Prepubescent Curry

[thoreau]

Eileen Rojo and I were in JROTC together in 1984. I fell all puppy-ish over her and totally embarrassed myself - (including showing up uninvited to her home with flowers; much to the amusement of her older sisters) - to the point where friends told me I was being a jerk, and my Mom sat me down and told me that "that wasn't the way to go about winning a girl's heart" and that Eileen had confided in her that I'd hurt her feelings by not being able to CLEARLY see that the 'feeling' wasn't mutual. .

It's one of those high school moments I have often replayed over the years - particularly since I've come out - and well (no offense ladies) I play for the other team and going puppyish over ladies hasn't happened in decades. It was that flood of hormones "how does this work?" moment that every person goes through. I also remember when it occurred to me that it wasn't working with the ladies because well - I kept cruising their husbands. (*lightbulb moment*)

Anyhow - Eileen showed up on Facebook about a month ago - with her beautiful little boy Mark and her lovely life living abroad in Wittelsheim, France. She and I have been chatting about Bob's Kitchen, which she really liked. Recently she requested that I do a vegetable curry for the next episode. :)

It feels nice to be in touch with her - 26 years later - I wonder if she was surprised to find that the bumbling confused boy she knew then is "Mrs. Goldberg" these days with all sorts of passions for art and interests in writing and performing. I like to think so. :)

I was a textbook geekoid in highschool the band and theatre geek who with military parents. (um, not so hot, trust me) It feels good to have shed that onion skin and find my true self despite that rough start at things.

So now - making curry will be wrapped up in memories of Oak Harbor High School ROTC dances; bus trips to Walla Walla; flowers from the military flower shop and lessons in prepubescent awkwardness. :) Here's to a successful curry, Eileen! (wink)

Comments

[bootedintexas.livejournal.com]

ah memories...remember the competitive trips in the van (people sucking up to you and i so they could ride in the van instead of the bus)...do you remember the couple that Mom was convinced copulated their first child in the back of the van...god i cant remember their names. the really stunning "james dean" type senior and the "not so stylish" girl he fell in love with (always reminded me of Darryl Hannah in Steel Magnolias)

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

Kelly was her name - and he played Barnaby in Hello Dolly - and was the ROTC leader of the year? right?

[bootedintexas.livejournal.com]

yes with the thick bottle glasses. and he was totally in love with her. she came back to school totally absolutely ready to give child. and couldnt understand why kids in 10th grade werent swarming around happy for her. leave alone the Chief.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

well we all know what a homophobic catholic mess he was - - - what+ever!

[sierrabiker.livejournal.com]

Reading that was a pleasure. It was so well written you made it fun to get a glimpse into those more ackward days years ago. We all can relate to moments of ackwardness in our high school days. Thanks.

[khrysso.livejournal.com]

I disagree that it was inappropriate for you to do as you did. I don't think it was worth a maternal talking-to, and I know that you were in no way responsible for hurting the girl's feelings by not being a mind-reader. And I think the friends who called you a jerk were being judgmental.

The vulnerability you demonstrated by not censoring your impulse is at the heart of what gives you your sweetness, warmth, light... indeed your most authentic humanity. Shame on them for shaming you for it, sez I! Such ingenuousness is rare and magickal. (I don't know if you know what is meant by spelling it with a "k," but it's a compliment.)

[audrabaudra.livejournal.com]

I have issues that have made me into an awkward person all my life. If you can remember that much detail about one situation, you've done well in not creating too many for yourself to keep track of! :-)

[figarobo.livejournal.com]

You write the sweetest journal entries...

[surewood31.livejournal.com]

Do you ever think how your life might have been different had the feelings been returned?

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

oh no - I would have come out - etc. - anyhow - it is how life is. I had "girlfriends" after meeting Eileen - but honestly - nothing serious. my first "experience" was with a man and thats that. :) as they say anyhows.

Early Childhood OMG

[althrman.livejournal.com]

I think it is just an early example of your penchant to LEAP before you LOOK, in your personality. While tempered with age a bit….you still have this trait….but it is one of the things we like about you… Spontaneity without fear, never one to think of expectations and results having diverse consequences. You are a man without FEAR, sometimes this works for you…..sometimes little poodle bombs, but I have never seen one keep on trudging, as much as you. Don’t lose this trait.