Gary's virtual life.

I suppose that I should begin with the "fam". I was married to nurse Susan for 27 years. We have three children.  Jason who graduated from New College at The University of Alabama is back in school at Shelton State Community College with plans on getting his RN degree like dear old ma. Josh is a graduate of the University of Montevallo's Theatre Department, married to Tabitha. They are now living in Flagstaff, AZ. Tabitha is managing a Victoria Secrets and Josh is "in negotiations" with the Canyon Moon Theatre Company for some gigs and waiting tables mean time.  Morgan and her Marine husband, Sgt. Isaac McCorkle (deployed twice to Iraq with only one Purple Heart). She graduated Cal State U, San Marcos with a BA in history. They are living in Rhode Island for a year and then moving to Boulder,CO for Isaac to get his BA and become an officer and a gentleman (OK--he's fine with the last).

I was born and raised in Modesto, CA, I attended John Muir Elementary School, La Loma Junior High, graduated Thomas Downey High School in 1970. George Lucas and I lived a block from each other--he on Ramona and I on Castle--for a period of time so we attended the same elementary school and the same high school--just not at the same time. If you watch American Graffiti, Ron Howard is wearing the Downey High Block D sweater.

After high school I went on to major in Speech Communication (now it's just Communication) at Fresno State College (as it was called then). I debated in high school and college but luckily outgrew it.  Upon graduation it was back to Modesto to teach high school.  After teaching high school and at Modesto Junior College, the family gathered our possessions to move back to Fresno for my MA degree and then on to Penn State for a PhD.  With degree in hand, the family moved to Tuscaloosa so that I could teach at The University of Alabama.

I have been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Tuscaloosa for the last fourteen years. I currently serve as the club's secretary and treasurer and a district Lt. Governor.

What could be better than travel both foreign and domestic? Susan and I ran a scam to visit Klagenfurt, Austria. We claimed that it was so that I could teach at Klagenfurt University. I went back in 2000 and again in 2003.

Getting invited to speak at another university is always good for the ego. The first time was at The University of Massachusetts, Amhearst. The most popular public lecture is the one Bill Nothstine and I titled "Negative Political Advertising: Hogwash, Horsesense and Talking Cows" for its debut at The University of Oregon. The nice folks at Alfred University invited me to do it there. Bill Swain had me come to University of Louisiana, Lafayette to do it for his students. A deeply revised version was given at the University of Aruba in 2005.

The Cartees (Mike and Karen) and the I are always up for a good scam or a good party. We have cultivated many friends in Aruba first when Karen and I did media consulting for the ADN party.

I've gone back to riding my bike. I've no interest in racing but I do like touring.

Return to Gary's main page.

Return TCF's main page.