The journal lets you write about a day from your life.
The photo on the left shows what Jeff Harris was doing on that day.
August 22, 2004
I was walking on California Avenue today and noticed that the mom and pop Indian restaurant was closed. This was nothing new - it was rarely open... but this time it was completely boarded up. This saddened me, because I supported the proprietors of that restaurant and more importantly I had met an interesting person there about four years ago. We are no longer together. But she is visiting and I was thinking of seeing her but I think the boarded up restaurant is trying to tell me something else.
August 21, 2004
My little sister got married today. I gave the matron of honor speech and everyone laughed and applauded at my jokes. I think I'd like to quit my day job and become a comedian.
August 17, 2004
Someone tried to steal from my shop today. I wasn't as angry about the potential loss in revenue as I was insulted that someone would steal from me. Not only is theft illegal, but it is also insulting to my intelligence and integrity.
August 15, 2004
Was suppose to quit my job at 3pm today. It's like 5pm and the Vice President is leaving in half an hour. I'm totally chickening out. God, I need a drink... I'll do it tomorrow.
August 14, 2004
My father broke his neck today. His C2. He can't move his arms.
August 12, 2004
Today I finally realized that no one is ever whole-heartedly committed. I feel like everyone is cheating. My two good friends, who both have boyfriends, just had random drunk hook-ups and I'm watching another friend's parents divorce from a distance. I've even been tempted lately, I mean I'm not technically with him... so it doesn't matter right? No one is loyal anymore, not even the good ones. It scares me.
August 9, 2004
The inevitable day that I've been dreading: wisdom-tooth-removal-day. I got all 4 teeth taken out. The oral surgeon didn't put me to sleep. I felt my mouth being broken into, my teeth being chiseled, being crushed, and pulled away. Right above me was a TV suspended from the ceiling. Tarzan was playing. In that chair that day, even though I went through a lot of pain, I felt strong. As strong as Tarzan.
August 8, 2004
When you like your good friends older brother things get messy. I really really like him... a lot.
August 6, 2004
I haven't talked to my dad in over five years. Two days ago he gets on the phone while I'm talking to my step mom (his wife) and just randomly talks up a storm. After asking me the most redundant questions, he tells me he loves me. In silence for the period of two secounds I thought, this just dosen't seem right. But, to spare him and me the energy of getting argumentative, I reluctantly said it back. His birthday is today. I don't want to call him. It hurts me too much to know that he will snort more lines then normal on this day. I wish I had a dad and a mother that truly exist in my life. My hope is gone, I'm already 17...
August 5, 2004
Today is the day, I completed the poem I have been waiting to write for years, one that could possibly match Mr. John Lennon's work. Now that I have done it... I sit back and wonder.... what do I do now?
August 4, 2004
My sister had a grand mal seizure at a bookstore today. She fell, hit her head and started grinding her teeth. Her mouth was bleeding and her whole body was shaking. An ambulance ride and 4 hours in the hospital later, my mom, between tears, told her that she does not want to outlive her children. Morality is scary.
August 3, 2004
I've known Paul since he was a a chubby-bummed 12-year-old from the California suburbs. He has been talking about moving to NYC for the past year or so, to which I always reply, "I'll believe it when I see you on my doorstep." Today, 4:45 AM, he was there... with boobs, not in his bag, but on his chest. And long hair, not on his chest, but on his head. And a french pedicure. And the weirdest thing was... it wasn't all that weird at all, because he's always just been Paul.
August 1, 2004
Last night, I went strolling naked, in a cathedral in St-Petersburgh, Russia. Or so I thought, until the non-majestic walls of my small appartment woke me up by impact. Part of me will never leave that city.
July 31, 2004
After being in love with her for two years, I've started "dating" my best friend. Her parents asked me to stay with her while they were out of town. I wonder what they'd say if they knew we lost our respective virginities in their bed.
July 29, 2004
We went to dinner at Apollo Grill. There was almost nothing familiar on the menu. It disappointed me, for I knew dinner was going to be weird. Sure enough, everyone except Heidi hated their dinner. Eighty-five dollars down the drain.
