tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post6253820439225760910..comments2023-12-20T02:16:15.132-08:00Comments on The Fifty Factor: High School ReunionsJoanna Jenkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836376588710862173noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-47277443814960748362009-10-28T20:26:03.131-07:002009-10-28T20:26:03.131-07:00I am so sorry to hear about your high school exper...I am so sorry to hear about your high school experience. I was one of those that mourned the end of my high school days, and I wasn't even a nerd! In fact, on my "to write" blog list is to share my high school experience. I went to every reunion until the 25th when I could finally say "I'm over it." I love Facebook because a lot of people from that era in my life are my friends all over again. Instead of sharing boyfriend woes, we share menopause experiences. <br /><br />If you had gone to high school with me, I just know we'd have been best buddies!Lisa Gioia-Acreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15515573279109105145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-82396227175295036892009-06-22T10:02:05.613-07:002009-06-22T10:02:05.613-07:00I skipped the 10th but went to the 20th, although ...I skipped the 10th but went to the 20th, although I was living 2,500 miles away. The 20th reunion was an absolute BLAST! It was kind of hard to process so much information in such a short amount of time. It would have taken me 2 weeks to talk to everyone I wanted to talk to. One bizarrely memorable experience was one woman who approached me and apologized for not being nice to me in high school. Wow! I never noticed that she wasn't nice to me, but I guess this was some kind of guilt she had harbored for 20 years! Who knew?<br /><br />I brought a disposable camera to the reunion (this was in the days before tiny digital cameras) and took candid shots of people throughout the night. That was such a good move! Even though the pics aren't the best, I was able to capture the moment in time and review the faces in a calm atmosphere. Most of the women looked very much like they did 20 years ago, but the men looked very, very different!<br /><br />I am planning to make the cross-country trek to attend the 30th next month. If it's half as fun as the 20th, it will have been worth the effort and expense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-49513526563689092832009-06-12T11:00:38.928-07:002009-06-12T11:00:38.928-07:00I'm with you! I'd just as soon forget thos...I'm with you! I'd just as soon forget those four years. I did go to the 10 year reunion because I was visiting my ill mom and she really wanted me to go. I took my 5-year-old son so I'd have an excuse to stay just a short time (hey, we use whatever coping mechanism works, right?). When I arrived the former senior class president was greeting people at the door and he said, "Why I'd forgotten all about you!" I just smiled and thought, "Yep, that about sums it up!" <br /><br />Who'd want to revisit THAT?!?Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13256552315634307734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-976836008130184312009-06-08T12:29:56.303-07:002009-06-08T12:29:56.303-07:00Last year I got in touch with 'my first love&#...Last year I got in touch with 'my first love' - who I last met in 1978. I moved away from the city I went to school in and now we're 140miles away. But we have met a few times and we text each other nearly every day. We're not starry-eyed teenagers any more but it's been great getting in touch again.Mike Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04720759712556479993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-18167926149719569972009-06-08T04:40:22.117-07:002009-06-08T04:40:22.117-07:00Seriously? I think HS reunions are for the most p...Seriously? I think HS reunions are for the most part just show and tell sessions for adults. Ooh, look at how much weight she's gained! Oh gawd, did you see the captain of the football team? He's bald and has a paunch!<br />Ick. I wouldn't want to do it, even if I looked good. Screw that!!!<br /><br />Justine :o )Justinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07011990752073017542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-49131952452204602572009-06-07T17:21:51.220-07:002009-06-07T17:21:51.220-07:00Hi Joanna, thanks for popping over. I think of th...Hi Joanna, thanks for popping over. I think of that saying, 'you can choose your friends, but not your family' applies equally to those you have no choice over associating with at school.Rowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02765993736554383626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-39815152764398436632009-06-07T15:23:04.975-07:002009-06-07T15:23:04.975-07:00Hi Joanna, I love your blog. It's very well wr...Hi Joanna, I love your blog. It's very well written.<br /><br />I never went to any class reunions until the 50th last summer. I was really hyped to go. My sister came along since it was in our old home town. <br /><br />I connected with a few old friends but haven't heard from them since.<br />I talked with some people that I hadn't been friends who now live in the city that I do. That was fun. So, after all was said and done, it was interesting but it made me realize my life and current friends are far more fun and significant than the old ones.Ms Sparrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03417670251423549014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-45067710013367632832009-06-06T17:23:34.788-07:002009-06-06T17:23:34.788-07:00I really enjoyed your post on reunions. I have be...I really enjoyed your post on reunions. I have been to everyone and we just had our 50th last year. I was not one of the group because I didn't go to grade school or Jr hi here with all the kids. Just high school. But I got on the committee for planning and had so much fun and the reunions (when they got past 20)<br />were really fun. No more pretense and it is nice to keep up with some of the people. I did a website and loved putting that together.grannyannhttp://www.anntuckerblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-10054580967020223072009-06-06T08:10:17.466-07:002009-06-06T08:10:17.466-07:00Joanna...thank you for popping by my blog!!
