THINKING.......'N'.......DRINKING

Have you ever started to sit and think.....................while you have your glass of evening wine.........or your cold beer? Well, that's exactly what's happening as I write this. Got my glass of Vito's house wine, my computer and my thinking cap. What a combination!!!

Growing up, as I have said many times before, was a real hard chore..............some of the best memories of life. Mom and Dad were great assets to my life. Now, in all honesty, I certainly did not think that 100% of the time .......at that time..........but at my age now I must confess how they were the biggest influence of my entire life. Prior to Junior high school, I can only remember how Mom would walk me to school. After the first month, I felt she could feel how embarrassed I was to get my kiss on the cheek at the steps to the school and a loving wave " have a nice day in school, Vito" only a handful of other kids would have to go through that ritual. After that first month, Mom would still walk me to school but would leave me further and further away from those steps but still with the loving wave. Dad also could see how embarrassed I was becoming to be dropped off at school in Dad's 1930 chevy , after all this was 1941, so he would drop me off a block away but would make sure he could see me entering the school doors. I think it was about the forth grade when I was able to convince them that it was about time I could walk with a small group of friends those 4 blocks to school. Junior high school was different though, it was about 2 miles from home but then again I was now 12 years old and even though, I still walked with 2 or 3 of my buddies I was realizing my independence. After school activities were somewhat limited in those days. I don't recall any organized team sports but we did stay for a while around the school yard for a pick up game of basketball or baseball, most times though, we met other classmates at the hamburger joint for a 25 cent hamburger and a soda. Now................all of this time was leading up to high school, which was immediately next door to the Junior high school, but now being 14, and starting team sports, and all kind of school activities my life was completely changing. AAHHH !!!! the magical moment had officially arrived.

School was from 9AM - 3PM. If you were lucky enough to be on a high school sports team, practice was every day starting at 3:30 and lasting until 5:30. After practice there was time for a shower and the walk home which usually brought me home about 6:30. Dad insisted that I was home by then because the family always sat down together for dinner. I was lucky enough to play varsity basketball and baseball for three of the four years in High school, Junior varsity in my freshman year. During football season, which I never did play I was in the marching band. For some reason I thought I was part of a military school in my band uniform. We spent our afternoon with Mr. Schuloff marching around in formation that we would do during half time on Saturdays. What a site that was. Cheerleaders jumping around, baton twirlers throwing their batons into the air and catching them behind their backs while jumping and doing a quarter turn..............or bending over in their short skirts picking up the baton from the ground...........flag bearers twirling the flags .........all the while the band was playing our FIGHT song and marching in formation trying to spell out STILLETTO!!!!!!! One thing I realized though, the uniform attracted a certain type of girl who kept following us around...........until I discovered they were the drummers and cymbal players who was always in the back of the formation.

High school was the start of my personality coming out. I found it quite easy to make friends, could speak on most subjects and voiced my opinion with ease.......something I still do. I hung out with most of the athletes and the cheerleaders and I remember when not practicing I would always find something to talk about with some of the nerdy folks. I remember my dad always saying to me. "Son it's not what you know............it's who you know" dad, you were so right. He would tell me that I could always find out what I wanted to know by studying or looking it up... or better yet ask someone , but their was no replacement for friendship and being accepted.....as a friend. That stayed with me until this day..........it's not what you know.........it's who you know and I will admit that it has payed off several times.
I can hold a conversation with the best of them without embarrassing myself. I hold my fork and knife properly, I chew my food with my mouth closed but I can also chew it with my mouth open.......depending on who I'm with..............the secret is, by my dad's words.........never let the person you are with, feel that you are better than them or below them. always treat them on an even keel. Thanks dad. and thanks to my high school friends who gave me those MAGICAL YEARS!!.

FRANKFURT AIRPORT........FROM OUT OF THE PAST

To all my German Friends............I'm sorry to have to inform you that German engineering has finally failed you. Your cars are among the world's best, your machinery among the world's most ingenius.................................................Not having seen all your airports I have to reserve the right to adjust my opinion...........................BUT HAVING JUST BEEN THROUGH FRANKFURT AIRPORT, there is only one word

WOW!!!!!!.......What a relic. I'm not quite sure if they have ever completed building or if they are continuosly rebuilding this airport but in MY opinion, I can honestly say, that compared to all the other airports in the world that I have either landed at or transitted, Frankfurt is within the top three list of the worst. The only one that I can presently say was worst was Teheran during the 60's where when you entered the transit hall, the first thing that one would see were the old fashion ceiling fans with the paddle pads. The fans were used, of course to circulate whatever wind there was around the room to simulate air conditioning.....................what one did not know, was that the blades moved so slow that it circulated nothing and that even the flies had no problem hanging onto these slow moving blades and were able to spread their wings to cool their armpits. The other factor was that they served complimentary orange juice with one ice cube but I'm sure it was camel urine.



