David Armendariz

Newport Harbor High School

Class of 1979

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David Armendariz - Class of 1979 - Newport Harbor High School

First Name	David
Last Name	Armendariz
Graduation Year	Class of 1979
Gender	Male
Current Location	Burney, California
Hometown	Burbank, California
Relationship Status	Married
About Me	I attended 3 elementary schools (St. Cecilias - Tustin, St. Cyrils - Encino, University Park - Irvine) & 3 high schools (University High - Irvine, NHHS- Newport Beach, FRHS - McArthur). Lived all over L.A. & Orange counties for first seventeen years of my life. Then moved up north to the Intermountain area east of Redding, first to Fall River Valley for 10 years, then the town of Burney since Ã¢ÂÂ88, & have been very happily married for the last nine. Before I was born my dad & a friends father were on the Tonight Show with Steve Allen, playing a badminton comedy sketch (this same friends father had been on the cover of Sports Illustrated one month in 1958, & the sons name, who got into it professionally for a couple of years is even on one brand of badminton racquet), & my parents played in tournaments nationally & internationally. So I grew up playing badminton until around age 14. Its also how my parents met. This had been a major part of my life up to then. While I enjoyed other sports (a little by comparison) none of my school friends knew how much I was into this sport. I loved the 1st elementary school & got a very good start scholastically. I hated the second school I went to from half-way through third through half-way through fifth grades (the things that went on there the students probably thought were normal, but having started out in a different school I could see the difference & knew something wasn't right). Without going into detail, attending that second school was like going back into the Dark Ages & set me up for years of failure; but only because I had the solid grounding from the first school was I able to hold things together & bring things around, although much later. Meanwhile, from the ages of 12 - 14, other transitions were occurring at the same time my family split up; but by then, & yet not as a result of their splitting up I had changed my religious focus; & unrelated to that also discovered science & science fiction. I was an unusual mixture of both shy & outgoing depending on my comfort level & the company surrounding me. Somehow I've always had a lot of irons in the fire. Some of you from 5th grade might remember me in the short lived Catholic Catechism class, held ironically at the United Methodist Church (Mass in the University High School cafeteria was one thing, but Catechism in a shared or rented room in another church struck me as strange even then); & then 4 years later seeing me going door-to-door in Turtle Rock & Park West Apts. with Bible in hand as one of Jehovah's Witnesses was probably strange to many. An oversimplified explanation... At St. Cecilias Catholic School, between first & third grade during one recess the other boys & I (actually I just listened in) got into a discussion of what God's name was. They went through "God", "Lord", "Father", etc...but on their own decided these were not names but merely titles. Being Trinitarians, they eventually settled on the name "Jesus" as Gods name. While I kept quiet, still to me it didn't answer the question. At the time a Trinitarian myself I too accepted "Jesus" as Gods name--but only as the specific name of "God-the-Son". Still the question remained unanswered--what is the name of "God-the-Father"? Backtracking (again) to first grade, our teacher who was a nun...one day in her class she taught us about entropy. Oh I'm sure she never used such big a word with us first graders, but she taught us how eventually the processes on earth would run down, the sun would burn out, the universe would turn cold, & all life would cease. Of course I hardly knew anything about the complexity & multiple redundancies in earths many cycles--& I assumed--in the universe as well; but I never accepted even for a moment her suggestion of life in the universe completely coming to an end. Being taught that God went to the trouble to make all this, I refused to accept He would just entirely let it go. -So, back to the moments following the discussion about Gods name. Turning my gaze in the direction of the 8th grade classrooms in a rather unusual private prayer in that it was not really a request but more of a statement, I told God that because He was who He was being righteous, just, & fair, I knew that by the time I was old enough to be in that 8th grade class that He would teach me (& I assumed the whole class) His name, & what He purposed for the earth & for man; assuming God would direct the answer through the Catholic Church. It did not happen that way. But by 9th grade one day I remembered that prayer, & was able to reflect on how the answers to those & many more questions had come. Other developments: In 7th grade bullying