•] J o h n & Julia [•

“I moved here in the Summer of 92', a year out of art school with my portfolio in hand. I'm a transplant.”

I was about 3000 miles away from Pennsylvania living out my 20's in California. The first 3 months I was here it was like a whole new planet. I remember driving over the mountains near Oceanside when I first arrived. The sun was blazing, it was late July. I drove along the strip just off of Mission avenue in Oceanside, the beach was packed. I had never seen so many blonde women in bikini's. The whole scene had a surrealistic magazine quality to me. Like most, the only California I knew about was what I had seen in movies or on television.

The first place I went to was Mira Costa college to scout the job postings - the second thing I did was purchase and Alfa Romeo Spider convertible. A listing to a small studio in Carlsbad called Digital Design interested me. 12 days later I landed my first job in San Diego. As a young designer I finally met an employer who believed in my work and fostered my talent. That person was studio owner Jim Belderes entrepreneur and Macintosh guru who is still our dear friend to this day. They say there are no accidents in life, and it was no accident I turned up on Jim's doorstep looking for work. Through his encouragement I was able to hone my skills and develop as an artist. It also didn't hurt that he was one of the coolest people I worked for and he would let us play Jimi Hendrix as loud as we wanted.

I have loved California and have disliked California. Loving it because at least 3 times a week for the last 10 years I say out loud “it's really beautiful here, I'm never leaving” to despising the grid lock of the evening commute, one thing about this town, - t r a f f i c - it is a fact of life for Sandiegans - L. A. worse. You know you have lived here awhile when you refer to it as “The 5” the place where a strange phenomenon occurs called “spectator traffic” 8 lanes of traffic come to a dead stop (I kid you not) because some unlucky motorist is changing a flat tire...safely in the shoulder area...on the opposite side of the freeway. East coast people often take their edge with them when they move out here, I was no different. I learned quickly the pace of life was more relaxed. The locals seemed to be not be so uptight. They wondered what my big hurry was all about. In the same respect, I can't put my finger on what the pace IS in San Diego but it has always been a place that moves fast - with the blazing freeways to stellar beach access from just about anywhere in the county it's no wonder how you get spoiled by the prefect 70 degree weather year round. You never run out of things to do on the weekends. In mid February when I talk to my Mom who is digging out from yet another blizzard. I hold back just how nice the weather is. One thing I do miss are the seasons. Fall on the east coast is spectacular!

Palm trees, and a convertible? -Toto, I don't think I'm in Philly anymore.

The Digital Design days - me in the early 90's - the studio was located a block from the beach.

I am excited that John and I are going to be stationed here for a few years. I am not opposed to living overseas and would love to do that on John's next assignment. For me there is nothing more wonderful than exploring and living somewhere else, either here or abroad.

The location of our future home is near India street - it's definitely a busy part of town. As downtown as you can get (and still have a harbor view). I look forward to showing people from out of town the sights. John and I have discovered quite a few great places and how to get around the city hassle free.

I am the only member of the family to be a true California Native.

My parents moved from Idaho to Riverside, California six years before I was born. As a result I am the only member of the family to be a true California Native! However you might say my psychic home is among the rim rock country of the Snake River. You might have got Mom and Dad out of Idaho, but you never got the Idaho out of Mom and Dad. They made sure we inherited that gene.

My Navy career has provided the opportunity to live in some great places in America, the East Coast, the South, the Mid-west, the Central Coast of California and Japan. Long before I joined the navy, very early in life, probably after making a trip to the world famous San Diego Zoo, I got the idea that San Diego must be the most beautiful place in the world. That impression, no doubt, has brought me back here three separate times. It looks like I'm going to stay a while longer. It is hard to not feel smug about living in America's finest city. The Navy has taken me around the world on the biggest warships ever set on the great seas. I've flown helicopters from the decks of five different aircraft carriers: Nimitz, Carl Vinson, Constellation, Kitty Hawk and Abraham Lincoln. Missed both Gulf wars, but made five, six month deployments, during the intervening period. Shore duty is fun and easy, but sometimes I miss the fun and excitement of sea duty. I lived it vicariously through Fox News.

I'm learning a new skill set running a robotics research and development support program for the Defense Department.
The real highlight of my life was convincing Julia to marry me. (Had to ask her twice, she didn't believe me the first time!) ; ) We will be in San Diego for at least the next three years. Look forward to seeing you all at the wedding and the reception.

Take Care,
John

pure adrenaline - shooting jets off an aircraft carrier

late 80's - John graduates from the Naval Academy - all the Tuckers join him on the east coast. Laurie, Audrey, John, Frank and Ellen

fly boy - traveling the world on the biggest warships ever set on the great seas

My command is this:

Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:9-12

Julia&John -- June 28th, - 2003 - San Diego, CA ---