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Say what? 40 year High School Reunion???? Merde!!!!!
1. I was notified a few days ago, that one of my favorite High School teachers/PE teacher, Ben Parks had died last Friday. This thick, muscled, handsome man, I thought would live much longer than 77 years.
2. Although it has been almost 40 yrs since High School, this news sort of rattled me
3. I posted a year or two ago about this good and great man (I did not tag it, so I can't find the link, sorry)
4. During the trying times of busing,school riots, this man was instrumental in shaping up so many troubled youth. He was their, our mentor.
5. Years ago, my mom, was in charge of organizing some fundraising events for the Boys Club of East Palo Alto. Ben Parks was always there supporting, and helping attract such guests as Willie Mays, and some 49er players to help raise thousands of dollars.
6. He was instrumental in making me run SF Bay to Breakers. That was in 1971. It was not as famous or crowded as it is now.
7. And instrumental in making me feel somewhat good about myself. I hated PE. But did not mind it so much when he was teaching it (actually this muscular black man, at the time was quite a good looker. Possibly I had a crush on him, and did not realize it. Seeing him naked in the gym showers also might of spurred a crush :P
8. He could never pronounce my last name, so he would always called me "Tupes". I sort a felt special that way. Like Tootie, on the old sitcom Facts of Life.
9. Well if any of you went to Sequioa, Woodside, or Menlo-Atherton High School then you will know him. He was active even up to this past fall.
10. Even one of our trainers at my gym knew who he was, when I asked tonight, if he knew him, and of his death. He replied, "you have got to be kidding. That man was one of the best mentors ever."
11. Here is info of the viewing, funeral, and memorial -
http://www.almanacnews.com/news/show_story.php?id=9508
12. Even somewhat disturbing (but not as major as the above news) is that my 40 year High School reunion will be coming up next year. 40 years! I AM GETTING OLD!!!!!!! ARG!!!
13. I went to my 15 year reunion, but nothing else after that. I wonder if I should go this time. I hated High School. I was very withdrawn, and pretty anti social then.
14. The 15 yr reunion was just OK. I had just come out a few years earlier. Still a bit confused, and really did not want to discuss my lifestyle with anyone. So I had nothing in common with them, and so the party was not that fun.
15. The only thing I did enjoy was hearing the gossip, of the sex that was going on between teachers and students. What teacher got what student pregnant (where was I during all this. Talk about a wall flower!)
16. And of course seeing Mother Nature, or Karma finally get even. The girls that were homely, had blossomed into beautiful women. And the snobby "Rah Rah's, the popular girls, had become fat, and on their 3rd or 4th marriage.
17. And of the men, the homely, lanky men, had also blossomed (as I suppose I did). And the jocks with attitude, had become fat, bald, and on their next round of divorces. Yes! Life does get even doesn't it?
18. Humm. I think I might go. And see how much more people have blossomed (I'd better hit the gym more!). eep! There is going to be a lot of gray haired people!!!!!
2. Although it has been almost 40 yrs since High School, this news sort of rattled me
3. I posted a year or two ago about this good and great man (I did not tag it, so I can't find the link, sorry)
4. During the trying times of busing,school riots, this man was instrumental in shaping up so many troubled youth. He was their, our mentor.
5. Years ago, my mom, was in charge of organizing some fundraising events for the Boys Club of East Palo Alto. Ben Parks was always there supporting, and helping attract such guests as Willie Mays, and some 49er players to help raise thousands of dollars.
6. He was instrumental in making me run SF Bay to Breakers. That was in 1971. It was not as famous or crowded as it is now.
7. And instrumental in making me feel somewhat good about myself. I hated PE. But did not mind it so much when he was teaching it (actually this muscular black man, at the time was quite a good looker. Possibly I had a crush on him, and did not realize it. Seeing him naked in the gym showers also might of spurred a crush :P
8. He could never pronounce my last name, so he would always called me "Tupes". I sort a felt special that way. Like Tootie, on the old sitcom Facts of Life.
9. Well if any of you went to Sequioa, Woodside, or Menlo-Atherton High School then you will know him. He was active even up to this past fall.
10. Even one of our trainers at my gym knew who he was, when I asked tonight, if he knew him, and of his death. He replied, "you have got to be kidding. That man was one of the best mentors ever."
11. Here is info of the viewing, funeral, and memorial -
http://www.almanacnews.com/news/show_story.php?id=9508
12. Even somewhat disturbing (but not as major as the above news) is that my 40 year High School reunion will be coming up next year. 40 years! I AM GETTING OLD!!!!!!! ARG!!!
13. I went to my 15 year reunion, but nothing else after that. I wonder if I should go this time. I hated High School. I was very withdrawn, and pretty anti social then.
14. The 15 yr reunion was just OK. I had just come out a few years earlier. Still a bit confused, and really did not want to discuss my lifestyle with anyone. So I had nothing in common with them, and so the party was not that fun.
15. The only thing I did enjoy was hearing the gossip, of the sex that was going on between teachers and students. What teacher got what student pregnant (where was I during all this. Talk about a wall flower!)
16. And of course seeing Mother Nature, or Karma finally get even. The girls that were homely, had blossomed into beautiful women. And the snobby "Rah Rah's, the popular girls, had become fat, and on their 3rd or 4th marriage.
17. And of the men, the homely, lanky men, had also blossomed (as I suppose I did). And the jocks with attitude, had become fat, bald, and on their next round of divorces. Yes! Life does get even doesn't it?
18. Humm. I think I might go. And see how much more people have blossomed (I'd better hit the gym more!). eep! There is going to be a lot of gray haired people!!!!!
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it's amazing how the hottest guys in high school tend to be the ones that didn't age so nicely.