#west springfield ma

[johnthestitcher]

Bf and I at a glorious day at the Big E (Eastern States Exposition) in West Springfield, MA. Runs for two weeks and three weekends every September.

[quirkymarshmallows93]

A Dollar Tree location at Century Center in West Springfield, MA, featuring two different specimens of vestigial branding. In the photo on the left, Super Dollar Tree signage recalls a time of segmented branding (a topic about which I’ve written before), complete with a dollar sign in place of the letter S. The concept was a forerunner to the chain’s current conventional planogram, which back in its first growth spurt contrasted with the smaller selection of regular Dollar Trees. In fact, this store harkens so far back that despite carrying the “Super” prefix, it lags behind many newer Dollar Tree stores, sans-Super, that feature refrigerated and frozen sections, which this location lacks. Other locations featuring the Super Dollar Tree banner exist in the United States, but have not been comprehensively documented. Some other signs (at least all that came up on Google Images) do not begin with a dollar sign, but rather a regular S, and do not curve upward either. All new Dollar Tree stores only feature those two words, Dollar Tree, on their facades.

In the image the right, the retailer’s wordmark in its legacy font, and the company’s former slogan, “Where Everything’s $1.00”, below it. As I write this, I am reminiscing to a time when I went to a now-shuttered Chinese buffet a few doors down in this shopping plaza with my brother and our grandparent-like figures. As we waited for the place to clear up (yes, it was that busy), we walked to this very store, which I vaguely remember prominently featuring the “Where Everything’s $1.00” branding, complete with a more robust product offering, around a decade prior to 2020s inflation. Now, since the retailer increased its prices across the board to the $1.25 price point, this archaic facet of its corporate identity has been cleansed from stores. The powers that be have removed this branding from the storefront, but my attention gravitates toward the two leftmost panels of glass that, unlike the rest that allow for viewing into the store and for natural light to come in from the north, feature a black covering behind them to provide privacy for the small office space directly behind it. Speaking of which, they couldn’t have given the office staff at least a little window cutout with a blind for some view outside from the office? Also, yes, that is a silhouette of me taking the photo. Anyway, the pane of glass on the right has had the old branding blacked out, in a not subtle way, but the very leftmost one, for whatever reason, still remains vestigially branded with Dollar Tree’s vintage appliqué. This location, with its small amount of vestigial branding, reminds me of a Dollar Tree in East Greenbush, NY, that I visited shortly before the 25% price increase, which was straight out of the 90s (80s?) with its ancient “Everything’s $1.00” seriffed branding plastered everywhere inside the store and on its windows, and exterior signage in a narrow font that has also been done away with in new stores, replaced by carbon copy logo signage. Alas, even that old store has had all traces removed of its previous life as a true dollar store.

This is the Dollar Tree in Upstate New York, prior to renovation. Like, it went hard. Now the closest we get is a cartoon tree with the number one as its trunk, we all see through that shit DT, get your act together.

[shiftythrifting]

If this had been about a quarter of it's size I definitely would have bought it.

Savers in West Springfield, MA.

[opencommunion]

please go to a protest for Land Day tomorrow (March 30th) if you can

AUSTRALIA – Hobart / Nipaluna. 1PM Every Saturday @ Davey St. (Grand Chancellor).

CANADA – Antigonish, NS. 1PM Every Saturday @ Antigonish Town Hall. Antigonish 4 Gaza.

CANADA – Montreal. 2PM Land Day Tatreez Workshop @ Refugee Center. PYM Montreal.

CANADA – Ottawa. 2PM Land Day @ Human Rights Monument.

CANADA – Toronto. 2PM Land Day @ Yonge & Dundas. PYM Toronto.

ENGLAND – Halifax. 1PM Every Saturday @ Wilkos on Southgate.

ENGLAND – Hebden Bridge. 3PM Every Saturday @ Holme Street. 4PM @ St George’s Square. West Yorkshire for Palestine.

ENGLAND – London. 11AM @ 7 Tavistock Square. PYM Britain.

ENGLAND – London. 12PM @ Central London. STW UK.

