Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.55 - Reunion 2007 Redux, Part 2

Beta Pi:

REUNION 2007 REDUX, Part 2: . . . So after meeting up with Buck, we all head to:

THE TAILGATE PARTY: Again, ATO Class of 1977 made a fine showing. Steve Cummings, a.k.a. Short scummings@Crossroads.com and lovely wife Jill, George Ford, a.k.a. M-LINK georgef@leedscustomdesign.com and his beautiful daughter Meagan (who graduated VU 2 years ago), Mark McGann markmcgann@prodigy.net , and Van Sayler van.sayler@raymondjames.com and wife Jane Humphreys Sayler, Vinny Starr starr2456@comcast.net , and Larry Simons, a.k.a. Bozo Lorenzo, Lasimons4law@aol.com and wife "Young Ann". SAE friend David Dodson linked up with us by cell phone. Marlon and I and George Ford got Hill Turner  Turnerrhturner@gmail.com on the telephone - Hill promised to make the next Reunion 2012.

THE GAME: was exciting, we were tied 17 to 17 into the last seconds of the game when Georgia rallied down field to boot in a game-winning field goal - much to our chagrin. As we were walking out of the stadium, a J.D. Strickland siting! So, seizing the moment, I invited J.D. to dinner.

VINNY STARR PAYS HIS DEBTS / DINNER AT FLEMINGS: In attendance were Vinny Starr, Buck Biller, Larry and Ann Simons, Mark McGann, George Ford, Candy McCall candym@olcinc.com , and J.D. Strickland. I was honored when Buck asked me to give thanks with Alexander Wilson’s ATO Prayer, which I dearly love:

"Lord of Mankind, Master Divine

Keep us pure in heart and mind,

And so that we may know Thee, Thy presence show,

Guard and guide us, ATO."

A toast was raised to our dear and departed brother David Howe, who passed on recently.

TO THE TIC HOUSE! On the front porch were Vinny Starr, Buck Biller, Larry and Ann Simons, Mark McGann, George Ford, Candy McCall mailto:candym@olcinc.com, Steve and Jill Cummings, Van and Jane Sayler, and J.D. Strickland. It was a band party like any we used to have - except for 2 things: THE P.C. VU POLICE: Vanderbilt now requires fraternities (or any group) to "register" the party, which gives the party "Vanderbilt Security" - that meant that a "registration table" with a worthy tic brother seated, complete with a legal pad, requiring each guest to give their name, and show ID. A VU cop was also present. This - I am sorry, this is just too much control.  Its as if the powers-that-be at VU just have to be in control - and that is an unfortunate reflection of our times. The authorities say things are out of control, and we should be fearful of everything, so the answer is more oversight, more curtailment of freedoms, etc. - whoops, I almost climbed on the soapbox!

THE PAID ENTERTAINMENT: The other difference was the band - well, it was not actually a band. It was a hip-hop trio, three guys dressed in "hood" costumes with microphones, and a small nerdy dude seated next to a "turntable" presumably acting as "DJ".  Quick "Music Review" - the "music" sucked, and it was so far above over-the-top rock & roll volume that it was dangerously loud, i.e., the kind of high volume sound that permanently damages your hearing. No matter to all the young dudes, the scene was "jammin’" - the rappers were rappin’ - I noticed one young fellow laughed as I entered the room, and I said to myself, "Self - when you were an active, and old guys showed up, you would say to your young self - GEEZER ALERT!" So, I went straight to the young dude, smiled and introduced myself. He was at a loss for words, and he straightened his posture as I approached.

AFTER PARTY AT BOZINO MANOR: After such a fine dinner, spirits were high, and Vinny, Buck, Marlon and J.D. Strickland descended on the home of Larry and Ann Simons. J.D. had many tales of yore, some of which were about the nefarious dealings of David "Domino" Howe and Johnny "Fur" Wheeler.

