Nothing Much Else Happened: December 26, 1978

Today I would like to talk more about yesterday. The best present I got, of course, was the bike, but did you know that Mom got a bike too? So, we went riding around the neighborhood yesterday and today. Lisa dropped by at 1:30 yesterday so we could exchange gifts. Before I opened my present, she said, "Wait a minute. Before you open it, I think I better tell you it was either this or Minnie Mouse!" It was a mug with a picture of Donald Duck on it! I gave her a gold necklace with a gold apple on it.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 33 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: December 27, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: September 5, 1978

Today, we went back up to Idyllwild to drop Bob off. Well, not exactly drop him off, butmore like leave him and then leave again the next day. I was planning on meeting Tina Cripe, who is one of my old and favorite girlfriends. She is a babe from what I hear. Unfortuneately, she was going down to celebrate her thirteenth birthday (which is on the second). So tomorrow morning I'll try to see her.

***

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: September 6, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: September 4, 1978

★ Highlight Day

Today is the celebration of my 13th birthday! I can't believe it — I'm a teenager! My actual birthday is the sixth, but we always celebrate it on labor day which was when I was born. We had the cake last night, but I had another piece today. I opened my birthday presents, and they were as follows:

(1) The album "London Town"

(2) Skateboard gloves

(3) " elbow pads

(4) " Helmet.

***

That would be the Paul McCartney album London Town.

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.

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To view the next day click: September 5, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: September 3, 1978

Today, we went to the beach about 3:30 P.M. Bob and I spent most of the time in the water. Not only did we "boogie" and body surf, but we also played football and frisbee. Bob can't swim very well, so we stay pretty much in the shallow end. He's a great frisbee thrower, though. For dinner we had Kentucky Fried Chicken, and for dessert we had some mixed fresh fruit. Then Bob and I (15 minutes later) went for the water again. We finally left for home around sundown, which was a little after seven. Tomorrow, we will celebrate my thirteenth birthday.

***

I love how I note — for the future readers who may be mothers — that I waited an appropriate amount of time after eating before returning to the water. Any hopes that my life might follow a more rebellious path died with this diary entry.

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: September 4, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: September 2, 1978

Today was a very long day for Bob, Dad, me, and the Dodgers. We left for the doubleheader around 2:30 P.M. We got to Dodger Stadium around 3:15 — just time enough to find our seats. The Dodgers won the first game, 3-2. It ended at approximately 5:15. The next game started at 5:46, in which the Dodgers lost an exciting one, 5-3. Tomorrow we will be going to the beach, and the next day — my birthday — we will be going to another Dodger game with the whole gang including Mom.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.

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To view the next day click: September 3, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: September 1, 1978

Today I got up — and I wish I hadn't! In fact, I think I only slept 5, maybe 4 hours last night! Anyway, I woke up with the worst runny nose in the world! After breakfast, we wasted no time in getting over to Bob's, in which he promptly jumped into the car with his skateboard, suitcase and tape, and we were on our way. (He played the tape on the way down) When we got home, the first thing we did was pull the mattress out from under my bed so Bob could sleep there. Tomorrow we will be going to the Dodger doubleheader.

***

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: September 2, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: August 31, 1978

Today we started up to Idyllwild. I had my skateboard, my radio and myself. When we got up there, the first thing we did was go skateboarding. No, come to think of it, the first thing I did was get out of the car! Then I went into the house and called Bob up. He said everything was set for tomorrow. Then I went skateboarding with Janna. Tonight we weill (Mom and I will) sleep in Jennie Lea and Joe's camper.

***

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.

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Nothing Much Else Happened: August 30, 1978

Today we called up Bob and got him the first time! Quite a change from the fifteen it took me last time. He said that as long as we provide the transportation, he'll be able to come down. So, this will be our schedule: tomorrow — we drive up to Idyllwild and spend the night with Jennie Lea; The 1st — Bring Bob down; the 2nd — go to Dodger double-header; the 3rd — go to the beach for the whole day; the 4th — go to Dodger game; the 5th — drive back up and drop off Bob. Spend night at Jennie Lea's; The 6th — come home.

***

It's hard to imagine anything closer to perfection at this particular time in my life than taking in a double-header at Dodger Stadium with my best friend, Bob Bayer.

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 31, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: August 29, 1978

Today I showed the over-exposed film to Max, Mark and Neil. They all thought it was pretty lousy, except for some parts that were done in the shade. The best part I think was the footage of Ring-Ling getting her first bath since she got home from the kennel. We have some really funny stuff, like Max rollerskating — and then suddenly his rollerskates disappear! Loralee & Marjorie got home from Solvang this afternoon around 3:00, and I showed them the movie too.

***

I'm not sure how much more mileage I'm going to get out of this movie.

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 30, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: August 28, 1978

Today, Mom and I (again) went to the pool, and swam. Today was the farthest either of us had ever swam. She went 20 laps and I went 24. (Although we're not near a mile, which is 71½ laps — aargh!) After swimming, or rather, on our way home we picked up the film (that I've been waiting for so long!). When we got home and tried it on the projector, it was all over-exposed! The man at the camera shop told me it was outdoor film — he was wrong!

