Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2009, No.05 - The Bruning 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, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com/ .


THE BRUNING CHRONICLES: After the last issue - The Ta-Ta Obsession - the fishing expedition began, and the e-mail was sent to a few co-eds-o-yore. Today, it bore fruit. I got this e-mail from Jeff Perout’s jeff@perout.com famous old flame - that awesome gal-pal, Becky Bruning Manyak rmanyak@yahoo.com :


"Larry-- OMG...You found me. Actually Katie Herrington sent me your previous blog site last summer when Tyson Keel turned her on to it.... Kind of spooky seeing my mud photo and the contest to identify the mystery chick.... (When was that contest, btw? I need to check out those postings again in the archives.) I meant to contact you then but later in the year the site was gone... I had been about to turn D. Price on to it... And now here you are again. What a surprise and what a hoot catching up with all you guys. I have some old photos that I should scan and send on to you for public consumption. What memories!!


I've been in the DC/MD area for ~30 years, married for 22 years to a urologist....yes, all you guys are starting to check those prostates about now... have 3 kids, 2 girls in college and a 16 yr. old son in HS still. Retired from nursing in 2004, now playing lots of tennis and having fun.

Regards .... Becky Bruning Manyak"

* * * *
BETA PI BLOG WELCOMES BECKY BRUNING MANYAK!

Becky, I’m not sure when that contest was. We’d love to get any pictures you have - if you’ll e-mail them to me, I’ll post ‘em! Also, can you get me Katie Herrington’s e-mail? And yes, I - and no doubt, many Tick-a-lors - have been to the U-rologist and received the dreaded "U-Tube."
So Becky, now that you have surfaced on the blog, I can tell the rest of the story. Last year, after Jeff sent those great pictures, (See Archives, Vol.2008, No.15, March, 2008) he somehow dug up an e-mail address for you. Timing is everything - it took us a year, but worth the wait. Thanks, Jeff!


DON’T FORGET - CHECK OUT THE "COMMENTS" - BETTER YET POST A COMMENT. (Click on "Comments" - just below "VTL, . .") Too lazy? Send me an e-mail and I’ll post your comment.


BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of March 18, 2009, the Blog roster stands at 95 Beta Pi brothers, 87 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses, and 7 ATO Girlfriends-o-Yore. If you have an e-mail address on a Brother, or sister - fugetaboutit!


VTL,

Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2009, No.04 - The Ta-ta Obsession

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, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com/ .

THE TA-TA OBSESSION: After the groundbreaking "Girlfriends-o-Yore Contest" (See Archives, Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2008, No.32 to No.34, July 2008 and No.48, September 2008) - apart from the incredible coup of Travis Parr parrfamco@aol.com in bringing his former-flame Rena Dabney renaart@comcast.net into the fold of the Blog - there are a few lovely co-eds who have been discovered in the blog-o-shere who will, for the present, remain unnamed.

The dilemma - how to invite or induce these fine former female friends to participate in the Blog without blowing it, without "spooking them" as it were? Then it hit me - testimonials. We need the testimonials of the several ATO Girlfriends-o-Yore! With the help of these testimonials, an invitation to join the Blog would be loaded for bear. So, I contacted a few of our Girlfriends-o-Yore.

My friend Penelope Malone pjmalone33@bellsouth.net suggested in her testimonial that the Blog suffers from a "Ta-ta obession."
I can state categorically that the Blog does not have any TA-TA obession. We’re just hard-wired that way. Yeah, baby!

Here is the e-mail which is being sent to the co-eds in question:

Dear ________:

Long time. ATO. Vanderbilt. I found your e-mail, and I’m contacting you to reconnect, and to invite you to visit my Blog. The ATO Alumni of the 1970's misses you.

I write a blog, known as "Beta Pi Blog" which has but one purpose: to facilitate communication between ATO Alumni and their friends. Hard to believe that’s all I’m up to? My reputation precedes me. However, my wife, Ann Polk Simons annpolksimons@gmail.com reads my Blog, and additionally I thought that a few testimonials from other noteable Vanderbilt Women who have joined Beta Pi Blog might help to persuade you:

FROM PENELOPE MALONE pjmalone33@bellsouth.net :

"Dear Ladies:

Your initial reaction to the Beta Pi Blog, seeing those umpteen different views of ta-ta's, may be something like this: "Good Lord, have the ATO's not matured AT ALL since they were throwing paint every weekend on the SAE lions." Well, to quote the Blog, "Yes...and no.."

Yes, they remain ta-ta obsessed. Hope springs eternal. But, ladies, be brave, scroll past those Heaven Lee lookalikes, and read on. You can find out what all those guys you knew (or wanted to know) are doing today. You can see who has gotten fat as a bear in the intervening years, and who still looks pretty damn good. Above all, it is nice to see that the ties that bound us together at VU are still strong, and the Beta Pi Blog is a hoot! Read and enjoy!"

