***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: August 1, 1978
31 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 31, 1978
Today was a lousy muggy rainy day. The only thing to do is to play solitaire and pet the puppy dog, Toby. We were going to go to the beach and let me fly my bird, but there was a downpour and all thought of going there was cancelled. Instead, Uncle Bud brought us out to Sag Harbor, and we walked around there with Toby for a while. Then we went to one of Uncle Bud's friends, Didi, so mom could do some of the laundry. I was dropped off at the house afterwards, and the adults went sightseeing to the Shaffner house while me and Toby played solitaire.
Missed an entry? Index of all Nothing Much Else Happened entries
30 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 30, 1978
Today let me finish my story about last night. I had a plan to trick her. As soon as she left, I placed a towel by the telephone. When she called up, I put the towel over the mouthpiece and brought my voice up a little higher. I said "Room 802." (We were in 801) She Honestly believed that I was that lady! I told her this morning and she still didn't believe me. The reason I told her was because we were leaving the Gorham. Uncle Bud is bringing us out to East Hampton to his summer house. He has a very nice friend that lives with him, Leo, and a wonderful dog, Toby.
Missed an entry? Index of all Nothing Much Else Happened entries
***
A "very nice friend." Ah, the innocence of youth. Or rather, the denial of my family and their knack for avoiding telling me the truth.
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 31, 1978
29 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 29, 1978
Today was nice because there was no sight-seeing. Only shows. We just moped around until about 11:00. Then we got dressed, had a quick dinner — uh, lunch — and started on our way to the Uris theatre to see "The King & I" with Yul Brynner. It was wonderful, but it's not my favorite. It's my 4th favorite. 1st favorite is "The Fantasticks", 2nd is "I Do, I Do", and 3rd is "Ain't Misbehavin'". Then we came back and went to dinner again with Uncle Bud. Then Mom and I organized a password "Rumplemeyer" so when they got back from the show, "Da", they were going to see, she'd just call me back and I'd say "Come on up!"
Missed an entry? Index of all Nothing Much Else Happened entries
***
I'm starting an anecdote at the end of this post that will be continued tomorrow. But allow me to pause a moment and say: CAN YOU BELIEVE MY PARENTS LEFT ME ALONE IN A NEW YORK CITY HOTEL ROOM AND WENT TO A SHOW? We thought nothing of it at the time, but I can't imagine doing anything like this today. At least not with my kids. (Maybe with somebody else's kids....)
The female lead in "The King and I," by the way, was Constance Towers.
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 30, 1978
28 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 28, 1978
Today was one of our biggest sightseeing day yet. First, we went to see the most famous lady herself, the statue of Liberty. She stood higher than I thought she did. I had fun climbing up and down the 242 steps. Mom's legs almost went out on her. But she got a rest on the way to Staten Island on the Staten Island Ferry. But I almost lost her when we got to Staten Island. We just seperated. When we got together again, we went back and slept. Uncle Bud took us out to a really good place for dinner. On the way to "The Fantasticks", we saw a street fair. So, after the show we came back & rode the rides.
Missed an entry? Index of all Nothing Much Else Happened entries
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 29, 1978
27 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 27, 1978
Today we started off with the Museum of Modern Art. I enjoyed it, but Mom said I would of enjoyed it more if we had more time; but, we had a luncheon date with one of Mother's friends, Betty Lowe. After our lunch came my favorite part of the day — the afternoon nap! But it was only 1 hour because we had to go to meet one of Dad's friends — Jack Buckwalter — for dinner. Oh, I forgot to say: We went to the central park zoo this afternoon. Well, anyway, we had a good Japanese dinner, and then went to see a Swiss Mime Show called "Mummenschanz". It was the best mime show (and the 1st) I'd ever seen. It was funny!
Missed an entry? Index of all Nothing Much Else Happened entries
***
This was in the years before Letterman made such great fun of Mummenschanz....
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 28, 1978
26 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 26, 1978
Today was a day of rest! We have had 9 hardworking days in a row, now it's time to go to sleep. I was so tired this morning, I just didn't get up until 10:00. I didn't get dressed until 1:00! At 2:00, we went to my 3rd most favorite musical I've ever seen. It was called "Ain't Misbehavin'." It was a musical that had all the songs that Fats Waller ever wrote or recorded. Afterwards, Mom and I went down to Central Park to fly a mechanical bird I bought in Boston called "Tim". He's imported from France and he works really well.
***
This was the original production, starring Nell Carter (though I remember being more impressed with Charlaine Woodard and Andre DeShields).
