Did anyone happen to get the plate number of that truck that ran over the presidential debate moderator Jim Lehrer last night? It had a Massachusetts plate.
Jim Lehrer, the 78 year old executive editor of "PBS Newhour" lost control of the debate early on when Mitt Romney decided that he was going to have the last word in every exchange. For an analysis of the "road kill" that was Jim Lehrer's performance last night see here.
Of course I'm not blaming President Obama's passive performance last night on Lehrer. Obama could have challenged Romney on many of his inconsistencies but for whatever reason Obama decided to play "presidential." Maybe President Obama has been in the presidential bubble too long to know how to react to Romney's hyperactive performance last night. I'm sure no one has ever talked to Obama in the past four years like Romney talked to him last night. Maybe Obama was in shock.
What really surprises me that President Obama never brought up the "47%", Bain Capital or his support of the Medicare voucher plan that Romney supports.
Next up is the vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan. I predict that Joe Biden will wipe up the floor with Ryan.
The week after is the second presidential debate. I'm making no predictions. I just hope Obama wakes up and challenges Romney.
Fay Jacobs conducting memoir writing class this morning
Watch out folks! I just returned from my first memoir writing class! Expect to see future posts at this location much improved. Promise!
This memoir writing class was conducted by Fay Jacobs, writer and publisher of local and national renown. This is the first writing class I've taken in my life. The reason I didn't take one before was that I didn't want to get all hung up on all the dangling participles and never ending sentences in prepositions. However, when I saw that Fay was giving this class, I knew I was going to learn something about writing that was practical and usable and be entertained as well. I wasn't disappointed.
"It was a dark and stormy night..................."
"Ron" - 1962 - after the transformation from "Ronnie"
Ronald Walter Tipton
That's my name, don't wear it out.
Like many of you I have several nicknames that I have accumulated over the past three score and ten years (that's 70 for those of you who don't know the Gettysburg Address reference).
"Little Ronnie" - 1948
My given name these days is "Ron." However, I wasn't always a "Ron." In fact I gave myself that nickname after I joined the Army in 1960, when I was 18 years old. Prior to me leaving home, I was always known as "Ronnie" (which I didn't like) or "Ronald" (usually called that by teachers and my Mother when I was in trouble.)
"Ronnie" - 1952
The first few months when I was in the Army I was known by my last name only "Tipton" as were almost all of my fellow trainees. Oh yes, during the eight weeks of basic training my name was "F__cking Trainee" as were almost all of my fellow recruits.
Transformation complete - now "Ron" - 1962
After basic training I was sent to Army Security Agency training school in Fort Devens, Massachusetts. While there I continued to be known by one name "Tipton." Then, as I began forming close friendships I was asked my my first name was. I decided then and there to make a BIG CHANGE. This was my opportunity to get rid of the hated "Ronnie" which to me always sounded like a girl's name (short for Veronica of "Archie" comic book fame). Heretofore I was to be known as "RON".
"Ron" at First Financial Bank - 2000
During my three years in the Army I met a lot of people, made many friends and when I left the service in January of 1963 I was probably known by more people as "RON" than "Ronnie." However, once I returned home I was called "Ronnie."
"Ron" - 1976
In the ensuing years friends from my Army days and subsequent civilian job years overlapped with my pre-Army days. Each side was somewhat amused when I was called either "Ron" or "Ronnie."
"Ronald" - 1959 - shortly before I joined the Army and before the change to "Ron"
Yesterday I attended my 53rd annual high school class reunion. Most people referred to me as "Ronnie". A few, who have known me over the years now call me "Ron."
"Ron" - 1968
Now for my other nicknames. My two younger brothers have a special nickname for me that they have called me for years. I don't know the origin of this nickname but I suspect that it contains a bit of tinge of sarcasm because I am the older, smarter, and better looking brother which I find I have to constantly remind them of this fact. Are you ready? Their preferred nickname for me is: "Buck". Yep, Buck. And they always say it with a special emphasis on the last syllable "ck." Uh huh. They sort of spit it out if you knoow what I mean. I always suspected there was an undercurrent of disrespect in their tone. I don't think they quite bought into my first born superiority over them.
Brothers Isaac, John and "Buck" - July 25, 1956
I have some other nicknames out there that are unique to one person. One long time friend usually calls me "Tipper" or "Tip." That is a common nickname for us of the Tipton family. Not much original there. In fact, my brother calls his wife "Tipper" and she's not even a blood Tipton so go figure.
"Ron" - 1984
One of my co-workers at the Philadelphia bank where I worked in a previous life always called me "Handsome" and "Good-looking", which I didn't mind AT ALL. I don't think he ever called me by my given name, first or last. I really liked that guy. He always made me smile.
Mellon Bank Days - 1982 "Handsome/Goodlooking" days (thank you)
Now for the pet names. The main one My Bill uses is "Pots." Where does that come from? Very simple. He used to call me "Sweetie Pie" which evolved into "Sweetie Pots" and eventually he shortened over the years to "Pots." Embarrassing isn't it?
