ASTRONAUTS, DREAMS AND TOUGH S__T - JANUARY-FEBRUARY - 1986

JANUARY 8, 1986

WEDNESDAY

Today has not been the best. I woke up with ANOTHER cold and sore throat, I lost my bus pass, and I am about $40 in the hole as far as my money goes. It seems like I borrow money from Mom and Dad all the time and never pay them anything. I’m tired of that. And I have no money for groceries. Oh, what to do!

Jan. 9 - We saw Legends. I think it was just Mom, Dad and me - Starring Carol Channing and Mary Martin - at the Majestic in Dallas (both Mom and Dad's FIRST childhood movie theatre)

Jan. 22 Nana died and we had the funeral - she lived a full, good, mostly healthy life!

https://youtu.be/j4JOjcDFtBE

Video of Space Challenger - jan 28 1986

FEBRUARY 3, 1986

Monday

I haven’t typed in a long time, but until now, the news has not been worthwhile. But after this past weekend, it definitely is.

As far as last week goes, Tuesday, January 28 was my 25th birthday. It was also the same day as the space shuttle, Challenger, exploded. This had seven people on it, including a schoolteacher. That was horrible. I will always remember my 25th birthday as the 25th shuttle.

All the gals from A&A (word processing pool) had just gathered around for my birthday cake. My radio was on KVIL and we heard that the shuttle was about to go up - so I turned up the volume and before we could really hear what was going on - you here “OH my God! It’s exploded! It’s gone!” So so sad… everyone slowly went back to their desks and I was “well.. Aren’t we gonna have my bday cake?” so sad!

Right after hearing about that, I was so depressed and especially on my birthday) I got a call from the switchboard that said there was something waiting for me downstairs. I went down and, sure enough, there were some beautiful orchids on a vine in a beautiful vase. I couldn’t figure out who it had been from. I figured maybe from Barry, since he’d been calling a lot lately and had talked about us dating again. But it wasn’t. I didn’t read the card until I got back up here. The card read “Have a great one!” Arnold. ARNOLD!? I couldn’t believe it. That was awfully thoughtful. I went to tell him (thank you and how thoughtful) - and we had lunch on Friday. A really nice lunch. Very general conversation, outside of him briefing me on Janet and me on Barry. (who’s Janet?) - I was insisting on paying my part, and he insisted on paying. He won. I asked him” Why do you think I went to the bank?” “It’s so I could pay for my lunch.” He said “Tough Shit.” I died laughing. I told him that was the nicest “tough shit” I ever heard. I know I’d never date him again (now I might go dutch to the movies, or something but no date) but I’m glad we can be friends.

FRIDAY NIGHT - Bill Flynt came to pick me up and we went to pick up Judy, then all went to pick up Steve (37 year old lawyer) to all go and see Little Shop of Horrors at Theatre Three. It was great. I had SO much fun. That Steve is something else. I could really fall for him, but will NOT. I really enjoy his friendship and would hate to lose it. But, I have to admit I feel somewhat shy and fluttery when he’s near. I still manage to flirt some, but that’s because I know there’s no use. I like things the way they are right now.

Anyway, during intermission of the play, Steve and I went walking around. We lost Judy and Bill. He was showing me all his favorite shops there in the Quadrangle and saying he comes to the Quadrangle just for certain items; stationery, candles, etc., then we passed a place with a lot of construction. In the middle of it all, there was a port-a-let. I acted really excited and said “Oh, there’s my favorite port-a-let. I come here all the time just for that port-a-let.” He cracked up and popped me. It was fun.

When we got back to the theatre, I couldn’t figure out where we’d been sitting. I was so turned around and made a comment about it. I said “I am so horrible at directions; I can never find anything.” And then Steve said “That’s okay, you’re creative.” I love that. Also, at one point, he was teasing me about the size of my purse and asking me if I really needed all the stuff in there. I told him that you never know when Monty Hall might come by. He really laughed at that.

February 2 - Saw the movie White Nights with Bea and Louis (Bea Knagg and Louis Marroquin are brother and sister and I ran around with them both and Louis and I always said "if we don't marry, we were gonna marry each other!" (by 30 or so)

Feb. 22, 1986

• Holly apparently spent the nite again with me Feb. 22

Feb. 24 - Bill Boren died and we had his funeral... Very sad - First AIDS death I recall (remember we were all glad that Nana died before Bill... soo sad)