Ronald Lopez:
CLASS OF 1979
Tracy High SchoolClass of 1979
Tracy, CA
Tracy Senior Elementary SchoolClass of 1975
Tracy, CA
Central Elementary SchoolClass of 1973
Tracy, CA
South Elementary SchoolClass of 1967
Tracy, CA
Ronald's Story
-------------------> Update - 2009-05-05 (many pages below)
So.... let's see.... I still live in Tracy. Not sure why... maybe I just don't like the change of scenery (or I'm stubborn). Born and raised in the same town. Not many people can say that.... or would even care too !!
Well, I've seen the town grow from about 12,500 to close to 90,000 today. I still drive by the many houses I've lived in and reminisced about old times when I was much, much, much younger. Problem is.... I'm beginning to forget all the places I've lived. Might be an age thing.
I've been working for the same company for 26 years now. Don't ask what I do for a living 'cause.... at work... they're wondering the same thing. I'm looking forward to retirement so I can travel the states. Nope, wait a minute, I've driven close to a million miles commuting to and from work (100 miles a day, or more, for 26 years). Maybe I'll just retire and stay home and watch TV. Yeah..... I'll stay home and watch hockey games (a favorite hobby and... I'm a San Jose Sharks fan). That's how I get my exercise. I have one strong remote control finger. Of course, when I tell others what sport I watch... they ask: Tracy ? Born and raised ? How the heck did you start watching hockey ? My explanation: I don't know. Should I be concerned that I watch hockey ?. They say, there ain't no ICE in TRACY. And I say, sure there is.... look in my drink glass.
Just so everyone knows... I look much different. I've gained 100 lbs. and now have a mohawk ('cause I was losing all my hair). My hair was turning all white anyway. Not gray, just white. Must be something in my shampoo that does that. I now have a beard too. It's long like Santa Claus. I'm trying for the ZZ Top look.
I still have my old green Mustang. It's more of a rust color now and is much lighter, in weight, than it used to be ('cause it's kinda rusting away). I plan every year to restore it only to have more important things come up.... like... bills to pay. Oh well, maybe some day. Can you imagine, me using my walker to get close to my Mustang so I can get in and cruise the town ?? I'll have to make sure there's room for my nurse and doctor.
I'm looking forward to when I turn 82. I'm getting a motorcycle on my 82nd birthday. Yeah, just like the old days, me riding a motorcycle. Reason I'm waiting so long: my wife says she's kicking me out of the house if I do. I figure.... I'll be in a rest home by then.... so.... it won't matter.
I generally keep to my self. I rarely go outdoors except to get the newspaper. Unfortunately, my lawn has paid the price and is over 5 feet tall. Guess I should cut it some day. I'd ask people to visit but.... you'd never see my house ('cause of the lawn).
Well, if you haven't figured it out by now, my sense of humor is one thing that hasn't changed much. Of course, very few people knew I had a sense of humor 'cause.... I didn't talk much either. Kinda like my trips outdoors (paragraph above). Yeah, same old sarcastic self. Still getting myself into trouble like my many years in grade school. I'm sure I left a lasting impression on all my teachers. I think they passed me just to get me out of their class. I remember getting a progress report from one teacher that said: needs to spend less time making paper airplanes in class, grade to date... "A". My mom said I needed to stop making the paper airplanes and I said: why ? They must be good ones. Look. I'm getting an "A".
Fortunately, I have two beautiful daughters. Unfortunately, they got their sense of humor from me. Therefore, I never get a relaxing moment at home. They constantly tell me they are planning to put me in a rest home, in the next few years, and want to know if I'm afraid of heights. Yeah.... they're thinking if I am, they're putting me on the 2nd floor.
Well, I'd continue to write but... then I wouldn't have anything to write as an update.
Hey, one more thing, I looked at the "story wizard" on this page. Let's see, career aspirations. Well, um, I'd like to be a California lottery winner. Yeah..... I could retire instantly. Then... I could buy a bigger tv and.... watch hockey games. How's that for a career goal ?? Just kidding.... don't answer that.
Take care,
Ron Lopez
p.s. If a few of you have seen me around town, and wondered why I didn't say hello, it's because.... I can't remember names anymore. Everyone looks so much different too. Of course, I know I look just the same (wishful thinking, I'm sure)
-------------------> Update - 2009-02-16
Ok, so.... it appears I have a character limit on this page. Let me see, where should I start ??
Well, I was considering getting a myspace page. Only problem was... I was watching over my two daughters' shoulders trying to figure out how to set one up.... and they said..... get outta my space. So, I guess that means older individuals aren't supposed to create a myspace page. I'm sure that's what they meant. Right ? I guess I'll just post some pictures and stuff on this site.
It's kind of interesting that I've seen so many new additions on this site, lately. Is it an age thing ? Like, when you get close to 50 you begin to reach out to your past ? You'll all have to let me know. I'm only in my 30's so.... I guess I'll learn the answer some day. Yeah, I haven't aged for quite a while. I throw out all the calendars and it seems to help (that's my story, and I'm sticking to it).
