In the fall of 1989, I was a senior at a very small high school here in San Diego, where I was one of 56 soon-to-be graduating students. Many of us, a majority of us, had been going to the same school since we were six years old, or even younger. We were a tight knit group, and thanks to Facebook, many of us still are. Just so happens that this year is our 20 year high school reunion; oh man how time flies. And I’m probably going to regret posting this as many of them will heckle me for it. But I’m here for you dear readers; I am here to bare my soul so you can get a good laugh.
One blustery Santa Ana fall day, way back in ’89, twenty years and two months after the melodious and sexy Summer of ’69, I vividly remember the day that the distinguished Homecoming Court was to be announced. Well maybe not vividly, you know the mom thing and the party days of the ’90′s make many memories blurry, but nevertheless, I remember it well-ish.
As I was taking a pee break from my beloved English class, I bumped into another classmate of mine who happened to be on Homecoming Court Vote Counting Committee, a very prestigious committee indeed. She smiled when she saw me, motioned for me to come closer so she could whisper a secret, and told me that I had been nominated for the Homecoming Court.
I died.
Yes, I did. I died. I got all giddy and excited and nervous.
Lame sauce? Yes, totally. But I was (am still) very needy of approval and praise and kudos. Explains why I love curtain calls so much. And Balloonagrams. I loved Balloonagrams.
“They like me, they really like me,” was playing over and over in my head as I strutted back to class in my acid wash jean skirt and matching jean jacket. I bit my lip, fighting back the urge to not blurt out the big news to anyone who would listen and I somehow kept my heart from beating straight out of my chest and onto my Mead notebook. There I sat, cross legged (jean skirt and all), trying to figure out how I was going to look surprised and humbled when the news was officially delivered. Good thing I was a thespian, I was thinking in the back of my big head.
And either in that class or maybe the next period, the official news was delivered via Shakespearean Messenger (or another classmate, can’t remember):
FWP 1989 Homecoming Court:
Senior Girls:
Cindy Williams. Inner Monologue: Good, great, love her, dear friend
Jen Channick. Inner Monologue: Good, great, love her, dear friend
Mary Shrader. Inner Monologue: WHAT THE F#$%?
Inner Monologue continued…Wait one friggin minute. What? But my name is Mary Burt, not Mary Shrader. Mary Shrader is the really cute cheerleader that everyone likes. But still, there must be a mistake. I want a re-count!
My heart sank. I was like an air mattress after a busy night;
DE-FLATED.
Or like those students who received a false email from UCSD saying they had been accepted;
DE-NIED.
Or like Conan O’Brian is now;
DE-PRESSED.
After picking my jaw and ego up off the floor and putting on my best “I’m happy for you” look, I went about my Mary way. And I’ve gone about my Mary way for the past 20 years, but honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over this.
Yep, pretty sure, I am not over this. But I am telling you this frightfully embarrassing story in confindence, dear readers, because seriously, I am embarrassed that I even care.
But I do. Oh how I do.
And the reason I am telling this frightfully embarrassing story is because I just found out that I am up (my blog is up) for an award called Best in Lifestyle over at influencesd.com. So I am going to show you my inner child, my naive, narcissistic inner child, and ask/beg/plead on my hands & knees for votes.
If voted Best in Lifestyle Blog for influenceSD.com I promise to lobby for:
- Jamba & Starbucks in the vending machines
- Bikini/BoxerBrief Pep Rallies
- Longer Lunch breaks with a DJ in the quad
- Taco Tuesdays, from Robertos
- Lifting the ban on PDA
- Mandatory Senior Ditch Day, every other week, with no ramifications
I know, pretty great, huh?
And here’s where you come in: You can help me squash my inner demons and gain my self-esteem back in one of two ways:
1) Voting for me HERE (click the gray arrow one time only — it won’t tell you that your vote was successful, just click).
AND/OR
2) Help me come up with a campaign slogan. Like:
- Vote for Mama Mary cause she dances better than Napolean Dynamite
- The Mammary Show — It Does a Body Good.
