Beta Pi:
IS BETA PI BLOG WITHOUT ANY REDEEMING SOCIAL OR ARTISTIC MERIT?:
YEA . . . . or
NAY? Beta Pi Blog’s purpose: to bring ATO, Beta Pi Chapter Brothers and ATO Gal-Pals together. The blog is not to be taken seriously - it is meant for fun. The Beta Pi Blog is non-political. It includes
NEW FEATURE : Frank Biller finally took me up on my request that he write a Sports Page Column.
Buck’s famous ATO experience with boxing . . .
And his sharp wit, combine for a real treat for Blog readers. That he chooses to cover a premier boxing event is a b-b-b-bonus.
WITHOUT FURTHER TOO-DO . . . Beta Pi Blog proudly presents the debut of . . .
THE BUCKO SPORTS PAGE
By Frank J. Biller
Buck on Sports and
wine spode-e-o-de.
All apologies to JL Lewis. So I blew $64.95 last Saturday and watched the Manny Pacquiao v. Sugar Shane Mosley tilt. Joined by a smooth dark wrapper Macanudo and a spirited yet inexpensive
Pinot Noir (screw-off top of course- I am very Green. The cork trees are dying in Portugal!), I was reminded that the pugilistic arts act as metaphor for the struggle in Man's eternal soul. I have long been a SS Mosley fan. I so admired his cunning ring savvy and phosphoric flurries in his heyday. But, I loved a tragic hero. I have always known this. SSM has never had the heart of a Champion. Mad boxing skills, but no heart. Senator Pacquiao floored SSM in round 3.
Ali, Frazier, Irish Mickey, Kosta Tzu, a score of great Mexican fighters and countless others too many to mention would have risen and died in their boots on the very next punch, be carried out on their shields to the wails and cries of their loved ones ascending into the lore of their people in countless future tribal fires. My guy, Sugar Shane Mosley, spent the next 9 rounds just trying not to get knocked out.
I cannot help but see the irony in my guy and the way my life is playing out. I was a local hero in Davenport Iowa, I boozed and brawled with you guys at Vandy, lived in Paradise with Miles and Harpo, made and raised 3 wonderful babies, built a great career, crushing enemies, celebrating great victories enjoying the fruits of my blood sweat and tears.
Now, I am 57. Like Sugar Shane in the ring, I still know my way around a bar room and a board room. Every once in a while I can still throw leather with the white hot heat of a phosphorus flare. Every once in a while I can still make a heart flutter on the distaff side. I can still power slam a martini or two. But, a couple of years ago, I got knocked down in the third. I lost a big job, then my marriage blew up, then my folks died. Like SS Mosley, I can still look the part, play the big shot, wink at the girls and make them smile. But, I just don't have the heart of a champion. I won't fight to the death. I won't go out on my shield. I won't be the stuff of legends. I am 57 and I am just trying not to get knocked out...
On a lighter note- The Cubs still suck and I refuse to go see them even though I love the chicken wings in that one bar up by Wrigleyville.
Your faithful sports Correspondent to the ATO blog,
Frank J. Buck Biller
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CLASS OF 1976 NEWS: A worthy Tick has stepped forward to be 1976 TICK-A-LOR POINT MAN. His name . . . Jose Jiminez! (Kidding)
FRANK COLLINS.
If you want to attend the 5th Annual ATO Dinner, let Frank know. Check out the Archives - October for each of the last 4 years to look at pics.
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NEW INDUCTEE:
Following the last Blog,
W. TRAVIS BURCH,
wtburch@bellsouth.net , a Tick-a-lor from the Class of 71 surfaced, thanks to Lance Reising. Travis provided some info:
Larry:
W. Travis Burch, 8680 The 5th Green, Sandy Springs, GA 30350. BA-1971.
Big Brother was Al Armstrong. Presiding at my initiation was Paul Thayer. The
other e-mail addresses I sent Lance are all members of the class of '71: Steve
Johnson, Bob Vogelei and Jim Burgess, all in that famous Last Supper Picture,
Burgess was on the cross behind Dennis Fite.
Travis Burch
Travis, we are working on borrowing a copy of the 1971 Commodore, to scan that famous religious relic. Welcome aboard the Ship of Fools. Nice coincidence that this fall will be the Reunion year for Class of 71! Looking forward to meeting you face-to-face.
BETA PI BLOG WELCOMES TRAVIS BURCH!
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THANKS TO CLARK THOMAS:
Clark (Class of 74) is a professional photographer here in Nashville. Clark tells me that during his time at Vandy, Chancellor Heard hired Clark to be a roving photographer. Clark recently donated several great pictures from days-o-yore.
HOW TO POST, OR READ COMMENTS: Just click the button - Comments - below.
BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of May 24, 2011, the Blog roster stands at 108 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