And it begins...

Alumns 'Only' at Sport

It's 2am and I just got home. Somewhere near the Space Needle there is still a group of reunioners terrorizing a late night eatery (Jinky & Nani, hope you got some food in you!) Ahhh, some things never change :)

Tonight was, as Hank W put it, "Surreal". Faces were familiar while a few took me a moment to recognize - gawd 20 years! Who woulda thunk? As the night wore on at Sport, friendships were renewed, many new ones were created. I regret that I didn't get a chance to talk to everyone but there's still 2 more days left in this weekend.

It was a great turnout! More than expected and happily received. I think Pete Heffernan was the first to show up. Jeff Jacobsen and I were talking about how nervous and anxious we felt about seeing everyone today - I've had butterflies in my stomach all day. I don't know what I was worried about - just excited to see everyone I guess. Many 'Thanks' to Michelle Chan for suggesting Sport and hooking us up! They pretty much had to kick us out of the place, no one wanted to leave! This along with Nick Jenkins' golfing event was an awesome way to kick off our reunion. I heard Melanie K was the only gal that golfed- way to go Mel - I think I need to learn how to play! (check out the golfing pictures in the album)

Did you know that the parking garage in the Fisher Plaza closes at 1am? Well Derek O didn't - I found him trying to get back in while Mike K, Jen B & Susan F were waiting inside. Luckily they found a security guard to let them out. How much was that ticket Derek? (lol)

So, if you're still on the fence about coming, you've still got Saturday night and the Sunday picnic. It's not too late! We'd love to see you!!!! Plus you don't want to miss out on Norm Cheuk or Joel Aro bustin' a move (or bustin' a hip)...

ps. JJ - lovvvved your boots! but Sean's $10 boots rocked!

pss. Sorry I'm in every other picture (blame it on Anne-Marie)! If you have any pictures from Friday night you'd like to share please feel free to email me :)

Quotes from 80's movies

Looking for top 10 quotes from 80's movies. Post 'em here. Molly Ringwald screaming... "I've never done it." Or the line before that Ally Sheedy says, "It's a double edge sword. If you say you have, you're a slut, if you say you haven't, you're a prude." What are your favorite or most memorable lines in 80's cinema?

I'll use the top 3 or 5 in my slide show. Thanks for your help.

- Louie

What Have you found in Storage???

Finding high school dance photos has been just one of the entertaining things about going through my "stuff". What have you found in your attic? A soggy, musty lettermans jacket? Some nutty pictures? Your Prom "program"? Your diploma? Notes from SEARCH? Polaroids from the ranch? Band Retreat Toga Pictures? Notes from class? ASB Cards? (and yes Melanie, I have started to scan in your boxes of photos!)

I can't be the only one uncovering memories.... Share them with us! Post some photos, share some stories. If you can't post them yourself, send them to us and we will take care of it.

Now I need to ask the girls... Where do you think our dates went... twice?

Catching Up

Last night, I met up with Jinky and Anne-Marie for dinner at Saito's in Belltown. While Anne & I have kept in touch since highschool this is probably the first time that I've had a real conversation with Ms. Jinky since we graduated and OMG! I had the best time catching up with her! It was so much fun hearing about who she still talked to and the friends she made with classmates AFTER we left JFK. It's still hard to think that its been 20 years because it felt like just yesterday. I reminded Jinky about her custom made 501's where she would buy the dark stiff jeans that she would wash, bleach, wash, bleach... and then dye PINK! and then they weren't jeans anymore :) How many of you pegged your pants too? We wore them so tight that after you'd take them out of the dryer, you'd have to lie down to button them and then do a bunch of stretches to get them just right.

Its funny how you lose touch with someone you saw every day for 4 years even though you live in the same city, same state. There's really no excuse, just that we all change and grow and eventually, thankfully, we find one another again. I hope you find your friends too...

Lights, camera... action!

I've volunteered to make a video collage of pics and video of our class. Dig out your old homecoming, tolo, prom pictures, etc. If you have any that you would like to share please send them to me. If there is video floating around I'd be interested in that too. I will be mixing in some music from the 80's also.

Please send files to louloubox@mac.com

Please put Reunion Pics in the subject line so I don't think it's spam or it may accidentally go to my junk folder and I'll realize it's not junk.

Forever Young, Louie

Click here for a sample movie

Separated at Birth...

Hmmm, after looking over the blog and reunion site, I've noticed some similarities in our classmates. Perhaps they were separated at birth and secretly share the same parents? You be the judge!