NETHERLANDS – Amsterdam. 7PM Every Night @ Dam Square.

PORTUGAL – Porto. 10PM Every Night Vigil @ Camara Municipal.

SCOTLAND – Orkney. 1PM Every Saturday @ St Magnus Cathedral Steps. Amnesty Orkney.

AZ – Phoenix. 1MP Land Day @ Civic Space Park. PSL Phoenix AZ.

CA – Los Angeles. 1PM Land Day March @ LA City Hall. PYM LA/OC/IE.

CA – Petaluma. 12:30PM Every Saturday @ Petaluma & E Washington. Occupy Pelatuma.

CA – Ventura. 12:30PM @ 181 E Santa Clara St. ANSWER Coalition.

CO – Fort Collins. 3PM Every Saturday @ Old Town Square. NOCO Liberation Coalition.

DC – Washington DC. 4PM @ DuPont Circle. ANSWER Coalition.

FL – Gainesville. 11AM @ Depot Park. ANSWER Coalition.

FL – Orlando. City Hall. TBA. ANSWER Coalition.

FL – Pensacola. PM @ Main & Reus (Blue Wahoos). PSL CGC. 

GA – Atlanta. 2PM @ Consulate of Israel. PYM.

ID – Pocatello. 12PM Every Saturday @ Bannock County Courthouse. Pocatello for Palestine.

IL – Chicago. 1PM @ TBA. USPCN + Chicago SJP.

LA – New Orleans. 3:30PM @ 701 N Rampart St.

MA – Springfield. 2PM @ 36 Court St. ANSWER Coalition.

ME – Portland. 1PM @ Monument Square. PSL Maine.

MI – Detroit. 1:30PM @ Beacon Park. USPCN.

MI – Detroit. 10AM Land Day @ Rouge Park. PYM.

MN – Minneapolis. 2PM @ 2707 West Lake St. ANSWER Coalition.

MT – Kalispell. 12PM Every Saturday @ Main & Center. MT 4 Palestine.

NC – Asheville. 4PM @ 1 N Pack Square. ANSWER Coalition.

NC – Charlotte. 4PM @ Wilmore Centennial Park. CLT 4 Palestine + PSL Carolinas.

NC – Raleigh. 3PM Land Day @ Moore Square. PSL Carolinas.

NC, Charlotte. 4PM @ Wilmore Centennial Park. Land Day. CLT 4 Pali + PSL Carolinas.

NM – Albuquerque. 4PM @ UNM Book Store. ANSWER Coalition.

NY – New York. 12PM @ City Hall Park. Within Our Lifetime.

NY – New York. 12PM Vigil Every Saturday @ 5th & 44th in Brooklyn. Sunset Park Elders.

NY – New York. 5PM @ Times Square. PYM.

NY – Rochester. 1:30PM @ MLK Park. End Apartheid ROC + SJP UR.

OH – Cincinnati. 3PM @ 801 Plum St. ANSWER Coalition.

OH – Cleveland. 2PM Land Day @ Edgewater Upper Pavillion. USCPN.

OH – Columbus. 4PM @ 120 W Goodale St. ANSWER Coalition.

OH – Dayton. 5PM @ 2680 Ridge Ave. ANSWER Coalition.

OH – Wooster. 11AM @ 538 N Market St. ANSWER Coalition.

OR – Bend. 12PM Saturdays @ Peace Corner. Central Oregon 4 Socialism.

OR – Portland. 12PM @ Desert Island Studios. Letters for Palestine PDX.

PA – Philadelphia. 5PM @ 7th & Walnut. ANSWER Coalition.

PA – Pittsburgh. 3:30PM @ 4100 Forbes Ave. ANSWER Coalition.

RI – Providence. 5PM @ Prospect Terr. ANSWER Coalition.

TX – Houston. 1PM @ Waterwall Park. PYM Houston.

TX – San Antonio. 12PM @ 301 E Travis ST. ANSWER Coalition.

VT – Burlington. 1PM @ City Hall. ANSWER Coalition.

