OMG, Is That...?

Going to a reunion in about 10 days.

Looking forward to it.

But some other reunions? Not so much.

Love reunions, they are wonderful time for old friends and family.  Life is too short, go to your reunion, or crash one.....

I'll never forget what's his name.

Ahh what great memories I have of a year and a half ago when we had a wonderful reunion here in Santa Cruz. Only 13 of us, but one came out from New York, one from Florida, (they both stayed at my house) and one from Georgia. The rest of us were all on the west coast already, but some came from southern and northern Calif to meet here on the central coast. This was the first time some of us had seen each other since the 60s when we were all either staff or students at our notorious alma mater. The schoolmate from Florida stayed 1 week and the schoolmate from NY stayed 2 weeks. I loved their visit even though we hadn't really been close back then...and the time flew by....I hated to see them go. The other visitors stayed with others...there were 4 of us living in Santa Cruz at the time and another in Monterey. They all stayed for at least several days so we had lots of time to visit. Lots of meals together, in fact my profile photo was taken at one of our after dinners.... along with talking and comparing notes into the wee hours.
 
So... two visitors I hadn't seen in over 40 years and didn't really know that well... we became close friends and had a wonderful reuinion. I'll always remember how special this gathering was and it happened rather spontaneously...just an offhand remark about getting together some day and before I knew it, 13 of us were here.  Funny, I consider 13 to be my lucky number.

"You're amazing, you haven't changed a bit!" -- I never know if that's a good thing, or shall I say "thank you"?

When you run into an old(er) person, smile tentatively, and then they suddenly morph into someone you went to school with.

I love reunions and will be attending an annual one with old friends at a downtown bar on December tenth… minus a couple of guys from last year.
A good listener, I hear things that others have not and easy chatter is not difficult to maintain.
It is judgmental but I have never had any patience with people who refuse to attend class reunions because they never liked the snobby, cliquish kids who thought that they were so much better.
They probably didn't but if fanning the embers of your inferiority complex is still appealing, go ahead.
At the four or five class reunions so far (our fiftieth will be next year) someone I did not know came up to say: "You married the girl of my dreams."
I smile and say: I know… mine too.

Stoney ~ What a lovely post

I wonder if anyone feels the same as I? My classmates and friends who grew up with me before 16 never seem to grow old - in fact, I can still see them in their school uniform (and those horrid bloomers!) but if I run into anyone I got to know from college (University) or work, and I haven't seen them for awhile, I am often shocked at how much they've aged...and it hits me I must have too though i certainly don't FEEL it.

In the current age of 6 degrees of separation (4 clicks away if you're on Facebook), there is no reason not to be "found" unless you really don't want to be. My best "reunion" has been with a cousin, who is 25 years older than I. I found him on a blog and wrote him; we share the same ancestor 4 generations back. He said he cried when he received my email, that he had been searching for my side of the family tree and thought he would die without completing the task. Another very happy reunion is with a Finnish girl I used to write to when I was about 13. We faithfully wrote to each other till we lost touch after I got married. She searched the net constantly till I got "found" on LinkedIn.

Some amazing reunion stories here!
http://www.oddee.com/item_97206.aspx

OMG...is THAT .....
........American Airlines that's just gone bust??

Mixed thoughts.  It is interesting how opinions we have of others change over time.  Groups that, at one time, thought highly of individuals within their group and less about "outsiders,"change their opinions as time passes and deaths begin taking their toll.  Eventually, with time and maturity, all individuals seem to be accepted by all other individuals.Reunions also bring a degree of sorrow  as we realize that old friends have passed on.Also, reunions tend to encourage us to "look back," reflecting on the "good" or "bad" of timespast rather than encouraging us to look to the future.  Hence, in toto, I don't see much value in reunions, particularly considering the time and cost incurred by those considerate souls whoorganize them.

Welcome Tom Faught! Your comment is well said but I am more sentimental than that and I enjoy seeing old faces, even ones I didn't care for at the time.

The Boarding School I attended was 100 years old in my junior year. Many teachers who might have retired remained for the Centennial, and were still there my Senior Year. Ensconced in their (by today's standards) extremely nice faculty houses they had a nice community. We students thought we knew them, but of course we didn't.

