Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2008, No.27 - Legendary Jackson Heard

Beta Pi:

IS "BETA PI BLOG" JUNK E-MAIL?: Yes, and no! It is not this e-mail. This e-mail contains some written content of the "Beta Pi Blog", not the entire content. The "blog" is actually a web-site, it includes pictures, links, Archives of previous issues, and other time-wasters. To get there, simply "Click on" the web address: http://journals.aol.com/lasimons4law/beta-pi-blog/ .

LEGENDARY JACKSON HEARD: I was talking on the telephone to Vinny Starrstarr2456@comcast.net , and Vinny was keenly interested in the several ATO’s whose e-mail addresses remain unknown - but for whom we continue to search. He insisted I read the names to him - and thought up names of a few more ATO’s. "What about Bob "The Mole" Lichtenstein - and what about Legendary Jackson "Jack" Heard?"

I searched these guys on Vanderbilt Online Directory, and found both. Bob Lichtenstein is listed for address only - 6020 Portico Dr Apt 1515, Fort Worth, TX 76132_4189. Jack Heard is fully listed, living in Cumming, Georgia. Without further adieu,

BETA PI BLOG WELCOMES JACKSON HEARD jackheard@markheardfuel.comThere were a lot of stories floating around about Jack Heard. Buck Biller fbiller1@msn.com and I were pledges, and had to meet theguy. I remember we went up to the Towers to meet Jack Heard, and he was very cordial to us. I couldn’t help but notice a huge pile of Metro Parking Tickets strewn over his desk - I mean there had to be hundreds, no exaggeration. Rumor had it there was this freakish trick that only Jack could do - a physiological trick, sort of like someone who is double-jointed can bend his fingers into contortions. Jack, it was rumored, could milk his teat! This was the stuff of legend - males are not usually capable of this, and Buck could not resist asking Jack to perform the feat. Jack actually did it, before our eyes. We were amazed, and laughing pretty hard, and Jack acted as though it was no big deal. It was surreal. In case there are any doubters, I witnessed Jack perform the feat a second time. Several of us, including J.D. Strickland were over at Johnny "Fur" Wheeler’s house, and guys were drinking beer and bragging about this and that. Fur was bragging that he gave his dog beer to drink - and commanded the dog to do it. We were laughing so hard, and then Fur bragged he also got the dog stoned - so we witnessed Fur blowing smoke in his dog’s face. Then, guys were laughing so hard, and somebody convinced Jack to perform the trick, and perform it he did! True story. The man is legendary. He was also something of a mystery man, who rarely visited the ATO House. Welcome, Jack! Thanks to Vinny for remembering you.

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of May 27, 2008, the Blog roster total is 90 Beta Pi brothers, 82 of these Tick-a-lo men have e-mail addresses. If you have an e-mail address on a Brother - fugetaboutit!

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2008, No.26 - Herb Zombie-Man Ladley

Beta Pi:

IS "BETA PI BLOG" JUNK E-MAIL?: Yes, and no! It is not this e-mail. This e-mail contains some written content of the "Beta Pi Blog", not the entire content. The "blog" is actually a web-site, it includes pictures, links, Archives of previous issues, and other time-wasters. To get there, simply "Click on" the web address: http://journals.aol.com/lasimons4law/beta-pi-blog/ .

HERB "ZOMBIE-MAN" LADLEY: Absolutely "made-my-day" - I woke up, and checked my e-mail, and there’s this message-out-of-nowhere from Herb Ladley. That’s right, the same Herb Ladley that several of us have been trying to contact for the last 2 years. I must have called six times and left messages with the very kind nurse who screens calls for the Mighty Doctor. Pierce Hodnette and I have discussed it - and Pierce said Herb is just too focused. And here he comes, lumbering in like a zombie, from the land of the walking dead. Ladles and Jellyspoons, I give you the incomparable, Herb Ladley!

Here is what Zombie-Man sent me:

"Larry, I was googling my son to make sure he was staying out of trouble with his career and came upon the blog....SPECTACULAR.......Here is a little catch up of my world (See link, at right). Will be in Nashville for a wedding in December and in and out of Nashville all the time on business. Will try to keep in better touch. Take Care HERB"

Herb, did you think I was calling to hit you up for a fundraiser? My old friend - your defenses have been impenetrable. It takes one to know one - you, my friend, are a work-a-holic. I have missed you, glad you finally entered the blog-o-sphere!

