What with one thing and another I don't expect I shall have much time to update this between now and Friday, so in the interim, I shall draw your attention to the fact that I have been spasmodically updating Under Developed over the past few weeks:
I shall remind myself to write about - Saturday pm; Munro bagging in Camden; drugs; and heights.
In the meantime, if you click the link, here is the rest of October 1983, the year when we began to think seriously about O-Levels...
As per bloody usual the morning consisted of going to church. I saw Andrew briefly to talk to but that was of little consolation.
I watched Gone With the Wind and thoroughly enjoyed Part One. I had to fight back the tears when Scarlett returned to Tara to find her animal-less and crop-less. Ma and Pa went to bed at half ten, leaving me alone with the telly. As the film came to its tragic and bitter end, I wept buckets for twenty to twenty five minutes. Its strange that I've noticed things in that film that I didnt realise when I first saw it eighteen months ago eg that Rhett Butler was a sexist and a sadist: sexist because he was most annoyed when Scarlett decided to no longer perform her wifely duty; sexist because it was okay for him to seek solace from a tart, yet he condemned Scarlett for merely flirting with Ashley Wilkes, and sadist because he often threatened violence on Scarlett; and he also practically raped her.
I enjoyed PE due to the fact that I threw myself wholeheartedly into it. I was clobbered on the ankle in hockey.
I watched the beginning of Panorama, questioning the Conservative policy are they going back on their election promises? Cecil Parkinson had a long-standing appointment to appear on this. The programme opened with him being interviewed about whether his private life will reflect on his political career. Hes not a man I care for: hes too aware of his own image, seems to be bothered about whats in politics for Cecil, and hes so obviously trying to cast himself in the M Thatcher role the unflinching quasi-hard look he fashions for the cameras reminds of the Blessed Margaret. I honestly think he should have quietly resigned, if only for the sake of the child. Oh, but goodness, no. Cecil is AMBITIOUS.
There seems a prevailing bad mood amongst teachers. Mrs By was snappy, Miss C separated Clare and me, telling us that if we go to a Catholic school we are obliged to go to a Voluntary Mass. Mrs P was in a foul mood. We had to do a really difficult document on Sarajevo (this is part of our course work).
I watched Hungary v England (lots of description and analysis. I think England won 3-0).
Cecil Parkinson got a sitting non-ovation at the Tory Party conference. Steve Davis had a car crash in mid-Wales his Porsche was saved from falling down a cliff by a brick wall the cars a write-off but he was able to walk away, as the saying goes.
I went to Choral Society. I got the opportunity to exchange a few words with Damian on the doorstep. I told Andrea M about Steve Davis. She was very very shaken, partly because she had dreamt that he would be in a car crash.
We started on the Monteverdi Beatus Vir. Some of us girls are first tenors. I chatted a bit with Damian. Hes really sweet.
There was a new magazine enclosed for free in Smash Hits, called Just Seventeen. Its really good.
Cecil Parkinson has resigned. And about time, too. We cant have politicians who break their word. Well, we know they all do it, but they shouldnt be seen to do it so obviously.
I watched The Late Late Breakfast Show, which was really good, the highlight being the appearance of Adam Ant (who is, incidentally, in Smash Hits) singing his new record, Puss In Boots, which sounds good even on first hearing. Hes looking well attired in black leather trousers and a mauve shirt with generous sleeves. His lipstick matched exactly. His hair was in a 17th century ponytail. He looked gorgeous. Marco seems to have lost a lot of weight.
After school we sat around in the classroom chatting among ourselves before going to Miss Williamsons dress rehearsal for her London premiere. It was pretty good. As we were going out, I spotted Andrew in the audience, so we walked down to Alty and caught the bus together.
Fourth lesson was Harvest Festival. Clare and I were sitting together in chapel, and talking. Miss C, who was sitting uncomfortably near us and told us that if we didnt stop talking wed be out. So we continued talking and she made me go to the back.
