Tambre Anderson

I first met Tambre during my first year of yearbook. As I first entered the class, the number of new faces far out weighed the familiar ones. Tambre was in one of the subgroups that included Kim Hill (*shudder*) which created an initial barrier to overcome. Eventually, because of her editorship, I was forced into a working relationship and finally a friendship.

Tambre has, as long as I've known her, been on the energetic side. But (as clich� as it may sound), I guess that comes with being a cheerleader. Also, Ms. Anderson is a bit on the wordy side... to say the very least. The first perception of her thrust upon me by others was one of a girl that could never get to a point, always just giving the details and not really the gist.

First year (eighth grade), home base (NC is very lame, hence their renaming of homeroom). We were in Mrs. "Shake-n-Bake's " Arthur's class but she was real harsh. I was brand new so I guess it's forgivable that Sarah was so damned mean (considering how I was back then, extremely forgivable and understandable).

We've since had a few classes here and there and become friends. It's strange now to think how mean she used to be considering the "Polly Anna"-ish nature of her now (no offense intended). Sarah's always been fairly quiet but there's a sharp edge to her that she'll turn against any that'll make her mad.

I'm surprised that Emily Koperniak and Julie Busfield acknowledge her past the stage of animosity. They all have a common Ryan Gant connection, each with their own unique take of hate.

One of those that fits into the "Ultimate male" stereotype: supremely confident in his beliefs and "abilities," a charmer of everyone, Mr. Sports, tells lewd jokes and stories, all that. I think I first me Alonzo in Yearbook, sophomore year. I can remember being, well, not really afraid. At the very least kind of weary about him. People like him don't have all that good a track record of leaving people like me alone. But I found him to be really nice (a surprising thing) and extremely funny.

Alonzo is one of those people that cannot be stopped, and most of the time in the bad ways. He's so uninhibited in everything he does; he won't hold back if he has something to say. I learned all sorts of things about him from Shannon Dunn (they had gone put and she held a torch for him for quite a long time).

I'm not sure where or how I met Denny. Maybe it was eighth grade Rivenbark? At any event, I'm pretty sure it was while at Hunter's Creek.

I believe Denny has always been one of those people on the "friendship fringe." I can sit down and talk with them but I mainly know them through other people. Regardless though, she's fun to be around and over these past five (five?! Jesus ...) years, she's always been nice.

She's deceptively quiet., being one of those secretly loud people. Also, she hides (at first) this crazy sense of humor. She'll having you rolling on the floor in no time.

Meghan Brown

Meghan is, by every stretch of the imagination, her own person. Whether that means that she'll tell you how she's feeling or she'll tell you how she's feeling, it can be a little disarming. Meghan was in a lot of my classes in eighth grade and I was never able to quite figure out where I stood with her (her and Kendal Nielson made me so mad one day that I just snapped my glasses in two. I've since lightened up). The longer you spend with Meghan, though, the better acclimated to her particular free-wheeling, "I don't give a damn what they think" personality you get. She's also a very deep woman, even if it doesn't seem that way at first.

I learned a lot about her fairly quickly after I got past my initial apprehension. When she was young, Meghan went through a pretty terrible tragedy and came through it to be a stronger person. Also, when she would read my poems and such, instead of giving the usual "Oh, yeah. That's good"'s, she'd actually make real comments, showing that she really read what I had written.

Meghan is one of those people you hope you always stay connected to in some way because she's so fascinating. A lot of people just thinks she's a bitch but that's part of her, as it's part of everyone. If you can't accept it, well then, your loss.

I guess I first met her in Spanish II, junior year. First thing I remember is her talking to Jerami England, bashing which substitute we had. First impression: Another pretty girl that was actually pretty smart (she, somehow, learned from the sub) that would be an acquaintance. Then when I found out she was a cheerleader? Well, stereotypes abound (it's been proven to me in Randi Morton and Loreal Jones that all cheerleaders aren't like the junk you see in movies or on TV -- None of the ones I've met have ever been stuck-up or rude or completely brain-dead). I was glad to find that Stephanie didn't fall into the stereotypes, either.

