October
Cliff Garland didn’t show up
for cleaning the coaches offices so just Kay Wiker and I had to clean them all. Around 8:30 I walked across
the street to buy a parking sticker. Gary Ratliff gave me some money to buy Kelley Carlson’s . Dean went
with me and we had a two hour stand in
line. Then Dean Guthre put my A sticker on the wrong car and he had to scrap it off
and get another one. Gary had there withdrawals
today. Terrible. He turned red, doubled up in cramps and puked. He went
with Kelley to ZCMI Center during lunch to get away from the office. Dean and
Pat Winter had to go to the stadium to look for some big shot glasses. They found a lot of booze
and wine pouches which Gary gave me one I told Gary and Kelly my conversion
story and my writings. After taking Gary home I picked up Frab and also took
Sandy home. I took Sam to obedient school. I did the wash up.
2 October 1979 Tuesday
Cliff Garland didn’t come into work again
today so we didn’t take the stage down. Gary’s reactions are getting better. He
just gets the shakes. I took him home at 5 and them came back into town to La
Paloma where Fran fixed me a chili verde
burrito. The cook there isn’t speaking to Fran and she is wanting to quit again.
We didn’t get home until 6:30. We watched Angie and Taxi before going to bed at
9:3-. The nights sure are getting cooler. We are sleeping with blankets on the
bed now.
3 October 1979 Wednesday
Dean Guthrie had Cliff
Garland make the cross country track
while Kay Wiker, Dean, Pat, and I took
the stage down. We were able to disassemble it before lunch. Gary, Kay, Pat and
I went to Sizzlers but Kelly couldn’t go because she had an Institute class at
that time. It was nice not having her around all the time. I really do like
Kelly but she has Gary so enraptured that everything she des , he thinks is the
greatest.
4 October 1979 Thursday
Gary Ratliff, Pat Winters, Kelly and I went Geppetto’s
for lunch and had pizza. It was just okay. We had to wait way too long in line.
I am getting tired of being a chaperone for Gary and Kelly. After taking Gary
home, I went and picked up Fran. She went to another Over eater’s Anonymous meeting
tonight as well as she did yesterday. I just watched some TV before going to
bed.
5 October 1979 Friday
I helped Dean Guthrie change
lights bulbs on the Basketball score board. Gary Ratliff went to the
doctors this morning but didn’t tell me
until later that the doctor found that
he had an enlarged heart. He said it could explode with any stress. I don’t
want to work at the SEC if Gary doesn’t get better. It would really distress me
if something happened to him. I helped Fran wash dishes at La Paloma so we
could get home sooner. I picked up our pictures from Grand Central that we had
taken. That was fun . We stopped going to our Disco class as we are too tired.
I was paid today and cleared $285 which $200 will go to rent.
6 October 1979 Saturday
I worked from 7:30 this
morning until the afternoon with a movie
company making a PBS announcement for
the 1980 Census using Pete Merivich . While there I listened to General
Conference this morning, while typing up
Audie Smith’s memoirs. President Kimball sure sounded hoarse and weak. His
voice would fade in and out. I called Gary Ratliff to see how he was and I told
him a funny Bishop joke. Then I came home and helped Fran clean the place . In
the evening we went to dinner at a Chinese restaurant called “Ho Ho”. I am
really tired tonight and my contacts are hurting my eyes.
7 October 1979 Sunday
We went down to Provo to
listen to conference with Meg and Steve Madsen . Steve’s dad Coleman
Madsen was in Utah from Florida on
business with Steve’s old Florida Bishop President Joseph Jenkins who was a
mission president of Billings Montana
also. It was really a neat spirit listening to Bro. Madsen who had been a
Regional Representative and Bro. Jenkins
swap stories. Bro. Jenkins had a
very special spirit about him, a kind true Southern Gentleman. Bro. Madsen said
that President Harold B. Lee said that LeGrand Richards is a greater missionary
then even St. Paul. I love Elder Richards. He’s 93 and was just chomping at the bits to get to
talk. President Kimball did not sound well at all. I will be surprised if he
lives until next April Conference.
8 October 1979 Monday
It was a long day from 7 this morning until midnight. We
mainly worked getting things together for the pro basketball games. In the
afternoon I got tired oof Gary always thinking what ever Kelley does is great.
I was really upset when I found out that Kay Wiker, Dean Guthrie, and Cliff
Garland didn’t have to work the game but
was paid for it anyways just to watch it while Pat Winter and had to work the concourse
I understood the fact that it wasn’t their fault they didn’t have to work
keeping score but they could of helped us out.
Paulette Gasparac left Jennie and Ryan alone all night so Fran went and
spent the night with them.
9 October 1979 Tuesday
I called in sick today, not that I was, but I was mad at
Gay Ratliff. More hurt than mad. I wanted him not to take me for granted so
much. He called me twice to see how I was and said that he missed me at work.
It was a beautiful autumn day and Fran
was mad at me for most of the day because I didn’t want to go anywhere. I did
get a $14 haircut. Fran quit La Paloma
yesterday
10 October 1979 Wednesday.
I
was mad at Gary Ratliff still all day. Yesterday
he told me that he got Kay Wiker and me a 6 percent increase in our starting
pay when my probation is up. It upsets me only that had said the he was going
to give me a higher raise titan Kay but now it’s the same. I mean I am happy for
Kay but still it made me fell that he thinks Kay and I are of equal value. Thay
my education, experience, and age does doesn’t mean anything. The fact that he asks me be in charge of cleaning the offices and such doesn’t matter anymore I guess. I
mopped the whole concourse by myself today without any help that Dean promised me. Fran
went to Over Eaters Anonymous tonight
while I stayed up at the U and typed. I
took a bus home.
11 October 1979 Thursday
Gary didn’t come to work today
He is sick with a cold. Even mad at him, work is a drag without him there. I waxed and buffed the floor for most if the morning with Jeff.
I called Gary after lunch and said I had to talk to him. Gary is too good of a
friend to just write him off. I was off work at 4 and came home. Fran and I went to Sears and returned some
shoes and then went to China Village for
dinner. I love their fried rice and sweet and sour pork. Fran had to attend a
Primary Meeting tonight. In the news the Pope went home and now Fidel Castro is
in New York City. The stock market is on the skids and we will probably have a
depression.
12 October 1979 Friday
I spent the morning talking to Gary Ratliff about everything that I was
upset about. Just had a really long talk
with Gary and we worked out our differences and made me really
appreciate him even more as a person and a boss.
13 October 1979 Saturday
I picked up Aunt Minnie from the airport at 9:30 this morning. She
sure was looking good and said she had a goof light. I didn’t get to spend much
time with her before having to go into work at 2 to get ready for the football
game tonight. Utah played Wyoming and
beat them. I didn’t get home until real late.
14 October 1979 Sunday
I was really angry with Fran for
leaving Aunt Minnie alone last night
while I had to work. During the day instead of attending church We drove up Big
and Little Cottonwood Canyons to see the beautiful fall leaves. Then I took Aunt
Minnie to the Church of Christ on the corner of 7th East and 13th
South by Liberty Park in the evening
15 October 1979 Monday
I had to work my shift until 4
but after coming home I took Minnie to the Tower Theater and we saw Bed Nobs
and Broomsticks. Inge the German said Sam bit a dog at Obedience School so Inge
bit him right on the nose.
16 October 1979 Tuesday
While I was at work, Fran and Aunt Minnie went
all over the city to the Moron Handicraft Store and to the Pioneer Museum
taking the bus downtown. At work Gary, Kelley, Pat, Kay and I went to the Old
Salt Lake City jail for lunch on 5th South. It was pretty good. After
getting off work I went and picked them up at the Pioneer Museum.
17 October 1979 Wednesday
I worked from 7 this morning until midnight,
mainly at Rice Stadium for “Band Day”,
where competing high school and universities marching bands competed. It rained
and rained this evening and everyone was soaking wet. Fran and Aunt Minnie came up
to watch in the afternoon before it rained. They went to Fran’s O.A. meeting
tonight
18 October 1979 Thursday
19 October 1979 Friday
After work tonight, Meg and
Steve Madsen came up from Provo and went
with Aunt Minnie, Fran and I to China Village for Dinner. We then went to the
Regency Theater to see “Justic For All”. It was raining for most of the evening.
