SCS Homecoming 2007

I haven't been to a homecoming since 1999 and I had intended never to go again. But much to my surprise I had an ok time.

I was persuaded to go becasue Kim had invited my Harding friend Booge to go with her. And then I found out James and Robyn were going too, so I had a posse together, going in alone would be suicide.

So much to my surprise I'm printing out an alumni ticket off the interweb (which they didn't even take from me).

It was weird being back on campus, every parking space belongs to someone with more money than me.

The alumni reception was on the other side of the field with some tents. They were serving fajita's which were good. They had this large white archway thingy set up in front of the sign in table. I didn't feel comfortable traveling under such a matrimonial looking thing so I went around the outside.

I had only RSVPed 3 hours previous so I knew they wouldn't have a pre-printed name tag for me so I told the lady I was "Greg Campbell." This served 3 purposes: 1) Nobody would know Trey was there. 2) As Greg I would receive a warm reception 3) When it came to light I wasn't Greg it would give me something to talk about besides the big three (job, wife, kids).

Of course, the real Greg Campbell showed up and blew my cover.

There weren't a lot of people there but I enjoyed talking to a few people I hadn't seen in a while. I also got to NOT enjoy talking to people I hadn't seen in a while.

Perhaps what made the evening so good is we left before the 1st Quarter was over. All in all we were there 45 minutes.

On the way out James and I discovered they had built a new fence around the field. There was no way to our parking place. We would have to walk in front of all the bleachers and behind the football team the entire length of the field to get out. So we just did it.

Then opportunity knocked: The cheerleading team was in our path in those two parallel lines they seem to like standing in. Should we go around? Behind? Nope, when opportunity knocks I answer. I lead the charge right between those two startled lines of cheerleaders.

"Watch out! Hot coffee here! Alumni coming through! Nice outfits girls! Like the new colors. Excuse us! On your right! Make way for Alumni!"

This of course was in full view of those people who make more money than me because good parking coincides with good seating near the cheerleaders.

Well, I've decreed I'll be back for Homecoming 2008! My 10 Year Reunion... ick! All you class of '98 peeps better show up. We'll stay for an hour then on to the after-party!

The question remains whose name tag should I snag next year?

First Day of School

I guess I'll play a little slow pitch and discuss the differences between your first day at school your in Junior High and your first day at school at college.

Night Before:
JH: In bed an hour early. Clothes laid out. Lunch packed
Col: In bed 4 hours before you have to be at class

Morning of:
JH: Wake up an hour earlier than normal in anticipation. Mom has prepared a breakfast featuring "brain food" and all 7 food groups. Dress to the 9's, take a photo holding lunch box.
Col: Wake up 15 minutes before class. Luckily clean clothes are available, try to look like you just woke up, shouldn't be hard.

First Day Classes:
JH: Teachers want to make a good first impression. Perhaps they have games or candy prepared but its time to "get to work" you start learning things immediately (usually what you forgot over the summer).
Col: "Syllabus Day" here is your syllabus... see you Wednesday.

Friends:
JH: Who are these new people?
Col: Where are the new people?

Biggest Fears:
JH: Public embarrassment
Col: Public anonymity.

Biggest Misconception:
JH: Everyone is watching everything I do.
Col: College will go on forever.

Lunch:
JH: Another dietitian prepared meal, featuring a encouraging note written on a napkin. Snack pack optional.
Col: Two chick-fil-a sandwiches, no fries, water to drink... also "lunch" is at 1:30pm.

Conflict:
JH: Boys fight in the schoolyard. Girls rip each other up emotionally with words.
Col: Boys fight on XBox. Girls rip each other up emotionally with text messages.

Homework:
JH: Reading list and diorama due in 4 weeks.
Col: The syllabus lists a lot of stuff but none of it is due next time you meet... therefore, nothing.

Boys/Girls:
JH: Girls only like slightly effeminate non-threatening boys (Zac Hefron). Boys are either oblivious or obsessed with girls.
Col: Freshman Girls are a hot commodity, single Senior Girls are desperate. Senior Boys are BMOCs, Fish boys have no chance.

After school:
JH: Tell mom everything that happened. Show off new books. Repeat stories when dad gets home.
Col: Nap.

Retrospecticus

I think that was the title of either my Harding or SCS yearbook. Retrospecticus. What kind of name is that. Yes, it's better than the "Prickly Pear" but what isn't.

Sometimes I wish they made years books for years after college, but then I think they don't because most people don't like a well documented photo of their bad hair styles. My memory isn't so good. I don't know where any of my old yearbooks are but if I could find one maybe I could remember more teachers than: Coach & Mrs Cox (1st Grade), Mrs Brice (3rd), Coach Collins (HS) & Mrs. Campbell (HS). Am I forgetting someone? Hmm... Thrasher, I remember her, and that teacher who looked just like her husband (tall, slender, short dark hair), what's her name. Well I guess that's all I can think of. OH! Mr. Edsel taught physics. I remember him because of him being named after a famously lousy car and his stories of terrorizing hippies when he was in the navy.

Clearly remembering half a dozen teachers over 12 grades is pretty bad. But I consider myself self-taught. Which was probably the key to my success as SCS. Back in the day it was an academic joke, I learned a lot but most of it I just took on myself. I understand now they have ratcheted up the curriculum, but who's to say. Very few of my HS and undergrad teachers challenged me, the rest either just entertained me, detained me or constrained me. Is there a "tained" word for challenged? Hmm... If I can think of one this could be a good sermon.

Detainer - A teacher who just fills an hour of time in my life no interest in teaching me or holding my attention, although this does allow for good day dreaming time for the detainee.
Constrainer - A teacher who tried to bully or intimidate me. As if "sitting quietly" were the highest moral good.
Entertainer - A teacher who made for lively class but didn't really get much teaching in.
Lecturer - A teacher with good content but poor delivery skills.
Challenger - A teacher who explodes! (What? Too soon?)

Seriously, there are few teachers who cause ideas to explode in you head wanting you to learn more on your own.

Well this ramble has got to end, I intended to blog about the lady next to me on the plane who told me about her night of drinking and insanity in Orlando then choked on her gum when she eventually asked me, "So, what do you do?"