My 25-Year High School Reunion

I just realized this year would be my 25 year class reunion at Tulare Union High School in California. Wow, it's really been that long! If they are having a reunion, I didn't get any notice about it. Although, I kinda figure I wouldn't be going anyway, seeing as it's all the way across the country. Furthermore, I can't say there's anyone I'd be dying to catch up with and see what they are doing these days.

However, that doesn't mean high school was an unenjoyable experience. I actually rather enjoyed my high school and while I was glad to graduate, I didn't leave behind bad memories. I had relatively no friends, but I was an independent spirit anyway and didn't need anyone around me. I associated with many fellow students at school, just not outside of school.

As for the teachers, there were some good ones and some not so good ones. But there were three in particular that when I think back, were actually rather influential:

• Mr. King: I had him for world and U.S. history. I had always enjoyed history but Mr. King made it come alive. He was always good at bringing up relatively obscure facts about historical events that I enjoy. I always remember first hearing from him how Andrew Jackson walked over to a would-be assassin and beat him up with a cane.
  
• Mrs. Walters: I had her for speech and dramatic literature my senior year. Although I was comfortable being on stage, these two classes made it even more so and the next year I'd begin the first of many dramatic productions in college. In this class, I gave a very anti-evolution speech that even the pro-evolution crowd enjoyed.
  
• Mr. Shelburne: I had him for political science my senior year. I'd always been interested in the political process, but Mr. Shelburn really made it interesting. One of our class requirements was to get involved in a local political campaign. I volunteered for the campaign to re-elect Congressman Chip Pashayan. Went to a campaign rally and later that day walked door to door with him. Lots of fun and I've been hooked to the political scene ever since.

But as for that 25th year reunion, I'll just be staying home. Dorene has her 20th reunion coming up, and it's a $40.00 a person affair at a local banquet hall. She's skipping that too.

McClellan Talks

I hear Scott McClellan, the former press secretary, just came out with a book. I always felt that of all the former Bush staff that would be writing their memoirs, he is one that would have a lot of interesting things to say. Evidently, he does, and it's not too complimentary of the Bush administration. There will be a ton of post-Bush material out there in the next year or so, but McClellan's book is one that I will certainly make a point to read.

Indy Returns

Saw the new "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" tonight. Unfortunately, I would call it a rather major disappointment. Maybe that was inevitable, given that it's been almost 20 years from the last one. But this just didn't have the zip or humor of previous installments. The plot was very confusing at times and I wasn't always sure what they were doing and why. The theatre was full and there was very little reaction from the crowd.

The movie was set in 1957, which may also have taken away from the enjoyment, since we were used to seeing Indy battle Nazis. Was just strange seeing him in a more modern setting. Harrison Ford looked good, but the movie overall just didn't grip like the others.

One of the cable networks was replaying all the other Indiana Jones movies recently, and I'd often watch part of them. Boy, those were good. Especially the first one. I have always considered "Raiders of the Lost Ark" as my single most enjoyable movie-going experience. I saw it before it went into general release as a sneak preview. You had to first sit through the 80's masterpiece "Take This Job and Shove it" (huh, never heard of it)? Then, you got to see this new movie, of which I knew nothing more than it was a Lucas/Spielberg collaboration. But wow, what a movie. I don't think I've ever been to a movie that had the crowd so into it. It was great. I went back and saw this in the theatres 4 more times, mainly so I could be there and witness the crowd reaction when Indy shot that master swordsman.

A Late Night at Work

It's 10:15 p.m. and I'm still "working." IU South Bend is a test site for ACT, so I oversee several different tests throughout the year. Tonight, I'm doing the Automotive Service Excellence exam, whcih is kind of funny when you consider my car expertise (hey, I just give the test, I don't grade it). Luckily, no one has ever asked me to clarify a question, because, I mean, what would I tell them? "Uh, yeah, I think in that particular questions they are referring to the actual diameter of the rear axel in relation to the turbine cooling power of the piston rods."

So why do these tests? Well, they pay me pretty good to read instructions, then sit here, make sure no one is cheating, and, well, type in my blog.

We Just Want to Help!