Steve said he really enjoyed Justice for all, his being a lawyer himself. I
think Aunt Minnie enjoyed herself also.
20 October 1979 Saturday
I had to work by myself from 9
to 1 this morning at the Rice Stadium as I had to unlock the gates for the “Pass,
Punt, and Kick” Little League Football game. It down poured this morning so the field
was wet.
21 October 1979 Sunday
22 October 1979 Monday
Fran took Sam to obedient school
23 October 1979 Tuesday
24 October 1979 Wednesday
Kay Wiker and I worked the
Marching Band competition tonight this
time. It was a pretty day out. I didn’t think the band competition was as good
as before. Minnie goes done to La Paloma
with Fran and spends the afternoons there. I think she enjoys it.
25 October 1979 Thursday
I got a speeding ticket today on 4th South coming back
from taking Gary Ratliff home> I am going to fight it though. It was so hard
getting up this morning as last night I didn’t get to bed until 12:30
26 October 1979 Friday
I
stayed until 5 to take Gary home and I mainly buffed the concourse today and
waxed it. Also washed some widows. I saw Richard Hilton some today and we
visited. It makes me want to grow more spiritually. Gary went looking for me as
I guess he was tired of Dean Guthrie and Kelleys fussing. The last hour of my
shrift Pat Winters came into Gary’s
office and ripped on me to Gary but he stood up for me. I was grateful for that.
I think we got was bugging him resolved.. This evening Fran, Aunt Minnie and I
went to the show and saw Meteor. It was pretty good but nothing to get excited
about. This is Aunt Minnie’s last night with us.
27 October 1979 Saturday
I worked the football
game today and also took Aunt Minnie to
the airport. I worked from 8 to 6 at the Rice Stadium getting the field set up
for today’s game. Utah played Cal-State San Diego and lost. The day was not
terribly eventful just fun working with Gary and Pat. I ate too many hot dogs
and was sick later on. It was a beautiful autumn day When we got off work. I took Gary home, then
picked up Fran and Minnie from La Paloma. We went to the airport and got Aunt
Minnie checked in. There we had a bite to eat at the airport lounge. Minnie
caught her flight home at 8. I am gonna miss Aunt Minnie and I think Sam will miss her especially. It’s the end of Daylight Savings time tonight
and so we turn the clocks back an hour for tomorrow.
28 October 1979 Sunday
The house is a total wreck as
we haven’t one the wash in two weeks. That is why we didn’t go to Church today besides
the both of us feeling crummy. Fran cleaned the house all by her self today. She can really be
sweet when she wants to be, We watched “One Flew Over the Cuckoo Nest” Tonight.
I hadn’t seen it before. It sure seems empty and lonesome in the place without
Aunt Minnie. But as Grandma Johnson would say “a glad lonesome.” Meng and Steve Madsen called to see why we
didn’t come down to Provo. Glad to have friends who miss us. I made a pot of
clam chowder for supper.
29 October 1979 Monday
After work I took Gary Ratliff home. It felt
good to come into work at 7 an it is still daylight. It’s usually pitch black
in the morning when I go in to work. I hit my head this morning unloading
a struck, so hard that my teeth rattled. I brought some of the clam
chowder to work for my lunch. Gary talked to Dean about not going behind his back on making
decisions. Dean wants to sell his truck and buy a new car. After picking Fran
up from La Paloma came home to finally
do up all the laundry.
30 October 1979 Tuesday
Same routine as yesterday did
make cookies and cupcakes from stuff I bought yesterday to bring to work
tomorrow for Halloween, We watched One
on One about a Jock basketball player. It was really good. Fran and I are
fighting again so it wasn’t a very good day.
31 October 1979 Wednesday
It’s Halloween so I brought treats in for the
crew. After taking Gary Ratliff home I picked up Fran from La Paloma and we drove down to Provo. I took our Jack Lantern
down with us. Fran went with Meg taking the kids trick or Treating while Steve and I visited . I was kind of
tired so wasn’t very lively. However it’s
always fun being with the Madsen’s. I want to go see Apocalypse Now this Frid
ay as I hear its really good. Fran called
Coalville about my speeding ticket It’s $30 all in all. My SLC ticket is $22.
Yuck. Fran called in sick from La Paloma today to clean the
place up. We made up today.
NOVEMBER
1 November 1979 Thursday
I took Gary home from work at
5 and Fran and her friend Malee went to an O.A. meeting tonight while I just
stayed home. Mom called to say that Donna had her baby today by Caesarian . She
had a little boy she named Kevin Louis
Oakes Jones after Kne’s side of the family of course. The baby weighed 6 lbs.
and 15 ounces . Mom went over to see Donna at the hospital when Ken’s folks
were not there so there was no chance of repeating little Kennie’s arrival.
Thank goodness. They are such awful people but I guess I can’t complain too
much about then as they are Kennie and Kevin’s grandparents. Donna, Ken and the
kids will stay with mom and dad until
Donna recovers. Minnie will be there also.
2 November 1979 Friday
I worked from 7 this morning until 6:30 in the
evening cleaning up after the high
school football game. I spent a leisurely day, however. I brought split pea
soup for my lunch. Gary said he had money stolen from his desk again like last
Wednesday and he’s getting fed up. After getting home, Meg and Steven Madsen
came to Salt Lake to go to the show with us. We went to see Apocalypse Now at
the Centre Theater which is not a show you like or dislike. It’s a film that
makes you feel. It’s a powerful statement on the horrors of the Vietnam War for
sure. We went to the 9:30 late showing so we didn’t get out until real late
after midnight. There sure is a nip in
the air now and most of the leaves are falling or have fallen off the
trees by now.
3 November 1979 Saturday
I worked from 10 to 6 today at
Rice Stadium for a high school football game. Gary and Dean said it was going
to rain and I said I didn’t think so and it didn’t. I worked with Gary and Dean
although Pat Winters was up off and on
just to hang out. Jed Hansen played for Brighton High School or rather he
didn’t play as they never used him but he was there. I went to K-Mart after
work to buy some gray sweaters and a
tie. Also Fran and I ate at a Chinese Restaurant on 21st South which
was pretty good. I went to bed early tuckered out.
4 November 1979 Sunday
We went down to Provo to
attend Natha Andrew Madsen’s blessing . Afterwards we went to their house and
ha d a light buffet. Meg really knows how to do it up right. The occasion was
really nice. Both Hilary and Stevn bore their testimonies. They are so grown up
now when they were toddlers when I went to
BYU. David Tilton was over also
so it was a really nice afternoon. Nathan
laughed and smiled all through the blessing and looked so cute with his little white
baby cap on. Upon coming back to Salt Lake we went over to Gary and
Gabby’s for dinner and we watched “Jaws”
on TV. It was a very mellow an enjoyable evening.
5 November 1979 Monday
After working my shift I stayed to take Gary
home. He said that he thought we ought to
be a bit better at work and not so light minded and swearing. I said I agreed.
Fran and I are reading the scriptures together again. We are studying the Gospel
according to Matthew, It makes me long
for the scriptures like a long lost friend. Fran went out with Richard Namenworth to take Sam to
Obedience School. She forgot to bring the choke chain dog collar so she didn’t stay long. I built a
new book shelf for the front room out of
cinder blocks and board planks. I didn’t do much else. Tomorrow is city
elections and Fran said she is voting for Ted Wilson for mayor. I forgot to
register in time moving back to Salt Lake
6 November 1979 Tuesday
Fran had to work at La Paloma
until 7 because no one showed up to do their shift. At work we took down the basketball poles in
the arena and laid out the carpet to cover the floor for the Veteran Concert. I
tried to be better at work and swear less as Gary asked. Not that I swear that
much at all but want to improve. Cliff Garland pulled his usual get out of work
stunt and Dean doesn’t say a thing to him. Kay sure was mad at Dean, however. I
stayed off by myself at lunch to avoid
the drama and madhouse. In the news Iran
is holding some Americans as hostages demanding the return of the Shah. John
Connally is so funny. He was asked about
scandals in his past and he retorted “Well I never drowned anybody.” Referring
to Chappaquiddick. So far he’s my man for President. Kent and Paulette Gasparac’s divorce is final
today and they went out to celebrate.
