This is a brief week, but there are some goodies here.  Note, for example, that the evening of the last entry is the exact date (in the series and FWWM) of Teresa Banks's murder.  This is probably coincidence... but still... it's cool.

Also, we get the big list of Laura's sexual partners.  Hoo-ha!  I wonder if these are all really supposed to stand for something.

And let's not forget the whispered abortion scandal! 

Have fun.

My favorite scene: Christmas Eve Day 1987. I always picture this one more vividly than the others, imagine Laura walking in the snow feeling safe and numb from Easter Park to the Double R for a solitary coffee.

First, Laura and Leland have a dance (in the same living room he will grab Donna in) by the Christmas tree. She thinks they haven't danced in years, and Leland gets emotional. It's a private moment that appears sweet to Sarah, and brings back happy memories for Laura.

Laura says hours before she was in her room 'deep' in a 'different world' (having stoned, dirty daydreams?) and went out to the gazebo to write in the winter day.
Then we learn more about Laura's attitude toward the wife of her regular lover, and Hank's 'accident,' which is interesting, too.

I guess it strikes something in me because I like to spend a few hours of the holidays getting away from everyone and thinking, especially as a teenager.

 Come on, let's guess...

B.  = BOB

B.B. = Bobby Briggs

L.J. = Leo Johnson (possibly even Dr. Jacoby)

R.P. = Rick

J.C.L. = Josh

T.T.R. = Tim

D.M.J.

C.D.M = Catherine Martell (nah)

M.R.M

D.G.

G.N.

G.P.

D.L.

M.R.

M.F. = Newscaster Mark Frost?  or Maddie?

R.D.

T.T.O

K.M.Y

S.R.

A.N.

M.D.

J.H. = Jerry Horne (or James Hurley, or, less likely Johnny Horne)

M.F.

C.S. = Clinton Sternwood (that'd be a new subplot)

B.G.D.

L.D.

J.H. and several unseen unknowns

T.P.S.

M.T.

G.L.

J.S.

M.V.L. = longshot Margaret V. Lanterman

C.S.

D.M.J.

A.W.N.

M.S.R.

D.D.

S.C.

H.P.

B.E. = Big Ed (no!)

Conspicuously absent:  The Renaults, Harold Smith, Ben Horne

Hmm....

These parts of the Diary seriously make me sick.

When we look at Laura doing terrible things or at terrible things happen to her - and they are directly BOB-connected, this is a great tragedy but I can catch that picture in a broader perspective. Laura's actions are somehow motivated when she does anything no to let them in. BOB's actions have a clear goal, too.

However here, we only see the drug-inflicted degradation of a person who on each page of the diary speaks only of cocaine and seems to be doing nothing but sniffing in. That's repulsive to me and really a hard read.

So I suppose that's indicative of The Secret Diary remaining a good book but these parts are not the ones I am eagerly coming back to.
Of all events here Laura's unlucky hitch-hiking incident seems most hopeful! At least she shows some instinct for self-preservation and actively does something which has a positive conclusion. Brr.

Bobi 1 Kenobi

B. Beware
O. Of
B. BOB 

I think it's fascinating that Laura is such a coke pig.  Cocaine is so affluent 80's kids, so very Less Than Zero. (Incidentally, I've been offered coke by local kids in North Bend, so it might be geographically accurate, too) It also defines her state of mind... she's hungry all the time to feel good, using coke and male approval.  Jacoby's point about "self medication, no matter how dubious" comes to mind.  Coke makes her feel powerful, pot makes her feel "warm and good." Another hopeful part is Johnny's "I love you." (Aww)

Again, Laura's complex affection for Bobby that isn't shown in the series is clear.  She's trying to protect him, like she does James and Harold in FWWM and then he slips through her fingers, but that's a little later.

while i have little to contribute to these reading group threads, i am very much enjoying peoples' comments.

whew, it was scary when those bottom feeder rednecks picked laura up when she was hitchiking. i was relived that she was able to escape.

it's pileated, isn't it?

Bobi 1 Kenobi

B. Beware
O. Of
B. BOB