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Post by Kapitan on Aug 13, 2024 13:06:15 GMT
This weekend was my 30th high school reunion. As with every reunion before it, I did not go.
While I had a perfectly fine time in school, I was more than ready to move away after high school. Other than specifically to visit my parents, I really don't go back to my hometown, even though it's only a little under two hours away. I haven't spoken to the vast majority of the 100 or so people in my graduating class since graduation, 30 years ago. (I'm still good friends with two. I work with another. I've very occasionally crossed paths with a few others. That's about it.)
I was surprised to learn that at least half a dozen people made serious trips to attend, coming in from Hawaii, Arizona, Pennsylvania, etc. Considering I didn't want to drive 100 miles, that was shocking to me. I can't imagine that kind of motivation for such a thing. I think I would have gone if it were held nearby, say, in the park by the lake or falls near me. Somewhere I could have walked, showed up, gauged the place, and either hung out or left easily. But making even a couple-hour trip? Nope. Not worth it to me.
What about you? Anybody more of a fan of reunions than I am? Have you attended, and if so, what was your experience? Were you still close to many people from those classes? The whole idea is interesting to me, but foreign.
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Post by kds on Aug 13, 2024 13:33:47 GMT
This weekend was my 30th high school reunion. As with every reunion before it, I did not go. While I had a perfectly fine time in school, I was more than ready to move away after high school. Other than specifically to visit my parents, I really don't go back to my hometown, even though it's only a little under two hours away. I haven't spoken to the vast majority of the 100 or so people in my graduating class since graduation, 30 years ago. (I'm still good friends with two. I work with another. I've very occasionally crossed paths with a few others. That's about it.) I was surprised to learn that at least half a dozen people made serious trips to attend, coming in from Hawaii, Arizona, Pennsylvania, etc. Considering I didn't want to drive 100 miles, that was shocking to me. I can't imagine that kind of motivation for such a thing. I think I would have gone if it were held nearby, say, in the park by the lake or falls near me. Somewhere I could have walked, showed up, gauged the place, and either hung out or left easily. But making even a couple-hour trip? Nope. Not worth it to me. What about you? Anybody more of a fan of reunions than I am? Have you attended, and if so, what was your experience? Were you still close to many people from those classes? The whole idea is interesting to me, but foreign. I've never attended a HS reunion and don't plan to. There's a line in the movie Dazed and Confused that sticks out to me where one of the kids says "If I ever look back at these years as the best years of my life, remind me to kill myself." That's essentially where I am with my HS experience. For the most part, I didn't really make a ton of friends in HS, and the existing friendships I had prior to my HS years were starting to fizzle out a little. So, in my last two years of HS, I recall feeling a little isolated at times. It's not really a period of my life on which I look back with a great deal of fondness. I have become "friends" on Facebook with some of my HS classmates over the years (not sure why, we weren't particularly close, and made no efforts to connect after graduation). Granted, they had different experiences than me, but I find the attachment to HS glories a little sad honestly.
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Post by Kapitan on Aug 13, 2024 13:55:22 GMT
I have become "friends" on Facebook with some of my HS classmates over the years (not sure why, we weren't particularly close, and made no efforts to connect after graduation). Granted, they had different experiences than me, but I find the attachment to HS glories a little sad honestly. My work colleague reported to me that the people who never gave her the time of day in high school--the "cool kids," if you will--were the most friendly, giving hugs and talking enthusiastically to her as if they were the best of friends. A few of the pics I saw showed similar situations, former bullies or quarterbacks or cheerleaders suddenly happy to see nerds, dirtballs, or outcasts. That is exactly the sort of thing that makes me totally uninterested. That and your last phrase there: it was just high school. It's long-since over. If those were your glory days, I'm sorry. As I said, I actually don't have any grudges or major issues or anything with it. I'm sure I could get along with most of those people for a couple of hours, whether or not we were friends then or have much in common now. I just don't really feel any need to. They're not major characters in my life with whom I need to resolve anything, whose separate plot lines need to be worked out. They were bit characters who haven't had roles since 30 years ago.
