My life has been blessed by many good people.  I owe them a huge “thank you” for helping me through the obstacles life throws in our path.

I have to start by thanking my beautiful Joy who put up with me for at least 55 years!  I have not always been the easiest to live with due to my passion for throwing myself into whatever I was doing.  Our years of crises with Executive Services Inc., my long absences lobbying around the country, and now my solar car obligations have always tugged at us.  But Joy has always remained good and true, and blessed my life with two beautiful daughters Deborah and Rebecca. 

My daughters have always been a bright spot in my life.  I always loved supporting their Girl Scout activities, Cheerleading adventures, college life, and now professional careers.  I am blessed with a wonderful grandson (Parker) who shares my passion for Star Wars.  

I have to add my true love is for Star Trek because it focused my attention on the important choices we have to make so that we can have a better world.  I was also overwhelmed with Mr. Spock’s emphasis on logic rather than emotion.  If nothing else, my search for logic has been a driving force throughout my life.   

There are memories that stick out!  I remember when Debbie and Becca would help me get out my Texas-In-Action Publication.  They would help me organize the magazines for mailing and often helped me take them to the Austin Post Office.

I remember when Debbie would ask me to help her with boyfriends.  It seems girls like to dump old boy friends in the Spring and find new ones!  Who knew?  There were several occasions when I was asked to discourage boy friends from returning to our home.

Becca was always more rambunctious.  I remember the surprise on my face when I learned just a year ago that she would take my car keys, sneak out of the house, and drive around Plano!  How could I have missed this?

The years have a way of smoothing over rough episodes, but I feel blessed to have a wonderful family.

My Dog-Babies

I think the thing that always got me through rough times were my dogs.  I always had a dog!  I have little memory of my first dog.  He was a large Lassie-like dog who loved to run up to me, jump up on my shoulders, and push me over with his displays of love.  Of course, I was only five, but Dad thought that a dog would be a good influence.

Butch, my first true dog, introduced me to Billy Bammel by biting him on the butt.  Billy was walking by our house when Butch decided Billy needed some special attention.  Poor Billy crawled up a telephone pole trying to evade the snapping teeth, but not quite high enough.  I never knew what got into Butch that day.  He never went after any other person.  Maybe Butch knew that Billy was the guy who would help me learn how to socialize with people, and in Butch’s own way, he helped introduce us!    

David Vinson, the Best Man in my wedding, gave us purebred W.P. Buffington of Walnut Creek, the dumbest cocker spaniel I have ever known.  I liked the dog, but it had little sense.  Remember, this was this poor animal that got attacked by a skunk. 

I found King-King wandering the State Capitol grounds.  He was a six week old German Shepherd.  He grew up to be a wonderful friend who accompanied me every day to my office in the Westgate Building.  On one of my lobbying trips, he apparently got out of the house and was killed.  I never fully understood the details of his death.

My sister-in-law gave us a less-than-nice Pick-a-Poo named Pupa.  The daughters liked him but he was less than sweet.  I then found a small black and white terrier named Spunky that would bring lots of love into our lives.

Spunky was with us when the family made the move from Austin to Plano in 1978.  She rode the whole way to Dallas wrapped around the back of my neck. This made driving a bit challenging, but apparently Spunky needed the personal assurance.  

Unfortunately, Spunky was a true “runner.”  She was out the door any time the front door opened!  Luckily, Mother Nature provided us with a built-in (genetic) stopping mechanism for Spunky.  A ligament that controlled her back legs would come loose when she would go tearing down the street.  I always knew if I chased her long enough, her back legs would stop functioning and I could catch up to her.  Bless her heart . . . her little front legs would still be going when I would pick her up to bring her home.

The girls wanted a second dog so I took them to an animal shelter-sponsored display.  We found Kinsey, a sweet blond Lab-Collie mix.  She would become the object of my daughters’ affections for many years.

I would find my sweet Cassie during a Winston Middle School Camp Out near Glen Rose, Texas.  I saw two puppies along a dirt road, so I pulled the school van over to check on their safety.  Of course, the kids wanted to adopt them.  I took them back to Winston and fostered them out to two families.  The next day, one of the families returned Cassie with a broken leg.  I was told she fell off a couch, but I knew the leg break was the result of abuse.  I adopted Cassie and had this sweet girl for 20 years.

When I thought Cassie’s time had come to an end, I took her to the Vet to have her put to sleep.  Cassie was a 100-pound Chow-Shepard mix.  When my good friend, Dr. Allen, set about to inject her, Cassie turned and bit his hand leaving him with a wound requiring seven stitches!  Dr. Allen looked at me and said:  “I don’t think she is ready to go!”  Cassie lived eight more happy months.

Before Cassie’s death, I rescued Lucy, a brown Australian Heeler.  Lucy loved to travel with me as I planned Solar Car Challenge cross-country races.  This was an amazing girl!  She taught herself how to play tether ball after watching the kids play the game at school.  Lucy passed away in my arms after sixteen wonderful years together.

After two empty months, I rescued Sunny, a Vizsla mix, and taught him to be my Service Dog.  He is absolutely the best animal (and friend) I’ve ever had.  He spends every hour of the day with me except when I am teaching my college classes.  This would be too much of a distraction for my students.

Sunny helps me with my Sleep Apnea.  When I stop breathing, Sunny wakes me up!  He also tells me when anything has changed around me.  I can place a cup on a desk and he will point out the difference in the room arrangement!  Sunny also serves as a Therapy Dog during the long solar car races.  The students love coming up and seeking love from him!  He loves giving that love!

Sunny is our “love-that-toy” baby!  His single best pastime is going after thrown toys, and he will continue to fetch until he almost drops.  This may be the Vizsla coming out in him!  This Hungarian breed was known for their outstanding hunting and fetching skills.

I always loved going to our DFW Marriott & Golf Club for Solar Car Challenge events.  The staff always welcomed Sunny first . . . . and then me!

Some of My Best Friends Thumbnails:

In High School: Billy Bammell and David Vinson (Best Man)

In College: Buddy Lindsey (Football Team Captain and roommate), Agatha Newitt (Tulane Director of Cultural Activities), Bruce Weinberg (roommate)

In Law School:  Keith Markley (Classmate and Early Career Friend), Virgil Rambo, and John Sanders

In Early Career: Keith Markley (until his early death)

In Greenhill:  Phil Foote and Skip Kilmer

In Winston School: Dr. Rita Serbenou, Dr. Pam Murfin, Linda Skylar, Alvaro Cano, Richard Hayse, Beverly LaNoue, Patricia Winner, Russell & Renda Carter.  A special thank you to Board Members Randall Murphy, Walter Levy, and Emily Corrigan.  I also can’t forget the wonderful parents who helped support my projects and adventures over my twenty-five years teaching at this wonderful school.   

In Winston Solar Car Team: Mike Jobe, Matt Tunnell, Eric LeBlanc, Keith Plaskett, Jon Stien, Michael Foree, Grace Foree, Matt Craven, Matty Carter, Christopher Eyres, Matt Morgan, Preston Patry, Alex Davidovich, Bret Martin, David Newton, David Unfried, Neil Olney, Ben Thompson, Will Darnell, Max Redd, Jay Lentzch, John Ready, Colin Hills, and all the rest of my wonderful Solar Car Team Members!  (just too many to list)

In Dallas College – Chancellor Jan LeCroy, Bob Little (teaching colleague), Ahad Din, Mark Skorik (teaching supervisors), and Resi Douglas.

In Solar Car Challenge: All the wonderful Solar Car Challenge Board members and outstanding staff who make the Solar Car Challenge a success!  I also greatly appreciated Ben Krage for helping set up the Solar Car Challenge Foundation.  Thanks Joel Pitts and all the other wonderful people for being there to help teach the Solar Car Challenge workshops and webinars. 

In Prime-of-Life: Fred Varian, Roddy Parkinson, Mark Westlake, William Shih, and Chris Jones.

In Life: Mom and Dad, Joy Marks, Debbie Marks, Rebecca Baze, Parker Baze, Pam Roby, Margo Underwood, Leonard and Joel Stern, Alan Stern, Joe and Carol Ann Marks, Emily Ferguson, Peggy Ising

Best Friend Stories 

David Vinson – When I was in high school, David and I set out to plan our “attack” on life, and to better understand who we were!  We did this by learning how to drink really good Scotch.  On so many wonderful weekday afternoons, we would spend glorious after school hours testing the value of the world’s smoothest brands of scotch while reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.  I am not sure how many times we read that book, or how many bottles of scotch we consumed, but we grasped a firm view of life.  We developed our life philosophies! 

I was to be greatly influenced by the movie Auntie Mame.  In the 1958 version, Rosalind Russell proclaims:  “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death.”  David and I agreed that we would live every day to the fullest so that at the end of life, we would not be one of those “poor suckers.”  I think David and I both fulfilled this goal, but unfortunately, David died at a very early age. 

Keith Markley – I never met anyone like Keith . . . . a young man so full of dreams and goals.  His boundless enthusiasm made everything around him seem better!  We met in the UT Law School hallway while waiting in line for registration.  He was Markley; I was Marks.  We seemed to always be next to each other during the years ahead. 

Keith always had some kind of “plan-in-progress.”  Plans like being a state legislator, or working as an Assistant to the Lt. Governor, or taking on the responsibilities of the Central Texas Council of Government.  Keith was always loyal and truly cared about me and my family.  I learned so much from Keith and the way he approached life. 

When Keith needed a friend, I helped him through a hurtful divorce; when I needed help finding a home, Keith found me one that I could afford.  That was our “normal.”  Each of us was helping the other during those early days as we planned our careers.  I will never forget Keith helping influence the Lt. Governor to get me into the Air Force.  This was during the Vietnam War.  I think Keith’s efforts probably saved my life.       

