Wow, I'm coming up on 20...

[jsbowden]

So, I don't think I'm too cool for school, so what the hell, it's something to do while I compile some updated software. This will be a little weird, as I did the first half of high school in Va. Beach, and the rest in Gloucester Co.

1. Who was your best friend? I had several very close friends. The one I'm still in touch with is evilxyzzy.

2. What sports did you play? Sports? What is this sports you speak of? I was a skater. It wasn't a sport then.

3. What kind of car did you drive? 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle

4. It's Friday night, where were you? Either working or out and about.

5. Were you a party animal? I went to parties, but I was usually sober since I took a break from alcohol between 9th grade and 19.

6. Were you considered a flirt? Maybe...

7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Negatory.

8. Were you a nerd? Let's see, I wore lots of dark colors, a trench coat, and hung out with skater/punk types, but at the same time I was taking physics, pre-calc, and college prep English. It's a draw.

9. Did you get suspended/expelled? Of course. Smoking's not allowed in school, but I didn't let that stop me (although, once I started driving, I could smoke to and from in the car, and didn't smoke in school anymore after that).

10. Can you sing the fight song? I don't know if we had one.

11. Who was your favorite teacher? My German teacher. Without question. Herr Bradshaw.

12. What was your school's full name? Floyd E. Kellam High School / Gloucester High School

13. School mascot? Knight / Duke

14. Did you go to Prom? Not on your life.

15. If you could go back and do it over, would you? Can a brother get a Hells No!

16. What do you remember most about graduation? evilxyzzy's ex GF was drunk and vomited (quietly, I didn't know until Dianne told me after we got our diplomas). I only know this because she was sitting next to my aunt, who was graduating (she's a whole 8 days older than me).

17. Where were you on senior skip day? I was in school. Damn it, I was trying for the perfect attendance award, because I skipped THAT ceremony on purpose. Apparently, they noted I wasn't there beforehand. Bastards.

18. Did you have a job your senior year? I worked Bush Gardens in the summers, and Wendy's during the winter months.

19. Where did you go most often for lunch? Cafeteria.

20. Have you gained weight since then? I am twenty pounds heavier than when I graduated. I was down to ten, but I've slacked a bit since achieving my black belt.

21. What did you do after graduation? Went to college, spent a few years screwing around, went back to college, got a job, never finished.

22. When did you graduate? 1988

23. Who was your Senior prom date? Avoided the prom like the PLAGUE. If I had gone, it would most likely have been with L.

24. Are you going to your 10 year reunion? Missed that one. I may hit the twentieth next year.

25. Who was your home room teacher? We didn't have home room in VB. At GHS, it was Mr. Brown.

Those people who say that high school was the best years of their lives? Their lives must REALLY suck.

Comments

[prince-corwin.livejournal.com]

Before I forget, you actually have a place to stay this weekend, right?

[jsbowden.livejournal.com]

Kenn implied that sleeping at his place shouldn't be a problem. Worst case, you'll be there at some point.

[prince-corwin.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but my apartment is extremely cluttered. It is hyper-optimized for single living and I have had no chance to do *anything* with it due to travel.

Do you need a ride to Kenn's place from the airport?

[jsbowden.livejournal.com]

I was just gonna take the el, but I wouldn't turn down a ride if it's on your way and you'll be headed to his place around when I land.

[prince-corwin.livejournal.com]

I pass O'Hare on my way. When does your flight land?

[jsbowden.livejournal.com]

6:35PM CDT. I expect you'll already be at Kenn's then, since I suspect if they even try to suggest you work that Saturday, you'll just kill someone one the spot to make the point.

[desdenova.livejournal.com]

Those people who say that high school was the best years of their lives? Their lives must REALLY suck.

I don't think I know anybody who says that.

[carpone.livejournal.com]

Zero interest in seeing anyone from my high school. I couldn't move out of my home town fast enough and only went back to visit my dad a couple of times, who packed up the U-Haul and headed to Florida on 9/11 of all dates. I do miss the beach though.

Besides, what's the point of going? Show up and make fun of people's social failures? Lust after people you wish you had the guts to ask out 20 years ago? Mourn the people who have died? Listen to an MP3 80's mix put together by some 'DJ' half my age? Nah, I'm not bitter. I can get my schadenfreude fix elsewhere. :)

On a related note...

[carpone.livejournal.com]

I do wonder where some of our ODU friends ended up. MattZ hasn't updated his LJ in a year. I exchange Christmas cards with the Hagns but that's it. We know where Paul is. Travis, Debbie, Rob, Jason, Kossler? No idea. I'm sure I'm missing others from the ODU CS/NASA LaRC crew too. I did just get back in touch with David Bianco thanks to LinkedIn. He's married, has a daughter that just went to her junior prom and runs his own infosec consulting business in Williamsburg.

Re: On a related note...

