Renaissance man…
We all know Alex the artist. I remember watching him throughout middle and high school in admiration. But School of the Arts was a great place to discover new talents. Alex demonstrated this by literally becoming the definitive role of the jester in art smart. Until then I had no idea that Alex would become a method actor, the only problem being that he has not had another role and he’s still acting as the jester today. Aside from thespian, Alex engaged himself in music.
From a drummer, with or without drums (just give him a good counter top and he will blow you away with wipeout), to singer and rapper. Many a day Alex and I would take on anyone with enough courage in rap battles. Alex spits hot fire likely from the volcanoes of Greece herself. Alex is also an accomplished break dancer and can light up any stage with the Latino favorites Salsa and the Merengue (as I watched him dance with my aunt form Puerto Rico). He is also quite the linguist. As all of you know, he speaks English, but did you know that he speaks Greek? You probably do, but did you know that he speaks CHC? Only two people in the world can speak that language, I’m one, and Alex is the other. That’s right, a secret code language.
A man of many names…
For everyone who is an old, new or recent friend of Alex, you know that we have many nicknames for this guy. I have always wondered why he never seems to have a nickname that is a real word. There are a variety of nicknames that are ever evolving and becoming more complex and ridiculous such as just plain Bilbo, Boobers, liolliollio, and all the varieties etc… But almost nothing that can be fixed by a spell check. I think I have found the answer. Alex is such a complex and amazing individual that no one nickname fits. Not only that, but we have to constantly change his nickname as we discover new and exciting aspects of the Liollio. Even more interesting is that though he has moved away from his original home where these nicknames started, they seem to have begun again with out even realizing it, demonstrating that it is truly Alex who personifies these wild and outlandish nicknames.
The Gift of Giving…
It’s been over 10 years now since I first came across the Liollio and I have discovered that Alex is kinda like Santa clause. He is very giving. But instead of giving a black board, chutes and ladders or tricycles and puppies, Alex gives people stories. He does this in two ways. One, he tells stories, and two, sometimes people just witness weird things that happen to Alex. I’m mostly the latter, and Alex has been very generous. Very generous!
You all know Alex now, but imagine Alex with raging horomones. Yes, puberty was a wonderful chapter in the Liollio’s life! So many great memories! I remember us walking through the mall at “mack speed”; you know, like mack daddy? (the pace that was ideal for getting the attention of girls), taking pictures of each other at the Columbia Zoo where there just ‘happened’ to be beautiful girls standing behind us. Alex’s first attempt of growing a beard (which as we all know is magnificent now) and his mom saying that “it was nice that he grew some friends, now they just need to hold hands to look thicker.” Lets see…chess during recess, soccer, that wild yoyo phase, fingers to the face, gorgeous clouds, and that base ball swing.
Alex loves baseball. He loved it so much that when we were in line at the fair he would practice his swing with an invisible bat. It was at the fair that we went on the ring of fire. We bragged about the feat we had accomplished while walking around the fair grounds and understanding that what we had just done…was…amazing. The most exciting part was being there without parental supervision, I mean…we were men. After about 20 minutes of walking we were laughing and cutting up when Alex suddenly stops in mid stride, stares into space as if visualizing a moment in time that he had just stumbled upon. It was like he had a time machine in his brain that took him back and freeze framed a single moment. And as quickly as this stare happened, Alex darted off into a sea of fair goers. We later found Alex clutching his wallet that had fallen during the ring of fire ride. I can only imagine what he had to do to find and retrieve that thing.
Going to Florida…
Our first trip to Florida was with School of the Arts for a performing arts festival. There are two things that really stick out in my mind. Here is a little background…Almost the entire school went. The students performed in different theme parks. Each group had a different time to perform, and when you were done, you could enjoy the park. Simple enough, or was it? Through a chain of events, Alex was left at the hotel and did not get to perform. In addition, we had to bring a change of clothes to the park so we did not have to stay in a tuxedo. It was fate that Alex would bring his change, but not his tennis shoes. That’s right; he walked in his shiny black shoes all day with white socks, khaki shorts and a t-shirt. But we still had a blast.
Me and Alex took our first road trip to Florida after graduating high school. Nothing too embarrassing here, but it was a great time and we had a lot of fun. We drove down in his white Jeep Cherokee and stayed with my aunt and uncle in Middleburg Florida, just outside of Jacksonville. This is where we learned Salsa and Merengue. Alex also serenaded my aunt and uncle and his sister from Puerto Rico with Semi Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind as I accompanied him on guitar.
Our next trip down was to Daytona Beach where we stayed for a week. CRAZY good times. Lots and lots of great stories! We met a lot of interesting people and took advantage of our ocean front hotel. We made the trip with Robert Silverstein and Bobby Thompson. We invented the movie game for the ride up, and it made the trip seem like it took 30 minutes.
A great guy…
The stories I have shared have really just scratched the surface of what is in my heart. I could never ask for a better friend. He has always stood up for me, been there when others could not be found, and truly helped me to become a better person. We’ve been through a lot together and I feel like he is truly my life long friend. Though are lives have taken separate paths, we always keep in touch. We forged a bond long ago that will always be. Alex is a great guy and I wish him the happiest of birthdays.
Richard Larson
Liolliography 
