https://www.facebook.com/notes/me/?s=30#!/notes/sidhartha-sen/old-days-new-times/421870671529
I don't really miss my high-school years. But I do miss the town - and the people. I miss Mentor. I don't think its possible to truly explain the special circumstances in which we all grew up. A mall, a beach, a few movie theaters, coffee shops, and a spattering of neighborhoods created the community of our youth.
Perpetual grey skies with some clear sunny days.
The people were the difference. Hope and apathy, punk and preppy all mixed together to form our world of love, life, and letting go. Letting go happened senior year I think. Who would have thought Face Book would bring a semblance of that history back into the present.
It's like the Brady Bunch reunion shows... all grown up, with jobs, and kids, and homes, and bills. You know we never really talk about our bills on here. Hmm. I can't believe Heidi Baggot would become an expat in China....or that Steve Kansa would... uh... what exactly do you do Steve?
The fact that Matt Cortelli and John Vaugn have grown up into admirable father figures gives me (slim) hope for my own future.
Jonathan LePere and I are extremely close in political views now... ack... what does that mean? Did he become more liberal, or I conservative? Perhaps both.
I think I miss the people most... and some of them were not even good friends of mine back then, but are so treasured by me now... while others who I was extremely close to have grown up and become insane or despondent or both.
I am the God father of my ex-girlfriend's sister's baby. It is a weird thing to write but a lovely truth from the journey of my life. And I named my daughter in part for my high school best friend's sister, Nicole. Who by the way was recently married (congrats!)
I remember being in Boy Scouts with Adam Shea and Mark Winner. I never figured out if heather herman and adam dated... they did didn't they? Oof, I was so out of the loop.
I remember when my friend Carlos died (remember that?) and Jen Seese -- who I butted heads with constantly -- hugged me and was nice to me (never forgot that, never said thanks either...should have).
I moved to Mentor, the summer before 6th grade. My two best friends were pete holland, and Carrie Ritchie. I lost touch with both and found them again here... Peter became really cool (seriously check out his facebook page) and Carrie turned out amazing.
Speaking of Karrie's ... langer married TOM???!!! ok... that was interesting news... who saw that coming? I think its awesome, they are a great pair.
For some reason, I never could get over the fact that some people had parents and relatives that were teachers... my mind just couldnt comprehend.
And then again there were my adopted brothers... the one's that were the kids of my parent's friends...Mark, Mike, and Rob... Mike Post lives in England now...weird, what's weirder is he procreated and propagated his gene's -- fortunately his children are georgous. Mark Host is still secretely in love with Yoda...sorry Beth, its true. I can't say anything about Rob, he knows where I live and could kick my ass.
So many of us are on here... who needs Classmates.com? We've grown up, somewhat (Nicole Elam is probably still a legal midget). But I still have memories of Mentor: snow days, orchestra, failed attempts at volley ball in matt's back yard, and eating chili at Chris ditchman's house.
What's up with days like today? Days like today we can realize how cool our little band of wannabee, hopeful, full of ideas, teenagers truly were and are.
Matt Kacir is going to be a father... truly? Really... I mean who? how? ok I KNOW how, but who? lol... congrats Matt. I miss your brother.
I think I'll take my family back to Mentor some day soon. Hopefully see some familiar faces. We have a very good thing, coming from that place. Despite our circumstances, we have all done allright. Found some happiness. Found some love. Found some peace. Must be something in the water.
Share this with others if you want... up next, embarrasing pictures and scans of old notes and year book greetings....muahhahahahah
ok, just kidding, that would take too much time. I have a child to care for and a wife to love.
Enjoy life.
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- John Vaughn It is always so much fun trying to explain to my wife and sometimes the kids what type of city Mentor truly was! When I hear stories about how they (my wife and her friends) used to "cruise" or all the small towns that were dirt roads, now cities like Mentor! It really was a wonderful thing! I guess in the end we are all products of a time that hopefully one day will resurface and lend itself to our children and theirs! Thanks Sid for the mini trip back home!