Frankfurt airport to my knowledge, has no jetways..........at least I did not see any planes parked at the gates. They simply part the aircraft on the tarmac unload the passengers and bus them into concorse ""B"" of the mail terminal. Here again, I saw no evidence of how passengers would be protected from the weather and can only visualize, passenger soak to their underwear in any kind of rain..............well, so much for wanting to look good for whoever might be waiting for you...............or caring about your comfort for ongoing flights.


We knew that our connecting flight to Vienna was leaving from terminal ""A"" but we still had to make it over to Terminal A from B and we had 3 hours to do it. How hard could that be??? WEll, let me tell you. Never in my mind did I ever sense I would have trouble with the alphabet. We knew we had to find gate A-15. Simple process....... We saw the sign tht said ALL A GATES............ we say the sign that said A51-A60, we saw the sign that said A20-A40 and also the sign that said A40-A51 now where the hell is the sign for gates A1-20. OOHHH Margot, here it is but why is it sending us down 3 flights of stairs. Guess we can only do what it says and find out why later. Down the 3 flights of stairs, throught the only door available elevator up one flight and down a corridor with a moving sidewalk .........however half of the 5280 ft. moving sidewalk was out of service so huffing and puffing our way through the bowels of this airport I decided that I had to sit for a moment.........now the best part.......I figured, I might as well kill two birds with one stone, so I began looking for a men's room. Well, my friends, that was not an easy chore. I couldn't locate one but I did find 4 portable construction type stalls,about 4 times the size of a HONEY BUCKET containing a toilet and a sink with a small mirror and a paper towel dispensor.............2 marked MEN...........2 marked WOMEN..............now where do I keep my handbaggage, certainly there was not enough room for that also. What would my answer be if someone was to ask me if I had left my baggage out of my sight? Thank goodness, Margot did not have to sit at the same time as me so she could actually watch the bags. Now that part of the trip to concouse A was almost complete........................but we still had not located A15.....................OH by God, there it is. Now, we simply go up to the gate agent, introduce ourselves, get our seat and get on the next aircraft and just think it only took 2 hours transit time.


The standby system leaves much to be desired. We were told by the gate agent to simply take a seat and we will be called when accepted. No problem.....................we knew the drill after some 50 years of standing by for flights. We sat like good airline employees and waited never disturbing the gate agents as we had learned in the early years...................................bad mistake. We watched as people were coming out of the woodworks and boading this flight, thoughts going through our minds that perhaps we would not make this flight..................but what can we do??? Finally the first acknowledgement from the gate agent." Aren't you suppose to be on this flight?" "Why yes. but our names have not yet been called, said I" Well, said the gate agent, If you would had checked the screen over on the wall next to the drink machine you would have seen you were accepted for the flight" " but no one told us that we had to do that, we were simply told to have a seat and we would be called" " we'll what do you think that means" I'm sorry, I must have lost something in the translation from German to Hungarian back to German and then to English. Now, the bus is waiting..............so out the door down a flight of stairs.......left.........no door....right.......OK Margot, there's the bus. Ten minutes later we pull up to our Aircraft, up the stairs. OH BOY! middle seats, OMG who are these wrestlers I get to sit in between . Excuse me............sir...............man, I can't move my arms and my hands are now between my legs, I hope these guys do not get the wrong idea. If need be, I don't think I can reach up to pull down my oxygen mask........oh well it's only an hour flight. I can hold my breath. I'll try to sleep the hour. Landing already?? at the gate thank goodness but my whole body is numb and I think I have retained water...........my feet feel swollen. Margot where are you? wait for me inside the building while I get my body unnumbed. OK let's get our baggage and hope that Lisa is outside waiting for us. Down esculator to baggage claim number 3. AHH this is how it is suppose to be. There's our bags.............no problem no customs just follow the green signs. I hope Lisa is waiting for us. Doors to the free world is now opening. Look at all those people outside. I hope Lisa is waiting for us. Will she be able to find us. Margot, perhaps I should call for her..................LISA!! LISA!!! LISA!!!! why are all those people looking at me. Can't they see, I'm old. Margot, hurry up. Lisa has found us. I told you calling her would work. Lisa over here,................................................let's go have a glass of wine and I will tell you about an airport like no other. Dad, remember, I just transitted that airport a few months ago.

I hope for Frankfurt's sake that it is reconstruction that they are going through even though I saw no signs to that effect. Just after experiencing a very nice flight with outstanding service all that was good was just taken away. Who ever controls German airports need a lot of help. ......FAST.

HIGH SCHOOL.....................THE LEARNING YEARS!!!!!

