20 Years of Hate (846 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.5 on 36 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by ahumblefool (View user info) at 2006-08-22 14:21:45 EDT
Went to my 20th High School reunion this weekend. Nothing says you are getting old like a high school reunion. Seeing the popular football players weighing in at 350 pounds and balding was shocking, I know, life moves on. What I did find unnerving is that people still held grudges against people from high school. I was not the popular kid in school, I was taped to the telephone pole, picked on, beat on a couple of times and publicly humiliated on occasion. I was the proverbial bookworm, and I was overweight, easy pickings. But, I do not hold grudges. I even went up and talked with several of the people that had fun at my expense. Frankly, they were a little shocked because I did not have my growth spurt until my first year of college, so now I am taller than most of them and have slimmed way down. We had a good laugh about that, and a couple of people even apologized, I said there was no need.
The crowd that I hung around with in school arrived a little later, and I walked over to say hello. At first it was pretty normal, "What have you been up to? Kids?" Life in general, but after about half and hour, the envy and hate started bubbling to the surface. I was amazed at the level of hatred that they still held after 20 years. And as I sat there and listened to them, and wrapped their words around what their lives were today, I started to wonder if the tortures of our schooling define and shape who we are this far along in life. I look at this group now, many of them have had bad marriages, too many kids, weight problems and more self esteem issues than a host of psychologists could handle.
We were 16 and 17 years old. We were unable to see what our doings then would mean 20 years later. We called the overweight kids fat, the bookworms nerds and poked fun at those around us that were different than our little clicks. I do not think anyone can foresee the damage that was caused by what was said and done at that age. Peer pressure, that need to belong was strong, almost impossible to ignore. Sure, we were all susceptible to ridicule in school, but was the damage and scarring so permanent that it could actually shape our lives to fit within the notions of what we were called in school. Is our self esteem so low and easily bruised that the remarks and actions from 20 years ago still haunt our daily lives.
Understandably if it was torture or rape or severe beatings, I could understand 20 years of hatred and destruction of self. But can mere words from a 16 -17 year old kid cause such distress that eats at the very core of our being that it creates roots of hatred and dislike. Can we not forgive the actions of a child that was as unsure of his / her place in this world as we were ours? And if we are unable to forgive the actions of our past, how in the hell can we continue to move forward with our own lives and not instill our fears into our own children.
Anyway, it made me feel pretty damn old.
User Reviews
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-11-21 17:14:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
For God so loved the world, he gave us his one and only humblefool.
Submitted by Average_Dan (user info) at 2006-09-14 19:25:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I have my 10 year coming up...in 2010. I'm sure it will not play out at all like yours for one simple reason. If I ever want to go to a school reunion, all I have to do is go to a string of bars at the oceanfront called "The Block" and I can see everyone I went to school with. They're all doing the same thing, in the same place. Running the same schemes with the same result. It's sad really. Thank God I got out of here for 4 years and actually lived somewhere on my own before I too was sucked into the black hole of Virginia Beach.
I've missed you so AHF. Hope you had fun at Denali.
Submitted by PerkMan (user info) at 2006-08-23 01:16:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
My reuion is probably going to suck. I was a pretty popular guy. But I hung out with all the older kids when I was a sophmore and a Jr. So the kids in my class weren't really my friends. Highschool does affect people. I feel if I would have taken it seirously when I was there I wouldn't be where I'm at right now.
I would be playing ball D-1 somewhere and not trying to get there now. Highschool does affect you. To some people it dictates their lives.
It's crazy.
It's funny how you will see someone from your class and like instantly you revert to what you were during highschool. Like they have a hold over you.
Me after highschool alot of girls that didn't really eye me started telling me that they really liked me and such. It was awesome. Banged one next to her soriorty house. Good times.
I might go to mine. But I have only been almost 3 years out. Good post man. As you can tell I was the popular jock asshole that everyone hated, Baseball do that to yah.
Submitted by Bubba2341 (user info) at 2006-08-22 23:45:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Heh. My 40th reunion is next year, June of 07. I went to the 10, 20, 30 , and 35th,
and it was awesome how the elite from high school were still poor and whining about
teh same shit they ranted about way back then.
