Belle of Babble: April 2012

As Frankie Avalon told Frenchie in Grease… it’s time to go back to High School.

I was looking over my bookcases this past weekend and came across my high school yearbooks. I went into my Jr. year (1998) book and had a ball reading all of the entries written by my friends. They range from the quintessential “It’s great knowing you, have a great summer!” to the EPIC 2 pagers written by your best friends. I came across one written by my friend Kelley – that spans the largest available space in the book and she crammed something in every blank. It was so amazing and made me so happy to re-read it, that I HAD to post it here.

Let me give you a little background on Kelley’s and my relationship. Kel moved to Watkinsville, GA in my sophomore year(?!) I think… she was a freshman – one year behind me. (or were we soph/jr?) She and I became very close through the drama program at our school and our insane mutual obsession with the musical RENT. We may or may not have called each other Maureen (me) and Mimi (Kel). Now – let me just state that RENT was the iconic musical of my youth. I bought it the day it came out in 1996 and holed myself up in my room and listened to it over and over. I had a cassette of it in my car and soon ALL of my friends knew every part. When 6 of us would pack into my car, we all sang our respective parts – I, of course, sang Mark. ;)

Anywho, back to Kelley and me. She and I became very close. I could tell her anything and she was actually one of the first people I came out to in my teens. I drove her home after school, hung out at her house over the weekend, I even went to one of her dance recitals on the night of my prom! She integrated into our group like she had been there forever. We created “scary home movies”… put on scenes of RENT in her living room (one included her falling off of her 2^nd floor balcony to the living room below during an amazing rendition of "Out Tonight") and was all around an amazing friend.

When I went off to college and then traveled around the country, Kelley remained in Athens, GA. Although we do not see each other except for every few years, I will always consider her one of my best life friends – because I know she will always be there – past, present, future. Friends like that are hard to find.

I present to you…

the EPIC POST of 1998

*drum roll*

(left page)

“My Maureen!

I just came to say you’re online with the feline! How do you measure, measure a year? 525,600 minutes, movies and discos, sleepovers and bowls of popcorn, in hair braids and staying up all night. In 525,600 minutes how do you measure a year in the life? Measure it in love. At Shoney’s and roadtrips and chugging Dr. Publix, in pizza and kittens. In strip teases and falling on my butt. In 525, 600 minutes, how do you measure a year between friends? This semester was quite an interesting one. I love you with all my heart and you if you ever need me, I’m always here, no matter where we are geographically. I’ll miss you next year and I wish you didn’t have to go so soon. But, anything you feel the need to come back, my door is always open, along with my infamous window, my garage, and the trap door under my house! I could get all sappy on you and tell you how wonderful you are and how much you mean to me, but then I’d be the weepy over-emotional MiMi you’ve grown to know. So I refuse to start leaking all over your yearbook! So here’s the plan: We get out of college with our art degrees and we’re going to move to Greenwich Village in a 1-bedroom apartment completely covered in Broadway posters, especially ones of Adam Pascal. People will be confused. Then we will withdraw into our apartment as we decise a plan to become the Mrs.’s Pascal’s. Finally, when the time is right and everything has been settled ::evil laugh:: we will kidnap and clone him and raise Adam-Servants!!! Ok, I’m sorry, I got carried away again. But it’s still a good idea! Don’t forget us in college. And take me to college parties! I love you , Maureen!

The Tango Maureen – Pookie!, Boogie Nights, “Uh-huh!” “Moo with me! C’mon, moo with me!”, Maureen, “would you like my candle?”, Adam Pascal! Yum…, “Without you, the ground thaws. The rain falls. The grass grows. Without you, the hand gropes. The ear hears. The legs walk. But, without you, I die”

(right page)

And just to be a pain, I am going to steal this page too. Because I can. Because I’m MiMi AND because I’m your tightest sophomore friend (along with Shannon… and Kim… and Aaron.. and…) Remember no guy is worth your time, so even if you get all caught up in a relationship, it’s your real friends who are going to stick by you and listen to you when you get down and out over the opposite sex (not like you’ve EVER had to listen to me whine!) My… that was about as sarcastic as I can get!

Meow!

To days of Inspiration ::Drama!:: playing hookie ::giggles:: Making something outta nothing ::homework & projects I never did:: The need to Express ::calling all teary over -----:: to communicate! To going against the grain! ::us not being like anyone:: Going insane! ::already there!:: Going Maaaaaad! ::There too!:: To any passing fad! ::Leopard skin, braiding hair, hood of Aaron’s car, RENT chasing, Becky, road trips… purple, kitties, tank tops!:: To being an US for once instead of a THEM! La Vie Boheme!

This lovely quote sums up the high school years!

Now on that happy note my dear, I must depart leaving you with these words of wisdom (::giggles:: Kelley?! Wise?!?)

I love you!

Love Always,

Kelley H----, aka MiMi

There was space here, so I’m going to fill it by saying TAKE ME OR LEAVE ME!, Banisters, Charlie’s Angels, Mmmm…. Tasty…. Anthony Rapp!”

Well, there you have it. The most epic and amazing yearbook post ever written. I can't believe that was 14 years ago!!

Kell – I love you with all of my Rent-loving heart… which is saying a lot. ;)

Here are some pics of Kelley, me and some of our friends… plus maybe a yearbook photo or two! ;)

What would High School be like WITHOUT the ever-loving Charlie's Angels picture? Taken after one of the Disco Nights put on by the Drama Club

(L-R: Kelley, Me, Emily)

A ridiculous poster created by us at Kelley's house at one of our All-Nighter sleepovers. I wish I still looked that "awake" after 48 hours of no sleep!! (Although... I *was* 16!)