[jsbowden.livejournal.com]

Matt is still living in the same place. He drove up for a gathering at voltbang's place a little over a year ago, and then went underground again. His divorced finalized last month, so maybe he'll reappear now that that's all done.

Chris and Dave used to come up and hang with us for a week during the summer, but ever since Dave's dad died, they've been living in a nightmare. he'd been carrying classified work home with him for decades...you have no idea...

Does Travis still work? I know he doesn't need to. After URLabs got bought by Symantec, he was set. He's still living in that area, and shouldn't be hard to find.

Debbie's in San Diego, still working for Qualcomm last I heard.

Sue is in Richmond working for the Va. State Police doing forensics.

Rob still lives in the same house and has the same number he's had since 1989. I talked to him two weeks ago. Him and Michelle are doing fine.

I haven't talked to Jason in ages.

Mark and Amy I. are moving to Raleigh.

I got email from Kossler a few years ago. I responded, but never heard from him again. I have no idea.

I know what Bianco's been up to. I still have contacts with LaRC people, and he still talks to some of them.

Re: On a related note...

[carpone.livejournal.com]

I vaguely remember hearing that Dave's dad died, but I hadn't heard about any fallout. Didn't his dad pass away like...10 years ago? (Or was that his mom?) Is the gubment withholding benefits or something?

Looks like Travis and Deanna divorced, and it isn't pretty. http://www.courts.state.va.us/opinions/opncavwp/1072061.pdf [March 2007] Guess I should throw out those wedding pictures, eh?

That's the last thing I heard about Debbie as well.

Sue, eh. Not too keen on keeping tabs on her after her Swimfan-like obsession with Travis, if my memory serves me well.

What's Mark up to in Raleigh?

I think Jenna keeps up with Rob, at least somewhat. I haven't spoken to him since the last time I was in Norfolk (10+ years ago).

Re: On a related note...

[robeli.livejournal.com]

I actually had Kossler's nephew at my school last year. Talk about a small world. He and I hit it off ok, but he didn't last there very long - he was sent to us for basically being kicked out of his base elementary school. He was sent onto another program after it didn't work out well at my school. When I asked his Mom if he was related to Paul her comment was "Yea, explains a lot, doesn't it".

Re: On a related note...

[jsbowden.livejournal.com]

Dave's mom was almost a decade ago now. Dave's dad died a couple years ago. It's not about benefits, it's about how non-cleared people are in possession of a whole lot of classified materials, spanning decades, from different dept.s and agencies and at different classification levels. Just finding out WHO some of it belongs to to have them come get it has apparently been its own bundle of fun. If they had never said anything, and just burned it all, it would have been over long ago, but Dave saw markings, and went called the gummint. Now there here to help.

Yes, Travis and Deanna split, and no, it wasn't pretty. I saw him at...Christian and Caroline's if memory serves...after they initially separated, not knowing this and made the mistake of asking him where Deanna and the kids were. That was how I found out they were no longer together.

I know she got married. Rob and Michelle were out in San Diego a couple years ago and they saw her then. Last time I talked to her was at LISA 2001 in San Diego.

I wasn't aware Sue and Travis knew each other outside of a few mutual friends.

Mark's not in Raleigh yet. I'm not sure I quite get the rationale for their move, but he's working for a company based in Chicago currently, and where he lives is mostly irrelevant as long as he has access to an airport of decent size, for which Raleigh-Durham qualifies.

Give Rob a call. I suspect he'd be both shocked and pleasantly surprised to hear from you.

Re: On a related note...

[carpone.livejournal.com]

Oh man. Sounds like a horror story with Dave's father. I'm surprised Men In Black didn't show up and take all the stuff and dealt with the who-claims-what after the fact.

I may be mistaken about Sue. I thought there was some weird obsession thing going on, but it's been 14 years, so.../shrug.

Are Christian and Caroline still together in the Hampton Roads area?

Re: On a related note...

[robeli.livejournal.com]

I vagualy remember an obsession thing going on too.

Men in Black are actually involved. The person Dave told the classified stuff to has it and his house has become a secured building - this person's roommate is not allowed in part of the house! They have guards there 24-7. The neighbors actually like having the extra security, although at first were very confused.

How are you, wife and kid doing?!?

Re: On a related note...

[carpone.livejournal.com]

That sounds very surreal.

Jenna and Joshua are doing well. The rugrat celebrated his first birthday last month and now has more toys than time to play with them. Jenna is working as a nurse practitioner in a practice that services a hospital. She likes the day-to-day and the people, but the management of the practice has alot to be desired. If we didn't have such great childcare within spitting distance of the hospital, I think she would be working elsewhere.

Re: On a related note...

[carpone.livejournal.com]

Never mind about C+C. Found them on LinkedIn (I'm so hooked on that site). I also got Mark I to sign up for it. Now to get voltbang, vesuvias and a few others to sign up.