Sunday I traveled to Lionville, Pennsylvania for my 53rd high school class reunion which was held at the Chicago Bar and Grill. I'm one of those class members who likes to go to the class reunions. Actually, I only like to go to my high school class reunion because I know everybody. I don't go to my college class reunion because I wouldn't know a soul there. I went to night school at Peirce College in Philadelphia on the G.I. Bill for three nights a week for four years. My fellow class members were just a blur to me. But my former high school class members, we're all friends and keep in touch over the years.
The Downingtown High School Class of 1959 - 53 years later Sept. 23, 2012
This year I asked my friend and fellow blogger Mark of "Our Simple Lives" to take photos for me. I asked him at the last minute almost. Fortunately Mark obliged and took some great photos which I am now sharing with my classmates and will post on future blogs.
Jean Timmerman and Ron Tipton - I always sat behind Jean in class back in those alphabetical class seating days.
Notice that we're color coordinated. No, we didn't call each other the night before the reunion to check.
Jean - 1959 graduation photo
Ron - 1959 graduation photo
I really enjoyed seeing all of my OLD classmates and am looking forward to next year's reunion.
Monday morning I had an early dental appointment (7:30 am). I got my teeth (and partial dentures) cleaned and came out clean without any new cavities. There's no room left for cavities in my mouth!
Wednesday I had the big stress test. THAT took about three hours. I don't want to go through another one of those anytime soon. They don't call it a STRESS TEST for nothing. My electrocardiogram indicates an extra "blip", that is why I've been undergoing a series of heart test the past few weeks. While I was on the treadmill the doctor said the "blip" disappeared. However I am still getting those little whiffs of highs (lightheadedness) all day long. I think that has something to do with the "blips." We'll see, my appointment with my cardiologist is next week and he will go over the findings with me. Funs time folks!. Maybe this old body is slowing down. Do you think?
I'm working Mondays and Tuesdays at the hotel. My new days work out fine. I feel like I have a longer week by having the rest of the week off. Previously I worked Wednesdays and Thursdays. I felt like I had a shortened week. These days work better for me too because all my appointments and other activities seem to occur later in the week. The only downside to my new days is that I don't make as many reservations because the beginning of the week is usually considered the slow time in the hotel business.
Bill and I had a little issue with the car. He can't help himself, he's an inveterate backseat driver. We now have a New Rule. Whenever we go someplace together, he will drive. We were hoping to buy our friend's car but that doesn't look like that's going to happen in our lifetime. This is the friend who has dementia and his partner can't make a decision. The hubcaps on his car already has spider webs. I guess then mold appears on the car they'll be ready to sell. It's just as well. We don't have room to store another car anyway.
I love this! With all the bad news bombarding us these days and the deluge of presidential campaign ads it was refreshing to see this short video.
Carrie Underwood, queen of country and western music (sorry about that Faith Hill) and former American Idol winner (2005) saw a sign held up in her audience from a 12 year old boy asking her to give him his first kiss. Carrie gave him a wink and asked him up on stage. She asked him what kind of kiss did he want. He, being no fool asked for one ON THE LIPS! He wasn't about to get just a peck on the cheek.
I'm way past my first kiss. In fact I can hardly remember my first kiss. Yes, it was with a GIRL. I think it was either Mary Jane Chudleigh, my 10 year old neighbor. Her parents had arranged a date for us to go to the local cheapie, traveling carnival. I was thrilled to have my FIRST DATE. I liked Mary Jane and all but I knew something was missing after that first kiss. No lightening bolts or the parting of the Red Sea.
Mary Jane with my best friend Larry - about 1951 - the time of my "date"
Now, do you want to know my REAL first kiss? Of course you do! It was in 1963. I had just gotten out of the Army after a three year stint. I moved to Pittsburgh, PA to come out as a gay man (called "homosexual" back in those times). I didn't want to come out at home and embarrass my family by my homosexuality. You have to remember back in those Dark Ages, homosexuality was still against the law in many states, including Pennsylvania. I had just completed three years in the Army Security Agency, 2 1/2 years working for the National Security Agency at Ft. Meade. I lived with the threat of being exposed any day as a HOMOSEXUAL and thus lose my clearance and kicked out of the Army. Of course my FIRST KISS didn't happen while I was in the Army. But it did happen soon after.
I moved to Pittsburgh because a gay friend of mine (he was in the Air Force) lived near Pittsburgh (Elizabeth). He got out a few months before I did. He told me he could "show me around." And did he ever! Back in those days all the gay bars were either in the back of the regular bar of behind a speak easy type door. This particular bar was in McKessport. We went in (the four of us) and took a table. The song playing on the juke box was "Where Are You" by Dinah Washington.
"Joe", my "First Kiss" (nice lips by the way)
After my eyes became accustomed to the dark, I looked across the bar floor and saw HIM. He was gorgeous! Dancing was going on. Slow dancing. So, naive as I was I got up from our table and went to his table where HE was with his friends and asked him to dance. This was before I learned the gay art of cruising. I was very direct, which surprised my friends and HIM.
When I approached his table he looked up quizzically, wondering what I wanted. I asked him "Would you like to dance?" He was a bit taken aback because he hadn't made eye contact with me before I had boldly asked him to dance. He gave a slight "why not?" smile, looked back to his friends at his table with a look that said "What the hell?"
