the baby of the family...
just one of the boys...
a member of a mariachi band? 
a lifelong Eagles fan...
a baseball player...
a lover of all things heavy metal...
a talented artist...
But most importantly he's the birthday boy!
May 15, 2009
From Mom & Allen
Dear Tom,
How quickly the years have passed and what wonderful memories we now have with many more yet to come. You were such a happy little boy busy playing with toys and you had a love of animals right from the start. As you went through school, sports became a big part of your life and you seemed to have a natural talent to excel in whatever game you played. What great times you had with Dad having a catch or throwing the football. Remember all the years you played baseball for St. Leo’s with Coach Hinnenkamp. Then there was tennis and Saturday morning bowling league with Chris and on to baseball and track at LCHS. You had such determination to play your very best.
You had a great interest in art early on and pursued lessons at the Lancaster County Art Association and with Camille DeHaven. I love that you have these early paintings hanging in your home today. And that was just the beginning of hundreds of drawings as you made art your major at Kutztown.
To this day I admire you for pulling up stakes and seeking better opportunities in the art and music world first in the Big Apple and then on to LA. And then along came another great opportunity with a rock band in Alabama. All of these being great experiences for you. But the best part about Alabama was meeting Jennifer, a lovely and delightful young lady.
All of us were delighted that you made frequent visits over the years and you could always rely on a family get together so all could see you and catch up on life in the fast lane. At the same time, we enjoyed coming to NY and LA and taking in all the sites with such a great tour guide.
I can’t tell you how thrilled all of us were in January ‘08 when you moved back to make Lancaster your home again. Our family is complete and having all of you here brings us such happiness.
Happy 40th birthday and thank you for being a thoughtful, loving son and bringing such joy to our lives. Dad would be so proud!
We love you,
Mom and Allen
How quickly the years have passed and what wonderful memories we now have with many more yet to come. You were such a happy little boy busy playing with toys and you had a love of animals right from the start. As you went through school, sports became a big part of your life and you seemed to have a natural talent to excel in whatever game you played. What great times you had with Dad having a catch or throwing the football. Remember all the years you played baseball for St. Leo’s with Coach Hinnenkamp. Then there was tennis and Saturday morning bowling league with Chris and on to baseball and track at LCHS. You had such determination to play your very best.
You had a great interest in art early on and pursued lessons at the Lancaster County Art Association and with Camille DeHaven. I love that you have these early paintings hanging in your home today. And that was just the beginning of hundreds of drawings as you made art your major at Kutztown.
To this day I admire you for pulling up stakes and seeking better opportunities in the art and music world first in the Big Apple and then on to LA. And then along came another great opportunity with a rock band in Alabama. All of these being great experiences for you. But the best part about Alabama was meeting Jennifer, a lovely and delightful young lady.
All of us were delighted that you made frequent visits over the years and you could always rely on a family get together so all could see you and catch up on life in the fast lane. At the same time, we enjoyed coming to NY and LA and taking in all the sites with such a great tour guide.
I can’t tell you how thrilled all of us were in January ‘08 when you moved back to make Lancaster your home again. Our family is complete and having all of you here brings us such happiness.
Happy 40th birthday and thank you for being a thoughtful, loving son and bringing such joy to our lives. Dad would be so proud!
We love you,
Mom and Allen
From Your Brother
Tom,
I have only a few memories of BT (Before Tom). Going grocery shopping @ Darrenkamp's on Union Street...
Sitting on the older neighbor couple's laps while there was a big fire somewhere in the city, walking to mom's hairdresser, mom spraying her ozone depleting "Breck" hairspray and that other older neighborhood guy calling me "Toe head." Truth be told the dude was probably "only" in his late 30's!
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The Tom era begins with my clear recollection of our Saturday morning cartoon ritual of me lifting you out of your crib so we could go downstairs at watch TV. You were sporting your "onesie" outfit w/ the slippery feet. Ah, the slippery feet pajamas- great for sliding safe into home down the all-wood hallway! Well, we could talk all day about growing up together in the same room, Viva, wiffle, Intellivision, Nerf football, Nerf basketball (Doobie Bros.), going to work w/ dad, Darth Vader poster, riding in the "way back" while mom delivered Avon (while I was busy up front shifting) in the '68 bug, Hanger 18, 45's, world championship tennis, Mr. Urban, Pensupreme, ghost in the graveyard and the green Devil Dog.
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We've always been tight about things like music, sports and movies but no doubt we got tighter the older we got and the more mature we got. It's typical brotherhood to have some rough times but I think back that even when we were young I still came to your St. Leo games, home and away, to cheer you on. And then there we were playing softball together many years later and ready to kick that big guy's ass when he was slinging his insults. All those pre-email years of keeping in contact when you were @ Kutztown and then NYC. How did we do it??? Sure has been a pleasure "touching base" all 15 years you were not in Lancaster. I guess with dad gone we had even more reason to stay close and take care of each other.
