The Beginnings - Part 8: GEOGRAPHICALLY UNDESIRABLE

To ‘learn’ something was the dream of our lives.
-Janet Frame
An Autobiography

PHOTOS OF THE DAY: July 11, 1987, Honolulu, Hawaii
Meeting Leslie Abadon of Australia on Waikiki Beach

April 8, 1983
Friday

Well, I woke up this morning with mom clanging on her bathroom door. Apparently, dad fell on the bathroom floor this morning!

Interestingly enough I recalled a funny thing last night. After my excursion to The City to meet Paige I came home and was speaking to Barbara Reynolds on the phone. I realized my dad had gone out for a couple of beers.

Barbara asked, “Is your dad happy with his life?”
I said, “Yeah, sure. I think so.”
“Oh, I only ask because it seemed like he really wanted to talk to me when I met him once before.”
I replied, “Well, my dad is a friendly sort and likes to talk to people.”
“Ah, and I also know that LEO’s like and need kids around because they love them so much.”

I thought that was sweet of her to say.

As I walked to work the smell of the pine tree on Jackson Avenue in Oakland was so strong. I loved it. It made me take another deep breath.

I looked through my Reverse Street Address Guide Directory at work and found Linda Wanczyck’s telephone number: 522-0076. Now I just need to find the moment and urge to call the blond bicyclist.

Of course, there’s Paige LaBris in Sacramento. And there’s Maria in Guadalajara—or Nayarit, Mexico to be exact. They are both “G.U.” (Geographically Undesirable).

I brought my Mexico and Piedmont pictures to work to pass around. I was complimented on my knack for picture taking.

Juanita saw my car today and now she isn’t so reluctant about going out with me now. I thought that was hilarious (and silly at the same time). It’s NOT what you drive…but who’s behind the wheel!

I watched three movies with my Dad tonight. We watched MISSING and VICTOR, VICTORIA and AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN. That was fun. I recalled how after I finished college I was invited to attend Officer Training School. I thought about it for a split-second. I never did it—but the movie, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN makes me wonder what would have happened if I had done it. My life would be different now, of course.

Tony, my brother, is on vacation for all of next week. I will have to drive to work on my own. He is leaving for Las Vegas early in the morning.
Tony says, “It’s strictly business.”
Whatever that means?

I could erase myself completely and live only through the feelings of others.
-Janet Frame
An Autobiography