update on Rite of Passage

It is over. I have now entered Middle Age.

Having completed this rite of passage called the 20th High School Reunion I can no longer call myself a young man. It was depressing, enlightening, affirming and disappointingly nice (actually it was only disappointing from a writer perspective, but good from a personal standpoint).

I learned a few things and have a few initial observations which will serve no one but myself.

• I was too skinny in high school. Although it seemed an insult, people liked the way I had "filled out" since 1986
• according to my wife, many females took great interest in me
• People actually expected me to do something special
• I have lived in more places than any other reunion attendees
• I have exceptionally beautiful children (not my observation, but we were told by all attendees this countless times- should we exploit this?)
• I have well behaved children
• Being a pastor (even without a church) in a southern culture is like being a pastor in a black neighborhood. Everyone is proud of you and holds you in esteem
• This is great because you do not have to be successful, just a professional Christian (it is a free pass)
• If you have any pastoral background you will be asked to pray for everything
• People are not used to pastors being funny when they pray
• People in the south are not used to pastors drinking a beer in public
• I am/was more popular than I thought I was
• I have not changed much. I am still the strange guy with lots of opinions. Why did these people like me so much?
• I am the only attendee that likes cold weather, big cities and Liberals up north
• Local graduates do not attend these events. High School Reunions are primarily for those who left (but still liked people they graduated with)
• I really like some people I graduated with
• I look younger than the rest of the guys I graduated with (thank you hair and wife with a fashion sense)
• I look younger than the women without "enhancements"
• The guy that beat me for "best hair" is balding. I am not (can I get a recount based upon this update?)
• The president of our Senior Class is still the coolest guy from my High School
• Most people that attend these things have at least some measure of success
• People do not ask a lot of personal questions at these events (like "what do you do?"). I suppose this is so no one is embarrassed
• 80's music still sucks unless it is British New Wave or Rap
• 37 and 38 year olds should not dance, seriously (unless it is ballroom)
• Do not make T-shirts for HS reunions. Yes, it is a nice gesture, but I refuse to advertise my age publicly
• The DJ, who was a friend and still works at the same radio station I did actually remembers my favorite song from the era (and I did not remember)
• My favorite song from the era is Life in a Northern Town by The Dream Academy (I must download this on ITunes)
• Did I mention how much I like some of the old friends I have not seen in 10 or 20 years?
• video technology sucked in 1986

pictures are forthcoming