The Dana Street Saga

Life in Berkeley thirty years ago;
Searching for love and meaning

Saturday, May 5, 1973 - 9 AM

I spent yesterday on campus for the noon concert, visiting Cici, who was home from school again, and at home, juggling and washing my windows, plus some grocery shopping.

Last night, Meredith didn't call. I tried to call her from 9:30 to 10, but no one was home. So I rode Pegasus over to Hard Times, and had a fine evening of dancing and romancing.

First I danced with a cute girl named Jenny, but she hardly looked at me the whole time, though she liked me okay, I think.

But I saw another girl, a very pretty blonde girl who'd given me a nice look, and who was at a table where a couple of black dudes were hustling her. I asked her to dance, and she said sure, then she invited me to go out and smoke a joint with her, which I did.

Her name is Jacki (Cancer - July 6?) and she's very attractive, slim, small breasted. She thanked me for "rescuing" her, and we talked a bit about ourselves.

She'd had a child, who would be seven now, but whom she gave up for adoption. She and the father had gone together for four years. She's been away from the area (N.Y.), and has been back about a year. She also went to Europe, etc.

She has a doctor lover, whom she only sees once a week or so, and evidently another new boyfriend. She lives in Oakland in a house with a guy named John.

We spent the evening together dancing and talking, and getting very friendly. I told her I was in love with another girl I'd met there last week, but who didn't have much time for me.

We hugged and kissed quite regularly near the end of the evening. I had no doubts we'd spend the night together, but I was wrong.

She'd asked me for a ride home earlier, and I'd agreed. When I first kissed her, she responded strongly, putting her tongue deep in my mouth.

I also got lots of admiring looks from other girls, so was feeling quite self-confident and attractive. We were soon soaked with sweat from all the dancing.

Finally, when it was time to go, I suggested we stop by my place for a joint and some orange juice. She agreed without hesitation, and I thought we'd sleep here together.

But when we were here, and I suggested she stay with me, she started a rap about being too confused, not knowing where her head was at, as her doctor friend had urged her to go out with others and she was trying, but wasn't quite ready.

We kissed and caressed awhile, but she didn't change her mind, so I drove her to her place, where we sat together some more, caressed some more, and again I asked if I could stay with her, but she said that in a couple of days she'd know better where she was, couldn't be sleeping with three men at the same time.

But at the same time she made me feel affirmed and well liked. She said she hadn't been able to dance slow with anyone before me without getting freaked.

Her cat, Poof, really dug me and glued herself to me. I told her I sure wanted to be her lover, hoped she wouldn't keep me waiting too long. We parted lovingly, and I rode home in the cold.

I had her on my mind all night, had a wet dream with her, and generally felt pretty high about the evening.

I feel I was honest with her, that we felt good together, and I was a good sport, I think, about not staying with her. I think she likes me pretty well anyway, and gave me her number and address, and I gave her mine.

I guess I'm disappointed that Meredith didn't call last night, but am high in spite of it. I'll call her today, would like to see her tonight and have her stay with me.

6 PM

Today's been a pretty nice day. Called Meredith this morning about 10, and we talked awhile. She had called me last night after all, around 11, she said. That makes me feel a bit better.

She wasn't sure what she'd be doing today, except that she has a number of things to do.

I asked about the possibility of tonight. She said maybe she'd feel like a quiet evening, maybe a movie (Sleuth) which she said she couldn't afford, but I said I'd be glad to take her.

Anyway, I just called her back now, but she's not home yet.

I also told her I was going to the Flea Market (she asked), but wouldn't tell her what I was looking for, told her it would be a surprise.

She asked me what I'd done last night. I told her I'd danced all night at Hard Times. She said she was upstairs at the Cheshire Cat around 10 until 11, but I didn't see her when I got there.

On the way to the Flea Market I decided to see if Jacki might want to go. I called her number but got a disconnected tape, but this was because I had her number wrong, the seven looked like a nine.

So I stopped by her house, and she invited me in for a joint, which we smoked on the back porch, and some coffee.

She looked good, and we soon got pretty affectionate again, hugging and kissing a number of times.

She was expecting some friends, so couldn't go to the Flea Market, but decided she would like a motorcycle ride for a few blocks, so we took one, and I dropped her off at the Safeway near Payless, kissing goodbye warmly.

She's going to a costume party tonight, as a "Fairy Godmother." We agreed tentatively to go motorcycling on Monday if she didn't have to interview, which she's been doing every day. We said maybe we'd go to the beach.

I said I was glad I stopped by, and she said she was too. I feel it was a good step toward closer relations between us. I think she likes me pretty much, or at least enough for us to become lovers.

I hope so anyway, as it appears that Meredith doesn't have near enough time or interest in me to keep me happy, even if she does like me pretty well, though even that's not certain at this stage.

So I went off to the Flea Market, and spent hours looking for a piece of mermaid jewelry for Meredith, which surprisingly, I wasn't able to find. I did get a game for Cici, and some bowling pins for juggling.

Got back around 2:30. Called Cici, who came over. Then we two went by motorcycle up to College Avenue, where I looked some more for mermaids, finding only a ring, which I didn't like that much.

Came home, played with Cici, practiced juggling, had dinner. Called Meredith, but she's not home yet.

10:15 PM

Meredith called around 7. She was stoned, had been playing baseball with a bunch of friends, wasn't feeling coherent.

She said she'd decided to go to the place in Marin with Elaine and Leslie, and wouldn't be back 'til late, probably. She asked if I was mad.

I said no, was just wondering when I'd get to see her again.

We did plan to go for a motorcycle ride tomorrow, though. I'm going to call her about 9.

I called Jacki a bit later, to say hi, wish her a good time at the party, and make plans for Monday. I'll call her about 9:30 in the morning to see if she has any interviews scheduled. If not, we can go somewhere.

I guess I am feeling somewhat discouraged by Meredith. She doesn't seem too ready to include me in her plans. She seems nowhere near as "into" me as I am into her. But I guess I'd better just flow with the situation and see how it develops.

previous - next - - index - - - - I Ching

Start at the beginning?

Read the Preface?

If you'd like, you can leave me a comment in
my Guestbook.
Thanks.

If you recognize me or anyone else in this saga, I'd love to hear from you.

If you think this journal is a good read,
please CLIX me,
so others can find out about it too.

previous

next

index

Preface

Beginning

Cast

Latest Entries:
Waxing and Waning
Sneaking Out
Losing Marcy
Very High and Very Low
Anticipation

Go back to:
June 1972
July 1972
Aug 1972
Sept 1972
Oct 1972
Nov 1972
Dec 1972
Jan 1973
Feb 1973
Mar 1973
Apr 1973
May 1973
June 1973
July 1973
Aug 1973
Sept 1973
Oct 1973
Nov 1973
Dec 1973
Jan 1974
Feb 1974
Mar 1974
Apr 1974
May 1974

Began Jungian Analysis here, and ended it here

For more complete
I Ching commentary.