1983

1983

Williamsport, PA

My age: 27-28

School- I was enrolled in a Doctoral program at Penn State.  I went to class one night a week and all weekend long.  It was grueling.

Work: Loyalsock High School in Williamsport, PA.  I was a high school guidance counselor for 11^th and 12^th graders.  I had 250 students who crossed the spectrum of intelligence, social skills, street smarts, social class, morality, integrity. I loved this job.

Music- I was an audiophile and at this time in my life, I knew every top 40 hit.  The 80s had lots of catchy tunes that still ruminate in my head.

• o  Every Breath You Take - The Police
•    Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
•    Flashdance...What A Feeling - Irene Cara
•    Down Under - Men At Work
•    Beat It - Michael Jackson
•    Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler
•    Maniac - Michael Sembello- I hate this song
•    Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - The Eurythmics
•    Do You Really Want to Hurt Me - Culture Club
•    Come on Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners
•    She Works Hard for the Money - Donna Summer
•    Let's Dance - David Bowie
•    Electric Avenue - Eddy Grant
•    She Blinded Me With Science - Thomas Dolby
•    Africa - Toto
•    Little Red Corvette - Prince I love this song.
•    Up Where We Belong - Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes: I never tire of this song.
•    Sexual Healing - Marvin Gaye
•    You Can't Hurry Love - Phil Collins
•    1999 - Prince
•    Stray Cat Strut - Stray Cats
•    Allentown - Billy Joel
•    Stand Back - Stevie Nicks
•    Tell Her About It - Billy Joel
•    Truly - Lionel Richie
•    The Girl Is Mine - Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney
•    Gloria - Laura Branigan
•    China Girl - David Bowie

Movies

• o   Big Chill-  This cast reminded me of my crowd of friends.
• o   Terms of Endearment- These two had a rough relationship.
• o   Educating Rita- I loved this movie.
• o   Flashdance- this was the beginning of the disco era
• o   Trading Places- I thought this movie was so damn funny.  I just watched it again recently and it wasn’t as funny to me.
• o   Toosie- it was silly and funny.

Books

• o   Out On A Limb- Shirley McClain- she is a kook but I’ve read all of her crazy books.
• o   Ironweed- William Kennedy- This author can tell a bleak story.  I think he is our modern day Steinebck.  I  also read many of his books.

Travels-

•  I traveled to California for the first time during my winter break and it was the first time I didn’t celebrate Christmas with my family.
•  I had friends who lived in Ithaca.  I would occasionally run up there on weekends for a quick visit.

News Events

• The finale of M*A*S*H was aired and the next day at work, everyone was just a little blue to see the end of this wonderful show.
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• Cabbage Patch Dolls were sold to millions of kids despite how ugly they were.
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• Sally Ride became the first American woman in space on the Space Shuttle Challenger. 
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• The U.S Embassy was bombed in Beirut, killing 63 people. We were horrified.

• IRA Bomb Exploded outside Harrods during the pre-Christmas Shopping Season. It seemed as if they were bombing London on a regular basis now.

• Ethiopia Appeals for World Aid blasted our televisions and showed us what poverty and despair look like. 

Family

• My father was nominated by President Ronald Regan to serve as a Federal Judge.  He interviewed before the US Senate and was sworn in to this position in August.  He served as a judge for 22 years.
• I don't have a car so I have to bum rides from friends, hitchhike or take the bus through life.