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.
June 19, 2004
I picked up the phone and it was my dad -- he got out of prison today. A lot of people won't talk to him anymore, but I still feel sorry for him. Even though what he did was horribly wrong and I can hardly stand to talk to him. I'm glad I live all the way across the country so I don't have to see him. This wasn't how my family used to be.
June 16, 2004
On my way to work today a black bear ran behind my car! I was so surprised, so excited, that I wanted to pull over and look for it or call someone or something.
June 11, 2004
Our office has mice. They have no fear. One hopped on our admin's desk and ate her cucumber while she was on the phone.
June 10, 2004
I missed his call from Iraq for the second time. I felt so bad. He left a message saying he'd be home on July 15... everytime I look at a calendar and realize I'm one day closer to him my heart beats faster. I can't wait for that moment when I find his eyes in the crowd...
June 9, 2004
I got my first tattoo today. I didn't hurt as much as I thought. I could see myself getting another.
June 8, 2004
I graduated from high school today. One set of grandparents gave me 200 dollars. Instead of money, my other set of grandparents gave me a card that said "we thought you'd want something green", with a picture of a guy sneezing all over. I don't know how I should take that...
June 4, 2004
I began an affair that has caused me to question everything...
May 24, 2004
BMG Italy called me, and said " we like your CD". I can't really sleep. I woke up and called the man back, I wanted to hear him again. "We'll record you, but you must provide for your own advance." Yes, sure... DAMN.
May 23, 2004
My beautiful cat died today. She had lung cancer and saw the vet only yesterday when I thought she was absolutely fine. This evening I found her in the kitchen looking for me and I knew she'd come to tell me to let her go. She could hardly walk or breathe. She purred when the vet put the needle in. It would have been her 12th birthday on Thursday. People don't understand the void that she filled. I miss her.
May 19, 2004
I went to Store 24 tonight. As I was checking out, the cashier said to me, "Beer and animal crackers?" What can I say? It's been a rough day.
May 18, 2004
My ex-boyfriend thinks I'm sending him prank postcards from Paris under a pseudonym! I can't even imagine what would make someone assume such things.
May 14, 2004
I'm in medical school. I've been wondering if this is really what I want to do with my life. Is it worth it to have spent all this money, and then change my mind?
May 13, 2004
Today I had my colonoscopy and the drugs were as good as I expected. I was aware for part of it, watching my bowel on the screen... very interesting. I am saving the packaging from the clean-out kit for the next person who turns 50!
May 12, 2004
Today I watched a grown man and his wife decide to get stoned. They do it a lot, evidently. They have two children, 9 and 2. When the 9 year old asked them what they were doing, they called it "adult time". They can't be serious can they? Parents? Driving home stoned and drinking with their kids in the car?
May 9, 2004
I left early that morning and told my husband I was going Mother's Day shopping. I was really going to see Jack - he was my employer and now also my lover. When I got home a few hours later, the first thing I noticed when I walked into the back room was my computer turned on and all the emails Jack and I had sent to each other over the last month staring back at me from the monitor screen. My heart dropped through the bottom of my feet. I turned to look down the hall toward my husband sitting on the sofa quietly smoking a cigarette - his eyes met mine - "So how's Jack-Jack?", (using my pet nickname for Jack). His tone was eerily calm. All of a sudden everything became very quiet and still for me; except for the rushing noise in my ears like a thousand, hurricane frenzied oceans battering against the rocks. My world blew up that day.
May 8, 2004
I got lost today in Sydney, trying to find Central Train Station. I guess that's what happens when you use a map from 1993, before the Eastern Distributor freeway was even created...
May 6, 2004
She had a miscarriage and chose to have a funeral. She makes $7 an hour, supports her husband, herself and now has to pay for this. And instead of feeling sorry for her, I'm mad at her for not finding a real man and getting pregnant when she couldn't afford it. The funeral is Tuesday... Wednesday will be the 4th year anniversary of my sons death.