Like everyone else, she probably thought I was a pretty strange guy whenever I would initiate a conversation. But I was a bit nervous, so what can I say? (In that class, I didn't know many of my classmates all that well). Stephanie actually followed through on conversations, too; then again, she's a big chatterbox. I don't know if I'm just a trust-worthy person or if she's just really open but I got to know her very fast, especially while decorating for prom. From people she couldn't stand or information about "Mr. Steve" or "Mr. X" (another one of my Cupid ventures that didn't go right -- Cooperate with me, people!), she opened right up.

Nicole Buffong

Like Randi Morton and Heather Freedman, I had heard a lot about Nic before I ever met her. I first met her in freshman English. She seemed nice enough but things were pretty clique-y so it was hard to tell between who was genuinely cool and those that were just acting. The New York trip that same year helped me to get to know her a tiny bit better.

The school's Drama Club went on a trip to NYC. The Drama Club had over 50 members the day after they announced said trip; any question as to why? It was a nerve-racking, depressing, eye-opening time. I've said before that I don't really consider someone a friend until I've learned something real from or about them. What'd Nic teach me? Well, what the heck DKNY was to start with. Later in senior year Calculus I learned a lot more, stuff that's better left unsaid.

Regardless of anyone else's opinions of Nicole, I've found her to be an extremely smart, funny, sweet girl. She's not half as obnoxious or stuck-up as I had assumed. That's not to say she can't be obnoxious -- Oh, she can. It'd probably be better to stay on her good side, for everyone's benefit.

Yet another person to chalk up on the "Lived in Hawaii when I did yet I never met her even though our dad's were friends" list. I'm not sure where I first met Jules. It was either eighth grade Algebra or freshman English. Whenever it was, I got know her even despite her sometimes-clueless nature.

Julie is another of those many people that I know that can be completely wild. Why or how I'm friends with such opposites I'll know. She's always good for a laugh, whether she's going off about some various Jessica or nameless girl, completely forgetting what's going on, or just being there.

Julie's a genuinely sweet person, though (as long as you don't piss her off, that is). A bit dramatic sometimes but that's how some are. I played Cupid with her once. And even though it turned out pretty badly (a story for another day), she doesn't hold it against me. Nice to meet someone that doesn't hold a grudge. Well, make that every grudge.

I had heard of Melissa Carter but hadn't the slightest inkling of who she was... Until her brother Mike (who I had freshman ELPS with and was friends with) inadvertently revealed it.

I didn't actually meet Melissa until Junior year Computer Apps 2 (I met/got to know quite a few people in there). Carter... Corum. Names naturally close together, right? Well, Ms. Register had alphabetically assigned seats and we sat moderately close. At first, as always, I just helped her and others with their computer work. Eventually (through Randi Morton, TJ Michalenko and various others), I got to know her better and to call her a friend.

One of the ways we bonded is pretty reprehensible. If you know me, you know that I love to gossip. Unbeknownst to me, so did Ms. Morton and Ms. Carter. So, in-between assignments, we'd sit and gossip (actually, we all, the whole class in fact, goofed off between work. The ultimate ice-breaker: Bashing other people.

Melissa was also a cheerleader and, as such, was prone to periods of complete stress-overload and little over reactions (which, if you knew all the stuff they go through, you'd understand). Little factoid: Melissa's locker was over mine, causing various, "Oh! I'm sorry Josh! I'm almost done! Watch your head!" 's.

If I recall correctly, I first met Cash in tenth grade English (Weist/Ellis; another story there). I remember two things above all others about her from that class: 1) The girl will talk forever. She won't stop unless you make her. 2) Her reading is perhaps one of the most dramatic performances I had heard. Thankfully, she's stopped with the acting when reading aloud. It sounded as if she was trying to deliver a Shakespearean play.

