A Reunion (of sorts)

My 20 year high school reunion was supposed to be in November. I say "supposed to be" because just a week before the whole thing got cancelled due to lack of interest. Apparently, the planning commitee over-estimated how many people would attend and booked a facility that was just too big and costly, and so they ended up dropping the whole thing last minute.

I was hugely dissappointed! Not only had I spent hours designing the invitations and tickets for the event, lost about 15 lbs, and found the perfect black dress, but I was just looking forward to seeing some old friends again after all these years. (20? How could it be 20 already?) I was really looking forward to seeing how people's lives turned out, (and of course I looked forward to bragging about my six handsome boys and showing off my trophy husband! :) )

But alas, it was not to be.

We were told, however, that even though there was going to be no Class of 90 reunion, there was a big alumni party planned the night before, and I was assured that everyone (mostly) would be there. Good enough for me.

So we got all gussied up and went out to some ranch in Coachella. I had heard it started at 8, and we didn't get out there until almost 9. We paid to park on a grassy field, and quickly discovered 2 problems. 1) It was going to be outdoors, and it was chilly and I had no jacket, and 2) there was nobody there. Except crickets.

So we sat in the car a while and waited, then got out and walked around. Nobody. Finally, someone setting up a booth told us the invitation said 8, but it really wasn't 'til 10.

O...K.

So we hopped back in the car and drove all the way home for our jackets, then went out to dinner. We should have just called it a night, but no, I insisted we go back.

Happily, when we got back to the party there were actually people there this time, and a band and everything. Unfortunately, it was SO dark and SO loud, that you couldn't tell who was who. We walked around for a long time trying to see someone I recognized. Turns out the alumni party was for all IHS alumni, not just our class. Geez. No wonder I didn't recognize these people.

I finally found my good friend Amy, whose family pictures I took (here) a short while back. It was fun to see her, but she lives nearby, and I have been in contact with her, so it really wasn't exactly a reunion. Wisely, she and her hubby left after a short time, but I went on my search for more old friends. Dennis sort of dissappeared on me. So much for my trophy husband.

I found a few friends, but just that, a few. One that just wanted to talk my ear off, and one once party girl who was still partying, that wanted me to dance, insisted actually, even though I had no interest (I didn't dance then, and I don't now) and a few others. it was really great to see them - well, "see" might not be the right word, since it was so stinkin dark, and chatting was hard becasue it was so loud.

The whole event was so poorly organized. The cops even came and stopped letting people in because somebody forgot to get a permit. I actually think we were the last car to get in because the cops got there right when we did.

So anyways, not exactly the reunion I was hoping for. But I finally found Dennis, and we made our gracious exit.

On next night, the night that was supposed to be our real reunion, we went out with my dear friend Alicia and her hubby Eric instead. She had already made all the arrangements to come down for the reunion when it got canceled, and I am so glad that they decided to come down anyway.

We had our own little reunion. We went out to Babe's, then to Yogurt Island where we lingered long and talked until they had to kick us out so they could close up. We always have so much to talk about, Alicia and I, and Dennis and Eric get along great to.

I love that lady! She is my dearest, dearest friend.

It turned out to be a pretty terrific reunion after all! I realized that out of the entire mighty class of '90, she was the one I most wanted to see, I lucky me, I got her all to myself!

I guess we'll try again for the 30 year reunion. At least was have facebook, right?

(Now I just need an occasion to wear my fabulous new black dress!)