[Fred Douglass]

...I was struggling to get some battery-pack apart (or some such idiocy) and had my beefy forefeet (hands) right under my chin (still following?). The package finally yielded, and my elbows flew apart (not actually apart---you understand) and there was this Barry Manilow type standing in line behind me (and in front of the woman who coined my new nickname).

One of my size-16 elbows (the right one) connected with his sternum and the little noodle-spined liberal sandalista went flyin' back into her. It was a series of gentle (sorta) collisions. Indirect pool shot. Nonetheless, the woman (semi-accurately) assumed from my (former) bulk and carelessness that I was, indeed, a "BIG BUFFALO". The name has stuck.

It all ended amicably with apologies all around, etc.

Similar incident: While navigating Norita(?) Airport (Japan) on the way home from a South Pacific veterans' tour, I had to lean forward to heave my godlike belly out of the way of myriad passers-by. This was back when I topped 315 lbs. The Japanese are used to overcrowded, mosh-pit locomotion. The hysterical thing was that each person I avoided thought my bobbing motion was actually a series of cursory bows----they all mumbled something polite and bowed back.

Finally, I cornered a cutie (tall one, too) who apparently thought it was just TOO amusing. She spoke flawless English and when I explained what I was doing, I swear, she almost wet herself larfin'....even got a hug. Unfortunately my flight was minutes away.......who knows? She mighta been a buffalo-chaser! Ar-ar-ar-ar-ooogah!

Nuf sed.

Oh, BTW, I'm now a svelte and sexy 255#. Probably fit in the cobra---if'n when I git her back on the tarmac!!