14 July 2008

TMI Tuesday - School Days

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TMI Tuesday

1. What were you known as in HS (Jock, Princess, Geek)

I was known as a band geek

2. What were you really?

A really, really, geeky (i.e. straight A student) band geek.

3. If you could go back and tell your 16 year old self one thing, what would it be?

Disregard all of those messages you've been getting from your parents. You are a special person with many talents and you must believe in yourself when no one else has anything good to say, in fact, especially when no one else has anything good to say. You are smart, you are talented, and there is some mission in this life that needs you to complete it. It might take many, many years in discovering, but it will come. You may not think you are beautiful on the outside, but with time you will become a beautiful woman both inside and out.

I still need to hear this, 28 years later. My hope is that one day it will actually sink in and I will believe it.

4. If you could erase one moment from your school days what would it be?

There are so many. School was both an escape from an alcoholic, abusive home, and its own torture. I was excluded from most everything except music, where I was always able to prove myself. I never wanted "out" of school, I wanted "in" - to be a part of something greater than myself - to be recognized for what was right with me rather than what was wrong. Looking back, I did get some of that validation, however it never carried itself home with me.

5. Who did you not date (or more) that you wish you did?

I didn't date anyone in school. At 6' tall and a size 18/20, I wasn't someone most high school boys wanted to be associated with. In fact, I still haven't dated (casually) much. Dating relationships have always moved quickly from casual to committed, often with less than desirable results.

Bonus (as in optional): If you went to prom, describe your outfit.

How about I just post this senior prom picture instead. It was 1982 and Bill F (a baritone sax player) and I went together as friends. We never dated and there wasn't even a goodnight hug, but I went!


You'll notice that it looks like the slip is too short. It was actually a built in slip, but the dress was too short. I added that bottom ruffle to add about 3" to the bottom of the dress.

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36 comments:

Anonymous said...

dontcha' just love the throw back pictures?! I totally dig'd getting into this tonight and reminiscing with my girls.

~ happy happy joy joy

Marlyn said...

I love your pic -- a nice flashback to my youth! How cool that you fixed the dress up like that!

Now you've got me thinking about high school...

captain corky said...

Did you have anything to drink prom night? I didn't go to my senior prom. I did go to the jr prom and at some point I'll probably post the story again. I'm pretty amused by it.

Lu' said...

I was a stoner, really? a drop out stoner. What would I have told myself, stay in school, get into it, you will have wished you did. Screw these kids, don't let them intimidate you. I think it is a nice picture. Maybe it's because I'm a chunk too. Wasn't in high school though. Damn, he could have been shorter than you and that would have been sucky. No fooling, I think you looked like a nice couple, even if you weren't a couple. I didn't go to any proms. Too busy hangin out with older guys gettin high and being "cool" it's not all it is cracked up to be.

Dana said...

DME, the throw back pictures make me feel really, really old!

Marlyn, I can pick up tall sizes at my local JC Penney now, but back then? They just didn't cater to the special sizes.

Corky, drinking? On prom night? Nah, I was so surprised I was actually going that I wanted to remember every moment of prom - that and the guy I went with was even more geeky than I was!

Dana said...

Lu, I waited until my first year of college to go the stoner route. Bill was one of the tallest guys in high school. I had to wear flats, but at least I didn't tower over him!

Karen said...

I love that prom picture.

I was a huge geek in high school too. I still am in a lot of ways.

Anonymous said...

I love your prom picture! I think you were very pretty there. The 80's were great. LOL

I hope you do believe what you would tell your 16 year old self. It does seem to be fact.

Schmoop said...

I had a pretty good time in High School. It's been 25 years since I graduated. Oh dear God!! 25 YEARS!! Have a great day Dana!!

Dana said...

Karen, I don't know that you can ever take the geek away - 26 years later, I'm still a geek!

FF, the 80's SUCKED - what I can remember of them anyway!

Matt-Man, I was just lost in High School. Never quite felt like I fit in! Kind of like life now.

Acrimony said...

Good prom picture. I love the 80's hair. *giggle* I never went to prom, oh well.

justsomeguy said...

"My hope is that one day it will actually sink in and I will believe it."
Well believe it, sister! All you have to do is read the post below this one to see just how much you've grown as well as see the mission of your life.

Dana said...

Tali, wait until Friday! I bought myself a scanner and decided I'd do my own birthday tribute. I've got some with even BIGGER hair! I've been reading many of these TMI Tuesdays and am amazed at the number of people who went to several proms. I was lucky to go to just one!

Good Dr., there has been much growth and that 12-year old does keep me focused (most days). I just feel like there is so much more for me to do, just don't know what yet.

Real Live Lesbian said...

You already are completing your mission. Raising Cam. Helping people through your blog. I'm sure there are tons of other things that you do to contribute to our world.

So, from the Universe...thanks Dana! You really are a great YOU!

buffalodick said...

