alliegirl’s blog

so I think that I've been a bit bah humbug and I don't even want to get a tree. mostly because I'm going to be gone for christmas and I don't want the cats into that.  There

October 2007 016

My 20 year reunion...

Friday night Pyramid Alehouse on Locust Street, Walnut Creek;

I told myself to enjoy every minute. From the moment that I was on the plane, to getting my rental car, and driving on 880 to 24. Familiar roads
and familiar places around me. I enjoyed the traffic, because I called a few people and let them know I was good. I had to remind
myself that I wasn't in a hurry. I was not in any hurry. It had been 10 years and what was another hour or so. I was only a little concerned,
because I wanted to see Will Sander, because we had emailed a couple times, and he was always a pleasant fellow to see in the halls of YV.
I am so glad I stayed at the Embassy Suites. I remember seeing the hotel go up while I lived here and I always wanted to stay here. NOW I
DID! Cool..
I freshened up and got myself together to go. I was a little nervous. What if no one wanted to talk to me? I wasn't nervous that people wouldn't
remember me I was more of this strange impression that no one would talk to me. Which I think is worse in your mind, then people not
remembering who the heck you are.
Funny, I walked in and asked where the graduation was, and the guy looked at me funny. I scanned the front room and saw no one that I
recognized. I slowly, and I mean slowly corrected myself and said, REUNION. Oh...they're in the back. I go to the back of the place and at first
see no one, by the way it's dark and people are turned inward, so you can't see their faces. Of course the first person I see is Will. PHEW.
We talk and catch up, and I start to feel ok. Basically I moved around the room to see people and comment on their profile or pictures I saw.
I see John Lee, who works in Concord, has a little boy, and does shipping. He bought me a beer (Hvweizen) and we cheered. He tells me he
recognized me right away. I told him I thought he was one of the under the radar cool people in school. He was more alternative than I was
for sure. I talked to a paramedic named Karen. I don't think I ever talked to her in highschool. I talked to this girl from Missouri, Susan Noriss
I don't think I'd ever talked to her either. Crazy. She is a bochemical person. I just nodded my head. I had a great conversation with Erik Appl and
his wife Jen. I knew Erik, but never talked to Jen. She was the tallest person in the room it seems. We talked hair and they gave me their card.
Pictures of them on the front, so smart and they take a really good picture too. I talked to Tait Miller and his wife Corrine! They live in Seattle
and so friendly and fun. I hope I can get together with them sometime. I love Seattle. I of course talked to Stacey Richter, Eva Cossert, Natasha
a Pottish, Gena Colhoun, Jamesia Day, Darren Cartwright and his lovely wife Angela. I talked to them about the parents and stuff. I am not sure
if I should have told them about them moving...oh well it will be over in a couple weeks. The best part of the night was seeing Earl Paynton
and Jody Riggs. That was the best surprise and talking to Earl for a while about his brother Jefferey and sister Tiffany. Brought back
a lot of good and funny memories of our road trips together. We decided that our mother's were absolutely crazy for taking 5 insane children
to so many places. I loved taking their pictures and seeing them sitting there with big old smiles on their faces and being so happy seeing
each other. There were some cool surprises to see Tom Padro, Andy Pagano, Mike Ivancovich, and Chris Walsh. I didn't talk to everyone, there
were still people in their circles. I think that we should stop saying clicks, because there are people you hang around and people you don't hang
around. Let's move on. I mean in highschool, we don't know much anyways. But I realized that we don't change our personalities too much either.
I had a great talk with Lance Drs about Chicago and his kids. I had a great time taking pictures. I saw Adena, Tracey, and Vera(she looks so good
with long hair; I remember her short bob in highschool). I talk to
Hans Korve who lives in Kent, WA. He looks great.  I loved hearing Tait Miller talk about his job in Seattle and how he works with Jim
Forman. I told him I didn't watch him very much, but I would look him up. hahaha. Over all the night was so fun, and I get so nostaligic thinking about
the past and how good it was. I am so thankfull. I have such a rich history with people and memories and stories.  I also talk to Tony
Lowendoski, and he lives in Auburn and how Kris believed his totally fake bio on the web. He's mortified. I tell him I will do my best
to clear it up. haha

