From the beginning of this blog I have tried to maintain certain rules.
1. Star Trek had its prime directive of no interference, and I have my prime directive of not intentionally writing anything negative about anybody. I have tried to stick to this rule even though I realize this is such a one dimensional means of communicating and sometimes what I write and how someone else reads it can be two very different things. But I still try.
2. As Bing Crosby used to say, I try to “ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive, eee-lemon-ate the negative.” Do I have high school memories that aren’t so pleasant? You betcha! I’m just not going to dwell on them. To me it would be unhealthy to be digging up bones almost 40 years later.
3. Stay on topic and off the soap box. This is probably the hardest thing for me to do. After all, I am a southern male and I do tend to speak my mind. This just isn't the place.
4. KISS. Only I’ve changed it from Keep It Simple Stupid to Keep It Short Stupid. I know I tend to get wordy on some of these things, but you should see what I delete sometimes. :)
5. Don’t let this interfere with my real life. I truly do enjoy doing this, but at the same time it’s just something I do with my spare time, no more, no less. My family and my life still come first and I am able to turn this on and off as I need to. I love you guys and learned a long time ago to put my memories in perspective. This is just a way for me to maintain contact with a great bunch of people.
6. Keep getting more and more people involved. At times this is the prime directive and where I routinely put most of my energy. I’ve said several times that I don’t like making this blog so Doug-centric. I want everybody involved. I figure to this point I’ve contacted roughly 25% of the class, and the ones who visit this site have told another 25%, so we still have our work cut out for us. We’ll get there.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Random Thoughts
Some things that don’t fit any particular topic:
One of the pictures in the year book that makes me smile is the one of Ann Jaynes on the pay phone. Remember that? We couldn’t make calls from the office unless it was an emergency, but the pay phone was in full view of the office too, so they knew who used it and how long they were there, so it’s not like we got away with much. Too bad we didn’t have cellphones.
The high school had a sitting and thinking place -- the auditorium. After a couple of us scurried around it like mice for the first few months as freshmen, I discovered it was a nice quiet place to spend lunch on some days. If I sat in the corner of the last row of the raised area in back and sort of hunched down, nobody else could see me right away, if they could see me all, so Mr Mount or one of the other teachers couldn’t run me out. There were others who came in from time to time. Freshmen each year tended to use it as a playground and on more than one occasion I saw a couple come looking for a secluded place to neck. Mostly though, it was a cool, dark place to sit and think about things, and sometimes people, that were bugging me.
My favorite school year was, obviously, senior year ('70) . BMOC, the championship, and some of the other things we’ve already mentioned make it special. It seemed to me they lightened up on us too. More than once I was in the halls during class and no one ever said anything. I remember one day I was in the English hall and Jimmy Littlefield was sitting in a chair outside one of the classrooms. He wasn’t being punished or anything… he was just sitting there propped back against the wall. Must have been Headlee’s class.
There was also a difference in seniors toward each other too, or at least it seemed that way to me. Other seniors I probably hadn’t exchanged a dozen words with the previous three years would sometimes talk like we were long lost friends. I don’t mean that in a bad way, we all had our habits and routines and we just didn’t cross paths that often, but senior year it was as if we realized that very soon a familiar face wouldn’t be there.
My favorite calendar year though was 1968. Music, sports, movies and some personal events make it head and shoulders above the rest.
Between the two, 1969 was just a year long joke about that particular number
One of the pictures in the year book that makes me smile is the one of Ann Jaynes on the pay phone. Remember that? We couldn’t make calls from the office unless it was an emergency, but the pay phone was in full view of the office too, so they knew who used it and how long they were there, so it’s not like we got away with much. Too bad we didn’t have cellphones.
The high school had a sitting and thinking place -- the auditorium. After a couple of us scurried around it like mice for the first few months as freshmen, I discovered it was a nice quiet place to spend lunch on some days. If I sat in the corner of the last row of the raised area in back and sort of hunched down, nobody else could see me right away, if they could see me all, so Mr Mount or one of the other teachers couldn’t run me out. There were others who came in from time to time. Freshmen each year tended to use it as a playground and on more than one occasion I saw a couple come looking for a secluded place to neck. Mostly though, it was a cool, dark place to sit and think about things, and sometimes people, that were bugging me.
My favorite school year was, obviously, senior year ('70) . BMOC, the championship, and some of the other things we’ve already mentioned make it special. It seemed to me they lightened up on us too. More than once I was in the halls during class and no one ever said anything. I remember one day I was in the English hall and Jimmy Littlefield was sitting in a chair outside one of the classrooms. He wasn’t being punished or anything… he was just sitting there propped back against the wall. Must have been Headlee’s class.
There was also a difference in seniors toward each other too, or at least it seemed that way to me. Other seniors I probably hadn’t exchanged a dozen words with the previous three years would sometimes talk like we were long lost friends. I don’t mean that in a bad way, we all had our habits and routines and we just didn’t cross paths that often, but senior year it was as if we realized that very soon a familiar face wouldn’t be there.
