Ketchup!

Did that catch your attention, Heinz?

Or whoever is reading this...does anyone really read this? The real title was meant to be "Catch Up," and that is what "we," whoever "we" are, mean.

For starters, there is the dance April 25th - details follow, so follow the details since that is where the devil is in.

Hope this is clear enough, for our tired eyes...blogger's eyes have been tired since, oh, 1959 or so.

Four-Eyed Nurd, Future ILS-er - Havana, October 1960

It gets worse...the tired eyes, that is, and other features as well...

Nurd-ier Four-Eyed Future ILS-er; Miami, circa 1962 - unlike wine, things did not get better with age...God's Gift to Women NOT - more like Satan's Nightmare for Women...

Perhaps it was trying to "channel" Buddy Holly with them Greyhound bus-windshield size glasses. Ray, Ban him! OK! OK! Will stop pun-ishing you now.

Now that you've recovered from the shock induced by the ghastly, ghostly image - go ahead, down a stiff one if it will help - move on to the dance invitation; if you need a clearer view, simply "hover" your mouse over the image, "left click" on it, and you'll see better, perhaps dispensing with bifocals, trifocals, or reading tips courtesy Mr. Magoo. Remember him? Can't you see you're being teased?



It would be nice if the Class of '68 had good representation at the dance - consider it a "Reunion Within a Reunion." Consider going - and if you do, why don't you let "us" know - whoever "us" is - via the blog, website, or email address that you will be there? By the way, surely you will not be turned away even if you are from an earlier graduating Class; or a later one - do not really know why this is for just '68-'80 kinfolk - we're all Immaculata-La Salle kin, no matter how long or how recently aforesaid kinship was established! Anyone give ya a hard time, just blame the Mad Blogger from '68!

It would be nice if we would fill up the auditorium - now called "cafetorium," methinks, as was done for the Signum Mexican Fiesta in 1967...


Yes, the image is slightly crooked! Still can't see straight, half a century later!

Do you remember going to this dance? Any fights? Find your future beau there?

Enough visual teasing and/or torture! On to more serious items. The following is straight out of the ILS newsletter. Remember what to do if you need a larger image. Just pointing it out...pun intended. Some editing and shortening has been done so you'll concentrate on the nitty-gritty.


Hmm...really have to try and make the Hall of Fame Awards - Brother James is being honored; his pedagogical skills managed to actually inject some knowledge of Religion and Geometry, after some kampf, into the writer's dummkopf; the blogger also knows Gustavo Pupo-Mayo - used to ride with him to Sts. Peter & Paul school in his dad's car, back in the Stone Age - before the Stoned Age, you know, that one which started in Haight-Ashbury. Congratulations Brother James! Congratulations Gus!

Alright, gotta go...perhaps this was helpful and helped our Class ketchup, er, catch up; the important thing is, let's stay linked and catch up with each other. The Mad Blogger from '68 promises to give you a break from these increasingly-insane pun-filled posts; it is taking a much-needed break, but will be back, provided it does not have accidental encounters of a gastronomic nature with bocarás, terciopelos, la corál, la boa, el jaguar - not the XKE - o el bull shark - sorry for the spanglish, Brother Andrés - at least no cannibals to worry about, since it is not Papua-New Guinea being described...unless it runs into a certain Hannibal, not the Punic one. In which case, your Pun-ishment will cease, something no doubt you can stomach! It certainly hopes to digest the Rich, Coastal vistas forthcoming; and all ILS-ers - 'cuz you're all smart - should be able to figure the Mad Blogger's destination. It is in the details. Just pray the devil won't be there too...

While we're still within the 12 Days of Christmas...

We were asked to share this by a kindred spirit from the Class of '66, and in keeping with the Spirit of Christmas and Epiphany - January 6th, remember? - sure you do!- this request is being posted verbatim, for your consideration. There is no pressure intended or implied; just heed your heart's whisperings. On the blogger's side, this takes on a special significance, since he and two younger sisters are ILS Alumni; and it may well be a niece - or two - may wind up attending Immaculata-La Salle very soon, as well. He certainly prays it will be so. Now the blog-podium is turned over to Maria Restrepo Forte, Class of '66.

“Dear Alberto: First and foremost, my best wishes for a wonderful Christmas to you and your family.