Saturday

I got up and went to the hotel breakfast and then to the gym. I jogged because it was of all things raining outside! What's up with that? I also
realized it's raining this morning (Sunday); I called Celeste and woke her up. We planned for her to come and pick me up and go downtown
for some shopping and lunch. We had a great time. I don't think I've spent that much time with Celeste in the last 15 years. Since we went
on our cruise after college. She is doing ballroom dancing and showed me pictures at lunch. She is getting out there. Very cool. We went to
Ming Quongs on Main street. I loved it!! So cool. I might have to go back today..We walked around  lot. I got so tired we went back to my
hotel. I needed a nap bad. I showed her some pictures and we laughed. I'm going to meet them at church at 11am. We'll have lunch and then
I'm planning to go to Berkeley to O Coca Lait. I can't wait!
After my nap I got ready and picked my black velvet dress and boots.(my feet are yelling at me right now; I'm glad I didn't pick the other shoes!
that would have been awful!) I put on some lashes and fluffed my hair. Again, I was telling myself, this is fun, and you can take your time.

I didn't want to be totally late, so I left and drove to Scotts. I see Oliver Hanf and his wife driving and he was so animated driving and talking.
Then he was waving and honking at me. Gotta love that. I park and it's so convienent and easy to find where I'm going.  I get inside and see
Kelly and her dad! He hasn't changed. He buys me a drink (one more later!); Kelly admits that's she's nervous to remember people. She looks
great and things are easy between us. She tells me about Scott and her family. Her sister has tattoos everywhere. I am trying to remember which
sister this is. We take pictures and go to the party. It is beautiful and surreal. I talk to lots of people Lauren Villicara introduces me to her husband,
and she looks amazing. I see Valerie Simon and Cheryl O, they sit at our table, but I never talk to them, and then when I realize they are gone,
I had wanted to say hello. The night is filled with hugs and smiles and pictures. Kelly is so funny about the prom pictures that I put up. And they
just keep going  all night. I see Masaki Lui, he looks so different, so conservative and not like some famous music producer. I expected him
to look different. Vanessa A and Jolie I sit at our table. I don't think I ever talked to them in high school, except for a hello.
Jody Riggs shows up and he looks great. I try and take pictures and I realize I talk far too much and take too few pictures. Hans says here's
my card and to email him and he will send his pictures. I meet his wife and he takes a really good picture too.

I did go out and dance and immediatly trip on the stairs and take a beautiful spill. Kristen Kress and Steve Garnett see me. I'm not drunk. But
that really hurt. I have a great time dancing and smile at lots of people and sing to the music. Vanessa dirty dances with me, and I'm actually
sort of uncomfortable.  I meet Eric Hurt and his wife and he shows me his tattoos of Jeanne in the Bottle and Betty Page, they were amazing
and I finally go to the bathroom. I see Jeff and his fiancee and talk for a bit (Jeff and I went out once; I saw him at the 10 year and he was very
thin, now he was a bit heavy)  He seems happy. I see Bernadette and we hug and say nice things to each other. I talk to Chris Tarentino and
he tells me about his family and how he started having children. He is very animated and interesting. I watch the slide show and smile.
I talk to Robyn Fewster and it's short but sweet. Sam Beler is leaving and it was so good to see him. He has given me a jazz CD that he's produced
I talk to various people. Susan Johnston and Ana Barrato, Cecilia Larado, and Jeanine. I never knew them very well in highschool, but they
always seem nice.
I have a short talk with Adena and her husband Sid. If I lived in the Bay Area these are two people I would want to hang out with. They are
a completely genuine couple. We are also talking with Gary Shurtloff. He owns a DVD store on Oak Park. I realize that this is close to the
salon where I first started doing hair. I can't remember the name of that place right now.( I stopped by today and it's a karate place).  I will
remember later. Gary poses for a picture and flips off the camera for me. He tells me he grew his hair long and never looked back.  I remember
I had asked him earlier about the leadership and "inner works" that he was raving about on his website and he basically says, "Oh you will
have to find out for yourself, if I told you, it wouldn't be the same for you as it is for me. I am confused, and there is no further talk
of this amazing transformation that seems to have taken place in his life. And I was not given any other information.
On ward