In the middle of Senior Year a disgruntled classmate told a preposterous story about me and some of my circle of friends (probably 50 in our class, all told). It was so ludicrous that I ignored it although my friends were quite upset as we certainly were not a hotbed of lesbianism, as accused. Our strictest school rules were No Lying, No Cheating, No Stealing...all expellable. Soon we started to be dropped from various programs--I no longer could supervise Freshmen in their class play, I had to give up my role as the mother in The Glass Menagerie and the 8 of us were treated as Guilty as Charged.

Outrage does not begin to describe how angry I was. I went to everyone in authority and was met with shrugs and doubletalk and finally one night after lights out (imagine the temerity) and banged on our Headmistress's door demanding justice.

Finally a class meeting was called and the only one who did not attend was the original gossiper. This went a ways in "proving" our case and eventually she confessed and apologized. All our lost privileges were reinstated (the play had already been produced). But she certainly was not expelled for Lying.

Months later during Senior Week one of the traditions was that we went to Faculty Houses for dinner. As the Headmistress sat in her easy chair, Great Dane at her feet, another teacher in her ruffled apron hurried into the room and said "Here's your scotch dear.." Suddenly this great lightbulb went off in my 17 year old head and I realized WHY none of the teachers had been willing to open the door to the subject of lesbianism. It was needless to say, a huge lesson for me and I actually felt sorry for them. Meanwhile there still remained a section of our class looking down their noses at us.

Flash forward 20 years. Reunion time. I arrive at the lunch and seated at the table are almost all girls from the "other" group and I think "oh boy what is this going to be like." After just a few sips of wine someone in the conversation said "Well what happened to Deb has stayed with me all this time and it has taught me..." One after another it turned out that the Incident had had as much impact on the rest of the class as it had had on me. Our conversations were fascinating, warm and I forged many further friendships on that day. I am a regular attendant of the reunions and always get to know one other person just a little better. And of course it turns out that we have much better memories than just that one awful era our senior year.

sorry I went on so long!

ChefDeb ~
I agree: the best tribute that can be paid to fallen friends and classmates is to say nice things about them to those still surviving.
It is always interesting to know that people are as glad to see and visit with me as I am to see and chat with them.

Andy ~
Thanks and thank God as well for the person who invented the:
HELLO, MY NAME IS: __________
sticker.

Hello, Tom Faught~ welcome. 
I loathe and detest reunions, 'tho it is sometimes pleasing to see the class clown and dunce  looking very prosperous  and driving a Mercedes sports car - (how come women get hot flushes and men get sportscars for the menopause?) We were at some smart hotel and aforementioned clown and I retreated outdoors for a breath of fresh air AKA a smoke. After several such sorties and several glasses of wine, he confided that he had borrowed the Merc, hired the smart suit and was in reality a garage mechanic. It took his sister-in-law ages to get his hands and fingernails into shape for the occasion.  He was really enjoying giving the impression of being a man of means, and very amused by how easily people are taken in by appearances.

Reunions take place all the time on the on line social venues.  A memory of someone from your past life, dating life, work life, school life........... OMG! Your life compartmentalized under "Friends" and they are but a click away.
 
Weddings and funerals are reunions of a happy or sad sort, now I keep up with friends and family on line.  I enjoy catching up wtih old friends and family too far to visit very often. My newphew  serving in Afghanistan has finally found Facebook and posts intermitently, we rejoice to see him post anything, we know he is all right. 

Stoney:  As to the name tags, I once attended a military ops research conference with name tags that said "Hi, my name is [FORMAL NAME].  You can call me [informal name]."
 
One man's tag read: "Hi, my name is Colonel Jones.  You can call me Colonel."
 
In my youth, as a Research Assistant, I was given a prepared tag that read;
"[my name]/ Research Ass".  I asked that it be changed.  At least I didn't work for the company whose name tags said they worked at "AnalTech".
 

That was funny, digger5x5.

I'll be the first to say it at this Eye reunion today (well, we haven't been together since yesterday, have we?  so it is a reunion...) you all look great!  And you sound so smart--just as smart and witty as I remember you all.  And I'm glad you're wearing your name tags--the comments sound like someone I know, but it's good to have the name to be sure.  Welcome tom fraught.  