BETA PI BLOG WELCOMES HERB LADLEY herbladley@earthlink.et ! I had the honor of spending a lot of time with Herb after he volunteered to be my Trainer in preparation for the beer-boxing grudge match with Buck Biller in ‘73. I told Herb that I had some martial arts training - he said that didn’t matter - he wanted me to spar with a few bigger guys who could easily clean my clock, so fighting Buck would seem like a breeze. The strategy worked, Herb lined up Marc Darling, aka Biggie Rat, to spare with me. Rat looked at me with a twinkle in his eye when I told him to pound my head as hard he could. Saw stars, and tasted canvas. I remember it like it was yesterday. Herb met me every day to ensure I did my laps and bag work. Thanks for the memories old friend.

Check out Archive Issues regarding Herb: Vol.2006, No.14 (August, 2006); Vol.2008, No.09 (February, 2008).

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of May 24, 2008, the Blog roster total is 87 Beta Pi brothers, 81 of these Tick-a-lo men have e-mail addresses. If you have an e-mail address on a Brother - fugetaboutit!

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2008, No.25 - The Schmeat Chronicles

Beta Pi:

IS "BETA PI BLOG" JUNK E-MAIL?: Yes, and no! It is not this e-mail. This e-mail contains some written content of the "Beta Pi Blog", not the entire content. The "blog" is actually a web-site, it includes pictures, links, Archives of previous issues, and other time-wasters. To get there, simply "Click on" the web address: http://journals.aol.com/lasimons4law/beta-pi-blog/ .

THE SCHMEAT CHRONICLES: Back in February, I sent a 1-line e-mail to Bill a.k.a. "Lunchmeat", a.k.a. "Schmeat" Whalen , wawhalen@gmail.com   basically a how-are-you?

Today, I was delighted to receive Schmeat’s response. This must be what it was like in the early days of the Pony Express - you post a letter, and weeks or months later you receive a response, because the mail moved so slowly.

Enough of that - lets get right to the "meat" of what Schmeat sent me. Unfortunately, at the end of Schmeat’s awesome diatribe, he asked for confidentiality. Therefore, I am editing out much personal content of what Schmeat wrote, and letting you see the rest (without Schmeat’s permission, God help me):

"Larry,

Schmeat resurfacing.

My life has been in turmoilover the last few years. Long story made short:

Vandy - graduated on the 5.5 yr plan.

Work in hospital as orderly.

Bored. Changed subjects, from Math to Biochemistry.

Enrolled in graduate school at UConn.  Ph.D in less than 4 years...mmmm less time than a BA??

Married (Edited, Blog Ed.)

PostDoc at UConn Med School. (Edited, Blog Ed.)

First stint at NIH. OK but my ADD limited my productivity - Matt Hart was right in my out to lunch personality.

Met wife 2 - (Edited, Blog Ed.)

Got married. Had kid.

Moved to NOLA and taught at Xavier. Wanted to move on, but options limited. (Edited, Blog Ed.)

-- spent 2 years as a "single parent".

Katrina.

Got to go to NIH for the second time. This time a much better situation. Got to direct my own research, great lab, etc. Department politics limited my stay --(Edited, Blog Ed.)

Mom got sick.

(Edited, Blog Ed.) Moved to Cleveland.

Took care of my Mom and autistic sister.

Mom died last xmas.

Brother in Cleveland gives me $300 and a plane ticket to New Orleans. Trying to rebuild my life.

Sorry to have been so non-communicative but due to (Edited, Blog Ed.), I would like to keep communications personal for the time being. Any thought of the blog password being protected? Just a little old fashioned and paranoid, especially after (Edited, Blog Ed.)

Anyway, say hi to all the ticklors for me.  I will contact them when I get a chance.

Living A Sane Existence In A Basically Insane Society --

Bill"

 

TO THE MIGHTY SCHMEAT:  Bill, thanks for your letter - forgive me for publishing part of your chronicle, I did so in the interest of informing the Brethren.  I hope my editing satisfies your privacy concerns.

Hey, I’m sorry to hear your Mom died. My Mom died of pancreatic cancer in 2000, very tough to lose my Mom.

Schmeat, when I started the blog in August, 2006 there were 2 options, a private blog, which was really complicated (each "user" had to have a password) and a "public" blog.  Path-o-least-resistance.

I have tried to keep the language on the blog clean, after all we profess to being gentlemen, no? A few privacy quirks involving some material Buck posted in a drunken blogging spree had to edited ex-post-facto, but other than that, no worries.   Buck freely admits to being the author of his misfortune, God I love that man.

I have spent years and lots-o-pesos on therapy, so from my end, I - like you - am basically trying to live a sane existence, and with God’s help, I am doing alright. Be well old friend.

Larry"

*   *   *

NEWS FLASH:  SCHMEAT SUBMITS RECENT PHOTO!  Thanks Bill!

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of May 15, 2008, the Blog roster total is 87 Beta Pi brothers, 80 of these Tick-a-lo men have e-mail addresses. If you have an e-mail address on a Brother - fugetaboutit!

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72