So…I’m tellin’ ya
You are about to travel to a place where only I, Alfie have been. I’ll take you on my journey which chronicles those things which make us just who we are. Or in this case, who I am and how I got to be this way for better or worse. You may find these musings funny, odd, thought provoking, ridiculous, irreverent, paradoxical, political, cynical, optimistic, redeeming… but mostly, just plain ol’ fun. And please remember, there is a little bit of truth to all I say. And if what I say is not true, then damn it, it ought to be (credit Dr. Robert Winter of Occidental College with that line).
I will post those stories and snippetZ which have shaped my life as well as those which are a result of that shaping. Several have already been created. The first of which is a bit of spoof called…you guessed it… “Alfieland…the story.” I want to make my mark that says… “I was here.” This is what geezers do when we acknowledge our mortality and come to terms with …’there’s way more behind me than what’s in front.’ While I still have ‘fire in the belly’ for what lies ahead, reliving my past does bring an element of clarity in answering the most difficult of questions like…
Have I lived a life of meaning and purpose? Have I positively affected and influenced others? Have I laughed more than cried? Are my personal relationships in tact? Will I leave it better than I found it? If given the opportunity to come around again, how different will the next journey be? When it comes to regrets, I’m reminded of Sinatra’s line in “My Way” where he sings… “regrets?… I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention.” That’s kinda’ where I live.
My initial post sets the tone for what Alfieland is like. It is my world and how I tend to come at life in general. So, please look in from time to time and let me know what you think. I’m a big boy and I can take it…even though I’m a bit more fragile than I care to admit.
Enjoy…I hope!
USS Stox ‘n’ Jox
Wow, looks like I just stumbled upon a new website! Don’t see any posts yet but your home page intro sounds intriguing. I’ll check back when you get some thing more going. Good luck with the site!
BG…thanks for lookin’ in. Obviously, we are in the birthing stages of getting this site up and running. I expect to have my first story, “Alfieland,” posted next week along with some pix and music so look in again and let me know what you think.
Alfie
Well, you’ve begun! How exciting!!!
I look forward to reading more stories, my friend.
You are amazing, Al
Stay well,
Mary
Mary…thanks for your comment. Stay tuned ’cause there’s more to come.
Who is that guy doing the iron cross? He reminds me of a great base singer that I sang with back at Temple University. Hard to believe it is almost 50 years since we were part of that EIGL championship gymnastic team at Temple in 1964.
It is nice to see you have been so successful in your business and family life.
But it is not a surprise to me because I always knew you had a lot going for you.
Great to hear from you.
Rick…so glad you looked in on my little folly. I was really privileged to be part of that great ’64 Temple championship team, and equally privileged to have you as teammate, roommate, friend and especially as second tenor of the infamous “Gymtones.”
Alfie
Alfie, it’s been almost 50 years since you were my student in your master’s degree program at OU. It’s hard to imagine that we’ve maintained a warm and rewarding relationship for all of these years. Of course, if I still had my red pen I would correct the errors in your first effort, but nice try.
Seriously, I love you and I think you know it.
Dr. Weber…nothing has changed regarding your infamous red pen. Please don’t grade these little vignettes if you wish to continue our “warm and rewarding relationship”…I’m way too fragile at this stage of my life.
On a serious note, I cannot thank you enough for your friendship, direction and inspiration. With love,
Alfie
Albie:
I love it, but don’t have a clue as to how I can look in in the future
Bat…just log on to Alfieland.com as often as you would like, and be sure to turn on your sound. I’ll post new stuff every week or two going forward. I haven’t written my story about you…yet, and I’ve got a lot o’ stuff.
Alfie…aka Albie to family!
Just another fan!
Ivan…welcome to the “tribe.”
Hey Albert, As I read Blue Mt Camp you provide terrific insight regarding your transformation to adulthood, even though I always saw you as the BMOC. When you ended at BMC, I was the age you were when you first set foot on the property.
My lasting memory of you is the set of rings that you hung from a tree in the woods next to the boys’ lodge and your practicing those muscular positions. You were a great role model for so many of us campers. Thank you, harvey
Albie…I finally found it!!!!
I hope we both live long enough to share my chapter.
Love you
Bat,
…yours is comin’. I’ll give you heads up prior to posting so that you can edit…NOT!!!
Albie…aka Alfie
Al,
Awesome site, especially the music and the old photos. What’s the deal with you and your friend in your swim trunks-LOL?
Keep it up as I look forward to reading more. Bruno
Bruno,
…I know…the surfer jams have brought several inquiries. Glad you found the site fun…I’m workin’ on some more stuff and thanks for lookin’ in.
Vito
Hello Al, met someone today who brought back my memory of you. I stumbled across your site and will check back often. I was a gymnast back in the early 70’s from Locke HS and ended up at USC. Great pictures of you and stories.
Blessings.
Donald… I remember you very well. I wish we were successful in recruiting you to Cal State LA. But I do know you had a great career and education at USC with Jack Beckner.
Al
:@ Al or Dr. Alfie, I thoroughly enjoyed all of the blog reviews over the past 4 weeks! It took me that long to absorb all of the great and relevant facts! Need some new posts! See you soon in LA… Shedlo
Shedlo…sorry for my delayed response. Great visiting with you on our flight to Philly and thanks for looking in Alfieland.com. I’ve texted Max and await his response…I’ll keep you posted.
Alfie
Hi there. Is there any chance you are no longer using this website and interested in selling your web url? I want to create a blog for my pup Alfie and would love to call it Alfie Land.
Alex…sorry, but I intend to continue adding somethings to my site although nothing has been published for a while. Should that change, I’ll let you know.
What you need is pictures of your incredibly handsome nephew. That would take this site to the next level!
…you need to get better looking for me to post a pic of u, my ‘handsome nephew’…I don’t want to scare any possible visitors to the site…now if you asked me to post pics of your wife and daughter, well that’s another story.