R. I. P. Ricardo Montalban

If you've ever spent any time speaking with me about me, and you're not a young whipper snapper, our discussion will refer back to television of a certain era. I am NOT a fan of the current state of TV programming, but as a child I was fascinated with what our four channels brought in on a nightly basis. No remote controls, no VCRs, and those lovely HORIZ and VERT knobs that only me and my Dad knew what to do with. The big Curtis Mathis was the center piece of our family room and prime time had an abundance of programming that I was allowed to watch--sometimes. Since my household was so strict, my parents only allowed me to watch what they considered appropriate for my age. Some shows were NEVER OK such as Benny Hill or Monty Python. Those were reserved for the TV in THEIR bedroom. Others were watched in the family room after I went to bed. It was very clear that I had to leave the room when they were viewing them. Fantasy Island was one of them. I could view the intro of DA PLANE DA PLANE but that was it. I was never able to find out exactly what they did on Fantasy Island. Of course I would then go to bed and ponder what I would do on that magical location.

Ricardo Montalban always seemed like such a cool dude to me. I wanted to have a place like Fantasy Island. Now I guess you can say I do. It's an oasis from the regular world where I spin the tale and we explore your fantasies together. Of course, I have been known to say, "Smiles! Smiles everyone!" on a regular basis because I can't help myself.

In memory of his suave demeanor and love of FINE CORINTHIAN LEATHER: