Reunion Committee group at the Immaculata-La Salle Cafetorium - l-r Ricardo Reimundo, Silvia Gonzalez, Bill Urbizu and Marily Benitez - May 2008The time has almost come, and it is time to act, if you have not done so already. So as not to re-state the obvious, and because it is well stated in the following message from our Bestial Infernal Committee gent, Bill Urbizu, we will share his short and sweet email message to the Committee members. It says what needs to be said and illustrates some of the effort put in by your friends in the Committee, not for our benefit but for yours. We want to make this long-overdue Reunion a success...for you and for us, but WE CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT YOU; if you are not there to enjoy it and share the joy of the reconnection, the friendship, camaraderie, whatever you wish to call it, then it is all for nothing. We do not have the luxury to go another 20 years between Reunions; that is the reality. In these troubled and uncertain times, let us at least come together this once, re-establish our ties, connections, and re-connections. We shared one to four years together in a very special place; let us do so again. Some of us had "hang time" together in other schools, pre-ILS; here is an opportunity to have "reunions within the Reunion."
These days, one cannot have too many friends and one should enjoy and cultivate said friendships thoroughly and often. Believe it or not, we need each other; no man or woman is an island. Friends are the brothers and sisters you get to choose...therefore, we hope you choose to spend some time with your brother and sister classmates Friday the 16th, and Saturday the 17th, Anno Domini 2008. 'Nuf said! For now, that is...
These days, one cannot have too many friends and one should enjoy and cultivate said friendships thoroughly and often. Believe it or not, we need each other; no man or woman is an island. Friends are the brothers and sisters you get to choose...therefore, we hope you choose to spend some time with your brother and sister classmates Friday the 16th, and Saturday the 17th, Anno Domini 2008. 'Nuf said! For now, that is...
"Dear Infernals:
We need to post on the website that Monday will be the last day to purchase tickets. On Tuesday, I need to inform the caterer of the # of persons attending the Friday night event.
We met at the cafeteria for lunch and decided on the layout of the tables, dj, cash bar and the reception table. The Decorating Committee will go back to the cafeteria on Friday, the 16th at 1 p.m. to begin setup. The caterer will provide table cloths, along with the tables and the flower bases for each table. The Committee will purchase the flowers, balloons, and the photo tags. I will be contacting ILS regarding the helium for the balloons. They have the tanks, but may need to be refilled since the Alumni event of a couple of weeks ago. I will ask Fredy to pay for this cost out of our budget.
Once we receive the list of attendees, hopefully today, who will be printing the photos of those attending from the Signum '68 book? This needs to begin happening NOW. Let me know.
As of 10 days ago, we had 65 persons coming. Federico Padovan has not provided the latest list. I'm hoping he provides it today. As soon as we receive the latest list, we need to start calling those that we have phone numbers for to remind them of the urgency to buy this weekend, and not wait till the last minute. Each of us needs to make 5-7 calls. That will mean reaching another 35 alumnis.
I'll get back to you as soon as I get the list from Fredy Padovan.
Beast aaarrrggghhh!!!"
Allright! Before signing off on this post, the LIB (Little Infernal Blogger-the acronym DOES NOT reflect "its" politics) is going to editorialize a little bit. A list of attendees to the Friday dance/social has been provided by ILS. As of the date of this post, we have close to 100 attendees; 89 to be exact, and a couple more have "checked in" since then. On the surface, this seems a good turnout, and it is good indeed. However, considering the efforts made so far to make this wonderful gathering happen, it seems the response could have been a little better. A lot better, in fact. Granted, the opera is not over - the Fat Lady has not yet sung. Therefore, by Monday May 12th we may be at the 100 mark or better yet, beyond it.
We have emailed, called, wrote, begged, pleaded, cajoled, even made personal contacts, here and there, to solicit and encourage your participation, my friends. We have over 100 email addresses in the Contacts list; 134 "snail mails" have been sent, with less than a half dozen returned as undeliverable or addressee unknown. We have not yet given up and do not be surprised if you receive a phone call to gently remind you to come on down and have fun!
Really, what would keep you from coming to the dance, the picnic, or both? Geographic constraints? OK, that is valid. Yet we have some classmates coming from as far as Alabama, California, and North Carolina. Family matters? Family first, of course. But don't forget, you may be missing the gathering of your ILS Family. Fear the years have been less than kind on you and afraid to show your face? We did not just invite your face, but all of you, body and soul. Believe it, what is inside is far more important than the external side. Your Blog-fiend was recently described, while enjoying adventure and camaraderie in North Carolina, as resembling Uncle Fester, from the Addams Family show. Remember him?