I have one of those annoying memories for remembering the name of 48 kids from my elementary school experience, 30 kids from my high school experience--and then we moved to Switzerland when I was 14 and the list goes on. 
 
The only reunion I ever attended was with a small group of the Swiss Commercial College I attended.  No one remembered me, but I remembered everyone.  One woman was so thrilled that I remembered her.  I always thought it rather odd--I was a native English-speaker amid this group of German-speakers and I graduated with the highest marks in the class.  I was also the official translator of American movie magazines, and I cut classes like everyone else.
 
I decided my life was far richer than the few who had kept up with each other.  I not only had my memories of life back then and of them, I had a whole other world of memories, too.
 
My other reunions have largely been people I have been able to locate on the internet.

Welcome, Tom Faught, and well said.
 
Should've known STONEY and CHEFDEB would have fascinating stories -- and I'm not atall surprised Stoney has, apparently, several reunions. I envy you that, Stoney.
 
If you live where you didn't grow up, perhaps the pull of a reunion is stronger. From a high school class of more than 400, many of whom I never knew, a small handful I see regularly.  A few I run into occasionally.
 
I've never attended a reunion, though am grateful for those who put them together: They're inevitably held at the enormous farm of a former classmate; last all day; include an Elvis impersonator, fishing (if you choose), and barbecue.  Friends who have gone say walking plowed fields wore them out and they never find, in the crowd, people they'd have liked to find.  Compare that with ChefDeb's boarding school (which reminds me, Deb, of the fine play-cum-movie The Children's Hour; you need to see it {if I haven't got the title wrong}).
 
"Small" is key -- like Stoney's upcoming gathering. The class below mine recently got it right: Now they meet (in town) in a simple cocktail-setting the night before the large, similar-to-mine-in-the-country reunion. A smaller group attend, so finding people and talking are easier. (And you can dress up if you choose.)
 
High school catches us at a difficult age I'd never choose to re-live, when everyone's trying to figure out who he is.  We tended to stay in groups where we were comfortable, which is sad; I regret the friendships I might've made, but didn't.
 
On the other hand, take my husband's high school reunion in Atlanta (please!).  An even bigger crowd than my own leapt from cliche to cliche: Those who'd been cheerleaders cheered, prizes were awarded people who traveled farthest, on and on. From my fly-on-the-wall perspective it was intriguing to observe for that very cliche-ness.  (Yep, I scribbled in my journal; not for nothing do writers observe human behavior, and what better occasion?)
 
As is true too often (my class, my children's), sports was all-important, just as it was all those years ago; in their defense (pun intended), the fact that Georgia Tech's football coach was in that class flavored the evening.  
 
Re-reading your stories today, I'm newly amazed by the happy commingling of our variety --  and grateful to be part of it. 

Joe Kapp and Angelo Mosca, now that is some kind of
reunion. 
 
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/11/ex-viking-joe-kapp-now-73-brawls-with-old-cfl-rival/1

  How could I forget: Startling it is to happen on someone you knew in high school who wears, still, the same makeup, same hairstyle.  I feel for a moment I'm in time travel.
 
  File also under "how could I forget": JP didn't limit us to school reunions, and some of you apparently enjoy family reunions, or reunions of some kind I can't recall just now.  We attend my husband's family reunions, which were a novel experience for me long ago -- what's left of my family never had them.
 
  That his father's several brothers mostly remained in the area where they were born meant you saw EVERYone.  My children when young thought it was better than Six Flags Over Georgia or Disney World: We stayed with my favorite of his uncles/aunts, and when bedtime came the many cousins -- my children included -- spread sleeping bags on Aunt Iris' living-room floor, which required Uncle Harold's moving furniture first.  Early in the morning Harold loaded them into his truck and drove them over the fields to visit cattle, sheep, who knows what else.  For the actual reunion the uncles rented Andrew Jackson State Park, so large was the crowd.  After we'd eaten too much (but avoid things with mayonnaise; every child of the South knows that), seen everyone, taken pictures, we repaired to Iris' and Harold's, where by some magic she had filled the dining-room table with supper, to which the others came. 
 
  A favorite memory, and typical:  Children's voices rang from every quarter; we adults sat around Iris' table, talking. The 'phone rang.  No one stopped eating, talking.
 