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 27, 1978
25 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 25, 1978
Today we started out with the great Empire State Building! 1st we took an elevator to the 86th floor observatory and had a 25-mile view north, south, East and west and everyplace in between. Then we dropped in on the famous library, and then — my favorite — the famous toy store F.A.O. Schwartz. At 4:30, one of mom's old friends, Bill Butler came to see her. We had a great time at dinner, even though the food wasn't that good. We then went to see "The Gin Game" which was a barrel-and-a-half of laughs.
***
That was the Broadway production of "The Gin Game" with Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn.
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 26, 1978
24 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 24, 1978
Today we started our touring of New York. We started with a boat tour called the Circle Line tour. It Brougt us right by the statue of Liberty and under 19 bridges on the East and Hudson River including the George Washington Bridge. Tonight we went to Radio City Music Hall. We saw an adorable movie called "Matilda", about a boxing kangaroo. There was also the Rockettes, some singing, some ballet and even a musician. So, I think my first day in New York was a total success.
Missed an entry? Index of all Nothing Much Else Happened entries
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 25, 1978
23 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 23, 1978
★ Highlight Day
Today: We packed all our bags and left for church. We went to the Mother Church (I went to the Sunday School). It's the 1st time any of us had been to a Sunday-Service. The crazy thing is that we almost bought a house in 1969 from the lady who taught me today! Small world! When we got back, we left right for the airport. About 1½ later we were in the air heading for New York. It was a very short flight and it was 95 in New York. We were driven by a maniac taxi driver to the Hotel Gorham where we will be staying.
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 24, 1978
22 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 22, 1978
Today we went to the oldest registered battleship in the world. The U.S.S. Constitution. It went through 40 battles without being defeated. It was neat because all the guides on board were wearing 1812 sailor's uniforms. Afterwards, we went to a show about the battle of Bunker Hill. It was called "The Whites Of Their Eyes". It was a really neat show and Mom thought it was very "educating". Mom and I went to the common for a while and I went into the fountain. Tonight we all went to listen to Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops.
***
Yeah, I was excited: what I meant was Mom told me we were going to Africa in 1979....
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 23, 1978
21 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 21, 1978
Today was a big day. First, Mr. Mill picked us up (with Andrew and Meg in tow). We then left on a 7-hour tour (guided by Mr. Mill) of Lexington and Concord. It was real exciting seeing where all the first battles and the shot heard around the world happened. Dad told me that there was this tavern, which, over the front door, had a bullet hole with a circle around it, saying "This is the first Shot heard around the world." I figured that the tavern had been torn down, because we didn't find it.
***
Yeah, I was excited: what I meant was Mom told me we were going to Africa in 1979....
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 22, 1978
20 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 20, 1978
Today we toured the Christian Science Publishing House and Church Center. At 11:00, we went through the Publishing House, which is where they print all the Christian Science Monitors, articles, and periodicals. And: It was there — in the mapparium — that Mom and I are going to Africa in February of 1979! I'm already so excited! Anyway, Tonight we went to my mom and Dad's friends — the Mill's. They have a 14-year-old girl named Meg, an 11-year-old boy named Andrew, and a 5-year-old boy named Jaime.
***
Yeah, I was excited: what I meant was Mom told me we were going to Africa in 1979....
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 21, 1978
19 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 19, 1978
Today we finished the "freedom trail." We went through Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church, and then we came home and flopped on our beds for a couple of hours. I checked my pedometer and we walked 4 miles to give a total of 8¼ miles — and that's only the sightseeing! That's not including the movie we went to tonight. What a great movie! It's called "Heaven Can Wait" and it's one of the best movies I've seen all year! Oh, well. I'm tired gotta say goodnight.
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 20, 1978
18 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 18, 1978
Today we did something called the "freedom trail". It was this trail leading all the way out to Boston and all around it to the famous sights. We started by taking the subway out (my first subway) to Park Street, and from there we walked to Faneuil Hall. (That's where it started.) Well, we got halfway through it got so tired we came home and planned to do the second half tomorrow. The neat thing is that Mom brought my Pedometer and I can tell how many miles we walked. We walked 4¼ miles today.
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 19, 1978
17 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 17, 1978
★ Highlight Day
Today was the beginning of our long 5-week Eastern coast trip. We flew to Boston in 5 hours 39 minutes on a perfectly beautiful day. When we arrived in Boston, a taxi took us to the hotel we were staying in — the Holiday Inn in Boston. No, in Cambridge. Our hotel is located just out of Harvard Square. (The square is about 12 minutes walking distance) Well, tomorrow we start our sightseeing. We will go on something called the "freedom trail."