People never change, and they all stick to the shit from high school.
Fucking whiners. . . . . . . . .. .......
Submitted by rockdocc (user info) at 2006-08-22 21:10:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-08-22 20:56:12 (#)
Ranking: -2
the american obsession with high school is juvenile and embarrassing.
it's also 'clique' not click.
imbecile
=============================
oh get off your high horse and actually sit back and digest what this person wrote.
I understand what you're talking about, for me it's only been about three and half, almost four years, but I know some friends that are still pretty hung up on what happened in high school. I guess if you put a big enough pyschological dent in someone at a young enough age, it will affect them for the rest of their lives. Sans therapy that is.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-08-22 20:56:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
the american obsession with high school is juvenile and embarrassing.
it's also 'clique' not click.
imbecile.
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-08-22 17:32:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
As far as high school being the best years of your life, I doubt it. At least, not for me. It wasn't the best, it wasn't the worst, it was high school and I loved it and hated it all at the same time. Honestly, I like where I'm at now. I like know myself better, I like myself better, I take better care of myself and 25 is a good age to be.
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-08-22 17:30:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I have yet to attend a reunion (having been out only 7 years) but I am amazed on the occasion I am back in the home state and run into someone from high school, how shitty most of them look....but I guess that's what a lot of drinking will do.
Me? I just snort coke off hooker's asses. Keeps me lookin young.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-08-22 16:37:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Maybe it's just the people who go to their reunions that are taking this shit too seriously. I haven't gone to any of mine, part of it was that before one of them - 10 years maybe, my best friend from high school got married and I saw all the people I cared to see at the wedding.
or
Maybe it's that these people are not walking around harboring this resentment, but something about being back in that place and seeing all of those people again brought a lot of stuff back that they had forgotten.
who knows
My mom went to her 50th this summer. She was a little nervous about the possibility of not remembering anyone but ended up having a good time.
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2006-08-22 16:14:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
So you hung out with a bunch of nerds in high school who have held grudges for 20 yrs?
Great story.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2006-08-22 16:01:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Reunions rock. You get to rub your success, popularity and income in the faces of the tools you didn't like...or that beat you up....back in high school.
I'd go to one every year if I could.
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2006-08-22 15:57:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I had my 10 year HS reunion just this past summer.
Some people had changed drastically while others were exactly the same.
It was an awkward affair...
Submitted by Sockster (user info) at 2006-08-22 15:49:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Money = Happiness, you know.
Submitted by ahumblefool (user info) at 2006-08-22 15:36:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-08-22 15:32:47 (#)
Ranking: 2
see, I would have focused on the 20 years of unrequited lust - you had no chance of banging her when she was captain of the cheer squad, but now, 30 pounds heavier and a vagina distended by three kids, 4 amaretto sours and you're in like Flynn! Hey, a notch on the belt is a notch on the belt, right?
I guess you're a glass half-empty guy, whereas I am a glass half-full guy...
____________________
hmmmm, never thought of it that way! Gold
Submitted by Stogie (user info) at 2006-08-22 15:33:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-08-22 15:32:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
see, I would have focused on the 20 years of unrequited lust - you had no chance of banging her when she was captain of the cheer squad, but now, 30 pounds heavier and a vagina distended by three kids, 4 amaretto sours and you're in like Flynn! Hey, a notch on the belt is a notch on the belt, right?
I guess you're a glass half-empty guy, whereas I am a glass half-full guy...
Submitted by ahumblefool (user info) at 2006-08-22 15:09:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Uberjunkie (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:58:20 (#)
Ranking: 1
Most people are not as self evaluative as you seem to be. You have a good head on your shoulders. Did you at least get laid though?
_______________________________
In high school? Hell no, not that I did not try, just never happened. I was the "Shoulder to Cry On."
Submitted by BobLobla (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:58:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I got picked on in Jr high all the time, then i grew a foot in a year and put on 80lbs and that all stopped. It is funny how peolple are willing to push around somone who is just uner 5ft and like 100lbs and alot less willing when the same person is 5'10" and 180...
