Wednesday May 10, 1989

I got 100% on my Science test. I skipped the afternoon classes with JJ. We went to grab some lunch. I found out that I had been accepted to receive a scholarship to Crescent for the following year. The Flames advanced to the Stanley Cup finals.

[Note - as you may recall, I had already registered to attend York Mills Collegiate for grade 10. One day I was sitting in the school library and my English teacher, Mr. Osborne, who was also involved with admissions, approached me. He told me that he was sad to hear that I didn't plan on returning to Crescent School (I had sent in a form notifying the school I would not be coming back) and he delicately inquired into if it was because I didn't value my experience there, or was it more of an economic matter. In actual fact it was a combination of the two, but I didn't want to reveal that I went from being a cool kid to pretty much a nerd and wanted to flee to the safety of an environment that was more familiar - namely, a Jewish one. Mr. Osborne then let me know about scholarships available at Crescent School and how he had some influence around who received them. This teacher was instrumental in seeing that I received the scholarship (actually plural, as they lasted from grade 10-12) and finished my highschooling at Crescent. Every year of highschool got better and better and I now look back and consider the experience to have been a huge influence on me - from education, to values, to confidence, to amazing lasting friendships. I donate money back to Crescent School (albeit modestly) every year and can never praise the institution too much. I feel very fortunate to have had that experience and Mr. Osborne is who I owe that to. I was able to get a hold of him a few years back by email, and I let him know that I remember and appreciate what he did for me, but it was faint recognition for the level of impact he had.]

Tuesday May 9, 1989

I got 92% on my French test. Wrote an English test. Gilled cheese for lunch. Flyers beat Habs 2-1 in OT.

Monday May 8, 1989

Did homework. Watched hockey.

Sunday May 7, 1989

I rented Die Hard. Did homework. Watched Montreal 3 Philly 0.

[Note: Die Hard was definitely the best action movie I had ever seen and became the template - crazy hostage situation - for numerous films after. Patrick Roy was on fire!]

Saturday May 6, 1989

Gary Don, Roger, Fingret and I went to the Promenade. Talked to dad. I went to Thornlea Fashion Show with Fingret, Rabie, Tom D and Kamin. Calgary beat Chicago 5-2.

Friday May 5, 1989

Wrote a Math test. Sandro and I went to Mihalidi's place after school to work on a radio play. Montreal beat Philly 5 - 1.

Thursday May 4, 1989

Pastrami sandwiches for lunch ... or at least what passes for pastrami with gentiles. I got 9/10 on my History map. I went for a long bike ride after school. Watched Chicago 4 Calgary 2.

Wednesday May 3, 1989

We had a test in French class. At lunch Min, Omar and I played poker and then it turned into $1 hands of war. Min went on a crazy run and Omar ended up down $26!!! Played road hockey with some of the kids on my street after school. I watched Montreal 3 Philly 0.


[Note - $26 does not sound like much, but we were freaking out and Omar's mom ended up calling Min to negotiate his cancelling of the debt. I believe this was the end of our lunch gambling sessions.]

Tuesday May 2, 1989

Mom and I went to the Promenade after school to grab dinner at Made In Japan. Watched TV - Calgary 3 Chicago 0.

[Note: Before anyone calls Social Services, Made In Japan was a relatively new concept then and was pretty good ... at least that's my recollection.]

Monday May 1, 1989

Chinese food for lunch. Wrote a test in Computer Science. Gabe and dad called from Florida. I watched Phildaelphia 4 Montreal 1.

Sunday April 30, 1989

Big road hockey game with Gasee, Ryan, Andy Long, Evan, Guy, Gary, Jordi, and Josh K.

Saturday April 29, 1989

Jordi and I went over to Ryan's place. Then Jordi came over for dinner and to watch the game.

Friday April 28, 1989

We had a Math test. I ran errands with mom after school, including getting a haircut at Peter's and we grabbing some dinner out.

[Note: I went to a place called Peter's at Bathurst and Steeles since I was a little kid. He was my barber for over 20 years! I believe the place is still there but Peter has retired a while ago. Jordi also used to go there. It was a great place. Those Italian guys watched me grow up and I learned so much listening to Tony describing his sexual conquests!]