***

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 29, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: August 27, 1978

Today, Mom and I went swimming again at the "Y" pool. I did 20 laps and she did 16. I did much better than last time, and I am going to try to increase my number every time I go. The "Y" has a really nice pool, and hardly anyone knows about it. But we get in for free because we have a membership. Mom used to go all the time while I was in school to help her lose weight. By the way, only 16 days until School starts! We got the movie projector out and found there was no take-up reel. Tomorrow Dad will buy one.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.

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To view the next day click: August 28, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: August 26, 1978

Today let me tell you about our next-door neighbors. Personally, I think they're nicer than the Jones'. The mother is a fox and the father isn't so shabby either. He's a commercial photographer, and she does make-up for all his photography. His name is Tom and her name is Lee (the Kelley's). Their daughter's name is Shay and she's 7 years old. The father, who is divorced once, has another son that doesn't live with them, but he will be moving in soon.

***

Photography aficionados may recognize the name "Tom Kelley" as the photographer who took the famous Marilyn Monroe calendar nude shots. That photographer was Tom Kelley, Sr. It was Tom Kelley, Jr. who moved in next door to us. He's still working — you can see his photography at tomkelleystudio.com.

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 27, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: August 25, 1978

Today we did something I've never done before. Mom said "Do you want to go swimming?" I said, "Sure, let me go get my boogie board*, getting all set for the ocean. Mom said "Hold Everything. We're going to the Y.M.C.A. pool." Well, I'd never been there before, so I thought I might give it a try. I loved it! The pool is 10 feet deep and I had alot of fun diving to the bottom. I swam 12 laps and Mom swam 10.

*Boogie Board - a board that you lie down on and ride

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.

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To view the next day click: August 26, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: August 24, 1978

Today we called up Bob's mom to find out if Bob could come down from Idyllwild from September 1st through till September 5th. But they weren't home. We checked again just to make sure (2). We then called information to get the 714 area information (3). We got Bob's Father's restauraunt's number (4). We called the restraunt twice (5, 6) but Bob's parents (or Bob) weren't home, but at their sister's. We got the sister's number, but not before trying the brother's phone 7 times (7-13) and called the sister's twice (14, 15) and finally got them. She said she'd answer Thursday!

***

I was gonna keep spelling "restaurant" 'til I got it right!

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 12.

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To view the next day click: August 25, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: August 23, 1978

Today I finished the movie cartridge with some scenes with Marjorie and Loralee. I strated out with Marjory drinking water from a glass, then stopping and filling it up again and starting again to make it look like it filled up. We also had Max, Mark and Neil form a line on their hands and knees. Then I had Marjorie and Loralee get on top of them, so it formed a pyramid. I also filmed alot of my wonderful dog, Barnum'n.

***

I hope I'm not disappointing too many readers by revealing the secrets of the cinema.

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 24, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: August 22, 1978

Today I started shooting my movie. Max, Mark and Neil were dying to be in the movie, so I filmed them first. First, I filmed Max rollerskating. Then Neil getting thrown down a little incline. Next was Max doing his skateboard tricks. I came up with a super idea for Neil. I had him hang from the tree, Then I'd make the picture black, and come back with Neil on the ground — so it looked like he had fallen! I finished it with all of them crashing together. We picked up Lynn, and she will have my room while I get the den.

***

I'm sure I thought it was Citizen Kane, but this movie smells more like Jackass right 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: August 23, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: August 21, 1978

Today, we started down the hill around 10:00 A.M., picked up two bags of oranges, and also accumulated two dogs. We hadn't seen them for 37 days! Before we left, it was rumored that Bob Bayer, my old friend from Idyllwild, may be able to come down for my birthday. Also, Lynn, my sister, will be coming back from the hospital in Denver tomorrow to stay with us a while. Boy, are those dogs glad to be home! So are we!

***

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 22, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: August 20, 1978

Today, or rather, this afternoon after lunch at Arby's, we left for Idyllwild. Mom says that when we get back on the 21st, I can get my first cartridge of film for the Super 8 millimeter camera we have. The reason I'm finding all this out is because I will be using the camera when we go to Africa in February, 1979. So, I need the practice. When we got up the first thing Janna and I did was go to the Desert Sun Gym to skateboard. It was locked up, but somehow Janna squeezed through and opened it for me. We had fun!

***

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 21, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: August 19, 1978

Today, or rather this morning, we got a call from Jennie-Lea Richert. She thought we were going to be up this morning, but we don't go up until tomorrow afternoon. Janna said that she got a brand new skateboard with a kick tail and that it really works well! That reminded me that I hadn't gone skateboarding in a while, so Max and I decided and went out for some fun up near Marquez Elementary School. I also discovered Ian's old Super 8 millimeter movie camera, too!

***

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 20, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: August 18, 1978

Today I have the exciting pleasure of telling you about my jet lag, which was absolutely horrific — we ate dinner at 4:00 P.M.! We will be going up to Idyllwild in 2 days, and we will stay with the Richert's. I will probably go skateboarding with Bob Bayer in the gym up at Desert Sun School. On our way back down, we will pick up the doggies who I haven't seen in 34 days now. Boy, I bet they've about given up on us, haven't they? We also saw "Pippin" tonight too!

***

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 19, 1978

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