July 27, 2004
So my 12 year old friend bugged and bugged me until I finally joined MSN today and I have to admit I like it - but are there any other 51 year olds out there?
July 24, 2004
My dad took a woman called Janine out to supper tonight. I know because my mum told me. She still loves him.
July 21, 2004
I saw my 4 year old nephew, Ben, who lives on the west coast. I was looking forward to seeing him again, because the first time I met him last Christmas, I got really attached to him – he drew me a picture that I keep on our refrigerator door. But when I saw him this time, he had moved on – developed. I wasn’t ready for that.
July 17, 2004
Two months ago, I cancelled all my credit cards because I have too much debt. Last night, I found a forgotten credit card I haven't used in three years. I went shopping today and spent $494.49 on shirts, ties and socks at the Nordstrom sale.
July 16, 2004
I finally took my computer over his apartment for repair. His girlfriend wasn't home. I felt obligated to repay him for his work -- he knew this and attacked me, pulling my hair insisting that I wanted it. (He used to get me to change my mind when we dated 10 years ago.) This time I just wanted my computer and to get out. Why did I give in? It seemed easier than fighting to get away… He gave me money for the cab home and I took it. I paid him, he paid me. The virus is off the hard drive now but yet I feel more violated than before.
July 15, 2004
I quit smoking today for the third time since I started 24 years ago. Once I quit for nine months, but had a fight with my partner and went out and bought a pack of Camel Special Lights 100's. That was five years ago. I have to make it work this time. My mother has emphysema and is miserable most of the time. She smoked for 60 years. I can't smoke in front of her anymore. She wants me to quit. I really want a cigarette.
July 14, 2004
I'm teaching our toddler son to sing Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da... isn't that the greatest song? Today he was freaking out in the car, and as soon as we turned it on, he stopped pitching a fit and just listened. Music does wonders.
July 10, 2004
Today the great love of my life told me that I am not in his "long-term best interest". What do you say to that, when you've been planning to grow old together?
July 5, 2004
Kazaa just crashed my computer. I had 3,200 songs on it, no wonder. Still, my professor won't be too happy to hear that this crash is the reason my term paper is nonexistent. I am left with a broken heart and no music to soothe it.
July 4, 2004
I learned today that driving 5 hours to see a guy is a bad idea, liking him is even worse, telling him he is bad in bed is apparently the worst thing you can do...
July 2, 2004
His wife called today, his current wife of 18 years. Of the 5 other women he was seeing, I was the one who had the apartment, and she had the house. He denied knowing me. I'm sending her all the pictures of us together and the love letters he wrote. They should work for her divorce case. This news still didn't stop me from enjoying my shopping trip to Palm Springs though.
July 1, 2004
I took my first trip to Vancouver B.C. and finally realized what the heck I've been missing. Mountains, big trees and slugs the size of hot dogs.
June 30, 2004
I was watching "Ken Jennings" on Jeopardy earlier. I want to be as smart as him.
June 28, 2004
Over the phone, my sister Jana mentioned that she was having an attack; she couldn't see out of her left eye. She had been free of M.S. since 1998 -- birthing her daughter had sent the disease into remission. I sat at work and cried with her until I had to leave and go vote. On the subway ride home I realized that I'll never be truly happy while my sister is ill.
June 23, 2004
Today I found out that I am pregnant. How can I be so stupid? I am only 16... I have absolutly no idea how I am going to tell my parents... it's bad enough I can't get out of Algrebra 1... Gah...
June 22, 2004
I hung my laundry to dry on the clothes line in my backyard for the first time today. Then my neighbour started his barbeque. My sheets smell like smoked burgers.
June 20, 2004
I thought I would give computer dating a try - what harm could it bring? Wrote a carefully worded profile that would give me protection from wierdos but still tell who I was. I got a reply from a very interesting fellow and we've been together ever since. Best risk I've taken in my life!
