Continuing with my diary from 1980:
February 1 – After School My Dad and I went to the Library and the Bank.
February 2 – I got up and Denise and I played hide and go seek. Later tonight Mom and Dad went to a basketball game. Kelly came over to babysit. We watched Laurel and Hardy on TV.
February 3 – After church I came home a watched Little Rascals” ot TV. then I Read for 15 minutes. then Bill, Dottie, Robby, and Lora came over and we used the video camera. Robby and I played on my tape Recorder. We also played TV Tennis.
—I have the video that we made. We were both as obnoxious as all-get-out.
February 4 – After school Lee came over and we slid on the ice and played checkers.
Februrary 5 – After school Lee came over and we acted like we made movies called “Billy O Crop” and “Brad and Lee.”
— You will see mention of playing like we were making movies repeatedly from here on in. This was an obvious influence of the Hal Roach two-reelers that I was becoming hooked on. My friend Lee and I pretended to make ‘short subject’ films by acting out comedy skits and such. I also began writing short stories for this ‘team’ of Billy O’ Crop (Me) and Fred R. Floyd (Lee). Unfortunately, these stories are all lost.
February 6 – After school Lee came over while I was filling out a school book for a program Sunil and I are joining. Then Mark and Greg came over and we had a snowball fight. The me and Lee played “Billy O Crop” and “Brad and Lee”. Then me and Lee had a snowball fight. I got mad at Lee and I don’t like him. He put snow in my face after I told him not to.
–This program was called “Basking in Books” and I remember nothing about it. By the way, I was in second grade at Fairbrook at this time. My teacher was Mrs. Deets.
February 7 – After school Mark came over and we had a snowball fight. The paperboy came over to give us a paper. Mark and I had a snowball fight with him. I was on the paperboy’s team. I put snow in Mark’s glove. the Lee came over Lee and I had a snowball fight with Greg and Mark. Then Lee and I acted like we made a movie called “Brad and Lee.”
February 8 – After school I went over to Mark’s House And Greg was there too. We had a snowball fight. Then I went home. Lee came too my house and we play “Billy O Crop” and “Brad and Lee” Mark came over while we were acting like we made a “Brad and Lee” move we put him in and his name was “Mark Hains” in the movie. in the movie we tried to get him out of our yard. (But not realy)
February 9 – Mom’s Birthday. I got up and watched cartoons. Then Mom opened her presents. Denise gave her ear rings. I gave her a card-Board picture of a cat. Dad took Mom out to Dinner and to see the movie “The Rose”. Kelly stayed with us and we watched “The Wizard Oz” and “Psycho” (Denise was Bad.)
–How many eight-year olds are into Alfred Hitchcock these days…or ever? No wonder I’m so demented.
February 10 – After church I came home. I watched the “Little Rascals.” Then we ate Lunch while “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” was on then Steve (from Dad’s work) and Steve Jr. came over and we watched “Towed in a Hole”, “Brats”, and “Hog Wild.” Then Mom played connect four with me.
February 11 – After school Mark came over And we watched Little Rascals. After supper I felt sick. I might stay home tomorrow.
February 12 – Aberaham Lincoln’s Birthday – I was wrong I Did go to school. After school Carlos came over and I showed him my coin collection. then Mom took me to a volleyball game. I played with Debbie. After I came home I watched “The Swarm.”
February 13 – After school Mom wasn’t home so I went to Kenny’s house. We played “Yahtzee.” Then I came home and we ate supper. Then we watche “Bugs Bunny’s Valentine.”
February 14 – Valentine’s Day – After school Mark came over. But I Didn’t want to Play. I went to Lee’s house and we acted like we made movies called “Snow”, “Brad and Lee”, “Billy O Crop” and “Turn on the T.V.” I went home (5:30) and ate supper. Lee called 3 times. Then I called Him. We talked (half hour) about “Brad and Lee” with hats. and Boy we talked about Hats a million Hats. In the movie we talked about everbody got hats mixed up.
February 15 – I got up and watched “the Birds”. Then I went to school. After school Lee came over and we acted like we made movies called “Billy O Crop”, “School,” and “Brad and Lee”. Then we went to Mr. Gatties. everybody (on My Mother’s side) went. Then I came home and watched the rest of “The Birds” (I taped it) I went to bed. Mom will tape “Psycho” for me (11:30 P.M.).
I saw “The Birds” when I was about eight, too (it was the first time it was on network TV), and for a month or so afterwards I was spooked by the many big blackbirds which have always been around in our area. Don’t remember when I first saw “Psycho,” but when I was in college film class I made a Super 8 film called “Piecho” in which the young lady showering was attacked by a pie-wielding Keystone Kop.
Randy Skretvedt
November 24th, 2007