John T. ("Tommy") Robbins
First, I would like to sincerely thank the members of the
Academy for
this prestigious award. I personally feel that there are
others here
today that are more worthy of this honor, but what can I
say...you
voted for me. ("Huh...ohmygosh...my friend just
informed me that
this is NOT the academy presentations...it's a 40th Jesse
Jones High
School Reunion biography...oh jeez...my apologies to
everyone....")
In that case, where shall I begin? First, rather than
present a biographical
sketch of myself in narrative format, please allow me to
chronical the
highlights of my last 40 years, while leaving out a whole
bunch, 'cause
there ain't enough space or time for all that!!!!
1. After high school, I attended the University of Houston
and the
University of
Texas, majoring in journalism and business, having
been greatly
influenced by Mrs. Copeland (beloved by all) and my
battle cry at the
time, "I will major in journalism in college because I want
to experience as
much life as possible and experience all that I can.." Looking
back, that
reminds me a little of George Custer and his decision-making
process before
the Little Big Horn (refer to the movie, "Little Big Man,"
starring Dustin
Hoffman to understand fully what I mean.). But I digress.
2. Leaving the University of Texas, I started work with a
small community
newspaper in
suburban Spring Branch as an advertising salesman and
columnist (thanks
again, Mrs. Copeland) and basically left my studies
behind, although
years later, I returned to community college in search
of that
sheepskin.
3. In 1967, I left Houston and headed for the California
coast. before getting
there, my
Chevrolet Corvair (thanks Ralph Nader) broke down in the middle
of the desert and
I spent a good part of my savings on repairing the car
that day.
4. My two years in California were highlighted by employment
as a newspaper
editor in Newport
Beach and a marriage to a New England lady (there on
vacation), who
was to eventually give me three beautiful children: Chris, Tom
and Libby.
5. Returning to Houston about 1970, I was hired by the
American Red Cross as
Assistant Director
of Public Relations and assisted in the relief effort for the
people of Bolivia
who had experienced a devastating earthquake during that period.
6. My next employer was Clarke&Courts Printing Company,
for whom I worked for
the next two
years as a proofreader and quality control person.
7. With the advent of computers, I found a job with a
computer typesetting company
in Houston,
again as a proofreader, and put in many long hours reading advertising copy
as well as
annual reports and even menus for clients.
8. I spent the
period of the late '70s and '80s
working as a proofreader and printing
quality control
person for employers including a leading petroleum magazine, a financial
printer and the
marketing arm of a large oil company.
#
This period
included a divorce from my first wife, a remarriage, another divorce, another
remarriage and
another divorce. It was an interesting as well as an educational period of
my life. Best of
all, I survived...best I can tell.
#
9. In 1988, I was employed by Compaq Computer Corporation as
a technical writer and
technical editor.
I was with Compaq until 1996.
10. In 1996, I went to mainland China with another of our
classmates, Han Chee (in h.s. known
as Chee Han). It
was a very interesting and mind-expanding journey. I can only say that
if you have
never been to Asia, it is an incredible place to visit. If you do go there, you
will be changed
forever, as I was. Just don't get arrested there.
11. In 2000-2001, I took a job as a truck driver with a
company that delivers primates to universities
and
pharmaceutical companies all over the U.S. I took 20 trips across the land from
the east coast
to the west
coast and points inbetween. It was such an interesting job, I am taking a stab
at
writing a novel
about the experience. I learned a lot about people by working with monkeys.
12. Today I have a small contract technical writing and
editing service and offer these services to
publishers and
corporations in the Houston area.
It has been an interesting journey and I have met many
special and wonderful people along the
way.
Hope to see you all at the reunion.
God bless,
Tommy