Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2010, No.20 - BYOG-2 Announced!

Beta Pi:






IS BETA PI BLOG WITHOUT ANY REDEEMING SOCIAL OR ARTISTIC MERIT?:

YEA . . . . or

NAY?


Beta Pi Blog exists for one reason: to bring ATO, Beta Pi Chapter Brothers and ATO Gal-Pals together. The blog does not take itself very seriously - it is meant for fun, and therefore is non-political. It includes

pictures, links, Archives of previous issues,

and other time-wasters. To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com .





MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY NEW DECADE: Somewhere in the Scripture it says - and I paraphrase loosely -

Whatever love you give comes back to you many times over.

I had one of those moments yesterday. My dearest friend on earth, Frank Biller sent this:

I hope you are all on this message.

I just wanted to thank Larry for bringing us all together on this blog.

Larry's labor on our behalf is a labor of love from his heart. He loves us joint and several and I hope that you all feel the love for Larry and all our Brothers and Sisters who gather here from time to time to talk to one another.

I love you all more than I can ever say. I know Larry does too and I wish you all the Happiest Holidays for you and your families.

With my sincere love for you all.

Buck

Buck, I love you my friend! ILAMATOB

It’s TUBA TIME! I should have been a Tuba player in the band - Vinnie once called me bombastic - and Dr. Phibes once accused me of proselytizing. Nevertheless, inspired by Buck’s clarity, and in all sincerity (this is not a poem) -

I want to somehow tell each and every one of my Beta Pi Brothers and ATO Gal-Pals that my love for our Fraternity and Alexander and Laura Wilson, our friendships together, my faith in our Lord Jesus Christ - is all somehow connected, and it has something to do with Alex and the strength and love he taught us each evening with the dinner prayer. All of that is in my heart now as I wish each of you, my dear friends, a Merriest Merry Christmas.




NEW ADDITION TO ANIMAL FARM : I won’t refer you back in the Archives, but here is a quick review of our animal friends:












LILY, our 10-year-old Jack Russell Terrier

ODIE, our 4-year-old Jack Russell Terrier

RUBY, our 3-year-old Saddle Horse

CHARLIE, our 3-year-old Gelding




BESSIE, their 7-month-old Filly

THE WOLF-BOZ, fresh from a full-moon-rampage in the Hills of Dickson County

















DRUM ROLL, PLEASE .   .   . and the newest addition to our animal farm . . .




BUDDY, Ann’s 6 week old Yorkshire Terrier,



 I gave him to her for her Birthday and Christmas.


She always wanted a Yorkie, and she has named him after her Dad, who was nicknamed Buddy.




BYOG-2 ANNOUNCED:

What - you may ask - is BYOG-2? One must first understand what BYOG was. To find out more, look in the Archives, - point & click November, 2007 - Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.58 - Pierce Hodnette Guest Blogmiester.

BYOG was a guitar party, Tick style.

Bring Your Own Guitar - was held in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Pierce and Cindy Hodnette, Matt and Mimi Blankenship, and Larry and Ann Simons brought guitars, and Andrew Simons’ band - Groundspeak played for us. We had a ball.

So much so, that

at Reunion, as we were taking this picture, Buck was talking it up, Art Landry and Tison Keel were interested, Mark McGann was non-plused, and grudgingly interested, stating there is only one instrument he knows how to play (and it rhymes with smooch); Frank Collins (though not pictured) was interested; Gene Young (thought we were talking sports) said he'd do anything well involving the word play; Muenchie (though not pictured) was interested, as well as Matt Blankenship (also not pictured), who in his inimitable fashion showed his interest by listening intently, while simultaneously muti-tasking in his brain, imaging the spectacular guitar licks he will mesmerize us with!!

And, as if that was not enough - few days after Reunion, I got a nice call from Pierce Hodnette who expressed interest.




I told everyone we’d work on it.



So apart from the side-story of potential for the first Hodnette-Muench reunion since graduation . . .


Today, I get these e-mails from Buck, reminding me that BYOG-2 is beckoning:

From: fbiller1@msn.com
To: lasimons4law@aol.comSubject: Jeff Swollen Mucus Glanz
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:54:23 +0000

Hey Larry,

I can't remember if Jeff is on the blog or not. He was a good friend to me and the Mims hall crew and as I recall spent a lot of time with the ATO's. Photo evidence of his existence attached.

Buck

and this from Buck

I fondly remember the night you nearly strangled me to death in Jeff's room (not that I didn't deserve it). As I looked up at Jeff, unable to speak, about to slip into asphyxia, I reached out feebly toward Jeff hoping he would save me from death's grip at the hand of my best friend, he muttered the immortal words (that could well have been the last I would ever hear in this life!)...Wow man! Vinnie is really pissed at Buck!.








and this from Buck

 BYOG PLAYLIST

here's a couple to start that could be fun jams:

House is a Rocking- Stevie Ray vaughn
Boom Bapa Boom- Jimmy Vaughn
Little Red Rooster (in honor of Neal) various artists

Check them out on You tube. I will send some titles for you under a separate email.

