Why is it that we were looking forward to this weekend? I talked to so many people who were either glad to have some time to think, or away from twins, schedules etc…. I am sure all of those things were true. For me, it was also a chance to re-center – to go back to basics. We all made fundamental decisions about who we are during the formative years at the Mount, and those decisions were informed by people – friends. Our process of becoming ourselves was facilitated by a kind of community nurtured self discovery. The fact that it was community centered is the very reason why Mounties of all classes ARE confident individuals who are skilled at relating to others, creating win-win scenarios in life and in work. Yes, I spent time anticipating and getting ready for this reunion for the fun and the escape – but was also looking forward to re-connecting to those early influencers that helped me shape my identity.
I woke up Friday and left an hour before I had planned to. With all of the buzz leading up to the events, I wanted to be bright and early for a tee time at the Links at Gettysburg. It was a great course and an even better result as Howell and I won room air conditioners for our soon to be sweltering first floor Sheridan Annex rooms. We arrived and installed them with ripped Styrofoam and duct tape in true MacGyver style.
From there it was around the mountain to hear that fabulous and irreplicable sound of the brook flowing at the first bridge. From there it was Otts.. and we stayed there until late.
At Otts, the class of ‘92 dominated the crowd – and Jean Weiss was there, although it was just her head on a stick. We would have preferred the real thing, but had fun (especially Brutus) with the stick (see flickr photos).
I was at first surprised, and then overwhelmed by the size of our crowd. And, there were 2 pretty neat themes…first – most came without spouses (would have probably been great if they had all come too!) which had everyone on a path to party hard for the weekend. The other was that our class seems to be very well preserved.
Pretty soon the night was in full swing, the band was too loud, and the beer was incredibly cheap. Bill McGrath handed out “woo-woo” shots that were probably $.50 each. I said yes to every drink that was offered – so did everyone else.
“DRUUUNK BUUUUS”, was shouted by Dale – followed by several trips back to campus. Would it be a shocker to report that Berger and Germ totally missed the fact that everyone had left?
Back to campus we went, and went straight up to C-19 where Rob Weed (c.93) had set up an apartment with flags, Christmas lights, etc…. Late night. 3:30 for me. Incredible to see everyone and looking forward to the next day.
Jean sat in the back seat looking out the window of my sister’s car as I traveled down to the Mount. She didn’t even get charged cover at Ott’s. They are so great there. They even let her pour some drinks behind the bar! She sat shotgun with me on the drunk bus as some hotty from Ott’s drove us back to campus. She partied with us until sunrise. Yo, Valare!!!! Great times!! Miss you Jean!!
3:30? Tack on a few more hours to that. It was a long night. I haven’t laughed that hard in so long. C-18 (I might add) was incredible. Thank you Rob Weed for letting us stay there. (even though no one would let me sleep–I may have been better off in Sheridan) Thank you Paul and Sparky for organizing such a fantastic weekend. It was so great to catch up with everyone. What I loved about the weekend is how positive and upbeat everybody was. Granted I am still trying to recover today but it was well worth the trip. I feel bad because I didn’t get to say good-bye to some people. I’ll just have to catch you at the 20th. Thanks again everyone. You rock!
I had a great time too and it was so wonderful to see everyone. I just wish I knew to come up Friday night! Yes, Paul, everyone is well preserved. It’s nice to see that. You and John did a great job inspiring so many of us to come.
I woke up around 10am on Sunday and everyone seemed to have already left! So, I didn’t get to say goodbye to anyone. Hope to see you all soon. Since next year is the MSM’s 200th birthday, I thought I read somewhere that next year’s reunion weekend will be an “all-class reunion” instead of just the 5, 10, 15, etc. Maybe we’ll do this again next year???????
I’ve checked myself into rehab.
Thanks again to Paul and John, this weekend was only a reminder of how good we all had it for four very quick years of our lives and how somehow we, the class of 1992 with so much individuality, are truly a unit. This weekend only solidified that. As I stood in front of A towers drinking a beer and taking it all in, for a moment I thought it was 1992. Nobody skipped a beat with hugs, chats, and smiles – I have never seen such a more welcoming crowd! And I ditto the sentiments, everyone looks great, happy, and successful – the Mount did us well. The only negative I had was that I didn’t get to chat with everyone as long as I had liked nor got to say goodbye – but after a trip ATM – I was not about to attempt any goodbyes. I am proud to be a classmate of each of you and can’t wait to do this again. See ya in 5!
