Saturday, February 18, 1989

My 150th Day in Britain ...

Wow, did I sleep today! I awoke mid-morning to prepare for lunch, then go into town. I tried to get my Elvis Costello concert tickets, but they wouldn't accept my Access card for payment. I'll have to try again some other time.

Then Viv and I went to a Book Fair in town, which turned out to be more antique books than second-hand paperback books, but we managed to find a few we wanted. I bought D.H. Lawrence's "The Rainbow" while Viv bought "Jane Eyre" and "The Spanish Verses."

After we left the book fair we shopped around town some more, and I bought some batteries for my stereo before we caught the bus back home. After dinner we took a long nap (from 6-9:30 p.m.), and after we awoke we did an old favorite and visited Double Happiness for some sweet n sour chicken.

I worked on a mix tape for Viv to give to her before she leaves for Spain. Her last day in Hull is Monday. Fortunately, I should see her again in about three weeks. I also worked a bit more on the tape I'm making for my parents. Went to bed after midnight.

Oh, on TV today we watched some Saturday morning cartoons, as well as an episode of ALF (where he is mistaken for a burglar.)

In sports news, Hull City played Liverpool in the 1988-89 F.A. Cup Tournament here in Hull. Thought it might be interesting to catch that game, but decided to pass. It's the fifth round of the tournament, and 16 teams remain in the single-elimination tournament. Liverpool was clearly the favorite, but Hull actually jumped out to a 2-0 lead before falling to Liverpool, 3-2. That would've been quite the upset. I listened to some of the game on the radio. Shame... it would've been pretty cool to see the local team go deeper into the tournament.

Tuesday, November 29, 1988

Killer Tuesday ...

Killer Tuesday. Got up for breakfast, and then went to my Literature in Context class. It was significantly more interesting than last week's class. Then I went to my Geography seminar, which wasn't bad (although I was asked about congestion in America and was dumbfounded to respond. I was just caught off guard, so to speak.) I ate lunch at the corner deli, and after a bit in the library (my library card is pictured), went to my Social/Political Structures class, where we had a new bald-headed teacher instead of Roz Billington to bore us. So J.P. and I drew some of our finest cartoons.

After class, J.P. and I went up to the 1/2-off poster sale going on, where I bought a "With the Beatles" poster for £1. Came back to the halls, talked to Viv awhile, then ate dinner, followed by talking to Viv some more.

At 8 p.m. we went over to the TV room to watch "Fawlty Towers," which, of course, was great. Then we went to get some Chinese until we remembered (after walking a bit in the rain), that Double Happiness was closed on Tuesdays. So we went and got a ham pizza with garlic bread, and brought it back to the room. I was quite happy and it quickly disappeared.

Afterwards, Viv and I did some work (separately), then hung out a bit (together) before turning in for the evening.

Tuesday, November 22, 1988

Socialism in the Classroom

Ate breakfast, and then went to class. My first class was Literature in Context, which today had a substitute professor. His topic was "Socialist Economic Policies in Britain from the 1920's and 1930's."

Wonderful.

His lecture had absolutely nothing to do with literature. He was making broad generalizations that all students were socialists, which annoyed me to no end. Although I did enjoy knowing that my presence here ruined his theory. During his lecture I quietly put my George Bush campaign pin on my shirt. I can't say for certain if he noticed it or not... but the socialist generalizations did end.

Next I had a Geography Seminar where we talked a bit about traffic and congestion (and watched a video called "Jam Today, Jam Tomorrow.") Interesting theory that came up: Widening roads does little to curb congestion. According to this theory, it doesn't matter how many lanes you make a road, because wider roads only attracts more vehicles to use that road. I see the point, but somewhat disagree with the premise. Theoretically, at some point you would reach a size that could handle the traffic, and it would likely be pulling vehicles away from other areas affected by congestion. According to that theory, we might as well reduce the size of our roads, if it doesn't matter anyway, right?

Then it was on to Social/Political Structures with Good Ol' Roz Billington at the lecturing helm. She was talking about inequality. (God, if ever there was someone who deserved to be inequal...)