Great to have you close by again. So great that I went through this whole email without one mention of rubber snakes and Witchiepoo. That would have been cruel.
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Happy 40th Birthday Tom!
Love,
Chris
From Aunt Roberta & Uncle Bob
Dear Tom,
As your 40th birthday approaches, Bob and I were inspired to look back at some early pictures of you that grace our photo album. Of course, the first one we found there was the adorable “just born” hospital shot that marked your arrival into the world on June 9, 1969. It was a reminder of how excited I, your 19-year-old aunt, was to get my first glimpse of you. Less than two months later, there you were the night you asked your parents to let you stay up to watch Neil Armstrong take his first historic steps on the moon. Your eyes were riveted on the screen as you held a little American flag. We could imagine your arms and legs pumping away as you waved that flag with enthusiasm, a huge smile on your face. In August, you joined Dad, Mom, Renee, and Chris in the family’s psychedelic VW bus, headed for Woodstock. Our favorite shots from that landmark occasion were the one of you covered in mud wearing a garland of flowers around your little head, grinning from ear to ear and the one of you playing air guitar while Hendrix ripped through the national anthem. What a groovy time you were having! There were the obligatory first Thanksgiving and Christmas photos followed by your first snowman and Easter basket. We were touched as you celebrated your first Earth Day in April of 1970 by teaching the family how to plant a vegetable garden in the backyard on Devonshire Road. You could not have looked cuter in your denim overalls, wielding a hoe. As we turned to another page in the album, there you were in tears, surrounded by your bobblehead Beatles figures, crushed at the news of their breakup and worried about the future of EMI. Bless your little heart! We could go on and on, but suffice it to say that we continued down memory lane for hours.
All kidding aside, in what seems like no time at all, here you are celebrating the completion of 40 orbits around the sun. That’s a good bit of mileage on the old vehicle, but you are definitely not ready for a trade in just yet. During all that time, you were on the journey that has made you the person you are today: artist, photographer, teacher, advocate for people, animals, and the Earth, loyal friend, beloved partner, and cherished family member.
Congratulations on reaching this milestone occasion! May all that is good in life be yours now and in the years ahead.
With our love and best wishes,
Aunt Roberta and Uncle Bob
As your 40th birthday approaches, Bob and I were inspired to look back at some early pictures of you that grace our photo album. Of course, the first one we found there was the adorable “just born” hospital shot that marked your arrival into the world on June 9, 1969. It was a reminder of how excited I, your 19-year-old aunt, was to get my first glimpse of you. Less than two months later, there you were the night you asked your parents to let you stay up to watch Neil Armstrong take his first historic steps on the moon. Your eyes were riveted on the screen as you held a little American flag. We could imagine your arms and legs pumping away as you waved that flag with enthusiasm, a huge smile on your face. In August, you joined Dad, Mom, Renee, and Chris in the family’s psychedelic VW bus, headed for Woodstock. Our favorite shots from that landmark occasion were the one of you covered in mud wearing a garland of flowers around your little head, grinning from ear to ear and the one of you playing air guitar while Hendrix ripped through the national anthem. What a groovy time you were having! There were the obligatory first Thanksgiving and Christmas photos followed by your first snowman and Easter basket. We were touched as you celebrated your first Earth Day in April of 1970 by teaching the family how to plant a vegetable garden in the backyard on Devonshire Road. You could not have looked cuter in your denim overalls, wielding a hoe. As we turned to another page in the album, there you were in tears, surrounded by your bobblehead Beatles figures, crushed at the news of their breakup and worried about the future of EMI. Bless your little heart! We could go on and on, but suffice it to say that we continued down memory lane for hours.
All kidding aside, in what seems like no time at all, here you are celebrating the completion of 40 orbits around the sun. That’s a good bit of mileage on the old vehicle, but you are definitely not ready for a trade in just yet. During all that time, you were on the journey that has made you the person you are today: artist, photographer, teacher, advocate for people, animals, and the Earth, loyal friend, beloved partner, and cherished family member.
Congratulations on reaching this milestone occasion! May all that is good in life be yours now and in the years ahead.
