Rebel Yell

This weekend marks my 10 year High School reunion and, boy, does that make me feel old as hell.

All in all, while I wouldn’t call High School the “best years of my life,” I had a hell of a great time and look back with mostly fond memories. Despite the warm fuzzies, my initial feelings about a reunion were mixed. With the advent of Social networking and whatnot, I really didn’t see a need to attend a reunion. Besides, as far as I can tell, ours was organized via Facebook anyway. I could find anyone that might be attending on Facebook – if I was that curious about their life.

The reunion was scheduled at a sports bar in St. Charles and two hours of well drinks and some pizza/bar apps were included in the $30/ticket package. I looked over the details and began to weigh my options…my thoughts went like this…

A. Wow…$30 seems like a lot for well drinks and bar food in the ‘burbs. I could see a concert with that money.
B. Ugh. I don’t really like that bar.
C. I don’t have any family left in St. Charles, so I would have to find somewhere to crash or get a hotel room.
D. Holy crap, is it really $30/person?
E. Meh, fuck it. Not going.

My decision was made. It would probably be fun to see some people, but overall, I was mostly uninterested. Not a biggie. Besides, I’d have to have someone watch my dog, and frankly, I figured a 15 or 20 year reunion would be more interesting anyway. It wasn’t that I disliked anyone that would be attending or organizing the event. Actually, quite the opposite. Those people are good people, it just wasn’t my thing.

Next thing I knew, I started seeing Facebook status updates and e-mails asking me if I would be attending the “Rebel Reunion.” Turns out, some other folks from my High School graduating class decided to throw their own party, on the same night, here in Chicago. One of the organizers owns and runs an art gallery and donated his space for the event. They were offering a four hour premium open bar with finger foods for half the price. My mind again weighed the options…

A. $15 is reasonable and I can bring the boyfriend for only $5 more. Nice.
B. I love art galleries.
C. OMG I can WALK there. If it’s lame I can WALK home.
D. Ohhh, I bet people will turn this into a thing.

Turns out, people did, indeed, turn this into a thing.

Pleading messages started to appear on discussion boards. “Why does it have to be the same night? Why can’t we all just get along?” I found these messages to be a bit strange. Why does it have to be the same night? Because, otherwise, it wouldn’t be an alternative reunion, it would just be another reunion…and people would still find a reason to be mad about it. While I recognized that some people might think that the Rebel Reunion was divisive, I looked at it differently. It simply provided an option for those who would not be attending the “official” reunion. Besides, I find it difficult to believe that the Rebel Reunion crew is poaching potential attendees of the official event.

In addition to the pleas for cohesiveness, I have also recently spotted status updates to the tune of “The Rebel Reunioners support Bin Ladin,” “The original reunion has better people going” or “The Rebel Reunion is for losers.” Really, people? Really? While these antics are all very amusing to watch from my desk chair, I am left to wonder how much we have really grown in the last 10 years. I’m also wondering if this sort of thing is precisely what attendees of the Rebel Reunion are trying to avoid.

I don’t think the organizers of the Rebel Reunion had the initial intention of upsetting anyone or rocking the boat. I also don’t think they planned their reunion with the intent to be disrespectful or cruel to the organizers of the other. I think they just wanted to attend a different kind of event. At the same time, I think they are smart enough folks to know that some people would take it the wrong way and the event might not be well received by everyone. I can’t speak for them, but I’d be willing to bet that they are ok with that.

As for me, I am looking at the Rebel Reunion as more of a party or gathering than a reunion & I actually think it will be pretty cool to attend a party in the owned gallery space of a fellow graduate. Besides, I can WALK home and that rules.

Don't say I never made you cry

Beautiful advertising, beautiful message. Wonderful job, RP3 Agency.

This looks familiar

Just sayin'

Whole Body Cleanse. Night 1

Warning: This could get graphic

Tonight, I begin a journey.

Tonight, I start a cleanse.

Apparently, I have been drinking the hippy juice (Becky - pretend to look surprised) and decided that I need to detox my body. For years now, I have been filling my self with nasty, horrible, bad-for-me food. I quit smoking and took up stress eating. While I will never smoke again, I'm not sure this was a good trade. For this reason, I am back on the diet train. Choo choo baby.

I have been really thinking about making some big changes, but that's just it... it's only thinking. I need less philosophy and more action. After some thought, I decided to appraoch this new phase of dieting much the same way I approached quitting smoking back in 2007. At first, it's going to be hard. I will need to find other ways to handle the stress, other things will make me feel better when I am feeling down. I figure that maybe what I need a little jump start to this whole diet thing. This is where the cleanse comes in.

I have been hearing a lot about how amazing a cleanse can make a person feel. Apparently, the first several days are pretty terrible, but the physical payoff is amazing. Apparently, I will rid my body from a backup of years full of toxic sludge. That's right, folks. Some gross stuff is gonna come out of me.

This is what I am doing...

It's a Whole Body Cleanse!

What is "Fiber Fusion?" and What's that on the right? Does that say "Laxative Formula?!?" Holy Shit (pun intended)...what am I doing?

This should be fun.

It's been real

Dear Online Dating,

I’ll get right to the point - it’s over between us. I’d like to say that it’s been fun. To be truthful, sometimes it was. I did get a few blog posts out of your ridiculous offerings. Maybe that’s why it’s a bitter-sweet good-bye.