Anyway, we found out that there's going to be a student rally in London on Thursday opposing student loans (as opposed to student grants, which would not have to be paid back. Nearly every British student I know here receives a partial or full grant.) Because of the rally, classes have been canceled for that day. It seems like they demonstrate way too much here, and as a result I have taken a firm stance in support of the student loan system. It's an unpopular but much more logical approach. I've been able to defend my position quite well, and have done so on a few occasions already. Basically, it holds people accountable for their education. If you do what you should, the end result should be a job that allows you to pay back the loan. If you fail to apply yourself or just view it as an extended party until you get kicked out of college... why should others pay for that?

So many people here are so dependent on the government that when the government attempts to loosen its controls and give people more responsibility, the get scared that they might have to actually start doing things on their own. Stupid gits!

Sorry. I'm off my soap box now. But on the plus side, my classes are canceled on Thursday AND Friday. Four day weekend... awesome!

After dinner, I wrote a few letter for friends and family back home, and later on Viv and I walked to Double Happiness... forgetting that it is always closed on Tuesdays. So we walked a little bit further to Shanghai House and got some chips and gravy. Not quite as good as Double Happiness - "the best chips 'n gravy in the world" - but good enough. We ate them back in my room. Great way to end the day.

*****

Pictured: Page 1 of the 1988-89 Humberside College Student Union Handbook, which was issued to each student at the start of the term. It is on this page where the socialist propaganda very blatantly begins. My favorite line: "The Conservative government, spurred on my right-wing back-benchers is investigating the imposition of voluntary membership on Students Unions." Since when is "voluntary" an "imposition"? Click on the picture to see the full page. The book was filled with this stuff, interspersed with an occasional tip or two that actually helps a college student.

Saturday, November 12, 1988

A Day in York

Oh what to do today, with Viv not around. Managed to wake up relatively early, about 9.00 a.m., got dressed and showered (though not actually in that order... see, this is why I need to write my journal in pencil!) But we had some fun planned... a group of us were planning a trip a bit north to the City of York.

I had been to the city back during my Camp Hill High School class trip back in the spring of 1987, and it was one of my favorite stops along that trip. So I was looking forward to returning... back then I had no idea I would be returning so soon. That was probably the moment where I started to think that I'd like to someday come back to Britain and study so that I'd have more time to spend in places like this.

Anyway, at about noon we caught the city bus, which meandered from Hull to York. It's about 40 miles away, and we finally arrived at about 1.30 p.m. The train would've been faster, but the bus was much cheaper. For a couple of poor college lads, the bus was the best option.

Once we got there, we walked around the various shops for awhile until Big Jon, Paul, J.P. and Littly Johnny went to a pub. Doug and I decided to continue walking around the very picturesque town, taking in the very crowded sights and sounds of York (lots of Christmas shoppers already!)

We went into York Minster, and it was very impressive. However, I felt that there were just too many visitors in the church at that time to really enjoy it. I did get some nice black-and-white photographs outside of the minster.

Afterward, we walked along the wall that surrounds York, during which time we crossed paths with the rest of our group. Doug and I then walked down the steps off the wall and walked around town some more, taking in more of the sites of York. When we have more time (Our next trip here will likely be on Nov. 25), we will be able to take in more of the sites.

I bought a cheap Mike + the Mechanics EP, "Nobody's Perfect," for 99p, and the sheet music to The Proclaimers song "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" so that I could practice it on my guitar back in my room. But later, as we were on the bus home, I realized that the inside page was missing, so I didn't have the full song. Bugger all!

Anyway, after walking around York a bit longer, Doug and I found the train station where we were to pick up the bus. We grabbed some dinner there while we waited for the rest of our group to arrive, and I also bought a copy of "The Times." We caught the 5.45 bus and headed back to Hull, where we finally arrived at about 7.30 p.m.

After returning, I took a brief sortie out to Double Happiness for some delicious chips 'n gravy, over to the "offie" to buy four cans of Tennent's Lager, as well as a bottle of Cloberg (Yugoslavian wine) for later use.

Later, we had a casual, less intense water battle, which ended when we decided to retire to the television room in St. Hilda's to watch the Eddie Murphy-Nick Nolte film "48 Hours."

Afterwards I returned to my room to write my latest article as the foreign correspondent for The Snapper. It was a criticism of the IRA, the Irish Republican Army. It may ruffle a few feathers. Well, good night.

(Photos: #1 - Me along the wall in York, near York Minster; #2 - York Minster, as seen from the wall; #3- Doug in York; #4 - A street artist paints a portrait on the sidewalk in York.)

