.
[Guitar dude] let me use his strap. I gotta get a new cord, mine sucks.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: Vacation week. So, the band thing. It was fun while it lasted, but like my girlfriends at the time, it didn't last long. I tracked down the drummer on Facebook a few years ago; sadly, the guitarist died in '92, but that's all I know about that. I remember he had a bitchin' Ibanez Explorer and was a good lead player. I wish I had kept up with the guitar and tried to form another band or something, but I didn't play in another band for another 15 years or so.
The chick situation was growing increasingly lame; between her mom and her siblings, I couldn't get her alone to do any mackin'. Things were dissipating quickly.
We used to spend a lot of time at the beach back in those days. No worries about UV radiation or the like. We'd just like out for five or six hours checking out the hotties. Definitely fun times.
Don't remember learning the riff to "Lick It Up," but hey, it's not exactly challenging:
Tuesday, July 17, 1984
Song of the day: Cold Shot - Stevie Ray Vaughan
Top 5 at Five
1. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
2. Back Where I Started - Box of Frogs
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. Still Loving You - Scorpions
5. The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking - Roger Waters
Wow! What a day! It was great! Me and Jeremy went to the beach at 9:30. The weather was perfect! First we were sitting near the water, but then we met [two attractive female classmates], so we sat with them. They were looking good. We all left just before 2. But it was just a beautiful beach day.
- The (beachcomber) Barbarian
Wednesday, July 18, 1984
Song of the day: Two Sides of Love - Sammy Hagar
I was awakened by the phone at 12. It was [guitar-playing buddy]. He asked me if I could come over and jam. I said sure. He gave me directions to Custeau's, but I called Jeremy and got different directions. These screwed me up totally. I asked Jeff at the Gulf station and I finally got there at 2, an hour late. We went to [his friend the drummer]'s house and started jamming. I learned some of the rhythm part for an original song called "Black Corvette" and for "Lick It Up" by KISS. It was great. We also watched MTV. Videos by Ratt, Priest (Heading Out to the Highway), Stevie Ray (Cold Shot), Quiet Riot (Mama), Scorps (Still Loving You), Twisted Sister (We're Not Gonna Take It), Jon Butcher Axis (Life Takes a Life) were on. Then we went to the Bucket to go shopping. We zipped through in 10 minutes. After that, I dropped [drummer dude] off at his mom's house and I took [guitar dude] home. I was gonna stay awhile, but his mom was bitching at him so I left. Got home around 7. I'm in a band! Yah!
- The (rhythm) Barbarian
Thursday, July 19, 1984
Song of the day: Institutionalized - Suicidal Tendencies
Top 5 at Five
1. Round and Round - Ratt
2. Hello Again - The Cars
3. Still Loving You - Scorpions
4. Missing You - John Waite
5. Missed it
Good day. I got up at 10. At 11, I picked Jeremy up and went to get my check. Unfortunately, they didn't have 'em in yet. So I had to take $20 out of the bank (which I will put back in when I get the check). Then we went to Water Country. It was great. We spent the whole day going down the slides and checking out the girls. It was great.
We left at 4. I then picked up my check ($65.10), dropped Jeremy off and went home.
Tomorrow, we're going to the beach at 8. This means I'll have to skip my appointment at Mark Lawrence. Oh well.
- The Barbarian
Friday, July 20, 1984
Song of the day: Rock You - Helix
Top 5 at Five
1. Missing You - John Waite
2. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
3. The Warrior - Scandal
4. Round and Round - Ratt
5. New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite
What a day! I got up at 7. We got to Hampton Beach at 8:30. There was hardly anyone there. We saw [classmate] picking up trash. She was the only one we saw there that we knew. But there were plenty of nice looking females! We watched 'em all day. We left at 3. The weather was even better than Tuesday!
At 6, we went to the movies. But guess what: [cute chick] couldn't go. Geez! She never gets out of the house! This sucks. She did say we could come over tomorrow. I have to mow the law before I go over.