  After a few rings Uncle Harold drawled (upper SC/NC mix), "Well, sir. That might be the 'phone."

VeraM -- My memoery works like yours, apparently.  I recently viewed a class picture of my seventh grade year, and knew all 30 or so of the kids by name.  Later, I showed my youngest grandson (adopted from Korea at age six months, now just past his seventh birthday) a picture of me at age 10 months, in a dress (I know), sitting on a pillow, as yet unable to walk.  I then showed him my 7th grade pic and asked him to find me.  He tried, but was unable to pick me out.  Then he said, "Show me the baby picture again."  He studied it for a few seconds and went back to the class photo and IMMEDIATELY picked me out.  I guess once he stopped looking for the current-day me and started looking for the grown-up baby me, it all clicked.

I've always liked reunions and I often attend both my high-school and college reunions. I've also been to an number of family reunions. The family ones have gone by the wayside, unfortunately. My Dad and his cousin were the great organizers, and unfortunately, they have both passed.  We of the younger generation have tried to carry on, but not enough real interest.  I have lots of interesting reunion stories (at least in my mind), but too long and I'm not nearly as good a story teller as some of you--Deb, your story facinated me. I too went to a small private girl's school, but never experienced the scandal you describe.  I'm glad you were able to reconnect and achieve closure and understanding with those women after all those years.
I guess my favorite reunion story was told to me by a friend at one of my recent college reunions. He was talking about a mutual woman friend of ours who had run into a man at a reunion.  They remembered each other, not too well, and were talking. Finally she said, "we didn't sleep together, did we?" College in the 1970's was pretty interesting...

My high school reunions are an experience of many feelings.   While I'm happy to see old friends again it's sad to miss the ones unable to be there.  And those walks down memory lane that everyone insists on taking..."Remember when we...?"  "The night that ....."  are just darn mystifying for me....because their next phrase says it all....."Oh yeah....you weren't there...we couldn't let you know we were doing ......"   Why couldn't the let me know? Or why did they have 'fun' without me?    My father was the assistant principal of the private high school we attended.  And for assistant principal read the principal's choice for disciplinarian around there.   Every time I leave a reunion I realize what a far different experience I had than did most of my classmates.  I'm not saying one was better than the other.  They were just different from each other.

The wonders of Facebook ~ had a little reunion today with an old friend and lover. From the supermarket car park, I can see a little green field enclosure on a mountaiside, maybe used for containing sheep prior to shearing. On a beautiful summer day we walked up there and lay in the grass ... fill in the rest ... and fell asleep in the sunshine to be nudged awake by the cold wet noses of two sheepdogs and the shepherd leaning on his crook laughing, not to mention a  flock of curious sheep encircling us. When I have been lugging the shopping into the boot (trunk) I have looked up to this field and smiled. Sometimes little blasts from the past are good.

GEORGIA--thank you--yes, very Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour. I haven't told that story before and it reminds me that the lesson of nothing is as it seems is always a good thing to remember. And now as I approach the age of many of those teachers I find myself so sorry for the fear they must have felt and how brave they were really to pursue their own lifestyle in those days. How much they must have wanted to someone to throw a bucket of water on me and make me melt away.

O bovver, my spelling is no better. Mountainside.
 

My Class of '62 is due for our 50th in April in Gainesville, Florida. I rsvp'd to go, so I guess I am committed....They want $130 for all Friday-Sunday activities, which I think is steep for the present economy.....Some of us may want to skip an activity and do our own tour of town, but the registration form does not give an option. That is for BBQ Fri., lunch Sat., dinner dance Sat. night, and breakfast on Sun....now, it does not include travel costs, and the hotel for 2 days....Then, the chairman has groused that so few have registered so far.....well, look at the cost.

Since I was an AirForce brat (stepfather, USAF) at that time, we moved a lot, thus I had only 2 yrs. at the high school where I graduated. I did 10th gr. there, then skipped 11th by taking American lit in summer school to get ahead, so was in 12th when school was back in session, thus had few same class friends....was on the yearbook and newspaper staffs, though, so those were some of my best buds. Have stayed in touch with about 3 of the original friends.