Sunday, November 6, 1988

There's Plenty of Time

This Sunday was spent talking about how we were going to work on our papers for class tomorrow. Unfortunately, we all got sidetracked by various elements (trips to Double Happiness, etc.)

Eventually, I did get started on my T.S. Eliot paper, and I managed to get a good bit of research done, but only a little bit of writing started on the rough draft (one paragraph, to be exact) before I decided to call it a day. I figure I can work on the paper tomorrow, since I have until 3 p.m. in the afternoon to work on it. We'll see how that goes.

Only two days now until the presidential election. The Sunday Times had an impressive layout on the election. (Cover is pictured.)

****

• Number One Song in Britain This Week: "Orinoco Flow" - Enya
• Number One Song in America This Week: "Wild Wild West" - The Escape Club
• World News Today: A 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits Burma and China, killing 730 people and injruing 3,900.

Friday, November 4, 1988

Home Brew

Woke up bright and early for my Roz seminar. It wasn't all that bad... if you look past the blatant Communist propaganda. Came back to my room, then went on a shopping excursion with J.P. and Kenny in downtown Hull, where I bought a Prince EP for my friend Scott back home (featuring the non-album track, "Another Lonely Christmas") and some batteries. J.P. and Kenny bought a bucket for the home brew they are planning to make. St. Hilda's beer... well that should be interesting. (Pictured: J.P., meditates in Queen's Park in Hull. Perhaps he's asking the beer gods to give him the gift of brewmastery.)

Went back to the residence and ate dinner. After dinner we went to the Gardner's Arms for a pint, then over to Double Happiness for some chips and gravy. A little while after returning to my room, Viv stopped by for a visit. She was planning on going home to Skegness for the weekend, but as the evening progressed, it became more and more obvious that her friend who was going to pick her up wasn't going to return her message. I guess we'll have to wait and see if she hears anything tomorrow. Only four days until the presidential election!

Sunday, October 30, 1988

Match of the Day

Still only had 9p on me, so I couldn’t do much. (There’s a lot to be said about allowing yourself to be poor.) I did a good bit of reading today, taking a big chunk out of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” Ian Fleming’s excellent James Bond thriller.

Then it was an afternoon highlighted by a football game (“soccer,” of course, and my first organized game in at least 5 years) on the field behind the residences, featuring a lot of English and Irish lads who’ve been playing for years, which made it interesting.

Our team won, 7-3, and while I was rusty and largely useless, I did manage a few shots on goal. The one guy on our team was Bono. That was good fun, and J.P. and I got quite a workout.

That evening, Viv and I decided to get some Chinese from Double Happiness, and had dinner in my room with a bottle of Ernest & Julio Gallo Chenin Blanc. Afterwards, I walked her back to her room, and, being Sunday, went to sleep so that I could get up for class tomorrow at 3:15 p.m.

(Pictured: St. Martin's Hall. Follow the path off the right, then make another right, and you'd be on the field where the soccer game was played.)

****

• Number One Song in Britain This Week: "Orinoco Flow" - Enya
• Number One Song in America This Week: "Kokomo" - The Beach Boys
  

Sunday, October 23, 1988

The ‘Wanda’ Curse?

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaugh!!!!

What a frustrating, roller-coaster kind of day. I guess going to the movie theater to see “A Fish Called Wanda,” I should have anticipated that frustrating things would happen, since apparently, frustrating things happen to me when I see it.

Anyway, I woke up late, since I could, and tottered down the hall to the refactory for lunch. After watching an episode of “Lost in Space" in the St. Martin’s TV room, I spent the afternoon helping nurse Sid, who was quite ill. Viv was also there as well. When Sid fell asleep, we stayed in her room and Viv did some homework while I wrote some letters to friends back home… Scott Reed, Trista Levy, Chris Mulvihill and my ex-girlfriend Deb.

Sid came to around 5 p.m, which is when I left her room to await my parent’s call. The call came at 5 after 5 (1 p.m. EST, since daylight savings time hit us, but not them, yet.) I finally got to talk to Dad, as well as Mom and Angie, and I let them know how I was doing, and found out how things were going back home. They are planning to call again next Sunday, same time.

Well after dinner, as I mentioned earlier, a group of us went into Hull to see the 8:00 p.m. showing of “Wanda.” Again, Viv and I got along very well during the film. Though I saw it already when it was showing in the States, it was a fabulous opportunity to see it with a whole bunch of British people, because it gave a whole new outlook on a lot of the jokes.