Daniel Sandt, William Shih, and Chris Jones – Daniel, William, and Chris were the backbone of the infamous 1997 Northview High School Solar Car Team.  These fine young men were the embodiment of the true spirit of solar car racing:  commitment & dedication to the project wrapped in a splendid sense of camaraderie!   I never met three people who worked so well together.  They had the great ability to discuss, argue, and almost fight with each other while always maintaining a strong, enduring friendship. 

All of these fine young men would later join the Solar Car Challenge to help make it the top project-based STEM Initiative in the country. 

• Daniel would found the Intern Program which helped hundreds of former high school solar car racers return to the event to help mentor and judge new teams.  Daniel joined the 2010 Race and saved the event by serving as a special Race Accountant.  This made it possible for us to overcome an administrative crisis and maintain Race integrity.  I will always be grateful for his help! 

• William would become a Board Member and Deputy Race Director. He would share his outstanding skills building the web site, race regulations, and the foundations for solar car instruction.  He always taught me to think the best of people.  I have to say that he showed me how to be a better person.  I will be eternally grateful to this fine young man.  I so value his friendship!

• Chris would become a Board Member and Chief Race Judge. We were always able to have some of the most meaningful discussions to help bring the proper interpretation to Race Rules.  This mutual respect helped us overcome many hurdles.  I think we will always be friends.  His support over the years has been so greatly appreciated.  I so value his friendship too!

Mike Jobe – Mike is my oldest solar car team friend.  He was one of the founders of the first solar car team, and has remained involved over these 30 years!  Mike and I share dozens of solar car team trips, archaeology trips to Colorado and Alaska, white water trips, and solar car races in the U.S. and Australia.  He has seen me at my best and worst, but has remained my friend throughout the years.  I am proud to say that I had the privilege to play a small part in Mike’s life. 

I was so proud to see Mike grow into such a fine young man.  He now has a lovely wife and two outstanding kids.  Thanks Mike for always being there when I needed your help, advice, and friendship.   

Jarrett Dunn – Jarrett was a part of the early Solar Car Team Pegasus from South Carolina.  He came back to the race as an Intern/Judge.  Several years later, he became the Race Operations Officer and Board Member.  I was always totally amazed at Jarrett’s ability to plan for events, and resolve issues arising during those events!  His technology skills are outstanding!  He is a wonderful young man.

Michael Foree – I first met Michael as a middle school student at the Winston School.  He was fascinated with the solar car project, so he was invited to be a team member at a very early age.  Michael went on to be a Team Captain, Director of Race Technology, and Board Member.  We shared the successful 2003 World Solar Challenge Race in Australia.  In many ways, I feel that I half-raised this fine young man.

Matt Craven – I feel I also half-raised Matt.  I first met Matt as a middle school student at the Winston School.  He went on to be a Solar Car Team Captain, but has remained in my life as a good friend and adviser.  Matt taught me so much about computers, and was always there to help with computer “fixes.”  But more than this, his sense of loyalty and good friendship are unparalleled.

John King – John is relatively “new” in my life, but has evolved into a wonderful friend and adviser.  It seems that John can almost do anything!  He was the captain of his own solar car team and is now the Special Assistant to the Solar Car Challenge Race Director.  He has earned my friendship through his enthusiastic good efforts on behalf of the Race.

Russell and Renda Carter – I met Russell and Renda Carter first through their son Matty who wanted to be a member of the Winston Solar Car Team. This was a bright young man who shared my love for Archaeology and Solar Cars.  I am so glad to have had a small part in helping this young man grow up; I was privileged to have his help in so many Solar Car racing events. 

Russell and Renda are dear friends from Winston School, and have always supported the Solar Car Challenge in so many wonderful ways.  You have to be truly special when you sit in 102 degree heat judging a solar car team!

Fred Varian and Roddy Parkinson – These two great old friends and I have shared so many experiences.  Our blood, sweat, and tears from the races will be our life-long bond. 

• I can still see Fred making spaghetti as the Winston Team was one day out of Adelaide, South Australia. The spaghetti was cooking in a very tall metal container.  We needed to stir the spaghetti, but we didn’t have a tool long enough to reach the bottom of the pot.  Fred put on his huge electrically insulated gloves and used them to physically stir the spaghetti.  It seemed to make that night’s dinner all the more “sweet”! 

• Roddy and I have taken so many solar car team trips that we really no longer need to do much coordination! We just share that we are headed to McDonnell Observatory near Big Bend National Park, or that we are headed to California, or that we are traveling to Australia for three weeks.  Roddy has always been there to support the wonderful solar kids, and to help me get through some tough times.  His photos create a huge “memory” of these great adventures. 

Randall Murphy – In my early years at the Winston School, I had the opportunity to share some of my ideas and dreams with one of my student’s parent: Randall Murphy.  He asked me how much I needed to make these dreams come true.  I told him $10,000 and the money was placed in my Science Budget that week.  This was a personal donation.  Randall would go on to help support Winston Science, and his company, Acclivus, would be the first company to sponsor the Solar Car Challenge.  He was my friend and adviser.  I had the greatest privilege of knowing this wonderful man and love his family.  I had the opportunity to teach Science to both Emily and Scott Murphy. 

Christian Negratti – I first met Christian as a Mansfield ISD student taking part in Winston Science.  He would later become one of the founding members of the Ben Barber Solar Car Team and go on to be a Staff Member in the Solar Car Challenge.  I so greatly appreciate his dedication, friendship and loyalty.

Mike Rogers – I so greatly appreciate Mike, a Radio Broadcaster on Dallas’ KRLD CBS   station.  The Winston Solar Car Team invited Mike to join us on our 2001 solar car race across the Australian Outback.  Mike agreed . . . . and broadcast a daily episode from the race route.

This was true dedication.  The team left comfortable Darwin, Northern Territory, and drove the Stewart Highway to Adelaide, South Australia.  When 5:00 PM came, that day’s racing ended, and the team pulled off the road to find a place to camp.  This meant we had to set up our camp site often times next to huge termite mounds, or other memorable Outback sites. 

I remember one event when Mike awoke during the night due to some noise a few yards away.  I couldn’t see what was happening due to the darkness, so I took a photo.  When I got back to Dallas and developed the photo, it showed Mike looking nose-to-nose with a kangaroo!

Mike was undaunted!  This kangaroo confrontation was featured on the next day’s broadcast!

Stewart Mayer – Stewart was also one of the brave souls that joined the Solar Car Team in Australia.  Interestingly, Stewart was able to convince Dallas’ KERA-TV to loan him high quality camera equipment so that he could provide a video of the event.  His punch line: “Let’s get a full recording of these solar people.”

Stewart was brilliant.  He filmed every aspect of the World Solar Challenge.  When we got back to the U.S., he presented his raw footage to KERA.  It was at this time we learned the TV station misunderstood our efforts.  They thought we were going to be recording a new race of solar people from the Outback of Australia.  They were not interested in a solar car race.

KERA never used any of the footage . . . . hundreds of hours of footage.  The only thing that was saved from this mega-effort was a 5-minute video showing some highlights of the Winston Solar Car Team.

I have to say that Stewart was an invaluable member of the crew!  He was an outstanding Mechanical Engineer as well as being an Academy Award-Winning Videographer.  His knowledge of engineering saved the team when we had a catastrophic mechanical failure in the Outback.  Stewart’s solution to the problem saved the team, and made it possible for these great kids to finish the race.  Kudos to Stewart!

Dr. Rita Sherbenou and Dr. Pam Murfin – I have to thank these two wonderful Winston School Heads of School.  They gave me the opportunity to innovate and find new and better ways to teach.  They gave me the latitude to try new techniques to motivate and encourage “learning different” students.  They were always there to provide guidance and support; they were always there to applaud student success; they made teaching a true blessing. 

Rick Schulte, Linda Norris French, Eileen Egan, Heather Lytle, Heidi Starnes Barr, Sister Cecilia Sehr, and all the Winston School Faculty and Staff – I have to thank so many great friends in so many schools who made Winston Science a huge Success.  We all shared the fun and excitement seeing our efforts motivate students in Science.  I love the camaraderie that grew up over the years.  

Music was always a big part of my life, and seemed to punctuate the years.  I first remember my Mother taking me to meet Mrs. Clark, my first music teacher.  She lived only a few houses away from us.  This lovely lady gave me confidence that I could enjoy and play the piano.  I started lessons when I was five years old. 

I spent five wonderful years studying music with her.  These were a part of my elementary school days when mothers were always proud to brag on their kid’s talents and drag us to recitals.  Mrs. Clark always commented I made her recitals “look good.” 

I never understood what that meant at the time.

My piano teacher and I had a wonderful rapport.  I would go in for my lesson, watch her play a piece of music, and then I would play it back to her.  Yes, there was sheet music in front of us, but I just recalled what she played.  She could play a six page piece of music by Bizet and I could easily replay it.

I didn’t realize that I couldn’t read music until I was invited to be a part of the Apollo Boys Choir, a well-known boys’ choir based in Florida.  I took part in a Houston audition and won a “slot” in their summer program in Ashville, North Carolina.  This seemed to be a wonderful opportunity, so at 10 years of age, I traveled to the University of North Carolina Asheville Campus for six weeks with the Choir in summer camp. 

I remember how we studied so many songs in Latin, such as Schubert’s Stabat Mater.

Once I heard it sung, I could sing it back to them, but when I was asked to read ahead a few measures, I was lost.  Their choir director came over to me and asked:  “Can you read music?”  I answered:  “I thought I could.”  But the truth was reverberating in my head!  I couldn’t read music!