We saw Best Defense and The Karate Kid. Best Defense was alright. Eddie Murphy should've been featured more. The Karate Kid was awesome! It totally kicked butt!
- The (beach) Barbarian
Saturday, July 21, 1984
Song of the day: Condition Critical - Quiet Riot
Today was pretty boring. But I guess, after 4 good days in a row, I was due for a bad one. First I got up and mowed the lawn. Then later on I went to [cute chick's] house for a few hours. BORING! We couldn't really do anything because her dumb sister kept bugging us. This is going nowhere. I don't know.
Dad, Mom and JP got home at 6:30 p.m. They brought me a hat and a couple of shirts. JP got me an Iron Maiden pin and Mom got me some candy.
I'm working Monday, Thursday and Saturday, 3-10. I met [guitar dude] at the Bucket. He said he'd call me Tuesday or Wednesday to see if we can get together on Wednesday.
- The Barbarian
Sunday, July 22, 1984
Song of the day: Don't Stop Running - Y&T
Didn't do a heckuva lot today. Slept in, took garbage. Went to the Bucket with Mom. Washed clothes. That's all, folks.
- The Barbarian
Monday, July 23, 1984
Song of the day: Lack of Communication - Ratt
Boring day. I went to work at 3. That was real fun.
I got my hair cut this morning. It looks pretty good.
- The Barbarian
Tuesday, July 24, 1984
Song of the day: Panama - Van Halen
Top 5 at Five
1. Still Loving You - Scorpions
2. The Warrior - Scandal
3. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
4. Bobbie Jean - Bruce Springsteen
5. Missing You - John Waite
You thought yesterday was boring: Sheesh! I was totally listless all day. I didn't do a thing.
My bed arrived today. I had to push it against the wall so I don't fall off it at night.
Mom decided to order some pictures after all. I haveta go to Mark Lawrence at 11:15 tomorrow.
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, July 25, 1984
Song of the day: Sign of the Times - Quiet Riot
I took Mom to work, then I put $30 in the bank, giving me $190 total. I picked up Dad's pictures, none of which developed. Then I went to Mark Lawrence and settled that business. I get the pictures in a month. When I got home, I found out that [guitar dude] had called. I called him back and he said we could practice today. I went over around 11:45. We went to [drummer dude]'s house, where we wasted an hour because he was arguing with some burnout in the john! Then he had to get a haircut. While he was gone, [guitar dude] taught me the riff of "Rock You Like a Hurricane." We were working on a new song but we didn't get much done.
JP called around 5 for me to pick up Mom.
[Guitar dude] let me use his strap. I gotta get a new cord, mine sucks.
- The Barbarian
Postscript: Vacation week. So, the band thing. It was fun while it lasted, but like my girlfriends at the time, it didn't last long. I tracked down the drummer on Facebook a few years ago; sadly, the guitarist died in '92, but that's all I know about that. I remember he had a bitchin' Ibanez Explorer and was a good lead player. I wish I had kept up with the guitar and tried to form another band or something, but I didn't play in another band for another 15 years or so.
The chick situation was growing increasingly lame; between her mom and her siblings, I couldn't get her alone to do any mackin'. Things were dissipating quickly.
We used to spend a lot of time at the beach back in those days. No worries about UV radiation or the like. We'd just like out for five or six hours checking out the hotties. Definitely fun times.
Don't remember learning the riff to "Lick It Up," but hey, it's not exactly challenging:
Friday, April 19, 2013
Through the Past Dorkily: Too Young to Fall in Love
Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984. After a week-and-a-half of business and crazy shit going on in the world, I'm back with another mega-post.
Monday, April 9, 1984
Song of the day: Adult Education - Hall and Oates
Top 5 at Five
1. So You Ran - Orion the Hunter
2. Oh Sherri - Steve Perry
3. Killer - Pat Travers
4. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
5. Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly) - Icicle Works
Started weight training today. What a joke! I couldn't even bench 60 pounds! How embarrassing! Shit!
