Remembered Faces, Forgotten Names

I went to a sort of neighborhood reunion on Saturday night. It was advertised a bit on places like Myspace and Facebook, I believe. I saw it only because a friend posted on a forum.

It was a night of remembered faces and forgotten names. Most of the people I recognized were from high school. It was no one I really associated with in high school though. I was never the social butterfly. It came through again that night. I only jumped into conversations when people I knew were already talking with someone I didn't. I don't quite know how to approach some one when it comes to a reunion aspect of familiarity. "Hi, I remember you from when we were in high school. We didn't have any of the same classes, none of the same friends, and probably said only two words the four years we were there together. How are you?"

I don't think I could pick out any of the guys from the yearbook. It doesn't surprise me that I recognized the girls most of all. Hell, it's what I used to look at the most while I was there anyway. If only they felt obligated to break out the old school uniforms. That would have been something.

For the most part, it wasn't a terrible night. Granted I didn't go home with anyone or grab any numbers for future conversations, but that's par for the course. A few people I haven't seen in a while did show up to my surprise. The air was thick with smoke and old school rap. There were many people there I didn't care to deal with and plenty that I wouldn't mind getting to know better. Sadly, I am not entirely forthcoming with the whole ice-breaker thing. The setting seemed almost too forced.

My friend Bill had no problem reintroducing himself to people. He's a loud personality that likes an audience. He was all about mingling as much as possible. I believe his theory was that if he ever met you once, he would try and make sure you remember him this time around. I think it worked on a few unfortunate souls.

The night ended with an escape from the parking lot followed by a trip to Denny's with some friends. That part was so great for me. A half hour wait to be seated is fine. Almost an hour wait for our food to show, not so good. Worse still, my food dropped last while everyone else was finishing theirs. I don't think I will be returning to Denny's any time soon.

It's Saturday Night

It is Saturday night. I worked all day. It was boring and relatively uneventful. No one called to hang out, but also no one really bothered me at work aside from the occasional annoying customer. Sometimes I think people come into my store to just talk because no one else will listen to their useless garbage. I do not know how much your R. Crumb book is worth. Yes, I think it is cool. No I do not think you have a gold mine. I am the best comic expert in the store right now. No, I do not know how much it is worth... again.


I actually wound up staying late. My cohort from the morning shift came back around closing. His girlfriend had to wake up early, but he wanted to lay board games. After wrangling a couple of the late-stayers, he broke out Last Night On Earth. It is a zombie game that plays out like a B-horror movie. It actually seems pretty cool. It seem like the sort of thing I will pick up and want to play every weekend leading up till Halloween. I will shell out the cash, but there is one problem. There will probably be a severe lack of people to play with. It's hard enough to get people to spend time in a bar, movie, diner, whatever. A board game requires time and a place with enough room. Those things are hard to find in this day and age with everyone being so busy, and having the kids and other responsibilities, like pilates class.

Ahh, Saturday

Well, the weekend is now upon us. It is bearing down on the end of the summer. Many people are clamoring to get in the bar-b-ques and parties before the brisk wind of fall sweeps in. You know fun things people do.

Here's what I figure. I usually don't work weekends. In fact, I haven't worked a steady weekend since I was in high school. Somehow, working retail for the better part of 6 years, I have avoided spending weekends behind a counter. It is a rare occurrence that I work on a Saturday. The last time I worked a Saturday, my boss headed to a convention. Of course this led to it being one of the more annoying weekends at the store. People subconsciously stick around and annoy me when they know I shouldn't be there. Of course, a good friend gives me a call to hang out that night. Not only have I not seen him in a long time, but he wants me out because someone who I haven't seen in a longer time is coming out as well. I couldn't make it out because of work... when I normally wouldn't be there.

So, I have to work again this Saturday. Sure, my co-worker, Tim, thinks it will be easy. Boardgames and such were suggested to pass the time. I know that's not going to happen though. Everyone and their brother will show up. The will be loud, annoying, and trying to get in as much fun and late nights as possible before high school kicks back in. At some point, a friend will call me up. I will either not answer because my store is a bomb shelter and blocks all signals, or I will get an invite somewhere. It will more than likely be someone I haven't seen in a while. For God to play a cruel joke, it will be a girl. They will want to meet up in the city. I will probably be tired from all the boardgames and high school humor. It will take all my energy not to strangle some teenager. Somehow I will have to find the willpower to start my car. The divine would have to descend to grant me the strength to make it into the city.

This weekend will not be fun.