Sunday morning: Marlon and I wandered over to campus, toured the Kissam Freshmen Quadrangle (which rumor has it is soon to be demolished by VU) - and we find Vinny in the Sarratt Center Men’s Room! Vinny and Marlon and I wandered campus and reminisced, and I drove Marlon to the Airport. I think Marlon was genuinely surprised at how much fun we all had. Ah . . . The Brotherhood. A fine timewas had by all!

NEW FEATURE ANNOUNCED: A new opportunity for Tick-a-lor penmanship - "Featured Blogger (fill in your name here)". For example, "Featured Blogger Mark Darling" or "Featured Blogger John Stein" - any Tick-a-lor can submit a short essay on any subject. Previously, I had offered "Guest Blogmeister" feature, which gave any poetic brother the entire blog - that feature is still offered, but so far there have been few takers. Let me know, Bro".   Here is the first entry from Buck Biller . . .

FEATURED BLOGGER FRANK BILLER:

"Dear Larry, I am sitting on my Master's fold-up golf chair in the empty kitchen of my new 1 BR apartment in Davenport, IA. Today I start all over again. I moved - - {edited for content at F.J.B.'s request}  - -  yesterday for the 6th (and final!) time.

I just unloaded my brother in law's panel truck and the contents lay on the floor of the combination living room/dinette at my feet.  54 years on the planet and all I have to show for it is 11cardboard boxes, 4 guitars and a TV that doesn't work.   The folding chair is all the furniture I have left after - -  But Hey, I'm not bitter toward .  .  .{edited for content at F.J.B.'s request}.

Before I launch headlong in to the next chapter I thought I would share a few thoughts on the conduit to the past that several of us shared last weekend aka- Homecoming. Several things stood out: First, I would recommend to all my ATO brothers is that you pre-plan your homecoming event and buy tickets from the University that are actually on the Vanderbilt side of the field. Vinnie and I (being the astute businessmen we are) figured we would wait until just before game time andpurchase great seats at a discount from a scalper. We spent the entire game huddled in fear in a sea of redshirted woof-woofing UG Bulldog maniac's. The Bulldog faithful had apparently left straight from the mill when the 3 to 11 shift ended Friday night. Jumping in their pickups with a case of beer and a carton of cigarettes they drove straight through to Nashville, stopping only for more beer, a tin of Skoal and some beef jerky.  Partying all night and well into the afternoon in the parking lot of the Admiral Benbow Motor Lodge, the UG partisans were ready for a traditional VU-UGA tilt (the one where Georgia wins 45-3).  Unfortunately, it didn't turn out exactly that way. We led until the winning UGA field goal went through the uprights, securing order in the Universe and probably saving Vinnie and I from an untimely demise at the hands of the rabid Bulldog throng (who I am sure would have flung us over the back side of the Dudley Field bleachers to our untimely deaths, impaled on the tent posts left standing after the "Dynamite Blast" alumni tailgate party).

The second interesting twist came at dinner.  I was just hoisting my first martini of the evening to my lips when the crowd at the bar parted and an ethereal vision appeared before my eyes. There before us, clad in khaki shorts, a white button down dress shirt with a black and gold tie stood none other than the immortal eternal Frat Brother JD Strickland!  If you have not seen JD recently, you will be astoinished.   He has not aged one bit. Nary a wrinkle or a gray hair appears anywhere on our man! (EDITORIAL NOTE: GRECIAN FORMULA 44!)

To our delight, JD is still the effervescent and incredible raconteur. After dinner, we repaired to Larry's house to drink Tequila and view Marlon's CD compilation of old movies taken in Eleuthra. JD held court until almost 3 AM with tales of Tic lore. The graphic detail, endless stream of sidebars and asides, colorful revelations and manic delivery made JD's stories hilarious and engaging at the same time.  I will not soon forget the great time we had that evening and look forward to next year when I hope JD will again appear and share a glass with me and whatever ones of you miserable motha's show your mugs. You will not be disappointed. Thanks again to brothers Larry, Vinnie, Marlon, Van Sayler,

George Ford et. al. who made the pilgrimage to Nashville. I will be there again next year. I hope you all are too.Regards, Frank J. "Buck" Biller VTL I Love all my ATO Brothers"

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VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, ‘72