1986- January 28, 1986:The Challenger explosion. Follow the link for my experiences of the event. Finished my sophomore year of high school. Turned 16. Started dating Calvin Eckman in February. Brandice, Cara, Lori, Dawn and Duane all moved away before my junior year started. I threw myself into school activities, chairperson of the Social Committee, editor of the Literary Magazine, in the drama club, on the newspaper staff, as well as out of school activities like March Of Dimes Teen Theater and Kona Community Players. Worked at the DMV over the summer and found my dad, who I hadn't seen since I was 4. Worked at Foodland as a "courtesy clerk" and at an ice cream parlor. Wore pastel clothes, had these really cool pinstripe jeans with removable overall straps. Held the 2nd Annual Neighborhood Lip Sync Contest. Had my own radio show on Sunday mornings called "KOAS Teen Scene", using the name "Katie Gee" (the only time I was EVER "Katie") after someone told me that when I said my last name (Garoutte--pronounced Ga-root) on the air it sounded like I was burping.
1987-Much of above continued in 87. Finished my junior year of high school. Spent a lot of time with Shaedra and Katie. Dawn moved back. Wore a fedora. (Re)discovered the Doors after watching "Lost Boys". Listened to a lot of Dokken, Cinderella, Poison, Motley Crue, Ozzy, Scorpions, AC DC, Keel, and so on. 3rd (and final) Neighborhood Lip Sync contest that summer, the best yet. In August took my senior pictures. Started senior year that fall. Lots of activities, like above but also president of the drama club and copy editor of the yearbook. Listened to Timex Social Club, Nu Shooz, Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam, Expose, Stacy Q, T'Pau, and Samantha Fox when I wasn't listening to heavy metal. Got featured in a local magazine for my radio show. Went to visit my dad in Idaho. Checked out Washington State as a college possibility. Talked with friends about reuniting in 1999.
1988-Had a nervous breakdown and dropped out of high school, broke up with Calvin, took the GED, got a high school diploma from the adult high school. Dad and stepmom came to visit (it was supposed to be for my graduation), and then I left Hawaii for good. Wore and made friendship bracelets. Poison's "Nothin' But A Good Time." Tone Loc, Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince. The emergence of mainstream rap. Spent the summer with my aunt in Eugene, Oregon, before going up to Idaho to live with my dad for a little while. Went to North Idaho College, spent between class hours watching MTV in the student rec room, hours of Remote Control!! :) Listened to Siouxie Sioux, Edie Brickell, Lisa Stansfield when not listening to metal. Wore LOTS of Spandex! Designed metal stage outfits in my spare time, heavy on the spandex and fishnet.
1989-
Tried to start a rock band, "Destiny", didn't work out. (Never date your
lead guitarist!) Moved to Lake Oswego, Oregon, at the end of February and
that fall started at National Broadcasting School in Portland. Listened
to metal still (Skid Row!), but also Alannah Miles, Joan Jett ("Hate Myself
For Lovin' You"), Pink Floyd. Wore acid wash jeans alot. (and through 1990-91
as well). Still wore a fedora someties, and liked vests. Worked at Round
Table Pizza in Lake Oswego. Grandma died that fall, found out about it
by my assistant manager Yo telling me bluntly over the phone. Went to Eugene,
where I would move the following year, and spend most of the 90's.
And that's the 80's as *I* remember them. Hope
you found it entertaining!
(be sure to refer to my
80s photo page for my pics thru the years! )
