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"

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

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.54 - Reunion 2007 Redux, Part 1

Beta Pi:

REUNION 2007 REDUX, Part 1: There are so many sub-plots to write about - I was at a loss on how to unfold it all, when Vinny suggested writing it in several parts, a fine idea . . .

THE CLASS OF 1977 PARTY: ATO Class of 1977 made a fine showing. Steve Cummings, a.k.a. Short

scummings@Crossroads.com , George Ford, a.k.a. M-LINK georgef@leedscustomdesign.com , Mark McGann markmcgann@prodigy.net , and Van Sayler van.sayler@raymondjames.com made it to the Friday Night Class Party. ATO Friends-o-77 included surprise guest Brother Vinny Starr starr2456@comcast.net , and Larry Simons, a.k.a. Lorenzo Bozino, Lasimons4law@aol.com . Female Friends-o-77 included the mighty fine younger sister of Chester Brewer, Elizabeth, former Gregg Qualls’ gqualls@quallsengineering.com woman Beth Raebeck, and former Jerry Neuberg’s gal-pal Cindy Love. My day was absolutely made by Elizabeth, and I got plenty of hugs and kisses (the brother / sister kind, of course) and I confessed to Elizabeth that I had a crush on her in days-o-yore, but that Chester (knowing me to be a worthless womanizer) had warned me off of her - "Bozo - keep your hands off of my sister, or I’ll kick your @#$%^&*!"

THE BET: As you may know from the last several blog issues, when Buck Biller learned that Marlon McGann - a cancer survivor almost 5 years cancer free from a near fatal brain tumor - would be coming, Buck vowed to attend. Vinny Starr, being the perennial antagonist - and having suffered being stood up by Buck at their annual Vegas trip, and long suffering many other Buck-Biller-no-show’s - aptly pointed out that Frank has a major issue - inability to keep commitments, also known as the Peter Pan Syndrome. Therefore, Vinny placed a bet that Buck would not keep his vow. The stakes - dinner at Flemings. However, Vin placed 1 in 6 odds on his own attendance.

The Surprise: Well, on Wednesday night - the day before Marlon was booked to arrive in Nashville - Vinny calls me with a "surprise" - and he made me swear to keep it a secret - Vinny planned to attend Reunion 2007, to protect his substantial bet by actually being present to confirm Buck Biller’s failure to keep his vow, and collect on the bet, to enjoy his winnings - dinner at Flemings. So, Vinny showed up, and joined the party Friday night. The Tics in attendance were also brought in on the secret, so as not to inadvertently let Buck know.

Saturday morning: I get this call from Buck, telling me he arrived in Nashville, and thatupon his arrival he called and left Vinny a voice message telling him he had lost the bet, and warning him not to bet against The Buckaroo! Little did he know . . .

The Stage was set. I get Buck on the phone and tell him the boys are meeting at the House at noon. He tells me "Bozo - I’m walking down to play guitars at Gruhn’s Guitar Shop, my hotel won’t let me in until 2:00 p.m.. I’m going to get some bar-b-que at Tootsies Orchid Lounge, get checked in and I’ll see you guys at the House at 3:30." That was no good, so I told Buck I’d get a few guys and we’d come down to meet him at Tootsies. So Buck calls, and wants to eat at Rippy’s - which is where we staged the surprise encounter. Marlon and I met Buck, and placed our order, and from behind the bar comes Vinny, and the look on Buck’s face was priceless. Stooges plus Marlon Reunite!

Stay tuned for more . . .

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

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.53 - The XBG Neal International Report

Beta Pi:

THE XBG NEAL INTERNATIONAL REPORT: Renowned guitar-brother J. Neal Crenshaw neal_crenshaw@hotmail.com , formerly nick-named "X-Neal " - but re-named XBG Neal (because the local Thai natives call him the "Bronze God" - BG, and thus he becomes XBG) - recently sent me a letter, which is quite interesting and fact-filled. Here is what I received from XBG Neal:

"Missin' you guys. Hope you haven't fired and replaced me yet...

