I play football on the Frosh/Soph football team. We’ve played two games already at home against Santa Terese. They won 30–0. Our second game was at Andrew Hill. They won 52–12.
I’m a Freshman going to Piedmont Hills High School now. I like it there and am having a good time.
I also attend Seminary at the Brierly’s [house before school early] and am president of the class. I’m having a good time there too.
I’m doing pretty good in school — doing my homework and all.
I just had my 14th birthday on Monday (today’s Friday) the 19th, and I hope I will become a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood.
It’s kind of late (10:40 p.m.) and [I] don’t have much else to say, so I’ll just say no more.
Saturday, September 24, 1983:
Yesterday I said I was going up to meet my scout troup.
Well I never did, until they got back to the cars.
What hppened was: my mom took me up to the parking lot where this lady told me where they were. She said they were 1½ miles up the trail and not to turn off where it looks like the trail turns. I didn’t turn and kept on the trail and I just didn’t go far enough. That’s all I did today.
Today we played our third game. We won 13–6. We played the Silver Creek Raiders. I didn’t get to play in any of the games yet, but I sure want too. After the game, when I came out of the dressing room and outside these girls came up to me and one said, “You deserve a hug” and hugged me. And the other really good looking cheerleader said I deserved a hug from a cheerleader. Man, was this a great day or what?
Today I missed seminary because after I turned off the alarm, I kind of went back to sleep.
I got confirmed [i.e., ordained] a Teacher last Sunday, so now I’m a Teacher.
We didn’t have a football practice today, so I got home at 2:30 p.m. instead of 6:00 p.m.
When I got home, I watched some T.V. for a while. Then at about 5:00 p.m. I took a nap, then my mom came in and woke me up to go to an awards dinner. She said to me to go so all those girls that like me can see me. They all think I look like Clark Kent. This one guy in my 5th period says I look like Clark and he calls me “:Clark.” He said I could call him Clyde because that’s his nickname. His real name is Curtis Davis.
General Conference is tomorrow and I won’t be able to go to the Priesthood Session because I have to play in a game for band. I play the clarinet. Oder, my teacher, said that it counts on our grade and that it’s auditions, so I am going to go for sure.
My life is going just great now. I’m being kind of a familiar face to some people, because I play football. Most everyone is nice to me around here.
General Conference started today and I went to the Priesthood Session, but had to leave in the middle of it because I had to go to a football game. At about 6:35 p.m. I got up from the front seat and walked all the way back and outside where my mom was waiting. Then I changed into my regular-day clothes and went over to Piedmont, then off to P.A.L. Stadium, where the P[iedmont] H[ills] H[igh] S[chool] Pirates played the Silver Creek Raiders. We won 14–7. I was playing in the band.
Tomorrow our whole family is going to go to the General Conference at 9:00 a.m. It’s now about 11:30 p.m. and I’m not in bed yet.
Well, that’s about all I’m going to say, so I won’t say anything else.
At about 7:30 p.m. my arm started to hurt real big so now I have some ice on it wrapped in a baggie. I think somehow I pinched a nerve.
Nothing that exciting happened today except at football practice: we learned some new plays for the R[unning] B[ack] (that’s what I play). I didn’t get to play them yet. I hope I’m going to play tomorrow.
I didn’t make it to Youth Conference today. I came home from football about five to six and forgot; then remembered about it, but decided not to go because I’d have to get a shower and all that stuff, so I didn’t make it.
I went to Youth Conference at 6:00 p.m. for the workshop. The game ended at about 5:30 p.m. and I got home at 5:50 p.m. about. When I got home I didn’t have much time and so I just washed my hair. Then My mom called and the car broke down, so we had to try to get a ride from someone. We, me and James, got one from the Stringers.
Now it’s 10:16 p.m. and I still got homework to do, so I’m going to just do it tomorrow.
At the conference I went to a workshop on police and law enforcement. I’m really looking at becoming some kind of an officer and at this meeting I learned a whole lot about it and it just makes me want to keep learning about it and really do it. Down at the police station they have something about the P.A.L. And I’m going to try to get in to it as soon as I can. I’m going to try to call them tomorrow.