At the 30th, I was amazed that some of the plain janes had bloomed well, and some of the jocks had ballooned. One or two had done the plastic surgery rejuvenation thing, so looked almost like 1962, except tighter! To identify folks, the committee had enlarged our graduation yearbook pix to the size to glue on a paper plate, added a paint stir stick for a handle, and given everyone their '62 photo to hold up when meeting others, so we could tell who used to be who! Clever, I thought. I am ambivalent about the April reunion, so not excited about it.....wish I could lose about 50 lbs. before April!! Probably not going to happen.

I have been to one high school reunion the 30th. After that one I decided not to attend another even though every 5 years we all all get invited. The 60th is upcoming and am not interested. I went to school in the bible belt and during the 30th our host said it was ok to sip on a beer so he proceeded to serve 4 beers for about 7 of us. I declined. Then someon decided to play the piano and start singing hymns. Nothing against hymns or being religious but that wasn't the reason I had traveled 2200 miles. I was looking forward to catching up with some old friends/classmates. A day or so later I ran into a pal that had been a good buddy and he had not attented the reunion as many of the old class mates also did not. He explained the reason so few attended was that the organizers were a self serving group that generally chased others away. I understood what he meant.Family reunions are another matter. Really enjoy seeing relatives that I dont see very often. Our family is spread from Florida to Washington state and lots of places inbetween. When going to one of these get togrthers we drive and arrange our route through cities where some are living and then stop for a day or so, then on the the next one on the way.Being retired and having the time to do this is great.We are now talking about having regional reunions. those of us in Wash. and Ore. are planning one next summer. The folks in Fla. andGa are doing the same. Ohio Ind. Ky. and Tenn are now in the talking stages. No word from the southwest.

Stoney ~ I have, lately, been kind of hoping it would catch on as a fashion statement and more people would wear those stickers.  My husband and I spend more time in the care saying "I know it starts with an 'A'", then we go through all those "A" names and hope one will fall into place.

Andy~ adopt the show biz thing and just call everybody "darling."

Andy, I know what you mean!  Now when I see someone I recognize, I agonize not only about the name, but trying to figure out from where I know the person:  was it school? work? summer camp?  Or is it just that everyone looks familiar after awhile?  We didn't sleep together did we???

  The one time I received an announcement for a reunion, I realized no one actually knew my first name.   Right below my photo was "Marcella", not Marcia.  Fooled them.

I margjorie ~ So Funny!  I do that too and what's more, strangers (at least I think they're strangers) are approaching me because I look familiar. Hazel ~ What I do is a big smile and and big "Hello" and pray I don't have to introduce them -- then I try to fake it with "You know my husband, Dave." and hope they then pick up and give the old handshake and a NAME ;)

enoch ~ They don't know my name either.  Depending on when I knew them, or how, that's the name I'm called -- so many aliases. 

I've only ever gone to my 31st year high school reunion (We called it "The Better Late Than Never" reunion. I enjoyed myself, although I disliked that it was in a bar where, once the band started playing, I couldn't understand a word anyone said because the music was so darn loud.  I could hear every word of the lyrics when I stood outside on the far end of the parking lot.  But before the band started up, I had a good time reconnecting with people that I was only barely acquainted with in high school.  Back then I didn't know how to make friends or hold conversations with people I didn't know well. I was horribly shy and for various reasons I won't go into now, was an easy target for teasing (which I hadn't taken very well).  One of the worst of the people who hassled me about just about anything back then came up to me and said loudly enough for everyone to hear, "I'm so very sorry for how mean I was to you in high school.  I really regret that I threw away an opportunity for us to be friends. Will you please forgive me?"  I was just stunned.  It was something I'd never expected to ever happen.  I gracefully accepted the apology and we sat down to tell each other about our spouses and kids and what we'd been doing with our lives. 
 
I don't know if I'll go to the 40-whatever year reunion or not.  Not because of the people, but because of the noise level.  I think it will depend on the site.  If it's in the same place, I'm going to tell the owner that he has got to insist that the bands turn their volume down enough so that we can converse without screaming at each other.  I think I lost another percentage of my hearing that night. *wry grin*
 
Otherwise, I love going to the Benson family reunion back in PA when my Darling Man can get the time off of work.  There are only a few folk who attend whose last name is actually Benson, as most of the current generation were descended from three sisters, but it's a great time with great food, wonderful remembrances and conversation, and an opportunity to make new memories to discuss at future reunions.
 
