Thursday, February 22, 2007

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.16 - So easy, even M-LINK could do it!


Beta Pi:


SO EASY EVEN M-LINK COULD DO IT: Certain brothers have obtained "user-name and password" - which allows them to enter their comments directly to the blog, instead of e-mailing them to me, and me posting the comment, which I enjoy doing. Those brothers are:

Anonymous brother: username - powales

Matt Blankenship: username - mattsb

Frank Collins: username - collinzes

Pierce Hodnette: username - ramboogie

Doug Martin: username - moesyzlak17

Van Sayler: username - vsayler

Steve Starr: username - stevenstarr88

Thanks to these brothers for taking time to sign up and get a username. I have been hoping that all-time-great-brother George Ford, a.k.a. M-LINK, would go on and get a username and password, which would prove my point - its easy! One of the cool mysteries of this blog is that no one seems to know who the mysterious powales is.

Check out Beta Pi Blog on the web! The blog address is:http://journals.aol.com/lasimons4law/beta-pi-blog/

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, ‘72

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.15 - Earl Stover Update

Beta Pi:

EARL STOVER UPDATE: The Mighty Venerable Justice, Earl Stover ebstoveriii@aol.com had contacted me recently, and I was expecting to see him here in Nash-Vegas on Friday, February 23rd - he was set to be here with his daughter Elise, for her audition with Blair School of Music! I really was looking forward to it - His Honor Earl had even put me under a gag-order - made me promise to "behave" my mouth around his daughter - which I duly promised. I assured His Honor, The Heme george@concklin.com had got me to take a similar oath before I met up with him and his two kids for burgers - that I would not reveal certain tales from days-o-yore in the presence of their young ears - might alter their perception of dear ole dad, or something. Having succeeded thereunder, I was given the Heme stamp-o-approval on that score. So anyway, I’m all pumped to see Judge Earl (and family) gag-order firmly in place, and I got an update from the Judge:

"Larry,

Our plans got changed and Elise has already auditioned at Vanderbilt. She did well but the competition is great. I didn't get to go to Nashvillle just as I didn't get to go to Boston, Miami and Dallas for her other auditions. I get to stay at home and try cases. Anyway, thanks for remembering and hopefully she will get a scholarship at Vandy and I can return.

I love all my ATO brothers

Earl"


Earl, keep me informed, hope she wins the scholarship!


MOVIE REVIEWS FROM THE UIS NETHERWORLD: Breach. B B B B

Chris Cooper stars as rogue F.B.I. Agent Robert Hansen. Based on a true story, a few years ago you may remember it making big news. It is the cloak and dagger story of how a young, highly ambitious F.B.I. "Agent-in-training" - played by Ryan Philippe - was unwittingly assigned "internal affairs" duty, in attempt to catch Robert Hansen "in the act" of turning over secrets to the Russians. The Bureau had evidence on Hansen, and they knew he was a spy, but the evidence had admissibility problems. The Director wanted to make a solid case that would get the death penalty. The challenge was to arrest Robert Hansen after he made the drop. You know the real life ending - Hansen got life in Federal Prison for crimes of espionage, having cost the government billions of dollars, and scores of covert agents outed, resulting in several deaths. Chris Cooper captures the eccentricity, and flawed character of Hansen, who was both a pious Catholic and a "sexual deviant." The original music is superb in painting a suspenseful mood. This is a first class spy thriller, and that it is based on a true story makes it all the more fascinating. The film moves briskly, and Ryan Philippe’s screen-wife is a beautiful young actress worth seeing. I can tell you, Vinny Starr starr@mn.rr.com (who fancies himself an expert on spy thrillers) will not agree with this review, because this film is much heavier on cloak than dagger (more intrigue than action) - but the action scene that does involve gun play is absolutely riveting! The hell with Vinny - I loved it! I am anxious to hear what our own Brother Sean Walsh walsh42003@yahoo.com - who is a for-real F.B.I. Agent - thinks of this film.

I give it highest Netherworld marks -

four B B B B ’s.

