Expensive or just plainly Stupid mistakes you made and wish you didn't

[Nords]

I really don't need the embarrassment.

Embarrassment about what? Are valedictorians supposed to be millionaire former presidents? If that's the case then I'm glad I never made the cut...

What happens if you don't go to the reunion, but your alum ex does? Whose stories will the rest of the attendees believe?!?

 

[SecondCor521]

Embarrassment about what? Are valedictorians supposed to be millionaire former presidents? If that's the case then I'm glad I never made the cut...

What happens if you don't go to the reunion, but your alum ex does? Whose stories will the rest of the attendees believe?!?

I would be embarrassed because I feel like I have not lived up to my potential and/or my classmates' expectations. They don't have to be millionaires or former presidents, but I guess I feel like I was given a brain and some talent and a good head start financially by my parents that I haven't really put to good enough use.

Interesting question about the ex. I'm not even sure what stories she would tell about me.

2Cor521

 

[deserat]

SecondCor521,

Well, you're still on your way to retiring early, and tis better to be able to have a second chance with a partner who may end up being better for you in the end. As for reunions and expectations, who cares what they think? What's important is what you want to do and how you are progressing. Plus, perhaps you might be a bit more approachable now to those who might have thought you intimidating (speaking from experience on that).

What amazed me was that those who had experienced some life setbacks were more human, more friendly and frankly better people - that's what was the nice part of the reunion - I hung out with people who were shocked as it was a change from how I was in high school - I was like you - there was an assumption of what I'd done based on my class standing -while I don't think I've done poorly at all, I just didn't go the route everyone thought I would.

The whole point is to have fun.....at least it is to me - I hope that in the end you don't let those people's supposed opinions stop you from attending - who knows, you just might meet or re-meet some people who can end up being lifelong friends.

Deserat

 

[HFWR]

Went to my 25yr reunion, way back on '97. Glad I went (once), but it's doubtful I'll go again. I was happy to wave goodbye to HS, and have never looked back...

Was a commuter student in college, so no long-lasting friendships from those years.

 

[SecondCor521]

SecondCor521,

Well, you're still on your way to retiring early, and tis better to be able to have a second chance with a partner who may end up being better for you in the end. As for reunions and expectations, who cares what they think? What's important is what you want to do and how you are progressing. Plus, perhaps you might be a bit more approachable now to those who might have thought you intimidating (speaking from experience on that).

What amazed me was that those who had experienced some life setbacks were more human, more friendly and frankly better people - that's what was the nice part of the reunion - I hung out with people who were shocked as it was a change from how I was in high school - I was like you - there was an assumption of what I'd done based on my class standing -while I don't think I've done poorly at all, I just didn't go the route everyone thought I would.

The whole point is to have fun.....at least it is to me - I hope that in the end you don't let those people's supposed opinions stop you from attending - who knows, you just might meet or re-meet some people who can end up being lifelong friends.

Deserat

Deserat,

Thanks for the encouraging words.

It's a little hard to explain, but as far as "what they think" goes, it would not be an issue of trying to conform in order to be accepted by others. It is more a notion that I had opportunities that others did not and that they would have liked to have had, so somehow I have the responsibility to take advantage of those opportunities.

I hope I am more approachable now. I have been told that I can be intimidating but I never meant to be that way.

I am collecting names and addresses of classmates for the reunion, and in doing so I've discovered that many people have changed from what I remembered them to be like in high school. The former crass jock seems really polite and respectful and nice, for example. Most do seem to have become more accepting that life can throw curve balls good and bad, and there is less of the insecure competitiveness that existed at the 10 year. Which I just realized as I type that that I am bringing some of that insecurity to the 20 year with me.

2Cor521

 

[Fireup2020]

2Cor,

I can relate....accepted to Stanford (only applied because Dad went to UC Berkely)...and heaven forbid, I did not "live up to my potential" in my parent's eyes much more than my peers. Heaven forbid - I ENLISTED in the Navy! 19 years later, I can say my adult life has been so much more interesting: the being a step-mom of 3 kids at age 24-30, divorce, money problems, not 'finishing' college until '05, or not being married with kids today. (viewing my life as an adventure makes it better, and I will not lose hope! lol) Looking forward to next year's 20th Our 10 year was fun...but I went to a small school and keep in touch with about 10 classmates (there were only 42 in our class!)

Most of your classmates will have to work until they can collect SS!!! How's that one for an ego boost?

 

[Nords]

I would be embarrassed because I feel like I have not lived up to my potential and/or my classmates' expectations. They don't have to be millionaires or former presidents, but I guess I feel like I was given a brain and some talent and a good head start financially by my parents that I haven't really put to good enough use.
Interesting question about the ex. I'm not even sure what stories she would tell about me.

Well, some may see a reunion as subjecting themselves to a brutal oral exam & life audit, but I see reunions as a chance to do the same to all the other people I went to H.S. with. I already know how I turned out, and I'll bet this new crowd hasn't heard my sea stories!

 

[SecondCor521]

Well, some may see a reunion as subjecting themselves to a brutal oral exam & life audit, but I see reunions as a chance to do the same to all the other people I went to H.S. with. I already know how I turned out, and I'll bet this new crowd hasn't heard my sea stories!

I think one of my problems is that I view life as a "brutal oral exam".

2Cor521

 

[HFWR]

And, often, another orifice is involved...

 

[Bikerdude]

Stupid = Got married.

Expensive = Got divorced.

 

[babyape]

I lived in Manhattan in a really cheap but nice rental stabilized apartment for a long time and never bought a condo. In 1991 they were really cheap. I should have bought a place in Manhattan.

......I could be richer now.


The other mistake I made was when I was out of work in the late 1980's, and for a few months I was an assistant to a just-becoming hugely famous artist.He asked me to be his manager/agent.
I decided to go work at the f'in phone company instead for 70 grand a year and then they fired me 4 years later. Now the artist is in all the big museums, graces magazine covers and sells his pieces for millions.

......I could be really richer now and possibly dead considering the lifestyle.

Without a doubt the biggest mistake I ever made was being a smoker from age 14 to 40.
It makes me sick to think about it. I couldn't kick it until 5 years ago.

.....I could have lived longer.

 

[ESRBob]

Just went to my 30th last summer and agree that everybody just seems a lot happier and settled, and I don't think too many people seemed to be trying to impress or spin. We're all just survivors and it was fun to see people, even some I barely remembered. It seems there is only time to speak with a handful of people, though, and then it's all done and you won't see anyone for another ten years. I think the real story is in the people who don't show up. There were plenty who I asked about and learned had lives mired in drug problems etc.