I got an 84 for my BiSci grade. On that quiz in Algebra, I got a 99! I got 96 on my final grade.
Mom called guitar instructor and now we have guitar lessons on Fridays from 5:30 to 6:30.
- The (weak) Barbarian
Tuesday, April 10, 1984
Song of the day: So You Ran - Orion the Hunter
Top 5 at Five
1. Oh Sherri - Steve Perry
2. So You Ran - Orion the Hunter
3. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
4. Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions
5. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
Oh, I'm wicked sore. Today we were doing squats. All I know is that I'm sore all over!
We saw a film called "Dream Makers." It had rock music in it, like the one we saw at Hanford last year. Only thing was, you couldn't (hardly) see the screen because light was shining in the gym through a massive window.
Madame wasn't here today; yaah!
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, April 11, 1984
Song of the day: Big City Nights - Scorpions
Top 5 at Five
1. So You Ran - Orion the Hunter
2. Too Young to Fall in Love - Motley Crue
3. Heaven - Bryan Adams
4. Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions
5. Magic - The Cars
I got a couple of grades today. In Civics, I got an 84 and in French I got an 80. Pretty bad, huh?
I miss school because of the French/Spanish trip to Boston tomorrow. Now the Algebra test is moved to Monday, and Civics and Geometry tests are on Friday now.
Prom tickets went on sale today. They cost $35 a couple. I don't know what's going on with me. Right now, it doesn't look like I'll be going to the prom. I'll just have to wait and see. The prom is exactly one month away. And counting...
- The Barbarian
Thursday, April 12, 1984
Song of the day: Between the Wheels - Rush
Top 5 at Five
1. So You Ran - Orion the Hunter
2. Oh Sherri - Steve Perry
3. Leave It - Yes
4. Run Runaway - Slade
5. Violet and Blue - Stevie Nicks
WOW! What a day!!!!! When I got on the bus for Boston this morning, [a different cute girl than the one I had a crush on] sat in the seat in front of me. We started talking, and the subject drifted to the prom. Then I asked her to go with me! And she said yes! Yes! Yes!!! Zowie! We talked all the way to the show. She told a friend about us, and [friend's boyfriend] came up and congratulated me. [Other buddies] know, too. I told Jeremy before I got home. Tomorrow everybody will be talking about it. She invited me to go out for Chinese food with her and her parents tomorrow night, but I said no 'cause I had guitar lessons and I'd feel kinda uncomfortable about it. She understood! What a babe! About the 35 bucks, she offered to pay half, but I wouldn't let her. Later, I asked Mom and she said she'd give me the moolah. Awesome!
I also heard the new Rush song "Between the Wheels" today. It's excellent! Alex Lifeson cranks on it with a great solo, Geddy's vocals are great, his bass and keyboards are terrific and Neil Peart is excellent on drums! Mega song!
- The ecstatic Barbarian
(Oh yeah, the concert was alright.)
Friday, April 13, 1984
Song of the day: Distant Early Warning - Rush
Top 5 at Five
1. Between the Wheels - RUSH!!
2. So You Ran - Orion the Hunter
3. Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions
4. Heaven - Bryan Adams
5. Heartbeat City - The Cars
Weird day, man. [Teacher] was at her mother's funeral, so we had [different teacher] in Civics. She laid down the law, and the class was surprisingly quiet! I got [prom date]'s phone number and I gave her mine. Then we went to Geometry, where [teacher] was gone. It musta been Teacher Skip Day! We just did some worksheets. In Bi Sci, we did some brain stuff. In Algebra, weird stuff went down. First I went to put my homework in the filing cabinet, which we never do. Then I got moved up two desks, right beside [prom date]! I'm gonna sit there from now on! At lunch, I sat with her and [my buddies] were raggin' on me. I don't care!
I got my report card after school, It was bad. I got an 88 in Geometry and 83 in Prep for College. No comment!
I called [prom date] after school. We talked for around 10 minutes and then Mom came home so I said I'd call her back tomorrow. God, she's awesome!
