John Jay High School - Original Mustangs '69 - '70 - '71

I guess every on must have heard about the recent wildfires here
in California. There was a wildfire up by where my wife works and
some people from her work were evacuated and some had fire damage to there homes. The fire up there they think was arson.
We had a wildfire here in Orange County that got to about 2 miles
from our house. We were fortunate in the fact that a freeway layed
between our house and the fire. It shipped the freeway once but
the planes were able to drop water on it and put it out before it
spread. The area was covered in smoke and ash for several miles.
The firefighters did a great job. We were thankful that we did'nt
even have to evacuate. That freeway acts as a firebreak for us.
Unfortunately our local high school suffered some damage and
the kids were out of school for about a week to allow for clean up.
Even the elementary schools and junior high were out for a couple
of days because of air quality. I guess this is the time of year to
be thankful for all our blessings

Mike

Well, here I am at work, taking a few moments to blog in here. Not too much going on these days in my life. I did hear from Mrs. Marjorie Valentine, our former math teacher at JJHS and she is recuperating from broken ribs sustained in a fall. She is on the mend, she tells me.

Tomorrow, November 1st, Northside ISD is dedicating the school named after our former sciences teacher Mr. Peggy Carnahan. It is a well deserved honor. I hope that former students, fellow teachers and friends can stop by during the dedication to congratulate her. Because of my very limited ability to walk, I will be unable to attend. I do send her my best wishes.

Well, the presidential election is just days away. I was telling my mom that since she's only 19 years older than me and because of the timing of my birth, she has lived under only ONE more president than I have! She had FDR and I came in under Truman who succeeded him. Cool. Also, Mom has lived under only one more POPE than I have, too. Just some family trivia.

and I am not talking about the recent wall street bailout. It looks like
our wildfire season is starting here in California . We have a nasty one going on upin the San Fernando Valley. My wife works about ten miles whereone of the worst is going on. I am not sure if we have any classmates up in that area. It has been hot and dry this year and anything is possible. These things can get really destructive.

I HAD SOME MINOR KNEE SURGERY THIS LAST WEEK AND WHEN
THE DOCTOR GOT IN THERE IT WAS WORSE THAN HE THOUGHT(OLD
AGE CATCHING UP). HE SAID I AM GOING TO NEED A KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY IN THE NEXT 1 OR 2 YEARS. I HEAR SOME
GOOD THINGS ABOUT THAT KIND OF OPERATION BUT IF ANYBODY OUT
THERE HAS HAD A KNEE REPLACEMENT OR HAS SOME KNOWLEDGE
OR THE PROCEDURE I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU
COULD GIVE ME. IT IS AMAZING WHAT THE DOCTORS CAN DO NOW
DAYS. THIS IS THE 3RD SURGERY ON THIS KNEE AND I WAS UP AND
WALKING THE NEXT DAY. UNFORTUNATELY THE DOCTOR WON'T RELEASE ME TO PLAY GOLF. I ENJOYED THE FREDRICKSBURG REUNION
BUT I THINK WE TO HOLD IT WHERE IT IS AFFORDABLE TO ALL OUR
CLASSMATES. I AM O.K. WITH WHAT EVER IS DECIDED. I PLAN TO BE
THERE NO MATTER WHAT(SHORT OF THE GRIM REAPER CALLING).

I am starting to have second thoughts about going up to Fredericksburg for SHINDIG VII in July 2010. How about we have it at Pedrotti's Ranch, as we have in the past? It's here in San Antonio. How about some thoughts from you people? Huh?? What do YOU think?

Mike, thanks for the update. I do hope that more people (our classmates) start using this blog more often. Nothing much to report on this end except to say that SHINDIG VII will happen on the 2nd weekend in July 2010 and more than likely in Fredericksburg at the Hangar Hotel, like last time. Cost should be around $125 to $150 per person for the reunion activities (hotel rooms/accomodations not included). I will report more as details are worked out. -- Dennis

it has been a while since I have blogged, I forgot my password and
I have been playing with various combinations since then. We had
an earthquake out here in sunny California a couple of months ago
and it was about a 5.0 or something around there. Not real strong
but enough to catch one's attention. The best amusement ride I
was ever on was to be 7 stories up when a 6.0 earthquake hits.
What a buzz! We just got back from taking our daughters to college
in Utah. I have discovered the worst thing to do is have sisters be
roommates. What a headache! Unfortunately I was not able to see
Richard Olsen, or Mickey Mahler, both who live in the Salt Lake area.

My good friend, Richard Olsen foot the bill for this BLOG site. His son set it up for us. Unfortunately, this is not being used to it fullest potential. While this site is paid up for one year, I am not going to ask Richard to foot the bill when this expires. If no one wants to use this BLOG resource, then it's best that we shut it down.

Unless, we see more traffic, then, that's what we'll do. I hereby release any and all restrictions on content. You folks can post whatever you want and perhaps it will stir more interest. Tell your fellow classmates all about this and I'll do my best to give it more publiciity in my next bulk e-mail to everyone.

Now, how about that SARAH PALIN chick!! Experienced or not, that babe has my vote!! Have you seen that photo of her in a bikini and holding a rifle? WOW!! Yeeeee haaaaaa! --Dennis

Sorry, if my change of attitude upsets the applecart. I was speaking out of frustration when I wrote that originally and decided to tone down my angry rhetoric. Your efforts are appreciated, but no one rushed to respond to your call. If I have let you down, I apologize. I didn't mean to.

Besides, it seems that you and I are the only ones writing anything in here anymore. I even stopped by the chat room the other night and saw that I had just missed you.

I don't know of any other way to motivate friends and fellow alumni to help out with the website, so I've pretty much given it up. I've pleaded, cajoled and begged and still only a tiny minority cares enough to help with costs. And it's the same people over and over, again, and they have done enough. It's not fair to continue to draw from the same "well" year after year.

If it happens, then, it happens. If it don't... it don't. It's not like I'm making the world a better and safer place to live in with my website.

It's no big deal. All things come to an end eventually.

Dennis...
You changed your entry after getting me all worked up about JJHS
exes not supporting you and your efforts. I went by the attitude of your entry, while making my blog comments. Made me look a little like some sort of fanatic after the changes you made and you know just what I'm referring. I'm still behind you bud.
Vikki Chapman (70)