General Discussion

rustydog

(9,186 posts)

22. Wow, what a flood of memories!

Sun Apr 21, 2013, 12:58 PM

Apr 2013

The Vietnam War : My draft number was 315 in 1972 (still is, I found the card the other day!) The war was winding down and Nixon had a secret plan.

Technology: We had similar typewriters in class! I still remember the movement and sound of the keys, the ribbon advancing with each stroke of the keys.. Computers were new and ENORMOUS.

Politics: Nixon, nuff said. But my Best Friend and I received awards in HS for raising awareness with our weekly reader board messages..."Tricky Dicky gone to China...rotsa ruck!" needless to say, we were called to the principals office regularly but recognized for raising awareness!

Sex: Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll!

Cars: seat belts (lap belts actually) long gas lines, first car: 63 VW bug

Jobs: Never long without a job: Picked fruit while in school, delivered local news paper (on bicycle), washed dishes, fry cook, went from one job to another after a year or two, searching for my life... I shared rent on an apartment, paid car payments, ate, entertained on 2.75 an hour.

Dreams: in 1972, enlisting to avoid the draft (I know it isn't the Romney way) and failing the physical. I can still say with pride I tried.
at 18 years old? getting laid, having cool 8-track tapes for crusin' the ave on Friday nights...camping, fishing, hunting...living.

Change: Wasn't a word, it was happening. voters rights, women's rights, Watergate and the fallout...

We've come a long way baby.

If you are having some trouble identifying classmates here's a hint

(Last year I attended my 40-year reunion. A couple of very -old classmates and Kept asking each other: Who is that!???)
sit back and watch for a few minutes. watch the eyes, smiles and listen for the laugh...they never change over the years!

Enjoy your reunion!

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Highlight:

An Almost Baby Boomer 50th HS Reunion [View all] MineralMan Apr 2013 OP

MineralMan.....this was really great. I graduated high school in 1970 livetohike Apr 2013 #1

Thanks. I'm sure I'll write something about it afterwards. MineralMan Apr 2013 #2

I graduated in '66. I'm interested in what he finds also. In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #3

1963 grad here! Lugnut Apr 2013 #4

You're more than welcome. MineralMan Apr 2013 #5

My 50th was in 2009 and it was a bit depressing tularetom Apr 2013 #6

That's a risk. I don't know how many will come to this MineralMan Apr 2013 #7

The cars one is a thought, isn't it? Zax2me Apr 2013 #8

Cars have improved dramatically, and not just in safety. MineralMan Apr 2013 #9

Odometers back then only had 5 digits. adieu Apr 2013 #41

Yes. And the old cars I owned had often turned over once MineralMan Apr 2013 #43

Our 50th is in September. MrYikes Apr 2013 #10

I hope you'll be attending. It's a once in a lifetime event. MineralMan Apr 2013 #11

My 45th is coming up later this year. SteveG Apr 2013 #12

Thanks. You're in the same graduating year as my brother. MineralMan Apr 2013 #13

MineralMan - I'm the same age and class ('68) as your brother. xtraxritical Apr 2013 #48

Actually, I dropped out of college in 1965. MineralMan Apr 2013 #49

Well glad to know ya! xtraxritical Apr 2013 #57

My 45th this year, too frazzled Apr 2013 #18

culottes - oh yeah xtraxritical Apr 2013 #50

We had about 400 in my class SteveG Apr 2013 #56

Hey MM - WinniSkipper Apr 2013 #14

Me in 1963 and Now MineralMan Apr 2013 #19

Awesome WinniSkipper Apr 2013 #26

That was a great idea. I also added them to the OP. MineralMan Apr 2013 #28

Same guy? Maybe...but guy in the left photo looks WAY smarter. FailureToCommunicate Apr 2013 #36

Too soon old; Too late smart. MineralMan Apr 2013 #40

Nah. I've read your stuff here on DU. You're still wicked smaart! FailureToCommunicate Apr 2013 #42

Some would just say wicked, I'm sure. MineralMan Apr 2013 #44

Thanks, MM. I SO enjoyed reading that. I'm 5 years younger than you but it all rang true. CurtEastPoint Apr 2013 #15

Thank you! MineralMan Apr 2013 #45

Dear MM, True Story: I'm in Florida and missed our reunion ('58 NJ). Anyway my friend and her monmouth3 Apr 2013 #16

LOL! MineralMan Apr 2013 #20

Psychology Today has had articles over the years on HS reunions pinboy3niner Apr 2013 #17

Very Funny! That's for old people, though. MineralMan Apr 2013 #21

Wow, what a flood of memories! rustydog Apr 2013 #22

Thanks for sharing your story! MineralMan Apr 2013 #23

At my first HS reunion I was told, "You can't be here--you're dead!" pinboy3niner Apr 2013 #24

The more time that passes, the less some stuff hurts, MineralMan Apr 2013 #25

I'm 10 years younger Maeve Apr 2013 #27

Thanks for your memories! MineralMan Apr 2013 #29

LMSP kicking...n/t littlemissmartypants Apr 2013 #30

Thanks for the kick. MineralMan Apr 2013 #31

... littlemissmartypants Apr 2013 #33

Class of 61 sarge43 Apr 2013 #32

A hell of a ride, indeed. MineralMan Apr 2013 #37

I look forward to your update! Phentex Apr 2013 #34

I'll be sure to post it. MineralMan Apr 2013 #38

I really enjoyed this post. Thank you for writing it. StrongBad Apr 2013 #35

And thank you for reading it! MineralMan Apr 2013 #39

$10,000 a year, that was the number. If I could have earned that I'd have been set for life 1-Old-Man Apr 2013 #46

Well, at the time, it was a good goal. MineralMan Apr 2013 #47

born 46.... first year boomer oldhippydude Apr 2013 #51

Hi, MM. Have a great time, now and after reunion; elleng Apr 2013 #52

Another member of the Class of '63 checking in... Surya Gayatri Apr 2013 #53

I went to my xxqqqzme Apr 2013 #54

Thanks for the stroll through history! smirkymonkey Apr 2013 #55