The year was 1987, the movie was Less Than Zero. The lead characters were Julian [Robert Downey Jr], Clay [Andrew McCarthy], and Blair [Jamie Gertz]. Clay is returning home after his freshman year, back to his old high school friends. Much has changed and nothing has changed.
The Bangles sang the theme song and the lyrics [Paul Simon] stuck with me over the many years.
I remember the references to “see what’s become of me” and listening to the band down by Riverside.
Time,
Time,
Time, see what’s become of me
While I looked around for my possibilities.
I was so hard to please.
Look around,
Leaves are brown,
And the sky is a hazy shade of winter.
Hear the Salvation Army band.
Down by the riverside’s
Bound to be a better ride
Than what you’ve got planned…
A memorable line from the movie sums up the 80’s to me.
Clay: “You don’t look happy”
Blair: “But do I look good?”
Do you remember this movie? Did it make as big of an impression on you as it made on me? We were just turning 19-20, leaving our innocence behind us. I was just entering my sophomore year at ol’ RCC and not really sure what the heck I was doing in my life. It took me a long time to figure things out. I noticed during that time period that some of my old friends really knew what they were doing. Others acted like they did and at the time, I was fooled by them. I was just confused and lost. But I always wanted to look my best -- even when I felt my worst. I’m glad I survived those years and got to the 90’s.
Now……I’m 42. Fourty-fricken-two. Man, does that sound wierd or what? The reunion is only about two months away. I’m going to be with a bunch of other 42 year olds and we’re all going to say the same thing
Classmate 1: “You don’t look the same”
Classmate 2: “Yeah, but I look good!”
I’ve purchased my ticket. Have you???
I know not many of us from that year have. Why? Waiting till the last minute? I joke as children of the 80’s, the Gen-Xers, members of the Me Decade or the Decade of Decadence that we often feel that the beat of our drum still runs the world. But it doesn’t. And the truth of the matter is that without tickets being sold, we face not having a reunion. And that bums me out.
I haven’t been to a reunion in 20 years. Life just flew by -- and I always had the intention of going. I wanted to see others but life just always seemed to get in the way. Or at least that was the excuse I used. But I’m making sure I slow the bus down so I can make a stop off for at least 1 day in May. My birthday is only a few days later [Damon B., you're right behind me] so I think this would be a nice little trip. I’ll be flying from somewhere far. Either Virginia or Michigan depending on where business takes me. But I’m going to make it and I’m going to have fun [dang it]!
Do me a favor? Buy your ticket! The various vendors that will be providing the services, food, and entertainment need deposits paid and unfortunately, the Reunion-Fairy-with-Scads-of-Cash seems to have missed stopping by the PayPal account. And if you know of a classmate who hasn’t gotten the word, let them know. We’re reaching out to you! Facebook, Classmates.com, regular email, and this blog is a place to ask about what’s going on. I’ve invited more people to join the groups -- ask them to join too. We’re not 18 anymore but we can still party like its 1999….just as long as I’m in bed by 10:30 p.m…..I get sleepy, ya’ know?
Enjoy the video -- Hoffs was hot back in the day! And so were you! And you still are you sexy beasts!