We went into WH Smiths and I made the mistake of reading Shoot. It nearly broke me heart. There was a little paragraph, stating that Scott McGarvey will almost likely be leaving United, either to go to Watford or to Newcastle. I dont want him to go. I tell myself that it would be better for him, and deep inside I know thats true, yet I still cant console myself.
In the evening I went out in the car to the Halle. Mother and I were going to the concert, Daddy drove us in, and obviously Math came too. As we drove past Old Trafford we couldnt help but notice that one of the floodlights was shining out like a star of Bethlehem above the Manchester skyline.
The concert was really excellent. It was conducted by the Principal conductor Elect, Stanislaw Skrowacewski. He meets with my approval appears to feel the music.
The first piece was one I have never heard of, let alone actually listened to before. It was a concerto for orchestra by a fellow called Lutoslawski, not someone I am familiar with, but, I think, for a first hearing, it was rather exciting, rather folkish and percussive very modern. I liked it a lot. It had triple woodwind and quadruple brass.
The second piece was Schumanns A minor piano concerto (he only wrote one, anyway, surprising though this may seem). Considering that I adore Schumann and Im very keen on concertos, particularly piano ones, it is hardly surprising that I like this work indeed it was because of this that I expressed an initial interest in this concert. Cecile Ousset was, as far as I was concerned, faultless, and the orchestra wasnt bad, either. After the interval, Stanislaw presented the Gold Medal for 20 years service to Stuart Roebuck, the tuba player.
The whole of the second half was Beethovens 5th symphony. What can I really say to describe such a familiar work. But I wasnt fully satisfied with the orchestra. At times they did not seem to be really getting onto the music and at times the strings werent playing together.
We spent about an hour at home discussing things like restriction of free speech, Soviet and American foreign affairs, NHS cuts, sex education, and the Catholic Church.
Lunchtime was wonderful. Judy did a piano recital and I announced (Andre was supposed to be but shes all blocked up). The concert was really good. The first was a Schubert impromptu, by which I was impressed; next was In Der Nacht from Schumanns Fantasiestucke (wonderful, particularly the second section); and thirdly was a Fantasy Impromptu by Chopin (either this is an above average Chopin piece or Judy is above average at interpreting the man). Finally, she played Mendelssohns Andante and Rondo Capriccioso thats her speciality, its really good, so rousing.
I went out to St Margaret Wards for a disco. The disco itself was really good! The records were excellent. However, in some ways, the disco was a disaster. They had strictly ticket only, but decided to be generous and let people in, paying on the door. However, some people took the stuff from the Piety stall and stuffed them down the boys bogs. At one stage, Jane Mts dad blew his top and said that if there was any more trouble, there wouldnt be another disco.
It was also spoilt by Andrew. To give you the facts - I asked him to go to the disco, so I naturally expected that he devote a little bit of attention to me. He practically ignored me, but I wasnt getting too bothered. After all, I dont possess him. I think I made it quite obvious by making three attempts to chat up Simon. These were unsuccessful. I dont think that he particularly disliked me he wasnt to be seen with any other girls, either, and hes obviously shy. But can you imagine how I felt, having lost one guy, I couldnt attract another.
I dont hold anything against Judy, even though Andrew was devoting all his attention. Its just that at the end after having really been obvious to Judy, he spends two records snogging with Andre, and they smooched In Your Eyes together. Judy was really upset, she was crying. Hes a sod for using her like that; yes, and I feel Andreas a bitch, too, Great having a friend who nicks the bloke youve been with all night. I hate seeing someone Im fond of, upset, and Im very fond of Judy, and she was upset. Maria Mc gave him a piece of her mind but he just made some stupid comment. What a sod. I hope I see him tomorrow, because Im going to let rip.
I went out to SMW and purposely arrived early in order to have a word with Andrew. He made some potty excuse about he didnt realise he was hurting Judy, and hes only human. I must admit that I hate myself there must be something pathologically wrong with me that while sounding off about him hurting people, I was unable to say anything cutting, despite the fact that I WANTED to do. I felt guilty about wanting to hurt him, despite the fact that he has upset someone I am very fond of.