All of that aside, Michelle is an extremely interesting person. She's been all-around Europe (or at least England, I don't remember exactly). She also seems to have a million stories that she's all too willing to tell. Also, she used to have this anxiety problem. If she was faced with a problem like an approaching deadline for a project or a test or ... well, whatever really, she'd basically freak out. Seriously, she would practically hyperventilate. I can remember a time in junior English where we had to turn in a vocabulary assignment and she couldn't find her's. So, did she just say, "Can I find it later and give it to you then?" No, she went through her entire, stuff-filled backpack, throwing papers around, dumping all the contents all over the floor. This went on for fifteen minutes before Mrs. Rose finally stopped her.

I've been in a few compromising positions with Mitch (a nickname she doesn't care for). But, from what I've found, there aren't too many people that haven't been in such situations with her.

I think we lived across the street from each other for a full year before we even said, "Hello." When I moved in across the street during the summer before freshman year and learned who lived over there, man, I trode lightly from then on. Everytime I went outside or something, I always looked at least half-way decent and tried not to look too idiotic. And, me being me, I had Tana Graham as Mel what she though of her "across the street neighbor." Her response, "Oh. He's cool." Geeze, all that and she was just a normal person.

Mel and I first met in Yearbook, sophomore year. Since then, we've fought and laughed and all that junk. But mostly, we've been in the car. Mel and I have ridden to school together for a long time. Almost every single, solitary day we've made the long trip from Horse Creek Farms, official boonies, all the way to White Oak, behind slow cars, idiotic buses, all that. And during all that, even though it's quiet most days (not counting Mel's singing) we've become pretty good friends. Whenever something's wrong, I'm sure to find out about it and I'm all too willing to help. And up until a few months ago, I was also her official computer lab.

Come my eighteenth birthday, hopefully I 'll be able to pay Mel back for all of the morning rides.

I know I knew of her at least in eighth grade but the earliest I can actually remember is freshman English. Then there was the New York trip ... but I won't talk about what I heard about her part in the whole trip. I do want to keep her a friend, don't I?

Everyone that I know sings at one time or another. As such, I know who has a good voice and who doesn't. Jenny's one of the few that I actually don't mind when they start singing. Over the years, I got to know Jenny better, just like everyone. In Teacher Cadet was probably the most eye-opening class I've had and I learned a lot about everyone in there. Jenny was one of them and it was interesting to learn about the generations of family of her's that live in NC and around our area. Also, I learned how dedicated she is to teaching and to helping people learn in that class.

Dear God but this is girl is too funny. She's one of the truly hilarious people. Everyone's seen Daria. The title character is the person that it's easiest to to link Kristina to. Only Crooks is much funnier and personable. Kristina is one of those few underclassmen that I get to meet and be friends with. Thankfully so. It was Mrs. Schmidt's Biology class, a slacker period I never did have. In-between times when we were supposed to be watching a movie or "learning" I was able to meet a diverse group of people, Kristina included. At first I didn't even realize she wasn't in our grade level, she was so mature. That Daria-seriousness was there too but she made me laugh a lot more.

Later on in my senior year, Crooks was in the Sweetheart Pageant. Most hilarious thing I've ever seen on stage. While all of the other contestants practiced hard with their singing or what, Kristina wasn't worried about it at all. And as the talent portion came up and she walked out on stage, most didn't know what to expect. She had a large guitar case with her and slowly sat it down to open it. Then, she pulled out a recorder and proceeded to perform a rousing rendition of Hot-Cross Buns. Then as she left stage, everyone could see the message posted on her back: Hi Mom. Hilarious.

Shannon Dunn

Another result of Computer Apps 2. I was abit surprised that I became friends with Shannon. Why? I dunno, it just felt strange at the time.

Common knowledge: Joshua Corum is a shy guy. I am, really. If I don't know someone, I'm going to be markedly different around them than actual friends. With Shannon (and most of the people I've met recently) I went out on a limb (at least for me). As she sat right next to me and it was my first day of class (meaning: You're surrounded by people you don't know) I decided I should strike up a conversation. She beat me to it, of course. But, I did respond back and actually talk to her (as opposed to the usual brush off that I do).