Thursday April 27, 1989

Gabe and dad left for a vacation in Florida together. We had a big school assembly in Highland Hall to discuss an overall state of the nation.

Wednesday April 26, 1989

I got 65% on another Science test. I didn't make the tennis team but Mr. (Bud) Campbell asked me if I wanted to help by being the assistant coach. Our first match was against UCC and Gary was the captain/#1 on their team. Crescent won every match! Braff won a nail-biter.

Tuesday April 25, 1989

Wrote the Health test. I watched the L.A. Kings get eliminated by the Calgary Flames.

Monday April 24, 1989

I got 71% on the Science test. Hot dogs for lunch. I studied for the Health (gym class) test. I watched playoff hockey.

Sunday April 23, 1989

I spent the afternoon at granny's place. Watched a lot of playoff hockey.

Saturday April 22, 1989

Roger and I went around to different stores/malls to look for jobs. We ran into Gary, Brian and Cliff. I stayed home and watched Calgary beat LA 5-2.

Friday April 21, 1989

I went to school and ate a submarine for lunch (no matzah versions) ... oh well. Fingret, Poster, Rog and I went to see The Dream Team at Farview Mall.



[Note: either there weren't a lot of good options for kids, or I had horrible taste in movies as a kid!]

Thursday April 20, 1989

Guy's birthday. Passover started. We had a brutal History test and I got the best mark in the class with a 16/20. Tennis tryouts after school.

Wednesday April 19, 1989

Jordi's 15th birthday. I tried out for the Crescent tennis team, then watched the rugby tryouts.

Tuesday April 18, 1989

Spaghetti for lunch. I got 95% on my French test. We got a pop quiz in English. I watched Calgary beat LA 4-3 in OT. Great game!

Monday April 17, 1989

I got 87% on my geography project. Chicken nuggets for lunch. I watched hockey playoffs.

Sunday April 16, 1989

I rode my bike from Bathurst and Steeles all the way to Jordi's house in Thornhill. We played a bit of road hockey on Pining.



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Saturday April 15, 1989

Gabe and I went downtown and I bought a bike. Edmonton beat LA 6-3 to sweep the series. Poor Gretz!

Friday April 14, 1989

We had a test in English class. Watched TV.

Thursday April 13, 1989

I worked on my geography presentation. Fish and chips for lunch. Gabe and I went to the JCC after school. I watched Edmonton take a 3-0 lead in the series with a 4-1 win over LA.

[NOTE: that JCC is actually getting a massive investment right now http://tomorrowcampaign.com/index.php?page=photos&camp_id=2&cat_id=7 ]

Wednesday April 12, 1989

Science lab. Map assignment in geography class. We watched a movie in history class. I got 75% on my Computer Science assignment.

Tuesday April 11, 1989

We did the high jump in gym class. Grilled cheese for lunch. Did homework. I watched Flyer vs. Capitals game.

Monday April 10, 1989

Science test. We had a school assembly in Highland Hall. There was a book auction to raise money for something. I went back to York Mills to fill out some forms and then Gabe and I went to the JCC.

Sunday April 9, 1989

Stayed at Jordi's place all day and we watched the next Oilers vs. Kings game (also won by Edmonton).

Saturday April 8, 1989

Buntman, Brad and I went for lunch at McDonald's. Went over to Jordi's place to watch L.A. vs. Oilers in the second round of the playoffs. Oilers won. I slept over at Jord's.

Friday April 7, 1989

Shitty lettuce and cheese sandwiches they call subs for lunch. Met up with Jordi at The Promenade after school.

Thursday April 6, 1989

Veal for lunch. Pop quiz in history. Watched hockey and did homework.

Wednesday April 5, 1989

NHL Playoffs began. Presentation in French class. I went to York Mills Collegiate after school to register for next year. Gabe drove me home. I watched Penguins 3 vs. Rangers 1.

[Note: to make a long story short, I didn't love my first year at Crescent. It was a unique experience, but I didn't feel truly integrated and thought I would have more fun at York Mills. Not to mention, it was an expensive school, so my folks didn't want to spend the money if I wasn't happy.]

Tuesday April 4, 1989

Pool trade deadline. We started learning about AIDS in our health class. I went over to D Scott's house after school. Watched TV and did homework.