That glorious summer offered wonderful opportunities to learn great music, learn how to read music, and learn how to appreciate musical entertainment.  The choir group was always being asked to attend some special performance in or around Asheville.  I think I preferred the string quartets and the madrigal singing groups.

When I returned to Houston, I had a sit-down talk with Mom and gently told her that I discovered I couldn’t read music.  I had taken five years of piano lessons from Mrs. Clark and couldn’t read a note.  Luckily, that was remedied that summer, but my music reading skills were stunted.

Mom had a few “words” for Mrs. Clark and hauled me to my new Music Teacher, a very old but highly recommended piano teacher, Ms. Ruth Burr.  She had two grand pianos in her living room.  She would sit at one piano and instruct me; I would sit at the second piano and hopefully follow her instructions.  She confirmed to my mother that my skills reading music were limited, but she would remedy this with overwhelming assignments.

I took two lessons per week and spent three hours a day preparing for each lesson.   

Mother had the idea that I was headed to become a classical pianist, but I didn’t know how this was going to correlate with Dad’s idea that I was to be the family doctor!  I knew I just loved music.

I often challenged Ms. Burr to play a piece of music to see if I could play it back to her.  I always did, which seemed to confuse and slightly anger her. 

My classical music career in piano would come to a screeching end when I broke my left arm playing football.  I tackled a kid followed by another huge guy falling on top of me.  My arm was broken in three places with bits of bone poking through the skin.  Although the doctor put my arm back together, it just seemed my left hand never had the power or maneuverability it once had. 

My music was enhanced by wonderful experiences singing in Middle School and High School choirs.  These totally enriched my life and provided a variety of opportunities for friendships.  I rarely took advantage of these friendships due to my shyness.  Of course, my high school buddy, Billy Bammell, changed this!

I continued singing when I went to college at Tulane University.  It seems like I never missed a performance by the New Orleans Symphony.  Of course, I had the cheap seats!  I remember sitting in the back row of the second balcony at the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium.  I could actually stick my hand up and touch the ceiling!  This was a true “nose bleed” section, but the music was wonderful.

Tulane offered me the opportunity to compliment my science studies with both Art History and Musicology.  I discovered I was a “reasonable” baritone singer, but my love of directing a symphony was overwhelming. 

Directing the New Orleans Symphony

As assistant to Tulane’s Special Events Director, I had the opportunity to meet and entertain all the special guests on campus.  This included Werner Torkanowsky, the Conductor of the New Orleans Symphony.  I actually prepared a special marketing campaign to increase student participation for his on-campus performances.  He and I struck up a great friendship.

I had the privilege to be one of four students in his Music Directing Class at Newcomb College.  As a final exam, we had to learn how to direct a major piece of music.  I chose Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky, one of the most renowned cantatas of the 20^th Century.  I knew this would be a part of Werner’s Spring Concert Series, so it seemed appropriate. 

Our mid-year final exam was directing our selected piece of music in front of the instructor.  He observed only a few minutes of each student’s work, but asked me to continue on and on!  I couldn’t understand why I had to keep going when the other students only had to endure five minutes of critique.  As it turns out, he was impressed with my work and invited me to actually direct an afternoon performance of Alexander Nevsky at the Municipal Auditorium. 

My mind said that I could do this, but my body seemed less willing.  I could barely keep my legs from collapsing.  The compulsion to throw up was overwhelming, but I was not going to let him down . . . . . I was not going to let myself down! 

I walked onto the stage, recognized the orchestra and the Concertmaster, assumed the podium and tapped my small baton.  The choir and soloist were ready, and for the next hour my soul soared through Prokofiev’s wonderful Russian music.

The performance would have been perfect except for the last few minutes of the musical work.  With crescendo after crescendo filling the Auditorium, I seemed to have awakened a bat that was asleep in the rafters.  This poor trapped animal decided that swooping over the orchestra and out over the audience would be the highlight of its day!  I did my best to ignore it, but the percussion section of the orchestra made a few “swats” at it swooped over the cymbal player. 

I was told that the audience saw very little of the creature, but it added just that extra touch to a performance.  Werner Torkanowsky told me I handled it like a true professional, but my dignity was diminished.  He commended me for directing the performance without music.  I had made the music manuscript part of my working vocabulary.  I could still remember directing the cantata in my head for many years to come.

Memory: Benefit or Curse?

Being able to remember things has always been a “strong suit” for me.  I realized this in the eighth grade when my English teacher assigned us to learn lines from Longfellow’s Paul Revere’s Ride.  I thought we were supposed to learn the full poem; the other students realized they were only required to learn four lines.

When it came time to recite our lines, Mister Goody-Two-Shoes stuck up his hand and volunteered.  I recited the whole poem to the looks of horror from my classmates.  My teacher pointed out I had over-done the assignment and made a few derogatory comments.  I never understood why she would put me down in front of the class, but the other middle school kids gave me the nickname Paul Revere which the teacher picked up on and used herself. 

I felt some payback was necessary.  I realized my teacher had one super grievance.  She hated for people to leave bits of chalk on the floor.  The whole class would frequently remark about how she screamed and ranted about pieces of chalk being ground into the wooden classroom floor.  For this reason, I decided my payback would involve chalk.

This was eighth grade English.  What can you do in an eight grade English class for payback!  I decided to draw a piece of chalk on the wooden floor.  Our teacher wore thick glasses that seemed to put her at a disadvantage for seeing objects in front of her.  She left the room on a disciplinary matter only to return to an obvious piece of chalk on the floor.  She flew into a rage! 

Who left this chalk on the floor!  No one answered.  She reached down to pick it up, but there was only the drawing of the piece of chalk on the floor.  She kept grasping at an imaginary piece of chalk only to come up empty handed.  The room was dead silent.  No one said anything, and barely dared to look at her.  I stared directly into her eyes. 

Nothing was ever said by anyone.  She never acknowledged the event; no one in class felt it important enough to mention the event elsewhere.  I did become aware that I was rarely called Paul Revere again.            

Tulane A Capella Choir

I loved being a member of the Tulane A Capella Choir.  This was a perfect opportunity to build on my Middle School and High School choir experiences, but the perfection required for the Tulane A Capella Choir was so much more intense.  I had to audition!

The choir experience included great opportunities for international travel.  Our most extensive experience involved an exchange program for the U.S. State Department where choir members would live several days with families in thirteen Mexican Cities.  This gave us the chance to observe every aspect of Mexican Culture including a huge range of socio-economic environments. 

I remember staying with one family who were hugely proud they could share one chicken wing in the evening soup.  This added a few drops of grease to improve taste.  The experience was humbling because I realized Americans take so much for granted.  We were in Mexico to share the beauty of music, but these wonderful people taught me far more than I could ever give back.

My most enriching college music experience came with my participation in Dr. Roberta Capers Madrigal-Singing Group.  Roberta came to one of our choir sessions and asked for a baritone volunteer, but warned that it would come with lots of extra practice.  I leaped at the chance to sing madrigals.  Arthurian Legends, Medieval Castles, and madrigals were a huge part of my psyche. 

My deal with Dr. Capers was that I would sing in her group and get special consideration in her Art History Classes.  Our madrigal group took part in many special events including singing light opera at a special event at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. 

Returning to New Orleans after one of these Springtime Events proved treacherous.  Fog along the old River Road was legendary.  Many a soul had lost their lives as a result fog-related accidents.  On that night, the fog was so thick you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.

We were in real danger.  I knew there were precipitous drop-offs on both sides of the roadway.  I also realized we could be struck from the rear if we just stopped.  We had to continue driving.  I volunteered to help guide the car by emerging from the car, searching my way to the front of the car, and using my foot to feel the edge of the road.  We crept along at a snail’s pace, but at least we were moving. 

One car passed us during our “crawling” pace on the road.  I am not sure how they could see to pass us, but they did.  I remember feeling a bit cheated these people were going to arrive in New Orleans hours before us.  But after traveling only about a mile, we found that car off the road with the front end partially submerged in the bayou.  No one was in the car.  It had been abandoned, and the occupants were probably walking to the nearest town.

The fog seemed to “thin out” after a few more miles.  We were able to resume our regular driving pace, and felt very grateful to be alive!  

Post College Music

I graduated Tulane with degrees in Zoology and Chemistry, with minors in Math, Art History and Musicology.  My focus in musicology was movie sound tracks.  I dearly loved movies, so to be able to analyze the great movie sound tracks was heaven.

Hermann, Copeland, Poledouris, and Bernstein were my heroes.  Of course, this was before the glory days of Williams, Goldsmith, Zimmer, and Horner.  I would find myself focusing my attention on the movie’s sound track rather than on the film’s plot.  I found this to be true about most songs . . . . I listened to the music and not the lyrics!

It seemed I had less time for Music once I entered Law School, but I found one outlet when one of my roommates took a course in Film.  I tagged along with him to enrich his film appreciation by annotating his studies with my background in movie music.  He got top marks from his teacher because of his musical score references.  Good memories!

I regretted never again being a part of a choir or singing group, and over the years, my voice lapsed into lethargy from disuse.  I always made good use of those same voice skills in public speaking and teaching, but I did miss music.  If smaller-than-tall people could speak well and with “authority,” they would be better heard!

I did use my music experience when I accepted a special job coordinating security for concerts at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center at the University of Texas at Austin.  They liked the idea I knew how to communicate with UT campus guests based on my experience being Assistant to the Tulane University Director of Cultural Activities.  This UT job gave me the opportunity to meet and visit with luminaries like Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Barry Manilow, and Bette Midler.  It’s true!  The bigger the star, the kinder the person! 

Dancing      

Of course my love of music translated into my love of dancing.  If I heard music with a “driving” beat, you can just bet my foot was tapping and my body was moving.  I loved expressing myself in Dance, and found great relief from life’s pressures when I could find a dance floor.  