A while ago I sent you an email to see if you would consider sending a message to your classmates with respect to the sad possibility of students having to drop out of Immaculata LaSalle due to their parents' inability to pay tuitition due to the economic problems we are all facing.

DO you think you could include the attached in your wonderful blogs to see if we can get some help from your contacts? Let me know what you think.

Any help that is given would be greatly welcomed.

Best Regards,

Maria Restrepo Forte (CLass of 1966)”

Here is the attachment Maria sent with her email.

December 22, 2008

Dear Friends:

I just want to wish each and everyone of you a very merry Christmas and may the New Year find you and your family healthy, happy and prospering.

These are difficult times for many and I just want to take a few minutes of your time to bring a sad situation to your attention. Due to the hard economic times we are facing, many of the students at Immaculata-LaSalle are facing the possibility of having to drop out of school due to the fact their parents are no longer able to meet the tuition requirements. The school is doing all it can to keep the kids in school, especially those in their senior year. Imagine having to leave your school, friends and teachers due to your parents’ inability to pay the school fees when you are a few months away from graduating.

I know all of you have your own obligations, children and grandchildren to worry about and this is a difficult time to ask that you consider taking any of your hard earned money to worry about someone else’s kids and especially, people you don’t know.

There are several students I can think of that are honor students, cheerleaders, totally involved in community affairs, helping migrant children and going out of their way to help others in distress. These are students with scholarship potential to ivy league schools and universities but they are facing the very real possibility of having to switch to another school due to lack of income in the family, in the middle of their last year. This is a lot of pressure for a young student to deal with.

If you have it in your heart to contribute to this cause, I urge you to do so. Any amount helps since your sole contribution may not save one of these students but when many of us give small amounts this adds up and helps keep these kids in the school they love and want to graduate from.

Many of us are finding the way to help this group of students by searching for grants that may be available and we are planning activities that may generate income to this assistance fund. If you have any thoughts and ideas to share with us on generating donations we welcome all suggestions.

In the meantime, if you wish to donate to this cause please make your checks out to Immaculata-LaSalle Tuition Assistance Fund and send it to:

Ms. Nancy Gamwell
Immaculata-LaSalle High School
3601 South Miami Avenue
Miami, Florida 33133

What a great Christmas gift for a student when she or he is told they have one more month to stay at school due to donations from Alumni or friends of the school.

Anything you can do would be extremely helpful…

Have a wonderful holiday season and for those of you up in the North end of the country, we hope you are able to stay warm and comfortable. The snow conditions up there may be a reason to return to good old South Florida.

My best to all,

Maria Restrepo Forte (Class of 1966)

Christmas Card

Seems more and more people these days opt to send Christmas, or as seems to be the fashion of these times, "Holiday" cards in electronic form instead of by the quaint but more personal "snail mail" method. Truth be told, a lot of it has to do with the rapidly accelerating pace of life, which negates much of the priceless time we have for the little details; the personal touch is a dying custom.

Your Committee brothers and sisters do not have a magic wand which helps conjure up Time from some kind of Cosmic magician's hat, even though supposedly there is a Magician in the group. Nevertheless, we are taking some Time to send you, our beloved classmates, a Christmas greeting. A feeble attempt has been made to give it somewhat of a personal touch, since it is impossible for us to mail each of you a special greeting. So, just suspend belief a bit, as we used to do during this magical time when we were kids...perhaps we should try staying kids at heart.

This is for you. Fine calligraphy may not be in evidence here, but the Christmas Letter is no mass production item - handwriting just makes it a little more personal in this impersonal world. The Letter may not come in the mail, but it does come from the heart.




Ah, but of course, it is customary for a Letter like this one to be sent inside a Christmas card.

Here is your card...

One more thing...if you are going away for Christmas or New Year's or both...please be careful; we want you to be safe - after all, we have quite a few Reunions left to make, God willing. May he Bless you and your loved ones in 2009!

Merry Christmas!

Killing two Stones with One Bird!

Figured the dyslexic title would get your attention, since there are many distractions this time of year. The Little Turkey in me told me to do it! That is the story, and the Magister Bloggus will stick to it; it is true, although that is dependent on what the meaning of is, is. Uh, did someone use that line already?

