Swinging sixties, in more ways than one!
Now we were in the late sixties, and things were really ’swinging’ as they said. Some things more than others, where some were concerned ;O)
Derek, a friend of Jim’s from school, worked in the advertising industry as a copywriter. He was only 19 years old and was on the highest salary ever paid to a copywriter of his age. He and his ‘live in’ girlfriend Jane, lived in a large building near Hyde Park. It was very high class, with uniformed doormen that you had to check in with before you were allowed to enter. Derek & Jane lived on one of the upper floors, which was only accessible by way of a lift. Walking to the lift, your feet sank into the deep pile of the rich, red carpet. The first time I visited them, I was totally amazed at the luxury.
Jane and Derek, were a bit extreme for me, and I was never completely relaxed in their company. Jane was one of the first women to burn her bra. She would walk around the streets of London barefoot and bra-less! Her way of sticking her fingers up at society. She came from an upper class family and had a lot of emotional baggage. She was a diabetic and needed to inject herself regularly. She would think nothing of lifting her skirt and ramming the needle into her thigh, wherever she was, even in a restaurant, and in front of whoever she was with – right in the middle of a conversation! Everything Jane did showed a lack of respect for others. Derek was more laid back than Jane. So laid back that he would happily lounge around in nothing but his underpants, when we came to visit! They didn’t agree with marriage, in fact they hated what it stood for, which is why they lived together, at a time when marriage was still 
considered the natural route to take. Living together was classed as ‘living in sin’ (remember that?) and frowned upon by most people.
It didn’t take me long to see that Jane was really kicking out at her parents. Sadly everyone around Jane got the brunt of it, not her parents. She didn’t ever see them!
Perhaps it was because I was a little older, at twenty two, but I found their behaviour childish, and rather offensive. Still, they were Jim’s friends, or rather Derek was, so I quietly put up with their strange behaviour, and Jane’s frequent mood swings. Thankfully, we didn’t see them too often.
There was one special day, however, that they would be involved in. Derek was to be Jim’s best man!!
Stumble it!
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Sandie
| 10 September 2008 at 22:36
Eagerly awaiting the next episode:0)
Kathy
| 10 September 2008 at 23:45
Derek and Jane sound like a movie! Babs, I love how you write. I’m always engrossed in your memories stories. You always leave me wanting more. Keep ‘em coming!
Maureen
| 11 September 2008 at 0:55
Oh, how you tease… can’t wait for more! Sounds like trouble’s a-brewin!
Love it so far, Babs. You really should be a screenwriter.
Maureen’s last blog post..Never Tell Me The Odds
Jaffer
| 11 September 2008 at 1:53
“It was very high class, with uniformed doormen that you had to check in with before you were allowed to enter.” – Sounds a lot like the Co-Op I lived in when I was in college. Ok, without the rich red carpet, and it was cold and damp and mouldy and…
Can you tell me what plugin you are using for the preview down there ↓ ? I am so diggin it !
Mike Golch
| 11 September 2008 at 1:53
I have an odd ball friend as wel his name is Jim. we donot see or talk to each other much any more.Jim and I attended the same High School to gether he was a grade head of me and we both were some of the misfits in school. we became friend since we both had the same home room. Home rooms were assigned by what you studies in the school. we were both studying electronics. we both ended up in the same brance of service. the Air Force.
Mike Golch’s last blog post..A RANT.
beetle
| 11 September 2008 at 2:24
Sandie:
I won’t keep you waiting too long ;O)
Kathy:
I’m glad you enjoy them. I wouldn’t want to bore people. We never think of our lives being interesting to others.
Maureen:
Ha ha! I do try to end on a teaser for the next post. ;O)
Jaffer:
Now be honest, the doormen were to keep you all under control, not to pander to your whims ;O) The plugin is called ‘Live Comment Preview’ from Wordpress/extend/plugins
Mike Golch:
Welcome. Sometimes friends are just for a certain period of time in our lives.
Jaffer
| 11 September 2008 at 2:53
Yea – those doormen were tall muscular too !
I just got the Live comment preview installed. It works like a charm ! Thank you !
beetle
| 11 September 2008 at 3:06
Jaffer:
Of course, I know you didn’t need keeping under control really, but they didn’t know that ;O)
Glad to help. I’ve had enough help lately!
Lauren
| 11 September 2008 at 13:06
OK you teaser…we must have more of THIS story!!
Laura
| 11 September 2008 at 19:06
Sounds like Derek and Jane are going to come to a bad end. I hope it’s not too sad.
grannygrimble
| 11 September 2008 at 19:25
Jane sounds very ‘Sally Bowles’ doesn’t she? I don’t remember her at your wedding, not a Best Man in nothing but Y Fronts! Can’t wait for the next instalment.
chat blanc
| 11 September 2008 at 22:18
wow! Jane sounds like a drama queen! Derek and all would have been better off without her. Hoping to read more!
chat blanc’s last blog post..Honoring those lost
beetle
| 11 September 2008 at 22:56
Lauren:
Who me?…a tease?….never!
Laura:
Well, it definitely wasn’t happy ever after, sadly.
GrannyGrimble:
You will remember her, when I jog your memory ;O)
Chat Blanc:
Yes, she was far from easy to get along with. In fact I don’t know anyone who did.
JD at I Do Things
| 11 September 2008 at 23:11
I feel like I know Derek and Jane — or a couple very much like them — just from your description. Can’t wait to read more. I’m so glad you actually remember your interesting past and are able to write about it so well!
JD at I Do Things’s last blog post..I’m Moving so you don’t have to
beetle
| 11 September 2008 at 23:51
JD: It’s strange but I remember most of my life from childhood, but I’m very surprised that people find it interesting.
DrowseyMonkey
| 12 September 2008 at 2:57
lol…she sounds like a charmer
DrowseyMonkey’s last blog post..Olga and Drowsey Meet!
beetle
| 12 September 2008 at 3:21
Drowsey: Sad but I don’t have any ‘jolly’ memories of her. She was very awkward to be around.
Jay
| 12 September 2008 at 9:58
I’ve met people like Jane .. it’s a little bit like a toddler throwing an ongoing tantrum, isn’t it? They lash out at everyone, regardless of the source of their discontent. Uncomfortable people to be around .. I think I used to be one.
*insert embarrassed emoticon*
beetle
| 12 September 2008 at 11:33
Jay:
I only know two smileys – smiling and winking!
That’s exactly what she was like, and I don’t believe, for one moment, that you were like that
Swubird
| 16 September 2008 at 17:03
Babs:
I love this story. Jane and Derek – what a couple. I’ve known similar people in my time, but these two were really something. And then Derek turns out to be your best man. It just goes to show that life can play funny tricks.
happy rails.
Swubird’s last blog post..SPARE THE ROD – SPOIL THE CHILD!
beetle
| 16 September 2008 at 19:25
Swubird: The best man and his wife is another post ;O)