10

Haven't written in a few days... finals week, you know how it goes. I'll hopefully have lots of time to write over break (which is sorely needed). But for now, 10 years ago the year was 1995. The O.J. Simpson murder trial was going on. Timothy McVeigh bombed the Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City, and Unibomber was sending bombs through the mail. Jacques Chirac became president of France. Windows 95 was released. Bill Clinton got rid of the 55 mph speed limit. Calvin and Hobbes went out of syndication. And where was I?

10 years ago, I…

was in 5th grade, and has Mrs. Helsing as a teacher. Regularly visited Mr. Klicker and Ms. Neely (fourth grade teachers) at the end of the day. Went to Camp Kon-O-Kwee as a student. Was 11 years old, and eagerly awaited being a “teenager.” Had just met Jesse Helfrich, and quickly became best friends with him (Funny how things like that work out…) Had a bowl cut. Loved math and science. Found out that Jesse had to have his appendix removed, and actually cried because I was worried he would die. Liked animals. Didn’t own a computer. Didn’t have a TV in my own room… in fact, there was only one TV in the whole house. Shared a room with my brother. Started riding my bike to Chippewa on a daily basis. Spent most days with Jesse, Tom Detka, Bo Oravitz, and Tony Wyman. Later on, I would meet Amanda Cox, Candice Strickland, Courtney Storey, Stephanie Staples, and Matt Peters. We became a really tight group of friends, spending most days together, until they all pretty much moved away. Used my imagination a lot more than I do now. Had hardly any body hair. Bought candy at the store and sold it on the bus. Was even more of a geek than I am now. Rode my bike EVERYWHERE. Found out that my grandma was diagnosed with cancer. Hated chapstick with a passion. Got glasses because my eyes sucked. Was helping to clean up the “new house” so we could move. Didn’t fully appreciate having 3 bathrooms (until we moved to a house with only one). Ate ramen almost every day after school. Played around on an old apple computer that my grandfather bought from somewhere... This one had simple graphics, but still was just green on a black screen. Wanted to be an astronomer, or a scientist. Wrote for a little newspaper that the Gifted Program put out to the intermediate school. Spent my free time at school building elaborate things with pneumatic lego sets. Listened to B94 out of Pittsburgh pretty much nonstop. Had a crush on Natalie Freed and let her play my Gameboy on the school bus so she would sit with me. Couldn’t cut my fingernails for shit. Started playing trumpet. Watched new episodes of Seinfeld after Friends on Thursday nights (Must-see TV). Watched All That on Nickelodeon, and thought it was the funniest show on the planet. Went to Jesse’s after school to watch taped episodes of The Late Show with David Letterman, since we weren’t allowed to stay up that late.