I've always been interested in documenting mundane details, or getting snapshots of the way things are right in the moment. On family road trips, I used to get out a spiral notebook and record everything that was said or done until I got bored. I tended to write down the time, where we were, what everyone was doing, what we were listening to, etc. I came upon one such notebook when going through my new box, so here now are two (partial) records of our time in the car.
In this first part, I think we are headed to Hot Springs, Arkansas. This would put me at I think 15 years old, meaning Ginger's about 17 and Clay's probably 10. By the way, the song Ginger is listening to in the beginning is (I hope she won't mind me saying) her solo from "Pippin," which she did her senior year of high school. She had probably just gotten the tape and was still learning it at this point. ALSO: a note that Clay and I used to fight. A lot. So...don't be surprised here. Okay, enough explanations! Enjoy riding along with our family...
Aaaand: SCENE
-----------------------
We are listening to the barf band (Beatles).
“Time to take a little from the world! Time to take time! In just no time at all!” sings Ginger, snapping her fingers.
“Valerie, don’t you really like this song?” asks Clay.
I nod. We are listening to “Fish Fry.” Dad is driving. We are going 70 mph. It is 12:47.
“Are we going to Little Rock?” says Clay.
“No.” says Mom. She shows him on the map.
“Everyone should have brought a hat.” Mom says.
“I did.” I say.
“To keep ticks out of our hair.”
“I brought a hat.”
“Yes, we need hats.”
“I have one, see?”
“Oh, good. You have a hat, Valerie!”
Ginger is still singing. It is 12:56.
We are listening to “Judy in Disguise With Glasses.” We go over a bridge.
Ginger is still singing. Clay is reading a “Betty and Veronica” book. It is 1:00.
Ginger is clapping her hands and counting.
“21 counts!” she says triumphantly.
Dad is scratching his neck. Mom has Clay’s quilt on her. Ginger says something that sounds like a dying rat. She says, “Was I being very loud?”
“Sort of,” I say. I am now listening to her song. It’s nice.
Mom is messing with her earring. It is 1:07.
Ginger is pulling the head phone cord. I am choking.
She smiles. “Sorry.”
Clay’s leg is on top of his other one. His head is sideways and his back is bent over and to the side. He moves his back, but not his head. He groans. He starts playing with his gum. It falls out of his mouth on the seat.
A hand falls on my shoulder.
“Where’s my jacket?” asks Ginger.
“I don’t know,” says Clay.
“Mom, where’s Ginger’s jacket?” I say.
“I don’t know. Clay, where’s Ginger’s jacket?”
“I don’t know,” says Clay. Clay finds it and picks it up. “Here.” He says.
“Who wants it?” says Mom.
“I’m giving it to her!” says Clay.
“Who wants it?” says Mom.
“Ginger!” I say.
Clay throws it on her lap.
Clay asks me if I want to read a wrestling magazine article. I mumble something that I don’t even know what I said.
“Mom, did you throw away this guy?” says Clay. [I think he’s looking at toy magazine, referring to action figures]
“I think so,” says Mom. “I threw away all the ones that were broken.”
“That means you threw away the Joker!” says Clay.
“I don’t know,” says Mom. “I didn’t take roll.”
Ginger laughs.
Dad just put a tape in. I don’t think he liked the radio. There is a lady singing. I haven’t ever heard it. Now some people are singing about 5,250,6500 bizillion 423,000 minutes. Ginger is singing along.
Clay is talking to himself. He is looking at “Apocalips.” He has blue hair, silver skin, a red and black suit, and black hip boots.
Ginger just squeezed my arm. Then Clay started tickling me. Then Ginger stuck her toes up the back of Clay’s seat and he squealed. Then Dad said “Don’t start that.”
Now we are listening to Phantom of the Opera. It is 1:33. Ginger is singing along again.
Dad turned down the volume.
Ginger is pulling on my seatbelt and trying to choke me.
Now we are listening to “Think of Me.” I bet Ginger will start singing to it. Yep, there she goes.
--------------------
5/28/99
[Ginger was not in the car with us on this trip, for... whatever reason. I think Clay and I are still 15 and 10.]
We are on our way from Natural Bridge Caverns to Waco for Shane’s graduation. It is 2:27.
“Some nice houses over here,” says Dad pointing left.
Mom replies, “Nice one over here.”
Now she is looking at a map. It is 2:29.
“The part in the caves I liked most was the man carrying a baby. Every time she dropped the pacifier on the ground he’d pick it up and stick it in her mouth. About the 2nd time he did it I’d about croak,” says Mom.
