Hosted Live Chats, A History:
#1: Sunday 7/18 at 1pm
Karen (Long) and Christina Huvelle discussed, among other things, the state of the state and the fact that it is too expensive to live in California anymore (even though many people do, and it's still the best place in the nation. But I editorialize...) We did not discuss the reunion. Hmmm.
#2: Friday 7/23 at 3pm
Tom Bollinger, Valerie (Leyden) and Christina Huvelle discussed .......well I don't remember what we discussed because aside from the time they both ditched me to check out their pictures on the new class of '85 photo albums, I spent most of the time LMAO! Valerie and I think that Tom should be on-stage. Oh, I do remember that Tom and I discussed doing crossing-guard duty together in 4th grade. It was great to reminisce, but I couldn't convince him to register, so his name stays on our "missing list."
#3: Tuesday 8/10 at 6pm
Tom Bollinger, Valerie (Leyden) and Christina Huvelle came back for more fun and laughs. Unfortunately, however, life and technology got in our way. I battled with my rebellious computer and frustrated, finally joined the conversation late, only to have to leave the conversation moments later, anyway. Tom managed to cheer me though, and they both sent me off with love and support and smiles. After I left, Valerie says her computer rebelled and booted her off. So all in all, I think the computers won tonite, but we'll be back next week for a rematch, unless any of you want to do it sooner - just let me know! And another positive: Tom is no longer "missing" - he officially registered tonite! Hurrah! (Don't worry, Tom, your secret is safe with me!)
#4: Tuesday 8/17 at 7pm
I (Christina Huvelle) am really enjoying these Live Chats - I never know who will show up! When I came to the chat room at 7pm sharp, Ron Moddesette was waiting to talk, all the way from Kansas! After some time of catching up and reminiscing about (among other things) cutting Weiss's Anatomy/Physiology class, when there was a sub, to get breakfast, Tom Bollinger joined us.
I thought I had a pretty good memory about things, but talking with Ron and Tom, I kept having flashbacks and remembering more and more details about people in my high school classes, and at work during college (I had completely forgotten that Tom and I worked at BEST Products and Co., Inc. at the same time!) - it's amazing how memory is triggered. Then just before Ron had to leave us to go to sleep (KS is a couple hours ahead of us, and it was, after all, a work night) Debbie Wren joined in for the last part of the chat.
The conversation came full circle when we picked up a topic that Ron and I had discussed at the beginning of the chat - how mean high schoolers can be to each other. Some of our classmates won't be joining us for our reunion because they want nothing to do with reliving or resurrecting horrible high school memories. They may have been bullied, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and just say that I think horrible high school experiences stem from personal issues more than what was going on at school for most people. While many people use school as an escape from a bad home life, others just can't, and school becomes just one other part of their hell. Or maybe the home life is great and school is hell all by itself... (If you want to weigh in on this issue, join us at the next Live Chat! I want to know what your opinions are about it!) We were speaking of specific individuals (If you're not in the room we may just talk about you!) and it's my opinion that I missed out knowing some of the most interesting individuals in our class because they were marginalized by mean-spirited classmates. True, I didn't go out of my way to get to know them, but as I have had the opportunity to speak with people through the MDHS Alumni Association, I know now that I really missed out by not knowing them. Indeed it's definitely our loss that certain people won't be with us at our reunion. I suggested we start a campaign to bring certain people back, and Tom and Debbie are with me - what about you?
To be continued......
#5: Thursday 8/26 at 7pm
Well, I got on a couple of minutes late tonite, and no one was here to join me in conversation, so I opened up a couple of other windows and looked at my email as I waited. My wait was not in vain, as my old friend Kerry (Ingraham) Daniel came on a little later! She had rushed her kids home from the park to make it to the Live Chat! I don't even remember the last time we talked, so it was really fun to catch up with her! Valerie joined us a few minutes later.
Valerie and I double-teamed Kerry, encouraging her (nicely, of course) to go to our second planning meeting at Stephanie's on Tuesday night at 7pm. She says her life is hectic. Sounds familiar. Mine, too! All of you whose lives are hectic have just got to come on Tuesday night! Generally, I have noticed that the busier the person, the more that gets accomplished! We're all busy - we can commiserate over our lack of free time as we sip margaritas (or water - booze drinking is not obligatory by any means!) before (and as) we plot our course for putting together the PERFECT 20th reunion!
Although girl talk is always fun, I missed having the boys with us tonight, so I hope you boys will come back for our next Live Chat next week after the meeting!
#6: Thursday 9/2 at 7pm
Another great Live Chat! I was joined last night by Sandy Ancona; Live Chat regular, Tom Bollinger; and Debbie Wren, who kept us updated on the Raider game score as we chatted (Raiders won!)
We are all excited about the reunion - the general concensus was that we will have a great time! We were remembering more people again - you really need to join us if you want to know what we're saying about you! :) Your next opportunity is Thursday, September 9 at 7pm (California time). Can't wait to chat with you then!
#7: Thursday 9/9 at 7pm
Each of us has our own strengths, and our own shortcomings. Valerie (Leyden) Patterson and I have remained close friends all these years since high school, and we have come to recognize how we balance each other. One of my strengths is that I have an internal navigation system - Valerie does not (although she is getting better), and one of Valerie's strengths is that she has an internal calendar (she has saved me not a few times with a well-timed reminder!) I have no concept of time - I don't wear a watch, and as I don't always consult my calendar, I have been known to completely space on appointments or events.