I find Joe Madden and he looks different. I also find that he is married to Kristy La Sage. I went to Oak Grove with her and I tell her to say hello
to Wendy Johnson. Wendy always had great hair. Joe and Kristy met at a bar and they had known each other for a long time. sweet.
The best surprise of the night was Greg Orr coming up to me and standing there saying hello Allison, and for a minute I think he's Denis Leary
from Rescue Me, and then I repent. HELLO GREG..they got him to come out. There is lots of memory sharing. IT is so cool to see the guys I went
to elementary school with reminicing and getting loud and laughing over whatever their antics were. Smiles are everywhere. I decide I'm done.
My feet are yelling at me, and I don't want to get too off schedule. I say my goodbyes. I run into Darin Michaels and Mike Andjus. They are drunk
and their partners are just laughing at them. Darin tells me that he and I go way back and that he likes the tattoos and piercings he's into it.
I slightly tapp the side of my nose with my nosering and point to him and smile. I get into the car and drive, with a contented heart and full
of God's smile.

more when I think about it later

Sunday.
Another day of strange and beautiful things. I go to St Matthew's church and wait for the Seiberts. We act like we are in 2nd grade, poking and
passing notes to each other during the entire service. I see a few people I know. I see Ruth and Jack Niemi. I make it through most of the service without
completely pitting out and dripping, but it's difficult. We take communion and I can't help but let my presence be known to Ruth. She looks
like she is going to cry. Tells me how wonderful I look and big hugs. Promise to talk after service. She goes back to see Jack and he can't
contain himself and bullies on over to hug me and is smiling. After the service we talk pleasentries and talk some shop and spirituality. Ruth
tells me she wants to be in touch with me, and know what I'm up to. She says that I should have been a part of her family. Mind you someone
else hears this and looks confused as well. I say something like, that it wasn't meant to be. She says that her boys probably would have
corrupted me, and I say they did. :)
she and jack disappear...I wonder if I really will hear from them ever again? I want to believe her, but I don't think I can.
she means well. I'm sure she means well. In any case it was great to see her and jack.
Celeste, Amy, and Ceila and I go for sushi, there goes my diet for sure.( at this point I had breakfast, a bar, sushi, nuts, jerky, wasabi peas, diet
coke, and some pretzels. those packets are so stinking small do they really count?)

At sushi we laugh about old times and talk about my parents move to Tennessee. I'm excited about the  move. I then realize that if they live
there, I won't be back in Walnut Creek for a few years. Maybe it's time for them to come see me. Gee, it's not like I"ve never been home.
I go back to their house and we talk for another hour. Amy's dog Ruby is cute even with her abcess on her face. She sleeps with her tongue
out. We hug and say goodbye for now.
I enjoy the drive out to Oakland, I am almost in a huge collision and I sweat and thank God profusely for keeping the semi truck off of the
rental car and my body. I shake for a while, and am a little sensitive.
I get the car back and make it to the airport, and I'm now on my way home. Home. A lot of people asked me if I liked living where I live.
I honestly sometimes don't analyze that too much. sometimes I'm up for an adventure, and sometimes I can't wait to get home. I love the
travel thing and I think I need a job that I can travel more. I am going to do all I can to travel with Paul MItchell. I'm volunteer and doing my
best to be remarkable.

I wonder if anyone missed me. I feel free of the cell phone, maybe I just won't do it. I don't like it anyways. Does it really matter?
I think our contract is up anyways.

