Makin' My Way

Life is tough for a young overweight punching bag.

Portland Oregon in the sixties was an exciting place for those who had good self esteem and confidence, all of which John lacked. Moving into the inner city from the suburbs didn't help any and neither did the bullies, or the gang that ruled the neighborhood. But the bullies weren't the worst of it. No, the fact that the prettiest girl in the sixth grade would rather die than be caught in his presence is what pushed our young hero over the edge. He couldn't take it any longer. He began a life altering journey. It wasn't easy and the bullies didn't just go away. He had to deal with each and every obstacle, as it presented itself, along the way to becoming someone he could face in the full length hallway mirror in his run down flat just up the street from the skid row area of downtown Portland.

John experiences much of what life offers a young man growing up in Portland, Oregon in the sixties; cars, girls, football, fears, adventure, and triumph.