06-14-03 @ 10:16 am EDT

For Christmas of 1989 one of the presents I received was a little latched five-year diary with diner ladies on rollerskates on the cover. I didn't keep it for even two months.

Keep in mind this was WAY before the Ameni Chronicles (circa 2002), before Manitou Island (2001), before the Horus revision (circa 1997-8), even before D Is For Damien (summer 1990). Here I introduce you to how I kept a journal in 1990. I found this while digging upstairs. This is probably the first time I've looked at it in thirteen years, though I still remember a couple of the incidents talked about. Oh, the "Richard Marx" and "Atlantis" parts? Just my fiction talking. Ignore them. Only mild corrections were made for missing parentheses and misplaced apostrophes. I seemed to be very fixated on bullying and menstruation.

Enjoy.

1989 Christmas--(Billy Joel tape (We didn't start the Fire), doll house kit, Casio keyboard, pair of jeans, keyboard books, thing that sways to music, miniatures, dynamike, diary, pajamas, leopard sweater, and coloring poster, puzzle book w/ pencils (Justin & Jason))

Monday, January 1 1990: Today I finished King Kuts, part 5. Last night I listened to the Top 100 from 2:00 to 10:00.

Tuesday, January 2 1990: The quest teacher wanted to introduce me but I had to do most of the introducing. In gym Diane fell on Kristi's head (during tumbling).

Wednesday, January 3 1990: The science teacher, Mr. Scott, said a weird chant while lighting candles. I finally checked out the book "Mythologies of the World."

Thursday, January 4 1990: Today Mom told me that people say I stink. I think they stink, too--and not only their smell! Ra has a wife, Thoth has 3 wives and 2 sons, and Anubis has a daughter!

Friday, January 5 1990: We did gymnastics today in Quest class. I watched 'Creep Show' on H. B. O. for the millionth time.

Saturday, January 6 1990: I'm reading a Boy Scouts book and I think Mya, Russell and I should make a patrol called the Timber Wolves. (No, King Kuts.)

Sunday, January 7 1990: Today I started bleeding. I usually don't start until the 20th!

Monday, January 8 1990: Today I didn't go to school. I wish I understood why I was bleeding.

Tuesday, January 9 1990: I started crying in Quest because I was depressed. School was called off during 5th hour. (I got home at 2:02.)

Wednesday, January 10 1990: I stayed home again today. This morning I was bleeding really bad. I had a big blood clot.

Thursday, January 11 1990: Today hardly anything went wrong! We went to the Opera House to see 'The Wizard of Oz.' When I said 'I'm gonna be sick' a snob looked at me. (sick because they kept singing 'Follow the road of yellow bricks!')

Friday, January 12 1990: 2 hour delay. I had to write 25 times, some girls (Becky Rose & someone else) pushed me at my locker, Bob Bruce said 'It's just Rachel,' Jeremiah Smith pushed my stool in science, and Justin Brasseur sat down by me without asking.

Saturday, January 13 1990: Today I built a snow fort. It has two rooms, a seat, and a small tunnel. I think I've stopped bleeding.

Sunday, January 14 1990: I put a shelf and a bench in my fort. I also watched part of "The Blob."

Monday, January 15 1990: Mrs. Magee didn't tell me I was supposed to take a test. I started to clean my half of the basement. I don't know when but those dumb idiots (the blond one) leaned against my locker and said "I'm leaning, I'm leaning!"

Tuesday, January 16 1990: We're almost done fixing the basement. I keep sweeping it.

Wednesday, January 17 1990: First there was a 2 hour delay, then school was cancelled. Dad's going to paint a pyramid in the basement. Cory's tire went flat, the fog left, I built a snow rooster.

Thursday, January 18 1990: The same stupid girls harassed me. The blond one shut my locker on me. I joined a support group today.

Friday, January 19 1990: Today Mya came to my house and then we went to the dance.

Saturday, January 20 1990: Young Sherlock Holmes is about Egyptians called Ramiteps! I watched Heavy Metal, too. fanatic followers of Osiris who were scorned. They took poisoned thorns and blew them at people.

