I haven’t written anything like this for a while. Yesterday I came across a half done version of it I’d started ages ago and decided to finish it off.
Maybe you’re able to relate to some of the things I mention if you’re a similar age to me and grew up in the UK, although of course some experiences are global. 15-17 was a pivotal time for me. Within a short space of time I met many new people and my world was opened. Everything suddenly seemed to speed up and I changed a great deal. In many ways, this memory marks the beginning of that time period.
Absolutely great read Julie, I'm loving the teenage view of the dodgy parents! 😂 Salmon paste sandwiches were my favourite. Tried it since and it's NOT the same 😐
Donkey plod of a girl? Brutally funny. The nostalgia of it made me a little sad, like Rutger Hauer’s speech in Bladerunner - all those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.
Very good! I turned 15 in 1969. And I see that for our modern, middle-of-the-road, coming-of-age teenage experiences seems not to have changed much from generation to generation; at least, during the last half of the Twentieth Century. Couldn't say what has been going on since Y2K.
Yeah I think since things have gone largely ‘online’ it may well be a very different gig for the last couple of generations.
I wonder what those generations will consider their defining coming of age moments? I have a son on the brink of his teenage years. Hopefully nice things ahead for him.🤞
Great nostalgia trip Julie although I’m probably a few years behind you but i totally related to the pretty Polly tights and the selling the idea to my Mom. I also used to babysit for a couple who had 2 small children who used to leave me bottles of Babysham and brandy and leave me inappropriate recordings of sexual activity which always made me want to get out of there fast when they returned from their night out and get back to my parents who would have been appalled and never let me babysit for them again had they known. But I was 15 and they paid better than anyone else and I was strong in my own mind I didn’t have to engage in anything they left me, just make sure their children stayed asleep and I got out of there with well rehearsed excuses as soon as they got home.
Funny all those things were deep in my memory and almost forgotten and the mention of pretty Polly tights bought it all back. Thanks for the inspiration. 💜
Babysitting tales! Well that’s another Substack entirely 😂😂😳
Yes if they only knew half the stuff eh?
Yeah we had Babycham in our house at Xmas, and Snowballs and Cherry B.
These kind of parties i mention in this one we’re more about whatever was cheapest. An under the jacket bottle of Taboo or Mirage was a sophisticated as it got😂😂
Yeah Pretty Pollys. Black sheer tights, mind, not stockings or hold ups…..I mean what kind of slut wears those…..😂😂😂
Good story Julie I always didn't get invited to party, they weren't real celebrating just some body with an empty who wanted more.On reflection l would say a wild child it was a revelation my teens.l matured young . Needless to say .My youth was chaotic but l am glad l was there.The Neneh Cherry bit was so good.Thanks for the good fun 😊👏🦋 x
When I was that age just before I went on my musical deep dives, I loved Neneh Cherry. She seemed so edgy and empowering for young girls, not just slutting it about.😂
I’m glad you enjoyed it and hope you feel a little less empty these days x
I haven’t written anything like this for a while. Yesterday I came across a half done version of it I’d started ages ago and decided to finish it off.
Maybe you’re able to relate to some of the things I mention if you’re a similar age to me and grew up in the UK, although of course some experiences are global. 15-17 was a pivotal time for me. Within a short space of time I met many new people and my world was opened. Everything suddenly seemed to speed up and I changed a great deal. In many ways, this memory marks the beginning of that time period.
Absolutely great read Julie, I'm loving the teenage view of the dodgy parents! 😂 Salmon paste sandwiches were my favourite. Tried it since and it's NOT the same 😐
I don’t think I could bring myself to try a salmon paste butty these days, ditto beef spread 🤮
That said, not sure Thunderbird or Diamond White would be my bag either nowadays 😂
We move on, eh?😂
Muscle memory had me retching at “thunderbirds”
Loved this julie, astral travelled back to some miss spent nights of my youth x
😂😂 oh the cheap drinks we drank, eh? Classy as😂
Brought back some nice memories writing that one. Vivid.
Thank you xx
Donkey plod of a girl? Brutally funny. The nostalgia of it made me a little sad, like Rutger Hauer’s speech in Bladerunner - all those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.
But you knew exactly what I meant from that, didn’t you? A picture was formed instantly in your mind of what I meant 😂😂
Well, the memories have lasted this long and still going strong. A memorable night. :)
Yes, a perfect picture.
Some dance wildly in the middle.
Some sit alone in corners.
Some wait upon others.
Others are waited upon.
Some, are not invited at all.
Is it a matter of playing the cards you’re dealt or creating your own niche?
I now believe the latter. How long it takes to get, though.
Great piece!
And that belief is a healthy one I think.
Cheers :)
I love your stories. So raw, so brutally frank.
Aww cheers Mikey. I think I’ve always been very direct both in real life and writing. It’s how I roll. :)
Very good! I turned 15 in 1969. And I see that for our modern, middle-of-the-road, coming-of-age teenage experiences seems not to have changed much from generation to generation; at least, during the last half of the Twentieth Century. Couldn't say what has been going on since Y2K.
Cheers.
Yeah I think since things have gone largely ‘online’ it may well be a very different gig for the last couple of generations.
I wonder what those generations will consider their defining coming of age moments? I have a son on the brink of his teenage years. Hopefully nice things ahead for him.🤞
Great nostalgia trip Julie although I’m probably a few years behind you but i totally related to the pretty Polly tights and the selling the idea to my Mom. I also used to babysit for a couple who had 2 small children who used to leave me bottles of Babysham and brandy and leave me inappropriate recordings of sexual activity which always made me want to get out of there fast when they returned from their night out and get back to my parents who would have been appalled and never let me babysit for them again had they known. But I was 15 and they paid better than anyone else and I was strong in my own mind I didn’t have to engage in anything they left me, just make sure their children stayed asleep and I got out of there with well rehearsed excuses as soon as they got home.
Funny all those things were deep in my memory and almost forgotten and the mention of pretty Polly tights bought it all back. Thanks for the inspiration. 💜
Babysitting tales! Well that’s another Substack entirely 😂😂😳
Yes if they only knew half the stuff eh?
Yeah we had Babycham in our house at Xmas, and Snowballs and Cherry B.
These kind of parties i mention in this one we’re more about whatever was cheapest. An under the jacket bottle of Taboo or Mirage was a sophisticated as it got😂😂
Yeah Pretty Pollys. Black sheer tights, mind, not stockings or hold ups…..I mean what kind of slut wears those…..😂😂😂
Totally relate to this and the ‘PR’ campaign that went into getting a yes from my mum! It was always red lipstick for me, Julie. It still is!
I just don’t ‘feel’ it in any other colour, the addiction started young.
For you too hey!
Oh the PR campaigns were numerous weren’t they? The skills we gained as teens….😂
Yup! 😂
Good story Julie I always didn't get invited to party, they weren't real celebrating just some body with an empty who wanted more.On reflection l would say a wild child it was a revelation my teens.l matured young . Needless to say .My youth was chaotic but l am glad l was there.The Neneh Cherry bit was so good.Thanks for the good fun 😊👏🦋 x
When I was that age just before I went on my musical deep dives, I loved Neneh Cherry. She seemed so edgy and empowering for young girls, not just slutting it about.😂
I’m glad you enjoyed it and hope you feel a little less empty these days x
No l am happy in myself thanks Julie 😊🕊️ x