When we left the theater, everything seemed great. We stopped off at Double Happiness, although this time I did not get anything. It was during our walk home that everything crumbled.

First, Viv said that she liked me very much, but that she still was attracted to Doug. I was shocked and speechless, but I kept my composure because I had suspected that she did still like Doug. I just did expect her to say anything about it at that time.

Well, I then walked her up to her room, where we found Liz a total wreck. It turns out that the guy she liked told her earlier in the day that he wanted to break it off. What a bum rap.

I left the room so that Viv could talk to Liz, then returned to my room, where after a bout to get back into my room (I had given J.P. my hall key so that he could do his laundry later… and since it was later in the evening, the door was locked), I sat in the room with J.P., listening to “Dark Side of the Moon,” trying to sort everything out.

Then I heard a knock on my window, where I saw Liz standing, saying that she couldn’t get in the building, so I came around and let her in. We proceeded to talk over the next hour and a half about many different things, but mainly about her frustration. I think she left here a little bit happier, but in these situations, it can take time to heal the wounds. Well, it was late when I walked her back, so when I returned, I was knackered, so off to sleep I went.

(Pictured: Shops along Newland Avenue in Hull. I just loved the juxtaposition of a health food store right underneath a billboard with a picture of a humongous burger.)

****

• Number One Song in Britain This Week: "One Moment in Time" - Whitney Houston
  
• Number One Song in America This Week: "Groovy Kind of Love" - Phil Collins
  

Saturday, October 22, 1988

The St. Hilda’s Pisshead Zone

We were talking about taking a short trip out to the coastline today, but no one really felt up for taking the trip, even though it was a very nice day, weather-wise. There’s a flu that is going around that everybody’s been catching, myself included. So it looks like it’s going to be one of those easy-going weekends.

After a mediocre lunch, J.P. and I took a shopping excursion, where we decided to take a look down the other side of Cottingham Road. What we found could not be believed… it was an outlet district! Shopper’s heaven. Well, maybe that’s a bit much, but there were a lot of great shops. We went into Texas Hardware (sort of a Hechinger’s, only bigger) and we each bough reading lamps for £5. They were much needed. We then walked back to do the rest of our shopping, satisfied with what we had found. We then went to our respective rooms to play with our new toys, then went to dinner.

Afterwards, it was over to the “St. Hilda’s Pisshead Zone” (as Kurt decreed himself the St. Hilda's Pisshead, a reference to his penchant for drinking) for some leisure hanging about… and playing some cards. I was a bit of a wasteoid because I was so exhausted, and after awhile, I went back to my room for some rest. Later, Doug came by to let me know that he was heading up to Double Happiness for some Chinese take away. I wasn’t very hungry, but I decided that I needed to get out for a walk. Of course, I bought some of their chips ‘n gravy. The nice man who owns the restaurant and is always working there at the counter gave me a break when I was 3 pence short. I guess he’s starting to recognize me as one of his regular customers.

I walked back feeling a bit better, and we hung out in Doug’s room, eating our food. Later, Viv and Liz stopped by Doug’s room, having returned from the Student Union Disco held that evening. Viv stayed with us while Liz, who said she had a headache, went off to bed.

Viv and I were friendly again. I think I like her, but I’ve got to be cautious, because of her feelings for Doug. He was being quite distant tonight, moodier and darker than usual (and that’s saying a lot!), just staring at candles burning in his room, listening to the Ultravox album, “The Blooded Sword.”

Next we just goofed around a bit in J.P.’s room until about 1:30 a.m., when Viv and I left for our respective rooms. J.P., Kenny and Kurt were pretending to be from Pluto, and they got it all recorded on cassette tape. Odd.

Pictured: J.P. & Kenny walking down Beverley Road near Humberside College.

*****

Update (4/10/2009)... Viv adds another perspective to this day, with an excerpt from her diary on Saturday, Oct. 22, 1988 (with a few contemporary comments): "When we (I believe that is Puri, Angie and me) first met the three Americans, we thought they were real creeps! Now we know that they're a lot nicer, especially Rick and J.P. To start with, it was Doug who went out of his way to get to know us. Now his attention is concentrated on Sid 'cause she listens to his problems. Rick is mine and Liz's special friend - he's especially good to me... (ahh!) ... 'cause he knows I like Doug (I was so mis-guided!) but Doug is not in that frame of mind. In fact I don't think he's in a frame of mind at all - he's been acting extremely strangely lately."