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 18, 1978
16 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 16, 1978
Today, the Jones' went off to church while I slept. I slept until 10:00, and got up to watch the Dodger doubleheader on T.V. I scored them on my scorepad. They split, losing the first game, 3-2, and winning the second, 5-3. That took up all the morning and most of the afternoon. By the time it was over it was almost time for my parents to get here. When they got here, we had a great dinner (with apple pie for dessert), and had to leave right away. We had to get to sleep so we would be fresh; for tomorrow, we leave for Boston.
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 17, 1978
15 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 15, 1978
Today was one of the doggiest dog days there ever was. First we grabbed a quick breakfast. Then (to our joy) we left for the miniature golf course. We had a lot of fun, but I must say that the second game was much better than the first game. The results were: Carole - 75, Chris - 62, me - 48. Definitely not Jack Nicklaus style. But the second game was much better. Carole - 35, Chris - 32, me - 33. Then we went over to Guasti Regional Park, had a picnic lunch and went on the paddleboats. It was so hot we came right home. At 4:00 we went to see "The Cheap Detective". It was not that great.
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 16, 1978
14 July 2010
nothing Much Else Happened: July 14, 1978
Today I went to Chris and Carole Jones' house in Cucamonga. It was scorching out there, even at 5:30 P.M., when I got there. Carole was with one of her new friends, and as we drove up, they each had a glass of water to throw on me. So, we drove around the block once, and they got rid of it. For dinner we had tacos that were out of this world. And then, to finish the day off, we all watched a movie called "The Last Dinosaur" together. I'm very glad to be back with them, and I'm sure they are just as glad.
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 15, 1978
13 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 13, 1978
Today was a work day to help around the house. The First thing I did was wash a car. (Listen: The only reason I am doing this is because I'm getting money for this, and I need money for our eastern trip. Otherwise, I wouldn't do this) Then I went out skateboarding until dinner time. After dinner I decided to do a little more work. So Mom said I could try to get the grass out from between the cracks in the brickwalk. I finished that with just enough time to go up to the station one more time to go skateboarding.
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 14, 1978
12 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 12, 1978
Today was one of the most boring days of the year. If they had a contest to see which day was the worst day, this would definitely qualify. Here was the schedule for today: "Got up this morning. Went skateboarding for the rest of the day." Exciting, huh?! One neat thing is that I found a new place to skateboard — a gas station! It's real great because it's smooth and there's a big hill. Lisa Maharam and I had a super 2 hours skateboarding until 8:30 P.M.
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 13, 1978
11 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 11, 1978
Today, unfortunately, I had a dentist appointment. So, I had to get up very early (9:00 A.M.) and go down to the town. Well, my appointment was a total waste of time. I walked in, the doctor (dentist) looked at my braces, and told me I could go. Didn't even tighten anything! He says he can't do a thing until my eye teeth come in. I'm afraid that'll be a long time. When I came home, can you guess what I did? You're probably right. I went skateboarding! I did the same thing again, over and over. I'm beginning to get really good, now.
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 12, 1978
10 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 10, 1978
Today was just a goof-off day. First thing in the morning, (actually late morning - I got up at 10:05) I grabbed a quick breakfast and went out skateboarding. I went up to the little market near my old elementary school and skateboarded all the way down. It's beginning to get very hot in Pacific Palisades. So, by the time I got home I was hot — so I fixed myself some lemonade. Then I went skateboarding again......
The whole day was just like that was the agenda of the whole day.
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 11, 1978
09 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 9, 1978
Today was actually the beginning of my real summer vacation. First, I went to sunday school, and they were very surprised to see me. I had told them that I was not going to be back for sunday school again until August. That was before I knew I was coming home on a Saturday. When I got back, I watched (and scored) the Dodger-Astro game. I was happy to find out when I got back that the Dodgers had taken 2nd place, 3½ games out now. After the game I went out and skateboarded for a while. After dinner I finished unpacking.
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 10, 1978
08 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 8, 1978
Today was the day I came home. As we left on the bus everyone that was staying for more than 2 weeks waved goodby. We got to Denver 2½ hours later, and departed on my airplane very quickly. I arrived back in L.A. with many heartwarming hellos, and a haircut. Yes as soon as I unloaded my stuff, I went up to town and got my haircut really short for our trip to the east coast. Then I came back, and for the remainder of the day, caught up on such things as the Dodger scores and life around Las Casas Street.