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Post by kds on Aug 13, 2024 14:02:37 GMT
I have become "friends" on Facebook with some of my HS classmates over the years (not sure why, we weren't particularly close, and made no efforts to connect after graduation). Granted, they had different experiences than me, but I find the attachment to HS glories a little sad honestly. My work colleague reported to me that the people who never gave her the time of day in high school--the "cool kids," if you will--were the most friendly, giving hugs and talking enthusiastically to her as if they were the best of friends. A few of the pics I saw showed similar situations, former bullies or quarterbacks or cheerleaders suddenly happy to see nerds, dirtballs, or outcasts. That is exactly the sort of thing that makes me totally uninterested. That and your last phrase there: it was just high school. It's long-since over. If those were your glory days, I'm sorry. As I said, I actually don't have any grudges or major issues or anything with it. I'm sure I could get along with most of those people for a couple of hours, whether or not we were friends then or have much in common now. I just don't really feel any need to. They're not major characters in my life with whom I need to resolve anything, whose separate plot lines need to be worked out. They were bit characters who haven't had roles since 30 years ago. Also, with me, I just have no interest in taking a Saturday night, getting quasi dressed up, and making small talk with a bunch of people I haven't seen in person since 1998. In a way, I kinda feel social media has removed any need for that. I know person a got married and has three kids, person b got over their addiction issues and found God, person c sadly passed away, etc etc. And, I'm definitely not interested in repeating a truncated version of the last quarter century of my life over and over.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Aug 13, 2024 14:09:11 GMT
My high school class was relatively small with 103 students. I would say I had a happy four years of high school. I wasn't the social type, but I had a circle of friends. To be honest, during that time, my interests were basically sports and music, and the people I hung out with reflected that. I played three sports so it was mostly associating with teammates - or anybody who was willing to engage in some serious conversation about then popular music.
Because I went to school with many of my classmates for twelve years, and because I live(d) in a small town, you saw them around - malls, sporting events, gas stations, church, festivals, and the like. And, honestly, I thought there would never be a time when I wouldn't at least see them, or be acquainted with them, or still be friends with some of them. Actually, I not only expected that but I think I welcomed it, too.
I did go to the first high school class reunion (5 years after graduation). I remember looking forward to it. I didn't think I or others changed much, so, what the heck. It was outdoors and it was, frankly, forgettable. I ended up talking with the same people I talked to in high school and who I had kind of kept in touch with anyway. The people I didn't talk to in high school? I didn't talk with them at the reunion either.
And I didn't go to another class reunion until the 25th year reunion. I don't have any interesting reasons why. There weren't really any people who I felt I really wanted to "catch up with" (not to sound snobbish and I'll bet they'd hate to hear that). I remained friends with only a few classmates and I could see them whenever I wanted. I didn't need to go through the whole reunion thing just to see them. I heard through the grapevine that a few classmates were not happy with my not attending because, again, I was still around. I still lived in the same town. I had no excuses. I didn't feel like I was making a statement or anything, and it certainly wasn't a reflection on any specific classmates or our class in general, though it might've looked that way. All I can say is that I had no desire to go to a class reunion.
Well, after many years and some coaxing from a few people, I did attend the 25th year reunion. I have to admit that at the beginning and maybe for the first hour or so, it was fun. There were plenty of one-liners about aging and making fun of ourselves. Oh, there were also the stories of our glory days on the field, court, and diamond. But then a funny (well, not really) thing happened. After the dinner, it was time to do some serious mingling around the room, dance floor, and bar. I tried really hard to stay at my table with a few people but eventually everyone got up and spread out. And it was terrible. People trying to impress with their job, the size of their house, and the size of their family. It was just like a movie. Those things were actually happening. I couldn't wait until it was over. A couple of us were trying to plan something after the reunion by going over to a buddy's house but we couldn't even pull that off.
I never went to another class reunion but we keep having them. I don't know why. I've heard they're not well-attended. A group of 15-20 just like to party I guess. A small group even has some "in between" gatherings occasionally. I still get invited but I usually make up some excuse. I don't know. I'll say this. Again, I was very active in high school and I had my friends, and I thought THEN that there would never be a time when I wouldn't keep in touch with them, especially via a class reunion. But that's what happened. Sometimes it bothers me and I wonder what happened to ME. Am I wrong? My parents went to all of theirs. My sister still goes to hers. Then I'll think, no, it's not a big deal. Really. If somebody really wants to talk to me, they know where to find me.
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Post by kds on Aug 13, 2024 14:27:38 GMT
I agree with Sheriff that my main interests in my HS years were sports and music.
And, my high school years (1994-98) were the years where I feel like my tastes started to move away from what was popular for the first time. By 1994, alternative music had really taken over the mainstream, and I just had no interest in it for the most part. So, where my HS friends were getting into Weezer, No Doubt, and Garbage, I was finding myself getting into The Moody Blues, Journey, and Pink Floyd.
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Post by Kapitan on Aug 13, 2024 14:29:04 GMT
Again, I was very active in high school and I had my friends, and I thought THEN that there would never be a time when I wouldn't keep in touch with them, especially via a class reunion. But that's what happened. Sometimes it bothers me and I wonder what happened to ME. Am I wrong? My parents went to all of theirs. My sister still goes to hers.