7 November 1979 Wednesday
I worked mainly cleaning the
area assigned to me . I brought chicken noodle soup up for lunch. After lunch I
saw Richard Hilton and again we talked
for a while until Dean needed my help setting up chairs for concert. Richard is
a neat kid and I feel more spiritual after talking with him. When I took Gary
home he said he’s going to try and get me on the 8 to 5 shift. Wouldn’t that be
great but Dean will be upset. After work I ate a chili verde burrito at La
Paloma again and I love that food. I never get tired of it. Gary said he’s coaching a Ward Basketball team. I razzed him about it but it will be good for him. Fran went to
O.A.
8 November 1979 Thursday
Gary told me today that he’s
decided to switch everyone’s hours. Dean Guthrie, Kay Wiker, and Pat Winter are
now the 7 o’clock crew and will be off at 4. Dean wanted the switch so he could
ride to work with his sister Brenda. Pat and Cliff were switched to punish Cliff for being such a pain to
Gary. He will work now from 10 to 7 doing the lock up and clean up on Special
Events. I worked today from 7 to 7
mostly all day with Gary I went and picked up the Rice Stadium locker room
while Pat and Cliff worked the high school team practice. So I will start my new schedule tomorrow
picking Gary up and driving him home. I guess Gary said Gabby is really getting
the itch to move to Sandy to be closer to her sisters but Gary is reluctant to make the move.
9 November 1979 Friday
I went into work at 8 for my
new shift after picking up Gary with Fran but she was being such a scold so that I didn’t have a very nice morning. I spent the morning setting up for the Ella
Fitzgerald Concert. Pat Winter and Cliff Garland were down at the Rice Stadium
with the high school practice so it was just Jeff Chapman, Kay Wiker and me unloading
the sound equipment and systems and to help out during the concert. I was mad at Dean Guthrie for a while because
of his poor judgment which almost hurt some of us. He wanted us to be on the
bed of the truck as he backed down the ramp which almost shifted the equipment
against us and could have crushed us. During my lunch break I went too
Albertson’s to buy some groceries for
this weekend.. The afternoon wasn’t too bad and Gary asked me to do the
houselights for the concert, which was fun.
He bought the crew pizza for
dinner as we were staying late and none but me thanked him. The concert began
at 8 and the Utah Symphony performed with Ella Fitzgerald, which was pretty good if you like that kind of music. She got
paid $10,000 for performing with tickets costing between $5 and $10. I got
chewed out by her manager however for shining a purple light on her as he said
that you don’t use a purple light on black performers. What did I know? After
the concert we had to re had to rebuild
the sound wings for tomorrow. When we were done, Gary, Pat Winter, an d I went
and sat in one of the coaches steam
baths to relax . I stayed at work and we slept in the star’s dressing room
which was Ella’s.
10 November 1979 Saturday
It was a long, long, exhausting day. I was up
at 7 after only 4 hours of sleep in the dressing room. I tool a long hot shower
just to wake up. Then at 8 we started to finish the sound wings for the stage. Cliff Garland, Pat Winter, Jed
Hasen, and Rand Hendrickson went to the
Rice Stadium to work Homecoming which will be our last home field football
game. Jeff Chapman, Kay Wiker, and I were
here to help the Pablo Cruise roadies unload two semitrucks. We had a lot of help,
however, because of Jeff had 9 high
school kids helping as well as some union people Gary called in to work. However I was really tired , running up and
down the west tunnel helping bring equipment down. Gary sure was good to ne by
letting rest a lot. I fixed Gary and his
boss Brian Nelson some sandwiches. The concert began at with Pablo Cruise and
Jim Messina and it was way too loud. The concert was over at 11 and we worked
until 1 to pack up all the equipment. Then those of us who were left had to
take down the stage and roll up the carpet because a coach wanted the arena
cleared for basketball practice. We
worked until 4 in the morning.
11 November 1979 Sunday
We were just dragging and but Gary was pretty alert
however while I was dead tired. Gary and I crossed words over nothing really,
just tired irritated and onery. Pablo Cruise was a hard concert. The roadies
were awful, crude, and revolting and I told two of them to Stuff it. I think
they were all hyped up on speed and booze. I worked from 8 yesterday to 4 this Sunday
morning. Pat Winter took Gary and me home . I was so tired I slept from 4 to 1 in the Afternoon. Sam is such a coward.
When he first heard me at the door he barked his brains out but when he knew I was coming
in anyways, he ran away. Such a guard dog. When I was up I watched TV for most
of the day and I had a bad headache also.
I watched Dog Day Afternoon about a transsexual. Fran was acting weird tonight but I was too
tired to humor her.
12 November 1979 Monday
I worked after picking Gary
Ratliff up at the Rice Stadium cleaning after hoe coming and also worked putting out th e basketball stands in the area.
After taking Gary home Fran and I are
till reading in St. Matthews for Family
Home Evening. In the news , Iran has been holding 60 Americans hostage because they want us to hand the Shah over to
them. Its been over a week but today
President Carter said we are going to stop buying Iranian oil. Gasoline prices are now at 98
cents a gallon. Probably go up soon. It
has really hit home that we will be held
accountable for every idle word . I love reading the scriptures “Come unto Jesus and I will give you rest.”
13 November 1979 Tuesday
I paid my speeding ticket
today for $22. In the news Iran is still holding hostages. We have frozen Iranian
assets in the U.S. I think we should
have economic warfare with them also. No aid or food stuff until all the hostages
are freed, Mom and Dad said they are coming up for Thanksgiving next week.
14 November 1979 Wednesday
I saw Richard Hilton after
lunch. Gary and I are at odds and I can’t figure out why.
15 November 1979 Thursday
Gary Ratliff and I talked a
lot today and tried not to be so mean to each other. I was buffing the
concourse for most of the day. We had to
get the arena ready for the Night with the Running Utes Open house. In the
evening Gary and I went over to Brian Nelson’s house where his wife styled our hair giving us both
permanents. I watched some of Silver Streak on TV . Meg Madsen spent the night
with us tonight because she is mad at Steve. Fran went down to Provo to get
her. Steve called me and talked with me util 11:30 so I didn’t get much rest.
16 November 1979 Friday
I worked 12 hours today from 8
to 8 building the stage for tomorrow’s concert. Cliff Garland and Pat Winter worked at Rice Stadium.
Jeff Chapman and Rand Hendrickson came to work after they were out of school in
the late afternoon. So it was just Dean
Guthrie, Kay Wiker, and I building the stage.
Gary and Kelley helped some but couldn’t expect Gary to help much with
his bad back. He can’t afford to ley his back go out of whack. It was a much longer day than we intended.
Fran didn’t go into work at La Paloma but stayed home with Meg however she went
home this evening when Fran drove her back to Provo.
17 November 1979 Saturday
I was up ay 6 o’clock so I
could go pick up Gary then returned home to have Fran take me to work so she
can have the car. I worked from 8 this morning until 5 in the morning on Sunday.
The Beach Boys’ manager was really being a jerk/ We had to put things up and
then take things down. It was a real pain. They were the worst of the roadies I’ve seen so far. Pat Winter and Cliff Garland
worked down at Rice Stadium for the high school finals so our crew was shorthanded.
I had to run up and down the West tunnel helping unload sound equipment from the truck. With no lunch or anything to
eat since yesterday I was dehydrated and
passed out. I was fine later on. I was the oldest man running up and down the
west tunnel ramp. At one point Dennis
Wilson fell off the stage as I think he was stones and twisted his ankle. I had
to help him limp up the tunnel to go to the emergency room where they pumped
him full of pain medicine so he could continue with the concert. Gary had me
work the houselights because I was better at it than the others knowing with
color lights to use. Fran, Paulette, her
boyfriend Darryl, Kelley and her friends joined me in the light booth and we all
had fun. Kelley even brought Gary and me some dinner. One of the ushers gave her a hard time bringing
the food to us. The concert was really
great but later we found out that Ted Jacobson was mad at Gary because I had all those people with me. I
told Gary I was sorry that I got him in trouble but if I can’t have a little
fun down here Ted can take it and shove it. Well after the concert ended we had to help
load the equipment back up and dismantle the stage, I was a living Zombie. The shift
was just awful.