came into full swing. (About this, when boundaries were clearly placed, & someone else took it upon themselves to reset those boundaries, sometimes at will, & sometimes an inch into your nose, I couldn't understand they could be serious about the obvious encroachment. A bit naive I admit, but also I had an overactive sense of justice--not a good combination which got me into trouble at times.) So, in 7th grade I would ride my bike as quickly as possible to & from school, dashed from class to class, & found refuge for extended periods in the library--not exactly torture because I loved reading. Often I would come out to the bicycle area to find my bicycle taken apart. One time on the way home some were chasing me on their bikes, trying to crowd me on my bike into moving vehicle traffic. At one point I ditched my bike & backpack in the street on Michelson Dr., & scaled over walls through strangers back yards. I thought I'd shaken off their tail, but then saw them coming around the corner. Pounding on the front door of a strangers house, pleasing for help no one answered. The boys were almost upon me. I had my hand on the door knob, & it opened, since it was unlocked. But I let myself in, closing & locking it behind me just in time. I felt safe for a second, but then saw them going around to the other doors - so I took care of locking them also just in time. There was a loose $100 bill on the table inside. But obviously it wasn't mine so I left it there. I waited things out for I don't know how long. But when I thought it was safe I made my way back to my bike & backpack--still undisturbed--still part way in the street. One strange & unnerving event happened within Mrs. Nichols (ironically enough in either Comm. Skills or Soc. Sci.) class. What she allowed in her classroom on 1 particular day was especially disturbing & beyond my capacity to understand at that time. When she allowed a situation to escalate (a boy sending me flying across the desk after I complemented work he'd done on a project he'd obviously worked hard on), & continued to ignore it until I was moved to stop the class (very uncharacteristic of me) until she addressed the situation--it was an odd 1 too involving this boy who was a grade ahead of me who 2 years earlier had been my introduction to Uni. Park Elementary (a dead-on face punch, pushing the wire from my headgear into my cheek after I beat him at a round of four-square)--well, I had put his assault in the past, but I guess he didn't. That was perhaps the worst, but it was typical of my 7th grade year. Sometimes I had up to five boys after and on me at once. On the day before Cinco de Mayo I had one month to go, but talked (begged) my parents into letting me go to another school to finish out the year; & surprisingly they did. But on the last day there 3 boys did not want me around & at that time it was beyond my comprehension (again--duh) why so I did not leave. Well, they ganged up on me but this time instead of becoming afraid I got angry--very angry; because I knew that in particular these boys knew better. My anger flared to the extent that, well I won't mention here the exact thought that came to mind, but I was ready to defend myself no matter what extreme measures I may need take. Since it was only three boys (At Rancho San Joaquin at times up to five would be chasing after me--guess I already mentioned that), I threw them off me, & when they grabbed again, I just banged them into each other & grabbed the third one & yanked him off, throwing him down. Then I walked away. Up to that day, when in a fight one thing was always a frustration to me. This was nothing I learned, but somehow always had been a part of me. Whenever I got ready to throw a punch, automatically some sort of internal safety activated, & no matter what I could never deliver but a fraction of the intended force, so it nearly always came out as a sissy punch. It wasn't so much a fear of being hurt just myself, but I've concluded it was more a fear of an uncontrolled escalation where one or both of us could get very hurt. Yet on occasions where family or friends or even strangers were in danger, I was always able to act without thought to the danger to me if it would result in helping them. But I just could not defend myself. So during that incident on that last day of school, that so-called safety was removed. In fact it was gone for good. & when I heard my own dark thoughts at that moment willing to go as far as necessary--even further just in case--it startled me, & fortunately I reigned myself in & walked away. Back at Rancho San Joaquin 8th grade was fairly uneventful. Even by 7th grade I'd begun sharing with even some of the bullies what I'd been learning from the Bible, & as a result by 8th grade was basically left alone. 