In my youth, I was required to take Ballroom Dancing, and learn the etiquette of the dance floor.  I loved learning the fox trot, samba, and cha-cha-cha, but rarely had the opportunity to use these skills.  My shyness and small stature made it hugely challenging to walk up to young ladies and invite them to dance.  My old friend Billy would later give me the confidence to make the first “move.”

Interestingly, I would later use my knowledge of Ballroom Dancing to teach middle school students in Austin!  I had the opportunity to dance with a co-worker in the Texas Senate.  She asked me how I learned to dance, followed by a request to teach her son how to dance!  I agreed. 

Martha had worked with me to establish the Texas State Capitol Tour Guide Service.  She wanted to make good use of my time as well as put a few extra dollars in my pocket.  Newlyweds always need extra money!  She corralled a group of Austin middle school families and built up a weekly dance class.  I ended up with sixteen students who were burdened with learning Ballroom Dancing.  I would always encourage a little extra fun by teaching the kids some of the latest dance moves!  This was so much fun and the easiest money I ever made.   Of course, there were the dance recitals, but great fun was had by all.

There is so much more l could say about my love of Dance, but this will have to be spelled out in a later book!

My memoirs would not be complete without a mention of Australia.  I had the privilege of traveling to this great country three times with wonderful high school solar car teams.  These trips showed me how Australians live their lives, and how much better people can treat each other!

In each visit, my teams tried to race the famous World Solar Challenge, a 3000 km race from Darwin, Northern Territory to Adelaide, South Australia.  In each visit, it was the challenge of the wild outback and the fallibility of the high school built solar car that would test our hearts and minds.  We learned this was truly a test of the human spirit.

We had the good fortune to coordinate our racing visits with local high schools in both Darwin and Adelaide.  These wonderful schools went out of their way to help us feel welcome and appreciated.  The quality of their friendship was incredible.

The Darwin High School let all of my racing teams (1996, 1999, and 2003) use their shop area to assemble and fine-tune our solar cars.  Of course, we experienced some of the fun of the natural wildlife.  The Darwin High School was located on the edge of a rain forest which in itself brought wildlife to us.  We particularly liked the frilled-neck lizard that would hide in the trees and jump down and chase the kids from the shop area to the main school building.  A larger version of the frilled-neck lizard was featured in the movie “Jurassic Park”.

The Mitcham Girls High School hosted our visits to Adelaide.  Winston students and staff were housed in homes of Mitcham teaching staff.  We occupied Mitcham high school classrooms to complete our academic studies.  Yes, my deal with the Winston School was that students would do all of the school work missed while on the trip!  This was a big undertaking, but I am proud to say that every student returned home being further ahead in their classes than the students who matriculated in Dallas.    

1996

Our first race in 1996 took ten great kids on the adventure of their life time.  The students labeled the car “the insect” because of its unusual, awkward appearance, but we were very proud of her.  We did get some “bad looks” from the German team.

A Dallas-based Utility hosted our first trip to Australia.  This fine company had just purchased a Melbourne Utility, so it made sense to partner with the Dallas Solar Car Team!  They helped us have a wonderful time in Melbourne, and provided three crazy drivers who took us both up to Darwin, and back down to Adelaide.  Regretfully, these drivers proved to be more of a problem than a benefit.

Two of the drivers were a very young couple that had great difficulty keep their hands off each other.  We would sit in the back seats of the van and watch the contortions going on in the front seat . . . . as we drove through the Outback! 

It did distress me that they wouldn’t allow me to drive the van.  Since our first solar car race, I found it imperative for me to drive the vehicle immediately following the solar car. This allowed me to maintain better contact with the driver, and keep a close eye on the solar car.  The Aussies just wouldn’t let me drive.  Yes, I had an International Driver’s License qualifying me to drive in Australia, but I think that denying this privilege gave the drivers “power” over the group.    

The Winston Team fought for 18 months to raise the $100,000 needed to get the team to Australia, race the event, and survive three weeks away from Dallas.  Much of this money would be spent flying the solar car to Australia.  Unfortunately, we should have put more money into the professional packing of the car.  After arriving in Australia, we learned a large crate fell on top of our solar cells during shipping which resulted in severe damage to 60% of our solar array.

The Winston Kids stayed in the competition for 1.2 days before we were asked to leave the race due to our slow progress along the race course.  Race Officials could not afford to put a race judge with us since we were so far behind the main pack of racers.  This was disappointing but not unexpected.  We just couldn’t get enough energy with the damaged solar arrays.

With every downside, there is an upside:  since we were no longer racing, we would now have the opportunity to see Australia!  We first stopped in Mataranka, just south of Katherine.  The motel left much to be desired, but the hot springs were enticing to everyone. 

Students jumped into the spring before I arrived.  I immediately pulled them out when I saw a crocodile swimming underneath them!  It was a small crocodile, but if you have one, others may be nearby.  Students emerging from the cool waters discovered they smelled horrible.  They didn’t realize that large Fruit Bats, nesting in the trees above the springs, were unloading their wastes into the waters below.

We went back to the motel to shower and have dinner at the motel’s thriving food court.  Food never tasted that good after ending this stressful second race day.  We retired to our rooms, but I immediately rounded up the students.  I explained we would have to sleep in our room chairs rather than the bed.  Unfortunately, the beds were full of lice.  You could pull back the top sheet and see the underlying sheet “in motion.”  Not much sleep that night!

We resumed our drive south on the Stewart Highway meeting the horrible heat, flies, and mosquitos at night.  We thought we would be better prepared for the World Solar Challenge if we entered Australia in Melbourne, drove to Adelaide, and then drove north on the Stewart Highway.  This would give us a firsthand look at the highway and the conditions we would encounter as we actually drove south on the race.

This driving the race course “backwards” was somewhat helpful, but it was grueling on the students and adults.  The heat was almost unbearable.  Yes, it was a very dry heat . . . . but let me tell you that 115 degrees still feels very hot even if there is little humidity. 

We practiced our camp set-up procedures, but were almost taken away by the small flies that occupied every exposed skin area.  Flies seeking any kind of moisture were trying to get up our noses and into our eyes.  We learned to love our “mozzie nets” which gave us some protection from the flies. 

The bigger issue was the Australian mosquitos.  Their venom (as with everything in Australia) was stronger and paralyzing.  One student was stung by a mosquito on the left side of her face.  That portion of her face collapsed as if the student was having a stroke.  Yes, we had mosquito netting to help cover us at night, but we couldn’t completely protect ourselves.  A camper never forgets the sound made by a mosquito “dive bombing” their mosquito netting.  

You awoke the next morning swaddled in mosquito netting and having sweated through everything you were wearing.  Having said this, the memory is priceless . . . . . . . and I would repeat it again with these wonderful students who proved to be real “troopers.”

We had a wonderful rest at the beautiful resort located next to Uluru.  This was a modern hotel with all the amenities including an outstanding restaurant.  Everyone enjoyed the opportunity for a shower before we approached our climb at Ayers Rocks.  Of course, the ubiquitous flies were there to greet us, but the stunning rock helped us to understand why it is sacred to the aborigines. 

Then it was back to the hotel to enjoy some great cultural experiences.  We attended an aborigine cultural presentation including story-telling and dancing.  Yes, they even taught us to dance aborigine-style.  I was particularly good at the emu or ostrich dance.  A very old man shared the aborigine creation story celebrating 40,000 years of habitation in Australia.  According to him, man emerged from Australia, spread out, and populated the world.

Our next stop at Alice Springs was less eventful.  We stopped at the famous Desert Palms Hotel and had our first taste of kangaroo in their excellent restaurant.  We also were made aware that some of the ways Americans say things had a hugely different meaning in Australia.  For instance, several Australian observers thought our vans were a bit messy.  I explained that high school kids were often a bit messy, but if necessary, I would “root-around” until I found the desired gear.  There was a look of shock on the Australians’ faces.  I would learn later that “rooting-around” has sexual implications.  We were learning!

Next stop:  Coober Pedy, the opal mining capitol of the world.  Over 80% of the town is carved out below ground to help make the heat more tolerable.  We visited an underground home and an underground church.  This was so amazingly practical.  Temperatures above ground were 110-120 degrees; temperatures below ground were 74-78 degrees.  We actually overnighted in a hostel buried under 20 feet of soil!

Dinner in Coober Pedy introduced us to a new experience:  we had pizza topped with pineapple and fried egg!  By the way, a hamburger “all-the-way” always included a fried egg!  We also learned that you could get a driver’s license at 18 years of age, but you could get an explosive blasting license at 16!  This became amazingly clear when we drove by a demolished city hall.  We were told that a 16 year old boy was taken to court for a traffic violation.  He was unhappy with the judge’s verdict and blew up the court house!

Entering Adelaide and traveling to the Race Finish was somewhat disappointing.  There was no one there!  All the other racers had finished at least twenty-four hours before we arrived.  We weren’t racing, just sightseeing, but I thought there would be more fanfare since the Race Closing Ceremony was scheduled for that evening. 

We pulled out the solar car and took triumphant photos at the Finish Line sign.  After picture-taking, an older gentleman walked over to us wearing a World Solar Challenge shirt.  He presented us with a bottle of champagne and several cigars!  No, we didn’t drink the champagne.  We took it back to Dallas and presented it to our wonderful Head of School Dr. Rita Sherbenou.  She let us open the bottle and every student had a thimble-full of flat champagne.  It was great fellowship!