18 November 1979 Sunday
Pat Winter took me home at 5
this morning. I was beyond exhausted and
slept from 5:30 to 1:30 in the afternoon.
Fran took off somewhere today but didn’t tell me where. I watched TV for most of the day and hung out
with Sam. I watched Shirley Temple’s Little Princess” “All in the Family” “Journey
to the Center of the Earth” and the “Muppets.” I did read a bit for King
Follett’s discourse written by Joseph Smith before going to bed . I snowed
tonight the first real snow of the year.
19 November 1979 Monday
It was a really bad day all
around. Gary’s doctor said he had mononucleosis and the ticket office has been
giving him a hard time. I worked all morning helping roll up the carpet that
covered the arena. Everyone one was on the rag today probably exhausted. Cliff
Garland didn’t doo anything to help us and really pissed me off. Pat Winter,
Kay Wiker and I did it all. This morning we had to go to the Alumni House
pick up a pool table. I did see Richard
Helton again today. I feel sorry for Gary. He is supposed to stay home but can’t
because h doesn’t have confidence in Dean Guthrie’s ability to get the work
down. I wanted Fran to quit La Paloma
because I think it’s a bad influence on her but she doesn’t want to until after
Christmas
20 November 1979 Tuesday
I am really feeling tired and
listless. With Gary having mono, I’m afraid I might catch it. I worked mainly mopping the concourse and trying to
get it back into shape for this Friday’s Basket ball game. The weather is
turning colder. Yesterday I made two pumpkin pies and 2 pecan pies. I tried to
get as much done as possible before Mom and Dad get here. I bought a 10 lb.
Butterball Turkey.
21 November 1979 Wednesday
I only worked from 8 until noon as I had a
doctor’s appointment. I worked getting the arena floor set for Friday’s game and
with crowd control as Donna Summer’s tickets went on sale. They were sold out
in two hours. After bringing in the side basket Head Coach Jerry Pimm of the U
of U basketball team threw a fit and said he had to have them out to practice e
today and tomorrow. Gary lost it and went to the athletic department to dump on
them. I’d hate to get Gary mad at me< We eventually had to do what Pimm said
but in the long run , he lost as Gary is
charging them through the nose. Pim is such a jerk. The Utes basketball season
starts this Friday. Iwen t to the doctors
and had some lab test taken but I won’t hear the results until Friday.
Mom and Dad arrived while I ws at the doctors but spent the evening with them.
Fran started her period and is very cranky.
22 November 1979 Thursday
It’s Thanksgiving Dat and I
spent the morning cooking and getting dinner
ready. Fran was too sick to help any. Paulette Gasparac and her two
kids came over for dinner also. She was
depressed spending her 1st Thanksgiving divorced. We had turkey, cornbread dressing, cranberries,
giblet gravy, dinner rolls, mashed potatoes, green beans, fried okra, candied
yams, jello and punch. It was a nice dinner and all were stuffed. Fran had
Paulette stay too long as mom felt real uncomfortable because she couldn’t
visit as much as she wanted. Fran’s sister Mickey called and wanted her to call her back collect
but she didn’t. She doesn’t care about her family so I can’t expect her to care
about mine. I’ve broken out in a severe rash and bumps almost like I have the
measles. I will have to go to the
doctors tomorrow to find out what that is all about but I sure do itch like
crazy. It was a cold day and Dad can’t get used to how cold it is.
23 November 1979 Friday
This morning we went out to
see J.R. Peacock even though it was snowing like crazy today. The ground is heavy with snow and
everything is blanketed. I think Mom and
dad are a bit afraid of it. After seeing J.R. family, he said he would like dad
to move too Utah and work for him in his welding shop. We went to lunch at the
Old Salt Lake City Jail. At 2:30 I went to see a doctor and she said it looks more like an allergy then the
measles. She gave me some pills for the itching.
I have another appointment with her next Tuesday at noon. We were all bundled
up in the house and Fran was very moody to the folks. I don’t care anymore
anyway what she does. We just had thanksgiving left overs for dinner.
24 November 1979 Saturday
Mom and Dad left out this
morning for home as I think Fran made their stay uncomfortable and the snow and
cold was a bit much for them They had a hard time getting up the hill we live on
Bryan Avenue to make it to 13th East because of the ice on the road.
I really didn’t do anything today but
rest and sleep. The pills I am taking for the itching is knocking me right out.
Kent Gasparac came to the duplex for a
little bit for a piece of Pecan pie. That was kind of strange but I have
nothing against Kent. Nothing else is going on . I bought gas yesterday and saw that it had gone up to
$1.02 a gallon for unleaded. Iran is threatening to kill the U.S. hostages .
There are lots of problems in the Middle East.
25 November 1979 Sunday
I laid in bed all day and took
my drugs. I am sleepy lethargic for most of the day. I watched Shirely Temple in
Poor Little Rich Girl and Norma Sherer and Leslie Howard in Romero and
Juliette. They were way too old to be playing those parts. Fran left and went
out to Grantsville for most of the day. I didn’t miss her as Sam stayed in bed
with me. She brought back with her Tony Fillman, Kitty Suazo, and Brett
Ellis to spend the night. She never
asked me. Mom called and said the
arrived back to California 11 in the
morning after spending the night in St George.
In the evening I watched George Burns in “Oh God” which was kind of cute.
I remember when the Deseret News wouldn’t advertise the movie because of its
title. All that is in the news is the
Iranian hostage situation There are lots of trouble in the middle east and
people are saying there are anti-chorists all around.
26 November 1979 Monday
I went back to work this
morning, dragged out. It was snowing something fierce this morning and had a hard time getting to
work with cars skidding everywhere. Everything is blanketed. I worked this
morning putting the baskets away, cleaning Gary’s office, and vacuuming the
concourse. It was a real drag without Gary being there. I talked with Kelley
some and made some paper poinsettias to decorate for Christmas coming up. After work I drove to Morton Meadows to see
how he was and then went and picked Fran up at La Paloma. Tony, Kitty, and
Brett spent the day with her at La Paloma and downtown. I guess she had a wild
time today with all the abusive drunks and Kent Gasparac harassing her about
Paulette. I am still quite itchy and will go see the doctor tomorrow. It was a pretty day once it stopped snowing.
27 November 1979 Tuesday
I worked my 8 to 5 shift and
there’s still snow on the ground and it was a cold day. I went to the doctors at noon for a full physical. I guess there is
nothing wrong with me but said I should change my laundry soap. I ate lunch at
La Paloma with Fran and had my contact lenses polished downtown. I went back to
work at 2 and worked with Jed Hansen buffing the concourse. Pat Winters was
upset at me this morning because he thought I was not telling him everything
about Gary’s health. I called Gary and
we talked some. I guess he’s going bananas being home with Gabby and the kids. He
feels he has to be back at work. I know Gary really likes his job When I went
to pick Fran up , I saw Ralph and Don
the Gay couple hanging out at La Paloma with FranI went to the library this
evening and got a library card finally. I checked out two books , the Rime of
the Ancient Mariner and Mark Twain’s “Roughing it.”
28 November 1979 Wednesday
I worked until 6 and it was
another boring day without Gary Ratliff there and Kelley took off most of the day
to go buy a dress. I just finished mopping and buffing the concourse. The birds that have flew into
the rafters aren’t getting any weaker. I guess there’s enough popcorn crumbs to
last them all winter. I was paid in cash work working the football games and I
made $124. I gave $75 of it to Fran for Christmas so she can buy some shoes for
the winter. I spent another $25 on a vitamin diet I am going on , if not to
lose some weight but at least to feel better. I am taking Vitamin A, B B2, B6,
C, D, E, Dolemite, lithicen, and Brewer
Yeast. I saw Richard Hilton today. He
said he found a new job. It was a cold, cold day only 35 degrees and 10 degrees
at night. I bought gas at $1.02 a gallon for unleaded. It seems weird to spend that
much. In 1972 I could fill my 10 gallon Pinto for $2.75.