While I was in Accra, {Acara, Indonesia?} I had a VCD made of Jones Otoo and the Hit House Band made for Doc... Neither the band nor video man followed all my direction (freely given cuz I paid for the video...), but, nonetheless, the result is very good... A good example of a HOT African band and African video production... I am supposed to be going back to Acara, in shallah... But, god alone knows when... Jones sez he also fronts another band, doing hard edge blues, stuff like the Doors' Roadhouse Blues, Allman Bros Whippin' Post, and all the old American black guys, BB, Albert, Howlin, Muddy, John Lee, Hound Dog, Lightnin', etc... If I do get back, which is likely, I am gonna make a video of this band, and, personally supervise it's production and filming, up close and personal... Jones is one helluva singer (Think Aaron Neville, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett...)

I am now in beautiful Bamako {Bamako, Indonesia?} , one of the world's great hell holes... Not as bad as Darfur {Darfur, Sudan, Africa}, but close... You'll recall Ali Farka Toure? A Ry Cooder protege... Lives here. Seems he and his son, who has become a noted world music guitarist, hang out in the souk here on Saturday afternoons, jammin' w/ da home boys... No doubt fueled by West Africa's finest... I am gonna try and see these guys and will report back later...

No doubt, you all read da Washington Post and have been following the Dept of State's OBO construction program debacle story?... I am in the heart of the fray, in addition to being in the heart of the darkness... This started out as a 2 week gig in Accra {Acara, Indonesia?} . I am now in my 6th week, in Bamako, with no end in sight... My wife thinks I've gone black... Not to worry. Here is a very bad place to screw around, what with HIV, Hep's C, D and E; tuberculosis, and myriad other diseases, everything from leprosy to elephantiasis, to typhoid... Malaria is endemic. And, I killed a blood filled mossy early this a.m. in my hotel room... Unfortunately, I had to quit the suppressants. The side effects of the preferred metholaquine - nightmares, bizarre mood swings, visions, abdominal distress - and alternative doxycycline - similar but less pronounced, finally got to me... I had a man go crazy and stab a local with a diving knife, one time behind metholaquine...

I am working with a Turkish contractor. The Turks are a trip. Hard headed, macho in extremis, but likeable... just like a bunch of Turks are supposed to be... Unfortunately, "turknology" and the Turkish national electric and building codes, are not included in our contract... And, to quote my dear friend, the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, "Time has no essence" for them...

Haven't done any pickin' and grinnin' at all and long to return home, and not just for the pickin' either...

More later..."

EDITORIAL NOTE: Thanks to XBG Neal for his entry - sounds like XBG is taking good care of his musical appetite, if not his health. Fare Well until your return to the States, Prodigal One!

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

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.52 - Van Sayler Reports on Smooty

Beta Pi:

VAN SAYLER REPORTS ON SMOOTY: Van Sayler, erstwhile and asleep-at-the-wheel point man for the Class-o-‘77, sent the following update - an e-mail he received from International Man of Mystery, Bob Smoot:

From: rsmoot358@aol.com [mailto:rsmoot358@aol.com]

Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 8:49 AM

To: Van Sayler

Subject: Re: Reunion

Van,

To say I’m saddened by my inability to attend a gather of Tics, especially those from 1977 (even though I really am a 1974 guy), is an understatement. Unfortunately, I’m unable to reschedule a prior commitment. I was looking forward to catching up with all the other "Humanoids" and pound a few brews or a bottle of scotch among old friends on the back porch. The times I spent at the house and with various brothers have provided me with many warm and comforting memories, which somehow only get better with time, sort of like a nice Margaux.

Mark and Chip were very kind enough to include me on an excursion to RFK to watch the Nats play. We talked about times gone by and those things that appear to be important to us now. It was a delightful afternoon. We wound up going to a water_hole near Marlon’s place in Arlington and proceed to consume a decent quantity of Heinekens. Chip, being the responsible person that he is, bid a fond farewell, whereupon, I drove Marlon home. Marlon made the mistake of offering me a brew, needless to say, his frig was bare when I left, only then, to face a 25 mile, one eye squint, drive home. I still owe them a BBQ at my joint, perhaps, if Vandy gets on the tube one Saturday??????

