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| The hallowed halls of Hoggard High |
Mid-September through December is always the busiest time
for me. So life is kind of crazy,
however I did get a way a few days to attend my fortieth high school class
reunion. It was fun to see those present
but only about 10% of the class showed up (we were over 700 students). Many of those who I ran around with in school
didn’t make the reunion but there were a couple of guys and girls who had been
in my classes from the fourth grade through high school and it was fun to catch
up with them, and everyone else. For the first time in
nearly 40 years, I actually walked the halls of the high school…. It felt strange.
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| Can you pick me out? |
In the busy season, I’m also still doing firefighting
classes and some of the classes are kicking my butt. Last week, we had to “haul” a “down
firefighter through an obstacle course—it wouldn’t have been that hard except
that it we were in full bunker gear and having to wear an air pack and facemask
and hand to remain on our knees as we moved the “down firefighter” through a
tunnel that was like a duct (18” high and 36” wide), over an obstacle that was
three or four foot high, through a 2 foot tube that was probably 15 feet long,
and then through a standard stud wall to safety. Thankfully it wasn’t super-hot, but you’re
soaked after such a trial. I also got to
be the victim and it was kind of surreal, just lying there as you were strapped
up and hauled through the course..
This week is the Savannah Film Festival and so far I’ve only
seen one film, “Truth” that stars Robert Redford as Dan Rather as it tells the
story of ABC’s handling of the report that George Bush was AWOL from the
National Guard during Vietnam. The movie
based on a book by the producer of 60 Minutes who was fired, still left a lot
of questions in my head, but did show the difficulty those in the news media
have in trying to decide what is and isn’t a story… There were other films I had wanted to see,
but either couldn’t make the showing or, like Ithaca (which had a conversation
with Meg Ryan after the showing) were sold out. There’s still a few more days of the
festival, so maybe I’ll catch another film.
Last week, I noticed the first camellia of the year. There are a number of camellias in the yard
(planted by the previous tenant, although I have planted a few, too, but they are still small). The variety of types mean we’ll enjoy the flowers through March (and then its azalea
season).
I would like to check out my old high school. That is a small turn out for such a large class.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing it must be to have flowers year round!
Have your classes not had reunions?
DeleteYes, we've had four, but they are always held at some sort of party center, like a wedding reception.
DeleteYou might be amused, but I think that the Camellia is Brigadoon. Apt I suspect. Well done on the firefighting course.
ReplyDeleteI don't know the varieties of camellias, but I do like how one plant blooms and then another (several other bushes have blooms waiting to pop out)
DeleteJudging how hard it is for me to carry a sleeping nine year old from the backseat of a van in the garage to her bedroom, I think I would struggle with the firefighter obstacle course!
ReplyDeleteWe all struggled! pulling them through "tunnels" was rough but we got it done
DeleteI just received a letter inviting me to my fiftieth high school reunion. I haven't made one yet.
ReplyDeleteI attended my 10th and then took a 30 year break
DeleteAm I correct in placing you just left of center in light blue jacket? Did your HS class always assemble in a V formation? Good photo of a friendly-looking group!
ReplyDeleteYou got me but it isn't a blue jacket except that it looks that way (It is a light gray)
DeleteGlad you had a good time at your reunion.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to see where people are at and what they are doing today
DeleteI know that these days I'd never be able to complete that fireman training
ReplyDeleteYou know, it is hard when you are wearing bunker gear and breathing through a mask--once I just had to give up as I felt I was suffocating, but I have become better and able to do more and more while all bunkered up. I'm one of two in our late 50s in the group--there is one other guy in his mid-60s--the rest are younger including a number of soldiers including a ranger (he can show us up!)
DeleteThat's neat to go back to your high school - mine has been torn down and they built apartments on the site. I always think of someone sleeping in the spot in which I might have sweating out an algebra test or something. :)
ReplyDeleteI admire you for the volunteer fire fighter thing.
How fun that you had you 40th class reunion. My dad just had his 50th. He said he hardly recognized most of his classmates!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the firefighter training. Thank you for what you are doing!
Lynn, I would find it appropriate that people were sleeping in the spot where I slept in algebra :)
ReplyDeleteSherry, I didn't recognize most of them.
First : I love camelias with roses are amazing for me. my grand mom had camellias trees and were amazing. I had a little but a gardener take out and die. Anyway I hope to have one again. I forget put pictures of my roses. In my next post or in my sidebar I will put someones. This year are wonderful..
ReplyDelete40 years omy Is fantastic Im not sure if I wanna see someones again lol
You know.
But Is an amazing picture. Did you see someones of your friends more close of you ?? You recognize someones ? Is difficult sometimes !
Good luck with the firefighter training, take care :)
xo
Reunions are surreal and somehow, healing.
ReplyDeleteYou've been doing some exciting things, Sage.
Have a great Halloween weekend.
You are indeed busy and very easy to spot in the crowd.
ReplyDeleteI never had any desire to attend my HS reunions.
Your fire department training sounds brutal. Good on you for doing it!
I've never been to a reunion. It would be interesting to see my old high school and be flooded with all those memories. Beautiful camellia.
ReplyDelete