Have you ever wondered what it might have been like to be able to read blogs back in the ’30s and ’40s?  I didn’t think so.  But I have.

Saturday, October 25, 1941

Halloween is this Friday!

Not sure what Mom and Pop are planning for Friday Night, but I know I have to figure out a way to sneak out of the house so I can go to Gene and Dave’s big bash.  Wowsers!  It sure sounds like it’ll be a keen time.

I had a date last night.  With Mindy Palmer.  I took her to see the new Walt Disney movie called Dumbo and boy did I feel like a dumbo.  The movie was barely an hour long, it was only 8:00 and Mindy said she had to go home and get her beauty sleep.

I’m starting to think Mindy is more into herself than anyone else.  She gave me a photo of herself and then kissed it.  Was she giving me that kiss, or was she just infatuated with her own image?  Golly gee willikers!  I hope it was for me.

I can’t believe I’m going to be 18 in just six short weeks.  Then I’ll go to parties anytime I want to and no one can stop me!

I’m thinking about dressing up as Humphrey Bogart like he is in the Maltese Falcon right now.  Have you seen that movie.  Gosh, that Bogie can sure act, but that new guy in the film, Peter Lorry or something like that, gives me the shivers!   Brrrrr!!!!!!

Mindy wants to go to the movies again next week.  She wants to see Walter Pigeon in How Green Was My Valley, but I’d rather see Buck Privates again.  We will see.

Posted by Paul at 5:13pm 31 comments

Wednesday, November 5, 1941

Still grounded but I got the internet back

I can’t figure out how everyone knew about Gene and David’s big bash.  I sure didn’t tell anyone, but my parents even knew and caught me coming down from the apple tree outside my window.  They say they’ll let me before Christmas, but i already know that.  I turn 18 on Dec. 6.  I’ll never be grounded again.

Posted by Paul at 3:29pm 33 comments

Saturday, November 29, 1941

Just one more week in this heck hole

I’m going batty here in my bedroom.  All I have to do is read the blogs and everybody is “oh so serious” about this Hitler guy.  For heaven sakes, what do we care?  We’re not even involved.

What’s more important to me is getting the heck out of here – sorry, I know my superlatives and slang are getting out of hand.  I’m at my wits end.  Mindy Palmer moved in with her cousin Selena and I never see her anymore.  Funny thing, I thought I had met all of her family, but I don’t ever recall even hearing of a cousin named Selena before yesterday, but it was obvious right away they were related, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.  At least I know my Mindy is in good hands.

Oh well, I have to run.  Getting ready for my break from prison.  First period starts at 8:35.

Posted by Paul at 8:05am 14 comments

Friday, December 5, 1941

Pull out your Dorsey records, it’s a celebration!!!!!

While I was at school today there were a few recruiters trying to get kids to sign up for the army or something.  Anyway, they promised to let me see the world.  What’s even better, they pay me and I get to take a dandy cruise to boot!  I filled out all the paper work today at school, and tomorrow morning – on my 18th birthday – I will sign my name and become a member of the United States Navy!

Take that Pop!  Take that Mom!  And take that Mindy Palmer, too.  Mindy called last week to say she was seeing someone new.  I know she’s lying and trying to make me jealous, but I’ve followed her.  The only person I have ever seen her with is her cousin Selena.  You’d think if she was seeing someone else that she’d dump Selena so she could meet up with him.

But after tomorrow, all of this crap – I can’t believe I just used that word, I hope I don’t get into trouble with the Navy – anyway, after tomorrow I leave all of this behind and take up my new life as an international vagabond.

It’s almost midnight!  I am so looking forward to tomorrow.  No one will ever tell me what to do again.  I’ll be my own man with my own job – cruising the ocean on a giant ship.

I can’t believe the excitement.  So what if Mom and Pop and Mindy don’t like my actions, that’s too bad.  In the immortal words of Rhett Butler, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn!”  Hey, it’s from a movie.  It should be okay to say by now.

Posted by Paul at 11:49pm 23 comments

Saturday, December 6, 1941

Seaman Recruit Paul Dunham reporting for duty

It’s official, I now belong to the United States Navy.  I believe Mom actually pooped in her undies when I told them during lunch.  Pop actually seems proud, although there is some trepidation in his eyes.  Oh well, it’s too late now.  I tried to stop by Cousin Selena’s house to tell Mindy Palmer, but Selena said Mindy was all tied up at the moment.  I think they had been arguing about Mindy wanting more of something.  As I approached the door, I could hear Mindy crying out in agony and then ask Selena for “more please”.  Mindy wouldn’t see me, so I never found out what the argument was about.

But that’s all in my past.  If everything goes all right and barring national emergencies, I will be reporting for duty two weeks after I graduate from Honolulu High next May.  But as of right now, I am officially Seaman Recruit Paul Dunham.

Posted by Paul at 4:22pm 17 comments

Sunday, December 7, 1941

This may be my last post

A little over two hours ago, the Pearl Harbor Naval Base was attacked by what appears to be Japanese aircraft.  Folks, I do believe we’re at war.   I will not be returning to school tomorrow.  I am heading out immediately to begin training.  This is all they will tell me right now.  Hopefully there will be internet available where ever I end up.

Posted by Paul at 9:03am 3 comments

Let me know if you want to see more in the life of Seaman Dunham.