Submitted by Uberjunkie (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:58:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Most people are not as self evaluative as you seem to be. You have a good head on your shoulders. Did you at least get laid though?
Submitted by moneyshotforyou (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:58:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
words....words....words......
I hate reading.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:52:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
yeah but i've heard tale from people who've seen the boy around that he's still hot. he's unfortunately possibly nuts, but that doesn't mean i can't still drool at him.
i so gotta go back to washington next year. even if it's for like two days. i miss the lakes.
Submitted by ahumblefool (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:51:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by forthewin (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:40:48 (#)
Ranking: 2
Just be thankful you've got your health...
Or do you?
____________________
Still have good health! Thank goodness.
Submitted by ahumblefool (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:49:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:40:48 (#)
Ranking: 2
i miss washington.
_______________________________
Best state in the US. By the way, the hot girls are never all that hot anymore. My biggest disappointment was seeing my high school heart throb walk in weighing 40 pounds more than she should and her beautiful hair cut too damn short.
For some reason, you still picture them the same way they were in high school even though you see everyone around you, and yourself, aging.
Submitted by ahumblefool (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:47:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:43:17 (#)
Ranking: 2
I think that children are encouraged to view this time of their lives far too seriously. They take not getting the lead in the class play as a huge trauma. So twenty years later they still harbor resentment towards Pete Jones for getting the part of the King while they were just a random Siam street person.
________________________
Scourge, that is true. I think we are taught to take it seriously. I know I will teach my kids that it is just school, get your work done, keep your head low, and have fun when you can.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:43:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I will never go to one of these reunions. My tenth happened last year. Or was it this year? I forget. Either way...not something I will ever attend and that's partly due to the subject matter of this post.
People talk about high school and say shit that scares me to death.
'Oh, you haven't changed a bit Schmoopy'
WTF?
Really, someone hasn't changed at all in ten years? Frightening.
It gets hammered into peoples heads when they are in high school that those are the 'best years of their lives'
Run after the prom queen spot.
Be a super star sports celebrity.
President of the student council.
Hurrah huzzah whoopty freaking do.
I think that children are encouraged to view this time of their lives far too seriously. They take not getting the lead in the class play as a huge trauma. So twenty years later they still harbor resentment towards Pete Jones for getting the part of the King while they were just a random Siam street person.
It doesn't matter. Twenty years later and old Pete has a nasty case of halitosis and his third wife is sleeping with the next door neighbor kid for free weed.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:40:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i haven't even managed to age enough for my ten year. i just wanna see if the kid i had a crush on is still damn hot. i hear he is, i'd like visual confirmation of said hotness.
and maybe i'll fuck in a classroom if they do it on school grounds.
other than that, i'm hoping for an open bar.
i miss washington.
Submitted by forthewin (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:40:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Just be thankful you've got your health...
Or do you?
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:39:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Touching 40 feels just fine, provided she's got a tight ass and is too drunk to drive.
Submitted by ahumblefool (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:38:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:37:04 (#)
Ranking: 1
I was dragged to my 10 year.
All in all, I'm glad I went.
I thought for some reason you were older, AHF.
____________________________________
I don't know Sacrilicious, touching 40 feels pretty old.
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:37:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I was dragged to my 10 year.
All in all, I'm glad I went.
I thought for some reason you were older, AHF.
Submitted by GodChicken (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:36:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I saw and felt the same thing at my 10 year reunion last year. But I also got in touch with some people who have really grown and are beautiful inside, and I want to have them as a part of my life again.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:33:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 for being ahumblefool.
My 10 year HS reunion is next year. I doubt I'll go, as I expect the attitudes will be much the same as the ones you witnessed. That, and I really couldn't give a damn about a good 80% of the people I'd run into.
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:32:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
That's why I'll never go to a class reunion - ever.
Submitted by forthewin (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:27:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You are pretty damn old aren't you? Ya old geezer.
Submitted by goferforhire (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:27:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
but I agree
Submitted by goferforhire (user info) at 2006-08-22 14:26:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
I'm sorry; I have to give you a negative score because you forgot a few of these-
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