Basically, I spent the summer at the beach. As a consequence, my golfing skills has vanished, now I’m relegated to high 80s to low 90s _ can’t make a living playing at that level. In fact, I’m getting calls from my buddies offering to send a limo to pick me up for a "friendly" game, just to ensure I arrive, of course, after stopping at the bank for some cash.

My older daughter graduated 2 years ago and is working for Booz Allen Hamilton and has a townhouse in Arlington, and my younger daughter just graduated fromUVA in Spanish and Religion _ great job skills set. Somehow, she landed at a medium size investment banking firm, The Richman Group, were she is learning how to develop tax credits utilizing the affordable housing program.

So, life is good for me, my kids are educated and I have ample time for my bride and my insane friends in the DC area, all of whom would have been great Tics of note. It is funny, how we somehow wind up with basically the same kinds of cohorts in crime, whether it is in college or in our later life, they all poses the same trait exemplified by the Tics during my long and arduous career at Vandy – honest, caring, fun loving, etc… Just ATOs.

So enjoy the reunion.

Smoot"

RESPONSE FROM VAN SAYLER:

"Smoot

We will miss you. But life does sound good. Let me know when you are down this way again so we can get together

I have been doing some affordable housing tax credit work myself, small world.

Van

* * *

EDITORIAL NOTE: Great Smoot-letter, lame excuse.

TROOP LINE-UP, CLASS-O-77 30th: Reunion/Homecoming news:

* * BROTHER STEVE CUMMINGS:

scummings@Crossroads.com is scumming in full-battle-armor.

* * BROTHER VAN SAYLER:

van.sayler@raymondjames.com will be armed and ready.

* * M-LINK: All-time-great George Ford, a.k.a. M-LINK

georgef@leedscustomdesign.com confirmed to report to the trenches.

* * BROTHER MARK McGANN: All-time-face-man Mark McGann

markmcgann@prodigy.net is flying in fully-loaded.

* * BROTHER BOZINO: Lorenzo Bozino,

Lasimons4law@aol.com , although emotionally AWOL, will be among the armed and dangerous.

* * BROTHER FRANK "BUCK" BILLER: Kamikaze Humanoid Buck

fbiller1@msn.com will lead the frontal assault as the human-dive-bomber! Buck called me, and his industry show may provide an opportunity to leave early, and he is definitely arriving Saturday, perhaps earlier than expected. His sole mission is to seeMarlon and force Vinny starr2456@comcast.net to lose his "bet."

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

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.51 - News of the Bombastic: LINK to attend Reunion!

Beta Pi:

NEWS OF THE BOMBASTIC - GEORGE FORD a/k/a M-LINK TO ATTEND REUNION: Last week, I was surprised and pleased to get a call from - none-other-than - George Ford! George called to let me know he will be attending the Class of 1977 30th Reunion. George’s daughter, who graduated Vanderbilt 2 years ago, will also be in attendance. Blog staff is giddy, I myself am - at this moment - stripping off my shirt, unbosoming myself, and doing double-back-flips (metaphorically speaking) - at the news that this bombastic, and spectacular humanoid BROTHER FORD will be in attendance. YO! That brings us to the face list . . .

CLASS-O-77 30th UPDATE: Reunion/Homecoming news:

* * BROTHER STEVEN STARR: No change in odds, which are 1 in 6.66 of Brother Vinny Starr

starr2456@comcast.net

attending.

* * BROTHER VAN SAYLER: Van Sayler

van.sayler@raymondjames.com

will be in attendance, wearing Ensure Adult Diapers.

* * BROTHER BOB SMOOT: It is a mystery, there is no confirmation, so far only Marlon has "heard" from Smooty Bob Smoot

RSmoot358@aol.com

that he will attend.

* * M-LINK: As stated, I personally had the pleasure of a call from all-time-great George Ford, a.k.a. M-LINK

georgef@leedscustomdesign.com

. The MIGHTY-LINK will attend!!

