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1963 My first paycheck ever = $25.90, clear $22.66. Worked the Twins 8 - Chisox 6 game. At the game were Chuck Slater, Jim Breitenbucher, Ron Labiak, Tom Olson, Mark Plasha and Dick Bastyr.
Tom
1974 Into Auckland where I was blown away by American Graffiti which was my life. Bussed to Mitchell's for a meatball meal. He brought us to Radio i studio (on Newton Rd) to see all the albums and the broadcast booth. From there we walked downtown. Managed to get the Express bus home.
1975 Jane gave us macadamian nuts, Kona coffee and guava jelly. Picked up Rachel Sato in Lapahoehoe. Dropped off the rental car and checked our bags in at the airport. Volcanoes National Park with Fujiokas. Watched movie in the Info Center, walked Desolation Row and into the Thurston Tube. Lunch at the Volcano House. Back to Hilo and Asaichi's sister's place. Rainbow Falls and the beach. See Hawaii photos. Jane gave us leis as we left for the plane. I had carried Te (age 10 months) to the rear of the plane where I stood holding him. John Denver, carrying his son Zak, emerged from 1st class and he ended up standing next to me. Instead of music, we two proud papas exchanged views on fatherhood and babies. And Zak "gave" David the plastic lei that he had been wearing. Had a flat Almaden Pinot Chardonnay. San Fran at 12:30AM and no Boardman at the airport, nor at home nor at his parents, so we ended up going to a Holiday Inn, finally getting to bed at 4AM.
Fujiokas




Lei
1980 Sa - took 35W through North Branch on our way to Taylor Falls where we walked around rock outcrops. 3 groups abseiling. Barbecued hot dogs at a picnic area and roasted marshmallows. Lent charcoal and lighter to a couple who had forgot theirs. After chow kids went into the river. Drove home along the river. Stopped at Stillwater and had free drinks from a REACT station.
1985 F - Kids and I walked up to the YMCA to watch Nigel, Wayne and George play. Ran into Graeme Green, Ngaire, Joe, with grandchildren. Leslie, Sam Noon and Alan Johnston played in the following game. Jack Hari gave me a tour of the expanded building. We talked to him about Ne doing gymnastics. Jack quit (again) as president of PBBA and at the moment no one runs it, so there was some pressure for me to take it on (again). But the standard of the play and reffing is still so poor that I don't want to get involved. Talked to the boys (young men now) and told them I wouldn't coach their teams. We stayed until 9:30PM and watched a little of a girls game. Sam coached the Papakura girls rep team to NZ championship this year.
1988 Monty ran across the road for the very first and last time - big truck. Gail had been chatting with Betty by the mailbox and he saw a dog on the otherside. Gail brought the body to Isaac Low for cremation, called me and carried on with her SPELD students. I came straight home. We went to MOT to sign up for lifetime licenses [ed. - nope, law change put us onto 5 year ones].
1998 Su - First ones to St Margarets Angelican church in Pukekohe for the AFS party. So I played basketball and soccer with a 3 year old Sam. Soon everyone had arrived except for Laure, who had invited us. Played a game of Headbanz - I was Elvis. Laure arrived with Ong and Petsch (from Thailand and at James Cook). We played light a candle and blew it out with a balloon. Played pass the parcel. Gail won AFS shorts, AFS spoon, AFS pen and an AFS button (ironic since we were the only family there not associated with AFS). Then it was pass a Life Saver via toothpicks held in your mouth. Keep a feather in the air blowing through a straw (I should have won, my feather got stuck in the winner's face. Supper followed games. Mr and Miss Counties AFS handed out awards and we had farewells from each AFSer. Each thanked their host family, except for Laure who said: "her family was probably doing something else (she hadn't told them the purpose of the meeting), but she wanted to thank me, Gail and Renee". Met Ong's host parents, Matthew and Penny Beal. Met Andre from Brasil, Laura from Paraguay and Sonja from Austria. (excerpt from letter)


2003 Needhams came for a meal and pool - Elaine's first go at it.
2008 Gail and I brought Elaine to airport (visiting cousin in Napier). Searched for tiles and curtain rods all over. My music computer fell unrepairably apart. Watched Dexter.
2010 M - Found a white-tailed spider in my room.
2014 Sa - Jury summons but since I am over 65 I don't have to do it.
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