Miami Bound…

THE CALL:

On 4/19/06, mary xxxxx wrote:

Classmates, I’ve gotten several bios since I sent out the email about doing this for the reunion and will put something together via email for the reunion. Please let me know what you think about posting it on the website. I may just print up some copies that people can add to while they’re at the reunion. Include your name with your email, maiden if it has changed since high school

I’ve come up with a general format which might be helpful if you haven’t sent anything in yet:

1. Current residence (city, state)
2. Education/military – would be especially interested in hearing about our Vietnam vets
3. Life work
3. Family info
4. Interests/hobbies

Feel free to expound or just send the basics, but would really like to hear from you all.
Mary

THE RESPONSE:

1. Current residence: Baton Rouge, Louisiana (aka hurricane evacuee central)

2. Education/military – would be especially interested in hearing about our Vietnam vets: Attended Auburn University 1967 – 1969. Transferred to LSU in 1969. Didn’t even have to get rid of any “Tiger” paraphernalia that way. Graduated with a BA (stands for Bs Artist) in English in 1971. Got my Masters in Psychology – Counseling & Guidance from the University of Northern Colorado in 1977. Air Force ROTC scholarship recipient at LSU (times were rough for the military in the early 70s so they were handing out scholarships like they were FEMA checks) so entered active duty in 1972 and remained for a career, retiring in 1996. Served my Viet Nam time under ground in the nuclear missile silos in Tucson, Arizona as a launch officer. Yup…while most of you folks were sleeping safely in your beds at night, I had my finger on the “button” – aren’t you glad you didn’t know that back then?

3. Life work: Various Air Force assignments. Following the nuclear missile duty, most of my work in the Air Force was related to Education and Training (remember…those who can’t “do” – teach) and other combat support functions. Since my retirement in 1996, I have worked for the State of Louisiana for the Office of Telecommunications Management. When we’re not looting, we provide the IT goods and services to all agencies throughout the state. My role is as a technical writer and editor for service/equipment contracts and Requests for Proposals – basically I put verbs, adverbs, and other modifiers to engineers’ nouns (and correct atrocious spelling for those too lazy to even use spell check).

4. Family info: In 1969, while in a drunken stupor, I proposed to a Cajun gal I had originally met on a blind date and here, 36 years, 4 months, eight days later…(those Cajuns take that marriage stuff seriously I tell ya). Three kids. My oldest son is 32 and is living with us for ONE MORE MONTH ONLY (I say…his mother may say differently as she has for the last six months). He is a Hurricane Katrina evacuee from New Orleans so is milking that puppy with dear old Mom and Dad for all it’s worth. Second son is 29 and lives in Birmingham, Alabama. Moved there from New Orleans about two weeks before Katrina, but all of his belongings were still stored…in New Orleans. My daughter is 26 and lives in New Orleans. She too was an evacuee but only stayed with us for two weeks (I always did love her best). She went back to New Orleans, staying where she could, to help her employers get their business up and running again (and to be with her boyfriend there…the real incentive). None married so I have no (known) grandchildren. Second son and my daughter have serious girlfriend/boyfriend, but neither talks of marriage any time soon. Oldest dates, but who wants to be serious about a 32-year-old who lives with his parents (as I keep reminding him)?

5. Interests/hobbies: (1) Love hanging with my adult children – no longer “parent” them, instead enjoy our friendships. (2) College football. Avid Auburn fan (having worn the uniform) and just very slightly less avid LSU fan. Have LSU season tickets and even on occasion actually make it into the game from the tailgate party. (3) Motorcycling – a weekender Hell’s Angel wannabe. Many co-workers who have seen me all duded up and on the bike don’t recognize me. I wanted to get a few appropriate tattoos, but…I heard it kinda hurts some. (4) Hanging with my buds at our local pub during Happy Hour once or twice a week – blessed to have made a lot of friends in my downtown work location. (5) Creative writing when I get a chance…since the writing I do at work is so friggin’ boooooring. (6) Public speaking (especially during Happy Hour for some reason…)

Phaedrus