Clay says, “Who? What? Who did that? What are you talking about?”
Mom fills him in.
“Ewww!”
[At this point, Dad has realized what I’m doing and decides to try and make himself look good.]
“Valerie is so wonderful and talented, isn’t she?” Dad says. “Gee Clay, I’m so proud of you.” He turns to Mom. “You sure look pretty today.”
Clay says to me, “Are you writing about our trip in the cave?”
I shake my head.
“Oh, you’re writing what we say!”
I nod.
“Oh wait, you’re not going to put that in, are you?”
“No,” I say.
He is trying to read over my shoulder.
“You’re unfair!” he says.
I smile.
“Mom, can I see Kleenex?” Clay says.
She holds up a tissue for him to see. “Do you want it?”
“Yes,” he says. “Can I have it?”
Mom hands it to him. He sticks it in his mouth. He shows the Kleenex to me. It is bright red. Nasty.
“When will we be there?” Clay asks.
“In time for dinner,” Dad answers.
Clay clunks his head on the back of his chair and covers his head with a pillow. I do not feel sorry for him. I hope he damaged his head.
Showing posts with label diary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diary. Show all posts
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Excerpts
I write a journal entry every every night before bed. Decided to share a few random entries portions with you. Enjoy!
6/26/06 12:12 AM
Okay, so my fear of roaches has reached an all new level. Just a few minutes ago I was in Grandma’s front bedroom when I saw one on the wall. I flipped out and leaped into the fetal position in the blue chair, seriously considering waking someone up and trying to get them to kill it. BUT I decided to be a big girl and do it myself. By now it had crawled over my bed and I didn’t want it to fall into my sheets so I was gonna use my shoe to get it crawling the other way, but instead it flew off the wall STRAIGHT AT ME! I completely freaked out and did a backwards somersault off the bed and landed half on the floor and half on the wooden rocker, but I didn’t care. I began scooting close to the wall and squealing, completely panicked. “Forget this,” I thought. I grabbed my pillow, Teddy, my phone, pajamas, and this journal and bolted. No way am I sleeping in there tonight! I’m in the middle bedroom but still shaky and FREAKED out. It will take me a while to calm down. Hmm… is there a name for this? All I can say is there better not by any freakin roaches in here or I’m sleeping in my car!
9/28/06 10:55 PM
Today after work Ginger and I ate at Chick-fil-A and then watched the Office. Hilarious!
Oh! Haha- when we were at Chick-fil-A Ginger said something and I go “Word.” And then I paused and gave her a weird look like, “Why did I just say word?” and Ginger spewed Diet Coke EVERYWHERE and we just laughed and laughed for about 5 minutes. It was so funny.
12/28/06 11:23 PM
I cut my finger. Off. I cut the tip of my finger off. With my razor. It bled. A lot. It hurt. A lot. Blood. Pain. Bye.
TGIF tomorrow!
Oh- before the incident, Carter and Dawson and I watched The Office, some of the best of Jimmy Fallon, and the end of the Chipmunks movie. Very diverse. And we had malts. Mmm… I tell you what, I could use a malt right now, me and my finger. Or what’s left of it anyway….
5/2/07
I hate our ABC station. There was “bad weather” so they cut in on LOST! Grrr… I’m going to stab someone in the eye!! Holy cow.
5/9/07 10:41 PM
OH.
MY.
GOSH.
Oh my gosh! Lost is SO creepy and scary! I thought I was watching a horror movie or something! I mean, what’s with the terrifying Jacob’s shack? Is this The Blair Island Project?! Holy Jeez. And is Locke really DEAD?! WHAT THE HECK!!
6/16/07 12:22 AM
TGIF! TGIF! TGIF!
I’m tired. Wow.
Man, I really love Gilmore Girls. I know I’ve said this before, but yeah.
Watched half of Pearl Harbor this evening.
Tired. Looking forward to sleeping in!
I have three round little bumps that form a triangle on the palm of my left hand. That’s weird, right? Especially since I don’t recall like… poking myself, or getting bitten or something. Maybe… I was abducted by aliens?
8/20/07 9:01 PM
I got an email from Jason Marsden today!! The Jason Marsden, of Step By Step, Boy Meets World, Full House, the Weekenders, and Goofy Movie!!! Can’t believe it! J That’s so cool!!
1/3/08 10:16 PM
I found my social security card today! Finally… I looked for a LONG time last night and a LONG time today before finding it—in my wallet. Yeah. Don’t say anything.
