Last weekend was my five-year college reunion. It was much more fun than I’d imagined. A few quick thoughts:
– This is really the last chance I’ll have to see most of these folks while our incomes are even remotely at the same level. As they become wealthy doctors/lawyers/bankers/etc., and as I remain a newspaper reporter, the gap will grow. But at the moment, they’re all weighted down by debt! I’ll enjoy the relative parity while it lasts.
– I was talking with my old roommate Bob — the one whose bachelor party I’m going to in Las Vegas next weekend — when the movie The Tao of Steve came up. We both said we enjoyed it and its lead character, Dex. Then Bob threw in the kicker: “Yeah, [his fiancee] Stacey and I were watching the movie and we both thought the same thing: Dex reminded us of you.”
Ouch. (I think.) Bob did clarify that a bit, pointing out the two biggest differences — Dex has a huge gut and no ambition, whereas I have a more manageable gut and too much ambition. But still: ouch.
– Shame’s a funny thing. I can’t tell you how many times I had this conversation with classmates who are, by any societal measure, launching tremendously successful careers:
Classmate: Hey, Josh! Great to see you! What have you been up to?
Me: Well, I’m still a newspaper reporter, at the Dallas Morning News.
Classmate: That’s great!
Me: How about you?
Classmate: (suddenly staring at feet, voice down a few decibels, shifting weight from side to side) Um, I’m a…lawyer.
(Or insert “investment banker,” “consultant,” “going to business school,” etc. Only the doctors seemed to remain unashamed.)
5 thoughts on “reunion thoughts”
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Ah yes, law loans. A tragic thing…
Funny, I fail to understand the Dex comparison. Maybe it only makes sense in person?
Nope, Bob is just horribly, horribly wrong.
His fiancee, too.
Ha! You should come to my UTA reunion — no threat of one-upmanship there!
Honestly, I can’t remember if Dex manages to salvage his self-esteem or respect by the end of the movie – but it’s one of my favorite films. “You’re like a co-dependent girlfriend,” or “the Reddi-Wip Eating Dog Scene” has to be the best line ever.
If it makes you feel better, I’ve been compared to Holly Hunter’s character in “Broadcast News” a lot – when we graduated from college, a good friend even jokingly said “Except for socially, you’re my role model.” Cripes. I turned out okay, though, despite that curse. There’s plenty of hope.
Ooh – I loved the Tao of Steve! I’ve seen it a couple of times! Dex isn’t a horrible guy and he redeems himself at the end!