April 1

I really do need to remember where I am and what’s up

1965

Happy April Fool's Day! We had absolutely nothing to do today.

I went bowling for the first time in a long time. I got a 114, 109, and 107. Yech! S was there. He goes to private school but was in my class in seventh grade. His parents leave him at home with his aunt while they go all over the world. I feel sorry for him. I'd hate to always be left behind.

Anonymous comment: 2006

How do you pronounce "Yech"? I take it to be a sign of disgust, but its use here is kind of confusing...

My reply: 

I learned it from Mad Magazine, along with much of the Yiddish I know, so I am assuming the "ch" is like the initial sound in chutzpah. I say the "e" more like a schwa.

1979

Just went to a koto concert…very interesting and very beautiful. It was a good break in my workday. My seminar is almost done…the notes should be redone and I can run through it tomorrow. The end is in sight.

I’ve been admiring my body in the mirror. I like it very much. I wish I could have a picture taken of me while it’s still worth looking at.I am so solid-looking. Can it really be so very, very fragile?

I am ready (this moment) to give my seminar and dazzle them with my brilliance. But they aren’t here; it’s tomorrow. Will they listen politely and then whisper , “ I don’t see why she bothers with all that history stuff”?

1997

Back at home, mentally blank and physically tired. I have work to do, on the one hand. But on the other, I wish I could stay home and veg a bit. Not likely. I really do need to remember  where I am and what’s up - I am feeling quite befuddled. But the trip to San Antonio with the kid was great fun. He is goofy and silly, more assertive of his own preferences than Kiddo 1, but also generous in giving to others. A fine young person. (He still crumbles when tired, like me.)

Sarah’s suggestion is to go through my wardrobe. Well, not today.

Comment 2023

Two thoughts. First, about boarding school. When we moved to Connecticut, I was in seventh grade and was placed in “7A” the top tier of students. Most of my friends were in the same class in 7^th and 8^th grade. At the end of 8^th grade, I was introduced to the very New England phenomenon of “brain drain” to private schools. Most of my closest friends from eighth grade disappeared, most going off to boarding schools. S was one of about a dozen classmates I seldom saw after the the summer of 1963. A few years ago, I reconnected with one of them, and we are now friends on Facebook and have visited each other’s homes. The rest: gone, disappeared. I started all over again with a new set of friends in high school.

Second, I look forward to the great wardrobe shift twice a year. That’s when the weather has finally stabilized enough to enable me to put last season’s clothes away and pull out the next. I really do enjoy it, like opening presents twice a year. Looking at the 10 day forecast, the time is just about here. Not today, but maybe tomorrow. 

Also, that kid is even better as an adult.

2003

So I did play computer games last night, after all. I was too tired to do anything else. I was so tired yesterday. It’s odd. Usually I return for a trip and sack out, but Sunday I didn’t. It didn’t hit me until after lunch yesterday, when I was on campus. So around 2:30 I lay down on the floor of my office and slept for 20 minutes. I crawled into bed around 9:30, watched some TV, was asleep by 10:30. I have lots of tiny things to do today, very fragmented. Must focus!

2024

I am afraid this project has suffered as I devote more time to the Book Which Cannot Be Named and May Never Be Finished. I am transcribing, but not commenting as frequently. Still befuddled. Deepest apologies.