I drove at night today. I did alright.
[A buddy] asked [girl] to the prom. She said maybe. Ha!
I've been thinking about [prom date] all day. I think this could be it! Wow!
- The Barbarian
Saturday, April 14, 1984
Song of the day: Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones
RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S BIRTHDAY
Hmm. I watched the Rock Palace last night. They had Ozzy live for 3 songs, Sammy Hagar and Ratt. Pretty good. I didn't get to sleep until 2:30.
Woke up at 10 this morning. Went to the library to get that book for College Prep. They didn't have it but they ordered it for me.
After Mom went to work, I called [prom date]. We talked for around an hour. She is great! We would've kept on talking if her mom didn't tell her to get off the phone. Boy, I can't wait till Monday!! I'm thinkin' about her all the time. [Her ex] was stupid ever to break up with her! She's the best thing to happen to me since I can remember! Wow!
- The (kicked in the butt by love) Barbarian
Sunday, April 15, 1984
Song of the day: Show Me - The Pretenders
Not much doing today. We went to church for Palm Sunday. Then I was busy washing the clothes all day.
[Prom date]. She's on my mind all day. I can't wait till tomorrow! I wish I could be with her all the time!
It was weird. Ever since me and [prom date] started going together, I've been hearing a wicked lot of Stones songs on the radio! This weekend I heard 2 album sides, 4 blocks, around 25 songs all together. Twilight Zone, eh?
Catch you later. Monday's almost here. Boy, is she something else or what?
- The (mesmerized) Barbarian
Monday, April 16, 1984
Song of the day: Jumpin' Jack Flash - The Stones
Top 5 at Five
1. Between the Wheels - Rush
2. Run Runaway - Slade
3. Strung Out - Steve Perry
4. Some Heads Are Gonna Roll - Judas Priest
5. Don't Leave Me This Way - The Ravyns
Man! First lemme get some stuff out of the way. I took a Geometry quiz and an Algebra test today, both of which I think I did good on.
I bought the prom tickets today. More importantly, I talked to [prom date] twice on the phone! First I called her at 5:30 and we talked about general stuff till 6. Then I didn't go to do lessons and I called her again at 8:30. This was the good one! We talked about going to see "Police Academy" this weekend. She told me that she started liking me that day that we had to retake an Algebra quiz. We walked to the store together that day. She said she really likes me a lot and so do her friends. I told her I was thinking about her all the time.
This looks like the beginning of a beautiful relationship!!!!
- The (lovesick) Barbarian
Tuesday, April 17, 1984
Song of the day: Red Sector A - Rush
Top 5 at Five
Sorry, dude. I missed the mutha!
Wow! What a day! I got a 97 on that Algebra test! Best in the class! [Girl] wasn't here, so I sat in her desk in Geometry, right up near [prom date/girlfriend]. I found out that her homeroom is right next door to mine, in [teacher]'s room. Zowie!
We talked 4 times on the phone today! I called her at 3 and we talked for 15 minutes, then for 30 minutes at 4, then 30 more at 5. That's why I missed the countdown. Then again at 8:30 for half an hour. I kept saying all this "romantical" stuff to her and she loved it! I meant every word of it. This is great!! She likes me a wicked lot! Things are going great!! I feel like I'm on Cloud Nine all the time!! Spring's here, and so is love! (Gimme a break, willya?)
- The (romantic) Barbarian
Wednesday, April 18, 1984
Song of the day: The Enemy Within - Rush
Top 5 at Five
1. So You Ran - Orion the Hunter
2. Don't Leave Me This Way - The Ravyns
3. Too Young to Fall in Love - Motley Crue
4. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
5. Murder - David Gilmour
Like WOW! Well, in school I got an 88 on that Geometry quiz and a 100 on a Civics quiz.
But more importantly, [girlfriend] invited me for either dinner or the movies on Saturday, we're not sure yet. And next Tuesday, she said I could go with her mom to pick her up from her grandmother's house. I said sure, but I said I had to ask Mom.
