The Dana Street Saga

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

Sunday, January 6, 1974 - Noon or so in Cotati

Last evening I tried to call Krista in Forestville, but her line was busy 'til after 8. When I did get through, she was gone to do laundry. Later I called back. There was no party after all. And Krista had gone out again.

I hung around the community building at Sonoma Grove, where they have a fine music system, a fireplace, etc. There was to be a party of sorts, but it never really got going.

There were about twelve people there at its peak, around 9:30 or so, and a gallon of wine was passed around, and some joints.

Jerry showed his home to me, and I met a girl named Cherylynn, who was there with a black guy named Kiboni, who also lives at the Grove.

I asked Cherylynn if she knew my friends, Vickey and Gina. She did know a girl named Gina, and it sounded like the same one, but she didn't know where she lived. Cherylynn had only lived in Cotati about a month.

Also met a guy named Michael who lives here.

Around 10:30 or so, things were dying out, so I left and went into town to the Inn of the Beginning, and Tradewinds. At first there were hardly any girls I was interested in.

I saw Juliette and said hi. She gave me no encouragement.

Near the end of the evening, I stopped her and said, "Just wanted to tell you that you're the most attractive girl here again tonight."

She smiled, said, "Hey, you know, you're all right," or something close to that.

I danced with a cute girl, young looking, named Janine, from Santa Rosa.

There was a tall, thin, flashy but attractive gal who came onto me a bit, first with looks, and later hit me with her knees in the back of my knees as she went past one time. Also she admired my sweater once.

Soon I asked her to dance. She was a very good sexy dancer. I really dug dancing with her because we both put a lot of energy into it, and she looked at me a lot.

Her name is Roxie. We got pretty affectionate and suggestive with each other. But she was with someone else.

Later she came over to me and put a piece of paper in my hand. It was her address in Santa Rosa.

I thanked her. I had just started to ask her where she was from.

Later she came over and said, "I don't want you to get the wrong idea about me. I'm not a loose lady, and I don't give out my address very often."

I said I understood, and asked her when would be a good time to come see her.

She said she works all weekends and goes to school, so mornings might be good.

I said I'd come see her. (3835 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa) Maybe Monday. I liked her pretty well. She's very sexy, is 5'9" with a nice slim body, and a pretty face.

There was another girl who was attractive to me and whom I saw looking at me a few times, but she was obviously with someone else, and into him, though they never danced. As she was putting on her coat to leave in front of me, I helped her on with it.

She thanked me, gave me friendly vibes.

Finally, during the last number, I asked another girl to dance. She was small, cute, but quiet. Her name was Carol. She'd eyed me a few times too. She's 18, Gemini, a student at Sonoma State, lives at Jung Haus (302).

I told her I was living out at Sonoma Grove for a few days, and offered her a ride home, as she said she'd be walking otherwise. So she got her coat from a friend's truck, and I drove her home.

We were able to talk really closely and openly, and we sat in the housetruck at her dorm talking for about an hour.

I told her all about my situation with Charmaine, and she told me about a situation she was involved in with Grant, a musician, on whom she was hung-up, and from whom she wasn't getting much satisfaction.

We talked all about our sex and love lives. I told her all about myself, my marriage, my changes, my heartbreaks, etc. We both agreed that sex was best with one you loved.

At one point I asked her if she'd like to spend the night with me, and though she said she was attracted to me, she didn't want to because of what had been happening with her.

I'd made it clear that it would be a low involvement kind of thing, that I probably wouldn't fall in love with her.

Anyway, it was cool, we decided it would be best if we didn't, and finally I walked her up to her place, and we kissed goodbye.

Came back to Sonoma Grove, parked inside, and went to sleep. Slept better and stayed warmer than the previous night. Took off all my clothes before getting into my sleeping bag, and was soon warm enough.

This morning I lay in bed a long time, thinking how to restructure my life. Music and drawing seem to be things I could devote space to, cutting back on looking for a woman, trying to either do without, or accept what comes my way in a more limited segment of my life.

I also have to get firm with myself about Charmaine, quelling my obsession; where I look for her at the Med, seek her out, try to be where she is, call her, etc.

I'll call her once when I get back, see what's happening, see if she's responded to my letter, but that's all. Otherwise, I'll only respond to her advances, which probably won't come. But I've got to regain control over that part of my life.

Anyway, I'm feeling higher than before, feel things are looking up.

8:30 PM or so

Today has been another grey rainy day. I haven't done much. Saw John, Melissa, and Lisa leaving, so said goodbye to them. Hung around the community center a bit.

Called Krista. She wants to go home tomorrow also, so we'll go together, but she has to go to San Francisco. I told her I'd call her around mid-day. I want to try to visit Roxie in the morning.

Went to town around 5. Had coffee at the Hiding Place.

On the way back, I picked up some hitchhikers who live in a bus at the Grove, Gil (I think) and Susan. I visited with them a little later. They weren't getting along too well together.

Went to the Pot Luck Supper at the community building. Contributed a bottle of wine. Carol came too. We sat together and talked some more. She likes the community pretty well, would like to live out here.

Sat around for awhile. Met Zack, a painter, and Paul, a Chicano, who live here. Saw Tom and Rosie.

I'm planning to go to the Inn of the Beginning later, where they have free Folk music tonight.

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