Yes, well, good thing I went in with low expectations. Actually that is incorrect, I went in with
no expectations. Either way, I was not disappointed.
Of what I'm guessing was 120-130 graduates, there were around 20 in attendance:
The core group should not have come as a surprise if I would have really considered. It was the jocks and the cheerleaders, of course. They did all seem nice enough - and I recognized many, but not most. And that was the same for me, few recognized me, most not. But everyone was very cordial to me and my wife. It did kind of seem like many of these people were still friends and had seen each other at least somewhat recently. Well, we had made the trip so I felt I should also make the effort, but, um, do you know that feeling when your talking to someone who is just... elsewhere? Someone who is trying to be nice but is just not interested? I got that a few times. And I can't say I blame them because I may have been that way, too. At least everyone's cordiality recognized the effort made by the other. But when it comes down to it, I had barely talked to most of these attendees in high school, we don't have much to discuss now. At least at not this time and place. Never rule out paths crossing.
The co-valedictorian (the other co- is deceased, I believe) and the salutatorian were there. The former and spouse also were the most likely to tell you every detail about who they've worked for and where they've lived and every intimate detail you never asked about. I had to extricate myself from her and her spouse's one-sided conversations first, then once somewhat established elsewhere go back in and rescue my wife from their never ending conversation-about-themselves tag team. My wife was a sport about it. The latter was rather nicer, and easier to deal with, but he still had his agenda. He had to let me know things I didn't ask, dropping company names and cities. But I was actually more comfortable with him than others there.
And then there were a few guys that seemed like regular dudes. Given time and a different atmosphere we would probably get on well and do what guys do. That would also have to include my friend Gary, that I enjoyed seeing last week. It was nice to see him once more while he was here in Wisconsin.
The girl who organized the event is a grade younger. Her sister is in my class, though. She knew my Mom and praised her for something or other (I was still trying to figure out who the hell
she was!). Gary did tell me some about it earlier in the week, and showed me pics from farcebook, but I still had a hard time wrapping my brain around the long forgotten names and the faces that went with them. The organizer also knew a good friend of my Mom's who, I guess, just happened to be dining at the restaurant. She told me to say 'hi' to my Mom but I forgot her name. One of your Rah-Rah Sisters, Mom, and she was tiny. There you go.
So that was that and off we went early, I think the first to leave. (When we left the DJ was playing to an empty private room, poor guy. Still gets paid though. After eating we had all moved out to the bar area.) We never intended to stay too late in the evening, I always like to get home sooner than later. Though I'm sure others who had rooms may have had fun for a few more hours. That could have been interesting, staying late and watching all loosen up with the refreshments! On the other hand, I was glad to get home and stay removed from that part of my life.
On a final note - Yes, it has been pointed out to me how my hair looks much the same in the then and now pictures in the last post. I even thought it kinda odd/funny. But since then I have cut it all off - twice - and had other, if transitional, looks. Everything comes full circle, and I
do like my hair long.
So, that's that, then.