FROM RENA DABNEY renaart@comcast.net, a.k.a "THE STEAK":

"I would love to attest to the Blog - it’s very cool. What is really so funny is that I discovered it about a month after I got divorced last year - and I have to say, I was delighted and comforted to hook into it. I am still impressed at how close the ATO’s have stayed through the years - this rarely happens in a catty sorority. Plus all the ex girl friends and I have fun gossiping about who looks the hunkiest after all this time. (By the way - two of you are totally outstanding.) Anyway, it is exactly what you said - a pleasant diversion.

Steak"

FROM SALLY TUCKER JASPER sallydore@aol.com :

"Dear 'Dore Friends,

My old friend, Larry Simons, asked if I would be willing to admit to the public that I endorse his blog, and that other former friends and girlfriends of ATOs might find it fun also. I thoroughly enjoy dropping in on Larry's blog from time to time and seeing what all the old guys (and I do mean OLD) are up to now. It has brought back many fond memories of my four years at Vandy and I have been able to find out about old acquaintances that I wondered what had happened to.

I love the fact that Larry posts the old pics of his ATO buddies along with their current pics. If you can get past the buxom babes on the blog I think you would find it fun too. And, it's always gratifying for us women to reaffirm that guys truly do not ever mature beyond the age of 18.

Seriously though, Larry's blog is a blast and occasionally has some real literary gems.

Go 'Dores

Sally Tucker Jasper, BSN '75, MSN '83"

* * * * *
If you’re interested, go to web address: http://journals.aol.com/lasimons4law/beta-pi-blog/ , check it out. If you want to join us, all you need to do is e-mail me at lasimons4law@aol.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Larry Simons

* * * * *

I will send the e-mail, and try to increase the ranks of those famed ATO Girlfriends-o-Yore, and I’ll keep you informed. If you know of one, get her e-mail to me.

CHECK OUT THE COMMENTS - click on "comments" below. Its easy to post a comment.

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of March 6, 2009, the Blog roster stands at 95 Beta Pi brothers, 87 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses, and 6 ATO Girlfriends-o-Yore. If you have an e-mail address on a Brother, or sister - fugetaboutit!

VTL,
Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2009, No.03 - Vanderbilt Debutante Society

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. THE BLOG HAS MOVED TO A NEW ADDRESS. To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com/ .

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY: I was thinking about Valentine’s Day - as it relates to Tick-a-lors - and I began having memories (or flashbacks?) about . . .

THE VANDERBILT DEBUTANTE SOCIETY. Then, it hit me. Who better to interview about this phenomenon than that wacky guitar man, Joel Kadarauch, a.k.a. "Itchie" a.k.a., Jor-el.

INTERVIEW WITH JOEL KADARAUCH

BLOG: Do you have any recollection of the "Vanderbilt Debutante Society?"

JOEL: Totally clueless about that one, Larry. Maybe it's just my foggy memory. Ask away!

BLOG: I thought there was a Valentine's costume party at ATO Social Affiliate Miles Walsh's house - you came dressed as the "humanoid-penis" - am I mistaken? The twist was on "VD" - Vanderbilt Debutante - society.

JOEL: Ahh, Yes. I think I remember the Penis-Man costume. I made it out of a waste basket, plastic wrap, Paper Mache, paint and balloons (testicles), in my room in Carmichael Towers. I remember....I remember..."heavy", "scratchy", "pink", "hot".....not much else. The party was at a house next to the "round houses" on Vanderbilt Drive, right? Was that Miles' house? I also recall extricating myself from it after a time, and having it sit at the house as a prop afterward. Someone hooked up red lights in its eyes and a speaker inside, through which could be projected improper utterances to unsuspecting coeds passing by. Could all this be a dream? Quite possibly, but some of it has to be true.

BLOG: Yes, that was Miles' house on Vanderbilt Drive. Now, of course, after Vanderbilt gobbled up that neighborhood, its nothin'-but-nothin'-but-parking lots. As I recall, you also utilized a burlap bag, which hung around your neck, beneath the cylindrical head-piece. I remember seeing you surrounded by girls - admiring the head-piece and touching the burlap. Was it the burlap that was "scratchy?"

JOEL: "scratchy"

BLOG: I attended that party dressed as "The Sheik" - a costume I rented from Bittner’s. It was such an agonizing decision - which costume to wear - but when I got to the party and saw your home-made costume, I felt truly like a dork. Do you recall if "Gib-stone" attended?

JOEL: Guitar god Steve Gibson did inhabit one of the Round Houses - but it was a costume party, I didn’t see him.

