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!!.