Saturday, October 15, 1988

'Risk' Taking

Doug woke me up around 10:30 a.m. so we could get ready to go into Hull for a Record Fair. Bad news, huh? I took a shower then caught the 11:30 a.m. bus into downtown with Doug and J.P.. We first stopped at Midland Bank for J.P., then the photo store to pick up a batch of photos. J.P. and I overshot the store and were walking all over Jameson Avenue before we realized our error. Then we finally made our way to the Record Fair.

Awesome find #1: I was shocked and pleasantly surprised when I found one of the record albums I was hoping I’d find here… Prince’s rare, bootlegged unreleased “Black Album”on vinyl, which is what my friend Scott really wanted. So I bought the vinyl copy of the record for £12. I guess I’ll keep the cassette tape I bought in London for myself.

Awesome find #2: Next I found something that I’ve been looking for over a year and a half – the original Genesis “I Know What I Like/Twilight Alehouse” single, and for only £2! I left nearly broke but tremendously happy. Shame I don’t have a record player in my room to check out my find. Hopefully someone in the residence has one I can borrow at some point.

We then found a toy store where we all chipped in £1 for a Risk board of our own. That game has fast become our latest obsession. Next we hit a deli for some sandwiches, then took the bus back home. I went to my room, but it wasn’t long before a game of Risk broke out (already!) in Doug’s room. After awhile, I stopped in to watch. We then broke for dinner, where I had what qualifies as the worst meal I’ve ever had anywhere. So we came back to Doug’s room and split a garlic loaf, which helped.

Then it was back to the game. I helped out Paul Crowley, who was down to one country and on the verge of elimination. Through creation of various treaties, I was able to help him get back into competition, even controlling North America, before we were eventually eliminated. (Sorry, that would’ve been a better story had we won the game.) Then Jon Whalley, who was doing quite well in the game, had to leave, so I took over his troops. I was then able to conquer and destroy Andy Croxhall, and then, after a few aggressive moves, wiped out Kenny Prunty’s army for total victory. Of course, I couldn’t qualify it as my victory, but at least I helped.

It was time for another break, during which time Doug and I took a short walk up the street and around the corner to Double Happiness for some actual food. Man, they have the best chips and gravy there! The gravy has a nice oriental flavor that cannot be beat.

Well, at 8:30 p.m. we started The Game of the Century II (no hyperbole here!), featuring myself, J.P., Doug, Paul, Andy and Kurt Dross, with a slightly intoxicated Jon joining his team for this go-around. Well, Kurt was eliminated in about 5 turns, which left 5 superpowers remaining. J.P. and I had established a non-aggression treaty, so we were able to concentrate our efforts elsewhere. Paul and I got into some fierce battles, but soon Doug went on the offensive and whittled Paul down to three countries, though he chose not to wipe him out. Doug also knocked Andy out of the game during this offensive, which screwed up J.P. strategy.

So J.P. and I got together and decided to sacrifice J.P.’s armies for the win. He took his armies and knocked out as much of Doug as he could. Meanwhile, I took advantage of Doug’s tactical error in not wiping out Paul by wiping him out myself and taking his cards. With seven cards in my hand and J.P. on my side, we had no problem taking Doug over. So I was the victor, with the significant help of J.P. But then, all is fair in love and war, right?

During this game, Jon’s termination of two full bottles of Thunderbird wine and a bottle of Concord wine began to take its silly – and then violent – toll. He told Bonk that he loved him, wore a towel on his head and called himself “The Virgin Mary” (which he did last night as well, even wearing the towel out to a store), and kept asking “What happened to the red armies?” (which were Kurt’s pieces.) He sat in a closet for awhile, continually asking “When can we have a serious talk?” and other humorous anecdotes. Anyway, I’m sure he’ll be in agony tomorrow.

