“Who are You? Who Who, Who Who”
The Title above is in the Chorus of a Seventies song by the “Who” if written in the fall of 1940, I would be singing it as I was being held upside down by my ankles. There I was dangling head down being shaken like a Pepper or Salt shaker until the intense burning between my shoulder blades suddenly ceased.
But let’s leave me in that predicament for the moment and calendar forward to the spring of 1948 when Mother received a letter from her ex-husband, my Dad, inviting me to spend the summer with him and his wife at their home in Redondo Beach California. Bear in mind that I had known intelligence revealing who my Father was or how I would respond to him. Mother always confident in her actions prepared and sent me off on the Journey of a Life Time. This California summer was followed by additional three summers that spurred Winters of anticipation with a lot of “California Dreaming” many years before the “Mamas and the Papas” made it famous.
These summer vacations introduced me to Airplanes and the thrill of Flying. Dad you see was the Chief Maintenance Officer for the Los Angles Airport hub of American Airlines. He sent me Non-Revenue Tickets (Free Tickets) and I would fly on American’s famed DC 6 aircraft unescorted at the age of Eleven. As Irony would have it fourteen years later in 1962 I would be working for the same company, Douglas Aircraft, that built those DC-6′s and in the very same Santa Monica factory. Only now instead of building Aircraft I would be building the Jigs and Fixtures used to assemble the Saturn S-IV rocket that one day carried the Astronauts to the moon.
Those four summers exposed me to the wonderful world that California proudly boasted and promoted. Because of my Dad I was able go places and meet people that would never happen in my other life back home. Two occasions standing out were one, the California premier of Lowell Thomas’s travelogue filmed in Cinerama, the precursor to today’s IMAX. It was at the famed “RKO Pantages” theater that we viewed the revolutionary film. I can still feel myself holding on to the seat to keep from falling off the Roller Coaster ride portion of the film. All this is old hat today but in 1952 this was unbelievably exciting. The second was when I met “Glen Davis”. Mr “Outside” of West Point Army football fame. Doc Blanchard and Glen Davis, Mr Inside and Mr Outside, both Heisman Trophy winners and the most exciting men in College sports in the mid 1940′s.
Mr. Outside, Glen Davis<------------------>Mr. Inside Doc Blanchard
Heady days for a teenager getting his first taste of the outside world. I never really bonded with my Dad. He worked during the days and frankly drank rather heavily in the Evenings and on the Weekends. But he did his best I suppose to expand my horizons to the larger World. The First family picture of Dad with me is below. I do not remember it or anything prior to the first summer with him in 1948.
None of this explains why I’m dangling by my ankles in the first paragraph does it? The year is 1940. The place is a bed bug ridden home on Tioga Street, Philadelphia, Penna. I’m in the kitchen standing next to the sink. My brother Clayton is talking to a Man across the room. The Man is smoking and talking. I haven’t a clue who he is until later when I discovered his identity as my Father. He is visiting his family after his divorce from my Mother. I did notice however the Cigarette in his hand which was suddenly propelled by his thumb and forefinger over my head to the sink that was intended for its’ burial. Dad, as I’ll call him now, was a great Aircraft Mechanic but not much of a cigarette flicker it seems. The cigarette butt hit wall behind the sink ricocheting back up landing on my scrawny neck then sliding down inside my shirt coming to a rest between my shoulder blades where it initiated a howling Indian war dance routine. The Cigarette flicker I must admit was quick to my rescue by grabbing my ankles and hanging me upside shaking me till the smoldering butt exited leaving me with the much need relief. So there you have it, a scene describing my actual first known meeting with my Dad. And the irony of this post is that today, 10 am June 19, 2011, as I document this piece of family trivia is Father’s Day. Go figure!
Who are you? Who Who, Who Who
Young Man<——————————————-> Successful Man
Old Man<———————————————->Dying Man
I'm a 74 year old man who loves this new medium of Blogging. I am also an Senior Manager in Send Out Cards which gives me a superior method of relating to the world through Greeting Cards. I have met and enjoyed wonderful friends who support me and actually LIKE me which is very rewarding. My online presence is growing and if I can hang on to life I will reap the benefits of establishing a business that will comfort me when I get old. Mostly however I Blog about my life which for some strange reason is well received. Like most of us the future is scary and the remembrance of older days give a measure of comfort. So I continue to reveal the past with optimism that the future will some day be the comfort of somebody else.
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Hey Nelson,
Well I’m a California-born-and-raised gal – some of your memories are from before I was born, but still very familiar! I was especially touched by your experience with the “man” who turned out to be your father. I had a similar experience. One summer my younger sister and I had been packed off to spend a week with extended family in Louisana. One day a man stopped by – the cousins, aunts and uncles made a big deal about him, but he only stayed a short time and no one ever introduced us. I just remember him glaring at me and my sister – and not in a friendly kind of way. After he left I was told he was our grandfather who had divorced grandma when we were just toddlers. Creepy feeling.