As I was sitting in my classroom grading papers this evening at my desk (which used to belong to Mr. Peterkin, so it has many of our classmates' names graffitied in it!) something was gnawing at me to "Go home!" I just figured it was because a 13 hour work day is long enough. But no - I really was missing something, darn it!
But wait - this commentary isn't supposed to be about me - here's what happened during tonite's Live Chat:
Debbie (Allen) Smith and Valerie caught up with each other.
#8: Thursday 9/16 at 7pm
I was able to join Debbie Allen and Valerie (Leyden) Patterson's conversation this week!
Having much respect for the way she taught us, I had emailed Mrs. Bergamini on behalf of our class, inviting her to join us at our reunion. I asked Debbie and Valerie which other teachers they would like to see at the reunion, and some of the names that came up (tonight and in past Live Chats) were Mrs. Cuesta, Mrs. Noble, Mr. Wiese, Mrs. Moon, Mrs. Clare, BJ Johnston, Mrs. Klinger, Mr. Fowler, Mr. Tipton, Ms. Spritzer, Mr. Puryear, Mrs. Emerson, Mr. Tackitt, Mr. Leckliter, Mrs. Gierke. (What a short list - if you'd like to invite others, please let me know and I will try to find them, too!)
Valerie then was curious to know who we were most looking forward to seeing at the reunion - "Top 5." she said. Debbie replied "Wow..only 5? That's a tuff one." It was really tough to narrow it down that much - there are so many people we want to see again - but in just a couple of minutes we were able to pull a few names out of our dusty memories: Christine Sizelove, Ron Bell, Gary Haynes, Stacy Nolan, Kodi Gonzalez, Steve Mazza, Heidi Knutzen, Sheryl Miller, Suwanna Tucker, Yolanda Hernandez, Marceline Campos, Don Davis, Matt Franck, Chris Scolari, Brooke Walton.... Who do YOU want to see? Please let us know in the guest book (on the home page!)
#9: Thursday 9/23 at 7pm
Valerie (Leyden) Patterson and Debbie Allen enjoyed each other's company this week!
#10: Thursday 9/30 at 7pm
Did anyone chat? Christina was watching the presidential debate and Valerie was ill, so we both were very sorry to miss the chat. If you chatted, please let me know so I can add it to the commentary......
Otherwise, join us for the next chat!
#11: Thursday 10/14 at 7pm
I logged on to chat, and Valerie called to say she couldn't chat, and no one else logged on, so I took the time to take care of my email.
Tom has requested we schedule the chats for Tuesday or Wednesday, which are better nights for him. The next Tuesday I have available is the 9th of November. I hope you'll be able to join us then!
In the meantime, feel free to attend the next MDHS Alumni Association meeting in the MDHS library at 7pm on Tuesday October 26, and DON'T FORGET TO VOTE on the 2nd!
#12: Tuesday 11/9 at 7pm
I think the Live Chat has sputtered and died. It's coming on the busy holiday time, and I have to admit, I nearly forgot about that last live chat, myself. I logged on late, and if anyone else had logged on and left, they never returned for the hour that I was on line. So I have scheduled another Live Chat - for Tuesday next. We will have had another planning meeting, and I am hoping to email another update to the class members we have accurate emails for. Hopefully you can log on at that time, too!
#13: Tuesday 11/16 at 7pm
No one logged on. I think we'll shelve this for the holiday season. Let's do it again in the spring, shall we?! Talk to you then!
#14: Wednesday 8/17 at 6pm
It was girls' night at the Live Chat!
Debbie Hart, Michelle Hall, '84, Christina Huvelle, Wendi Padilla, Dee Pitts, Debbie Wren, Nancy Fajardo, and Michelle Bell (Ron's wife) all checked in and spent some time with each other. Life being busy, and family needs taking precedence, we all had to go shortly after 7pm.
#15: Tuesday 8/23 at 6pm
When I signed on at 6:01, I found Tommy Bollinger already in the chat room! There was lots of traffic on and off the site until people settled in for our chat. Suzzette Esguerra was the next one to join us. She was looking for Nancy Fajardo, but Nancy didn't make it tonite. But Ron Bell did, and so did Dee (Pitts) Dumenigo and Debbie Allen and Kelli (Robinson) Coley. Theresa (Gavan) Webb logged in all the way from Seattle! Then Drew Berlfien and Marilu (Castro) Pho both checked in to see where the pictures are! And we got to say hi to Carmella Carucio when she called Dee on the phone during our chat!
We discussed such weighty and important issues as the Speedo wearing of European men; the thrill of skydiving (I think the boys have convinced me it'll be safe to go with them, and I will not have a Bridget Jones experience when we do so); our anticipation of the locals pool party at Debbie's next summer (if you are an out-of-towner, but you happen to be in town then, you should come, too!); there was a debate as to whether Tommy let Dee win at pool on Saturday night, or whether she just kicked his butt by skill alone; we decided that Todd Friedhaber's cruise idea is a good one after all, so Debbie and Dee will be looking into a short Ensenada cruise for our 25th! They are inexpensive, but start saving your money now so you will be prepared to join us in 5 years!
#16: Tuesday 8/30 at 7pm
Well, I missed another one - working hard in my classroom, I totally spaced the Live Chat! Thanks to Debbie (Hart) Denison for this recap:
"Ron Bell, Dee Pitts, Debbie Allen, Debbie Wren and me...we talked about our jobs, a little about what went on at the reunion Saturday night and then Sunday. Nothing much in particular really. Didnt talk about the next chat... "
