When I began this less than spectacular experiment in blogging, I was Cliffie. Middle age, not as cool as I thought I was. Maybe something like
Cliffie the mailman on "Cheers." The bar stool security guard turned mailman philosopher.
I worked with a cute young babe who called me Cliffie. Oh boy!
I got older and fancied myself smarter, so I went with Clifton, the real first name. Sort of like Clifton Fadiman, I imagined. A literary bright light of the '30s and '40s, the know-everything-about-everything host of radio's high class quiz/game show, "Information Please." The Alex Trebeck of his time Yes! I would be erudite. Fadimanesque. He would be proud of me for coining that word. Maybe he already did. But my level of erudition just wasn't sufficient to pull it off.
So I turned to another pseudonym borrowed from old time radio. I would be Paul Barbour, the wise eldest son of "One Man's Family." It was one of the longest running radio dramas. I wanted so much to be like Paul.
Paul is the handsome dude with the moustache on the right. I still hear Michael Raffetto's voice in my head. He was Paul for the time I was listening and he also appeard on radio's "I love a mystery as Jack Packard. Remember Doc, Jack and Reggie? Paul Barbour. What a guy. Maybe if reincarnation is true I will get born into a Barbour Family with that aristocratic "U" spelling and they will name me Paul.
Or maybe I should just follow Dr. Phil's advice and get real and like myself the way I am. I ain't smart, wise, erudite or any of that idealistic stuff. I have it! I will drag out good old Clifton, the name my parents gave me, add a bit of possible Irish ancestry and become Clifton Finnegan. He was the likeable, not too bright character in the dimly lit "Duffy's Tavern." Another great radio show from the past.But for now, just call me Paul.
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Next: WHEN POPEYE QUIT SPINACH.........Coming soon.
Stay Tuned
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