Monday April 3, 1989

We finished studying World War 2 in history class. Science Lab was due. Did homework. Granny came over for dinner.

Sunday April 2, 1989

Playoff Pool draft day. I got the following:

1. Luc Robitaille
2. Chris Chelios (see the video)
3. Mike Krushelnyski
4. Shayne Corson
5. Mike McPhee
6. Steve Kasper
7. Larry Murphy
8. Calle Johansson

Saturday April 1, 1989

Stayed at home during the day. Played road hockey (taking shots on the garage door and keep-away from Pepper). Fingret, Gary Don, Katzin, Rog and I went over to Elana's place (not sure which Elana). Stayed over at Katzin's.

Friday March 31, 1989

School trip to CBD(?). Grabbed dinner at McDonald's and then went to party at Gary Don's house.

Thursday March 30, 1989

Hamburgers for lunch. Computer Science climate assignment due. We watched a movie in history class. Watched Habs vs. Sabres on TV.

Wednesday March 29, 1989

School Assembly. I watched the Academy Awards. Driving Miss Daisy won Best Picture over Born On The 4th of July, Dead Poet's Society, My Left Foot and Field of Dreams.

Tuesday March 28, 1989

Parent's 22nd Anniversary. School back on. English Test. I got 65% on my grammar test. I got 91% on my French Test.

Monday March 27, 1989

Last day of the break. Played road hockey with Gary, Cliff, Katzin, Roger, Tesis, Evan, Ryan and Ulrich.

Sunday March 26, 1989

Easter Sunday. Rented Martin Scorsese's After Hours. I went over to granny's place for dinner.

Saturday March 25, 1989

Cliff, Ryan, Jordi and I went to the Toronto marlies playoff game. Then we hung around the Gardens and met Steve Yzerman and a bunch of other Detroit Red Wings as they arrived for the game. Went back to Cliff's house to watch the game.

Friday March 24, 1989

Good Friday. I went over to Jordi's house. Jordi, Buntman and I went to McDonald's for lunch. We all went back to Buntman's house. Jordi ended up coming over to my house and slept over.

Thursday March 23, 1989

Went over to Fingret's house. We went over to Pizza Chef for lunch. Later on went over to Markham Place and met up with Cliff and Gary. We grabbed dinner at McDonald's.

Wednesday March 22, 1989

Fingret, Roger, and a bunch of other guys went over to Jeff's and watched Porky's II. Then Cliff, Ryan, Ulrich and I went to see Toronto vs. Vancouver.

Tuesday March 21, 1989

Did errands with mom and hung out around the house. I went over to Roger's place for dinner. Then a bunch of us went over to Jennifer Wine's house party.

Monday March 20, 1989

Wandered around Thornhill. First went to Gary Don's house. Then we went over to Gasee's place for a while. Then we moved on to Fingret's place. Then Roger and I went to Town & Country. I grabbed him some chicken balls with extra red sauce and he sent me home with a bunch of Saint Cinnamons! Oh,and it was also Roger's 15th birthday!

Sunday March 19, 1989

Big road hockey game with the guys from the old neighborhood: Gary, Marc, Cliff, Brian, Newman, Ryan, Mark Levy, and Justin. Watched TV.

Saturday March 18, 1989

Jordi, Brad, Sesel and I went to The Sportsman Show at the CNE. That night I went to see Fletch Lives with those guys and Guy, Massey and Buntman.

Friday March 17, 1989

St. Patrick's Day. Jordi, Roger, Katzin and I went to the batting range. Went to Town & Country after with those guys as they were working at Saint Cinnamon. Stayed home and watched TV.

[Note - a bunch of my friends worked at Saint Cinnamon and let's just say were not the most ethical employees. It was no shock when the business eventually went under. In fact one guy I know that worked there eventually got busted by his folks when they found a huge wad of cash in his room.]

Thursday March 16, 1989

Read. Went to the Richmond Hill Country Club. I went to a party at Gary Don's house with Poster, Fingret, Rog, J Dyan, Milberg, Pearl and George S. I stayed over at Roger's place after the bash.