6/26/06 12:12 AM
Okay, so my fear of roaches has reached an all new level. Just a few minutes ago I was in Grandma’s front bedroom when I saw one on the wall. I flipped out and leaped into the fetal position in the blue chair, seriously considering waking someone up and trying to get them to kill it. BUT I decided to be a big girl and do it myself. By now it had crawled over my bed and I didn’t want it to fall into my sheets so I was gonna use my shoe to get it crawling the other way, but instead it flew off the wall STRAIGHT AT ME! I completely freaked out and did a backwards somersault off the bed and landed half on the floor and half on the wooden rocker, but I didn’t care. I began scooting close to the wall and squealing, completely panicked. “Forget this,” I thought. I grabbed my pillow, Teddy, my phone, pajamas, and this journal and bolted. No way am I sleeping in there tonight! I’m in the middle bedroom but still shaky and FREAKED out. It will take me a while to calm down. Hmm… is there a name for this? All I can say is there better not by any freakin roaches in here or I’m sleeping in my car!
9/28/06 10:55 PM
Today after work Ginger and I ate at Chick-fil-A and then watched the Office. Hilarious!
Oh! Haha- when we were at Chick-fil-A Ginger said something and I go “Word.” And then I paused and gave her a weird look like, “Why did I just say word?” and Ginger spewed Diet Coke EVERYWHERE and we just laughed and laughed for about 5 minutes. It was so funny.
12/28/06 11:23 PM
I cut my finger. Off. I cut the tip of my finger off. With my razor. It bled. A lot. It hurt. A lot. Blood. Pain. Bye.
TGIF tomorrow!
Oh- before the incident, Carter and Dawson and I watched The Office, some of the best of Jimmy Fallon, and the end of the Chipmunks movie. Very diverse. And we had malts. Mmm… I tell you what, I could use a malt right now, me and my finger. Or what’s left of it anyway….
5/2/07
I hate our ABC station. There was “bad weather” so they cut in on LOST! Grrr… I’m going to stab someone in the eye!! Holy cow.
5/9/07 10:41 PM
OH.
MY.
GOSH.
Oh my gosh! Lost is SO creepy and scary! I thought I was watching a horror movie or something! I mean, what’s with the terrifying Jacob’s shack? Is this The Blair Island Project?! Holy Jeez. And is Locke really DEAD?! WHAT THE HECK!!
6/16/07 12:22 AM
TGIF! TGIF! TGIF!
I’m tired. Wow.
Man, I really love Gilmore Girls. I know I’ve said this before, but yeah.
Watched half of Pearl Harbor this evening.
Tired. Looking forward to sleeping in!
I have three round little bumps that form a triangle on the palm of my left hand. That’s weird, right? Especially since I don’t recall like… poking myself, or getting bitten or something. Maybe… I was abducted by aliens?
8/20/07 9:01 PM
I got an email from Jason Marsden today!! The Jason Marsden, of Step By Step, Boy Meets World, Full House, the Weekenders, and Goofy Movie!!! Can’t believe it! J That’s so cool!!
1/3/08 10:16 PM
I found my social security card today! Finally… I looked for a LONG time last night and a LONG time today before finding it—in my wallet. Yeah. Don’t say anything.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Love.Hate.Love.Hate
Look, everybody! Funny diary entries!
All of this was pulled from my highly prized Lisa Frank diary with the lock on it. That's right, a lock! These are some precious secrets you're about to read!
May 19, 1995
Yes! It’s Friday!
Now I’ve got my boys narrowed down to four, and I’ve changed it- a lot!
1. David (he’s funny)
2. Steven (he’s cute!)
3. Brad (he’s cute)
4. Bobby (he’s cute)
David is so funny, and I think he likes me! And he’s cute. I’m in love! I’m a love bird!
By!
Valerie
P.S. I’m grounded! Augg!
Why I am still the same person I was in 5th grade: 1) Funny guy at the top of the list. 2) Making lists.
Also-- I wish I could remember why I was grounded!
Aug. 16, 1995
I no longer like Brad, but I still love David. I am sure he likes me too. I know he knows I like him, and he knows I know he likes me.
Did you catch all that?
Bobby is no longer cute (?), but Steven is. School just started a couple days ago. Yuck!
bye!
Valerie
Sep. 11, 1995
I hate! I hate! I hate, David! He's being a dodo brain.
Whoa! Watch the language there! And whatever happened to the love bird? I so wish I remembered what had happened here....
I sorta like Roy, but if anyone were to see this entry, I'd be in complete agony.
