The Beginnings - Part 30: MY HAIRLESS UPPER LIP

“Nothing! There’s nothing there…nothing but rage…like a dumb animal. That’s what you are…an animal.  I thought I could teach you, but what I should have done was train you!”
-actress Uma Thurman to actor Robert Pattinson
BEL AMI, 2012 motion-picture

The Beginnings – Part 30: MY HAIRLESS UPPER LIP

May 18, 1983

I was able to get out of work today at 2:30PM. Hurrah! I surprised mom and dad when I arrived home early.

It was fun watching EDGE OF NIGHT at 3PM with mom. She left for work at 3:45PM and I went for a leisure ride on my bike along the beach from 4PM until 5PM. I stopped by at Suzy’s apartment and we talked. We did a bit of lying out by her pool while we waited for her brother, Michael, to ride over on his bike. I loved Suzy’s fresh-squeezed orange juice that she prepared. It was so refreshing. Michael Miller arrived and I left not long after.

When I returned home I called Suzy and asked, “Do you have dinner plans?”
“I’ll probably go out somewhere. Come over.”
I drove back to her place. Sue, Michael, her sister Renee, their mom and I ate out at this Chinese joint on Santa Clara Ave. It was pretty good. Michael Miller shaved his moustache. It inspired me to shave mine.
Renee said, “Your car feels luxurious inside.”
I thought it must be because it still has that ‘new car’ smell and I keep it clean.
Renee had an ugly rash about her neck and her mom decided to take her to the ALAMEDA HOSPITAL. I don’t know what the doctor ever determined about it. I’m sure I’ll hear about the diagnosis eventually.

It was a great, rejuvenating experience to ride along the beach earlier with my new Pierre Cardin FM Walkman radio.

I telephoned Karen Caster of Castro Valley at 9:45PM. She wasn’t home. I began to wonder about her. I hope she approves of my hairless upper lip on Friday night. I think I look better without a moustache. I am no longer hiding a part of my face.

May 19, 1983

Well, I couldn’t reach Karen Caster while at work today. I chose to call her again at 8:30PM when she was at work. I hope I can confirm our date for tomorrow night.

Some people liked my hairless upper lip (specifically Helen, Cindy, Paula of the mailroom). Barbara was neutral about it.
Trudy and Pat both made a suggestion: “Grow it back!”
I am undecided. I like it for a change. Who knows? Maybe I will attempt a beard and a moustache over my vacation.

I washed my car today.

I also took a nice freedom bike ride during my 4PM to 5PM rounds along South Shore Beach.

I was upset to learn about mom getting mugged in her car. She was stopped at a stoplight in Oakland with her window open when a black buy leaned in and grabbed her purse from her passenger seat. My poor mama! She was shaking terribly. I wished she had come back home and taken the day off. Instead, she drove to work and shared the story with her coworkers.

I called Suzy to inquire about Renee.
Suzy said, “Oh, she had an infection.”

May 20, 1983

Karen Caster and I did go on our date. We went to YE OLDE PIZZA JOYNTE in Hayward. It was unfortunate that the Nastassja Kinski film, EXPOSED, was no longer playing at the local movie theater. We saw the end of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and THE OUTSIDERS instead. Karen seemed a little insecure because of our age difference. She is almost eighteen and I am twenty-four. I didn’t like her attitude. I didn’t even get a good night kiss. That was a bit disappointing.
I asked, “So, what are you doing tomorrow?”
Karen said, “I’m planning a trip to Del Valle in Pleasanton tomorrow with some girlfriends.”

It seemed to me that she’s just too young for me. I didn’t really like her stand guard, neutral attitude. Who knows? Maybe she will choose to call me again. If so, it will be a plus. I may go for it. If not, then I say ‘the hell with it’. I sure won’t persist with a teeny-bopper type who is just now ending her high-school years. She has dreams of being a worker on a Cruise ship line. I’ve decided she is definitely not my type (NMT). I won’t even mention the fact that she intends on moving to Hawaii next month (after she graduates from high-school). She and Lisa Pingatore have a lot in common. It’s funny how two girls that have ‘the looks’ can be so similar. Why waste my time? Will they ever value my worth? Time is the question. Naïve bitches!

“Nothing happens unless first we dream!”
-THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL
2012 motion-picture