How could I forget the drunk dialer you brought me? He took me out for dinner and drinks and it went as far as a third date. The calls started coming in shortly thereafter, and when I didn’t answer, 4AM texts like “Hey grll- what u doin?” would come rolling by the handful. Good times, online dating, good times.

What about the guy that e-mailed me, begging obsessively until I deleted my profile?

You also brought me an overbearing South-Sider, a lonely self-depreciating sports nut, an obviously closeted homosexual, and several grown men with no job living with their parents. Online Dating, you provided some excellent blog fodder, but overall? You did a bad job. I knew what I wanted, and I told you online dating, I TOLD YOU. And yet, you failed me.

Here’s what I learned online dating, I can know exactly what I want. I can peruse profile after profile and nitpick over all kinds of details. I can go over my 8 rules. I can know these things, I can know them down to the core of my being...and yet...sometimes you meet someone and all of it goes out the window. Sometimes you meet someone and it just...works.

What I’m trying to say, online dating, is that I met someone without your help. I met him, I like him and he is now my boyfriend. I confess that he is a musician (gasp!) and I fully expect to get some shit about it (I already have). I’m taking things slow, managing my emotions and just seeing where it goes. So far so good. I’m sorry we must part this way, online dating, but I am without a doubt the happiest I have been in a long time.

It’s been real, online dating, but I just gotta move on. You’ll find someone new...I know you will.

See yah ‘round,

KC

Hi Guys -

Back in 2005, my cousin Liz experienced Hurricane Katrina on duty as a nurse in a New Orleans hospital. Shortly after documenting her experiences on her blog, she had some computer failure causing her to lose all of her pictures. Recently, a friend helped her recover the pictures she had lost, and her blog has been updated accordingly. I feel like it's important to share her story - but I think that I should let her tell it. If you care to read, her entries start here. When you get to the end of the page - scroll up and hit "next."

http://auryn24.livejournal.com/298313.html

Adventures in online dating #5

It’s time for another installment. Below are my top 10 favorite messages over the last couple weeks. If these are any indication of the available dating pool – may God help us all.

#1. Subject Line: Where To Next?

Hi:

Hi I would like to learn more about you. It seems we have a few things in common. Take a look at my profile and see if you feel the same. I promise I am more interesting than both this profile and this email.

Chris

Let’s start at the beginning with this one, shall we? Apparently Chris would like to know more about me. Most people would start by asking some questions .Chris, however, is different. After all, he is much more interesting than he seems…just take his word for it. Such an interesting man could not be bothered to take the time to put any effort into his message or profile. It’s a brilliant strategy, really. He can just continue to be an idiot while promising to be awesome. It’s a life strategy that I am now considering for full time use. Imagine the implications! At work: Yes boss lady, here are the client deliverables. I promise that they are much more awesome than they look! Now how about a raise? (I’ll let you know how this works out.)

#2. Subject Line: None

how u doin
my name is DeVon
im a 31 yr old from chicago
but i reside in elgin now i never been married
and i have no kids
i am really interested in talkin to u

Ummm, great.
I doin gud.
Is this 4 real?

#3. Subject Line: Hi

i don't know any of the music you've listed other than Chris Cornell, The Beatles, or Hendrix. I'm writing because you are cute. Maybe we would hit it off if we went out for drinks and dinner?

pete

Great! All the best relationships are based on having nothing in common. Since you think I’m cute, I bet we will have the best relationship EVER.

#4. Subject Line: :)

Why am i doing here>? well im a shy person,im quiet but i like to have fun in the party too,i'm a hard working person,honest,loyal..and yes i like heavy metal,but that doesnt mean im not romantic,kind of old fashion,im from mexico and still leraning english,so i have accent. i like basketball,movies,concerts, i love music,trash and heavy metal,metallica,megadeth led zeppelin,black sabbath,pantera,godsmack
i love go to the lake i run after work and little work out

Good lord. I don’t even have the words.

#5. Subject Line: Hello There

You seem like a cool person maybe we can chat sometime. I am very laid back and like to do almost anything.
Take care
Rob

Holy shit! You like to do almost anything??? I can’t wait to meet you!!! We have so much in common!!!! Do you like breathing air and eating food too???? OMG Let’s get married!

#6. Subject Line: Hi

okay, so your profile has me impressed. nice looking too. take a look at mine and get back to me if you're interested

Maybe I am being a wee bit too hard on this guy, but would it kill him to make some effort? Cool, you are impressed by my profile. What did you like about it? What are you looking for here? I may have a profile on an online dating site, but I am in no way desperate. If you don’t think it’s worth the effort, neither do I. NEXT.

#7. Subject Line: Hi

hello,,,,,,whats going on,,,,,i really like to talk to you ,,,,you are a very attrective girl too me ,,,so if you dont mind you can reply me back any time ,,,,,plz,,,,,,,rocky

Dating by Rocky: When in doubt, use lots of commas and beg.

#8. Subject Line: 

how are u sorry if i bother u but u a cutey so u like reegae nice its is good music well i wanted to say hello if u liketo email back feel free

It’s almost too easy.


#9. Subject line: Hi

hi ,,,how r u ...hope you doing fine,,,,,by the way you look so preety,,,,,,so i hope i talk to you soon,,,,if you dont mind,,,,,,lol,,,right?,,,so i will wait for your reply,,,plz,,,,rocky

Oh look! More commas! Rocky, settle down. Why do I feel like I need a shower all of the sudden?


#10. Subject line: Hi

I like you.

FML