Table of Content
Preface
Before My Time: Lifetime Shaped by Tragedy (1902-1940)
Pre-School Years: The First Sandbox (1940-1945)
Lessons From a Near-Death Experience
Folsom Park: The Playground Sandbox
Grammar School Years: The Second Sandbox (1945-1954)
Family Peculiarities and Values
Humble Beginnings: Motivation to Succeed
Age 5: Life Began – Last Year of Being a “Little Kid”
Benefits of Hiding Places
The Cruelest Thing Done in My Lifetime
Wisdom of Early School Admission
Age 6: Life Began as a Student of Learning
Emancipation and Independence
Good, Bad and Ugly of Ancestry
Age 7: Financial Independence
Combat Bullies With Laughter
Start of a Six-Year Business Career
Power of Constant Suggestions
Key to Becoming a Millionaire
The Neighborhood Sandbox
Free Transportation Around the City
Mecca of Entertainment
Homemade Toys
Age 8: Age of Exploration and Adventure
The Mysterious Room
Biggest Contributor to City-wide Exploits
Exploring Long-Gone Places in the City
Three Hours of Cartoons, Shorts and Serials
Golden Gate Park World of Adventure and Exploration
Playland for Confidence, Risk-Taking, Aggressiveness and Winning
Sutro Baths: Solution to the City’s Cold, Rainy Weather
Zoo: Bar-less Exhibits for Up-Close Animals
Fleishhacker Pool for Chionophiles and Eskimos
Math Can Be Fun
Riding on a Bumper at 65 mph
Not Following in Dad’s Footsteps
Santa Dropped by for a Highball
Ruination From Alcohol
No Excuse for Being Sick
Most Selfish Thing Ever Heard
Age 9: The Young Entrepreneur
Standing up to Adult Bullies
Doing Business With the Dead
Operating My First Casino
Street Corner Hustler
Handicapping Horses on the Side
Radio Quiz Show Victory
Solution to Handling Kid Bullies
No Fear of Gangs and Derelicts
Sad Loss of a Buddy
Learning From Our Own Mistakes
Weirdest Thing That Ever Happened
Birth of the Fart Flamethrower
Not Settling on Being Second Best
Setback to Acting Career
End of a Stinkin’ Business
Most Memorable Trip Not Ending Well
Age 10: The Birth of Competition
Dad’s Only Advice Over 17 Years
Always the Loser on Sadie Hawkins Day
Stage Competition for the Illusive Bike
In Search of a Pot of Gold
Absence of Prejudicial Name-Calling
Dropping Like Flies at the Playground
Benefits from Winning, Success and Positive People
Self-Worth Not Based on a Single Attribute
Duped to Shill for My Sister
Picking Pockets for Spending Money
Age 11: New School, New Experiences
Freedom From Sibling Chaperoning
From Twenty to Zero Cavities
Flirting With a Nun
TV Stardom Lost Opportunity
Secret to Winning Math Competition
Let Kids Follow Their Interests
Giving Up Is Not an Option
Most Sickening Thing Ever Seen
Acting Career Comes to an End
An Untapped New Tourist Attraction
Different Sibling Reactions to Same Role Model
Most Influential Book in My Life
Harm From School Being Too Easy
Dealing With a Child Molester
In Search for a Better Life
How to Determine a True Friend
Good Deed Leads to Lifetime of Helping Others
Valuable Lesson From Stupidity
Age 12: A New Sandbox for a Better Life
Life Changing Sandbox – Sunset District
Good and Bad of New Digs
Benefits of Cutting Ties to Past
Where Those With No Dreams and Interests Wind Up
Obsessive Compulsive Behavior: Lemons into Lemonade
Avoiding Boy-Crazy Girls
Strong Legs to Look Young
First New Friends – Future All-Stars and Hall of Famers
Free Golf for Early Risers
Life Based on Chance and Probability
Changing Appearance to Be Accepted
Take Charge by Doing Things Myself
First Business Kid at Haight-Ashbury
Age 13: I Am Those Around Me
Lifetime of Humility From a Quotation
Path to Most New Friendships – Sports
Lesson Learned From Bully Put to Practice
Age 13: My New Found “Twin Brother” (continued)
Escape From Death Squads
Immigrants Viewed as Second-Class Citizens
Living Among Other Salvadoran Immigrants
Key to Drinking – Knowing When to Stop
Pawn Shop Visits During the Hungry Years
Accepting Unjust Social Inferiority Without Protest
Pride in Being Different
Learning English From Scratch
Play Had No Language Barriers
Choosing White Over Latino Heroes
Impact of Radio Hidden Persuaders