I'm thinking about the class and I wonder if the heads came? hummm. Everything will be alright. I hope that Kelly isn't stressed about it.
More than likely she is.

My 20 year reunion...

Friday night Pyramid Alehouse on Locust Street, Walnut Creek;

I told myself to enjoy every minute. From the moment that I was on the plane, to getting my rental car, and driving on 880 to 24. Familiar roads and familiar places around me. I enjoyed the traffic, because I called a few people and let them know I was good. I had to remind myself that I wasn't in a hurry. I was not in any hurry. It had been 10 years and what was another hour or so. I was only a little concerned, because I wanted to see Will Sander, because we had emailed a couple times, and he was always a pleasant fellow to see in the halls of YV.
I am so glad I stayed at the Embassy Suites. I remember seeing the hotel go up while I lived here and I always wanted to stay here. NOW I DID! Cool..
I freshened up and got myself together to go. I was a little nervous. What if no one wanted to talk to me? I wasn't nervous that people wouldn't remember me I was more of this strange impression that no one would talk to me. Which I think is worse in your mind, then people not remembering who the heck you are.
Funny, I walked in and asked where the graduation was, and the guy looked at me funny. I scanned the front room and saw no one that I recognized. I slowly, and I mean slowly corrected myself and said, REUNION. Oh...they're in the back. I go to the back of the place and at first see no one, by the way it's dark and people are turned inward, so you can't see their faces. Of course the first person I see is Will. PHEW.
We talk and catch up, and I start to feel ok. Basically I moved around the room to see people and comment on their profile or pictures I saw. I see John Lee, who works in Concord, has a little boy, and does shipping. He bought me a beer (Hvweizen) and we cheered. He tells me he recognized me right away. I told him I thought he was one of the under the radar cool people in school. He was more alternative than I was for sure. I talked to a paramedic named Karen. I don't think I ever talked to her in highschool. I talked to this girl from Missouri, Susan Norris I don't think I'd ever talked to her either. Crazy. She is a bochemical person. I just nodded my head. I had a great conversation with Erik Appl and his wife Jen. I knew Erik, but never talked to Jen. She was the tallest person in the room it seems. We talked hair and they gave me their card.Pictures of them on the front, so smart and they take a really good picture too. I talked to Tait Miller and his wife Corrine! They live in Seattle and so friendly and fun. I hope I can get together with them sometime. I love Seattle. I of course talked to Stacey Richter, Eva Cossert, Natasha Pottish, Gena Colhoun, Jamesia Day, Darren Cartwright and his lovely wife Angela. I talked to them about the parents and stuff. I am not sure
if I should have told them about them moving...oh well it will be over in a couple weeks. The best part of the night was seeing Earl Paynton and Jody Riggs. That was the best surprise and talking to Earl for a while about his brother Jefferey and sister Tiffany. Brought backa lot of good and funny memories of our road trips together. We decided that our mother's were absolutely crazy for taking 5 insane children to so many places. I loved taking their pictures and seeing them sitting there with big old smiles on their faces and being so happy seeing each other. There were some cool surprises to see Tom Padro, Andy Pagano, Mike Ivancovich, and Chris Walsh. I didn't talk to everyone, there
were still people in their circles. I think that we should stop saying clicks, because there are people you hang around and people you don't hang around. Let's move on. I mean in highschool, we don't know much anyways. But I realized that we don't change our personalities too much either.I had a great talk with Lance Drs about Chicago and his kids. I had a great time taking pictures. I saw Adena, Tracey, and Vera(she looks so good with long hair; I remember her short bob in highschool). I talk to Hans Korve who lives in Kent, WA. He looks great.  I loved hearing Tait Miller talk about his job in Seattle and how he works with Jim Forman. I told him I didn't watch him very much, but I would look him up. hahaha. Over all the night was so fun, and I get so nostaligic thinking about the past and how good it was. I am so thankfull. I have such a rich history with people and memories and stories.  I also talk to Tony Lowendoski, and he lives in Auburn and how Kris believed his totally fake bio on the web. He's mortified. I tell him I will do my best
to clear it up. haha