Shannon's a very vocal person, in both good and bad ways. Also, she can be friends with almost everyone (or at least get them to open up. I know Mike Stroff did). There were some quirks about her that were a bit sad (last time I checked). The main one? her feeling for Alonzo Brimmer. After I got to know her better, I was able to go through one of my "counseling sessions" with her. Did it work? I don't know. It made her think though so, in a way, it worked better than I thought.

The drama queen. She's entirely undefeated in the drama department.

The first things I learned about Heather were from Rick McNeil, meaning that the information was more than a little tainted. Rick had the notion that Heather (who was going to Southwest when he told me all this originally) liked him and when she returned to WOHS, they would get together and be a couple. That never came to fruition, of course.

I didn't actually meet her until sophomore year Algebra II. She seemed nice enough, if a little overbearing. She's really a sweet person (yeah, I know everyone says she's fake but you can't be that nice and that happy without being at least somewhat truthful, if not completely). She's also another one of those musically talented folks. If she starts singing, well, she probably won't stop until she's finished. Trust me.

I cannot remember, for the life of me, when I first met Hilary-Bilary. I do that Hilary's inadvertently opened a few thing up to me, specifically the knowledge of the crazy side of teenager-dom. First place I can actually recall talking to Hil was in sophomore World Geography. I think it was mainly because of a mutual friend but she seemed nice enough. Then, throughout the course of the class, I was able to work with her more and talk with her more, leading to embarrassing but hilarious conversations.

All I knew about Hilary before I met her was her long relationship with Gerald Wilson. In eighth grade and ninth grade, they would sometime wear matching out-fits, leading me to the edge of puking. Actually, Hilary's usually known for her relationships -- for some reason, they always end badly which can lead to funny stories and what not. Mainly because, if she has an opinion or thought on something, no matter how stupid or possibly embarrassing, she'll blurt it out. And then giggle afterwards.

I can still remember the day when she realized that Josh could fit into Osh Kosh B`Gosh. For weeks afterwards, she'd call me Osh Kosh B`Josh. It was around then when I started to call her Hilary-Bilary. But the moment was one of those profound realizations she has, like, "Oh my God, I never realized that! *giggle*!" Remind me to tell you the Cold Story someday.

Man, first impressions are killers. I mean, I of all people should know not to go by them. First time I met Eddie ... Well, I really don't have a recollection of just meeting him. One day, we just knew each other's names. I do remember he was kinda jerk-ish. Don't ask me why -- Also, I got this feeling from Eddie that, for whatever reason, he didn't like me too much, kinda like Mike Stroff; there's tolerance but that's all it seems to be, tolerance. I was apparently wrong, though because Eddie turned out to be a nice guy with (yeah, I know I say this a lot) with real depth. Don't know why I didn't think he was a good guy, future revelations notwithstanding at all.

Eddie's a music guy and the musically talented crowd always intrigues me. I just marvel that they can produce such beautiful art just from within themselves, or that they can reproduce such wonderful sounds just from listening. I always feel a bit intimidated, though, like I can't ask how their individual musical endeavors (like a band, which Eddie belongs to two of), like since I don't understand all the idiosyncrasies of music, I'm just too pedestrian to bother with.

Jessica Neff was his girlfriend and they'd been together for something like three years. Why is that noteworthy? How many high school relationships do you know that last longer than a week? Of course, they did break up eventually but hey, that opened up the chance for me to play Cupid yet again.  Okay, maybe that didn't work out either...

As for when I met Loreal, I haven't a clue. Some people's first meetings leap to the front of my mind but with Lori, I really can't remember. It was probably through one of the other MLBs (a small group made up of Loreal, Melissa Caston, Hilary Hardison, Nicole Buffong and Julie Busfield) since I was friends with all of them before I ever me Lo. Anyway, I'm glad I did meet her.