With our love and best wishes,
Aunt Roberta and Uncle Bob
From Aunt Barbara & Jere
Tom - it's been a few years since we each celebrated our 40th but we're not so old that we can't conjure up a fleeting memory of the occasion and the decade that followed. It is, in some ways, a reality check - life is moving quickly and we pause to reflect on what has been and what may be. It's all good - all the blessings in your life - family, health, career, someone to share your life with - all the things that contribute to a "full life". Yes, there has been great tragedy - life at its worst - but with these events come personal growth without which we cannot survive. We like being philosophical about life especially on special birthdays such as this - having said that Tom, we wish you continued good fortune as you travel through your 40's and beyond - know you have enriched our lives and we count ourselves lucky to be "your family". It is so easy and natural to think of Ray, Robert & Anna on an occasion such as this - no doubt, they are traveling with you through life and are guiding you, each in their own way, but all loving you in the same way from the depths of their souls. We hope you have a wonderful celebration and take some time to reflect on all that you have accomplished and all that is yet to do. We are proud of you and wish the next 40 years to be amazing.
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From Kris, Rachel & Hala Martin
Have a great Majestic birthday...Hala says"Let Tom eat cake!"Kris, Rachel and Hala
From Jennifer Jones
Happy Birthday T2!
Hope your 40th is the best yet! I wish I could be there to celebrate, but alas I will have to toast from the other coast! Another Hollywood starlet also wanted to send you wishes...
Have a great day!!!
xoxo ~ JJ
Hope your 40th is the best yet! I wish I could be there to celebrate, but alas I will have to toast from the other coast! Another Hollywood starlet also wanted to send you wishes...
Have a great day!!!
xoxo ~ JJ
From Gregg & Liz Roberts
Tom--
I really wanted to send some of our classic pics from Kutztown days, but lucky for all of us, I couldnt find them. ** (Hard to believe that was TWENTY years ago!). Anyway, welcome to middle age. Hope you have a great birthday and many more rockin' years to come!
All our best,
Gregg and Liz
From Eerie Von
To Tom on his 40th Birthday!
I can't thank you enough for your friendship for the last dozen or so years. For all your help, free design work, along with your advice and caring ways. It's true when they say "you can count your real friends on one hand" and I'm lucky to be able to say you're one of them. I hope the next 40 years brings you even more joy and success, along with good health and LOVE.
It just goes to show that you can acheive great things and become a great person, despite your many handicaps.
All the Best, Lots of Love!
Your Pal
EV
From Tom & Carol Mayer
Carol and I watched Tom grow up from a little guy racing around Devonshire to big guy racing around the US.
One of our fondest memories was watching Tom and Rob compete in miniature golf. Their favorite "course" was the old Zinn's. Many a summer afternoon was spent having great fun with Tom and Rob. We never were able to give Rob a brother. But we, our whole little family, feel in love with a little guy on Devonshire. Rob, Carol and me were blessed with a brother, and second son, by choice. We are so proud of both Rob and Tom.
Hard to believe they are turning 40!!
Happy Birthday Tommy B,
Tom and Carol Mayer
From Rob Mayer
Happy 40th Tom! I have had the privilege of being a friend probably longer than anyone else on the planet. Tom and I met in our strollers when I was 6 months old and he was a year old. He was my first true friend and for that I will always be grateful to have such a wonderful person in my life. The long summer days of “wiffle”, riding to the dirt mounds and Atari/Intellivision marathon sessions will always hold a very, very special spot in my memory. It seems like just yesterday we were conspiring to see whose mom was cooking a better dinner, riding our bikes together to Turkey Hill for slushies, or finding the stash of our dads Playboys. Now 40 years later those happy memories bring a tear to my eye because I realize had such a loyal and true friend to share my childhood with. We made a pack back then that we would always be there for each other and remain friends, even when one of us became a huge rock star. The rock star thing never happened but I know the pack we made then will be there forever.
From Andrew Sample
ODE TO THE CM CLASS OF '98
We pilaged the metal biz with vigor
Tossing aside the norms and trends
Bringing in new stars and underdogs
Some became enemies and some friends
Concerts and festivals helped keep us sane
Meetings and budgets were met with disdain
Studios and rehearsal rooms never got old
Dipshit managers and agents all bought and sold
Getting out before it got too bad
Was no doubt a smart move
As now the CDs, LPs and 7-inches
Have all bowed to downloads and I-Tunes
Happy 40th Tom!!!
Miss you man...Andrew Sample
We pilaged the metal biz with vigor
Tossing aside the norms and trends
Bringing in new stars and underdogs
Some became enemies and some friends
Concerts and festivals helped keep us sane
Meetings and budgets were met with disdain
Studios and rehearsal rooms never got old
Dipshit managers and agents all bought and sold
Getting out before it got too bad
Was no doubt a smart move
As now the CDs, LPs and 7-inches
Have all bowed to downloads and I-Tunes
Happy 40th Tom!!!
Miss you man...Andrew Sample
From Bruce Dickinson**
Tom -
Thanks for being our biggest fan! Happy 40th Birthday. Rock on.
