Randall
A. (Randy) Clifford
Yep,
I know, '"Randy" its more than a name, it's a
condition.'
Born,
educated and raised in West (By God) Virginia.
I came
from a rural mountain town in south east WV, and moved to
the large city (60K) of Huntington to start my college education.
If you can imagine Gomer going to town, you would have a
picture of me when I arrived in Huntington. Four lanes of
traffic in each way, buildings over 10 stories tall, what
is this world coming to.
It was
the middle '60's and with work, Viet Nam et, al, I eventually
made it through college by the end of the decade. Having
to work full time, my grades reflected my lack of time for
the books, but what the hey, I made it out. Entered Graduate
school at the same university and got my second degree.
I earned a gradute degree in mental health counseling, and
have worked in Mental health ever since. I spent over 25
years doing most every type of mental health clinical service,
but for the past 6 years I have been working for a behavioral
health managed care company as a clinical director.
Met
my future and current wife on a blind date. I was enamored
by her Ford Thunderbird. I thought she had money. Oh well.
We have been married for 30 years, and If I had killed her
the first time I thought about it I would be out of jail
by now.
I did
not want any children and she wanted two, so we compromised
at two. (I still don't understand how that happened!) LOL,
but she warned me that morning, and I just would not listen.
We have
a son and a daughter, and even though both are grown and
gone, I can't seem to get them off the payroll. I am sure
you have heard that voice "Dad, I am a little short
this pay check".
My son
obtained a double degree in Philosophy and English. (Anyone
have a job for him?) I didn't think so. He works for an
ISP doing tech support on the phone, and is considering
going to graduate school.
My daughter
completed 3 years of college in a variety of majors, and
since college interfered with her social life, she stopped
for a while. She works for Amazon.Com and has opened her
own coffee shop. (Anyone want to order gourmet coffee by
the pound?) I didn't think so. LOL
I got
my first FP in the college book store. It was one of those
translucent Sheaffer student FP's with 2 cartridges. One
buck. I still have a half dozen or so of these pens from
the 60's. I purchased a couple Parker Vectors and other
real inexpensive FP's though out the years, and continued
to use them. I guess it was the Scott-Irish in me.
About
10 years ago I bought my first "upscale" FP. A
Waterman Laureat. Then about 6 years ago, I started buying
vintage FP's here at the the various flea markets and antique
stores, and now my "accumulation" is about 280
working FP's and another 30 or so in the basket awaiting
parts or repair. My wife wants me to carefully label them
so the day I die, she will post them on ebay.
I have
a rotation of about 20 or so that I use. My "favorite"
pocket pen user is a Sheaffer Masterpiece circa 1949, LF,
and I have a Sheaffer solid 14K Snorkle desk pen that I
use daily. I have 28 FP's at work today, and it rarely vairies
by a couple or so.
Well,
not being a writer, that just about sums it up.
Randy
Konstantin
Mihov
There
is a custom in Bulgaria, a strange one, according to which
the remaining of the navel string has to be thrown at a
place that will show the future development of the person.
I know that my navel string has been thrown at the Bulgarian
Academy of Arts. What inspired my mother and my father are
probably my father’s skills in drawing – he was
quite good but a decade ago he gave up all and has not painted
since then. I blame him for this but…
I believe
that it is high time for me to reveal to you my interest
in arts. Following my father’s steps I started my education
at a school where arts were studied more than in regular
schools. But in 1999 I started attending the First English
Language School in Sofia because I knew that I need languages
more than art skills, on the first place, which can be developed
further in universities or colleges. And after all, I have
not given it up – I am still attending courses of art
apart from the courses of piano playing but this is a different
story.
You
know already about my love of art. However the further development
of my skills will have to concentrate on something more
precise – jewellery making. It all started just over
a year ago when I bought a book on fountain pens. The manufacturers
were arranged in alphabetical order but apart from the major
manufacturers there were included some jewellers who make
customised pens. In the beginning I did not care very much
about the custom-made pens (I was concentrating on Parker
fountain pens and actually I am still concentrated on collecting
them). But soon I understood that they are one important
part of the world of fountain pens. Then I knew that this
is quite attractive to me and decided to dedicate myself
on jewellery making even if it remains just as a hobby in
the future.
As I
said I soon understood the importance of the jewellers.
I became familiar with it as soon as I subscribed to a list
(e.g. forum) on fountain pens. This happened several months
ago when a fellow collector advised me. I was very surprised
with it but also extremely pleased. There I can answer questions
if I am able to and I can ask about specific pens. I have
received some nice feedback. This feedback encouraged me
to continue with my hobby. But my collection of fountain
pens is enlarging not only because of the support I am gaining
on the list – it would be impossible for me to keep
it on without the support of my parents (I do NOT mean the
financial support).
My mother
was very happy to realise that I have finally found my hobby
– I have been collecting stamps, coins, phone cards,
but I did never reach the end of the joy. Once it is reached
you are no longer simply a collector - you become an expert.
And the joy of having more than just few pens is indeed
great. Unfortunately, it is felt only once in your career
as a collector. My mother is a very tolerant person. I believe
she is indeed my father’s half. They adore each other.
And I can understand them. My father has been a little bit
against my hobby in the beginning but he saw that there
is no point of being against it. I really think him as an
aristocrat. I also have a brother – he is … MY
brother. I believe that we are one united family without
animals.
After
discussing my family, my hobby and my future perspectives
I think I’d better say something about myself. I think
that the best description of oneself would be given not
by him but by the people with whom he is in contact. However,
for the purpose of this contest I am supposed to describe
myself. On the application form it was requested that I
give three words to depict myself. I have been thinking
a lot and finally I realised that I am nothing more than
an eccentrically reserved and reservedly eccentric vegetarian.
But I must mention that there are times when I am in a mood
of great selfishness. My extravagant nature is regarded
as madness although I think that being eccentric means being
loved without obvious reason in an intangible way.
That
is all about my behaviour in the unreal world. But when
it comes to the reality I am more critical than one could
have expected. Generally, I might be enthusiastically critical.
That is because I have developed as a person in a different
manner – I am not the ordinary boy from school. I am
very different and the difference is not expressed in my
preferences to classical music and the suit with tie and
jacket only. I daresay that my attitude towards life is
very different – I think that the moment to enhance
my personality and to enrich my manners is just now. But
I realise that this opinion of mine differs from the present
day understanding. Even though I shall keep with it and
I hope that with time the people round me will get used
to it. And who knows – I might transform them in me.
This is the way I clone myself.
