Chalk up another high school reunion being helped by a social network Web site.
A few weeks ago I wrote about Facebook.com as being the new way to reunite with classmates, even if your class didn’t hold a reunion.
Up until this week, it did not appear my class would hold a 30th class reunion. But one classmate stepped up after another set the ball in motion.
In the course of two weeks, not only were plans talked about via Facebook, but they were able to throw together a plan that will allow a reunion to take place in early August.
It just goes to show what team work can do.
Having attended the 10th and 20th class reunions, teamwork was vital. They were successful ventures headed by classmates who still lived in the hometown.
This one will be a special one. Most of the people involved in the planning this time will be attending their first reunion. It’s not because they didn’t like high school. It has a lot to do with living so far away and establishing themselves.
From the comments being posted on my Facebook wall, they are anxious to get back and reconnect, in person.
So the Facebook experience will become an in-person experience.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Ron Oloffson, the longtime boys’ basketball varsity coach at Herscher High School, was stepping down.
After 24 years leading the Tigers, Oloffson was giving up something he loves — coaching — to take on a new challenge. Pending board approval, he will become the school’s principal.
Oloffson will be replacing Brian Riegler, who resigned to take a principal job at Crete-Monee High School.
During the 2007-08 school year, Oloffson was the interim principal when Riegler was stationed in Iraq with the U.S. Naval Reserves.
Although I have been removed from The Daily Journal sports department for seven years, it was an honor to cover Oloffson’s teams and pleasure to get to know him.
It was fun to interview Oloffson regardless if his team won or lost.
He would eventually ask during the interview, “What did you think?”
I would answer most times what he had told me. I love to write, but I leave the coaching up to the coaches.
Recently I talked to Oloffson in regards to concerns he has with people commenting on the Web. He doesn’t mind the opinions. He thinks, however, the people should put their name to the opinion rather than be anonymous. It is a point well taken.
The conversation dealt with a couple of stories dealing with high school sports and how a player was taken to task.
And as he always did when completing an interview, he thanked me for taking the time to listen.
No, Coach, thank you for the time you have given and will give to the students in a bigger coaching role.
Three-day holidays are great. They are even better when you are just coming off vacation.
An extra day of rest and relaxation is beneficial when you have to wade through a pile of things greeting you back at work.
But there is a drawback — I am not sure what day of the week it is.
I’m not the only one with this problem.
In a meeting today a co-worker asked what stories we had for Wednesday’s edition of The Daily Journal. It was quickly pointed out that we were working on Thursday’s edition.
Several people on the street I live on, forgot that garbage pickup is pushed back a day because of the holiday.
They are a step ahead of the rest of us. They do not have to carry the trash out for Thursday.
North Korea is flexing its nuclear muscle.
Jon and Kate Gosselin, parents of twins and sextuplets, not only are back for another season of their cable network show (Jon and Kate, Plus Eight) on TLC, but they are reportedly having marital problems.
The Cubs and White Sox are floundering and it is only May.
These are some of the news stories greeting me on the first day back from vacation.
They will have to take a backseat to the purchase of a car. After 16 years, old reliable is showing its age.
You say this is a simple. Not quite.
In 15 years of marriage, the wife and I have bought two cars. After coming to terms on a make and model, the deal is then sealed by the wife. I have no qualms. She looks at deals in realistic terms.
As for me, I am the person that a salesman loves. Give me gadgets. Give me more power. Give me, give me.
It is the negotiation of the make and model where I get frazzled. This time, I have come to terms on the make and model (a small car). But then the wife says that a medium size car is better in price.
Why do I want bigger, when smaller is the style for me.
So for the next few days it will be like negotiating a new contract. Give and take. Smoke-filled room. And then …
I’ll let you know.
If you knew this was the last day of your life, what would you do?
As for me …
I would touch the lives of as many people as I could. Making a difference so they realize good, bad or in between, life is good.
This is not so when I meet my keeper things will go better. I just want to share what I was given.
I also would spend time with family and friends. They are the ones who have helped me in my journey on this earth.
I’m just curious. I had a little time on my hands at the end of my vacation and this question popped into my head.
This week the wife and I have been on vacation.
Due to the fact I started my blog last week, I knew I had to keep posting, which has turned out to be fun. So I was still doing some work.
And being a fan of David Letterman, I offer up this Top 10 list of things I did on my vacation:
10. Cleaned the cat’s litter box three times a day, instead of once.
9. Tried to put the honey-do list out with the garbage. It didn’t work. The thing has legs.
8. An annual event, the washing of the house’s siding is really a chance for me to batrh.
7. Practiced my paint by numbers. I didn’t know a living room could look so bold as a painting of a calico cat.
6. Roamed the house at 2 a.m. with the cat. I have wondered what the heck is so interesting at that time of night, other than most people are sleeping.
5. I spent more time surfing the Internet, but did it while wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts instead of a shirt and tie and slacks. Also, sandals and no socks replaced dress shoes.
