Friday, May 29, 1992

May 29, 1992 - Friday - Tracey Anne Bowley

I took a little trip over to Busch Gardens today. It was still
forty minutes until it opened, and I loved walking past all those
people in line, showing my I.D, and walking right in without waiting
for even a second. I headed back to the Flume and sat in the lounge
talking to Andy and Doug for a while. Then I took the new employee
shuttle out to Accounting to pick up my paycheck from January 19th!
that I had never bothered to get. It was almost forty bucks. I rode
Questor and saw the ice show before heading out.

Last night I called Nicole and talked to her for a while. I
asked to help me figure out what to get Jana for her Grad party
tomorrow night. She told me a couple things that she would like, one
being one of those little credit card telephone number organizers, so
I said fine I'd buy her one. She said she didn't want me to buy her
one so I said fine, I wouldn't. Then she comes up with "well then I
want one." So today I ran into Service and bought her a Casio on sale
for $15.95. It was the nicest small one that they had, and that
Circuit City had when I went there afterwards. Tomorrow morning I'll
run into Eckerds and buy her and Jana cards. Nicole said she'd call
me either today or tomorrow, and its already after eight, so I don't
think it'll be tonight.

Yesterday morning I was just ready to head over to Clearwater
when Mrs. Valdez calls from Leto at eight in the morning. She said
that she hated to bother me on my first day off but Cindy and I
needed to come in and fill out an interview for the St. Pete Times. I
also mailed my graduation announcements, one this morning to Tracey.

Tracey... well I'll get to her later. Anyway, I did that and then
went to the beach. On the way about four nice cars and I grouped up
and hauled ass over the Causeway. At one point I looked down and my
needle was buried over 85. I'd never really taken the Mustang over 75
and it ran pretty good. I didn't get there until eleven but the beach
was surprisingly empty. Even when I left at two thirty you could have
gotten a parking space anywhere you wanted. I guess its because only
the Hillsborough Co. seniors are out of school and everybody else was
working. The was a really good looking woman, say 33, that laid out
right by me and I got some damn good views. There was also an
Australian girl in a lime green cloth suit that the waves kept
pulling way down. That was nice. She had a bitchin' figure. I stopped
by to visit father at work on the way home and didn't realize how red
I was until then. I'm getting an AWESOME tan. My goal is to be a
nigger by the time I go to Florida! I talked to Dina, the older lady
that has known us since we were little, for over an hour about me and
my awards and goals, and a lot of other stuff. She's really nice, and
goes fishing a lot with her husband; really active. Then I met
Michelle. She wasn't as good looking as I had hoped, and I don't know
what kind of impression I left on her.

Tracey is my pen pal over in England. We've been writing for a
while. She's a very old thirteen and is gorgeous. All of the guys at
school flipped when they saw her picture. I just realized her
birthday is sometime soon, I think in early June. I remember that
she's a Gemini just like Cathy, but I lost the first letter and don't
know the date. I'll send her something. At Christmas I sent her a big
Velvet bunny that was really cute, and she just sent me a huge red
heart lollipop that said "sweetheart" on it. Nice. She wants to be a
surgeon and loves to travel. I'd love to marry her! and it's been
suggested to me quite often that that's a good route for me to
pursue. Well here is her latest letter:

Dear Dan,

The trip to Spain was fun and tiring, that's why I don't look
thrilled in the picture. A booklet is like a lot of pages of writing
and pictures stapled together with a nice cover on front. I gave in
my option form a few weeks ago, I chose to do P.E, Technology,
Economics, French, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. I had to do
P.S.E. (Personal and Social Education), Maths and English. Do you get
to choose your courses for collage? Have you heard Shakespeare's
Sister's new single - 'Stay' yet? It's number one in Britain at the
moment. I have recently taken up aerobics (every Sunday for one hour)
and Tae Kwon-do (Sundays 1 1/2 hrs and Wednesdays 1 hr). Do you do
any martial arts? Karate? or maybe Judo? Also in case I haven't
mentioned it before, I'm a vegetarian. Are you a vegetarian or a
vegan or anything like that?
Do you watch "Roseanne"? I do, a new serise has just started
over here, and I just love Becky's new haircut. Last Friday in school
assembly we were all told not to ride our bikes on the pavement
(sidewalk) anymore, because "it's against the law," isn't that one
stupist thing in the world? What do they want us to do? Kill
ourselves on the road. Do you have any such stupid laws in your
state? I've just bought myself a new book "Solo" by Jill Mansfield
(as a little treat). Mother's Day is next Sunday, I'll buy my mom
some flowers probably, what are you planning on doing (or have done
by the time this letter arrives). I can't wait until I go to collage
now, my sister's been telling me so much about it, it really sounds
like fun.
Oh well, must go.
Write soon please.