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 9, 1978
07 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 7, 1978
Today was my last full day at Sky Valley Ranch. First thing in the morning, we got up and went to the ranch's arena, where there was the ranch's rodeo. It was not that exciting. The best part was the clowns, because my head counsellor, Scott Morris was one of the three. After lunch, we packed (and packed and packed) as soon as we finished packing, we got to eat sundaes for being the cleanest cabin. Tonight we had a banquet and a long dance. All the girls wanted to dance with me because they said I was the best dancer there.
***
Apparently I was the best at everything at summer camp.
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 8, 1978
06 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 6, 1978
Today was the 6th and final activity day. In each of our activities we talked about what we enjoyed most and if we did expect more out of the class what it was going to be. Also, some of the camper's parents arrived today to see what their child was doing. Tonight was a big night for me. We had a talent show, and I was in it with my guitar. I haven't told you, but I have been working very hard for this show. I was a total success, and all my friends (and some people I didn't know) said I was the best act in the show.
***
I have no recollection what I performed, but if I were to guess, I'd say it was James Taylor's "Blossom."
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 7, 1978
05 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 5, 1978
Today was another activity day. It wasn't really planned because the challengers weren't back yet. They got back during the rest period. But that was after the fire drill. You see, they turned on this siren and we all ran down to the tennis courts for about 15 minutes. Finally we got back and went on with my interrupted letter to Carole Jones. That night we had a testimony meeting. That's when anyone who wanted to could tell about a healing of Christian Science. Then we all broke up into groups of 4 and had a scavenger hunt. My team (#4) came in 6th place.
***
It occurs to me that I've neglected to mention until now that this summer camp was for young Christian Scientists.
The Challengers, by the way, were a group of campers who were in a specifically difficult outdoors program. No Outward Bound, but more challenging than anything the rest of us were doing.
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 6, 1978
04 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 4, 1978
Today was a long day. We got up at 7:00, and for breakfast we had orange and Hot Chocolate. I was definitely not full. We then left for the peak. It was a long hard climb up very steep hills. We finally got all the way up to the top — 15,000 ft. We got some of the snow from the top, got some fruit punch crystals and had slushies on the mountain in 40° weather with 30 m.p.h. winds. Imagine snow on the 4th of July! We hiked 13 miles altogether. When we got back to celebrate independence day we each got two sparklers. Big wow!
***
I remember this day well, especially the snow cones on the peak. It was sooo uncomfortable, as cold and windy as it was. But I was pretty sure that Buffalo Peaks was no 15,000 feet, since most of the (much more challenging) peaks in the area (Mts. Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, and Yale) are all only 14,000 feet. Sure enough, some Internet searching showed that the higher of the two Buffalo Peaks is a mere 13,300 feet.
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 5, 1978
03 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 3, 1978
Today was the beginning of our overnight trip. We are going to Buffalo Peaks. They drove us about 10 miles to the base of the mountain, and then we hiked for about 2 miles. When we got to camp, we set up tarps, and went up to a meadow to play football. When we got back it was almost time for dinner, and a wonderful pineapple upsidedown cake for dessert. After dinner, I pulled out my guitar and played. They all liked it, and we all sang the "Secret O' Life", my last song, together.
***
I find it hard to believe that a group of camp-aged boys all knew the words to a James Taylor album cut. And I still remember that pineapple upside-down cake, cooked on an open fire in a cast-iron skillet. It was delicious.
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 4, 1978
02 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 2, 1978
Today was the only Sunday I'm going to spend at Sky Valley Ranch. First we had Sunday school. And after that we worked for the rest of the day. It was neat because we were digging and stopping irrigation ditches. We made dams and broke old ones. After that, we packed our stuff for an overnight hike to Buffalo Peaks. Tonight was a Bunkhouse Night. Pinto North went up to Wyly lodge and played football for almost 2 hours. It ended up a tie, 7-7.
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 3, 1978
01 July 2010
Nothing Much Else Happened: July 1, 1978
Today was another activity day. In athletics, we played soccer. It was a pretty good game, but we lost, 7-5. (Pretty wild game, huh?) In waterfront, we did alot of testing in Advanced Beginners swimming. Then after dinner, the boys and the girls split up, and they each did skits for the other guys and gals. We did this thing where a guy would put his hands in shoes and I would be his arms. Then we left for a short campout about 2 min. away from camp.
***
All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.
What's this all about? This is what it's all about.
To view the next day click: July 2, 1978
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