We drove to the Mitcham Girls High School to spend several days doing school work, and getting the car ready for shipping back to the U.S.  Our wonderful Mitcham Girls School hosts recommended we visit the Adelaide Zoo and Kangaroo Island just south of Adelaide.  We reached the island by high-speed luxury pleasure yacht.  It was amazing to see the boat lift out of the water on hydrofoils.

Kangaroo Island was a unique place filled with a little bit of everything that makes Australia wonderful.  Our visit to a sheep farm gave us the opportunity to see an Australian Shepard corral 100 sheep, and get them into a fenced area in preparation for sheering.  Once in the fence, the dog would romp on-top of the sheep to keep them focused and headed in the right direction.

The students were amazed by the sheep shearing technique and wanted to give it a try, but the farm owners had the good sense to disallow this!  We then went to a eucalyptus forest to see a family of koala bears.  This was followed by other amazing animal finds:  huge hedge hogs the size of basket balls, and overly friendly pelicans!  This was indeed a great day of exploration.

Post Note:  I am sad to say that much of Kangaroo Island was laid waste due to fires that burned almost 60% of the island plants and animals.  All of the wonderful places we previously explored were destroyed, and most of the animals injured or gone. 

We attended the World Solar Challenge Dinner and received a small crystal plaque recognizing our participation.  I think we all had to admit the closing ceremony was anticlimactic after all of the other sightseeing experiences. 

The long flights from Adelaide to Sydney to Los Angeles to Denver to Dallas were physically stressful, but we were ready to get home.  The whole trip home took 26 hours.  I contracted botulism poisoning from yogurt at the Denver Airport.  Not fun, but at least I was home.

One of our fond memories of the trip was having dinner at Tim’s Surf & Turf in Darwin, Australia.  We learned to love the chicken-fried crocodile!  I think we ate there every night during our week’s stay in Darwin.  The kids got to know the staff and became “house favorites.”  The restaurant staff even came out to see us off at the beginning of the race!   

We also loved the friendship extended by the Mitcham Girls School.  I was amazed the high school girls had the tenacity to stay glued to the classroom windows as my team spent hours studying inside.  This was like studying in a “fish bowl,” but my team loved the attention.  This eventually would lead to the Mitcham girls challenging the Winston Solar Car Team to a baseball game!  I forget who won, but a good time was had by all!  Our stay ended with the school hosting a “cookout on the barbie.”

1999

Our 1999 Australian World Solar Challenge experience was much like the 1996 race.  Great new students, but we just didn’t have the necessary speed to remain in the race.  We had a much improved racing vehicle, but it just lacked the sophistication to compete with the college and corporate entries.  We calculated that a solar car had to AVERAGE at least 34 mph to stay in the race.  Our average speed was 21 mph based on scribblings left over from old notes.

WSC Race Officials exited us from the race after the second day.  We lost our judge after the City of Katherine, and camped next to the entrance of the Tindal RAAF Base.  We were a hot, stinky crew and must have looked like poor waifs.  The Base Commander, exiting the base, saw our simple camp site and invited us to use the shower facilities on the base.  This was great news!  The world is always better when you don’t stink!

We made some of the same stops at Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, Coober Pedy, and Adelaide, but everything just seemed to go more smoothly.  We drove our own support vehicles and truck.  We tried to camp out along the road to save money and to use up the mountain of food we purchased in Darwin for the trip, but a rampant snake season limited this. I remember requiring the team to sleep in the vans or the truck.  You could look off the road from the road tarmac and see the surrounding areas infested with the famous Australian brown snakes.

During the same stop, one of the students left a tool box open.  Overnight, a very large spider decided to claim it as his home.  When the students went to pack up that tool box the next morning, the giant spider jumped out scaring everyone within ten feet.  I was amazed to see the boys cowering in the truck!  It was our female team member who approached and removed the spider!  Good for her! 

The next night, that same wonderful young lady would be bitten by another smaller spider.  We were lucky to have a satellite phone to contact the “flying doctors.”  Within two hours, a small airplane appeared on the horizon and landed on the roadway just a few feet from the trailer.  A doctor emerged and took care of the injury!  You have to just love Australia’s Flying Doctor Medical Program.

This would be confirmed when we reached Adelaide only to discover one of my students had a severe ear ache.  This was particularly difficult since we were facing a 26-hour flight in just a few days!  We went to the hospital and were immediately treated by a wonderful medical team.  It took us less than 90 minutes at no charge to us!

Arriving in Adelaide was again anticlimactic.  There was no one to greet us at the Finish Line.  No champagne; no cigars!  I made up my mind that this would never happen to us again!  Financial limitations and limited technical skills made it more difficult for high school students to compete in the World Solar Challenge . . . . . but I would find a way!

2003

The drive to get us to the 2003 World Solar Car Challenge was remarkable!  The team had decided to develop a new, super light-weight vehicle with better solar cells.  The whole car with batteries was limited to 400 pounds.  The car was designed for a thin, lighter-weight driver.  For the first time, not every team member would be able to drive the car, but this upcoming event was all about overall solar car weight!

The kids were very proud they earned the $150,000 needed to get the solar car to Australia!  They had given so many speeches . . . . shook so many hands . . . . . made so many promises!  Now, we were ready to take the new solar car to a professional packing company and get the car on an airplane in ten days!

WFAA-TV planned to visit the team and share the team’s race excitement with the community.  Then, the bottom fell out!  We received a phone call for a corporate lawyer representing one of our largest sponsors saying the company had declared bankruptcy and would not be able to honor their financial pledge.  Without this money, there would be insufficient funds to make the trip!  The kids were gobsmacked!

The TV truck arrived on schedule.  The team tried to put on a “good face,” but I could tell they were all dying a little bit inside.  They had worked for two years designing, engineering, fundraising, building, and testing this new car.  Now, there was no way to make the trip.

The WFAA Reporter wanted to interview a student.  Eric LeBlanc volunteered to talk.  The reporter asked how the team was feeling.  Eric let loose a flow of words that would have melted the heart of any listener.  He explained how the team had worked so very hard to make this race possible, and how we had just learned our largest sponsor had backed out.  He explained the car needed to be shipped out in several days if we were going to get the car there on time, but the team no longer had the necessary financial backing.   

As miracles would happen, the wonderful Dallas viewers flooded the school’s switchboard with calls and donations of support.  In less than 20 hours, we raised the money lost by the bankrupting company.  This experience taught us all that great students doing extraordinary things could make things happen!  Amazing! 

We arrived in Darwin, Australia to discover our solar car had not arrived.  Transportation from Dallas to Darwin was a bit sketchy.  The solar car would be trucked from Dallas to Los Angeles, flown over the Pacific to Sydney, and trucked from Sydney to Darwin.  This ideally would take two to three weeks.  Yes, it arrived in the nick-of-time, but not without causing the whole team unnecessary anguish.

We stayed at our traditional Darwin motel along the beachfront, and again returned to the Darwin High School to assemble and test our top-of-the-line high school solar car.  The frilled lizards didn’t terrorize us as much this trip, but everything was slightly different.  The kids seemed incredibly focused on completing the race . . . . .  and not being eliminated in the first few days of the race!

Our allotted time for solar car scruitineering came at the Hidden Valley Raceway.  The electrical judges commended us on our outstanding solar array which had been designed and engineered by Winston students who graduated long before this race.  Now was the time for us to test their efforts, but we did have one lingering problem: our wiring always looked like a “rat’s nest.”  This was always a characteristic of our team. 

I remember when we were trying to get the New York Times to do a story about our team.  This publicity was crucial for our fundraising efforts.  They wanted us to bring the solar car to Austin so they could coordinate with a New York Times Photographer assigned there.  We spent our precious dollars to get the car to Austin only to find that we couldn’t drive.  There was a “short” in the electrical wiring that made driving the car perilous to the driver.       

We delayed our photo shoot for hours, but there just wasn’t any success finding the short.  The car had to be hauled back to Dallas where we would spend a week trying to find the problem.  At great risk, our lead electrical team captain wet his finger and started poking around in the car.  He kept yelling:  “Not there . . . not there . . . not there . . . OUCH!”  Michael Foree found the short.  Henceforth, he had the nickname “sparky.”

The photo shoot was rescheduled; the article was written.  The kids had the needed publicity for the 2003 World Solar challenge. 

Now, scrutineering judges would be inspecting our wiring, but how do we cover up the mess? Matt Tunnell got the idea to just take pieces of fiber board and seal off the wiring sections with super glue.  To make it look more official, we placed an antenna on top giving the image that these shut-off sections had to do with communication.  They, of course, had no such purpose other than to hide our wiring spaghetti. 

The judges checked our solar car and bragged on the neatness of the interior of the vehicle and the overall design.  We passed Scrutineering with commendations.

Now, we were in the race!  We would be placed closer to the rear of the race because our qualifying speed from the Hidden Valley Raceway was inferior to the college and corporate cars, but we were not last!  Race day came and we were off on our third attempt at racing the World Solar Challenge.

Our judge was an obliging man, but had very little to say.  I kept asking questions about rule interpretations, and how certain actions would be received by race judges.  I got no answer.  It seems there was a policy that race judges wouldn’t tell you what you could do, but they would tell you if you did something wrong.  This made it challenging to plan race strategy. 

In previous races, the team was eliminated because we couldn’t keep up with the other teams.  It dawned on me we could artificially keep up with the teams if we were able to physically move the car to the “End-of-Day” location.  We calculated how far on that day’s race course we could actually drive the solar car, and after that point, we would quickly load the solar car onto the truck and drive like madmen to the End-of-Day location. 

This procedure would theoretically keep us caught up with the other solar cars.  No, we wouldn’t get credit for the miles trailered in the truck; no, we would not have an official race “finish.”  That was okay though because we would be traveling with the other race cars and enjoying the ambience of being a part of the Race Stops and hopefully the official Race Finish Line.  We would not be eliminated!