* * BROTHER MARK McGANN: I have firm confirmation that all-time-face-man Mark McGann

markmcgann@prodigy.net

will in fact attend.

* * BROTHER BOZINO: Ne’er-do-well Brother Larry Simons, a.k.a. Lorenzo Bozino,

Lasimons4law@aol.com

will attend in civilian clothing (his Bozo The Clown suit got burned at the Cleaners).

* * BROTHER FRANK "BUCK-MIESTER" BILLER: Buck has sworn an oath to Marlon that he will attend, and Buck gave me his word of honor he will arrive Saturday night in time to party with the boys.

* * BROTHER STEVE CUMMINGS: a.k.a. Scumming-she-said-scumming!, scummings@Crossroads.com will attend Reunion.

Class of 1977 30th Reunion is looking very promising - attendance may even best the renowned Class of 1976, which had a remarkable turn-out, and quite memorable event.

Blog sanitation staff have been notified to bring extra RRE’s (ralph-removal-equipment) to the Tick House, in preparation for arrival of the scaly-wags of 1977.

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

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.50 - Riddle Contest Embroils Blog in Litigation!

Errol Flynn - Master Swashbuckler

Beta Pi:

RIDDLE CONTEST EMBROILS BLOG IN LITIGATION - V.J. WHIPSNADE INVOLVED:

This contest (see below) has generated nearly as much interest as the famed Blog Essay Contest (See Archives, "Vol.2006, No.50 - Winner of Essay Contest Announced.") Certainly - enough content is flying to justify a new Blog Issue. This is wonderful, because the contests featured on the Blog have only one purpose: to spark interest in the Brotherhood. Blog Editors have received the following comments over the last several hours:

** FROM JIMMY GRISSETT, September 18, 2007:

"Drs. Bozo, Art, and Vinnie --

Au contraire, I believe -- per the attached article/link below, the correct answer is Mike Gilbert, his former licensing agent, in 1997 -- vs. 1999 for Fred Goldman and his auction to Tom "Juice" Kressman. Of course, we may have to construe what you meant by "get" the Heisman trophy, and knowing of Art's formidable legal and semantic skills, hereby hire the formidable barrister Vinny "The Snake" Starr to represent my interests in this matter, with whom I will share my winnings at Rotier's -- on contingency of course."

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Blog Editors have not yet researched the verity of the article, and have no comment.

** FROM VINNIE "Vinnie the Shark" STARR, September 18, 2007:

"Am considering Mr. Grissett's offer to represent him. I am currently researching Mike Gilbert's age , as the question specifically referred to someone over 40 years of age. I have my closing argument ready to go, "If the age is right, Grissett is tight". Just call me Johnnie Cochran

I'll send my retainer invoice later.

Vinnie the shark"

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Blog Editors remind Mr. Starr he is currently counsel of record for the Beta Pi Blog, and the Official Third Stooge, and submit he therefore would have a conflict of interest if he undertakes to represent Mr. Grissett.

** FROM DAVID HAINES, September 18, 2007:

"Fred Goldman, I hope."

** FROM ART LANDRY, September 18, 2007:

"I have already conceded the point and assigned my dinner rights to Mr. Steve (Short) Cummings with the request that he eat it, with my compliments.

Vin, I think that you face a conflict of interest because you possess writings of Mr. Grissett, which you have published, that make it clear that he is already beholden to you (the check was for a couple million I recall, and referred to someone named Sidney E.) . Therefore you cannot act as a dispassionate advocate with your client's best interests at heart.

I should also mention that the original joke, as I heard it, was "Who is the only middle-aged Jew to win the Heisman Trophy?" I know that it wasn't ESO.

Nonetheless, I am copying Mr. Oppenheimer in the event that he has legal rights against Messrs. Starr or Grissett. As a final note, Senor Bozino, I saw Hill Turner here in the Big Flooded just last week. He no longer sports that hair in the photo, or anything like it. It's hell to get old. VTL, AWL"

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Art - I’m glad to hear you saw Hill. How is he doing? I’d love to see him - and you!