I failed to mention before that my wonderful wife and I have been together for 29 years this year (married for most of them). She said I was quite the catch. Yeah, she said she tried to throw me back several times and I kept returning. That's a compliment, right ? She also said it seems as if we only met yesterday. Yeah, she said I haven't matured a day past my twenties. That means I must have maintained by younger physique and boyish looks. Right ? Hmmmm.... I wonder what she'll say when I get older ?
Well, I have a short story, 'cause that's what I do these days. I always told my family I was going to get a mohawk. Yes, shave my head leaving only a strip down the middle. Having my hair stick straight up in the air with red tips. I'm not sure this is going to work any more. I was combing my hair, looking in the mirror, after a shower. I noticed something strange as I combed my hair back and then to the side. My "HPSI" is just not what it used to be. What is HPSI, you ask ? It's hairs-per-square-inch. Mine used to be about a million to one. Now it's like..... 10 to one. That strange thing I was seeing in the mirror was..... my scalp !! Oh no !! I just can't imagine a mohawk with.... like.... 5 hairs sticking straight up (no offense to anyone who experienced this at a younger age). So.... I guess I'll have to cross this plan off my list. Oh well, it was fun to harass my family while the dream lasted.
I'll post some pictures of my annual trek to Iowa. Yes, we make an annual trek to Iowa to visit my in-laws. We do all the important stuff, in life, while we're there. You know, drink beer, fish, play cards. Also, I found a few pictures of my family and some older guy. I'm not sure who the older person is but.... I think I recall seeing him in the morning when I shave. Yes, he looks strangely familiar. I also found a picture of me doing what I do best (hard at work).
Well, that's all I can write for now. In order for me to post pictures, I have to process them through a strict approval process. Yeah, my family has to approve them before I post them. I have to hurry before they wake up and see me posting the pictures.
Ok, that's it for now.
Ron
p.s. please don't print and share my story. I flunked English class a few times and I'm sure the grammar and punctuation reflects this !! On second thought, who cares !! I haven't seen any of my past teachers on this site anyway.
-------------------> Update - 2009-05-05
Ok, so a quick update. I'll explain the picture I added.
Well, they say everyone has an identical twin in the world. Most of us have never come across our twin.
And... unfortunately for everyone else, there's..... 3 of me !! Yes, not twins, there's triplets. Bet you can't guess which one is me. I'm, the... uh.... sarcastic one. Yep. Still can't tell which one without me talking. That makes it even harder because, I never talk !!!
You can all just enjoy the horror story and you can all hope we don't cross paths. Wouldn't this make a great STEPHEN KING horror novel ?? Hey !! Don't answer that one.
I'll be posting some more interesting pictures for everyone to view. Yeah, all 5 of you. What a disappointment!! F...Expand for more
ew friends in school and even fewer persons that want to view the INTERESTING stuff I post. Maybe I'll get to double-digit visits by the end of 2010. Yeah, maybe I'll have 10 visits by then.
Just so everyone knows, I've been watching the visits and picture viewing count. NO CHANGE in 6 months. So, I'm watching over my oldest Daughter's shoulder, while she's logged into Classmates. Guess what !! Over 350+ visits. I'm sure it has to do with everyone knowing I'm her Father (even though she won't admit it in public). Should I be offended?? Probably not. Just a kid thing, right? (not admitting she's no longer a kid at 26 years of age).
Oh well. Gotta go. I have some more picture taking to get out of my system.
Lopez (1 of the 3 in the picture)
-------------------> Update - 2012-12-14
Well..... I'm back by popular demand. I've had 30 people ask when I'm going to write more. Ok, maybe it was 10. Um, well, maybe 3. All family members. Ok, no one asked. I'm gonna write anyway.
Let's see, it's been 3+ years since the last time I wrote anything here. Yep. I haven't aged a day since the last time I wrote. Of course, I can't remember what I wrote last time either. Good thing about that is, I can watch the same movie over and over and over and still never remember how it ends. Now I can get rid of all the movies I've purchased and just watch the same one. Ok, that's not going to happen. What would I leave my daughters. Oh yeah, I'll leave them the '68 Mustang dust pile that's growing in the drive-way. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then you haven't read the stuff before this and don't remember what I used to drive.
You'll be happy to know that I've worked for the same company for 30 years now. Lived in Tracy, my whole life, for 30 years now. Yep. I trashed all the calendars and haven't aged since. I broke the mirrors in the house too, just to make sure I haven't aged since.
I'm still able to drive and regularly cruise the drag. Yeah, the drag is the long commute to and from Fremont. Good thing is, I now work closer to home. I get to work in Modesto at least once per week and travel to Fremont, Stockton, Los Banos, Gustine, Concord, Walnut Creek, Milpitas, Martinez, Benicia, Winters, etc., etc. It's so much better working closer to home now. I used to put 22,000 miles per year on my car. Now that I'm closer to home, I've reduced the annual miles to 23,000 per year. Yes, I'm just thrilled as hell to work not far from home these days.
Good news is, I get to retire in 5-10 years. Quite the span but I have to worry about my health benefits at the ripe old age of 35-40. If there's anything on this site that notes I graduated in 1979..... it's all lies I tell you. All lies. must be a different Ron Lopez.