WA – Seattle. 2PM Land Day @ Lake Union Park. PYM.

WI – Milwaukee. 1:30PM @ Sijan Park. PSL Milwaukee.

WI – Viroqua. 11AM Vigil Every Saturday @ Main & Decker. Driftless Solidarity / Wolves PSC.

WV – Martinsburg. 12PM Land Day @ Martinsburg Town Square. PSL WV.

DISCLAIMER: I didn't make this list and it's not comprehensive. If you don't see a protest near you, look up what your local orgs are doing, and if you still can't find anything, take autonomous action

[swforester]

The old cemetery sign.

West Springfield MA 1/20/23

[joeinct]

Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, MA, 9 24 22, Photo by Joe Bruha, Copyright 2022

[extinctionblues]

West Springfield MA 2013

[gotankgo]

«West Springfield, MA - 6-2-1978 - The Summer 1978 season for the Riverdale Drive In might have been ran by Loew's, but the show was clearly a "Hallmark" of that year. HORROR HOSPITAL and DON'T OPEN THE WINDOW were on the screen for the win.»

[callmeanxietygirl]

Born in 1903, M. Allen Swift of West Hartford, Connecticut, received at the age of twenty-five this 1928 Phantom I S273 FP from his father, brand new – as a graduation gift. This particular Rolls Royce was built in Springfield, MA by Rolls Royce of America, where 2,944 vehicles were produced.

https://www.throttlextreme.com/man-owned-drove-rolls-royce-phantom-77-years/

[reputationsaviors-blog]

#Online #Reputation Management# #Crisis Remove Complaints# Consultants# Services# Local# #Search #Engine Optimization# SEO# GMB# Tools# Software# Online# Companies# Reviews# Tips# Social Media Management# Remove Complaints# BBB# RipOffReport.com# Complaints.com# ComplaintsBoard.com# Blogs # Reviews# Webites# Online# Advertising# Marketing# Ads# Computer# Web Site Development# Hosting# TV# Television# Commercials# Internet# PR# Public Relations# Legal# Lawyer# Law# Attorney# Attorneys# Finance# Loan# Classifieds# Directories# Local Search# Business Leads# Sales Leads# Personal Data Removals# Internet Legal# Training Seminars

[johnthestitcher]

Storrowton Village 2021 - Christmas Fest at the Big E Fairgrounds, West Springfield, MA

[thelenazavaroniarchive]

26th July 2024.

𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟒. Lena’s single, Ma! He’s Making Eyes At Me was at number 8 in the South African charts.

𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟒. The East Kent Times advertised Lena’s Sunday concert at the Winter Gardens, Margate in the 4th August.

Harry Secombe was doing the summer season.

𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟒. In the New York Times, John Rockwell notes that every subway station is plastered with adverts for Lena.

The Pop Life By John Rockwell,

New York Times 26th July 1974.

“The Jackson 5 (or six, with the addition of 11‐year‐old Randy), who are performing at Madison Square Garden tomorrow night, are hardly the only young group before the public these days. The record racks and the airwaves are full of piping prepubescence.The reasons are several. Not all such singers and groups appeal exclusively to the 8‐to‐16‐year‐old set of course, but most of the young‐teen��agers and subteenagers have become an increasingly affluent market, and the music business has never ‘been shy about following its nose towards affluence.

Another reason is that lots of pop has gotten pretty fancy. Rock was born as something vital yet simple. But pop stars and their audiences have both grown older, even with infusions from the youthful end of the scale. Where is a panting 12‐year‐old to turn for moon‐June pap if all lie or she can get is profundities from Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Bobby Sherman, Rick Springfield, David Cassidy, the DeFrances, the Osmond Brothers and the Jacksion 5, are the young Elvis Presley and young Beatles of today.

At the moment every subway station is plastered with Pictures of a rather aggressIve‐looking little girl named Lena Zavaroni. Miss Zavaroni is 10, yet she belts out torch songs with a fervor that might make Mae West blush and an assortment of glottal show‐biz squeaks and ornamental flourishes worthy of the aging Judy Garland,

Clearly, some adults can find tot stars cuddly cute, and maybe even look upon their juxtaposition with “mature” material with mildly kinky glee. Miss Zavaroni’s version of “Help Me Make It Through the Night” makes the 15‐year‐old Tanya Tucker’s account of “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)” sound positively innocent.