Just south of Katherine our true mettle was tested when a bolt sheered throwing the solar car dangerously off the road.  This bolt held up the left front suspension and wheel structure.  We looked for a replacement bolt but the student responsible had left those bolts on the lab bench back in Dallas.  This was not a common bolt, therefore finding a replacement would be difficult since there was no human life for 150 miles in either direction.

We sent a small group of students ahead to the nearest town approximately 150 miles south of our location.  It was a glorified petrol station with a population of 300.  The remainder of the team stayed at the wreck site and tried to come up with a solution.  Nothing worked until Stewart Mayer, our extraordinarily talented videographer, discovered one his large tripod bolts had the same thread size as our sheered bolt.  We stripped off this bolt and made a make-shift apparatus that would hold up the left front suspension and wheel.  This would have to work until we could find a real bolt!  It worked and we were on our way!

The small team that had gone ahead hit a “gold mine.”  They arrived at the petrol station, made inquiries, and actually found a person with a small machine shop.  This outstanding Aussie made us the necessary bolt we needed to replace the sheared bolt at no charge!  By the time the solar car arrived at the petrol station, we had a new bolt ready to install.

We continued our “drive-and-trailer” policy for the remainder of the race.  The judge never eliminated us from the race.  I think he admired our spunk and initiative to find a solution to stay with the other teams. 

The Winston kids made a glorious finish in Adelaide driving through the Official Race Finish Line structure with the rest of the teams!  Tens of thousands of onlookers cheered these great high school students as we completed the adventure.  Our “drive-and-trailer” procedure would keep us from an “official finish” to the race, but that didn’t matter to the kids!  We finished the race with triumphant applause! 

Future Winston Solar Car Teams would not return to Australia because we realized our 2003 solar car was absolutely the best we could achieve within our budget and limited resources.  Remember, we were building our car in a 13’ x 26’ solar “shed” that the 1990 team built years ago.  But I would use this experience to expand my Solar Car Education program to help future solar car teams.

Footnote:  I have to commend the team for putting up with my Aussie-style driving.  I always had difficulty driving on the left side of the road.  I remember driving a van of students to the ship yard where we were off-loading the solar car onto a boat for transport back to the United States.  My old friend Fred Varian was driving our huge truck and packing box.

On the way back from our visit to the port, we were chattering up a storm in the van.  Then, there was this loud bang!   The whole van went deathly quiet.  We hit something but it wasn’t quickly apparent what happened.  Then, everyone in the van realized I had drifted too close to parked cars on the left and broke off our left rearview mirror.  It was just dangling by its wiring, and banging against the driver’s door.

To their credit, no one on the team said anything.  They instantaneously knew I would be mortified by my driving slip, and that student comments would only heap coals on the fire!  There was little conversation on the drive back to the hotel, although a few broad smiles did break-out on team faces.  By the time we dropped off the vans at the Hertz Rental dealership two days later, we all had made jokes about Doc’s dangling mirror!  Thank goodness we had totally insured the vehicles!

Footnote:  In all three trips to Australia, the team always returned home to culture shock.  We were treated so kindly by wonderful people in Australia.  This would all immediately change as soon as we set foot back on U.S. soil.  Kindness and “happy words” were not to be found in the food service court at LAX.   

As I write down these memories, I discovered many things about myself, but maybe most importantly I’ve realized I fulfilled my earliest dream of being a true Renaissance Man.  I wanted to learn something about nearly everything!  My job is not complete.  I am still striving to expand my knowledge base.

My goal was to be able to carry on a conversation with anyone from any background on almost any subject.  I think I may have achieved this, but in the process I learned a far greater lesson.  It is far more important to be a good listener rather than being a good talker.  I learned if you are genuinely interested in the other person, they will eventually have an interest in you! 

A true Renaissance Man must be a considerate listener, and then when called on, have meaningful things to say thereby demonstrating you understand what others are saying.  It is all about choosing your words carefully because a word uttered can never be retracted.  I learned it is often better not to match story-for-story, but let the person talking feel a sense of being special.

I had the privilege of teaching a huge variety of subjects over my fifty-three year teaching career:

Sciences:  Physics, Astrophysics, Astronomy, Archaeoastronomy, Archaeology, Biology, Chemistry, Oceanography, Geology, Paleontology, and Forensic Sciences. 

I had the privilege of organizing and running a Living Materials Center for 34 different species.  [The Winston School]

Social Sciences:  Federal Government, Texas Government, and Political Philosophy.

[St. Edward’s University, Texas State University, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas County Community College District]

Law:  Legislative Law, Constitutional Law, Family Law.  Founded a graduate Level Paralegal Program at Texas State University]

[Assisted teaching Legislative Law at University of Texas Law School; taught at Texas Wesleyan Law School; taught at the LBJ School of Public Affairs]  

Engineering:  Mini-courses in mechanical and electrical engineering, battery technology, materials technology, aerodynamics, and power management.

[Solar Car Challenge Education Program]

Jobs Held:  Educator, Teacher, Lawyer, Law Professor, College Professor, Managing Law Firm Partner, Writer, Journalist, News Reporter, Legislative Researcher, National Lobbyist, Executive Director Texas State Agency, Assistant to the Texas Secretary of State, Assistant Attorney General of Texas, Texas Senate Official, Meteorologist at KDFW-TV (Dallas/Fort Worth), Legislative Assistant to the Chancellor (Dallas County Community College District), Founder & President of the Solar Car Challenge Foundation, Film Producer, TV & Radio Reporter, Tour Guide, Solar Car Builder, Race Director, Special Events Coordinator/Security, Event Planner, Dance Instructor.

Amateur Jobs: Astronomer, Geologist, Archaeologist, Paleontologist, Entomologist, Body Builder.

After seventy-seven years, I have truly learned the value and beauty of life because of the many times I escaped death: 

• Almost killed in a flash flood at the bottom of the Grand Canyon on a geology field trip
• Almost killed when my sleeping quarters were burned down by young communist students in Morelia, Mexico
• Almost died from liver failure during active military service, U.S. Air Force

Then there were the near misses too:

• Crash in a T-38 at Keesler Air Force Base
• Pulling the rip cord too soon during a parachuting adventure

In all of these experiences, I learned the frailty of life.  I learned to understand the absolute importance of anticipating dangers and avoiding them.  Ricky taught me at the age of five the value of anticipating an opponent, and taking appropriate action. 

I was able to follow Ricky’s lesson through most of my life, except for the one truly bad person who caught me off guard.  Little did I know I would have my feet cut out from under me in an academic environment where I had given so much to make this school a success.

Having said this, the pain I experienced helped me learn a valuable life lesson: if you work at it long enough, you can conquer disappointment and hate.  I know I am a better person now because I learned how to get beyond these bitter events.  I bear no ill will, and admire and respect the Winston School and the wonderful people working there.

I have been required to live my life with great care so that injury would not destabilize an ongoing project.  For instance, I would never undertake hiking and mountain climbing adventures for fear I would be injured and thereby delay or interrupt an upcoming Winston Science or Winston Solar Car Team activity.  This pushed my frontal lobe development to the “max,” but it was worth it.  I’ve used these skills every day to lay the foundation for upcoming events.

Chaunacy Naiobi

I learned the true value of life when I encountered Chaunacy Naiobi, a Navajo living in Canyon de Chelly, Apache County, Arizona.  One of my summer Archaeology Trips took a group of eight students to this National Monument as a part of their studies at Crow Canyon Archaeological Center.

I learned upon arrival at the National Monument that we would only be allowed access to the park if we had a Navajo escort.  A cooperative Park Ranger put me in-touch with Chaunacy Naiobi, an 80-year old Navajo who had been one of the original “Wind Talkers” during World War II.

Chaunacy stood five feet tall, and had the energy of a teenager!  He collected our group at the Park Ranger Station and proceeded to direct us to the edge of the Canyon.  He instructed us to follow him as he spryly clamored down the Canyon’s rock face to the floor of the canyon.  We followed him as he walked along a dry, sandy river bed hoping to see an ancient cliff dwelling. 

We were all amazed at the difficulty walking in six inches of sand that made up the dry river bed.  Every step would find us bogging down in the sand requiring the expenditure of a great deal of energy to just make another step.  The heat at the bottom of the canyon was exhausting; the flies were ubiquitous. 

One of the students, overwhelmed by the heat, did a mock rain dance to create a little humor and express everyone’s heat distress.  Chaunacy saw the silly rain dance and let out a low laugh.  He asked me if I really wanted to see a real rain dance!  I immediately agreed. 

Chaunacy took off his shirt, and proceeded to render a series of circular dance steps first invoking the Great Spirit and then glancing down at the ground.  This “rain dance” continued for several minutes.  The students and I looked at each trying to keep a straight face while at the same time being fascinated by Chaunacy’s serious incantations.

We resumed our walk turning back to our starting point along the cliff face.  As we approached the bottom of the cliff, I noticed the clouds were gathering above us . . . . . . . . . dark, ominous clouds.  Chaunacy exhorted us to make the climb quickly.  He led the way followed by the students with me bringing up the rear of the group.

Once we began the climb up the cliff, the clouds just seemed to rip open with the coldest rain I have ever encountered.  The winds and rain made our climb both treacherous and amazing!  The excitement was palpable as lightning struck so near us it made the hair on our arms stand up straight!  We all had fear about the outcome of this climb.

As Chaunacy reached the top of the cliff face, a blast of wind hit him driving him backward.  The student climbing behind Chaunacy saw the danger and quickly put up his hand supporting Chaunacy’s back.  I am absolutely certain this student’s action kept Chaunacy from falling backwards into the canyon.  My heart was in my throat.