May 5, 2004
My beloved cat went missing while the satellite TV installer was working here. He left the door ajar and the wanderlust kitty made his escape. I put signs up all over the neighborhood. I kept him indoors because the neighborhood has such heavy traffic. I want to yell at the installer but all that would do is make him feel bad and guilty. Then I would feel worse. I miss that cat. I hope he finds his way back home.
May 1, 2004
I have an afro. To Black people: Yes, I comb it. To White people: No, you can't touch it. To South Asian People: It's naturally like this. To Queer People: Yes, I know I'm a diva. To unassuming city dwelling hipster cum writer for the daily newspaper: No, the fro doesn't mean that I'm a f*cking aspiring rap artist. I just have an afro.
April 29, 2004
A man sitting on some steps down by the harbor stopped my sister and I and told us, "You two are a lot prettier than you think you are." We laughed a bit, thinking he was a freak, and then later realized it was actually a rather decent, complimentary thing to say.
April 26, 2004
I was shooting photos at a live punk show from the stage and when I turned around a cute blonde girl was flashing the audience. I put my camera up quickly and smiled so she flashed me too. The pics are adorable.
April 25, 2004
I read an article in the Chicago Tribune this morning about the working poor; the family of seven subsisting on $23,000 a year, the couple living off her $7.50 hour part time job. I am reading this article in my dorm room at a private liberal arts college, which my mom is paying more than that family earns in a year to send me to. I am a music education major. Will this benefit society? Possibly, yes. Will I ever be able to make the ridiculous inequality up to this family? No. Not ever.
April 24, 2004
I went out with a friend from the twin cities for a few drinks and dinner. I had a tough time deciding what to wear. I hadn't seen him in quite some time. As I was about to leave he started talking about there being some kind of "us." I was terribly confused by this and couldn't understand how he ever had such a mislead impression of my feelings. I am glad I decided not to wear a skirt out to dinner and drinks.
April 23, 2004
Today my roommates celebrated my birthday a month early, because they won't be in town for the real deal. They bought me dinner, got me drunk, and took me to a frat party. My ex-boyfriend decided to pick a fight with me, so I went back to the dorms and slept with this guy I like. Best fake birthday ever.
April 22, 2004
Today my Biology lab was on "Evidence of Evolution." Even though my grades are important, I stood up for my belief and faith in Christ and I did not attend.
April 21, 2004
I got motivated to go surfing before work Wednesday morning. Upon arrival at the beach in Santa Cruz I was pleased to find 6-8 foot swells rolling in just as the surf reports predicted. 90 minutes of fun. Lefts, rights, a couple good long rides with 3 or 4 solid turns. Made my day.
April 20, 2004
Nothing stings like being broken up with via e-mail.
April 16, 2004
After waiting for two hours, my son was handed to me all bundled up with bandages. He kinda looked like Marley from Scrooge. He looked up at me and then his eyes rolled back into their sockets still drowsy from anesthia. His eyes and right side of his head was swollen. In one more month when the swelling goes down, we will find out if his cochlear implant was worth it.
April 14, 2004
How does one go about asking a room mate's boyfriend to start paying rent? He might as well, he is there more than I am! Freeloading fool...
April 11, 2004
Easter Sunday morning, finally, out came Madeleine, which means "tower." And she is, or at least she will be. The pediatrician rummaged for a tape measure and laid it against her. It was not long enough. I thought, 'We have a daughter who cannot be measured by science.'
April 10, 2004
I sat in my room and got stoned and looked for porn on the internet, like I do most days. There's no doubt about it, I'm a sex and porn addict.
April 9, 2004
Tonight I went to a Sevendust concert and met this guy, he is an English teacher. We slept with one another. He is obsessed with running and I don't think there is a chance for us to be more than a one night stand. I think he took viagra or something......it never ended and was well worth it.
