Things Happening When I was a 4th Grader Like Jake from The New Flesh...

Yup--that's me in the middle.

So, this is kind of a weird thing to do, but I've been thinking recently about my 4th grade self, from whom I based Jake, the main protagonist in THE NEW FLESH, and looked up a few things that were going on when I was a kid at that time. I know, I know--look how full of himself this Keith guy is, but whatever. I find it interesting, so I thought I'd share. Here you go:

Bush senior is president.

Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer is arrested after the remains of 11 men and boys are found in his Milwaukee, Wisconsin, apartment. Police soon find out that he is involved in 6 more murders.

A Michigan court bars Dr. Jack Kevorkian from assisting in suicides.

An amateur video captures the beating of motorist Rodney King by Los Angeles, California police officers.

The body of publishing tycoon Robert Maxwell is found floating in the Atlantic Ocean near the Canary Islands.

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Magic Johnson announces he has HIV, effectively ending his NBA career.

Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury dies from pneumonia induced by AIDS.

KISS drummer Eric Carr dies from complications of heart cancer.

The Cold War ends after 44-46 years when the Supreme Soviet meets and formally dissolves the Soviet Union.

The Gulf War begins. Congress of the United States passes a resolution authorizing the use of military force to liberate Kuwait.

United Airlines Flight 585 crashes in Colorado Springs, Colorado, killing all 25 people on board, while a few miles down the road a young Keith Deininger is obsessed with Super Mario Brothers 3 on his Nintendo, exploring the drainage ditch behind the apartments across the street, and drawing and designing his own video games on paper. Also, he's written a couple of short stories, one about werewolf attacks and one about people disappearing for no reason.

And yes, that's a picture of me in 4th grade. That's my teacher, Mrs. Nance, behind me, and I can't remember anything about the other two kids. Friends? I doubt it. I didn't have many friends back then. Too much of a weirdo. ;)

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