Bilingual But Unable to Share My Americanization
Better Living Conditions Traded for Freedom
Overcoming Unjust Denial of Prosperity
Personal Outlook Influenced by Action, Romance and Humor
Evil of Pigeonholing at an Early Age
Discipline Using “Sin” Label and 12-Inch Ruler
Never-Ending Yearning to Return Home
Failure Viewed as Success in Progress
Parental Love Was Not Enough for Americanization
Significant Difference in Pre vs. Post-Adolescence Migration
Family-Suffered Train Wreck
Loss of My Latino Identity
Popularity Based on Sports and Cliques
Imitation Key to Fitting In
Running My Own Business
Solutions to Whining Irritating Kids
Age 13: The Brother I Never Had – the “Wild Child” (continued)
Lessons From the Great Depression
Yearning to Return to the Womb
Effect of the Green Glove Rapist
Collection Box Money Spent on Candy
Origin of Interest in Writing
Good Shaking for the Little Bastard
Protesting Injustice Developed From Dad
Being the Best We Could and Winners
Rebellious Nature Came From Mom
Discipline From Coat Hangers and Smacks
Impact of Seeing Extreme Gore
Self-Confidence From Taking Risks
Dad Saved My Life
Athletes Did Not Smoke
Never Died From Drinking From Milk Bottles
Mothers Served as Neighborhood Sentries
Teasing Like Father, Like Son
Discipline Cured the Wild Child
Red-Face Period From Embarrassment
Neatness Used as Security
Priests Can Be Human and Superhuman
Perfect Time to Die
Sneaking Sips of the Sacramental Wine
No Place for Bosoms at Church
Appearance Does Not Win Awards
Speaking English Important to Immigrant Assimilation
Good Manners and No Pampering
Stoned on Laughing Gas
Working for a Celebrity
Most Fun Job for Kids
Elmer Fudd Speech Impediment
Escaping Unpleasant Dinner Experiences
Getting to a Mother’s Heart
Closet Hunting for Christmas Gifts
Living Under an Alias All My Life
Just Ask – Works 50% of the Time
Learn From Parent’s Traits and Habits
Generosity Stemmed From Hard Times
Good Business to Be Generous
Independence Led to Best of Times
Safari Into an Illegal World
Age 13: I Am Those Around Me (continued)
Life With My “Second Parents”
Key to Successful Speaking: Know Nothing About the Subject
Strong Willpower From Saying “No Thank You”
Critical to Have Second Parents
Secret to Parenting – Earn Respect of Children
No Need to Lie to Real Friends
Money Less Important Than Friendships
When School Allowed Copying
Money Was More Important Than Embarrassment
Secrets to Getting the Girls
Pride is Less Important Than Safety
Stealing Not Worth the Risk
Sex in the Eighth Grade
Celebrities in the Neighborhood
Failure Was the Road to Opportunity
Try New Things to Find Your Niche
Humility From Not Knowing Better
Work to Your Strengths
Most Memorable Person Ever Met
Surprise Visit With Ty Cobb – Who’s He?
Pride of Underdog Ragamuffins
More Character Rooting for Underdogs
Quit Before Failure Becomes a Habit
Self-Confidence and the Will to Work
Never Too Proud to Accept Criticism
Awards and Degrees Are Not the End – Just the Beginning
Encouragement Only Effective If From Those You Respect
Historic Houses in My Own Backyard
Character Building Four-Year Boot Camp
Ambition From Seeing How the Other Half Lived
Collect Money Fast to Avoid Deadbeats
Always Greet Ingrates With a Smile
Business Principles Learned From Paper Route
High School – The Most Important Sandbox (1954-1958)
Age 14: Freshman Year – Time to Adapt and Improvise
Beliefs Are More Important Than What Others Say
Happenstance of the Origin of Best Buddies
Unsuspecting Ripple Effect’s Unpredictable Outcomes
Adjusting Was Difficult When Alone or Different
In Search of My Impossible Dream
Sincerity: Main Characteristic of Being “Cool”
Secret to Good Education at Affordable Prices
Unprepared for First Career Fork in the Road
Need for More Speaking Opportunities
Necessity of Extracurricular Activities
Misguided Detour to Leave Home
Discipline: The Mettle That Molded Uncool Kids
Instilling Fear of God Always Worked
Respect for Teachers and Drill Instructors Required
Toughness and Courage from Tragedies
To Study or Not to Study, and How?