Check out Beta Pi Blog on the web! The blog address is:

http://journals.aol.com/lasimons4law/beta-pi-blog/

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, ‘72

Monday, February 19, 2007

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.14 - Guest Blogmeister Frank Biller


Beta Pi:

GUEST BLOGMEISTER FRANK BILLER:

A TALE OF FOUAD

or "How Steve Starr first revealed his true greatness and powers of perception/reaction under the most extreme conditions and circumstances of inebriation"

By Frank J. Biller


In the fall of 1971, Larry Simons, Steve Starr and myself (later to become known as Bozo, Vinnie and Buck- the 3 Stooges) were talked into attending a play at the Green Hills theater by Larry. Larry was smitten by a young damsel named Sally Something that was starring in a Green Hills Players production of Cabaret. During his trip to the theater, Larry also met a rather shady member of the GHP Company that instantly befriended our Brother Simons. This fellow was a large balding 50ish gentleman of middle eastern descent who's stage name was George Ash (nee Fouad Ashkar). Fouad's claim to fame had been his bit part in an early James Bond 007 flick. He told Larry that the following Saturday night he was hosting a cast party for the Cabaret troupe at his apartment and invited Larry to come over. There Fouad promised to introduce Larry to Miss Sally. Larry's was a little nervous about meeting a worldly stage actress so he asked if he could bring along a couple of friends to offer moral support.

So, off go Larry, Vinnie and I to the Green Hills theater to see Cabaret, meet Fouad and then proceed to the cast party to meet this gorgeous chick Sally. We see the play then head over to Fouad's. He did actually have a party that night and several cast members including Sally showed up along with a weird menagerie of Fouad's "theater friends".

It was an interesting scene. Larry and I were throwing our best lines at Sally: Example-

Larry- "So (long pause) aaa, where are you from?";

Buck- "Hey, this one time back in Iowa I chugged a whole case of beer and never even puked".

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Larry and I, Vin (being the babe in the woods that he was at the time) was having his first ever encounter with brother Motlow's venerable Black Label product. Like most of us, Vin erred on the side of excess and was chugging Jack and Coke's at an alarming rate considering that he had never been intoxicated before. It was just at the height of the party that poor Vin made his first visit to the porcelain altar where he remained in residence until the dramatic end of the night.

As the evening unfolded, Fouad began to reveal his true self. Today I am certain that Fouad was an advance guard sent by Osama Bin Laden to America to develop the first Al Qaeda cell with the aim of striking a blow to America's very heart by simultaneously blowing up Ryman Auditorium, Tootsie's Orchid Lounge and Rotier's. However, that night lust got the better of him.

As it turns out, Fouad was "playing on the other team" from a sexual perspective (not that there's anything wrong with that). Larry and I were (and arguably still are) incredibly unaware of our surroundings. We are both just thick enough and self centered enough that we did not get Fouad's orientation. I am certain that he and several of his buddies used their best lines on the two of us. Fortunately for us, we were both too dumb to even know what was going on and Fouad and his crew were kind enough to leave us alone. However, the prospect of a wounded duck wretching on the floor of the bathroom was crystallizing as an opportunity in the lusty Arab's twisted mind.

Fouad began a line of discussion with Larry and I that it was in Vin's best interest that we leave him there at Fouad's to "sleep it off". Being the bumpkins that we are, we thought that sounded like a real nice thing for old Fouad to offer. So, Larry, Fouad and I went into the bathroom to try to revive Vinnie and give him the good news that Fouad was going to put him up for the night.

Now I have shared more drunken debaucheries than I care to remember with Brother Starr. I have seen him summon up incredible energy for late night Tales rounds, sweat pure Jack Daniels at gaming tables in the wee hours and stagger out of Vegas gentlemens clubs as the sun rose in the East. These memories pale in comparison to Vin's performance that was to come.

My friends, that night, in Fouad Ashkar's apartment, the world got the first glimpse of the greatness that was to become know to us as Steven "Vinegar Vin Vinnie" Starr. Our man was passed out on the bathroom floor, clad as he was in grey flannel slacks, Hush Puppies and a button down shirt, vomit caked on the side of his face- a veritable lamb-chop of man meat poised for a good old fashioned middle-eastern (edited) from the randy desert sheik. Larry, Fouad and I came in to give him the news of the proposed "over-night".

