Happy Groundbreaking Day!

Some time today (2p, we think) they will be breaking ground (for the second time; go figure) at my (old) high school to begin construction of the new building on the (sinkhole-ridden) football field. Though I can't go to the actual event and throw flowers (or bricks. . .they could use them), the fact that it's today is making me a bit nostalgic. I'm going to have to come back in the fall with a camera and take pictures of the (hunk of junk) campus, because if they actually go through with the construction this time, the building will be gone soon. And as much as we bitch about it (and almost don't get re-certified by Middle States becasue of it), my RM experience would not have been the same without it.

One of the most memorable things of my freshman year was absolutely trying to figure out how that labyrinthine building came together. There was one staircase (the one that led into the gym wing) that I didn't realize when both up and down until second semester of my freshman year. This was still when I was using that Gods-forsaken rolling backpack. I used to get through the crush where the hallways come together in front of the IB office using that backpack and a lot of elbowing. I learned a lot of curse words that first year (not that I didn't know them already, mind you. . .).

Where else do you have classrooms within classrooms, so that when you come in late you have two full classes staring at you, instead of one? Where else do you have the county's best drama troupe working with a stage that has no backstage, no fly-system, and seating that you can't use because almost 1/3 of it lets the audience see into the wings? Where else do you have to go outside to get to some classes, and then have them taught in the cafeteria, the auditorium lobby, and stairwells when it's not safe to go outside?

Where else do you have lunch on the floor because the cafeteria's too small to house one grade, much less all four? Some of my best memories come from sitting on the floor outside of the 118 computer lab, chatting about religion, politics, Star Trek, and school work with any number of people, both the lunch group staples like JP and Shagun and the transient types like Ersin and Correll. I'll have to get used to eating at a table again, that's for sure.

I never did get a chance to sled down the hill to the S rooms, or take a picture of the yellow paint toilet in the ladies' room by the home ec hall. There are still parts of that building that I forget exist when I'm not thinking about them (the hoome ec hall, for one, or the math rooms next to the gym or the shop building). Like this parentheses-filled essay-thing, this building is full of surprises. Sinkholes and asbestos-like insulation, yes, but also little hidden bits you can only find if you know where to look.

Ta, RM, I know I'll be missing you. *salutes and hums Taps*

Happy Groundbreaking Day!

Some time today (2p, we think) they will be breaking ground (for the second time; go figure) at my (old) high school to begin construction of the new building on the (sinkhole-ridden) football field. Though I can't go to the actual event and throw flowers (or bricks. . .they could use them), the fact that it's today is making me a bit nostalgic. I'm going to have to come back in the fall with a camera and take pictures of the (hunk of junk) campus, because if they actually go through with the construction this time, the building will be gone soon. And as much as we bitch about it (and almost don't get re-certified by Middle States becasue of it), my RM experience would not have been the same without it.

One of the most memorable things of my freshman year was absolutely trying to figure out how that labyrinthine building came together. There was one staircase (the one that led into the gym wing) that I didn't realize when both up and down until second semester of my freshman year. This was still when I was using that Gods-forsaken rolling backpack. I used to get through the crush where the hallways come together in front of the IB office using that backpack and a lot of elbowing. I learned a lot of curse words that first year (not that I didn't know them already, mind you. . .).

Where else do you have classrooms within classrooms, so that when you come in late you have two full classes staring at you, instead of one? Where else do you have the county's best drama troupe working with a stage that has no backstage, no fly-system, and seating that you can't use because almost 1/3 of it lets the audience see into the wings? Where else do you have to go outside to get to some classes, and then have them taught in the cafeteria, the auditorium lobby, and stairwells when it's not safe to go outside?

Where else do you have lunch on the floor because the cafeteria's too small to house one grade, much less all four? Some of my best memories come from sitting on the floor outside of the 118 computer lab, chatting about religion, politics, Star Trek, and school work with any number of people, both the lunch group staples like JP and Shagun and the transient types like Ersin and Correll. I'll have to get used to eating at a table again, that's for sure.

I never did get a chance to sled down the hill to the S rooms, or take a picture of the yellow paint toilet in the ladies' room by the home ec hall. There are still parts of that building that I forget exist when I'm not thinking about them (the hoome ec hall, for one, or the math rooms next to the gym or the shop building). Like this parentheses-filled essay-thing, this building is full of surprises. Sinkholes and asbestos-like insulation, yes, but also little hidden bits you can only find if you know where to look.

Ta, RM, I know I'll be missing you. *salutes and hums Taps*