Monday, May 12, 2008

Pre-Reunion Reflections

26 days to go. That's less than 4 weeks until I must face the inevitable, face my past and pray to every Divine being that my life now is better than it was at age 18. Yes, dear reader, in just 26 days I will attend my 10-year high school reunion.

A sizeable piece of me had initially taken the attitude employed by Janeane Garofalo's character in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion. Namely, "Why don't you tell everyone I said to go fuck themselves for making my teen years a living hell?" But then my best friend (who was incidentally our valedictorian and is now skinny and a doctor), convinced me I had to go if for no other reason than to serve as her navigator. Plus, she promised to host an after-party where I could crash on her couch.

Armed with my $250 plane ticket, $54 reunion ticket, $30 dress and the obligatory flask in my purse, I feel prepared to encounter people I was more than willing to forget 10 years ago. Lest anyone think me a complete misanthrope, there are quite a few people I am really excited to see (especially since I weigh 45 pounds less than I did in high school), and there are several others who won't be there but with whom I've recently and happily reconnected.

So what is it in our DNA that drives us to want to see people whose company we had to endure during our most awkward years? Why should I put myself through an entire afternoon with 28-year-olds pregnant with their fourth kid when I can't be held responsible for a house plant? Will my former classmate who is now a star in the NFL make an appearance? Where's the bar?

Actually, reflecting on this reunion has led me to one valid question... now with sites like Facebook, My Space, etc. so avidly used by high school and college students, will they need reunions or will they just stay in touch indefinitely in some suspended reality of the Internet?

Ultimately, I am looking forward to this reunion, despite my snarky comments to the contrary (and that little bit of fear eating away at me). If all else fails, it will surely provide ample fodder for this blog and your future entertainment.

Go Toros!

2 comments:

SaraK said...

I don't know what it is, but there is just something about reconnecting with old friends. My HS years were some of the best of my life so I enjoy spending time with my HS friends. But most of the people I was close to in HS, I am still in touch with. Our 10 year reunion was nice, but I didn't really spend so much time with the people I wasn't friends with back in HS. I love it that the internet lets us stay connected to far away friends.

Worrier_Poet said...

I'll be anxious to find out if there will be alcohol there. But as long as you have your flask and your sassy attitude, you should be fine. Have fun!

:)