First off, apologies to those who thought this would be a thread about The Clash.
Anyways; I’ve gotten a letter announcing my high school class’ ten-year reunion coming up in August (quick pause while everyone does the math to determine how old John is).
On the one hand, I consider my high school years as some of the happiest times of my life (which does say a lot about the rest of my life, I’ll admit, but it was a pretty happy time in general), and it would be great to see some of the people I’ve long since lost touch with.
On the other hand… I’m a very jealous and neurotic individual who goes through major depressive bouts over the fact that I haven’t actually made anything of myself yet, and running into classmates who have gone on to get advanced degrees, have great careers with plenty of money to blow, and have started families- let’s just say I’m not self-assured or self-possessed enough to know that I’d be able to handle that well.
Back on the first hand, I think it would be a nice thing for my SO to finally meet these people I’ve been talking about for so long (and, I can point out that I’ve got a steady girlfriend/fiancee, so I can’t be a complete loser).
But back on the other hand, I’m not sure that many of the people I liked and knew will actually bother to show up for the reunion; I may end up having to hang out with people I never really knew and people I never really liked.
Sudden realization for that hand- my girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend (the screwhead who blames her for all the fucked-upness his parents did to him) also graduated from the same class (complete, if bizarre, coincidence), so there’s a chance he might show up and things might get tense.
What do you suggest? Other than major psychotherapy?
Have some fun with it! Dress up with a big floppy hat, a fur coat, gold chains and leather pants, and tell people you are currently employed in the sex industry.
Even if you’re bored at the reunion, what have you lost? An evening in your life? And there’s always the chance that you’ll have a good time.
I’m with Arnold. Go, have fun with it if at all possible.
And remember, once you get there, nothing is making you STAY there. If it’s lame, or bothering you, or if the girl you once thought was drop dead gorgeous and now looks like she has aged 40 years and won’t leave you alone, or whatever, leave.
Remember, what everyone is really chasing for is happiness.
IF that is what you are then you are as succesful as you need to be.
There are lots of ways to get there, the succesful executive and his nice car but no time and 2divorces is not an inwardly succesful man.
Don’t compare yourself to anyone just be you and be content with yourself.
Go and show them your maturity, tolerance, and the life skills you have learned.
Whatever you do do not show envy for the success of another but be generous and congratulate those who have done well.
You have nothing to prove and don’t forget that there will be others like you who may feel apprehensive, try to make them feel at ease and you’ll have a ball.
Go to someone else’s reunion, and pretend to know people. “Oh, my god…[looks at name tag] SALLY! You look…so different. Yea! We had some crazy times, eh? Remember that weekend? We sure were crazy kids!”
If I were you, I’d lie my ass off. Pretend I was married to a member of the Swedith royal family, who, unfortunately, couldn’t attend the reunion due to a coronation of her cousin. Or you’re the Northeast (or whatever area you’re in) Sales Manager for Ikea or something equally exotic, yet not important enough that they might look into it. Of course, you may have morals…
I realize that; I’m just worried that it’ll be outweighed by the chance that I’m going to be a laughingstock.
To clarify why- in High School, I was a bright kid who seemed to have everything, and seemed to be going places. I was in a garage band, I zoomed through classes without reallt paying attention, and it was expected that I was going to go out and charm the world after graduation.
Ten years later, I’ve lost most of my hair (not as in I keep it short now, as in it’s nearly gone from left temple to right temple), I’ve gained 50 pounds, and the highlight of my resume is that I have yet to work at a job where I have to ask someone if they want fries with that.
Y’know how sitcoms always seem to have reunions where the geek no one liked went off to become the most successful person in the world, while the jock everyone admired/feared is an alcoholic wreck trying desperately to cling to the memories of the past? I think I’m living the part of that jock, and I’m not sure which depresses me more- that I feel this washed up at 28 or that if I was going to be that washed up jock, at least I could have been good at sports or something.
My 10 year reunion is this year too. I keep getting email updates about it. I dont plan on attending, it just seems to me that there are very few people that I would like to meet again from HS. This doesnt seem to be your situation though, so I would say go.
The only positive thing is that I was contacted by a HS friend that I havent spoken to since graduation, because of all the emails that were sent to my class. He’s not attending though so, oh well.
You think you’re the only one that’s changed? Wait until you get there. It’ll knock your socks off. I’m speaking from experience here.
If someone asks you what you’re doing, just tell them you’re cruising. It’s a big world with a zillion opportunities and you’re keeping your options open.
John, my advice is what Arnie, casdave, katt and aha said. I can’t quite go along with what SR said, but that’s just me. Go, and have fun. I simply loved mine!
I say you’re just gonna depress the hell out of yourself. Take the money you would have spent on going to the reunion, and go out and do something really fun, romantic and expensive with the SO. You’ll be having a much better time than all the shmoes who go to the reunion.
Oh, well, if that’s the case, then go! You’ll make everyone else feel great!
Ahem. Sorry.
For what it’s worth, I was fairly popular in high school, went on to college and out into the world, and am currently fairly successful and still have all my hair. And I wouldn’t fucking THINK of going to a high school reunion. Those guys can all kiss my royal Irish arse.
Go. And don’t worry about having not become a great success yet.
When my 10-year HS reunion rolled around, I was still paralegaling. (Hot stuff, huh? I lost my direction and motivation for a few years in my mid-20s, but that’s another story.) Went to my reunion. Had a great time, mostly talking to people I didn’t know that well back then. (Same thing happened at my 10-year college reunion, FWIW.)
A good friend from my class went to the reunion with me, and that was a helpful security blanket. I’d recommend that, if you’re still on good terms with anyone from your HS class. You can always meet him/her there, if you take your lady and you want to be able to leave if you’re not having a good time. (An escape hatch always helps.) That’s my $.02.
My HS ten year reunion is coming up next year. My memory doesn’t seem to work when trying to recall HS. Sometimes I think I was a loner, then sometimes I think I had a lot of friends. Most likely, the former is true and my mind is just trying to block the pain. But, I’m always down with a party. Heheh, maybe I’ll spike the punch…
When my ten-year came around, I figured “all the people I liked in high school I still see. And all the people I didn’t like, I don’t want to see.” I was really against going. At the last minute I decided to go, and was glad I did. The jerks had mellowed. Everybody had changed, as had I. Had a great time.
Watch Grosse Pointe Blank. Best reunion flick ever.
John Cusack: “Did you go to yours?” [reunion]
Joan Cusack: “Yes, sir, I did.”
John: “How was it?”
Joan: “It was strange. It was as if everyone had SWELLED.”
I actually liked Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion. That’s how I thought mine would be like. They told everyone that they invited sticky notes.
Ask yourself if you are even remotely like you were 10 years ago. Then project that onto the people you went to school with. There are going to be jerks attending, the people that you went to school with, the jerks, the nerds, the brains, the jocks, the cheerleaders, the sluts, the…well you get the picture. All of those same people will be there. Some will be successful, most will be like the people that you post to on this board. Decide if you want to see what these people have become or changed into to.
As for the ex, don’t worry about him. He may end up acting like a jerk, but you can always leave. He may be wondering if you are going to show up with HER.
Bottom line is, DO YOU WANT TO SEE THESE PEOPLE AGAIN? If you do, go…if you don’t, don’t go.
But, I’m always down with a party. Heheh, maybe I’ll spike the punch…