Miss Zavaroni has a brassy vocal talent, to be sure. But her managers should have their money bags washed out with Of course, in principal there’s nothing much wrong with performing microboppers (to use an Esquire magazine term that never caught on), and a young person trying to sound old is probably no worse than an old person trying to sound young. Some acts, like the Jackson 5, can even make music of a genuinely infectious, appealing kind, and ad of them serve to inject continually new energy into an entertainment form that sometimes threatens to float away in its own cosmic profundity.It’s just that one can’t he quite sure where it will all end.

Rodney Allen Rippy, the 5‐year‐old hamburger‐eating super‐smiler, is, after all heading toward center stage.Some adults think of the world of pop music as a den of dope‐crazed incompetents, amiably ambling about in permanent mental fog. One naturally rejects such slander with righteous indignation, except that recently two rock bands have come along that can’t seem to decide how to spell themselves.The first was 10 cc., an innovative British group that has won both commercial success and critical acclaim for its clever variants of rock formulas. The group’s name has variously appeared — in ads, record covers and publicity material—as 10 c.c., 10 C.C., 10 cc, 10 CC, 10cc and lOCC. A woman at London Records, when quizzed about the discrepancies recently, said, “Gee, that’s a good question, We fight about it here at the office all the time.”The latest instance of nomenclatural confusion is Grinderswitch, a Southern blues‐rocking band that has opened a number of the Allman Brothers summer shows., Grinderswitch has also appeared as Grinder Switch; Grinders Switch and Grindersswitch. Perhaps both bands are making a significant protest against the order freaks of this world. As a certified orderfreak, however, I can only urge them to get it together before my next deadline.

It looks now as if the Bob Dylan‐Band European tour, that had been widely rumored for this fall will take place next spring”.

𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟒. Lena was photographed at home with her friend Senise and her dog Whiskey. (from the long defunct site lena-zavaroni.co.uk).

𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟔. Publicity photograph.

𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟖. Lena was at the opening of the new Tesco store at Pitsea, promoting her new LP; Songs are such good things, and signing autographs.

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟗. The Stage listed The Lena Zavaroni Show in Bridlington on it’s Summer Shows 1979 page.

𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟗. An undated newspaper article about how bored Lena was in Bridlington during her 1979 season and how Carla came down to keep her company, the article estimated that Lena earned about £400,000 p.a, - about £2.03 million in today’s money. The photograph was one of a set taken by John Curtis somewhere in the countryside near Bridlington.

𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟗. A fan club photograph from a set taken on 30th January.

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟐. Record Business reported that Lena had agreed to appear in a February 1983 song festival to aid deprived children.

𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟔. Lena & Jimmy Crickets show was advertised in The Torbay Express.

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟑. The South Wales Echo listed the coming Sunday's Summer Praise on it's television pages.

[thecutestlittlebunbunfairy]

So while I definitely agree with and appreciate "ocean" as a spawn point, I may not be where you think I am?

Google says 15 hours by car or 15 DAYS if I walked. Just a little under a thousand miles SW from ya! 😉

I would absolutely love the cape though because the ocean is ❤️❤️❤️ in any form.

DANG YOU DO BE WEST lol

I always just thought you were out in like Springfield MA or something

[shiftythrifting]

1-3. "Fun" ladies shirts.

5-6. TWO Boney M. (Ra Ra Rasputin) Christmas CDs, one still in the wrapper.

4. Someone PLEASE tell me who this abandoned anime boy is.

7. A Mannheim Steamroller.... Halloween album??? "Deranged" by Chip Davis.

8. Delta branded sneakers. I'm actually kind of into them.

Sneakers from the Weathersfield, CT Savers. Everything else from the West Springfield, MA Savers.