9th grade was a different story though. I had finished a growth spurt, had been working out every other day in the weight room of the Park West Apts, & was seeing results & feeling pretty good about myself. One boy challenged me in the boys bathroom, & told me if I took a step forward he'd punch me in the face. I was through being bullied, took one step forward; & he delivered on his word. Broken glasses in hand, I took another step forward, & even with my very poor eyesight saw him shiver & promise to pay me for what he broke. He never did. But he also never bothered me again. That same year, in Mrs. Popejoys Spanish 1 class, one boy who I know was just playing & didn't really mean anything by it, somehow grabbed my lunch money & held it out of reach. Only a time or two had I been completely denied a meal (as on UN Day in Mr. Waters 6th grade class), & with my esp. high rate of metabolism I would get a stomach ache & nauseated & sick even if a meal was greatly delayed & yet I had to remain fully active. So I wasn't about to let that happen again. I grabbed his shirt & then pulled my hand back. But I didn't let go enough & ended up ripping his shirt--& he ripped my right back. A few minute visit to the principles office & I got my money back. I still had my ripped shirt in Mr. Power's Algebra 1 class, & amazingly it was regarded by others as a trophy. Mr. Powers suggested I retreat to the locker room & change my shirt--I complied. But I remember that year especially. I had had enough of the past, & was not afraid of trouble anymore--even being ready & hoping it might come, I remember wearing a fairly frequent scowl on my face & tense muscles ready to go into action when walking through problem areas. But then because of another development--in September of that year (so right at the beginning of the school year) I had been baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, & so I worked hard on reminding me to reign myself in. One bullying incident at NHHS (near the end of my sophomore year)...I wont go into details, but I did not give into my anger, & as a result his own buddies told him to leave me alone after days of harassment. And it didn't end there either. Next year we had PE together again, & he was forced to pick me for his team (yeah I was the last pick as usual). But when he saw how I performed, the rest of the year he picked me earlier, sometimes with & sometimes ahead of his own buddies. I'll pass along one tool I wish I had when I was younger. It's found here (spelled out phonetically) so I can stay within the terms of this website: jay double-u dot org... Click on Bible Teachings tab (at top)...Teenagers tab (left side)...select Whiteboard Animations...click on Beat A Bully Without Using Your Fist...either play & view it there or select the best resolution for your device & download it for later playing. I remember Sophomore English in the Gate program (at Newport Harbor). 'Gate program? David!?' you say. Nah, I didn't earn or achieve it. I simply signed up & the teacher allowed it (At NHHS I was really trying to impress a certain someone who I thought was smart back then. -I confessed this to Mr. Tagami some 15 years later when paying a brief visit). Still, I enjoyed his class, and it gave me a needed boost. I remember 1 particular oral report assigned in that class. Standing before everyone sweat was dripping & I could not remove the nervous quaver in my voice. I knew I was the dumbest kid in that class of overachievers who each earned their seat (I had some in physics class the following year & had to drop out of that class & Algebra 2 because of homework frequently taking me past midnight (Algebra 2 did not start where Mr. Powers class left off, so I was lost)--anyway to me it seemed the classes were so much easier for them than for me). So, in front of the class giving my report I began to notice something while focusing on random individuals. I watched them watching me. Yes there were chuckles at the expense my errors & discomfort, but I sensed in front of this group that it wasn't personal. That observation allowed me to push on. No, I couldn't stop the sweat, or remove the discomfort from my voice, but it did take the edge off. In each school there were some good & some bad teachers. But the ones I felt were of the most help for me in each school were Mr. Powers at University High, Mr. Tagami at Newport Harbor High, & Mr. Thorlakkson at Fall River High. Biggest part of my life right now: Been in full time ministry right after finishing high school, teaching others about the Bibles promises through Gods Kingdom. Part-time Locksmith just as long, following up with training in safe & safe deposit locks & later, automotive locks. Computers have been a hobby for the same length of time; but since 1997 have been getting paid for it. A while back other hobbies include hard sci-fi reading & writing (yet to sell a story though...but in the '80s I did sell a half-dozen articles to a locksmith trade journal). Talked to Janet Asimov (widow of late Isaac Asimov), but the publishing is in other's hands now. -Interesting story behind conversation anyway. While on hold right now, I had ideas of my own for expanding the Foundation Series, which I've put in writing in a few