29 November 1979 Thursday
Dean Guthrie brought in a miniature
Christmas tree into the office and we decorated it this morning. All though the
day we would drop into the office make some more decorations. I talked to
Kelley some at lunch while she worked on August and September reports In the afternoon Jed Hanson and O was
the Arena’s windows. It was kind pf a nice
day. I guess the vitamins are helping. After work was over I dropped
over to see Gatry and how he is doing and
then went and picked up Fran. We went to Grand Central to buy some make up for
her. In the evening I called Gary again and while talking I became so
depressed. There’s no future or security
for where I am now. Gary really worked hard to get where he is
but there’s no way I can ever move up rom where I am now. It’s a dead
end job. I’ve got to seriously think about
going back to school and finishing my teacher’s degree.
30 November 1979 Friday
I worked 15 hours in all today
from 8 to until 11 at night. It was a wild day because Cliff Garland an Pat Winter
were fighting so much. Then Pat got after Dean Guthrie and started arguing with
him also. We had to set up the area for
a basketball game today. The Utes played the Mid-Western from Wichita Falls,
Texas and lost by 1 point. I was glad. I’d like to see them lose them all and maybe the Pimm would get fired.
We had a bomb threat even tonight and I had to take the police through all the underground
tunnels and up to the roof. The alumni had problems with the band also and I had
to straighten that out also. I was paid
today and cleared $501. I made nearly $700 but taxes took the rest. This is the
first basketball game I had to work. Basketball goes on until March yuck. I
talked with Kelley today before she left.
We both miss Gary but I wasn’t to get
back into school.
DECEMBER
1 December 1979 Saturday
I spent the day cleaning house,
listening to albums until 3:30. Then Fran took me up to SEC while she went with
Ricard Namenworth to a laundromat to do our wash. In the evening we went to the
Tower Theater and saw “In-Laws” which was a cute show. It was a cold day. I
have been thinking a lot of going back to school.
2 December 1979 Sunday
We attended Fast and Testimony
Meeting today at 11:15. We met a couple
who wanted us to come to a young married party but I have to work the Johnny Cash
concert that night. Mom called in the afternoon and wanted to know what the doctor had to say about my physical. She said that
little Kenny was over the other day with Donna and the baby. He was being
cranky fro not taking a nap and was yelling and screaming. Mom told him to be
quiet or he’d wake the baby. Then he was quiet for about one minute then he
started up again. Then Donna got after him and started yelling at him and he
said “mama shut up or you’ll wake the baby. Grandma said so.” I watched Madalyn
Murray O’Hair on the TV. People can be
so ignorant. I also watched the Sound of Music for the rest of the evening. We
had spaghetti for supper. It was kind of a quiet day.
3 December 1979 Monday
I picked up Gary Ratliff
for work this morning and he hardly said one to me and all day he was
really cold towards me and indifferent.
I couldn’t figure out why or what was wrong. I worked until 6. I had to clean
the ticket sales office after 5 and the rest of the day worked in the concourse
, mopping and buffing. I couldn’t figure out what I did to make Gary mad at me.
I called him after picking Fran up from La Paloma. I asked if I had done
anything to cause him to be mad at me or offended by me but he said everything
was fine although I knew it wasn’t. Even
Kelley Carlson and Pat Winters noticed how cold Gary was to me. I didn’t spend
lunch with him because of it.
4 October 1979 Tuesday
It was no fun at work today.
Gary continues to be cold . Pat Winters and Kelley Carlson both senses it. I
don’t spend my breaks or lunches in the office anymore. I have made up my mind
not to let it interfere with work anymore. Gary called Pat and Cliff Garland
into the office today to get them to
settle their differences.
5 December 1979 Wednesday
It was a very hectic day. I
was very angry at Dean Guthrie because he was telling people that I was mad at Gary
because he was telling people that I was made at Gary because he was screwing me over. I confronted
him in front of Gary and told him to
mind his own business and stay out of personal life. I was really upset and
later Gary finally talked to me. What it boiled down to was that he was really upset
that I might quit and he was emotionally terminating me before I terminated
him. We worked out our differences ad
came a way feeling really good. Gary is
really afraid that he might have cancer of the prostate. I told Gary that as long as he wants me to work for him
and that he treats me fair, I’ll stay and support him. I went to La Paloma for
supper.
6 December 1979 Thursday
Finally a good day at work. I
picked up Gary this morning and worked
until 5. I worked really hard for most of the day mopping and buffing the concourse,
trying to get it ready before tomorrow.
I had a pastrami sandwich for lunch when
Gary sent Pat down to Crown Burgers . During the last half of the shift, I
played backgammon with Gary and Kelley in his office. I guess on the 19yh this month the whole crew
is going to Logan for a basketball game. It
sounds like a lot of fun. I also worked cleaning the ticket sales office
with Pat. The big news of the day is that Jeff Chapman and Rand Hendrickson
quit with Gary’s persuasion. They didn’t want to work this weekend. Jeff is just crazy and I
think we will be better off without them. This evening I made a candy cane house
cake while Fran went to her O.A. meeting.
The cake turned out really cute.
7 December 1979 Friday
I didn’t have to work late
tonight, thank goodness. I spent the morning setting up the arena floor for the
Basketball Classic tonight. Gary and Dean worked hard getting the score board
to work. For the last two games evidently the time clock has been out of
sync. Gary was in a good mood today and
it seemed like everyone else was also. Kelley Carlson was working hard on
finishing her term papers. I won’t miss Rand Hendrickson and Jeff Chapman until next weekend and even
them won’t miss them much. In the afternoon, I worked mainly getting the
arena ready for tonight. Pat Winter, Kay
Wiker and Gary will work the game tonight. I went and picked up Fran so she
could go to her O.A. meeting tonight at reg Holiday Inn. Once there it seemed
too weird and I told Fran that I didn’t want to attend. She was mad and had a
fight. It just seemed weird to me and I didn’t know a soul there and she did.
Fran said she resented Aunt Minnie coming but put up with her. That really made
me angry. I didn’t want to go straight home either so I went to the Salt Lake Library and checked out a book on the meaning of
names. The I came home and cleaned up the ,ess I made in the kitchen yesterday.
I haven’t heard how Grandma Johnson is doing. She’s in the hospital in Lubbock
for eye surgery.
8 December 1979 Saturday
I worked from 8 this morning until
midnight, 16 long hours. Gary and I
worked this morning together mopping the arena floor. We tried to get the building in
shape for tonight’s Basketball game.
Utah won the classic. Kay and Dean had
to go up to Snowbird to get more staging for the Donna Summer’s concert. They
sure expect a lot from us. Yesterday and today basketball game set ups, tomorrow
Ezra T, Benson is speaking, Monday we have to build the stage and on Tuesday
work the concert. It’s really the pits. I don’t know when they expect us
to clean the building between
venues. I played backgammon in the
afternoon during our lunch break. I spent most of the evening in the VIP lounge making sure the alumni were
taken care of. Jed Hansen and I also worked the concourse while Gary was down
on the arena floor. Pat Winter took Gary and me home after it was all over.
Fran went to O.A. meetings all day except when she did the wash.
9 December 1979 Sunday
Fran was in a car accident
today which total our car. Some guy in a Ford truck hit her broad side and
smashed the driver’s side of the car, If she would have had her seat belt on the
impact would have killed her. As it was
she was thrown to the side and taken to Holy Cross hospital where she had some
x-rays and stitches. I was at work when
I received a call from some man saying
Fran was at the hospital. I was having a pretty good time at work getting
things set up for Ezra Taft Benson who is speaking tonight at a Fireside. I
felt really bad leaving everyone with all this work to do but Gary was so
understanding. I took Pat Winter’s car down to Holy Cross to be with Fran in
the emergency room. Pat helped me take
her home and Sandy Jenkins next door helped Fran get undressed . Everyone has
been just really good and helpful. Tony Suazo is coming out from Grantsville tomorrow
to stay with Fran and help us out. I only worked three hours before leaving.
