The Google and Old Friends
So, there’s this thing people do with the google — they google their own names [ego surfing]. I am SO guilty of it — I think a lot of academics do it, they might not admit it, but they do. After all, in academia, we don’t have much more than our reputations (social capital is how some refer to it). It is sort of like compulsively checking your investments; is the dow up or down; should I buy more shares of this or that (as if I know anything about finances).
Anyway, I recently received an email out of the blue from a friend from a long time ago in a galaxy far far away . . . .
Apparently he and another friend were wondering what had happened to me and used the good old google to locate me. As a result, I was updated on the haps of several people that I use to hang with back in the early 80s when I was much thinner, sported leg warmers, and drank cheap beer. My, how times have changed. Thank god I don’t wear leg warmers, I’d like to be thinner, but am resigned to being “voluptuous,” and most importantly . . . I DON’T DRINK CHEAP BEER anymore.
Many thanks to Shawn for sending the photo. His comment was, “I don’t remember you being so short.” My first thought was, jeez, I can’t believe I actually let Michael touch me! Michael is the one in the satin jacket — the 80s equivalent of leg warmers for men. The other guy, holding the coors bottle, is Ace. Interesting story about Ace is that he and I went to high school together but didn’t know each other at the time. Well, I knew who he was . . . just about one of the geekiest guys at school. He and a pal used to ride their (so they thought) gnarly BMX bikes around campus a lot. We met up a few years later via Shawn who kept on telling me, oh, you’ve just got to meet ACE. We actually went out a few times . . . but one of us was too strange for the other . . . or vice versa. Keep in mind that I am fairly close to being the female version of Dwight Schrute. [side story: Mister Man and I laughed our asses off over the episode of Dwight on Second Life].
Here’s a photo of Shawn back then . . .
I don’t really like to engage in too much nostalgia, but hangin’ out with Shawn, Andy, Ace, and Michael was pretty fun. Shawn worked at a video game repair shop and we used to go in and play Tron or Space Invaders for hours. I got my first really bad hangover drinking with those guys — off of pepperming schnapps — the true mark of a novice! I met Shawn through Andy who was a classmate in Political Science at CSUF. Here’s a photo of Andy (the one in hat) with Ace (the one in the dress — damn I hated it when guys looked better than me in a dress).
Andy was truly a great friend . . . so much so that he refused to give his blessing to my marriage, although he and Shawn did visit me shortly after the birth of my now adult offspring. I am waiting for Andy to respond to my email — hey! Andy! Write back already!!!
So, what happens when more than 25 years go by? Here’s a photo of my sis Shelly and me:
I’m the one with the Nebraska T-shirt. What happens after 25 years is that, well, in my case, I’m older, fatter (oops, I mean more voluptuous), more forgiving, more laid back, less militant, but still WAY TOO COOL!!
Xxxicana's Weblog 
February 21, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Great post! I love the pictures – except the one of me. You look great, of course, but I am always hyper critical of pictures of myself. Yeah, you can call me vain. Some things are hard to change. Anyway, love the nostalgia. I had so much fun going to concerts and being a grown up with you and your friends while I was just a lowly high school girl. What a great sis you were and still are!
February 21, 2009 at 8:22 pm
That’s so weird, I used to wear leg warmers, too! I’ve never thought of myself as overly jealous or proprietary, but my immediate gut reaction at the sight of that guy with the leer and the satin jacket (sooooo glad I was I a hippie instead… we had much more sensible clothing) and his hand on your shoulder was, “Hey buddy, get yer’ *#@^#**’ing hand off the the shoulder of the the woman to whom I might very well be married to right now if that marriage you wouldn’t give your blessing to wasn’t STILL on the books! You better move that hand right now or I’ll call her husband to come kick your ass!” But, at least now, in my lowest moments of depression and lack of self esteem, I can look at these pictures and feel better about myself. I mean, a Satin Jacket? I understand the other pictures were taken at a costume party, so they get a pass (yet still somehow enhance my self-esteem). (Bonus points for the Clapton and Tubes posters, though. WPOD! )
February 21, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Wow what a time warp! It’s such a trip sometimes to see photos of you or dad before I was even a twinkle in someone’s eye. Between the bangs and the ‘stache I feel like Im in a time warp. Cool pics!
February 22, 2009 at 2:33 am
I think you look great! And yes, the internet has a strange way of making us all closer (those degrees of separation seem to be fewer).
February 22, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Re the bangs, was that one of Zachary’s creations?
February 24, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Glad you were able to put the photos to good use. I got a big laugh when I rediscovered them about a year ago.
I still have the Playboy pinball machine.. but it’s broken down in the garage, along with several other arcade games. Lynn (my wife) won’t let me set it back up because she thinks it’s demeaning since we now have two girls.
The apartment decorations were pretty cool… record store chic! Check out that wall paper in the kitchen by the pinball machine… imagine waking up with a hangover and staring at that!
I’m glad we were able to reconnect after all these years. It’s fun seeing where everyone has ended up after all this time… You’ve done pretty good for yourself.
Keep up the posts… I’ll check in later
February 26, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Yes, it is great to do the time warp, again (but I can never remember the steps). In answer to your question, Shelly, no Zach was not responsible for that hairstyle — I’m pretty sure this is during the time i was either still perming my hair or letting the perm grow out. I’ll have to look for pics of Zach’s work to post. As for how we look today — sis, you look fab! Don’t be so hard on yourself!
To Shawn, I do remember the Playboy pinball — I have to go with Lynn on this call — after all, do you really want your girls to grow up to be like the bimbos on “Girls Next Door?” I’m no prude, but wait until they are in college to put the pinball game back in use (although by then, you might be able to ebay it for lots of $$ to pay for college!).