[jodilin65]

FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989 I fell asleep last night at around 2:30 after Andy and I had a very long nice talk. We’re heading to the beach after I spend a few hours with Mom and Dad. They’re picking me up at 1:00.

Andy and I are staying overnight at an inn, then we’ll come back tomorrow.

Last night, Ma was up here for a little over two hours and we had an excellent talk. It shocks the shit out of me how supportive she’s become of my music. I sang for her and I thought it sucked cuz I was stuffed up, but she was smiling and did seem somewhat impressed. Andy said last night, “The more you continue to improve and they see that and that you really love music, the more they’re gonna encourage you to do it.”

She also was telling me how proud of me she was for teaching myself sign language. She told me how she and Dad met this deaf woman at their store.

Nervous will be here whenever. He’s picking me up a super nice journal I’ve been wanting, though it has no lines.

Later…

I wish it were now 1:00 so I can go shopping with my parents at the mall. They sold their store in the Eastfield Mall and now they have a store in Florida.

Today I was up and wide awake by 8:00, cuz I slept about 16 hours yesterday after being up 24 hours. So I required very little sleep last night and the only reason I slept, to begin with, was cuz it was cool. If it were hot, I’d never have slept.

Nervous is now reading journal #7 and the beginning of #10. Hopefully, he returns them before I go to the beach. Of course, he’s 100% trustworthy, but I feel more comfortable when they’re here safe at home. An accident could happen where they’re lost or damaged. Of course, I’d kill him even if it weren’t his fault.

I need a new blue pen after fucking Linda and her butch friend fucked up them by drawing on my potatoes. I swear some people have nothing better to do!

I’m going to McCrory’s in the mall today. Maybe they’ll have some journals at good prices. They usually have a lot of nice stuff at good prices. Clothes and all kinds of cute things.

THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989 Ma had a queen-size waterbed delivered today and it is awesome! It cost almost $400 with the sheets, the guy said. It has shelves for a headboard.

My neighbors Mark, down on the 1st floor, and Steve, the black guy in #16 across the hall, moved my old double bed out of here yesterday.

I didn’t like the guy who delivered the bed, though. He asked me if I was married and when I told him I was gay he just said, “Oh, you don’t like guys?” And that was it, luckily. He probably would’ve hit on me otherwise. I have a feeling I’m in for some prank calls. He has my number, and I know how men love to try to change or harass gay women.

Goodwill came two days ago and took my furniture and my place is finally in order.

Jo and Eddie moved out yesterday!

Today, whenever Andy gets up, I’m gonna go to West Springfield with him to get Gloria’s picture I had blown up into a huge poster. The girl that works there, Patty, is gay. She’s Mary’s boyfriend’s sister. She’s no goddess, but she’s prettier than Linda. I hope she has a girlfriend and doesn’t hit on me cuz I could never handle a relationship, and I’d just lose her if she was decent. And decent she seems. She’s a kindergarten teacher, too.

Statistics say 1 out of 10 people are gay.

SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1989 Last night at work I did excellent for my first night on my own. I only had 11 orders yet made $23. The others didn’t do so well. Except for Bonnie and Robin, of course.

Ma bitched us out for parking in her driveway at the beach but we both know she’s just trying to discourage us from going there cuz she doesn’t want us talking her down to anyone. Nothing will stop us, though. We’ll just park on Soundview.

Tomorrow I’m getting a waterbed that Mom and Dad are having delivered and set up.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989 Well, here we are at the beach. We weren’t even here for two hours when we felt as if we were burning really bad, and now Andy just fucking conked out on the backseat of the car saying he wants at least 3 hours of sleep! Never ever again will we come down here after we’ve worked the night before. What the fuck am I gonna do sitting here for 3 Goddamn, motherfucking hours?!

Later…

I’m still stuck here and bored out of my freaking mind. When the hell is he gonna wake up? I tried to wake him, but he doesn’t want to get the fuck up. Never again will we come down here again unless he and I have had the previous night off and the next night off. I just want to fucking go home!

I chatted with Charlotte and Jim and also Natalie and Al. Sure enough, just as I suspected, Natalie and Al are no longer friends with Ma or Dad. They know what assholes they can be and what we went through as kids and apparently have had enough. They’ve lost quite a few friends over the years.

