I'd like to relate a few things I learned or confirmed during this reunion.
Despite the fact I was a snobby senior and he was a pip-squeak 8th grader, Suriya Klein remembers me well. Which goes to show once again, if you think the only reason to come to a reunion is to see you're old friends, you're missing the point. Once again, I had some great times with people I didn't really know during my time at Kadena and Kubasaki High Schools. I spent most of Sunday with Suriya, Lisa Smith, John Curry, Mike Craig, Jennifer Beck, Richard Lippard, and Tracy Newmiller Lippard. None of whom were my buddies in high school.
Jo Anne Queen Hefner and Theresa Tighe Johnson are still a dynamic duo. They're both just as lovely as ever to boot.
John Murray is a great emcee. Despite what he thinks, he'll be back to do it again, because everyone wants him to. However, he's eventually going to run out of old girlfriends with whom he needs closure.
Nate Hodges actually got bigger! What a great guy. He's a joy to be around.
Ronnie Ganhinhin and Marie Selzer Bennett are two of the most beautiful ladies I'll ever know. They maintain their stunning good looks despite the fact they never sleep.
Stacey Spencer played football for the University of Oklahoma, but didn't quite make the Cowboys. All this time I never knew anyone went on to play Division 1 ball.
Mike Cheri appears to have no body fat. I seriously considered doing some laundry on his abs.
Going to Six Flags Over Texas on the weekend after 4th of July is not a very sane idea. However, since we did it anyway, Batman is cool. The Titan is just downright, shockingly scary.
Kelli Barnes Mishima is not just a bunch of words on the web page. She really does exist, and she is pretty cool too.
Kubasaki was really serious about that softball game. My hat's off to them for dominating it from the start.
All you can eat steak night at the Traildust is very cool. Too bad Nate missed that one.
Floreen Redoble is a trooper. She trekked all over Six Flags on a recently reconstructed knee.
No matter what the DJ tells you, bring your favorite 80's CD's with you to the reunion. Our idea of 80's music is more encompassing than any DJ we've hired yet.
Hats off to Liz Watson Sullivan and the other mom's to be who came to the reunion despite their pregnancies.
David Allison has big guns. I wouldn't even think about arm wrestling him.
Watching people see each other again for the first time never gets old.
I still think the fifth judge was a Russian.
Suriya Klein is one of those kids who used to break dance at lunch. I believed him, but I never thought he could still do it. Wow!
Matt Gurksnis can still throw a mean downfield block. Even more surprising, Kathy Cowley can take it and jump right up.
Dragons and Panthers make cute babies.
Some hotel rooms smell funny.
Sandy Schoelkopf looks nothing like I remember. However, she and Gregg Curtis do make a great couple.
Kevin Funkhouser is still a fun guy.
All our best stories seem to start off with, "One night when we were running from the JPs...."
Cleon Washington can hold his own in a bar parking lot.
When I think Bobbie Baker, I will no longer think curly hair and mustache.
Jeanne Cheri looks equally good with her hair in a ponytail pulled through her baseball cap or in a sexy evening dress.
We have some good, and some not so good singers in our group.
No matter where I am, Keith Simon, Olin Casey and Tom Scambilis can find me.
Jeff Morris looks good in a dress uniform.
"I'm studying massage therapy" is not necessarily just a line if John Curry says it.
Everytime I see Allison Foster I'm reminded of how cool I think she is.
Some of those spouses can really dance. Some of them are great singers too.
James White and "Evil Jimmy" really are two separate people. I'm convinced of it.
Kim Kenroy doesn't need an excuse to dance. If Tom doesn't watch out she'll jump on the floor with half the room.
Cynthia Rimrodt Houston (I'll never get used to the extra name) can make a mean class of '85 board. It looked great, and I'm sure she'll be adding on to it for our next get together.
There just aren't enough hours in a day to see all the people and do all the things you want at a reunion. That's why you all have to come to the next one. Especially those of you I didn't get to talk with.
Atlanta, Tracy?