Fran said she’s really stiff and sore but otherwise okay. I called mom and dad
, her mother Lorna, Meg and Steve, Linda Suazo, and Paulette to let them know
about the accident.
10 December 1979 Monday
I stayed hoe with Fran until 6
this evening then went into work and
stayed there until 11:00. Fran wasn’t in such bad shape today just all
stiffness and her soreness is coming
out. She laid on the couch with Sam and watched TV while I made her some lunch.
Linda Suazo didn’t bring Tony out until 4:30 and then she took me out to the
towing yard to see the damage to the car.
It was totaled. The whole driver’s side was pushed din about 2-3 feet so the ford Truck must have just plowed into her.
It really is amazing that Fran wasn’t killed. While I went into wok found that most
of it was done because Gary called in a lot of extra help. I mainly helped with
the set up and kept Gary and Kelley company. They spent about $500 on plant rentals. They also
brought back some food for the crew. It was good to be back at work. I missed everyone and the
excitement. I came home and saw that Tony and Fran were still up. Sandy Jenkins
from next door sure have been good to us, helping us out.
11 December 1979 Tuesday
Tonight was the sold out Donna
Summer’s concert. I worked from 8 this morning until 2:20 in the morning. Gary
Ratliff hired the basketball team and
some union people to help set up so it wasn’t too bad at all. I spent most of the
morning helping the roadies unload sound equipment. I liked this group of
roadies the best. Donna Summer’s concert was the best I worked so far but I
didn’t get to see but two minutes of it because Gary stuck me in the back pf the
stage so I didn’t have much of a good
time. Gary was real flippant with me so I just did my job and hell with anything else. I took
Fran to the doctors from 5-7 so she
could have some more x-rays. She doesn’t have any broken bones but just really
still and sore. She did go to the
concert with Tony Suazo, Scott from La Paloma
and Malee. She had a good time. I didn’t have much to eat all day and it was so
cold outside loading the trucks back up
after the concert. It was so late we all just slept at work.
12 December 1979 Wednesday
I was up at 7:45 after sleeping in the varsity
locker room with Pat Winter and Gary Ratliff. I didn’t have a hangover or anything this morning and felt all right after taking a long hot shower with Gary and Pat. Gary had to go to a meeting at 9 and the rest
of the crew cleaned up the stage while
Gary was away. Then for the rest of the day , I hung out in Gary’s office
playing backgammon or just visiting. Later in the afternoon the crew started
getting crazy and Gary and the rest of the crew were throwing left over cookies
and candy from Donna Summer’s dressing room.
Kelley Carlson was getting
upset so I took her out into the concourse
and we went for a walk. Gary gave us all wrist watches for an early Christmas
gift. They are digital with battery and
an alarm. They are super nice and I love mine
but mine was the only one that was different. Everyone one’s was a golden with a black
facing, but mine was metallic with a blue facing. I really liked mine better but
it was kind of weird that mine was different from the rest and Gary’s attitude
was that it didn’t matter. I just had to quit being an ingrate. Fran is getting
better. Kay Wiker spent the night with Fran and I and played RISK.
13 December 1979 Thursday
Gary called me down to the arena
after Kelley Carlson and I came back for
lunch an hour late. Kelley and I went to Brown and Engl Floral to look for some
silk flowers for her mother. We were an hour late and we sneaked back in but
Gay wasn’t mad about that.
Yesterday when everyone was going
crazy throwing food in the office ,
Kelley and I left and Gary because his “audience” walked out on him. We talked for 3 hours and we felt really
close afterwards. I told him how I felt bad a little bit when I received a different watch
than everyone else. I was feeling left out even though I love my watch. We
understood more where we were coming from. Fran an I decided not to go home for
Christmas as I don’t see how now without a car.
14 December 1979 Friday
I was paid today $280 out of
$359. This morning we worked taking the stage down. Everyone was grouchy except
Lay Wiker, Gary and me. During lunch I went with Gary and Kelley Carlson to Brown Floral to buy some silk flowers. Gary
wants me to make an arrangement for his mother and Kelley wants me to make one for her mother
also. Gary went to the doctor’s today and he said he still has an infection. In
the afternoon Dan Guthrie wanted me to go with him to Snowbird to return the storage that we borrowed from them. Gary didn’t want
me to go and Dean didn’t tell him that he was taking me. At the last minute
Gary found out as I was sitting in the truck
ready to whisk me away. He told Dean that I wasn’t to go but stay and help set up the floor with chairs and to vacuum.
I was saved in the nick of time. Otherwise I’d been on my way to Snowbird and hot have gotten home until late.
In the evening Fran and I played gin and I made a floral arrangement for Gary’s
mom Gladys.
15 December 1979 Saturday
Gary came by the place and
picked me up for work at 1 this afternoon and I worked until 3:30 in the
morning, I spent most of the afternoon unloading equipment for the Johnny Cash
show. He only had one diesel truck so it was no big deal. Cliff Garland worked
the lights, Jed Hansen and this new kid Bryce worked the concourse. Pat Winter
and Kay Wiker worked backstage and Dean Guthrie worked the west tunnel. To keep
people from sneaking in. Gary was
exhausted and was in his office for most
of the show. I worked with Jed and Bryce showing them how to do the concourse.
This afternoon Dean was late because he
wrecked his brand new car. He had sold his truck for a T-Bird. He was really upset and crying. I don’t understand that
as that to me a car is just a car. People are more important than things. Pat winter is still upset with
me for spending so much time with Gary but I enjoy spending time in his company. I didn’t see any of the show as I stayed with
Gary in his office. After the concert, I stacked chairs and helped take the
stage down. Dean was pissed off with Gary
because he would correct him on small matters. Pat took us home and was
being weird.
16 December 1979 Sunday
It was after 3:30 when I drove
out with Gary to his house first then Pat took me home. He kept saying to me “If
you hurt Gary, you’ll be sorry.” I never could figure out what he meant so I just
humored him. After coming home I slept
in until 1 in the afternoon. Kitty and
Tony Suazo were both over and I fixed them some lunch and dinner. Paulette
Gasparac is doing our laundry for us.
Linda Suazo came out to retrieve Tony and she took me grocery shopping so we finally have food in the house. I talked
to both Gary and Kelley today. Fran is
doing better . Kitty is staying with us now to help Fran. Mom called and I told her we wouldn’t be coming for Christmas.
They were disappointed but understood.
They said they all have colds out there anyway. In the news the Shah of Iran
left the U.S. Kathy Helton called also
today. She didn’t know about Fran’s accident because Lorna never mentioned it.
17 December 1979 Monday
Kelley Carlson came and picked
both Gary and me up for work. I spent the morning setting up th e Basketball
stands but at lunch, Gary, Kelley, ad I
went into Bountiful and looked at a car Kelley’s brother said was a good buy. It’s
a 1974 Nova. We test drove and I thought
it was pretty good. When we came back, I called my insurance, Zion’s Bank and
seems everybody, about the accident. I went to the Credit Union to see if I
could borrow $1300 for the Nova but I really doubt that they will.. I was so
upset that our insurance only paid off the car and nothing for us to be able to
buy a new vehicle. Gary said he’d
see that I’d get the car somehow, After
5 we went back to Bountiful to get a buyer’s agreement. Then Kelley took Gary and Me home. Garry then took me shopping
for a Christmas tree. I bought a real full one for $30. It’s Fran’s and my first Christmas tree. Kay Wiker
spent the night with us and Kitty Suazo
decorated the tree for us.
18 December 1979 Tuesday
Kelley and Gary picked me up for work at 8 and
I waxed and buffed the concourse this
morning and visited with Garry. My
credit union turned own my loan application which made me feel rather depressed for most of the day. Gary was showing Kelley
a lot of attention to Kelley rather than
me also. I kind of felt left out of the Three Musketeers. During lunch Gary, Kelley and I went to Keith Holt’s and saw what was left of my car. That poor Datsun also washed Kelley’s Pinto and went to the pharmacy to get Gary some medicine.