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Hi Nelson,
Things really have changed haven’t they? I wasn’t born until 1958, so your story occurred about 10 years before I arrived! That in itself amazes me. I think it is wonderful that you are preserving those years by sharing your posts on your blog.
I remember the Who and The Mamas and the Papas. My family moved to California when I was three. It seemed like everyone smoked then. It was an accepted behavior. That cigarette butt must have hurt so much you are able to recollect that particular moment of hanging upside down by your ankles! I I would say your article is an interesting tribute to your dad. He was the Cigarette Flicker but was the Quicker Picker Upper! This is a fun one. Thanks.
Raena Lynn
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Wow, what a story Nelson! And, what a way to meet your Dad for the first time!
I enjoyed reading your post while listening to the Mamas and Papas song. Have a fun day Nelson, have you got round to putting all these stories into a book yet?
bye for now, Julieanne
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Hey Nelson,
I think I figured out why you have such a following through your blog posts… It’s your writting style and how you reflect back to your past. As well the content you add to your blog post… Was listening to the wntire songs when reading your post… Awesome… Made me feel to go to California right now… As well we are linked with the fascination of aviation. An awesome field to be active in…
Look forward to read soon more from you.
All the best,
Alex
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Hey Nelson,
You have a way with words. you tell stories so vividly and I always enjoy my visits here. It’s so cool that you incorporated video into your stories!
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Wow, Great to meet you in this way, Nelson. Great to hear your interesting story for sure and glad to meet someone who is moving forward always! Congrats on your successes with blogging and SOC.
My Best,
James
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Nelson,
Missed seeing your posts. The stories you tell are vivid to the point of being there and feeling what you felt. I remember the DC-6. We’d fly as a family from Chicago’s O’Hare (we lived in Milwaukee) to Miami. I’d NEVER sleep on the plane afraid I was going to miss something. It took 6 hours to make that flight. And, noisy. Wow! We’ve come a long way.
RICK
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Who are you? Strangely, we are in fact all a reflection of our parents. Don’t know how many times I have heard “I never want to be like my father” from the lips of someone who in fact reminds me of their father. (Not saying you were one of those of course.) However I am. Now on reflection, I accept that I am like him in many ways. I also recently wrote about my father on my blog under the title: Entrepreneurial Traits Are In My Blood.
OK, this next comment is way off in another world but for some reason, your article stirred up images of…. Easy Rawlins mystery stories (by Walter Mosley) that all take place in the late 40s and early 50s in LA. Easy is a school janitor, but at some point in the series he works at a nearby aircraft company. Sorry – had to throw that in as a mystery book addict.
Cheers! and thanks!
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Hi Nelson
i love your post all the old stuff it
is a great reminder about How are you.
How are you ? You are the result of all the
thoughts that you create and focus on for
year after year and that will make you a
Success or not.
Thanks for this good post make it the best
with what you do and you will become the best.
Regards
Theuns
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Nelson,
You certainly are a wonderful story teller. That incident with the cigarette butt reminds me of the time my brother swallowed my mother’s earring. Luckily, we had a painter in the house who instantly grabbed my brother, dangled him upside down and pounded on his back until the earring was released.
Erica
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Great post, Nelson! I know that my life was a lot more isolated when I was growing up (hence, the very heavy accent), so I can only imagine what could be like going to all of these places when you were younger. Also, it’s glad to hear that you can answer The Who’s famous question. Sometimes, it’s a question that people think of on the most superficial terms, but I can see that you’ve clearly thought about it.
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Nelson, this bring us all back to the days with our first adventures and great meetings with loved ones. I can relate with this very much. Being in the desert of Palm Springs in the 60s mother and father Marines.
Very much the same with traveling around not really settling in one place to long. It was very exciting to have so many friends from around the glob.
Thanks for taking us back and sharing such emotional times. I look forward in reviewing your next amazing ride.
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Hey Nelson,
What a story! I love to read how someone got from point A to point Z and all of the points in between. It makes me think back on my life and realize all of the wonderful things that I have done as well. Thanks again for the great post.
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Hi Nelson.
The generation gap became to he front with the title of your post. My first thought was of CSI. Never thought the song was that old.
This is the second time that I have stumbled across your site, but I think I will become a regular visitor as I really enjoy your stories.
Best of luck on building your business
Ben
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Life has a wonderful way of teaching us all to appreciate every experience. I love your story of meeting your dad thank you so much for sharing. It’s amazing how we have such good memories and come to learn so much from the past, singing songs playing with others, enjoying our trips and travels. Being a California man myself, I appreciate the times that we had back then. Indeed, much is to be learned with each adventure.
I wish you the continued success you desire. Thank you for sharing.
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Well, I don’t know the song by The Who, but California Dreamin’ is one of my all time favourites! This is the first time I’ve seen the Mamas & Papas on video, so that was an unexpected treat.
I’m glad you did get to spend time with your father, even though he had such issues. Quite a memorable first meeting, though!!
My memories of my father are hazy, but warm and loving. He fell ill when I was 5, and developed leukemia, and died when I was 7. That was back in 1960, and I still miss him today.