Then I popped into J.P.’s room, where Sindy "Sid" Bajaria (pictured above with me, photo courtesy of J.P.), Liz Ortega (from Manchester), Vivienne Schofield (from the small seaside town of Skegness) and Bits (London, I believe) were hanging about. We sat talking for awhile, and then, when J.P. wanted sleep, Liz and Viv came back to my room for some coffee. It was finally 4 a.m. before they finally decided they needed to go back to their room (they share one of the double rooms.) I loaned Liz my jacket, and we walked back to their room (after some problems with the key) and I bid them good night. Viv seems to fancy Doug, and I think I’m moderately attracted to Liz, but I’m not about to say too much about it yet. Oh well.

Monday, October 10, 1988

Bonk

Well, it was another slow, lazy day here in Hull. Since I didn’t have a class until 3:15 p.m. (that’s a nice set-up to start the week!), there was nothing to worry about. Around 10 a.m., Doug, J.P., Sean Furness (or “Bonk,” as Kurt has started calling him, which is “Knob” backwards, short for knobhead) headed over to Cottingham Road. Doug and Bonk are switching rooms, so we were heading over to make it official. Bonk will take over Doug’s single room, and Doug will now reside in the double room with Kenny.

It’s actually a pretty cool double. There are two separate small rooms for Doug and Kenny, and then one large living area that they both share. It’s a pretty cool place to hang out. Hopefully the move will boost Doug’s spirits.

After the change was made, we dropped Bonk off at the Student Union, and the three of us Americans went to register with a doctor for the national health service. (My NHS card is pictured, right) Doug, who has a bad sore throat that has chewed up his voice good, made an appointment for Wednesday.

Next, it was back to my room for some more sleep… until 2:45 p.m., when I rejoined Doug and J.P. and we headed to our Modern Poetry and Drama Class. It was an interesting lecture, with an interesting tutor, Don Ward.

After that, it was back to The Grange Refactory for another revolting and unsatisfactory meal. Following our meal we sat around, talking with Sid, Kurt and others in St. Hildas before J.P. and I took a much-needed chips and gravy run up to Double Happiness. However, when we returned, we realized we had forgotten to get Doug some as we had promised. As my punishment, Doug shook up my can of Coke, then rolled it down the hall.

This alone was funny enough, except it got better. It stopped rolling right in front of where a shoeless Bonk was coming out into the hall, and thinking that this was an empty Coke can on the ground, decided it would be funny to kick it back. Oh, the pain he felt when he discovered it was a full can.

Well, the evening continued, with people poking fun at Bonk (as per usual), and sitting around talking in Kurt’s room, even though Kurt wasn’t there. When I left to go to bed, I was to encounter Jo, whom I now simply refer to as “The World,” and her friend, and they decided to come into my room for a bit to chat. It wasn’t long before they left for bed, which I think is a good idea.

Monday, October 3, 1988

Sack Edgar Page

I'm getting a little worried about Doug. Today we went into town where he bought himself a stereo, but that seemed to only be a temporary remedy, as he soon receded back into melancholy. He read me some of the poetry he has written while here in Hull, and it's rather depressing, and often frightening. I'm sure Doug could overcome it, but I'm not sure he wants to.

Well, anyway, this day started like any other... by waking up. Since we still didn't have any lectures to attend, we spent the day in Hull, after getting Doug squared away at Lloyd's Bank.

We then experienced a most unusual event, as we watched teachers from Hull University who were on strike, as well as other supporters, march through town, carrying signs that read, "Save Edgar Page". They were marching in protest of the recent "sacking" of a tenured philosophy professor named Edgar Page. They, of course, are worried that if this firing is allowed, then their jobs could be in jeopardy as well.

From what I was told, he is the first tenured college professor to ever be sacked in Britain. Of course, I don't know what he did to get fired, but considering he's the first ever, I figure it must be pretty bad. Personally, I think this could set a good precedent, since it would force tenured teachers with cushy jobs to make themselves an asset to the university, or risk being fired. Later, I decided to hang a "Sack Edgar Page" sign in my room.

OK, well, after the march, the three of us went into Hull to do a little shopping, and to register with the police (required of all of us questionable American students.) And that's pretty much what we did.

We found an excellent record store called Sydney Scarborough, where I bought a Genesis EP ("Throwing It All Away," "Invisible Touch (Live)" and a previously unreleased track, "I'd Rather Be You."), and a Peter Gabriel EP ("Big Time" and an unreleased track, "Curtains.") Doug broke down and went wild buying here. J.P. didn't, but only because he didn't have any money with him.