Somewhere, somehow, Brother Vinnie was able to summon up out of the whirling maelstrom of sounds and images raging in the first time-ever drunken cranium a scintilla of rational thought. Vinnie, unlike his doophus soon-to-be fraternity brothers, realized the lusty intent in the timbre of our host's voice setting off his gay-dar warning system indicating that he was at DefCon level IV and needed to get the hell out of the Fouad's "guy-scoring pad" before he became empaled on the lust ridden Arab's Titan missile of love. He arose from his Motlowian stupor, somehow dragged himself to his feet and lurched out of the bathroom and towards the front door where he collapsed to his knees at the threshold. Larry and I were just walking out the door when Vin grabbed ahold of my ankle with a death grip that would be the envy of any All-Star Wrassler. Mumbling something to the effect of "If you (edited) leave me here I will kill you both with my bare hands" Vin held on for dear life. Larry and I agreed to hoist our drunken pal up and ferry him back to his cave in Mims Hall much to the protests of our host.

Years later, Larry and I realized in a rare moment of self reflection that Fouad was in fact bent on turning our friend into his personal concubine that evening and that we were aiding and abetting him in that endeavor. I have never apologized for almost leaving my dear friend and Fraternity Brother at the hands of a dastardly Sodomite. So, many years too late (but better than never), I hereby apologize to Steve Starr for the events that occurred that evening in 1972 at the cast party of Cabaret, held in the den of iniquity that was George Ash's (nee Fouad Ashkar) apartment in Green Hills, TN. I hope that he can somehow forgive me.

Note: The only known picture in existence of the party is attached. It is believed that the man depicted may be George Ash (nee Fouad Ashkar) and the girl Sally the actress mentioned above.

Fondest Regards,

Frank J. "Buck" Biller

Check out Beta Pi Blog on the web! The blog address is:

http://journals.aol.com/lasimons4law/beta-pi-blog/

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, ‘72

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.13 - SEARCH FOR HILL TURNER

Beta Pi:


SEARCH FOR HILL TURNER: Big Easy Brother Art Landry writes: "I can get you Hill Turner, and will do so. AWL" Art, I also want you to get your Big Easy @#$%^&* to a Reunion!

TALES OF MRS. MIZE, By Pierce Hodnette

. . . lore surrounding Mrs. Mize. I first met her as a freshman in fall of 1970. I walked from the freshman dorms to the institution known as the Southerner. I was 18 but looked 15. The drinking age was 21. Mrs. Mize filled my order for adult beverages graciously and without question. To me she was as beautiful and glamorous as Elizabeth Taylor. The next time I made a purchase she gently offered to "have Haley give you a ride back to the school." I agreed and that became our pattern.

Flash forward to fall of 1972. Miles Walsh, posing as the Vanderbilt Debutante Society, hosts a huge costume party at his house. Mr. and Mrs. Mize arrive on the street in antebellum attire in a horse-drawn carriage.

Flash forward to 1973. I entered the Southerner and asked Mrs. Mize to recommend a modestly priced wine "with a screw cap", as I was attending an open air concert. She took my request as seriously as if I were asking her to cater an open bar wedding reception with a guest list of 1,000.

Flash forward to 1974. Mrs. Mize loaned me $250 one weekend so I could purchase a 1952 Chevy pickup truck. The only good thing about that truck was that it looked cool. After repaying Mrs. Mize, I pumped money into the truck for about a year, then sold it to a relative for $250. Mrs. Mize was a character of mythical proportions. Let the stories begin.

EDITORIAL NOTE: As I recall, the "southern" pronunciation was "Mizz Mize."

Check out Beta Pi Blog on the web! The blog address is:

http://journals.aol.com/lasimons4law/beta-pi-blog/

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, ‘72

Monday, February 12, 2007

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.12 - BELOVED HARPO FOUND BY MARLON!

Beta Pi:

BELOVED HARPO FOUND BY MARLON: Mark McGann a.k.a. Marlon has been on the trail of Ken Linden a.k.a. Harpo, and has provided an e-mail address ken.linden@adidasus.com ! Beta Pi Blog welcomes HARPO! (To the sound of crashing cymbals, fireworks, water-splashing).

