jeffreyab | 25th Anniversary

Twenty five years ago I finally finished high school.

Finished in August you ask? Yes because I had been foolish and ill advised by guidance counselors and had taken a science heavy final year and run into a lack of math skills wall that led to me having to go to summer school.

However I still got into my first choice the University of Toronto, one of the best schools in Canada, however because I was late applying my first year residence was a tippy fold out couch in the basement recroom of my land lady. A room with no door which people had to cross to do their laundry. So I guess I really wanted to be in university. And I was at the right one. If I had gone to my closer second choice I would have flunked out but Toronto was then nicer and I managed to finish four years only one course behind.

I think living off campus meant that I did not become an alcoholic although at my suburban campus it did leave way out on the edge socially since most people lived at home or on campus. I did meet a great bunch of people there some of whom I still see once in awhile.

Which was good because I had basically given up on everyone I met in high school. I am not sure why maybe it was the stress I was already under in my final year but I drifted off in my own direction my last year of high school and no one else was going my way. If I had know them I was coming back here after school I made have made more of an effort but many of them never came back after school so "that's life." Since then I have met many of you so I only really miss those high school folk when I desire some companionship here in town.

What have I done since then?

Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.
Gained and lost at least fifty pounds.
Graduated from Library School.
Served on two different university student councils.
Attended and Worked on too many conventions to count.
Fallen in love but never have been in love, more than a year anyway.
Become a brother in law twice and an ex once.
Buried an uncle, grandfather and grandmother.
Become an uncle six times.
Worked at the same library almost 18 years.
Worked on several plays mostly back stage.
Worked for two different political campaigns.
Traveled to three American cities beginning in San, San Francisco, San Antonio and San Jose.
Swum in the Pacific Ocean.
Travelled much of the upper Mid West and met many SF fans.
Learned how to massage fairly well.
Started a literary convention with little or no money.
Well that's enough for now.