My Gold Hot Pants, era 1971

My best friend from high school, Karin, and I are in the process of planning a 35th reunion for our class of 1973. UGH, you read it right.

As I go through the list of names and yearbook photos, memories come flooding back. I have to be careful, remember what happened here when I reconnected with an old heart throb last year. But I digress.

I was thinking about Dave Bess(name shortened) the other day. I was a sophomore he was a senior. We had one class together, but just for 10 short weeks.

During the 5 minutes between classes changing, all the guys would sit along the window ledge in the main hall. I'll bet it was like that in most high schools, and if they can get away with it, I'm sure it's still like that.

Every time I walked pass "gawking guys alley", I'd see Dave sitting there. I'd get all flustered. I could feel my armpits getting sweaty. My mouth would get dry. My clammy hands could barely hold my books, surprisingly I never dropped them.

One spring day, I was feeling pretty darn good about how I looked. I had just got a new pair of "hot pants". Yeah, in the 70's you couldn't wear shorts to school, but with brilliant marketing, the fashion industry renamed short shorts, hot pants, and we got away with it.

I was wearing gold sateen hot pants, similar to those in the photo on the left. A tight white lace-up top, and some strappy white sandals with the unsightly big chunky heel.

I was making my way down "gawking guys alley" and there he was. This time was different. He was looking at me. ME. His eyes were on me the whole time as I continued my strut walk. Funny, I wasn't even sweaty or nervous. I just knew I looked the bomb and now I had his attention.

Just as I was about to step in front of him, his hand went up and he smiled. His finger curled towards me. WHAT! He was actually giving me the "come hither" sign? I stopped and leaned down, my long blond hair flowing just in front of his face. His finger beckoned me closer. Whoa, he was going to whisper in my ear!

My heart all aflutter, I lent my ear to his lips and he began to speak. Softly he said to me, "Your zipper is down." Accccck! I think I died a thousand deaths right there. I remained composed, stood up and thanked him for letting me know. As I started walking away he smiled and I knew he still would be alright in my book.

A couple weeks later, I was in home-economics class. (yeah, back then, they tried to teach us how to cook and sew, but we accepted it as an easy credit) One of the girls came in late for class, crying. As we all clucked around her like mother hens, she announced she was pregnant. By Dave Bess! I was crushed. Then she proceeded to say he was going to marry her, but also join the service because he knew he couldn't afford a family or college. I sincerely hope they made it.


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"Since losing all his super powers, he hasn't been able to hail a cab in a coon's age"

Voting continues through through Saturday ::hint hint :::

34 Years Later ...

John and Nancy 1973 and 2007

We decided to meet early and watch the Michigan vs Michigan State game. John lives about an hour from me, out in nowheresville. I drove to the corner of the designated spot to meet and pulled in the parking lot. If he hadn't told me he'd be there on his motorcycle, I have to admit, I wouldn't have recognized him. I followed him back to his house, and yes, it wouldn't have been easy to find, so I see why he had me meet him where we did.

I could tell he was nervous. After 15 minutes, he was fine, the funny, fun guy I remember from high school. We flipped through the yearbook for awhile and showed each other our kids photos, then left to go watch the game at the only bar in his small town. We had fun going down memory lane, recalling high school stories, and playing I wonder what ever happen to (so-and-so).

We had dinner, a few drinks then went back to his place. More talking, catching up, and laughing ... he is funny. He admitted to having a crush on me in high school and shared his fears of even talking to me. He settled for sitting next to me in all the classes we had together and copying off my paper. He thanked me for his good grades.

John was a kind, liked by all guy in high school, funny and fun, with a impish boy charm to him. That hasn't changed. He still likes his cars, motorcycles, video games, and guitars. I know, you're wondering if we'll go out again. I think I will just keep it as "buds".

Date with Destiny?

I dialed.

Nancy: Hi, John? This is Nancy (last name) from high school. I hope it's OK, Sam (last name) gave me your phone number.

John: Hell yeah! How the heck are you? You're single? Right?
(scary amount of excitement in his voice)

Nancy: Umm, yes ... so you remember me?

John: I wouldn't have passed history without sitting next to you. *laughs*

Nancy: Ahhh, so you remember me for my brains?

John: *laughing* No, you had nice b**bs too.

Nancy: *** wondering if I made a mistake calling ***

Then he calmed down. We talked for about an hour. Playing catch up, on thirty five years of reminiscing, of our pasts and our today's. He asked to get together this weekend, but since I already have plans we decided on next weekend. To be continued.

SHS 1973

That's the year I graduated from high school. My best friend since 8th grade Karin and I still keep in touch. After hearing about the passing of a classmate recently, she and I begin reminiscing.



Karin and I were too cool for school. We aced our classes, excelled at 1st hour breakfast, and regret our lacking in those bonded type friendships with others.

We didn't go to dances, proms, or school sports. Being "too cool" we had already entered into going to concerts and chasing bands at the venues in Detroit (sneaking of course) and attending pro-sport games. Especially Red Wing hockey. We hung out at clubs and bars (ignorance is bliss) instead of home parties and under the bleachers.

Yep, to cool. Sad part is, we missed out on all the too cool, fun, friendships, and bonding that stay with most through these later years. The passing of someone is a name and a face and a "wow, I can't believe it". But to conjure a good time, a fun memory of that person, well it escapes me.

There was one guy, John, that I secretly liked. But whoa! He was my age and in high school ... best to keep that crush to myself.

I just learned he is single and according to my source (thanks Sheila) he's still looking good. I called a friend of his and got his phone number. I'm going to call him tonight.

I'll keep you posted.

P.S. I still have his senior pic he gave me. Is it fair to post it?