Saturday

I got up and went to the hotel breakfast and then to the gym. I jogged because it was of all things raining outside! What's up with that? I also realized it's raining this morning (Sunday); I called Celeste and woke her up. We planned for her to come and pick me up and go downtown for some shopping and lunch. We had a great time. I don't think I've spent that much time with Celeste in the last 15 years. Since we went on our cruise after college. She is doing ballroom dancing and showed me pictures at lunch. She is getting out there. Very cool. We went toMing Quongs on Main street. I loved it!! So cool. I might have to go back today..We walked around  lot. I got so tired we went back to my hotel. I needed a nap bad. I showed her some pictures and we laughed. I'm going to meet them at church at 11am. We'll have lunch and then I'm planning to go to Berkeley to O Coca Lait. I can't wait!
After my nap I got ready and picked my black velvet dress and boots.(my feet are yelling at me right now; I'm glad I didn't pick the other shoes! that would have been awful!) I put on some lashes and fluffed my hair. Again, I was telling myself, this is fun, and you can take your time. I didn't want to be totally late, so I left and drove to Scotts. I see Oliver Hanf and his wife driving and he was so animated driving and talking. Then he was waving and honking at me. Gotta love that. I park and it's so convienent and easy to find where I'm going.  I get inside and see Kelly and her dad! He hasn't changed. He buys me a drink (one more later!); Kelly admits that's she's nervous to remember people. She looks great and things are easy between us. She tells me about Scott and her family. Her sister has tattoos everywhere. I am trying to remember which sister this is. We take pictures and go to the party. It is beautiful and surreal. I talk to lots of people Lauren Villicara introduces me to her husband, and she looks amazing. I see Valerie Simon and Cheryl O, they sit at our table, but I never talk to them, and then when I realize they are gone,
I had wanted to say hello. The night is filled with hugs and smiles and pictures. Kelly is so funny about the prom pictures that I put up. And they just keep going  all night. I see Masaki Lui, he looks so different, so conservative and not like some famous music producer. I expected him to look different. Vanessa A and Jolie I sit at our table. I don't think I ever talked to them in high school, except for a hello. Jody Riggs shows up and he looks great. I try and take pictures and I realize I talk far too much and take too few pictures. Hans says here's my card and to email him and he will send his pictures. I meet his wife and he takes a really good picture too.