Line or not, you were promised additional details/instructions on the Pinecrest Library inaugural and tribute to Frank and Georgina Angones, so here is the handy, dandy Don - oops...form...feel as if am being channeled by Howard Cosell; with a brief Beastly message from our Beloved Beast, our Class of '68 Shrek - if only aforesaid character had existed back then - how apropos for Bill. Makes one green with envy!

So..heeeeere's Johnny! Oops again! Bill! Bill The Butcher...no, wrong again, don't gang up on me...Bill the Beast! Billy-Billy, bo-Billy!

"Maguito:

We now have the Sponsorship Card which details different opportunities for sponsoring the Foundation event for Georgie and Frank Angones on January 23rd for those that own or manage large companies or who feel an impulse of extreme generosity towards the library. I have attached it. Please add it to the blog.

Individual tickets can be purchased by printing and filling out the card with name, address, phone # and email address. The card should be mailed with a $100 (per person) check a payable to Miami-Dade Public Library Foundation to the attention of:

Kathleen Murphy

MDPLF

101 West Flagler Street

Miami, Fl 33130

Thanks.

Bill (Your Infernal Beast)"

Now, for the sake of our Class' tired eyes, and since your Blogger fiend has been afflicted with them since he heard his first "Hey, four-eyes!" back in 1959-Havana, took the liberty of creating a larger form for ease of reading - and of course you know to hold the "cursor" - via your "mouse" over the image, deftly clicking on the graphic so you can view and print it. You may have to "save" it first, then print it; address technical difficulties to our outsourced Chinese technician Confucius, via this blog. He will do his best to confuse you - that is his and our philosophy...

But wait! We ain't done yet! Excuse the English, Brother Malachy - you would cringe and be justified in the cringing. Regardless, the above represents only the First Stone. Are you confused? Read the title again.

The Second Stone in the title has more to do with the Bird - OK, you evil-minded Class of '68 guys - not the kind of Bird you shoot on I-95 all year round - at other motorists. No, the kind the Pilgrims, and many others since, shot. Or picked up at the supermarket, nicely wrapped, no wandering off in the woods with your blunderbuss necessary; it is already bagged for you. Yes, the Turkey-bird!!

Personally, your fiendish friend prefers to bag his own, the old-fashioned way, in the spirit of the Pilgrims, pilgrim! For which purpose you need appropriate gear 'n equipment; otherwise don't bother - there won't be a bird-in-the-hand for you!

With this fine swamp-buggy and "peashooter" you can get yer quota of little turkeys in no time flat, and feed the whole neighborhood to boot...Pilgrim!



All this wing-flapping and carrying on is for the purpose of setting the stage for wishing all of you and your families a...

VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Ever mindful some of us are having a difficult time - with personal or family health matters - jobs and the economy - and a myriad other sobering issues to confront - nevertheless let us give thanks to the One who looks after and blesses us with unimaginable gifts, for what we have. His greatest gift, the one to be most grateful for, is the Gift of Love. Give thanks for that Gift this Thanksgiving - love God, love your family, love your friends, by all means love yourself; as He puts it: "Love each other as I have loved you." In your Blog editor's unimportant, opinionated and prejudiced opinion, this Gift was manifested among us when we came together in friendship and - yes - love at our Reunion. It did not matter whether or not any of us were physically present at school that night in May; the important thing is we were together again if not in body, definitely in spirit; friends finding each other again, friendships rekindled, new friends made. This is indeed something to give thanks for, this Thanksgiving. Friends are the family God gives us the privilege to choose for ourselves. The Little Turkey believes we have chosen well!

So - once again -

A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING; may God bless all of you and your families!!

A Bestial Request!

This public service announcement from our Infernal, Bestial Beast Bill is hereby reproduced in its entirety and is self-explanatory...

Dear Infernals:

In am sending you the attached notice and invitation in an official capacity. The Library System will be recognizing, not one but two of our 1968 ILS Graduates at our annual, Library Foundation Fundraising event on Friday, January 23^rd at the newly-built and opened Pinecrest Branch Library. Both Georgie and Frank Angones will be recognized as “Library Champions.”

