Big Hair, Law School, Mork and Mindy...Ah, the Eighties

law school grad

For me, the Eighties started as party party party, especially during my years at Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. I spent my time ensuring that others would be in the top of the class while I closed down discos and enjoyed live comedy at several venues, including the late, lamented Holy City Zoo, where I saw Dana Carvey before he went on to SNL and massive fame, and Robin Williams, who was at his manic, coke-fueled best.

After I guaduated, I was lost. Having been in school continually from age five to age twenty-four, I had no idea what to do with myself except study. My law degree was my third since I left high school, and I couldn't watch my life go by while I was in school any longer. But I really didn't want to practice law, and took several other jobs: knocked on doors for Citizens for a Better Environment, didn't sell art at Bowles-Hopkins Gallery (though selling was my job I was terrible at it) and was a manager of the Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary.

After a couple of years, that palled, and I went to Sacramento to open a law practice. I focused on family law and criminal defense, and did that for a number of years.

I was into bicycling, then working out--weightlifting and the like--then martial arts.

Around me, the world was changing. Ronald Reagan gained the White House and continued his heartless policies, which resulted in economic chaos and helpless people living on the streets. I remember walking back to my office from the courthouse on a particularly bitter, windy day. An elderly lady was huddled next to a building. She'd tucked herself and her meager belongings between it and a hedge, trying desperately to find whatever shelter she could.

She was not unusual. I'm not a hater, but I hate Reagan.

Back in Sacramento, I embedded myself in the embrace of my famiy and tried to work out my issues with them. I spent most of the decade and much of the next in psychotherapy with a really nice man who sort of helped me.

What would have helped more was leaving the law, Sacramento, and my family. But I was determined to work things out. Oops. 

Those who know me are aware I have the emotional IQ of a dead salamander. Nevertheless, i continued to try to have relationships...another oops. I did have my first blindfolding and bondage experience, which was great, but the guy involved...yikes. Another wrong choice in a lifetime full of mistakes about men.

one of my mega-cute nieces,
born in the 80s

Were the eighties a good decade for me? No. They were a time of confusion, wrong turns made in life and general futility. 

But some good things happened. There were a couple of beautiful additions to our family. Though I disliked practicing law, I was good at it. I bought my first home, got a dog and a white picket fence.

Life was...okay.