We talked twice on the phone, and the second time I told her that she was special. Man, is she ever!
[Girlfriend], you are awesome!
- The (head over heels) Barbarian
Thursday, April 19, 1984
Song of the day: Happy - The Rolling Stones
Top 5 at Five
1. Heaven - Bryan Adams
2. Too Young to Fall in Love - Motley Crue
3. Jump - Van Halen
4. Leave It - Yes
5. Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly) - Icicle Works
I got a 100 on the Geometry test today! Mom talked to [Bi Sci, Civics and French teachers] today. They all said I goofed off too much. No prob.
Well, it's dinner on Saturday night. And Dad said I could go then and on Tuesday, too!! [Girlfriend] said after we get back on Tuesday, we can play tennis with [another couple]. Sounds good to me!
I talked to her four times on the phone today. She's starting to compliment me as much as I compliment her! Wow! I have one hell of a girlfriend! Wow!!!
I can't wait until Saturday night!! Boy, I can't wait!!
- The (sore but still horny) Barbarian
Postscript: Well, holy crap. The young man's in love. Egad, I forgot how painfully dorky I was about this relationship, but I understand because she was literally my first girlfriend. That giddiness in a new relationship was always crack-like, but it burned too brightly to last (how's that for foreshadowing?).
Didn't remember that Ravyns song; had to look it up on YouTube. Pretty run of the mill AOR stuff :
No surprise that the Orion the Hunter song was big, because it featured some of the dudes from the band Boston, which by that point had gone about six years since its last album. And OTH sounded exactly like Boston, minus about 150 guitar tracks. The band's long forgotten now, though:
But here's a song that's still great. The Icicle Works were pretty much one-hit wonders, although they kept releasing music through the rest of the decade. I still dig it:
Monday, April 9, 1984
Song of the day: Adult Education - Hall and Oates
Top 5 at Five
1. So You Ran - Orion the Hunter
2. Oh Sherri - Steve Perry
3. Killer - Pat Travers
4. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
5. Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly) - Icicle Works
Started weight training today. What a joke! I couldn't even bench 60 pounds! How embarrassing! Shit!
I got an 84 for my BiSci grade. On that quiz in Algebra, I got a 99! I got 96 on my final grade.
Mom called guitar instructor and now we have guitar lessons on Fridays from 5:30 to 6:30.
- The (weak) Barbarian
Tuesday, April 10, 1984
Song of the day: So You Ran - Orion the Hunter
Top 5 at Five
1. Oh Sherri - Steve Perry
2. So You Ran - Orion the Hunter
3. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
4. Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions
5. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
Oh, I'm wicked sore. Today we were doing squats. All I know is that I'm sore all over!
We saw a film called "Dream Makers." It had rock music in it, like the one we saw at Hanford last year. Only thing was, you couldn't (hardly) see the screen because light was shining in the gym through a massive window.
Madame wasn't here today; yaah!
- The Barbarian
Wednesday, April 11, 1984
Song of the day: Big City Nights - Scorpions
Top 5 at Five
1. So You Ran - Orion the Hunter
2. Too Young to Fall in Love - Motley Crue
3. Heaven - Bryan Adams
4. Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions
5. Magic - The Cars
I got a couple of grades today. In Civics, I got an 84 and in French I got an 80. Pretty bad, huh?
I miss school because of the French/Spanish trip to Boston tomorrow. Now the Algebra test is moved to Monday, and Civics and Geometry tests are on Friday now.
Prom tickets went on sale today. They cost $35 a couple. I don't know what's going on with me. Right now, it doesn't look like I'll be going to the prom. I'll just have to wait and see. The prom is exactly one month away. And counting...