Loads-a-luv
Tracey

P.S. enclosed is a pressie from my holiday to Wells-next-the-sea.
I'll tell you more in my next letter (if you remind me that is)
Thanks! bye-bye.

Cute... Well anyway I'll type in her address too so I'll never lose
that. Tracey Bowley
67 Harcourt Road
Wigston
Leicestershire
Le18 3SB

I'd hate to lose that!!! Well Nicole isn't calling (DAMN IT!!!) and I
guess I'm done for today. I need to buy Tracey a birthday card
tomorrow morning too. I wonder what I should mail her this time.
Hopefully tomorrow will be fun.

Wednesday, May 27, 1992

May 27, 1992 - Wednesday - Senior Field Day

We did it! Today was the last day of high school forever! I'm
kinda having mixed emotions about the whole thing because I've been
having so much fun lately at Leto talking to Cindy and Jana (and
Nicole). Today during fourth period we Seniors were dismissed to
field day out on the football field. They gave us Leto squirt bottles
and fed us Sonny's barbecue. It was good. Just before, in third, a
bunch of Renee and Nicole's friends came into Ecology and I didn't
really feel like talking to them. Both Renee and Nicole came over at
different times to ask what I was doing but we didn't talk long. When
we left for field day Stacy and Ricky were trying to get me to hurry
up but I wouldn't, I waited and walked out with Jana, Cindy, Derek,
Minh, and Stephanie Barnhill. We went out and got us a good place on
the ground under the tent. Jana was saying how neat it was that we
were all sitting together at the very end. Jana, Cindy and I then
went and got food. Cindy didn't even trust me to pour BBQ sauce on
her plate because I'd probably poor it all over. Jana wasn't going to
get a drink because her hands were full but wonderful me carried one
for her. I loved walking by Nicole and all with Jana and Cindy,
laughing and having fun. Abby would come and talk to me every once
and a while but my attention was on Nicole. Part of the time she was
dancing under the other tent. They were playing "Baby Has Back" and I
made a rude comment about her to Cindy.

After a while I got bored. I was standing in the middle with
Jana, talking, and we just decided to get a picture together, when
"I've Got Friends In Low Places" by Garth came on. Nicole was about
ten feet away. The "white" crowd went wild and Nicole mouthed to me
that there is our song. So I went over to talk to (and laugh with)
her and told her that she was my lowest friend and to come get a
picture with me. Stacy first took one of Jana and me and I don't know
what she did, but Nicole was behind us and Stacy was cracking up. I
called her a bitch and told her to come get a picture so we hugged
and Stacy took two pictures.



Meanwhile a bunch of people were water fighting and I got shot
by Aaron Young. I went and filled my bottle with water and snuck up
on Nicole in the tent. REVENGE. I unscrewed the cap and dumped it on
her. I loved it!!! We walked up to the bathrooms and she dumped a
coke on me, then I got her a couple more times with full bottles of
water. We both ended up drenched. A couple of times I had to run her
down out in the field but it was worth it. Then I had Derek take a
picture of us soaked, it was funny. I told her to come find me later
and I took off to find Jana. I just realized that without Garth,
Nicole and I probably wouldn't have done anything but hug at the end.
Right now I'm listening to the new Garth CD that I bought Saturday,
it's awesome. I want to be a redneck up at Gainesville. Anyway Jana
was sitting by herself under the middle of the tent reading her
yearbook. I went up and sat with her and asked her why she didn't
leave, but she had to stay to take a couple Juniors home so I stayed
and talked with her awhile. Massena came up a little later so I got
up and shook his hand and talked with him for a few. After saying bye
to him I headed out to the volleyball net to see Stephanie and
Nicole. We talked but then Ms. Prill came on the loudspeaker saying
any Senior on the field in five minutes had to take exams. So we
walked out and Nicole walked with me to my car. We hugged for a long
time and she told me to call her (931-3307) (I'll never forget
again!!!). I ended up having a hell of a time thanks to Jana and
Nicole.

