Classmate Biography
Rio Linda Senior High School - Rio Linda, CA - Class of 1971
Mark Jones
Email: avalon12@cwnet.com
Originally written March 19, 2000
Last updated March 19, 2000
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1971 |
1999 |
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Education
Graduated from Sacramento State in 1975 with a degree in Accounting.
That was enough school for me, I haven't been back since
Love Life
I finally broke down and got married 8 years ago, at the old age of 38.
I'm still married, and I have a very smart and lively 4 year old
daughter, who is my first and only child. She is quite a handful, and
has made my "old age" a much better time. It is kind of strange reading
these other biographies and seeing that some of you have kids who are
24 or 25 years old. I wonder where all the years went. Well, I guess I
must have had some fun at some points, but it sure went by
quickly.
Incidentally, I have 16 nephews and nieces, even though I
only had one brother and one sister. My sister Rosemary, who was in the
class of 1968, has had 12 kids of her own, so I guess she made up for
my lack of production.
Employment
I have worked in the Accounting field since 1975. I worked in the
private sector for the first ten years. At that point, I compromised my
principles and did something that I swore I would never do. I became a
government worker, which is what my dad was for 35 years. I could no
longer ignore the benefits (especially the pension) which the public
sector offered, and I have now been working for the state for 14
years.
My only retirement benefit that I received while working in the
private sector was a turkey which we received each Christmas. I somehow
felt that I would have a difficult time ever retiring if I didn't make
a change.
Activities
I started playing tennis when I was 23, and I played approx. 15
tournaments per year for the next 18 years. "Old age" forced me to
retire from the "tournament circuit" at the age of 41, but I still play
on a "less serious" basis. I think the tennis helped keep me younger
than some people, but it takes a toll on the knees, back, etc.
I
needed another competitive outlet when I stopped playing tournaments,
and I discovered chess on the internet at that point. I play "blitz
chess", which is chess at fast time controls. I prefer 6 minute games.
It is quite interesting to be able to play people from all over the
world, while sitting at home. You can also talk to them. My club is the
Internet Chess Club at www.chessclub.com, just in case you might ever
be interested in mentally torturing yourself. I should warn you though,
that it can become addictive. But it's a lot of fun. And at least
you're not smoking, getting drunk, hanging out at strip clubs, etc. Of
course, that can be fun too.
Accomplishments
Well, I'm not sure what I've really accomplished. At least I'm still
alive, and I haven't been in prison. I doubt that my likeness will ever
be on Mount Rushmore. I wish I could say that I've been a great
humanitarian like Mother Teresa, but I don't think I can claim that. Of
course, we all still have 30 or 40 years left, so it's never too late
to start.
I've been able to travel quite a bit, which has been a lot
of fun. I've been to Hawaii six times, the Philippines three times (
met my wife there), Jamaica, Tahiti, Mexico a few times, Club Med
twice, and different places in the USA, so I can't complain too much.
I'm still in pretty good shape, as I've always worked out. I actually
weigh about 15 pounds less than I did in 1971, I guess that's an
accomplishment.
Residence
I've lived in Sacramento for all except one year.The one year exception
was the year that I lived on the beach in San Diego, before I took the
state job. Mission Beach in San Diego is probably one of the best
places you could ever live, I should have stayed there. Well, it's too
late now, they've got me locked in with that retirement package. Well,
things could always be worse........
FAVORITE QUOTE
Variety is the spice of life.
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