I did go out and dance and immediatly trip on the stairs and take a beautiful spill. Kristen Kress and Steve Garnett see me. I'm not drunk. But that really hurt. I have a great time dancing and smile at lots of people and sing to the music. Vanessa dirty dances with me, and I'm actually sort of uncomfortable.  I meet Eric Hurt and his wife and he shows me his tattoos of Jeanne in the Bottle and Betty Page, they were amazing and I finally go to the bathroom. I see Jeff and his fiancee and talk for a bit (Jeff and I went out once; I saw him at the 10 year and he was very
thin, now he was a bit heavy)  He seems happy. I see Bernadette and we hug and say nice things to each other. I talk to Chris Tarentino and he tells me about his family and how he started having children. He is very animated and interesting. I watch the slide show and smile. I talk to Robyn Fewster and it's short but sweet. Sam Beler is leaving and it was so good to see him. He has given me a jazz CD that he's produced I talk to various people. Susan Johnston and Ana Barrato, Cecilia Larado, and Jeanine. I never knew them very well in highschool, but they
always seem nice.I have a short talk with Adena and her husband Sid. If I lived in the Bay Area these are two people I would want to hang out with. They are a completely genuine couple. We are also talking with Gary Shurtloff. He owns a DVD store on Oak Park. I realize that this is close to the salon where I first started doing hair. I can't remember the name of that place right now.( I stopped by today and it's a karate place).  I will remember later. Gary poses for a picture and flips off the camera for me. He tells me he grew his hair long and never looked back.  I remember
I had asked him earlier about the leadership and "inner works" that he was raving about on his website and he basically says, "Oh you will have to find out for yourself, if I told you, it wouldn't be the same for you as it is for me. I am confused, and there is no further talk of this amazing transformation that seems to have taken place in his life. And I was not given any other information.
On ward, I find Joe Madden and he looks different. I also find that he is married to Kristy La Sage. I went to Oak Grove with her and I tell her to say hello to Wendy Johnson. Wendy always had great hair. Joe and Kristy met at a bar and they had known each other for a long time. sweet. The best surprise of the night was Greg Orr coming up to me and standing there saying hello Allison, and for a minute I think he's Denis Leary from Rescue Me, and then I repent. HELLO GREG..they got him to come out. There is lots of memory sharing. IT is so cool to see the guys I went
to elementary school with reminicing and getting loud and laughing over whatever their antics were. Smiles are everywhere. I decide I'm done. My feet are yelling at me, and I don't want to get too off schedule. I say my goodbyes. I run into Darin Michaels and Mike Andjus. They are drunk and their partners are just laughing at them. Darin tells me that he and I go way back and that he likes the tattoos and piercings he's into it. I slightly tapp the side of my nose with my nosering and point to him and smile. I get into the car and drive, with a contented heart and full
of God's smile.

more when I think about it later

Sunday.
Another day of strange and beautiful things. I go to St Matthew's church and wait for the Seiberts. We act like we are in 2nd grade, poking and passing notes to each other during the entire service. I see a few people I know. I see Ruth and Jack Niemi. I make it through most of the service without completely pitting out and dripping, but it's difficult. We take communion and I can't help but let my presence be known to Ruth. She looks like she is going to cry. Tells me how wonderful I look and big hugs. Promise to talk after service. She goes back to see Jack and he can't
contain himself and bullies on over to hug me and is smiling. After the service we talk pleasentries and talk some shop and spirituality. Ruth tells me she wants to be in touch with me, and know what I'm up to. She says that I should have been a part of her family. Mind you someone else hears this and looks confused as well. I say something like, that it wasn't meant to be. She says that her boys probably would have corrupted me, and I say they did. :)
she and jack disappear...I wonder if I really will hear from them ever again? I want to believe her, but I don't think I can.
she means well. I'm sure she means well. In any case it was great to see her and jack.Celeste, Amy, and Ceila and I go for sushi, there goes my diet for sure.( at this point I had breakfast, a bar, sushi, nuts, jerky, wasabi peas, diet
coke, and some pretzels. those packets are so stinking small do they really count?)

At sushi we laugh about old times and talk about my parents move to Tennessee. I'm excited about the  move. I then realize that if they live there, I won't be back in Walnut Creek for a few years. Maybe it's time for them to come see me. Gee, it's not like I"ve never been home.I go back to their house and we talk for another hour. Amy's dog Ruby is cute even with her abcess on her face. She sleeps with her tongueout. We hug and say goodbye for now.
I enjoy the drive out to Oakland, I am almost in a huge collision and I sweat and thank God profusely for keeping the semi truck off of the rental car and my body. I shake for a while, and am a little sensitive. I get the car back and make it to the airport, and I'm now on my way home. Home. A lot of people asked me if I liked living where I live.
I honestly sometimes don't analyze that too much. sometimes I'm up for an adventure, and sometimes I can't wait to get home. I love the travel thing and I think I need a job that I can travel more. I am going to do all I can to travel with Paul MItchell. I'm volunteer and doing my best to be remarkable.

I wonder if anyone missed me. I feel free of the cell phone, maybe I just won't do it. I don't like it anyways. Does it really matter? I think our contract is up anyways.

I'm thinking about the class and I wonder if the heads came? hummm. Everything will be alright. I hope that Kelly isn't stressed about it. More than likely she is.