Hello, My Name Is Winston Rand, And I’ve Got A Secret…
The title is probably lost on half of you, but the other one got it. I’ve Got A Secret was an early TV quiz show hosted by Garry Moore, on which… Never mind… that’s not what this is about.
Frank Paynter, at the behest of Madame Levy, responded to the call to reveal seven secrets, or at least widely unknown facts, about himself. He avenged his wrath toward the good Madame by tagging a host of others, including me. I do these things when asked by someone I like, love, respect, fear, or to whom I owe a large sum of cash. I like and respect Frank, who has been a help and inspiration since my first days of skinning my writing knees while crawling around on the floor of the blogosphere. So here goes…
1. Married 4 times, divorced 3. And this is definitely the last, no matter what. There are two sides to every story, but the odd thing is, none of the three that ended were my doing or my fault. Yeah, yeah, you say. That’s what they all say. No, really…
2. I saw David Connelly’s sister nekkid. David and I were 5 or 6. He lived across the street and was my best friend . While playing whatever the hell 5 or 6 year old boys played back then, I was walking through their house when David’s late-teen sister came out of the bathroom fully attired in the beautiful, form-fitting skin she was born into this world with. There I was standing mouth agape, eyes bugged out, making gurgling sounds where words should have been, staring at her perfect body — boobs, bush, and all. Making no attempt to cover up, she smiled, said hello and told me it was OK. I’ve never been the same since.
3. Is No. 1 related to No. 2? I’ve never thought about that, so that’s a secret, even from me.
4. I stole one of Pop’s cigars and smoked it in the attic over his garage. My grandfather always had a box or two of Tampa Nuggets sitting around. When I was about 11 or 12 I snitched one and waited until there was nobody home, went out to the attic over the garage and tried to smoke it. A couple of puffs was all I could take, so I put it out and kept it there where I worked on it over the next few months. Finally got the whole damn thing smoked and have never cared for cigars since.
5. Continuing my life of larceny, I stole test scores at age 16. Along with a couple of other students, I got into the official records and test scores for the National Science Foundation School I had been selected to attend between Junior and Senior years in high school. I learned the IQ scores for one of my best friends, who was valedictorian of our high school graduating class, and for me. I never told him, but mine was higher than his. And no, I’m not telling… A guy has to keep some things secret…
6. In early 2006, I lost a revered and respected friend and still feel the loss. We are about the same age, and despite very different life experiences, we have arrived at similar places in our views on life, politics, social issues, religion, etc. [I decided to shorten this for this post, but may dedicate more space to it in a separate post.] Life is too short for ill feelings to endure between friends, so I offer this public apology to Ronni Bennett. I would never have purposely or knowingly done or said anything to hurt or upset you. I did make a mistake and I did hurt you. I deeply and humbly apologize and ask your forgiveness.
7. I really wanted to be a professional musician. Had my own band, etc. Long story for another time. But if I could do it all over again, knowing what I now know, I would study and pursue a life in archaeology. Dig dem bones…
That’s about it boys and girls. In the process of thinking through the ideas for this post, I realized just how many things about me are for the most part unknown, in both my real and virtual worlds. Most of those are probably best left under the carpet. Perhaps this short list is enough to give you some inkling of my inner bean, as Frank called it.
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I will not explicitly reach out and touch anyone with a tag for this exercise (or is it exorcise?) since it has penetrated the portals of many of you already. Besides, starting about now, many of us are overwhelmingly occupied by too many priorities for the next three weeks or so as we slosh and merry our way through our various holiday traditions. If anyone feels inclined to grab the brass ring and ride it a couple more rounds, please be my guest.
12 Comments so far
This made for compelling reading. Whatever it was Frank bribed you with, I’m glad you were weak enough to accede to it.
Thanks for sharing.
Married 4 times!!! sheesh, some of us can’t even manage to snag one partner, not alone 4…have you thought of running workshops? writing a book? launching a tv career?
Nice work. Number two was my favorite.
Nothing is worse than losing a valued friendship. I hope that your public apology will make things right. If not, rest assured that you have done all that you can and let it go. From one who knows.
i was going to write how this post has made me re-evaluate just how surface-y my “secrets” were and divulge some real secrets, but when i got to frank’s Number two was my favorite. my secrets went back into their secret place and were replaced by my 10 year old mentality that makes me a (i hope) a fun and rude mother. and now your country is run by boobs, bush and all. (unless you’re canadian, in which case i thank you for neil young, j.m.,leo cohen etc.)
Gosh, you don’t sound much different than a lot of people I know. Have you ever spent a night in jail? There are lots out there who haven’t had that experience and probably never will. Life is full of experiences, good and bad. But they are both educational and make life interesting to say the least.
Ever know anyone whose life is beautiful from birth? Never had any problems. Never make any mistakes. I know some. They really don’t seem very happy.
My best friend in 7th grade had 5 older sisters. I tried but failed. So consider yourself very lucky.
It doesn’t sound like you have much to regret.
Should I know David Connelly? Just curious.
I knew you’d been married four times. the musician bit was interesting. So many of us have had dreams at some time of being …something creative - and famous. Famous more than rich, because with fame you get your work in front of people. Me, I want to be a famous writer -because I want people to read, and to laugh or to cry at what I write. I want a response. That’s what’s so good about blogging. Maybe you should make youtube video of your music? GEORGE! Don’t do that!
Hmmmmm, now I understand why no link to your website remains on Ronni’s, which is how I first found you back when. Well, no, I don’t understand, but at least it’s an explanation. I rarely read her blog these days. Too much passion there for my late night meanderings.
I remember Gary Moore and his tv show. Watched it regularly.
I hope your friend accepts your apology.
You are too sweet to be angry with. at. about.
I smell a book . . .
Very interesting reading, Winston!
That was interesting as most of your posts are here. So never going to divorce again for any reason? lol You sure that was wise to say? I have learned, through many many times saying it, that never is a word that usually leads to fate teaching me never say never
I always liked that show..especially when the person who had a secret was a famous person and the panel had to wear blind folds…great show..loved gary moore…
I like all of your answers…mainly because you’re the only person I know who’s been married more times than me..you didn’t shoot any of your spouses did ya?