Kids Needed Their Own Sanctuary
The Loneliness of Being Gay
Heroes in the Shadows
Learning From Successes and Failures in the Classroom
Organizing a Fart Orchestra
Personal Dress and Grooming Misadventures
Cure for Insecurity
Lessons Learned From Dad Beaten to Hell
A Day With the Ghosts
Regrettable Welcoming After Return From Korean War
Learning to Drive in the Garage
Tough to Live With Excessively High Expectations
Scared Straight Cure-All for Wise-Asses
Babe Ruth Autographed Baseball Down the Drain
Restitution for Prank 60 Years Later
Friendship Ended by Age Discremination
Fairness in Life Depends on What Line You Stand In
Confidence Booster From Nicknames
Success From Trying New Activities
Quitting is the First Step to New Opportunities
Success From Being With the Best
Price of a Catchers Mitt – Bottle of Whiskey
Major Source of Friendships – Extracurricular Activities
Age 15: Sophomore Year – Standards Set
for Schoolwork vs. Socializing
Cool Kids: Clothes Made the Man
Willie Mays Was White?
Remain Grounded When in the Ocean
Bad Parental Advice Regarding a Child Molester
Pornography Was in the Eye of the Beholder
Power of a Couple of Words of Praise
Lifetime Damage From Nicknames and Name-Calling
Some Did Not Turn the Other Cheek
Giving Back Same Medicine Stopped Bullying
Greatness Is Evident at an Early Age
Car-in-the-School-Hallway Prank
Cool Teachers for Student Counselors
Piano Thrown Off Rooftop Folklore
Cheating Never Turned Poor Grades to Good Grades
Secret to Fitting In Socially: Imitation
Videos of Success to Teach Success
Devil-May-Care Kid
Toys and Neighborhood Terrain Affect Interests and Moxie
Adult Prejudices Overcome by Kid’s Exposure
Respect From a Deviated Septum
Winning Strategy – Play to Your Strong Suit
David Took on Goliath to Right a Wrong
Be All You Can Be – Not at the Pleasure of Others
Only Run on Grass and Dirt – Legs Last Longer
Dating One of Seven Sisters, Oh My!
Avoid Having to Get Married – Abstinence
Lower Expectations at School Dances
Motivation From Mistakes of Siblings
Single Greatest Influence on Lifestyle – Access to a Car
Mom’s Only Rule: 11:00 p.m. Curfew
Never Knowing How to Read or Study
Regrets of One and Only Runner Without Paying
Failure of a Great Student Recruiting Idea
Break Rules During the School Year – Not at the End
Age 16: Junior Year, a Whole New World –
Mobility in the Biggest Sandbox
Secret to Good Teachers – Being Respected and Liked
’54 Merc Taught Financial Responsibility
Badness Was All Talk, No Action
“19 Cents of Gas, Please”
Socialize First, Beers Second Priority
Slap Across the Face After a Night of Drinking
Learning to Play the Sax Using the Think Method
Deaths Bring on Urgency to Succeed
Confessions in the Shower
Teaching Character With Movies
Physical Beatings but Never Mental Beatings
Faculty Celebrities Not Given Their Due
Pedigree Made a Difference in Some Circles
Tough Group Those Marianist Brothers
Junior Class Miracle of 1957
Even the Best Choke – Consolation to Us Mere Mortals
Most Interesting Athlete in My Four Years
Research Gene Pool to Scout Athletes
Historic Athletic Achievement for School and Athletes
More Challenges, More Successes, More Rewards
Team Concept Applicable to Marriage
Call Out the Cheaters – a Good Feeling
Lifetime of Reliving Our Youth at the Movies
Alcatraz: Crime Does Not Pay Reminder
Live and Let Live Led to Open-Mindedness
A Hung Bun Was Not a Chinatown Delicacy
The Most Kid-Friendly Police in the City
Every Kid Should Spend a Night in Jail With a “Bubba”
Respect Learned From Gross Dipshit Experience
Make Your Point With One Punch
Letting the Air Out of a Blowhard
Hard Way to Learn About Rolling Stops
Learning From Mistakes of Others Cost Us Nothing
Some Just Prefer to Believe Con Men
Preference for Personal Rather Than Pathetic Crowd Celebrations
Curiosity of Semi-naked Women Cure-All
Appreciation for Beatnik Freedom Lifestyle
North Beach for the Locals, Fisherman’s Wharf for the Tourists
Some Ruts in Life Just Insurmountable
Book That Helped Pay for My College Education
Sports, Beer and Cars – Glue of Friendships
Marijuana and Narcotics Not on Our Menu
Need for Early Counseling and Student Tutoring
Prom Night Misadventures
Summer School – Academic Wakeup Call
Entertainers, Practitioners and Successful People as Teachers
Quitting Bad Habits Through Excess
Land of Escorts and Prostitutes
Age 17: Senior Year – When Everything Came Together
Leader Qualities: Nice Guy, Liked Socializing, Excelled at an Activity
Good Things Came to Those Who Helped Others
Love for Privacy From Being an Introvert
Seniors Beware of Junior Prospects
Never Hesitate to Ask a Favor
Most Character Developed on the Sideline
Underrated but Always Admired
The Haunting Failure on the Field – I Choked!
