Early this summer, I was approached by a barely-known member of my local fraternal lodge, who seemed strangely intent on speaking with me. She started rattling off how wonderful it was to realize I went to high school with her as well as being a Lodge member, and that I was very much needed to be on our local High School Reunion Committee. Caught flat-footed before witnesses, I mumbled something wimpy about I could maybe help decorate if it was at our Lodge Hall, but I really am only good with social activities for about 90 minutes at a time…
….and The Fuckery began.
A week ago, the day after the Reunion Party, I spilled my guts into my Apple notes. It was a highly unattractive and pissy rant, filled with frustration, aggravation, and general curmudgeonliness. My sensibilities were offended, and my wallet left with a non-negligible hole in it. I have a burning need to post something about the behind-the-scenes Drama, but….
No, there is too much. Let me sum up*:
- 40-year old tatty hand luggage crammed full of seething jealousy and resentment.
- Blatant adolescent behaviors perpetrated by a gaggle of quinquagenarians.
- Shadow competing reunion events run by two factions, each with the goal of outdoing the other.
- Human sacrifice. Dogs and cats living together. Mass hysteria!**.
I was absolutely reminded:
- Why my circle of friends in high school was itty-bitty.
- Why I despise group projects with everything in my soul.
- To always, always, always reply to an unexpected request for my time with, “I’ll need more information before I can possibly commit. Timelines. Lists. Budget projections. The results of a recent drug test from the Team Leader.”
- That thanks to some lovely folks who attended, not everybody in our graduating class is an immature twerp. Bless ‘em, and such a pleasure to meet them again as grownups!
- That TRS was and is my BFF, my ride-or-die, after all these years. That right there is worth its weight in pure gold.
At this time, I am disinclined to attend our next reunion in five years. I reserve the right to change my mind if I can simply be an attendee and know that I will get to hang out with The Good and Nice Classmates. Today? In mid-October 2024? Meh. Not so much.
*Credit to The Princess Bride
**Credit to the original Ghostbusters