It's funny because, I remember this like it was yesterday. There was one of the girls a few years younger than I.... in high school and she said there was a student a year or two older than I..... and we looked alike. Now I won't mention her name, 'cause the guilty should remain nameless, but I remember her also saying.... the other guy is better looking. Yep, that's a pleasant high school memory. Ok, so maybe there was a couple of people that looked like me and they both graduated around 1979. Yeah, that's it..... I'm sure of it.
Ok, gotta go. I have to get my beauty sleep. Both my Daughters say..... I need all I can get.
Take care,
Lopez
-------------------> Update - 2014-04-25
Wow. I'm baaaaaack. It's been a while since the last time I wrote something here. At lot has changed. I'm still the same age but... a lot of other stuff has changed. I've worked for the same company for 32 years. I commuted to Fremont for 30 of the 32 years. Ok, maybe it was 28 because the first 2 years were spent driving to Emeryville. I now get the pleasure of driving to Modesto. My new headquarters. Wouldn't you just know that it would be the last damn exit to reach my new work area. Heck, the next exit is Ceres. A lot less driving these days. One day this month I drove to..... Kettleman City, Fremont, and then back home. A week or so later it was a drive to the Port of Stockton, Stockton Airport, Modesto, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, and then back home. Yeah, I still live in Tracy. Fewer miles driving since I work in Modesto now. I think not.
Well, I get to set up part of our operation at a site just North of highway 205. I won't tell you where because some of you would come looking for me. Yeah, 'cause I'm so popular. Yeah, right. It will be nice because..... some days I could just walk to work or ride my bike. Yep, I can still ride a bike but it sends shivers down my spine because I know if I fall over, it'll be a few days before I can get back up.
I missed my last class reunion. Ok, I missed all the class reunions. I do stay in touch with at least one of you from my high school days, via email. I have another good friend who stops by once or twice a year. Probably the only way they could stand my company. Ha ! Ha ! It's been close to 25 years since I graduated (or was it 35). Wait a minute...... I can't be that old. Can I be?
I still have the old green Mustang. I'm hoping to send it off to get it restored to original Lopez condition. Not factory condition, Lopez condition. It's funny. I used to have my Pioneer speakers in the back, Jensens in the front, a Craig deck, and a Sparkomatic 100 watt booster/EQ. Now I drive a Honda Accord. I bought it used. A 2009 model. What's the first thing I do? I replace the stereo, the speakers, add a powered subwoofer, and an Alpine amp. It's funny how so much changes but..... remains the same. You might again hear me driving down the street...... at....... um...... 53 years old. At least I can still drive. I also have one of those iPod things and have over 3500+ songs. Most of you would be shocked by the music I listen to. Let's just say.... it's a mix of stuff from my younger years. some that my Daughters listen to, and a wide range of everything in between. That's ok. I enjoy it while sitting in traffic. Makes the time pass by easier.
I bought a really big TV last year. Not because I wanted to brag. It was because I can't see good enough to watch all the smaller TV's. I'm not sure if anyone has noticed but...... your eyesight just ain't what it used to be. Sucks to wear both reading glasses and distance glasses. It makes people laugh when I change back and forth between the two. That's ok. Better to have them laugh at you...... than with you. Did I get that wrong?
Well, I get to retire in 3 years and 8 months. Not that I'm counting. At least I'll be eligible to retire. I may work another 9 years. I'm not sure why. Oh, now I remember. Because of health benefits. This old body ain't what it used to be. Quit laughing !!
Gotta go. I'll be back to write again in another few years. Or sooner. So I can entertain all my visitors. I'm up to 5. Ha ! Ha!
Take care,
Lopez
-------------------> Update - 2019-01-01
Wow. Many, Many, Many years later. Looking forward to retirement in the next 4 years or less. 36 years with the same company. That's a long long time. Seen a few of you on Facebook. Surprised some still post updates here but..... it's good to see how everyone has changed and the families you all have raised.
Looking forward to a few things in the coming years. Yeah, yeah, I still have my 68 Mustang sitting in the drive-way. Every year I say to myself, one more year. Never happens. Hoping to either get it worked on or place it in storage. Still living in Tracy, although few ever see me around town. Mostly working or confined to my house, watching TV (hockey games) or eating in (take-out).
Thought about going to a class reunion but would be embarrassed if I didn't remember most. Worse, no one remembering me. Yeah.... age does that.
One past classmate does come by and visit a few times per year - Pat Serpa. Good to see he hasn't changed and..... bad to know... he exercises more in a day than I do in a year. Ok..... several years. Ok.... mostly never. Still have a very high metabolism and can out-eat most my age, and many younger. I'm one of the few that cleans my plate at meals ('cause my grandmother taught me that).
Hope everyone is doing fine and Happy New Year to all. I'll drink a beer (Guiness Extra Stout) and will wish everyone many more. (P.S. Cousin Tim says.... drinking Guiness is like drinking tar. No worries..... I enjoy it).
Maybe I'll post another funny story.... or two., in the coming weeks. I'm sure that's why I have so many visitors (up to 3 !!!!). Ha ! ha !
Take care,
Ron Lopez
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