Arriving at the top of the cliff, I found a happy group of students and one very amazed Navajo.  He realized the student had saved him from this dangerous fall, and expressed his gratitude over and over to us! 

After we returned to the Park Ranger Station, Chaunacy pulled me aside and told me two things.  First, he told me he and his family would always welcome me back to Canyon de Chelly.  The second thing he said had a huge impact on my life.  He told me when that student saved his life, it may have also saved my life.  I didn’t understand what he meant and asked him to explain.  He told me he could see how the students respected me and followed my instruction.  He reminded me this respect must always be coupled with a strong sense of responsibility and “care” I owed the students.  He was proud to see how much I cared about them. 

I have always tried to follow this directive.  Everything I have ever done, whether taking students on archaeology trips, organizing Winston Science competitions, planning solar car racing events, or racing across Australia . . . . . in every activity my top priority is the care and safety of the student. 

I would return three more times to Canyon de Chelly bringing more students to this marvelous National Monument.  Each visit charmed the students with the personal attention from Chaunacy and his family, along with his marvelous stories about the history of the Canyon and his years as a World War II Code Talker.  He told us about how his forefathers were pushed over the edge of the canyon rim by Spanish explorers, and about the earlier pueblo people who built the cliff dwelling on the walls of the canyon.    

Chaunacy made history come to life.  His well-worn face just oozed credibility; his well-chosen words were filled with an unquenchable passion for the Navajo land.  His genuine demeanor so reminded me of the words spoken by my old Hopi friend during my Grand Canyon adventure.  It was as if Chaunacy truly understood the meaning of life, and the purpose of humans on this earth.    

Arriving years later, we were guided by Chaunacy’s grandson.  I inquired about my old friend’s health because he was 80 years old when we first met.  The grandson was quick to tell me his grandfather was doing well, and was moving a herd of sheep from the top of the cliff to the floor of the canyon. 

I learned many years later that Chaunacy had passed away.  He will always be a major influence in my life.  This small man had the biggest heart, the most profound smile, and the truest words.    

Remembering my Parents

Through all of my life experiences, I find my Dad had a much bigger role in making me the person I am.  Unfortunately, Dad passed away when I was only thirty-two years old.  I so greatly missed his having the opportunity to watch my daughters grow up.  He would have loved seeing his family “grow up.”   

Yes, Mom was always the person pushing me forward for success, but often this was before I was ready to make those big steps.   She would enroll me in first grade a year before I should have entered school.  I would succeed, but I would also find myself in situations where I was academically competitive but socially unprepared. 

I actually turned 17 during my first year of college.  I remember the despair encountered during freshman orientation when I realized it wasn’t “cool” to go to the Freshman Dance.   I was enjoying being a “wall flower” when this lovely girl walked up to me and said:  “You are going to be mine.”  I turned to the boy next to me and asked:  “What does that mean?”  I was socially unprepared.

I have to credit Mom for being my Number One Cheerleader!  She always pushed me to reach success, and told me the word “mediocre” was not a part of our family vocabulary.  

I learned so very much from the people who passed briefly through my life:

Sandra Day O’Connor (Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court) – I had the privilege of taking Justice O’Connor to coffee during my studies at the University of Texas Law School.  We spent over an hour discussing legal career pathways, but I came away with a better understanding of the importance of being a good listener, and the value of sharing your thoughts. 

Barbara Jordan (Texas State Senator and Congresswoman) – I remember the apprehension that filled my mind as I entered her office.  I had witnessed her first opening speech on the floor of the Texas Senate when she rocked the senators back on their heels with her brilliant arguments and her unparalleled oratory.  Now, I had a few minutes to ask her to buy my legislative research service.  I presented my case, but she said nothing.  She just glowered at me with her wonderfully piercing eyes.  Then she uttered:  “You have a challenging job ahead.  You are going to step on some toes, but I like what you are doing.”  She didn’t subscribe, but she was always there to cast a smile when we passed in the halls of the State Capitol.

Bill Clinton (Arkansas Attorney General and U.S. President) – I learned the importance of making every person you visit feel like they are the only person in the world, and that you are giving them your undivided attention.  I learned the value of standing up for what you think is right even in the face of personal injury.  I liked this man for his ability to speak from the heart. 

George H.W. Bush (Congressman and U.S. President) – I was working in the Lloyd Bentsen U.S. Senate campaign.  I was asked to attend a rally Bush was hosting at the University of Texas in Austin.  My task was to ask questions that would “shine a poor light” on Congressman Bush.  I approached the microphone with great confidence and asked my question, sat down, and waited for his reply.  The words he uttered were the kindest, most considerate explanation to my question.  It immediately struck me that if my same question had been submitted to Bentsen, he would not have handled it nearly as well.  I never went back to the Bentsen campaign and ultimately voted for Bush.  He lost the election, but again I learned the value of being considerate when placed in a difficult situation. 

Greer Garson (Movie Star) – I happened to walk up to the first floor coffee counter in Dallas’ downtown Nieman Marcus store.  A lovely lady edged up to the counter and inquired what I was drinking.  I responded:  “A cappuccino.”  I bought her the same and we shared a few moments talking about some of her movie experiences.  I particularly loved her role in “Mrs. Miniver.”  I turned to pay for the coffee.  She seemed to vanish only to reappear in a few moments with a small box of Godiva Chocolates as a present for my kindness.  Greer Garson was the epitome of grace and good manners.

Ray Charles (Musician) – In my role as assistant to the Tulane Director of Cultural Activities, I had the opportunity to meet and introduce many special guests.  It was indeed exciting to introduce Ray Charles to a screaming audience of admirers.  This was the early 1960’s and the world was fascinated with his new music.  After his performance, I nervously walked up to him and thanked him for coming to Tulane. 

I remember being a bit awkward because I didn’t know how to talk to a musician of his stature.  He immediately set me at ease by commenting I must be one nervous white kid because he could smell my sweat!  We both laughed setting me at ease for a pleasant fifteen minutes of conversation.  He was curious about Tulane students and college life.  I learned the importance of making a person feel at ease, and the value of being yourself in a conversation.

John F. Kennedy (President) – Kennedy made a Presidential visit to New Orleans including a drive down St. Charles Avenue to meet the public.  I was there to greet him.  The very slow moving motorcade (2-3 mph) gave me the opportunity to run up to the limousine convertible and shake hands with him.  It was a personal contact for only a few seconds, but I will always cherish this opportunity to say a few words.  I told him I was in Houston when he gave his “We choose to go to the Moon” speech, and how much it inspired me.  He grinned, nodded, and said that he was expecting big things from us (college students).  This made it even harder when I heard the news he had been cut down by an assassin’s bullets.

Lyndon Baines Johnson (President) – I would have the opportunity to meet LBJ on several occasions, both working for his campaign in New Orleans in 1964, and then later in my own office in Austin after he had left the presidency.  In both instances, I was hugely impressed by his ability to get his way by just sauntering up to a person, putting his arm around them, and using his 6’4” body frame to persuade a person to agree with him.  LBJ also taught me how to shake hands so that people could not brutalize you with their overzealous nature. 

Bill Bates (Texas State Senator) – I was a struggling “upstart” in Austin trying to get my legislative research and reporting non-profit off the ground.  Each day seemed to overwhelm me with a new set of problems, or someone wanting to squash my efforts.  Jim Bates could see my consternation, and pulled me aside for a few words of advice. He said: “Remember son, everyone here puts on his pants one leg at a time.”  In other words, no one was better than me, and that I had every right to be providing this revolutionary legislative research and reporting.  Jim was a staunch supporter who helped me find my first job after returning from military service.           

Dr. Robert Bakker (Paleontologist) – I had the opportunity to bring outstanding scientists to the Winston School for our Winston Science Lecture Series.  A New York City Foundation provided the funding for us to bring this world-class paleontologist to our small campus. 

As with most Winston Sciences, the huge number of events and participants created a certain amount of chaos.  This resulted in my dispatching a driver a little late to DFW Airport to pick up Dr. Bakker.  The driver couldn’t find him, so I hastened out to the airport.  We didn’t realize he had taken refuge in the airport bar and was feeling quite good by the time we arrived.

He was a marvelous presenter and dedicated every minute of free time to working individually with students!  Many a student was inspired that day.  As for me, I relished the wonderful “dig stories” he told into the wee hours of the evening. 

Alan Alda (Actor) – I first became aware of Alan Alda as he gained fame in the TV Series MASH, but my real interest was perked by his taking on the host role in a new TV Science Series:  “Scientific American Frontiers.”  He brought charm and a bit of humor to great science stories.  Again, I asked the New York City Foundation to fund his visit to a Winston Science.  Alan spent three glorious days sharing his science experiences as well as reminiscing about his days as Hawkeye on MASH.  I learned that fame does not have to taint your sense of humor, or dull your willingness to work with others.

Carl Sagan (Astronomer) – I made sure that I would be attending the special luncheon honoring Carl Sagan at the National Science Teachers Association annual conference.  I slipped a few bucks to the person making seating arrangements so I could sit at Sagan’s table.  As was my good fortune, I actually had the opportunity to sit next to him!  After his speech, he returned to the table for desert and conversation.  I was amazed that he would sit with me for over 90 minutes talking about telescopes, both great scopes being developed, as well as helping me make a decision about my own personal telescope.  Before my astronomy career was over, I was to own nine telescopes and proudly pass along five of those scopes to new up-and-coming astronomy students. 

Dr. Mark Varien (Archaeologist) – I had the privilege of joining Mark at numerous “digs” at the Crow Canyon Archaeology Center.  I loved taking students to share these wonderful learning opportunities.  I must have brought students to Crow Canyon almost twenty times, and every trip was a new experience. 

