Tag Archives: young time

Artifact / Riff: d!snëy Tom Sawyer Island (brochure and notes about h/yippie occupation)

I have only visited Disney-branded theme parks twice, both at the *classic location* in Anaheim, CA, USA.

The first time (1979?) stands out as it was on a trip with my Mom, aunt and various cousins in which we went to Salt Lake City and then to Anaheim, staying in hotels, eating room service, pay-per-view hotel movies and whatnot. Most significant though was auditioning for a game show, two iirc, “children’s versions“ of Jokers Wild and Tic-Tac-Dough. {artifacts exist and will be shared under separate cover}.

Have you visited Tom Sawyer island? Were you part of the occupation? What’s there now if anything? This is a blurry photo, blurry like my memories

Anyhow, the park itself I found a bit hectic and crowded and preferred the quiet corners: enjoying a Carnation milkshake, hitting a shop which embroidered my name onto a floppy hat, and the Country Bear Jamboree – also recall something about a jungle cruise and a tiki room and riding a gondola which fit my speed moreso then Matterhorn or Space Mountain with their long lines and short attention span. Oh, Caribbean Pirates, and Haunted Mansion… It’s all coming back to me now.

Anyhow, I suppose fitting with my nature, Tom Sawyer Island was my favorite. I wondered, “how was it that a place was left mellow & leafy, not built up and not filled with noises and lights in amongst this jumble of manufactured excitement?”

This impression stuck with me and it wasn’t until years later, mentioning this to (I think) Larry Harper who told me about a “y/hippie occupation” of the lil island in the 70s. Unsurprisingly, this was well sanitized from the “official corporate history” of the uncompromising, brand-conscious company but of course, various recounting exist. A link round-up follows below.

Anyhow, why we are here is: Going through my archives, the only Disney ephemera in collection (so far at least) is a brochure (not sure what the purpose of a brochure is since you’re already there and I don’t think anyone buys the golden ticket just to go there) of the humble island.

Continue reading Artifact / Riff: d!snëy Tom Sawyer Island (brochure and notes about h/yippie occupation)

Certificates: Transit / Skytrain “First Rider’s Club” x 2 (1994)

Certificates: Transit “First Rider’s Club” / Skybridge connecting New Westminster with Surrey
Certificates: Transit “First Day” Surrey Skytrain Extension, 1994

Note: also have Seabus 1st day certificate, will update this archive upon finding

Note: there is a chance i wasn’t actually on these rides… 

Certificate: Graduation, Adult High School (Alpine School District, Utah), 1988

Invite: Graduation, Adult High School (Alpine School District, Utah), cover

In the event you doubt my credentials, I present prestigious documentation for your perusal… Hey, I can’t seem to find the certificates for the invitation to the ceremony (which I did not attend), so a blurry snapshot will have to do for now as evidence.

Invite: Graduation, Adult High School (Alpine School District, Utah), inside (blurry)

Noting I have more to say about this and how I left high school a couple weeks into “senior year” and in rolled at Utah Technical College, later Utah Valley Community College, later several other name changes… and took an assortment of classes about photography, ceramics, mountaineering, anthropology and creative writing.

As it goes, attending this then-little college with an interesting eclectic mix of ages, interests, attitudes etc. was a fantastic decision. More to say another time, perhaps when I add the actual certificate and other related materials.

Artifacts (youngtime): Chief Scout’s Award – evidence / letters, photos, certificate – 1983

from left Dave Olson, various RCMP and Judge, Bob Olson front, Brad Coleman far right – receiving Chief Scout’s award, 1983

In Canadian Scouts, the highest accolade one can achieve is the Chief Scout’s Award. Requires a whole load of badges and tasks and whatnot – sorta like the US Eagle Scout i suppose.

Anyhow, as it goes, most Scouts earn this on their way out and onto Ventures (the next age bracket group) but diligent as i am, earned at a young age (was told youngest ever but no way to verify) and attended the ceremony (requiring special permission apparently) along with older brother Bob and pal Brad Coleman. 

What follows are artifacts and evidence from the event and award.

(As obvious) this is a letter from Governor General who is apparently the Chief Scout of Canada) acknowledging earning of eponymous Chief Scout’s Award.

Continue reading Artifacts (youngtime): Chief Scout’s Award – evidence / letters, photos, certificate – 1983

Report Card: Grade 4, Harold Bishop & Prince Charles Elementary / Surrey, 1979-80

Report Card: Grade 4, Harold Bishop Elementary / Surrey, 1979-80 / cover and remarks
Report Card: Grade 4, Harold Bishop Elementary / Surrey, 1979-80 / grades and remarks

Changed schools from Harold Bishop to Prince Charles when family moved…

Report Card: Grade 4, Prince Charles Elementary / Surrey, 1980 / grades
Report Card: Grade 4, Prince Charles Elementary / Surrey, 1980 / cover and remarks

Artifacts (youngtime): Drawings of pigs and farms (and a buffalo), ca 197x

Drawing: Pig head, David Olson, Age 7, Surrey, BC
Drawing: Pig head, David Olson, Age 7, Surrey, BC

Fascinated by pigs of all kinds from a young age, i made scrapbook, drawing, plans for ownership, and learned the names and habits of everykind of swine from peccaries, to warthogs, to javelina. My sports-teams are always named after pigs (street hockey and fantasy sports to be more accurate) and i invented characters including “Super Pig” with appropriate uniform. I also raised a family of guinea pigs (until devoured by a ruthless opossum). Evidence of these other projects are scattered elsewhere, whereas in this post, i share various sketches of pigs, farms and a buffalo – made when 7 years old.

Drawing: Pig head 2, David Olson, undated (likely 1977)
Drawing: Pig head 2, David Olson, undated (likely 1977)

Continue reading Artifacts (youngtime): Drawings of pigs and farms (and a buffalo), ca 197x