I have a pin that I wear to events like these.  It says  "Hi! I can't remember your name either!"  *grin*

Hazel~  I'm with you on the wonders of Facebook. I didn't have a very good experience in the first three years of college. I'd long thought that it was because people didn't appreciate my silly, jubilant style. Thanks to my recent Facebook reunions with old college class- and dorm-mates, I've been able to reevaluate and recognize that my incessant, pounding headache (caused by allergies year-round) had colored the whole experience in a negative light.   My favorite reunion was a one-on-one meeting. My best friend from college and I had dropped out of touch for about 8 years. She'd had a series of rough relationships and had vanished. I'd made a few comments in our last phone call and thought she was upset with me.

She contacted me through Facebook as she was going to be in my area. I was such a wreck before she arrived that I didn't know what would happen. My husband almost had to hold me down on the sofa so I wouldn't fall completely to pieces... The knock on the door came, I opened it. We looked at each other, hugged for what seemed like an hour, and picked up where we'd left off 8 years previous.

It turned out, her boyfriend had been reassuring her at the same time my husband had been reassuring me.

We haven't let time slip without some contact since.

ANDY, I love it!

  HAZEL, I (a dedicated romantic) adore your story. It carries me away.... Listening to NPR while I iron, methinks reunions, especially of school ilk, exemplify "If only I had known then what I know now." 

  People calling NPR just now are discussing Black Friday, Cyberwhatever, and their deepest feelings about layaway. Does anybody know where BLACK Friday originated?  I've heard it in only the past few years, and can't imagine retailers CHOOSing that moniker. Why black, anyway?  Now they've made their conversational way to how Black Fridays et al. can undermine fnancial responsibility; and I'm hearing a lot of small local business-owners' voices.

   Me? Out of touch? I plead guilty.

Ah, Georgia~ , I can handle this one, I think. Black Friday refers to the ability of retailers to get 'out of the red' and 'into the black.' Traditionally, it is the end of the year sales figures which ensure that a store can continue operating into the next year. At least that's what Mama told me. ;)

During a recent stint as my alter ego, Santa Claus, a young lady, age around 9, said, "Santa, I'll bet you don't know my name."  I've been faced with this situation many times before, and try the old mindreader tricks to get started.  Usually a younger sibling gives it away at some point, and Santa says, "I was just going to say that."
 
In this case, however, no sibling.  So Santa started with, "Well, I'm sure it starts with G."  Pure outlandish trickery (i.e., a wild guess).  Her response, "Yes, but what's my name?"  Shocked that I had hit it on the first try, I did my "strange name" routine.  "It's Griselda, right?"  "No," laughing.  "No? Must be Geranium." "No."  "No?" 
 
Meanwhile, Mom is standing behind her, mouthing a name, but Santa can't look away from the girl to the Mom and give it away.  Not with a nine-year-old, at least.  So I came up with the only G name I could think of.  "Ok, I know it's Grace."  "Right!" she says, surprised and pleased.  Santa smiles reassuringly, as if to say, "And you thought I didn't know."
 
Santa Claus knows.  Now if I could just remember the name of the guy who does my car repairs, and the cashier at the supermarket and ...

The homely and unpopular youngest sibling of 3 well-liked older sisters and brother, my high school years were hell. Having a notoriously hard-nosed father teaching at my school wasn't helpful. I aced my academics to get out early and promptly left the country.

I decided to go to my 10 year reunion with an enormous chip on my shoulder. I'd come into my own as soon as I'd gotten away and I wanted "them" to know it. I wasn't svelte or beautiful, but I knew who I was and had seen something of the world. I was learning to be comfortable in my skin.

Like Rhyselle, I had a woman who'd frequently hurt me publicly come to me the first night to sincerely apologize. I tried to brush it off but she put her hand on my arm and said "No, please let me."

As the evening progressed I laughed at the clichés, marvelled at the changes and realized that forgiveness is even more profoundly liberating for the forgiver. The burden of 'wrongs done to me' I'd carried around didn't do anything to those I'd held accountable. Only me. I didn't instantly befriend everyone, but it became a poigniant and emotionally nuanced event instead of retribution, and yes I did leave with a few unexpected new friendships.

