BLOBBY'S BLOG

SILVER & GOLD

I knew it was coming up - but I never really cared b/c it never crossed my mind to actually attend. My 25th high school reunion (yes, start getting your abacus out or brush up on your chisenbop and try to calculate my age!). I've more than alluded to, in this blog, that I have no desire to ever go back to see these people. I've avoided most of them for a quarter of a century and see no reason to go, let alone PAY money to socialize with them.

Was high school a living hell? No. I didn't even think I was better than most of the shlubs there - but I didn't fit in either. Few probably did. It WAS high school after all. But I don't care if they did or not. I really wasn't included in too many of their reindeer games - nor did I want to be. I saw high school more or less as county jail where I just had to do my time and get out. I can't say it wouldn't be interesting to go back as a fly on the wall - or w/Romy and Michele.

Even if I had entertained the idea of going - any chance would have been dashed by the actual invitation. It started:

Dear Bob

Ok. I really almost stopped there completely. I am not Bob!!!! I never have been. My father is. If they want to invite him - they can knock themselves out. I actually will stop someone when they call me Bob and correct them. Nothing against my father's name, but even my parents went way out of their way to not call me that.

Granted, I don't know the alumni committee in the slightest - and clearly they don't know me either. So don't you think they would error on the side of formality and go by what is on one's permanent record? I can almost assure you that anyone in the class w/the name of 'Brian' - didn't get a Dear Bri.

But I did in fact keep reading. The letter was general to 10th, 20th, 25th, 30th and 35th reunions. (The school hasn't been open 40 yrs, so 35 is the highest reunion class.) Yes, I got an almost generic invitation. Each reunion was meeting the same day. At the same place. At the same time! The day starts off w/a golf tournament b/c, well, EVERYONE just MUST play golf - no? To be honest, I might harbor resentment as I've played since I was eight and STILL suck at it. By the 12th hole, I'm carrying 5 clubs, b/c I am not bothering to go back to the cart & bag and not talking to anyone. I can be a bad sport.

Then there is a general reception w/all these classes where no one knows anyone (most likely) from the any group but their own. And I'd be surprised to find how many actually know others from their own class. I'd be interested to know how well attended these things are. For dinner and whatnot, you are put into separate rooms w/your former classmates. At that point, why bother?

Did I mention I went to an all boys school? Do 'boys' give a fuck about getting back together to reminisce? You can't talk about who you dated b/c well.....no one knew any girls or knew of any girls the other boys knew (follow that?). That leaves sports. High school sports from 1977-81. Shoot me now!

If I thought I could go and shock the fuck out of them and leave, it might almost be worth it. Almost.

And here I've been babbling about the silver part of the show. Now on w/the gold.

My parents celebrate their 50th anniversary this October. I didn't have to lobby too too hard to do something for this (either w/my parents or sisters). Friends of mine who let their parent's anniversaries slip w/out any to-do told me if we did nothing we would regret it. They did. We're opting for no surprises - and to do it at our house. An informal affair - maybe around 40-50 people, but we'll cater most of it. That would be the only real expense. Oh - that and the booze!

But my father sometimes kills me....in a good way. I see him weekly. He has email (has never sent me one nor has acknowledged if he's ever received one I've sent him). Yet he sends me a letter-letter w/a list of whom he would like there. Some people who were in their wedding party (whom were already on my list). My mother's brothers! (who, duh, were already on my list) and my oldest sister. ....b/c it was possible I wasn't going to invite her? Or maybe it was specific to her and the other three aren't actually welcome?

Invitations go out at the end of this week, so hopefully this will be an easy event to plan and pull-off (see the booze comment).