- Steve Kansa Sid, if I were you I wouldn't miss my high school years either.
Funny you mention my career as that is about to change as I have decided that the never ending pursuit of money ends up being just that. I've decided that my life-long passion is something that I simply must do even though the path isn't crystal clear. And that's ok, cause what would be the point of doing it if it was crystal clear? Even though I would have loved nothing more than to be the hell out of there at the time Mentor proved to be the perfect incubator for what is now obviously my life's work. - Nicole Elam Smith I loved growing up in Mentor. I never wanted to leave, then I lived up all over Cali and ended up on a farm. I love the unpredictability of life. People we thought were just hopeless are enviable and the golden children of our youth are well... a bit tarnished. It's comforting to reconnect with all of you, in some way you all have contributed to my life, and I love my life. So thanks! P.S. As for my extreme shortness of stature...all I have to say is that proportion is key and I have it!!!
- Heidi Baggott Sid, I blame your boy/girl party in 6th grade with Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet" playing in the background as the starting point that has landed me in China. Just kidding. Growing up where we did and when we did was great. There are many places I have lived (So. Cal and Scottsdale, AZ) where I would constantly think "If I had kids, I would never want to bring them up in a place like this." But with how much I think it was great growing up there, I always wanted to see other parts of the country and the world. THANK YOU for that unexpected call almost 1.5 years ago when I was trying to make a decision on what to do and where before I decided on China. It really means a lot that you called to listen and offer your advice and support. You have turned out to be one of the most amazing and inspiring people I know. I love that we have reconnected via FB 2 years ago.
- Sidhartha Sen Was it two years ago? Time is moving too fast. Kansa what you wrote is so true but still leaves exactly what you do a mystery...I think u must be a gigolo...what else could be your life's work? Lori, do I have to mention my constant homeroom companion? It's kinda obvious that you had a HUGE impact on my life...afterall I would never had such an appreciation of joy and laughterif it was for watching you. always laughing and smiling, pony tail swinging...quick to smile again no matter what boy broke your heart... the fact that you make blonde jokes more fun helps too....
- Lori Sebulski Um, yes, you should have mentioned it Some things just don't ever change, Sid. The boys breaking my heart or you. I am glad that you haven't changed, that I can still make fun of you for being a Boy Scout, but can we please do something about the smiling through my tears? Because the whole broken heart thing is getting old. Thanks.
It seems that everyone else couldn't wait to get out of Mentor but I always stuck close to home. And then bought a house here last year. I love the flashbacks when I go past Mentor High, walk into Spudnuts, go to Better in Mentor Days or to a MHS football game. It brings me right back to the friends I had so many years ago, still have now, and how much fun we always had together. - Sidhartha Sen I didn't know how to fit lipstick messages on my bedroom window into a story that my daughter will read some day....lol. melanie I tagged a lot of peeps but fb cut them off.
- Melanie Miller Bumpus You know I am surprised you didn't pat yourself on the back for your matchmaking abilities. If I've never said it - Thanks!
- Sidhartha Sen I am that good. I only went on one date with Katya before we decided to get engaged.. a few months later married.... true story... must share some day.
- Heather McGrattan Webster Hey guys... So parts of this made me laugh.. and others made me tear up. Mentor hasn't changed much. I now longer live there, but still live close. The traffic is nuts and the kids are just as crazy. When you plan your trip back home... let us know.
- Steve Kansa Sid, naturally you guys decided to get engaged on the first date - she was the only one that would go out with you! I distinctly remember Jeff Damon going down to the morning announcements in high school to give birthday wishes to Mike Hunt. That still cracks me up every time I think about it.
- Sidhartha Sen But I can run faster than you. And I doubt you'll come to Texas anytime before Christmas, and Mike would have to cross the Atlantic to get here. Plus England has made him soft...I could out run him too....ha!
