My 20yr high school reunion is next weekend. Franklin and his wife are coming into town and they are the only people from high school who will be local that I am interested in seeing. Plus, he had been driving me crazy for the last YEAR that he has been planning this trip out for this reunion. Yes, the last YEAR. I swear every few months he'd contact me to make sure our plans for next weekend were clear.
There are a whole host of reunion activities planned. Bar gatherings, tour of our high school, the reprise of prom at the local and standard hotel ballroom and farewell breakfast. I had not planned on going to any of these events, however, there is a high probability I will wind up at the bar gathering after my dinner with Franklin next Friday night.
Unlike Franklin, high school was not "it" for me. Sure, it was full of angst and fun....I remember all sorts of things and I remember who I was, but it's also not completely the same me that I am today or is it? It's gotten me thinking about my last 20 years. Oh, what a ride it's been!
When N was here a few weeks ago, during one of our conversations we realized that to drink legally right now, you need to have been born in 1988! E-gads! 1988! We were juniors in high school when these kids were BORN!
With 20yrs ago in my mind, I realized that the shock of seeing things from my youth remastered for the youth of today, is perhaps normal. I mean, I remember when I was growing up and things from the 60's were trendy and my mom saying, "I remember when that was in!". Fast-forward 20 yrs and as trends to reappear every 5-10-15-20 yrs....I suppose the fact that the 80's are alive in well in 2009 shouldn't be all that shocking.
Over the weekend, while at College Girl's place for dinner. Her boyfriend was playing me a dance song he had on his iPod. When I heard it, I said that I knew the song --that it was sampled from a Steve Winwood song from the 80's. He seemed shocked (he's younger) and said, "really? are you sure?". One quick Google search and I proved it. He was shocked that I knew that. I replied, "Don't be. You'll have this same experience sometime soon, I promise."
This morning on the subway, I saw a girl who could've been my twin from 1987. She had on a denim jacket with the arms cut off and a long sleeved back shirt underneath it, black tights, Doc Marten boots, and a floral micro-mini skirt that was more or less like a tight bandage (Betsey Johnson style). I wondered for a moment if I had time traveled, but no...she's probably 20 and just rocking her look.
20 yrs ago this month, I wasn't 17 yet. I didn't drive. I was probably stressing about my college-applications, playing my last season on the girls tennis team, dreaming about being at NYU (luckily that worked out!), being optimistic about a new journey to adulthood and wondering if I was going to get a date to the Homecoming dance.
There are some things still the same 20 years forward......still optimistic about what is ahead for me and wondering if I'll get a date sometime soon.
My 20 year reunion was over the summer - I didn't go - I was hounded on facebook, but didn't want to pay to see people I didn't like 20 years ago! I saw pictures on facebook and was amazed at how most people have NOT aged gracefully. I teach high school so I see all the things I was dealing with on a daily basis - didn't need the reunion to remind me!! I always said you couldn't pay me to go back to high school....I guess you can? Like you, I'm still wondering about getting a date....
Posted by: T.R. | September 30, 2009 at 11:23 AM