If I only had a nickle for every time a brother asked me if I had any news about Harpo. That is no exaggeration. A Venerable beloved brother, if ever there was one.

BETA PI BLOG now numbers 63 bona fide tik-a-lor brothers. The blog is a beast which feeds on e-mail addresses. Have you any?

Check out Beta Pi Blog on the web! The blog address is:

http://journals.aol.com/lasimons4law/beta-pi-blog/

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, ‘72

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.11 - TECHNO!

Beta Pi:


TECHNO: I have had a few brothers to inquire as to the more technological aspects of inter-acting on the blog - thus, here are some "Frequently Asked Questions:"

Q: How do I "log on"?

Q: Two ways - 1) visit the men’s room, or 2) Type http://journals.aol.com/lasimons4law/beta-pi-blog/ into your browser, and hit "enter"

Q: How do I post a comment directly to the blog?

A: Two ways - 1) e-mail it to me, and I’ll post it for you, or B) Do it yourself.

Q: How do I do it myself?

A: You have to set up a "user name" and a "password"

Q: How do I do that?

A: On the Blog site, click on ADD A COMMENT, then type in a USER NAME, then type in a PASSWORD.

Q: Why go to all that trouble?

A: Why not kiss my @#$%^&*()

Q: How do I volunteer to be a GUEST BLOGMEISTER (i.e., write a featured blog issue)?

A: Send it by e-mail to me at lasimons4law@aol.com

Q: Who else has been a GUEST BLOGMEISTER?

A: Steve Starr, see Archives, Vol.2006, No.20 (August, 2006); Frank Biller, see Archives, Vol.2006, No.27 (August, 2006).

Q: How do I read past issues of Beta Pi Blog?

A: Click on ARCHIVES.

Check out Beta Pi Blog on the web! The blog address is:

http://journals.aol.com/lasimons4law/beta-pi-blog/

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, ‘72

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.10 - A friendship Rekindled!

Beta Pi:

A FRIENDSHIP REKINDLED: I received a very nice note from Jack Muench, that got me thinking. Here it is:

"Larry, W (Pierce Hodnette) and I had agreed to wait until next year so that we could have certain places to stay and whatnot. For him its an 8 hour drive. I would likely fly to Memphis and rent a car from there. If staying isn't a problem, what I want to propose to him is that he and I come without wives and with sleeping bags and the like. My wife is Trudy--she's a great sport, but will probably need more in the way of creature comforts.

Nonetheless, I will call you and discuss.

This (the Blog) is a great idea. I know I would have lost touch with W if not for this, and I'll bet other old friendships will be warmly rekindled, too. WAY TO GO, LARRY!

Regards, Muenchie"

A friendship rekindled! That is the whole purpose of the blog, to bring the brothers together again. It is really a group effort - synergy. It was Matt Hart who provided an address on Pierce Hodnette, and somehow I managed to find Muenchie, I think I found his legal website. Personally, it all makes me feel happy. And these days, happiness means a lot to me.


MUSIC REVIEWS FROM THE UIS NETHERWORLD: Artist: The Allman Brothers Band
CD: The Fillmore Concerts
By Pierce Hodnette.

If you went to college in the seventies, you probably had vinyl copies of "Live at the Fillmore" and "Eat A Peach." In March, 1971 the Brothers recorded one of history's best live sets. Those
tracks were produced by Tom Dowd and ended up on "Live at the Fillmore" and "Eat a Peach." In 1992, Tom Dowd remixed the original tapes and put the entire concert on a two-disc CD, hence "The Fillmore Concerts." The sound is fantastic and these songs still sound fresh after all these years. The band was at the top of its game, with Duane Allman and bassist Berry Oakley still living and playing. Duane said he was influenced by the modal jams of Miles Davis ("Kind of Blue") and John Coltrane. This influence shows in the long jammy songs like "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" and "Whipping Post." The CD is a reminder that you had good taste in college. My 17 year old son loves this disc and has it in his ride, a 1995 Volvo wagon.

Peace and love,
Pierce Hodnette.

Check out Beta Pi Blog on the web! The blog address is: http://journals.aol.com/lasimons4law/beta-pi-blog/

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, '72