Bruce Dickinson
Thanks for being our biggest fan! Happy 40th Birthday. Rock on.
Bruce Dickinson
** Ok, fine. So I made this one up. It could have happened! - Jennifer
From Eric & Beth Freedman
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Tom,
Happy Birthday!!! Hope all of your wishes come true!
LA is not the same without you and Jennifer!
Love,
Beth and Eric Freedman
From Tanja Schoor
Now, I know this is a serious occasion. Turning 40 makes some people suicidal, some people lose hope, some people let themselves go. I was thinking of sending a male stripper but I'm afraid I'm 10 years late. Sorry to say, but face it - this is it. Might as well get it over with now and rid this world of a hell of a guy who actually is not so bad looking for 40. Hmmm... He's also done some pretty rad stuff, traveled all over the world, moved to all corners of the country and made a lot of friends along the way. Doesn't seem like he's done yet, maybe he should live a little while longer. Okay, Tom, you're not doomed!
Happy 40th B-day!
Tanja
Happy 40th B-day!
Tanja
From Patrick Kirchner
Tom:
It's been pleasure getting to know you, exchanging social and political ideas with you, and, of course, swapping music recommendations. You've introduced Abby and I to some wonderful things, the least important but most delicious of which are those fake vegan chicken wing thingers with the dowel rods. But those are another discussion altogether.
Over the past couple of years that I've gotten to know you, I've admired your exceptional professional talent, yes, but moreover the tenacity with which you approach everything you involve yourself in: art, teaching, music, activism, vegeterianism, connecting like-minded people, the Phils, the Birds, etc., etc., etc. Strangely, even when you're just hangin out and kickin it, you seem to do it with a full-on commitment that heretofor I've never seen. And I've grown to really appreciate that about you. Well, that, and the fact that you're on heck of a nice, interesting dude. You're like the vegeterian punk rock older brother who left Lancaster then decided to come back that I never had. So thanks for bringing your awesomeness back to the East Coast so that I could get in on it, too.
So here, on your 40th birthday, please accept my warmest birthday sentiments. But please--with all due respect--don't ever act like you're 40. Or 41. Or 42. Keep it young, awesome, and killer.
Happy birthday, buddy.
-Pat Kirchner
It's been pleasure getting to know you, exchanging social and political ideas with you, and, of course, swapping music recommendations. You've introduced Abby and I to some wonderful things, the least important but most delicious of which are those fake vegan chicken wing thingers with the dowel rods. But those are another discussion altogether.
Over the past couple of years that I've gotten to know you, I've admired your exceptional professional talent, yes, but moreover the tenacity with which you approach everything you involve yourself in: art, teaching, music, activism, vegeterianism, connecting like-minded people, the Phils, the Birds, etc., etc., etc. Strangely, even when you're just hangin out and kickin it, you seem to do it with a full-on commitment that heretofor I've never seen. And I've grown to really appreciate that about you. Well, that, and the fact that you're on heck of a nice, interesting dude. You're like the vegeterian punk rock older brother who left Lancaster then decided to come back that I never had. So thanks for bringing your awesomeness back to the East Coast so that I could get in on it, too.
So here, on your 40th birthday, please accept my warmest birthday sentiments. But please--with all due respect--don't ever act like you're 40. Or 41. Or 42. Keep it young, awesome, and killer.
Happy birthday, buddy.
-Pat Kirchner
From Abby Kirchner
Dear Tom,
I'm so glad you and Jennifer have decided to settle here in Lancaster! I know I give you a hard time about your 'nuances', but it's just because I like you so much. (smile.) I'm glad to have cultivated a love of brussel sprouts in your gastronomy, but don't be surprised if you're gifted a large quantity of Swiss chard this summer.
You've brought a lot of humor and great conversation into our lives, and for that I'm appreciative. So happy birthday, old man! May the world continue to be blessed with your compassion, intelligence, and conscientiousness for many years to come.
All my best,
Abby.
I'm so glad you and Jennifer have decided to settle here in Lancaster! I know I give you a hard time about your 'nuances', but it's just because I like you so much. (smile.) I'm glad to have cultivated a love of brussel sprouts in your gastronomy, but don't be surprised if you're gifted a large quantity of Swiss chard this summer.
You've brought a lot of humor and great conversation into our lives, and for that I'm appreciative. So happy birthday, old man! May the world continue to be blessed with your compassion, intelligence, and conscientiousness for many years to come.
All my best,
Abby.
From Adam & Vanessa
Tom-Vanessa and I were gonna do a birthday rap song for you. I had already planned to rhyme ‘Bejgrowicz’ with ‘Refuse/Resist’! Unfortunately, my studio is in pieces and in storage at the moment, so a simple sentiment of birthday love will have to suffice. Hope this birthday kicks ass dude. Miss you guys and hope to see you soon.