It's mind-boggling what power can do to you. In Myanmar, thousands are dead and thousands more are in desperate need of food and supplies and the military junta is dragging its feet letting aid workers in. Those in power don't want to seem like they don't have control over their people. These kinds of things shouldn't be political, but they are. China could certainly play a role here if they chose to, we'll see what happens. Meanwhile, I read that the military junta did specifically request World Vision to come in and help. I thought that was pretty cool.

Missed Voting Yesterday

I didn't get to vote yesterday, and I believe it's the first time since I cast my first vote (as an absentee) for Ronald Reagan in 1984. I thought the polls closed at 7:00 but it was 6:00. I tried to get back to town in time, but to no avail.

But on the Republican side, there wasn't much to vote on anyway. Mark Souder cruised. Beyond that, wasn't much else. McCain squeaked by, so my vote wasn't needed there. I was glad to see Jill Long-Thompson make it through for governor.

Hillary barely won Indiana but hasn't indicated she'll drop out. It's kind of humorous in a perverse pro-Republican sort of way to see how Democrats are turning on her. Back in January, she was the "it" girl. The presidency was hers for the taking, and how dare anyone criticize her. Now, my fellow co-workers who were praising her name back then are saying how selfish she is for staying in. I mean, they really have turned on her and for years they thought she was the greatest.

Does Hillary realize what she's doing to the party? Her money is pretty much drying up, which should force her to abandon her quest soon. I'm sure that her and Bill just haven't come to terms with the fact their own party is telling them no. Is this a "vast left wing conspiracy" at work? It may be time for her to pack the bags and go back to New York (and hope Obama loses so she can return in 2012 as the "inevitable candidate").

My Consolation Prize

I'm about ready to go to bed. Pretty worn out from a long day of table tennis. Played a total of 9 matches today at the St. Joseph Valley Open, a large annual tournament held at my workplace, IU South Bend.

I didn't win any trophies this time, much to the dismay of Cameron, who came to see me win a trophy. He said I did terrible and as we left, he asked if I was done playing forever (doggone it, he wanted daddy to get that trophy). I told him I played well, was proud of that, you don't always get a trophy, and all that other teachable moment stuff you're supposed to instill in your kids.

I could never quite close the deal today. Three times, I lost to much higher rated players in 5 games. Had I won those, my rating would have really jumped. As it was, it might go up a tad, but not much. My most frustrating loss was to this older guy that I was convinced I would not lose to. I was still convinced I wouldn't lose even as I sat there having lost 3 games to 0. I have no idea what happened there (and a fellow member from the South Bend club, who is very good, also lost to this guy and didn't know how).

Steve had a good day, particularly against a couple of rather poor sports. His rating should jump up. I was late to my match against the old guy because I wanted to see Steve beat one of those poor sports, which he did in 5 games, helped along by a rather amazing return of a smash which the other guy still probably isn't sure how he returned.

Anna had already been thinking ahead. She went to a friend's house but told Dorene to take something to daddy in case he didn't win a trophy. It was a supersize Charms Blow Pop.

It did taste good.

Summer Movies

The brainless summer movie season officially kicks off this weekend with "Iron Man." That one looks like it might be pretty good, although I'm a little leery of comic book movies because there are so many of them now. There's new versions of "Hulk" and "Hellboy" on the way too.

What I'm waiting for is the new "Indiana Jones." The preview looks great. Then the other one I'm most excited about seeing is "The Dark Knight," which takes on a rather poignant tone with Heath Ledger passing away earlier.

Other movies may be hit and miss. There's a version of "Get Smart" with Steve Carrell that could be really funny . . .or really dumb. Of course, the kids will want to see the new Pixar movie, "Wall-E," and no one will want to go with me to see "Mamma Mia," the ABBA musical (they are one of all my all-time favorite groups). A new X Files movies is coming out, although I wonder what appeal that'll have now so long after the series heyday, and how the series kinda fizzled out.

Last year was the summer of Part 3 movies, and most were pretty weak. I haven't heard much of anything else coming out, but definitely I'll be there for Indiana Jones and Batman. Of course, there's also "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" which has to win the award for the sequel absolutely no one was crying out for.