Here's The Story Of the Sixty-Nine Year Reunion

 That reunion was this weekend. I missed the Thursday luncheon because of miscommunication. But there were only seven people there. I thought I might attend a gathering Saturday but that was relocated to an expensive venue I don't like at all. So I thought I would show up before the banquet tonight and take photos of people mingling. Mingling and trading stories has always been a big part of these reunions. But even though I arrived at the Elegante Hotel well after the lunch, around 2:30 PM, there was no one. I found the banquet hall, and it had only a few tables.  Nobody there. I roamed around trying to find someone, some member of the class, doing what they would normally do, talking, mingling, telling stories but there was NOBODY. So I photographed the empty banquet room and went to the Atrium, where, in the past, so many would be gathered. Of course the Atrium was empty as well. So sad. I had pleasant memories of what had gone before, but, clearly the past eleven years have decimated the LHS Class of 1955. The 2013 Reunion was the first one I attended and it was great! I loved being there and being part of it with my wife!  But this time it was very sad for me. Even combining with the class of 1956 didn't flesh this reunion out. Nobody arrived from out of town, but that makes sense because of the difficulty in traveling for people in their mid to late eighties. At some point I will add the photos I took of ghosts and memories, of empty spaces. Right now those empty spaces are sitting in my camera. For me this reunion was a total bust but I can't see how it could have been otherwise. A 69 year lapse of time since the 1955 graduation is bound to bring many, many, profound changes, and I sincerely hope that another reunion will not be planned. It would be insane, in my opinion. A total denial of reality. I want to remember what it used to be like. I want to remember the reunions I attended with my wife. If there's another one (surely not!) I don't want to hear about it. I will not even attempt to document it. The end. Over.  This post will be edited at some point and the dismal photos will be posted. 

Yes, A Reunion

 There WILL be a reunion this year but late in July. I expect to take enough photographs to document it reasonably well. The venue will be the same and I hope that traffic won't be snarled by various projects on Avenue Q. 19th Street, in front of Lubbock High School, has been a mess for years, with no signs of completion, ever. Talk about inefficiency! It's a state project, so expect the worst. I know for a fact that attendance will be lower than it was last year, at the last LHS Class of 1955 Reunion, because so many have health issues that prevent travel, and others have passed away. This amazing class is falling victim, as we all must, to the inexorable and merciless "march of time". 

A Sixty Nine Year Reunion!

Sometime in June? I won't register for this one, or attend any of the banquets, but I expect to be at the luncheon Saturday, and the pre-reunion luncheon, and I will probably take photos in both locations. Too much has changed, too many familiar faces are gone, the people I knew best will be entirely absent for one reason or another. The Lubbock High School Class of 1955 has been an important part of my life, and I won't disengage, but I'm having trouble coping with all the changes. Blame it on my personality-- I get depressed easily. 

68 Year Reunion-- the Thursday Lunch

 The traditional pre-reunion luncheon took place at the 50th Street Caboose.

Good turnout!

68 Year Reunion-- Registration And Mingling!

 The Lubbock High School Class of 1955 is very special and I'm proud to have a link to them, via my wonderful wife! As usual, the setting was the Elegante Hotel on Avenue Q.

It's been a great venue for these reunions!

68 Year Reunion! Holly Hop!

 I regret not being able to make the final catered meal in the Elegante Hotel, but I seem to be busier now than in the past, for a variety of reasons. But I made the final day's lunch at The Holly Hop, a terrific place with terrific food at terrific prices, and full of fifties nostalgia items! It was great to be there and I very much enjoyed the conversations I had there!

I did a lot of that "atmospheric" photography, because I just think it's a good way to preserve memories of places and events.

I probably didn't choose the right camera, but I did the best I could...

I had their deluxe pizza and a lady next to me had the chili dog and if I ever go again I'll order that. It all looked really good! I enjoyed my pizza. Some ordered ice cream sundaes and banana splits for desert!

This is a great little diner! I should go there more often.