** FROM JIMMY GRISSETT, September 19, 2007:

"What kind of lawyer have I hired? He's already working the age 40 thing against me pre-discovery -- it didn't say when he turned 40, did it? -- and I'm guessing he will start on the "white man" provision next -- maybe I do need Johnnie Cochran?

I also intended this to go to Vinnie the Snake of Snake, Pimp, Banger, and Flee but apparently it went to Vinnie The Shark of a different firm -- I request that his prior comments be stricken from the record.

Art, will you take my case?

JAG III"

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Jimmy, the Blog Risk Management Office has authorized me to convey an offer to you. The Blog offers to buy your dinner at Rotiers, at your next Reunion, and you must provide a scan of your year book photo (the Blog Library does not have a year book containing your head-shot). If none exists, you may submit a recent photo. That is the Blog’s offer, and that is all the authority I have. Will you settle for that? What say Ye?

RIDDLE CONTEST - posted on September 18, 2007, Vol.2007, No.49, Comment #1:

"RIDDLE / CONTEST: Be the first Tick-a-lor to answer correctly, and win dinner for 2 at Rotiers at your next VU Reunion!

QUESTION: WHO IS THE ONLY WHITE MAN IN HISTORY, OVER AGE 40, TO GET THE HEISMAN TROPHY?"

OFFICIAL ANSWER: Fred Goldman.

WINNERS: SPLIT DECISION. SCUMMINGS retains his title as Riddle Man for Reunion '07. LANDRY is awarded consolation prize of Dinner for 2 at Rotiers at his next Reunion, which will not be until 2011. Congrats to Steve and Art.

ARRRGH! T. PARR REMINDS TICK-A-LO’S: that Wednesday (today) is "International talk like a Pirate Day", and sent me this, with a note saying it reminded him of days-o-yore - thanks T!:

Wednesday is International

"Talk Like A Pirate Day"

Tomorrow you'll pay a buccaneer for corn?

Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:54 PM ET

By Paul Majendie

LONDON (Reuters) - Put a parrot on yourshoulder, strap on a peg leg, hit the rum and start bellowing "Shiver me Timbers" -- Wednesday is International Talk Like A Pirate Day.

"Pirates of the Caribbean" star Johnny Depp is not the only over-the-top buccaneer allowed to have fun.

September 19 is your once-a-year chance to don an eye patch, sport a ridiculously large hat and keep on saying "Arrrrr.

It all started back in the 1990s as a cult joke between two American friends -- John "Ol Chumbucket" Baur and Mark "Capn Slappy" Summers -- but really took off when syndicated columnist Dave Barry got to hear about their surreal festival.

"We tap into that need for whimsy in people's lives," Summers says of the 24-hour celebration of quirkiness when they urge all self-respecting swashbucklers to show "pirattitude."

International Talk Like a Pirate Day (TLAPD), which adopted Treasure Island star Robert Newton as its patron saint, now attracts fans from as far afield as Britain and Australia and even boasts a special Wikipedia site on the Internet.

The day even has its own unofficial anthem -- American Tom Smith has written and recorded "Talk Like a Pirate Day" -- and Canadian sketch comedy troupe Loading Ready Run produced an educational video on how to swashbuckle with the best of them.

Ol Chumbucket and Capn Slappy are bombarded with requests for TLAPD interviews and proudly boast on their own website that they are even now being immortalized in computer games.

"That's fairly cool and geeky," Ol Chumbucket decided.

Pirate fans around the world have rallied round, showing that surreal silliness is alive and well.

An American soldier stationed in Iraq promised that "to celebrate, myself and others will wear an eye patch all day."

Sydney, Australia is staging a harbor cruise with "flagons of grog at pub prices and prizes to treasure for the dandiest of outfits."

A bar in Venice, Italy is holding an olive stone-spitting contest for would-be buccaneers.

A Brazilian fan even sent a letter of support in a bottle while one overjoyed Argentinian whose birthday falls on the same day said "It will be difficult to talk in Spanish like pirates but we will try."

* * * * *

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