Adam
From Steve Joh
Tom B! Happy Birthday, Are you really 40? Damn, it seems like yesterday that I, as an intern at my first day at Caroline, bought you a beer on your last day there as part of your going away party. Still can't believe we both ended up across the country a few years later working for the same company. Anyway, here's to living big in a small town...Happy Birthday!
Steve
PS. I hope you're old and wise enough now to be able to admit that the Outfield really were a great band, play deep Tom, play deep...
Steve
PS. I hope you're old and wise enough now to be able to admit that the Outfield really were a great band, play deep Tom, play deep...
From Chris & Nats Migliore
Hi there mr. Bay-gro-what?!?! :P
We hear you’re gonna be 40 today and we’d like to wish you a happy F-in’ birthday from Lake Como , Italy ! :)
Damn, that makes me realize I’m gonna get there soon too!!! Anyway, we hope you have a great time and don’t forget that, no matter what your I.D. says, you’re (and all of us) always young and athletic (ok, maybe a few more gray hairs... hahaha!!!).
Take care bro!
Cris & Nats.
We hear you’re gonna be 40 today and we’d like to wish you a happy F-in’ birthday from Lake Como , Italy ! :)
Damn, that makes me realize I’m gonna get there soon too!!! Anyway, we hope you have a great time and don’t forget that, no matter what your I.D. says, you’re (and all of us) always young and athletic (ok, maybe a few more gray hairs... hahaha!!!).
Take care bro!
Cris & Nats.
From Peter Brandt
I met Tom in 1997 in Los Angeles where we both lived for awhile. My wife Lida knew him from New York.
10 Miracles Tom performed during his first four decades:
1. Within one month of meeting Tom, he had transformed me from a simple hillbilly into a suave Los Angelino. Tom introduced me to the Johnny Rockets veggie burger, and cooked me the very first Indian-food meal I had ever come close to. The latter was a horizon-expanding experience which ignited within me a 10 year passion for indian cuisine, which has, in turn, been an ass-expanding experience.
2. In the 1990's Tom unseated Gray Davis, then sitting as Governor of California, and Tom is the current governor of California. Tom was able to accomplish this political coup because he is an assassin sent from the future and he has a titanium alloy endoskeleton covered in living tissue. Or I may be mistaking Tom for someone else.
3. Having only a single leftover Astro-Burger veggie chilli dog in his refrigerator Tom nevertheless broke it, and fed 13 members of the band Trial and their associated roadies and make-up artists. None went hungry. And he let them stay at his apartment, even though I only asked him like 15 minutes before they showed up.
4. Tom let me stay at his apartment while he was out of town and even though his bedroom door somehow got broken on my watch, and he didn’t get mad. Ordinary wear and tear, dude. I replaced the door with one made of particle-board alloy, covered in living tissue. Still waiting for a thank-you note.
5. Few people know this, but Tom was the roadie in the film Another State of Mind, and even to this day he continues to dye his hair various colors every other day to reflect how the tour is going.
6. Tom indirectly introduced me to my wife, which was pretty cool of him.
7. Tom adopted an entire litter of kittens in Los Angeles. Coincidentally, one of those cats was also comprised of titanium alloy covered in living tissue, and was sent from the future to eliminate Ted Nugent.
8. As I understand it, Tom wandered in the deserts of Alabama for what seemed like 30 years, then returned to the promised land (Los Angeles).
9. Tom is very handsome for someone with fuschia hair and a pure titanium nose.
10. Taking a page from Norman Rockwell, Tom gave himself a tattoo of himself giving himself a tattoo.
10 Miracles Tom performed during his first four decades:
1. Within one month of meeting Tom, he had transformed me from a simple hillbilly into a suave Los Angelino. Tom introduced me to the Johnny Rockets veggie burger, and cooked me the very first Indian-food meal I had ever come close to. The latter was a horizon-expanding experience which ignited within me a 10 year passion for indian cuisine, which has, in turn, been an ass-expanding experience.
2. In the 1990's Tom unseated Gray Davis, then sitting as Governor of California, and Tom is the current governor of California. Tom was able to accomplish this political coup because he is an assassin sent from the future and he has a titanium alloy endoskeleton covered in living tissue. Or I may be mistaking Tom for someone else.
3. Having only a single leftover Astro-Burger veggie chilli dog in his refrigerator Tom nevertheless broke it, and fed 13 members of the band Trial and their associated roadies and make-up artists. None went hungry. And he let them stay at his apartment, even though I only asked him like 15 minutes before they showed up.
4. Tom let me stay at his apartment while he was out of town and even though his bedroom door somehow got broken on my watch, and he didn’t get mad. Ordinary wear and tear, dude. I replaced the door with one made of particle-board alloy, covered in living tissue. Still waiting for a thank-you note.
