19 years ... and one to go

Nineteen years ago this week, I graduated high school. The year before, I had plenty of friends leaving, who said things along the line of "Wouldn't ever want to do it again!" I didn't understand them as a rising senior. As a newly minted grad, I understood them perfectly. And nineteen years down the pike, the feeling is as strong as ever. I am so glad those horrid days are long behind me.

But that also means one year to go until the big 20th. My heart is always divided about reunions. There's a teeeeensy part of me that wants to go, in the hopes that a few folks I've lost touch with will be there. There is the other part of me that never wants to go. I went to the 10th and it reminded me of why I was glad to be out of high school. The funny part is the people I wasn't closest to in high school were far friendlier to me than the people who were in my classes, folks with whom I usually spent at least 3-4 hours daily poring over the same material.

My older friends tell me that by the 20th, things are better. At the 10th everyone is trying to prove they're "someone" even when they're not. They tell me at the 20th, everyone is who they are, and that's life, and if you're still a jerk after 20 years, you'll never quit being a jerk. They say it's way more relaxed. And that's nice in principle.

I sincerely hope with all my heart that in the ensuing ten years, my classmates have grown comfortable in their own skins. It's taken me a long time to do so, and I am happy and healthy (for the most part). If they are not comfortable, happy people, then I truly want nothing more to do with them.

No information has come out yet, but it will happen sooner than I expect. I want to know what the plans are first before I decide. We had a rather tame affair for the 10th, instead of the hotel with room package that I would have expected (and enjoyed). I hope the 20th isn't lame-o.

And one other thing: it makes me so very glad, so incredibly glad that I wasn't voted Most Likely to Succeed. I don't think I would like their definition of success.

Cancer sucks!!

Today, we lost someone else way too soon to cancer. Sarah was a funny, saucy lover of life and I shall miss her. Someday, I pray there is a cure for this scourge.

*clink* POW!

Child of the 80s.....

As you noticed on my earlier posts about 70s and 80s one-hit wonders, those are the time frames in music that are very near and dear to my heart.

70s music reminds me of a sunny day in a mostly happy childhood. It takes me back to a time when things were far less complicated and complex, and that was perfectly fine by me. And I'll always love 70s soul and disco. There. I said it. I love disco.

But the 80s ... that's my coming-of-age music. It was that music that took me through those awkward days of junior high, high school, and even into college (where I reverted back to 70s music for some comfort). And I guess for all the 70s compilations I have made for myself, I'm really a child of the 80s.

I put together some songs on my MP3 player for my walking, things that I thought would be rhythmic enough to keep me going and motivating enough to keep me moving.

It is almost overwhelmingly 80s:

• All Fired Up (Pat Benatar)
• Authority Song (John Mellencamp)
• Back in Black (AC/DC)
• Bitch (Rolling Stones) ... okay, that's 70s.
• Brand New Lover (Dead or Alive)
• Cool the Engines (Boston)
• Deeper & Deeper (The Fixx)
• Get Rhythm (Rev. Horton Heat) -- okay, a real rarity: a 50s song redone by a 90s artist.
• Hold on Tight (ELO)
• I Feel Free (Cream) -- yes, from the 60s. Gotta have Clapton on there in some form!
• Lights Out (Peter Wolf)
• Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry) .... true story: at my 10-year reunion, they had a DJ playing 80s songs. No one got on the dance floor until this song came on. So we are disco freaks.
• Some Like It Hot (Power Station)
• Train in Vain (Clash)
• U Got the Look (Prince/Sheena Easton)
• White Horse (Laid Back)

Yep. 12 of 16 songs -- 75% as 80s music. And I love it. I could have added a few more 80s songs on there, but I didn't want a 2 hour compilation for a short walk.......

Damn, we had some totally bitchin' music then! (heh heh heh)