That, Blog-fiend thinks, is actually a complimentary description. Now, if this "Uncle Fester" is ready, willing, and able to show his mug on Friday the 16th and Saturday the 17th, you can show yours! It cannot be worse. However, small children and animals should be kept at a respectable distance lest they be frightened to death.
Are you afraid your non-Immaculata-La Salle Better Half will be bored if he or she is dragged to these happenings? Fear not! There will be others there who are not alumni either. Mingle, mingle! No doubt your spouse will find some kindred spirits - besides those at the bar - and enjoy an engaging, interesting conversation. We have many talented people in our group who may share some common interests with your soul mate. Does your Better Half or Significant Other wish to discuss why the Ardennes breakthrough was decisive in ensuring the defeat of France in 1940? "Uncle Fester" is available! Wish to discuss the merits of India pale ales, porters, stouts, and pilseners? "Uncle Fester" is available! And he'll drink to that with your Better Half, or Halves, or what have you. Wanna talk design, web construction, programming and other craft or "techie" stuff like that? Adrianna may humor a request or two, and Mrs. "Fester" - that is, Mrs. Quiroga, can run you through the intricacies of computers and computing. There is something for everyone here.
Are you afraid to come because you fear running into someone who conjures up nightmares or less than pleasant memories? Listen, by now, we're more than adults - we are or should be Adults Plus. We can be civilized to each other and let bygones be bygones. No one is getting younger; carrying grudges or unpleasant recollections about some failed social encounter in the past gets no one anywhere. Time to forget those in many cases petty faux pas of the past, and move on. Shake hands, hug, high-five each other and make peace. Do not forget the purpose of this is to re-connect with each other, enjoy the company of friends we may not have seen for years, catch up, celebrate and be proud of our triumphs while traveling through the Road of Life.
If it helps and you have some grudge or irritating memory of "Uncle Fester," you may place a paper bag over his head, thus creating the appearance "it" is only an illusion. However, he is not responsible if his Better Half objects, although he fears she may, in fact approve.
Last, do you think it "has just been too long since we've seen each other, and no one cares?" Well, suffice it to say your Blogging classmate and his little band of buddies from his school in Havana never gave that a thought, after we began finding each other, one by one, during the past two years. We had not seen each other, in most cases, since 1960...yet it seems as if we were together yesterday, and the joy of our re-encounter was not in any way diminished by the passage of time. Therefore, banish those negative preconceptions and do not be afraid to see your friends again. You will not regret it.
We're not gonna put a gun to your head and force you to head this way - to the Reunion, that is - after all, it is a free country. But we certainly do not aim to miss you...please join us.
We need to post on the website that Monday will be the last day to purchase tickets. On Tuesday, I need to inform the caterer of the # of persons attending the Friday night event.
We met at the cafeteria for lunch and decided on the layout of the tables, dj, cash bar and the reception table. The Decorating Committee will go back to the cafeteria on Friday, the 16th at 1 p.m. to begin setup. The caterer will provide table cloths, along with the tables and the flower bases for each table. The Committee will purchase the flowers, balloons, and the photo tags. I will be contacting ILS regarding the helium for the balloons. They have the tanks, but may need to be refilled since the Alumni event of a couple of weeks ago. I will ask Fredy to pay for this cost out of our budget.
Once we receive the list of attendees, hopefully today, who will be printing the photos of those attending from the Signum '68 book? This needs to begin happening NOW. Let me know.
As of 10 days ago, we had 65 persons coming. Federico Padovan has not provided the latest list. I'm hoping he provides it today. As soon as we receive the latest list, we need to start calling those that we have phone numbers for to remind them of the urgency to buy this weekend, and not wait till the last minute. Each of us needs to make 5-7 calls. That will mean reaching another 35 alumnis.
I'll get back to you as soon as I get the list from Fredy Padovan.
Beast aaarrrggghhh!!!"
Allright! Before signing off on this post, the LIB (Little Infernal Blogger-the acronym DOES NOT reflect "its" politics) is going to editorialize a little bit. A list of attendees to the Friday dance/social has been provided by ILS. As of the date of this post, we have close to 100 attendees; 89 to be exact, and a couple more have "checked in" since then. On the surface, this seems a good turnout, and it is good indeed. However, considering the efforts made so far to make this wonderful gathering happen, it seems the response could have been a little better. A lot better, in fact. Granted, the opera is not over - the Fat Lady has not yet sung. Therefore, by Monday May 12th we may be at the 100 mark or better yet, beyond it.
