May 26/11
Can't believe it, but I'm going on a date tonight! Yep.
My friend, Dean Rogers, asked me weeks ago if I'd like to attend the "Absolute Comedy Knight Out" - (buffet dinner and live comedy show), presented by the Northern Secondary School Foundation. (our old high school). I told him, if all was well, I'd go with him.
Dean and I first met as teens at Northern and had several classes together, including drama. Once, we did scenes from A Streetcar Named Desire. Dean played Stanley Kowalski and I was Blanche Dubois! What a riot. He has often referred to me as, "my Blanche."
Over the last few years, we've kept in touch , sharing what he calls, "Mommy stories," during my Mum's illness and death, followed (only months later) by HIS Mum's declining health and then, her death, just a few weeks ago. We've both been through some very sad times. The funeral for his Mum is early next month. Dean says we need a laugh, and I have to agree, so tonight's the night!
If Dean gives permission, I'll post a pic of him at the event later tonight. (we haven't changed a bit, right Dean??)
I'm not all that big on reflecting on the high school days. (as Steve Carrell says in Little Miss Sunshine, "High school - those are your prime suffering years. You don't get better suffering than that". Can't disagree. I flunked just about everything, (except English, music and drama). The teachers were at a complete loss as to what the hell to do with me.
Much preferred being 19! That's when life really changed for the better in a big way! I went to Seneca College, met amazing people and studied things I actually LIKED and excelled at. If not for Seneca, I can't imagine what I would have done! Those intense two years led to decades of work in the media, spanning radio, TV and print.
Still, there were a few good things that came out of "the Northern experience," including meeting and working with Bill and Evelyn Tummon, (greatest music teachers ever born), as well as long-standing friendships with Dean and my other old pal, Jeffrey Morgan.
Well, here's to date night! (Sam, are you jealous?)
My father was talented and flawed. You met him after he had left his wife, Claire. Her favourite poem was, "How do I love thee, let me count the ways." I wish you all the best, and so would my mother. Fight hard. You'll never walk alone.
ReplyDeleteElaine, I enjoyed your post. I was at NSS then as well. I had Tummon for music for two years... learned songs I still sing today. I recall Jeff Morgan and his Bob Dylan impression... knockin' on heaven's door. I left without a diploma... and then returned to NSS 17 years later as a teacher! Glad you are surviving C. My sister just had a very similar experience to yours... she is doing well now and has all her hair back.
ReplyDeleteJack Brown (now in Dubai)