First...Joanna...thank you for popping by my blog!! <br />First I read your profile and was cracking up - I soooo relate - am 49 this year!! Yikes!<br />Then I read this post!!I went to high school in a large public high school in LA. I was not blond or apple pie or look like Farrah -I was different looking for the crowd in LA - not ugly - just not "LA" - I just didn't fit. <br /> I went to my 10th reunion at a fancy place near the beach - and wondered for 4 hours why on earth I had showed up at all. Was horrid and really the folks I might have wanted to see were not there.<br /> Fast forward to the last month - I have a Facebook and someone from those years found me - yikes - now I have all of these folks - most not all that I didn't care for in high school sending me cute little messages and do this test things - cause I'm smarter than you stuff - uckkkkk. My 30th is this Aug. - and no.... not a chance I'm going. I'm very happy with the comfortable in my skin, mature me - thank you very much!!<br />Wonderful post - am off to read some more of your delightful posts!<br />Namaste, SarahSarah Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03835112406617937224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-48845169715302796862009-06-05T21:23:10.662-07:002009-06-05T21:23:10.662-07:00Never been to a reunion. I hated most of those id...Never been to a reunion. I hated most of those idiots THEN. And it's easy enough nowadays to keep in touch with those you actually liked.<br /><br />Excellent writing. Glad I found ya!<br /><br />Chris<br />cdmauger.blogspot.comChrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14794712479594188124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-58095132818094850672009-06-05T20:01:16.363-07:002009-06-05T20:01:16.363-07:00I'm still aghast over Wedding Planning 101.
G...I'm still aghast over Wedding Planning 101.<br /><br />Gag.<br /><br />Thanks for following my blog!!Ann Imighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01383249597505013239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-70506418187098882512009-06-05T15:05:11.597-07:002009-06-05T15:05:11.597-07:00I love that you took a poll of your readers re the...I love that you took a poll of your readers re their thoughts on high school reunions. Like yourself, I live by the mantra, just say no. No good can come from walking down memory lane. <br /><br />Excellent, excellent, post!<br /><br />-Francesca3 Bay B Chickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17900160137075495724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-17795753062771007692009-06-05T14:46:59.412-07:002009-06-05T14:46:59.412-07:00My high school experience was miserable - I had br...My high school experience was miserable - I had braces, glasses, acne, was called 'olive Oyl' because I was so skinny, dressed like a total geek, was insecure - and had ZERO social skills thanks to a hellish home life.<br />I'd NEVER go to a High School Reunion.<br />The fact that I'm unmarried and don't have any kids would send me right back into geek purgatory.Frequent Travelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15348485045513754985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-55491998495977087482009-06-05T10:39:08.174-07:002009-06-05T10:39:08.174-07:00I'm rootless...I, too, grew up in a small town...I'm rootless...I, too, grew up in a small town in Ohio, but had a very different experience from you. By my junior year, I came out of my shell and started to discover a new side of myself. So I do have good memories.<br /><br />But my family was all in NY and PA, and once I started living out of state for grad school, I found less and less to pull me back there. I was living overseas, studying history, politics, foreign language...and my old friends were still interested in boys and small-town gossip.<br /><br />I just visited my hometown last fall, because it is a beautiful, unique place, but the only people I was interested in contacting were my friends from college.<br /><br />Btw, what part of Ohio are you from?Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09081652747471904560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-87595997090495058812009-06-05T09:08:08.276-07:002009-06-05T09:08:08.276-07:00Some of my best friends are from high school (actu...Some of my best friends are from high school (actually even further back) and I have them already. So I'm in the "no way" category. I think some people look back on hs years of being the best of their lives. I'm glad I'm not one of them, if they do actually exist. It's so weird how all those feelings come flooding back... I can totally relate. And your writing is very funny and simpatico :)Margohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15813140073356995390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-31343171031483770992009-06-05T08:17:52.208-07:002009-06-05T08:17:52.208-07:00High school reunions can be interesting ground to ...High school reunions can be interesting ground to cover. The environment is usually one of comparisons and seeing how people turned out. Not sure if they serve a good overall purpose at the end of the day. As you said, you have friends from high school and the others have moved on with their lives. Not sure what real benefit one gains from attending this event. If this is not something you are comfortable with, then why would you bother. No reason to regress to adolescence and stir up memories that were not all that good.