My Cherished Personal Record
Field of Dreams – Disappearance of Racial Differences
Bigger the Challenge, Greater the Confidence
Aspect of the Game I Never Understood
Level Playing Fields Allow Victories Against the Best
Seeking Personal Victories in Losing Battles
Decision Regretted for a Lifetime
Seeing Stars While Playing Against One
What It Took for Studies to Take Precedence Over Sports
Get a Job: Girls, Cars and Fun Not Cheap
Stiff Price to Pay Having Two Jobs
Loved Getting in Love, but Not Being in Love
Price of Freedom – a Six Pack
Do Not Be Fooled by Appearances
Most Memorable Drag Race
Cheese It, the Cops!
Riding the Running Boards to Sober Up
Do Not Piss Off the Hell’s Angels
Cruising the Neighborhood to Pick Up Chicks
Great Respect From Display of Honesty
Price for Being Ungrateful
Prank Led to New Respect for School Administrators
Where to Find a Date When You Need One
Small Circle of Dating Destinations
Most Memorable Dating Experiences
Big Boobs and Wanting Sex
Gorgeous Blondes Not Always the Answer
Bravest Girl Ever Dated
Not Going Steady – Significant Game Changer
Making Out and Sex Before Marriage
Dealing With Customers Required a Personality
Downside of Crashing Movies
Difference Between a Curious Kid and a Delinquent
Being a Jerk Was Forgivable, Remaining a Jerk Unforgivable
No Need to Be Embarrassed Around Strangers
Near Death Experience
No Pickpocketing on My Watch
Respect Classmates at All Times
Going Out on Top With Class
Bragging With a Smirk Was Acceptable, Big-Headedness Was Not
When to Choose the Activity With the Most Friends
Being Replaced Can Be a Blessing
Size of Glove Did Not Make the Player
Throwing Curveballs to First Base
Missing Fine Points of Coaching
Greatest Honor in My Sports Career
Winning at the Expense of Unfairness
Wrong Righted 60 Years Later
Important Thing Is What We Think of Ourselves
All That Will Remain – “I Did My Best”
Senior Prom – a Night to Forget
Graduation: Chance to Start a New Life
What Were the Early Years All About?
Solving the “Meaning of Life” Riddle
Future of Ordinary Kids From Extraordinary Times
Bygone Days of Shangri-La and Camelot
Footnotes
Bibliographies
Acknowledgements
Indexes
General Index
Names of People Index
Students
Other Friends
Parents and Relatives
Teachers and Coaches
Acquaintances and Others
Celebrities
Authors and Writers
Comedians
Movie Actors
Musicians
Politicians
Singers and Dancers
Sports (Baseball)
Sports (Basketball)
Sports (Boxing)
Sports (Football)
Other Celebrities
Names of Places, Attractions and Entertainment Index
San Francisco Attractions
Other Local Attractions
Businesses, Shops and Stores
Movie and Drive-In Theaters
Restaurants, Drive-Ins and Bars
Schools
Churches and Religious Facilities
Streets and Neighborhoods
Movies
Radio Programs
Television Programs
Books
Songs
Street Addresses Index
Ireland
Mission and Nearby Districts
Richmond and Nearby Districts
Sunset District
Westwood Park District
Downtown San Francisco