Fran seems to be getting better The adjuster
says the car the car us worth $4,150 but
the bank says the payoff is $3800. Brian
Nelson, Cliff Garland. And Gary Ratliff received tehri 10 years pins at a
Service Award presentation this afternoon. I can’t believe that anyone could
work for 10 years at one job. I felt really depressed later in that
afternoon but at home in the evening
Gary called. He told me h was going to buy the car and that I could buy it
through him. I stayed to cry. I’ve never had anyone do that for me out of love.
I could hardly express myself. Kay Wiker and his mother dropped by later in the evening to visit . I made some
cookies but they didn’t turn out so I made some brownies to bring tomorrow.
19 December 1979 Wednesday
It was a terrible rotten day.
Gary, Kelley, and I went out to lunch to
mail off some letters and after coming
back at one, they dropped me off and drove around for another hour. I
was really hurt being excluded and pissed off. I really then didn’t feel like
going up to Logan with everyone now but
later in the afternoon, Gary apologized and said he really wanted me to go.
However the whole trip up there on the school bus was really depressing. Kelly
and her sister Kathy came along and Gary and Kelley acted like they were on a
date, completely ignoring everyone else. The worse of it was at the game when
Gary sat next to Kelley and Pat Winters
while relegating me off to side
when he promised that I would be with
him and Kelley. All the way home Gary and Kelly cooed and laughed with each
other. I was embarrassed for them because it was obvious that they were in love. The trip was absolutely no fun, quite
miserable for me and I don’t think
anyone had a good time with Kathy and
Kelley because it wasn’t just the guys. There was a lot of competition fro Gary’s
attention We didn’t return to Salt Lake until 12:30 and when Gary and I were
finally alone in his office I called him a bastard for what he was doing with
Kelley and he thought I was being unreasonable
until I told him what he had been doing with Kelley and him being a married man
not to mention his not keeping his word to me and treating m like shit. He
started to cry and I felt bad because I know he’s hurting. We spent the night at SEC with Pat Winters.
Gary and I talked until 4:30 in the
morning.
20 December 1979 Thursday
At work thus morning I felt
devastated and depressed by Kelley and
Gary pushing me away. I spent most of the
morning finding places I could sleep a bit and in the afternoon , Gary
and I talked some more. I told him he was flying solo with Kelly as I couldn’t
handle it anymore him sneaking off to be alone with her. He then left and drove
around with Kelley to discuss how they felt about each other. I called Gary in the evening and he is so
depressed. He told Kelley , he loved her and she responded back that she did
too but they said they wouldn’t do anything but juts be friends. I told Gary I
had to have the next week off.
21 December 1979 Friday
The days go from bad to worse.
This morning Kelley and I worked on a floral arrangement for her mother and Gary
was with us like normal but after I was done he had me go back to work so he
could be alone with Kelley. I was hurt by the rejection and made up my mind not
to attend the Christmas party held at noon It would have been too depressing to
see Gary and Kelley acting out their
love grief. I took off for a while and came back at 1:20 and it didn’t look
like anyone had fun at the party. Kelley and Gary were playing backgammon and
Dennis Hanson dropped over. He doesn’t know what is going on but said “If you guys getting any closer I’m going
to tell your wife.” He meant it as a joke but he picked up on what was going on. I tried to get involved
in their backgammon game but felt like an intruder and Gary and Kelley were
both upset with me for trying. Finally Gary said they were paying 3 out of 5
games meaning “Get Lost”. I didn’t let
it phase me and played with Kay Wiker so Gary and Kelley left the office. They
were gone until close to 5 making me be in the office all by myself. I think Gary
has changed his mind about helping me with the car because he sure is dragging
his feet now, saying his brother in law
has the money tied up. But did get Kelley to go to Bountiful to put $100
deposit down on the car. Gary drove Kelley’s car up and back with no real
reason but to be with Kelley. I gave out
Christmas presents, a bible to Gary and Church History to Kelley. I told Gary I
wouldn’t work the basketball game tomorrow.
22 December 1979 Saturday
I spent the entire day with Fran. It snowed all day
and Kitty Suazo finally left from staying with Fran to keep her company while
she recuperated. Fran and I snuggled up for most of the day and watched The
Ghost and Mrs. Muir. In the evening we went
for a walk with Sam and we saw Christmas Lane across from Westminster college.
I didn’t go anywhere but stayed home with Fran. I did call Mike Allred to wish
him Merry Christmas.
Fran and I slept in until 9:30
before getting up. I was so groggy. In the afternoon we went to Sacrament but
didn’t stay through the whole program because Fran started to hurt some. The snow
seems to be meting fast but will probably have a White Christmas. I called mom
and dad this afternoon and spoke with
Grandma Johnson. They all sure sounded depressed I talked to mom and dad some
and they said things are tight for them right now and they won’t be able to
loan us any money to but the car. I can only scrape up around $700 for the Nova.
So I suppose I will have to wait until January to get it. I don’t think Gary is
interested in helping me anymore. In the evening Lionel Suazo came over to
bring some presents from the Suazo’s. Fran gave them a cookie jar filled with
candied popcorn. We talked a long time
about the hardship of tithing and following the church authorities. He made a
lot of sense when he said any of us cam talk as why we should leave the church
but we would be hurting no one but ourselves. Also this evening someone dropped
off two boxes of groceries on our front porch including a big turkey. We
already had a turkey but what a surprise. I need to grow closer to Frab and the
lord. I am tired on being left on my
own. I need the strength of the lord and my good wife. I called Kay Wiker this
evening to see how everything went yesterday. He said Gary looked really sick.
I guess I know why. Kelley did come up to the game. Mow why did she do that?
How can they get over any feelings they have for each other if are together all
the time.
24 December 1979 Monday
Fran and I went to the
University bookstore today to buy Kay Wiker and Pat Winter something for
Christmas. Kay picked us up from work because Gary sent everyone home early so he could be with Kelley Carlson. It was
kind of fun taking the bus up to the University. There is still plenty on snow
on the ground. Kay and Fran went out shopping while I stayed home and cleaned
house somewhat. I got things ready for Christmas dinner tomorrow. I called
Gabby today and we talked for a while and I said I was sorry for any part I had
in this mess.. Gary wouldn’t even come over to pick up his mom’s flowers I made
for her but sent Pat Winters for them instead. That kind of hurt my feelings
but its just as well. When Fran came home from shopping, she said that Kay knew
all along what was going on down there. He said he felt bad every time he goes to
the office it’s cool there as we’re infringing on Gary’s time with Kelley. He
said he thought that Kelley has a thing for married men. What a mess. In the
evening for Christmas Eve, we watched a little TV as Fran wrapped presents.
Later we opened ours. Fran got me a King Kong game and some oil paints
while I gave Fran a necklace golden
chain and some ear bobs. I was kind of tired this evening emotionally drained. I
am trying to turn my will over to God’s like Fran said to do. Let Go Let God. There
is only happiness in following the principles of the gospel. One may get
momentary excitement by going off on one’s own but I need to desperately hang
on to the Iron Rod. However I must not become non-compassionate and insensitive
to the hurts and follies of others. Fran and I went to bed early. It was kind
of a lonely Christmas Eve. Fran did call her mom and sisters Mickey and Kathy and they are all
doing well. Funny that they don’t ever call her.
25 December 1979 Tuesday
Th highlight if the day was when
Fran, Kay Wiker, and I went to Trolley Corners and saw “Scavenger Hunter”. We
just laughed our buns off. Especially when these soap suds about to overtake
the people and James Coco screams “oh
No, A killer Souffle”. It felt good to be laughing again instead of being so depressed.
Kay spent the night with us and we visited a while about Gary and Kelley. We didn’t
solve anything but I did feel better
knowing that others are aware of what is
going on down there and I am not just being overly sensitive because of how
involved I was . Mom and Dad called this morning to wish us a Merry Christmas
as did my sister Charline later in the day. We had a big turkey dinner I fixed
with all the trimmings and I hope I didn’t gain back the 15 lbs. I had lost. In the afternoon Farn and I
walked Sam all the way up to the Special Event Center jut to get out of the house. I was going to
take her on a tour of the building, however but we saw Pat there and had him
take us back home. While there I took home a lot of my junk I had left there. I’d
give anything for things to go back the way they were but Kelley and Gary destroyed Camelot. I found out that Dione Warrick is coming too
SEC and so Is Molly Hatchet and the Outlaws in January. Lots of Basketball
games also. Maybe just a lot of hard work will pull us
through this but I doubt it now. It sure was fun going to the show with Fran
and Kay. Kay bought us Temple Clothes for Christmas. How very special of him.