I was a jock who ended up marrying a band nerd. The clarinet. Braces. I dated cheerleaders, for God's sake! And this is what yanked my crank... Go figure!

Ken said...

My Trade High School didn't even have a prom but a friend invited me to her prom so I got to do it, but not her. Ha!

Ms. Inconspicuous said...

Well, your now-self seems pretty wise, so hopefully that advice needs repeating less often nowadays.

Band geek? I was right there with ya.

Happy TMI!

Unknown said...

I love reading these things.

I was a band geek as well, and your #2??? Oh how I wish, and there are SO many things in highschool, or basically my teenage life, that I wish I could change, but then I wouldn't be ME, right?

Dana said...

RLL, I think that might be the most important mission, but just one of many to come!

Buff, I had a SERIOUS crush on a football jock from the time I was 12 all the way through high school. I really should look him up and see what he ended up doing.

Micky, but did you at least get a good night kiss?

Dana said...

Ms. I, I hide those self-esteem issues pretty well on-line. The relative anonymity has its perks!

Bina, the grades were my way of trying to get validation at home - that and it kept me from getting my butt kicked!

Biscuit said...

I can so identify with the wanting to be "in." I always felt like there was some secret that everyone else knew, and I was the only one who couldn't figure it out. I STILL feel that way.

Talking about high school drags up some shit, doesn't it?

The Mountain Cat said...

Dana, Cute photo. Was Sister Christian your prom song??

Knight said...

You look beautiful!
I was a theatre freak in high school. Not much has changed. I spent my prom trying to keep my date from groping me. Good times. Good times.

Jay said...

I was pretty much the invisible guy in high school. That worked out okay I guess. I avoided getting my ass kicked by all the jocks AND the thugs. ;-)

I didn't go to my prom at all. In fact the only high school function (other than football and basketball games) I went to was a Halloween party the Science Club put on. I was in the Science Club so I had to go.

Dana said...

Biscuit, I'm still convinced there was some secret handshake or something that someone forgot to teach me, and yes, talking about HS drags up the begining of every insecurity I have.

TMC, nah ... think more along the lines of Air Supply *wink*

Knight, you are such a sweetie! For the record, there isn't much difference between a band geek and a theatre freak!

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

you know, I get a different Dana from reading...I see you as a tough woman...you have traveled some bumpy roads, but you seem to have made the best of them...

cam is a very lucky young man and even if he does not know it today, he will at some point.

Vixen said...

You look so different now! Loving the pictures that everyone is posting. Very cool. :)

Melissa said...

Hello,
I have been a stalker, oops, I mean a reader for a while. I just started my own blog, but I have to tell you I dont blog very often. I enjoy reading other blogs more! I appreciate your honesty in everything. Sometimes, I'm a little jealous because I wish I could express myself that way, or have the guts to tell people about my "past". *shameful*
Anyway, a while back you had a post about how you lost 70lbs and you included a website. I was wondering if you could share it with me?
And if you'd like, check out my blog. There's not much to read though!

Thanks
Melissa

none said...

I can totally relate to what you're saying.. I didn't go to my prom, I chose to work that night so others could go. I don't regret it. Highschool was crap.

Ashly Star said...

Great answers! I love your answer to #3. ((hugs)) You're awesome. Happy Tuesday! =)

tt said...

High school....yea it was an interesting time for everyone wasn't it?..
good lord.I graduated in 19ahem72!! I've gotta see if Lovee can scan my prom pic too. I don't think I look anything like it now...Of course..that was...um...holy cow!!!36 years ago. I was the weird girl who was friends with everyone..seriously..I dated band geeks,stoners,soches,nerds...I liked everyone. retarded huh!

Nicey said...

The duckling that turned into a swan he he ;)

Anonymous said...

I try so hard to tell my kids at least once a day how proud I am and how awesome they are and when they're being jerks - I never call them jerks, I say something like "This isn't like you, whats wrong? Why are you *acting* this way?" with extra emphasis on "acting" because its not who they are - its just the way they're behaving, I hope someday they remember that I never put them down as people... Happy Wednesday!

Dana said...

Jay, invisible was probably a good description of me as well. Although many people would remember seeing me, I don't know that they knew my name.

Bond, I find your comment interesting. I think because I am so much more confident in my writing than I am in my "real" life. Maybe it shows ...

Vixen, I hope that is a compliment *wink*

Dana said...

Melissa, I'm so excited!! My very own stalker!!

The website whose tools and support I found most useful in my weight loss was SparkPeople

Hammer, Highschool was crap pretty much sums it up!

Amorous, I think it's you guys who are awesome!

Dana said...

tt, and here I thought my 1982 prom picture would be a relic *gigglesnort*

Nicey, you are sweet! Thank you!

jGrrl, I try to handle issues with my son far differently than my parents handled them with me. Being raised by the baby-boomer generation had some challenges.