5. Few people know this, but Tom was the roadie in the film Another State of Mind, and even to this day he continues to dye his hair various colors every other day to reflect how the tour is going.
6. Tom indirectly introduced me to my wife, which was pretty cool of him.
7. Tom adopted an entire litter of kittens in Los Angeles. Coincidentally, one of those cats was also comprised of titanium alloy covered in living tissue, and was sent from the future to eliminate Ted Nugent.
8. As I understand it, Tom wandered in the deserts of Alabama for what seemed like 30 years, then returned to the promised land (Los Angeles).
9. Tom is very handsome for someone with fuschia hair and a pure titanium nose.
10. Taking a page from Norman Rockwell, Tom gave himself a tattoo of himself giving himself a tattoo.
From Lauren Skaar
Happy Birthday Tom! We miss you very much! Hope you guys get back out this way some day soon.
Love,
Lauren
From Alison Tarnofsky
Dear Tomb,
Can you fit 40 candles on a Tastykake? I hope you get everything you wish for this year (lifetime supply of Bugles?)
I am so glad to have known you these past 14 years (and you look exactly the same, even through all the hair color changes and facial hair growth).
Have an amazing day!
Lots of love and buh-bye,
Alison
From Joni Adams
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Dear Tom,I just dug through a box which contained old mailings and mixed tapes thatyou made for me when you worked at Record Rev in Hummelstown, PA and I was your sales rep at Caroline. There was a picture of us from a taxi cab that I wanted to scan in, but it is really dark. Instead, I found pics of us at Motor City on the LES and you at a Caroline football game that I believe was Label against Distribution. I think Distribution kicked Label's ass that day. Anyway, on this your 40th birthday, I just wanted to say that I deeply regret that I can not come to your party.
Then I want to say how much I have admired you all these 18 years. You are a true Renaissance man - you care so much for politics, the environment, animals, and you're an amazing artist and designer, and you have a great ear for music. I eagerly await your end-of-year top 10 lists and the inspiring quotes/lyrics you place at the end of every email. You have good friends all over the countrybecause you are a genuine and noble person, and well, you're just fucking cool!!!!
Have an awesome 40th birthday and many more, my friend. And you'vedefinitely still got it baby!!!!
Love,
Joni
From Ann McGonigal
I can not believe we have been friends for 22 years! Yep, 22 years. A lot has changed since then, but through it all, we have kept in touch and each time I see you, it’s like I just saw you the day before. We met our freshman year at Kutztown, I believe it was the 3 hour drawling lab in the basement of Old Stain, I mean, Old Main. It’s amazing we actually met, as my attendance lacked consistency, especially the Friday classes, 3-6pm when happy hour awaited SOMEWHERE. But I’m sure you made EVERY single class as you were as determined then, as you are now.
So when we met, gas was about 90 cents a gallon, the stock market had just crashed, sound familiar? Crack was making its debut, as well as Guns N’ Roses, and Fox Network~ The Simpsons! We were young (definitely), we were innocent (sort of) and we were in the middle of no where USA!
So here we are several states and children later, and although our contact is sporadic, I still consider you a very close friend, with memories of my youth that I will cherish forever! So I raise a glass for you today, Tom; to health, happiness and many more years of friendship! Hear! Hear!
So when we met, gas was about 90 cents a gallon, the stock market had just crashed, sound familiar? Crack was making its debut, as well as Guns N’ Roses, and Fox Network~ The Simpsons! We were young (definitely), we were innocent (sort of) and we were in the middle of no where USA!
So here we are several states and children later, and although our contact is sporadic, I still consider you a very close friend, with memories of my youth that I will cherish forever! So I raise a glass for you today, Tom; to health, happiness and many more years of friendship! Hear! Hear!
From Lyle Preslar
Tom,
It is June 6, and technology has let me down -- I had a video message for you but there's some international issue between Sony and Mac (I'm certain that it involves the Transformers somehow and is far more significant than any N. Korean nuclear stuff, but involves memory sticks and camcorders and leopard, and...). So, I am reduced to old skool greetings instead.
In any event, here we go (this is not a transcription of the video script --that was much better and concerned why Priest was so much cooler than Maiden cause Halford's gay and aircraft pilot Dickhead ain't, but whatever): When I turned 40 I gave specific instructions to any fool that cared a lick about me to:
Not make a 'big deal' about "it". Now, I did this for fear that the gigantessness of "it" might overwhelm the casual follower (of my life) causing that person to rethink their existence and do something nuts like get involved in community action in Chicago and eventually ascend to the presidency of the United States.
