Funny what you keep, what you throw away

Class of '66 Diploma-SWCS
Originally uploaded by Brite Lights photos.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - In the same closet with the dusty cardboard box that held my Villanova sports-coat photo, there it was, my SWCS diploma.

As Al Pacino says in the film Scent of a Woman, Hoo-Rah!

Why this survived and my diplomas from two universities here in California got lost is a mystery to me. Somewhere in my travels I lost my draft card, too - and that I wanted to save to someday burn for my children.

The SWCS diplomas are actually pretty impressive looking, though small compared to the sheepskins you get from graduating from a university. At my university, you don't actually get your diploma when you walk through ceremonies - they wait to make sure you don't have any parking fines outstanding or books from the library.

Cloise Swearingen's signature is there on my diploma in a big round hand. Do I sense he was relieved when he signed it? He didn't hurry it at all; it's a very careful script.

I'm not too sure what to do with the diploma. I suppose I could put it in my university office next to all my press credentials and old business cards from different newspapers. Or maybe I'll keep it out on my desk at home, wedged neatly between the photo from our 20th reunion and my best Class of '66 reference book - our red yearbook.

Segue, segue, segue.

Sorry, I couldn't think of a good transition from diplomas to music. Not many songs that exalt surviving four years of high school. I did find Bobby Rydell's Swinging School, but, well, another day for Bobby.

So, instead, here's today's song, a Connie Francis tune, the lyrics of which even my seven-year-old granddaughter thinks are pretty funny. Having once been nailed for this particular offense (a long time ago, thank you very much), I view it slightly differently.

But here you go:

Lipstick On Your Collar
performed by Connie Francis

[Lyrics by Edna Lewis and Music by George Goehring]

When you left me all alone
At the record hop
Told me you were going out
For a soda pop
You were gone for quite awhile
Half an hour or more
You came back
And man, oh man
This is what I saw

Lipstick on your collar
Told a tale on you
Lipstick on your collar
Said you were untrue
Bet your bottom dollar
You and I are through
'Cause lipstick on your collar
Told a tale on you, yeah

---- Instrumental Interlude ----

You said it belonged to me
Made me stop and think
And then I noticed yours was red
Mine was baby pink
Who walked in but Mary Jane
Lipstick all a mess
Were you smoochin' my best friend
Guess the answer's yes

Lipstick on your collar
Told a tale on you
Lipstick on your collar
Said you were untrue
Bet your bottom dollar
You and I are through
'Cause lipstick on your collar
Told a tale on you, boy
Told a tale on you, man
Told a tale on you, yeah