Sunday, August 12, 2007

1984

A couple of days ago I mentioned in this entry that Graeme had told me about an old photo of me from 1984 that I didn't know existed. He kindly sent me a copy, so here 'tis:




Frida and me. ABBA convention, Narwee Boys' High School, 1984.


I'm around 20 years of age in this photo. Still living in Adelaide, and visiting Sydney to see Graeme, and to stay with my friend Karen. I'd been working for a few years already at this point and living away from home, and was enjoying having my independence. Spending money on going to nightclubs, buying records and clothes. If I remember the timing right, this is about 6 months before I'd meet Gary, the dashing Welshman who'd be my boyfriend for nearly two years.

Man, I'm slim, but that tie is even skinnier! Check it out. I loved that tie. It was super soft grey leather and I wore that thing (and its yellow leather cousin) until the New Wave started to crash upon the shore. Pushed up sleeves, probably some skinny jeans, and I'd place a bet that I'm wearing my favourite black suede 'winklepicker' pointed toe shoes (with the diagonal zips across the instep). Cutting edge!

Actually I had a thing about ties back then. I used to wear all my Dad's old ones from the '60s, and was really into buying vintage ones (bowties included) from Op Shops. I used to buy a lot of vintage clothes back then and would raid my Dad's wardrobe for old stuff he never wore anymore. Wow, I'd forgotten about that.

I don't look all that different, although either my ears have shrunk in the years since or my head has grown. I see why Graeme once said to me back then that I "looked like a Volkswagon with the doors open", after a somewhat unfortunate crewcut. A few more lines of course. Some whiskers.

I look at this, and even though 1984 seems like a long distant land, I still see me. I wish I could talk to the me in this photo. I'd warn myself about that crewcut, for starters.

22 comments:

Thombeau said...

OMG who is that cutie? Can I adopt him???

Anonymous said...

I don't know if you're making up that caption, but I would have KILLED to go to an ABBA convention in high school! Awesomely cute picture!

FireHorse said...

Another ABBA fan but did you go to their concert at the old Sydney Showgrounds in '77. :)

The Other Andrew said...

Ha ha, thanks for the comments guys!

Max, that caption is 100% true. Graeme was the ABBA fanclub President at the time, and the pic was taken at a convention held at Narwee Boys' High School here in Sydney. They hired the hall at the school for the cenovention. (I haven't met Frida though.)

The Other Andrew said...

Firehorse, no I didn't. I would liked to have, but I never had an opportunity.

Sunshine said...

I love posts like these. It's so personal and interesting to really get to know the person behind the blog. And you were adorable in the pic. :)

James said...

I have that poster.

Therin of Andor said...

Re: the tie and the shoes. You used to call it your "preppie look", if I recall. I guess it's a look that comes back every few years. In some parts it probably never really goes away!

At least you didn't have trouble getting out of the house looking like that. If I recall that first time I met you, in Adelaide, your friend Steven had a little plaited rat's tail of hair that he used to Superglue to the back of his head, once he'd got through the front door and on the way to some disco!

I've often told that anecdote, being a parentally-commanded short-back-and-sides man myself!

worldpeace and a speedboat said...

oooh TOA, how delightful! what a fabulous piccy :-)

I have a school-case (Globite, thanks for asking) full of vintage ties (mostly 50's and 60's) and some lovely cravats, including a couple my dad brought out from the UK. I used to nick his waistcoats and hand-knitted vests, too. got a couple of fab brocade waistcoats somewhere, and some vintage porkpies and trilbys... the Dinghy isn't going to know what hit him when he's old enough for dressups (mind you he can play with the paisley lurex dresses too if he so desires)!

that poster... it reminds me of the Frida's birthday at the Unicorn my friends and I went to, when they had pink, life-size photocopies of Frida's head all over the walls. it was a copy of the littler image in the poster there. we took some off the wall and poked the eyes out so we had Frida masks. I have a feeling we got frowned on for it, and you know some of the lads who used to organise them... so... I'm (mostly) sorry if we pissed them off (but we had fun)! on the lovely side, one of my friends, Craig, met his boyfriend there and they are still togther. so sweet.

you still have the same lovely eyes and kind face. lovely post :-)

Michael said...

A Volkswagen with the doors open....oh, that's rich.

I ADORE this post, doll. The baby version of you (so different, but exactly the same). You look like you've just come from a 80s video shoot. You never said you were in Crowded House!

Some lovely memories you share of those days. Twenty years ago, but like yesterday, right?

And to talk to your twenty year old self?! Ahhhh, so many things to say to that wee lad, but change things and we wouldn't be the men we are today. Hmmmm. Fuck that, I could avoid a lot of heartache.

Have I said I adored this entry. Viele dank, liebchen.

yani said...

Awwww... look with the 80's-ness and the skinny tie and the ears...

Should I mention that I was 10 the same time this photo was taken? Or would that be cruel? ;)

Mikey (TLE) said...

Great shot! So cute! I had that exact same tie, I expect. And it had two matching cousins. One in maroon, teh other a dark blue. Not to mention the squared off knitted ties in pastel pink and dove grey... Ahh the 80s. Very sweet post.

BTW firehorse, my Mum took me to the concert at the Showgrounds. I was 8, a card carrying member of the ABBA fan club and wearing pyjamas. And my parents say they never knew...

Speedy, I think I remember most of those waistcoats of yours.

The Other Andrew said...

Thanks for the wonderful comments everyone!

ABBA, bringing everyone together. :)

Cecilia said...

Such a cute picture! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I had that tie, that shirt and those shoes.And possible the same hair cute.
And I'm a girl.
God the 80's were confusing.

SW

The Other Andrew said...

Thanks Cecilia!

SW, that was part of what made them so much fun. :)

Michael Guy said...

Simply adorable! So innocent and beguiling. Standing on the threshold of young adulthood. Sweet bird of youth.

:: jazz hands exit stage left ::

The Other Andrew said...

MG, you make me sound so innocent! :) I was anything but. Skank in sheep's clothing.

Michael Guy said...

"Skank in Sheep's Clothing" sounds like a DIOR winter collection, doncha think?!

NO! YSL in his hey-day! YSL presents 'Le Skank.' Sorta along 'le smoking' collection only more whore-like.

mrpeenee said...

Which one is Frida?

The Other Andrew said...

mrpeenee, the more butch one.

Anonymous said...

I waas the guy that organised the Unicorn ABBA nights. And slaved for hours decorating the place every ABBA night.

So what exactly is the name and address of "orldpeace and a speedboat"

I wouldn't mind taking a contract out on him.