- The Barbarian
Thursday, April 12, 1984
Song of the day: Between the Wheels - Rush
Top 5 at Five
1. So You Ran - Orion the Hunter
2. Oh Sherri - Steve Perry
3. Leave It - Yes
4. Run Runaway - Slade
5. Violet and Blue - Stevie Nicks
WOW! What a day!!!!! When I got on the bus for Boston this morning, [a different cute girl than the one I had a crush on] sat in the seat in front of me. We started talking, and the subject drifted to the prom. Then I asked her to go with me! And she said yes! Yes! Yes!!! Zowie! We talked all the way to the show. She told a friend about us, and [friend's boyfriend] came up and congratulated me. [Other buddies] know, too. I told Jeremy before I got home. Tomorrow everybody will be talking about it. She invited me to go out for Chinese food with her and her parents tomorrow night, but I said no 'cause I had guitar lessons and I'd feel kinda uncomfortable about it. She understood! What a babe! About the 35 bucks, she offered to pay half, but I wouldn't let her. Later, I asked Mom and she said she'd give me the moolah. Awesome!
I also heard the new Rush song "Between the Wheels" today. It's excellent! Alex Lifeson cranks on it with a great solo, Geddy's vocals are great, his bass and keyboards are terrific and Neil Peart is excellent on drums! Mega song!
- The ecstatic Barbarian
(Oh yeah, the concert was alright.)
Friday, April 13, 1984
Song of the day: Distant Early Warning - Rush
Top 5 at Five
1. Between the Wheels - RUSH!!
2. So You Ran - Orion the Hunter
3. Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions
4. Heaven - Bryan Adams
5. Heartbeat City - The Cars
Weird day, man. [Teacher] was at her mother's funeral, so we had [different teacher] in Civics. She laid down the law, and the class was surprisingly quiet! I got [prom date]'s phone number and I gave her mine. Then we went to Geometry, where [teacher] was gone. It musta been Teacher Skip Day! We just did some worksheets. In Bi Sci, we did some brain stuff. In Algebra, weird stuff went down. First I went to put my homework in the filing cabinet, which we never do. Then I got moved up two desks, right beside [prom date]! I'm gonna sit there from now on! At lunch, I sat with her and [my buddies] were raggin' on me. I don't care!
I got my report card after school, It was bad. I got an 88 in Geometry and 83 in Prep for College. No comment!
I called [prom date] after school. We talked for around 10 minutes and then Mom came home so I said I'd call her back tomorrow. God, she's awesome!
I drove at night today. I did alright.
[A buddy] asked [girl] to the prom. She said maybe. Ha!
I've been thinking about [prom date] all day. I think this could be it! Wow!
- The Barbarian
Saturday, April 14, 1984
Song of the day: Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones
RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S BIRTHDAY
Hmm. I watched the Rock Palace last night. They had Ozzy live for 3 songs, Sammy Hagar and Ratt. Pretty good. I didn't get to sleep until 2:30.
Woke up at 10 this morning. Went to the library to get that book for College Prep. They didn't have it but they ordered it for me.
After Mom went to work, I called [prom date]. We talked for around an hour. She is great! We would've kept on talking if her mom didn't tell her to get off the phone. Boy, I can't wait till Monday!! I'm thinkin' about her all the time. [Her ex] was stupid ever to break up with her! She's the best thing to happen to me since I can remember! Wow!
- The (kicked in the butt by love) Barbarian
Sunday, April 15, 1984
Song of the day: Show Me - The Pretenders
Not much doing today. We went to church for Palm Sunday. Then I was busy washing the clothes all day.
[Prom date]. She's on my mind all day. I can't wait till tomorrow! I wish I could be with her all the time!
It was weird. Ever since me and [prom date] started going together, I've been hearing a wicked lot of Stones songs on the radio! This weekend I heard 2 album sides, 4 blocks, around 25 songs all together. Twilight Zone, eh?
Catch you later. Monday's almost here. Boy, is she something else or what?
- The (mesmerized) Barbarian
Monday, April 16, 1984
Song of the day: Jumpin' Jack Flash - The Stones
Top 5 at Five
1. Between the Wheels - Rush
2. Run Runaway - Slade
3. Strung Out - Steve Perry
4. Some Heads Are Gonna Roll - Judas Priest
5. Don't Leave Me This Way - The Ravyns
Man! First lemme get some stuff out of the way. I took a Geometry quiz and an Algebra test today, both of which I think I did good on.