If they didn't have the same parents, maybe the same hair stylist?





OR...

Red, Blond they're still the same!

Toni Eaves Fielder

OR...

Secret Agent Man...


Could Mike actually be working as a hitman for the CIA?

OR...

Could it be....
nah, they look nothing alike...
(lol)

J.C.

"J.C."

AND THEN THERE'S...

Doug Lemmon















At long last... brothers reunited :)



Check out what else Ken's been up to by going to the 'Crazy Things You've done' Album

Here's another celebrity look-alike:

Greg Martin and Jon Favreau

(Mike came up with this one)

(hopeyoufindthehumorinitanddonttryandsuemeeithercuzlifeistooshortandyoushouldjustlaugh!kenwas notharmedinthemakingofthisblog.ken'spicturesarecourtesyofmikemccullough'sphotoshopskills)

ASK MIKE AND MARK

Move over Oprah! Move over DR. Phil!!

Mike McCullough and Mark Terrana have teamed up and are ready to answer your questions!

Relationships? Life Issues?? Sexual Problems???

Combined we have over 72 years experience! No problem is too BIG or too SMALL!!!

This kind of knowledge would cost millions! But because we are still waiting for our certifications we will do it for free!

Lets hear from you.................

(mikemcculloughandmarkterranaarenotlicensedintheunitedststatesanddonothaveliabilityinsurancesoyoucantsuesorry)

The 10 Year offered a husband what can the 20 year offer...

Okay so I thought I would join in the fun with an amusing post. So I went to our 10 year reunion. I bellied up to the bar as soon as my feet hit the inside of the lovely Marriott hotel @ Sea Tac...oooh such a lovely venue that will always have a special place in my heart. The instant I made eye contact with the bar tender, sparks flew :) We both just smiled at each other because there was instant attraction...I just remember thinking "damn bartender is cuuuute". I only went back to him one more time that night and then he actually tried to talk to me later but I was kind of distracted by the event and catching up with old friends.

Well, 3 months pass and as luck would have it I ran into "the bartender from the 10 year" at Jalisco's after a Sonics game. I was well lets just say really really drunk...but I remembered him. His opening line was "didn't you just have a 10 year?". We talked a little...he was thinking he was scoring...then I asked if he could hook me up with his cute blond friend that I kept staring at while we were talking...I told you I was really really drunk. Lucky for me he didn't give up on me and asked me to go to the Apple Cup game the next morning...I didn't remember the invitation in the morning, luckily my roomate did and she reminded me of it. I did keep the date and ya know what...we haven't been apart since and we have been happily married for almost 7 years and have 2 children together :) I never knew that the love of my life would be bartending @ the Sea Tac Marriott (to meet "people" - it was a side gig he had since college) of all places!

I look forward to catching up with old friends I haven't seen or talked to in a long time and maybe even make new connections with people I barely knew in high school and I also look forward to introducing my husband that I met at the same event 10 years earlier.

P.S. I never take a good picture...I always have my eyes closed or a goofy look on my face and it is rare these days for JR & I to be photographed together (I'm always the one behind the camera, btw if you look closely I am actually the one taking the shot in the 2nd picture) anyway, these 2 are my favorites because it's just us :) Seriously, the only other good pics of us are from our wedding day.

Thanks for letting me share...Jinky Gutierrez Ruljancich

Secret Crush

Ok, thought I'd add some more spice to the blogs. I love what you guys have been posting and especially have enjoyed the yearbook one. Who in our class did you have a "secret crush" on? You know, that person you may have just flirted with occasionally, but never did anything about. Someone you thought was cute, but never asked out or dated. C'mon, fess up! I guess since I started this I should give up one of mine...Mike Dawley. He always had a great smile and I think he was in one of my classes!
See you all soon,

Korey (Garvey) Capizzi

Music past and present

I'd love some ideas of music to be included on the DVD slide show I'm creating. Music from the 80's and music you currently are listening to that would go great with current pics.

I have a pretty big catalogue of music to choose from so I might have your music. Although, if you're just dying to have a Megadeath song on there... I won't have that:)

Who's Your Birthday Buddy?

I just found out I have a birthday buddy! Jay Tando on June 12, me on the 15th! How's that for self promotion?

Ooh, and Eilisa Maranville Maes has her birthday on the 26th, is there a 10 day radius to qualify as a buddy? This is a picture of her in 1986 with her now hubby Randy.

When's your birthday? Maybe you have an unknown classmate birthday buddy out there.... I hear JerryV has us all beat, but maybe, just maybe he has a birthday buddy a year younger??