That first reunion opened an important door. We go to my husband's high school, college, our military squadrons and family reunions whenever we can manage. Are they all exciting? No. But the older I get the more importance I place on the people in my life. It's much easier to address and or embrace certain segments of life when they're all in one room.

Spring, American Airlines isn't going anywhere. They just need to put the bills on hold for a bit. Everyone's had to do it, they're just doing it later than the other big guys.

I am rather surprised that our host used 'OMG' in the topic headline. Mr. Peterman, is that really you? Haven't heard from you in a while. Perhaps we need a warm body check?

enoch~ wecome - laughter from Wales. My dear old Dad used to say "Call me anything you like, but don't call me late for dinner."
 

OMG (to borrow a TXT) ChefDeb, please don't edit yourself! I want every word. ;)

Welcome enoch!

Rhyselle - I have that very same pin!  I stole it from my sister who used to work for a restaurant where FLAIR was plentiful. 

AND, I think we went to the same high school reunion!!!!!!

Scene 1 Hotel Ballroom...Somewheresville, Anyplace, USA.
Lights up as woman is walking away-
Hey Buzz, That girl was really Debbie? ...the blonde cheerleader who...you are frickin' kidding me. Wow!
***(across the room 3 women in a circle)
Wow girls! Yes. That was Tommy. Snow on the roof. Looks like the only roles he could get these days are Santa or the Buddha or the lead in On Golden Pond.
Week later-
Both back home in living rooms wearing Snuggies looking at yearbooks.
Wow!
Carly Simon reprise...you're so vain...

JAX thank you ! Careful what you wish for...

By the way, the Gossip in my class has never attended a Reunion.

 
 Cassiepants~ Huge big long hug, a pack of antihistamine pills and a jar of honey to you.

Jax~ I share your suspicion and that of some other villagers that we no longer have the real Mr.P - could this be true or could it be that he is not feeling well? In which case, get better soon, Mr.P.

I noticed and said something a couple of times last week that it felt like the "real Peterman" was back.........they were more provocative essays and just a smidge fuller....it was the real deal.

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

Hazel~ Many, many thanks - at least I know officially as of last Friday that the outdoors and I are never going to have an amicable relationship.Thankfully, I have my new friends of the Eye, a good cup of tea, and central air conditioning to help me cope. Still trying to decide if I want to choose vanity or headache relief - the allergist recommended wearing a face mask when I'm outside. Makes me look like a redheaded psycho, and I can't smile at people... Strongly sensing that I'll save the facemask for yardwork that is a must, and pills for the wandering around during the day time...I hope Mr. P. is doing well... I'm finally at the point in my life where I can enjoy the fine things of his catalog, instead of hoarding the Owners' Manuals like dreams.

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

I have read your conversations for a long while.  I would like to compliment all of you for you caring words that you share between each other. My high school class has had two reunions, neither one I have desired to attend. .. the first one because I felt as though I had kept up with those individuals that I wanted to; the second was not attended because I was jobless and was ashamed to show my face.  Perhaps if there is one again this summer, I will attend. 

So is it HIM or US?

I have read your conversations here for a long time.  I would like to compliment all of you on your concern and kind words you have for one another.  It's refreshing to see such kindness. 

I have read your conversations here for a long time.  I would like to compliment all of you on your concern and kind words you have for one another.  It's refreshing to see such kindness. 

I have read your conversations here for a long time.  I would like to compliment all of you on your concern and kind words you have for one another.  It's refreshing to see such kindness. 

I have read your conversations here for a long time.  I would like to compliment all of you on your concern and kind words you have for one another.  It's refreshing to see such kindness. 

GOOD HEAVENS!  I am so embarrassed.  I could not get the one post to submit, so I clicked on it  again and again.  I thought it was the computer here.  I am sorry.

GOOD HEAVENS!  I am so embarrassed.  I could not get the one post to submit, so I clicked on it  again and again.  I thought it was the computer here.  I am sorry.  I repel technology and nothing seems to work correctly anywhere.

Now I have recovered from much laughter, Spring Rain~ Please to not feel embarrassed by your multiple posts. It happens to many contributors, most notably Bert, so they are known as Bert burps. I think you made a record number. Welcome.