Today at Youth Conference we saw a movie and then had a dance. The movie was really funny and the good by Walt Disney. The dance was so fun. I got to dance with the most beautiful person there: her name is Vicci Wilson. She is a Sophomore and I tried to dance with her as much as I could. I think that she is one of the nicest people on earth and down right beautiful. I got the last dance with her; it was so nice. I got home at about 11:33 p.m. so didn’t get to sleep till about 12:00.
Sunday, October 9, 1983:
This morning I went to Youth Conference at the ward and we had a fast and testimony meeting.
But first we broke up in the Y[oung] M[en]/Y[oung]W[omen] and two people talked to us.
I really did like their talks.
At testimony meeting I heard some really good testimonies and really enjoyed it.
I almost got up there, but couldn’t will myself to do it, but I’ll do it next year for sure.
At 7:30 p.m. I went to a sign language class and learned signs. It was really great. I went with my sister Joanna and my dad.
Tomorrow at football practice we’re going to have a scrimage and I am going to do the best I possibly can and am going to win.
At 2:00 p.m. we had football practice. I got a hurt foot yesterday and I played today, but didn’t really play that good because of my foot. Tonight my foot hurt pretty bad. I want to put an ice pack on, but not going to.
At football practice I got to play a little as monster linebacker and didn’t do too good. I really want to play in the game tomorrow and I am going to try my hardest at whatever I do. I got a hurt foot and for those two hours that we play, if I get in, I am going to be in pain the whole time and when I get out, I will just stand ’round. I’ll probably just stand around tomorrow and not do anything. A lot of the people get game pants with a maroon stripe down the leg. I didn’t get one, but I did get a jersey, number 13, with the name “Wilson” on the back.
On Monday I’m going to an interview for Supreme Court and so I’m going to be late for practice. And if I tell the coaches, I think they won’t be so mad at me.
At 6:30 I went to a varsity football game. You (some people) get in free because they’re band members, but some others get in free because they pretend they’re band members. We lost 22–10 against Mt. Pleasant. I had a great time. When we got back, some guys were doing some [break] dancing. I like the way they dance now and I’m going to try and learn how sometime.
Thursday, October 27, 1983:
I finally got to play in a football game!
In the fourth quarter with about five or ten minutes left I got put in.
The coach said my name and I all of a sudden got butterflies in my stomach.
Coach Miarlovich said to me, “Pro left 48 quick pitch.”
At first he said 47 then he corrected himself.
When I got in, I forgot to tell Gray he was out and so I had to stop for a second and tell them.
I told the quarterback, “pro left 47” then corrected myself and said, “48.”
We got called for delay of game; then we got called again and I don’t remember what it was.
The quarterback, Dan Yeter, said it was on set and the fullback, Murl Gurney, told me to keep my eye on the ball and don’t turn up and really go until I get it.
(Not in those words, but I think that’s what he meant.)
I ran when I got the ball and did I run, man!
I ran as hard as I could and then got stuck.
I don’t know where though.
Tomorrow or Monday I’ll look on the stats to find out for sure.
Tonight at about 7:00 I went over to the school for a bonfire and played some songs in the band. I was going to go to a party at 7:30, but decided not to (the party was at the ward), but my brother and sister did. Today has been one of the best days of my life so far. When I play next year, I’m going to be in every game we play and score a few or more touchdowns, and be the best I possibly can.
Friday, October 28, 1983:
Today we had a shortened schedule for a pep rally because it’s homecoming.
I got to play in it.
I didn’t have football practice today so I got to just go home.
At about 6:35 I went up to the school in my uniform and then got my instrument and went out to the rooters’ bus.
The rooters’ bus was so crowded.
When we got there, it was so fun.
We played all these songs and stuff.
Then at a couple of minutes before half time, we went over to the other side of the field and waited.
Then we started off at half time.
We went down the fifty-yard line and then split up: [diagram]
Then stopped where we were assigned to.
Meanwhile the chariots came out with the queens and kings and the escorts beside them.
We played “New York, New York.”
Meanwhile the cheerleader did a routine.
Then as the chariots were leaving, we played “Chariots of Fire.”