Like a lot of my other friends, we are able to make fun of practically anything and get a laugh. But, we're not really evil, it's just an easy way to get a laugh. I mean, Loreal could just be telling a story, of some time when she was home alone or how crazy a day was, and I'll be rolling in laughter before she's finished. Lori also breaks the stereotype of the constantly-cheery cheerleader ... No, actually, when happy, it's pretty obvious she's a cheerleader. Loreal has all these little moves and such that make it pretty plain.

I really can't believe that I don't remember when/how/where I first met Loreal. But maybe that shows about Loreal herself: she tends not to dwell on the past but instead to focus on the here-and-now. That probably lends itself to her mainly-happy attitude.   Well, happy until you forget to acknowledge her cuteness.

I had been friends with Tiffany Reed for a while before she started going out with TJ, who is in one grade above us.. My first impression of him? I thought he was a jerk. He seemed too quiet and I could never find out anything about him until after they broke up, even though it strained Tiffany's and mine friendship.

I'm often a filter/middle-man/delivery boy between broken-up couples and I was such a person in this former relationship, too. TJ was in my Computer Apps 2 class, which was right after lunch, which I ate with Tiffany. I had to relay information, comments, put-downs, requests between the two; not that I minded. So, after their respective fires were quelled, I was able to resume my status quo except now TJ and I were friends. TJ (Timothy James? I hate not know initials) was a bit on the chauvinistic/sexist side (at the very least when it came to Randi Morton and Melissa Carter). But that didn't stop him from being a funny guy; it probably helped him. HE flirts with every single girl he comes into contact with, including teachers, administration, etc (both Mrs. Ditch, Miss Register, Randi, and Melissa always feel for it). Factoid: Being in baseball, he hurt his shoulder pretty badly and had to have reasonably-extensive surgery. He actually seemed kind of scared when talking about it, which is funny if you know him.

Every so often, I become very thankful for meeting a particular person. Ryane is one of those people. My preconceptions of Ryane were slightly less-than-good, mainly because of the source. Because of this, I was apprehensive around her when she first joined Yearbook as a sophomore my junior year. Was she going to be one of those rude, snotty people that just glares all class? Of course, everytime I heard something bad about a person it was always proven wrong but I still believed rumors.

Common knowledge: Joshua Corum has a great memories, selective though it may be. The day and situation in which I met Ryane probably epitomizes the qualities that made us become friends. It was Picture Day and since we were both in Yearbook, we didn't have much to do. All the other students were taking names and cards while a few of us were left to sit in the back of the Cultural Arts building. I don't quite remember who started it but one of us made a comment about some scary out-fit this girl was wearing. Then the other joined in and from there we proceeded to make fun of the craziest people. It was around that time that Mrs. Ditch had us go to fetch group of students from class. Of course, the class was in one of the trailers and therefore a long ways away, it was cold, about to rain, and neither of us new anything about the other. Well, on the way there and back (and guess what, the class wasn't even in their room), we were able to get to know a little more instead of just cracking on the unfashionable. Along the way, it actually did start to pour and we only had my jacket between us as we ran back to the building, which make for a metaphor for most of my close friendships: Compromise, firm common ground, and fun.

Ryane's helped me to realize quite a few things over the time we've known each other, not the least of which is/was to just speak my mind. Not only that, she (along with most of my other friends) has been/was able to loosen me up a bit and to acknowledge that I'm not half as bad as I think. And because of our like meanness, we're always able to make the other laugh -- Of course, it's usually in the course of making fun of someone else but it's still funny.

Randi's another one of those people that I'm surprised that I got be friends with. Grateful, no doubt, but still confounded. When I first moved to NC (eighth grade, Hunters' Creek), I heard of a girl, of a gorgeous, untouchable (so to speak) goddess of whom the angels sing [yeah, I'm paraphrasing but: 1) I'm a writer and 2) that's how people talked about her]. That girl was Randi. I was obviously intrigued about all the hoopla over just one person. I mean, who wouldn't be? But I never met her, the whole year. In fact, I never even laid eyes on her until sophomore year.