During the past 18 years, Georgie has worked with me in several capacities. First, as a member of the Library Advisory Board, and secondly, as a member of the Board of the Friends of the Library. Most recently, she has served on the Library Foundation Board. Unlike I, who shamelessly collect a generous check on a bi-weekly basis for my dubious labor, Georgie has performed her work for the Library in an exemplary manner for more than two decades, and on a strictly volunteer basis. Frank gets the award for putting up with Georgie’s obsessive love of libraries.

During the evening, celebrity Chefs from the area’s best restaurants such as Nobu, Ortanique, Talula, Pacific Time, Brosia, Cacao,Wish and Por Fin will be on hand serving their favorite dishes to satisfy all of your taste buds . I also just booked my good buddy, Grammy-award winning saxophonist, Carlos Averhoff and his Quartet to help us dance the night away. Finally, we have several of Georgie’s favorite authors who will be making personal appearances such as Carolina Garcia Aguilera, Fabiola Santiago, Rodrigo de la Luz, Anjanette Delgado and James Grippando.

Please note that $75 of the $100 ticket price is fully tax deductible as the funds go toward children’s programming at all of our libraries. Let’s make this night another mini ILS Reunion and help celebrate the accomplishments and dedication to our community work by two of our fellow graduates.

Abrazos to all and hope you can join us.

Bill (Beast aaarrrggghhh!!!)

William Urbizu, Assistant Director

Miami-Dade Public Library System

Marketing, Media Relations and Support Services

101 West Flagler Street

Miami, Fl 33130

305-375-5016 Phone 305-375-2978 Fax

www.mdpls.org

"Delivering Excellence Every Day"

By the way, ladies and gents of ILS...Frank has the distinction of having his bio featured in Wikipedia - so now the truth is out! Read it here: Frank Angones - Wikipedia

40-41 years ago, he was already practicing his future leadership skills, ably supported by his classmates in the Student Council...

Signum '68 - Immaculata - La Salle High School

Today, he is head of the Florida Bar Association - congratulations! And a toast to your accomplishments! After all toasting is an appropriate gesture when you're associated with the Bar, not so?

The image source, for those with a compelling need to know, comes from the University of Miami Law Center website. Hopefully, by shamelessly borrowing same, your Blundering Bloggin' editor won't be accused of taking the law into his own hands...

Spouse Georgina Angones, formerly Alfonsin during her Immaculata days, also has her share of honors and accomplishments to take pride in, which her friends and classmates celebrate - another grad from our school done good! Except Georgina is Class of '69 - but the Class of '68 is happy to adopt her as one of our own.

Georgina Alfonsin - Junior Class - Signum '68

Her abilities and humanitarian efforts on behalf of those who need a helping hand have been duly recognized as well.

www.fiacfla.org

Such as when she received recognition and honors from the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center.

Come January, we - their friends and classmates - get the opportunity to "slap 'em in the back" for their achievements, and reflect on the role Immaculata - La Salle played in steering them the right way in the Road of Life. The writer is confident he speaks for many in our very special group, simply stating: "We're proud of you both - well done! Thank you for your good work, for the benefit of so many!"



So take up the invitation, if you please; additional details will be forthcoming.

What poor, little Infernal Bloggies hafta put up with!

OK, dearly beloved group - the date-challenged Infernal ILS blog agitator, er - Freudian slip - editor has now fixed the mishap with the Homecoming Friday date and all is quiet on that front. This is the kind of thing, to paraphrase Churchill's remarks apropos prepositions, up with which we shall not put!

Let me tell you - please do not take this as whining - you cannot imagine the things poor little ILS Class of '68 blog editors have to endure just because of one little, little mistake. Now far be it from yours truly to be ungrateful when someone dutifully points out a potentially catastrophic error. No sir! Grateful indeed, Bestial Brother Bill, for your careful perusing and dissecting of the offending blog entry and your quick, attention-getting email to the offending entity, enabling him to rectify matters before it was too late. It must be said, however, that since this publication caters to a very smart band - ahem, perhaps with one exception - the editor was confident everyone concerned would...figure it out!

But, allow us to return to the trials and tribulations of the Little Editor That Couldn't. It is one thing when your Bestial Buddy gently nudges you regarding a small misstep. It all began with this electronically-composed missive from Brother Bill:

"Maguito, you wrote down the wrong date. It's Friday, October 10th, not the third. Thirty years working in Social Security has done you in. When are you scheduled for retirement before total confusion sets in?"