We have emailed, called, wrote, begged, pleaded, cajoled, even made personal contacts, here and there, to solicit and encourage your participation, my friends. We have over 100 email addresses in the Contacts list; 134 "snail mails" have been sent, with less than a half dozen returned as undeliverable or addressee unknown. We have not yet given up and do not be surprised if you receive a phone call to gently remind you to come on down and have fun!
Really, what would keep you from coming to the dance, the picnic, or both? Geographic constraints? OK, that is valid. Yet we have some classmates coming from as far as Alabama, California, and North Carolina. Family matters? Family first, of course. But don't forget, you may be missing the gathering of your ILS Family. Fear the years have been less than kind on you and afraid to show your face? We did not just invite your face, but all of you, body and soul. Believe it, what is inside is far more important than the external side. Your Blog-fiend was recently described, while enjoying adventure and camaraderie in North Carolina, as resembling Uncle Fester, from the Addams Family show. Remember him?
That, Blog-fiend thinks, is actually a complimentary description. Now, if this "Uncle Fester" is ready, willing, and able to show his mug on Friday the 16th and Saturday the 17th, you can show yours! It cannot be worse. However, small children and animals should be kept at a respectable distance lest they be frightened to death.Are you afraid your non-Immaculata-La Salle Better Half will be bored if he or she is dragged to these happenings? Fear not! There will be others there who are not alumni either. Mingle, mingle! No doubt your spouse will find some kindred spirits - besides those at the bar - and enjoy an engaging, interesting conversation. We have many talented people in our group who may share some common interests with your soul mate. Does your Better Half or Significant Other wish to discuss why the Ardennes breakthrough was decisive in ensuring the defeat of France in 1940? "Uncle Fester" is available! Wish to discuss the merits of India pale ales, porters, stouts, and pilseners? "Uncle Fester" is available! And he'll drink to that with your Better Half, or Halves, or what have you. Wanna talk design, web construction, programming and other craft or "techie" stuff like that? Adrianna may humor a request or two, and Mrs. "Fester" - that is, Mrs. Quiroga, can run you through the intricacies of computers and computing. There is something for everyone here.
Are you afraid to come because you fear running into someone who conjures up nightmares or less than pleasant memories? Listen, by now, we're more than adults - we are or should be Adults Plus. We can be civilized to each other and let bygones be bygones. No one is getting younger; carrying grudges or unpleasant recollections about some failed social encounter in the past gets no one anywhere. Time to forget those in many cases petty faux pas of the past, and move on. Shake hands, hug, high-five each other and make peace. Do not forget the purpose of this is to re-connect with each other, enjoy the company of friends we may not have seen for years, catch up, celebrate and be proud of our triumphs while traveling through the Road of Life.
If it helps and you have some grudge or irritating memory of "Uncle Fester," you may place a paper bag over his head, thus creating the appearance "it" is only an illusion. However, he is not responsible if his Better Half objects, although he fears she may, in fact approve.
Last, do you think it "has just been too long since we've seen each other, and no one cares?" Well, suffice it to say your Blogging classmate and his little band of buddies from his school in Havana never gave that a thought, after we began finding each other, one by one, during the past two years. We had not seen each other, in most cases, since 1960...yet it seems as if we were together yesterday, and the joy of our re-encounter was not in any way diminished by the passage of time. Therefore, banish those negative preconceptions and do not be afraid to see your friends again. You will not regret it.
We're not gonna put a gun to your head and force you to head this way - to the Reunion, that is - after all, it is a free country. But we certainly do not aim to miss you...please join us.
Havana - 1959
2 comments:
You mentioned better halves, geographic/distance problems, we don't care, grudges...as to what might keep people away from the reunion. As a man, you failed to mention what keeps a lot of people - oh, OK, women - away from class reunions: We're fat, wrinkled, and grey haired. Personally, I don't care, and I figure we'll all look alike, but in telling people I'm going to a 40year class reunion, I've received several comments to the effect of being embarassed. So all of us bald, pot bellied, fat, wrinkled, varicose veined, near sighted, far sighted, grey haired folks (pick any that apply), should make a deal to not mention anything about looks. We need to stick to the old tried and true greeting which nobody believes, "Wow, you haven't changed a bit!" See you on Friday. Martha russ
Martha, another alternative, politically correct greeting could be: "Wow! You haven't changed a bit! What brand embalming fluid do you drink?"
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