I learned if at all possible, NEVER share a large bunk room with 12 high school students.  They just don’t want to go to sleep.  On one instance, I was up and down for 20 minutes turning on the lights, making threatening statements, turning off the lights and crawling back into my bunk.  Then, the scurrying around would start-up again.  I flipped on the lights again and announced I was getting my camera, and if there was any more “messing around” when I turned off the lights, I was going to take a photo and the guilty parties would be punished! 

I turned off the lights, crawled back into bed, and the scurrying around started up again.  As promised, I jumped up taking a flash photo.  The film was developed when I got back to Dallas and to my surprise, I found that I was being mooned. 

Dan Rather (Reporter, CBS Anchorman) – I first knew Dan when he was a “cub” reporter for the CBS affiliate in Houston (KHOU-TV).  I was a summer intern supplying this bright young man hundreds of cups of coffee over the summer.  I was to run into Dan next in Austin as we were both watched Waggoner Car give a concession speech following his run for U.S. Senator from Texas.

I was saddened that Dan took so much heat following his investigative reporting about George Bush’s Air Force Career.  Dan was correct in everything he said.     

Maya Angelou (Poet, Civil Rights Activist) – I had the privilege of meeting Maya Angelou in the early 1980’s and escorting her on campus at Brookhaven College.  It was indeed such a pleasure to have this wonderful inspiring person address the students and faculty.   I was particularly impressed with her ability to make people feel at-ease.  As I escorted her through the college halls taking her to the auditorium, she told me:  “Let’s not walk so fast.  It doesn’t give me a chance to get to know you.”  Although we only had about ten minutes to visit one-on-one, she wanted to know all about me, and my life in Dallas.  Her kind eyes told me this was genuine.

Itzhak Perlman (Violinist) – I met Itzhak Perlman when he visited Tulane University in the early 1960’s.  He had just made his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and was beginning to tour throughout the country.  Though his mobility was limited due to his encounter with polio as a child, he never let this interfere with his performance or meeting students.  I distinctly remember how his eyes gleamed with excitement when he visited with admirers.  His music and the man were an inspiration to everyone.

Bob Hope (Movie Star and Comedian) – I already mentioned Bob Hope in Chapter 2. 

Carlos Montoya (Flamenco Guitarist) – I enjoyed meeting Carlos Montoya and his lovely wife when I hosted them on the Tulane Campus.  He was touring the world showcasing his brilliant flamenco classics with world-class symphony orchestras.

I asked him to share his life story while we enjoyed a small dinner in the New Orleans French Quarter.  Born into a gypsy family in Spain, Carlos’ had a steep road to climb becoming one of the best recognized flamenco artists in the world.  I was amazed with his heart-warming life story, and his expressions of gratitude to all the people who helped him along the way.  I was to learn humility from this man who saw eye-to-eye with me in height!     

Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek) – Leonard Nimoy’s Star Trek character, Spock, had a great impact on my life.  I always valued a life filled with logic, incontrovertible facts, and profound arguments.  “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”  I had the opportunity to discuss his personal philosophy at a casual late night meeting in a Denny’s Restaurant in the late 1970’s.  This was after his performance at St. Edward’s University in Austin.  The time I spent with him was magical.  An autographed message from Leonard sits above my desk. 

Ann Richards (Governor of Texas) – I had the privilege of spending an hour with Governor Ann Richards as a precursor to a series of TV Shows I was producing for the Dallas County Community College District.  I selected four outstanding students to interview top Texas Officials during a regular session of the Texas Legislature.  My meeting with Ann laid the foundation for the students’ interview with her later that day.

I was immediately struck by Governor Richards’ plain-talk that just seemed to spell out the underlying truth about Texas Politics.  She had a way of making you feel at ease that I just rarely find in politicians.  She never talked “down” to you, but made you feel like you were a good friend.  That’s why everything she said seemed so level-headed and true!  Someone said:  “Ann always spoke truth to God’s ear!” 

Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler, and Barry Manilow – visited with each of these artists while providing security for them at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center, University of Texas, Austin.  These conversations were less than 30 minutes.  I think I liked Bruce Springsteen the best because of his willingness to chat.

The Importance of Body Building in My Life

My early high school days found me less focused on organized sports.  I just wasn’t good at catching a ball!  I would not discover until the 12^th grade that I had a depth perception problem that could easily have been remedied with eye glasses!  I never understood why they didn’t require mandatory eye examinations in those days!

Once my sight was corrected, I had no problem catching a ball, but by that time, I had already discovered other athletic venues.  I loved track events in college and developed some fairly good skills on gym rings.  I would find my real athletic “love” when I began lifting weights.  Of course, this would come naturally to me since I was always better at individual activities.

I enjoyed body building for twenty-eight years of my life finding great relaxation and relief from life’s pressures.  It was a confidence builder, and always provided avenues to share friendships and good stories with fellow weight lifters.  It always seemed to help if you could talk about your weight lifting injuries with people who endured the same kind of injuries!  I guess the old adage that “misery loves company” applies here.

I broke bones, tore ligaments, sprained muscles, and tortured my body . . . . but it was well worth it!  I remember doing the “snatch-and-jerk” with too heavy of a barbell.  I rocked back and forth trying to stabilize my position, but I just couldn’t hold the lift.  The barbell came crashing down to the floor pinning me under the weight.  My leg was folded up under me, tearing a hamstring muscle. 

I was pinned helpless on the floor for at least fifteen minutes until a gym coach came over to help.  Unfortunately, my injury kept me from removing the barbell, so he remarked I looked like a rat caught in a trap.  I never lifted heavy weights again without a designated spotter . . . . a lesson I learned through pain and embarrassment.

My extensive weight lifting experience, along with my love of running, kept me in good shape most of my life, but I finally reached a point where I just didn’t want to endure the pain any more.  As I reached my late fifties, it just took longer and longer to recover from workouts.  I decided it was time to put up my weights and take on the weight of my college students.  I now face lifting their understanding of the world, and this continues as I reach seventy-eight years of age.

Final Words

I am proud to say I’ve reached my goal of being a Renaissance Man, but it is never quite complete.  There is still so much left to do and learn.  I am launching into Mineralogy, Advanced Music History, Ancient Roman History, and of course solar car technology.  Every day is a new challenge with fresh things to learn, and old things to remember.       

Just yesterday I refreshed my memory about the fragility of the human body.  My 17-year old grandson broke his wrist riding a bicycle requiring the insertion of pins in his wrist.  This reminded me of the time when a man tried to “stick-me-up” at a gas station in Waco.  I was driving from Austin to Plano, and made my usual stop at a Texaco station in Waco. 

I realized a man was coming up behind me while I was pumping gas.  I turned to see a young man in his late 20’s with his hand in his pocket menacing some kind of weapon.  He asked me for my money.  I turned back to the pump placing the pump handle back in the rocker.  When I turned back, I came out swinging and proceeded to knock the young man to the ground.  He knocked himself out when his head struck the pavement. Unfortunately, my hand ricocheted off his head and smashed into the top of my car.  I realized I had broken my right hand.

The Gas Station attendant was watching the whole thing from the comfort of his glassed-in room.  He did nothing to help!  I yelled for him to call the Police.  I got back in my car and headed for the first convenient hospital. 

I ended up driving all the way from Waco to Dallas before finding that convenient hospital.  X-rays confirmed I had broken several bones and would require surgery.  And yes, they inserted pins into my hand too!  I wanted to share this with my grandson so he didn’t think he was the only one to get pins!

My students were always popping up in my life.  When I was about to go under from the anesthesia for the hand operation, a nurse pulled down her mask and said:  “Hello Dr. Marks!  Do you remember me?”  Of course, I was only wearing my birthday suit and was totally embarrassed.

Following back surgery, I awoke to find a nurse inserting a catheter.  After completing the procedure, the nurse pulled down her mask and introduced herself as the mother of one of my long-time students.  Again . . . . total embarrassment.

My desire to always defend myself reared its ugly head years later when I was teaching at Richland College.  I had finished classes for the day and wandered out to my car.  While I was unlocking the car door, a kid came up from behind me and grabbed the keys out of my hand.  This was going to be a car- jacking!

As the kid jumped into my truck, I also jumped up and struck his left knee with the full force of both of my feet.  (I had learned that the knees can be an attacker’s most vulnerable area.)  Unfortunately, my kicking-out caused me to rotate back onto my head giving me a concussion, but the thief was now also on the ground in agony. 

I am not sure who was slower to move . . . . me or the thief, but I was able to get my keys and slowly drag myself up into the truck.  My head was pounding with a dizzying headache, but I had my truck.  I never knew what happened to the young thief.

I never recommend using force.  It is far more important to find peaceful ways to resolve issues, or avoid confrontations, but I am proud I learned the value of standing up for myself.  I am even prouder that I learned how to anticipate “bad” situations, and how to diffuse or circumvent the problem.  Maybe this is some small level of wisdom through experience.   

My Advice to Students of the World

I encourage every student to reach out beyond their comfort zone and explore every adventure that comes your way.  On numerous occasions, the Good Lord dropped opportunities in my lap.  It would have been easier to take the safer road, but I learned you have to cherish moments of serendipity and see where they take you!  Rarely was I disappointed. 

That does not mean you should be frivolous with your decisions, nor thoughtless or careless.  I am just suggesting you grab every opportunity with both hands, and marvel at where that decision takes you.  Remember, life is a banquet, and so many people are starving to death.  Live your life to the fullest.  This is what David Vinson and I pledged to do sixty years ago.  I hope I have stayed true to our goal.  

Will There Be Another Book?

Yes . . . . there will be more books exploring the details of many of my adventures, and a History of the Winston Solar Car Team 1990-2010.  I will also add a photo album.