Friends

One of my closest friends at school was named Angie. We almost had a relationship for a while, but it just didn’t feel right for us. It was like dating your sister, while in the south this might be considered acceptable, we didn’t roll that way.  In fact we would tell people sometime that we were brother and sister because we were so much alike.  Anyway, Angie was a junior, and was looking for a date for the junior/senior prom.  Since we were so close she asked me if I wanted to go.  I agreed and we had a pretty good time.  We had a nice dinner, dancing, laughing, the whole shebang, well most of it anyway, if you get my meaning.

Angie and I had a great time, and I don’t mean this as any disrespect to her, but if I had my choice I would have been at the prom with someone else.  I don’t want to mention a name here, because I am friends with someone who really liked her, but If I could have changed one thing I think I would have gone with this other girl if I could have, I had a huge crush on her, but that’s another show.

I dressed in a white tuxedo as you can see in the picture, that’s Angie with me by the way.  I wonder if Angie will ever get the chance to read this…. Angie if you read this I just have to ask if you would like to join me for a ‘DRINK’?  Don’t worry for those that don’t understand, it’s a private joke only for the off chance that Angie may get to read this.

I’ll be honest, I don’t remember too much about that evening, it all kind runs together.  I know we went somewhere off campus, rode in a limo, ate dinner, danced, talked, took some photos, but that’s about all I can recall.  We had fun, but what we did exactly eludes me, I wish I could get in touch with her to reminisce but I don’t have her contact information, so if anyone reading this knows an Angie McJunkin that used to attend the Tennessee School for the Blind let her know her brother Ted wants to get in touch again.

Sports my sophomore year were pretty much the same as my freshman year with a few exceptions.  I joined the wrestling team this year.  I did really well too.  I started off rough, but got the hang of it pretty good.  I even wound up winning some awards.

Forensics were good this year as well, I joined the NFL (National Forensics League) obtaining the National Forensics League Degree of Honor.  What is the NFL you may ask, well I think it best If I give you the answer they give;

“The National Forensic League is the nation’s oldest and largest debate and speech honor society. Since our founding in 1925, we have enrolled over 1 million members in all 50 states.

As an organization, the National Forensic League embraces diversity, interconnection, and visionary leadership. We empower students to become effective communicators, ethical individuals, critical thinkers, and leaders in a democratic society.”

Well there you have it.  This prestigious organization includes members like President Lyndon Johnson, Senators Russ Feingold and William Frist, media visionary Ted Turner, Emmy award winners Kelsey Grammar and Shelly Long, television host Oprah Winfrey, news anchor Jane Pauley, CSPAN founder Brian Lamb, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, and Federal National Mortgage CEO Franklin Delano Raines.

Something else happened this year, I met a great girl, one that would have a great impact on my life.  I was dating a girl named Kelly who I met at a swim meat and started dating soon thereafter.  Kelly was a student at the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind, and was the best friend of a girl JP was dating, you remember JP right? Good. Anyway, JP was dating this girl named Jill. Jill and Kelly were best friends.  JP and I were best friends.  Hmmm sound like this story could get interesting doesn’t it. Stay tuned for more on this late breaking turn of events.

So my freshman and sophomore years were pretty exciting. But I have to be honest they pale in comparison to what happens my junior and senior years.  Honestly the turns my life was about to take would have sent Evil Knievel reaching for his seat belt.

1. A Small History Lesson	2. Congratulations It’s A Freak
3. The First Five Years	4. It All Goes Up In Flames
5. School Daze	6. Say What?
7. A New Hope	8. Becoming A Sophisticated Redneck
9. A New Beginning – Literally	10. Back Into the Fray
11. They Like Me, They Really Like Me	12. 10011001
13. Let the Music Heal Your Soul	14. Taking My Sister to the Prom
15. My First Love, My First Broken Heart	16. From Zero to Hero
17. Livin’ On a Prayer	18. Moving On
19. Going Full Circle	20. The Rockford Files
21. Faith of the Heart	22. Partner, Friend, Lover, Wife
23. Turns Out She Was Right	24. A One-Legged Bear
25. Another Victim of the Game	26. Payin’ Bills with my Skills
27. A New Revell-ation	28. A New Page, A New Day
29. R We There Yet?