My father was a Radio Operator (not sure if that’s the correct term) on a ship in the Pacific. He never talked about his war experiences to me but shared some with a friend of mine. Apparently he saw some action. The communications guys were, I’m told, some of the first on the beach. John Mays joined the navy on May 28, 1943. He was discharged on March 9, 1946. He served as a radio operator on several ships that saw action in the Pacific (USS Mount McKinley; USS Appalachian; USS New Jersey; USS Iowa; USS War Hawk). The man looked damn good in uniform.
Author Archives: Steve Mays
Till There Was You
In 1966 I got the part of Professor Harold Hill in our high school spring musical. This song was supposed to be sung in two-part harmony with Marion the Librarian (who also happened to be my girl friend). I couldn’t do the harmony so they cut my part and I stood on the little foot bridge while she did a solo. I still can’t sing harmony.
Wikipedia: “Till There Was You” is a song written by Meredith Willson for his 1957 musical play The Music Man, and which also appeared in the 1962 movie version. The song is sung by librarian Marian Paroo (Barbara Cook on Broadway, Shirley Jones in the film) to Professor Harold Hill (portrayed by Robert Preston) toward the end of Act Two.
A tidy desk
Barb cleaned out her office today. She started practicing law in August, 1990 and retires June 30. Sort of. (She’ll be on some national board for a couple of years). Next week it’s off to NYC for some conference but come July 1 she’s a woman of leisure. These photos of her desk tell the (a) story.
It’s Hard to Sing the Blues
It occurred to us recently that we might not get any better on the ukelele. No matter how many hours we practice. And who really wants to hear Five Feet Two one more time? Or the first time? So, with the encouragement of my friends Viretta and Natasia, I decided to write something myself and put it up on YouTube for the world to hear. Like a gay man coming out, just more awkward.
I dedicate this first effort to Professor Peter who’s been coaching me, as well as J-Walk, Bisbo and the Hobbit who encouraged me. Okay, they didn’t discourage me which is sort of the same thing.
What you believe
Your beliefs become your thoughts,
your thoughts become your words,
your words become your actions,
your actions become your habits,
your habits become your values,
your values become your destiny.
Mahatma Gandhi, as quoted in Hope in the Age of Anxiety