April 13, 2006

the new nostalgia

When i think of high school, I think of how I spent my extra time in high school and how I kept up with friends, it involved talking on the telephone (the old kind that plugged into the wall, that had wires going to your house for it), and... Um. And, well, I guess that's about it. We got together and did things too. Sometimes in class we passed notes in special folded up kinds of ways (that was more middle school). But I just spent the last hour or so looking at my step sisters' and cousins' blogs/myspace areas (they are all in high school), and wow. Even though I never used the internet like that in high school (emails were *just* beginning to arrive), I got nostalgic. Just because of the WAY in which people of that age interact. Desperate to want to be accepted and just as desperate not to seem desperate. At all costs trying to convince others of their individuality, but cautiously. I can tell you that I have mixed feelings about that age, from my own perspective. I certainly realized how trivial high school was, and how what I did or didn't do wouldn't matter a few years down the road, and at the time I think I was pretty unsympathetic with others who clung so voraciously to abstract notions of popularity and the like--but with 10 years distance, I gotta say, it's pretty cute. Very endearing. But also very VERY vulnerable, and my heart goes out to them. Awww. Kids, you'll get through it! Hang on, don't sucumb and sell yourself out or do anything out of desperation--you're strong, you can do it! After high school is better, I promise!

In honor of their efforts, their accomplishments, their trials and tribulations, I would like to dedicate this meme to High Schoolers across the land. Thank you Clare for the (particular) inspiration:

Put your music player on shuffle.
Press forward for each question.
Use the song title as the answer to the question.

How am I feeling today?: Exit
Where will I get Married?: I want to tell you
What is my best friend's theme song?: Catnip Dream
What is the story of my life?: Best Imitation of Myself
what is/was highschool like?: Interlude
How can I get ahead in life?: The Last Laugh of the Laughter
What is the best thing about me?: The Millionaire's Holiday
How is today going to be?: Get Together
What is in store for this weekend?: Mad John's Escape
What song describes my parents?: Prettiest Birds
My grandparents?: A Thousand Years
How is my life going?: Have We Lost Our Dream?
What song will they play at my funeral? Eerie Didgeridoo
How does the world see me?: Casanova 70
Will I have a happy life?: O, Do Not Forsake Me
What do my friends really think of me?: Catharsis
Do people secretly lust after me?: Donkey Riding
How can I make myself happy?: Skagget
What should I do with my life?: Monster of Polska
Will I ever have children?: Cuckolds All-A-Row
What is some good advice?: No Doze
What is my signature dancing song?: Free Floating
What do I think my current theme song is?: Living in the Past
What does everyone else think my current theme song is?: I'm So Sleepy
What type of men/women do you like?: Bubble, Dignity

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Alyssum, I do have some great high school memories of hanging out with you! I'll never forget you unfolding yourself and dripping with sweat coming out of my mom's dryer! We had some fun times.....

Vickie said...

I have many, many fond memories of you from our school time together. Puddle stomping and horseback riding with Jessica. Walking to get THE BEST PIZZA EVER that had absolutely no meat. But the thing that I always admired about you was that you were always you and you never seemed to give a damn about what other people thought. There was even a certain phrase written on a t-shirt that caused great controversy that only made me giggle and give you a little clap! I look back fondly on my school experience and a lot of it includes you. Man, I miss you!

Unknown said...

ABSOLUTELY!! I had a great time with you gals and Shannon and Kaelan and Neil and Gibson and Brad and Brian and and and..... I have lots and lots of great memories of middle and high school, especially in Powell County (lexington catholic, not so much)! When I said in the post that my interactions were limited, i was referring to the way TECHNOLOGY had a place in those memories (which was limited). The REAL TIME fun was awesome!!!!!!!!!! (Vickie, I remember going to spend the night at your house and you curled my hair and I liked it so much i didn't wash my hair for 3 days so i could keep the curls-ha ha! Yuck!) (Emily, so many fun parties at your house with yummy goodies and karaoke and commenting on Dave Rodgers' new do and playing games and watching old school movies with Felicia reciting the whole thing) Good times.