Sunday, January 21 1990: I started "The Story Of Richard Marx" today.

Monday, January 22 1990: Dad painted a mummy, a sun, and an Eye of Horus in the basement today.

Tuesday, January 23 1990: I wouldn't let Josh Hide(?) sit by me on the bus. It was fun! He was mad! Dad painted a bird today. He said, "Please can I sit there -----?" (b word) as if it was my name. I kept saying no. He pounded on the seat and started asking people when I got off and to throw me out, for $30. It was great!

Wednesday, January 24 1990: We went to the library (Dad and I) and got a book called "Mysteries of the world."

Thursday, January 25 1990: We were called out of school early, at 1:00. I got home at about 1:30. I could hardly see where I was going!

Friday, January 26 1990: No school! I found out last night. I went shopping with Mom and saw a Ouija Board.

Saturday, January 27 1990: Today Dad looked for a book I can't find. I wonder where it is!

Sunday, January 28 1990: I went into the 'tomb' and the sun shone only on my mirror, 'tomb' sign, and pyramid! I found my book, but I can't find another one! Then I lost it again, and found it again.

Monday, January 29 1990: I got on the wrong bus, missed my other one, and Mr. Stowe had to drive me home. Ed & Fred left for Atlantis. (see back)

Tuesday, January 30 1990: We started on exams. I did a skit in Quest. I stayed after school to correct math. It's cool being in empty school halls! Wrong--2, 8, 9, 13 Ugh! I introduced people.

Wednesday, January 31 1990: Today in school a bunch of acrobats came. There was a man, a woman, a boy, and a poodle named Pee Wee.

Thursday, February 1 1990: There was no school today. I went out and waited for the bus in the rain for over 15 minutes!

Friday, February 2 1990: I forgot my gym clothes, (half day) and I went to Mya's house. I named a funny-walking duck Gertrude. She cut her foot. She's the only khaki duck with a white ring around her neck. Sitting Duck, Flying Duck, Drake, Mr. Perfect, Spicy, George.

Saturday, February 3 1990: I got behind in my diary on the 9th. I remember the duck got blood on my pants.

Sunday, February 4 1990:

Monday, February 5 1990: No school! The teachers are doing something today.

Tuesday, February 6 1990:

Wednesday, February 7 1990: I started bleeding today. I guess I'll be starting at the beginning of each month.

Thursday, February 8 1990: I wore underwear all day. I bled on my bed and went to bed at about 10:15. We switched to Turnbull's class. I hate him!

Friday, February 9 1990: I didn't bleed on my bed! I only got a tiny speck of blood on my leg!

Saturday, February 10 1990: I was upset because I thought I missed "Anna and the King of Siam." I didn't.

Sunday, February 11 1990:

Monday, February 12 1990: Mom set the alarm clock wrong. I woke up at 7:15 and got to stay home. I started a "Book of Dreams."

Tuesday, February 13 1990: Mom got mad at me because I didn't know how to do my math. She also got mad at Dad. Now they both want to know how many I got wrong!

Wednesday, February 14 1990: I started bleeding heavily and said I was sick during 1st Hr. I signed out at 9:35 and left a little earlier.


Inside back cover: Ship: HMS Rip Van Winkle
     Fredestaire Carter leader
     Lord Edmond Carnarvon financial partner
     Lady Almina Carnarvon financial partner's wife
     Lady Evelyn financial partner's daughter
     Lord Porchester financial partner's son
     Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie companion
     Lord Dufferin companion
     Lady Coventry companion
     Sarwat Raman servant
     Chernobyl companion
     Pipsqueak companion
     Rudy Lindbergh pilot, ship's captain
     Katrina Witchita companion, lookout
     Felix Houdini companion
     Edgar Cayce psychic guide

Left to look for Atlantis on January 29, Mon., 1990, to return on Lincoln's birthday, February 12, Mon., 1990 (two weeks later)

Came back on the 10 or 9

Perhaps you should be glad I waited another eleven years before seriously attempting to journal again.

Tar...