- For the Love of All that is Holy, Vote for Mama Mary
The Winner of best slogan will receive a Roberto’s gift card and a 4 pack of Bartles & James.
Okay! So you have no idea how much I just wanted to be in your cool "in"group. You were the COOL one. You had soooooo many friends. Everybody loved you. You and your friends had so much fun and giggled all the time. Once in a while I would have a boyfriend who would let me tag along with him to all the COOL kid events.
It’s pretty funny what we remember about high school. I would never want to repeat high school. I am still even intimidated by the thought of a high school reunion.
Anyway, I voted for you last night. Your blog ROCKS!!!
I’m so glad we’ve kissed and made up. I’m still going to try to steal your crown at our reunion. Thanks for the vote! :-) xoxo
Okay I was having major flash backs while reading this…acid washed jean skirt and jacket, Mead notebook..aww the memories. How about the Guess jeans (because you had to have that triangle on your ass) and big poodle hair. Thanks for that little walk down memory lane. I too have a few HS "issues" I can not forget about …that’s why I drink..lol Just kidding (not really) loved your post.
I voted for you, but not because I wanted to. Because I felt sorry for you. Just being honest. But hey. A vote’s a vote.
That’s what I’m going for girl–the pity vote is as good as gold.
How about: "Vote for Mama Mary because what Mama wants, Mama gets."
…Unless what she wants it is to be a member of her high school homecoming court, in which case, she gets dissed.
I voted for you…
Okay, on soul-bareing writing merits alone you got my vote! Love your post! If I didn’t know you, I’d be feeling sorry for you, but I do (liucky me!), and you turned out just fine.
Oh my gosh… you are so funny, Mary! Thanks for the shout out & nice comments. I voted for you! (I think I actually got rid of that Homecoming Queen crown some years back … too bad now that I have 3 girls who like to play dress up regularly.) The amusing thing is that once I learned that at other schools girls lobby for the honor, I was embarrassed to have it. I like that we didn’t "run" for those things at Parker. Everyone knew that you were Miss Popular and so much fun! You were a star volleyball player, actress, and host of the Basement Crew :) I have many fond memories of all of our times together. I really hope there is a great turn out for our 20th You’ve always been the glue… make it happen, girl!
This is a very sad story.
I had to vote for you too.
I hope all your dreams come true.
…And that you never wear acid wash again.
Ok, I had to vote for you-
You are hilarious-I hope you win so big that they have a friggin’ crown painted on your garage door -that you have a marching band announcing your reign….that you are covered by all high profile media throughout San Diego telling the world how fantastic you are….
by the way, my year, Adrienne Russell-
I feel your pain babe….
narcissistic personalities unite!
Vote for Mama Mary – a daily blog that is quite contrary
For a daily dose of Mommy Sense – vote for the Mama Mary Show.
The Mama Mary Show – a jiggy, quirky, much needed break from reality show.
Ok…..painful, I know…..those creative juices just aren’t quite flowing. Must. Get. Coffee…… :) I will put some thought in to this. What are the main points you want to convey?
I am cringing and laughing at the same time over this story, so hilarious!! I especially love the fact that Mary Schrader responded (hi Mary)! Although I don’t know which is worse, the fact that you thought you were in the Homecoming Court and weren’t or the fact that you were wearing acid wash (I believe the latter). Luv you, thanks for the laugh! And of course I voted for you, you’re the best!!
Hey Mama!
Ted here. Yes THAT Ted. Something triggered me to take a look at your blog (saw you on FB or something like that?), so I just read a few of your entries, including this one. Yep, you’re still rockin it – love what you’re doing!!! Glad to see so many people enjoying your wit and observations :-)
Tell Stevie hi for me, and I hope to see you guys sometime sooner than later. Merry Xmas, and Happy New Year!!
Ted
I really see the logic in your argument but I think you’ve painted your strokes