Aside from still being nearby, I relate to a lot of what you said, Sheriff John Stone. Including looking at other people who seem to be so much more into them and thinking, why aren't I? I wasn't bullied, I wasn't miserable. I had a good time, more or less (as much as a person can expect from a teenager). There's no malice. I just don't care. That last part in particular rings true. My mom, who is almost 80, still goes to her HS and college reunions. Her HS was affiliated with her college--both with their church denomination--so they're related. So while she doesn't go to all of them, I'd bet she attends at least two reunions per decade, whether HS or college. I find that astounding. I can't imagine caring that much. Luckily, it's a free country.
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Post by kds on Aug 13, 2024 15:01:53 GMT
I figured this was as good a place as any to post this.
I did something last night I very rarely do. I went to the grocery store at night. Usually, it takes a big event or a doctor's visit to get me out of the house on a weeknight after my son goes to sleep (8pm), but I really enjoyed the experience. I forgot how quiet a supermarket can be at night. There's nobody blocking up the aisles. Since dinner and my son's bedtime routine were taken care of, I didn't feel a need to rush around.
If not for my aversion to leaving the house after 8pm, I think I'd do my weekly grocery run at night.
Also, if I thought it was too early for fall stuff, I was knocked for a loop when I saw Home Alone themed Christmas coffee creamers at the Weis.
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Post by Kapitan on Aug 13, 2024 16:04:38 GMT
I figured this was as good a place as any to post this. I did something last night I very rarely do. I went to the grocery store at night. Usually, it takes a big event or a doctor's visit to get me out of the house on a weeknight after my son goes to sleep (8pm), but I really enjoyed the experience. I forgot how quiet a supermarket can be at night. There's nobody blocking up the aisles. Since dinner and my son's bedtime routine were taken care of, I didn't feel a need to rush around. If not for my aversion to leaving the house after 8pm, I think I'd do my weekly grocery run at night. Also, if I thought it was too early for fall stuff, I was knocked for a loop when I saw Home Alone themed Christmas coffee creamers at the Weis. I'm the same way about going at night--for some reason, I really prefer to stay in during evenings, winding down rather than getting anything done. It actually drives other people crazy. "Why not just do X in the evening?" Housework, errands, even entertainment. I just don't want to! But for groceries, that's why I pretty much always go really early on a Saturday morning. Similar thing, mostly empty stores. It's great. And I'm an early bird anyway, so it's not as if getting up early bothers me.
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Post by kds on Aug 13, 2024 16:17:13 GMT
I figured this was as good a place as any to post this. I did something last night I very rarely do. I went to the grocery store at night. Usually, it takes a big event or a doctor's visit to get me out of the house on a weeknight after my son goes to sleep (8pm), but I really enjoyed the experience. I forgot how quiet a supermarket can be at night. There's nobody blocking up the aisles. Since dinner and my son's bedtime routine were taken care of, I didn't feel a need to rush around. If not for my aversion to leaving the house after 8pm, I think I'd do my weekly grocery run at night. Also, if I thought it was too early for fall stuff, I was knocked for a loop when I saw Home Alone themed Christmas coffee creamers at the Weis. I'm the same way about going at night--for some reason, I really prefer to stay in during evenings, winding down rather than getting anything done. It actually drives other people crazy. "Why not just do X in the evening?" Housework, errands, even entertainment. I just don't want to! But for groceries, that's why I pretty much always go really early on a Saturday morning. Similar thing, mostly empty stores. It's great. And I'm an early bird anyway, so it's not as if getting up early bothers me. The only thing I do in the evening routinely is exercise. I don't have the motivation to wake up early in the morning during the work week to do my exercising. But, even that feels less taxing than actually leaving the house.
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on Aug 13, 2024 17:18:41 GMT
My 10-year high school reunion is next month. I went to the five year and had a good time, even if I sprained my ankle pretty badly (decided to drunkenly race someone with a pizza in my hand. Didn't see the curb.) High school is a little different in Cincinnati, especially the part of town I grew up in (as in a bigger deal). I also went to an all boys school, so it's basically just a reason to go out and drink with the boys. I remember I posted a few years ago lamenting how it seemed like the days of us going out all the time were nearing an end, and sure enough, I can count on one hand the number of times we've been out as a group this year. I'll take what I can get at this point even though high school wasn't anything spectacular for me, although there are a lot of good memories.