Spring Rain~ You have no reason to feel embarrassed - we all do it at least once - and technology is such that we will all likely do it again. It is nice to know I am not the only one battling futilely against such vagaries on this lazy Tuesday afternoon.

Welcome Enoch and Spring Rain......please don't be embarrassed by Berting...it happens to all of us and frankly, our TOMMY likes us to hit 100 posts so you are a help in that regard today!

Bebe? Miss Blue? PAOLOS? Peter Lake? Julia Masi?......

and Ivan where do you weigh in on Reunions?

  I'm thoroughly confused: In mid-write, "Georgia, what do you think?" fleww off.  I found y'all again.  I'd said Welcome to rwh1 and spring rain, and told s.r. not to be frightened by that multiplicity of words; it's happened to all, one time or another.  Maybe we DO need a warm-body check for Mr. P....  Surely The Big Editor in the Sky would let us know if he were ill.  If you are, Mr. P., I send warm thoughts and the proverbial two aspirin.  Call us in the morning.
 
 To people who remember me and I've no idea who they are, or from where (were they in my Brownie Troop, Cub Scout den? did my volunteer work in hospital, museum, or NPR touch them?  Do they check out my groceries?), I extend my hand before they can utter a word (timing's everything) and say, "I'm_____ and this is my husband, ____" 
 
   DEB, I admit it: I'm glad The Gossip didn't attend the reunion.  Y'all probably had an enjoyable, fascinating, fraught-with-unanswered-questions evening.  Tense, a bit, I'd guess, but wonderful for all to see you enjoying a profession you love and prepared for!
(A chef friend recently won a national award, and I'm so proud of her. I'll bet you have -- or could have, had you chosen to.)

Lots of people missing today. Yes indeedy, the Bert burps will make up the magic 100. This page has been crashing all day this side of the pond. Speaking of the two asperin, Georgia~ was that the story of the Doctor calling the plumber late at night because his loo cistern was leaking and the plumber replying "Throw in two soluble asperin and call me if it's not better in the morning."

Ta Da!!!  My page shows 100 comments......thanks and welcome spring rain.......

Yay!!! 100!!! Now I can say Nos Da and get under the duvet with my cat. Nos Da, dear people. x.

Ta Da! Nos Da! Fa la la! A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum- CIII -

Good Night Hazel.  Welcome Spring Rain, I think most of us have had that same stutter -- we understand...something to do with this site; I can't create paragraphs and have to refresh to send.  So don't worry about it. Regarding the subject of today -- Awhile back, I had an interesting lesson on how we treat people and the impact it may have.  Many years ago, there was a temp in our office during secretary's week.  She was left with her nose pressed against the candy store window and so, I saw to it that she got included in whatever the festivities of the day were.  I had forgotten about it until years later, she was finished college and doing her grown-up thing.  A friend of mine, who evidently mentioned my name, knew her and told me that we had a mutual friend......relative to the above, of course I didn't remember her name until I saw her again, but she remembered all those years later and told how grateful she was to someone who noticed and bothered.  A very nice reunion.

And, thank you  Spring Rain, you helped us top 100 -- a goal of ours.

I dub that long line of repeat posts The Scroll Roll. From now on, if a quantity of repeat postings show up, I suggest having a contest, as well as a reunion, to determine if that amount of [accidental, of course] repetitions will *ever* be topped. ;-)

Hi, my name is...wait, I forgot

 
 HAZEL, no, I didn't know the joke you tell -- a good one at that.
 
 CASSIEPANTS, I empathize and sympathize:  People who never had a runny nose get off airplanes here and immediately begin sneezing; their eyes and noses run; coughs begin.  Many refer to us as The Allergy Belt of the Country.  Some days I live on Benadryl (buy stock, all).  Tried everything but returned to its simplicity when reading the others' boxes revealed their active ingredient is Benadryl anyway.  Went through the shots routine for several years, learning only that I react to everything that grows here -- and 'here' is where I grew up and live.  Not a mere seasonal thing, and I'll bet yours isn't either.
 
  Speaking of 'belts' (Allergy Belt), someone earlier mentioned living in the Bible Belt -- which I do also, so can again sympathize.  How that twists young minds is downright scary.