Things They Would Not Teach Me of in College

My memory isn’t exemplary, but I totally remember Brian Chiedo. I wanted him to believe that I did, so after I received his email with this photograph, I replied with specific descriptions of my memories of him, including the first time I remember meeting him in drama club. He hasn’t emailed me since.

I don’t think he’s scared of me, though. I think he’s just phenomenally busy. The rest of this post is his note to me about his life:

I am standing on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. I went to LA in February and had a good time. As you can see, my hair is much much thinner since we graduated in 1986. I look older (damn!) but am a more mature person. My suspicion is that a lot of our classmates won’t remember who I am. That is neither a bad or good thing for me.

I am a full-time student at the University of North Texas in Denton, which is a 40-mile drive from my house. I live in the Turtle Creek neighborhood in Dallas. Actually, Dr. Phil lives across the street, and I sometimes see him at night walking his dog. I should ask him for advice (LOL). Anyway, back to my current life. I am completing my degree in English composition and a minor in history. My goal is to go to law school, and I will be taking the LSAT this fall. I am a bit nervous about undertaking that enterprise. It seems as if I will never get out of school.

My brother Jeff—some may remember him—graduated from the Chicago Art Institute with a degree in art then went on to Yale and got his MFA. My sister is a music teacher and has two little children; her husband is starting his residency this next month and will be a surgeon. Then there is me. I am trailing along degree-wise, but oh well.

Thus far I have had a very interesting life. I was a butler and an estate manager for a number of years and have gotten to go many places and meet many famous people (President Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Clint Eastwood, Michael Douglas, Doris Day, Vice President Cheney, Ross Perot, and many others). To say the least, I was star struck. It was a fun job while it lasted, but I am anxious to start the next phase of my life. Law school will be a big undertaking and seems very daunting at this moment, but I think it will be easy compared to my struggle with getting through two more semesters of Spanish. Also, there is nothing like waiting until the very bitter end to take math: oops.

I am not sure what else to say about myself that is interesting or funny or a reflection on the past 20 years. I am not married, have no children, but have been in a 19-year relationship. I am not even sure anyone remembers me, but here is a picture and I would be happy to hear from any classmates or even teachers, like Mrs. Krul.