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Post by B.E. on Aug 13, 2024 22:42:02 GMT
Also, with me, I just have no interest in taking a Saturday night, getting quasi dressed up, and making small talk with a bunch of people I haven't seen in person since 1998. In a way, I kinda feel social media has removed any need for that. I know person a got married and has three kids, person b got over their addiction issues and found God, person c sadly passed away, etc etc. And, I'm definitely not interested in repeating a truncated version of the last quarter century of my life over and over. Yeah, you gotta think social media has taken the wind out of the sails of school reunions. There'll always be reunions, but perhaps (far) less attended? Wasn't the main draw finding out what happened to everyone? As for me, I've never attended one. I'm not entirely opposed, though. I've always kind of told myself I'd talk myself into going once. You guys kind of freaked me out today when I realized that my 20th is in a couple years. I thought...maybe...my 15th was coming up? It really doesn't feel like that long ago. How did this happen? Anyway, that's too soon. Maybe I'll go to my 25th. But I have the same concerns that others have mentioned. I'm really not very good at small talk. Although, for me the mystery is still there, because I never really got on social media.
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Post by Kapitan on Aug 21, 2024 13:41:19 GMT
I've got a long weekend coming (Friday through Monday), away at a lake w/ the gf. And I really need it. That's right: work-whining time!
Our corporate bosses are mostly uninvolved on a day-to-day basis with my company, and especially with me. A lot of them are in India, some in Europe and China, some in the U.S. but just not really involved. The corporation mostly does things entirely unrelated to what we do. We're our own little (profitable) entity.
But every so often they have their little initiatives ... which usually mean thinking we can all come together as one unit for synergies, a word that makes me want to rage. We've been down that path dozens of times, and it never works, because as I said, we do totally different things than they do. But every new corporate officer decides he's the one to make it work. Along those lines, last week I was brought in to one such bit of nonsense. I've spent probably half a dozen hours on it, and was part of a call with one such guy (who is in India, at a VP level) last Wednesday morning. He said during the call that after I did some follow-up work, we'd have another call this morning with more people. I got him what he wanted on Monday, after another handful of hours. But I never did get a calendar invitation for this follow-up call. I emailed him twice, once yesterday and once very early this morning (so afternoon for him) to try to get confirmation/clarification: is there a call? When? What's the link/number?
Nothing. Silence.
And so now, if the call did happen, it happened without me. But it's a recurring thing from them, regardless of the person: something is a HUGE EMERGENCY, only to go to radio silence for days, weeks, months ... and then it's a huge emergency again.
Meanwhile I'm trying to work with internal colleagues (truly from my company, not corporate) on various complaint resolution, and the level of stupidity and/or indifference is just astounding. No effort to even understand, much less respond adequately to, the issues. Meanwhile, it's their work we're talking about! I'm in marketing, I'm just helping because they're incompetent with communications generally and we're not big enough to have anyone doing that sort of P.R. full time.
OK, that's the end of my rant(s). I realize life is great, these are first-world problems, etc. But a person does get to those boiling points sometimes! As I said, I look forward to the long weekend. Just under two work days to go, and we're out of here...
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Post by kds on Aug 21, 2024 16:37:00 GMT
My rant of the day is related to the trash humans who consistently pollute the comment section on Facebook Pages.
Now, I don't engage with this fools, but I'm morbidly entertained by the insane posts on sports or entertainment pages. But, I usually steer clear of the comments on news pages, and I should've done that today.
Last night, a terrible tragedy occurred in Ocean City, MD. A two year old boy and hit and killed by one of the Boardwalk Trams. This morning, it was announced that all Tram service on the 2.5 mile Boardwalk is suspended "indefinitely." The news of the suspended tram service, sadly and predictably, unleashed the worst in humanity.
"Now because of some irresponsible parents, the tram is suspended??"
"No, it was suspended because of an irresponsible driver!!!"
"All these prayers are totally useless!!"
"What about people with mobility issues?"
"Just park closer to where you're going!!!"
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Post by Kapitan on Aug 21, 2024 16:54:30 GMT
That's one thing I like about our local paper's online edition (I know you're talking Facebook, so it's not quite the same): with particularly sensitive stories, they don't use the comments feature. My first instinct is actually that this is wrong, that if they're going to have comments, they should have them whether it's a story about a tax increase, a Vikings' loss, or a murder. But then I think about things like you mentioned, and other idiotic comments I see, and think, nah, it's best to leave them off. Current example: there's a horrible story today about a teenage party in rural, far-western Minnesota (on the South Dakota border) that went very wrong. Kids around ages 14-16 were hanging out, drinking. Two got into a fight. One stabbed the other in the chest, and the victim died. This happened in a town of 535 people. Can you imagine if comments were turned on? You KNOW it would be like those kds shared, people blaming the deceased kid's parents, people going overboard villainizing the killer's parents or family, etc. There would be idiots in Minneapolis chiming in on how that's "Trump country" morality, or some such thing. There would be rural people saying that's how things are under Gov. Walz's administration. And on and on. People can be pretty awful. So despite my instincts, in situations like that, I like the comments off.
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