Will Hines Dot Net

George Ferencz (farthest left in the photo above) was the first person I saw at my 20th high school reunion, thank God. He was my first friend in Connecticut when my family moved here when I was eight, so it was fitting to me that he was the person I saw at the reunion. To my surprise, the entire reunion was fun. I don’t look back that fondly on high school. Everyone was kind of a jerk. *I* was kind of a jerk. My mother died halfway through. Girls paid attention to jerk guys. Guys paid attention to jerk girls. Lots of meaningless rules. A horrible time!

But even *I* enjoyed the reunion! There’s something satisfying about seeing all these people that used to swarm around. It was fascinating and everyone was nice. Everyone looked older but not horribly so, just normally so. I’m telling you, self-proclaimed outsiders — if you go, you’ll like it.

The DJ played mostly music from 1985-1988 which I still say is the worst period for top 40 music in the history of the human race, except for Purple Rain which was great, and I think that actually was 1983. So no exceptions. The theme song for our prom was “I’ve Had The Time Of My Life” not out of irony or nostalgia but because it was the current #1 song. Anyway, at the reunion the DJ was trying to get the crowd pumped up except everyone was a) old and b) more interested in talking with each other. So he’d say something like “Let me ask you ladies — which of you had big hair back in high school?” No response. “No one?” No response. Then a muddled “Okay” and more music. It was hilarious. Not his fault! Just funny.

One guy who I did not recognize came up to me and said “Will Hines! Man, have I been googling YOU!” which is a hilarious way to start any conversation, especially with someone who does not recognize you.