Prologue

by Tom Ford

My name is Thomas Ford (the first name is real, but to protect myself and my family, the last name is not my real family name). However, most people call me Tom. In fact, the only people ever to call me Thomas are my parents and Andrew, my older brother.

I have played tie up games since I was nine till about my late teens, when they slowed down and decreased, and but it never really stopped.

I grew up with four brothers and one sister. My oldest brother is Andrew (1956- ), who is one year older than me; Elizabeth (1958- ) or Betty, who is one year younger than me; Bernard or Barney (1959- ); John (1960- ) and Lawrence (1961- ). I was the second born, and growing up with all these siblings was quite an experience!

All my brothers and sisters played tie-up games with each other and their friends. And once they started in 1966, they escalated and never stopped.

I will tell my stories chronologically, and I will try to tell all of them. I have kept a diary since I was 8, so most of the information I would give would come from that diary. Since I recorded all my tie-up experiences, I might be able to tell all that happened. I would warn the reader that not all my experiences are exciting or interesting; some are boring, some are trivial and some are just not fun to read. But I have many memorable experiences, many of which are exciting and enjoyable. But I will tell them all, even if it is just plain boring, for I would like to share all of it.

Tom Ford