4. I was online for 12 hours chatting with other fans of the FOX hit “24″, which wrapped up the season this week with a two-hour show. It was my cat’s idea. Honest.
3. I was still able to hold daily planning meetings like we do at work. While the wife thought I was nuts, the cat enjoyed the treats and refreshments. He also liked using the dry markers.
2. I was able to spend more time watching the The Weather Channel. Rather than my normal 5 hours, I tuned in for 18.
1. Called work every day to say I was sick and wouldn’t be coming in. They always hung up on me.
Memorial Day weekend is upon us.
Besides picnics, parties and big auto races going on this weekend, it is a time to remember those who have served their country in times of war and peace.
Many men and women have served and are serving their country. My parents both served in the United States Air Force.
My father is a member of the American Legion Post 11 firing squad in Lafayette, Ind. He has been a member for many years.
On Friday, Dad and several other Legion members will be placing flags on the graves of veterans at four cemeteries in Lafayette. He has been doing this for a few years. It is three hours Dad is very happy to spend paying homage to fellow veterans.
Dad and the other members of the firing squad will travel to several cemeteries in Lafayette on Monday when we observe Memorial Day.
In October 2007, one of my uncles died. He was an Army veteran. There was a firing squad at the burial. The members came to the wake the night before to pay their respects. It was very touching.
After the service, Dad made a point to thank the members of that firing squad. As Mom says, he knows what this means to the family of loved ones who served their country.
After the squad had finished, a member gave my aunt the folded U.S. flag that had been placed on my uncle’s coffin. Also included were three shell casings fired. He said they represent honor, bravery and respect for the men and women who serve their country.
I know this weekend I will take time to pay my respects to those who have let freedom continue to ring for us.
Word has leaked that comic book star Archie Andrews will finally choose between Veronica Lodge and Betty Cooper.
News reports say this has been in the making for 68 years. Archie Comics.com has a teaser ad on its home page.
But when issue No. 600 (”Archie: The Proposal”) hits sales racks on Sept. 1, Archie has not only graduated from Riverdale High School, but it is five years later and he has earned his college degree.
This age-old question is topped only by the debate over which Gilligan’s Island character, Ginger Grant or Mary Ann Summers, do guys like. Heck. I am still stumped by how some of the characters had change of clothes. It was only a three-hour tour.
Anyway, the Archie proposal got me to thinking about other cartoon couples that we love.
I’ve got to think Fred and Wilma Flintstone would be at the top or near it. Barney and Betty Rubble get honorable mention.
Charlie Brown and the little red-haired girl. Thopeless romantic in me likes this couple.
Marge and Homer Simpson. Wacky but cool parents.
Superman and Lois Lane. Even super heroes need a helping hand.
Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale. The evil couple who made life tough on Bullwinkle and Rocky. Boris and Natasha really did have good hearts. Did you know that actor William Conrad was the narrator?
Blondie and Dagwood Bumstead. There love has endured for decades.
Who are your favorite cartoon couples?
My oldest daughter, Meghann, stopped by the house today.
Her timing was great. We were beginning to paint the living room. Of course, she could only stay a few minutes.
Right. Something about having to go and take her dog for a walk.
Enough with the kidding.
Meghann stopped to talk about a new job and how she did on her finals. Job good, finals grade not so good. Just like her dad, a work in progress.
I have found in Meghann’s 21 years on this planet that I live more for her and her younger sister’s moments. I am having the time of my life in my career and life, but it is Meghann and Courtney who define me now.
I am Meghann’s Dad, or Courtney’s father who works at the paper.
Fine by me.
They are young adults now. The parent-child relationship is moving to an area where we talk like friends. But the parent still comes out in me. Be careful what you do, don’t burn the bridges and wear clean underwear with your name and phone number written on them.
All right, the last thing is what moms say to sons. I couldn’t let a good zinger pass.
On Friday, Courtney graduates from high school. College is next with her aiming for the stars. The fire burns inside her, just like it does her sister.
New adventures await them.
I just want them to realize, if I may steal a few words from a Phil Collins’ song, “You’ll be in my heart no matter where you are. Believe me, you will be in heart. …. from this day now and forevermore. I will be in your heart always.”
God has blessed me in many ways, and Meghann and Courtney make me a very rich man.
Seize the day ladies.
My vacation started in full swing today.
I made a trip to a store to get some mulch. I find what I need and load the bags onto a cart.
On the way to checkout, a worker at the store talked about the great weather. I told him I was starting my vacation and how great it was today. He tells me it will only get better as the week goes on. We tell each other to have a good day.
After loading the bags into my car, I wheel the cart back into the store’s garden center instead of leaving it at the cart rack. I just feel it is a good thing to do.
The same employee tells me what I just did puts me in the top 1 percent of customers liked by him and his co-workers. He thanks me for being considerate to other customers. And he tells me to have a good week.
Hey, he stole my line that I use when checking out at stores. It’s a way of telling the cashier thanks for your time today.
It is paying it forward and I have my parents to thank.
In a cynical, tough world, one minor act of courtesy can change the course of someone’s day.
That is a very good thing.