Someone's feeling a little dramatic!!
+ I hate Bobby! (so much I can't put it in words)
Valerie
Mar. 27, 1996
Now Bobby, David, Roy, and Brad like me. They're all dorks! But Brads sort of o.k.
bye
Valerie
Oct. 20, 1996
Dear Diary,
I hate Brad! He is so dumb! I hate Bobby, I hate Roy, I hate Steven, and I hate, I hate, I hate David! He's a dumbo-brain!
But I love John. He is so fine! He is cute and funny.
Sorry, but the saga ends there! I really do enjoy these particular entries, mostly because of the fact that I don't offer any explanations as to why I oscillated between loving and hating some of these poor boys. I guess it can just be left up to your imagination....
Finally, a teaser for a possible future post about high school boys. A line I was fed in 12th grade:
"Did you really think I didn’t know what color your eyes were? Why do you think I turn around in English class every day?"
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Dear Diary
A journal entry from when I was 13.
Let me introduce the names and stuff of the characters in this journal.
Steve: (whose age I don't think I should tell) Loves to play the piano and to get away from all of us he leaves for work before we wake up and doesn't get home till bout 6:00 pm or so.
Kerry: (whose age I also don't think I should say) Does lots of stuff around the house during the day. Or so she says. Picture this: A man in a dark room. He leans over to her and says "Bonjour Fantine. As a French spy what have you found out today?"
But I don't think so.
Ginger: (16) Is the oldest daughter. She's my sister, obviously. She drives, and has two cars. When I drive, I'll get the ugliest one. She has the superior upstairs room, which I will get when she goes off to college.
Valerie: (13) That's me. Middle child. The ham in the sandwhich. I'm me.
Clay: (10) Can be bratty but sometimes I play with him and his friends.
That's us.
One of these next few days I am going to go craaazee! On one hand I can't wait for school which starts next MONDAY. On the other hand I am sort of dreading it. I mean, school is school, you know?
Let me introduce the names and stuff of the characters in this journal.
Steve: (whose age I don't think I should tell) Loves to play the piano and to get away from all of us he leaves for work before we wake up and doesn't get home till bout 6:00 pm or so.
Kerry: (whose age I also don't think I should say) Does lots of stuff around the house during the day. Or so she says. Picture this: A man in a dark room. He leans over to her and says "Bonjour Fantine. As a French spy what have you found out today?"
But I don't think so.
Ginger: (16) Is the oldest daughter. She's my sister, obviously. She drives, and has two cars. When I drive, I'll get the ugliest one. She has the superior upstairs room, which I will get when she goes off to college.
Valerie: (13) That's me. Middle child. The ham in the sandwhich. I'm me.
Clay: (10) Can be bratty but sometimes I play with him and his friends.
That's us.
One of these next few days I am going to go craaazee! On one hand I can't wait for school which starts next MONDAY. On the other hand I am sort of dreading it. I mean, school is school, you know?
Thursday, September 20, 2007
And Yes, I too have a flute journal.
I thought that I should set the record straight and share my very own entries from the same trip that Val wrote about in her last entry. But after reading through my very enthralling notes, I determined not to bore the entire world with my geographic details. Apparently I had a wonderful time on that trip. I'm not sure why Valerie was so angry. What I did find was one entry from Colorado worth mentioning and an excellent mention of the start of another trip.
July 18, 1994
Today we traveled from Trinidad to Euray. Euray is beautiful. The mountain air is refreshing! We saw a lot of beautiful scenery. Tomorrow we aren't going jeeping. Instead I have no clue as to what we are doing. The town is so small, and quaint. Last night I was burning hot, tonight I will be hot. For dinner we had...HAM! Grandma Ann's favorite meal to fix. Every time we see her its HAM! I like ham but this is beginning to be a tradition! We, Gotta get some sleep. I'm extra tired.
March 11, 1995
Today we began the long trip to Georgia. The trip is long and annoying. Valerie and Clay constantly play and whine. Ann is completely silent. The phone constantly rings for Linda. It is usually Diana. The smell in Monroe, Louisiana is unbearable. We ate at Shonies. We have an 8 hour driver tomorrow. Maybe we will listen to more weird ghost stories. Oh Goodie.
(From the ghost story we heard - I can still remember the first three lines. It was a book on tape...I found the real lyrics on-line.)
'It was my mother who murdered me; It was my father who ate of me; It was my sister Marjory Who all my bones in pieces found; hem in a handkerchief she bound, And laid them under the almond tree. Kywitt, kywitt, kywitt, I cry, Oh what a beautiful bird am I!”
