Editor's Note:
I remember Randy as being very funny and charming in high school. What I most remember is his effort to scuttle our insipid senior class song (I think it was something sappy by Journey, Don't Stop Believing perhaps) in favor of the Who's teen-age anthem, Baba O'Reilly. You know, the song who's chorus contains the words, Teen Age Wasteland.
By Randy Finch
www.iceguru.com
The Howell High School Class of 1984 reunion. Our 20 year is finally here, and how cool, another reason to party. Are all these occasions often overlooked for what they are, sweet music for our economy. Banquet halls and hotels aren't the only ones cashing in. From Jenny Craig to the Hair Club for Men, class reunions all over America are a welcome event for entrepreneurs dedicating their lives to convincing people that they are aesthetically challenged. By the time of the reunion, I will have visited almost all of the above establishments, while waiting in line for a tanning bed. By the way, for those using artificial tanning foam, hope you're not using the cheap stuff. The oompa-loompa look is definitely out this year.
Having only been to one other reunion, I'm not quite sure what to expect, but the 20th reunion does have at least one enticing trait. For the first time, the class has experienced a majority of their lives away from their high school alumni. Growing up together is somewhat like having kids. The metamorphosis in a child can be less noticeable to a parent than to those who rarely see them. The prospect of discovering what 20 years has done (and in some cases not done) to everyone has certainly made me curious. Okay, enough sounding sappy, I'm getting teary eyed.
After reviewing my yearbook, I also find it interesting that I am looking forward to actually meeting people that I graduated with. If you think about it, the word reunion itself suggest a previous connection. Although made up of smaller cliques, I'm sure most graduation classes are rarely what one would call a "union."
Maybe it's just the allure of the beer tent at the Melon Fest, but I am looking forward to the week-end. So pop in your contacts, pump up with Botox and let the party begin.
I told you personally, Randy, but I'll also tell here for all the world to see, that was great! Very funny, very clever and very astute observations. Everyone should also know that it was Randy's destiny to become the world's greatest ice sculptor - in elementary school he knew how to build one kick ass snow fort. He organized our entire grade during recess, and it was a thing of beauty. It must still be in the legend and lore of Northwest Elementary School. No? Well, it should be. He has always been the Freeze King.
Posted by: Darr | August 17, 2004 at 02:57 AM