Wednesday March 15, 1989

I went to Kiva's for lunch with granny. Read. Watched TV. Took Pepper out for a long walk.

Tuesday March 14, 1989

I went to the YMCA with D Scott, Fred and Rich. We played basketball and floor hockey. I listened to the Leafs vs. North Stars on the radio.

Monday March 13, 1989

Watched TV. Did research / preparation for the playoff hockey pool. My whole family went to see New York Stories at Yorkdale Mall.

Sunday March 12, 1989

Played road hockey w/Mark Owen, Jordi, Katzin, Alpern, Ulrich, Cliff, Gabe, Ryan, Evan and Gasee. Everyone went to McDonald's for dinner after. Watched TV.

Saturday March 11, 1989

Fingret's dad took him and I out for brunch. Parents took us to see the new house. Played Nintendo at Epstein's place.

[Note - the new house was smaller and cheaper than our current house. The idea was to have a minimal mortgage as my brother was heading off to university and my folks didn't need as much space.]

Friday March 10, 1989

I went to Thornlea and roamed the hallways with friends - even sat in on a class! Went back to hang out at Fingret's. Poster, Rog, Katzin, Fingret and I went to see Lean On Me at Town & Country. I slept over at Dave's.

Thursday March 9, 1989

March Break! Watched a documentary on World War 2 on TV. Played road hockey with Pepper.

Wednesday March 8, 1989

Last day of school before March Break! Received our class photos. I got 73% on my English test. Watched TV. Worked on my hockey pool.

Tuesday March 7, 1989

NHL Trade Deadline. Dino Ciccarelli and Bob Rouse were sent to Washington in exchange for Mike Gartner and Larry Murphy. I got a bunch of grades back:

92% on Gym Test
92% on Squash Test
98% on French Project


Note: Ciccarelli and Gartner were similar in that they were long time goal scorers and the trade was the first trade in both players careers.

Monday March 6, 1989

Floor hockey playoffs. We got to the semi's but then lost. I had 2 goals in that game. Watched a TV show on dogs.

Sunday March 5, 1989

Big road hockey game: Katzin, Evan, Cliff, Alpern, Ulrich, Gary, Ryan, and Jordi. A bunch of us went to McDonald's after.

Saturday March 4, 1989

Fingret, Katzin and I went to Town & Country. Then a bunch of us went to Lime Rickey's - Fingret, Roger, Katzin, Kristen, Jen, Sarah Z, Lisa S and I.

Friday March 3, 1989

We watched a movie in math class. Salisbury steak for lunch. Pop quiz in English class. Squash test in gym class. Fingret had a big party at his place. A few of us ended up crashing there.

Thursday March 2, 1989

We started studying World War II in History class. I went to the doctor with granny. Parents bought a new house near Clark on Winding Lane.

{Note: This would, as you will probably see, be a terrible mistake that created a lot of heartache and set my parents back financially. Maybe that is why I don't own property and warned people that housing prices don't go up forever ... I lived the experience.}

Wednesday March 1, 1989

Did my geography presentation. Min, Omar and I played poker at lunch. I watched leafs vs. Rangers - Wendel Clark first game back (from major injury). Did History homework - all about The Depression.

Tuesday February 28, 1989

I got 84% on my French test. I got 95% on my Math test. Watched TV. Did homework.

Monday February 27, 1989

Spaghetti for lunch. Geography project was due. I got 69% on my Computer Science class. Studied for the Health test. Watched TV.

Sunday February 26, 1989

I went to the library. Ran into Trevor and Ritchie. Did homework. Watched TV.

Saturday February 25, 1989

Played road hockey with Newman, Long, Gasee, Poster, Ulrich and Ilan. Went to Gasee's birthday party.

Friday February 24, 1989

Basketball in gym class. Went to the Crescent dance.

Thursday February 23, 1989

Geography test. Movie night at Crescent. Hung out with Sandy G, Nobbs and Ritchie.

Wednesday February 22, 1989

Played poker at lunch with Min and Omar. Wrote Pascal test. Went t granny's for dinner and watched Flames vs. Leafs.

Tuesday February 21, 1989

Started reading To Kill A Mockingbird. I got 4 goals in the floor hockey game. English test.

