The Dana Street Saga

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

Tuesday, May 29, 1973 - 6 AM

Dream: Had a dream in which I was back with IBM, working for Bryan S. But I told him that if I didn't get transferred soon, I was going to quit the business. He had made a couple of references already to Honolulu, and knew of a ship there that I might get assigned to. So we both left for Honolulu, and after getting to Hawaii, we took a train across some weird jungle terrain. Cici seemed to be with us at some times.

It was a matter of (1) being there, and (2) getting chosen, as the positions there were in high demand. One had to go through a number of strange tests. One was to bake a loaf of bread. Bryan helped me with this. Another was to go through certain doors and wait at the proper place. I was having difficulties finding the proper doors.

The new captain of the ship was the one setting up these strange tests. I never found out whether I was accepted or not.

11:05 PM

Feeling a bit down right now. I've been out tonight. Went first to the Longbranch, but at 10 there was hardly anyone there (saw Bridget, though), and it cost $1.50 for the band, Knee Deep. So I drove to the Cheshire Cat.

Meredith was working behind the bar. She gave me a free beer, but otherwise ignored me pretty much, until I finally caught her eye to say goodnight. That's what brought me down, her indifference towards me.

Anyway, I came home, with the intention of calling Pam before it was too late to call.

11:25 PM

Just called Pam. We rapped a bit. She'd been to Clear Lake, had "partied all night." I asked whether she had any space this week.

She said no. She's going out with her mother Wednesday, works Thursday, is going to Disneyland on Friday, the concert Saturday, and recovering Sunday. I told her I'd call her Monday or so. I told her I hoped I'd remember what she looked like. She said she hoped to get to Berkeley sometime soon.

Today was spent mostly killing time. Though I did get up and go to Dean Witter & Co. at 10 to open an account. Got assigned a long-haired 33 year old broker who's into motorcycles. We had a pretty good rap.

Later, I walked up to campus, listened to Joanna Leary speak, hung around but didn't see anyone of interest there.

Saw Liz at the Med with Thea. Visited Patti at the T-shirt store a couple of times (she works Mondays and Tuesdays). We didn't have much to talk about.

Rode Pegasus down to the Marina just to check it out.

Had a bowl of soup for dinner at Crazy Dave's after writing a letter to my old broker. Visited Penny briefly after dinner, so she could sign the letter, but her friend John arrived, so I left.

Spent some time reading my journal from last Spring, after finishing the book, Quest, which I liked a lot. I'm thinking of editing my journal into a book called, Adrift in Berkeley or something like that. A possibility, anyway.

Thursday, May 31, 1973 - 2:45 AM

I'm up waiting for Jan to come over, but I'm afraid she's not coming after all.

I went to Hard Times this evening, saw Jan from the other night (with Karen also). Said hi.

She invited me to join her, so we ended up dancing with each other all evening, and getting very affectionate between dances.

So after it was over, I asked if we could spend the night together, and she said sure, except that she had people to take home. So anyway, I said we could overcome that if we wanted to, and we finally agreed that she'd come to my place after dropping her people off.

So we said goodnight, and she assured me that she'd come, but that it would take 'til about 1:30 though. I said I'd meet her out front. Anyway, I came home and waited over an hour past that, but she's never come.

I guess it would have been a better plan for me to meet her at her place. As it is, I don't know where she lives, nor do either of us know the other's phone number. I don't know what went wrong, but it brings me down.

Also there this evening, I saw Jenny, to whom I said hi, and Sharon, though I didn't get a chance to say hi to her. Also saw Karen, Athena's friend. And Meredith was upstairs. Hugo was there, but with someone else, it seemed like. Meredith and I waved hello from a distance.

Jan and I got very friendly. She's half Shoshone Indian. Her father is an airline pilot, once wanted to be a minister, but later went into the Air Force and became a pilot. She goes to CCAC (California College of Arts and Crafts) lives on Piedmont Avenue near there. She said she has a pilot's license. I like her pretty much, assuming she likes me too, and had a genuine problem getting here tonight.

Earlier today, after walking up to campus, I met Penny stopping at the Med, where we saw Tony, just back from Seattle, where he'll be spending most of the summer.

Then I checked on mufflers for my motorcycle, rode to Oakland, then down to the waterfront at Jack London Square.

After dinner I went up to campus, where a debate on legalizing marijuana was being held between Dr. Hardin Jones (against) and Dr. Tod Mikariya (for). It wasn't very interesting.

It's 3:10 AM now, and I'm going to bed.

10:30 AM

Jan never came over. I spent all night half-asleep, in and out of dreams about her, thinking I heard her, hearing her explanation of what happened, etc. So I didn't get much sleep, will probably need a nap later today.

Today is overcast, no sun so far. I want to check further on mufflers, and will also probably ride over to CCAC looking for Jan.

2:10 PM

Went to the bank for money, then to campus. Saw that cute blonde girl I said hi to the other day, but missed a good opportunity to talk to her. Then she met a friend and walked off with her.

Came home. Got Pegasus, couldn't decide whether to go looking for mufflers first or to head over to CCAC, so after some indecision, I decided to go look for Jan.

Up on College Avenue, I saw the same cute blonde girl again. I honked and waved at her. She smiled back. I felt good. I might have stopped to talk, but didn't (one step at a time).

Over at CCAC, I spotted the car Jan was in last night right away. I stopped beside it, and just then Karen and Jan came out to the car.

She was surprised to see me. She asked what I was doing there, and I said, "I came to see you."

She asked, "How did you know I went to CCAC?"

And I said, "You told me."

Anyway, she said she didn't really mean to ditch me last night, but that when she got home she was really tired.

I told her it was okay, and asked her for her phone number, which she gave me (658-1416). The car is Karen's father's. I still didn't understand why Jan had to drive last night. Oh well.

She said she'd be going again tonight, and urged me to go too, but I said I was very tired, so might not.

8:05 PM

I probably will stay home tonight, as I'm pretty tired and need some rest. This afternoon I went looking for mufflers, but haven't found any good alternatives to the stock ones.

Tried to take a nap for awhile, but didn't sleep too well, if at all. Finally called Penny, as she'd wanted me to take care of Cici for dinner tonight, but Chris still hadn't called her, so her plans were up in the air. But Cici came for dinner, and afterwards we went over there for awhile.

Chris finally called Penny and had to cancel out on their plans. She's really pissed at him and the way he's been treating her. I finally came home, feeling medium down. I'll probably stay home, get stoned, and review my old journal for awhile.

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