I’m supposed to see my therapist tomorrow but there’s no way I can. Tonight I’m gonna need to sleep until late morning or early afternoon. I���ll call her for sure Monday.

Oh shit! Goodwill was supposed to come today! Now I’ll be stuck with the furniture till Tuesday or later.

Looks like Andy may wake up now cuz there are tons of people talking.

Jo L, by the way, changed her mind about the furniture which I had also offered to her. She’s decided to get new furniture and she’s afraid wacko Eddie will get suspicious. How can a woman kiss a male’s ass for so many years? Although even she herself did advise me never to get involved with anyone so I can come and go as I please and never answer to anyone. If I were her I’d kill Eddie long before I’d give up all I’ve ever wanted and put up with him. I’d never sacrifice for anyone as she has.

I was shocked, by the way, cuz last Monday night, I think it was, Linda called and came over. She pretended not to know about the time I called the afternoon she hung up on me. We got a pizza, then ranked on Nervous like hell. We pretended we were getting off on each other and although he denied he was even horny, we knew he was jerking it.

Andy finally got up and is going to take a piss in the shed.

TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1989 Well, I got in from work about an hour ago, and I think I’m definitely going to like this job. Bonnie, who was my trainer, is very friendly and gorgeous! For my first 3 hours, I was nervous, but then I began to feel more comfortable and get the hang of things. I learned more and did more than I thought I’d do on the first night. It seemed overwhelming at first, all the stuff I’ve got to learn. Where the food is, the menu, ordering codes, etc. There’s a lot of side work to be done too, which I don’t like, but once I get a system down, it should be easier and quicker to do.

One guy asked me to get him a pack of ciggies. Bonnie said that this time I could do it, but normally they get their own ciggies. When I brought them to him, he told me I was beautiful and gave me $2. Weird, huh? I didn’t expect to make a penny. See the fun advantages of being “good-looking?” Of course, it’s also a disadvantage when guys are always hitting on you.

Bonnie says working 4 nights a week she can make $400! Everyone says the graveyard shift is the best moneymaking shift. I was surprised at first, but it’s true. You have to deal with a lot of drunks, though, cuz of the 2:00 bar rush. It’s a popular restaurant too, and it’s the busiest on Friday and Saturday nights. Tonight was dead, and Andy, who required hardly any training, made $35! One night Bonnie and a few other girls made $140!

I’m so glad I never worked at Friendly’s or Steiger’s, and I’ll never work under the table again for anyone personally. Too much trouble. Jim still owes me $36. I’ll just keep harassing him till I get it.

I canceled Russ’s house for good and he seemed a little upset, but that’s just too bad. I don’t need any other work with this job. It would be too much to handle.

Later…

Russ still wants me to sweep the stairwells which Nervous did a half-assed job and that I got bitched out for, but I don’t feel like doing them or cleaning vacant apartments.

Andy and I are going to the beach on Friday, our day off.

I haven’t heard from Tammy like I knew I wouldn’t (my sister) and I’m not calling her so I can save money.

I haven’t heard from the other Tammy either. She called a week ago saying she wasn’t going to move to Florida and that Will was gonna be in jail for something quite bad. Oh well. Eventually, she’ll learn what guys are all about.

I haven’t heard from Jessie for several days either, so she must still be in pain. I should call her tomorrow.

Also, I need to call my therapist who’s probably pissed off at me.

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 1989 Been up 24 hours. To give a brief account of what I’ve done, well, I finally put up all my curtains. Except for the back door, cuz I need a rod and hooks.

Jo L was up here today for a visit, believe it or not. She and Eddie are moving! I’m psyched cuz I can’t stand Eddie. He’s a sicko and he’s lucky he hasn’t given me any shit.

At 5:00, Andy and I went to Denny’s in Chicopee and got hired for third shift. We start tomorrow night.

I’d write more, but I really need to get to sleep. I clean Russ’s house tomorrow at 1:00. How fun, huh?