Now ill have to get my life in order so
I can wear them. Walking up to the SEC passing by Rice Stadium, I felt really
nostalgic for last fall when things were better. I will have to forgive and
forget and still be fun to be with for others. I do so sparkle and shine when I am not a dud.
26 December 1979 Wednesday
I didn’t work today but spent
the day cleaning house with Fran which took almost the entire day> I am
trying to learn to fast again and control my appetites. I called Ogden and
Provo Temples to try and put Gary and Gabby’s names in the Prayer Rolls but
they were closed. Kay Wiker came over around 4 and said Gary had let everyone
goo at 3 so he could be a lone with Kelley. Kay feels so bad about what is
going on down there. In the evening Fran went to her O.A. meeting and I called Pat Winters to see of he wanted
to go do something but he was playing basketball. So I took Sam for a long
walk. It made me think and get things
straight in my mind. Fran is doing so much better but still can’t strain herself.
I read scriptures and sang some hymns before going to bed. I am trying to build
back my testimony an d faith in the church. I painted some today with the oils Fran gave me for Christmas.
27 December 1979 Thursday
I went to the genealogical
library today for the first time in I don’t know when. Frana and I went also
down to the Cottonwood Mall in the afternoon to go to a show but after we
arrived there we decided not to go and instead juts rode the bus around for a
while. That’s when I decided to go to the library looking up the Gould’s Family for Gary’s Genealogy.
I was able to trace them back to 1455 in
Buck County, England. Also found out that he’s related to Joseph Smith . That
was interesting. When I came home Fran said Kay called and said things are
really bad at work. Also Richard Hilton
called and wanted to talk to me as he was having a hard time also over
Christmas. I went to bed rather early about 9:30 but couldn’t fall asleep . I am
so mixed up in my mind about Gary and Kelley. Kay said the crew is eating in
the lunch now and leaving Gary and Kelley alone.
28 December 1979 Friday
The month, the year and the
decade is fast coming to a close. I made a commitment to live better and be
better. The Lord has the ability to bring peace to a tumultuous soul. I called
Gabby Ratliff this morning to see how
she was and we had a long talk. I felt better about going back to work. I know
how to be patient and understanding. Though I’ve suffered a lot this week over a
lot of past wickedness. I read from the Book of Hebrews today, painted some
more on an oil painting for Gabby and Gary which Fran watched “wuthering
Heights”. In the afternoon when Kay was
off work, he brought me my paycheck and took me to Bountiful to put $350 more
on the Nova. I’ve paid $450 so far out
of the $$1300. I paid $59 in tithing. I don’t think Fran is going to be able to
go back to work next week. She doesn’t feel up to it. I didn’t get out of the
house much. I will be glad to go back to work tomorrow. It’s been a long self-imposed exile.
29 December 1979 Saturday
I went up to SEC early about 1 so I could type up some of Gary’s
genealogy on this Gould line. When Gary came in at 3 he was cool to me but I just tried o be cheerful. Pat Winter
was just being a shit to me. Evidently Gary put Pat in charge but never told
anyone and he just was bossing everyone around. Jed Hanson and I worked
together for a while during the girls basketball game. I was in charge of the lounge
and getting it set up for the alumni people. Gary didn’t say five words to me
all evening. After the game was over, I wondered how I was going to get home
because Pat couldn’t take me because he had too stay to clean up. Gary brought his own car so I naturally
thought he’s take me home but he never
asked me how I was getting home or anything. I was crushed. I started walking
home about 10:30 when Dennis and Jed Hansen
saw me and picked me up and took me home. So I didn’t have to walk the
entire way. I’d never have made an enemy walk home alone a friend.
I had a very restless and fitful night as I
kept waking up and feeling disappointed and hurt all over again. When I did get
up, I didn’t go to church or anything as I felt so miserable I didn’t want to be
around anyone. A friend of Frans’s,
Shannon, came over and she helped us fielding the clothes, washing dishes, and
making up the bed. Yesterday Fran and I had been disappointed in so many people
we thought were friends. When the chips
were down, not many people came through for us including Gary, Pat , the
Madsen’s, and Paulette Gasparac. People
we had gone out of our way for them. I
went up to the SEC to type on my own
genealogy and Kay Wilker came up to lock the place up and he took me home. I am
so disappointed in Gary Ratliff. I can’t even believe it like I’m in a state of
disbelief. We inhabit a jungle as we are jungle creatures. I am going to have
to forgive Gary so the bitterness towards him doesn’t eat me up.
31 December 1979 Monday
Jed Hansen and his dad came by
and picked me up to take me into work> I put a letter I wrote to Gary on his
desk but he didn’t come in at all today as he called in sick. He rest of the crew
worked in the morning bringing out the
side baskets. Pat winter wouldn’t work with us. Too loyal to Gay. When Keley
came in and I saw her and Pat together,
I knew that something did happen. Cliff Garland, Kay Wiker, and Dean Guthrie
really think Kelley is no good and won’t have anything to do with her anymore.
I typed up some genealogy, talked with Dean who is all mixed up about a lot o f
things but does know what is going on. We all left today at 3:00. I came home
and fixed some Clam Chowder for our anniversary and spent the night making love
to Fran.
Since this is not only the close of 1979, but also of the
seventies, I probably should reflect upon the whole decade. It sure saw a change in
my life. In 1970 I was still a freshman at Cypress College. There I met Ralph
Ludders in my night geography class and we became fast friends. John Cunningham
and I stopped being friends during the year as I was growing up and branching out. I
started working at Taco bell and became close to Karen Gramsted and her brother. My sister
Donna was divorced from Terry Perce and went back to college. In 1971 I had a religious
experience that began to turn my life around. I graduated with an A.A.
degrees from Cypress and transferred to
Cal-State Fullerton. I moved into the dorms there and met Richard Ventura and some other close friends in particular
Laurie Edmundson. The Vietnam war was going
on at the time and I was active
in anti-war activities. In 1972 I became
a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and transferred
from Cal State Fullerton to BYU. I was very mixed up in that year but the Lord
was with me. In January 1973 I moved to Provo, Utah and started school at BYU
which was a total change in my life. I became an active Mormon ad met some choice people. I became friends
with Mike Allred and we were roommates
for several years. In 1974 it was a hard year with the recession in full
force. I couldn’t stay in school and returned to California for 6 months trying
to make enough money to get back into school. I should have graduated in 1974
but missed it by a half a unit. In 1975 I became engaged with Lind a
Prindle but it didn’t work out and we
broke up. I met Meg ad Steve Madsen in
the spring of 1975 when I shared an apartment with Mike Allred that the Madsen’s
managed. I finally graduated in 1975 and
also applied to gain a certificate in education. In 1976 I did my student teaching ad became
inactive in the church and eventually as
disfellowshipped. In the fall I took a trip back to Washington DC driving clear
across the country by myself. I came
back to Utah and got a job at the U of U in food service where I met Frances
Fuchs. We were married in January of 1977 and she graduated that year. At the
end of the summer we moved to Ft. Worth Texas
to get away from Utah however we came back in January 1978 and stayed
with Murray Van Wagoner until he died. My Grandpa Williams and Aunt Jerri also died
in 1978. At the end of summer we moved to Grantsville, Utah and substituted. I
taught until April 1979 when i went to work at the U of U’s Special Events
Center.
Gary L Ratliff 444 Morton
Drive SLC Ut 84116 355-8578
Kay Wiker 4565 West 47775
South Kearns, Utah 84118 967-8759
Dean Guthrie 262-1811
Pat Winter 947 Eats 4th
South Apt 5 SLC UT 355-7937
Kelley Carlson 225 North 500 East Centerville, Utah 295-1424
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