It is another when, unexpectedly, blogger's Better Half sees an opening and fires off an unexpected salvo at her mini mate, to wit, via email:

"Bill,
Do you know anyone who can employ an over 55 writer/comedian so he can retire from SSA, yet be out of the house frequently? or should I survey the group for 'opportunities?'

Recommendations will happily be provided by all those who live and work with him.

I need help so when I have to be a 'work at home' employee, we don't have too much togetherness...

Thank you for your support! Lynne

Lynne S. Quiroga"

To which "Brother Bill the Wildebeest" retorted:

"From: urbizub@xxxxxx.xxx
To: 'Lynne Quiroga' quiroga@xxxxxx.xx
Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 08:56:08 -0500
Subject: Re: Psst...if anyone got left out, please pass it on - and we thank you for your support!

Lynne, I strongly recommend he pursues politics. I'd certainly vote for him as City Councilman...or School Board member. He'd definitely get things done, albeit in a somewhat confusing manner, with his bizarre sense of humor. He is particularly good early in the mornings which is when most of these political meetings take place. I think he would confuse everyone, but with a smile.

Early afternoon power nap in the office couch or staff lunchroom like Churchill used to have, then writing letters of advice (Gawd!) to his constituents in the late afternoon. Then back home for an early dinner and then off to bed and sleep by 8. Minimum contact. Not much togetherness. Keep him busy, exhausted and sleepy. That's the ticket!

Weekends; rent lots of war movies, particularly from the 60's of German extraction. Blue Max, Battle of the Bulge, Patton, Hell is for Heroes, The Longest Day, Guns of Navarone, Das Boot, Kelly's Heroes. Those will keep him locked up in his room wearing his German helmet until dinner time. Feed him sausages and sauerkraut and off to bed. I'll provide more input as retirement day gets frighteningly closer.

Bill"

[Say, speaking of the "Guns of Navarone," watched probably 10-12 times between '61 and '63 by your WWII adventure movie-obsessed blog fiend - always wanted to know what that foul Greek word was, which Anthony Quinn spits out in anger at some Stukas trying to bomb him into Hades...sounded like "karadalos" or "karadinos"...any experts in Homer's tongue out there willing to provide a translation, discreetly...via email? Names will be withheld to protect the guilty-AQ]

Mrs. Q could not allow the above-quoted message to stand without reply...

"From: 'Lynne Quiroga' quiroga@xxxxxx.xx
To: urbizub@xxxxxx.xx
Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 10:12:22 -0500
Subject: Re: Psst...if anyone got left out, please pass it on - and we thank you for your support! - Thanks - some great ideas!

Bill,
Thanks for your great ideas (and making me laugh...). I'll look forward to many more ideas as 'retirement day gets frighteningly closer.'

If he were to pursue a career in politics, we'd have to have separate residences since we're a 'house divided' - in other words - my vote would cancel out his - what a dilemma... guess nonpartisan politics would work...

It scares Albert to know I could run for President, but he could only be 'first dude'. That would really shake up Washington...

Have a good one! Lynne

Lynne S. Quiroga"


Mein Gott! To be thus mistreated by the Love of my Life! What is the world coming to? Must one turn to courting Sarah Palin this late in life? Perhaps she might reciprocate the affection if one were to dress in a moose suit, knocking on her door with a bouquet of roses in hand - no, fear instead the last sound heard would be that of a high-caliber round being rammed into the firing chamber of her hunting weapon.

Not to be outdone or outgunned, the innocent, peace-loving, and harmless editor felt compelled to defend himself with honor; thus he fired a salvo at the two partisan provocateurs...

"From: Quiroga, Alberto
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:21 AM
To: urbizub@xxxxxx.xx; Lynne Quiroga
Subject: RE: Psst...if anyone got left out, please pass it on - and we thank you for your support!
I VILL get back to bozz of you about ZIZ...mein liebchen Frau, I haff a notzion zu eet ze sausages mit zee sauerkraut (das ist der ganz korrekt spellink, Herr Wildebeest!) und der Schwartze - or Black - beans und zenn you muss leaf mit dat, no?

I LOF you bozz? I don't know! You make me sour Kraut-Kuban today!

Kleiner Albert

Back zu zee trench..."