I bought the prom tickets today. More importantly, I talked to [prom date] twice on the phone! First I called her at 5:30 and we talked about general stuff till 6. Then I didn't go to do lessons and I called her again at 8:30. This was the good one! We talked about going to see "Police Academy" this weekend. She told me that she started liking me that day that we had to retake an Algebra quiz. We walked to the store together that day. She said she really likes me a lot and so do her friends. I told her I was thinking about her all the time.
This looks like the beginning of a beautiful relationship!!!!
- The (lovesick) Barbarian
Tuesday, April 17, 1984
Song of the day: Red Sector A - Rush
Top 5 at Five
Sorry, dude. I missed the mutha!
Wow! What a day! I got a 97 on that Algebra test! Best in the class! [Girl] wasn't here, so I sat in her desk in Geometry, right up near [prom date/girlfriend]. I found out that her homeroom is right next door to mine, in [teacher]'s room. Zowie!
We talked 4 times on the phone today! I called her at 3 and we talked for 15 minutes, then for 30 minutes at 4, then 30 more at 5. That's why I missed the countdown. Then again at 8:30 for half an hour. I kept saying all this "romantical" stuff to her and she loved it! I meant every word of it. This is great!! She likes me a wicked lot! Things are going great!! I feel like I'm on Cloud Nine all the time!! Spring's here, and so is love! (Gimme a break, willya?)
- The (romantic) Barbarian
Wednesday, April 18, 1984
Song of the day: The Enemy Within - Rush
Top 5 at Five
1. So You Ran - Orion the Hunter
2. Don't Leave Me This Way - The Ravyns
3. Too Young to Fall in Love - Motley Crue
4. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
5. Murder - David Gilmour
Like WOW! Well, in school I got an 88 on that Geometry quiz and a 100 on a Civics quiz.
But more importantly, [girlfriend] invited me for either dinner or the movies on Saturday, we're not sure yet. And next Tuesday, she said I could go with her mom to pick her up from her grandmother's house. I said sure, but I said I had to ask Mom.
We talked twice on the phone, and the second time I told her that she was special. Man, is she ever!
[Girlfriend], you are awesome!
- The (head over heels) Barbarian
Thursday, April 19, 1984
Song of the day: Happy - The Rolling Stones
Top 5 at Five
1. Heaven - Bryan Adams
2. Too Young to Fall in Love - Motley Crue
3. Jump - Van Halen
4. Leave It - Yes
5. Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly) - Icicle Works
I got a 100 on the Geometry test today! Mom talked to [Bi Sci, Civics and French teachers] today. They all said I goofed off too much. No prob.
Well, it's dinner on Saturday night. And Dad said I could go then and on Tuesday, too!! [Girlfriend] said after we get back on Tuesday, we can play tennis with [another couple]. Sounds good to me!
I talked to her four times on the phone today. She's starting to compliment me as much as I compliment her! Wow! I have one hell of a girlfriend! Wow!!!
I can't wait until Saturday night!! Boy, I can't wait!!
- The (sore but still horny) Barbarian
Postscript: Well, holy crap. The young man's in love. Egad, I forgot how painfully dorky I was about this relationship, but I understand because she was literally my first girlfriend. That giddiness in a new relationship was always crack-like, but it burned too brightly to last (how's that for foreshadowing?).
Didn't remember that Ravyns song; had to look it up on YouTube. Pretty run of the mill AOR stuff :
No surprise that the Orion the Hunter song was big, because it featured some of the dudes from the band Boston, which by that point had gone about six years since its last album. And OTH sounded exactly like Boston, minus about 150 guitar tracks. The band's long forgotten now, though:
But here's a song that's still great. The Icicle Works were pretty much one-hit wonders, although they kept releasing music through the rest of the decade. I still dig it:
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