We should also prepare some solo stuff. I would love to hear you guys do your best stuff. Maybe we can find some cool tunes to collaborate on.

PS- Please forward to Muenchy. I do not have his email for some reason.

PSS- Jeff Glanz found me on Face Book. He is an old Tic friend and guitar player from Austin. I would like to invite him. Let's all bring guitar buddies for that matter!

and this from J. Neal Crenshaw

Something happening I haven't heard about?

Interestingly, Jeff Glanz showed up on my screen yesterday. I dropped him a note. Per your desire to include other guitar players, I included Joel K's and Matt Oberst's (Mim's Hall vet, partial at the time to Neil Young and Cat Stevens... Wonder if he's still got that D - 35?) addresses above.

One thing tho, this has got to be done in a warm place...

I got plenty of solo CnW and blues in my solo Rooster act... For playing together, may I respectfully suggest Congo Square? I really like the John Mayhall version.

ILAMATOB

LR (J. NEAL CRENSHAW)

and this from Buck

ITCHY

How could we forget the Itch??? Joel was/is a great player. On FB he is playing in some sort of Bush Country Blue Grass ensemble. Joel must attend BYOG!

I also forgot Pierce. Do you think Bugs Pedigo might come?

Props to X. Neal on Congo Square. I met Sonny Landreth last summer at Clapton's guitar festival. He played a solo up tempo version on the side stage. It is awesome. Sonny told me to play it in open tuning of Am. I have dedicated my life to learning how to play it. I am getting pretty close and may be ready to unveil at BYOG.

The Mayall version is slower and would be a good jam song. I can hear Itchy Joel soloing in my minds ear right now:)

Buck

PLANNING POLL: When in doubt - take a Poll. I need to hear back from all those mentioned above, and anyone else interested in possibly attending. So far, here are the definite attendees:

Pierce and Cindy Hodnette

Matt and Mimi Blankenship

Larry and Ann Simons

Buck Biller

Tison Keel

Mark McGann

Jack Muench


POLL QUESTION#1:  BYOG was in November, the weather was perfect.  Your preferred season to do this is Spring, Summer, Fall or November?

POLL QUESTION#2: Nashville weather always sucks.  Your preferred city for this event is Nashville (abundance of a variety of music and culture) or Clarksdale (an abundance of one beautiful thing: sloppy, greasy, rompin’ snatch-yaw Delta Blues)?

POLL QUESTION #3: Are you in, regardless of that other bullshit?

Let me know, we have to get a rough head count, pick a weekend, and - as the saying goes - book it.

* * *

HOW TO POST, OR READ COMMENTS: First, you must have an IQ Score of 71 or more (Oppenhiemer, you made it!)   Then, Get off the freakin’ sofa, Potato-head, click the button - Comments - just below VTL, . . If you’re having trouble, send me an e-mail and I’ll post your comment.

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of December 18, 2010, the Blog roster stands at 107 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses (plus 6 Brothers who do not have e-mail), and 14 ATO Gal-Pals. The blog needs e-mail addresses, please share!


VTL,

Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2010, No.19 - Veteran's Day Special / Reunion, Part 3

Beta Pi:




IS BETA PI BLOG WITHOUT ANY REDEEMING SOCIAL OR ARTISTIC MERIT?:

YEA . . . . or

NAY?



Beta Pi Blog exists for one reason: to bring ATO, Beta Pi Chapter Brothers and ATO Gal-Pals together. The blog does not take itself very seriously - it is meant for fun, and therefore is non-political. It includes

pictures, links, Archives of previous issues, and other time-wasters. To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com .


VETERAN’S DAY SPECIAL

With our Country in thick of two foreign wars, many of our young men and women are in harms way at this moment. We honor them, and those who served our country in prior wars, and during times of peace. I am a Veteran. Buck used to call me a ROTC-Nazi - I was in Army ROTC at Vanderbilt. He’d say, hey Bozo, are you going to drill with the Nazi’s today? Lovingly, of course. During those times there was political turmoil, Nixon resigned, anti-war sentiment ran high, and during all that, I decided to drop out of ROTC. Of course,

Uncle Sam said - not so fast!

So 30 days after I graduated, I was ordered to Active Duty in the U.S. Army.

I entered as a Private, and left 2 years later as a Specialist 4. Best shape I’ve ever been in my life. I am thankful our Country was at peace during my service.





I love my Country, and I am proud that I served, and I support our troops who lay their lives on the line for our freedoms. Take time to thank someone you know who is a Veteran.

We now return to our regularly scheduled worthlessly lame programming . . .


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REUNION 2010 - PART 3


SATURDAY NIGHT - 4th ANNUAL ATO DINNER

ATO's and ATO Gal-pals were strong in attendance. The evening started out with 2 extremely long tables - enough to seat roughly 40. Present were

FRANK COLLINS, Frank’s Daughter HANNAH and MATT BLANKENSHIP

MARY COLLINS, HANNAH and FRANKIE

FRANKIE COLLINS

ANN POLK SIMONS

FRANK COLLINS and GENE YOUNG

MARY COLLINS, HANNAH COLLINS, CLARE COLLINS, my beautiful wife ANN POLK SIMONS, ABE BENAVIDES and MARY CATHERINE, an AD Pi

MATT BLANKENSHIP, Worthy Master MIKE SANDLER, and ABE BENAVIDES

JIMMY GRISSETT .   .   .  Nobody know, da trouble I seen .   .   .