Monday February 20, 1989

Computer Science test. Chilli for lunch. I got 79% on my History test. Debating club meeting after school. Worked on geography project. Watched TV.

Sunday February 19, 1989

Played road hockey with Gabe, Ulrich, Brian, Newman and Long. Granny came over for dinner. Studied for Computer Science.

Saturday February 18, 1989

Brian, Cliff and I went downtown in the morning. In the afternoon we played road hockey with Ryan, Newman, Josh K, Ilan, Butters and 'Chris'. In the evening went to see Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure with Gasee, Poster, Fingret, Brian and Gary Don.

Friday February 17, 1989

Grilled cheese for lunch. Handed in my French project. House league cosom hockey - we won and I got 2 assists. I watched The Money Pit.

Thursday February 16, 1989

Veal for lunch! I got 75% on my geography test. I got 97% on my math test. Watched TV and did French homework.

Wednesday February 15, 1989

Computer Science Test. We had a competition in science class to build a tower made of paper and I won! Watched TV. Did homework.

Tuesday February 14, 1989

Valentine's Day and Granny's 73rd birthday. Played floor hockey in Highland Hall after school. The whole family went to granny's for dinner.

Monday February 13, 1989

Mid-term break (day off)! I went out to get granny a present. Went to North York Public Library for a bit. Watched TV.

Sunday February 12, 1989

I went shopping with mom and Gabe. Watched TV. I played ice hockey with Gabe's buddies from York Mills that rented ice.

Saturday February 11, 1989

I went over to Jordi's place and hung out there most of the day, then we headed downtown. We went to the Leafs versus Flyers game and sat in golds. At intermission we went to Doug Laurie (collectibles store) and ran into Gary Don, Alpern, Roger, Bram and N Carter (not all together).

Friday February 10, 1989

Math test. Fish'n'chips for lunch - with milk! House cosom hockey - we won and I had a goal and 2 assists. Watched TV.

Thursday February 9, 1989

Computer Science project presentation - it went really well! Spaghetti for lunch. Science lab work. Watched Cheers.

Wednesday February 8, 1989

Big plane crash in California. EMR - emergency medical response - training in gym. We marked each others' tests in English class. Crane, BJ and I got caught sneaking off school property and had to stay late cleaning Mr. Cumner's lab.

Tuesday February 7, 1989

Catcher In The Rye completed. French test. Played house floor hockey. We tied 3-3 and I had a goal and an assist. Participated in a Jello eating contest for charity. Finished middle of the pack. 40th NHL All-Star game in Edmonton. Campbell Conference 9 Wales 5. Gretzky won the MVP in his 'return' to Edmonton.

Note: He won a car for the MVP which he gave to Dave Semenko.

Monday February 6, 1989

Had my first debate. The subject was "Money is the root of all evil." I had to argue against. Argument centered around the desire for compensation drives innovation and progress that makes quality of life better. Evil is not inherent to money but rather some people's character that manifests itself around money. We won.

Watched Golden Girls. Worked on the Computer Science project.

Sunday February 5, 1989

Did homework. Read. Took slapshots on the garage.

Saturday February 4, 1989

I went to UCC to play floor hockey with Gary and a bunch of UCC guys. After the game Gary and I went to Panzerotto Pizza for lunch. Stayed in and watched leafs versus Blackhawks. Did some homework.

Friday February 3, 1989

Math Test. French Test. Chicken nuggets for lunch. I went over to D Scott's after school. Later on went to see Beaches at Town & Country with Fingret.

Note: not sure either of us knew what we were getting ourselves into. I cried like a baby. I also remember the scene where they met under the boardwalk well because it reminded me of the summers around Brighton Beach.



(sorry, but I had to ...)

Thursday February 2, 1989

Science Test. Salisbury steak for lunch. Cam and I went to The Village after school. Did homework. Talked on the phone with friends at Thornlea. Watched Cheers.

Wednesday February 1, 1989

Veal on a bun for lunch. During club time I refereed a grade4/5 floor hockey tournie. Worked on my geography project. Watched Growing Pains and Night Court.

Tuesday January 31, 1989

English grammar test. Played cosom hockey after school. Watched the Barbara Walter's Special with Tom Selleck, Tom Hanks, and Roseanne Barr.