As we were going off, we sort of goofed, but everyone goofed the same way, so the guy leading, Matt, just made it work, so we all didn’t look like fools.
I’m going to a Chrismas parade, so I got to keep my uniform.
I thought we did very good and I think on Monday I’ll get some complements about it.
This has been a good day today.
Then at about 7:15 me, James, my mom and dad went to a grown-up Halloween Party. Me and James went to help in a spook alley (or haunted house, “witch” ever you prefer). When the people came in, there was a fan above them and some platales [potatoes?]. I was over there and got to spray people as they went in. Then they turned and some people stuck their hands out and grabbed them. Then they were supposed to trip and go on a table and rock back and forth; the table was on the ground. Then this donkey shook its head a little and he was holding a hangman’s noose. And a guy in black said, “How’d you like to hang around?” or something like that. Then a guy jumped out of a box and scared people. They walked on a mat they saw this head chopped off and James was feeding him. Then they stepped on cheese balls under a blanket, then I sprayed them again. Then they went through this door and there was a guy there and he scared most everyone. There was a placard (?) hanging from the door there. After it was over, we went in as something. [DIAGRAM]
And I said, “No.”
So he said, “Teachers are supposed to get asked to pass.”
So I said, “OK,” and then got up and went and sat down on another bench. And then after a while he got the nerve to point his finger at me and signal to come here. And I shouldn’t have gone over, but I did (I guess I’m too nice for myself). Paul is the kind of person who is pretty good at cutting people down low (you know what I mean). Well, he was doing this in Sunday School to everyone, with Jamie helping. And I was just about to just turn around and “HIT” him in the face, and pretty soon it’s going to come to that. Someone is going to just turn and HIT him so hard when he says something. And I wouldn’t be surprised if it was me that did it. One of these days I’m going to at least tell him off in front of everyone, so he will get embarassed and stop insulting everyone. Paul will probably grow up to be a mean, self-centered, dirty old brat, if he doesn’t change.
At football practice I did pretty good except once, or more. Once when I thought I was supposed to go on two, but it was the second number, so I didn’t hit the hole fast enough and coach Eddy took me out and let Mike Gregory instead. The other time was when this guy, Donny Valentine, tight end, caught this pass and he was mine and he stuck his head down and hit me in the chest and went over me. I was on the ground and almost got the wind knocked out of me. Right now I’m in all kinds of pain: my chest hurts, both arms, my feet and I’ve got a headache.
I just thought I’d make some commitments:
“I’m not going to watch any T.V. unless my homework is done, or if it’s one of those term assignments at least started and worked on.”
“I will try to do my seminary work as hard as I can.”
“I will be first offence next year and first defence at running back and monster linebacker.”
“This off-season I’ll train as much as I possibly can.”
Nothing exciting happened today or any other day. These few days I haven’t written in my journal, except that I had a little conversation with Vicci Wilson (I don’t get to talk to her very often, except say hi every time we see each other) one of those rare occasions that I have. I think I’ll give you a little description of her. She’s got blond hair, very pretty, I think blue eyes, GREAT personality, always smiling, all around great person to be with. I met her at church. I already saw her, but when I met her, I got a very good impression of her. It was at a youth dinner. And when I met her up close — then at a youth dance I met her even closer and tried to dance with her as much as I could. She’s the one for me, when I’m older.
Wednesday, November 9, 1983:
Today was a pretty good day.
I got to play twice in this game.
Once on the kickoff-return team, I blocked one guy out.
Once on the kickoff team, I was container-man (second man from outside man).
I did good on that; no one even touched me and I could have got the guy, but he was already down.
Oh, by the way, we had our last game of the season.
We lost.
I played three times in the season:
Once against Yerba Buena at running back and again against Oak Grove on the kickoff and kickoff-return.
The score against Oak Grove was 41–14.
And if you’re really interested in knowing what the scores to all the games are, just look through the book in front of this page.
After that we had to give our pads up and then go home. Then I took a shower and then went to scouts and found out that when we went up to Portola State Park and cleaned camp yesterday for three hours, I did it for almost nothing. Because I have to be First Class to get any credit for it and on Saturday we’re going to do a five hour project. And it won’t help me get my Star. So I’m kind of mad right now.