Turns out, that "it" really didn't matter so much (to anyone), 'cause those people who I am fearfully joined to are, and continue to be all older (haveyou SEEN Ian lately?) than me (except for the 'Baker', who LOOKS older anyway).
So, I didn't allow "it" to be a big deal.
But, that doesn't mean "it" should not a big deal for you.
I don't really have anything to say to you except that 40 is the new 60...Oh, wait, that's more like 60 is the new 40 -- whatever.
Have a great time on your day. After that, renounce the playing of golf --'cause it's NOT A REAL SPORT no matter WHAT Jim Nance says, and Tiger is onhis boat with a Swedish wife laughing at all of us (?!).
Best from all of us -- HAIL to the Redskins,
Lyle
From Xilonen Oreshnick
Wishing the coolest of Happy Birthdays to one of the coolest kids I know!
Love,
Xilonen
From Lo-ruhama Ochoa
“Thomas Bej…er um, Tom Be-ja-grr…um”
His new fourth grade teacher stumbled and stammered through his last name. After two more tries Tom finally took pity on her and declared his presence, “here.”
“Oh, how do you say your name, dearie?”
“Bay-grow-its”
…
“You can call me Tom B.”
With that said and done the teacher continued down the list of students. Swiping at his hair trying to ineffectually keep it out of his eyes, Tom listened to roll call with half an ear always ready to hear a new name. He supposed there was always a chance that there was a chance every September that he would meet a kid with a name as unique as his own.
“Karen Jones. Freddy Knolls. Phillip...”
The same names that he’s gone to school with his whole life.
“…Randy Smith”
Randy? Tom looked up from doodling on his folder, which was filled with circles and slashes that to an untrained eye might have looked like a family of small onion people. Scanning the class, his eyes fixed on the kid in the torn sneakers, swinging his legs back and forth. Torn-sneakers kid was hunched over in his seat and was quickly tearing up small pieces of paper and popping them into his mouth. A straw lay discretely by his elbow.
Randy had been in Ms. Ohara’s class last year. Tom had been in Mrs. Jensen’s. The two classes had shared a wall and occasionally Mrs. Jensen’s class could hear the shrieks and stern lectures coming from next door. Somehow everyone knew that Randy had been the cause.
Tom turned back to his drawing, adding some dots and dark shadowing to the second largest “onion person.” A girl’s shriek followed by a couple of boys’ appreciative laughter broke Tom’s reverie.
Tom smiled. Oh yes, Randy would be fun.
***
After school, Tom headed home forgoing the nice sidewalk path that most children took for the uneven dirt path that crossed through two abandoned lots and a tiny forest of knee high weeds. One of the lots that he walked through also contained an abandoned manufacturing factory that used to make colorful ceramic garden gnomes, judging by the amount of fragmented gnomes (who had unfortunately met their demise through the stomps and rock-throwing of many a neighborhood child) and a large sign that read Mr. Reddings Happy Gnomes, Grown Here.
Tom was technically not allowed to go inside the factory, yet how could he resist the allure of past times and the imagination of what had been? It was simply too much to ask for of a lone child. But today he would not enter the factory. He was to be good this week; he had a shiny new baseball card hanging in the balance. This week he would not break the rules.
As were the ways of temptation, having just reaffirmed his decision to be good, Tom was pulled towards the factory by a child’s manic laughter. Someone was having great fun inside the factory, and here Tom was, having only a moderate amount of fun, walking outside the factory. Tom stood indecisive just outside the large opening that was once the main door. He could still hear laughter as it echoed off the cavernous factory floor room but could not discern who was having so much fun since his eyes could not cut through the shadows. As Tom thought over the consequences of his actions, he found that his feet had already crossed the doorway and were fast approaching the origin of the laughter.
It only took 3 more steps to realize that Randy was the one making all that raucous. Tom stood and watched Randy as he ran and slid across an old conveyor belt. Some old crates and one giant gnome stood at various intervals along the conveyer belt and Randy nimbly leaped over each one. Even at a young age, Tom knew that probably wasn’t very smart.
Having spotted Tom, Randy called out to him.
“Hey Tom, wanna play?” he asked, patting the giant gnome’s tummy, which he had recently jumped over, “we can race.”
As a young boy, Tom wasn’t really prepared to walk away from a race. Especially if the reason was because he was pretty sure he would break his neck if he tried. Tom shook his head and scuffed his foot as if the idea of racing on a conveyer belt riddled with crates and gnomes was too beneath him to even contemplate. His only hope lay in that Randy would not dare him.
“Want me to give you a tattoo?” Tom offered, hoping to distract him. Randy nodded and jumped off, Tom uncapped his blue pen in preparation.