My favorite calendar year though was 1968. Music, sports, movies and some personal events make it head and shoulders above the rest.
Between the two, 1969 was just a year long joke about that particular number
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Am I the Only One That Remembers This?
I first saw it on a poster during high school and a few years later it was made into a record. The title is Desiderata.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Leaving Home
One of the many ironies of life is all the thought and energy spent during high school thinking about what we were going to do when we graduate and then realizing no matter how far we went or what we choose to do, we're forever connected to that place.
I remember almost everybody at one time or another saying what they were going to do or where they were going to go after graduation. Some had plans for college while others simply wanted to go someplace else, usually to find work.
One day during our senior year, Jerry White came by the school and filled us with story after story of what it was like to live in Atlanta. It was a bit scary to think of living in such a huge place but any apprehension was outweighed by the thrill of the pending adventure and the chance to get out of "this little one horse town".
Also, did you ever notice that when someone did leave, they were referred to as "working" someplace. Jerry White for example, was "working" in Atlanta. They were never said to be "living" there. It was almost as if we were saying that even though someone might physically be someplace else, they would always live in Loudon. That proved very true for some of them because even though they initially left, within a few years they came back.
Then there were those who never planned to leave Loudon. The path they chose left them there, or near there. The double irony for me has always been that I left, but if the draft had not pushed my hand, I would have probably been one of those who stayed. I guess that's why I still feel the tug at my heart to go back from time to time. Loudon isn't the same of course, and never will be, but I guess some part of me still sees it the way it was and probably always will.
Home is where my wife and kids are, but my home town will always be Loudon.
I remember almost everybody at one time or another saying what they were going to do or where they were going to go after graduation. Some had plans for college while others simply wanted to go someplace else, usually to find work.
One day during our senior year, Jerry White came by the school and filled us with story after story of what it was like to live in Atlanta. It was a bit scary to think of living in such a huge place but any apprehension was outweighed by the thrill of the pending adventure and the chance to get out of "this little one horse town".
Also, did you ever notice that when someone did leave, they were referred to as "working" someplace. Jerry White for example, was "working" in Atlanta. They were never said to be "living" there. It was almost as if we were saying that even though someone might physically be someplace else, they would always live in Loudon. That proved very true for some of them because even though they initially left, within a few years they came back.
Then there were those who never planned to leave Loudon. The path they chose left them there, or near there. The double irony for me has always been that I left, but if the draft had not pushed my hand, I would have probably been one of those who stayed. I guess that's why I still feel the tug at my heart to go back from time to time. Loudon isn't the same of course, and never will be, but I guess some part of me still sees it the way it was and probably always will.
Home is where my wife and kids are, but my home town will always be Loudon.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
See Mrs. Watkins, I Was Right
I remember freshman year having a discussion with Mrs Watkins about diagramming sentences. My stance was basically it didn't make sense and I didn't see the point. Her stance was it helps you learn the different parts of a sentence, and besides, it was the curriculum and I had to learn it. My wife remembers doing it in Pennsylvania too.
Well, I was right. They don't diagram sentences anymore, at least not in Indiana. When I described it to my two teens they had no idea what I was talking about. Now, they did get to word tenses in the first grade and I thought that was a bit fast, but so far no diagramming.
So I guess they will have to find some other way to tell their verbs from their adverbs and keeping their participles from dangling.
Well, I was right. They don't diagram sentences anymore, at least not in Indiana. When I described it to my two teens they had no idea what I was talking about. Now, they did get to word tenses in the first grade and I thought that was a bit fast, but so far no diagramming.
So I guess they will have to find some other way to tell their verbs from their adverbs and keeping their participles from dangling.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Something I Don't Remember
Brenda and Donna mentioned them, and I've been thinking about them, but for the life of me I can't recall that much about assemblies.
Were they scheduled? Weekly? Monthly? It seems to me they were on some sort of schedule but I can't remember what. I know there were special ones from time to time. but I thought overall they were fairly routine.
Were they always at the same time? Mornings or afternoons? Mornings I guess would be the most logical time, but I'm not sure.
Was there assigned seating by class, or by homeroom or whatever? I can remember at different times sitting anywhere from the raised seats in back to the front row but I don't remember if the seat was my choice or someone else's.
Did the principal always lead them? I remember Ms McCall a few times, and heaven knows we all got enough of Mike Franklin.
I remember being in at least one, a home room skit or something.
Who knows, maybe I slept through some of them... or was outside smoking. :)
And now that I've written all this, I think I said something about assemblies before... and I didn't remember anymore about them then than I know now. :)
Were they scheduled? Weekly? Monthly? It seems to me they were on some sort of schedule but I can't remember what. I know there were special ones from time to time. but I thought overall they were fairly routine.