We continued to walk around (I bought batteries for my stereo to make it functional... still haven't found an adapter that will work for an American stereo) and then returned home (Home, Home on The Grange) by bus, arriving just in time for dinner. While at dinner we saw Kofe Kari Kari and another student, both of whom had studied last year at Millersville University, so we chatted with them for awhile.

When I got to my room, there was a note on my door from Karin (from Germany), which made my day, and included a phone number where I could now reach her. I tried to call the number using the community pay phone on the second floor of our residence, but I had a bit of trouble and I was never able to get through. I'll go visit her tomorrow.

At around 7 p.m. I decided to just relax and write a few letters to friends and family back home. I didn't do much else this evening other than head over to visit Doug to try and cheer him up, and then take a walk with him to the same Chinese take away restaurant I went to yesterday, Double Happiness, for some more chips and gravy. If this doesn't put a smile on Doug's face, I don't know what will. Ironically, while we were there we saw Sara and Louise stop in... guess they had the same idea!) We talked to Sara and Louise for a bit, then returned to our rooms.

I made an unsuccessful attempt to call home, but when I called, my 10-year-old sister's friend Aiden answered the phone, if you can believe it, and my sister Angie was the only member of the family that was home at the time. Since this call costs a fair bit of money, I said hello and then said that I couldn't talk now, but that I'd call back again.

I returned to the room, and with little else to do and with visions of sleep in my mind, I felt compelled to oblige.

Humorous anecdote of the day: This morning, while visiting a slightly catatonic Doug in his room, we heard what we thought was J.P. fumbling at the door. It was at that moment that Doug uttered the now immortal words, "It's open, ya boob!" A moment later we realized it was the cleaning lady. Needless to say, Doug was quite embarrassed and apologetic.

Sunday, October 2, 1988

Discovering Double Happiness

The day began for me around 10:30 a.m., with Doug coming to my room to see how I was doing. Apart from my sore throat, I was fine. Doug (pictured in his room) also mentioned to me how depressing his room is. I am trying to cheer him up, but it’s difficult when the person doesn’t seem to want to be cheered up. But then again, I still think this phase will pass him in a week or two.

Around noon Doug and I went to lunch (which they actually do serve here on Saturdays and Sundays), and it actually wasn’t too bad today. The biggest problem I have is the fact that we are limited in our portions. I was used to Millersville, where you go in and eat until you are full. Here you are given a budget, and if you go over, you have to pay the difference. As a result, I couldn’t even afford the bread and butter to go with the meal, which was quite frustrating.

We were originally planning to make a trip up to the City of York, but we decided to take it easy instead and just hung around the residence. One thing I did was fulfill my promise to start running, and so I joined Karen on a four-mile run, which is quite a distance to start running the first day back. Needless to say, she is in much better shape than I am, so I was completely unable to keep up with her. Oh well, the important thing is that I keep up with it. I also did something that I was never able to really do before… run a well-paced final mile after slowing down to a walk. I guess that’s something.

I came back, took a shower, ate dinner, and then fell asleep for awhile. I was awaken some time later by three girls (named Jo, Jane and “?”), who came into my room and started talking to me. It was quite odd, but after awhile I was finally coherent enough to figure out what was actually going on. So we all sat and talked for awhile, during which time two other girls, Sara and Louise, came in to talk as well.
A little later on we all went over to see Doug and J.P. to see if they were interested in heading over to the Welcome Back Disco being held at the Student Union (about a 10-15 minute walk from the Grange). When it became apparent that Doug and J.P. were planning on staying at The Grange, the group of us (minus “?”) headed over to the Disco. That turned out to be good fun, and I saw several people that I now knew, as well as some that I met for the first time that evening.

Aftter dancing and chatting a bit at this dance, we decided to leave and walk over to the nearby Hull University Union. It was much bigger, but also much more crowded. In fact, it was annoyingly overpacked, so we didn’t stay very long. It was a nice complex, however.

Anyway, I left with Louise and Sara, and we headed back to The Grange. Sara was wearing her Bros. jacket – “rubbish music” as she calls it. I have to agree with her on that one). But before returning, we stopped at Double Happiness, a Chinese take away restaurant located a few blocks from our residence... and at that moment defined my new staple in the food department… chips ‘n gravy. Chips ‘n gravy from a chinese restaurant are outstanding! We finished the walk around the corner and back down to The Grange, where we each returned to our respective rooms for some sleep.


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