It was a good start

The same day I started my first summer job, I began the summer bowling league (Erie Lanes I believe) by starting with 4 strikes in a row, and finishing with a score of about 100.

I didn't record another strike or a spare for the rest of the game, and I was using some stupid yellow ball.

I do remember Paul Simon's Kodachrome song being played.

Action Manufactuing

I started my first summer job on Monday, June 18th, at Action Manufacturing in Bridesburg, making $2.10 per hour. Many of my friends were at the shore for Senior week.

It was hot, sticky, and required some skills that I don't think I possessed (namely, some mechanical ability and the ability not to get hurt).

Before the summer was over, I had nearly cut my thumb off, shot a lathe wrench between my legs, and sprayed acetone in my eyes.

Things were so bad that my first pay check (and stub, which I still have) had blood on it.

I did get better---I finished the summer making $2.35 per hour, as I recall.

I was particularly good at glueing.

My first supervisor, Mr. Chris (can't remember his last name) was a very nice man.

Just graduated from High School--June 15, 1973

I just graduated from Northeast Catholic!

I won the Religion prize (the Cardinal gave me that), along with Honorable mention in English and History.

I was disappointed in not winning the Physics prize---I thought I did well on the exam, although I was far from the best student in the class.

Thanks Ruly

I received a real nice reply to a letter I wrote Ruly Carpenter, the owner of the Phillies.

I could tell it was personally written---it was hand written---I really appreciated it.

That was quite a thrill to receive the latter.

May goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life!

My first 200 game!

I bowled my first 200 game tonight (actually, it was a 204) at Cottman lanes--the 3rd game.

I needed a 10 pin spare in the 10th to get it--I got it, then struck with the final ball.

Thanks Dave

My buddy Dave talked me into going into the North Catholic lockerroom before the end of lunch period bell rang---and we, and some other violators of the rule, were 'asked' to come after school to clean out the locker room prior to the Christmas vacation.

I was really looking forward to accompanying my father and going for a Christmas tree at Penn Fruit--now it will have to wait for about two hours.

To top it off, cell phones haven't been invented yet, there are no pay phones inside the school that I can use, and he has no way of knowing that I will be late.

Bummer--thanks Dave.

By the way, that is the last time I will ever violate a rule.

Wow---I just passed my driver's test!

Just passed my driver's test on the first try at Neshaminy---too bad I almost wrecked the family car on the way home on I-95.

Watch out for those blindspots!