Who has a Birthday during the reunion? And do you have any good birthday stories? I went to Maui for my 30th and we are going back for my, ahem, choke, cough, 40th!

... and Steph, you may need to re-read the title - I said Birthday BUDDY, not suit.

Reach Out and Touch Someone...

... Don't get too excited Steph! I mean that you can send a message to a long lost friend via the CLASSMATES Page on the main reunion site. We're in the process of adding contact info along with your "Then" photo from the yearbook. And if you just can't wait for us to add you, update your info yourself. Check it out!

Sorry Norm, had to use someone's picture :)

REUNION ETIQUETTE!!!!!!!!

I thought this blog could use a little jump start! I was thinking of the "TOP 100 THINGS NOT TO SAY AT A CLASS REUNION". I will list a few, please add others! REMEMBER keep it clean and no personal shots! We dont want any hurt feelings!

Hey, were you a teacher in 1987?
Great! You're a Doctor! Would you mind looking at my rash?
So you're a VP.....Got any job openings?
My wife is out of town! How about dinner and breakfast!!
Hey, You still owe me beer money!
So...like after the reunion....could i crash on your couch?
Mark, this is a picture of my son. He's 20 and looks a lot like you! (kidding Nani)
No man! Teal corduroy pants are still cool!!
Ok, really! He never told you about me?

AND........Hey, I brought you those underwear you left a my house 20 years ago!

Ok, the rest is up to you! Please add to my list.

I Have a New Alphabet Buddy.

Remember how the teachers used to seat us in alphabetical order? Remember how I always sat behind Jerry Velling and in front of Jeannie Walker, or Matt Weinberger, Angie Tice was next to me and the windows were on the other side of me. I never talked to Ken Barrea or Jeff Baskett because they were totally on the other side of the world.
Well now that I'm a Swanstrom instead of Vlach and he's a Seven instead of Lemmon, now were alphabet buddies. How cool is that? We've never been in an alphabetical list together as adults, so I didn't realize. I hope that Paul Sposare posts a picture next to mine.

What Have You Seen?

As life does not discriminate and the planet turns on with or without us, somewhere in between, for those of us who are fortunate enough to have made it this far, I am certain that each of you, like myself...have had some incredible things happen to you, be it good, bad or funny by now. Whether you believe in God or not, life can throw us for loops that defy words or explanation. It is the stories we carry in our hearts, the things we have seen that stop us in our tracks but are seldomly told by us to others because we think most people won't care, and maybe they don't, so we don't share them. I have come to find that when I dig down a little deeper with each person I come to know beyond the surface, there are usually jaw dropping experiences they carry with them that profoundly blew me away when they told me and gave me pause to hear them. I now understand, we all have our own cross to bare regardless of your divine belief.
As a child growing up, My Mom and Dad were two of the best people a child could have as parents. The sad truth was, my Mom was an alcoholic, but a great woman, with as much love for my brothers and I as a mother could have. My parents split up when I was in kindergarten when her disease finally came to a head in a drunk driving accident that nearly killed my brothers and I. My dad felt he had no choice but to protect us by breaking up the marriage. This led to a lifetime of parental separation, a long and difficult road growing up watching my Mom suffer through years of addiction, never quite able to put her life together for more than short periods of time but she never stopped trying. My Dad never gave up on her. He was always trying to do everything he could to help her. She was always doing her best to beat her addiction, cause she always wanted so badly to be together with us again. For 28 years since they split up, I had always suffered silently the pain of their separation, always wanting to see them together to no avail.
Six years ago, after a good fight and a final three straight years of sobriety, my Mom died of lung cancer. In the final year of her life while she was battling it, my Dad would drive up from Olympia 3 days a week to take her to her appointments. As things were seemingly getting better health-wise for her, their true love for eachother had finally found it's way back to them. To make a long story short, her remission was short lived. I was summoned to the hospital where she lay in her final hours of life. I walked in the room to see my Dad, brothers and their extended family in a semi circle around her bed holding hands together. I joined in the circle with them. As it became quiet in the room, my Dad spoke softly, and in a broken voice, told me that... the night before, as my Mom was still conscious, they called in a priest, who renewed their marriage vows in a simple ceremony. In the end, My Mom died, married to my father, It was all I ever wanted. In twenty eight years of being apart, my Dad never dated another women even once, she was always his love. UNREAL! But life is what happens when you are making other plans.
This is why I would love to hear your amazing story, funny, inspiring or rediculous, does not matter. That's what life is all about.... I hope mine brought you something too.