J’s Diary Entries

Sun 29 Jan 1995

Relaxing day (eventually), alternating watching videos and reading. I finished off the Nikolai Gogol novel “Dead Souls” (finally). I also started and finished a collection of Joseph Conrad’s shorter stories and novels including the one that “Apocalypse Now” was based on, “Heart of Darkness” It’s pretty good, Joseph Conrad’s an interesting guy. Born in Poland, spent his life on the sea and then retired to England and spent the rest of his life writing twisted sea stories about Western Imperialism in Africa and Asia. Kind of like an Ernest Hemingway, but with style and a conscience.

The day got off to a rather distressing start though. I’m lying in bed when there’s a loud banging on the door. I realise Dad’s supposed to be coming over today, but I was expecting him around noon, with a warning phone call first. FUCK! So I’m running around the house naked, shifting my babies, trying not to burn myself on the lights, hiding the bong, the grass, the vodka, the mixer and trying to get dressed at the same time with Dad banging on the door! FUCK, FUCK! I eventually got my shit together and Dad had already cleaned out the back spouting and then we did half the front each.

I told Dad over coffee that I was thinking about going back to University and he was wary of me wasting my time on a “Mickey Mouse Degree” (his definition of a Bachelor of Arts) but I pointed out that it could be useful in publishing. I’m a bit concerned about the HECS debt though, it’s nearly $1,400 a semester now. If I got an Honours Degree, it would cost me $11,200. That is a lot of fucking money.  All the politicians who passed that law got a free fucking education, every one of them. They expect us to look after them when they get old? Not a goddamn chance, they make us pay for their mistakes, we’re left with the cinders of their excesses.

Haven’t had a drink today, and I think it’s making me bitter!

Wed 1 Feb 1995

Cav seemed determined to batter my self-esteem today, he told me I was putting on weight and that my hair didn’t suit me. I think he meant well. He and Quinn laughed at me over my plans to get a housemate.

I had lunch with Simon, Donna, Cav and Quinn at a Sandwich Bar in Flinders Lane. I say “I had lunch”, though I didn’t actually eat, I’m too broke from saving $190 this week. I kinda enjoy the poverty in a funny way though.

I saw a tram that had jumped right off it’s tracks onto the road today, on Flemington Road. You don’t see that every day.

Situps: 100