I am still hung over. I went to bed at 5 ish on Sunday morning and after a few hours of sleep there is Court and Decastro still drinking at 8:30 am…something along the lines of staying up later than the class of 72?
Germ & Pong – The money I won flipping coins, went right to the Campus store. Tricia got a hold of my wallet in the AM. I never knew you could spend $400 on sweat pants and shirts. Think of it as more of a donation to the Mount then going to me.
Sparky is you can figure out how to post this on the blog..feel free, my head still hurts and I really dont have the patience to try to figure it out right now.
Where was the pit boss ?? Those games were rigged !! I know I saw Germ
dealing off the bottom of the deck. Not sure if anyone else heard or really noticed (because its expected
of Dugan) but the mystery is solved. He left me a vm that he just had to get outta there and decided to
drive home Sat night – boy its good you gave up drinkin (take care of that boy and bring him up to see us
this summer). As sparky so correctly put it and dugan also – good times, good friends, maybe
the greatest MSM class ever and some things do remain constant.
Sparky is…well SPARKY. Dugan is beatin to his own drum. Germ can still hold his liquor. Lightening Bolte still
knows more about gambling, odds and sports than anyone I know (even if he has to fudge the record to stay
in the lead). Scudder knows people (human capital). PaulPaulMary can throw one hell of a party. I am still an
angry drunk and Kegbutt is just so darn good-looking!!
Enjoyed it immensly. Looking forward to 20yrs. Let’s go fishing !!
God there are a lot of new potheads out there. Welcome, welcome to the club.
New or hidden? They may have just done a better job at being secretive about it in college.
The more the merrier I say.
It was really a great weekend and so much fun! The 2 day hang over was worth it. My only regret is not talking to some of my classmates that I see in some of these pictures. The beers got the best of me. For those of you living in or near West Chester, Pa, drop me an email cmallon01@comcast.net. West Chester is a great town to meet for dinner and/or drinks. A bunch of us are going to the “Gala” in New York in October. Hope to see you there!
I agree with Maureen. There are so many people that I hardly got a chance to talk to. (including you Maureen) Wish that I mingled a little more–or drank a little less. Until next time.
I want to thank Paul and John for all of their hard work! Seeing everyone and being back at the Mount was amazing. It really struck home how many terrific people I went to school with and how lucky we all are to have experienced the Mount !! I am still tryng to get over the sadness of leaving and realizing that I have to wait another 5 years.
What a fantastic weekend! Thanks again Paul & John. I honestly didn’t know I still had it in me. I was right behind Bill checking into rehab on Monday though…still hung over & mostly to avoid taking care of the kids. I definitely didn’t have enough time to catch up, but loved the time with all of you. I will cherish those 4 years forever . Can’t wait to see you all in another 5!
I am still trying to figure out if being most transformed is a good or bad thing. I was great seeing everyone. Paul & John did a great job. Look forward to seeing everyone in 5 years (hopefully sooner). If anyone is near the DC area please get in touch – jjtaylorinc@aol.com.
After seeing all of the hilarious pictures, reading all of the great stories & being at the Mount via cell phone & on a stick … I actually feel like I was there!! Jen Gaul & Jen Chini, thanks for going to great lengths to make me feel like part of the reunion!! Schwing, Brutus and Gregg, thanks for making out with me!!! Paul and John, apparently you did a fantastic job…cheers!!
T-shirt at Mount store: $14.99
Full glass of beer with reuinion logo: $5.00
Seeing those who were your friends and family for 4 years + : PRICELESS!!!
Paul and Sparky, you did a great job promoting the event and making sure we didn’t drink on an empty stomach. And boy did I drink!
It was great seeing everyone. Until we meet again…
Thanks Paul and John for a great weekend. Sorry I am late on responding – just recovering from vacation. The time at the Mount was good for the soul. I loved seeing everyone and you all look great. I really loved talking to all of you. I also wish I could have talked to more people, but it was great to catch up with Paul, Puleo, Maureen, Danielle, Rich, Greg and Amy. I was fantastic to be with my roommates for two days. We laughed so hard for 48 hours. It could have been 1992…after our stop at Paul’s Pit Stop on Friday – I felt like I never left. I also felt really lucky to be there! Thanks and the Arbes’ will be in NYC in October.