Just a bought a stereo at Sears

I just bought a stereo at Sears for $170.77.

It's my first large purchase.

Wow, is that Steve Van Buren big

I belong to the Knights of Columbus and got a call a few weeks ago from some guy about buying some life insurance.

My mother thought it would be a good idea, so I told him OK, and he said he would stop by on November 1st.

Around 4:30 there was a knock on the door.

I opened it and there was this normal looking guy---but next to him was a guy who had to be 6 foot 4, 300+ pounds, who looked like a mob enforcer.

He was introduced to me as Steve Van Buren, and when he shook my hand, it was at least twice the size of mine.

It took about 45 minutes to get signed up for the life insurance and both men left.

Sometime during the next week, I learned that Steve Van Buren was a Hall of Fame NFL Football player who had played for the Philadelphia Eagles.

I never got his autograph per se--but as my agent, he did sign the Life Insurance policy, and I have that.

By the way, according to this Website I was correct about his playing prowess, but not about his size. He's listed as 6 feet tall and 200, but he had the widest shoulders I've ever seen.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/VanBSt00.htm

Betsy Ross Bridge Tragedy

One of the worst things to do to someone is to forget them, so I'm posting this blog entry here in the virtual world so that we do not forget my neighbor Tommy Wynn, who tragically died today after falling from the Betsy Ross Bridge.

It would be a few days before his body was recovered.

My mother and I attended his wake on Lehigh Avenue in Port Richmond---it was very sad.

Rest in peace Gilford Smiley

"My soul is sad,

even unto death.

Wait here and watch"

He said to his disciples.

In Loving Memory of

GILFORD SMILEY

Died July 14, 1975

Trip to New York to see the Phillies---June 29, 1975

I took the train from 30th Street Station to New York City today to see the Phillies play a double header against the Mets. My friend Anne from St. Joe's arranged the trip, and also arranged for me to escort two of her friends (Fran and Fran, isn't that confusing) to the game.

I met them at 30th Street Station, and they were very nice. We spend the hour and half ride to New York chatting, then got off the train and tried to make our way to Shea Stadium on the El or Subway.

Luckily, we didn't get lost---I forget whether Anne had given us tickets or met us outside, but we got to our seats in the first row of the upper deck before the game started. It had been raining, so the foot area of the first row was full of water.

Someone had placed some cardboard there to soak up the water.

Directly behind us were some Mets fans, who playfully teased us about our Phillies throughout the game. Despite that, they were pleasant and polite---a far cry, I am sure, from the way New York fans are treated in Philadelphia.

The Phillies won both games of the double header in spectacular fashion. The first game, 9 to 6

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=197506291NYN

and the second game 4 to 3 in 12 innings after tying the game in the top of the 9th off Tom Seaver.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=197506292NYN

All in all, it was a great time.

I forget how I got to the train station that morning, but at night, my friend Dave drove me and the two girls home---he would later marry one of the Fran's.

Just started work at Sears on the Boulevard

I just started work at Sears on the Boulevard tonight---I'm working in the Sporting Goods Department, which is in an annex accross the street from the main building rignt next to the Automotive Store.

It was an interesting first night---5 to 9PM.

After a few minutes of orientation, I spent the next few hours working the cash register, ringing up tons and tons of fishing line, hooks, and weights. I know nothing about fishing---thank goodness no one asked me anything about it.

When I first entered the department through the main doors, I noticed some very pretty sailboats that were displayed around them. There were 3 of them.

Around 8:30, a very big security guard whose name was 'Sam' asked why there were only 2.

I remembered, as did some of the other employees, that 2 guys had picked up a sailboat, put it on their shoulders and walked out the front door with it.

I didn't know any better---after all, it was my first night.

I think I'm really going to like Sears---I got a break around 7:30 and walked over to the Snack Bar in the main building---got a hot dog that was delicious.