Yesterday when Andrea was signing my yearbook she said for a
long time I came over as a cocky asshole! so today while Nicole was
standing right by her (hiding because I was going to dump water on
her) I crouched down by Andrea and said "a cocky asshole, huh?". We
both laughed and it was funny listening to her try to explain
herself. Well here are my little farewells...

Dan -
Okay, even though I hate you now I guess I can grace you with my
good-bye wishes. I just want you to know that even though you're an
arrogant ego-maniac you can still be sweet at times. (Very few times,
but nontheless sweet)
Believe it or not, I had a lot of fun with you. Especially when
food was involved - which now that I think about it, food was almost
always involved. {smile}
Well, I wish you the best and I hope you have fun @ Florida or
USF. Wherever you go, I know you'll do great and so do you, I bet!
(J/K)
Keep in contact w/ me, okay. Love always, c/o
931-3307 Nicole 92
Hayden

Dan -
You know you're jealous of all my pictures! Well - I can
definitely say it's been an experience. I', not sure what KIND of
experience, but...
I thought it would take forever to get you to talk to me + now I
can't get you to shut-up! But, seriously, I'm glad I got to know you
because, even though you can be a humongous pain in my butt, you're
an interesting guy! You've made Calculus and English a little more
interesting (that was hard to do!) I'm sure. I'll see you next year
because we're both going to an awesome school!! (GO GATORS!) I've
always been amazed at your ability to do so well in school when you
barely even pay attention! JERK! J/K! Well, good luck at Florida +
give me a call sometime - 884-4813 Love, Jana
Sierra

Dan,
Hey! This is from one of the smartest girls you'll ever
encounter! Just kiddin'! I had to be a bit of an egotist to even ask
to write in the book of the Valedictorian! Seriously, you really came
over as a cocky asshole for a long time but since around Class Capers
I've begun to appreciate you as a person. You are really bright but
please try to cut the sarcasm a little! I am happy for you and I know
you'll kick some ass in Math + Science + maybe even English up at UF!
Good luck in life. God bless. Love
Andrea Whalen

Hi Dan!
Well, I hope you get your situation all worked out. And I just
wanted to say I hate you + I can't believe you beat me and - just
jokes! Congratulations you nerd! Good luck with your Busch Gardens
thing (or is it doctor now?). UF rules! Love Cindy
(Biggest female nerd!)

Dan -
Well - I didn't really like you at first, but you're the kind of
person that grows on someone. I really do wish you the best of what
life has to offer you. (Even though you're going to U of F). Iknow
you'll succeed because you're just too SEXY oops - I mean smart. I'm
sorry I'm just too much of a loser to associate with you - so Best of
Luck! Sandy Babb

Dan (the Man) -
Well Dan the year's finally come to an end. The greatness that
we have achieved in this magnificent institution of learning shall
never be forgotten (BULLCRAP!) - You can uus that in your speech!
Just kidding! Just remember that the time we had at Leto was a blast!
Don't forget the great Physics class, the thrilling and evermoving
Calculus class, and last but not least the everchanging FOOD PREP.
Have fun at Busch Gardens (get fired!) and Larry's still rules.
GO GATORS! Minh Le
P.S. Don't worry
about the dissension!

Dan (Man) Skinner
Hey you're pretty studly this year. I'm glad I got to know you
but the year has ended. We had fun at Senior skip day playing
volleyball. Hey I'm working at Busch Gardens, actually I'm going to
head the ride operations, but you can still hang out with me there.
You're the big #1 and I hope you don't have a boring speech and maybe
you won't trip walking up the stairs. Have fun this summer.
Even studlier than Minh,
David Rauscher

Dear Dan!
I am really glad I got to know you this year. You are actually a
pretty nice guy. Too bad you took my first place {smile}. I have
always been pretty straightforward. So if I said anything rude to
you.........REMEMBER IT. hee hee hee! I really do wonder what you are
going to be like in 20 years. Please be someone important just so
that little old me can say I knew him back then (or something like
that). Love Carol P.S. keep in touch!
Come back for the reunion!
7005 Shenandoah Ct.
Tampa, FL 33615

Dan,
Hey pansy... oops sorry, that's Dave that is a pansy, you're the
valedictorian that says everyone is lazy! You're damn right, 'cause I
am. Food Prep, Physics, Hop's computer at lunch... everything's been
fun. I wish you good luck at U of F even though I'll probably see you
since I'll be going there too! Best of luck Bud-dy
Derek Maddux

Mr. Daniel Skinner -
I hope your school year is as good as my summer is going to be
- HAD FUN in German - Thanks for the banner help - GOOD LUCK
Love,
Brooke

and so on... I actually got Brooke to sign my yearbook. We talked a
couple times today about her love of poles and we said goodbye in the
parking lot at the end. I was sort of shocked at Sandy's letter. The
first time I read it was when I was writing this. How funny. I'm
going to miss everyone so much. We didn't cry today but a lot of us
wanted to.

At Busch I've been talking to a girl named Kimmeth. She's really
nice and she's caught me looking at her quite a few times. She's a
little bit older and I don't know if I have any real chance with her
but she may turn out to be a really good friend. We'll just have to
wait and see. I want to call Nicole. Garth Brook's songs describe
life so perfectly. I've never had so much to lose.

Thursday, May 21, 1992

May 21, 1992 - Thursday - Senior Award Ceremony

I've had fun the past couple days. Last night we went to Leto for the Student Council award ceremony. I was in rolled up jean shorts, long sleeve shirt, and silver tie until three minutes before we left when father made me change into a suit. We were some of the first people there. After a while Stacy showed up and I went to the door with him, shook hands with his dad, and went to talk to everybody. I kiddingly told Jana how fat she looked in her polka dotted dress and we joked around for a few minutes. I said hi to Derek and Cindy. Then we realized we were to sit on stage in rank order so I was sitting right behind the podium and award table. Cindy sat next to me (of course) and we had a damn good time laughing and joking. Rachel and Minh were right behind us and we all were hyper. I looked up on the table and saw my valedictorian plaque and pin which made me happy because I wasn't sure if they'd give one. Then I saw the Science award with my name on it. That blew my mind. It seemed set that Glen would win because that's what Mr. Thomas wanted and he had been doing better than me for a while. I wasn't really sure how I won. I was hoping to win English and thought it was the only one I had a chance for. I'm good in everything, but not perfect in anything (except science I guess). I already knew that I'd receive a plaque for English PRIDE.

Cindy and I were laughing and having fun most of the time we were up there. We never went long without a funny smartass remark or some sincere statement, often louder than we should have. I made sure to overemphasize my fun so my family would be impressed and so that Nicole and her mom out in the audience would see. I kept looking in her direction and they knew that I was. About half way through Nicole won an award for Excellence in German and had to walk up. I told Cindy not to go calling her a whore or anything. The remarks from everyone were hilarious. Everyone was saying out my name mockingly and were telling me to trip her. I can remember Andrea saying "trip her Dan, trip her." It was exhilarating.

I ended up being recognized (and had to stand up) for Honor Graduate, Tampa Tribune Honor Student, Valedictorian, Graduation Speaker, and Presidential Academic Fitness. I was glad for once that my name is at the end of the alphabet. Mrs. Blosfield announced my Science award as "The next young man has worked hard in the area of science... especially with the Ecology Club in the atrium..." and then I knew that I got the award for working so hard for Mr. Massena and for kissing the department head's ass! I was glad and am worth it. My PRIDE award was hidden originally and I was the first to get one, when they pulled it out it was a monster plaque larger than a framed paper award and heavy as hell. That was impressive and made the night damn well worth it. My ego shot way up right then. Then a sergeant from the Marines goes up to give some awards. He's a funny looking guy who I've seen at ASVAB (I respect him a lot though) and he gave out three. Then he says the next three are for outstanding academics. Then he goes "now I know that Mr. Skinner has already racked up plenty of awards but..." and I loved the attention and beamed. It was great. It was called a Scholastic Excellence Award. Afterwards I started walking around taking congratulations from everybody. My family went out to the car as soon as it was over. I got a hug from Abby and handshakes from many parents on the walk to the door. Then Nicole's MOM congratulated me! I liked that. Then I walked down towards Derek's family. Some guy acknowledged me and said "Hey Daniel do you need to get through...", and then shakes my hand. Then a bunch more parents shook my hand, some of Derek and maybe Andrea's families. I was loving the attention and couldn't get enough. After saying bye to Jana, Minh, and Andrea, Stacy and I took off. I'm back in power.

