I have always told anyone who would listen that I hated high school. That Munster, Indiana sucks hard. That going away to college was the greatest thing ever and anything to do with Munster High School was horrible.
I might have over-exaggerated.
After 10 years, I have finally exercised my high school demons.
Yes, this past Saturday was my 10 Year High School Reunion. No, the WB did not send us to Hawaii... Nor did I tell anyone I invented Post-Its... but it was a blast all the same.
I have been dreading/looking forward to it for months now. I was the most despondent over not having a date or losing any weight. Dio had a action-packed family weekend to attend to, so I did what any girl does in this situation... I turned to the gay friend. Double bonus that Nate was also in my class, so I didn't have to pay for him.
Saturday morning at 9am, Jay (the planner of the reunion who I have known since kindergarten) called me in a panic that the PDF files I burned to a CD for him would not open. I had spent the better part of Wednesday and Thursday working on the program with everyone's bios in it.
Busted out my design skillz. Word!
Now it was the day of and it was still not printed, so he picked me up and took me to work so I could re-burn the disc. Then it was off to Staples, where a short, angry lesbian chef butted in front of us in line. We waited patiently and when we were confident that the program was in good hands, he dropped me off to find a dress. Nothing at Bebe, the BCBG store or Benetton.
Yes, morning of the reunion and I still had no dress. I called Nate in a panic (I did more panicing before 11am then most people do all day). He took me to Marshall Fields on Michigan Ave and searched through the racks alongside me. The Gods were smiling down upon me that morning... the very first dress I tried on was THE DRESS. Nate dubbed it "fabulous" and all my stress faded away.
I just spent half an hour looking for it online, but to no avail. I saw all the other dresses on the BCBG rack online, but not the one I wore. Weird. But it is beautiful. I was wary of how low cut it was... but Nate said it was juuuust fine. I ended up getting my dress, shoes, purse, jewelry and wrap within the matter of an hour. For once, everything just seamlessly fell into place.
Until I got home and tried on the dress again. Mo told me it was too much boobage and I had to wholeheartedly agree. I was going to a reunion, not a brothel! In a stroke of genius, I put on a black strapless bra underneath, and it really looked like it was part of the dress. Oh thank heaven.
I got all dolled up and waited for Nate to come pick me up via taxi. He donned a tux and we felt oh so glamourous and fabulous as we were whisked down Lake Shore Drive to our awaiting boat. Jay booked our reunion on The Spirit of Chicago which docks at Navy Pier. It was awesome. We had the top floor to ourselves. We had a premium open bar and gorgeous views.
I made the obligatory "oh it's so nice to see you how are you where do you live now?" small talk. But as the liquor flowed, people drifted off into their same cliques (with a few exceptions) and people really had the chance to catch up.
Out of 256 people, 60 showed, most with dates in tow. It was kind of surreal. Most people looked about the same. different hairlines... a few extra pounds... much better hair... and most people acted exactly the same. Which is a good and a bad thing. The bitches were still bitches and the wallflowers were still wallflowers, but for the most part, everyone has let go all of that old crap and just came to have a great time. And of course, I took photos. Duh.
But first, a look back.
I think this was a picture taken at Homecoming. I would kill to be that skinny again. But I have no idea who I'd kill. Or how. I abhor violence.
Check out those painted chicken legs capped off by BIRKENSTOCKS WORN WITH SOCKS. Why did anyone let me out of the house like that?
My senior photo. Could be much worse. Thank God I didn't have crazy hair or bad make-up. I could do without the pearls, though.
Our floor of the ship
Jay and me
My date Nate. He even matched his vest to my dress. Tres chic!
ManDee and me, looking slightly asian
The dance floor was bumpin' to "Beat It."
Julie and Ryan
The boat was on the lake from 8-11. My calves still sort of burn from trying to keep my balance. I am really surprised there were not more calamities attributed to the motion of the ocean (I mean lake) but everyone stayed onboard. It went by all too quickly. The next thing I knew, we were being herded off the boat.
Jason, me, Jay and Julie on the pier after the boat docked. Huh, we all look pretty sober. But looks can be deceiving.
Ok, maybe not so much.
I had the idea of going to The Hang Uppe and pretty much everyone followed suit. We al jumped into cabs and headed out.
I loved the random assortment of people hanging out at this point.
Our buddy Chris had imbibed a bit too much. But he sure was hella entertaining!
Jay does his infamous "Jumpin' Jill." Much to my delight.
After an hour or two and a $60 bar tab (O-Bombs, yum!) a few of us wandered outside, not exactly sure what to do with ourselves. After a few minutes of deliberation, we headed back to my hood and went to Nate's FABULOUS apartment. His place is straight up pimp, yo. Huge leather sectional, pool table, deep purple translucent curtains and gargoyles! Loves it! But the best part of all was his bong collection. Well not best for me, I enjoyed his vodka instead... but being around all that cheebah smoke sure reminded me of high school, so it was the perfect end to a magnificent evening.
Faces have to been blurred to protect the guilty.
And the scary.
Ryan and me. Why is the hell do I always make that damn face?
So, I had a great time. It makes me remember high school a bit more fondly. It is also motivating me to get my shit together. It's time for a better paying job and a place of my own. It's time to pursue creativity and start working out. You only get one crack at life. It's time to make it count.