July 18th, 1995

## Spotnik

\*\*\*Posted July 19th, 1995

**7/18**Last time we spoke, I proudly barked that I was going to bravely venture from the safety of The Spot until I found Sadie, the Collie of my dreams. Needless to say, I'm still here. I did try and leave -- I waited 'til Lon left the back patio door open (as usual) and galloped on out. I must've been walking for oh, ten, fifteen minutes when I remembered that I left without my dinner, not to mention the Spot mates were talking about taking me to the beach this weekend. I always enjoy those family outings ever since they gave up trying to teach me to catch a Frisbee in my mouth. I figured it would be nice to spend some time with the gang considering it might be the last time I'd see them. You're probably asking yourselves, "Hey Spotnik, so you had your day at the beach, now why not go out in search of your love, Sadie?" Well I plan on it. It's just the Spot mates are planning this party for Tara this Friday night. You see, she too has a lost love and she's going to Paris to find him. I thought maybe I'd hang around for the party. My old pal, Rusty, an affable Golden Retriever, said he'd try and make it. We've got a lot of catchin' up to do since the last party when we got into trouble for drinking from the toilet. And of course at the shindig, I can always count on the drunken humans to feed me as much food as I want until I vomit. Don't wanna miss all that! So the Spot mates don't know it, but they'll be saying good-bye to two of us at the Bon Voyage party. Two lost souls -- in search of their hearts.

**July 18th, 1995**
## Tara

\*\*\*Posted July 19th, 1995

**18 July 1995**"Baby, baby it's a wild world......"

I'm feeling really weird about Paris; I get so impulsive sometimes. Even though I've been thinking about Sacha for three years, now that everything's in motion, I feel.....strange.

Tyler's been on my case about taking off, for a couple of different reasons. First of all, he says I'm abandoning The Spot project. I'd never do that. I'll be writing in for the week I'm gone; they have faxes and modems in Europe too. He also seems irritated that I'm chasing "lost love". He's the kind of person that is constantly in motion, and totally efficient; he doesn't want to look back at anything-- EVER. And he's one of the only people (besides everyone and their mother on the Internet) who know about my "relation" to Sacha. He doesn't even know the whole story, but he's heard pieces and feels the need to have an opinion because he's family. I hate that. Tyler's probably jealous; he has no love in his life. Not the romantic kind, anyway. In fact, looking back, he's never really had a serious girlfriend; his nose has always been stuck in a computer. There's always been sibling rivalry between us, but he'd never admit that.

While I'm away, my friend Stan "Wulf" Schuman is coming to stay at The Spot- he's in between apartments and has been crashing on everyone's couch for the summer. If it's my turn to be hospitable; might as well have him stay with me when I'm not around (maybe you need to know Stan for that to be funny). Anyhow, so he feels like he's earning his keep, I've asked him to keep an eye on the Internet project. He's pretty much a film guy (we had classes together last semester) but he's quite the computer geek too.

What if, let's say, I go to Paris only to find that Sacha has moved. Or that he's gotten married or had a sex change or something. Am I setting myself up to be disappointed if I go to visit and he's not at all expecting me? I realize the whole romantic notion I've created in my head is ridiculous. I can't just waltz into this man's life one day and expect everything to be a fairy tale. I'm not chickening out; my ticket is non refundable. But suddenly calling and at least testing the water doesn't seem like a bad idea.

Later:

How can I relate this feeling to all of you? It's a good thing I'm typing, not writing, because my hands are still shaking.

I called Sacha.

My whole body got tingly and I grew nauseous as the person on the other end of the line, across the Atlantic ocean said "Allo?" It was the voice of a stranger. The telephone slid out of my hand and managed to find its way back to the receiver.

Then I called again.

"Allo?"

"Hello, Sacha. It's Tara....."

He sounded confused at first. Out of context, I can understand. And when he finally realized who I was, he still sounded so far away. I told him I was planning to visit. He said something in French that I won't pretend to understand (but it sounded really sweet) and then invited me to stay with him (I was hoping he'd do that....) I'm not sure what more I was expecting; something...... more. But even in the disappointment I didn't want to admit I was feeling, I think there's still something there. Something worth exploring.

Other things:

I watched "Lolita" alone today...Jeff was nowhere to be found, and I wasn't looking anyway. Then I moved on to "Harold and Maude". A classic! I loved that film and the Cat Stevens sound track. Originally, I thought he should be boycotted because of the whole Salman Rushdie "Satanic Verses" thing. But after having his music engrained in my head for hours made me rethink that. Boycotting his music is like continuing the censorship cycle, and that's a party I'd rather not attend.

It sounds like summer camp upstairs these days! Carrie, Britt , and Lon are like teenagers, running rampant around The Spot. I don't care what they do as long as they stay out of my room (Oh my God, I'm becoming Jeff!) Three Musketeers...or Three Stooges? I think I just heard Lon do his Curly laugh.

P.S. Got any French vocabulary words I could squeak by with?

**July 18th, 1995**
## Michelle

\*\*\*Posted July 19th, 1995

**7/18**Remember the bathroom in the Brady Bunch? All six kids in one bathroom. Now I know why Jan was so angst-ridden.

Carrie's girlfriend, Britt has finally oozed her way into The Spot. She is paying half of Carrie's rent, because "she is only using half of Carrie's room." Funny, she doesn't seem to be showering in Carrie's room. How come her dirty cereal bowl is sitting in the kitchen sink, and not in Carrie's room?

I went to Jeff's room and complained. "I am paying you for half a bathroom. With Britt here, I only have one third of a bathroom. Either you do something about it, or I don't think I should pay the same amount."

Jeff's response: "Tell Britt she can only use the bathroom one quarter of the time. Make sure the door locks behind you."

Obviously that boy grew up without sisters.

\*\*\*SPOT BULLETIN --- Friday Night --- Party at The Spot. I think it is for Tara going to Spain or something. Should be a blast!!!

July 18th, 1995
## External links

* Spotnik's entry
* Tara's entry
* Michelle's entry