Oh, well...you think you know the heart and mind of your life-mate, of your good brother, classmate, friend...alas no; poor little blog-editor must come to this sad conclusion...

"I know NOZINK!"

Permit me to annoy you...

Tripartisan Congressional Committee discusses implementation of the 700 billion bailout...in hopes of keeping the economy afloat

Just a short reminder - of course it is short - consider the source - about Friday the 10th of October, starting say, around 4:00 PM EST at the ILS grounds. This refers to the Alumni Pig Roast and Homecoming game; blog-editor's unnamed sources have informed him the roasting honors will be carried out by Virgil Fernandez, a post-'68 grad; there will be an Alumni flag football game, but, not to worry, no one will be flagged and flogged into participating - the roster has already been established, all contracts and draft waivers are in place.

There was an email sent to our great group earlier; this is merely a more graphic reminder - it would be nice to see as many of you there as can make it; think of it of a post-Reunion Reunion. We - your Infernal Committee friends - realize it is neither possible nor practical for a substantial number of our graduates to show up. Still, we'd love to see your faces even if only for a short while, give each other some back slappin' hugs, talk, catch up, eat, drink, be merry, and all of that sort of stuff. Editor boy will be there, camera in hand; bring your magnifying glass so you can find him easier, and watch where you step! Bring your mobile phone too; if everything else fails, attendees can connect and rendezvous in cellular fashion. If you paid attention to the preliminary email, you have this classmate's number - so does the FBI, no doubt. Should you not have it and for some inexplicable reason still want it, "pop" an email to ils6468@gmail.com - "ask and you shall receive." No text messaging! Have enough trouble punching the right number keys already...

By the way, for those of you who may have a Facebook page, Immaculata-LaSalle has a presence on Facebook as well - and they have sent invitations for this Friday fun to all ILS friends through that medium. Yes, it is possible to be an "oldie" and have a Facebook page...it's rather fun, and as a good friend, another smart Immaculata gal - except she's Class of '73 - puts it, "I got my page just to piss off my kid!" There must be something to that, as my kid refuses to be her dad's Facebook friend. Guess she thinks he's more of a fiend. She may be right...

Let us have pleasant conversation, avoiding religion - well, that may be a hard one on ILS grounds - and politics whenever possible. However, your blog fiend is not averse to discussing economic issues and/or bailout packages. He is trying to figure out how to engineer his own monetary bailout. Any assistance and/or advice which may help make that reality will be gratefully appreciated! Anyone wishing to donate one of those presses from the Bureau of Engraving, Department of The Treasury...see me!!

And now, a more serious and more personal annoyance - please indulge the writer, all kidding aside. On Sunday the 5th, an email was forwarded to all of you on our email Contacts List, originally sent by Maria Restrepo Forte, Class of '66. This was regarding baby Faith, granddaughter of Norma and Willie Cueto, both graduates of Immaculata-La Salle. You were asked to keep all of them in your prayers, and invited to visit the Faith Memorial Foundation web site.

This is not an attempt to "guilt-trip" anyone about making donations to the Foundation, but a gentle reminder to - again - keep this family, this child in your prayers. We are all one Big Family, the ILS Family, regardless when we graduated. For the writer, this has added significance. You see, as with baby Faith, my - and wife Lynne's - baby was born in St. Mary's Hospital, West Palm Beach. Unlike Faith, Lauren had no problems and has been blessed since birth. She and her mother had the best care anyone could have hoped for from the warm, caring staff at St. Mary's. This may not matter much to anyone but to us "little Quirogas;" nevertheless, if your heart calls you to help with this beautiful remembrance, know that whatever you do will be for a very, very good cause. Before closing, and since we're on the subject of remembering and praying, do not forget our classmates - and their families - who need us to keep them in our thoughts and requests to the Almighty. And as this goes to press, by now most if not all of us on the Class email list have heard from our classmate Laida Arcia Carro, with the wonderful news her husband Jose, AKA "Pepin," Class of '67, is slowly but surely improving. Laida is very appreciative of all prayers and concerns towards Pepin and the Carro family - so let's keep that prayer wheel turning; Somebody is listening!

A link to the Faith Memorial Foundation has been added under the "Interesting And Useful Links" header for your convenience; hopefully this should also generate more visits to the web site.

Love and God Bless all of you, my ILS Family

Albert