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989 Well, one thing’s for sure and that is that I’ve definitely decided to stay alone. Fantasy is the best way to go for sure cuz everything is just as you want it to be during fantasy. Like I’ve said before, I’d rather fantasize about first best than settle for second best, and I’m proud of myself for being one of the very few smart ones that won’t put up with the heartache, hassles, and the ups and downs that even the best relationships have. I am totally independent and would never and could never depend on anyone for sex, money or love. I just wish I could have a kid, but I know I never will. I guess God has chosen me to be one of the ones to control the world’s population. I may be sterile, anyway.

Though I’m still up, the furniture guy’s coming from Goodwill to hopefully buy my couch, two chairs and nightstand soon, so I’ll just wait till after he leaves. I guess he’ll be here at 9:00.

Last night Andy and I talked on the phone for 2½ hours.

Later…

I woke up not too long ago. The furniture people never came.

About two hours before bed this morning, I destroyed my remaining half a pack of cigarettes. I’ve been awake now for almost an hour and I do not feel like I want one. Physically I’m half dead cuz of my asthma and allergies, and mentally I’m disgusted by what it’s done to my singing and how much money I have burned and wasted killing myself with cigarettes. I’ll take advantage of my asthma and allergies and look at it as a gift cuz if I didn’t have allergies or asthma I’d burn my money on smoking till I became as old as my mom, get emphysema or cancer and die. Also, this is God’s way of preserving my voice and allowing me to reach my full potential.

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989 I slept late today and didn’t and couldn’t do much with all the fucking rain we’ve been having. My allergies and lungs are killing me and I’m so depressed. If I ever want to sing better I must quit smoking, but of course, that’s easier said than done. I fucking feel like I’m dying, I’m so short of breath. I’m so lonely, so bored too. If I could only stop smoking and feel and sing better. Then I’d have so much more energy and motivation to do all the other stuff I do pertaining to music. I’d be so happy, too. But a girlfriend is the last thing on my mind. A relationship is definitely something I can do without and don’t need or desire anymore. Not in the cards for me for sure.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1989 Yesterday I slept very long and late and today I have several things I need to get done. It’ll make me feel good just to get out. First, though, I’m gonna sleep till around 11:00.

For a while last night, I was browsing through my journals. It was all mostly stuff I do not care to remember, but interesting anyway, cuz I’ve come a long way.

MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1989 I fell asleep somewhere around 7:30 or so and woke up around 1:00. I called Andy who’s finishing up a movie he’s watching and will call me back. For now, I think I’ll rank on Nervous.

Later…

This morning I fell asleep at about 7:00, then woke up at noon to Andy’s voice on my machine saying he wanted to go to the beach, so we’re on our way. It’s awfully hard to write though while he’s driving. Well, we’re just about here. We just turned off into Old Lyme.

Later…

After I get home and shower I’m sure I’ll be really red. I hope it’s kind of like the last time but no more or else I’ll really be hurting. The last time I didn’t notice any color till after I’d been home almost an hour. But now we’re not even halfway home and I can see red.

SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 1989 I’ve been up all night and this morning. Andy and I were gonna hit the beach, but he’s exhausted. I’m gonna drop off soon myself. I’ve been up since 9:00 last night.

I finally got my furniture from the house which has been sold. It’s quite nice, but Jessie isn’t gonna be able to take my old furniture, so I’m stuck with it for now till I can sell it. Thank God my living room is as big as it is.

Jessie had an ovarian cyst removed Friday and she’s still in the hospital. Doing well, though.

I saw Dr. Moshiri last Friday and he’s impressed with the progress I’m making with cutting down the Navane and says my TD’s about 75% better. I can go 3-4 days without it! I haven’t taken it since Friday (5 mg) and I feel fine. No racing thoughts. Occasionally I get a little irritable, so I take it then. Moshiri said there may be times every now and then when I may need it and that’s ok. As time goes on, I’ll need it less and less. No more using it as a crutch to solve my problems. I’m gonna learn to cope drug-free.

I got a new therapist and she seems pretty good so far.