It was two years before I ever even saw Randi, and that was in Journalism/Yearbook, the hot-bed of cliques. She was in one of the little groups. As per usual, I didn't really gravitate or belong in any one group, let alone interact with them. Later, I got to know Randi better, a combination of my computer know-how (never try to use the BEARS program for a publication; you'll thank me) and her (not including most everyone else's) relative lack of knowledge. At the time (another one of those "dark" times when my self-esteem was at an all-time low), I was surprised she'd even talk to me, especially taking into account all the hype that surrounded her in eighth grade.

Randi is much more than what people say about her. That's not to say she isn't good looking, which she is. But she's also extremely smart, deceptively so. She may seem ditzy sometimes but she's on the ball more often than not. Also, she's a sweet girl, though she can throw out some pretty mean put-downs.

Randi is, or was at one time, the ultimate goal of most of the guys I knew, they consider/considered her like the pinnacle woman, the top choice if they were to get a choice. However, as a result (and of some other better-left-unsaid stuff) many of the girls hate her guts or at least thinks she's really fake. To each their own, I guess. Unfortunately, some of those people that have been mean to Randi have started to rub off on her. She's become less sheepish, with much more of an edge than ever before. Weird to see her actually be vicious when she's making jokes.

Jeeze, how pretentious can a name get? Yeah, that's what I thought at first but it's the polar opposite impression of Sterl that should get. I first became aware of Sterling was in eighth grade PE and then in freshman Geometry but we never talked at all. In fact, I don't even think we really even knew of each other.

I had many a misconception about Sterling when I first met him (Weist's English class, 10th grade, I think). He seemed pretty overbearing with his beliefs [Nicole Buffong and I argued that being gay was a physical/chemical difference in the brain (I went so far as to bring in a Discover magazine) while he said it was a choice -- we argued for like a full week]. I usually bristle when it comes to very religious people. But later I learned that he's not all the religious (since the dogmatic aspects are what drive me away); he's just extremely spiritual, which I found out was a very different thing.

Happenstance that we became friends really. Rick McNeil was at Sterling's house and called me about something (most likely Kendal). Somehow, I ended up on the phone with Sterling. And we talked forever, as either of us are apt to do. It was pretty strange because, up until then, I had never talked to him for more than 5 minutes. We must have been on the phone past 1:30 in the morning and we both had SATs the next day. It didn't really matter though, since neither him or I took the tests as seriously as others (better to be relaxed and unprepared than completely stressed and overloaded). As we talked I started finding out how similar we were, despite our vastly different backgrounds.

Some more of those "admirable characteristics" are in Sterling. I wish I had as faith in God as he does. Common Knowledge: Joshua Corum and religion don't mix. Why? Probably because there are so many rules and customs and limits that I just can't stick to. But the way Sterling presents his beliefs was and is rather inspirational. So much so I've even attended service and gone to the church youth group a few times.

He knows a little about computers, too. His homepage (ignoring the fact it's on Geocities) has some advanced stuff that I tend to shy away from. That all surprised me; he doesn't seem the computer/internet type. But then, you never can tell.

Thank God for the first version of these notes. Both Jason and I had trouble remembering when we first met. It was all the way back in eighth grade, on the bus actually. At the time, I was friends with the Bock twins (it was a different world, for sure) and he was too. Then in freshman year, we were both in Miss Ward's ill-fated honors English class. In fact, he was supposed to be one of my room-mates on the New York trip along with Rick McNeil; they both bailed and I was stuck with some truly strange people. Also in freshman year, we had Physical Science and Geometry together. In Geometry, we actually talked to one another about things like Popeye and forearms, but I also tried to help him, in my special Cupid way. An upperclassman (Jessica Drew, who's engaged last time I heard) liked him a lot and I continually tried to hook them up. Of course, one side always says, "Well, I dunno ..."

