1985

Greetings from the land of 90 degree heat in February. Wish I could tell you that it's great trying to stay cool while the rest of the coun try digs out its driveways, but in truth it feels a tad bizarre; as if this city is in some sort of Dali-esque weather pattern all its own. Anyway, as I mix up another batch of ice-tea, here's the news:

Among the first correspondence we received in the New Year was a letter from AlexMuromcew, who requested that we "do a better job of representing our class rather than the small circle of 'BP' alums I seem to read about every single issue." Ouch. Tell us what you really think, pal. A small circle of BP's in every single issue? Come now, Alex, I mean, how could you be reading about the same BP's "every single issue" if we keep skipping columns? But gosh, thanks for the input. And, by the way, are you even allowed to use the term "BP" after college?

Also got a letter from Patty WaldmanThompson. Though Patty's not on our official BP list, we decided to let her into the column, but just this once, and only because it was a nice letter and she typed it without making a mistake. Don't think we'll make this kind of exception again. Patty gave me a complete run-down of her past ten years since graduation, and though I would love to report on all of it, I'm only allowed 600 words for this whole column and I've got many other BP's to report on. For a complete transcript, send me five bucks and I'll read you the letter over the phone. Patty got married two years ago to Mark Thompson (Texas A&M '83), whom she met while working at Chevron. The Thompsons now live and work in the Bay Area and enjoy skiing, sailing, yacht racing (I'm not kidding, I'll read you the letter), golfing, and bicycling. Patty also mentioned that she keeps in touch with non-BP Rick Sanford and his wife, Sara, who are living in New York with their two sons William and Henry. Another non-BP in contact with Patty is LindaBlockus, who is working on a Ph.D. in higher education at the University of Missouri, where her husband, Mark Kirk,' also happens to be a professor. Both are currently taking a year's sabbatical in Palo Alto.

Among the other Christmas news we received was a letter from Mark Sargent, who is living in Putney, Vt., with his wife, Kitty, and two dogs. Mark mentioned that Putney just celebrated the installation of an ATM machine and a new pizza place. (I don't think they are part of the same establishment.) News also from Kathy Jeavons, who is living in Cleveland's newly gentrified Warehouse District but might consider a move back to D.C. now that Newt and his boys have taken back the House and Senate. Finally, Emily Saltzman Hoffner and her husband, David, sent us a double birth announcement for the November 11 arrival of identical twins Sarah Elise (3:02 pm) and Michelle Rebecca (3:07 pm). Hey, Emily, you might not be getting any sleep now, but think of the possibilities you might be raising the new Doublemint twins of 2017.

Sorry for the departure. We'll get back to news on those same old BP's you know and love (of which Alex is now a proud member) next month. That is, of course, unless any of you decide you'd like to drop us a line and mess up our trend.

See ya.

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