Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library.
Contributed by Smithsonian Institution Archives.
| www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Gill, Douglas E.
1964
I checked the miniature golf place for my wallet but no luck. During the
day I skinned an adult Sooty which came out real well. Larry swam in the
afternoon after doing one bird. For supper I found 2 cans of soup, so I
mixed them together (Tomato and Scotch Broth) and had a huge bowl of soup.
After dinner I skinned another adult Sooty which came out real well. While
I was doing my third Sooty (an immature) I decided I was going to get drunk
so I went down and bought a small bottle of Bacardi Rum. (Larry came in
around now) and skinned 2 birds. A mixture of Schwepps lemon soda and the
rum was awful tasting but I could see how one could learn to like it. By
and by I became increasingly dizzy to the extent I couldn't keep my balance.
I was almost finished with my Sooty but was having difficulty finishing it
because of my high state. Oh I had enjoyed Mendelssohn's Hetridz Overture
and Scotch Symphony, but was so dizzy and uncoordinated during the Italien
Symphony, I didn't hear much of it. Fortunately Larry came in, and I asked
him to finish my bird. I collapsed in a chair, laughing at everything, and
drinking more rum. Walking was nearly impossible as I stumbled about. I
remember most of the evening well, my mind was fairly clear, but oh was I
dizzy. Even though I tried to be serious at times to examine my drunken
self and what was happening to me, I couldn't.Anyway I finally hit the sack,
and with Larry's help stayed there.
21 August 1964: I got up around 8:30 and still felt dizzy, although I was
perfectly normal. My stomach felt lousy and often times I felt nauseous.
I packed things up ready for our Kauai trip and the final departure home.
Larry made one early trip out to Ely's to take a pile of his stuff out for