1987

A man hunched over a computer, muttering.

Man: Gotta write the column. Gotta write the column.

He fiddles around in his in-box. He reads a missive from John Gannon, a fellow classmate.

Man: After 20 years together in New England Mary (Markland '86) and I have moved from Belmont, Massachusetts, to Fort Worth, Texas. We decided that it was time for a change. Given that it is 70 degrees here today and 12 degrees in Boston, our decision seems sound. I am still working for Fidelity Investments, though I have moved from Internet technology to mainframe technology. In a bizarre twist I am now managing technology that we studied (and abandoned) at Dartmouth back in the 1980s. The average age of mainframe managers is over 50—it's the hot new technology sector for younger people. Our three kids have adjusted well to their new schools (St. Mark's and Lamplighter) and we are all learning to shoot, ride and fish. Plus, there is plenty of hockey and sailing so we won't have to give up driving the kids all over the place in summer and winter. The weather late this fall has been perfect for golfing and running. Early in January we met up with Deb (Rowe) and John Marchiony'86 for the Disney Marathon. This has become an annual event for the four of us and we welcome any other '87s to join us for the full or half marathon at Disney. Send me an e-mail at john.gannon@ fmr.com if you plan to run next year. Running the race is a great excuse to eat whatever you want, take a trip without the kids and play some golf in the winter.

He puts down the paper and walks to the window. He looks absently outside.

Man: I'm glad time has been good to John Gannon. I wish him well on his running adventures.

He shuffles back over to his desk, his face alive with alumnic fervor.

Man: I wonder what Harold Ambler is up to?

Getting up, he paces in front of a large bear, whose countenance seems to mock him. He reads a letter: I've been living in Rhode Island for the past five years with my wife, Kim. We moved from N.Y.C., where each ofus had relatively pleasant careers in publishing, to live closer to the ocean/nature. Kim had made the mistake of teaching me to surf, and before long living in Park Slope meant spending a lot of time behind the wheel with a surfboard on the roof of our $400 Aries wagon. So we picked up and moved. In addition to freelance writing for R.I.Monthly and the ProvidenceJournal, I am working hard at becoming a professional singer-songwriter. My goal is to have recording and publishing deals by my mid-4-OS. Anyone interested in my music is welcome to download songs for free at www.haroldambler. com. I started in earnest at age 30; it has been a long, slow ascent. Mybig news I have is that Kim and I are pregnant and expecting in July. Much painting, etc., before then; it is a time of great hope for us. I want to wish all my old classmates the very best in 2005. It's amazing to me how I continue to be influenced for the better by people I haven't seen in so long.

Man: I wish Harold and Kim well in their new family adventure.

He returns to his seat and looks at his computer to face another month. To be continued....

296 Union St., Brooklyn, 11231;jtstex@gmail.com