Here, I stand, at the threshold to my Alma Mater........as a fourteen years old and ready to rock and roll my way through the halls of higher education........my stepping stone to the future. All I could say was WOWWIE ! This is my chance to set my goals in life. What shell I be in the future. Doctor, Lawyer. Indian Chief, fireman, policeman, garbage collector, a famous movie set designer, famous athlete, stand up comic, paper comb player.........OHHHH choices....choices.........choices, but it's all up to you Vito. PICK ONE! WELL, as it turned out..........NONE OF THE ABOVE!!! I tried my hand at many things over some 45 years.........(of course all while I had a steady job and a good wage) but there just wasn't that oooommmppph to get me to change.
I must first explain to you a little about the education system in New York. New York is a Regents system. Meaning that from grade 9-12 Albany, the state capital, initiated the testing and exam system for the major subjects i.e. English, Math, Social Studies and Science, along with some language subjects. The subject content along with all timed, exams were issued by the State and was the same for all state supported schools. With this in mind it was mandatory for all students to take these subjects in those mentioned grades to 1- graduated from High School and 2- qualify for an accredited college. If I can recall a student needed 18 credits to graduate which meant 2 credits were needed in an elective subject but in planning your curriculum, one tries to save those 2 credits for the senior year .............better known as the relaxing year. There were also alternatives that one could look at. If for example one did not necessarily plan to go to college you could select to take English and Math for four years and Social Studies and a Science for 3 years each giving you 4 elective points needed to graduate. If you planned to go to a trade school after high school, you would take English and Math for 4 years, Social Studies for 3 years and 2 years for Science leaving 6 credits for electives. OOOOHHHHHH I'm getting a headache. At any rate you had to have your first year (freshman year) of high school planned before the summer so that the first days of high school were spent getting in those classes you wanted. I decided to go for broke my first year. English, Algebra, Social Studies and Biology and since there was this hot Spanish teach I gave it a whirl. As, we very early on in that class learned NO PROBLEMO......I could say, I breezed my freshman year. Carried a B average and even found time for Junior Varsity Baseball and Basketball. Now, as far as I was concerned, If I could understand all that.................I was ready for college.


Keeping all that in mind, it was no wonder my Sophomore year was a little more difficult. All, because.........I still didn't know what I was going to be. At the end of the second year I finished with a B minus or perhaps it was a strong C plus, but my social popularity was certainly a strong B plus.


The start of my Junior year (3rd year) was kind of cool. Started to drive over the summer and had my own wheels. A 1936 Chevrolet coupe with a rumble seat. Great paint job, Orange body with brown fenders. OMG whuz I ever cool. Paid $35 for the car which left some cash for some new threads. Chino pants with the cuff about an inch above my white bucks, chartreuse socks, striped long sleeve shirt rolled up and a crew cut. Classes this year would make any scholar envious, Trigonometry, English, Chemistry and foreign History. Lucky I had room for two electives, cooking and sewing. Double lettered this year in baseball and basketball. Played baritone sax in the dance band. WHOOOWWWIIIEEE!!!

Double dating in this car was an adventure. Use to go the the drive in. Just outside the drive in the other couple would get folded up in the rumble seat, we would drive in and as soon as we found THAT spot, the rumble seat would open up. The money saved on the entrance fee was for the tube steaks and drinks.

This was the year that Chemistry only lasted 6 months for me. Mr McDonald called my mom to school just to tell her that all my experiments WERE AWFUL and his suggestion to have me take another subject..............like wood shop.....................would be more productive for my future. Oh Ya, lot he knew!!!


My Senior year was, by far, the best. Now, that I knew I was not going to go to Princeton, I could relax a little and concentrate on more important things. Getting at least 4 points to graduate. Well, I certainly accomplished that in style. Math class was adding and subtracting, English was cool, shop, sewing II and it was a flip between ironing and art so I decided to take 3 months of each. Double lettered again and this year played the clarinet in the dance band.


Senior picnics at Jones beach, parties galore, now..........this is school...................

Only thing I really regret at this time was not taking more pictures. I'm going to include just a few of what I found with descriptions or at least what I remember.


This first picture is of Chrissie Schner and a friend. I should actually know her name but cannot recall it.

Holloween Party at my house in 1954

Yup!! it was 1954

Our School marching band was kinda small, so we had to spell out words, one letter at a time. Here we are forming the letter "O". The last letter in the word ""STILLETO""

One truth to this year. I WISH I COULD HAVE STUDIED MORE!!!! Socially it was a ten. Interlectually it was a 78............percent. OH, what the hell ...........3 points to spare. One very useless thing I learned that year.....................how to correctly dawn a sock using the weave method...............but I aced it out with an "A". Never did use it, if I had a hole in my sock, just went a bought another pair stocked up on them since at that time it was 3 pair for $.39. Anyone looking for size 6 argyle socks .........never worn??????? The other class I excelled at that Senior year (another Big "A") was cooking. Thanks Mom, those Anisette cookies were the hit of the class.

These years will never leave my memory. Now at 73 years old, I still start talking about the ""OLD DAYS"" and the ""OLD FRIENDS"" whenever I can.

Thanks to all those ""OLD FRIENDS"" that are still around. Those were great years.