He got up, held out his arms to meet mine and we glided across the dance floor to Ruby and the Romantics singing "Our Day Will Come." He smelled good. He also had a ruler in his pants pocket. We had matching rulers.
He told me his name, Joe Labriola. He lived in Pittsburgh and was a professional ice skater for the Ice Capades. The picture in this blog (the only one I have of him) was taken of him in Mexico City, Mexico during one of his tours in 1963.
After the song ended he went back to his table but not before giving me his phone number.
I called him the next day. We made a date. He invited me over to his apartment that he shared with his mother. She made roast pork and sauerkraut, my favorite. DELICIOUS! Later, after she retired to her bedroom Joe and I sat on the couch. We talked. Then he leaned over and KISSED ME ON THE LIPS!. Lightening bolts! The parting of the Red Sea! Dear Jesus! So this is what kissing is all about! We kissed some more. We MADE OUT! So this this what I was missing on all those dates in the back seat of my friend's car at the Exton Drive-In. Vivian was nice but....
Ironically, that was as far as I got with Joe. I was too backwards then to do more (which I have since made up for by the way). I don't know what happened to Joe. I left Pittsburgh after three months because I was homesick for my home in Downingtown, which is a suburb of Philadelphia.
I began going out to the bars in Philadelphia. I met other guys. We kissed. But those kisses were never the same as my first kiss with Joe. THAT could never be duplicated.
I hope this young boy who got his first kiss from Carrie Underwood will carry as fond a memory over the years as I have from my first kiss.
Hey, Romney scares me too! Babies, like dogs know when somebody is BAD.
I have to admit I am enjoying the total collapse of the Romney campaign for president. After the real Romney was revealed in the now infamous "47%" tape, almost all of the polls have turned in favor of President Obama and for good reason. The hidden tape revealed what Mitt Romney really believes, he DOESN'T CARE about the "47%" nor does he care or understand about most of the rest of the country. The only people he cares about are the "1%" of his fellow plutocrats who want to further plunder this country for their own benefit.
Did you all see Senator Jim Webb's speech a few days ago on this subject? What really galls me about Romney is his total failure in understanding or supporting our veterans, who are in the "47%." This is the same Romney who spent his Vietnam eligibility years in France on a beach sending a postcard to his future wife Ann. See here. I don't blame Romney for avoiding the draft, I did too. That's why I joined the Army (for three years) so I would have some say (not much as it turned out) over where I went in the Army. Romney supported the Vietnam war. He demonstrated for the support of the draft. But oh, he wasn't about to be drafted. Oh no, not Mitt Romney. Romney was quite content to let someone else go in his place to the rice paddies of Vietnam and die or be injured in a senseless war.
Mitt Romney on a French beach 1968 making sand postcards to his future wife while some of his peers were dying in Vietnamese rice paddies
Then, when Romney returns safe and sound from la France after the Vietnam war, he marries Ann and they produce five sons. Of course NONE of the sons saw fit to offer their service to this country either. But Romney is quite content to make use of the freedoms of this country and it's capital markets to make a fortune for himself and his family.
Now he wants to complete his resume and be president of the United States of America. I assume part of the reason he wants to be president is to avenge his father George Romney's aborted run for the presidency of the U.S. after his famous "brainwashed" statement after he returned from a fact finding mission in Vietnam. The elder Romney claimed that the generals "brainwashed" him into believing the United States was winning the war in Vietnam. I also think Romney wants to be president because he really believes it is HIS DUE. After all, he was born with a silver foot spoon in his mouth and in his mind it is only right that he should be president. After all, he LOOKS LIKE A PRESIDENT. Qualification enough for someone like Mittsy. The current version of the Republican Party is only too glad to support him because they see him as an vehicle that they can manipulate for their goals of further tax cuts, and eliminating all social safety net programs. Yes folks, they do want to take us back to the 19th century. That's why they are called conservatives. If the 19th century (with child labor, low wages, seven day works weeks and the elderly living in chicken coops) was good enough for their ancestors, it's good enough for you!
Some of my best friends wear these - they're called "Republican glasses"
Here is what really scares me folks. Yesterday I was talking to a longtime friend who I like and respect. He is a conservative Republican and Romney supporter as most of those of my age group. I casually asked him if he had seen the hidden video clip where Romney mentioned he didn't care about the 47%. My friend's reaction? It was the usual knee jerk reaction "Oh THAT! That doesn't mean anything. That's just the news media taking things the wrong way."
Friends, this is what really scares me....that so many people like my friend yesterday have these horse blinders on and can't see the obvious even when it is right in front of them. They think the whole collapse of the Romney campaign is the result of a biased news media rather than the failure of the candidate. Romney said in his "47%" video "I'll never have their support." He was referring to the 47% of "victims" who think they are "entitled" to "health care, a job, and a home." How about the other 47% like my friends who wear the horse blinders? They my friends will ALWAYS vote for an empty vessel like Romney.
More images of my conservative friends - they're tuned in to "Faux News"
One thing is for sure though, that baby Romney was holding yesterday wasn't fooled.