ART LANDRY

GENE YOUNG and JACK MUENCH

JIMMY GRISSETT and BARB MILLER

TISON KEEL, unable to contain himself, coming on to BOZO, and making out!

It was love at first sight (ILAMATOB)!



The first table filled up very fast - and then

J.D. STRICKLAND showed up, and I told him to be a pioneer, and sit at the empty (and very long) table.

GENE YOUNG, J.D. STRICKLAND and MATT BLANKENSHIP

JACK MUENCH

My beautiful wife ANN POLK SIMONS had the honor of being surrounded by some very impressive young adults. MARY CATHERINE, an AD Pi, ABE BENAVIDES, Worthy Master MIKE SANDLER, and HANNAH COLLINS.


Then, about 9:45, just when I thought the Pi Phi’s had  dumped  us - the Heavens opened, the Sea parted, and in walked those Four Fabulous Female Greek Godesses, those Persnickety PI PHI’s

BECKY DENHAM and BETTY INGLE BACH, and ART LANDRY saying   gesundheit!

BECKY DENHAM and LARRY SIMONS

KAREN DEGERBERG and BECKY BRUNING MANYAK commenting to J.D. STRICKLAND how deep and beautiful his hair coloring was. I owe it all to Grecian Formula 44, said J.D.


BETTY INGLE BACH (Betty asked me to post only the best pictures of her.   Betty, perfect pictures are boring, and besides, you are beautiful in all of these pictures, especially the ones which are less than perfect).

BARB MILLER, and BETTY INGLE BACH, whose eyesight was miraculously restored after the parting of the Sea. Betty, you are beautiful, even in the out-take pictures you so dislike.

KAREN DEGERBERG is not buying J.D.’s story that he does nothing to his hair, as TISON KEEL looks on.

DEBBIE PAYNE with ANN SIMONS and the Young Americans.

Worthy Master MIKE SANDLER and HANNAH COLLINS

A great shot of the FRANK COLLINS CLAN

FRANK COLLINS led us all

in the ATO PRAYER

BETTY INGLE BACH listens as TISON KEEL tells J.D. and KAREN DEGERBERG how great it felt to make out with BOZO!

Ever the rascal, BECKY BRUNING decorates GENE YOUNG’S head, in true Tick style.

BECKY BRUNING (judging the length of something?) and BETTY INGLE BACH  -- Hey!  YOU!  Put that thing away!!

BETTY INGLE BACH and KAREN DEGERBERG reenacting Point - Counter-point!

BETTY and KAREN, truly beautiful Gal-pals.


Somehow not pictured - but present - were

BUCK BILLER, and

MARK McGANN




Then, something shocking happened - a LOUD electrical explosion, from somewhere in Hillsboro Village, and all the lights went out - not just at Cabana, but the entire neighborhood.  Cabana is open-air, so we heard it, saw it and felt it.  Very exciting.  Undaunted, the fine folks at Cabana lit candles, and we all waiting calmly while the waitresses painstakingly added up all of our tabs by hand.  We were so well behaved, I was proud to be an ATO.

* * *

With all this excitement .   .   . THE BLOG is going into  .    .    .

HIBERNATION.



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BONUS - EXTRA PICTURES FROM BECKY BRUNING:  Right after this issue was posted, I got a very sweet note from Becky Bruning, along with 4 pictures:

Larry- I am so e-mail attachment challenged that I am having to send these few photos to you singly instead of as a group .   .   . not the best quality from my phone .   .   . Anyway, we Pi Phi gals all agreed that Reunion '10 was a great success. We loved catching up with each other and especially enjoyed all the ATOs and hearing some legendary stories once again.

Sadly, the Wales Tales game for old times sake did not happen .   .   . I guess I will officially retire from my wenching role unless 2015 provides another opportunity.   .   .

Becky Bruning Manyak

BETTY INGLE BACH, BECKY DENHAM AND KAREN DEBER DEGERBERG

BECKY DENHAM and LARRY SIMONS

FRANK BILLER and BARB MILLER

MARK McGANN

Thanks Becky - I agree, a great time was had by all!  Thanks again for rallying the Pi Phi's to make this such a great time.  We love you!

Larry

*      *      *

BETA PI BLOG WELCOMES ATO GAL-PAL BARB MILLER barbaraemiller@comcast.net .  Welcome to the Wild and Wooly World of Tick-a-lors and Wastrels.


HOW TO POST, OR READ COMMENTS: Get off the freakin’ sofa, Potato-head, click the button - Comments - just below VTL, . . If you’re having trouble, send me an e-mail and I’ll post your comment.


BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of November 11, 2010, the Blog roster stands at 107 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses (plus 6 Brothers who do not have e-mail), and 15 ATO Gal-Pals. The blog needs e-mail addresses, please share!



VTL,

Larry Simons


Beta Pi, 72