Hi Everyone,

I was hoping to be with you all at the reunion, however, some personal matters will keep me in the San Diego (Oceanside) area.

Since 1979, I've only been back to Fresno about ten times. Shortly after our graduation in 78, my father passed away, suddenly at the age of 18, I was out on my own. After one year of college at Fresno City, I received a job offer as a Draftsperson with the Boeing Co. I moved to Seattle and worked on the 747 aircraft program. Due to a downturn in the economy in 1982, my position was eliminated along with 30,000 of my other friends.

With no job prospects in the Seattle area, I decided to pursue a dream, I got back into baseball shape and was given an opportunity to tryout for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs. I didn't receive an offer to play for those teams, but did receive an offer to play for a college in Spokane, WA. After weighing all my options, I decided to return to Fresno. Funny thing, I never quit made it back. On my way down, I stopped to visit my sister in Los Gatos and ended up staying in the Bay Area for 17 years.

In 1984, I receive a job at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company in Sunnyvale, CA. I worked there for eight years, many as a Mechanical Designer. Being disillusioned with engineering, I decided to pursue another dream. I went back to college and studied Landscape Horticulture. In 1992, I opened my landscape business, the same year, my son Michael was born. My business took off and I had eight years of great success. However, that success, came with a price. Working seven days a week and never seeing my family took it's toll. With the high cost of living in and hectic work schedule in Silicon Valley, my family and I decided to relocate to Oceanside, CA, (about forty miles north of San Diego) in August of 2000.

After moving to Oceanside, I wasn't sure I wanted to go back into landscaping. I needed some time recuperate from all the injuries from that job. I started volunteering my time at a large church in the area and was eventually hired as the Lead Cameraperson and a Sound man. It was a fun position but didn't pay much, and the hours were quite demanding. After leaving the church position, landscaping actually found me again. People who knew me asked if I would work for them, just like that, the business took off again. Funny how things happen in our lives.

For those of you who still remember me, feel free to send me as e-mail, I'd love to hear from you.