remiss to reminisce.

I can't tell you the last time I even thought about high school. I really can't. Now that I do, it really doesn't even feel like it was my life. I'm not sure I can describe it any better than that.
What got me thinking about it after all this time? My pal, Josh Johnson, just put up a Facebook status about going through old journal entries. More specifially, "tore out embarrassing" pages from an old journal.
It got me thinking about some stuff I, or others, had written down ages ago. Ages. How much time much pass to be consider an age? Hmmm. Also, "ages" is one of those words that more times you see it spelled out the less you believe it's actually pronounced as it is. Ages. I don't get it.
I quickly remembered in my questing for reminiscing that I....never kept a journal. I have never kept a schedule. I never write things down.
So, I decided to just do some cliff notes reminiscing and look at pictures. Dusted off the old high school yearbooks and started thumbing through the pages. Wow. It has been a really long time. You know how most pictures you look at you think, "OHHH, this is when we went to that place," or "I remember what I was thinking when this was taken!" Well....none of that. I have no frame of reference for ANY of these photos. Seriously, it really does feel like I'm looking at someone else's life.
Then I found it...well, them rather. The yearbook notes from friends. I have been laughing hysterically through these and thought I'd share a few. So many of these pertain to inside jokes that I am sufficiently now out of. Some are just absolutely crazy. I'm not sure if it will be more funny if you already know these people or not but she be a good read nonetheless. I shall try to recall why what was written WAS written to provide some backstory. This should be fun for everybody. Enjoy.

"General Lee, what's up my homeboy? I miss your El Camino. That was your trademark man. Oh well. I wonder how long that gum is going to sit on that register." - Luke Conard
Wow. The El Camino. My first car. It was a gray '83 Chevy El Camino that you had to dump a quart of oil in every other week. Hated it at the time but REALLY wish I had that thing today. Your guess is as good as mine on the gum comment.

"Do you remember when we were going out and we went on the moonlight together? That was the best time of my life. And remember when I hit you in the face with my locker door and you went home sick because you had a headache? Wow, you were really being a big baby." - Katie Bernhard (Petersen)
For you kids that read this, the moonlight was...well, first of, it was the greatest. Let's clear that right up. The Moonlight was the couples skate at J-4 (roller skating rink) in Ames (it's now the parking lot of Super Wal-Mart). Katie and I were "dating" at the time. I guess you can call it that in 6th grade? Yes, I do remember when she hit me in the face with her locker. That was the first time I took Advil. I chewed it.

"Kevin, I know I'm your best friend and you worship everything I do, but I'm not going to let you have the big parts anymore. I just do it to be nice, so you can kiss the Stage Manager goodbye. I'll probably see you at my house later." - Andy Kucksdorf
Andy, or Andrew as he was in high school (I know, he's cut loose) was one of my bestest friends. We did tons of sports and plays together. There was talks about doing "Our Town" as a play our senior year and the Stage Manager roll was ridiculous. Monologue after monologue. We vowed to fight to death for it, but the play never happened. Then, yes, I can guarantee I went to his house afterwards to play football, and hoping his neighbor, Thune Palczewski, didn't shoot at us with his BB gun.

"Ad Rock, I know I'm your best friend and you worship everything I do, but I'm not going to...wait, maybe I should say something of my own. Get drunk often." - Josh Johnson
We did a Beastie Boys lip sync to 'Intergalatic' at Homecoming our junior year. I was, you guessed, Ad Rock. I never realized how formed our sense of humor was at this age, but going by the "get drunk often" comment, Josh was in peak form even then. Well played, good sir. I do still have the lip sync recorded if anyone wants to watch it. Unfortunately, it's on VHS...so..

"Wow, we've been together for a long time. Remember the elementary days? Those were the days. All the games at recess...and for you, Kari Sundberg. We have had a lot of fun together. I'm glad we got everything fixed between you and Emily. Good luck and have fun!" - BJ Jordison
This might be my favorite. My entire elementary existence could be summed up by Kari Sundberg. Two and a half years together...in elementary?? That has to be a record. Best years ever! (I think it's necessary I put that because I do plan on posting this on Facebook later). I'm not sure we "fixed" everything with Emily, BJ....since, you know.....you married her.

...and speaking of Kari...

"My dearest Kevin, I can't begin to express my abundant love that is boiling inside me. Your voice is like music. Your skin is like a rose. I will always have you to thank for showing me what life, what love, truly means. Will you marry me? P.S. If you say no, I'll find you." - Kari Farley (Sundberg)
Too far? Wait till you read the last one. This reminded me of when Kari and I sat next to each other in Senior Comp. Once a week we had a journaling session. Wait, I guess I did journal!! Our teacher would turn on music...oh, crap...totally forgot it was always Dave Matthews Band. HAHA! That's terrible. Don't mind me. Anyway, these were actually graded journals. Yeah, that was a thing. Kari and I would always write about how in love with each other we were in the most disgustingly eloquent way possible. When we got the entries back from the teacher she would always say things like, "Go for it, Kevin!" We were horrible.

"Kevin, I am so glad we are such good friends. We have gone through so much together. I mean, who else have you traveled the world with? Witnessed the McCoys seven babies being born? Oh, by the way. I really like your hair. It looks beautiful. I am really glad we have this class together. You look SO HOT in P.E. Well, I hope you have a really great year! Love always and forever till death do us part." - Kristi Hall
Obviously, kind of over the top crazy in a silly way, but I wish I could show all of you what this note looks like. THAT is what pushes it over the top. She wrote the thing in four different colors of pen. Then, covered over all of it with four or five more colors in...I guess I'd call it a plaid pattern? I'm thankful I forgot about this, otherwise, every single time I'd turn a light on, open a door, turn around, I'd expect to see Kristi there. Just waiting. With a lock of my hair. I think this may be the winner. So...congrats, Kristi? I guess?

It actually is really cool to go back and read some these. I will still say I wasn't a huge fan of high school for whatever reason, but I really do miss all these people. Wish I could see you all again! Even Kristi.