High School Reunion

 I graduated 57 years ago and I went to the 25th, 40th, and 50th reunions. Each of them had a different feel and I was glad I did. On the 25th I was struck by the posturing and one-upmanship that seemed to me too prevalent. I had the impression that people were trying to impress each other with how successful they had become. The other thing I noticed was that high school behaviours and cliques were reformed very quickly. I was not impressed, most of the people at the reunion were people who had stayed close to our hometown. I had moved away and had not been back or been in touch with anyone from high school since I left. I was glad I came but was a bit saddened by the event.

I was not going to go the 40th but a friend suggested I give it another chance. So I went. The reunion was a complete turnaround. People seemed more settled in and ok with what they had accomplished in life. There was more talk of family, and friends who were no longer with us. I think most people had become successful and held no need to boast or try to put others down. I saw some friends from school that I had forgotten but I was glad to see them and to catch up. Again, most lived near the town, but many had returned because they had parents and family to take care of in town. It was a lot more fun and I met some people, with whom I continue to correspond from time to time. The group actually started a Facebook page and I read it at least two or three times a week to keep up to date. I was very glad I went.

We had our 50th, 7 years ago and we are looking forward to the 60th. The 50th was more fun and surprisingly there were more people that had not been to the other reunions. I had forgotten many of these people, but when I saw them, it was a pleasure and fun to get caught up. I had a great time and I hope that when we have the 60th there may be other surprises that await me.

Reunions have their own unique culture and each of the ones I have gone to has given me ideas to think about, surprises and brought back many positive memories. I hope that you have someone who is committed to organizing and running your high school reunion. I would like to thank the men and women of my graduating class who  over the years have done a great job of keeping memories alive.

Spontaneous

 I have a friend who has vascular dementia but he is handling it well and by doing mental and physical exercises he has slowed down its advance. He is open and friendly and sometimes can get caught up in the moment and lose himself.

We were at a football game the other day and our team won so everyone was in a great mood. Three of my friends including my friend who has vascular dementia had arrived together. We had all parked in the same parking garage. 

As we wandered back to the car, my friend and I were chatting and we were falling behind the other two who were in a hurry to leave before the crowd. All of a sudden  I am talking to myself, and my friend is off talking to someone in the next block The conversation lasted about 5 minutes. I stopped and waited for him. As he came back, I asked him, if the person he was talking to was someone he knew. He said no, he just wanted to tell the man that he liked the football sweater he was wearing. My friend then wandered back in history to when he had actually met the player named on the sweater worn by the stranger. 

My friend looked around and looked a bit confused, so I said the car is this way and our friends are waiting up the street. My friend smiled and we moved to catch up to the other two, who had realized we were not right behind them so they had stopped and waited. As we moved into the parking lot, my friend saw something someone was doing in their car and he stopped and went over and chatted with them for a few minutes. All of us waited and then when he was ready we took him to the car.

My friend is spontaneous and always has been so, but these days we need to keep an eye on him because once he has finished talking to a stranger, he can forget where he is and where he needs to go next. He gets to meet a lot of great people and always has a good time. Sometimes i wish I had the courage to be just as spontaneous as he is, It is a good trait.

Best ciities to live in the world

 The EIU (The Economist Intelligence Unit is the research and analysis division of the Economist Group, providing forecasting and advisory services through research and analysis, such as monthly country reports, five-year country economic forecasts, country risk service reports, and industry reports.) said cities were ranked on more than 30 qualitative and quantitative factors across five broad categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. These are the top 10 most liveable cities according to the EIU:

1)  Vienna, Austria

2)  Copenhagen, Denmark

3)  Zurich, Switzerland

3)  Calgary, Canada

5)  Vancouver, Canada

6)  Geneva, Switzerland

7)  Frankfurt, Germany

8)  Toronto, Canada

9)  Amsterdam, Netherlands

10)  Osaka, Japan

10)  Melbourne, Australia

Born again

Thanks to Richard for this

 Far away in the tropical waters of the Caribbean, two prawns were swimming around in the sea – one called Justin and the other called Christian.

The prawns were constantly being harassed and threatened by sharks that inhabited the area. Finally one day Justin said to Christian,

“I’m fed up with being a prawn, I wish I was a shark, then I wouldn’t have any worries about being eaten.”

A large mysterious cod appeared and said, “Your wish is granted” and lo and behold, Justin turned into a shark.

Horrified, Christian immediately swam away, afraid of being eaten by his old mate.

Time passed (as it invariably does) and Justin found life as a shark boring and lonely. All his old mates simply swam away whenever he came close to them.

Justin didn’t realize that his new menacing appearance was the cause of his sad plight.

While swimming alone one day he saw the mysterious cod again and he thought perhaps the mysterious fish could change him back into a prawn.

He approached the cod and begged to be changed back, and, lo and behold, he found himself turned back into a prawn.

With tears of joy in his tiny little eyes, Justin swam back to his friends and bought them all a cocktail.

Looking around the gathering at the reef he realized he couldn’t see his old pal.

“Where’s Christian?” he asked. “He’s at home, still distraught that his best friend changed sides to the enemy & became a shark”, came the reply.

Eager to put things right again and end the mutual pain and torture, he set off to Christian’s abode. As he opened the coral gate memories came flooding back. He banged on the door and shouted, “It’s me, Justin, your old friend, come out and see me again.”

Christian replied, “No way man, you’ll eat me. You’re now a shark, the enemy, and I’ll not be tricked into being your dinner.”

Justin cried back “No, I’m not. That was the old me. I’ve changed…………….

“I’ve found Cod. I’m a prawn again Christian”