I congratulated Nicole today for her ONE award and then bragged about all of mine. She sort of admitted to being impressed by my load of awards. We then had an assignment in Ecology to tell him five things we like about his class, and five we dislike. Nicole and I sort of worked together. I listed her name once under thing I liked, and three times under dislikes. My other two dislikes were that facts that there were no cute or nice girls in the class. Nicole then leaned over and wrote "except Nicole" on my paper. We are actually talking again! Then I wrote as a way to promote the class "tell all the guys that girls like Nicole take the class" and she scooted away and didn't talk to me for fifteen minutes. Then she picked up my pad and pencil and and took a few minutes to write something down. I could hear my heart beating out because she has only written me one note ever and that was when we first met. It went like this:

Hey! How are ya? Well see you @ your locker on on Monday! Have a great weekend! Nicole {smile} PS- Buy me a car Please!he he

Thus I was hoping to God that she was writing me a note although I feared she was just figuring something out with Renee. Her writing me a note is very sentimental to me and it was scary waiting to see if she had. When she put it down on the table I didn't look at it at first until the bell rang. It said:

Hey there! I hate you! J/K that looks confusing! {smile} well, have a nice day! luv ya, Nicole call me sometime!

I couldn't believe the emotions that I felt at that second. I got up and told her that I had forgotten her number (I had actually until just yesterday when it flashed back) because I never wrote it down anywhere. She said too bad for me and we walked to our lockers. She didn't even go to hers. She stood there just to wait for ME. As we walked to my class we came up behind Cindy and I poked her in the back. She turned around and gave me a cute face. I was stuck on the fourth number of Nicole's phone and she goes "three" and as I went into class I spit out the whole thing.

I went in to Calculus and asked Cindy if her parents were proud of her two awards and she slyly reinformed me hat she won six. I told her I didn't mean all those times she had to stand when they recognized Honor students and those other stupid lists. She told me I couldn't make fun of her because I was just walking around with whore. Then I turned around to Jana and whined to her to tell Cindy to stop being a bitch. It was funny.

I thought for a while about Nicole and everything and if I should call her tonight. I still love her even though it hurts for me to think about it.

Abby and I were writing to each other yesterday in English and I was saying how I just wanted to forget about everything, be stupid all summer, and start new at college. We were getting all emotional and everything in our notes and she ended up with "Dan, I love you!". I don't know anything.

Sunday, May 17, 1992

May 17, 1992 - Sunday - Sarah Elisa Bentley

Elisa is gone. Today was her last day on the flume at Busch Gardens and I didn't even see her. She was more like me in appearance than anyone I know. Very casual, laid back, slouchy, tall, cute... And she was damn good looking and very nice. If I would have spent a few minutes talking to her we probably could have gone out. She goes to USF right now. Two Sundays ago we left Busch Gardens at closing together and raced down Busch Blvd. at 65 mph until the Interstate. She drives a Ford Thunderbird, which surprised me, and we both like driving fast, which also surprised me. I originally thought of her putting around in an Escort maybe. Well we kept each other in sight the whole way and she kept right behind me most of the way. It was fun. It was also the last time I ever saw her.

Saturday, May 16, 1992

May 16, 1992 - Saturday - Best of the Class

Today we went to Lowry Park Zoo so I could be in the Channel 28 Best of the Class TV commercial. There were valedictorians from all over Tampa Bay and some of the girls were damn good looking. I really fucked up my individual taping. I got nervous and was the first to go in my group so I don't think I smiled too much. I felt so stupid.

