James Copher:  

READ THIS STORY. I am seeding this "STORY" with the provided "Story Wizard". I will widen the scope as memories gel. A couple of rules: 1) initials for known graduates from SHS (as I recall) 2) fuller names for all others and the known deceased ------------------------------ Idea 3 of 30 How do you blow off steam? Describe your favorite way to relax. A tight pair of Wellies and a handful of Czech fireworks. ------------------------------ Idea 6 of 30 Do you have a hero? Talk about where your inspiration comes from. Hero: Keanu Reeves in "Point Break", surfing, sky-diving, and guns, enough said. Inspiration: "It usually takes me two or three weeks to prepare an impromptu speech." Mark Twain ------------------------------ Idea 7 of 30 Where have you lived? Why did you move? Texas (8 locations), Arkansas (2), Florida (1), Georgia (5), chasing a dream or one step ahead of the authorities, you could choose either and be safely accurate. ------------------------------ Idea 9 of 30 Sports. Reality TV. Pets. Share your obsessions. Rugby Union (All) Football (Glasgow Celtic, Liverpool) Racing (F1,SBK) That "Amazing Race" thing intrigues the crap out of me. Travel and unchecked personality quirks, who could ask for more. Cats good, dogs bad, or food. I have been to several countries where they really know how to dress and spice a dog dish, yum! ------------------------------ Idea 10 of 30 Life doesn't always turn out the way you expect. What's been your biggest surprise? I am still alive and relatively mobile, who'd have thought it considering all the motorcycle wrecks, skiing mishaps, rugby union, that sky-diving faux-pas, and those three whiskey soaked days of "Army Golf" in San Diego I'd like to take back from the early eighties. I was sitting in Essin Clinic one day (hating on Dr. Bauer) when I was about 17 with E.O. We spotted two elderly gentlemen who suddened upon each other and in their excitement began reminiscing about their wild teenage years together. I turned to E.O. and said that would be us one day. Sure enough I sat with E.O. just last week laughing about a particularly felonious weekend at "The Cut" involving 8-track tapes, dumb SOBs from Durant, the better part of valor, and ultimately a swap-meet involving three law enforcement cadres carrying an invitation for us to enjoy an extended resort stay in McAllister. Unbeknown to me E.O. cleaned this up before I was even, charged. Uh! I mean involved. That was a close one. 35 years later, I still love him like a brother. ------------------------------ Idea 13 of 30 Which teacher would you love to see again? Why? It's a tie, Don Manuel and Ms. Avard. To thank them, they are the only teachers (in 12 years of Sherman schools) that actually taught me something. As a close alternate, Dr. Fillman, he may have been the brightest individual I had access to and did not take advantage of. ------------------------------ Idea 19 of 30 What happened to your first crush? I handled it poorly. Third grade Wakefield, discs were at their peak of popularity (name engraved medallion on necklace chain). Down the hill at the kickball field I handed my disc to a girl who was a friend with the intent that she hand it to the crush target, bad idea. Very ugly scene. As I write this I am trying to remember all my crushes from Wakefield. I am amazed at the number I recall (9) and how few I acted on (3). All of which ended in despair (well, elementary school despair which is easily fixed by applying Mercurochrome or Neosporin). For the record, all the girls I tried to approach eventually left Sherman: Susan Freund, Penelope Peacock, and Melanie Koentop. Conveniently it is my word against theirs. Here is the crush-flop story involving Melanie. I was suffering from elementary school daze. My only recreation was to race through the schoolwork to try to turn it in first ahead of J.S. I do not have a memory of our formalizing the competition but I felt it was real at the time. Well, along comes "Valentine's Day Eve" and I dutifully wrote a valentine to every girl and boy in class for the meaningless valentine exchange the following day. But for some reason I felt Melanie's should be extra different. So I wrote some words (I do not remember the actual message) and signed it "XOXOXOXOXO" or something like that. My intent being to remain anonymous, much like the "Bob Liquor" moniker I have chosen to use here. I placed the valentine in it's envelope, wrote Melanie's name and address on the outside and placed it in a big blue postal box at the 7-11 at the end of McGee Street, without postage. Some kindhearted jac...Expand for more