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08237538988856751173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-63221492640234184932009-06-05T07:58:58.789-07:002009-06-05T07:58:58.789-07:00Wow....I read that post and thought...dang she'...Wow....I read that post and thought...dang she's talking about me too! I feel and felt exactly what you described. I actually helped plan three of my class reunions and still didn't attend. I've never been able to put into words why not...you just did. Thanks for that!nikkicrumpethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06127473424859610429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-44709027651501966062009-06-05T07:10:53.294-07:002009-06-05T07:10:53.294-07:00Put the invitation down and step away, ma'am.....Put the invitation down and step away, ma'am.....I went to the 5 and the 10 year reunions - no more! My mom still lives in my hometown and she keeps bugging me to go to my reunions because she runs into the parents of my schoolmates and they apparently give her a tough time for my non-attendance.<br /><br />Don't care. <br /><br />Don't go.<br /><br />That's my vote!<br /><br />Also, check out my blog for a little surprise later today...https://www.blogger.com/profile/17630413364180098469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-4512021359837862012009-06-05T04:27:33.828-07:002009-06-05T04:27:33.828-07:00On the fence. I did not got to my twentieth and s...On the fence. I did not got to my twentieth and sort of regretted it after. But just sort of. I think it would be interesting, but don't feel I am missing anything life changing in keeping it in the past. Thinking of how tough those years were gives me much more patience with my teenagers! Great post.ticklishfromadistancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15451797961001963400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-3000761015745920622009-06-04T20:55:18.049-07:002009-06-04T20:55:18.049-07:00High school was a nightmare for me until I ditched...High school was a nightmare for me until I ditched enough of it to get bumped into Continuation school. I would never go to a regular high school reunion- way too much drama- especially as I went to school in California where the new graduation present for girls is a pair of boobs (terrible!). But I wouldn't mind seeing the continuation people again. Well, the ones that weren't peddling drugs or shooting at people in the parking lot. <br /><br />You can make the best of friends in the worst of places...Lorainehttp://www.artofseeking.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-35596881750691706392009-06-04T18:30:43.982-07:002009-06-04T18:30:43.982-07:00i think there should be a no-reunion reunion. lik...i think there should be a no-reunion reunion. like. a reunion where everyone commits to staying at home in their pjs and watching tv.<br /><br />good for you for not going. i'm did not go to my 10th. nor will i go to my 20th. <br /><br />i will go to my 75th. because i'll be the only one there. because i plan on having a cyber heart transplant.whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11453221649546512144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-59966109021445586952009-06-04T18:19:50.392-07:002009-06-04T18:19:50.392-07:00I have never ever desired to go. My experience was...I have never ever desired to go. My experience was so like yours was. It was a small school, horrible experiences, non productive, gossipy and judgey.<br /><br />I have a pile of apology letters from girls in my class. Not liked much. I was a cheerleader like you, but that was even a nightmare. I can't think of one person that could get me to go to a reunion. Not one.<br /><br />Once a guy from my class called and begged me to go. Then he proceeded to talk about each classmate in a down grading way. I was like, what? He then had the nerve to ask me if I had a financial problem and couldn't go. Oh how I wish I would have said yes and made him buy me a new outfit and rent a car the whole way. (he is the richest in our class) boo hoo. So that was the clincher. I don't need it.<br /><br />So I support your stress about the whole getting together thing. And a funny note, I just learned that a lot of them read my blog. Har har. How unfunny.....<br /><br />Have a great day.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02892472931655519485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-21873084604837880392009-06-04T17:49:41.844-07:002009-06-04T17:49:41.844-07:00Once again, you're speaking my truth. Like you...Once again, you're speaking my truth. Like you, I still keep in touch with a few special high school pals, but for the most part, I never felt at home in high school. <br /><br />It wasn't the most horrible time in my life, but I tend to remember the cruelty and small-mindedness of my classmates -- mostly "jocks" who cared about little else but sports -- more than I recall the fun times I had. College, on the other hand, was a blast and SO much more interesting! I was comfy in my own skin by then, and felt free to be me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-81184662264639950752009-06-04T17:15:38.824-07:002009-06-04T17:15:38.824-07:00I have made better and closer friends as an adult....I have made better and closer friends as an adult. There are retired coworkers that I would like to catch up with... <br /><br />but I do not feel the need to connect with many of my hs peers. I keep up with my hs bff!! This is enough for me. I feel bad that she never got out of my small Ohio hometown. I imagine that she is happy? <br /><br />I am just so happy moving away and meeting new faces. It is only 3 hours away but feels... so much further.Hit 40https://www.blogger.com/profile/18043350255090631652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-55681921142968459762009-06-04T16:45:12.290-07:002009-06-04T16:45:12.290-07:00Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. So ...Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. So far 10 comments are in the "no" category and 5 are in the "yes" category when it comes to attending high school reunions. I appreciate all your feedback, but I'm still not going to mine-- ever :-) Keep those cards and letters coming! I love hearing from you. xoJoanna Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10836376588710862173noreply@blogger.com