At first glance, Jason seem a bit dense when in actuality ... all right, so he's not exactly the sharpest tack in the box. But I do admire him. Jason, like quite a few others I know, is one of those people that I wish I was more like. He's charismatic and funny, all the while not letting it go to his head (I'm like that too, but in more of a "Nice Guy" way).

Yup, Jason's an all-around nice guy. Quarter-back, Honor Society, all that junk. Funny story: Nicole Buffong sprayed glitter-cologne or something on the back of his jersey one time in Calculus. Jason's response? "Man, they already call me a pretty boy and you're not helping it!" Perfect quote.

Sonya is a weird one. She's nothing like you'd expect if you just saw her once. There are so many seemingly conflicting elements of Sonya that it boggles the mind. She's probably the best basketball player in the school, she tries to shun "girly" things but is actually one of the "girliest" people I know, complete with giggle. I mean she's best friends with her possible complete opposite, Randi Morton; what else needs to be said, really?

Sonya is too funny. She has this thing, laughing them acting snooty as if it wasn't in the slightest bit humorous. Sure, a lot of people do that (I guess it's a sarcastic thing) but it still cracks me up everytime. I guess I first met her in freshman year in Miss Ward's English. She seemed stand-offish at first, "Lasagna" did. It takes a little while to break through her shell but when you do, it's worth it. I was able to do that in class and when we ate lunch together, almost everyday (yeah, high school lunch time is very much a routine). Sonya is truly funny, not just because I laugh at everything, either. And she's quite a bit more sensitive that she lets on.

Everytime I see her, I'm still surprised that the Sonya in front of me is the one I used to know. It's funny how people change as they get old.

Now here's a goofy girl if I've ever met one. I first met her in sophomore Yearbook. I'd been told by people that she was a bit ... questionable if that's a vague enough euphemism. I was pleasantly surprised that she didn't act like how people had described her.

Vikki is wild. She's uninhibited in her opinions and actions, but usually in a good way. She's a free, accepting person that I found strangely refreshing. Case in point: I had brought my tarot cards to class one day (don't ask; that was during one of the really stupid times in my life). Instead of jumping all over it as a form of devil-worship or something, she was the most enthusiastic to get her cards read (geeze, the more I type about it, the dumber I feel I ever got the cards; damned tv influence). For the rest of the year, she often asked my advice (sans cards) on whatever was bothering her.

Regardless of what happened between her and Mr. Foster, that doesn't really matter; it's not like they bothered me ever.

I didn't really know Chris before Computer Apps 2 except what I had heard from others (particularly Kristen Cordell). I wasn't too pleased by most of the comments; they all made him out to be a fake, stuck-up, "fruity" guy.

First meeting, I had all those preconceptions blocking a real view of him. We were placed in a group together in Apps 2 and forced to work together (along with some other freaks, like one girl who was apt to wear a cowboy hat -- even when in New York City on Spring Break, in the snow). During this, I was able to find that he was a talented, smart guy who was really nice. Chris is always doing something that has to do with vocality. He's either talking, laughing, or singing. He's quiet for too long. He played Seymour in the school's play Little Shop of Horrors. Perfect part for his personality (if less dramatic and outgoing).

He and "Ellen Peregrine" were a couple for a time. She said they broke up because he "didn't know what love meant." Yeah, he never really made too much sense.

Ro was always a bit of an odd-ball to me; at first she seems really weird but we ended up being pretty good friends. I believe that I met Ro because of Emily Koperniak or maybe Rebecca Maldonado. I know for sure that I got a not-so-good picture of her during the NYC trip (regardless of what she says, I saw her all over Austin Shultz most of the time). However, the notion was off-set by Emily and Rebecca's glowing endorsements.

Ro is another singer. And a pretty darn good one at that. She's also a really nice person that really cares about your well-being. We've also had our fair share of memorable moments which always clinches a friendship. Unfortunately, Renata moved from Jax waaaaaaaaays away to some art school. But it's, as she's told me and I've been told, conducive to her abilities and talents, which is much more important than stewing in some back-water city.