I still can't stop thinking about Nicole. I was remembering our talk about what we would do if we had sex and she got pregnant. I wish we would have. I could go for the turmoil that Nicole getting pregnant would cause, and it would have been a sure-fire way to keep us together. I only got into her shirt twice and was impressed. They just showed some kids going to prom tonight. I was going with Nicole next Saturday and seeing that made me feel sick.

I flirted with King's valedictorian, she kept smiling back and knows I was looking. I used to flirt with her at NHS meetings. I also got some really provoking looks from a girl in the Manatee exhibit. She looked 16 but had a damn nice body. I was thinking about how people overemphasize their actions when they're near someone they like. I always talk louder to someone and say something that I think will interest the girl when she "overhears" it. I like talking about working at Busch Gardens. This really cute girl did that at the park today and later ended up sitting at the next table at lunch. I was even taking the garbage so I could casually walk by and meet her eyes as I walked back. I can't wait until college. I love being unconventional. I wore jean shorts and a T-shirt and a scruff beard compared to a bunch of those nerds in suits and dresses. The girl at the table was like me, we're sort of like laid-back, casual, and lazy people. It bewilders me to think how smart I could be if I spent time learning stuff instead of the bare minimum that I do. I know that I was one of the smartest people there. Anyway!!!

I wrote Abby a note in Ecology yesterday. It wasn't really for her because I poured my guts in it, it was just because Nicole didn't sit next to me at all today. I sort of slammed my folder down, threw down my head, and played dead most of the period. Then I wrote the note to pretend I had something to do. I just don't understand why she doesn't feel anything from our relationship, or at least how she's so damn good at hiding it. Well here's the note... Abby -

Hi, what's up? I feel really mixed up right now so I decided I'd write you. Nicole and I aren't even talking anymore if you care. I told her how Cindy and I have been making fun of her lately. You know, a fat ugly whore. She seems so happy right now. I hate the bitch! I wonder who she's going to fuck after prom. Or maybe I should ask who all she's going to fuck between now and prom. I just want this year to hurry and be over. I'll be so damn glad to get the hell out of this school. She's talking right now about the hotel room they all rented. She seems to know all about hotel rooms. She said it only has two bedrooms but she doesn't care. I guess it's no different to her if its on the couch or maybe a counter. It's all meaningless to her anyway, just like I was meaningless to her. I feel so sorry for her. I'd laugh and laugh and laugh if something tragic happened to her right now. I wish we had never broken up. I still love her. Ich leibe dich, right? I also wish I hadn't brushed off those opportunities in her bedroom. That one day she even asked me what I'd do if she said I could. I was on top of her at the moment groping and I sort of said something smart ass. DAMN IT. WHY DIDN'T I FOLLOW THROUGH! I HATE MYSELF.

Ouch. Now I need to burn the paper copy. We were in my car on the Causeway that Friday night that we went to Clearwater Beach. We were kissing and I went to tickle her leg. My hand ended up on her crotch and I kind of freaked. It was the first time we'd done anything besides kiss and I was afraid I'd scare her off or seem to only want her for sex (which she questioned). We ended up leaving and I can only depressingly and hatefully wonder what could have happened.

"How can anyone with an ego as big as yours still be so sweet," Busch Gardens, Festhaus. After we were mouth feeding each other ice and laughing. She looked so beautiful then. We also shared popcorn later. I had to take my popcorn from off her tongue and make sure I took all the salt with it. "I never knew popcorn could be an aphrodisiac." She later told me "I like the way you kiss," I guess I was sort of massaging her tongue or something. I'm so torn up over her. I've been taking comfort in Cindy lately. For the past three days its like we've never stopped talking. From eating blueberries to sex to how fat Nicole's ass looks lately. We had never really talked to one another about anything important before and it made me feel better. Writing all of this at twelve at night has made me feel better. I hate to see so much heartache get lost in forgotten memories so I had to do this. Tomorrow morning I go to work at Busch Gardens at 10:15. There's a whole world out there for me to take from. Tomorrow I start over from ground zero.