flashback

It's Tuesday, March 30, 1993 - The last day the Canadian dollar peaks above the psychologically important level of US80 cents, until eleven years later on Wednesday, October 20, 2004.

I'm seventeen years old, still living with my folks (until I turn 18 in November), and am about to graduate high school. I won't go to my graduation ceremonies, though, because I do not give a shit. I've got chin-length blonde hair, which I tend to keep tucked behind my ears. Like everybody else in the known universe, I wear flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and Converse High Tops. I drink Big Bear beer ($3.20 for 1.14 litres of %8 alcohol goodness) because it's all I can afford; I don't have a job, because I'm just that cool. I have a curfew of midnight on weekdays, and 1:00am on weekends. The curfew matters little though, as I sneak out of my bedroom window nightly as soon as I enter the house. I'll find out some years later that my parents are well aware of this habit, and that I am not nearly as sneaky as I think I am.

My favourite book is The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger. Other important books read this year will include The Anarchist Cookbook, Crime and Punishment, and Bright Lights, Big City.

Nirvana's In Utero has yet to be released, so Bleach, Nevermind, and Incesticide are still regulars on my stereo. Also played are Mudhoney, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Pennywise, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, and Porno for Pyros. At the 1993 American Music Awards, Pearl Jam beats out TLC and Arrested Development for the Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist award. They also beat out Mr. Big and Ugly Kid Joe for the Favorite New Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist award. The Favorite New Rap/Hip-Hop Artist award goes to *shudder* Kris Kross.

In the news, on March 1, federal agents besieged the Texas Branch Davidian religious cult. Fifty-one days later, on April 19, the F.B.I. will ambush the compound; the resulting fires will kill Koresh and about 80 of his followers. On March 29, just yesterday, five were arrested for the February bombing of the World Trade Center. Eight years later, in 2001, "they" will succeed in bringing the towers down.

All around it's a decent year for movies, with Dazed and Confused, The Nightmare Before Christmas, So I Married an Axe Murderer, Falling Down, and Groundhog Day being my favourites. In 1994, Tom Hanks will pick up the Best Actor Oscar for Philadelphia, Holly Hunter will take the Best Actress Oscar for The Piano, and Spielberg will take Best Director and Best Picture awards for Schindler's List.

Entry from my journal:
30.03.93

Back from Calgary.

Broke up with XXXXXXXX last night. Well, I suppose "broke up with" might not be the right collection of words - I kind of just left town for the weekend without telling her. My disappearance made her angry enough to initiate a fight with me on my return, which enabled me to present her with the option of a split. She was more than happy to accept, and now I'm free of that nutter. How is it that you can chase a person for years, only to find out when you catch them that they're not right for you at all? It hardly seems fair. I need to learn how to properly break up, that's all. Am I a bad person?

Missed school yesterday, but it really could not be avoided. Sunday night is Cheap Drink Night at the Republic, and lucky for me they don't seem big on the whole IDing thing.

Instead of going to math today, I took a long lunch and went downtown to walk around and drink coffee. Who are the people you pass on the street? Do they all have destinations? Are any of them as lost and lonely as you?

Think I'll call XXXXXXX tonight and see what she's up to. Haven't seen her around for awhile.

XXXX is sick again.