BLOG: As to the origin of "VD Society" - I always thought that someone wanted to plan a Valentines Day party, but thought that concept too lame. I surmised they used the letters "VD" which sounded so, well, hip (Remember, this was the ‘70's, when the worst VD there was could be cured by a shot). Weren’t we so young, brash and clever?

JOEL: Jiambo!

BLOG: I recall a certain guest of honor arriving at the party, in a horse-driven carriage, complete with a Footman, wearing a "Southern Belle" gown. There was much pomp and ceremony attending. This lady was a friend to all Vandy Students, and operated an establishment on Church Street - "The Southerner" - can you sweep away some cobwebs and recall her name?

JOEL: Mrs. Mize?

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of February 13, 2009, the Blog roster stands at 95 Beta Pi brothers, 87 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses, and 6 ATO Girlfriends-o-Yore. If you have an e-mail address on a Brother, or sister - fugetaboutit!

VTL,
Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2009, No.02 - Tison Tours Cordner-Land

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. THE BLOG HAS MOVED TO A NEW ADDRESS. To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com/ .

FRANK BILLER PROMOTES FIRST-CLASS AIR TRAVEL: I got this from Past-Potentate Frank J. Biller fbiller1@msn.com , who - along with Vinny starr2456@comcast.net - was a very close friend of my Dad, George Simons. Thanks, Buck!

"This is why George Simons always flew "1-C Baby!".

* * * *

TISON TOURS CORDNER-LAND: Venerable Tison Keel tison.keel@hotmail.com sent me this e-mail the other day regarding his coincidental tour of Jim Cordner’s home in Houston.

"Larry, do you recall a Tic brother named Jim Cordner, class of '74 I think? I was looking at homes in the Houston area last weekend, (we're looking at moving down there in about a year - another story) and found a VU diploma on the wall in one bearing that name. I was pretty sure I remembered an active a year or two older than us named Jim Cordner, though I didn't remember him being around the house a lot.

Anyway, the owner was not at home, so I left a note with my name and phone, asking if he was a Beta Pi ATO, and the scumbag never called me back. So either he wasn't a Tic, or he was a typical Tic who keeps his head down and never calls, never writes....

Do you have his name on the Blog list?

Yes, Jim Cordner cordnerjp@hotmail.com is Class of 1974, and I confirmed the Houston address with Tison, who agreed to be interviewed by Beta Pi Blog:

INTERVIEW WITH TISON KEEL

BLOG: So Tison, what was Cordner-Land like? Any features in the home that "stood out?"

TISON: Well, the love swing and mirror ball in the master BR did catch my eye. If I were to make an offer, I would be sure to insist that stays, along with the window treatments, washer & drier.

BLOG: Cordner was known to be a "ladies man" - and an "Elvis fan." Rumor had it that Cordner had devoted a room in his house, which he modeled after the famous "Jungle Room" at Graceland. Tell us how thick the shag carpet was?

TISON: I guess that would be the daughter's bedroom. Definitely over the top, but no shag or jungle, except for the 4 or 5 large hydroponic potted plants bearing palmate, serrated leaves, under high intensity gro-lamps which also illuminated several colorful posters of Jimi and Cream! The daughter let me into the locked room only after I pledged not to discuss its interior with her parents.

Life sized wax model of the King (white jump suit & scarf years) was in the entrance hall.

BLOG: Jim was an incredibly loyal Tau, and was known to have an occasional drink. I had heard he built a bar, similar to the Zebra Room Bar. Any truth to that?

TISON: Now that you mention it, that explains the boy's bedroom - painted black, had astroturf carpet, and a long red vinyl sofa built into one wall. However, not fully authentic, because there was no zebra painted on the wall. The bar was well stocked, but also cleverly hidden for those Sundays when the preacher came for a visit. A large bookcase in the family room was hinged on one side, and swung open to reveal a keg tap, wine rack and enviable collection of 15+ year-old, single malt whiskeys.

BLOG: While at Vanderbilt, Cordner was known never to miss a meal prepared by Alex & Laura. Tell us about the Cordner kitchen?

TISON: Not remarkable. Lots of stainless steel and cooking vessels hanging on hooks. Living room made me feel at home, though. Couple of long, sagging sofas, marked with various stains, card table in the corner, Advent speakers hanging on the walls. Noted some repair was needed for a hole above the fireplace and several broken ceiling tiles. Also there was a yellow 1948 Buick parked in the side yard that would need to be towed. Overall a most pleasant abode!

BLOG: Thanks, Tison! Here’s hoping this lights a fire beneath Cordner, who is due in Nashville in October for his 35th - Reunion ‘09.

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of February 3, 2009, the Blog roster stands at 95 Beta Pi brothers, 87 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses, and 6 ATO Girlfriends-o-Yore. If you have an e-mail address on a Brother, or sister - fugetaboutit!

VTL,

Larry Simons
Beta Pi, 72