As Tom drew a picture of a skull with flames coming out of its mouth on Randy’s bicep, Tom began to tell him about why he should really recycle his coke bottles instead of leaving them on neighbor’s doorsteps and that soy chicken nuggets taste just like real chicken nuggets
“Tom,” Randy began, “you’re kinda weird, you know that?”
“Yea.”
“You think you’ll ever be normal?”
“Maybe, like when I’m 40.”
“Doubt it.”
Tom shrugged and added one more squiggle to the skull, then signed it tom b.
***
Happy Birthday Tom!
His new fourth grade teacher stumbled and stammered through his last name. After two more tries Tom finally took pity on her and declared his presence, “here.”
“Oh, how do you say your name, dearie?”
“Bay-grow-its”
…
“You can call me Tom B.”
With that said and done the teacher continued down the list of students. Swiping at his hair trying to ineffectually keep it out of his eyes, Tom listened to roll call with half an ear always ready to hear a new name. He supposed there was always a chance that there was a chance every September that he would meet a kid with a name as unique as his own.
“Karen Jones. Freddy Knolls. Phillip...”
The same names that he’s gone to school with his whole life.
“…Randy Smith”
Randy? Tom looked up from doodling on his folder, which was filled with circles and slashes that to an untrained eye might have looked like a family of small onion people. Scanning the class, his eyes fixed on the kid in the torn sneakers, swinging his legs back and forth. Torn-sneakers kid was hunched over in his seat and was quickly tearing up small pieces of paper and popping them into his mouth. A straw lay discretely by his elbow.
Randy had been in Ms. Ohara’s class last year. Tom had been in Mrs. Jensen’s. The two classes had shared a wall and occasionally Mrs. Jensen’s class could hear the shrieks and stern lectures coming from next door. Somehow everyone knew that Randy had been the cause.
Tom turned back to his drawing, adding some dots and dark shadowing to the second largest “onion person.” A girl’s shriek followed by a couple of boys’ appreciative laughter broke Tom’s reverie.
Tom smiled. Oh yes, Randy would be fun.
***
After school, Tom headed home forgoing the nice sidewalk path that most children took for the uneven dirt path that crossed through two abandoned lots and a tiny forest of knee high weeds. One of the lots that he walked through also contained an abandoned manufacturing factory that used to make colorful ceramic garden gnomes, judging by the amount of fragmented gnomes (who had unfortunately met their demise through the stomps and rock-throwing of many a neighborhood child) and a large sign that read Mr. Reddings Happy Gnomes, Grown Here.
Tom was technically not allowed to go inside the factory, yet how could he resist the allure of past times and the imagination of what had been? It was simply too much to ask for of a lone child. But today he would not enter the factory. He was to be good this week; he had a shiny new baseball card hanging in the balance. This week he would not break the rules.
As were the ways of temptation, having just reaffirmed his decision to be good, Tom was pulled towards the factory by a child’s manic laughter. Someone was having great fun inside the factory, and here Tom was, having only a moderate amount of fun, walking outside the factory. Tom stood indecisive just outside the large opening that was once the main door. He could still hear laughter as it echoed off the cavernous factory floor room but could not discern who was having so much fun since his eyes could not cut through the shadows. As Tom thought over the consequences of his actions, he found that his feet had already crossed the doorway and were fast approaching the origin of the laughter.
It only took 3 more steps to realize that Randy was the one making all that raucous. Tom stood and watched Randy as he ran and slid across an old conveyor belt. Some old crates and one giant gnome stood at various intervals along the conveyer belt and Randy nimbly leaped over each one. Even at a young age, Tom knew that probably wasn’t very smart.
Having spotted Tom, Randy called out to him.
“Hey Tom, wanna play?” he asked, patting the giant gnome’s tummy, which he had recently jumped over, “we can race.”
As a young boy, Tom wasn’t really prepared to walk away from a race. Especially if the reason was because he was pretty sure he would break his neck if he tried. Tom shook his head and scuffed his foot as if the idea of racing on a conveyer belt riddled with crates and gnomes was too beneath him to even contemplate. His only hope lay in that Randy would not dare him.
“Want me to give you a tattoo?” Tom offered, hoping to distract him. Randy nodded and jumped off, Tom uncapped his blue pen in preparation.
As Tom drew a picture of a skull with flames coming out of its mouth on Randy’s bicep, Tom began to tell him about why he should really recycle his coke bottles instead of leaving them on neighbor’s doorsteps and that soy chicken nuggets taste just like real chicken nuggets
“Tom,” Randy began, “you’re kinda weird, you know that?”
“Yea.”
“You think you’ll ever be normal?”
“Maybe, like when I’m 40.”
“Doubt it.”
Tom shrugged and added one more squiggle to the skull, then signed it tom b.
***
Happy Birthday Tom!
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