I think Judy can take comfort from the fact that everybodys on her side. All the folks from 5W were saying that Andreas a bitch (I could not bring myself to agree to that) and that Andrew is a sod; while Susan says all her group were commenting that Andre was making a fool of herself. I suppose if she wants to end up being hurt, thats her business, but its obvious that hes only using her for a good time he doesnt want to get involved with anyone.
I went out to Manchester with Andrea and Judy. We walked up the Arndale and wandered around there. Judy bought a bag from Chelsea Girl (we also looked in Salisburys the only interesting things were hats which really attracted Andre and me). Andre got a hole put in her watchstrap.
After tea I watched a programme on TV about Babies. There has been research into how intelligent small babies are. This has been going on both sides of the Atlantic, and my conclusion is that in America it is a way of programming more people to succeed at all costs and regardless of what is recognised as natural development, while in Britain it is being used as key to understanding adult behaviour. It was entertaining to see the paranoid Long Island mothers.
I went to Eastway. I saw Andrew there. Funnily enough, I was just thinking of phoning him to explain that I did not mean what I said on Sunday in a horrible way. I meant it, but I didnt mean to be cutting. I think Im a sucker. Im inordinately fond of that boy, yet I dont think we have a lot in common. We get on really well, yet we dont agree on a lot of things. We can communicate non-verbally really easily, yet he bugs me.
George Michael has laryngitis.
I made the Christmas pudding. There was a bit of aggro involved in this, for while trying to get a glass bowl out of the cupboard, I smashed it, all over the floor. However, by the time Id put the pudding onto steam, mother had calmed down and it was lunchtime.
Before tea Andrew phoned. He wanted to come round and discuss Kinderscenen, but Mother and Father decided that with one thing and another it was rather inconvenient. Nevertheless, hes coming round tomorrow afternoon. He was round in Timperley Village yesterday. He had tea at Judys. I suppose he must have had lunch at Andreas.
I phoned Judy up to wish her Happy Birthday. Andrea was round there and invited me round for lunch tomorrow.
On TOTP Duran Duran posed their way through their awful Union of the Snake. Useless and meaningless video; unexciting melody, dull repetitive beat; and a pathetic lyric, as meaningless as the video. Truthfully, each line bears no relation to preceding or the succeeding line its all very abstract, and the video is just unrelated scenes fixed together.
I went round to Andreas - I decided to walk. It was a pretty good walk, about 45 minutes, not too long, and quite bracing in this weather. Judy was around soon after (once Andrea had rung her up to point out that it was gone eleven).
Everything with Andrea seems to be Andrew: he was round on Tuesday, had tea at Judys in the evening, Andrea was up on the Racecourse on Wednesday, Andrew was down in Timperley yesterday, gave Judy a birthday present: Rachmaninovs Second Piano Concerto.
On Final Score Denis Lowe said Kenny Dalglish had a hand in both goals. We laughed.
I watched the Late Late Breakfast Show, and what a programme. The highlight was the appearance of Paul McCartney his first live TV interview for ten years. He looked younger than ever. He is very funny and he obviously tries to play down his fame. For instance, he was asked whether he had any more challenges. He said no; looked VERY embarrassed, and hurriedly pointed out that he couldnt think of anything but he would on the way home.
He was asked whether he was aware of people, say round the studio, brushing past him and gasping that theyd touched him. He said no firmly.
I went to SMW. As I was going out of the church I espied Simon but he didnt notice me, so I could not enjoy his embarrassment. You understand, I dont really fancy him, in fact, I dont fancy him at all, but seeing as though he was so awful at the disco, I enjoy seeing his embarrassment. I was nearly at the corner when I heard footsteps behind me, and Simon and his brother passed (I think he sort of noticed me, but he didnt seem too embarrassed). They walk so fast. Halfway down W Lane older brother dropped some money; both turned round, ob to pick up his money, yet Simon turned immediately back again too quickly to my way of thinking.
