There was a message on voice mail about a 50th high school reunion. The alumnus had thought for some time that the holy trinity of the social sciences: class, race, and gender were not the big dividing line American society. No it was whether one looked back at high school as a peak experience or thought the prom scene in Carrie was too tame. Dating again, the alumnus stayed away from any woman who looked back fondly at high school...a deal breaker. Worse than a birther. But WTF....50 years.

The alumnus had muddled through those 50 years. B.A from Bard College, 2 years in the Peace Corps in Thailand, Ph.D. in American Studies/Sociology from Purdue. Steady work. Currently teaching at Northwest Missouri State University. One marriage, one divorce, 2 sons, and 2 grandkids. Will have to cancel classes to attend the reunion. But WTF