For the full story check out http://www.grimmstories.com/en/grimm_fairy-tales/the_almond_tree
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Yes, we have always been this loving
The following is transcribed from one of my old diaries. The cover has a flute and a rose on it.
July 17, 1994
Well, today was the biggest drive of my life. All the way from Dallas, TX to Trinidad, CO. We're really not staying in this crummy old place, we're really going to Ouray. We'll jeep in the mountains, and swim in a spring and all kinds of things to do. The trip here wasn't too bad. Clay cried and moaned. Ginger was grumpy, and so was Mom and Dad. Well it's time to say bye. Dad said to wrap it up. [here I drew a picture of a wrapped present]
July 18, 1994
Today we drive to Ouray. We just finished eating at Hardy's. We saw a valley a while ago. We have to cross over a mountain to get to Ouray. Clay's carsick, Ginger is grumpy, Dad won't talk, and Mom and I are fine. Before breakfast I was so hungry I tried a cold blueberry bagle. It tasted like Manna. We have about 4 hours and 45 minutes. I just got a cup of water. Boy does it taste good after haveing gum in my mouth for an hour. I'm really bored. Clay's being a dork. He's making weird noises. I can't wait to swim in the spring at Ouray. Ginger says classical music makes her carsick, I say Cartalk makes me carsick, and Dad says that's a bunch of bologna. We'll probably never get to the mountain we go over to get to Ouray. Well my hands getting tired.
July 19, 1994
Today we went on a hike to Box Cannon. Oh, I forgot to tell you, last night we arrived in Oura. Ginger's really getting on my nerves. The kind of madness you get when you throw shoes at the wall as hard as you can. [actually I remember she threw her shoes at the wall because she said she was hot-- and that made her really angry] I don't know why but Ginger can't stand being hot at night so last night she slept in the living room (we're staying in a condominiam). So tonight she opened the window. I wish I could write more but Mom says light's out. Goodbye.
July 20, 1994
Today we went jeeping in the Mountains. I got so cold. Tomorrow I'll bring more layers. I'm so tired. Earlier we were playing spoons and Ginger got out of the game. So she stood up and threw the cards everywhere. I said 'What's your problem?' 'Well I haven't lost one game. Got a problem with that?' 'Yes.' 'Well you're the most sore loser I know.' And she went out of the room red faced.
July 17, 1994
Well, today was the biggest drive of my life. All the way from Dallas, TX to Trinidad, CO. We're really not staying in this crummy old place, we're really going to Ouray. We'll jeep in the mountains, and swim in a spring and all kinds of things to do. The trip here wasn't too bad. Clay cried and moaned. Ginger was grumpy, and so was Mom and Dad. Well it's time to say bye. Dad said to wrap it up. [here I drew a picture of a wrapped present]
July 18, 1994
Today we drive to Ouray. We just finished eating at Hardy's. We saw a valley a while ago. We have to cross over a mountain to get to Ouray. Clay's carsick, Ginger is grumpy, Dad won't talk, and Mom and I are fine. Before breakfast I was so hungry I tried a cold blueberry bagle. It tasted like Manna. We have about 4 hours and 45 minutes. I just got a cup of water. Boy does it taste good after haveing gum in my mouth for an hour. I'm really bored. Clay's being a dork. He's making weird noises. I can't wait to swim in the spring at Ouray. Ginger says classical music makes her carsick, I say Cartalk makes me carsick, and Dad says that's a bunch of bologna. We'll probably never get to the mountain we go over to get to Ouray. Well my hands getting tired.
July 19, 1994
Today we went on a hike to Box Cannon. Oh, I forgot to tell you, last night we arrived in Oura. Ginger's really getting on my nerves. The kind of madness you get when you throw shoes at the wall as hard as you can. [actually I remember she threw her shoes at the wall because she said she was hot-- and that made her really angry] I don't know why but Ginger can't stand being hot at night so last night she slept in the living room (we're staying in a condominiam). So tonight she opened the window. I wish I could write more but Mom says light's out. Goodbye.
July 20, 1994
Today we went jeeping in the Mountains. I got so cold. Tomorrow I'll bring more layers. I'm so tired. Earlier we were playing spoons and Ginger got out of the game. So she stood up and threw the cards everywhere. I said 'What's your problem?' 'Well I haven't lost one game. Got a problem with that?' 'Yes.' 'Well you're the most sore loser I know.' And she went out of the room red faced.
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