1. The life of Theodore Joseph Kaizer Interviewed by: Rebecca Acosta

2. Fun facts Birth date: August 29, 1927 Birth place: Bakersfield, CA Had 4 sisters and was the youngest. He’s lived most of his life in Bakersfield except for the time he lived on a navy ship in the armed forces. “ Being on a ship is like being in jail with a chance of drowning.”

4. Early Childhood Great Depression – a lot of poor folks His dad’s income- $90 a month School: Ted was left handed. Teachers tried to make him right handed because everybody had to be right handed. Many children came to school without shoes. He always had enough to eat Ted won 2 ducks at a carnival and kept them. After a while, they became dinner. Teacher gave him a goat and became his pet “Nebbie.” The goat met the same fate as the ducks.  “I wouldn’t taste it. I wouldn’t eat my friend.”

5. First Job: At 8 yrs old was mowing lawns in the summer  Pay: 50 cents - $1 Other jobs:  Cleaning the chicken yard for $.10 Theater: Mickey mouse show, cartoons, movies What to buy?  A milkshake for $.09 at Ernie’s  A mug of root beer for $.05

6. Childhood hero: Cowboys from the movies Hobbies as a child: Stamp collecting, collecting coins, and building model airplanes Hobbies now: collecting music, refinishing furniture

7. What to do for fun??? Rode a bike Played football in the streets Listen to radio programs:  Dick Tracy, Orphan Annie, Jack Armstrong  He ate a lot of wheat cereal that sponsored Dick Tracy in order to get Tracy stuff

8. Dating Start? When he found out the girls weren’t boys. He bought a car at 16 for $50 ( Model A Ford 1931) but he usually borrowed his dad’s car for a date Boys asked girls and boys paid for everything! Went to the movies or dancing after a game

9. Major events? W.W.II Scrap drives Rationed food- Meatless Tuesdays Ted was a messenger in high school. He and other boys would look out for planes (air raids?)

10. The world has changed Speed: air travel – jets Electronics: computers, cell phones (which he will never ever own), cassettes Television (watch a movie for free) Family: “Hardly a family anymore. Everyone always goes their own ways.” Crummy air- too many people with asthma  As a child he only knew 1 kid with asthma

11. As an older adult Worst thing about it is being old Best thing about it is “The older I get, the more things I remember if they happened or not.”  Wouldn’t want to go over his life again  Very Happy!! Advice:  Take care of your health  Eat a descent breakfast  If you get started in school, don’t stop  “Bad things need to happen so something good will come later”

12. Fin