Willena Flewelling
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Hello Nelson, I love hearing about people and the things they have been through in their life. I often sit with my grandfather and ask him about what he did and how he did things and am truly amazed at how people lived when we didn’t have nearly what we have now. Although I am not a huge history fan, I do love to hear the experiences of people who have been there and done that. Thanks for sharing.
PS. I love your casual friday for the tele commuter!
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Hi Nelson,
You weave another good story. I thank you for sharing the music, too. The songs brought back a few memories for me. From your story I hazard a guess to say that perhaps bonding with your father just wasn’t in the cards. It certainly didn’t impede your style nor your sense of humor. Keep it up.
Linnea´s last [type] ..Shiny Object Syndrome
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Nelson,
Such a great story. You have always been a great story teller.
My parents divorced when I was young, and I cannot remember my dad living with us either…even though I was old enough. I guess I blocked it out. Anyway, my dad is a work-a-holic, but we are still close…which reminds me I need to give him a call.
Jade
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Nelson
Once again you pull us into another story of your life. I always enjoy reading your posts. I was never close to my father even though he was always around. We did get close the last couple of years before he died. It was a very good year!! I wrote about it in one of my blogs!!
Have a Great Day
Chester
Chester Delameter´s last [type] ..But I never stole anything!!
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Hi Nelson,
I love your writing! Really nice story about your Dad and your earlier years. Two great songs as well
btw, DirtNapOnHold is the absolute best domain name!
All the best,
Kevin
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Hello my old friend! It’s been a while, but I so enjoy your stories. You are an excellent writer. This one about your dad brought me back to my childhood of a similar father figure. Only he stuck around. I didn’t have the luxury of visiting him far away which I prayed for each night. But he did what he could and I have come to terms with it long ago.
I enjoyed the songs and love the Mama’s and the Pappas. It seems like yesterday that they were singing in lower Manhattan where I’ve seen them.
It was heart lifting to hear this and took me back to Greenwich Village where at the age of 13 I was hanging out and sneaking into places to hear them and others sing.
Thanks for this great gift down memory lane.
Donna
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Hey Nelson,
Once again, great to hear your insights and those Rock and roll songs.
I remember my dad used to have nicotine fingers, he smoked so much. People would be horrified now. Thanks for letting us know of a life that has since dissappeared. Gues I am nostalgic, despite being chained to the computer!
John Gaydon´s last [type] ..Consistency – The Magic Ingredient For Long Term Success
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I absolutely love this post as it gives me a vision of who you are and why you do what you do. I think this is important to any business relationship and life and thank you for being so candid in your sharing. Loved it.
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Always a pleasure, tripping the light fantastic with you Nelson.
You give many people sincere enjoyment with your blog.
I’m always a satisfied visitor. I’m ready for more…
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I keep checking back like a sad little puppy, hoping to see a new post here. You’re such a good writer and share such interesting stories, hope to see something new soon
marquita herald´s last [type] ..Book Review: The Lean Startup
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I love reading your blog post, with other blogs you sometimes will never know anything about the person doing the writing. As I was reading your story, you got me thinking about my mother, and the step dad she brought into our life. Nothing bad, but still alot to think about. It is kind of good to go back some times.
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I enjoyed reading through this Nelson, the way you presented it makes me stop and think….very engaging. I especially enjoyed playing the “California Dreamin” video as I was reading, that brings back some memories for sure!
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Youre blog is so amazing i love reading on it..I learn a lot what you sharing..Thanks a lot for sharing it..
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A lovely story. As I was reading it, I really didn’t know where you were going with it. And then as it became obvious that the object of this story was the story itself and not the prelude for a marketing plug (shows how trained we are to always assume things before knowing anything about them!) I began to settle into the story, enjoying your words, jumping from one part of your life into another.
And then I scrolled down to the images of the Old Man and the Dying Man who I hope is not you. And if it is, well let me hope that you will be with us for yet a very long time so that we all continue to enjoy your stories.
Stevie
Stevie Smith´s last [type] ..Dating 101 – Dating for Beginners
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Wow Nelson! It has been far too long since I have connected with you. I forgot how much I love reading your posts. That photo of you and your dad when you were young reminds me so much of my dad and grandpa. That is pretty cool you ended up working at the same company as your dad. Thanks for sharing this!
Angela´s last [type] ..Building A Business by Pull and Stay Versus Push and Pray
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What an amazing story ! Life is full of surprises, but that one is just incredible. You really know how to engage people when you write. And the music moved me; California Dreamin is one of my favorites.
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Thank You Nelson for your great story and video’s I enjoyed them very much. I will be back to read the rest. Also loved the music.
Hope You Have a Wonderful Christmas and Best In The New Year
Sharon
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Hi Nelson,
I really enjoyed reading your story. Great videos and music. Looking forward to browsing through your other blog posts as well.
Ted
Ted Hunsaker´s last [type] ..How to Have a Successful Online Marketing Business While Working a Full Time Job
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Isn’t it interesting how much we have been formed by some of those seemingly strange and unrelated incidents of our childhood?
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