The End and Home Again...

[podling]

Let's see... there was dinner with straif and his wife (whose LJ name I don't recall offhand) which was lovely and most fun, and included the hand-off of the 'dance monkey dance!!!' mix cd, and then more family time (in the bar). Then there was a lesson in actual Italian cooking. And yes, now I can make pizza/bread dough and gnocchi from raw ingredients!!! Next time I hope to learn the ravioli techniques. Next time, I'd also like to actually manage to meet up with cissa, among others. It was a bummer, but I will be back in a few weeks.

So then we come to the last part... The high school reunion. It's funny, because whenever I spoke to people of going, their reactions tended to be very polarized into "EVIL PURE AND SIMPLE FROM THE 8TH DIMENSION!!!" or "Oh, yeah, those are always fun!" with a serious slant towards the former opinion.

And I don't know, apparently I'm the weird one. I had a good time in high school. It wasn't all sunshine, and it wasn't all bad, it just was life. Bad moments and good, I'm glad I made it through, sure there are things that would've been nice to change, but whatever. I was ready for it to end when it ended, and I didn't feel a lot of sadness about it. But so I went to the reunion and had a really good time. I'm not going to go into any kind of specifics about it, exactly, other than to say that it and the associated bar-hopping end were really fun. It was good to talk to people after so long. I don't run into anyone, living 4 hours away, and there really were people I was glad to see. It was good. Really. I felt very elated afterwards and I think I put some ghosts to rest in my mind.

Then I had a minor relevation that I pondered on the drive home. I realized, while at the reunion, talking to someone about our respective lives, that I really am happy. I mean, I said, "Well, I'm happy" and realized that it actually is true. Moreso than probably at any other point in my life (though I have more or less enjoyed most parts of my life, I must say). I have down moments, hours, days, but I feel so much more complete... that's not really the right word, maybe content? Yes, there are lots of not quite as I would like them things in my life (we'll take the lack of an S.O. as an example), but overall, I am happy.

And I hit no traffic coming back to NJ!!! It's a miracle. I didn't even get stuck in Waterbury staring at the evil clocktower (which I think is actually a first). I even unpacked my car! Well, except for the logs. I'm kind of procrastinating there... So I go back to work, one of the cooks asks me where I've been, I ask him if he missed me and he says, "Every night, I couldn't sleep!" Good to be back, oh yes, but I really did have a good time in MA.

Comments

[zerbie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I had a pretty good time in high school, too, on the days my head wasn't up my ass. I think I've got another 3-4 years before my reunion, but I definitely plan to go. Although, I'm still in touch with a bunch of my high school friends. I would be more interested in attending the reunions of the classes a year or two or three ahead of me.

[cissa.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry things were nutty for us both! I really wanted to see you. :) Do you know what your Xmas schedule is like yet? I want to make sure we get together then! *hugs*

[vinlander71.livejournal.com]

As far as I can remember, I-84 was always a nightmare.. well, most of the interstates in Connecticut always being under construction of some type or another.

[podling]

I'm glad I'm not the only one. :)

I'm in touch with several, but it was still good to reconnect with some that I lost touch with. It was good! And it's weird how many people were happy to see me too. I really didn't think I was all that memorable. Plus, I'm cooler now than I was then, nicer, happier, all around better, I think.

I know what you mean though, I had friends in other classes too, that I really never run into either.

[podling]

Yeah, I know, me too! I have a vague notion. I'll try to email you tomorrow!

[podling]

Oh, I know. It's always been a pain. Generally the worst for me has always been Waterbury. I can't figure it out. I mean, it's not like it's that happening of a place. At least I-84 is better than I-95, that much I have to say.

[trouvera.livejournal.com]

I was sorry to miss the annual post thanksgiving TH meeting this year. My Dad came to visit me in NY to try to alleviate some of his misgivings about his "little girl" living in the big bad city.

What are your plans for New Years?

[podling]

It was odd because it was only the three of us, but that actually made it kind of cool as well. Cool that your dad came out though!

I have no plans as such for New Years... they're doing something at the theater that I do shows at that I may go to, maybe. I kind of wanted to stay home and bond with my place, so I'd contemplated throwing a little get-together, but probably won't. So, in short, I don't know. :) What're you going to be up to? And how's your place?

[vinlander71.livejournal.com]

I don't get it either. What is it about Waterbury that has hundreds of cars on I-84 near it?

Could it be all the people who want to avoid I-95 like the plague? :)