hundred pages. For the time being, it'll have to be for my own entertainment. During the time "hiding" in the school library I found science books; & I found those written by Isaac Asimov to be the most fascinating to read. When I move to Costa Mesa & attended NHHS a friend hired me along with his brother-in-law to clean at two large janitorial accounts. They were architectural drafting firms, one on the PC Hwy (Pemberton & Blurock), & one on the Balboa Peninsula (Raygal)--if I spelled those correctly. Checking on Google Earth it appears both buildings no longer exist. Anyhow I loved those jobs. Every Saturday I'd get picked up at around 6:00 pm & return home Sunday morning by 2:00 a.m. They'd turn on the office stereo system, & crank up the volume, & get to hear music of the day for hours while working. But on the way to the 2nd job, stopping for a late dinner at Carl's Jr. on the Peninsula they would both relate the latest science fiction stories theyd read. & that's when I found out Asimov also wrote sci-fi, & quickly I was hooked, reading one novel after another. Well a few years ago I found other authors were allowed to expand the fictional Foundation Universe Asimov created, & interestingly none of them wrote anything that interfered with ideas I had of my own of completing the series. So I sat down to write. The 1st story I wrote covered the final fifteen minutes of Hari Seldon's life, a final reunion with Dors Venabili, his cyborg wife--& then the next fifteen minutes after. -The Foundationers End Then I wrote a parallel account running concurrently with The God's Themselves (had to reverse some equations - hope I got them right) giving the setting of the story a new context within the Foundation universe, then taking it billions of years into the past, tying in both versions of Nightfall. -The Currants of Space and Time A two-part story takes off right after the last meeting between Susan Calvin & Stephen Byerley, & sets the scene for the next story hundreds of years later bringing in Roland Washman as an adult farmer & rancher. -Ancient Machinations, and Rewriting Humanity, By George Looking back the latter is sort of a Dr. Doolittle meets The Terminator -ish tale, in which Roland saves the day from a robot who believes it itself is the ultimate definition of a true human. Afterward, I added into the story on the front & back end a new character, a precocious little next door neighbor girl who some 20 years later reunites with Roland after his victory, revealing she was the real target of the investigation when government agents visited him & his parents--explaining why she had to disappear for so long. Another takes something of mine thats between a pet theory and a mental exercise, and is tacked onto the end to begin bringing the series to a conclusion. A mysterious new entity is introduced who knows even more than Daneel. Daneel now not just a robot but a cyborg himself begins to dream, and as a result more is revealed about the backgrounds of Dors Venabili and Valona March.- Of Pancakes and Galaxies - Just How Many Sides Are There to a Pancake? Other short stories of mine tied in others of Asimovs Foundation series. -Well, been over 10 years ago & I've been busy with many other things. I intend to get back to it. These stories'll likely never see light of day. Id never gone to college or university as I had planned long ago. Still a few of my interests are expressed in a few personal a few theories (described by their titles): 1. A Theory on the One-Dimensional Properties of the Photon Particle/Wave 2. Wave Stabilization through the Quantum Cosmic String 3. Edge Theory 4. The Chronologically Annulled Virtual Twin Paradox 5. A Non-Quantitative Approach to Quantum Tunneling 6. Dimensions For the Masses 7. Wave/Particle Harmonic Resonance within the String--& Why a Speed Limit Is Imposed 8. Limitations & Assumptions of the Uncertainty Principle 9. A Different Spin on SPIN Particles. 10. "Mysterious" Forces- (re: Magnetism)-What We Think We Know Married to a wonderful woman since February 2006. Married into this family & became an instant parent (4 grown children) & grandparent (4 grandchildren - two are grown & live a distance away; the other two less than a mile away & we see them often). & although Janice & Id known each other since 88, how we got together is quite an unusual story. One occasions Janice & I compare notes about our past, while it was typical for my family to visit Disneyland once or twice a year (she was from Santa Cruz, so a bit further away), she told me of one February when she was a month shy of seventeen & married when she went to that amusement park. Laughing, she said if anyone would have shown her my picture at that time & told her 'this will be your future husband', she would have asked 'you mean this is a picture of when he was young?' & they would have responded 'no, this is him now.' Her final response would have been 'Huh-uh!!!' [BTW, at that time I was four months shy of my 11th birthday. Ha! th...(read more)