Were they always at the same time? Mornings or afternoons? Mornings I guess would be the most logical time, but I'm not sure.
Was there assigned seating by class, or by homeroom or whatever? I can remember at different times sitting anywhere from the raised seats in back to the front row but I don't remember if the seat was my choice or someone else's.
Did the principal always lead them? I remember Ms McCall a few times, and heaven knows we all got enough of Mike Franklin.
I remember being in at least one, a home room skit or something.
Who knows, maybe I slept through some of them... or was outside smoking. :)
And now that I've written all this, I think I said something about assemblies before... and I didn't remember anymore about them then than I know now. :)
Here We Go
This is one of my favorite pictures from the `70 annual. The girls leading the team out on the field. It's a little grainy, but viewable, and no, I don't like it just because it's the girls... well, maybe a little. :)Just look at it though. Darlene and Debbie and Nancy and Sandra are in it. The seniors. And look at those smiling, eager faces. They are ready to face whatever is waiting on the field.
Metaphorically speaking, maybe that's us behind them, and we're all charging out into that great big beautiful world.
How'd we do?
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Nicknames
When Donna referred to Doug Adkins as Crow on the Tagboard I thought, "Wow, that would make a good topic!" So I started thinking of different people and I'm not so sure I know very many. Well, let me rephrase that. I remember a few that used their nickname as their given name, like Jake, Gordo and Jabbo, but I never knew Doug was called Crow. I did know Flea and Weasel and Bunny and Rabbit, and Jabbo's brother was called Peanut. And then there was Ton and Albert, and I had the misfortune of having Allen McNabb stand within earshot when it was my turn to have my picture taken in the 7th or 8th grade and the photographer said, "Smile pieface", and that's what I was called off and on through high school.
So I know a few. How many do you know?
So I know a few. How many do you know?
The Other Site is Down
In case you haven't noticed, loudonhighalumni.com is down (and it feels great not being the one that has to jump through hoops because of it). Anyway, they told me last night it was going to take 24 hours to back up the server so it should be back online tonight (March 6th).
Friday, March 02, 2007
Smoking
This coming August I will be smoke free for 20 years. That's a long time, nearly as long as I smoked. When I decided to do something about it I was smoking 3 packs a day and I quit more or less cold turkey. I slowly weaned myself from them. If I could only use the same approach to my waistline. :)
The reason I mention this is that I began smoking at roughly 13, so a lot of my memories from high school include smoking. I will see a comment by someone and I can't remember it. Why? Because most likely I was outside smoking when that happened.
My daily routine revolved around the smoking areas outback. My day started there most days and I visited the area several times throughout the day. In between classes, at lunch, whenever.
But I wasn't the only one out there. There were dozens, including girls. The girls didn't show up nearly as often as the guys, but they were there.
The most common area I guess was on the balcony above the cafeteria. It was jam packed a lot of the time. Then there was the area around the doors halfway up the backside of the building, and then a few times under the overhang below the main hallway... and as I've mentioned before, a few times in the boys room. We could not smoke in front of the building.
All of that seems so funny and so foreign now that so many places are smoke free. I don't even have any friends that smoke these days. Not that I know of anyway. Even at church it's different. Back then a group of us, men and boys, smoked outside the church door before service started... trying to get that last hit. Now, I can't honestly name one person at my church that smokes. I'm sure there must be someone, but they've never done it around me.
At work, one person in my group smokes, but the company restricts smoking to certain areas, and it's hard sometimes for her to get in a smoke break during the day. A far cry from the days the ashtray on my desk was piled high with butts.
Oh well, I guess this is one area that's changed for the better. Smoking gags me now.
The reason I mention this is that I began smoking at roughly 13, so a lot of my memories from high school include smoking. I will see a comment by someone and I can't remember it. Why? Because most likely I was outside smoking when that happened.
My daily routine revolved around the smoking areas outback. My day started there most days and I visited the area several times throughout the day. In between classes, at lunch, whenever.
But I wasn't the only one out there. There were dozens, including girls. The girls didn't show up nearly as often as the guys, but they were there.
The most common area I guess was on the balcony above the cafeteria. It was jam packed a lot of the time. Then there was the area around the doors halfway up the backside of the building, and then a few times under the overhang below the main hallway... and as I've mentioned before, a few times in the boys room. We could not smoke in front of the building.
All of that seems so funny and so foreign now that so many places are smoke free. I don't even have any friends that smoke these days. Not that I know of anyway. Even at church it's different. Back then a group of us, men and boys, smoked outside the church door before service started... trying to get that last hit. Now, I can't honestly name one person at my church that smokes. I'm sure there must be someone, but they've never done it around me.
At work, one person in my group smokes, but the company restricts smoking to certain areas, and it's hard sometimes for her to get in a smoke break during the day. A far cry from the days the ashtray on my desk was piled high with butts.
Oh well, I guess this is one area that's changed for the better. Smoking gags me now.
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